Chapter 51: Controversy and Infighting
...
Quietly watching the clowns jumping around desperately, the mayor calmed down a lot and no longer had the initial anger.
"Boom!"
The mayor put down his teacup, and everyone in the room quieted down at this crisp reminder. He stood up, narrowed his eyes slightly, looked around at everyone present, and slowly said:
"We are all a bunch of murderers. It sounds a bit ridiculous for an old man like me to teach you about morality and the bottom line of being a human being. So I will say something that you bastards who only have muscles but no brains can understand."
"Our guard group was originally established to organize people to resist the pirates' plunder. Since its establishment, our purpose has always been to protect our homeland and fight for those who cannot fight!"
"We have been through countless battles in the past thirty years. We have killed countless pirates and sacrificed many of our brothers."
"I've killed the most people among all the people present here. In order to kill more enemies and less of my own people, I used all kinds of conspiracies and tricks."
"My hands are covered in blood, but it's all the blood of those damn pirates! I just hate it, but it's not enough! Even if I die, I can be worthy of those dead brothers."
"We are executioners! But we have successfully protected the old, weak, women and children in this town. Among them are the old people who gave birth to you and raised you, your lovers who you want to spend the rest of your lives with, and the children you gave birth to and wanted to raise. You are all heroes!"
The mayor raised his hand and pointed, and continued:
"And today, this idiot is trying to instigate everyone to get greedy for money, and he even makes it sound so damn high-sounding! If your father hadn't sacrificed himself back then, he would have been pissed off to death by you today!"
Ignoring Hei Niu's angry look, which seemed to want to kill someone, the old mayor looked at everyone and continued:
"If we really abandon our bottom line and do this today, we will do anything for money tomorrow! Then what's the difference between us and those damn pirates?
Why don't we just abandon our wives and children and go out to sea as pirates? Why do we still have to guard these old, weak, women and children who are only holding us back?
"How can you face your brothers who sacrificed their lives in the other world after you die? Tell them that we threw away the things they fought so hard to protect like trash?"
"Now tell me! Do the rest of you think the same thing as this idiot?"
Everyone lowered their heads in silence. Some people felt ashamed for having felt a little moved just now. Even the few people who had supported him at the beginning had conflicted expressions. No one spoke up to support Hei Niu anymore.
The room was deathly silent. The twenty or so people were obviously strong and healthy, but they were like children who had done something wrong and dared not make a sound in front of the old mayor.
"you!"
Seeing this scene, Hei Niu was so angry that his teeth were itching. He only regretted that he was not well educated and could not have a heated debate with the mayor. He knew that it was impossible to win over other people today. If he stayed any longer, his own people might rebel. Hei Niu had already wanted to retreat, but in order not to weaken his momentum, he had to say a few harsh words before leaving.
"Hmph! Mayor, I'm not good at talking but I can't win against you. I only know that my brothers followed you to live a better life. Now the opportunity is right in front of us, but you are cowardly and retreat! You are no longer the mayor you once were!"
"Since you don't dare to do it, I will do it myself with my men! All the money we get this time will belong to us. From now on, I will never abide by those broken rules you set. I won't give a penny of my own spoils to those useless trash!"
"Asshole! Half of the money we earn is divided equally among the brothers, and the other half is used to support the families of the brothers who sacrificed their lives. This is the iron rule of our group. Are you planning to betray the organization?"
Tie Ma also stood up and questioned sternly, his right hand already on the hilt of the knife.
Hei Niu took two steps back, and when he got closer to the door, he responded confidently:
"That's right! I won't play with you guys anymore!"
"Cho, cho, cho!"
Suddenly, there was a flash of swords and sabers in the room. More than a dozen people behind Tiema drew their swords and guns and pointed them at Hei Niu and others at the door.
Hei Niu and his six loyal followers also took out their weapons, but their numbers were two or three times smaller and they seemed a little outnumbered.
The two sides confronted each other like this, and the atmosphere in the room suddenly became tense.
"Mayor! You just said so many great truths, but now you want to kill all your former companions?"
When people are in life-and-death situations, even their brains work faster. Hei Niu shouted anxiously to the old man.
Hearing this, the old mayor's eyes suddenly became less cold. After a long while, he sighed and said slowly:
"Hei Niu, considering that your father and brother both died in the battle to defend the town, I will give you one last piece of advice. Not only is it a matter of principle, but it is also because they are not simple people. Don't harm the brothers behind you!"
Black Bull said disdainfully:
"Don't bother your concern! I'm not a child, I will be responsible for my own choices! Mayor, you are old! You are now afraid of death and you are afraid of the consequences. You are no longer suitable to sit in this position and lead us!"
"Okay! Hei Niu, if you agree to one condition and don't do anything to those women and children, I will let you out of this house. Otherwise, don't blame me for not remembering our friendship. I will clean up the mess today. I believe your father will not blame me even if he knows about it!"
People have to bow their heads under the eaves.
"Okay! I swear I will never touch women and children! Now it's okay!"
Hei Niu compromised.
"Mayor!"
The iron horse on the side wanted to persuade
"Let them go!"
The mayor waved his hands, closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
"Hmph! Let's go!"
Hei Niu snorted disdainfully, kicked the door open, and left with a few of his brothers without looking back.
...
"You guys should go back too. I'm too old to bear it anymore. It's time to go to bed."
"Yes! Mayor."
Everyone stood up and left, only the middle-aged swordsman remained standing quietly without moving.
"Iron Horse."
"Mayor, I'm here."
The mayor took a sip of tea and asked:
"You have been in the group for more than ten years. Do you think I am wrong? Shouldn't we be a little selfish and let our brothers live a good life?"
"No! I think you are right, Mayor! You saved my life. I was just a weak orphan at the beginning. If you were not willing to help such a useless weakling, I might have starved to death. My living conditions are many times better than before. Many brothers are actually like me and are very satisfied. Human desires are endless. Even if you give more, unsatisfied people will still not be satisfied. Hei Niu is an ungrateful person who can never be tamed."
The mayor's frown relaxed a lot after hearing this, and he gave another order:
"You should arrange a few people to secretly protect the couple and the two children tomorrow! I don't trust Hei Niu. He is not someone who will keep his promises."
"Yes!"
"Okay, you should go back and rest early too."
Tie Ma stood up, bowed and walked out.