The Warlord 05

Fang Zhiyi pulled the stack of official documents from the dead Liu Baocai's hands and left the military camp with satisfaction.

In the following days, drastic changes swept through Anning City and its surrounding areas.

Squads of armed soldiers jogged through the streets, and from time to time, the townsfolk would witness their county magistrate being dragged out. The commanding officer would then publicly announce his crimes—embezzlement of silver taels—before executing him on the spot.

County magistrates, finance officials, tax collectors, village chiefs... One after another, these high-ranking figures were hauled into the streets for public trials. The people, initially fearful and uneasy, gradually grew exhilarated, clapping and cheering with delight.

Yet Fang Zhiyi was stunned.

He had expected corruption, but after Cao Wenjie's investigation, even he found himself at a loss. The list reported back to him was shocking—from top to bottom, not a single official under his jurisdiction was clean!

Cao Wenjie was even more taken aback when Fang Zhiyi, after a brief moment of shock, made a decision that would shock the world.

Kill them all.

From that moment on, Cao Wenjie truly feared this seemingly newly awakened warlord.

Fang Zhiyi proceeded to post notices: anyone with ability could come forward and recommend themselves for official positions at the warlord's residence. Meanwhile, soldiers were temporarily reassigned from the military to fill these administrative roles.

Zhao Dezhu was uneasy. This move encroached on the interests of the local gentry, but the warlord didn’t seem to care.

Of course Fang Zhiyi didn’t care—he had the guns.

After confiscating so many properties, his soldiers were now fully paid and supplied, their combat effectiveness elevated by more than just a single level.

Fang Zhiyi also revised military regulations, strictly prohibiting harassment of civilians, extortion, and unauthorized desertion.

At the same time, he disbanded and reorganized his forces, promoting a large number of young officers. The army now brimmed with vitality.

New policies were implemented without obstruction. A series of oppressive taxes were abolished, and Fang Zhiyi himself opened a grain store, selling food at fair prices. These two measures alone elevated his reputation to new heights.

His title shifted from "that damned warlord" to "Governor Fang."

At the Li Family estate, Old Master Li had his servants keep watch outside while he addressed the men gathered inside. "Fang Zhiyi has gone mad. He’s killing officials, killing soldiers, even killed my son. Now he wants to let those lowborn peasants become officials! What do you all think?"

One of the gentry gritted his teeth. "Old Master Li, what we think doesn’t matter. Fang Zhiyi has men and guns. What can we do?"

"Exactly. Are we supposed to fight him with the few rusty rifles we have at home?" another muttered in defeat.

Old Master Li smiled. "This old man has a way out for you."

"Please enlighten us, Old Master Li."

"Marshal Luo of Wacheng was on good terms with my late son..."

The room fell silent.

"Old Master Li, are you suggesting...?"

"I’m suggesting you’re finished." The doors swung open as Old Master Li watched his own servants usher in a squad of soldiers with deference.

"You! This is the Li Family estate!" Old Master Li’s eldest son roared.

"The Li Family? After today, there won’t be a Li Family anymore." Cao Wenjie sneered. "I was just thinking it’d be a hassle to hunt you down one by one, but you’ve all gathered here so conveniently."

"Cao Wenjie! How dare you!" Old Master Li stood, trembling with rage. "I demand to see Fang Zhiyi! If not for our Li Family’s aid, would he even be where he is today?!"

Cao Wenjie waved a hand. "Yes, yes. The warlord specifically mentioned that the Li Family provided him with provisions, so I’m here to repay that favor on his behalf." He clapped his hands, and more soldiers carried in sacks of grain.

"Today, you will eat every last grain of this. Then you may leave." Cao Wenjie’s tone was venomous. The soldiers beside him cocked their rifles in unison.

Terror flashed in Old Master Li’s eyes.

"After you, gentlemen."

At the warlord’s residence, Zhao Dezhu stood awkwardly as an old man in spectacles shouted, "Fang Zhiyi, don’t think you can run wild just because you have a couple of rifles! Look at the state of Anning City—utter chaos!"

Behind him, seven or eight men in long robes murmured in agreement.

"Go ahead, execute me too if you dare!"

Fang Zhiyi scratched his head, forcing an apologetic smile. "Old Mr. Dou, I really haven’t done those things..."

"Haven’t done them? Because of you, the schools are empty! Students are hiding at home. At first, I thought you might be a decent warlord, but now? Executions in the streets, homes ransacked at a whim—Anning is in shambles!" He took a heaving breath. "Do you think a peaceful world can be built on bloodshed?"

Fang Zhiyi looked at the old scholar and sighed. "Just wait until today is over, alright?"

"Over? You’ve arrested the entire education bureau! Teachers and students alike are terrified!"

"They were corrupt. Should I have let them be?"

"Regardless, this isn’t how things are done! Squeezing the people dry is one thing, but arresting people indiscriminately and disrupting education—that’s where you’ve crossed the line!"

"Yes, yes. My mistake." Fang Zhiyi shot Zhao Dezhu a glare—how had this fool let these old men in?

He took a deep breath. "Actually, I was planning to seek you out myself."

"Oh? Scared of my scolding? Ready to make an example of me?"

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. "I wanted to discuss education with you all. Though I’m a rough man, I understand the importance of learning. Knowledge changes destinies—not just for children, but for our entire nation."

Old Scholar Dou was taken aback, reassessing the warlord with new eyes.

"Here’s my plan: I’ll appoint new officials to the education bureau and allocate funds to build a new school in Anning City—free for all children."

"Free?" The men muttered among themselves.

Zhao Dezhu was stunned. Free? Currently, poor families couldn’t afford schooling. Even with Old Scholar Dou and other teachers lowering fees, many still struggled.

"Additionally, we’ll establish programs for teacher training, military studies, agriculture, and more, open to young recruits. Instructors will be selected from both the military and existing teachers."

"Fang Zhiyi, are you serious?" Old Scholar Dou asked skeptically.

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "My word is my bond."

After ushering out the scholars, Zhao Dezhu hesitantly approached. "Warlord... we don’t have that kind of money, do we?"

Fang Zhiyi remained calm, gazing outside until the clamor of voices reached them. He smiled. "Who says we’re broke?"