The Slender Waist-Chapter 706 - 509: Kill to Avoid Trouble

The treacherous courtier Li Zongxun met his absurd death atop the southern gate tower of Yecheng.

Death by a single arrow.

No last words.

The new dynasty established by Li Zongxun existed for merely three days. The imperial title, yet to be announced throughout the lands, perished amidst that day’s blazing warfare and billowing smoke.

Yecheng fell.

The scoundrel was executed.

Dajin united as one.

The whole world was in uproar.

When Pei Jue led his troops into the city, the Southern City Tower sounded the horn thrice.

The somber horn wails, carried by the howling cold winds, added a touch of time-worn bleakness to the ancient city.

Bloodstains on the city walls were not yet dry, mottled and desolate.

The city’s houses, temples, towers, and markets were eerily quiet.

Common folks, out of fear, huddled within their homes, daring not to come out to see. Only those keen-eared and sharp-eyed aristocrats, the unfortunate ones previously plundered by Li Zongxun, had prepared fireworks and firecrackers early, setting them alight along the way and loudly cheering for the "Long Live the Prince of Yonghuai".

After the battle, order in Yecheng was in disarray, a complete mess.

The Northern Yong Army quietly dealt with various matters without disturbing the common people.

Though the city had just witnessed a bloody battle, and despite the changing of guards, the Yecheng Army was reorganized on the spot, trades were made, executions carried out, yet the lives of the citizens of Yecheng remained as calm as if nothing had happened...

However, the imperial relatives and officials who had followed Li Zongxun’s flight to Yecheng were not so fortunate in their days to come.

Feng Yun arrived by palanquin.

After the battle, with unknown risks within the city, she didn’t enter immediately. Instead, she waited until the Northern Yong Army had full control before being escorted in.

Upon reaching what was so-called the main gate of the Imperial City of Yecheng, she saw a group of former officials kneeling in the bleak cold wind, among whom Chancellor Cui, father of Cui Zhi, was the most conspicuous.

Two years had passed, from Central Capital to Yecheng, everyone’s fates had changed.

Feng Yun did not like Cui Zhi, and she had even less time for those who would abandon their wives and daughters.

She did not linger, passing through them in her palanquin without affording them as much as a spare glance.

"Your servant greets the Princess of Yonghuai—"

"May the Princess have peace."

She said little.

And yet these old faces recognized her.

They scrambled to pay respects, trying to ingratiate themselves.

With just a glance, Feng Yun did not respond and left high and dry.

At the first sign of the city’s downfall, these old ministers chose to surrender and submit, but for the Northern Yong Army, it was already too late.

Doing the right thing when no longer needed is valueless.

The smartest strategy was the one adopted by Tang Shaogong, who opened the city gates to welcome the grand army.

When Feng Yun arrived at Xingrendian, Pei Jue and several generals were inside holding a council of war.

She didn’t disturb them, quietly circling around the screen and retiring to the inner hall for a rest.

"If you do not eradicate the roots when cutting the grass, the spring breeze will bring it back to life. In my view, none of these curs should be left alive," said the general, his voice loud.

Feng Yun had barely sat down when she heard Ao Qi’s clear and powerful voice through the curtain.

"Killing them saves trouble. In times of chaos, nobody will investigate how they died."

Ao Qi, still a youth, was brimming with indignant righteousness.

Having fought for so long, he had grown to detest those who incited war, harboring no good feelings toward those factions from Yecheng that led to the split of Dajin.

"That won’t do," Helian Qian laughed while stroking his beard, "General Ao, these matters can’t be taken lightly. Historically, severe punishment has never been the fate of scholars and officials. These officials all hail from prestigious families, behind them stand the major aristocratic houses with intertwined interests—complex and numerous, not something that can be solved by a single cut or a single execution."

"And what of it?" Ao Qi felt indignant upon hearing this.

Ao Qi knew he was young, and it was precisely because of this that he dared to voice what others would not.

Despite being from an aristocratic family in Pingcheng himself, his years in military service had left him with no fondness for those families that dominated court affairs.

