There were hundreds of people. Not only were they near Xijie City, but there were many who were forcefully brought over by Zong Shou from Huanlong and the other provinces. Their expressions were all different. Some were happy, some were solemn, some were furious, some were respectful.
Even their treatment was different. Some people sat under the neatly arranged warm tents with stoves around them. Some people could only stand alone in the snow.
Renbo looked out, only to see that even further away, facing the city wall, there were rows of wooden pillars. Every twenty steps there would be one, and on it hung a corpse. There were thirty thousand corpses, both male and female. Due to the cold weather, they were all frozen. Looking out, one felt a chill seep into one's heart.
The most eye-catching person was Taoyun City lord Yue Guanyun at the front! As for the others, they should have come from those traitor cities.
On the way, he had heard that unlike when Zong Shou attacked Huanlong, Tianfang, and Xiping provinces, he was merciful to those who surrendered or were forced to surrender.
His methods towards those traitor cities were really cruel!
He pretty much didn't accept anyone who surrendered. Below the city lord, including their trusted subordinates, were all killed. Even their families were nearly wiped out.
Renbo couldn't bear to do that, but he knew that Zong Shou's actions weren't wrong.
However, he sensitively noticed that most of the people on the wooden racks were above sixteen.
Renbo smiled and retracted his gaze, "The ruler is treating these city lords a little too harshly? I remember that when the late ruler was here, although on the surface he treated them like brothers and wouldn't hurt their faces. However, in the dark, there was a difference between close and distant relationships. Those close to loyal subjects would be given more benefits. Rewards and punishments were clear, naturally one could pull them over and divide them … "
"Is that so?"
Zong Shou instantly knew that as compared to Zong Weiran, his methods were inferior.
However, he really didn't understand the way of the ruler. Although he had spent a period of time in the business world, he only had two or three people under him. Just as he saw the light of rising up, he was suppressed.
However, Zong Shou didn't care. Anyways, he didn't care about these people. He did not have the time or energy to play such tricks. It was better to be more direct.
He went straight to the point, "Prime Minister, you came all the way here. Is there an outcome to the matter of Rainbow City? How was my harvest this time? "
"Based on the 5% we agreed on, ruler's gains are 2 million grade 4 beast crystals! However, this doesn't include the beast crystals in the two Qiankun bags. "
Renbo didn't hesitate, passing over the few beast skins in his hand, "This is the list, as well as the approximate number of beast crystals we should use. Based on what the ruler said, this is the budget."
Before the fleet set sail that day, he had never imagined that the rewards from this cloud sea hunt would be so great. If he had known earlier, he would have suppressed it a little more.
Zong Shou's lips twitched. This Ren Bo really wanted to take money from his pocket. He was really a treacherous minister.
"Prime Minister, why didn't you include the additional investment of the 800 Elemental Destroying Crossbows that I bought on Psychic Island?"
Ren Bo smiled faintly and didn't answer. Zong Shou held his breath. Facing this old minister, this was the first time he felt like he had lost. He skipped past this matter and looked at the budget that Renbo made in his hand.
The first thing that jumped into his eyes was the 'loan' from him, which had been cut by a full 50%. The reason was that Gantian Mountain's current finances were enough to support it.
Zong Shou's eyelids jumped. He resisted the urge to fire Renbo and continued to look.
Following which he said in deep thought, "Prime Minister's budget is a little weird! Based on this calculation, most of the beast crystals and soul stones will fall into the hands of the cultivators and spirit masters in the city. "
Renbo bowed slightly when he heard that, "That's right! I have thought about it. If too many beast crystals and soul stones enter the market, it will depreciate and cause the wealth of the people to shrink. Which is why I have thought about it. It is best to use up these things as soon as possible. "
Zong Shou's eyes lit up. The anger from before instantly disappeared by 90%. In this era, there weren't many people who knew that too much currency would cause the wealth of the people to depreciate.
Although he was unhappy with how stingy Renbo was, it could still be used. Looking carefully, that Tiegang Hall was already half built.
"Very good, this is really desolate!"
Just as he said that, Zong Shou saw a group of cavalry galloping over. The one at the head was Zong Yuan. He got off his horse and bowed, "Ruler, that Xie Rong isn't willing to surrender!"
Zong Shou's brows furrowed, showing a cold intent, "Did I say that I would let them have children under 16?"
Seeing Zong Yuan keep silent, Zong Shou understood. He scoffed coldly, "Since he wants to die with the city, then let's fulfill his wish. Push those Elemental Destroying Crossbows out."
Renbo's expression changed slightly as he looked at the front of the army. Only to see hundreds of Elemental Destroying Crossbows being pushed out, pointing towards Xijie City. Those 200 thousand people cheered out!
Renbo knew that Zong Shou had been carrying the Elemental Destroying Crossbows in his Heaven and Earth bag to follow the army to battle. However, he didn't use it many times to sweep 3 provinces and crush the army. Most of it was in the wilderness. The Elemental Destroying Crossbows were inconvenient to fire and difficult to set up. The consumption was huge, so he didn't use it many times.
