Chapter 395: Blind to Greatness
Yizhangqing was escorted back to prison once more.
Her outburst served as a stark reminder to Zhong Gaoliang that prison security demanded greater vigilance. The management of labor reform prisoners, he realized, needed to be far stricter and more cautious, with no room for complacency, even when dealing with the most vulnerable. Consequently, the prison quickly formulated new security standards and more formalized management procedures.
Having been fully responsible for the matter, Padi Tu and Zheng Gouzi returned to the barracks. Padi Tu was in high spirits. "Gouzi! We've performed another chivalrous deed today!"
Zheng Gouzi rolled his eyes. "What are you talking about? We barely did anything. Don't act like you've just achieved a grand feat."
Padi Tu chuckled. "Heh, heh, you don't know yet, do you? What we just did earned us no small merit."
Zheng Gouzi's curiosity was piqued. "Wasn't it just a minor issue with one woman? Speaking of which, I find it really strange. Why did the Heavenly Lord expend so much effort, chatting with that woman for so long? As Lao Nanfeng suggested, wouldn't it have been simpler to just kill her and be done with it?"
Padi Tu explained, "That's where you don't understand. That woman doesn't just represent herself, but all the families of the rebels. And it's not just those seven thousand. In the future, we might defeat more rebels, even government forces. We'll also eliminate many bandit soldiers, government soldiers, Mongol soldiers, Manchu soldiers... and the families of those soldiers, many will become our enemies, just like that woman. There could be millions, even tens of millions of such people, enough to fill all the prisons in the world. Are we to kill all of them? That simply won't do. Therefore, winning hearts and minds is the best strategy."
"The Heavenly Lord's attitude towards this woman," he continued, "sets the precedent for how we deal with such enemies in the future. We just need to follow this plan, and we'll be correct."
Padi Tu's words finally made Zheng Gouzi understand. So that's it!
He concluded triumphantly, "So, the Heavenly Lord wasn't just dealing with that one woman, but with the tens of thousands of labor reform prisoners to come. Do you still think that was a minor issue now?"
Zheng Gouzi suddenly saw the light. "That explains it."
Padi Tu puffed out his chest. "Few in the world can match this Rabbit Lord's ingenuity."
He spoke with such smug satisfaction that he failed to notice the corner ahead. His attention wasn't on where he was going. As he rounded it, *thump*, he collided with someone. That someone was Wang Er.
It happened just as Wang Er, Bai Mao, and the villagers from Wangjia Village, having just finished their 'ideological lesson,' were dismissed. They were emerging from the cultural hall, on their way to the training ground.
Wang Er was masked and had changed his name to Wang Laohu. He had only joined the Gao Family Village Militia a few months prior and had maintained a low profile, never seeking attention. He knew his subordinates, after years of roving, first needed to settle their hearts and minds.
Thus, he dared not lead this group out to wander. Instead, he took them to ideological lessons every day, where they studied the Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention. They would not leave the camp until these principles were thoroughly learned.
Padi Tu and Zheng Gouzi chatted as they rounded the corner, and *thump*, collided with Wang Er, who was leading the group. Padi Tu felt as if he'd hit a wall; he staggered backward and landed squarely on his backside.
Wang Er quickly reached out to help him up. "Oh, my apologies, brother," he said. "I didn't notice anyone around the corner. Are you hurt?"
Padi Tu replied nonchalantly, "Of course not! This Rabbit Lord isn't made of paper; how could I get injured from a mere bump?"
He patted his backside and scrambled to his feet, only to see Zheng Gouzi beside him, trying to suppress laughter behind his hand.
Padi Tu demanded, "What are you laughing at?"
If anyone else had asked, Zheng Gouzi would surely have lied and claimed he wasn't laughing. But he and Padi Tu were sworn comrades, and comrades didn't mince words. He burst out laughing. "I'm laughing at you! After practicing martial arts for so long, you're still a novice, falling down from a light bump. Hahaha, made of paper!"
Padi Tu: "!!!"
This was intolerable.
Padi Tu turned to Wang Er. "I remember you," he stated. "You're one of the men Mr. Bai brought back from Heyang County. During the battle at Qichuan, you led a hundred local militia fighters, wearing Yellow Hats, in the battle."
Wang Er had spent years wandering, experiencing many hardships, which had naturally imbued him with a calm and steady demeanor. His tone was even and measured, appearing very calm. "Yes," he replied, "my name is Wang Laohu. I was introduced to the militia by Mr. Bai. I'm still a new recruit, so if there's anything I don't understand, please instruct me."
Padi Tu asked, "Do you recognize this Rabbit Lord?"
Wang Er clasped his fists in greeting. "Of course I do!" he replied. "Your name is Padi Tu; everyone calls you Rabbit Lord. During the battle at Qichuan Ferry, you, Rabbit Lord, threw out explosive satchels meant for cannons, destroying the border army's shield formation. That truly impressed this brother."
Padi Tu burst out laughing. How sensible this man was! He praised this great lord's virtues right away. In that case, I wouldn't hold the collision against him. But a man still needed to save face.
Padi Tu declared, "That collision just now wasn't because this Rabbit Lord is weak; it was because I was distracted and not paying attention. Let's bump again right now, so you can see this Rabbit Lord's true strength."
The moment he said this, Bai Mao, standing behind Wang Er, looked displeased. He swayed forward, ready to intervene.
Wang Er, however, seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He pressed a hand on Bai Mao's shoulder, signaling him not to move.
He hadn't wasted his years, having encountered all sorts of people, especially the strange 'chivalrous heroes' among the rebel forces. He had seen many eccentrics like Padi Tu. To take offense at Padi Tu would be to lose face. He smiled faintly. "There's no need to bump again," he said. "I am quite weak. When we rounded the corner just now, I was walking forward with my head down, while you, Rabbit Lord, were turned, speaking with Brother Zheng Gouzi. In such a collision, you would certainly be at a disadvantage. If we were both walking forward, I would surely be the one to fall."
Padi Tu chuckled. "Haha, brother, your words are truly pleasant to hear. I like you! From now on, if anyone bothers you, just mention this Rabbit Lord's name."
With that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out fifty copper coins. This was the 'special bonus' he'd received earlier for escorting Yizhangqing. It wasn't much, just fifty coins, a token gesture. He placed all the coins into Wang Er's hand and cheerfully turned to leave.
Zheng Gouzi, with a strange expression, followed him.
After walking for a good while, Padi Tu suddenly remembered something. "Gouzi," he pondered, "that's strange. It's not surprising that the man just now knew my name; after all, this Rabbit Lord's renown spreads far and wide, and it's only natural that all heroes under heaven respect me. But why did he know *your* name?"
Zheng Gouzi replied, "He used to be a very well-known hero in our villages; everyone looked to him for protection. Even the big boss in my village called him 'Big Brother,' and I even went out fighting with him once. Is it strange that he recognized me?"
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