“I hereby promise three things,” he said loudly. “First, all former officials of the court, except for the ringleaders, will be pardoned as long as they sincerely submit. Second, the people of the capital will be exempt from taxes for three years to allow them to recuperate. Third, starting immediately, the granaries will be opened to distribute grain to relieve famine, repair houses, and resettle displaced people.”
With each word spoken, the cheers from the crowd grew louder.
When the phrase "three years of tax exemption" was mentioned, many people knelt down and kowtowed, weeping uncontrollably.
Three years of war and heavy taxes forced many to sell their children in order to pay those exorbitant levies.
Now that taxes have been waived for three years, this is a real way to make a living!
"Furthermore," Zhao Muyun continued, "During last night's palace turmoil, Feng Liang and Cui Mian were executed. However, all their subordinates and servants, as long as they were not involved in the conspiracy, will be pardoned. I mean what I say."
These words were both a reassurance and a warning—those who have rendered meritorious service will be rewarded, and those who have committed crimes will be punished, but indiscriminate killing will never be tolerated.
At this moment, the palace gates slowly opened.
A group of imperial guards escorted a person out.
The man, dressed in prison clothes, with disheveled hair and shackles on his feet, was none other than Li Jingang.
The crowd immediately stirred.
Some people cursed, some threw stones, and some just watched silently.
This ambitious warlord, who led his troops into the capital three years ago, seized the throne of the Great Yin Dynasty, and declared himself emperor, is now a prisoner.
Li Jingang was taken down from the platform.
He looked up at Zhao Muyun on the stage, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
There was no hatred, no anger, only a deep weariness and a trace of... relief.
“Li Jingang,” Zhao Muyun looked at him, “do you know your crime?”
Li Jingang laughed, a desolate laugh: "The victor is king, the loser is villain. What crime is there? If I were the victor today, if I were the one standing on the stage, then you, Zhao Muyun, would be a traitor."
“You’re wrong.” Zhao Muyun shook his head. “Victory or defeat is not the standard for judging right or wrong. Your mistake is not in losing, but in losing your original intention.”
"In order to win, you did not hesitate to collude with the Tartars, distrust meritorious officials, slaughter the people, and impose heavy taxes, causing widespread suffering. Such an emperor, even if he wins, is wrong."
Li Jingang remained silent.
"Take him away." Zhao Muyun waved his hand. "After informing His Majesty, the court will decide on his punishment."
The Imperial Guards took Li Jingang away.
This once powerful and influential figure disappeared behind the palace gates and into the long river of history.
Zhao Muyun turned to face the 100,000 soldiers and civilians below the stage and said in conclusion:
"From this day forward, forget war, forget hatred."
"What we need to do is rebuild our homes, so that everyone on this land can live and work in peace and prosperity, and see the sun rise tomorrow."
"Long live the Great Yin! Long live the Great General!" The cheers rang out again, even more enthusiastic than before.
Sunlight bathed the square, turning the thousands of palaces and buildings in Beijing into a golden, magnificent spectacle.
......
At 2:45 PM, the Grand General of the Capital temporarily arrived at his temporary residence.
Ancient cypress trees stand tall and strong in the courtyard, and sunlight streams into the council hall through the window lattices.
Zhao Muyun, Han Zhong, Lin Feng, Wu Shangzhi, and Xiao Cheyun sat around a large map of the Great Yin territory spread out on the table, the ink still fresh.
"Although rewards have been issued in Xijing," Zhao Muyun said, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his voice steady, "the official battle report has not yet been submitted. The most urgent task is to send an urgent message to His Majesty with details of the recapture of the capital and the capture of Li Jingang, so that His Majesty can decide on the aftermath."
Han Zhong nodded: "That's exactly right. In addition, how to deal with the surrendered officials and how to arrange the officials in the capital are all matters that require His Majesty's decision."
"I have already had the military clerk prepare a report," Lin Feng said, handing over a scroll of documents respectfully to Zhao Muyun.
Zhao Muyun glanced at it, nodded slightly, and then said, "Lin Feng, what you proposed is exactly what I was thinking."
Lin Feng smiled.
"But there is one thing I would like to hear your opinions on," Zhao Muyun said.
Everyone quickly perked up their ears to listen.
Zhao Muyun stood up, walked to the map, and pointed to two locations: "The capital and the western capital. Where should the capital be located?"
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Lin Feng spoke first: "In my humble opinion, Xijing should be the capital. Li Jingang has occupied the capital for three years. Although the palace still exists, the morale of the people has been damaged. Moreover, Guanzhong has suffered from war and the people's livelihood is impoverished. Xijing is more stable and prosperous than Guanzhong."
Wu Shangzhi pondered and said, "General Lin is right. Besides, we have been operating in Xijing for two years, and the court structure is complete. If we move the capital again, it will be a waste of resources and manpower."
Xiao Cheyun nodded: "Xijing is located in the heart of the country and is well-protected on all sides, making it an excellent choice for the capital."
Zhao Muyun listened quietly, but her gaze remained fixed on the northern end of the map.
“Your considerations are all valid.” He slowly turned around, “but I’m thinking about a hundred years from now, a thousand years from now.”
"What the General means is..." Han Zhong seemed to be thinking.
Zhao Muyun pressed his finger heavily on the location of Youzhou: "I intend to move the capital of Dayin here."
"Youzhou?" Lin Feng was taken aback. "It's close to the border, and the Northern Di are eyeing it covetously. How could it be a place to establish a capital?"
"It is precisely because of its proximity to the border that the capital should be established here."
A sharp glint flashed in Zhao Muyun's eyes. "Gentlemen, imagine this: if the capital were located deep in the interior, and the border were in dire need of news, it would take time for military reports to be delivered, time for the court to make decisions, and time to mobilize troops. By the time the army arrives, the Northern Di cavalry will have already penetrated hundreds of miles into the interior."
"In the past three years, the Tartars have twice invaded the south, causing the Central Plains to suffer from the ravages of war."
He paused, his voice becoming even more resolute: "But if the Emperor were to reside in Youzhou, he would be guarding the nation's gates!"
"His Majesty will be informed of any disturbance at the border immediately; if the enemy dares to invade, the Emperor will stand with the soldiers on the front lines! This is what is meant by—"
Zhao Muyun said, enunciating each word clearly: "The emperor guards the nation's gate!"
The four characters resonated powerfully, like metal or stone falling to the ground.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com