With the aftermath of the three prefectures settled, the ministers then turned their attention to how to deal with the rebels and the prisoners.
In the past, treason was a serious crime that should have resulted in the extermination of nine generations of the offender's family. However, this time the situation was somewhat unusual.
This rebellion involved multiple regions, including Xiliang, Sanfu, Ji, Yan, and Qing, and hundreds of families.
Including the leaders and their families, at least 100,000 people will be beheaded. Add to that the rebel prisoners and their dead soldiers, and the total number will approach 700,000.
It should be noted that even the Rebellion of the Seven States back then did not have such a large scale, and this rebellion also involved so many scholars and powerful figures.
The large number of people made the officials hesitate and dare not speak easily.
Just then, a guard entered the hall with a report from Wang Yun, the Left Fengyi Commander, and presented it to Liu Hong.
After reading the report, Liu Hong frowned, then handed it to Lü Qiang, who was standing to the side, indicating that he should read it to the ministers.
Lu Qiang took the report and read it aloud: "Your Majesty, I pray for your well-being. There is a Gao family in Gaoling plotting rebellion. After investigation, I have found that there are more than fifty families of scholars and powerful clans in the Three Auxiliary Regions who are dissatisfied with the court."
According to the laws of the Han Dynasty, anyone who plots rebellion shall have their entire family executed. Now that the evidence is conclusive, delay may lead to unforeseen consequences. Therefore, I have no choice but to enforce the law first and then plead guilty later.
Now, including Gao Cheng and other bandit leaders and their relatives, a total of 8,534 people have all been executed!
"Hiss~, Wang Yun has some nerve!"
Upon hearing that Wang Yun had executed so many people without first reporting to the court, the ministers couldn't help but gasp in shock.
Liu Hong looked at the officials and said in a deep voice, "Wang Yun, the Left Fengyi Commander, has taken matters into his own hands without consulting the court. What are your opinions on this?"
"this.....!"
The officials looked at Liu Hong, whose face remained calm, and were somewhat unsure why the emperor had asked such a question.
Are they preparing to punish Wang Yun, or hoping they can speak up for Wang Yun?
Even Chen Fan and Hu Guang stood there, lost in thought.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Seeing that none of the officials answered, Liu Hong had no choice but to look at Cao Song.
"Grand Minister of Agriculture, please speak!"
Cao Song, whose name was called, immediately understood the emperor's intention, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Your Majesty, Zuo Fengyi's report just now made it very clear that the number of rebels is large, and if they are not executed in time, things will change."
Moreover, given the laws and regulations of the Han Dynasty, Zuo Fengyi was merely acting in accordance with the law. I believe Zuo Fengyi should be richly rewarded!
Liu Hong nodded, then looked at the other officials: "What the Grand Minister of Agriculture said makes sense. What do you all think?"
"We second that proposal!!"
Upon seeing the emperor nod, the officials hurriedly echoed his sentiments.
Liu Hong then said loudly, "Good! Wang Yun is loyal to the country and decisive in his actions. He has eliminated treacherous officials for our Han Dynasty. His achievements are great. He is hereby promoted to Magistrate of Chang'an and put in charge of all affairs in the Three Auxiliary Regions!"
"Your Majesty is wise!!"
The officials immediately praised the emperor's wisdom and understood his attitude.
Just then, several more guards arrived in the main hall one after another, carrying reports from Yang Qiu, Zhang Rang, Lu Zhi, and Xun Shuang.
The contents of their report were basically the same as Wang Yun's previous report, except for the number of traitors executed.
Including the relatives of officials, scholars, and powerful families, as well as their trained assassins, a total of nearly 50,000 people were executed.
Among them, Zhang Rang killed more than 5,000 people in Changshan and Zhongshan, and then led the Hejian Army to kill more than 7,000 people in Anding and Bohai.
Lu Zhi executed more than 4,000 people in Qinghe and Xindu.
Xun Shuang executed more than 13,000 people in Yanzhou.
Yang Qiu, in the three commanderies of Zhao, Julu, and Wei, killed more than 24,000 people, making him the most notorious among them.
At this moment, even the officials dared not speak. No one could have imagined that these few people would be so ruthless, killing so many people without hesitation.
"Sigh... Let's wait until General Huangfu has quelled the last rebellion before we discuss this! Court adjourned!"
Seeing that all the officials were silent and trembling, Liu Hong had no choice but to announce the end of the court session and then turned and walked towards the rear hall.
"We respectfully see Your Majesty off!"
After the court session ended, the officials walked out of the palace and felt the cold wind blowing, which helped them regain some clarity.
The officials exchanged glances and shook their heads with wry smiles.
This major treason case, involving the largest number of people in history, will surely leave a significant mark on future historical records.
And these people, along with their emperor, will leave their names in the annals of history.
However, whether this kind of fame is what they are pursuing remains to be seen.
With only three days until the New Year, the officials no longer had the leisure and relaxation of last year and were still busy with their work.
December 30th, early morning.
After several days of marching, Chen Man and Lu Qing led 90,000 rebel troops out of Rencheng and arrived at Xue County in the territory of Lu State, which was only fifty miles away from Lu County where the Kong family lived.
After a brief stop in Xue County, Lu Qing and Chen Man met up.
Lu Qing looked at Chen Man and said, "Brother Chen, tonight is the New Year. The Kong family will surely gather in Lu County. We should speed up our march and rush to Lu County as soon as possible, so that we can take them all into custody while they are off guard!"
Chen Man nodded: "Brother Lu is right!!"
The two then ordered the army to continue marching.
Although the rebel soldiers had suffered greatly from traveling for several days, the thought of being able to rest well in Lu County that night made them endure their fatigue and quicken their pace.
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