inspire-indiana Chapter 978 Pardon and Death by a Scale
Chapter 978 Pardon and Death by a Scale
Presenting prisoners could have been done in ways that were extremely humiliating, such as performing a "sheep-leading ceremony" where the prisoners were made to wear sheepskin coats and crawl like livestock.
In this way, the absolute authority of the victor is demonstrated through the humiliation inflicted on the prisoners.
But Li Che did not do that.
Why?
It all comes down to those two words: compatriots!
No matter what the Southern Army did, they were ultimately citizens of Daqing.
This civil war, which pitted the North against the South, was ultimately a self-destructive conflict within the nation, a tragedy of fratricide.
Li Che never believed that he could enhance his imperial power by humiliating his compatriots who had chosen the wrong path.
The imperial authority built on fear and humiliation is too cheap and too fragile.
Amidst deafening cheers of "Long live the Emperor!", Li Che slowly descended the high city wall and arrived in front of the row of prison carts.
When Emperor Wenchu, who was in the prison cart, saw the figure in the black robe, he shrank back guiltily, wishing he could hide in the shadows.
He was terrified of his sixth brother.
This fear, stemming from the depths of his bloodline, had been planted deep in his heart like a seed since Li Che's powerful return from Fengguo a few years ago. Now it had grown into a towering tree, suffocating him.
Now, seeing Li Che dressed in a dragon robe, Emperor Wenchu felt even more terrified, and for a moment felt that the person in front of him looked exactly like his father.
This sixth brother was as ruthless as his father, but even more decisive and efficient.
Compared to Emperor Wenchu, the other person present had a much deeper fear of Li Che.
Qin Hui can be considered the villain who is consistent throughout Li Che's journey.
From the moment Li Che transmigrated, the two were completely at odds because of the slave trade by aristocratic families.
Later on, Qin Huizhi spared no effort in tripping up Li Che and hindering Fengguo at every turn, making him a true villain.
Since the rise of Feng State, Qin Huizhi has hardly had a good night's sleep.
He was often awakened by nightmares in which the sixth prince, whom everyone despised, wore a dragon robe and stared at him with icy eyes, as if he were looking at a dead man.
The fear that followed his awakening was even deeper, driving him to target Li Che with even greater ruthlessness, until he plunged his entire family and himself into an abyss of no return.
Now, the nightmare has come true.
Li Che stood silently, with prisoners of war in front of him who were avoiding eye contact, and naval officers and soldiers with fanatical gazes beside him.
All around them were the people of the capital who kept shouting, "Execute them!"
The noise was deafening, and various intense emotions clashed and intertwined, yet the atmosphere still reached its peak.
Li Che closed his eyes slightly, his thoughts churning like a surging tide.
After a moment, he slowly raised his right hand.
The surrounding commotion did not stop immediately, and the people remained agitated.
At this moment, the imperial guards standing watch on the side moved.
They raised their spears in unison and slammed the butts of their spears heavily into the ground.
Boom!Boom!Boom!
The dull yet rhythmic tapping sound, like war drums or thunder, instantly drowned out all the noise.
As the knocking began, the people gradually quieted down, and tens of thousands of eyes focused solely on the emperor.
Li Che took a deep breath, and his voice carried clearly: "I knew long ago that Daqing would win this battle."
"Therefore, I have already considered how to deal with you."
He paused, seemingly chatting casually with the people:
"Should we follow the example of the late emperor and drive all these rebels to the barren borderlands, just like Fengguo was back then?"
"History has proven that such methods are futile." Li Che shook his head slightly. "The more difficult their lives became, the more profound their hatred for the court grew."
"Hatred will not disappear; it will only fester in the shadows and one day cause even greater disaster."
"If we follow the Daqing Code and punish them for the serious crime of treason, then all the traitors will be executed?" Li Che changed the subject and looked at the surrounding people: "On the surface, the majesty of the court is displayed and the world is at peace."
"However, the number of people instigated and coerced by the powerful families is far more than just hundreds or thousands. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were involved in the rebellion, and they were also citizens of Daqing."
"Does Your Majesty truly wish to slaughter hundreds of thousands of people, leaving Daqing virtually empty?"
He sighed, a sigh that weighed heavily on everyone's hearts.
"Therefore, I have made a decision... to pardon them and allow these lost souls to return to Daqing!"
wow——
The people were immediately in an uproar, and countless people stared wide-eyed at their emperor in disbelief.
They didn’t understand the complex causes and effects behind the war, but they knew that the prisoners in the prison van were rebels, the enemy!
They are the culprits who caused turmoil in the world and led to the deaths of the soldiers of Daqing.
In their minds, the natural ending of a story is for the bad guys to be brought to justice and the good guys to win.
But now, His Majesty is saying he wants to... grant a pardon?
In stark contrast to the astonished civilians were the prisoners of war in the prison van.
Upon hearing the emperor utter the word "pardon," the prisoners of war burst into tears.
Many people who thought they were doomed saw a glimmer of light in the darkness.
Who wants to die when they can live? Especially those who have committed many evil deeds and brought pain to others, they will be even more afraid of death and the pain of death finding them.
The prisoners of war were so excited that they banged their heads on the ground and shouted at the top of their lungs:
"His Majesty is benevolent! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
However, they were unaware of a fundamental truth of the universe: extreme joy begets sorrow.
Li Che's gaze suddenly turned cold as he slowly swept over the ecstatic faces.
"However, not everyone deserves my forgiveness!"
"Those soldiers, officials, and generals who were coerced into participating in the rebellion, I can pardon their crimes and allow them to return to the rule of the king."
"But those powerful family leaders who directly plotted rebellion, framed loyal officials, and murdered the late emperor are truly heinous criminals, deserving of the utmost punishment!"
"You will all be severely punished and pay the price for your actions, so as to uphold the law and comfort the wronged souls!"
Upon hearing Li Che's words, the joyful exclamation was abruptly cut off as if by an invisible hand.
The people in the square held their breath instantly.
Qin Huizhi finally raised his head and met Li Che's cold gaze. Instead of fear, his face revealed a maniacal smile.
He glanced around at his stunned accomplices from the aristocratic families, then burst into a shrill laugh:
"Hahaha! What are you thinking? What are you hoping for? How could he possibly spare us?!"
"Who is he? He is Prince Feng! A madman who dared to raise a butcher's knife against the aristocratic families as soon as he was enfeoffed!"
"Do you really think that the madman who became emperor will suddenly turn into a compassionate and benevolent old man?!"
"Hahahaha... Foolish! Utterly foolish! Hahahaha!"
Li Che watched Qin Huizhi's manic performance with indifference, as if he were watching a farce.
After his laughter subsided, he slowly spoke: "The heads of various aristocratic families who participated in the rebellion, such as Qin Huizhi, are all heinous masterminds."
Li Che paused slightly, then delivered a verdict that sent chills down the spines of those around him:
"He shall be executed by slow slicing! His entire clan shall be exterminated!"