He also ordered Sun Bangyuan to prioritize steel production, and Zhao Huan wanted to establish a branch of the Academy of Sciences in the Northwest, with the steel forging center located there.

After eliminating the Li clan of Longxi, Yao Pingzhong returned to the Bao'an Army in the north.

After staying in Chang'an for half a month, Zhao Huan got up and left. He was not in a hurry to return to Tokyo, but went to Qinzhou instead.

Qin Prefecture had just undergone a purge; the entire governor's mansion, from top to bottom, was wiped out, leaving not even a chicken behind.

The Provincial Judicial Commissioner began arresting people indiscriminately in Qinzhou City, with hundreds being imprisoned and severely tortured every day.

On this day, Duan Zhijie came to see Wang Kui'an with a worried expression.

"Lord Wang, if things continue like this, I am worried that the various forces in Qin Prefecture will launch a counterattack."

"General Duan need not worry. Since the Emperor has entrusted you with the position of Military Commissioner, he will naturally give his full support to you. I will also give my full support to you."

Duan Zhijie was still somewhat worried, and Wang Kuian continued, "Since Commander Duan is now the military commissioner, he must understand the current emperor's temperament."

Duan Zhijie was slightly taken aback, as if he understood what Wang Kuian had said.

When the emperor was angry, he cleansed the Central Plains; when he was angry again, he swept across the south. In the past two years, countless people have died in the Song Dynasty. What is Qin Prefecture compared to that?

Thinking it over, Duan Zhijie felt at ease.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to the Emperor's trust!"

After leaving Wang Kuian, Duan Zhijie intensified his purge in Qinzhou.

Some people had reached their breaking point. Although the matter had not yet spread to them, they were extremely angry about Duan Zhijie's actions and wrote a memorial to denounce his misdeeds, but it was forcibly suppressed.

All those who wrote the memorials were imprisoned as Wu Yong's accomplices, and a thorough investigation was to continue in Qin Prefecture until the entire prefecture was thoroughly searched and blood was shed.

They even mobilized the Qin Prefecture army to besiege the residences of some officials and behead them in the streets.

Not only that, but they also hung up the heads of all those who confessed and signed the confession.

In the end, it was found that Wu Yong's case involved as many as 3,000 people, who were punished, executed, or exiled.

When Emperor Zhao Huan arrived outside Qinzhou City, Duan Zhijie went to greet him early in the morning.

As the emperor entered the city, someone suddenly rushed out from the crowd by the roadside, crying out loudly, "Your Majesty, please seek justice for the more than one thousand innocent people and officials who died unjustly in Qin Prefecture!"

Duan Zhijie roared, "Assassins! Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"