pdf-ebookys Chapter 1111 There isn't a single good person in the Wang family!
Chapter 1111 There isn't a single good person in the Wang family!
The news of the Wang family's swift and decisive defeat was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, creating a huge uproar in the aristocratic circles of Jiangnan.
Panic and suspicion were growing wildly in the hearts of these once high and mighty figures.
They were like a group of rats locked in a cage, tearing at each other in an attempt to survive.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhen and Murong Yan, these two calm hunters, quietly observed everything from the inn.
"My lord, Zhang Dehai, the patriarch of the Zhang family, has sent a visiting card, saying that he requests to see you and wants to... wants to 'abandon darkness and embrace the light.'" Murong Yan looked at the message that Ghost Shadow had just presented, a playful smile playing on her lips.
The Zhang family, on the list, were among those Lin Zhen had labeled as "opportunists." It seems the Wang family's fate has completely terrified them.
"Let him wait." Lin Zhen didn't look up, continuing to focus on selecting candied fruit for Murong Yan.
"Seeing us isn't that easy. Let him ignore us for a few days and let him experience what it means to be restless and unable to eat or sleep. When he's almost driven crazy, we'll 'reluctantly' see him one last time."
Murong Yan was amused by his manipulative manner. She picked up a candied fruit and put it in her mouth. The sweetness melted on her tongue, and her mood improved a bit.
"You're getting worse and worse."
“To deal with these bad people, you have to be worse than them,” Lin Zhen said matter-of-factly.
Just as they were talking, Du Ruhui appeared at the doorway.
Although he was travel-worn, he was in high spirits and had a hint of excitement on his face.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, this old minister has not failed in his mission!" he said excitedly as soon as he entered the room. "As you instructed, the evidence of the Wang family's treason has been spread through various channels! Now the entire city of Suzhou is talking about this matter. The people are filled with righteous indignation, saying that the Wang family are traitors and deserve to die!"
"Well done, Prime Minister Du." Murong Yan nodded approvingly.
“That’s not enough.” Lin Zhen put down the plate of candied fruit in his hand, stood up, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light. “Prime Minister Du, it’s our turn to step in next.”
An hour later, a temporary platform was erected in front of the Suzhou government office.
The high platform was completely surrounded by "Night Owls" and local garrison soldiers.
Outside the police cordon, a huge crowd had already gathered, completely blocking the street.
When Murong Yan appeared on the high platform, a thunderous roar of "Long live the Emperor!" erupted from the crowd.
Today, to demonstrate the supreme and inviolable nature of imperial power, she once again donned the Phoenix Descent dress, and with utmost solemnity, draped it over the matching black and gold shawl.
The Phoenix Descent Dress, which served as her only nightgown, now shone brightly in the Jiangnan sunshine. Its ultra-black Suzhou brocade base absorbed all the stray light, presenting a pure, obsidian-like texture.
The colossal phoenix embroidered with real gold thread, running through its entire body, shone with a dazzling brilliance under the sunlight, so intense that it was almost blinding.
She walked step by step onto the high platform, the five-zhang-long dark gold Suzhou brocade trailing behind her dragging across the bluestone steps, making a deep and majestic "rustling" sound.
The enormous skirt, without any palace servants to hold it up, was laid out naturally and majestically on the high platform. With her steps and turns, the skirt piled up and twisted, forming a chaotic scene full of absolute authority and unquestionable disarray.
Lin Zhen, dressed in a silver royal robe and carrying a long sword, stood guard beside her like a god.
Murong Yan walked to the center of the platform, her gaze sweeping coldly over the dark mass of people below. Her voice, amplified by her inner strength, clearly resounded throughout the entire square.
"Bring in the criminals!"
Moments later, Wang Kun, the once arrogant head of the Wang family, was dragged onto the high platform by two ferocious "Night Owl" assassins, like a dead dog.
His hair was disheveled, and he was covered in wounds; he was no longer recognizable as a human being.
"Wang Kun!" Murong Yan's voice was devoid of any warmth. "Do you know your crime?!"
"I...I'm innocent! Your Majesty!" Wang Kun raised his head, still trying to make a final struggle.
"Injustice?" Murong Yan sneered and winked at Lin Zhen beside her.
