General Zhao was still somewhat hesitant, but the people of Yuhua Valley had already knelt down in unison.
"General, under no circumstances should Pei Shu’er be allowed to supervise. A woman simply cannot supervise, and if she’s appointed, we in Yuhua Valley will be the first to object."
Tang Zan’s eyes were cold as he glanced over the faces of Niu Hao, Big Bull, and the others leading Yuhua Valley.
Their backs went cold, and they dared not speak another word.
Tang Zan smiled and said, "General, didn’t I and my men go to the Dazi recently? We’ve gathered some information."
"The Dazi have learned that we are building city walls on a large scale and plan to take this opportunity to attack us. They are currently amassing troops."
"So these city walls, whether we want to build them or not, we must, and the situation is urgent. We no longer have the luxury to make mistakes, and when the Dazi Army presses upon us, these earthen walls will quickly fall."
As soon as he said this, everyone appeared stunned.
The thought of the Dazi launching a massive attack filled everyone’s faces with fear.
This was also the first time General Zhao heard this; his expression turned grave.
Tang Zan must have reported it in writing; he just hadn’t gotten around to reviewing it.
Although he hesitated, he personally felt that as long as it was beneficial for the Gulan Military Camp, it was acceptable.
However, public opinion couldn’t be ignored. The current commanders and exiles were resistant to Pei Shu’er taking on the role of chief supervisor, fearing that it might lead to unrest.
Tang Zan seemed to understand his thoughts.
"General, you can let Mrs. Pei try. If she can’t even manage these people, then she has no right to lead the construction of the city wall."
"This is also an evaluation of the chief supervisor."
"Instead of hesitating, by now Pei Shu’er might very well have completed the construction."
Upon hearing this, General Zhao gritted his teeth.
"Someone, bring up the people from Deserted Mountain."
When the people from Deserted Mountain were brought up, the exiles noticed that far from getting thinner, they had actually gained weight.
In contrast to other exiles working outside whose skins were peeling from the sun, these people seemed healthier.
The exiles felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and resentment; rather than being imprisoned, it seemed more like these people were taking a break.
The people from Deserted Mountain saluted, and only then did General Zhao speak.
"Pei Shu’er, can you undertake the role of chief supervisor?"
Pei Shu’er smiled warmly and saluted, "Pei Shu’er is willing to try."
The others objected intensely, but General Zhao raised his hand, and the dissent quieted.
"Do not let me down."
Pei Shu’er saluted, sincerely grateful to this General Zhao.
She understood the era’s prejudice against women; had it been another general, she might still be locked up with no opportunity to build the city wall.
Even though the situation was extremely urgent, she admired General Zhao’s decisiveness.
The people from Deserted Mountain were released and felt somewhat joyful.
More importantly, their master had been appointed supervisor.
So they no longer had to endure Commander Qian’s tyranny.
Pei Shu’er said, "Everyone, listen to my orders. Those who have previously fired blue bricks, step forward."
Everyone looked at each other, and finally, unwillingly, some stepped forward.
Some didn’t move, but Pei Shu’er, familiar with the brick-making process, pointed at a few more people.
"You few, come forward."
Those few were quite rogue; they had fired bricks but didn’t want to do it anymore.
They particularly looked down on Pei Shu’er, a woman, and didn’t want to listen to her, intending to give her a hard time.
However, Pei Shu’er smilingly gave them a hard kick, pushing them into line, where they landed on their backsides.
Pointing at the five, she then spoke to Yinxing.
"Yinxing, note this down. These people have defied the chief supervisor’s orders for the first time. The first offense, ten lashes; the second, twenty strokes. The third..."
As she said this, Pei Shu’er’s eyes flashed, carrying a chilling gleam.
"Execution on the spot."
These three words immediately sparked protests from others, who shouted at Pei Shu’er. Follow current novᴇls on Novᴇl_Fire(.)net
"You’re just an exile yourself; what right do you have?"
Pei Shu’er smiled and looked at General Zhao: "It is the general who gives me the backbone; I will not disappoint the general’s high expectations."
General Zhao hadn’t expected Pei Shu’er to be so adept at leveraging his authority, and he couldn’t help but smile, nodding afterward.
"Indeed, but our soldiers won’t help you. Any punishments or apprehensions will have to be handled by you."
It was he who appointed Pei Shu’er as the supervisor.
She, being an exile and a woman, needed some means to do the job.
With General Zhao’s assurance, Pei Shu’er felt more secure.
She saluted General Zhao: "Mrs. Pei thanks General Zhao deeply."
General Zhao waved dismissively, and Pei Shu’er walked over to the five individuals.
The five had an air of defiance; while General Zhao had spoken, they understood that he was mostly neutral.
If Pei Shu’er couldn’t manage them, she’d face dismissal.
They planned to make Pei Shu’er regret her brazenness if she failed.
They stiffened their necks to resist, but Pei Shu’er took a sip of spring water, then whipped the five with her lash.
The five thought her slender frame wouldn’t inflict much pain.
But when the whip landed, they found their skin torn, and flesh pulled away.
They screamed in agony, but that was just the first strike.
How much strength was needed to achieve such an effect!
Watching Pei Shu’er flogging without flinching, and the miserable condition of the five, sent chills down everyone’s spines, as if their own bodies began to ache.
Even with General Zhao present, she showed no signs of restraint.
The five, previously unyielding, were made to run around the place by Pei Shu’er’s lashes.
Pei Shu’er shouted aloud.
"Everyone, form a circle and block these people, or else..."
As soon as she said this, some exiles instinctively obeyed.
Pei Shu’er took note of these obedient ones.
If they were easy to manage, they would be assigned technical work.
The five were still trying to escape, but Pei Shu’er leisurely followed them, closing the circle.
Their range of movement was limited, and Pei Shu’er always managed to whip them from various angles.
The five burly men, clutching their heads and scurrying like rats, couldn’t escape Pei Shu’er’s lash.
Ultimately, they were driven to tears from the intense pain.
During their exile, they hadn’t shed a single tear.
This Mrs. Pei was ruthless!
Pei Shu’er coldly asked once more, "Did you use to fire bricks?"
The five nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, Chief Supervisor."
Pei Shu’er completed her ten lashes, letting them return.
Pei Shu’er, swinging the bloodied whip, wore a gentle smile, like a sweet and considerate young lady.
Her voice was soft and tender, almost inviting pity.
"So, is there anyone else who disagrees?"