IDWBE -Chapter 204 Contentment

In short, his chest felt so tight that if he didn’t vent it, he wouldn’t feel at ease!

Zhu Rourong grinned foolishly. “Sir He, even if we didn’t earn glory, we did suffer hardship!”

He had injured his arm while chasing the enemy. Luckily, it wasn’t too deep—otherwise, that arm would have been ruined.

“Yes, Sir He,” the butcher said aggrievedly, “we captured five cities in a row—from Baiyang to Tancheng. It wasn’t easy for us brothers along the way.”

They had been running at a breakneck pace, their legs nearly giving out.

Run a bit slower, and someone else would snatch all the rewards.

Fighting didn’t require much skill—looting did.

If you weren’t clever, you’d return empty-handed, watching others enjoy the spoils.

Even walking upright was a struggle.

“Glory? Hardship? You actually have the nerve to say that?”

He Jixiang’s teeth itched with anger at just the mention.

The laborers had gotten rich while the soldiers only looked on enviously.

Everyone wanted to get rich, after all!

Now, the soldiers’ morale was unsettled. In Prince He’s words, it was hard to lead this group!

At this rate, who would want to be a soldier?

“Sir He,” Li Sanniang said in confusion, “from tents to ready-made clothes, nothing went wrong in my shop. Even after entering the city, we did not disturb the civilians or commit any crimes.”

He Jixiang pointed at the top and snorted coldly. “Tell me—where did this plaque go? Even the ruthless Han Hui didn’t remove it! He didn’t pry out the bronze nails from the doors, or melt down the two iron lions at the government gate!”

But these laborers? Like locusts sweeping the land—ten times worse than bandits.

Even bandits wouldn’t pillage like this.

Sometimes, they didn’t even enter homes—just pried off the door rings from outside.

This expedition was different from before. They had conquered to govern, not to let these people run amok.

“You are right, Sir He,” Liang Qingshu said, hearing this, realizing they had overstepped. He laughed awkwardly. “I will impose stricter discipline on the workers.”

He Jixiang snapped, “All the loot—they end up where? Right in the hands of you bastards!”

He could not restrain himself, cursing them openly.

Liang Qingshu forced a smile. “Sir He, we will follow your orders.”

He Jixiang said, “From today, do not attack cities on your own. No more looting. You are suppliers—do your duty. If you really want to earn money, next time bring more goods to sell.”

They were unwilling but dared not disobey, answering in unison.

He Jixiang’s expression softened slightly. After sipping his tea, he said, “Think carefully—what good comes from leaving Yuezhou in chaos? I’ll be frank: the road from Tanzhou to Baiyun City will soon be repaired.”

From now on, Yuezhou would belong to Sanhe. Wherever Sanhe ruled, there must be roads.

“Sir He, is this true?”

Liang Qingshu’s eyes gleamed.

A road from Baiyun City to Tanzhou—what did it mean?

Roads weren’t built casually.

And why would they build it?

Sanhe was Sanhe, Yuezhou was Yuezhou!

There was only one reason: from now on, Yuezhou and Sanhe would be united.

Looting brought quick money, but only once or twice. Trade earned more in the long term.

Before, they avoided business in Yuezhou due to poor transport and rampant bandits—completely unsuitable for trade.

Sanhe had many shortcomings, but one advantage the entire Daliang Kingdom lacked: strict laws.

Doing business—no need to fear tricksters or petty thieves, and no corrupt officials to extort you!

If Yuezhou followed Sanhe’s rules entirely, it was like money falling into your lap.

Now that the rebels were defeated and Yuezhou was under Sanhe’s control, it was only right. No one saw fault in this!

“From now on, Yuezhou is ours!”

Zhu Rourong, though slow to react, finally understood. “From now on, love Yuezhou as we love Sanhe!”

Han Dongsheng laughed. “Prince He is wise!”

He then knelt toward the south.

“Prince He is wise!”

The others quickly followed suit.

Seeing He Jixiang’s expression ease, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief.

So the matter passed peacefully.

“Servants!”

He Jixiang suddenly shouted.

“Yes, Sir!”

Bao Kui responded.

He Jixiang said slowly and deliberately, “From today, Yuezhou will follow Sanhe’s laws. Whoever breaks the rules will be punished.”

No further explanation was needed.

From laborers to soldiers, most understood Sanhe’s laws, and many had learned the hard way.

“Yes, Sir!”

Bao Kui left.

That night, when the order was spread, Sanhe’s laborers felt as if the sky had fallen.

Going out now meant obeying Sanhe’s regulations?

What was forbidden in Sanhe was now forbidden in Yuezhou.

The laborers followed the rule of not disturbing civilians. Setting up fires and shelters in Tancheng’s streets, alleys, broken temples, and gates, very few were happy.

Wang Xiaoshuan leaned against the city wall, sighing at Wei Yishan adding firewood beside him. “At this rate, I won’t come back.”

He had previously been Zhu Rourong’s assistant and earned some small fortune in Daxi City. This trip to Yuezhou, he had been the most eager.

From Baiyang City to Tancheng, he fought bravely, like everyone else aiming to be first in the city and first to grab the spoils.

Though speared in the chest while climbing the wall, he had pressed on directly to Yuezhou’s Administration Office—Han Hui’s old stronghold—and doubled his fortune.

Now, with Sanhe laws suddenly enforced, what’s left to gain?

“Don’t be ungrateful,” Wei Yishan added while tending the fire, “Better this than enduring the shopkeepers’ temper. If Liu Duo hadn’t begged me, I wouldn’t have followed him—might as well let Li Sanniang drive the carts. Anyway, I’m content. Actually, stability in Yuezhou is best. With capital from this trip, we can do business here in the future.”

Wang Xiaoshuan said, “Business? That’s not bad. Tancheng is huge—never seen anything like it in my life. I wish Baiyun City were as grand. Look at these city walls—they’re so high, I almost didn’t make it up.”

Wei Yishan puckered his lips. “Why do we need walls in Baiyun City? Afraid someone will attack us?”

“…”

Wang Xiaoshuan had no reply. “I guess so…”

Who would dare attack Baiyun City?

Not attacking others was already good enough.