The Prodigal Son

The chaos in Yunhuai County lasted all night.

The historian's assassins did not storm the prefectural governor's prison to kidnap people as they had expected.

The fires in the city were not extinguished until dawn.

Many parts of Yunhuai County were severely damaged, but fortunately Qin Yu made prior arrangements, so important places such as granaries and salt warehouses were not damaged.

However, the fire destroyed nearly 20% of Yunhuai County.

Many workshops in the city were burned to the ground in the fire, and many civilians were burned to death or injured. Many others were trampled or killed in the chaos, and some were even killed in unidentified attacks during the chaos.

Some of the county soldiers, who had close ties with the historians, caused even greater chaos. Fortunately, the people of the Baojing Division had already secretly taken control of several key generals of the county soldiers. Although those soldiers were willing to rebel, they lacked organization and were quickly suppressed.

The people of Baojing Division killed over a hundred people who were plotting against them and arrested many others.

After interrogation, it was found that these people were not Shi family's henchmen, but mostly people who had close ties with Shi family.

Some were people who had received favors from the Shi family, some were members of the collateral branches of the Shi family, some were minor officials who had long been bribed by the Shi family, and some were people who had some kinship ties with the Shi family.

The historian who plotted to murder the crown prince would certainly face the execution of his entire clan.

A very small number of people wanted to take advantage of the chaos to rescue the Shi family; most wanted to create chaos and escape from the already sealed-off Yunhuai County in order to have a chance to survive.

Qin Yu couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed by this result.

It wasn't done by the historian's assassins!

He wasn't afraid of the Shi family's assassins!

The fact that those suicide soldiers didn't move was the most unsettling thing!

Xu Wan said worriedly, "We still need to be careful! According to the information we have, almost half of the people in Yunhuai County have some connection with the Shi family. If the impact is too wide, this could affect tens of thousands of people..."

The Shi family has been operating in Yunhuai for far too long!

Historians have extended their reach into every trade and profession in Yunhuai.

The Shi family is not limited to just Shi Yi and Shi Wang.

There are also various uncles, cousins, and other relatives.

These people built up the Shi family's vast power in Yunhuai and even the entire Ningzhou.

Once these people are driven to a dead end, they will have no choice but to fight to the death.

Although the imperial court is not afraid of these people risking their lives, if the situation escalates, more people will inevitably be implicated.

Who knows how many people will die in that time.

Of these people, only a minority truly deserve to die; the majority are innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.

"We definitely need to tone it down a bit."

Zeng Guan nodded in agreement. "We need to de-escalate this situation and keep it under control! If we let it escalate, the scope of the problem will expand indefinitely, and eventually, everyone in Yunhuai might be wiped out!"

"Yes, that's true."

Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Alright, let's post notices throughout the city, saying..."

As Qin Yu was speaking, Qin Xiong strode over and said in a deep voice, "I just received news from Shen Jue's men that the Shi family's assassins intended to sabotage the Grand Canal's sluice gates. Although Shen Jue's men intercepted them in time and killed dozens, the enemy scuttled several large ships, blocking the canal!"

Upon hearing Nan Que'er's words, a cold glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes.

Moved!

The historian's assassins have finally made their move!

However, it seems that this group of assassins is moving in the direction he fears most!

If these suicide bombers have no intention of saving people and are only interested in causing destruction, then it will indeed be a bit tricky.

"Someone come here!"

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, then stood up with a frosty expression. "Order Yuan Dingguo to immediately dispatch eight thousand troops into Yunhuai!"

If they don't want to save people, then put some pressure on them!

Let's see if they really want to save people!

If they don't act now, once their main force arrives, they won't even have a chance to make a move!

Once the main force arrives, it will be easier to conduct a search and capture operation throughout Yunhuai!

"yes!"

The messenger immediately obeyed and left.

Qin Yu turned to Zeng Guan: "Tie Shi Yi's three sons to the city wall and torture them in every way possible, as long as they don't die! Then shout from the city wall that if any of Shi family's loyal followers come forward to surrender, they can be spared torture! I want to see just how loyal those loyal followers of the Shi family really are!"

"good!"

Zeng nodded in agreement, his face also filled with intense anger.

The Grand Canal is the most important waterway for transporting grain between the north and south of Daning.

The blockage of the Grand Canal will severely impact freight transport between the north and south.

These assassins of the Shi family are exactly like the Shi family themselves!

frenzied!

