OBS Chapter 114 His Majesty's Order
Chapter 114 His Majesty's Order
On the high platform in Yingkou, officials of all ranks from Taiyuan City were tied up by the Embroidered Uniform Guards and looked in a miserable state.
If they were not useful alive, the Jinyiwei would not give them any food to eat during this period.
Their former prestige has long since vanished, leaving only fear and despair on their faces.
The people in the audience looked at these officials who had acted tyrannically in the past, their eyes burning with anger, which was the hatred accumulated from years of oppression and exploitation.
"You corrupt officials, now you have come to this day!" An old man pointed at the platform with trembling hands, his voice becoming hoarse with anger.
"That's right, we have suffered a lot over the years!" The people around echoed, and there was a commotion in the crowd.
Zhang Xianhuai stood on the side of the platform, looking at these officials with a cold expression, without a trace of mercy in his eyes.
He waved his hand and shouted, "Execution!"
The Jinyiwei received the order and raised the big swords in their hands high. With a flash of cold light, the swords fell and the head rolled.
As heads fell to the ground and blood gushed out, the people in the audience were first silent, and then burst into cheers.
The cheers resounded like thunder through the sky, venting the pain and resentment they had accumulated over the years.
"Good! Good kill!"
"These corrupt officials should have died long ago!"
The people shouted, some even cried with excitement. These people had been causing them harm for who knows how many years!
Zhang Xianhuai looked at the cheering people and smiled.
He walked to the center of the platform, took out the imperial edict, held it high, and said loudly: "People of Taiyuan, His Majesty has an order!"
"Your Majesty has ordered that you do not need to kneel!"
The cheers from the audience gradually died down, and the people held their breath and listened quietly.
"I rule the Tang Dynasty, hoping for peace under heaven. However, the Wang family of Taiyuan has repaid kindness with enmity, committing heinous crimes."
"I remember the princess's virtuous heart and the Earl of Protectorate's loyalty and bravery; both were treasures of the nation. For her own selfish gain, Wang persecuted them both to death. I am deeply saddened."
"In Taiyuan, the Wang family oppressed the people, imposed heavy taxes, robbed women, and disregarded the law. They even attempted rebellion, endangering the country."
"I now order Zhang Xianhuai, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to attack the Wang family. Every member of the Wang family must be captured, their property confiscated, and their entire clan exterminated. This will uphold the law, comfort the spirits of the heroes, and bring peace to the people."
After reading the decree, Zhang Xianhuai looked at the people below.
"Princess Zhuisi is from Taiyuan, her name is Song Jingshu. It was she who made her way to Chang'an step by step and filed a complaint with His Majesty!"
"If it weren't for her, Your Majesty wouldn't have known the miserable lives of the people of Taiyuan, nor would he have known the Wang family's evil ambitions."
Zhang Xianhuai's voice echoed in the air, and every word struck heavily in the hearts of the people.
When the people in the audience heard this, they were stunned at first, and then they began to whisper.
"It's Jingshu. That child has been kind and strong-willed since she was young." An old woman wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She really went to Chang'an and stood up for the people of Taiyuan."
A middle-aged man clenched his fists, tears in his eyes, showing both admiration for Song Jingshu and grief for his past sufferings.
"When Jingshu left, we all thought she would die on the road, but we didn't expect..." An old man shook his head, his voice choked with sobs.
These people are from the same village as Song Jingshu, so they naturally know about the Song family's affairs.
Song Laosan's youngest daughter.
The people around who didn't know what was going on also began to whisper to each other.
They all started to inquire about it.
"Who is the Protector of the Country? We don't know." Someone in the crowd asked.
"The Earl of Protectorate is named Lu Jingsuo. It was he who brought Song Jingshu to your majesty." Zhang Xianhuai's eyes revealed a hint of admiration and regret.
"When His Majesty learned the truth, he was furious and immediately ordered us to thoroughly investigate Wang's crimes."
Zhang Xianhuai raised his voice, "Now that the Wang family is destroyed, you are all free!"
"No one will oppress you anymore!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" the people shouted in unison.
There is a little girl with her hands raised below.
Zhang Xianhuai saw it.
He walked up to her and picked her up.
"What's the matter, little girl? What do you want to say?"
Zhang Xianhuai said kindly.
"Sir, are they all still alive?"
The little girl blinked her bright eyes and looked at Zhang Xianhuai.
Zhang Xianhuai was stunned.
He said this dejectedly.
"They're all dead."
"But they will always live in our hearts, won't they?"
Zhang Xianhuai put the little girl down and touched her head.
"Go back to your mother."
"Free! We are free!"
I don’t know who shouted first.
The people were stunned at first, and then burst into even louder cheers.
They hugged each other and cried, feeling the joy of being reborn.
Wait until the people calm down.
Zhang Xianhuai continued.
"However, Taiyuan City cannot be without a master for a day."
"Now, I hope to select some upright and capable people from among you to temporarily take charge of the local administration of Taiyuan. The court will soon send someone to take over."
"But during this period, everyone must work together to rebuild Taiyuan City."
"I know everyone has been living through hard times these past few years, but I promise you, there will be no more such hard times in the future!"
The people in the audience began to whisper. They were excited but also a little hesitant. After all, it was unprecedented for them to become the masters.
"Sir, can we do it? We have never been officials." A simple and honest middle-aged man scratched his head and said.
"Yeah, how do we choose?" others echoed.
Zhang Xianhuai smiled and said, "Don't worry, everyone. As long as you are kind-hearted, fair, and familiar with the situation in Taiyuan City, you will be fine."
"We can discuss it together and choose the right person."
"Then I recommend Uncle Li. He is very kind-hearted and helps us a lot." A young man shouted.
"Yes, hello Uncle Li! I agree too." A voice of approval came from the crowd.
The recommended uncle Li stood up somewhat embarrassedly.
"I... can I really do it? I'm just a farmer."
"Uncle Li, you can do it! Look, everyone recommends you, which proves that everyone respects you." Zhang Xianhuai encouraged.
"Besides, no matter how bad my job is, can it be worse than those incompetent officials?"
Listen to Zhang Xianhuai's words.
Uncle Li also touched his head.
"That's right. I will never be like those incompetent officials who make everyone suffer!"
Uncle Li said firmly.
With everyone's recommendation and discussion, several people were elected one after another.
There are teachers who used to teach in private schools, shopkeepers who are good at accounting, and some elders who have high prestige among the people.
"Alright, since everyone agrees, then you can take on this responsibility first, and wait for the court to send someone to take over!"
"Let's work together to bring Taiyuan back to life."
Zhang Xianhuai said to these newly elected interim managers.
"Sir, we will do our best!"
They answered in unison.