Your Majesty, Please Stop!

Chapter 272: Jiang Hu's Dilemma

"Quick, run! You're asking for death!"

"Ah--"

Noon.

From Qinghu Bay to the White Sandy Plain, hundreds of massive pits had been dug.

The 80,000 well-armed and sharp-spear-wielding veteran soldiers of the Western Qin Empire looked cold and grim as they escorted the bound and armorless prisoners from the Thirteen Kingdoms towards each pit. Anyone who hesitated or delayed was immediately killed.

The already desolate 600,000 to 700,000 prisoners became even more numb and bewildered as they were driven forward.

Upon reaching the first pit, thousands of people were kicked in and sat numbly at the bottom, their eyes devoid of any light.

Then, a deluge of soil rained down on them, and finally, some began to struggle and scream. However, they were stabbed to death by the long spears of the Western Qin soldiers, their blood flowing freely, their voices silenced.

Until everyone was completely covered by soil, dozens of warhorses dragged stone rollers weighing thousands of kilograms, repeatedly crushing and compacting the ground, leaving no chance for survival.

Next, the remaining hundreds of thousands of captives were divided into hundreds of groups and driven towards one pit after another.

In the distance, 387,000 Western Regions defectors were being tightly guarded by 20,000 Western Qin soldiers, sitting in a circle several miles wide. Everyone watched in silence, not daring to blink.

There were also Confucian scholars who had defected to the Western Qin Empire, excitedly moving back and forth, shouting loudly, "Listen carefully, those who were killed and buried in the pits were unforgivable criminals. You are different from them. The Prince has thoroughly investigated your backgrounds, and you are all innocent people who have been mistreated!

The Prince not only won't kill you, but will also promote and protect you. From now on, you will be the elite soldiers of the Western Qin Empire, you will all be the Prince's beloved generals!

As for those nobles and aristocrats who were killed in the pits today, you all know how they used to bully you. Today, you are witnessing their collective punishment. You are all outstanding sons of the Western Qin Empire..."

Various brainwashing words were repeated over and over again.

Many of the captives' eyes began to show a strange glimmer of hope.

Occasionally, when someone showed hatred, a Confucian scholar would immediately point angrily and say, "This person is a spy for those people, a fish that slipped through the net!"

Soon, a fierce Western Qin soldier would step forward and kill that person with a single blow.

The slaughter continued, with no end in sight.

Invisible resentment filled the air.

The sky was gloomy, like the blood-soaked Western Regions, like the shocking massacre that had shaken the world today!

On a high platform in the distance, Xin Zhuo sat cross-legged in his commanding position, still playing with a small sword. Occasionally, he glanced outside, his expression complex, his movements a bit faster.

Beside him, Murong Xiu, Cui Ying'er, and the others, as well as Xiong Zhang and the five women who had returned after helping Bai Xuanji pacify the Qiu Lingzhou, sat silently, occasionally looking at Xin Zhuo, occasionally lost in thought.

In fact, they also felt that killing hundreds of thousands of people in the pits was too cruel and terrifying, but they supported it. The Prince must have his own plans and ideas for doing this.

Especially Murong Xiu, Huang Dagui, and the others, their expressions were somewhat dazed. They still remembered the scene when they were attacked by other bandits on Mount Fulong, when the constables threatened them and they were chased around by the experts of the Four Great Families. At that time, who would have thought that they would be killing hundreds of thousands of people with a wave of their hand?

Life's experiences are truly difficult to fathom!

Cui Ying'er thought for a moment and asked softly, "Boss, will it be over soon?"

Xin Zhuo smiled but didn't answer.

"Jiang Yuqing!"

Third Uncle Jiang Hu suddenly burst into the tent, staring coldly at him, exuding the aura of a seasoned general.

"Third Uncle!"

Murong Xiu, Cui Ying'er, Xiong Zhang, and the others stood up and saluted, showing the basic respect for Third Uncle Jiang.

Jiang Hu ignored them and continued to look at his nephew, his face changing constantly. To be honest, he was a bit confused by his nephew's various actions. From initial distrust to later anticipation of a Martial Dao expert, then worry about the uncertain situation, and finally joy for the great victory. Now, he was shocked by his nephew's cruel methods. "Why?"

"I'm afraid of death."

Xin Zhuo sighed, "You have to believe that I have my reasons for doing this. I am not a cruel person, but I have to do this. The Western Qin Empire cannot sustain a 500,000-strong army, and I need the territories of the Thirteen Kingdoms. Naturally, I cannot leave these prisoners behind!"

"Is there anything wrong with recruiting new troops from the three states and eighteen prefectures? Can't we restore the original three hundred thousand troops of Western Qin? Even if you fear the court, you can still take your time to plan! On the first day of your arrival, you want to rebel, but now you are focused on nurturing five hundred thousand soldiers! What do you want to do? Are you really planning to rebel against the emperor?"

Jiang Hu's expression turned gloomy. "The Jiang family has been known for its benevolence and righteousness in the land of Western Qin for hundreds of years. This is why the Jiang family has rooted itself in Western Qin and suppressed various countries. With your current killings and infamous reputation, who will believe in the Jiang family? How will the world view you? Aren't you afraid of causing disloyalty and unrest in Western Qin? To be defeated after being undefeated?"

"I can responsibly tell you that I'm not afraid!"

