Chapter 36 Sample chapter Sanqingen

After a while, Abang, Jia Yang, and Asang came back together.They dragged several Northern Qing'en and a Dama into the temporary palace. "This is Rajindama, the Muhendin tribe." Jia Yang said as he pushed the priest forward. "It was he who ordered the granary to be burned." He forced Dama down to his knees. "How many burned?" Jadir asked. "Before he was stopped, three seats." Jia Yang said. "He still intends to continue burning." "What about the loss?" Jadir turned to Abang. "It will take me a while to figure it out, Shatamakar," Abang said. "But there should be nearly 200 tons of grain, enough to feed thousands of people through the cold winter."

Jadir looked at Dharma. "What do you have to say?" "The war narrative of the Ifja tells us to burn the enemy's food stores before they have a chance to come back," Rajendama said. "The remaining food is more than enough to feed our troops." "Fool!" Jadir yelled, slapping the face with his backhand.There was a gasp of surprise in the room. "I'm going to recruit the northerners, not starve them or kill them all! The real enemy is Alagah—you've forgotten that!" Jadir tore off Dharma's white robe. "You are no longer Darma. You have burned your white robes, and have worn the brown with shame all your life."

The man was dragged out of the house screaming and thrown into the snow.If the other damas hadn't killed him first, he would most likely have committed suicide too. Jadir turned to Abang again. "Give me exact data on losses and remaining food." "The remaining food may not be enough to feed everyone," Abang warned. Jadir nodded. "If there is not enough food, kill Qing En who are too old to work or fight until there is enough food." Abang's face turned pale. "I will... find a way to get food." Jadir smiled, but not at all. "I think you'll figure it out. What are you bringing these Ching Ens here for? I want leaders, but these people all look like businessmen from Caffett."

"The North is ruled by merchants, Liberator," Abang said. "It's disgusting," Ah Sang said. "Whether it's disgusting or not, it's the truth," Abang said. "These are the people who can help you take over this place." "My father doesn't need..." Jia Yang opened his mouth and said.But Jadir interrupted him with a wave, and he instructed the guards to take Ching Eun. "Which of you is highest?" Jadir asked in the savage language of the northerners.The prisoners' eyes widened, and then they started looking at each other.Finally, one of them stepped forward, facing Jadir's gaze with his head held high.He was bald, with a gray beard, and wore dirty, tattered silk robes.His face was bloodied from beatings, and his left hand was suspended from a makeshift wrist strap.He was almost a foot shorter than Jadir, but he still looked like a man accustomed to calling the shots.

"I am the Duke of Lyxonburg, Ito VII, the ruler of the people." The man said. "Lesenberg doesn't exist anymore," Jadir said. "The land is now called Ephron's Bounty, and it's mine." "No such thing!" roared the Duke. "Do you know who I am, Duke Ito?" Jadir asked softly. "Duke Cracia," said Duke Ito, "Abang claims you are the liberator." "But you don't believe it?" Jadir asked. "The Liberator will not bring murder, rape and plunder," Ito spat. The warriors in the room looked nervous, thinking Jadir was about to lose his temper, but he just nodded. "It's not surprising that cowardly northerners would expect a cowardly liberator," he said. "But that's not the point. I don't ask you to believe me, just to obey me."

The Duke looked at him in disbelief. "I will spare your life, and the lives of your people, if you will kneel before me and give everything to Ephron," Jadir said. "Your sons will be trained to be Dail Sharum, and they will have honor above all the Qingns of the North. I will return your money and possessions, but with a small deduction for my allegiance taxes. I offer all this for the sake of You help me rule the green." "What if I refuse?" asked the Duke. "Then all your property will be mine," Jadir said. "You will watch my men execute your son and rape your wife and daughter, and then you will spend your life in rags, eating shit and drinking urine, until someone takes pity on you and takes your dog's life."

Duke of Lysenburg, Ito VII, ruler of the people, became the first Duke of the North to kneel and kowtow before Arman Jadir.