The bloodstains in Panyu City were still wet.

The wicked man stood atop the city wall, overlooking the capital he had just conquered.

The southern sunlight shone on his armor, reflecting a cold light.

Although the fighting had subsided, he knew that the real suppression had only just begun.

"Pass down the order," his voice was icy. "Arrest all former officials and nobles of the Baiyue. Leave no one alive! But those who resist, their entire families will be executed!"

"Grand Commandant," Zhang Erhe stepped forward and said, "the list is ready. There are over eight hundred members of the royal family alone, and countless members from prominent families..."

"Very well." A cold glint flashed in the wicked man's eyes. "Then search house to house! Divide the city into four areas, and assign a legion to each area. Remember, those who conceal information will be punished the same as criminals!"

The order swept through the city like a storm.

The Qin army divided into countless small teams and began a thorough search.

Panyu, which had just experienced the ravages of war, was once again plunged into panic.

"Bang!"

The gate of a nobleman's mansion was kicked open.

The fully armed Qin army rushed in and brutally searched every corner.

Men, women, and children were driven into the courtyard and knelt on the ground, trembling.

"Your Excellency, spare my life!" an old man trembled as he kowtowed. "I'm just an ordinary merchant, I have no connection with the imperial court..."

"Hmph!" The captain pulled out a list. "You're the head of the Wei clan, the Baiyue physicians, aren't you? Stop pretending! Men, take them all away!"

The same scene was playing out repeatedly throughout the city.

The Qin army was like a vast net, aiming to capture all the hidden Baiyue nobles.

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant!" an officer rushed over. "We've captured over three hundred people. However, many are still hiding."

"Then set it on fire!" the wicked man said without hesitation. "Burn! Burn all the suspicious houses! Let all these hiding rats show themselves!"

Soon, thick smoke began to rise from the city.

The Qin army carried out its operation in an orderly manner, first blocking the streets and then setting them on fire.

Those who were hiding had no choice but to run out, only to find themselves caught in a pre-arranged encirclement.

"Help! Help me!"

A man in brocade robes rushed out of the burning house, carrying an infant in swaddling clothes.

Before he could run more than a few steps, he was pinned to the ground by the Qin soldiers who had been waiting for him.

"My lord, look, this is my only son..." he pleaded.

"Perfect." The soldier sneered, "to avoid future troubles!" With that, he plunged his knife down, ending the baby's life.

Similar tragedies continued to unfold in the city.

The Qin army showed no mercy in their search; regardless of age or gender, anyone on the list was executed.

"Go!" the wicked man ordered again, "Order all departments to thoroughly search the ships. Anyone attempting to escape the city, kill them without mercy!"

Screams could be heard intermittently from the Pearl River Wharf.

Some people attempted to cross the border illegally, but were discovered by patrolling warships.

The archers were already on high alert, and the dense rain of arrows left the river surface covered with corpses.

As darkness fell, the search continued.

The firelight illuminated half the sky, and cries and pleas for mercy could be heard everywhere. Those nobles who had once lived in luxury were now hiding like rats in the street.

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant!" a scout reported, "A large group of people have been discovered hiding in a Buddhist temple south of the city. They are trying to escape disguised as monks!"

"Ha!" the wicked man sneered, "What a brilliant idea! Go, surround the temple, leave no one alive!"

The Buddhist temple was quickly surrounded.

The people inside were still struggling in their death throes, even taking the monks hostage.

But the Qin army didn't fall for it at all and fired arrows directly, killing both the hostages and the kidnappers.

"Grand Commandant," Zhang Erhe reported, "we've captured a group of officials trying to escape by blending in with the common people. They disguised themselves as beggars..."

"Execute them in public!" the wicked man declared resolutely. "Tie them up at the city gate and let everyone see what happens when they oppose the Great Qin!"

Dozens of wooden stakes were quickly erected in front of the city gate.

Those who were captured were tied to the ropes, and the Qin army executed them in the bloodiest way.

Blood splattered, staining the city gates red. This scene will forever be etched in the memories of the Baiyue people.

As night fell, Panyu City was far from peaceful.

The Qin army, carrying torches, moved through the streets and alleys, searching house to house.

If anything seems suspicious, break down the door immediately.

In a cellar, dozens of nobles were hiding. They had fled here with a large amount of wealth, hoping to evade the search.

Little did they know that the Qin army was well prepared!

"Seal off the exits and set it on fire!" The soldiers carried out the order without hesitation.

Thick smoke quickly filled the cellar, from which came desperate cries.

But no one paid attention, and they could only die amidst the smoke and flames.

Such bloody scenes continued to unfold throughout the city.

The Qin army used the most brutal methods to nip any possibility of resistance in the bud.

The wicked man arrived at the city gate, surveying the kneeling Baiyue people: "Listen up! This is the consequence of resisting my Great Qin. If anyone disagrees, these people are the example!"

He pointed to the corpses.

The people were so frightened that they trembled and dared not even lift their heads.

Fear is deeply ingrained in their bones.

"Pass down the order," he continued, "a city-wide curfew! Anyone who dares to go out at night will be killed without exception! Furthermore..."

He paused, then continued, "Starting tomorrow, we will register all households. All Baiyue people must be registered and their relatives recorded. If anyone dares to rebel in the future, their entire family, including nine generations, will be executed!"

This is how empires rule—establishing authority through bloodshed and ruling through fear.

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