Xue Rui had a list of officials that he thought could be reused. There were more than a hundred of them. He did not waste time trying to persuade them one by one. Instead, he divided them into three groups and brought them to the court of the Supreme Court.
The first group of people did not have high positions. Disregarding their abilities, the Ministry of Appointments had recorded excellent results every year. They could be considered as an influential force in the court. The dozens of people were shackled to the court. Their faces were covered in dust and their hearts were filled with fear. They were afraid that their death was near. They looked up at the sky and saw a lone armchair in the middle of the court. On it sat a man wearing a tight robe and soft armor. He had a white feather crown on his head. His skin was the color of bronze and his eyes were bright. He looked like a heavenly soldier who had descended to the mortal world.
Everyone's hearts were in their throats. Some of them felt that the noble from the Yan Kingdom looked familiar, but they couldn't remember who he looked like. They saw the burly general who was standing at the side take a step forward and say in a tiger's voice,
"You sinners! The person in the court is Prince of Changping of the Yan Kingdom. Kneel down and kowtow!"
His voice was like a lion's roar. The officials were frightened. Some of them knelt down immediately. Some of them had a backbone and did not make a sound.
Xue Rui glanced at their faces and gestured for Sha Liao to step aside. He said, "Since ancient times, the winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. The previous Emperor was incompetent. He could not defend against foreign enemies and abandoned his loyal subjects. He disobeyed the teachings of the ancestors and did not care about the people. It is Heaven's will that the Yan Kingdom will replace him. "
He paused for a moment and changed his sitting position. He leaned forward and said, "However, my Lord is broad-minded and tolerant. Although you captured Emperor Chong Zhen alive, you spared his life. This is the grace of not killing him. As for you sinners, if you want to keep your lives, the only way is to abandon the darkness and join the light. "
As soon as he finished, everyone's expression changed. Although some of them were tempted, no one made a sound. Firstly, they did not want to be known as a coward. Secondly, they were afraid that this was a test. No one wanted to be the first to stand out.
"Everyone, don't listen to this scoundrel's lies!" Surprisingly, there was also a donkey who was not afraid of death. He stretched out his head to take the birdshot and shouted with a red face and neck, "Prince of Dongjing is treacherous and heinous. He plotted to usurp the throne and everyone has the right to punish him. What do you mean by forsaking the dark for the light? I think you are clearly trying to frame me for being disloyal and unjust. I, Chai, would rather die than surrender. If you have the ability, then kill me.
Xue Rui sized him up and asked, "Are you not afraid of death?"
That person raised his head. "What is there to be afraid of!"
"What courage." Xue Rui praised him indifferently, and before this person could reveal a complacent expression and speak a few more ruthless words, Xue Rui lightly waved his hand and ordered. "Drag him out and behead him in public."
Then, everyone saw that Chai, who was acting righteously just a moment ago, was grabbed by the neck by the soldiers. He could not struggle and was dragged out like a dead dog. Just outside the court, a knife was raised and blood spurted out like a fountain. The fresh head rolled on the ground and the remaining half of the body twitched a few times before it stopped moving.
This scene happened too fast, so fast that no one could react in time. The few officials standing near the door were sprayed with blood and fell to the ground, shaking like a sieve. Looking at the headless corpse on the ground, it was as if they had seen their own deaths. Some of them even beat their chests and vomited on the spot, spitting out a puddle of filth, and a strong stench filled the air.
"Who else wants to die? Come out now and I will fulfill your wish." Xue Rui did not even frown as he coldly looked at everyone in the court.
There was dead silence and no one made a sound.
If there were people who thought that this Prince of Yan would not kill them all and wanted to be a hero, then after seeing their colleague being beheaded, the courage in their hearts instantly disappeared and only fear was left.
Who would want to die when there was a way to live?
"Is there no one else?" Xue Rui asked once more, and when he saw they were sensible, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's right. Don't think too highly of yourself. It doesn't matter if you're here or not in this world. Even if you die just like this, the history books won't record you. What is loyalty and what is disloyalty? Learn from your Celestial Commissioner. You can risk your life to save the Emperor and also endure humiliation. I admire you. Saying a few words here isn't loyalty, it's stupidity. "
They were scared and said what needed to be said. Xue Rui did not waste any more words and gave the final ultimatum.
