Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1226: Injured

"Additionally, the Hu Family’s protector mentioned that once things settle down tomorrow, Boss Hu will visit the government office to provide his account and clear his family’s name."

Had it not been too perilous tonight, Boss Hu would have personally emerged to clarify matters, fearing he might be struck down by the bandits’ arrows.

After all, the sudden launch of rockets from an uninhabited residence nearly immolated the Dou Ou Bank, a severe transgression that a prominent family in the county could hardly endure.

"Excluding the three taken alive, three met their end by fire, five chose poison over capture, and five were slain," You Ping meticulously detailed the events surrounding the Hu Family’s ancestral home.

The five assassins who perished were exceptionally tenacious. They managed to escape the confines of the Hu Family’s old residence, believing they could flee, only to be met by those lying in wait in the alley, like You Xi.

Consequently, not a single assassin from the Meng Family managed to escape.

Qin San Lang inclined his head as he listened, content with the outcome, viewing the Meng Family assassins as valuable combat practice for You Ping and You Xi.

He signaled You Ping, indicating that they could withdraw for the time being, leaving the remainder to Young Master Dou’s subordinates.

You Ping swiftly complied and then withdrew his men from the bank premises.

Once You Ping’s contingent departed, Qin San Lang exited the bank’s entrance. He observed Hong Dao and Zhang Zhong, alongside soldiers from the Military Office, forming a human perimeter to hold back the gathered townsfolk. They shouted towards the crowd, "Stay put! The more you mill about, the quicker you’ll get hurt. You’ve seen those struck by stray arrows earlier; don’t blame us if you keep moving around!"

The townsfolk, having heard that the bank was ablaze and that bandits had infiltrated the county, were in a panic and attempting to flee. However, volleys of rockets from the Hu Family’s old residence rained down, with some landing on the main street in front of the bank, injuring more than a dozen civilians.

Qin San Lang, surveying the unfolding pandemonium outside, projected his voice with a shout: "Do not be alarmed! All the bandits have been eliminated, and the county is secure once more!"

This resonant declaration, emphasizing that ’all bandits had been killed,’ struck a chord with the townsfolk, immediately inducing a sense of calm.

"Company Commander!" Zhang Zhong and Hong Dao, upon spotting Qin San Lang, expressed visible relief. Commander Qin truly possessed a presence that could quell unrest; a single command, and the crowd fell silent.

"Commander Qin, were all the bandits truly annihilated? Were they genuine bandits, not merely common thugs?" A townsfolk, regaining composure, dared to pose the question to Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang affirmed with a nod, replying, "Indeed, not common thugs, but individuals opposed to Young Master Dou’s endeavor. They resented his establishment of a bank to aid the farmers, thus dispatching these people to disrupt his benevolent work and cause trouble."

He elaborated further, "Of those who set the fires at the Hu Family’s old estate and those who instigated chaos at the bank, seventy percent have been neutralized. The remainder, who sustained injuries, have been apprehended, so you may rest assured."

However...

A grim expression settled upon Qin San Lang’s features as his gaze fell icily upon the assembled townsfolk. "Those who have propagated rumors of brigands entering the city will face the government’s justice; they will be apprehended and severely penalized!"

To imagine that spreading falsehoods to incite panic among the populace could be overlooked was pure fantasy.

"Ah? More arrests?" The townsfolk, upon hearing this, were struck with fear, yet simultaneously grateful they had refrained from spreading such baseless tales.

"More?" Qin San Lang cast a questioning glance towards Hong Dao and Zhang Zhong.

Both men responded in unison, "It was Squad Leader Luo. Upon hearing someone shouting about brigands invading the city, he promptly led the government officials to apprehend those individuals. Over a dozen were taken into custody and are already being escorted by Constable Xiao Tang back to the county headquarters."

Qin San Lang, upon hearing this, felt a surge of approval, recognizing that Brother Luo Wu had indeed matured, offering him a measure of peace of mind. After all, he couldn't remain by their side perpetually; Brother Luo Wu needed to learn to stand independently.

