activa-t Chapter 290 Yuwen Huaji: The Xiao clan deserved to die!
Chapter 290 Yuwen Huaji: The Xiao clan deserved to die!
That's always been his way.
Those with ability stay, those without get out. Simple, brutal, and decisive.
"Yes. However, Cen Wenben wants to collect Xiao Xian's body..."
Li Jing was in charge of both military and political affairs, and in political matters, he could even make decisions for Lü Xiao.
However, he still needed to ask Lü Xiao's opinion before helping Xiao Xian collect his body.
After all, Xiao Xian was the leader of the rebels, and collecting his body would be a serious matter.
"Bring this person in."
There's someone who dares to collect Xiao Xian's body? Lü Xiao wants to see who it is.
Before long, Cen Wenben was led in.
He was dressed in mourning clothes, all in white, which made him stand out conspicuously in the blood-soaked palace.
Upon seeing Lü Xiao, he bowed respectfully, his voice steady and calm:
"Cen Wenben, a sinner, pays his respects to Prince Shuo!"
"Xiao Xian is a traitor who betrayed the country; he deserves no mercy. I have already shown you mercy by sparing your life. Why do you not cherish it?"
Lu Xiao looked at the newcomer, who indeed possessed a certain integrity.
These days, there are plenty of sycophants and opportunists everywhere.
Very few people would stand up and collect the body of their former master after his death.
"One who receives the king's bounty must serve the king faithfully."
Xiao Xian was a traitor to the King of Shuo, but he had shown kindness to the criminals. Collecting his body was the duty of a subject.
If the King of Shuo intends to kill the criminals, then he requests that they also bury Xiao Xian properly.
Cen Wenben's eyes were unwavering, and his voice showed no fear whatsoever.
His father was once the magistrate of Handan County during the Sui Dynasty, but he was framed and imprisoned.
Although he vindicated him and the injustice was cleared, he was reduced to a commoner.
As a result, he also lost his path to promotion, possessing great talent but having nowhere to use it.
Later, when Xiao Xian rebelled, he was highly valued and entrusted with important responsibilities, which could be considered a great favor. Now that Xiao Xian is dead, he is still alive and should collect his lord's body to fulfill his duty as a subject.
This is his duty, and it's what he insists on.
"Zhao Chong, go help Xiao Xian collect the body."
Lu Xiao waved his hand, quite satisfied with Cen Wenben.
Throughout history, everyone has admired loyal people.
This Cen Wenben is loyal but not pedantic; he knows what he should and shouldn't do, and can be retained.
Such a person is infinitely better than those opportunistic fence-sitters.
"promise!"
After hearing this, Zhao Chong took Cen Wenben out of the main hall to arrange Xiao Xian's funeral.
"With Xiao Xian dead, the rest of the people are nothing but a rabble."
"Pharmacist, would it be alright if you stayed in Jiangling to suppress the remaining rebels?"
Lü Xiao still did not trust Xiao Xian's surrendered generals, and even less so the generals who had once surrendered to Xiao Xian but then returned to the Sui Dynasty.
Whether out of necessity or not, loyalty is loyalty, and disloyalty is disloyalty.
These people can betray Xiao Xian and surrender to the court today, and they can betray the court and surrender to someone else tomorrow.
Spare their lives now, merely to set an example, nothing more.
As for entrusting him with important responsibilities again, that's impossible.
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, this humble general will surely annihilate those traitors."
Upon hearing this, Li Jing accepted the task without hesitation and bowed respectfully.
Having spent some time in Jiangling, he was already very familiar with the local situation, and clearing out the remaining enemy forces was a piece of cake for him.
"The Crimson Valiant Army is also yours."
Lu Xiao took out a token and threw it out, where it drew an arc in the air.
"promise!"
Li Jing reached out and caught it, steadily and smoothly.
With this token in hand, he could command the Crimson Vanguard Army to do anything.
Even if it were a rebellion, they would follow.
This is Lü Xiao's trust in him, and also his recognition of his abilities.
