Chapter 1186: Chapter 1186: Some Things Must Be Sacrificed

The most important thing now is to uncover the flow of silver.

Once we clarify this, the plotters of treason will be obvious.

Thus, Zhao Junyao immediately sent people to investigate and seal off Old Master Lian’s Money Shop.

However, they were still a step too late.

The Lian Family’s Money Shop suddenly caught fire, the blaze growing stronger and eventually consuming everything in the shop without leaving a trace.

The most important houses of the Lian Family also did not escape unharmed.

The men and women who knew something perished in the flames!

The people sent by Zhao Junyao completely found themselves empty-handed.

In desperation, they could only temporarily detain the remaining people, and seal the Rong Family and Song Family’s assets and property, awaiting the Emperor’s disposal.

When Zhao Junyao received the news, he was extremely frustrated.

Fuming with anger, he struck a massive sycamore tree in the inn with his fist.

The sycamore tree trembled violently, as if in protest or in fear.

Xia Ruqing, who had already changed into women’s attire, advised from the side.

"Emperor, let’s first look at the present clues!"

Zhao Junyao grimly remained silent.

After pondering for a while, he pulled Xia Ruqing and turned to leave.

Zhao Junyao ordered interrogation of all living members of the Lian Family.

As expected, they either knew nothing or only knew bits and pieces, even less than he knew.

Zhao Junyao, worn out, lost all patience and directly waved his hand.

"Execute immediately!"

Thus...

The Lian Family, numbering over a hundred, set off for Yellow Springs Road early the next day, reunited with those who had burned to death earlier.

Xia Ruqing saw Zhao Junyao in such fury, killing so many people for the first time!

Only at this moment did she finally understand the saying ’To accompany the king is like accompanying a tiger’.

She finally realized he is a fierce tiger.

Even if he had never shown power before her, he is still a true fierce tiger.

He loves his subjects as much as he hates these traitors and villains.

Furthermore.

No mountain can contain two tigers, and none can sleep near his bed.

Zhao Junyao is a natural ruler, he allows no one to challenge his authority!

His skills have long matured to a point... she cannot imagine.

...

The night of the immediate execution.

A heavy rain fell on Jinling City, as if heaven was lamenting for these unjustly dead souls.

The rain outside the window poured down, hitting the sycamore leaves with a loud noise.

In the vast room on the top floor of the inn, there were several intricately carved copper lotus candle holders.

Hundreds of candles of various sizes and shapes were lit above.

Zhao Junyao sat before the bookshelves, reviewing various materials with a stern and icy demeanor.

Xia Ruqing, bored, simply stood by the window watching the rain.

She wore a lake-blue dress of fine smoke fabric, her long black hair half-pinned up with a glass jade Bu Yao, the remaining half flowing down her back resembling a black waterfall.

As the wind gently blew outside the window, it brought a slight chill, lifting her dress hem slightly, and slightly moving the strands of hair on her forehead.

She resembled a celestial maiden ascending to immortality.

Time unknowingly passed.

Zhao Junyao suddenly appeared behind her, draping a feather-white gauzy coat over her.

"What are you thinking?"

Xia Ruqing lowered her head holding her scarf.

"Nothing..."

Zhao Junyao softly drew her into his embrace and asked gently.

"Are you frightened?"

He had never decreed such a mass killing before her; surely she should be afraid, right?

Xia Ruqing’s heart jumped: Can he sense this too? Is he peeking into my heart?

However...

Fear was not the issue, she understood the bigger picture, yet she still felt it too cruel.

Among those executed were children, some as young as Yue Er; how could they have committed any wrong?

Especially after becoming a mother, she couldn’t bear to see a child cry, let alone all this.

Zhao Junyao knew he guessed correctly seeing her silent.

He held her icy hand to comfort her.

"No need to feel guilty, some things must be sacrificed!"

His father taught him this long ago, the first rule of being an emperor is ruthlessness.

If the heart is not ruthless, stability is impossible.

If one can’t be ruthless, it’s impossible to build imperial dignity.

If one can’t be ruthless, it’s impossible to gain the respect and fear of the Imperial Court Officials.

Initially, he didn’t understand; now he does.

The more lenient you are with others, the less they regard you, as everyone will never fear you!

Over time, knowing your kindness, they will become increasingly audacious.

In the long run, what will become of the land and state? It would be entirely traitors and villains.

So he must be ruthless! He’s accustomed to ruthlessness.

"But... this is so unfair to those children!"

"I just feel very sorry for them!" Xia Ruqing quietly said with her head lowered.

They hadn’t had the chance to properly see this world before being killed, it’s incredibly cruel!

She is not some gentleman; she is a woman, she is a mother.

Even if she exercises feminine mercy, what’s the harm? Who can say anything?

Who can control themselves?

Zhao Junyao glanced outside the window at the unyielding sycamore tree in the storm and suddenly laughed.

"In this world, fairness does not exist!"

"It has always been survival of the fittest, the weak are devoured!"

Xia Ruqing said nothing.

She knew Zhao Junyao made a valid point.

No need to argue, nor blame him for being cruel; everything must abide by the rules of the game, correct?!

Xia Ruqing silently leaned upon Zhao Junyao’s embrace.

The two nestled together watching the storm outside for a while.

Zhao Junyao suddenly spoke.

"Do you want to know... who the people behind them are?"

Xia Ruqing was startled and quickly raised her head.

"You found out?"

Zhao Junyao nodded solemnly.

"The Lian Family used to be surnamed Lien; the patriarch of the Lien Family, Lien Muen, is the husband of Prince Yan’s nursemaid Lady Qiu!"

"Lien Muen and Lady Qiu have a son, who is now Lien Jiqiu, about the same age as Prince Yan!"

"He grew up with Prince Yan, working in the palace from a young age and as he matured, served Prince Yan outside and was extremely loyal!"

"Years ago, Prince Yan knew he had to go to his territory; recalling years of master-servant bonds, he sent out the nursemaid’s only bloodline!"

"Not only sent him away but granted him civilian status and a large sum of money, advising him to live incognito peacefully!"

Though Prince Yan was already lame and had lost official authority, he could still manage such tasks.

This Lien Jiqiu was also capable.

Armed with substantial wealth, he swiftly established a business and rooted himself in Jiangnan, operating in disguise.

In those years before the Late Emperor passed, he was a renowned merchant in Jiangnan.

After the Late Emperor’s passing, Zhao Junyao ascended to the throne. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

He governed the country, bringing prosperity and introducing a series of beneficial reforms.

The Imperial Court and populace became increasingly flourishing.

Jiangnan, being the richest area of the Great Chu Dynasty, Lien Jiqiu soon joined forces with Rong Family and Song Family, monopolizing all Jiangnan businesses.