Chapter 114 Stepping on His Heart
The night wind blew even harder, whipping up sand and dust that splattered onto the faces and open mouths of the officials.
The official who had spoken up for Zhang Xuren earlier was now ashen-faced. He stared at Zhang Xuren in shock, his voice trembling: "Sir...you mustn't!"
This is a prince!
Killing royalty is a heinous crime punishable by the confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan; we...we cannot bear such a responsibility!
The crowd immediately stirred.
Some people quietly shrank back, some whispered among themselves, and others secretly glanced at Xiao Yunzhan, their eyes full of hesitation.
The distant flames grew closer, and the sounds of horses' hooves and clashing weapons mingled together, making one's heart tighten.
Judging by the size of the group, there were at least a hundred people, and they came with great force.
Zhang Xuren reined in his horse and charged forward two steps, pointing his whip at the hesitant officials, and shouted sternly, "What are you afraid of!"
The night was dark and the wind was high; the emperor was far away and the sky was high!
"If you follow me and kill these few today, I'll guarantee you a meteoric rise to success tomorrow!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a man dressed as a constable stepped forward from the crowd and ran toward Xiao Yunzhan, saying, "I'm not going crazy with you!"
I am a government official of the Great Liang Dynasty, not your private army!
With him leading the way, several officers who still held onto their principles rushed out, their steps quick and hurried, as if afraid that if they were even a step slower, they would be misunderstood as being part of Zhang Xuren's gang and labeled as "traitors."
Upon seeing this, Zhang Xuren reached out to pull out the bow and arrows hanging on the back of the horse.
The bowstring was just fully drawn, and before the arrow could be released, there was a "whoosh" sound, and an arrow flew from the opposite side and struck his shaft precisely.
The arrow was shot in two, one section falling to the ground, while the other section remained stuck to the bowstring.
Xie Ji held the bow in one hand and pulled the spear that had somehow gotten stuck in the ground with the other.
He raised an eyebrow and said, "Lord Zhang, why are you still trying to use underhanded tactics?"
Do you really think I don't exist?
They should at least ask me if I agree or not.
Before he finished speaking, the Huainan soldiers behind him quickly stepped forward, forming a human wall to protect the approaching officials.
The officials, panting, felt a little more at ease as they looked at the cold gleam of the Huainan army's armor.
Of the remaining officials, the timid ones dared not stay any longer and turned to run back into the city.
The soldiers guarding the city also drew their bows and arrows, lined up in a row, and protected them behind them.
Zhang Xuren was so focused on Xiao Yunzhan that he didn't notice the commotion behind him.
He was still roaring, "You dare betray me! Once I kill them, I will kill your whole family!"
"Kill my whole family?" The constable who had led the way earlier was furious, his face turning red as he pointed at Zhang Xuren and roared back.
"We were indignant that such a villain dared to kidnap the governor's son, and we didn't even regret that Zhang Xiao had been so domineering in Yangdu City in the past, even though he broke through the city gate in the middle of the night!"
We are helping the prefect appointed by the imperial court, not you, Zhang Xuren!
We may be of lowly status, but we are still legitimate government officials, receiving salaries from Daliang and eating rice from Daliang!
"If you want to rebel, you'll have to get past us first!"
Xie Ji found it delightful and couldn't help but shout, "Well said!"
This is the true spirit of a man from Liang!
Zhang Xuren had fewer and fewer people around him, leaving only his confidants and some officials who had been swayed by his promise of "rising to prominence" and were eager to take a gamble.
He glanced at the people around him, then looked at Xiao Yunzhan's group; the number of people was about the same.
As the firelight drew ever closer, the unease that had just begun to rise was instantly dispelled.
He laughed wildly, "Good! Very good!"
"Since that's the case, today I will make sure none of you are left alive!"
But just then, the distant firelight suddenly stopped, and the sound of hooves weakened, leaving only the sound of a horse running this way.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a cavalryman wearing Huainan army armor galloping towards them. He dismounted and knelt on one knee in front of Xiao Yunzhan.
"Your Highness, all the traitors who were supposed to be there have been captured, and those who resisted have been executed on the spot!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xuren's eyes widened in disbelief, and he swayed, almost falling off his horse.
He pointed at the cavalryman, his voice trembling: "Impossible! This is impossible!"
Xiao Yunzhan scoffed, "Lord Zhang, what do you think I'm wasting my breath on you outside the city in this freezing weather, in the middle of the night?"
They were certain you had backup, and they were just waiting to wipe them out in one fell swoop.
No matter how skilled you are in martial arts, you're nothing but an ant before a vast army.
"A massive army?" Zhang Xuren suddenly seemed to grasp at a straw and pointed at Xiao Yunzhan, shouting.
"You are a prince, and according to the law you are not allowed to touch military power!"
Cui Yanwu actually mobilized troops for you; this is treason!
Upon hearing this, Xie Ji exploded, pointing his spear directly at Zhang Xuren: "You're the one who's plotting a rebellion! Your whole family is plotting a rebellion!"
My uncle was loyal to the emperor and loved his country. You're about to die, and you still dare to slander him?
His chest heaved with anger, and he almost rushed forward if Xiao Yunzhan hadn't stopped him.
Zhang Xuren sneered: "Hmph, all the princes of my Great Liang Dynasty have a rule that they must not touch military power, let alone collude with those in charge of troops."
