Chapter 517: What Happened in the Dream
Initially, their actions were aimed at robbing the rich, with the distributed food genuinely benefiting the poor. Their rallying cry opposed collusion between government officials and merchants, harsh taxes, and the Imperial Court’s exploitation of the common people. They sought to arm themselves and coerce the Imperial Court into negotiation, hoping for their demands to be met.
The movement gained traction, attracting more individuals who believed in their cause. However, what started as a fight for the commoners’ benefit soon devolved into chaos.
No longer content with robbing the wealthy or acquiring food, gold, and treasures, they began targeting even ordinary citizens. Those who didn’t willingly surrender their possessions faced violence. After brutalizing resistant homeowners, they still seized their belongings.
This descent into lawlessness didn’t stop there. Spotting young and attractive girls, they captured them, distributing the captives among themselves. The men who contributed the most to the looting and violence were rewarded with these captured individuals, becoming their wives or concubines—subjected to serve in every aspect of life.
In essence, the captured individuals were for their pleasure.
While some local thugs profited from this ruthlessness, many regretted the turn of events. Yet, it was too late to reverse the tide.