A constable went up and knocked on the gate of the Wang residence. He knocked more than ten times before a servant opened the door in great fear.

"Sir, what brings you here?"

"Open your front door and let your head of household come out and speak."

"Sir, my master is resting now. Can we discuss this tomorrow?"

The servant was trembling all over, his lips were pursed, and his eyes were darting left and right; he was clearly lying.

The head constable kicked the servant into the air, sending him crashing down inside. He tumbled several times on the ground, screaming in agony.

"I want to see how well he's sleeping!"

After he finished speaking, a group of people filed in.

Before long, all the lights inside were turned on.

A middle-aged man, around fifty years old, tidied himself up and walked out confidently.

He bowed respectfully and said, "This humble subject pays homage to my superior."

Liu, the head constable, sneered, "Even if you defeat me, there are more important people outside who want to see you."

Wang Houren looked shocked and quickly ran out.

"Your Excellency has come to visit so late at night. I am sorry for not being able to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"

Liu Yanzong sat on horseback, coldly looking down at Wang Houren.

"You don't need to come to greet me from afar. After all, I'm not here to drink tea and wine, but to arrest you."

Wang Houren was slightly taken aback, feigning ignorance, and said with trepidation, "This humble subject does not know what crime I have committed. I beg Your Excellency to point it out. If this humble subject has violated the laws of the Great Song Dynasty, I will accept Your Excellency's punishment!"

Liu Yanzong waved his hand lightly, and a man brought up a box containing a head. The head was facing upwards, as pale as paper, with its eyes wide open, still retaining the despair and fear it had before death.

Do you know this person?

Wang Houren was shocked and retreated repeatedly, clearly frightened by the human head: "Sir, you are innocent! I have never seen this person before."

Liu Yanzong said, "It's alright. If he doesn't know him, then you should know this person, right?"

Liu Yanzong waved his hand again, and a ragged servant was brought in.

Wang Houren still said, "Sir, this humble subject does not recognize this person."

Liu Yanzong seemed to have guessed it already, and said with a smile, "It's alright, call out all the servants in your household and see if they recognize this person."

Wang Houren wore an expression that clearly refused to admit anything: "Sir, I am innocent!"

“Even if I had ten heads, I would not dare to defy the imperial court. In the past two years, in order to actively respond to the imperial court’s call, I donated a huge sum of 500,000 strings of cash to help General Wang build Taiyuan Prefecture. I have often heard of the Emperor’s benevolence and virtue, and I am always moved to tears by the Emperor’s restoration of Yan and Yun. How could I do anything that would harm the imperial court!”

Liu Yanzong said menacingly, "I'm telling you to call out all the servants in your household so I can identify them. If you continue to spout nonsense, I'll tear down this house!"

Wang Houren originally intended to bring up Wang Bing to put pressure on Liu Yanzong.

Look, I donate a lot of money to the imperial court every year, how could I be a traitor who opposes the imperial court!

Wang Shuai, you must stand up for me!

Unexpectedly, Liu Yanzong showed no respect to anyone and continued, "Men, bring out all the servants in his house so we can identify them!"

Upon receiving the order, the soldiers immediately rushed in, killing anyone who dared to obstruct them.

Before long, some of the servants were dragged out.

"Wang Lue, didn't you already die from this strange illness?"

One of the maids said.

Another servant asked, "Is this really Wang Lue?"

...

Liu Yanzong said, "Wang Houren, do you know them all? What else do you have to say?"

“Shangguan, this servant was dressed so slovenly that I didn’t recognize him at first. Now that I see him, he looks like the servant who stole things from my house a few days ago. He was of bad character and has already been expelled by me.”

Liu Yanzong hadn't expected Wang Houren to be so shameless, but when it came to shamelessness, no one could outshine Liu Yanzong.

"It's good that we know each other, it's good that we know each other." Liu Yanzong sneered, "He told me all the dirty things he's done for the Wang family over the years."

Wang Houren immediately knelt down and cried out loudly, "Sir, I have been wronged!"

“This servant is jealous of me for kicking him out of the house, so he deliberately framed me.”

"And what about this letter?"

Wang Houren suddenly looked up and asked, "What letter?"

Liu Yanzong threw the letter over, but it was a blurry mess. However, when unfolded, some words could still be seen.

This was taken from Wang Jing's body. Fortunately, Liu Yanzong arrived early. Wang Jing had just been killed, and the other party was preparing to destroy the evidence, but Liu Yanzong beat him to it.

His head was definitely going to be cut off and displayed to the public. The coroner immediately examined his entire body and found the letter in his stomach.

This letter is one of the letters that Wang Houren had written to Shi Jian through the already deceased Wang Jing, in an attempt to persuade Shi Jian to defect.

Wang Houren's face turned ashen, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Sir, this is clearly a deliberate attempt to frame me!"

Wang Lue said from the side, "Patriarch, you really have a short memory. A few days ago you secretly told me to get rid of Wang Jing. Now that Wang Jing is dead, you want to kill me to silence me. You are so ruthless!"

Liu Yanzong interrupted this pointless conversation, saying, "The evidence is conclusive, so there's no need to say anything more!"

"Men, drag everyone from the Wang family out, tie them up, and make them kneel in the street. Anyone over twelve years old should be executed, and anyone under twelve should be thrown into prison and sent to the frontier!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Houren turned pale: "Sir! Sir! This humble subject is innocent!"

Several soldiers quickly stepped forward, blocked Liu Yanzong, and pushed Wang Houren aside.

Liu Yanzong said coldly, "Go tell the Emperor that you are innocent. So many people have died because of you. The fact that you were spared children under the age of twelve is already a sign of mercy!"

Wang Houren was held down by two men, each grabbing one of his arms and pressing him to the ground. No matter how much he struggled, it was to no avail.

He never expected the emperor's men to be so ruthless!

Immediately, shouts of respect rang out from the north of the city; it was the Wang family weeping.

Liu Yanzong said, "The Emperor is wise. If you are truly innocent, why was there a rebellion in Taiyuan, and why did so many people die?"

"I believe there are many more lurking in Taiyuan Prefecture and Hedong Road. It doesn't matter. After I kill you, I will go after them. If I don't wipe you out completely, I won't be able to explain to the Emperor!"

Upon receiving Liu Yanzong's order, the soldiers rushed in and soon brought everyone out.

All those over twelve years old were tied up, and no matter how much they struggled, it was to no avail.

The first person to be pinned down on a specially brought stone in the street was Wang Houren's eldest son, Wang Qinghe. He shouted loudly, trying to break free, but his head was held firmly down.

With one slash, blood gushed out, and the headless corpse fell to the ground.