Chapter 110: Dragging Liu Chengxun into the Waters

Under Liu Chengyou's personal welcome, by the time they arrived at Zhending city, it was already dusk, with only a few remnants of the setting sun and evening clouds left at the horizon. A warm breeze blew gently, making it exceptionally comfortable.

The two brothers rode side by side, still chatting desultorily. It was mostly Liu Chengxun who initiated the topics, while Liu Chengyou maintained a reserved demeanor throughout.

This elder brother of his seemed to have suddenly developed a strong interest in military affairs—or rather, he was very interested in Liu Chengyou's months of campaigning.

Under the twilight, Zhending city was lit up by scattered points of lamplight, clearly layered, with many people, appearing quite lively. Centered on the city, temporary refugee shelters had been set up in the outer areas. The flickering lights were somewhat dazzling, appearing dreamlike in the hazy dusk.

Inevitably, there was noise and chaos, but within the chaos, order was clearly evident. It seemed contradictory, yet one could feel the rare stability amidst the troubled times.

Although many refugees and displaced persons had been dispersed by Liu Chengyou to the counties under Zhenzhou's administration for resettlement, Zhending remained the largest gathering point. Adding the original residents and troops, the number totaled over a hundred thousand. Riding through the camp, Liu Chengxun noticed that many people were clearly starving, yet they neither quarreled nor made noise nor groaned. Even under the shroud of dusk, he could still see the hope contained in many people's expressions.

As the army passed, whether out of fear or respect, without any warning needed, the people along the way voluntarily stepped aside. Seeing these people so well managed by Liu Chengyou, so orderly, Liu Chengxun was greatly surprised and moved.

However, amidst all the peaceful atmosphere, there were always discordant elements. Beneath the city gate stood a square platform, upon which several thick wooden stakes were erected. Some people were bound to the stakes—all appearing to be sturdy commoners, bound with ropes, unable to move. Each one looked utterly despairing. A few, probably having endured the day's scorching sun, were still in a state of unconsciousness.

"Second Brother, what are these?" Pointing at those people, Liu Chengxun asked Liu Chengyou in confusion.

Liu Chengyou said calmly: "They are all death-row prisoners awaiting execution!"

This was an execution platform, used for putting criminals to death. From the thick smell of blood permeating the area around the platform, it was clear that many people had already been killed here.

Seeing Liu Chengxun's curiosity, Liu Chengyou briefly explained to him. Liu Chengyou basically maintained semi-militarized control over the refugees. To stabilize order, he had issued several temporary decrees. Thieves die, looters die, brawlers die, those who disobey orders die—and as for those who injure or kill others, that goes without saying... Essentially, he had lowered the red line for punishment to the minimum.

The people on the execution platform had clearly violated Liu Chengyou's prohibitions. They had been arrested by Patrol Inspector soldiers, exposed to the sun as a public spectacle, and would be executed the following day.

After hearing Liu Chengyou's flat description, Liu Chengxun was stunned. He inhaled air tinged with the smell of blood before speaking somewhat hesitantly: "Isn't such punishment too harsh?"

Liu Chengyou glanced at Liu Chengxun. This elder brother of his seemed to carry some reluctance in his eyes. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou replied softly: "To govern a chaotic state, one must use severe penalties."

Liu Chengxun clearly wanted to say something more, but Liu Chengyou directly pointed toward the inner city and changed the subject: "I have already ordered the civil and military officials of Zhending to be assembled to welcome Elder Brother."

Looking at his younger brother's calm face—both unfamiliar and familiar—Liu Chengxun opened his mouth, but only sighed and said nothing. In his heart, he secretly speculated: could it be that the killing aura of the battlefield had affected Second Brother, making his killing intent so heavy?

Liu Chengyou naturally wouldn't concern himself with his elder brother's complicated thoughts at this moment. He turned his head to look at the soldiers patrolling the various camps, then swept his gaze over the people on the execution platform. Withdrawing his gaze, he returned to calmness.

Harsh punishment? Certainly. But it had to be done. With over a hundred thousand people gathered inside and outside the city, how could harmonious coexistence be easily achieved? Farmers, merchants, artisans, women and children—even thieves and criminals—were all mixed together. Previously, Liu Chengyou had already witnessed that kind of disorder and chaos.

Under such circumstances, establishing a strict order was absolutely better than disorder. Though simple and crude, it was directly effective and useful. The current results were proof of this. Even if there was some overcorrection, that cost was worth it.

Since Liu Chengyou had taken in these refugees, they had to follow the rules. In fact, as long as they followed the rules, how could their lives be in danger? Those who were executed for violating the law had always been the restless ones.

Zhending city presented yet another scene. The city walls had clearly been repaired, and destroyed houses were being rebuilt. With so much cheap labor available, Liu Chengyou had taken the opportunity to make good use of it.

At the prefectural office, under Liu Chengyou's arrangements, civil and military officials gathered together to pay their respects to Liu Chengxun and attend the welcome banquet Liu Chengyou had prepared. The banquet was kept very simple—Liu Chengyou did not want to create a scene of "wine and meat rotting behind vermilion gates while frozen corpses lie by the roadside," and Liu Chengxun clearly expressed his understanding.

Toasting with water in place of wine, Liu Chengxun looked at the civil and military officials in the hall and felt moved once again. His family's Second Brother truly had an abundance of talent under his command now...

The next day, Liu Chengyou continued to set aside his own affairs, personally handling the reception duties, accompanying his elder brother on inspections inside and outside the city. Government, civilian affairs, and military—they examined each in turn, and he even took Liu Chengxun on a tour through several of the Yan camps.

However, what Liu Chengxun was most concerned about was still the results of the Battle of Luancheng. He had come this time under Liu Zhiyuan's orders, to escort the spoils south to the Eastern Capital. Liu Chengyou had long since received the order. If one were to speak of displeasure, he naturally felt it—and not a small amount—but he showed none of it at all, instead actively cooperating.

Liu Chengyou's mind was very clear-headed. Whether out of seeking favor or for the sake of the state, he had to cast aside personal thoughts. On the other hand, some officers and soldiers had voiced complaints, and they were promptly severely reprimanded and punished by Liu Chengyou.

Regarding this matter, Liu Chengyou treated it as an exercise in cultivating his own magnanimity. Viewing the issue from the height of the state and the altars of the nation, he took it very philosophically—even gladly using the captured wealth to alleviate the state's finances.

When he saw the gold, silver, armor, weapons, and goods piled up in the city like grains of sand, and looked at the war horses, Liu Chengxun was dazzled. In fact, of the enormous amount of wealth the Khitan had plundered from the Central Plains, only thirty to forty percent had actually been stored up by Liu Chengyou. The rest had either been distributed as rewards, lost amidst the chaos of war, or—a considerable portion—had been shipped back to Khitan territory, which was something Yelu Deguang had ordered done very early on.

"One can only imagine to what extent our people have been plundered and exploited by the Hu barbarians!" Liu Chengxun showed no sign of greed, only letting out a long sigh, grieving for the people and lamenting the times.

After touring around, Liu Chengxun decisively told Liu Chengyou that he wanted to go visit Feng Dao and those other former officials of the Shi Jin. He appeared eager and placed great importance on it.

Liu Chengyou continued to act as guide, leading him there and visiting them one by one. As it turned out, the eldest prince's gentleness and modesty won the praise and admiration of those former officials.

From beginning to end, Liu Chengyou appeared completely indifferent. Only at the very end did he bring Liu Chengxun along to visit Zhao Yanshou once more. Regarding the plan for Youyan, Liu Chengyou intended to drag his elder brother into the waters with him.