Chapter 83: The Mysterious Formation of Kindness and Authority (Part 2)

  Those arrows covered the sky and came down like a storm, directly hitting the terrified faces of the people on the city wall.

  It's too late to draw the sword now, and everyone is staring blankly, unable to believe it for a moment, while people's lives are often settled in this brief moment of stunned silence.

  At this moment, an arrow flew straight towards Shi Jin's left eye with a piercing whistle. Shi Jin hastily stretched out his hand to deflect it, but didn't expect that Shi Qian would be one step ahead of him, snatching the arrow and tightly grasping it in his hand. At the same time, those brothers from Shaohua Mountain who were too slow to react, couldn't grasp the trajectory of the arrow and could only subconsciously turn their heads away. They thought that what followed would be a tragic scene with helmets and armor pierced and blood splattered everywhere. But unexpectedly, there was just a series of clanging sounds, and all the arrows shot at them fell to the ground, while most of the arrows flew over people's heads and directly into the city.

  At that time, Shi Yan sent the arrow feather he had grasped to Shi Jin's face. Shi Jin looked at it carefully and saw the tip of the arrow feather. No wonder it could fly three hundred paces without decreasing its momentum. It turned out that this arrow was a headless arrow, with the heavy arrowhead removed and replaced with a paper scroll.

  Shi Jin beckoned to his left and right, moving the torches closer. By the light of the flames, Shi Jin carefully pulled out the rolled-up paper and unfolded it, examining the surface closely. On it was written in tiny, black characters with a brush as fine as a fly's head.

  Shi Qian looked on, reading out the characters he recognized one by one: "Spring... something transport, Emperor... Emperor... what day" Shi Qian couldn't bear to look anymore, as he didn't recognize many characters, and the words on this paper were really too easy to read. He mumbled and stuttered, only understanding half a sentence before getting confused. He turned his head to look at Shi Jin, saying seriously: "Brother, isn't it still early for spring? What is the Emperor trying to say with this 'what day'? You're an educated man, can you tell me what he's hinting at?"

  Shi Jin lowered his head and took a closer look, on which was written:

  "The Emperor's Decree: Since I ascended to the throne, I have governed the world with benevolence and righteousness, rewarding and punishing with fairness, seeking virtuous officials without ever being remiss, loving the people as if fearing not meeting their needs. All near and far know my heart.

  I deeply consider that the bandits of Mount Shaohua, including Shi Jin, have long been loyal and righteous, not cruel or tyrannical, and have had a submissive heart for a long time, with a sincere desire to serve. Although they committed crimes, each has their own reasons; examining their inner feelings, I deeply sympathize with them.

  I now specially dispatch the Military Supervisor of Huazhou, Meng, to carry this decree, personally arriving at Huayin County Castle, and completely pardoning all crimes committed by Shi Jin and others, both major and minor. This is so that you may understand my intentions and respond to Heaven's will.

  From now on, strictly follow the rules and regulations; be mindful of your duties as officials; respect the laws and teachings. The nearby people should not be disturbed. Remember the official duties that should be fulfilled; carefully observe the important matters; be grateful for the imperial favor that has been bestowed upon you, and do not forget to repay it with sincerity.

  Respectfully obey this decree, and forever honor my instructions."

  "Brother, what does he mean?" Shi Qian looked at his older brother with a pair of round and curious eyes, staring at Shi Jin's face full of questions.

  Shi Jin crumpled the paper in his hand and threw it to the ground with a fierce toss, saying indignantly: "This old fox, I knew he came with ill intentions, this isn't an attack on the city, but an attack on my heart!"

  "Attack the heart? What kind of attack method."

  "Killing with a silent heart, blood dripping without splashing! This is an even more ruthless method than shooting people and horses, capturing thieves and kings. This letter is to persuade surrender, but it doesn't mention what will happen to us after surrendering, how we'll be treated, and the troops stationed outside the city make it clear that they just want to tell us that if we don't surrender, we'll be annihilated!" Shi Jin said, and at this time, Shi Yan also got angry, fiercely spitting out a mouthful of saliva, as if spitting directly on Meng's face.

  Shi Qian pulled at Shi Jin's sleeve and asked anxiously, "Brother, even if the Emperor himself gives us a good deal, are you really going to surrender?"

  Shi Jin slightly shook his head and said seriously: "Of course not, it's just..."

  "What's that?"