It seemed like in the end, Zong Shou was planning to use it here to threaten the other cities.
However, when he thought about the 800 grade 6 beast crystals needed to be used up, it was close to a third of his previous income. Renbo felt his heart hurt, "Ruler, although these Elemental Destroying Crossbows are good, it consumes too much. It is best to use them less in the future. "
Zong Shou glanced at him and then shook his head, "I feel that the lives of my subjects are better than these dead things. Xie Rong is already prepared to die, there is no need to fight to the death with them … "
The moment he said that, the many guards around the carriage were all moved, their faces flushed red with excitement. They only felt that they were willing to follow such a master even if they died in battle.
Renbo was startled, following which he smiled in praise as he looked into the distance. In just a moment, those 800 Elemental Destroying Crossbows entered the energy storing process.
However, in the next moment, the city gates suddenly opened. With Xie Rong at the lead, a bunch of Xijie City generals walked out of the city gates with ashen white faces.
Hu Zhongyuan laughed coldly, leading the cavalry to gallop over. In just a moment. He forcefully dragged them to kneel in front of the hill.
Then, Chai Zhou rode his horse and held his axe in front of Xie Rong, asking coldly, "Do you remember what you said when we were on Psychic Island?"
Xie Rong's face was green and he didn't say a word. Chai Zhou wasn't annoyed.
"You said that the ruler was young and useless and couldn't convince all of you. You also didn't believe that the ruler could bring all of you to hunt under the cloud ocean. This was why when Yue Guanyun summoned all of you, you had to go. To be able to join Taoyun City. It was the fortune of your life … "
As he said that, Chai Zhou's face was filled with a cold smile, "Then what about now? Are you willing to say those words once more? "
Xie Rong kept silent. As for what happened now, he didn't need to reply.
Under the sea of clouds, four thousand Cloud Ships were defeated and sunk into the sand. Gantian Mountain, which he didn't have high hopes for, returned with a full load. Even Yue Guanyun's body was split into two, dying in a tragic manner.
Out of the 4 provinces under him, only 1 was left, barely surviving.
Actually, 20 days ago, he regretted it. If he knew that this would happen, why did he do what he did?
At that time, he went through so much trouble to finally escape. Actually, he did have thoughts of giving up and wanted to abandon the city and flee. However, in the end, he was lucky and got the upper hand. When he noticed that the situation wasn't good, Zong Shou swept into Huanlong 3 provinces. When he really wanted to flee, he had nowhere to go.
Just as a sigh came out of his mouth, Xie Rong saw a bright Axe Light flashing. He instantly felt an ice cold intent on his neck. In the next instance, his head was tossed high into the air. His vision rolled until he couldn't see anything.
At this moment, Zong Shou abandoned the luxurious carriage, riding a grade 4 war horse to the front of the hill.
Looking on as Xie Rong and the generals of Xijie City were beheaded one by one.
Zong Shou's eyelids trembled, turning around and looking at the various city lords behind him.
"Have you all seen the situation here clearly?"
At this moment, the people who were in the warm tent all walked out. No matter if it was new or old, they all stood respectfully in the cold and wet mud.
Be it people who were shocked, respectful, unhappy, or afraid, they all held their breaths. In front of Zong Shou, they didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
"… I am different from my father. Father treats all of you too well, like brothers and legs. Zong Shou doesn't have so much patience. Today, I will use the heavens as a witness to tell all of you. If any of your cities dare to have any thoughts of betrayal, Zong Shou will slaughter your city and wipe out your country! Before I say this, don't say that I didn't warn you … "
After he finished, he laughed. He didn't return to the carriage, riding his horse and leaving.
He directly tossed aside the 200 thousand Gantian Mountain elites outside of the city and didn't bother about them. Only Zong Yuan was able to form up a 20 thousand cavalry army and chase after them.
Dust and smoke rose into the air. Only after a long time did the hill regain its silence.
Until Zong Shou and the elite cavalry left, there were no more Gantian Mountain people on the hill. Only then did everyone raise their heads. First, they exchanged complicated glances with one another. Then, they all left in groups of three to five, discussing along the way.
Most of them were split into two groups. One was the city and country lords under Gantian Mountain. They were all really relaxed. Although they were shocked by the destruction of Xijie City and felt sad for it, they were all with Gantian Mountain. However, they were all connected to Gantian Mountain, so they didn't care much about it. Instead, they were happy about it.
Cong Huanlong, Tianfang, and Xiping provinces were another group. Their faces were slightly ashen white.
A middle-aged man with a thin face was amongst them. He was around seven and a half feet tall, with a long sword by his waist and scholarly attire around him.
There were many familiar people around who knew that he was Tianfang Province's Yuanlong City city lord Zi Donglai. They all gathered around him.
Zi Donglai didn't bother about them, only looking in the direction that Zong Shou left in. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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