Chapter 1667: Murderous Intent Aroused

After venting like that, Emperor Liu's emotions had somewhat subsided, and he had calmed down. Leaning against the imperial desk to sit, his breathing steadied, he swept his gaze around and said coldly, "Tell me your solutions! You go first!"

Seeing Emperor Liu turn his gaze toward him, Crown Prince Liu Yang gave it a moment's thought, then cupped his hands and said, "Your subject believes: first, order the Yulin officers and soldiers to continue clearing out the remnant bandits, eliminating the remaining culprits, while also pursuing and capturing the bandit leader Li Jiqian.

Second, order the Yulin government offices to impose martial law, strengthen public security and purges, stabilize order, reassure the people, and do everything possible to eliminate the influence of this rebellion, to prevent any further mishaps!"

"That's it?" After hearing the two points Liu Yang raised, Emperor Liu immediately showed a disapproving reaction, glanced at him, and said directly, "Not enough!"

With that, he said to Liu Tinghan, "Issue an order to Wang Shen: pursue and attack the bandit leader Li Jiqian and his remaining culprits with full force, chase them relentlessly and strike hard. I want that traitor sliced to ten thousand pieces and his bones ground to ash!"

Liu Tinghan responded, "Yes! However, Li Jiqian has already fled into the shifting sands; his tracks will be hard to find for a while. Moreover, it is deep winter now, with freezing cold weather—results may be difficult to achieve in the short term!"

"By your reasoning, once he flees into the desert, there's nothing to be done about him? Because the climate is harsh, we can't fight, can't suppress the bandits?" Emperor Liu immediately challenged.

Liu Tinghan's expression tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Your subject did not mean that!"

Seeing him eager to explain himself, Emperor Liu waved his hand to cut him off: "The desert environment is certainly harsh, and it provides the bandits a shield, but it also limits their movements! Li Jiqian grew up in Xiangzhou—how could he know the geography of the Yulin circuit better than the local garrison troops who have long defended the frontier?

This is territory of the Great Han, ground they are sworn to protect—can they sit by and watch the bandits run rampant? First set your sights on those oases and water sources. Does such a simple line of thinking need to be taught to anyone?

With no major operations for ten years, have the officers and soldiers of the Great Han forgotten how to fight?"

Emperor Liu's state was clearly not quite normal; he was finding fault in every direction, expressing his dissatisfaction. To this, Liu Tinghan immediately responded, "Your Majesty's instruction—your subject will certainly convey it in full!"

Hearing him say this, Emperor Liu's tone did not soften, and he said, "Tell Wang Shen that I am very dissatisfied with his performance in suppressing this rebellion. Let him conduct himself well!"

"Yes!"

Emperor Liu then looked toward Liu Yang again and continued giving instructions: "Transmit an edict to the Yulin circuit: impose martial law across the entire territory, keep the various Tangut tribes under close surveillance, and conduct a thorough investigation of them. Anyone with any connection to Li Jiqian—no matter who—is to be arrested.

If it were only Li Jiqian alone, he would hardly be worth mentioning. But if he is allowed to collude with the local Tangut people, the situation becomes far more serious. These years the Tangut have caused endless disturbances, and Li Jiqian has also been waving the Tangut banner—clearly these Tangut are the true source of the trouble, and vigilance must be heightened!

Let the civil and military officials of the Yulin circuit all stay alert for me. If any more trouble breaks out, I will deal with them first, then pacify Li Jiqian!"

The warning in Emperor Liu's words was extremely heavy. Setting aside how the civil and military officials of the Yulin circuit would react upon hearing it, those present in the hall were already feeling tremendous pressure.

"This arrangement for the Yulin circuit's handling of the rebellion will do for now!" Emperor Liu said coldly again. "However, during Li Jiqian's rebellion, those who were negligent in oversight, or even aided the tyrant—His Majesty will punish severely, to warn the world! The Prefectural Administrator and Commander of Xiangzhou are both to be dismissed from office, and the military and civil chiefs of Yinzhou are to be imprisoned and tried! This matter shall be handled by Chancellor Zhao!"

Seeing Emperor Liu look at him, Zhao Pu stiffened his old back and quickly replied, "Yes!"

He had anticipated this as well. Li Jiqian's rebellion—responding to it was one thing, but holding people accountable was another. Given Emperor Liu's temperament, he would not let it go; even if only to vent, he would punish a batch of people.

This realm, this court, inside and out—truly not a moment of peace!

"There's more!" Emperor Liu thought of something else, his eyes full of murderous intent, and instructed, "Transmit an edict to the Xiangzhou government offices: arrest the entire Li clan and escort them to the capital for execution!"

The moment this decree was issued, the several people in the hall were startled. Though no one had mentioned it, they all knew that once Li Jiqian made his trouble in the Yulin circuit, the Tuoba Li clansmen in Xiangzhou were bound to have hard days ahead.

But none of them had imagined that Emperor Liu would act without hesitation, without mercy, wanting to wipe them out completely—not even intending to hear any pleas from the Li clan.

