Chapter 910: Chapter 124: Forging the Nine Cauldrons
The Jiangnan Zhou Family was closing their doors, drinking and chatting as usual.
The Zhou Family’s estate was vast, with beauties dancing and singing, zither music playing. Although Jiangnan had undergone dramatic changes, nothing seemed different within the aristocratic family.
A family of a thousand years, a marquis of a hundred years.
The Chen Country and Ying Country have only had three hundred years of national rule.
Three hundred years ago, emperors were not always emperors, but aristocratic families continued to be aristocratic families.
Among the aristocratic families that were ostensibly obeying but secretly defying the orders of the Heavenly Strategy Mansion, the Zhou Family was leading the way. Last year they gathered people to plan to offer the city to two countries and deliberately spread plague to disrupt the Qilin Army’s morale. Today, they hosted a banquet at home to entertain guests, chatting and laughing at ease, saying that the Qilin Army was once again shut out.
“Li Guanyi, just a reckless warrior!”
“He only has the reputation of bravery but does not understand the ways of the world.”
“If he were here, I would refute him in person to make him lose face!”
“That would be worthy of my learning.”
Zhou Yuanbi took a sip of wine, looking at the charming dancing girl, his heart somewhat wavering with lustful thoughts.
He laughed again: “What nonsense about dismantling the tracks and roads built by the aristocratic families, wanting all places to connect as one and link with those wide roads used by common folk.”
“Even though he is a disciple of Wen Zhongzi Wang Tong.”
“He doesn’t understand the principle that punishment does not reach the ministers, and the rites do not descend to the common people.”
“The world should have an order of hierarchy; bowing to Marquis Qin Wu is reasonable; but he wants our various rites and rules to be like those of the common people who toil in the fields.”
“What is he thinking?”
This direct descendant of the Zhou Family flicked his sleeve disdainfully and said: “It’s utterly ridiculous! If we follow the same rules as them, how can we appear superior as aristocratic families?”
“Rulers rule, ministers minister, fathers father, sons son; with the hierarchy in place, all things run smoothly. If the order is reversed now, wouldn’t heaven and earth be turned upside down? The rules of the Red Emperor’s era, lasting eight hundred years, the ancestral laws, he even wants to change them without considering his own weight.”
The crowd laughed and said: “What do you propose to do?”
Zhou Yuanbi confidently said: “Just watch how we maneuver.”
“We strategize without defying his laws, using the centuries-old rules to contend.”
“Li Guanyi, even if he is a Qilin, cannot escape the hands of our aristocratic families!”
At that moment, the sound of horse hooves came from outside; the aristocratic young master laughed and said: “Is the Heavenly Strategy Mansion officer coming again? Watch how I handle it!”
Zhou Yuanbi seemed somewhat tipsy, as if drunk, adjusted his appearance to look polite and gentle, no longer as arrogant as before among his own people, but as he opened the door, he did not see scholars but solemn armored soldiers forming a forest, weapons intimidating, and he paused slightly.
Wen Lingjun, in solemn court dress, holding a scroll, exuded a majestic and oppressive aura, making the faces of all the aristocratic young masters change dramatically. Wen Lingjun walked forward slowly, followed by soldiers holding weapons, displaying a chillingly fierce aura.
This Historian of the Heavenly Strategy Mansion had a deep and powerful voice, speaking word by word:
“The Jiangnan Zhou Family, disrespectful of education, defying the Lord’s command.”
“For the crime of disrespect, I come by the order of the Lord to seize you, where is the head of the Zhou Family?”
“Kneel.”
“Receive the order of the Lord!”
Wen Lingjun unfolded the scroll, facing the aristocratic people, his expression solemn, his court dress dignified and imposing, with a large character written in cinnabar on the scroll.
It read—[Execution].
Zhou Yuanbi’s expression changed dramatically, the wine-induced fog dissipating instantly.
Earlier enticed by beauty, thinking only of desire and entanglement, now sober, he urgently said:
“What crime have we committed against the Lord’s will?! Where is the Lord, I want to confront him personally!”
The Lord is eating simple meals with the common folk.
The Lord personally cooked the meal, set the fire.
Wen Lingjun sighed inwardly, sternly reprimanding: “Since you speak of ranks and hierarchy, what right do you have to sit with the Lord?”
“Just a mere son of an aristocratic family, are you worthy?”
This made Zhou Yuanbi turn red and speechless.
“If you want a reason, then follow your own doctrine and give you one!”
“Your crime is—”
Wen Lingjun flicked his sleeve and coldly said:
“Disregarding the Lord’s intent!”
The Qilin Army soldiers had already moved forward, five in a group, two shield-bearers in the front, one spearman in the middle, and two armored soldiers with mechanical crossbows in the rear. As they advanced, the sound of their armor plates rubbing together was chillingly fierce.
Zhou Yuanbi’s face turned pale, and he staggered backward, sitting on the ground, unable to stand.
Wen Lingjun helped him up.
Then pointed to the Zhou Family’s plaque.
In front of him, the plaque, written by Emperor Chen Wu himself three hundred years ago, was shot down, fell to the ground, trampled and smashed by the ordinary-born Qilin Army, covered with dust, and regarded as mere firewood to be burned.
The Zhou Clan of Xuzhou, guilty of numerous crimes, known to Wen He, thus suppressed.
Wen He personally wrote the proclamation.
Those guilty from top to bottom were judged, and their gold and silver publicized.
Yan Daiqing, sober and refreshed.
Just after this incident, other aristocratic families immediately became extremely compliant and honest. Wen He submitted a memorial saying: “Aristocratic families are like jackals, cannot be pushed too far, if pressured too much, they have kinship inside and external military threats, potentially they will unite.”
“Better to shift all blame, I mean, onto the Zhou Family.”
“In this way, the other aristocratic families will naturally think we’re just killing the chicken to scare the monkeys. They will actively help us find many reasons for the elimination of the Zhou Family, wrapping the matter as reasonable.”
“The Lord holds troops in hand and has prestige among the people.”