Chapter Twenty-Four

Lin Feng smirked and shook his head with a laugh. “Old Ma, I just said, let’s put everything on the table. There’s no need for you to go around in circles with me.” His smile faded, and he raised a finger. “I’ll be honest with you. I have only one way for all of you: you’ll be fully incorporated into the Great Han army, taking orders without any conditions. And I can guarantee you this—your ranks and rewards won’t be diminished by a single degree. In short, you won’t be treated unfairly.”

Ma Daganzi stared at Lin Feng, his face expressionless. After a long silence, he suddenly sneered, stood up, shrugged, and spread his hands. “Then what’s there to talk about? Let’s go!” With that, he led several of his men to their feet.

Lin Feng responded with a cold laugh and made no effort to detain them. He turned to the Cao brothers, who sat impassively, unmoving, and asked, “What do you two brothers intend?”

“Cao the elder—damn it, when has anyone in the government ever been decent?” Ma Daganzi, a little flustered, urgently tried to persuade them. “This Lin Commander is cunning, don’t fall for his tricks!”

The eldest of the Cao family, sitting at the front, lifted his head slowly and glanced at Ma Daganzi. He spoke deliberately, “I… I think this Lord Lin is a good man.”

“What’s so good about him? You don’t know, he actually…” Ma Daganzi faltered, unable to recall any real misdeeds of Lin Feng, and hastily blurted, “What kindness has he shown?—Look at how he’s sent millions of refugees to our Liaodong, obviously to compete with us for land and food. Listen, Old Cao, don’t blame me for not warning you. If you follow him and our Liaodong people suffer for it, you’ll regret it when it’s too late!”

“Old Ma, enough with the bluffing. Come, sit down and speak calmly.” Seeing Ma Daganzi’s loss of composure, Lin Feng couldn’t help but chuckle, then turned to the Cao brothers. “Old Ma’s only half right—I do plan to let these poor folks come to Liaodong to find food.” He fixed his gaze on the brothers, speaking each word clearly. “The reason I marched to Beijing and executed the Tartar emperor was, first, to avenge all Han people, and second, to find a way out for the poor across the land. This winter, you’ve seen it yourselves—I cut my own expenses and even dismantled the Golden Throne Hall in the Forbidden City just to save these destitute people. Brothers…” Lin Feng’s expression turned stern as he looked around, “Tell me, what do I gain from all this trouble I bring upon myself?”

The Cao brothers nodded in unison. The elder stammered, “Exactly… I said you’re a good man!”

Lin Feng turned and cast a contemptuous glance at the pale-faced Ma Daganzi. “Old Ma, tell me, what harm could someone who’s willing to tear down the Golden Hall to aid the people ever do to those in Liaodong? And another thing, Liaodong is vast and boundless. If I settle these people here, must it be at the expense of the locals?” Seeing Ma Daganzi’s dispirited look, Lin Feng slammed the table, pointing at him and cursing, “Ma Daganzi, you forced me to speak harshly—if you’re so hellbent on seeking death, I’ll oblige you! What are six thousand cavalry to me? I’ve even slain an emperor—what sort of deity do you think you are?”

“Heh, you see, brothers of the Cao family, the fox’s tail is showing at last!” Ma Daganzi sneered, pointing at Lin Feng. “You brothers had better think it through—this kid is no good!”

The elder of the Cao family ignored him, turned to Lin Feng, and clasped his fists with gravity. “Commander, if our Liaodong folk follow you, what do you plan for us?”

Lin Feng smiled kindly at the brothers. “If I promised no taxes, that would be empty talk. Old Cao, to be frank, when the time comes, those who wish to serve and eat rations will join the Han army; those who want to return to normal life may go home. As for Liaodong’s farmland, I’ll distribute it according to the number of households—each will till their own. Besides that, I’ll station troops: one, to guard against bandits, and two, to resist the Qing. That’s all. I can’t promise too much, but I won’t boast either. When I told the people around the capital and Zhili last year they’d be tax-exempt for a year, you can ask them yourself—have I ever taken a single grain of wheat or a penny of silver from them?”

“I believe you!” Cao the elder replied concisely, nodding. “But the taxes must be low, and what about the refugees?”

