Wen Wei was already over forty by the time he climbed his way into the position of Prefect of Xunyang. At that age, he had long since lost any real ambition, his only thought was to grab as much as he could, while he still could.
Over the years, he had sent out countless gifts and bribes, all just to hold on to this post in Xunyang.
Not because Xunyang was particularly prosperous, But because he had rooted himself here, and from this position, he had already accumulated vast wealth.
And why?
Simple, because every year, silver would be allocated to build and repair dikes.
What he hadn’t anticipated was that this year’s flood was far worse than usual, and the resulting mess too great to cover up.
But even so, Wen Wei wasn’t particularly worried.
Let the sky collapse, there would always be someone taller to hold it up. The worst-hit areas were Pingxiang and Xinyu. His Xunyang, while also affected, wouldn’t be the first to be held accountable.
Besides, as long as he submitted a memorial declaring loyalty and compassion for the people, he might not even face punishment, he might get disaster relief funds instead.
Who could’ve guessed that Xiao Yunting wouldn’t play by the rules, And would come directly to Xunyang? Even worse, break into the city by force?
He could only scramble to his feet, bow, and put on a face full of national concern: “Your Highness has graced us with your presence, yet I failed to greet you in person. I am truly terrified!”
But Xiao Yunting didn’t see a trace of fear in him. He looked meaningfully at the table full of roasted meats and fine fish, then said coldly: “Outside, the common folk are selling themselves at the city gates, selling sons and daughters. Human traffickers run rampant without fear. Beyond the walls, corpses pile up like mountains.”
The local gentry present began to feel chilled to the bone, their faces paling.
Wen Wei’s face was deathly pale, and with a thud he dropped to his knees: “Your Highness is unaware, the reason we kept the refugees outside was because letting them in would throw the city into chaos! They’ve fled from flooded areas, we don’t know if they carry diseases! What if an outbreak spreads…”
He hurried to explain: “This humble official was gathering the city’s elites to contribute funds and labor to set up porridge stations outside the city, to address the urgent need, Your Highness!”
As he spoke, he shot looks at the local gentry.
They were already scared out of their minds and quickly echoed his words in agreement.
But Xiao Yunting didn’t buy it. He tsk’d lightly: “Is that so? The lavish meat, the beauties in your arms, are those because you’re burdened with national concern too?”
Wen Wei awkwardly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead but still forced a smile: “Exactly… that’s right…”
He hadn’t even finished the sentence when Xiao Yunting’s blade had already left its sheath, and plunged straight into Wen Wei’s abdomen.
The words of denial stuck in Wen Wei’s throat. He stared down in shock at the blade in his belly, his mouth opening and closing, blood flooding out instead of sound.
With a thud, he collapsed.
The gentry screamed in terror.
The beautiful courtesans went limp, trembling on the ground, not daring to move.
Xiao Yunting sat expressionless at the head seat, glanced at the feast-laden table, then turned to the gentry: “You’re all the city’s notable families?”
Seeing how he had just killed the Prefect without hesitation, no one dared not answer. They nodded in a panic.
Xiao Yunting sneered: “As soon as the court received the memorials about the flood, they ordered grain stores opened. But just now, I already sent people to check the city’s granary. It’s empty.”
He raised a brow: “The fat rat that was the Prefect has already been dealt with. But don’t think any of you are off the hook.”
The gentry trembled, trying to argue: “Your Highness, th-this has nothing to do with us! We’re just commoners, how could we be connected to the granaries, ”
Before the sentence finished, Xiao Yunting’s blade fell again.
Blood spattered, splattering all over the nearby people, scaring them stiff.
Xiao Yunting curled his lips into a cold smirk, eyeing the bloodstained blade:
“I didn’t like what he just said. Now, let’s hear it again. Do you know where the grain from the granaries went?”
It was just the same corrupt collusion between officials and merchants.
Profiting from national disaster.
The prefect and his officials had sold grain from the state granaries to wealthy families, who then hiked the prices and made a killing during the crisis.
Xiao Yunting no longer had the patience to negotiate with such people.
Too much time had already been lost. The people couldn’t wait.
Besides, he was eager to move on to Hongdu.
But before going to Hongdu, he had to finish cleaning up Xunyang.
He’d come with several thousand troops, and he truly didn’t hesitate to kill. No time to argue. No room to talk.
The gentry wanted money, yes, but they wanted their lives even more.
So, trembling, they confessed.
Xiao Yunting stood up, not lingering a second longer: “You’ve lived in wealth long enough, that’s enough.”
He looked at Qian Yuan: “Lord Qian, go with them and record it all. Search every household. I don’t want a single grain of rice left in their homes!”
Anyone who could treat refugees like livestock wasn’t worthy of being treated as human themselves.
At that moment, Qian Yuan fully realized just what kind of terrifying figure he was following. He hastily responded and went to carry out the order.
After finishing his purge of Xunyang, one of Xiao Yunting’s personal guards leaned in and said in a low voice: “Your Highness, news from the capital has arrived.”
News from the capital meant news from Qi Yuan.
Xiao Yunting raised a brow and immediately took the letter and opened it.
The more he read, the deeper his frown became.
The guard beside him grew nervous, but just then, Han Ding walked in and spoke: “Your Highness, this urgent message from the capital was brought by Liujin.”
The guard let out a sigh of relief.
He had almost been scared to death just now.
Xiao Yunting didn’t waste a word and opened the letter.
Earlier, Liujin had written to say that after receiving the Tiger Fang, Qi Yuan had fallen into a deep sleep, and even Imperial Physician Hu was at a loss. Xiao Yunting had been deeply worried.
But now, this new letter said that Miss Qi was perfectly fine. Not only fine, but she had pretended to be unconscious and wiped out Jinbao and all those who’d tried to attack her.
Xiao Yunting felt his heart finally settle back into place.
Looking at Liujin’s handwriting, even though he couldn’t see Qi Yuan’s face, he could already imagine her, how domineering she must’ve been as she led her enemies into a trap and struck them down.
Han Ding saw the shifting expressions on Xiao Yunting’s face, furrowed brows, then smiling eyes, and grew worried.
What on earth had happened to Miss Qi?
But Xiao Yunting simply folded the letter and stowed it away, his voice turning cold again as he gave orders to Han Ding and Lin Yu: “You two, gather all the officials of Xunyang. Those who deserve death, kill them. Those who are useful, keep them.”
“Chunlin, you’re from the Embroidered Guard. From the looks of it, your Jiangxi station hasn’t done a good job, has it?”
Chunlin shivered.
He had the vague feeling His Highness was singling him out.
Was that just his imagination…?
