28: Xing Daorong

"My Lord, the east and west teams have completed their mission, capturing a total of 712 people," Zhang Wenfeng said.

"Good, were there any casualties among the villagers?" Lin Yue asked.

"Three minor injuries, no casualties!" Zhang Wenfeng thought for a moment, then continued, "A bunch of weaklings, they surrendered after just a scare."

"If it weren't for three villagers chasing them too fast and spraining their ankles, there wouldn't have been a single injury."

"That's good. You've all worked hard."

"Everyone's hungry, right? We'll have roast lamb later," Lin Yue said with satisfaction. He couldn't let the villagers work all night for nothing.

Coincidentally, Feng Cai had previously purchased a batch of cattle and sheep. The cattle couldn't be eaten, but the sheep could.

It would be an extra meal for the Guard and would make them work harder.

You can't expect a horse to run without feeding it grass.

Most importantly, he was hungry too.

"Thank you, My Lord!" Zhang Wenfeng said with a smile.

Eating lamb—which other village could enjoy such a life? It was truly good to follow My Lord!

Lin Yue nodded and walked to another area; Wang Hu was still waiting for him.

Lin Yue reached the prison door and heard cries of agony.

"Stop hitting me, stop hitting me, my glasses are broken!"

"Still trying to run? I'll show you running!" Wang Hu said, kicking Da Yi, completely disregarding his wails.

"What's wrong?" Lin Yue asked.

Hearing the sound, Wang Hu quickly turned his head and stopped when he realized it was My Lord.

"My Lord, he tried to run, but I caught him."

When Wang Hu stopped, Lin Yue noticed Da Yi's face was covered in blood, and he was still clutching his head, not daring to let go. His glasses on the ground were already shattered.

"Alright, just don't kill him," Lin Yue instructed.

These were all Merit Points!

He had asked Feng Cai about the use of Merit Points before and learned that they could be exchanged for weapons, treasures, and various other items at the County City Yamen or in the Military Camp. Merit Points were obtained by slaying or capturing foreign tribesmen or rebels.

And most importantly, rebels, which initially gave only 10 Merit Points, had now increased in value!

The reason was the current shortage of corvée labor in various regions, with projects like the Epang Palace and the Great Wall requiring vast numbers of workers.

Now, one rebel was worth 20 Merit Points! A full double!

So, as long as they weren't dead, Lin Yue didn't care about anything else.

Zhang Wenfeng told the villagers about the roast lamb, and cheers erupted from them!

[Houjia Village Morale +5, current morale is 95!]

The saying 'people take food as their heaven' is truly apt. If they ate like this every day, he wondered if morale could still increase!

After a quick round, Lin Yue returned to the main hall, where Pan Feng and Feng Cai had been waiting for a long time. Feng Cai thoughtfully wiped a stool with his sleeve for Lin Yue to sit on.

"What is your name?" Lin Yue was very interested in the strong man. If he could bring a Third-rate Military General under his Command, his strength would undoubtedly rise another level!

"This humble general is Xing Daorong!"

Xing Daorong no longer had his previous sharp edge; clearly, Pan Feng had dealt with him quite severely.

Lin Yue leaned forward, almost unable to resist standing up.

It was him!

Lin Yue was very familiar with this name; after all, this person's 'ghost animal' videos had endured for half a century and remained popular, making him a household name.

General of Lingling, a great general of the Three Kingdoms period, a military general with superb martial arts, eloquent speech, and confidence!

Lin Yue pondered silently. He always felt Xing Daorong was a bit unreliable, but strength determined everything. He currently had no reason to refuse a Third-rate Military General!

"My Lord, the lamb is ready."

A soft voice spoke. Xia Qing and Xia Lian each brought a plate of roast lamb to his side, picking up chopsticks and feeding him piece by piece.

"Bring a plate for Village Chief Feng and General Pan," Lin Yue casually instructed.

Ah, the taste of being superior is truly good; one can truly be fed without lifting a finger!

"Grumble..."

This sound attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

Xing Daorong stood on the ground, silently swallowing, looking a bit embarrassed.

It truly wasn't his fault. Following General Yu, he starved three times out of nine meals.

He truly didn't know what fat tasted like anymore. Remembering his last meal was 'last time,' he couldn't help but feel a little sad.

If he hadn't been so hungry, he wouldn't have been defeated so quickly.

"Xia Lian, go feed General Xing," Lin Yue said with a smile, wanting to tease Xing Daorong. For some reason, he hadn't felt anything before, but ever since he knew the strong man was Xing Daorong, looking at him always brought a strange sense of humor.

