The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 84: Private Visit

Chapter 84: Private Visit

“I might encounter some unexpected incidents during this incognito inspection tour.”

Having clarified the direction of her efforts, Xu Ying let out a heavy sigh of turbid air, feeling some relief from the anxiety in her heart.

With the rebellion suppressed, the urgent matter now was to handle the aftermath: rewarding the brave civilians who had contributed to suppressing the rebellion and guiding them back to their hometowns, while pursuing the rebels and those who had supported them. The court was debating how to deal with these issues.

Zhang Yu, holding his ceremonial tablet, proposed: “Your Majesty, Zheng Song and Wei Qiandao, as the leaders, should be executed with their nine kinship groups exterminated for treason. The others should be exiled to the northwest.”

Since Zheng Xia belonged to the imperial family by marriagePrincess An Yang, Xu Zhen, was already widowedshe was not considered a member of the Zheng family and was thus excluded from the nine kinship groups extermination.

Liu Xu disapproved, saying: “Such a verdict is too arbitrary, and exterminating nine kinship groups is an excessively severe punishment. Your Majesty is benevolentthe Zheng and Wei families should be executed in full, the rebels from Jinzhou exiled to remote borderlands under strict surveillance to be used as laborers, and the others who assisted should be sentenced according to the severity of their crimes.”

Executing the entire family was no light matter either. Xu Ying had thought Liu Xu would plead for leniency, suggesting lifelong imprisonment, but instead, he intended to shift the bulk of the blame onto the former faction of the Crown Prince, exonerating the great families who had provided resource support.

Xu Lang looked stern, not finding the extermination of nine kinship groups excessivein fact, he considered it insufficient. “It is precisely because Your Majesty did not pursue the rebels earlier that their ambitions were allowed to grow. If we do not impose severe punishments to make an example of them, there will still be those who harbor a sense of luck. Only the extensive reach of exterminating nine kinship groups can deter those with disloyal intentions.”

Xu Ying pondered for a moment. “Confiscate their family properties. The Zheng and Wei families will have their nine kinship groups exterminated. The male members of the Jinzhou rebels and the others who assisted will all be executed, while the women and servants will be exiled to the Western Regions.”

“A few days ago, the ruler of Ji Mo sent a letter, offering land for Western cotton in exchange for permission to come to the Great Jin for cultural exchange and study. Ji Mo is arid and windy, making cotton cultivation laboriousit is well-suited as a place of exile.”

Western cotton is cotton. Ji Mo was willing to give them cotton fields and teach them cotton cultivation methods, using the land to offset tribute payments and reduce the pressure on Ji Mo domestically. In return, the Great Jin would acquire cotton fields, with all eventual harvests belonging to the Great Jin.

However, the Western Regions were too distant, and with little experience, few were willing to leave their homeland to cultivate cotton in Ji Mo. Xu Ying had been troubled by this, but now she happened to have so much free labor at hand.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xu’s eyes widened like bronze bells, doubting his own ears. Exterminating nine kinship groups, executing all male members, exiling the women to the Western Regionssuch a long journey, and these were ladies and young mistresses accustomed to being served; they would likely perish halfway. This was a bloodbath.

That such words came from Xu Ying’s mouth was unbelievable. The Xu Ying before him was the same person who had shown leniency toward Prince Qi’s old followers upon ascending the throne. His shock was no less than seeing a harmless deer or rabbit suddenly bare sharp fangs and kill fierce wolves, tigers, or leopards.

A chilling wind seemed to blow through the hall, creeping down Liu Xu’s neck and leaving him cold all over.

So, Xu Ying had deliberately been lenient before, allowing the former Crown Prince’s faction to operate in secret. The great families dissatisfied with her, seeing an opportunity and harboring a sense of luck, supported Wei Qiandao in gambling on a rebellion. If Wei Qiandao won, they would have the merit of supporting the new emperor; if he lost, they assumed Xu Ying would not punish them severely. Little did they know this was precisely the trap Xu Ying had setshe used this rebellion to round up all the hidden enemies in one sweep, eliminating them root and branch.

Xu Ying was no docile lamb; she merely wore that disguise. Anyone who truly underestimated her would ultimately pay a heavy price.