"Where is Squad Leader Luo at present?" Qin San Lang inquired, as Luo Wu was not immediately visible.

Almost as soon as the question left his lips, he saw Luo Wu returning, accompanied by twenty escort masters. Some were supporting or carrying a dozen injured townsfolk.

Tonight had been excessively tumultuous. Thousands were stranded at the city gates, unable to enter or unwilling to return home, and the county officials were insufficient in number. Consequently, Luo Wu had been compelled to summon assistance from the escort agency.

"Lend a hand," Qin San Lang instructed the soldiers from the Military Office. He then quickly descended the stairs and strode towards Luo Wu.

Upon seeing Qin San Lang, Luo Wu offered a smile and inquired, "Has the situation at the bank been fully resolved?"

Qin San Lang confirmed with a nod, "Yes, everything has been settled. Were these individuals struck by arrows? How many are injured? Are there any fatalities?"

The possibility of townsfolk succumbing to arrow wounds would present a considerable complication.

Luo Wu responded, "They were fortunate; no fatalities, with only three individuals in critical condition. Coincidentally, we encountered Doctor Zhou en route, and he escorted them to the clinic for prompt medical attention. The remainder sustained severe injuries, yet none are life-threatening. We are currently relocating them to the bank premises for temporary accommodation."

The populace, under the mistaken impression that brigands had infiltrated the city, panicked and fled. In their haste, they were inadvertently struck by stray rockets originating from the Hu Family's ancestral residence.

Had they heeded the counsel of Hong Dao and Zhang Zhong, opting to remain stationary within the protective formation established by the soldiers, they would have avoided being wounded by the errant arrows.

"Ah! Ouch, the pain is unbearable; Qin Company Commander, we were mistaken, and we should not have heeded the rumors and fled. Please, save us; we truly do not wish to perish,"

The injured townsfolk lamented, their hands and feet pierced by arrows, bleeding profusely, and their flesh seared by the scorching heat of the rockets.

"You have brought this suffering upon yourselves by succumbing to rumors and fleeing," Young Master Dou, having concluded his affairs within the bank, emerged and expressed his relief at seeing Qin San Lang but his displeasure upon hearing of the townsfolk's predicament.

What do you take the Young Marquis for? Disregarding his advice when all is well, only to seek his aid when calamity strikes. The Young Marquis is not your benefactor to endlessly rectify your blunders.

"We acknowledge our errors, but we cannot bear the prospect of our hands and feet being crippled. If they are rendered useless, who will perform the agricultural labor at our homes?"

Qin San Lang knelt, assessed their injuries, and designated six individuals. "These six have suffered bone-deep injuries. Escort them to the clinic for treatment, lest their limbs become permanently impaired. The rest may remain here until morning."

Upon hearing this directive, Luo Wu promptly instructed the escort masters, "Uncle Mao, you will lead these six injured individuals to the Zhou Family's Clinic for treatment first."

"Understood," Uncle Mao, along with twelve escort masters, swiftly carried the six severely wounded individuals, two escorts per person, towards the Zhou Family's Clinic.

Observing this, Young Master Dou issued an instruction to Dou Meng, "Assist the remaining individuals to a side room. Apply the antiseptic medicine procured from the Capital to their wounds to prevent them from later claiming the bank neglected them in their hour of need."

The townsfolk, upon hearing this, hastily responded, "We would never dare. We are deeply grateful for the bank's benevolent actions and shall refrain from speaking ill of it."

Young Master Dou scoffed, "Hmph, who would believe such a statement? You are merely a collection of opportunists, shifting allegiance based on where benefits lie."

While harsh, this assessment held a kernel of truth.

Qin San Lang paid minimal attention to the townsfolk. Instead, he addressed Zhang Zhong and Hong Dao, "Maintain vigilance over the townsfolk and ensure no further disturbances occur. I will be proceeding to the government office first."