“I’ll collect as little as possible, just enough so the poor can survive,” Lin Feng agreed. “As for the refugees, that’s not your concern. Last year, I sold off much of my property to buy tools, seeds, and livestock for these poor folks. Recently, I’ve distributed more relief. Now the seeds are sown, and once the harvest comes, life will go on.”

“Very well!” Cao the elder spoke no further, turning to Ma Daganzi with solemnity. “Shopkeeper Ma, we’re going to live honest lives, not rebel.”

Lin Feng secretly praised the Cao brother. Though he appeared slow and dull, he was actually sharp and resolute—by no means indecisive. At this moment, Lin Feng relaxed, gazing at the unsettled Ma Daganzi, and spoke slowly. “Old Ma, I understand your thinking—it’s a good idea, but not practical. Given the current situation, you can’t be King of Liaodong. Never mind whether I allow it; if the Qing recover, they’ll come for you as well. And with your current position, if fighting really breaks out, you won’t be able to hold on in Liaodong!”

Ma Daganzi’s pale face flushed red. Glaring at Lin Feng, he spat back, “I have six thousand men—how do you know I can’t hold out?”

“I know your strategy: hideouts in the deep forests, striking here and there, fighting when you can, fleeing when you must. As long as your horses are fast and your blades sharp, no one can touch you—is that right?”

Ma Daganzi fell silent, and Lin Feng continued, “True, guerrilla tactics are a headache, but not without remedy.” With a slight smile, he gestured to the Han troops behind him. “See? My troops are armed with muskets and cannons. If you really oppose me, with the help of the Cao brothers, I’ll have the Liaodong people build forts and watchtowers everywhere, fortify the land, and encircle you layer by layer…”

“Is there any fortress in the world that can’t be broken?” Ma Daganzi retorted in fury.

“That’s right. You see my soldiers—those cavalrymen not only ride and shoot, but must also use firearms and work with artillery!” Lin Feng spoke sternly. “Old Ma, you’ll be a proper general from now on, but can you write? Can you read confidential reports? Can you read maps? Do you know how to deploy musket formations? How many types of cannon are there? How far can the longest reach? How powerful are they?”

This barrage of questions left Ma Daganzi pale and speechless. At that moment, the negotiation ground glittered with drawn blades, and both sides’ armies were stunned, fearing the talks had collapsed into violence. The cavalry on both sides were on edge, nearly ready to charge.

Though Lin Feng’s heart pounded with fear, his face remained calm. He pushed aside Li Ergou, who tried to shield him, and looked steadily at Ma Daganzi.

“Commander, watch closely!” Ma Daganzi pressed his left pinky on the table, raised his saber high, and with one swift stroke, severed the finger. Blood gushed forth as he cut it off. The horse bandits behind him did not hesitate; following his example, each chopped off their own finger. In a moment, the ground was littered with severed digits, the table splattered with blood—a shocking sight.

“Ma Xiaoying here swears upon this severed finger to serve Commander Lin of the Han from this day forth. Should I betray my oath, may I end up like this finger!” Ma Daganzi raised his bleeding hand and swore before all. His men followed, vowing together.

With a light tap, Lin Feng rapped Li Ergou’s head. “What are you standing there for? Go and bandage the brothers’ hands!”

“Heh heh… Now I finally know why you always call yourself ‘Ma Daganzi!’” As Ma Xiaoying was bandaged, Lin Feng crouched down, teasing, “That name is indeed… ahem, quite something…”

Seeing Ma Xiaoying’s embarrassed and angry expression, Lin Feng, knowing his proud nature, quickly changed the subject. “Little Ma, are your parents still alive?”

“Commander, my father and mother passed away long ago!” Ma Xiaoying looked up in surprise, not understanding the sudden question.

“Oh, since your parents are gone, how about this—since you’ve chosen to follow me, I’ll give you a new name today.” Lin Feng pondered. “Drop the ‘Xiao’ in the middle. From now on, you’ll be called Ma Ying—how about that? During the Ming Dynasty, there was a great general named Mu Ying, who achieved glory and died in wealth and honor. It’s an auspicious name!”