The war against the Tang Empire began with a conspiracy in Chengjing City of the Yan Kingdom, but the real turning point was in Qinghe County. The rebellion of the warlords in Qinghe County led to the destruction of the Tang navy and the lake in the Great Swamp was dyed red. After that, the West-Hill Divine Palace Coalition Army invaded the north and the Southern Army could not help in time. If the disciples of the Academy had not paid a heavy price to defend the Verdant Canyon, the Tang Empire would have been destroyed.
This was the first rebellion since the founding of the Tang Empire. According to the news afterward, the scene was extremely bloody and tragic. Therefore, compared to the powerful West-Hill Divine Palace and the Golden Palace, the warlords in Qinghe County were the targets of the Tang army's anger.
The warlords in Qinghe County still followed the old rules. In order to gain Li Yu's trust and ensure the suddenness of the rebellion, they left hundreds of their clansmen in Chang 'an City as hostages. Many of these clansmen were important figures in the warlords. When the news of the rebellion reached Chang' an City, these people naturally became the top priority of the Tang Empire's surveillance. The people in the guild hall had tried to escape and almost succeeded. In the end, they were captured by the ugly prefectural magistrate of Chang 'an City, Shangguan Yangyu. From then on, they could not step out of the guild hall.
There were two different opinions on how to deal with the descendants of the warlords in Qinghe County. One faction thought that they should be killed as quickly and cruelly as possible. Only then could they intimidate the rebel army in Qinghe County. At the same time, they could offer sacrifices to the spirits of the Tang Navy and hundreds of martyred officials. The other faction thought that if they wanted to intimidate the rebel army in Qinghe County and restrain the warlords, they should control the descendants of the warlords and use them as bargaining chips.
With the arrival of the West-Hill Divine Palace's diplomatic corps, especially with the sudden change in the situation, the agreement between the two sides was about to be signed. Whichever faction's opinion was no longer important. The Tang officials could only watch as these people were taken out of the guild hall and sent back to Qinghe County. No matter how unwilling they were, they could only remain silent.
At this moment, Ning Que walked into the Qinghe County Guild Hall. He was greeted by a middle-aged official. He wore a Tang official uniform but did not wear a crown. He had straight eyes and looked dignified.
"Greetings, Mr. Thirteen," the middle-aged official said calmly and politely.
Ning Que said, "Since you don't admit that you are a Tang, why are you still wearing our official uniform?"
The middle-aged official's name was Cui Yuan. He was the second son of the Old Master of the Cui Family in Qinghe County. He had been an official in Chang 'an for many years. Before the war, he had held a noble position in the Ministry of Rites.
Although the Clear River County Guild Hall was under the strictest surveillance, the imperial court didn't deliberately humiliate the descendants of the major clans. They were provided with their daily necessities as usual, but there was no such thing as casual clothes when there were hundreds of people living in the guild hall. That was why Cui Yuan always wore his old official robes.
Cui Yuan's smile was somewhat bitter as he said, "I am an official of the Tang Empire. The elders in my clan were foolish and muddle-headed, and dared to have thoughts of betrayal. This has nothing to do with me."
Ordinary people might have some considerations because of these words, but not Ning Que. He didn't care whether Cui Yuan's current attitude was sincere or not. All he knew was that this person was Old Master Cui's second son and an important character among the clans.
He said, "I heard that Old Master Cui has a few beloved grandsons who are also in the guild hall?"
Cui Yuan looked at his expression and knew that there was no need to hide anything in front of Mr. Thirteen. He bowed deeply and sighed, saying, "Please calm down, sir."
Ning Que said, "Calming down is like being careful. It is very difficult. Moreover, the Tangs have always thought that Qinghe County belongs to us. The rebellion of the clans is like stabbing us in the back. Do you think that under such circumstances, the people living in this city will still welcome you with a smile? "
Cui Yuan's expression was a little ugly as he said, "The clans have been scholars for thousands of years. They have a longer history than Chang 'an. Now, they just want to return to thousands of years ago. They really don't dare to call themselves rebels."
Ning Que said, "That makes sense. I know what you are worried about. Otherwise, with the conduct of the clans, even if I am trapped here and an unwelcome guest, I would still have a cup of tea. "
Cui Yuan said with a bitter smile, "Who doesn't fear death? I am overly worried, sir. Please forgive me. "
Ning Que said, "Even though I cannot calm down, I have to tell you something unwillingly today. The West-Hill Divine Palace wants to protect the lives of hundreds of you."
When he said this, he had been paying attention to the expression on Cui Yuan's face. He saw that Cui Yuan was still calm after hearing the news, but there was a hint of joy in his eyes.
This was exactly what he wanted to see.
Cui Yuan bowed deeply to him again and said with a trembling voice, "Even though I know how angry you are, I am still very grateful. When I return to Qinghe County, I will definitely restrain my clansmen and be on good terms with the Tang Empire."
Ning Que admired this person's performance. He thought that the clans of Qinghe County were indeed rich. Even a man who was sent to the capital as a hostage could still perform extremely well under such circumstances. He did not reveal any words or aura that might make the Tangs unhappy or angry.
He said, "I don't understand the intentions of the West-Hill Divine Palace."
Cui Yuan thought to himself, how could you not know? You are asking this question just to hear me out. He said bitterly, "If we cannot protect Qinghe County, who in the world would dare to trust the Divine Hall?"
