Chapter 2036: The Final Journey 5

Compared to the bloodshed and terror outside, the atmosphere within the temporary imperial residence remained tranquil, carrying the unique peace of Jiangling. In the elegant hall, the old Emperor wore only a fur robe, his belt unfastened, still appearing leisurely and at ease, though slightly hunched as he paced back and forth.

In the hall, Fan Zhigu knelt. He had finally obtained the opportunity to meet the old Emperor face to face, but he appeared somewhat disheveled—even frightful. When he had begged for an audience, he had exerted himself too forcefully, not only knocking himself dizzy but also breaking the skin, blood streaming profusely. Without time to tidy himself, he presented this undignified appearance before the old Emperor.

After a moment of silence, the old Emperor swept his gaze over him a few times, then finally extended his hand and said softly, "Minister Fan, rise!"

"Your servant dares not! Your servant is guilty! Please, Your Majesty, mete out punishment!" Fan Zhigu kowtowed mechanically as he pleaded.

Hearing this, a flash of anger appeared on the old Emperor's face, and he said coldly, "You knocked your head bloody to beg an audience with me, and if it's only to speak such nonsense, then get out!"

With the old Emperor speaking thus, Fan Zhigu naturally dared not beat around the bush any longer. He took a deep breath and bowed: "Your Majesty, those vermin who betrayed Your sacred grace, embezzled and broke the law, and neglected their duties to harm the people—they deserve death without regret. Your Majesty has already punished them with severe penalties, and all ranks tremble in awe. Your servant presumes to beg Your Majesty to show a measure of leniency—"

"Fan Zhigu, oh Fan Zhigu! I think you've knocked your brains out!" The moment he opened his mouth, his intent was exposed, and the old Emperor showed no courtesy whatsoever, rebuking him: "Why do you think I used the smuggling case to enforce strict laws and mete out mass executions? Do you have not a single thought in your heart?"

When the old Emperor said this, ripples stirred in Fan Zhigu's heart. Of course he had thought about it—otherwise he would not be worthy of being called a politician, nor could he have risen to his current high position.

Seemingly not expecting Fan Zhigu to offer any answer at this moment, the old Emperor quickened his pace slightly, pacing as he spoke:

"You've been in office in the Jinghu Northern Circuit for nearly two years now—not a short time. Do you have no understanding of the current political landscape of Hubei, no grasp of the people's hearts and sentiments, no judgment in your mind?

You should know that this place, Hubei, has not undergone thorough and complete reorganization since it submitted to the court. It has retained too many things from the old era!

In the early years, leniency was shown—both to restore public order quickly and steadily, and because those people still knew how to read the room.

Yet, decades have passed. Jiangling Prefecture changes with each passing day, Jiangxia is an entirely new city, and the people have changed too—becoming treacherous in their intentions, becoming reckless and unrestrained, even taking the court's tolerance for granted!

From Ezhou to Jiangling Prefecture, there is indeed prosperity, but these conditions were created by the blood and sweat of millions of scholars and commoners in Hubei. Yet some people pride themselves on their own abilities, believing it to be their own achievement!

The Gao family, the Li family, the Sun family, the Wei family—they are all expanding their families' influence. These families, which should have been swept into the garbage heap of history, now think of becoming millennium-old clans like the Five Surnames and Seven Great Houses, treating the Jinghu Northern Circuit as their own backyard, taking whatever they please.

Wolfish ambition, hearts deserving of death—how dare such people harbor such extravagant hopes! They should open their eyes and see whose world this is today!"

By this point, the old Emperor's expression was cold and his tone severe, while Fan Zhigu lay prostrate in complete submission. He could naturally see that the old Emperor was striking at Hubei's powerful clans—especially certain dignitaries of the former Jingnan regime. After this affair, the Wei family of the "Four Great Clans" would certainly be unable to hold on and would inevitably decline.

However, what made Fan Zhigu's heart palpitate was that, judging by the old Emperor's tone, he clearly did not intend to stop here—he wanted to continue purging the poison more deeply. This stirred doubts in Fan Zhigu's mind.

During his tenure in the Jinghu Northern Circuit, Fan Zhigu naturally had some understanding of the political landscape within the circuit. He knew the power and influence of those families and had felt their obstruction during his governance.

He naturally supported rectifying and striking against them—strongly supported it. But if they were to be completely swept away, that was not what Fan Zhigu wished for. In that case, the Jinghu Northern Circuit would likely fall into turmoil, the excellent situation would certainly not be restored, and it would not benefit his governance. This was a consideration from the standpoint of the circuit's chief administrator.

But clearly, the old Emperor could not possibly think from his perspective. That stiff tone and forceful attitude had already said everything. What was terrifying was that the hundred-odd severed heads outside the residence still had not satisfied him.

His mind rapidly calculating, Fan Zhigu soon prostrated himself and said, "Your Majesty's painstaking care for the state and the people—Your servant failed to appreciate it. That is Your servant's fault. However, the Imperial Uncle is not a native of Jing, and the affairs of Hubei have little to do with him. I humbly beg Your Majesty to show leniency!"

Hearing Fan Zhigu plead for Fu Zhaoshou, the old Emperor's expression turned somewhat strange. His scrutinizing gaze fell upon him, and after a long while, he finally said in a faint voice: "Fan Zhigu, do you think that my decree to execute Fu Zhaoshou was just for show—that I was waiting for you ministers to give me a way to step down, to preserve personal sentiment on one hand without violating state law on the other? And incidentally, to earn my favor?"

