298 The Pacification (2/2)

”It's a shame...he had lost his opportunity!”

If the elite of the pirates were still guarding the village, a hundred ordinary imperial soldiers would not be able to occupy the village.

Even if Xu Ting were to order his bodyguards to spearhead the assault, the losses would still be great. Once there were discontent amongst the ranks, he would have to massacre the entire village to pacify the soldiers. By then, he would not be able to conscript the pirates.

However, the family members of these villagers were in his hands. As such, he had a trump card which gave him an advantage.

”Sir, do we attack?”

His assistant came forward and asked as he witness the last remaining military power of the valiant pirates that came to the wall. There were only slightly more than a dozen pirates left.

The officer's 5 bodyguards were highly skilled and were able to kill off the leader quickly. By doing so, the stand-off would come to an end.

”Why bother risking our troops?”

Xu Ting waved his hand. ”Bring out the captives! Advise the village to surrender. Tell them...if they do not surrender, I will use the captives to fill the ditches!”

”Sss...”

The officer pondered awhile before he let out his breath. He felt a chill in his heart before he praised Xu Ting. ”You are indeed wise. The pirates will have no choice but to surrender!”

It was simply human nature. How many would act against their loved ones?

Even Lu Jia could not afford to make this mistake as it would incur the fury of the masses! Truth be told, his fate was sealed when the pier was attacked and the route of escape was cut off.

This was a calculated victory!

The officer might not be old, but he was well-versed in the arts of war. As such, he was an asset to Xu Ting.

The assistant pondered silently as he came up with a certain idea.

...

After the demand was made, there was more disturbance within the stockade. Shortly after, the door creaked open, revealing a dozen people carrying chaste berries. Upon seeing Xu Ting, they immediately knelt down. ”Greetings!”

”Hmmmm, get up!”

Xu Ting looked at the leader of the pirates of Heiguan Island.

He was only around 30 years old. However, he looked weather-beaten and his hair had started to turn white.

Xu Ting knew that the person before him was unwilling, but what else could Liu Jia do? He could not afford to offend the villagers and be labelled as a betrayer. As such, there was nothing he could do but to surrender.

Of course, saving his own skin was most crucial!

Afterall, based on how the imperial courts handled the pirates in the past, there was faith that only the leader of the pirates would be executed while the other pirates were relocated.

The hair on Lu Jia's back stood up as he rose uneasily and looked towards the surrounding fierce soldiers.

”You gathered a group of pirates and broke the law. You even looted a district town and robbed a large family. Your crime is unpardonable....”

Xu Ting carried on. His light tone caused Lu Jia's legs to tremble as he knelt down once more. ”My lord, please spare my life! Please spare my life! I am only trying to make a living...food on the island is scarce and many had died of hunger...”

”Thud Thud!”

Not long after, Lu Jia's forehead was red with blood.

Xu Ting was satisfied upon witnessing this scene. ”...however, I empathise with you. As such, I am willing to remove your records if you enlist in my army and eradicate the other pirates!”

Lu Jia was very capable and was of use to Xu Ting. However, he required more training to correct his boorish character.

As for how to make use of Lu Jia, Xu Ting had already made up his mind.

”Thank you my lord! Thank you!”

Even though the person standing in front of him was just a youth, Lu Jia still repeatedly thank him.

”Hmmm, Guo Kuixing, bring along 50 people to inspect the stockade and sort out the register...”

Although Xu Ting knew that there would not be much resistance, he could not set his mind at ease and as such, ordered his subordinates to enter the village with the captives.

He only managed to smile after all the families were brought out and the stocks accounted for.

He ordered the soldiers to start cooking in a huge pot, putting in wild herbs, sausages and the likes. They also added in a few salted fish to form a mixed porridge. The porridge were distributed and the soldiers took turn to eat and rest.

The disturbance within the families started to die out as they received a portion of the food as well.

While the others were resting, Xu Ting was kept busy to the point where he did not even have the time to drink water. He listened to Guo Kuixing's report of the stock. ”We have captured around 750 people, 70 swords, spears and other types of weapons, 3 sets of leather armour, 500 taels of gold and silver, and a few chests of copper coins...However, there are very little ration. Medicine and cloth are lacking as well!”

”Hmm, all those male pirates above the age of 15 shall be conscripted into the army and sternly looked after. Group the rest of the families into 5 families per group for mutual monitoring. Punish those who try to flee!”

Xu Ting walked a few steps before he spoke. ”After you all are done with your meal, board the ship and burn down this stockade village!”

”As for the soldiers, reward them immediately. Those who took part in the battle would be rewarded with 1 silver tael. Those who kill the leaders of pirates will be awarded 10 silver taels. The reward for the main leader is calculated separately...I will not forget the officers who commanded the troops as well.”

”My lord, you are wise indeed!”

Guo Kuixing and the other officers were joyous upon hearing the news.

Xu Ting could only laugh bitterly to himself.

Truth be told, there were more losses than gains as the troops had to consume a lot of resources to launch an attack on this small island.

'They do not know that the real rewards are these captives!'

Xu Ting looked at the hundreds of captives, his face revealing a bright smile.

[1] Referring to Xu Ting and his elite troops