The command arrow fell to the ground, and an executioner with muscular body exposed picked up a bowl of liquor, took a sip and sprayed it on the blade of the machete in his hand, then took a small sip himself.
"It was our Majesty who wanted to kill you. It's none of my business. Have a safe journey!"
According to convention, the executioner whispered this to Emperor Zu Yue before the execution, but the other party had a blank expression on his face and showed no reaction to the outside world.
The executioner raised the sword, his muscles tensed, and he held the sword for a moment, then swung it down with a ferocious look on his face. After the sword flashed, a stream of blood spurted out, and a huge head rolled onto the stage.
“Ouch…” “Ah…”
All the common people and nobles watching below were startled, and some even subconsciously took a step back. Seeing the former emperor's head fall to the ground, people felt fear and confusion in their hearts, but also a sense of expectation that could not be ignored.
The old commander behind the platform nodded to a civil servant beside him. The latter stood up and carefully took a roll of yellow silk imperial edict in front of his desk with both hands. Then he walked forward step by step until he came to the side of the still bleeding corpse. He slowly and steadily unfolded the imperial edict with both hands, facing the thousands of Zuyue people and nobles below.
Although he was called a civil servant, this Dazhen official was actually also skilled in martial arts. He took a deep breath, gathered his inner energy, and then spoke. His loud voice spread throughout the entire palace square.
"The Emperor has received the order. From now on, the Dazhen army will not harm the people, but will buy the necessary items at the price. They will not destroy the fields, kill people indiscriminately, rob people, or rape women... The Dazhen army will be ordered to suppress the bandits, and the scholars in the army will set up government halls in various places. All the grievances and worries of the people can be reported to the court without the need for a petition or litigation funds... Anyone who supports our Dazhen army and civilians, regardless of their status, will have their money and property protected according to the Dazhen laws. Anyone who supports our Dazhen army and civilians will have their safety protected according to the Dazhen laws..."
First establish authority, then show favor. When the official recited the imperial edict, his voice was extremely loud and his breathing was very concealed. It felt like he recited it to the end in one breath. The imperial edict, along with the official's voice, vibrated into the hearts of all who heard it.
Yin Zhong and several generals stood up together when the imperial edict began to be read. After listening to only a few words, Yin Zhong already understood the wisdom of this imperial edict.
When the imperial edict from Gyeonggi Prefecture was issued, it stated that the people and property would be protected, but the prerequisite was to support the Dazhen army and civilians, and to follow the Dazhen laws.
If this premise is implemented, then those who support Dazhen will practice Dazhen's laws, and they will gradually become Dazhen imperceptibly. Especially after a period of time, when word of mouth spreads and people's will is in favor, naturalization can make great progress.
The common people are very simple and have had enough of Zu Yue's corruption. They will vaguely lean towards whoever treats them well, gives them vitality and hope of living a good life. Although they are more afraid of Dazhen now, the seeds of expectation have already been slowly planted. This is the result of Dazhen soldiers strictly abiding by military regulations in long-term combat, and the imperial edict at this moment is a reassurance of no small effect.
After the entire imperial edict was read, the people present felt uneasy as the long tail sound of "秦此" fell. The official stood there for a long time, ready for someone to ask something, but no one dared to speak. He then slowly turned around and left, and then the soldiers cleaned up the execution ground.
In fact, the entire Zu Yue, except for some remote corners and a few places in the center that are still resisting, other places have already been completely occupied by Dazhen. Today is just a suitable time to choose before winter.
"Most of the tough battles took place in the first half of the year. In the second half, too many people surrendered in the city. Many times, we just marched all the way there. Hey!"
Hearing a general next to him say this, Yin Zhong smiled.
"There are many bandits in the land of Zuyue, so there are plenty of opportunities to stretch our muscles. There are also various Heavenly Masters who will follow the army to deep into the country to eliminate the demons, which will also be a tough battle."
"Hey, I don't want to get involved in such evil things!"
“Hahahaha…” “You, you, hahaha…”
"Master Liu, come back to the camp with me to rest. The army has prepared roasted lamb!"
"Hahaha, that's fine. I'm still not used to sleeping in this inn in Zuyue Capital."
When Yin Zhong and others were laughing and talking about returning to the camp, the contents of the previous imperial edict had already been implemented everywhere. A large number of ambitious and talented scholars from the mainland of Dazhen, after being examined, gradually "opened halls" in various places in Zuyue from the army.
These scholars were not officials, but to a certain extent, they did the work of officials. Some areas of Zuyue that had suffered from national corruption were the first to feel the benefits. Not only were these scholars guarded by Dazhen soldiers, they could also seek help from the army according to the situation. Some bandit problems would often be quelled in just a few days.
The bandits who were so arrogant and unstoppable in the village were completely vulnerable to the high-spirited Dazhen soldiers. Even if the bandits still wanted to resist despite the advantages of the terrain, the Dazhen army might take down the Heavenly Master...