Words that pierce the heart! Though the old Emperor's tone was calm, Fan Zhigu's hairs stood on end as he listened. Being addressed by his full name was a minor matter; being perceived by the old Emperor as presuming to divine the imperial will with ill intent—that was a matter of grave nature.

As a minister, one often needed to discern the sovereign's intent, but it also depended on the circumstances. At the very least, the direction in which the old Emperor currently understood things was, for Fan Zhigu, a great terror.

"Your servant absolutely harbors no such scheming mind! I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly!" Fan Zhigu said. "Your servant merely feels that the Imperial Uncle, as a member of the imperial family by marriage, is illustrious and revered. Even if he erred, it must have been because he was deceived by that Wei Zhong—there is no reason he would have colluded with him. Your Majesty need only administer a slight punishment; there is no need to resort to the executioner's blade!"

"When someone gives him a bit of recognition and sends him some profit, he loses all sense of himself—betraying the sovereign's expectations, disgracing his family's name. What use is there in keeping such a fool!" The old Emperor stared coldly at Fan Zhigu: "Keep him, so he can commit even greater crimes?"

"Your Majesty upholds state law as the foundation and places righteousness above family ties—Your servant admires this immensely!" Fan Zhigu said. "However, the Imperial Uncle is, after all, the younger brother of Empress Fu, the Filial and Virtuous Benevolent Empress!"

At the mention of Empress Fu, the old Emperor's ice-like face finally showed some emotion. But at the same time, his eyes narrowed, staring fixedly at Fan Zhigu: "Do I need you to consider these matters of human sentiment for me? You seem to have forgotten—I killed even my own son-in-law. What does killing a wife's younger brother amount to?"

At these words, Fan Zhigu's expression changed drastically. Only now did he realize that he had truly miscalculated. And the erroneous actions caused by his erroneous judgment had clearly affected the old Emperor's view of Fan Zhigu. At this moment, kneeling on the ground, Fan Zhigu's heart was filled with trepidation, feeling as though the old Emperor's gaze could pierce through his entire body.

However, the old Emperor clearly still held some expectations for Fan Zhigu. After pondering briefly, he raised his hand and said to him:

"Since we've come this far, I might as well speak plainly to you. I am not satisfied with your governance of Hubei these past two years!

I promoted you over the ranks because I valued your ability to get things done. On this point, you seem not to have a clear understanding yet.

To put it plainly, placing you as Administration Commissioner of Hubei was precisely to have you strengthen the court's authority and weaken and strike against those so-called great clans that intend to gnaw away at the foundation of the court's rule!

I understand the principle that it's cold at the top, and I can understand seeking stability in one's work. But if you think that merely biding your time and accumulating seniority will naturally lead to further advancement, you are greatly mistaken!

Think back carefully—how did you come to occupy this prestigious position of Administration Commissioner?"

These words from the old Emperor made cold sweat pour down Fan Zhigu's back. He dared not speak of anything else, only urgently expressing: "Your Majesty's admonition—Your servant will engrave it in his heart. I will surely obey the imperial will and eliminate all the malpractices of Hubei!"

"Let us hope so!" Looking down at Fan Zhigu, the old Emperor said in a cool voice: "Previously, I could treat it as you familiarizing yourself with the political situation. From now on, conduct yourself accordingly!"

Having said this, he did not speak further with him, directly waving his hand to dismiss him. Fan Zhigu walked out of the residence in a daze, and only when the autumn wind outside struck him did he regain his senses.

The bureaucrats of Hubei were still kneeling. Those in the front rows had been essentially "drowned" in blood, but they dared not move in the slightest. Sensing movement, they raised their heads in unison, their gazes carrying inquiry. However, Fan Zhigu offered no verbal indication—he only lowered his head slightly and continued kneeling at the front, the crimson bloodstains now like clear water, baptizing his spirit.

Before long, a guard walked out, swept his gaze around, and announced in a clear voice: "By imperial decree—execute!"

With the decree issued, the executioners, already prepared, hesitated not a moment longer. The blades rose, and two more screams followed—Fu Zhaoshou and Wei Zhong both met their deaths!

And Liu Wenji, who had been restraining and suppressing himself all along, could finally no longer remain standing. It was Wang Xuanzhen who, with quick eyes and swift hands, supported him: "Is Your Highness well?"

Feeling Wang Xuanzhen's powerful arm, Liu Wenji struggled to steady himself and said in a trembling voice: "I—I am fine!"

Saying this, he gently pushed aside Wang Xuanzhen's support and stood stubbornly, even though his legs remained somewhat weak.

Meanwhile, Liu Wenhuan, whose face had also turned somewhat pale, saw Liu Wenji's "unbearable" display and gradually regained his normal complexion instead.

Such bloody slaughter was a first for both imperial grandsons. But Liu Wenhuan was unlike Liu Wenji—during the Anxi campaign back then, although he had not directly set foot on the battlefield, the journey had not been entirely smooth. In the northwest, he had witnessed some killing and death, just not scenes as shocking as this one.

At nightfall, the bleak autumn wind swirled through the city of Jiangling, bringing with it infinite desolation. The slaughter of the day remained as thought-provoking and lingering as ever.

Within the residence, the dim yellow lamplight flickered slightly. By the low table, Liu Wenji stood straight, holding a brush in one hand, writing on paper. He struggled desperately to control his hand, but it still trembled uncontrollably. The bloody images in his mind materialized on the paper as hasty, chaotic characters.

A figure appeared at the door with almost no footsteps, but Liu Wenji, whose nerves were highly sensitive at this moment, still noticed. He looked up—it was the old Emperor, regarding him with a calm gaze.

Not daring to be remiss, Liu Wenji set down his brush and stepped forward to pay his respects.