Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 702 Grand Finale (6)
Wa Keluo could never bring himself to believe that a just person would commit such an act. By the time he understood, the head had already fallen into Fan Ji’ao’s hands, the eyes staring wide open, unaccepting of death.
The small remainder of the men, seeing that their king had been beheaded and listening to Fan Ji’ao addressing their own soldiers, felt their hearts stir with longing for the life they desired, laid down their weapons willingly, knelt down, and called out Fan Ji’ao’s name loudly.
Fan Ji’ao rode his horse over, and looking down upon them from high above, his eyes devoid of any luster, as if gazing upon the dead. His voice was barely audible as he said indifferently, "Do all of you wish to surrender?"
"Dear leader Fan Ji’ao, we too are weary of this nomadic life, roaming the grasslands, and yearn for such a beautiful existence. We beg Fan Ji’ao to give us a new life. We will follow Leader Fan Ji’ao to the death." The soldier kneeling at the forefront spoke earnestly, his voice seemingly young, yet the frost hidden by the creases on his face made it clear what kind of life he had led before.
Fan Ji’ao glanced at the less than two thousand remaining people, feeling a slight touch in his heart, and he sighed to himself. Turning his gaze towards General Xu on the city wall, his eyes swept over with a trace of sorrow. He pursed his lips and said coldly, "All of you stand up. For now, I cannot give you the life you yearn for, but I promise you will not die."
The soldiers kneeling on the ground were all filled with gratitude, incessantly kowtowing and murmuring a string of blessings.
Fan Ji’ao summoned his subordinates to watch over them, while he himself rode towards the city wall to meet with General Xu Sanlang.
General Xu Sanlang watched the whole scene from above and realized the situation. He turned, descended from the city walls, ordered the soldiers to open a small gate, and let Fan Ji’ao in.
In the military tent, General Xu Sanlang was sitting in front of a long table, with deputy generals and strategists seated on both sides.
Fan Ji’ao stood in the middle of the large tent, calmly accepting the various peculiar gazes directed at him.
General Xu Sanlang watched him quietly for a long while; noting that he was composed in the face of danger and indifferent to the unusual stares, even more so lacking any ashamed blush, clearly showing his intelligence. He nodded to himself, feeling a liking towards him and mentally gave him a thumbs up.
"Well, thanks to you, my boundary has avoided a disaster this time. I, Lou Wang, have agreed to your conditions. As long as you abide by the rules, do not cause trouble, and allow Lou Wang to decide your placement, then you will be considered citizens of Luo County and enjoy all the rights of Luo County’s citizens. If you dare to engage in any mischief, or harbor ulterior motives, then do not blame me, Xu, for being cruel and ruthless."
After hearing these words, Fan Ji’ao was overwhelmed with emotion. The life he so dearly aspired to was now within reach. Filled with gratitude and deeply touched, he willingly knelt on the ground and knocked his head several times, "General Xu, please be assured. If I, Fan Ji’ao, harbor even the slightest deceitful intent, I am willing to offer my head to sacrifice to General Xu’s banner."
"Good, from now on, you will be my top warrior." General Xu Sanlang looked favorably upon him and, seeing him as a rare military talent, eagerly wanted to take him under his command.
"General, might this matter be a bit hasty?" A strategist stood up, trying to stop the general.
General Xu Sanlang, on the contrary, laughed heartily and waved his hand for the strategist to sit down, "Old man knows what you mean. Rest assured, in my years of leading troops into battle, I’ve never misjudged someone. If I am wrong this time, then I, the old man, will accept defeat. Even if it leads to my death, there will be no regrets."
Fan Ji’ao, kneeling on the ground, looked up at General Xu Sanlang in astonishment, listening to his words. Beyond the shock, he was even more surprised that only after a couple of encounters, a battle-hardened general would offer him such protection. His heart swelled with emotion, and he silently swore never to let down General Xu Sanlang.
