Chapter 1058

Xu Zengyi went out for a stroll, came back and told Chen Wuji, who was idly sipping tea, "Those two really have a story, only… the story is a bit brutal."

"Oh? How brutal?" Chen Wuji gestured for Xu Zengyi to sit first, then poured him a cup of tea.

This tea is a genuine local specialty, produced in Xishan Village, and was just delivered to the front yesterday.

The quantity is extremely scarce; even for Chen Wuji they sent less than ten catties.

Though its flavor is far inferior to that of the old tea mountains, Chen Wuji treasures it.

In every sip he can taste the mist and haze of Shenxian Ling, the people's enthusiasm and simplicity.

"The garrison farming officers are short-staffed and can't take in more civilians, yet the people of the surrendered city bear a deep grudge against Da Yu. After Xie Fengxian took the city, he immediately sent people to put out fires and rescue the populace, but was secretly stabbed by the locals, suffering many casualties." Xu Zengyi sighed at this point.

"On this matter, Xie Fengxian and Hu Bu Gui disagree. Hu Bu Gui advocates harshness, not bothering with specific methods—anyone who dares to resist should be cut down according to the scale of the nine clans."

"But Xie Fengxian has gone soft, thinking it's enough to be strict with prisoners and able-bodied youths, no need to hassle ordinary folk—those who deserve saving should still be saved. Who knew a boat would capsize in a gutter? After this incident, he utterly annoyed Xie Fengxian, who ordered the death gate sealed: anyone in the city who cannot produce proof of opposing our army will be killed on sight."

Chen Wuji listened, then fell silent, his anger rising. "We can't say Xie Fengxian was wrong, but given this outcome—not even him, I can't accept it. How dare they bear such a deep grudge against us? I'm utterly baffled."

"Their cities were designed by our artisans, their clothes made from our artisans' techniques, and without our seed improvements their grain would still have them living in the hills—truly shameless to the extreme."

"Just because they became our vassal, does that offend their heavenly face? They use Da Yu's technology and culture, occupy Da Yu's land, and now they're the ones who started the war—where does their hatred come from?"

"Sir, grab a brush and write a proclamation that lays out the causes and effects clearly, without worrying what the Uyghurs think—just state what we Da Yu have done and what the Uyghurs have done!"

"As vassals, they have provoked border conflicts, invaded Da Yu's lands, killed Da Yu soldiers and civilians—this marquis, acting on imperial orders, punishes the disobedient! All Uyghur soldiers and civilians who resist will see their nine clans exterminated! This proclamation shall not be issued in the ordinary way; we will erect steles in every city and holy mountain."

Xu Zengyi sat opposite, feeling Chen Wuji's surging killing intent press so hard he could barely breathe.

This lord, whom he had accompanied all the way from Yunan County, has undergone a tremendous change in just three short years.

He didn't display much anger, his tone was very coarse, but that aura was like a towering mountain, like the fierce sun of the ninth heaven, making people's breath short, not daring to look directly.

Xu Zengyi didn't say much, just respectfully stood up and received this military order.

"How many people did Xie Fengxian lose when his boat capsized in the gutter?" Chen Wuji asked, suppressing his anger.

"Two hundred thirty or more, one hundred sixty died in battle, the rest severely wounded!"

Chen Wuji's eyes suddenly filled with killing intent, "Is this number counted clearly?"

"Quite clear, all were when General Xie led troops into the city to rescue the populace, the rescued civilians suddenly rebelled and killed them!" Xu Zengyi let out a soft, lingering sigh, "These soldiers died feeling wronged."

"Generously provide for families, Military Merit doubled." Chen Wuji's eyes sank like water, then he chuckled, "Since they harbor such great hatred for our Da Yu, we need not be courteous—issue orders to the whole army: for three days, do not sheath the knife; after three days, withdraw the troops!"

Xu Zengyi stared in shock, "My lord, would doing this..."

"Wouldn't that be too brutal?" Chen Wuji smiled, "What's brutal or not, war is a matter of you die or I live. The Uyghur people want to kill all of us here and then occupy our land; I also must consider my subordinates—over two hundred died feeling wronged in battle; if I do nothing, the soldiers will resent me!"

After fighting so long, this is the first time Chen Wuji has issued such an order.

But he does not regret it.

After this order was given, his spirit instead felt relieved.

Ungrateful white-eyed wolves, if they cannot be exterminated, then lash the whip harder, sharpen the knife, and then carefully put away one's broad-mindedness and compassion.

Some things are by nature monkey-like, cannot be called human.

Xu Zengyi fell silent for a moment, did not continue on this topic, but quickly shifted, speaking of the completely opposite attitudes of Xie Fengxian and Hu Bu Gui regarding this matter.

"I always thought such a matter would be more suitably handled by General Hu, but unexpectedly it was General Xie."

Chen Wuji shook his head, "Hu Bu Gui is somewhat like me in some ways—he is very merciful to the people under his rule, but very capable of striking against foreign tribes. When he served as Prefect, each time he secretly went out to attack the Qiang People, leaving not a single livestock alive in the places he went."

"These matters are known to few; if they spread, Hu Bu Gui would surely earn the nickname of butcher. Whether Uyghur People or Qiang People, this old fellow certainly would not show mercy, and could employ even harsher tactics."

Xu Zengyi suddenly grasped the crux, "General Hu having served as Prefect, governing a prefecture's military affairs, needs to look at the big picture, consider all matters comprehensively; that is probably why he resembles our lord."

"Your true similarity should be: merit in the present, benefit for posterity. Both wish to resolve external threats in the present, not leave troubles for descendants; as long as present troubles are solved, means are means, reputation also is a means."

Chen Wuji let out an "ai" and praised, "Sir, your words pretty much hit the point."

"I don't mind having the nickname of butcher or human-butcher; on the contrary, I actually quite like it! I have always believed two sayings: 'Those not of my kind must have different hearts,' and 'Barbarians are beasts; they respect might but not virtue.'"

"Because of these two sayings, we must make our present merit and future benefit more thorough. Sir, you cannot merely set aside personal morality at the strategic level; even if we win the battle, when dealing with these barbarians, personal morality ought to be set aside as well."

Xu Zengyi gave a wry smile, he actually couldn't tell whether these words were praise or condemnation.