Chapter 97: The Annihilation of the Zhang Family

Liu Xie cast a dark glance at the county magistrate, then turned his gaze toward the head of the Zhang family. The family head was so frightened that he could no longer utter a word. Deep down, he was fully aware of the magnitude of his crimes—all of which had occurred under Liu Xie’s watch. The evidence was as solid as a mountain.

Yet, he still chose to beg for mercy.

“Y-Your Majesty,” he stammered, voice trembling, “this commoner was wrong… I beg Your Majesty for mercy!”

Liu Xie snorted coldly. “Your Zhang family has slaughtered innocent people in the streets and forcibly taken women from the townsfolk. I witnessed these acts with my own eyes. Although I do not yet know all the misdeeds your family has committed, rest assured, it will be easy for me to gather ample evidence.”

He then turned to the crowd of bystanders gathered around.

“My people, I know well how much you have suffered at the hands of the Zhang family over the years. Now that I have arrived, under my rule, such atrocities will never happen again! Speak up—tell me how the Zhang family has oppressed you all. I will deliver justice for you here and now!”

Liu Xie was prepared to gather evidence on the spot to deal with the Zhang family. As his voice fell, the surrounding crowd hesitated for a long moment. The fear instilled by the Zhang family over the years ran too deep.

“Do not be afraid!” General Gao Shun stepped forward at the right moment, raising his voice. “His Majesty is here, and I stand with him. Speak freely—His Majesty, General Gao, and Lord Zhang will all see justice done for you!”

The people exchanged uneasy glances. Soon, Zhang Lu spoke up.

“Everyone, it was my failure for not coming here sooner. Now that Yizhou has come under my governance, I will surely restore fairness to you all. Speak out, and we will stand with you!”

Liu Xie, Zhang Lu, and Gao Shun—the three highest authorities in the region—had all declared their stance. Gradually, the people’s eyes grew resolute.

“Fellow villagers, what are you still hesitating for? His Majesty, the General, and Lord Zhang are all here to protect our rights. What is there to fear?”

“I don’t care anymore. Even if there is retribution in the future, I can do nothing about it,” one elderly man declared.

“Your Majesty! General! Lord Zhang! I once had a daughter whom the Zhang family’s son desired. My daughter was strong-willed and refused him, and the Zhang family killed her.”

“My entire family was destroyed by the Zhangs!” others knelt, tearfully recounting the Zhang family’s crimes one by one in vivid detail.

The Zhang family head on the ground trembled uncontrollably. He knew his end had come, and with him, the fate of the entire Zhang family.

Hearing these testimonies, Liu Xie fixed his cold gaze once more on the family head.

“Now, what do you have to say?”

“Y-Your Majesty, this commoner knows his wrongdoings. Please spare my life, I beg you!” he pleaded, his body shaking violently.

“Hmph, spare your life?” Liu Xie sneered. “After committing such bestial acts, do you think I will show you mercy? Guards!”

“Present!” Gao Shun stepped forward, responding loudly.

“Execute him!” Liu Xie commanded.

“As you wish!” Gao Shun obeyed, drawing his sword from his waist.

The Zhang family head tried to speak again in desperation, but before a word escaped his lips, Gao Shun’s blade fell swiftly. The man’s head was severed from his body.

The Zhang family head was dead—the scourge of the Yizhou region was finally eliminated.

Yet Liu Xie was not finished.

“Take him too! He sheltered the bullies—behead him as well!” Liu Xie pointed at the county magistrate.

“Y-Your Majesty, mercy!” The magistrate panicked, collapsing to his knees in supplication.

“Kill!” Gao Shun shouted, swinging his blade once more.

With a sharp cut, the magistrate’s life was ended.

Witnessing the executions, many onlookers visibly relaxed. The plague that had plagued Yizhou was finally cleansed.

“Lord Zhang,” Liu Xie commanded, “from this moment, seize the property of the Zhang family. Distribute all their wealth to the people. Also, investigate! Find out how many families like the Zhangs exist in Yizhou. Root them all out and execute them!”

With Liu Xie’s command, Yizhou was set into motion. Former street tyrants and oppressive wealthy clans were all caught in the storm. Many were seized and executed without mercy.

For a time, the entire region was filled with the scent of blood.

Yet the common folk began to cheer. Liu Xie had fed them and eradicated the bullies. No longer would they suffer hunger or oppression. As a result, Liu Xie’s reputation soared among the people of Yizhou, and countless voices hailed him respectfully as “Your Majesty.”

