As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 233: Killing multiple birds with one stone

"You beasts! The Blood-Clad Army is no good at all!"

"Sir, my ancestors were all commoners! No one in my family has ever been an official!"

"Sir, all these things I have are the result of hard work and diligence!"

"Let me go! Let me go!"

……

In Yueyang City, the warm and gentle sun descends at night.

However, the Blood-Clad Army then breached the city gates and entered the capital.

The people waited anxiously, hoping that the new king would not mistreat them.

Calm down quickly.

It doesn't matter who is king, as long as there is no more bloodshed.

To live a peaceful and stable life.

But... things didn't go as planned.

After a brief period of silence, the curtain gradually rose on a bloody and violent storm.

Blood demons bring chaos to the country, not salvation.

Emperor Wang Huai of Qi had just entered the capital and ascended to the coveted position of power. His first edict was to completely eliminate all officials and nobles in the capital.

Regardless of guilt or innocence, anyone in power or wealth was killed.

The noble are guilty.

This was something he announced to the world when he started his uprising, something he promised to the Blood-Clad Army; everything was perfectly reasonable.

The entire city of Yueyang was in chaos, with countless soldiers of the Blood-Clad Army marching and running amok in the streets.

Arrest people according to the genealogy of powerful nobles, and once arrested, they are sent to the city square to register for execution.

Anyone who obstructs or blocks the way... will be killed without hesitation.

In just three days, blood was spilled on the bluestone floor of Yueyang, the thick smell of blood lingered, corpses were everywhere, and hideous heads were piled up all over the streets.

The sounds of wailing and screaming, pleading and crying, were incessant.

Slaughter, plunder, chaos... these are the main themes of this prosperous city that has lasted for hundreds of years.

Dark clouds loom over Yueyang; after the overthrow of the old dynasty, a new hell has begun.

The wild horse lost control of its reins.

Following his own aspirations and beliefs, Wang Huai chose the simplest and most direct method, and roamed freely.

The unbridled Blood-Clad Army, emboldened by government orders, amplified their desires countless times over.

The winner takes all, the victor enjoys everything, and rightfully has the power to dominate everything.

In their eyes, the world had turned upside down, and they were now the more noble people. The people of Yueyang City were no different from their servants, pigs, and so on.

There are natural distinctions between different levels.

They fought their way here, risking their lives countless times, all for this day. It's time for them to enjoy themselves.

Desire controls the brain; one can do whatever one wants.

Wang Huai's decree was to execute powerful and influential figures and not to harass the common people.

But there are policies from above and countermeasures from below.

People will always find loopholes and adjust everything to their advantage.

If you encounter a beautiful girl, she must be the child of a powerful or wealthy person who has run away to escape for their lives. Otherwise, how could she be so beautiful and charming?
Upon seeing the well-decorated mansion, one can imagine that it is in cahoots with the government and must be hiding a lot of treasure. Ordinary people are already starving, how can they live in such a mansion?
Is it a sin to put a hat on your head first?

Criminals have no human rights and can be taken or demanded at will.

If there is resistance, then there is even less need for evidence!

The purest evil in human nature has no limits and is unleashed freely in this bustling city.

The people of Yueyang City were experiencing a catastrophe even more terrifying than the three days of looting and plundering the city by the Blood-Clad Army. Blood rained down and the air was thick with stench, and cries of agony filled the air.

Mingchen has said many times that Wang Huai's laws are very problematic, with insufficient punishment and supervision.

People who rise from humble beginnings are more likely to lose themselves in desires and their true selves after experiencing a dramatic shift in status and position. They require strict laws and rigorous government decrees to manage and restrain them.

Wang Huai made some patching up of this problem on a whim, but there were still loopholes in it.

This has led to the current situation.

……

The reason for all of this lies within the lofty imperial city.

Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the throne changed hands once again, and everything had changed.

"Brother, this matter should be handled gradually; how can we be so reckless?!"

"Look at the state of chaos in the entire Yueyang City!"

