213: Execution of Han Laoshan, the aristocratic families killing each other

Chapter 212: Executing Han Laoshan, Aristocratic Families Slaughter Each Other

Everyone present was stunned. Li Chang'an accepted the gift but didn't do the favor, and even killed the gift-giver.

He didn't play by the rules.

The guards behind Huang Boren were so frightened that they all fled in a panic.

Two first-rank Vajra Realm experts were easily subdued by Li Cunxiao, who fought them both alone.

In the silent hall, everyone was as quiet as a cicada in winter.

Even the Devil Head assassin Xue Songguan was trembling with fear.

Although she couldn't see, she could hear the screams and smell the blood.

"Your Highness, you killed Prefect Huang?"

Li Chang'an caressed her cheek and said, "Who told him to harbor designs on you?"

At this moment, Xue Songguan had completely adopted the role of a commoner.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

After Li Chang'an finished speaking, his expression suddenly turned cold, and a hint of chill flashed in his eyes.

"Come out."

His words were so emotionless that all the officials and merchants present felt a shiver run down their spines.

At this moment, a burly man, holding a dark gold spear, slowly walked out from the back hall.

"King of Tang, what excellent methods!"

Han Laoshan, in the Late Stage of Zhi Xuan Realm, slowly emerged from the back room, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness.

If it had been a year ago, Li Chang'an might have been wary of this level of Cultivation.

But now, Li Chang'an didn't even put him in his eyes.

"There aren't many Zhi Xuan Realm experts who use spears in the world. Xu Yanbing is known as a half-step Earth Immortal, and his Cultivation is higher than yours."

"Deng Maoyuan is in Northern Mang and won't be an enemy of this King. I presume Your Excellency is Han Laoshan."

Li Chang'an saw that as soon as Han Laoshan appeared, over a dozen officials immediately stood up and positioned themselves behind Han Laoshan.

Among the Eight Families, three also unhesitatingly sided with him.

Han Laoshan, Junior Brother of the Northern Liang's 'nuclear warhead' Xu Yanbing, and King of Northern Liang Xu Xiao's personal guard.

This was the first time Xu Xiao had officially sent someone to confront Li Chang'an.

Previously, Northern Liang had always used hidden pawns to contend with Li Chang'an.

Now, it was a direct confrontation with Northern Liang.

At this moment, a military officer who had just sided with Han Laoshan felt his Aura rise.

"King of Tang, by brutally killing Lord Huang in such a manner, are you not afraid of Sha Province rebelling?"

"Lord Huang was promoted by the King of Northern Liang. Do you really want to completely fall out with the King of Northern Liang..."

This person was foolish, completely unaware that Xu Fengnian was in Li Chang'an's hands.

Han Laoshan's appearance now was not to support them, but merely to leave with dignity.

However, the cold Han Laoshan did not speak, but watched as the military officer walked directly into the line of fire.

Han Laoshan's silence was taken as tacit approval by the military officer.

As long as he performed well, why would the King of Northern Liang not take care of and promote him?

"King of Tang, with such widespread slaughter, this general will formally impeach you!"

"I believe His Majesty will surely uphold justice for the officials of Sha Province!"

"What if you have strong soldiers and horses? You only have twenty thousand men!"

"The King of Northern Liang has three hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. How can you withstand him..."

Suddenly, a sound of rushing air was heard, and a Sword Qi shot out from Li Chang'an's hand.

The military officer's head instantly shifted, and as it fell to the ground, his mouth was still muttering, saying who knows what.

Blood splattered again, and the hall fell into a deadly silence.

Li Chang'an didn't even raise an eyelid, his lips moving lazily.

"Noisy."

Han Laoshan couldn't help but frown deeply, showing considerable anger.

But he knew very well that Xu Fengnian was in the other party's hands, so he didn't intend to completely fall out.

Moreover, Li Chang'an's subordinates were fully capable of killing him.