He, Xiao Yunzhan, is the only prince of the highest rank in the Great Liang Dynasty, and Cui Yanwu holds military power in Huainan. Your joint troop deployment—what is that if not treason?
Speaking of this, Xie Ji felt confident and said loudly, "Lord Cui is acting under imperial orders!"
"By imperial decree?" Zhang Xuren thought he had heard the biggest joke in the world.
"His Majesty could not possibly issue such an edict!"
The Emperor had already received word that Cui Yanwu had close ties with the Xu family of Yangdu and had become suspicious of him.
How could anyone be so foolish as to allow a prince of the highest rank to ally with a disloyal military commander? Isn't that blatant treason?
Xiao Yunzhan rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue with him about this.
However, Xie Ji became interested. How could he let go of something that would give Zhang Xuren a hard time?
He urged his horse forward and said, "Lord Zhang, you've been in the local area for a long time, but you've been lucky enough to be promoted to governor. Do you think you've figured out the rules of the emperor and the officialdom?"
No wonder the officials in the capital have always looked down on you people sent to the provinces, and the aristocratic families have never taken you newcomers seriously either.
A glimpse into the whole picture through a tube.
"Let alone the fact that His Majesty has only ordered Lord Cui to join forces with the Prince, if real danger arises, it's not impossible that His Majesty could simply issue a decree ordering Lord Cui to be completely at the Prince's command."
Zhang Xuren felt that Xie Ji was insulting his intelligence and angrily said, "Impossible!"
Yangdu is a vital strategic location for the entire Liang Dynasty's water transport; how could His Majesty not take precautions against it?
Xiao Yunzhan looked at him with a forced smile: "Lord Zhang, do you have any other backup?"
If so, I'll reluctantly explain to you again why His Majesty isn't as suspicious as you.
If not, I have no patience to waste my time with you here.
He raised one hand, ready to give an order, while his other hand tapped lightly on the saddle, his eyes full of impatience.
Zhang Xuren's face was ashen. He glanced around, but there was nothing there except for the distant firelight.
Xiao Yunzhan added, "Don't even think about resisting. Look at the archers on the city wall."
"If they hadn't been ordered to deliberately let you out of the city, do you really think they would have hesitated to shoot arrows because you're the governor?"
After saying that, he pressed his raised wrist down and uttered two words: "Take it down."
The Huainan army behind him immediately rushed forward, their spears pointed directly at Zhang Xuren and the people around him.
Some of his confidants tried to resist, but as soon as they drew their swords, they were mercilessly stabbed to death by the Huainan army.
Xie Ji said loudly, "I advise you not to resist. Their military order is: regardless of identity, anyone who resists will be executed on the spot."
The remaining men then realized that the situation was hopeless, and they all laid down their weapons. The Huainan army rushed forward, bound them, and took them back to the city.
The officials who had rushed over earlier grew increasingly enraged. They charged at Zhang Xuren's confidants, kicking them several times while shouting, "Serves you right for joining the rebellion! Serves you right for aiding and abetting evil!"
Some people even kicked Zhang Xuren and Zhang Xiao a few times.
Pei Zhiwei urged his horse on and followed them into the city.
She had only taken a few steps when she noticed that Xie Ji, who had been ahead of her, was slowing down.
Finally, she slowly walked alongside him, glancing at him briefly before quickly looking away, glancing at the sky and then at the ground, as if she had something to say but dared not.
Pei Zhiwei found it strange and turned to ask him, "Young Master Xie, is there something you need?"
Xie Ji scratched his head, his gaze drifting elsewhere, before finally managing to squeeze out a sentence: "Um... I spoke a bit harshly during the day, you... don't take it to heart."
Pei Zhiwei paused for a moment, then smiled gently, saying, "Your Highness is overthinking this."
As a descendant of a military family, you have a strategic perspective and have learned how to lead troops to defend against enemies and conquer territories.
This kind of 'whether or not to save an animal' is none of your business.
"But I shouldn't have talked to you like that." Xie Ji's voice lowered. He felt a little guilty as he recalled how he had yelled at Pei Zhiwei during the day.
The women he knew, whether they were noble ladies from prominent families or maids and servants in the mansion, would all get angry if a man spoke in a harsh tone.
He even thought that Pei Zhiwei was saying this on purpose because she was afraid of being called "stingy".
"I'm sincerely apologizing. Don't try to save face by deliberately making yourself feel wronged," Xie Ji added, his eyes full of sincerity.
Seeing his nervous expression, Pei Zhiwei couldn't help but laugh: "Young Master Xie is really overthinking it."
Not only did I not take it to heart, I also don't want you to experience something like this again.
Fearing Xie Ji wouldn't believe her, she added, "Perhaps my thinking is wrong."
But so far, I feel that as a soldier, there's nothing wrong with seeing things in black and white.
Things like this, which operate in a gray area, should be left to the people who specialize in handling them.
Today's events have crossed your line. You're a soldier, so it's normal for you to yell a few words. I've never seen a soldier speak softly and gently in this kind of situation.
Besides, you're targeting the issue, not me as a person, right?
The moonlight shone on her face, highlighting her long eyelashes and the gentle curve of her lips, as if dispelling some of the night's chill.
Xie Ji stared at her smile and suddenly froze.
He had never seen such a smile before; it was like a clear spring, clean and pure, capable of washing away the deepest filth and resentment in one's heart.
He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but when the words reached his lips, he didn't know what to say.
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