On the way to escape famine, my parents divorced

Chapter 565 "Slay!"

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Li Shiyue glanced at Cai Hua sideways, didn't say a word to her, just nodded to Chen Yong, then turned and left the study.

When Li Shiyue stepped out of the study, she saw Song Fang kneeling on the ground with his arms tied behind his back and his hands bound.

Song Fang stared at Li Shiyue in shock. He made some "uh-huh" and "ah-ah" sounds, but because his mouth was stuffed with a strip of cloth, he couldn't say anything.

Why would Li Shiyue care about Song Fang, Cai Hua's lackey?

After all, she didn't even care about Cai Hua.

After waiting in the courtyard for about 15 minutes, Hei Zi finally led a group of people over.

"General! We have secured all the key locations!"
All the officers in the garrison have been captured!

Li Shiyue nodded. "I want to see a high platform erected on the drill ground before noon!"

"Yes! General!"

As noon approached, a thousand garrison soldiers were driven to the drill ground.

They were all stunned by the sudden and unexpected incursion of the Xuanjia Army into the garrison, the capture of their officers, and even the garrison commander Cai Hua being tied up.

With no leader, and intimidated by the fierce aura of the Xuanjia Army, the garrison soldiers dared not make a move.

All the junior officers in the garrison were bound hand and foot and held down below the high platform.

At noon, a high platform was erected on the drill ground.

Li Shiyue sat on a chair behind a long table placed on the high platform, with Chen Yong standing beside her.

Hei Zi stood at the front of the long table, while the Xuanjia Army, exuding murderous intent, stood on all four sides of the high platform.

Bound up like a rice dumpling, Cai Hua knelt under the long table.

Below the platform stood a dense crowd of garrison soldiers, their faces filled with bewilderment. Some looked on in surprise, while others remained impassive, all staring at the person kneeling on the platform.

"All officers and soldiers of the garrison!"

Li Shiyue's voice, like an ice pick, was sent out with internal force, clearly resounding throughout the entire training ground, piercing the ears of every soldier on the field, and also piercing the last shred of hope in Cai Hua's heart as he knelt on the ground.

"Today, I, Li Shiyue, by order of the Prince of Zhenbei, am here to try the guilty general Cai Hua!"

Her gaze was sharp as she swept across the entire room: "First offense: cowardice towards the enemy and dereliction of duty!"

Li Shiyue's voice suddenly rose, filled with chilling killing intent, "The Japanese pirates have repeatedly invaded our coastal areas, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of atrocities!"
As garrison troops, it is your duty to protect the territory and ensure the safety of the people!

However, Cai Hua was a coward who feared death. Whenever the Japanese pirates approached the shore, he would hold his camp and stay put!
They stood by and watched as their people were slaughtered, their families destroyed, and their lives ruined!
What use are you if you can't protect the country and its people?
Do you live up to the salary you receive from the imperial court, the land beneath your feet, and the people of Jian'an?
This is the responsibility for lost territory, an unforgivable crime!

The soldiers below the stage immediately stirred up a commotion, and many of them showed indignation on their faces.

"Second crime: receiving salaries without working and exploiting soldiers!"

Li Shiyue picked up the account book that had been prepared on the table and slammed it down in front of Cai Hua, who was kneeling on the ground. "The garrison is supposed to have 1,500 men, but the actual number is less than 1,000!"
The missing military pay went straight into your pocket!
This resulted in the soldiers being owed wages, going hungry, lacking proper clothing, having broken equipment, and experiencing low morale!
Do you know that every penny you withhold is their lifeline to support their families?
This is the crime of termites, an offense for which heaven and earth cannot tolerate!

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the town army below the stage became even more agitated, their gazes towards Cai Hua filled with resentment.

Many people looked angry, and some even started swearing under their breath.

It turns out that the long-overdue military pay owed to many of them was pocketed by that damned Cai Hua!

The root of their suffering lies here!
"Third crime: colluding with Japanese pirates to sell innocent people!"