"I will let you go home today. Go back and think about it. Three days later, whoever thinks it through can write a letter of recommendation and present it to me."
One moment it was hell and the next moment it was heaven. The An Dynasty officials were scared out of their wits but when they heard that the Prince of Yan was going to let them go home, they were all stunned. Only when the soldiers came to unshackle them did they realize that he was really going to let them go home.
Thank the heavens, they were saved!
"May, may I ask your Highness to tell me where you will be staying?" Someone asked.
Xue Rui flicked his fingers and thought of the few empty mansions and villas in the capital. He said, "I will be staying at Dingbo Mansion."
The Ding Bo Mansion was built in a unique style and had the reputation of being the number one mansion in Anling. It was originally a mansion given to the Xiang Prince by Emperor Zhao Qing. Later on, when Emperor Chong Zhen succeeded to the throne, the Xiang Prince was caught plotting a rebellion and ended up committing suicide in prison. Since he was already dead, the family property was naturally confiscated. Emperor Chong Zhen was stingy with this mansion and could not bear to give it to anyone else. Therefore, the Ding Bo Mansion was left empty until now.
Xue Rui vaguely remembered Yu Shu praising the beauty of the mansion.
.....
After letting the first group of people go, Xue Rui met the other two groups of officials. His second group of people were mostly his old acquaintances. For example, the Chancellor of the Supreme Court, Guo Huaian, used to be his superior, and he also had a good relationship with the Xue family. He had to give him a way out, he couldn't force him to die in one go.
Since they were old friends, how could they not recognize him? Even though his appearance has changed, there were still people who called out Xue Rui's name with a look of disbelief.
Yet Xue Rui had made up his mind not to acknowledge him, and his expression didn't change in the slightest. "My name is Liu Shining, and I'll never change my name or my surname. I don't know who this Xue Rui you're talking about is, but I presume his face is extremely similar to mine."
Guo Huaian was standing right below, and he was less than 3m away from Xue Rui. He clearly recognized that it was Xue Rui, and a tempestuous storm instantly arose in his heart. When he heard Xue Rui deny it yet didn't believe him, he couldn't help but say,
"The Xue family is a relative of the emperor. A few years ago, the imperial court sent an imperial envoy to Ningdong City to denounce them. They found that the eldest son of the Xue family, who had been missing for a long time, had become a guest of the Prince of Dongjing. Therefore, the whole family was implicated. Have you not heard of it?"
Guo Huai 'an's words had a hidden meaning. He was obviously blaming Xue Rui. The main culprit of the Xue family's disaster was him.
Xue Rui said calmly, "I'm not acquainted with that Xue Clan Young Master at all, and there were indeed many people that mistook me for him. I presume that imperial envoy was mistaken all those years ago and mistook Li Kui for Li Gui."
His heart was as clear as a mirror. How could he be swayed by one or two words from others? When the Celestial Commissioner chose Liu Tan to succeed the throne, he would definitely not allow the Xue family to grow. Moreover, Xue Lingnan was secretly colluding with the Prince of Xiang. Even if he did not do this, the Xue family was destined to fall.
Fortunately, Yu Shu helped him and saved the lives of his mother and younger sister. This is the best outcome.
Guo Huai 'an sighed to himself. He knew that Xue Rui would not admit his identity. Therefore, he did not continue to pester him. Xue Lingnan is already dead. There is no point in arguing about this.
"So I was mistaken. Upon closer inspection, there is some difference between His Highness and the eldest son of the Xue family."
Guo Huai 'an was Xue Rui's former superior. Even he said that he was mistaken. Even if the others had doubts, they swallowed it back into their stomachs.
Xue Rui cleared his throat and returned to the main topic, talking about the amnesty. This time, no one jumped out to be a hero and scolded the Yan traitors. But this group of people are obviously tougher than the previous group. Even if they are afraid of death, it is not written on their faces.