  At such a critical moment, unity is the only way forward, and trust is the prerequisite for everything. So Shi Jin hesitated for a while, turning his words over in his mouth several times before speaking out softly: "It's just... I'm worried about all of you brothers..."

  Shi Jin said half of it, and Shi Qian's mind quickly guessed the rest. Although they had experienced many things in the past few days, he still didn't know much about Shao Huashan. He couldn't say anything like "Brothers swear to die together" to comfort his brother, but seeing Shi Jin's worried expression, Shi Qian suddenly felt enlightened and comforted him: "Brother, don't worry, they wrote it this way, few people can read, it won't shake the military's morale."

  Shi Jin looked down and saw that the crowd on the city wall were all holding up the small paper with the amnesty notice, whispering to each other in discussion. It was clear that those who couldn't read made up the majority.

  But amidst this, there was an unexpected surprise. Not far away, a group of people had also gathered, and the person in the middle seemed to be reading something to everyone, with lively discussions going back and forth. Shi Jin's heart felt strange, and after staring for a moment, he suddenly became alert. The person in the middle was actually Wu Sanlang!

  Wu San Dog followed Chen Da all the way out, doing things cleanly and efficiently, with boldness in caution. He was Chen Da's confidant and deeply trusted by Chen Da. But now that Chen Da is not around, Wu San Dog is still lurking among the soldiers. Shi Jin looked at their group, who were first pointing and arguing nonstop, then pulling and tugging at each other in disagreement, clearly something was up!

  But Shi Jin hadn't had time to go forward and ask questions, when Meng Dujuan spoke up from below, his voice full and sonorous like a bell: "Heaven's favor is vast, I think you've all seen it and thought about it, has someone already made a decision?"

  This sentence was sent to the city, and all the soldiers in the city became quiet. Even Wu San's group suddenly stopped making a sound. It seemed as if everyone was waiting for something, it seemed as if everyone was silently declaring something.

  Just then Shi Jin stepped on the city wall and said loudly, "I've made up my mind!"

  Shi Jin's words exceeded everyone's expectations, and they all turned their eyes to him. Shi Jin loudly said: "Even if I die in the midst of chaotic blades, I will not give you officials an easy way out, nor will I let your schemes succeed!"

  "Hahaha!" Meng Chao burst out laughing, continuing: "That little kid, isn't it you who is Shi Jin, the Nine-Patterned Dragon? The one who charged into my camp that day and broke through the encirclement, destroying my northwest barracks?"

  "It is indeed!" Shi Jin's words were full of energy and shook the city walls, audible to officials and soldiers near and far.

  This voice reached Meng's ears, and he secretly nodded in agreement, saying: "What a fine talent! Although we were far apart that day, I admired your martial skills and bravery. However, there is one thing that puzzles me - someone as young and talented as you, with both military strategy and martial arts skills, should be rising through the ranks of the imperial court with ease. Why would you want to flee to a place like Huayin County, which is not even worthy of bird droppings, and tarnish the body given to you by your parents?"

  Shi Jin sneered, "Whether or not to surrender is up to one's own conscience. I had originally wanted to serve the country and its people, achieve great things, and bring honor to my parents and ancestors. But alas, the world is dark and corrupt, and there is no way to contribute to the state. Moreover, with treacherous officials dominating the court and the imperial power being misused, you want me to join the government? I would rather not sully myself by associating with the likes of you, who prey on the people like fish and meat. That would be a true shame to the clean body given to me by my parents!"

  Shi Jin finished speaking, and the brothers on the city wall were all stirred up. This not only expressed their inner grievances but also gave them a righteous reputation for going into hiding. In front of the government soldiers, they not only held their heads high but could also look down on the government army with disdain.

  But in Meng Zhu's eyes, although these words were somewhat unpleasant to hear, he had a deeper respect for Shi Jin. However, this respect was not without its own motivations, as Meng Zhu had already planned to use Shi Jin for his own purposes. He had anticipated that Shi Jin would rebel against him and had secretly devised a plan to undermine the power of Mount Liusha, forcing Shi Jin into a desperate situation, and then using emotional manipulation to bring him under control.

  Meng Du's heart thought that he would wave his hand at the officer who was transmitting the order, and the army formation of the officers and men had undergone great changes.

  Shi Jin took a look and felt something was off, so he hastily ordered the crowd to draw their bows and nock their arrows. If they dared to make any slight movement or charge into range, he would immediately order three rounds of rapid fire, fighting them to the death!