"Yes, My Lord," Xia Lian responded sweetly, walking step by step to Xing Daorong.

Watching the graceful Xia Lian, Lin Yue worried she might twist her waist. Fortunately, she quickly reached Xing Daorong.

Xia Lian picked up a piece of meat and fed it to Xing Daorong, who swallowed it in one gulp!

Xia Lian frowned slightly and picked up another piece, but Xing Daorong still swallowed it in one gulp. Xia Lian, as if in a competition, sped up, but still couldn't keep up with Xing Daorong's speed. This scene left the surrounding people dumbfounded.

What kind of life must he have lived before this?

Soon, a plate of meat was completely devoured.

Xing Daorong felt a bit embarrassed by everyone's surprised gaze, but eating was the most important thing in the world, and he couldn't worry about so much now!

Just eat!

Pan Feng also gave him his meat. Military generals held mutual respect for each other, and he couldn't imagine someone with such martial arts living such a life!

"How about I give him my plate too, old man?" Feng Cai asked cautiously. Seeing Lin Yue nod, Feng Cai also sent it over.

Soon, three plates of meat were swept clean under a whirlwind of eating. Xing Daorong let out a big burp.

Then, unexpectedly, he bowed forward, his head touching the ground, and loudly declared!

"This humble general, Xing Daorong, is willing to go through fire and water for the General, even if it means ten thousand deaths!"

There was no response, and Xing Daorong couldn't help but secretly look up, thinking, 'Could it be that I ate too much just now, making the General displeased?'

Seeing Lin Yue stand up, he quickly returned to his original posture.

"Good, good, good, please rise quickly!"

The sudden change made Lin Yue pause for a second. Coming back to his senses, he quickly stood up and went to help Xing Daorong, personally untying the ropes on Xing Daorong and checking his attributes.

[name: Xing Daorong

Identity: Refugee

Title: None

Official Position: None

Martial Power: 83

Intelligence: 72

Command: 76

Politics: 64

Charm: 68

Loyalty: 60

Talent: False Valor: Has a chance to scare away enemy troops in battle]

His second Third-rate Military General!

Although his loyalty was barely passable, he was confident he could make Xing Daorong loyal to him forever!

"You've suffered," Lin Yue said sincerely as he helped Xing Daorong up.

Upon hearing this, Xing Daorong's eyes instantly reddened, his heart filled with complex emotions.

"This humble general truly starved three times out of nine meals and didn't have a drop to drink."

"And This humble general also secretly heard that General Yu was going to sell This humble general to others."

"Even actresses in brothels have the right to buy their freedom, but This humble general, with all his martial arts, is not even as good as an actress!" Xing Daorong cried.

An eight-foot tall strong man, yet at this moment, he was sobbing, recounting his various grievances. Such a contrast truly saddened those who heard and brought tears to those who listened.

"What is going on? Why would he sell you to others?" Lin Yue asked after comforting him.

Xing Daorong was a Third-rate Military General, so why would General Yu sell him to others?

"This humble general doesn't know, and This humble general doesn't wish to dwell on it anymore.

From now on, as long as My Lord does not abandon him, This humble general will go through fire and water, without hesitation!"

"I will treat you as my own brother," Lin Yue comforted.

"Pan Feng, take General Xing to rest," Lin Yue instructed.

Lin Yue feared Xing Daorong might feel awkward facing his former lord, so he had Xing Daorong return first.

"Yes, My Lord," Pan Feng replied, then said to Xing Daorong, "Follow me."

"Feng Cai, go wake up General Yu," Lin Yue said. He now had many questions he wanted to ask General Yu.

"Yes!" Feng Cai nodded sinisterly.

At this time, General Yu was still unconscious. Feng Cai directly picked up a bucket of water and poured it over General Yu.

"Where is this?" General Yu slowly woke up, only to find himself soaking wet and lying on the ground. He tried to get up but found himself tied with ropes.

"General Yu?" Feng Cai asked.

"G-ghost, a ghost!" General Yu exclaimed, realizing the person in front of him was that chilling phantom!

Feng Cai slapped him: "Look closely, this old man is not a ghost!"

Feng Cai's slap made General Yu see stars. He slowly recovered and recalled what had happened earlier.

"Sir, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding!" General Yu shouted.

"Hehe, it seems this old man will have to use some methods, or you won't tell the truth," Feng Cai laughed sinisterly.

"It's true!" General Yu shouted.

"Heh heh."

"Ah!"