As Xu Xiao's guard, he had privately met with many people on Xu Xiao's behalf.

Even mutually hostile figures like Prince Yan and Prince Guangling would still show some Face.

Someone like Li Chang'an, who showed no Face at all, was unprecedented.

However, what he completely failed to anticipate was that Li Chang'an once again unleashed a Sword Qi!

The Sword Qi was continuous and majestic!

With a crash, the entire floor was ripped up.

Han Laoshan parried with his spear, True Qi erupting, trying to block this sword strike.

But Li Chang'an unleashed another Sword Qi, even more overbearing.

The Yellow River for ten thousand li touches mountains and moves!

The winding Yellow River for ten thousand li of sand!

Where the Sword Qi reached, sand and stones flew across the ground; this Sword Qi was actually aimed at Han Laoshan!

Han Laoshan knew that Li Chang'an was skilled in martial arts, but he had no idea that Li Chang'an possessed such a high level of Cultivation!

Although this Sword Qi was a Zhi Xuan secret technique, its power was so immense that even a Celestial Phenomenon Realm expert might not be able to block it.

Li Chang'an's current Realm was Great Vajra warrior, Late Stage Zhi Xuan, and Early Stage Celestial Phenomenon!

Once his Zhi Xuan Realm reached the Peak, he could kill anyone below the Terrestrial Deity!

Han Laoshan was merely a Zhi Xuan Realm warrior who had Cultivated through normal means; Li Chang'an could now easily deal with him.

Han Laoshan's heart was alarmed, and he immediately retracted his spear, fully blocking Li Chang'an's attack.

"Boom! Pfft!"

Han Laoshan blocked the Sword Qi with his spear, but his body flew out like a broken sack.

Han Laoshan was repelled, while the military officer was directly cut down.

The other officials and merchants standing near Han Laoshan all changed their expressions dramatically.

For so many years, Xu Xiao was the heaven of the Northwest.

Even though Sha Province was not within Liang Province, officials and common people all looked to Northern Liang as their leader.

Attacking an envoy of the King of Northern Liang directly was unheard of.

"King of Tang... you! How presumptuous!"

Li Chang'an glanced at those behind Han Laoshan, his gaze disdainful.

"Kill them all."

Li Cunxiao's gaze was solemn, and he bowed in response, "Understood!"

Then, Li Cunxiao summoned a large number of Brocade-Clad Guards, and Qing Niao also stepped forward, holding a spear.

Upon seeing Qing Niao, Han Laoshan's expression was surprised, "Qing Niao!"

"You actually defected to Li Chang'an!"

Qing Niao looked at her former Senior Martial Uncle with an expressionless Face.

Li Yishan used her to scheme against Li Chang'an, intending to sacrifice her life.

Now that she hadn't died and Li Chang'an had saved her, there was no way she would ever feel any goodwill towards Northern Liang again.

"Northern Liang is unjust, so don't blame Qing Niao for being heartless!"

After speaking, she and the deathsworn advanced, thoroughly slaughtering the officials and gentry who had sided with Han Laoshan.

Three-tenths of the officials in the Sha Province Commandery Prefect's mansion were killed, and three of the Eight Families were wiped out.

The entire great hall was filled with the pungent smell of blood, and blood flowed freely across the floor.

Li Chang'an nodded in satisfaction; this proportion of killings was completely within an acceptable range.

Killing too many would paralyze the provincial government, while killing too few would have no deterrent effect.

"Li Cunxiao, quickly gather a thousand Bai Er Soldiers and completely exterminate these three major Families."

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Li Cunxiao put away his weapons and strode out of Jinguyuan.

"Zhuge Liang! I order you to temporarily act as the Sha Province Governor and Jinchang Commandery Prefect, take charge of civil and military affairs, and stabilize the morale of the army!"

"This old minister obeys!"

Zhuge Liang bowed in acceptance of the order, then rushed to the Sha Province government office.