The court officials were also witnessing Xu Ying in such a manner for the first time, completely overturning their impression of her benevolence. They held their breath, not daring to make a sound.

“Why is no one speaking? Does no one have any objections?”

Xu Ying was curious. She flipped through 21-Day Emperor Crash Course: How to Be a Good Emperor, a book she had exchanged from the system. The book stated that when ministers proposed severe punishments, the ruler should show mercy and reduce the penalties. So, doing the opposite must be the legendary tyrant’s approach.

If the emperor imposed excessively harsh punishments, and the ministers advised leniency, but the emperor refused to listen and insisted on his own way, the ministers would become disappointed and seek another master.

In the end, she could rack up some negative impressions to prevent everyone from risking their lives to save her if she ever faced danger.

The ministers remained silent. Xu Ying waited and waited, but no one in the ranks spoke up. They hunched their shoulders, bowed their heads, and dared not move. No one stepped forward to say her punishment was too severe.

Xu Ying scanned the room. Wherever her gaze fell, the officials there seemed to sense it and buried their heads even lower, like quails, afraid of being singled out by Xu Ying.

“Liu Xiang, what do you think?” Xu Ying took the initiative.

Liu Xu was already caught in the whirlpool himself; the slightest misstep could implicate him. Moreover, Xu Ying was decisiveonce she made up her mind, no one could sway her. He had no intention of testing her patience.

“Your subject believes… it should be so. Let these traitors serve as a warning to all rebels: those who plot treason will never be leniently spared.”

Liu Xiang, what’s wrong with you, Liu Xiang? Weren’t you saying something different earlier? How could you change your tune now!

“What about the rest of you?”

The ministers suddenly understood. Coming to their senses, they knelt in unison and exclaimed, “Your Majesty is wise”

Faced with ministers who didn’t follow the script, Xu Ying felt exhausted. Fortunately, she no longer placed her hopes in them.

“Additionally, Zheng Ying, the eldest daughter of Princess An Yang, has shown no gratitude for the imperial favor, disrespected the dignity of the princess, and engaged in rebellious acts. She is unworthy of bearing the Zheng surname while sharing the Xu family bloodline. Henceforth, Zheng Ying shall be renamed Xu Ying,” Xu Ying added.

The ministers did not object. After all, while Princess An Yang could escape unscathed, Zheng Ying was Zheng Xia’s daughter. To protect her, it was best to revert her to the Xu surname, just like her younger sister Xu Aimin, counting her among the imperial clan women.

A few days after the decree was issued, Xu Ying woke up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy. She summoned Sun Wanyun to draft a pardon edict, abolishing the punishment of exterminating nine clans. Only those directly involved in the rebellion would be executed; the rest would be sent to Ji Mo and neighboring countries to grow cotton.

Upon learning this, the ministers wore expressions of “as expected.” The art of rulership was nothing more than a few tricks: first, unleash thunderous wrath, then bestow gentle mercy. Having navigated the official circles for decades, if they couldn’t grasp this, they had no business being officials.

However, this incident involved many people, especially prominent families near Chang’an. Most of the well-known surnames involved had vanished. If one argued that Xu Ying punished too many, those who supported the rebels were fortunate to be exiled rather than executedeven if the exile was distant, surviving was already a mercy.

The Zheng family’s mines were reclaimed, and a large quantity of high-quality weapons was confiscated. Moreover, He Chongguang reported that two iron-cast grinding machines were discovered in Jinzhou, suspected of being used to craft weapons, which explained the fine craftsmanship of most arms.

Xu Ying didn’t quite understand these things. According to He Chongguang’s explanation, it seemed to be something used to improve the precision of iron tools. She waved her brush and instructed He Chongguang to bring the grinding machine back for the Academy of Sciences to examine whether it could be put to use.

After handling the rebellion matters, Xu Ying finally found time to summon Xu Lang, convene Zhang Yu, Liu Xu, and the members of the Hall of Gathered Talents. While everyone was still awake, Xu Ying lit candles and announced: “In a few days, I will be traveling incognito to inspect water conservancy projects. During my absence, Huaiyang will act as regent on my behalf. All court affairs shall be handled by her, and you must not neglect your duties.”