A thin, scholarly-looking man strode into the Hall of Mental Cultivation. He was dressed in a blue robe, a typical scholar, and showed no trace of the rough, murderous aura that the Blood-Clad Army should possess.

He is one of the few surviving officials from the old regime.

Liu Wang is also known as Wang Liu.

From the very beginning, he was not considered an official of the old country.

As the younger brother of the Blood-Clad Army Emperor, no one dared to cause him any trouble.

Having survived the Qian Yuan and Chen Kingdoms periods, and now with the Blood-Clad Army entering the city, the fact that the city remains safe and sound demonstrates his wisdom.

At this moment, he was also frowning, completely disregarding the fact that the person in front of him was the most esteemed leader of the Great Qi Dynasty.

During his time as an official in Yueyang, he rose through the ranks, navigating the cutthroat world of court politics with constant anxiety.

I am also growing rapidly, becoming more mature and intelligent.

The Blood-Clad Army started their rebellion under the banner of overthrowing the old dynasty and killing all the bloodsuckers in the world. Now that they have entered the capital, it is only natural that they want to vent their pent-up anger.

He understands.

However, is this an overcorrection?

A one-size-fits-all approach is not advisable!
This matter should be handled gradually and cautiously; how could it be done so crudely and barbarically?

Burning, killing, looting, and committing all kinds of evil.

What's the difference between these rebels and bandits now?
Conquering a country is difficult, but maintaining it is even more difficult!

My brother's actions are tantamount to ruining his future. What should he do then?
How do they manage such a vast country, and how do the people view them?

“Brother…you’ve matured…you’ve grown up…”

Opposite him stood a tall, middle-aged man.

Wang Huai finally took off his military uniform and changed into a loose robe.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but he finally came down from the army formation.

The chilling aura emanating from him seemed to dissipate somewhat.

At this moment, he sat in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the place where emperors had always worked, adapting to his new identity.

Now that he was the king, seeing Wang Liu barging in so rudely and looking so anxious, he wasn't angry. Instead, he smiled calmly and sighed softly.

In just two years, the once frail younger brother has now grown into a handsome and dignified scholar.

"Brother, that's not what I came here to tell you!"

Wang Liu shook his head and said to Wang Huai, "This matter cannot be rushed! If things continue like this, problems will arise!"

"I'll give you a list. There are some virtuous people in Yueyang City! We can't condemn them all!"

How did the Blood-Clad Army become like this?
During his time in Yueyang, Wang Huai never witnessed any changes in the Blood-Clad Army.

In his memory, the Blood-Clad Army was still that group of righteous men who rose up in rebellion and fought bravely against the enemy.

The thugs roaming the streets now... felt completely foreign to him.

These people will rise to high positions in the future because of their merits and assist Wang Huai in managing the country.

How can this work?

They are clearly different from the powerful and wealthy people of the past who oppressed the people and exploited the country.
It's just a new cycle!
Wang Liu was a clever and quick-witted person. Having spent so long in the imperial court, he had broadened his horizons.

Continuously grow and gain insights.

He could see that the Blood-Clad Army was heading towards a very dangerous future.

Wang Huai shook his head and said calmly, "Brother Liu, is taking things slowly just giving these people time to transfer their assets and escape?"

"how come?"

"The Blood-Clad Army is what it is by name. The people of Yueyang City are afraid of us, so their hypocritical actions are meaningless."

"History will never record us as a benevolent and righteous army."

“Powerful and aristocratic families draw resources from across the country to provide them with a life of luxury.”

“Every single person here lives a life of wealth and comfort, and more or less they are all connected with the powerful and wealthy. They drink the honey that seeps through their fingers, and when they die, so be it.”

Wang Liu froze, his eyes widening as he stared at Wang Huai, seemingly incredulous: "This... Brother!"

"This is utter fallacy and heresy!"

His brother isn't that kind of person!
How could... it have changed so drastically, just like the Blood-Clad Army?

Seeing the unfamiliar look in his younger brother's eyes, Wang Huai swayed and finally sighed.