"Zhang Yichao! Lead the Guiyi Army to the Sha Province military camp; annihilate all who do not submit!"

Zhang Yichao's eyes gleamed with fierce light. He gently placed his wine cup on the table, then knelt on one knee, his voice shaking the great hall!

"Your subordinate obeys!"

After the three subordinates left, Qing Niao continued to guard the banquet hall with the Brocade-Clad Guards.

Hearing Li Chang'an's command, Han Laoshan's Face was filled with disbelief,

"Li Chang'an, how dare you!"

"Do you still have the imperial court in your eyes?"

After hearing Han Laoshan's words, Li Chang'an was silent for a long time.

"Did Northern Liang ever have the imperial court in its eyes?"

The remaining officials and gentry in the hall now understood.

Li Chang'an had no patience to play schemes with these officials and merchants; he was going to flip the table directly.

Li Chang'an was very clear about his situation; today's actions had been planned long ago.

He had to cut the Gordian knot quickly and gain control of Sha Province as soon as possible.

Li Chang'an himself had soldiers and experts, fully capable of quickly taking over Sha Province.

Only then could he withstand the counterattacks from the Fan People and Northern Liang.

To deal with these local officials and gentry of Sha Province, he had to make them afraid!

Authority and benevolence, one must first exert authority, and then bestow benevolence.

At this moment, Han Laoshan had struggled to his feet.

"Li Chang'an, I know you don't take the imperial court seriously."

"But you and the Grand Pillar Kingdom will eventually reconcile. Do you really want to completely fall out?"

Li Chang'an glanced at Han Laoshan, then said indifferently, "Northern Liang experts, one less means one less."

Han Laoshan watched as Li Chang'an's gaze turned fierce.

Then, immediately following, two more Sword Intent attacks struck!

Han Laoshan resisted with all his might, but the spear in his hand was directly cut in half by the Sword Qi!

"Such Sword Intent!"

This close attendant of Xu Xiao's Face turned ashen!

His strength was also respectable among the many experts of Northern Liang.

But in front of Li Chang'an, he couldn't even get close!

Han Laoshan fought with all his might, rushing forward from his spot!

"Kill!"

Li Chang'an remained seated, and Xue Songguan in his arms was motionless.

"Bang!"

The two exchanged a palm strike, seemingly without a clear victor.

However, immediately after, Han Laoshan discovered that the Meridians in his body were slowly bursting open.

The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms, cultivated to the Peak, were firm yet soft, flowing endlessly.

In just an instant, Han Laoshan could no longer exert any strength.

If it weren't for his many years of Zhi Xuan Realm Cultivation, he would have exploded and died long ago.

Han Laoshan's skin gradually turned blood-red, and his Meridians and blood vessels ruptured little by little.

Subsequently, he collapsed softly to the ground like a pile of mud.

"Take him away. He will be publicly beheaded at the execution ground in the city tomorrow."

Li Chang'an deliberately left Han Laoshan alive for the public execution.

He needed to make a statement, to let the people of Jinchang Commandery see that Li Chang'an and Northern Liang were irreconcilable.

And also to make those who had unclear ties with Northern Liang choose a side or cut ties as soon as possible.

Qing Niao nodded in agreement and led the Brocade-Clad Guards to take Han Laoshan away.

He had long lost any affection for Xu Yanbing and Han Laoshan.

If these two still considered her their niece, how could she have been a deathsworn for others?

A deathsworn was not like the guards around Li Chang'an.

Instead, it meant having to risk one's life to complete a mission at a critical moment.

Qing Niao also knew that her father, Wang Xiu, had an eccentric temper and had even killed indiscriminately to achieve a Breakthrough.

Therefore, their relationship with Wang Xiu was not very harmonious.

Given that, they were now strangers.

Qing Niao was very clear that Li Chang'an was now the closest person to her.

After Han Laoshan was taken away, Zhuge Liang spoke to the officials present.