Li Shiyue suddenly pulled out a stack of documents from the table: "Cai Hua colluded with Huang Wanchang, the former governor of Jian'an, to aid the Japanese pirates!"
They sold my good citizens of Dalong into slavery for the Japanese pirates!

This is treason, a crime deserving the wrath of both gods and men!

This charge, once thrown out, was like a boulder thrown into a deep pool, creating a huge wave!
Colluding with the Japanese is the most despicable and heinous crime!
The audience erupted in uproar, shouting and cursing.

"kill him!"

Someone shouted first, and the soldiers of the town were filled with righteous indignation. All the resentment they had suppressed in the past and their anger at Cai Hua's actions were now about to be vented.

They were waving their fists, their eyes practically spitting fire.

Cai Hua's face turned ashen, and he trembled violently. He tried to explain, but his mouth was gagged, and he could only make muffled noises.

"The evidence for these three crimes is irrefutable!" Li Shiyue said sternly. "Cai Hua's crimes are too numerous to count!"

According to the Da Long Code, those who collude with the enemy, betray the country, or harm the people shall be executed immediately!
"By order of the King, I, this general, will today use this sword to appease the spirits of the unjustly killed people and to restore order to the bright and clear world of Jian'an!"

Li Shiyue stood up, walked around the long table, and went to Cai Hua.

She suddenly drew the sword from her waist, the sunlight reflecting off the cold blade with a blinding gleam.

"cut!"

Hand up and down!
A head flew off, and blood splattered for over ten feet!

Cai Hua's head rolled onto the high platform, his face still frozen in extreme fear and disbelief.

The headless corpse twitched a few times before collapsing to the ground with a thud.

The entire drill ground fell silent instantly, with only the sound of flags fluttering in the wind.

All the soldiers stared wide-eyed at the splattering blood and rolling heads, stunned by the swift and decisive execution.

The air was thick with the stench of blood and an overwhelming sense of fear.

Li Shiyue flicked the blood off the blade, his expression unchanged, as if he had just done something insignificant.

Her sharp gaze swept across the audience, and every soldier who met her eyes involuntarily straightened their backs, feeling an unprecedented sense of awe.

"Cai Hua was executed, and he deserved it!"

Li Shiyue's voice broke the silence, carrying an undeniable authority: "From this day forward, the Jian'an Garrison will be temporarily taken over by my Xuanjia Army!"
Considering that most of you were deceived and coerced by them, we will not pursue the matter further!

These words made almost all the soldiers in the audience secretly breathe a sigh of relief, especially the junior officers.

"but!"

Li Shiyue changed the subject, "From today onwards, the garrison must regroup and sweep away the decadence!"
I will report to the Prince that the owed military pay will be paid in full!

Vacancies will be filled by recruiting more capable soldiers!

And I only ask one thing of you!

Li Shiyue's voice was like thunder, "Pick up your weapons and train hard!"
If the Japanese pirates dare to invade again, follow me and strike! Let us wash away the shame of Zhenjun today with the blood of the Japanese pirates!
Use your war achievements to rebuild the glory of the town's army!

Tell me, can you do it?

"can!"

The soldiers below the stage instinctively responded in unison, their voices filled with fear, yet also with a hint of relief and new hope.

The roars of over a thousand people converged into a deafening sound that soared into the sky.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

"Follow the general! Slay all the Japanese pirates!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The soldiers' morale was completely ignited. Their previous confusion and fear were replaced by anger and passion. Their gazes toward the figure on the high platform were filled with awe and reverence.

Li Shiyue looked at the newly transformed army below the stage and nodded slightly.

She knew that this rusty knife had just been re-tempered and sharpened by her in the most cruel and direct way.

She turned to Chen Yong and Hei Zi and said in a deep voice, "Clean up the scene."

Cai Hua's head was hung at the camp gate for three days as a warning to others.

"Yes, General!" Chen Yong and Hei Zi clasped their hands in obeisance and accepted the order.

Li Shiyue took one last look at the passionate soldiers below the stage, then turned and walked down from the platform.

Her steps were steady and powerful; from this moment on, the era of Zhenjun changed.

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