Among them, Guo Huai 'an is the most respected. He was the first to express his opinion: "I am old and have the intention to retire. I am afraid I will not be able to serve your country. I hope that His Highness will be merciful and allow me to retire."
This time, Xue Rui did not threaten to kill them. Instead, he tried to persuade them to stay. Guo Huai 'an was adamant. He did not force him and said: "How about this? Everyone can go home first and think about it. This Prince will wait for the good news."
Finishing his words, he let them go.
.....
The last group of people are not many. They are either relatives of the Emperor or nobles. Duke Jing and Count Zhongyong are among them. There are also a few new nobles who were promoted during the Chongzhen era. They did not even enjoy two years of wealth before they became prisoners.
They were left at the end because Xue Rui has no intention to recruit them. Duke Jing and Count Zhongyong looked as if they have seen a ghost. But no one dared to ask.
Xue Rui's opening words are the same: "Winner takes all. Fate is in the hands of the heavens." Next, he said what he has to say directly —
"Originally, all of you will die. But this dynasty has just been established and it is not advisable to kill too many people. I will give you a chance now. Go back to the prison and write a statement of your crimes. Also, list the mistakes of the previous dynasty. After His Majesty has reviewed it, you will be released. "
Xue Rui does not want to kill them all. But he will not leave a way out for them. A statement of their crimes will cut off all their hopes. Whether they live or die, it is up to them.
The first two groups of people are released. The remaining people are once again locked up in the prison. This is also to make a comparison for those who were lucky enough to return home, to let them know their situation.
After dealing with this important matter, Xue Rui entered the palace to report on his completion of the mission, and he mentioned the courtyard in passing to the Emperor of Yan. The Emperor of Yan was completely at ease with him, and he didn't ask about the details of the enlistment, and with a wave of his hand, he bestowed the Steadwave Mansion to Xue Rui.
In the end, he asked Xue Rui, "How come I heard that you captured the previous dynasty's Grand Tidian and brought her to your camp? I even heard that the Grand Tidian is a beautiful woman. Second Younger Brother, oh, Second Younger Brother, tell me honestly, what actually happened?"
Hearing this, Xue Rui immediately lifted his robe and knelt on the ground. His expression was solemn: "Allow this subject to report."
The Yan Emperor was frightened by him. He hurriedly said: "Stand up and speak. Zhen did not blame you."
Xue Rui refused to stand up and insisted on kneeling to speak. The Yan Emperor could not do anything to him. He could only let him speak quickly. "Speak, speak. You are innocent."
"Tell Your Majesty, this subject and the Great Tidian, Lady Yu, have already pledged to marry five years ago." Xue Rui's gaze was firm as he looked at the ruler of the Empire before him, and he revealed a pleading expression. "I don't ask for glory, splendor, wealth, and rank, but I hope that my Lord will consider my contribution in founding the Empire and grant this marriage."
In other words, he did not need to be the Prince of Changping of the Yan Kingdom. He did not want the position of being second to only one and above tens of thousands. He only wanted that woman.
The Yan Emperor's eyes flickered. He frowned and asked him with a cold face: "It is just a woman. Is it worth it?"
"This subject has made up his mind."
The Yan Emperor stared at him. Suddenly, he laughed. He raised his hand and signaled him: "Stand up. I approve. You and I are emperor and subject in name. In reality, we are brothers. Not to mention that you like an official of the previous dynasty. Even if you like a concubine of the previous dynasty, I will grant your wish. "
"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness." Xue Rui kowtowed to express his gratitude. He stood up happily.
The Yan Emperor smiled and said: "When the Imperial Preceptor enters the capital, I will decide your marriage." The Imperial Preceptor of the Yan Kingdom, Liu Yan, was Yun Hua.
Xue Rui got what he wanted. He took his leave with light footsteps. He did not see the Yan Emperor's thought-provoking gaze as he looked at his back.
"Since ancient times, heroes have a weakness for the charms of a beautiful woman. With such a temperament, I can be at ease." The Yan Emperor muttered to himself. Suddenly, he thought of something. He held his forehead and said:
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