Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
The ground tiled by limestones to the east of the Nine Dragons Bridge was now covered by dried bloodstains, blood puddles, and Shatu corpses that had arrows lodged in them. The pungent stench of blood was mixed with the scent of pine oil, which was splashed on the Shatu corpses or around them.
Wang Jianbei and Yan Liqiang crossed the bridge with the big troop. Wang Jianbei threw a cold glance at the Shatu corpses, then said, “These Shatu people are indeed vile bastards that deserve to die. They really planned to bring disaster to the city and set our homes ablaze. Just this alone is a good reason to condemn them!”
“It seems like those who wanted to rush over to this side were probably the Shatu people in this city who weren’t associated with the Dark Razor and Dark Wood Tribes!”
“Yes. Most of the Shatu people here are from several other tribes. The Dark Razor and Dark Wood Tribes were slaugthering each other last night. The Shatu people from the other tribes who didn’t want to get caught up between two took the opportunity to bring chaos to our side!”
“Haha. Still, we have to thank them. Without them, we wouldn’t have an excuse to clear the area with our troops!” Yan Liqiang scanned the corpses on the ground, then gave Wang Jianbei a suggestion. “At this point in time, the townspeople are probably still in the dark. You should have the Law Enforcement Office gather up a group of them and bring them to the Nine Dragons Bridge so they know the Shatu people tried to do last night. With a common enemy, no one will sympathize with the Shatu people regardless of what you will be doing to them from now on. This will basically secure the situation within Pingxi City.
“Apart from this, I heard Gan Provincial City has also set up a newspaper publisher. Have them write up some articles to inform everyone about the conflict between the Shatu people in the city last night and its aftermath to expose these vile bastards. Other than Gan Province, I still have some connections with ‘The Great Han Times’ in the Imperial Capital. I’ll have them write up an article as the final nail in the coffin for those Shatu people. With the truth laid bare to the public, no one in the imperial court will be able to take this incident to stir anything up again!”
In Yan Liqiang’s previous life, this was the most common method to guide public opinion. It was nothing special, but Yan Liqiang’s suggestion seemed to have stirred up something in Wang Jianbei. He was slightly taken aback before nodding heavily. “Right, that’s what should be done. That’s very thoughtful of you, Liqiang. With this line of thinking, you’d make a great Prefectural Governor!” While speaking, Wang Jianbei beckoned forth an attendant. After whispering something to him, the attendant immediately left to make the arrangements.
“You must be joking, my lord. In Pingxi Prefecture, I am still counting on your support!” Yan Liqiang quickly waved his hands.
Wang Jianbei cast a meaningful glance at Yan Liqiang, then smiled and said nothing else. However, his evaluation of Yan Liqiang rose to another level. Even Wang Jianbei himself felt that he couldn’t read Yan Liqiang. At times, Yan Liqiang was like a boy next door to him who was pleasant, witty, and refreshing to speak with. However, Yan Liqiang had experience and slyness which were unexpected of someone his age. He seemed more like a seasoned individual who had been in the business for several decades.
As long as one stayed on Yan Liqiang’s good side, everything would be great. If one crossed the line with him, he would be very firm and ruthless in his methods. The Northwestern Transportation Office was a good example. Yan Liqiang even dared to kill their officers, let alone the rest. The Provincial Governor was right — Yan Liqiang would be a great friend but the worst enemy, because you would never know what card he had up his sleeve.
Liu Yucheng led his big troop over the Shatu corpses and marched along the street.
The first few rows in front were soldiers with shields, followed by those with spears, and archers at the rear. There were two groups of cavalrymen, and everyone was high on alert as they cautiously combed through the streets.
Liu Yucheng would have the people shout outside intact buildings to make the Shatu people come out. If there was no response, the cavalrymen at the back would throw flying claws onto the eaves. The pulling force of more than ten rhinodrake steeds was enough to tear down the houses.
The buildings in the Shatu community area were quite old and most of them were wooden houses. When the Shatu people took over the houses, they never renovated or repaired them since they didn’t know how to build houses. Hence, it was very easy to tear them down.
The commotion at the Nine Dragons Bridge last night was huge. The Shatu people living around the area had either escaped or gotten involved in the chaos. No one knew where they were right now. As Liu Yucheng and his men continued tearing down more than twenty houses, no surviving Shatu people were sighted.
Once they reached a hundred meters east of the Nine Dragons Bridge, the scenery of the street started to change. There were basically no intact houses left on both sides of the streets as they were all reduced into black ruins. Pillars collapsed beside the street like charcoals that were still billowing smoke. Charred corpses that hardly resembled human bodies were seen among the ruins. On the streets, dead Shatu people were seen lying on the ground holding their weapons.
The front rows of the troop cleared away the ruins that were blocking the way as they marched on. When the road branched off, they stopped and split into smaller groups to clear out every street, alley, and house. Any surviving Shatu people were chased away. Those who dared to resist were instantly greeted by countless spears.
The soldiers in the city had long been holding back their anger toward the Shatu people. With the Prefectural Governor’s orders, no one was going to be polite with these Shatu people any longer.
They cleared out two streets before Liu Yucheng led the big group around a corner, and spotted several thousand Shatu people. They were all armed with weapons as they walked toward their direction menacingly.
Liu Yucheng raised his hand and the troop immediately stopped. The soldiers in the front rows immediately inserted their iron shields into the ground.
An old man with graying hair and beard, dressed in a black Shatu long robe, came out and stood in front of the Shatu group. When he noticed the troop didn’t move, he raised his hand and the Shatu people across from them stopped too.
“What are you all doing? This is the Shatu community; it is our territory. Do you dare to violate the ‘Writ of Grace’ that your imperial court holds? Leave now, Han Chinese soldiers! Should anything happen here, all of you shall bear the consequences!” The old Shatu man roared at the other party. As he did, the other Shatu people behind him raised their weapons and started to get noisy.
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