The Warlord 04

When Old Master Li of the Li Family slowly regained consciousness, the surroundings had already emptied. Apart from the bloodstains on the ground, the eight corpses had also been carried away.

Fang Zhiyi hadn’t even bothered to check on him!

Old Master Li nearly choked on his rage again, and a servant hurriedly patted his back.

"Fang Zhiyi! Fang Zhiyi! After all the help our Li Family gave you back then, you repay us with betrayal and murder my son?!" Old Master Li’s eyes bulged with fury. "Fine! If this is how it’s going to be, don’t blame me for being ruthless!"

His eldest son had returned from Wacheng with news of another warlord’s proposal for cooperation—asking the Li Family to act as insiders. Old Master Li had initially planned to negotiate terms, but after today’s events, he made up his mind. Not only would he avenge his son, but he’d also make a fortune out of it!

Fang Zhiyi was well aware that his actions today would accelerate the Li Family’s plans to assassinate him. But he didn’t care.

He’d never intended to let them live anyway.

That afternoon, Wang Biao, Zhao Dezhu, Cao Wenjie, and Liu Baocai all arrived.

Fang Zhiyi sat with his eyes closed, idly rolling walnuts in his hand.

"Commander, I heard you executed Li Shun? Why didn’t you tell me? I’ve had it with that bastard for ages!" Wang Biao blurted out loudly.

Zhao Dezhu kicked him.

"Damn right! A man who can’t even take a bullet yet struts around calling himself deputy regimental commander—disgraceful!"

Fang Zhiyi opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

An inexplicable pressure settled over the four men.

"You’ve all worked hard these years. I’ll admit, I’ve grown complacent. If not for the enlightenment I received in a dream from a wise man, I might’ve been dead by now."

It was as good an excuse as any to justify his sudden change.

"Liu Baocai."

"Here!" Liu Baocai rubbed his hands nervously.

"I’ve heard the soldiers haven’t received their full pay in two months. Care to explain?"

Liu Baocai froze, a sheen of sweat breaking out on his forehead. "Commander, funds have been tight lately. The new taxes were just imposed, but collections have been slow. There’s nothing I could do!"

Fang Zhiyi leisurely wiped his gun. "Oh? If you can’t handle it, maybe I should find someone who can. What do you think?"

Liu Baocai’s sweat poured like rain. "Commander, just give me a little more time—just a little!"

Fang Zhiyi studied him, then turned to Cao Wenjie. "What’s your take?"

Cao Wenjie straightened. "Commander, I’ve heard the county magistrates have been withholding funds."

Fang Zhiyi fixed him with a stare.

Cao Wenjie swallowed hard. "I can handle it."

Fang Zhiyi smiled, satisfied. Cao Wenjie was a schemer, but also the smartest of the four.

"Zhao Dezhu."

"Here."

"Take me to see the troops."

"Yes, sir!" Zhao Dezhu couldn’t hide his relief. The commander hadn’t visited the barracks in ages, and morale had been slipping. But today’s move reignited his hope.

"Wang Biao, later you’ll take a few men and follow my orders—whatever I say, you do."

Wang Biao nodded. His brain wasn’t wired for anything more complicated.

"Liu Baocai, don’t just stand there. Bring me the latest list of officials."

The group headed to the barracks, where the soldiers had already gathered. Many were uneasy—news of the commander executing eight of their comrades had spread, and rumors swirled that even the nephew of the deputy quartermaster had been shot.

Fang Yaozu hadn’t expected his father to show up just after he’d been forced into the army. Bruised and aching, he dragged himself out, knowing full well that lying around might earn him another beating.

"Brothers! You’ve endured much!" Fang Zhiyi began with the usual formalities.

"I’ve failed you!" He sighed. "You’re my brothers-in-arms, yet I’ve let you down. For that, I apologize." Inside, he cursed the original owner of this body—this was the second apology he’d made today because of that fool.

"Your pay will be delivered within three days. From now on, if there’s ever another delay, I’ll take my own life in atonement!"

The weight of his words stunned the soldiers, who were still processing his apology.

"Commander!" An officer quickly interjected. "We’ve followed you through thick and thin! We understand the difficulties! Please don’t say such things!"

Fang Zhiyi glanced at him. This one had potential.

"Wang Biao!"

"Here!"

"Bring me the quartermaster!"

Wang Biao and his men dashed off, returning shortly with a man dragged onto the platform.

Fang Zhiyi eyed him. The man was clearly grieving—likely over his nephew’s death.

"Embezzling army funds, building a fortune—you’ve got nerve."

The deputy quartermaster stammered, "C-Commander, I didn’t—"

Fang Zhiyi’s gaze flicked to Liu Baocai, who stiffened before stepping forward. "I’ve verified the properties under your name. The evidence is irrefutable. How dare you deny it?"

The deputy quartermaster gaped at Liu Baocai. "You... you—"

"By military law, embezzlement is punishable by execution!" Liu Baocai declared, drawing his pistol and firing before the man could react.

Fang Zhiyi remained expressionless. After a long pause, he sighed. "Today, I dealt with a few criminals. Some of you weren’t there, but Adjutant Zhao was. What did I say?"

Zhao Dezhu hesitated, then remembered as he looked at Liu Baocai’s gun. "The commander doesn’t like others making decisions for him."

"Wang Biao! Arrest him!"

Without hesitation, Wang Biao seized Liu Baocai.

"You conspired with him to steal army funds. Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?" Fang Zhiyi smirked. "Brothers! What should we do with men who steal what’s rightfully yours?"

Soldiers had far less patience than civilians.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

"Wang Biao!" Fang Zhiyi waved.

A gunshot rang out. Liu Baocai collapsed.

"You’re also in charge of confiscating his assets," Fang Zhiyi told Wang Biao, who grinned and nodded.

Fang Zhiyi scanned the shocked soldiers before his gaze landed on his own bastard of a son. "There’s one more matter."

Fang Yaozu’s stomach dropped.

"That little... troublemaker. I heard he’s been organizing underground fights in the barracks. Is this true?"

After a pause, someone answered, "Yes."

"Good. My order is simple: Starting today, every soldier here is free to fight him—until one side can’t stand. Understood?"

"Commander?" Zhao Dezhu tried to intervene.

Fang Zhiyi raised a hand. "Did you all hear me?!"

"Yes, sir!"