"Target whichever family doesn’t comply. Keep fighting that family until they yield," he said.

Helian Qian looked at him and shook his head with a gentle smile.

He is an old general who watched Ao Qi grow up, so naturally, he wouldn’t get angry over Ao Qi’s rebuke.

"Eat your meal one bite at a time; you cannot rush it."

Ao Qi sighed, "The junior officer understands. I just can’t swallow this grievance. I don’t want to let these dogs get away with it. Without them, would we have lost so many brothers?"

The other generals murmured in agreement.

Pei Jue said, "Both points are valid."

He swept a glance over the generals and said in a deep voice, "All the old ministers and members of the Royal Family will be escorted to Xijing for further punishment."

Everyone nodded repeatedly.

This was the best solution.

There are the Emperor above and the laws of Jin below, so the punishment should not be decided on the spot. In any case, the due process of Xijing must be followed.

But what Pei Jue said was "escort."

Those who are escorted are criminals, not scholars or officials.

As long as they are criminals, whether or not they will receive capital punishment is temporarily not discussed. Once they are in the hands of their soldiers, they are bound to suffer.

Ao Qi felt relieved and bowed, "That would be very good."

The generals smiled, all saying that the king had made a fitting decision.

At this moment, Shi Yin furrowed his brow.

"The Royal Family and the old ministers are one thing, but what about Empress Dowager Mingde and the Prince of Runan..."

One is the former Empress Dowager who reigned over the court.

The other is the false Emperor of the Yecheng court.

As long as Xijing acknowledges the Emperor of Xifeng and the Emperor of Xinghe, they cannot avoid dealing with Li Sangruo.

If Xijing does not acknowledge them, then the current Yuan Shangyi’s position would be illegitimate.

Li Sangruo and common criminals are still different.

The gazes of the generals all fell upon Pei Jue.

At the southern city gate, Li Zongxun repeatedly used Li Sangruo to threaten Pei Jue. Although Pei Jue ignored him, everyone was smart and vaguely noticed something...

Pei Jue asked, "Where is the person now?"

Shi Yin bowed, "Previously, Tang Shaogong sent people to deliver her. The junior officer didn’t have time to consult with the king and temporarily placed her under house arrest in Fangyun Hall."

Pei Jue gave a grunt, "Then just keep her locked up for now. When the criminals are escorted back to the Capital, bring her along."

Shi Yin could not read any expression from his face and hesitantly replied, "Understood."

Helian Qian then said, "Tang Shaogong has made a great contribution this time, how does the king plan to reward him?"

Pei Jue lifted his eyes to look at him, "What do you think?"

Helian Qian said, "This man is highly aware of the times and astute. If he were one of us, he would be of great use. But... in my humble opinion, a man who has changed loyalties three times cannot be trusted. Today he can betray Li Zongxun, tomorrow he can betray the king."

These were all Pei Jue’s confidants, who could speak their minds freely, so Helian Qian spoke without any reservation.

"However, since the Northern Yong Army easily captured the city, Tang Shaogong bears the foremost merit. The king has always been clear with rewards and punishments; it wouldn’t be appropriate to make an exception. Therefore, he should be rewarded, but not entrusted with important affairs."

Pei Jue nodded his head.

Others might not know the details about Tang Shaogong, but Pei Jue knew very well—Tang Shaogong was one of the very few who knew early on about his connection with the Xie Family Army.

Pei Jue had not forgotten the words Tang Shaogong once said: "I once served under General Xie Xian as a military adviser in my younger years."

He was silent for a moment.

"Where is Tang Shaogong now?"

Shi Yin replied, "Kneeling outside Xuande Gate."

Helian Qian wasn’t wrong.

He truly knew how to act appropriately for the times...

Not only did he not ask for rewards, but he also pleaded guilty first.

However, contrary to what everyone expected, Pei Jue did not summon Tang Shaogong immediately but instead waved his hand.

"You all may leave first."

"As you command."

The generals withdrew one after another.

Pei Jue’s tightly knitted brows slightly relaxed, and he sighed wistfully, then turned around.

"Lady Yun, come out."