After a moment's thought, Qin Yu instructed Zeng Guan, "After tying the men to the city wall, place several skilled assassins adept at concealment and tracking around the area!"

"Are you trying to lure the snake out of its hole?"

Zeng Guan immediately realized what was happening.

"right!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Their young master is being tortured on the city wall. Even if they don't come to his aid, shouldn't they at least check on him? If their people show up, they might be tracked down by our people!"

Zeng Guan lowered his head and pondered for a moment, "If we're talking about those who are most skilled at concealment and tracking, it should be the two who are secretly protecting you. Why don't you ask them to take action?"

Although there are skilled concealment and tracking personnel within the Treasure Mirror Division, they are far inferior to those who secretly protect Qin Yu.

This matter is of great importance; it would be more prudent to ask that person to handle it.

Qin Yu shook his head and said, "I have other plans for those two!"

"Alright!"

Zeng Guan didn't say much, "Then I'll go over there and keep an eye on things myself!"

"Um!"

Qin Yu nodded slightly and then gave the order: "Post notices to tell the people in the city that the Shi family plotted to murder the Crown Prince, a crime that cannot be forgiven!"

"However, the imperial court is infinitely benevolent; those who have no kinship with the Shi family and did not participate in the plot to murder the Crown Prince will not be investigated! Anyone who dares to cause trouble again will be punished as an accomplice of the Shi family!"

"Anyone who reports or provides clues about the historian's assassins will be rewarded with two hundred taels of silver for each one apprehended!"

"Those historians who were not involved in the plot to assassinate the Crown Prince, and who voluntarily surrender themselves and assist the court in capturing the assassins, will be pardoned and richly rewarded!"

……

That day, Shi Yi's three sons were tied to wooden stakes on the city wall by Guo Yang's men.

Under Guo Yang's instructions, the three were well taken care of.

Plucking fingernails, sticking bamboo skewers into hands, piercing hands with nails, sawing off legs with a wooden saw, smearing testicles with honey to attract ants to bite...

Various forms of torture were used in turn.

"what……"

Shi Yi's three sons had their jaws dislocated, and their heart-wrenching screams echoed continuously from the city walls.

"Scholars of the Shi family, come forward immediately to surrender! They will be spared torture!"

"Didn't you want to repay the Shi family's kindness? Now is the time for you to do so!"

"Are all historians who died for their principles ungrateful traitors?"

"If you're supposed to be a suicide squad member, but you don't even dare to die, you're nothing but trash..."

On the city wall, there were people shouting loudly.

Below the city wall, the passing people trembled with fear and quickened their pace, afraid that if they looked any longer, they would be tied to the city wall in the same way and suffer inhuman torture.

Mo Wu and Lou Renchong were on a pavilion not far from the city wall. Through the cracks in the window, they could see the entire process of Guo Yang's men torturing the three of them.

The agonizing screams and shouts were like demonic sounds, pouring into their ears that they couldn't shake off.

Lou Renchong reluctantly withdrew his gaze, his face filled with grief and indignation as he looked at Mo Wu: "Fifth Master, let's see the three young masters off on their way!"

It's definitely impossible to get them to surrender!

But if you rush out to save someone rashly, you'll most likely get yourself killed.

But he really didn't want to see the young master suffer such inhuman torment.

Although he had never personally experienced those tortures, he could imagine how painful they would be.

They can't just surrender, and they can't save these three people, so let's send them on their way and give them a quick death!

Mo Wu's eyes were bloodshot, his fists were clenched tightly, and his teeth were grinding together.

He has been eating the Shi family's food since he was a child.

Later, the Shi family hired experts at great expense to teach them martial arts and provided them with good food and drink.

As long as they wish, they can have beautiful women accompanying them at any time after completing their martial arts training.

The old master of the Shi family, Shi Dingyuan, even personally washed their feet!

Their lives already belonged to the historians.

He was already content that he had survived that terrible battle and lived for another eight years.

As a suicide squad member, he was never afraid of death!

He feared only a meaningless death!

Although he still had about a thousand men under his command, he knew in his heart that it was impossible to rescue the Shi family from Qin Yu with these men!

He had only one thought!

We'll risk all their lives to save even one person!

Let's leave a spark for historians!

These people are deeply indebted to the historians; without them, many of them would have died long ago!

Now it's time for them to pay their dues!

After hesitating for a long time, Mo Wu finally shook his head slightly: "There are definitely experts hiding in the shadows over there. We won't have a chance to make a move! Let's leave here first and then discuss this further!"