He pointed to a table on the side: "Sit down, let's talk this out properly, shall we?"

Wang Liu glanced at Wang Huai, calmed down, responded, and sat down to the side.

The king's position is high, far away, and lonely.

As ambition grew unchecked, Wang Liu's gaze also saddened Wang Huai.

He didn't want to go alone, so he said softly, "Brother Liu, I'll only tell you this once we're out of this door. You'll have to keep it to yourself."

"it is good."

"We won, but there were too many people, too much food, and too many demands."

"The treasury of Chen is empty. Where will the grain and money come from?"

Despite the seemingly impressive force of a million soldiers, their logistics and reward systems were on the verge of collapse.

Standing at the highest point, Wang Huai could clearly feel the cold wind blowing in his face, making the situation increasingly dangerous.

"We have no choice but to seize it; there's no time to lose."

“Those powerful and wealthy people must die, immediately. These families are deeply rooted, and their wealth accumulated over hundreds of years is astonishing. This will become our nourishment.”

The higher your position, the more things you need to consider.

Wang Liu only saw the chaotic surface of Kyoto, but never considered the current situation of the Blood-Clad Army.

My elder brother is a king who fights on the battlefield, with a rough and untamed air about him.

Even when speaking his mind, he does so with a murderous intent and a hardened expression.

Wang Liu understood his predicament, but still said, "But it's too chaotic, brother. Didn't you see? Those soldiers are simply running amok!"

"Many innocent people have been dragged into this, and many soldiers have committed atrocities under your banner, burning, killing, looting, and committing all sorts of evil deeds!"

"If this continues, Yueyang will fall into chaos, and it will be finished!"

Wang Huai shook his head: "I know!"

He knew long ago that the Blood-Clad Army had changed its ways, and he knew long ago that many people were not obeying his orders.

Or rather, it's a case of shifting the focus and outwardly complying while inwardly opposing it.

"But they are meritorious people; they fought for us on the battlefield and made great contributions."

These ruthless bandits who plundered were also warriors who fought bravely on the battlefield.

There is no conflict between the two.

Desire fueled their bravery, but it also tempted them to indulge in pleasure and depravity.

"This……"

Is my brother trying to excuse these people?
A bandit leader who protects his underlings?

How could an emperor do such a thing?

Just as Wang Liu was about to argue, Wang Huai said, "They will be rewarded for their merits, and may even serve as officials in our court, managing the country."

"This won't do! Brother, what's the difference between them and those parasites? They only know how to kill on the battlefield!"

"What about their merits? I promised them rewards! These rewards alone would be enough to drain the entire wealth and all the official positions of the new dynasty!" "This..."

This was the first time Wang Huai had addressed himself as "朕" (zhen), the imperial title, in front of Wang Liu, which sounded both noble and aloof.

The distribution of spoils after victory is a very serious topic.

This is the first problem the Blood-Clad Army needs to face after their victory.

For some reason, Wang Liu felt that what Wang Huai said did not seem to be an explanation for those reckless soldiers, but rather... to find another reason.

Wang Liu stood there stunned for a moment, as if she had thought of something.

"When the uprising began, I made many promises to the soldiers, but now..."

As if in response, Wang Huai changed the subject: "I no longer wish to give them anything, and I do not wish for these people to remain in high positions. What do you suggest I do?"

How can I refuse to give it?

Make a mistake!

Merit should be rewarded, and mistakes should be punished.

Punishment can negate merits, and punishment can eliminate redundancies.

Those who disobey the king's orders shall be punished!

Those who commit arson, murder, looting, and bullying of the people should be punished!

Those who cheat, shirk responsibility, or commit crimes should be punished!

……

The troops and leaders who carried out the arrests on the street this time were all carefully selected by Wang Huai.

He kept his truly elite troops and loyal subordinates well-disciplined.

They were even allowed to mingle among them, stand aside, and observe and record.

Some people are destined to make mistakes and are destined to be incompetent. Those who rise to high positions with the merits of battle will only bring disaster.

Merit led them to positions unsuitable for them, and what awaited them was not great wealth and honor, but death.