Even though Li Jiqian had turned traitor, to say that the entire vast Li clan were all rebels would clearly be biased. Over the past twenty years, the Li clan had been fairly well-behaved. Moreover, Li Jiqian was only from a collateral branch—the current head of the Li clan was Li Jipeng.

To strike indiscriminately like this, without even the intention of investigation or interrogation—such an approach was excessively cruel. What results it would bring, what impact it would cause—that was open to question.

But who told them they all bore the surname Li? Who told them they were descendants of the Dingnan Army? Who told them they had once carved out their own territory? If all were peaceful, it would be fine—but now, being implicated with a rebel, they could only count themselves unlucky.

"What, do you have objections?" Seeing the several people fall silent, Emperor Liu swept his gaze over them and said softly.

However, even the Crown Prince Liu Yang, known for his benevolence, did not rashly speak up to plead for mercy this time. He was, after all, not one to pursue benevolence blindly. At least on this matter, he saw things clearly, knew Emperor Liu's bottom line, and his stance was firm—he would not challenge Emperor Liu's sensitive spots.

"Once Li Jiqian rebelled, the Tuoba Li clan naturally cannot be trusted. To prevent collusion between inside and outside, decisive measures should be taken!" Zhao Pu stated firmly.

Hearing this, Emperor Liu finally showed a hint of a smile and nodded, saying, "Since that's the case, then make the arrangements!"

With these words, it meant that this winter in Kaifeng was destined to be filled with blood. The Tuoba Li clan, direct line and collateral branches combined, numbered several hundred people—and if the household servants were counted, even more.

"Your Majesty, there is one more situation that requires attention!" Zhao Pu reminded, cupping his hands as he acknowledged the order.

"Speak!" Emperor Liu looked at him.

Zhao Pu said, "The memorial from the Yulin circuit mentioned that those who participated in Li Jiqian's rebellion included, besides a portion of Tangut tribesmen, the convict labor camp at Mingtangchuan that he had breached!

In recent years, convict labor camps across the various regions have repeatedly had incidents and constant unrest. Clearly, the court's management of the convict labor camps has loopholes that need to be patched quickly, with strengthened control.

Across the entire northwest, convicts number in the tens of thousands. These criminals all harbor resentment toward the court. If they were to be stirred up, disaster would surely follow—the court cannot afford to be unprepared!"

"Chancellor Zhao speaks well!" Emperor Liu raised an eyebrow and immediately approved: "I had indeed overlooked this. This situation must not go unheeded. Issue a strict decree ordering all local government offices to maintain heightened vigilance over the convict labor camps under their jurisdiction!"

"Yes!"

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Liu Yang seized the opportunity to speak up: "The reason convicts across the realm harbor such resentment toward the court is that the court has used them too harshly, supervised them too strictly, and on top of that, local governments have been lax in management—hence the hidden dangers piling up and the constant unrest.

In light of this, your subject believes that while strengthening surveillance of the convict labor camps, could some moderating measures be adopted in the management and use of convicts, as a means of appeasement and to stabilize their hearts!"

Emperor Liu did not directly oppose Liu Yang's suggestion but fell into thought. After pondering for a few moments, he still shook his head: "On an ordinary day, there would be nothing wrong with it. But under the current situation, it is not suitable to relax—control and stability must come first. Seeking leniency at this time would only brew greater turmoil. Even if we are to ease the policies, we must wait until the Yulin rebellion is pacified!"

"Alright, all of you withdraw and go about your duties!" Having spoken thus far, Emperor Liu had fully recovered his composure and had no more interest in continuing. He waved his hand at the several people and said, "Crown Prince, stay!"

"Your subjects take their leave!" Zhao Pu led the bow, and they slowly withdrew.

Wang Yinwu, who was still kneeling there, was now in an awkward position, unsure how to conduct himself. He stared at Emperor Liu with pleading eyes, seeming to want to speak but holding back. Seeing this, Emperor Liu said in a tone devoid of any expression: "You withdraw as well!"

"Yes!" Wang Yinwu felt as if pardoned.

However, before he had even left the hall, his expression changed drastically. Men like Zhao Pu and Liu Tinghan had received edicts and clear instructions from Emperor Liu—they could go about their work methodically, handling the aftermath.

But what about him? What was his Wude Office supposed to do? Emperor Liu had given him not a single instruction. This was not a good omen—even being punished with demotion would have been better...

With this thought, Wang Yinwu grew increasingly anxious, enveloped by boundless fear. What was he to do? Where was he to go?

The ministers withdrew, leaving only Crown Prince Liu Yang before the imperial desk. Seeing Emperor Liu leaning wearily against the desk with a tired face, he said softly in consolation, "Father, please take care of your imperial person. Do not worry too much—this little disturbance will be pacified!"

Hearing this, Emperor Liu let out a sigh and said, "A mere Li Jiqian is nothing in my eyes. What I lament is that these twenty years of Kaibao have been so full of turmoil and upheaval, wave after wave of trouble..."