Everyone’s drowsiness immediately vanished. Since Xu Lang usually assisted with governance anyway, and with Xu Ying absent and no crown prince appointed, it was reasonable for Xu Lang to serve as regent. Though slightly surprised at first, they quickly accepted the arrangement and silently admired: “Her Majesty truly cares for the nation and its people, personally going on an inspection tour in disguise.”

Liu Xu, however, was lost in thought, wondering why he had been included in this secret summons when normally he wouldn’t qualify…

After delivering this announcement, Xu Ying noticed everyone accepted it calmly without any reaction. Her prepared explanations became unnecessary, leaving her somewhat puzzled – even Liu Xu hadn’t raised any objections.

“I’ve already prepared the Winter Examination papers and sealed off Taiping Lane, ordering them to make copies. This ensures the Winter Examination can proceed smoothly. Please pay special attention to the candidates’ affairs – conduct thorough checks to guarantee their accommodation and meals encounter no problems.”

Everyone acknowledged the instructions. With no other matters to discuss, Xu Ying dismissed them to rest.

Xu Ying kept Xu Lang behind and confided: “I might encounter some accidents during this incognito inspection, but don’t worry. Trust me, I’ll be fine. After you receive news of my death, take a troop and leave Youzhou to identify the body. This is the token to mobilize the Imperial Guards. I’ve already arranged everything.”

Xu Ying pressed the token into Xu Lang’s palm.

Xu Lang panicked, gripping the token firmly while her other hand urgently seized Xu Ying’s wrist. “Identify the body? What is this about?”

Xu Ying put on a mysteriously confident smile, adopting an enigmatic posture as she evaded: “You’ll understand when the time comes.”

Half-convinced and half-doubting, Xu Lang stared into Xu Ying’s eyes, confirming she truly had everything under control, then slowly nodded. “Alright, I’ll remember.”

After concluding their discussion, Xu Ying finished work for the day and walked back to the dormitory with Xu Lang. Along the way, Xu Ying slowed her pace, gazing fondly at every detail around them, feeling a twinge of nostalgia. She hadn’t particularly noticed these things while living here, but knew she would miss them after leaving.

There would be no more opportunities to live in such quaint dwellings. She wanted to imprint every sight before her eyes into her memory.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Lang noticed Xu Ying’s increasingly slower pace and found it strange.

Xu Ying stopped walking, clasped her hands behind her back and gazed toward the moon, sighing involuntarily. “Let me look a while longer. There won’t be chances to see this in the future.”

Utterly confused, Xu Lang couldn’t decipher the riddle in Xu Ying’s words. She frowned slightly, a strange feeling rising in her heart – there seemed to be a sense of farewell in Xu Ying’s statement.

After they parted, Xu Lang pondered Xu Ying’s scheme: Xu Ying’s fake death, her instruction to take the Imperial Guards and leave Youzhou.

Xu Lang took out the token from her sleeve, rubbing it with her thumb without any clue. Suddenly she recalled Xu Ying’s peculiar words.

“No more chances to see in the future” – who would have no more chances?

Xu Lang lifted her eyelids. Xiao Liu’s gaze was directed toward… the residential area where the relocated families and clans resided. This was meant to lure out those with ulterior motives hidden in Youzhou!

The areas near Chang’an had been largely cleared out, leaving only those who had moved with the capital. Xu Ying’s statement was precisely meant for them.

Suddenly, a bright realization flashed before Xu Lang’s eyes, as if a veil had been lifted. She couldn’t help but clap her hands with a sharp smack.

This strategy of “luring the snake out of its hole” was brilliantit would completely eradicate the pests hiding in the shadows, allowing them to act without restraint in the future.

With her mind at ease, Xu Lang’s chest swelled with excitement, her steps almost floating. She forcibly suppressed the corners of her mouth from curling upward, planted her feet firmly, and silently reminded herself: “Follow Sixth Sister’s examplestay steady, don’t get arrogant.”

Author’s Note:

The ideal is plump, but reality is too bony, friends! I’ll keep updating daily until the end of the month before finishing. When time allows, I’ll aim for six thousand words per day!