After the fiercest battles, this land no longer had any suitable soil for them to live on.

After Mingchen came to see Zhang Boxing, the incident occurred.

This is something Wang Huai has been thinking about all along the way.

And all of this is the solution he has provided.

"This……"

Wang Liu was a smart man. Wang Huai didn't need to explain things clearly; a change in his emotions and a way of expressing his attitude were enough for Wang Liu to guess his brother's thoughts.

It turns out that the elder brother had known about the changes in the Blood-Clad Army all along.

It turns out that he was the only one on the first floor all along.

Wang Liu stared blankly at his elder brother, looking at this cold and indifferent king, and felt that the other party was somewhat unfamiliar.

However, this unfamiliarity is different from the impression I had just had.

His elder brother gradually ceased to resemble a righteous and courageous hero, becoming more like a cold-hearted monarch.

The cunning rabbit dies, the running dog cooks.

This thought crossed his mind.

This seems to be the inevitable path for a monarch.

Wang Liu never imagined that his brother, who was so spirited and respected by everyone when the uprising started, would eventually take such a path and make such a decision.

These soldiers were allowed to burn, kill, and plunder; they were allowed to be controlled by their desires and act recklessly.

Just as they were about to go mad, their lives were already hanging by a thread.

Their achievements were eroded by indulgence, and the sword that destroyed them fell into the hands of the king.

Let them absorb the people's resentment, and then use their lives to quell the people's hatred.

Kill all the rival powerful and wealthy families, absorb their accumulated wealth, and even plunder ordinary people, filling the national treasury with these gold, silver, and grain resources.

In the end, these weapons are discarded, the crimes are punished, the promised merits are erased, the positions that were made available for management are vacated, and some of the filth on the body is barely washed away.

This was the only dangerous strategy Wang Huai could think of that would achieve multiple benefits in one fell swoop.

He was betting that his prestige within the Bloodstained Army would be enough for him to carry out this purge.

Wang Liu swayed, and only then did he see his brother's dark circles under his eyes and his bloodshot eyes.

He knew that Wang Huai had also had a difficult time, and he regretted what he had just said.

He looked at Wang Huai and said softly, "Brother, it's too dangerous!"

"You're too anxious!"

Can a long list of crimes be erased by punishing criminals?

Will public opinion improve?
Won't our own faction become unstable due to the large-scale erasure of meritorious service and the killing of heroes?

Not everyone is a fool.

They've only just destroyed the Chen Kingdom, and they're already in such a hurry to discard it once the birds are gone?
Since you have this intention, why not calm down and gradually reduce it?

Wang Huai's idea seemed to achieve multiple goals at once, and his actions were reasonable, but in reality, he was dancing on a tightrope.

They still have many enemies, including the newly established Qianyuan, which is lurking west of the Shenjiang River in the east and poised to strike.

To the north, there are the cunning Jinglan Alliance and the fierce Beilie.

The nation is riddled with problems, beset by internal and external troubles.

If not handled carefully, this newly established and vast empire will collapse like a mountain in an instant.

"No rush, there won't be another chance."

Seeing that his younger brother seemed to finally understand him, Wang Huai licked his dry lips and smiled gently: "Brother Liu, this is also my first time being a king."

"This is the only solution I can think of."

It is a million times more difficult to do than to imagine it from thin air.

Wang Huai admitted that he has limitations.

He is not Mingchen; he doesn't have that much ease and skill, nor that high level of thinking, insight, or methods.

He could only offer this solution, a trial-and-error approach.

He was just unwilling to accept it!

Back when Mingchen was in Xiaoyao City, he expressed his pessimism about the future of the Blood-Clad Army.

Now it seems that it is indeed the case.

The nation, riddled with problems, was no longer capable of waging war to decisively defeat the new Qian Yuan dynasty and the enemy states in the north.

We must now rest and recuperate, and at the same time, we need to address our internal problems.

This road is so difficult!

But Wang Huai didn't want his fate to end there!
No matter what, even if it means embarking on the most dangerous and irreversible path.