In Western Qin, Xin Zhuo had been contemplating for a long time. The people in this place will not be loyal to you based on whether you are benevolent or not, but rather on whether you are fair or not, and whether you can let them live a peaceful and prosperous life.

Moreover, from a personal perspective, conquering a territory and seeking a sense of security, resisting the court is just one aspect. The main thing is to conquer the thirteen countries, return to the Origin Lunar Serenity Well, and elevate one's realm.

From being a small bandit, Xin Zhuo had come a long way. To be honest, he felt a bit helpless. Life is like that, where circumstances are stronger than individuals. If there were choices, he would still prefer to be a safe and carefree bandit, find a woman to marry, and live a peaceful life.

But it's not possible! It seems like he is being pushed forward by the Lunar Serenity Well or his own destiny.

Where the future leads, cherish the present!

In any case, I want to stay alive! No one should bother me!

"Absurd! Arrogant! You have countless paths to choose from, but you choose this one!"

Jiang Hu erupted in anger. "Have you really not considered your reputation? Jiang Yuqing massacred six hundred and fifty thousand unarmed Western Region defectors. Have you thought about the consequences?"

"Third uncle, I am still willing to listen to you. I have given you enough face. I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. Anyone has the right to question me, but you, Jiang Hu, can't!"

Xin Zhuo looked at him calmly. "What has become of the Jiang family? When I went to the Jiang family to acknowledge my kinship, I was prepared to have an easy time. But everywhere I went, I was squeezed and mocked. The entire Jiang family is on the verge of collapse. The tricks played by that young emperor, first crushing you to dust, then giving you a sweet, and finally boiling you like a frog in warm water, completely resolving the Western Qin army! And the whole world will praise him as a wise ruler!

His self-righteous tricks are actually quite annoying.

I don't know what you natives think, but I can't accept it. I have to find a way to struggle. Maybe someday it will be impossible, and I'll be killed by someone. I accept that!

But to be like you, hesitating and talking about righteousness and reputation, that's impossible.

Times have changed, third uncle. The glory and reputation of the Jiang family are gone! Completely gone! If the emperor wants you dead, what can you do?

To be a person, either don't do it, or do it to the extreme! If you want to gain a sense of security, you have to step by step to the highest position! Use any means necessary!

You have been entangled by Monster Qi for more than ten years, watching the defeat of the Western Qin Army helplessly. You have no way to do anything. You found some strange sect elders and tried to cultivate some elixirs, but is it useful? How ridiculous.

Third Uncle, have you really never considered how to change? Your body may not be old, but your heart is old!"

Jiang Hu's face turned pale, took two steps back in a daze, and looked at his nephew incredulously. He wanted to speak but didn't know where to start. After a long time, he forced a bitter smile and said, "I thought you were similar to your father at first, and then I thought you were stronger than your father. Now I realize that you are not the same kind of person at all!"

"I am who I am. Why should I be similar to anyone?"

Xin Zhuo stretched lazily and smiled. "I have a lot of things to do. I won't hide it from you, destroying the Thirteen Kingdoms is just a secondary matter. I won't send you off! When I figure things out, come find me. We can cooperate, just the two of us."

Jiang Hu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, turned around and left. He came with determination, but left with helplessness. He felt that one day, Western Qin would no longer be Western Qin, and the Jiang family would no longer be the Jiang family!

The loyal Jiang family, who had been loyal for three hundred years, would eventually become traitors because of Jiang Yuqing, causing chaos in one region.

...

An hour after Jiang Hu left, Jiang Man'er, with her naturally yellow hair and muscular body, hurried into the command tent and saluted calmly. "Commander-in-Chief, the 650,000 surrendered soldiers have been killed and buried with crushed stones and sealed with lime."

"Very good!"

Xin Zhuo looked at the Lunar Serenity Well. The state of the spirit had not changed. He played with the tiger talisman and said, "Let Jiang Yuxi and Jiang Thirteen take over the defense of the three states and eighteen prefectures of Bai Xuanji. Appoint Yan Chi Sect as the General for Conquering the Hu. You, Bai Xuanji, and Yan Chi Sect will lead the most elite 30,000 old soldiers of Western Qin. Set off tomorrow with three days' worth of rations. Fight to sustain the fight. Attack the ten small countries of Gou River, White Horse, Lou Che, Shi Wei, Yi Nai, Jing Jue, Da Yue, and Wu Ri!"

"I will send a letter to the old Confucian scholars in Tai Xun. They will do their best to cooperate with you! Remember! Kill all living forces of the Ten Kingdoms. Do not spare any nobles above the wheel. If you can destroy a country, do it directly. If you can't, kill or capture a wave and leave!"

"Understood!" Jiang Man'er was excited and turned to leave.

Xin Zhuo looked at Murong Xiu and the others and smiled. "We will need the help of Fulong Mountain. Murong, Da Gui, Lao Bai, and Jiulang, you will select two hundred capable and clever individuals from the Iron Floating Guard. I have just transferred three hundred Jiang family's martial arts spies from the capital. They will all be under your command. Investigate the Shen Ce Army in the south and the Dian Qian Army in the north. If there is any movement, inform me immediately!"

"Leave it to me, boss! No one understands them better than I do!" Bai Jianxi was excitedly rubbing his hands.

"You're a slippery one, but that's fine!"

Huang Da Gui also laughed, "We are quite skilled at gathering intelligence!"

(End of this chapter)