"An urgent report from Governor Lin Feng of Huazhou: A large group of defeated soldiers and bandits, numbering about a thousand, have appeared in the Shaohua Mountain area. They are robbing merchants and attacking grain convoys under various pretexts. It is suspected that they are organized by former Xijing Army officers. They are extremely cunning and have been repeatedly suppressed but have not been completely eradicated!"
"Several of the city's largest rice and cloth shops have once again joined forces to raise prices by 30% today, causing panic and overcrowding among the residents..."
Each message was like a poisonous thorn, piercing Zhao Muyun's heart.
He put down the urgent report on the battle situation at Longmen Pass, which still described the perilous situation before Liu Yi's arrival. He rubbed his temples, his eyes bloodshot.
He knew that this was not a simple matter of public security; it was a political struggle, a backlash against Yang Yan's influence, and a test by certain people to see if Zhao Muyun could truly control Xijing!
While soldiers on the front lines are bleeding and sacrificing their lives, these parasites in the rear are undermining the foundation and hindering progress!
An uncontrollable rage rose within him.
He suddenly stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the gray sky over Xi'an.
This city carries too many memories and ambitions, but also hides too much filth and conspiracy.
"In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary!"
He muttered to himself, his voice as cold as iron, "Appeasement is for those who are willing to submit."
"For these stubborn and treacherous individuals, only iron fist and fear can make them remember who is the current ruler!"
He turned abruptly, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, and issued an unquestionable order to Shen Qian, who stood to his side, and Chen Xuan, the newly appointed governor of Xijing, his tone filled with chilling killing intent:
"Chen Qian!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Shen Qian felt a chill run down his spine when he sensed the fierce killing intent emanating from Zhao Muyun, and quickly bowed.
"Use all the night scouts at your disposal! Like a comb, thoroughly examine Xijing City and even all the counties surrounding it!"
"All ringleaders who spread rumors, conspire to cause trouble, and drive up prices! No matter which powerful family they are backed by, or what relationship they had with Yang Yan in the past, once verified, the ringleaders will be executed without trial!"
"His entire estate shall be confiscated and put to public use! His crimes and his head shall be displayed in the marketplace as a warning to all!"
"I want everyone to see clearly what happens when they try to play these tricks on me, Zhao Muyun!"
"Regarding those bandits who dare to attack our army and kill officials, and those fortified villages and strongholds outside the city that outwardly comply but inwardly defy us, and even dare to intercept and kill messengers,"
Zhao Muyun's voice grew increasingly cold, "Abandon the appeasement! Order Tang Yanhai and Murong Chunhua to allocate troops and annihilate them with overwhelming force!"
"After the stronghold is breached, the leader will be beheaded, those who have sided with the rebels will be forced into hard labor, and the entire stronghold will be burned down!"
"I will use their blood to extinguish all restless thoughts!"
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