He wanted to try them all.

He was the emperor, the supreme leader, and his heart remained unchanged. He did not believe that he could not establish a bright and clean dynasty.

"Big brother..."

"If anything happens, please tell me, and I will share the burden with you."

A monarch is not always a position of high status that everyone seeks to enjoy.

Instead, it was a heavy shackle, making it hard to breathe.

Wang Liu knew the pressure his brother was under, and he looked at him with a pang of heartache.

Wang Huai smiled nonchalantly, revealing all his emotions: "Hey, Brother Liu, now your elder brother has also entered the capital."

"Now that you've settled down, haven't you met a girl you like after all this time?"

"You're not getting any younger, it's time to settle down and start a family!"

"How about I put in a good word for you, brother?"

“As the eldest brother, you should listen to me.”

Wang Liu: ...

Sometimes, Mingchen even felt that Wang Huai might be the reincarnation of some gossipy, enthusiastic matchmaker from the village entrance.

The aloof king seemed to transform into a kind and compassionate elder brother, full of human warmth.

Perhaps in times of peace, there will be no wars or uprisings.

This guy is probably just a kind-hearted older brother who hangs around the village entrance and likes to gossip.

……

"Report!"

"Your Majesty, a report has arrived from Yueyang!"

Ji Qu, it's been more than two months since someone left.

Her Majesty the Empress seems to be becoming more and more dignified, more and more aloof, and more and more unapproachable.

He was like a machine, automatically handling government affairs once he inputted commands.

The officials in the court were all somewhat apprehensive, speaking nervously for fear of saying something that might anger His Majesty.

The secret guards delivered the intelligence, which she took and glanced at casually.

Immediately, his expression changed slightly, a rare occurrence.

With the fall of Yueyang City, the State of Chen was destroyed.

The traitor Dong Zhuo died, and his blood-stained clothes led him into the city.

The Blood-Clad Army carried out a massacre of powerful and wealthy families in Yueyang City, plunging the city into chaos.

Everything was as expected, but when I actually saw it, I couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

The city of Yueyang, where she had lived for more than twenty years, was finally breached.

The country stolen by traitors will eventually perish.

The Blood-Clad Army is truly a terrifying force.

Mingchen personally created this group of monsters.

In the future, Qian Yuan will inevitably have a war with these monsters.

The war that will determine their future.

In the end, the world has come to someone's will.

The real monster, the scheming manipulator, has transformed the world to suit his desires.

Blood-Clad Army, New Qian Yuan... Two seeds planted by someone's own hands have now grown vigorously, becoming the two towering trees that support the nation.

All those who opposed him have been lost to history.

You scoundrel! You must have gone to Yueyang City too, right?!
Judging by the time, with Mingchen's abilities, he should be able to go to the battlefield to observe the battle.

She lowered her eyes, her hand unconsciously stroking the letter, and murmured softly, "Mingchen..."

I've been away from home for so long, and I haven't even sent a message back!

You couldn't have been drawn by the sheer size of the Blood-Clad Army, or by the bravery and fearlessness of its warriors.

You turned around and went to your brother for help, didn't you?!
Xiao Xinyue knew that none of this was possible.

But for no apparent reason, these sentimental feelings of mothers and grandmothers arose.

Just then, a servant's voice came from outside the door requesting an audience.

Xiao Xinyue snapped out of her reverie, cleared her mind, and let the other person in.

Ji Wen, the Daoist overseer of the new dynasty's extraordinary cultivators, strode over, holding a jade token, and handed it to Xiao Xinyue. He bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, a monk has presented a token from the Marquis of Jing'an and requests an audience with you."

"oh?!"

Upon handling the soft jade, the dragon and phoenix patterns of the 'Jing'an' inscription are particularly prominent.

Xiao Xinyue was very familiar with it, after all, it was posted by her.

Finally hearing news of the villain she had been longing for, she unconsciously raised her eyebrows, revealing a look of joy: "Good! Summon him in!"

(End of this chapter)