Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

The two bloody heads rolling down were just the beginning. These were the two most seriously injured people, and next were the ones who would be whipped.

More than twenty people were tied to pillars, and the executioners began to swing their whips and whip them hard. As the personal soldiers brought by Guo Ye, they were not so polite.

At first, Guo Zhiqiang could still bear it, but after more than ten whips, he couldn't help screaming. As for the others, they were even worse. After a few whips, they were crying for their parents. After thirty whips, some people even defecated and pissed. It was a horrible sight!

The two lieutenants, Luo Zili and Ke Yu, mustered their courage and said in a trembling voice, "General, these people are all generals in our camp. They have now admitted their mistakes. Can you please show some mercy and let them go?"

Liu Ye's cold eyes shot over, and the two of them couldn't help but shudder. Forget it, let's not talk anymore. This guy isn't very old, but he exudes a murderous aura that's almost unheard of! If they piss him off, he might tie them up too, and that would be more trouble than good!

After much difficulty, the execution was finally completed.

The punished generals were dragged into the hall. Liu Ye said in a cold voice, "I ask you, do you obey or not?"

No one else dared to say anything. If they refused to obey, they would be whipped dozens more times. Who the hell would dare to offend the new general? They might even get their heads chopped off!

Only Guo Zhiqiang, although it was just a whip, was not light and hit him so hard that his skin was torn and his flesh was exposed, but he still remained tough and said fiercely: "Liu Ye, if you have the guts, beat me to death, otherwise, we will never be done!"

Liu Ye suddenly laughed and replied, "Okay, Lieutenant General Guo, if you have the guts and the ability, just show it. I'll take it. However, I don't know if you'll have the chance. From today on, Baoding Town's orders are as strong as a mountain. Anyone who dares to disobey will be punished without mercy. The two heads outside the gate are an example!"

Everyone was silent. Damn it, this was really going to kill them! This guy was too cruel. He had just taken office and he had already offended most of the generals in front of him!

Guo Zhiqiang said angrily, "Don't be so arrogant. I'm also a nominal general. I've been in Baoding Town for twelve years. I promoted every single one of you below me. If you want to make the decision, you have to ask your brothers if they're willing to do so!"

Liu Ye chuckled and said, "Deputy General Guo, I'm afraid you don't have this opportunity anymore!"

Having said this, Liu Ye picked up a letter from the Ministry of War from the ground and shouted, "The Ministry of War has issued a letter to transfer the titular general of Baoding Town, and his deputy general Guo Zhiqiang to the Ministry of War for appointment. Upon receiving the order, he will immediately come to Beijing. He Qimou, the lieutenant commander of the Mongolian Eight Banners Guard Battalion, is appointed as the deputy general of Baoding Town to assist General Liu Ye in handling military affairs of Baoding Town. Liu Ye can make all matters at his discretion! Minister of War Ruilin!"

Liu Ye had just finished reading the document from the Ministry of War when, plop!

Guo Zhiqiang couldn't hold on any longer and fell to the ground, unconscious. He was truly in dire straits. He hadn't expected Liu Ye to have a back-up plan and leave Baoding Town. What a waste of a figurehead was he? Even if he had some backers, who would be willing to help him deal with the Baoding Town commander? This guy was currently serving as the chief secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a fourth-rank civil servant, equivalent to the prefect of Baoding Prefecture!

At the age of only twenty, he has already reached such a high position. I am afraid that he will be even more successful in the future!

Guo Zhiqiang was so angry, anxious and in pain that he fainted in the hall. The people below were even more grief-stricken. It seemed that the good days of his colleagues were over. When the deputy general was in charge, he was very free. He didn't care about anything in the whole Baoding Prefecture as long as he didn't offend the people in the governor's office. Now, he has to keep a low profile.

Liu Ye ordered Guo Zhiqiang to be sent back to his residence first, then continued, "Starting tomorrow, this army will conduct a strict rectification of all departments in Baoding Town. Anyone who does not meet the requirements of this army, from the lieutenant commanders and captains to the soldiers, will be expelled from Baoding Town. In short, in the future, I will not deduct a single copper coin from the salary allocated by the court. However, if there are those who do not work honestly for me, then forget copper coins, and all I will leave for you is a ghost-headed knife to behead you! You better take care of yourself."

As soon as Liu Ye finished speaking, someone in the crowd stood up and shouted, "General, are you really not going to deduct a single penny from the soldiers below?"

Liu Ye looked up and saw a young officer asking him questions. He was tall and sturdy, with round eyes, sword-like eyebrows and a broad forehead. Although he could not be said to be very handsome, his aura showed that this young man was no ordinary man and had some skills.

Liu Ye asked, "What's your name?"

The officer replied, "I am Zuo Baogui, the commander of the Second Battalion on the Right Wing of Baoding Town! Your Excellency, I'm wondering if what you just said counts. The hundred or so men under my command haven't received their pay in two months!"

Zuo Baogui!

Liu Ye raised his eyebrows. Could this be Zuo Baogui, the national hero and general from the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895? Judging by his age, the historical Zuo Baogui should have been under 30 years old. Who would have thought he was actually in the army in Baoding Town?

Liu Ye asked, "Zuo Guanting?"

Zuo Baogui was shocked. How could this general, who had only arrived in Baoding yesterday, know his courtesy name? He was only a captain, and above him were many lieutenants and captains!

Zuo Baogui didn't have time to think about it and quickly replied, "That's exactly what I do."

Liu Ye was overjoyed, as he was worried that there was no one to use. Zuo Baogui was a talented person who was both loyal and brave. He must be trained well, as he would be of great use in the future!

Liu Ye replied, "Okay, Zuo Bazong, you asked a good question. Although I don't know what happened to you in the past few months and why you didn't get paid, now that I have taken over as the general of Baoding Town, I must absolutely ensure the wages of the brothers below. It's not easy for each of you to support your families."

Zuo Baogui was not intimidated and replied, "Okay, General, as long as you can promise not to delay the payment of wages to our brothers, I, Zuo Baogui, promise that my brothers will absolutely live up to your teachings! We will definitely teach you a lesson!"

"it is good!"

That's what I want you to say!

Liu Ye asked, "Gao Qi, who is the commander of the Second Battalion on the Right Wing?"

Gao Qi laughed and said, "General, that's the Lord Xi Dingkang who was whipped sixty times. Isn't he still standing by?"

Liu Ye looked in the direction Gao Qi pointed, and was almost nauseated. Xi Dingkang was in such a miserable state now, with tears and snot all over his face. The worst thing was that he had pooped in his pants, and now his pants were covered with yellow stains of feces and urine!