Inside the Yizhou Governor’s Mansion, Liu Xie sat in high authority, his guard Gao Shun standing at his side. Below them stood Zhang Lu and Chen Gong.

“Your Majesty,” Zhang Lu reported, “after a month of implementation, the agricultural projects have all been steadily carried out. We expect to fully complete them within two months. Your reputation has spread, and numerous peasants have joined your cause. Furthermore, at your command, we dispatched troops to root out corrupt officials and street gangs across the region. So far, we have eradicated dozens of such groups, seizing nearly one hundred thousand in wealth.”

“Your Majesty, will all this wealth really be distributed to the people?” Zhang Lu asked, recounting the figures with a hint of temptation in his voice.

Nearly one hundred thousand—it was no small sum. The thought of handing over such money to the common folk made Zhang Lu somewhat reluctant.

Liu Xie nodded resolutely. “Gongqi, you must understand this truth: only when the people prosper can we truly amass greater wealth. Everything depends on the foundation of the people. We are handing over nearly one hundred thousand now, but trust me—in the near future, these people will return to us tens of millions.”

Liu Xie spoke earnestly, driven by his unwavering belief. Wherever he went, the welfare of the people came first. He understood that to govern a place, one must first win the hearts of its people. Only when their loyalty is absolute can a brighter future be secured.

“Your humble servant obeys the imperial decree!” Zhang Lu responded respectfully.

Liu Xie took a deep breath. “Very well. Over a month has passed, and the agricultural projects have progressed smoothly. The rest is in your capable hands, Gongqi. As for us, it is time to depart.”

Honestly, the work in Yizhou had been arduous, but now everything was on the right path.

Since all was in order, it was time for him to leave.

Just as he was preparing to depart, someone unexpected arrived.

“Your Majesty, Xiaoyun requests an audience,” a subordinate reported.

“Who? Xiaoyun?” Liu Xie paused in surprise. “What’s she doing here?”

After the previous events, Liu Xie had arranged a fine residence for Xiaoyun and provided her with sufficient funds for her livelihood. He had not expected her to appear again at this moment.

“Let her in,” he said.

Soon, Xiaoyun entered cautiously, then knelt before Liu Xie with a thud.

“Xiaoyun pays respects to Your Majesty,” she said carefully.

“Rise and speak,” Liu Xie urged kindly. “Xiaoyun, do you have trouble? You can tell me at any time. I will help you.”

Liu Xie was fond of this young girl, barely sixteen years old.

“Your Majesty, I have no troubles, but…” Xiaoyun hesitated.

“But what?” Liu Xie encouraged gently. “Speak freely.”

She nodded slightly. “Your Majesty, Xiaoyun has lost all her family. If not for Your Majesty’s rescue, I might have perished long ago. I hope Your Majesty will allow me to follow by your side. Xiaoyun is willing to serve Your Majesty faithfully.”

She knelt again in earnest.

Liu Xie understood her meaning—she must have heard he was leaving and wished to accompany him.

“Xiaoyun, I am often at war and there will be many dangers. It will not be convenient for you to follow,” Liu Xie said softly.

Her resolve only strengthened.

“Your Majesty, please do not worry. I can do anything. I can serve you tea, handle all daily affairs.”

Hearing this, Liu Xie suddenly slapped his forehead. He had almost forgotten something. Seeing Xiaoyun reminded him of the palace maids who had once served him in the imperial palace—originally spies sent by Cao Cao to watch him, but who eventually pledged loyalty to him.

Now, he had escaped for over two years, but those maids remained trapped in the palace at Xuchang. To be honest, if not for Xiaoyun’s every gesture reminding him, he might have forgotten them entirely.

This thought filled Liu Xie with a tinge of guilt. Those maids had been loyal to him, yet he had neglected them.

“Your Majesty, please allow Xiaoyun to accompany you,” she implored again, sensing his hesitation.

Liu Xie came to his senses, drew a deep breath, and said, “Very well. Since you wish to follow me, you shall return with me to Jingzhou.”

He had decided to take her along.

Upon his agreement, Xiaoyun’s face lit up with joy. It was clear that Liu Xie’s rescue had made her truly see him as one of her own. After all, in her darkest and most helpless moments, Liu Xie had given her the help and safety she so desperately needed.