Chapter 8 is filled with righteous indignation

Old man Zhang avoided Li You's bow, sidestepped to let him pass, not wanting to receive Li You's respect

Lu Ning saw that Li You and others had shown genuine remorse and wished to ask the villagers to spare them this time, allowing them to go and slay the Xianbei, Xiongnu, and other barbarian tribes. However, it was uncertain whether the villagers would heed Lu Ning's words

Lu Ning addressed the villagers: "Fellow villagers, Li You and the others are aware that they have committed a grave sin. They all come from humble beginnings, but they have not walked the right path. In the past, they were just like all of you, common people who were oppressed by the authorities, the Xianbei, and the Huns. Now that they wish to repent and start anew, I implore you, fellow villagers, to give them a chance. Let them fight against the Xianbei, the Huns, and other foreign oppressors who have bullied us. This is also a way for them to atone for their sins, allowing them to protect the villagers once more, to slay the foreign oppressors. As for Elder Zhang, let Li You take care of you in your old age."

After hearing Lü Ning's words, the villagers finally ceased their actions; after all, Lü Ning is now their great benefactor, and they ought to show him some respect.

Lu Ning saw that Li You had been captured and immediately said to the other bandits, "Li You has been captured; your only option now is to surrender, otherwise, it will be a dead end for you."

Li You accidentally got hit on the leg by a villager with a blunt object. As soon as he crouched down, three or four villagers came forward to subdue him

Lu Ning instructed someone to untie the ropes of Li You and the other bandits. Li You first knelt beside Old Man Zhang and bowed three times, saying: "If you, my lord, do not hold a grudge against me, from now on I will be your son, serving you in your old age and taking care of you until the end of your days"

In the end, upon counting, it turns out that only twenty-one bandits were killed, with eight severely injured. One hundred thirty-six bandits were captured, and three or four bandits remain unaccounted for

Old man Zhang, upon seeing Li You, picked up a stick and rushed over, for it was Li You who had killed his son; the villagers around harbored a deep-seated hatred for the horse thieves, their eyes blazing with fury, and they all took up sticks, ready to inflict punishment on this group of horse thieves

Lu Ning quickly stopped Old Man Zhang and restrained the villagers' actions, saying to them: "Fellow villagers, please calm down for a moment and listen to what I have to say. After I finish speaking, it will be up to you all to decide how to deal with these bandits."

The vast majority of the bandits lost all confidence upon seeing their leader captured; they merely put up a slight resistance before surrendering. Of course, there were also more than ten bandits who escaped on horseback, which caused concern for Lu Ning

After speaking, Lu Ning stood up and bowed to the villagers in greeting

Lu Ning instructed the villagers to properly clean the deceased warhorses, so that the entire village could have a meal of horse meat. The next step was to determine how to deal with this group of horse thieves. It was uncertain whether the villagers would let them go; otherwise, it would indeed be difficult to handle, as these horse thieves had committed grave sins.

Among the villagers, there are thirty-five lightly injured, three severely injured, and no fatalities. More than one hundred and sixty warhorses were seized, with only a few being killed, but approximately half of the warhorses sustained injuries

At first, the villagers were quite perplexed to see Lu Ning pleading for the bandits, but after hearing more, they still gave Lu Ning some face and agreed to his plea.

Li You knelt down before Lü Ning with the bandits, repeatedly bowing three times and said to Lü Ning: "Listening to your words, sir, has left me feeling utterly ashamed. I also realize the depth of my sins and that I cannot escape death. In my next life, I will surely follow you to slay the Xiongnu, Xianbei, and other barbarian tribes, to protect our homeland and fight bloodily on the battlefield"

The villagers of Shanhou Village were in an uproar, having long been bullied by bandits, the Xiongnu, and the Xianbei people. Today, Yang Mei finally vented her frustrations by defeating the bandits and annihilating them completely, something they had never even dared to imagine before. Yet the reality before them told them that as long as everyone united, there would be no difficulty they could not overcome

After Li You finished speaking, he and his band of horse thieves knelt down before the villagers and bowed three times. Then, Li You went to kneel beside Old Man Zhang, bowed three times, and said: "I am truly sorry, old man. I have caused you immense harm. Please kill me; I have no complaints or regrets."

Li You and the other bandits were scolded by Lü Ning to the point of being utterly humiliated, feeling deeply ashamed, and they all lowered their heads

Lu Ning was extremely exhausted, yet in high spirits. With a hearty laugh, he addressed the villagers: "Fellow villagers, we have triumphed! Now, everyone, please bind the captured bandits and clean up the battlefield, removing all traps. For the injured villagers, we must quickly bandage and treat them."

Lv Ning walked over and patted Elder Zhang's arm, saying: "Elder, just accept it. Li You has no relatives left either, so let him take care of you in your old age and see you through to the end."

In a large open space within the village, the villagers brought all the bandits together, with a total of one hundred seventy-six captives from two batches. Torches were lit all around, illuminating the area as if it were broad daylight

After the bandits entered the village, Lu Ning had already arranged for four or five hunters to set traps and snares on the path they would return. Before long, the more than ten fleeing bandits were also captured