"That makes sense."
Ning Que said thoughtfully, "The reason is not about the loudness, but the strength of the fist. The Divine Hall's fist is bigger now, so they are more reasonable."
Cui Yuan said harmoniously, "The Academy is only temporarily leading the way. Why are you so modest?"
"I have never liked to be modest. Even in the world, the fist of Haotian Taoism is bigger now. But in Chang 'an, the fist of the Academy is definitely bigger. So I have decided to be reasonable first."
Ning Que looked at him and said, "You said that if we cannot protect Qinghe County, who in the world would dare to trust the Divine Hall? This is very reasonable. So why don't I kill you?"
Cui Yuan frowned in confusion. If you want to kill us, why do you have to say so much?
Ning Que said, "The clans of Qinghe County may really be able to recreate the glory of a thousand years ago. Unfortunately, you and the people in the guild hall probably won't have the chance to see it."
Hearing this, Cui Yuan's expression changed dramatically. He said in a low voice, "What do you mean? Could it be that what you said before was false? Does the West-Hill Divine Palace not have such a request? "
"The West-Hill Divine Palace does want you to live to prove the greatness of Haotian."
Ning Que looked at him and said, "The problem is that Qinghe County has killed more than three hundred officials of the Tang Empire. More than a thousand people from the navy to the auxiliary soldiers have died. More than a thousand people are still doing hard labor in the Coal Mountain downstream of the Fuchun River. Compared to the greatness of Haotian, I think these are more important."
Cui Yuan understood what he meant. His body trembled uncontrollably. He shouted angrily, "Mr. Thirteen, do you want to ruin the peace talks? Do you not want the Divine Hall to sign the peace treaty? "
"Under the rule of the Tang Empire, the clans of Qinghe County have not been dogs for a whole thousand years. It has been too long. You seem to have forgotten what dogs do. You have forgotten the consciousness of being dogs."
Ning Que said, "You do have to look at the owner before you beat the dog. The owner will definitely want to protect his own dog. But if I really kill all of you, what can your owner do? At most, I will pay some money. Do you expect me to pay with my life? The life of a dog is cheap after all. It will never be as valuable as a human life. Since the day Qinghe County rebelled, you have become the dogs of the West-Hill Divine Palace. Your life is worthless. "
Cui Yuan stared at him and shouted sternly, "If you want to kill us, just come. We have been waiting in the guild hall for so many days. We never thought that we would be able to leave alive. Even those children are prepared to die. Why do you have to humiliate us with those words? Is this how the Tangs do things? "
"I know that you are prepared to die. I told you the Divine Hall's request earlier not to humiliate you, but to hope that you can have hope again. Hope is so beautiful. The despair that follows is so painful, just like the soldiers who died in the hands of the clans."
Ning Que said, "This is indeed not the style of the Tang army and people. But I have always been an atypical Tang. In order to return pain to my enemies, I can do many things. I will be very patient. You will be the first to experience it, but you will not be the last."
Cui Yuan's face was extremely pale. When he heard that the West-Hill Divine Palace had asked the Tang Empire to send hundreds of his clansmen back to Qinghe County, there was a flash of joy in his eyes. But that joy had long disappeared. He could not see any hope. There was no calmness left, only despair.
"I vaguely heard some suppressed cheers earlier. I think our conversation must have spread throughout the guild hall. Thinking that those cheers will soon turn into cries of pain, I feel happy both physically and mentally."
After saying this, Ning Que pulled out his podao and moved forward.
With a soft sound, the sharp and heavy blade slowly pierced through Cui Yuan's abdomen.
Ning Que began to pull out the knife. His movements were very slow and gentle, so Cui Yuan was in great pain.
Cui Yuan covered his bleeding abdomen and slowly sat down on a chair. His face was pale and his chest was heaving. He seemed to be in great pain, but he could not die immediately.
Ning Que carried his knife and walked to the entrance of the Qinghe County Guild Hall.
The disciples of the Yulin Royal Guards and the Fish-dragon Gang's Hall of Discipline had already surrounded the Qinghe County Guild Hall.
Ning Que ordered, "Kill those wearing the Tang Empire's official robes slowly. Also, don't forget to take off your robes when you collect the corpses. Kill those under 14 years of age quickly."
"Yes, sir."
The Yulin Royal Guards and the Fish-dragon Gang responded in unison and walked past him with murderous intent.
In the guild hall, a young man from Qinghe County ran down the stairs and hugged Cui Yuan's dying body in the chair. Tears streamed down his face as he cried, "Father!"
A man from the Fish-dragon Gang chopped him down in a pool of blood.
The massacre in the Qinghe County Guild Hall had officially begun. There were dead people everywhere, and blood was flowing everywhere. The sound of the blade cutting into flesh and the miserable cries drifted far away along with the spring rain.
Ning Que carried his podao and stood at the threshold of the Qinghe County Guild Hall, watching the lingering spring rain.
The rain on his clothes had already dried, but there was a lot of fresh blood on them.
Whether it was the Yulin Royal Guards or the Fish-dragon Gang, they were hesitant to kill some special targets. Ning Que did not give them time to hesitate and chose to let his iron knife be stained with blood.
He did not wipe the blood, because it would probably not be clean no matter how hard he tried.
…
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(Continue writing. Try to update the second chapter before 12: 30.) (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian.Com to vote for me. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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