Chapter 3058 Caning

"Is this what you would do if he were still alive?"

“…”

Nan Yan's face turned paler in an instant.

Although she couldn't admit it, Zhu Chengjin had indeed touched the most vulnerable part of her heart.

If Zhu Feng had not died, if he was still alive, then he really had not sent a single soldier along the way, and just watched all this happen. Even later, if Xu Shizong could really pacify the forces in the south of the Yangtze River, Zhu Chengjin might divide the river with him and rule the country separately.

And I will stay here forever.

Zhu Feng, if he is fine, did he really just watch all this happen?

With just this thought in her mind, Nan Yan immediately gritted her teeth and shook her head vigorously, as if to get rid of this absurd idea from her head. She said in a deep voice, "Impossible!"

Zhu Chengjin looked at her with a smile.

He didn't say much to prove that what he said was right, he just kept quiet. It was enough for him to leave this thorn in Nan Yan's heart, because originally, every day, Nan Yan was waiting for news from the outside world, which was a day of hope; but now every day was more like a torture.

He was originally the best at torturing people.

However, ever since meeting Nan Yan, this "noble concubine of the current dynasty" relied on the fact that he would not kill her and took the initiative in words. Just like when the two of them had a meal together before, she made Zhu Chengjin so angry that he could hardly eat.

But Zhu Chengjin is obviously not someone who will suffer losses.

Seeing Nan Yan's face turn pale, he smiled and picked up the bowl and chopsticks in front of him, saying, "Okay, let's eat."

“…”

Nan Yan frowned and glanced at him gloomily.

After saying those words, her heart felt like it was being tightly squeezed by a dark hand, and she could hardly breathe.

How could I possibly eat?

But Zhu Chengjin picked up the bowl and chopsticks, ate a little, then looked at her with a smile and said, "Why don't you eat?"

“…”

"Oh, I see."

“…”

"When the imperial concubine of the current dynasty dine, she naturally needs some ceremony. Speaking of which, you come from a wealthy family."

“…”

"Someone come."

He suddenly gave an order, and footsteps were heard outside.

As soon as he opened his mouth, Nan Yan realized that Zhu Chengjin might have some new plan. Hearing footsteps outside, she subconsciously turned her head and saw the soldiers dragging a group of officials to the outside of Wuying Palace.

Those officials were the ones Zhu Feng had left behind in Jinling City to be in charge of the administration in the south, but now, one by one, they were stripped of their official positions, their hands were tied behind their backs, their hair was disheveled, and their faces and noses were bruised as they were dragged to the front of the Wuying Palace. Some of those who were afraid of death had already begun to kowtow and beg for mercy. Of course, there were also some stubborn ones who said nothing and just stared at Zhu Chengjin with red eyes.

Zhu Chengjin didn't even look at them, but just ordered, "Execute."

As soon as the words fell, the soldiers immediately pushed these people to the ground, and then swung the heavy wooden sticks in their hands and hit them.

Suddenly, wailing sounds were heard everywhere.

There were several elderly officials who could not bear the blows at all. After being hit by dozens of sticks, their skin was torn and they were dead. After a while, blood flowed down their motionless bodies and even flowed to the gate of Wuying Hall.

The strong smell of blood in the air instantly overwhelmed the taste of the dishes on the table.

Nan Yan couldn't help but feel nauseous.

"you--"

Of course she knew that Zhu Chengjin was killing people, and he was killing the group of officials that Zhu Feng had left in Nanjing, especially those who had served him and later surrendered to the new dynasty. Xu Shizong had already come to persuade her before.

But she didn't expect that Zhu Chengjin would drag these people up and beat them to death in front of her while they were having a meal together.

Tingfu's face also turned pale.

The dragonfly standing next to Tingfu had never seen such a scene before and was so scared that it hid behind Tingfu.

Zhu Chengjin smiled and said, "What's wrong? Why aren't you eating yet?"

“…”

"Isn't this 'music' loud enough?"

After saying that, he coldly ordered: "Louder!"

When the soldiers outside who were carrying out the execution heard this, they beat the officials with all their might, making them scream in pain and even breaking several wooden sticks.

Nan Yan's brows were twisted into a knot.

How could she not know that Zhu Chengjin was torturing her, deliberately making her watch these officials being beaten to death in front of her eyes, and she also knew very well that even if she advised him, Zhu Chengjin would not listen.

not to mention--

From the overall perspective, she couldn't persuade him either.

However, knowing it in your heart is one thing, but watching so many people being beaten and bleeding is another matter entirely.

Nan Yan sat at the table, facing a table full of delicious food and wine, but at this moment she just felt like vomiting. However, she couldn't even turn her head and take another look outside.

His palms and forehead were covered in cold sweat.

Zhu Chengjin didn't look outside. He ate while looking up at Nan Yan, as if her pale face and reluctant expression were the best scenery.

"ah--"

I heard another scream outside. Another official could not bear the torture and died tragically under the wooden stick.

Nan Yan finally couldn't hold back any longer and raised her head.

But at this moment, a deep voice sounded outside: "Stop!"

Nan Yan's throat choked for a moment, and she finally swallowed the sound that was about to come out. She immediately turned her head and saw Xiaoman walking towards her, supporting Xu Shizong, who was pale, emaciated, and almost unable to stand.

As soon as he saw him, Zhu Chengjin's face darkened.

However, he still slowly put down his bowl and chopsticks, took the handkerchief from the maid next to him and wiped his mouth, then threw the handkerchief to the man. Then he turned around and saw Xu Shizong slowly walk into the Wuying Hall and bowed to him: "Sir."

"military adviser,"

Zhu Chengjin said with a half-smile, "Isn't the military advisor going back to recuperate? Why are you here again?"

Xu Shizong looked back and saw several corpses lined up outside, blood all over the ground. He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: "Sir, you promised me before that you would reconsider this matter. Why -"

"Yes, I promised you."

Zhu Chengjin said nonchalantly, "But I only promised you to consider it. But the result of my consideration is that these people cannot stay."

When Xu Shizong heard this, he started coughing violently again.

Zhu Chengjin frowned in disgust.

Xu Shizong coughed and the corners of his mouth turned red again, but he immediately wiped it with the handkerchief in his hand so that no one would notice. Then, suppressing his weakness, he said in a deep voice: "Sir, these people cannot be killed!"

Zhu Chengjin sneered and said, "Those surrendered generals were killed before, why can't they be killed?"

“…”

"Could it be that the military advisor only wants to kill the military commanders, but wants to buy the hearts and minds of the civil officials?"