Dongning City.

The Zhao residence.

Inside the house, firewood crackled and popped as it burned in a brazier.

In this northern country, it is warm as spring.

In the main hall, Zhao Youheng sat upright in a grand chair, holding a teacup in one hand and elegantly drinking tea.

"Father,"

At the lower position, the young Zhao Deling sneered and said, "Your Highness Prince Xin, don't you even consider our family's status in Dongning City?"

Trying to rob us? Heh…

"Alright!"

Zhao Youheng frowned and said, "After all, he is a prince, so we are giving him face."

Let's leave other matters aside for now.

"Deling, the ship needs to hurry; try to depart tomorrow!"

"yes!"

Zhao Deling quickly agreed.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from outside.

Before the person even arrived, their voice had already entered the house—

"Master, master, something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

A servant ran into the main hall, panting, his forehead and temples covered in a fine layer of white mist.

"What's wrong? Why are you in such a panic? What kind of behavior is this!"

Zhao Youheng's face darkened, and he reprimanded him sternly.

The servant took a breath and said, "Master, something terrible has happened!"

Just now, the Prince's Guard arrived at the harbor and seized all our ships!

The Qian family's ships, as well as those of other families in the city, were all seized..."

"What?"

Upon hearing this news, Zhao Youheng was stunned.

A pair of white eyes stared intently at the servant, and even her voice trembled slightly, "What is the Prince Xin's Mansion trying to do?"

The servant swallowed hard and said, "I heard they're going to confiscate our family's grain..."

"this……"

Zhao Youheng's heart skipped a beat.

He never expected that the people of the Prince Xin's mansion would act in this way.

By confiscating the grain of powerful and wealthy families, it's clear they're ready to break ties with them!

Your Highness, what are you trying to do?

However, before Zhao Youheng could come to his senses, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"My lord, the Prince's guards have arrived!"

The chilling voice, like a death knell, stunned Zhao Youheng.

"It's numb!"

Instead, Zhao Deling realized, "They actually dared to bully my Zhao family!"

He's tired of living!

"Zhao San, gather the servants, come with me to take a look!"

When Zhao Youheng, Zhao Deling, and the others arrived in the courtyard, the Prince's guards had already surrounded the Zhao family's residence.

The person leading the group was none other than the young Prince Xin—Li Xin!

Upon seeing this, Zhao Youheng's pupils contracted slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Your Highness, what are you trying to do?"

"do what?"

Li Xin sneered and said, "It has just been confirmed that the Zhao family, the Qian family, and Zhang Dayuan, the prefect of Dongning, are in cahoots and have colluded with each other!"

Embezzling government funds and grain, raping women, oppressing the people, and committing all sorts of evil deeds!

"You're spouting nonsense!"

Zhao Deling suddenly sprang to his feet.

"Zhang Dayuan has already confessed,"

Li Xin sneered and continued, "The Zhao family conspired with grassland bandits, colluding with foreign enemies. Their crimes are unforgivable!"

"Wei Jun, take him down immediately!"

The guards from the Prince's Palace immediately stepped forward.

"Who dares!"

Zhao Deling shouted, "Stop them!"

He waved his hand, and the servants behind him stepped forward.

A cold glint flashed in Li Xin's eyes as he looked at the scene before him.

As someone who had traveled from another time, Li Xin naturally understood that if he wanted to win the hearts of the people, he had to punish those who did evil and caused chaos among the people!

Only by eliminating these powerful and tyrannical figures can we truly win the support of the vast majority of poor people!

Moreover, most of these powerful and wealthy families have shady dealings!

Eliminating them would be doing a service to the people!

After thinking it over, Li Xin took a deep breath and said calmly, "If there is any resistance, kill them without mercy!"

His voice was cold, yet it revealed a hint of determination.

Wei Jun was stunned for a moment, but as the leader of the Prince's guard, he naturally had to follow His Highness's lead!

Wei Jun, sword in hand, stepped forward, a ruthless glint in his eyes.

To become the leader of the Prince's Guard, a third-rank military officer, Wei Jun also earned his position through battle!

The broadsword, gleaming with a cold light, exuded a chilling aura.

This scene filled Zhao Deling with fear.

However, he forced himself to overcome his fear and straightened his back, replying defiantly, "I...I don't believe you would dare kill me..."

Before he finished speaking, Wei Jun raised his broadsword high in the air.

It fell instantly!

puff!

A cold glint flashed, and the blade had already slashed down from Zhao Deling's neck.

Warm, viscous blood gushed out.

Zhao Deling landed on the snow with a terrified look in his eyes.

The sudden turn of events startled everyone in the courtyard.

Zhao Youheng stood there, stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing.

While Zhao Youheng was in a daze, Wei Jun stepped forward, his broadsword already pressed against Zhao Youheng's neck.

The broadsword was still stained with Zhao Deling's thick, foul-smelling blood, which dripped onto his neck and was still slightly warm.

At this moment, Zhao Youheng realized what was happening.

A flicker of fear flashed in his pale pupils.

"Put down your weapons immediately and surrender! I'll spare your life!"

Wei Jun shouted in a deep voice.

To catch the thief, first catch the king!

At this moment, Zhao Youheng, the head of the Zhao family, had been captured, and Zhao Deling had been killed, and the situation changed drastically in an instant.

The Zhao family servants around them were filled with fear and hesitated to move forward.

A servant is just a servant; how can he compare to the guards of the Prince's Palace!

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!