"I will not desert!" Li Jingang drew his sword, the blade slicing sharply across the bluestone ground. "Anyone who speaks of desertion again will be executed on the spot!"
The hall was deathly silent.
Only Li Jingang's heavy breathing could be heard.
He walked back to the dragon throne, but did not sit down; instead, he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly.
After a long while, he suddenly laughed, a cold and eerie laugh.
"Since you are afraid, I will make everyone in the city afraid." He said slowly, "Issue the decree: From this day forward, Luoyang will be closed. People are allowed to enter, but not leave."
"Anyone who spreads rumors or undermines morale will be executed immediately. All able-bodied men will be incorporated into the city defense force; anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
"Your Majesty, such high pressure may lead to internal strife!" Zhang Han cried, tears streaming down his face.
"Chaos?" Li Jingang's eyes blazed with madness. "Then kill! Kill until no one dares to cause chaos! Also—"
He paused, then said, word by word, "Bring all the remnants of the Yin family and former officials imprisoned in the imperial prison to the city walls."
"If Zhao Muyun dares to attack the city, I will kill one of them every hour!"
The officials were horrified.
This is risking the last vestiges of humanity to carry out the most vicious coercion.
He wanted to use the hostages to force Zhao Muyun to slow down his offensive, or at least plant a thorn in the hearts of the people.
If Zhao Muyun launches a forceful attack regardless of the lives of the Yin family members, he will be heartless and ungrateful; if he delays the battle because of this, he will be a woman's compassion.
No matter what, Li Jingang was determined to tear open a bloody wound in this desperate situation.
"Did you all understand?" Li Jingang roared, the tip of his sword sweeping across the heads of the ministers who were bowing their heads. "Either you stay with me to the death, or you die now. Choose."
No one dared to make a move.
"Get ready!"
The officials staggered out, and the palace doors slammed shut.
Inside the Zichen Palace, only Li Jingang remained.
He walked to the huge bronze mirror on the side of the hall and looked at the figure in the mirror, dressed in a dragon robe with white temples.
At fifty-eight years old, the wrinkles around his eyes were deep and etched like knife cuts.
Three years ago, he was also full of vigor, believing that he could end the chaos and usher in an era of peace.
When did the dragon throne become a prison, and power turn into shackles?
Did it begin with suspicion of Yang Yan, the first meritorious official?
Did it begin with silencing the very first dissent with the executioner's knife? Or...?
Is it from the day I sat in this position and could no longer hear the truth?
The person in the mirror gave him a twisted smile.
Let's destroy each other then.
Now that the country no longer belongs to the Li family, no one can obtain it cleanly.
Outside the window, a muffled clap of thunder rolled across the sky.
Today is Xiaoman (Grain Buds)!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com