Chapter 36: Establishing the Rules

“Brother, please forgive me!”
“I only wanted to take some food; I had no intention of harming that old man.”
“That old man had a bad temper; he died from his own anger. How can you blame me for that?”
“I know you care for the people, brother. I will compensate his family with silver; I would never want to tarnish your reputation.”

In the main hall of the bandit stronghold, Li Gui and other leaders sat solemnly at the head table. On either side of the hall stood rows of guards, while in the center, a man was bound tightly and pressed to the ground, grinning slyly as he explained himself.

After Li Gui raised the banner of justice under heaven, he set rules for the bandits: only to target corrupt landlords and gentry, and never to oppress the common folk.

But bandits are hardly known for following such constraints.

At first, things went well. Li Gui had punished many landlords, enriching himself and generously rewarding his men. With money in hand, the bandits began to look down on the poor, no longer interested in their meager possessions.

Yet money flows in and out quickly in the bandit world. Within a month or two, many had already spent their earnings—some lost it gambling, others squandered it on women. Few actually saved for their families.

Even those whom Li Gui helped wed couldn’t restrain their indulgent hearts.

What to do when broke?

Of course, revert to bandit tactics.

Landlords from surrounding villages had fled to the county seat, and those who hadn’t escaped were wiped out by Li Gui’s men. Now, not a single wealthy farmer remained in the towns and villages of Yishui County.

Ordinary farming families nearby were left to suffer, harassed by bandits every few days.

Li Gui didn’t know exactly how many were involved in these acts, but today this unfortunate man had been caught and was made an example of.

He didn’t yet realize his fate was sealed and babbled shamelessly.

To the bandits, how significant could this be?

Just an old man dead—no important figure.

Li Gui would kill landlords without a second thought; how could he care about the life of a nobody?

Besides, this man was one of the earliest followers of Li Gui and even part of his personal guard—a trusted confidant.

If he confessed honestly and accepted a public punishment, the matter would be over.

The executioners were brothers-in-arms; what was there to fear?

In fact, many shared this view, including several nearby chiefs who spoke up in his defense.

“Brother, this scoundrel disobeyed orders; he’s truly detestable. We must give him a harsh beating, dozens of lashes, so others learn their lesson!”

“Fourth Brother makes a good point. Still, this fellow has some merit. Let him redeem himself in battle—he should be the first to charge next time.”

“I’ve had the old man’s body examined—no wounds. This man did not strike him; it was simply the old man’s ill fate. Brother, since he’s confessed, perhaps be lenient—a small punishment to warn others, then give him another chance.”

Leaning against the armrest, Li Gui propped his chin with his left hand, resting his right foot on the chair, frowning as he waved off their pleas.

“But it’s just one old man dead. When have I ever cared?”

“Killed or not, what difference does it make?”

“Bandits don’t go through life without killing!”

The bound man in the hall immediately brightened and shouted loudly:

“Brother speaks the truth!”
“We’re all bandits here; how can we not kill?”
“Please, brother, untie these ropes so I can properly toast you!”

Li Gui let out a cold laugh, set his foot down, leaned forward, and glared.
“You want to drink?”

“Lin Xiao’er, I ask you: have you kept my rules in your heart?”

Seeing the chief’s anger, Lin Xiao’er changed expression, quickly prostrating himself and answering honestly.

“I certainly remember.”

“If so, then you should know I said: rob only the rich, do not cut into the poor!”

Sweat poured down Lin Xiao’er’s face as he sensed the danger, hastily kowtowing and begging for mercy.

“I know my mistake and will never repeat it. Please, brother, forgive me!”

“Next time?” Li Gui stood, dragging a long-handled axe beside his chair. The steel blade screeched sharply against the ground, shattering stones, making Lin Xiao’er’s heart shatter with fear.

“You still want a next time?”

Raising the axe with one hand, Li Gui pointed it at Lin Xiao’er, shouting:

“My words are law!”
“If you don’t obey, you don’t listen to me!”

With a sudden thrust, the steel axe’s handle jabbed into the ground before Lin Xiao’er, scattering stones.
“You dare underestimate me!”

“Ah?” Lin Xiao’er was terrified, shaking his head desperately, explaining: “Brother, please don’t misunderstand! Even if I had ten lives, I wouldn’t dare look down on you!”

“Then why disobey me?”

“How dare I not listen to you, brother?”

“Then why break the rules?”

“I... I...” Lin Xiao’er was speechless, unsure how to answer.

A bandit who keeps rules—is he still a bandit?

Isn’t the point of being a bandit to be free of constraints?

But how could he say that?

That would be inviting death.

After stammering for a while, seeing Li Gui raise the axe again, Lin Xiao’er had a sudden inspiration in his mortal peril and quickly pledged his loyalty.

“Brother, I’m not clever with words, but my loyalty to you is as clear as the sun and sky. I would never harbor even a shadow of betrayal!”

“I will remember your orders and follow them strictly, without compromise!”

“Whatever you command, I will obey; even if you ask me to die, I will gladly do so!”

Having shouted this, Lin Xiao’er lay flat on the ground, anxiously awaiting Li Gui’s judgment, terrified the axe would fall on his neck at any moment.

But all he heard was Li Gui’s voice above, tinged with mixed emotions.

“Hah! So sweetly spoken! You’d gladly die if I told you to?”

Hoping for leniency, Lin Xiao’er eagerly shouted:

“Yes, brother! Just one word from you, and I’ll walk through fire and water for you!”

No sooner had he spoken than he felt a hand grasp his hair, his neck chilled, and he saw his own back before Li Gui’s voice, filled with murderous intent, reached his ears.

“No need for fire or water; I only want your head as a warning to the stronghold, to show them what rules mean!”

With one stroke, Li Gui severed Lin Xiao’er’s head and held it up, glancing around to see everyone’s faces pale as they lowered their eyes, unwilling to meet his gaze.

Li Gui tossed the head to Huang Silang and said coldly:

“Spread this head through the stronghold and make it clear: they may kill or burn as they wish, but if anyone breaks my rules, I’ll cut off their head!”