Lin Zhen stepped forward, took a thick stack of letters from the ghostly figure, and read aloud in a loud voice: "Wang Kun, the head of the Wang family in Suzhou, colluded with remnants of the previous dynasty, betrayed the country, and committed the following crimes! First, he secretly wrote to Kong Zhiqian, intending to overthrow our Great Qian Dynasty! Second, he privately hoarded weapons and recruited fugitives, plotting to start a rebellion! Third, he oppressed the local people, forcibly seized farmland, and forced countless families to be destroyed and lives lost!"
With each item Lin Zhen read aloud, he would slam a letter and a land deed hard onto Wang Kun's face!
The people below the stage were filled with rage as they listened to the shocking charges and saw the mountain of irrefutable evidence!
"Kill this traitor!"
"The Wang family is a bunch of scoundrels! They stole my family's land!"
"Kill him! Kill him!"
The roars of the people were like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next. Wang Kun collapsed to the ground, completely exhausted. He knew he was finished.
Murong Yan watched all this quietly until the people's anger was completely ignited. Only then did she slowly raise her hand to suppress the clamor.
Then, she did something that surprised everyone.
She turned around, bowed deeply to all the people below the stage, and performed a grand salute!
"It is I who have failed to govern my subordinates properly and failed to recognize talent, allowing such traitors to wreak havoc in the Jiangnan region for so many years! My fellow countrymen have suffered greatly! I apologize to you all here!"
This move shocked everyone present!
The mighty Empress of the Great Qian Dynasty, the supreme ruler, actually bowed and apologized to these commoners in front of all the people?!
The people below the stage were completely dumbfounded. They had never seen an emperor like this before. They had never received such respect.
After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in cries and cheers that were more fervent and heartfelt than ever before!
"Your Majesty! This is not right! Your Majesty, please rise!"
"This has nothing to do with His Majesty! It's those beasts in the Wang family who are evil! His Majesty is a good emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Great Qian Dynasty!"
Countless people were moved to tears. From the bottom of their hearts, they knelt down and kowtowed desperately to the empress on the high platform.
Just as Murong Yan rose to receive the homage of the masses—
Her action, imbued with boundless sincerity and the responsibility of a monarch, was so resolute and powerful!
The loose, messy trailing black-gold brocade was suddenly propelled by her thunderous movement, making a sharp "whoosh" sound on the smooth bluestone slab!
As the train billowed up, it revealed the intricately woven gold-threaded lining underneath!
Under the bright sunshine of Jiangnan, that golden light was no longer a cold majesty, nor a destructive rage, but burst forth with a brilliant light as warm as the sun and as nourishing as rain and dew, full of imperial grace and supreme benevolence!
The giant phoenix seemed to come alive in an instant. Its eyes were no longer filled with indifference and killing intent, but with pity and love for its people!
That light instantly dispelled the unease and doubts in the hearts of all the people, making them feel an unprecedented warmth and peace of mind as if they were protected by imperial power!
The hem of her skirt fell, obscuring the radiant light of benevolence that could melt away all obstacles.
Looking down at the simple and kind people below, Murong Yan was filled with emotion.
She knew that from this moment on, the hearts of the people of Jiangnan had truly been won back.
She spoke again, her voice carrying far and wide: "Issue my decree! The traitor Wang Kun shall be executed by slow slicing! His entire estate shall be confiscated! Half of it shall be used to compensate all the people who have been oppressed by the Wang family! The other half shall be deposited into the Suzhou treasury for the construction of water conservancy projects and the establishment of free schools!"
"Furthermore, I hereby announce that, effective today, all taxes for this year will be reduced or exempted for the three prefectures south of the Yangtze River!"
These two imperial edicts, like thunderclaps from the heavens, exploded among the crowd!
First, severely punish traitors and redress grievances for the people! Then, reduce or exempt taxes and allow the people to rest!
The people went absolutely wild! They cheered, jumped, cried, and used every means to express their love and gratitude for the empress!
Meanwhile, the spies from other aristocratic families who were hiding in the crowd and secretly observing everything were all terrified, their faces ashen and their hands and feet ice-cold.
They knew it was over.
This empress's methods are terrifying. She possesses not only thunderous wrath but also a compassionate heart. Through a combination of kindness and severity, there is no longer any room for powerful clans like hers to stand in Jiangnan.