"You officials, those who are not from aristocratic Families, step forward now."

"Don't harbor any lucky; the Brocade-Clad Guards have long known your situations."

As soon as he finished speaking, a dozen officials stepped forward.

Zhuge Liang continued, "You will report for duty as usual tomorrow. The King of Tang will send new officials to be your superiors."

"As long as you diligently govern Sha Province, the King of Tang will treat you all equally!"

Su Su, the exiled Crown Prince of Western Shu, Grand Academician Zhao Dingxiu, and other members of the Green Shirt Alliance, numbered about thirty to forty people.

These people could serve as Zhuge Liang's subordinates.

Those who had just stepped forward would continue to serve as grassroots officials in Sha Province.

In this way, there should be enough bureaucrats.

As for how to integrate, how to motivate, and how to punish, Zhuge Liang was an expert.

These officials felt as if they had been granted a great amnesty, each kowtowing in farewell before daring to leave.

Finally, only the spokesmen of the Five Families and the officials from those five Families remained in the great hall.

Li Chang'an said to them, "Sha Province is not large; five Families are a bit too many."

"Hiss... You figure it out yourselves; only three need to remain!"

"This King has always been benevolent, and it's not good to name and slaughter those two Families."

"You choose yourselves; I'll give you an hour."

The leaders of the Five Families were all accompanied by several strategists or deputies.

Each Family had five or six people present.

Upon hearing Li Chang'an's words, these people were all dumbfounded!

If five Families were to become three, did that mean the remaining two Families would be directly killed?

This was forcing them to slaughter each other!

This King of Tang truly employed bloody methods!

The people from the Five Families were filled with fear towards Li Chang'an.

Before long, these people began to whisper amongst themselves.

People from different Families looked at other Families with strange eyes.

An atmosphere of distrust and panic was quietly spreading and growing.

Xue Songguan, in Li Chang'an's arms, trembled with fear.

She heard everything that happened here clearly.

So, this was the killing of the upper echelons!

If her memory was still intact, what would these matters even count as?

Half an hour later, the sound of soldiers marching came from outside the door.

Then, Li Cunxiao walked in.

"Reporting to Your Highness, the three aristocratic Families who were determined to follow Northern Liang have all been slaughtered!"

Seeing Li Cunxiao, covered in blood, the Five Families present panicked!

He really killed them!

Before long, the eyes of the people from these Five Families turned ferocious.

They knew that they couldn't hesitate now.

Among the Five Families, three had to be chosen!

The Brocade-Clad Guards drew their embroidered spring sabers, staring intently at them.

The scent of blood from Li Cunxiao's body could be smelled from afar.

Time was running out!

Immediately following was a brutal mutual slaughter!

These dozens of people began to brawl in Alliances!

And the Alliances between Families would change at any time!

Military generals drew their swords, merchants overturned tables, and civil officials picked up stools.

A chaotic battle ensued, with brains flying out.

Finally, the half-hour long mutual slaughter ended.

Among the remaining three Families, there were still casualties.

They knelt respectfully on the ground, looking up at Li Chang'an.

"The Wang Family, the Zhai Family, and the Fu Family! We are willing to swear our lives to serve the King of Tang!"

Li Chang'an stood up and slowly walked to stand before these people.

One of the elders immediately said respectfully, "Your Highness, King of Tang!"

"My Wang Family is willing to be Your Highness's dog in Sha Province!"

At these words, the other two Families quickly followed suit.

"The Zhai Family is the most obedient dog!"

"Your Highness, our Fu Family is Your Highness's best dog!"

Li Chang'an looked at these Family heads, who were scared out of their wits, and showed a satisfied expression.

What he wanted was for these people to submit, and then by giving them some benefits, they would absolutely not betray him.

Li Chang'an didn't need their loyalty, only their interests to be deeply tied to Sha Province.

"Don't fight over it, you are all good dogs."