Liu Yufeng wiped away imaginary sweat and said dejectedly, "Forget it, I'll just pretend to be blind and deaf."
He didn't want to be the next person killed by bandits.
Over the years, I have been working hard and cautiously as the governor of Montgomery, and I have relied entirely on my cousin for support.
Now that he has committed dereliction of duty, he hopes the emperor will not hold him accountable, and he dares not oppose Xiao Zhixing anymore.
This guy is really capable of killing.
Xiao Zhixing: These 20,000 troops were originally prepared for the defense of Changyukou in the northern frontier. She was still thinking about how to transfer troops here, but unexpectedly, an excuse came up immediately.
Good fortune is shining upon you!
She didn't hide her true intentions; she wanted actual control of Montgomery.
With Lin Rushu holding the title of strategist, Zhao Yunqi and his men couldn't do anything even if they knew her intentions.
Her intentions were good; everything she did was to clear obstacles for Lin Rushu.
After seeing Liu Yufeng off, Mu Wan also got the results: "A total of 98 people were willing to join Xiao's army, and the rest just wanted to go to the new city to start a new life."
“Very good. Take these ninety-eight people to register and receive military supplies. Once this matter is resolved, I will personally go with you to train them.”
Mu Wan smiled and said, "Yes, Your Highness!"
[Yellow bullet comment: Sisters, it's our turn to blow up the cannons! Long live the Women's Army!]
[Yellow bullet comment: Heroines pay their respects to Your Highness! +]
[Red comment: A female-led army is indeed unique; we only have female soldiers in modern times.]
[Green comment: We've only been advocating for gender equality for the last thirty years, but unfortunately, where is true gender equality to be found?]
[Yellow comment: Hehe, family members number one and two, it's not that we're trying to brag, it's just the truth. Ever since the time of the Prince, the status of women here has risen infinitely. Generation after generation of outstanding women have taken up the baton, maintaining the status and dignity of women, which is why we have true gender equality today!]
[Yellow comment: Or perhaps we believe more in the supremacy of the strong, regardless of gender.]
[Red comment: Does such a wonderful world really exist?]
Xiao Zhixing thought, then let's strive for that wonderful world.
Lin Rushu smiled and said, "It's rare to see Wanwan so excited."
Xiao Zhixing shook his head, "A sixteen-year-old girl is naturally excited to get something she likes."
"Have you finished preparing here? The trial is starting tomorrow."
She doesn't have much time to verify the authenticity of the evidence, so they need to do this work in advance to reduce the time required for the public trial.
"It's basically all set."
Those people made no attempt to cover up their evil deeds; the evidence was readily available, and their straightforwardness was chilling.
"Very well, then issue my order: the public trial will begin tomorrow."
The next day, thump, thump, thump.
As the drums sounded, Xiao Zhixing appeared on the high platform erected at the vegetable market entrance of Pantou County, accompanied by Asayi and Liu Yufeng.
The surging crowd below the stage suddenly knelt down and shouted in unison, "Long live Prince Yuansheng!"
Xiao Zhixing waved his hand, "Rise, all of you. Today, I have been ordered to investigate the crimes of Xiao Renyi and others. All living beings are my witnesses, and I will not show favoritism."
"The case will now be presided over by Lin Rushu, the military governor of Mengzhou, with the king and the prefect serving as witnesses."
Her inner strength carried her words to everyone's ears, eliciting another round of cheers of "Long live the Emperor!"
Lin Rushu stepped forward, unfolded the folded page, and read aloud Xiao Renyi's charges and the evidence presented.
The more than fifty crimes with proven evidence are shocking.
The scene was completely silent. The people clenched their fists, gritted their teeth, and had red eyes, waiting for the outcome.
Lin Rushu withdrew.
Without wasting words, Xiao Zhixing coldly pronounced the sentence, "Xiao Renyi, your crimes are heinous, you are sentenced to be cut into a thousand pieces, execute immediately!"
Xiao Renyi, dressed only in filthy trousers, was brought up by the executioner, tied to a cross, wrapped in a fishing net, and began to be tortured with blades.
"Ah—" Xiao Renyi screamed in agony.
"good!"
"To be torn to pieces!"
"brute!"
"My son, did you see that? Xiao Renyi has been brought to justice!!"
"Revenge is complete! Revenge is complete! Father, you can rest in peace now!!"
Each cry was a mixture of boundless hatred and unbridled joy.
Some even rushed off the stage, picked up scraps of meat, stuffed them into their mouths, and chewed them viciously while tears streamed down their faces.
After everyone calmed down for a while, Lin Rushu continued to read out the charges against the next person.
Xiao Zhixing ultimately sentenced seven to death by a thousand cuts, forty to beheading, and more than two hundred to exile three thousand miles away. The rest were punished with caning and imprisoned in countless other places.
She thought that Beizhou should also carry out a crackdown on organized crime.
Once she returns to Beizhou, she will take immediate action; Yin Yi can collect targets now.
On this day, from morning till night, blood flowed like a river at the vegetable market in Pantou County, and tens of thousands of people watched as Xiao Zhixing slaughtered countless heads.
Some pedantic scholars complained that it was too bloody, and were naturally beaten down by the angry people.
As the sun set, not a single person left.
When the last person was sentenced, Xiao Zhixing stood up and scanned the pairs of numb eyes below.
She bowed deeply, cupping her hands in a respectful gesture, and said, "Zhixing, on behalf of the imperial court, I would like to express my apologies to all the elders and fellow villagers!"
My deepest regrets and apologies are contained in this bow.
Everyone was stunned, as if an endless wave of grievances had suddenly surged into their hearts.
"Ah—" Someone couldn't help but kneel down and wail loudly.
A chain reaction ensued, with cries echoing throughout the land.
They never dared to complain about the court or the emperor; they could only complain about the injustice of the world, their hearts filled with resentment they could not express.
Xiao Zhixing's bow made them unable to hold back any longer.
Discomfort, resentment, shock, relief.
In the end, all that could be released was tears, a cathartic release.
Xiao Zhixing blinked and sighed deeply.
After a long day, everyone was tired and hungry, but had no appetite for the vegetarian dishes on the table.
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