"Boom... Boom..."
There were thunders in the sky in many places in Zu Yue's land, but no heavy rain fell. This was a sign of changes in the sky that foreshadowed changes in the earth.
At the top of Tingqiu Mountain at the border of Yongding Pass, the mountain god Hong Shengting looked far away in the direction of the land of Zuyue, looked at the hidden thunder in the sky, shook his head and sighed.
"I didn't expect Zu Yue to collapse so quickly..."
The mountain god lowered his head and looked towards Yongding Pass again. Even at this time, there were still a large number of Dazhen troops setting out from this pass and heading towards the old land of Zuyue. Many of these soldiers had never seen blood, but they were well-trained and their morale was high. Among them were some scholars with swords, who rode horses or walked, walking with the army. They had firm faces and their hearts were burning with anger when they saw the aura.
Mountain God Hong Shengting sighed again.
"It is fitting that the great chastity will prosper."
…
At Yuling Peak deep in Yucui Mountain, Ji Yuan, who was standing outside Lingbao Pavilion, withdrew his gaze. Lian Baiping was only one step slower than Ji Yuan, while the others were still observing in the distance, and some were calculating with their fingers.
"Mr. Ji, when is the right time for us to set off?"
When Lian Baiping saw Mr. Ji's look just now, he had a vague feeling that he understood some of Mr. Ji's concerns. He asked this question only after he saw that the situation between the two countries was settled.
Ji Yuan smiled and said
"It will only take two days. It looks like Fellow Daoist Ju is planning to go with us this time?"
Ji Yuan said the second half of his sentence to Ju Yuanzi, who had also come back to his senses. The latter showed no embarrassment and smiled frankly.
"If you don't mind, sir."
"You and I have a long history, there's no need to be so polite."
They had refined the Immortal Binding Rope together in the past, and Ji Yuan also had some understanding of Ju Yuanzi's character, so he regarded Ju Yuanzi as one of his only two friends in Yuhuai Mountain. His other friend in Yuhuai Mountain was Qiu Feng, who was much younger than Ju Yuanzi in seniority.
Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Ju Yuanzi felt happy and his face looked natural. After nodding, there was no need to say more. There was no need to be too cautious between friends. Of course, his admiration for Ji Yuan was still the same as before, but even greater.
"Sir, how about traveling to Yuhuai Holy Land together this time?"
Ju Yuanzi made the invitation at the right time. Yu Huaishan had been looking forward to Ji Yuan's visit for a long time. This time Ji Yuan was already sitting not far away, so it was time to go.
"Okay, if I bring some people along for the tour, Yu Huaishan won't have any objections, right?"
"Hahaha, sir, don't worry. Not only can you say it's a human, but you can also bring mountain spirits and ghosts with you to travel with Yu Huai."
So, Hu Yun and others, who had happily bought some treasures from Lingbaoxuan, came out of Lingbaoxuan. They thought that visiting Xiangang was already very interesting, but they didn't expect that with the help of Ji Yuan, they could visit Yuhuai Holy Land.
To be honest, even Ji Yuan was a little shocked when he arrived at Yuhuai Holy Land for the first time, not to mention Hu Yun and Sun Yaya.
Although Yuhuai Holy Land is not a true paradise outside the sky, it is definitely a well-deserved blessed place for immortal cultivation. It contains the rhythm of the four seasons, the gathering of stars at night, the gathering of colorful clouds during the day, the storage of spiritual winds, and the rhythm of immortals, which meets everyone's fantasy of a fairyland.
In his heart, Ji Yuan silently gave Yuhuai Mountain the title of "Dazhen's famous immortal scenic spot".
Lian Baiping was naturally the same as Ju Yuanzi. He stayed with Ji Yuan throughout the whole process and was also very patient in chatting with Hu Yun and Sun Yaya, the two more lively ones.
However, Ju Yuanzi was actually a little absent-minded most of the time, because Wei Wuwei privately told Ju Zhenren about his previous reception of Ji Yuan and others at Yuling Peak, among which was Hu Yun's casual remark that "there is a fish in the North Sea, its name is Kun; Kun is so big that I don't know how many thousands of miles it is..."
Ju Yuanzi remembered that when Ji Yuan first saw the Sky-Swallowing Beast, he did mention "Kun". When Ju Yuanzi asked about it, Ji Yuan said it was a big fish. But he didn't expect that a line from "Xiao Yao You Pian" from the mouth of a little vixen would imply that Kun might be "unknown how many thousands of miles long". It was really too shocking.
…
Three days later, at the highest point of Yuling Peak, the Sky-Devouring Beast was looming in the clouds and mist. Ji Yuan and others, accompanied by the monks of Weimei Sect, walked on the cloud bridge and climbed up the Sky-Devouring Beast, while Zao Niang, Hu Yun and Sun Yaya stood below and said goodbye to Ji Yuan with the Wei family father and son and others.