Li Jing carefully put away the token, turned around and left the main hall with steady steps.
Inside the main hall, the candlelight flickered, illuminating Lü Xiao's figure.
He picked up his pen again, spread out the paper, and began to write a report to Yang Guang.
Jiangling has been pacified, Xiao Xian is dead, and the Xiao clan has been eliminated.
These few words are simple to write, but the weight behind them is immense.
Yuwen Chenglong, who was leaning against the pillar, turned over and mumbled a few words in his sleep, which were indistinct.
He must have dreamt of something good, because there was a slight smile on his lips.
Lu Xiao glanced at him, shook his head, and continued writing his report.
Yuwen Chenglong is truly taking the blame for this.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the report arrived in the Eastern Capital.
Inside the palace, in the imperial study, Yang Guang was looking through the letters sent by Lü Xiao.
He looked at it carefully, not missing a single word.
His lips curled up slightly, and his eyes were filled with undisguised joy.
Opposite him stood a beautiful woman, none other than Empress Xiao.
She was dressed in an elegant palace gown, with a beautiful face. Although she was over forty, she was well-maintained and still retained her charm.
"Your Majesty, the Xiao family has committed treason and deserves to die. Could you spare three or five of them?"
Empress Xiao bent her knees and knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she spoke.
She didn't expect to keep all the members of the Xiao family; she only hoped to keep three or five people from the main family.
Even if it's just a few children, it's enough to leave a bloodline and a lineage for the Xiao family.
This was her last request as a daughter of the Xiao family, and also her last act of dignity as Empress.
Yuwen Huaji stood silently to the side, looking up at the roof, seemingly indifferent, but his eyes were darting around.
If he wasn't mistaken, the Xiao family was in serious trouble.
Even with Empress Xiao present, given His Majesty's mindset, how could he possibly allow these traitors to live?
Treason is a capital offense punishable by the extermination of the entire clan. With Xiao Xian's actions, the Xiao family will be severely punished, if not killed.
Great, fantastic!
Who told the Xiao family to impeach him back then? Now he's getting his comeuppance, isn't he?
Heaven has eyes, and retribution is swift!
If it weren't for the inappropriate timing, he would have loved to laugh out loud.
"Ugh."
Yang Guang looked through the letter sent by Lü Xiao, sighing but secretly overjoyed, wishing he could slap the table and cheer on the spot.
He had already anticipated that Empress Xiao would come to him for help.
After all, even a day as husband and wife brings a hundred days of kindness, and Empress Xiao had been by his side for decades.
From Prince of Jin to Crown Prince, and from Crown Prince to Emperor, he has come a long way through trials and tribulations. Even if he has not made any great achievements, he has certainly worked hard.
No matter what, he had to give him some face and make a show of it.
Now, you don't need to give it to me anymore.
Lu Xiao, that kid, acted quickly, killing all the key members of the Xiao family.
Clean and efficient, leaving no one behind.
It was written very clearly in the report.
Xiao Xian is dead, and the main members of the Xiao clan have all been executed. Jiangling has been pacified.
Yang Guang was secretly pleased, but he had to put on a troubled expression, which was quite a struggle.
"Your Majesty, are you truly unwilling to even grant me this small token of respect?"
Empress Xiao looked pleading, her voice choked with emotion, and her eyes were red-rimmed.
The one who attacked Jiangling was Lü Xiao, the God of War of the Sui Dynasty, who was invincible in battle and could conquer any enemy.
Even if Xiao Xian had three heads and six arms, he would definitely not be his match.
If no one pleads for mercy, Lü Xiao will enter Jiangling and wreak havoc, leaving no one of the Xiao family alive.
She has been praying day and night and has been unable to sleep at night.
Their hope was to obtain an imperial decree from Emperor Yang Guang before Lü Xiao breached the city, in order to preserve the last remaining bloodline of the Xiao family.
But now it seems that it's too late.
Yuwen Huaji, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, rolled his eyes and knew that his time had come.