With so many dead, how could they possibly bear no resentment? Only Zhang Yan's considerable prestige had kept the army from mutinying long ago.
As he listened to their complaints and curses, Zhang Yan remained calm, regarding them coldly. Only after they had all fallen silent did he speak.
"Finished?"
No one spoke, but resentment lingered on every face.
Facing the gazes coming from every direction, Zhang Yan said evenly, "Back then, the brothers and I were full of ambition. We followed Boss Niu Jiao into rebellion, hoping to gamble our way to wealth and rank."
"But everything that happened afterward taught me that opposing the Imperial Court never ends well."
"We're nothing but a bunch of lowborn wretches at the very bottom. Without the support of those powerful noble clans, there's absolutely no chance our rebellion could succeed. Accepting an amnesty and entering the court's service is our only way out..."
Before he could finish, someone interrupted him.
"Amnesty, amnesty-amnesty my ass!"
A short bandit jumped out and cursed, "Weren't we just as free living in the Taihang Mountains? Why did we have to accept the Imperial Court's amnesty?"
"Nearly all our brothers are dead now, and you're still dreaming of becoming a marquis and a general! All you care about is your own future!"
His words brought a chorus of agreement.
Clearly, many of them already harbored grievances over this.
Zhang Yan's gaze turned cold. He stepped forward and kicked the short bandit, sending him flying. The man landed on the ground and vomited blood without stopping.
Such ruthlessness cowed everyone present.
Murderous intent showed on Zhang Yan's face. "I just gave you your chance to speak. So when I'm speaking, don't interrupt."
For a moment, the entire gathering was silent.
Zhang Yan swept his cold, piercing gaze