1014: Chapter 1014: The People’s Heart Can Be Used 1014: Chapter 1014: The People’s Heart Can Be Used The governnt forces had weakened the water bandits sowhat, but their plundering of the bandits’ wives and daughters was still first-rate.
Before the city gates, a crowd knelt down.
Sturdy water bandits along with their families, easily numbered fifty to sixty thousand people.
And that was only half, the other half had already fled back to their respective villages.
During tis of war, they beca soldiers; in tis of peace, they turned to banditry.
If organized, they could muster an army of over a hundred thousand.
As Long Fei approached, seeing how respectfully the Governor treated him, they knew their savior had arrived, and they began to knock their heads to the ground while shouting, “Spare our lives, Master, save us!”
“We are not water bandits, we’ve been wronged!”
“Master, we beg you to save us!”
A group of people, dressed in coarse hemp clothing, had eyes full of helpless pleading.
Governor Zhang Yannian rebuked, “You, once a bandit, bring death upon your wives, children, and elders by association.
This official had intended to eradicate you all, but this great Master has shown rcy, persuading this official to grant you a path to life.
Follow this great Master from now on, reform yourselves, and repay the Emperor’s grace.
Should you dare return to the rivers as bandits, this official will surely not spare your lives.”
“We acknowledge our cris.”
“Thank you, sir, for sparing our lives!”
“We will never beco water bandits again, we swear to the heavens!”
A throng of people made their promises, hearing that they had a chance to live, their eyes turned towards Long Fei with excitent.
Long Fei nodded at Governor Zhang Yannian, thinking to himself that this local official was quite adept at currying favor.
Knowing that he needed to win over these people, he played the benevolent card with the water bandits, making them feel indebted to him.
But winning the hearts of the water bandits required more than just kind words, it required strength.
He looked at a group of cautious bandits, stepped forward, and helped an elderly man up from the front.
Li Gan, who was by his side, hurriedly ordered everyone to stand, flattering as he said, “Everyone, get up!
This great Master is a person of benevolence and righteousness, an immortal sent by the heavens to save the common folk.
You won’t need to rob and steal any longer, follow the Master, and we can all live a good life.”
Ji Wanyu grumbled upon hearing this, “A flatterer, what’s the use in blabbering to them here.”
She stared at Long Fei with confusion, wondering what he could possibly have to discuss with these unruly peasants.
With the water bandits gone, her heart returned to Chang’an, not wishing to waste more ti here.
Yet Lin Shanshan’s eyes curved into a smile, knowing that her brother-in-law intended to be a coal mine owner here.
Li Gan held so sway among the bandits.
So of the bandits’ leaders stood up, and the other commoners followed suit.
Long Fei signaled to Liuu Jiangnan, Bald Dog, and the Ground Rat Demon King to gather all the gold coins confiscated by the Governor.
One hundred thousand taels of gold, weighing five hundred thousand grams.
In this world, ten was the unit of asurent; a gold coin weighed ten grams each.
The gold coins poured out of the Qiankun Bags, amounting to as many as fifty thousand.
Piled together, they glead brightly under the sunlight like a small mountain, causing everyone to hold their breath for a mont.
Even Governor Zhang Yannian and Great General Wang Shouren frowned at that mont, unsure of what Long Fei was planning.
There was so commotion among the water bandits, and if they hadn’t known of Long Fei’s prowess, they would have already been unable to resist the urge to frantically grab for the gold.
The governnt forces guarding them could not help but swallow hard, as if they wanted to snatch away the treasure for themselves.
Long Fei’s gaze swept over the crowd, and he released so of the pressure of his Nascent Soul Realm, making the restless crowd instantly feel as if a giant stood before them, and their agitation quickly settled down out of fear.
Even the soldiers on both sides beca silent, daring not to harbor any ill intentions any longer.
Long Fei scooped up a handful of gold coins, letting them slide onto the pile of gold with a jingling sound.
He smiled and asked the crowd, “Do you want so?”
The crowd looked at each other, too scared to utter a word.
To say they wanted the coins might get them labeled as unreford bandits and dragged off for slaughter.
Beside him, Li Gan joked, “I want so.”
Long Fei inquired, “Anyone else?”
His eyes scanned the crowd.
With Li Gan leading, a group of young and strong water bandits began to shout with raised arms, “I want so.”
“I want it too.”
“…”
One call followed another, and everyone joined in the chorus.
After the noise subsided, Long Fei asserted, “That’s right, wanting money.
Anyone who sees money and doesn’t want it is sick in the head!”
Everyone chuckled at his easygoing manner and breathed a sigh of relief.
Long Fei continued, “You all were water bandits before, driven by necessity, greed for wealth, or other reasons, but it was just to get by, just to give your families a better life.
Now, I give you these gold coins, and I also offer you a job.
You can earn money honestly and spend it with a clear conscience.
No longer do you have to worry about governnt forces’ assault or fight and kill others for survival.
My question to you now is, do you want to continue being water bandits, or do you want a stable job?”
There was no need to think about the answer.
The group shouted in unison, “Work!”
“Of course, we want to work!”
“We want jobs!”
Their calls spread in all directions, hearts ablaze with passion.
Long Fei gestured for silence and, satisfied, said with a smile, “Very good.
It seems none of you were born with a preference for banditry, so let’s talk about jobs.
Right here, under your feet, on Mystic Turtle Island.
Soon, a city wealthy beyond asure will rise, featuring a large port for trade, equitable trading regulations, the safest living conditions, and urban architecture beyond your wildest dreams.
As long as you have a skill, or even just strength, you won’t lack for work here.
If you’re a boatman, you can sail at the port.
If you’re a craftsman, you can help build hos.
If you’re a farr, you can cultivate the land here.
I guarantee, if you stay, within a year, each of you will beco wealthy.”
“I’ll stay!”
“I want to stay.”
“Keep , I can build houses.”
“I can treat the sick, I’m a doctor!”
Desire surged in their hearts, ignited by this grand promise, as they clamored to make themselves known to Long Fei.
Even if they were asked to leave now, they wouldn’t want to go.
Governor Zhang Yannian, watching from the side, sighed, “To govern others, winning their hearts is paramount; I am no match for you.”
He originally thought all of Long Fei’s efforts were in vain.
These people could simply be shackled and made prisoners, forced to do whatever he commanded.
There was no need to waste money or breath on them.
But seeing the crowd’s high spirits, Zhang Yannian suddenly felt ashad, finally understanding Long Fei’s intention.
The strength people exhibit under duress pales in comparison to what they can achieve when they are self-motivated.
The people’s spirit was there to be harnessed; he looked around, believing that perhaps before long, a truly unique city might just erge here.
It was clear now that Long Fei intended to establish the port right here.
This was good news for Zhang Yannian, sparing the current port’s resources and avoiding conflict with any powerful entities.
To him, this lake was just a backwater place, and if Long Fei wanted to take it, it was no loss at all.
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