After Transmigration: Building a Kingdom in Turbulent Times-Chapter 978 - 963: Execution

Wang Han, courtesy name Chuhong, the elder brother of Wang Dun and the cousin of Wang Dao, was the most foolish, ignorant, stubborn, and cruel among their siblings.

It was only by relying on the influence of Wang Dao and Wang Dun that he became the Governor of Xuzhou, which she had not acknowledged.

Due to his cruelty and incompetence in governance, Zhao Hanzhang started with Xuzhou. Liu Kun went to Xuzhou not only with an appointment letter but also with Wang Han’s dismissal paper.

She hadn’t planned to judge his crimes, initially intending to drive him out of Xuzhou and cause chaos for Wang Dao and Wang Dun in Yangzhou, but she had changed her mind.

Zhao Hanzhang called the civil servant and instructed, "Prepare two thousand cavalry, each with two horses, and three days’ worth of dry rations; I want it by noon tomorrow."

The civil servant acknowledged the order, bowed, and went to prepare.

Zhao Hanzhang went to Fu Tinghan and said, "I need to return to Yu State quickly."

"Are you worried about changes in Yu State? Didn’t Uncle Qianli lead the army back to Yan State?" Fu Tinghan said, "There are also Liu Kun and Zeng Yue; they are in Xuzhou."

Given that Yan State and Xuzhou are very close to Yu State, if problems arise in Yu State, they can immediately aid.

Zhao Hanzhang said, "I’m worried about internal chaos."

"The Little Emperor and Uncle Ming are both in Meng County, and Xun Xiu is also there," Zhao Hanzhang said. "Even though I don’t think anyone can overthrow me in a short time, I wouldn’t want innocent sacrifices."

Fu Tinghan couldn’t grasp the situation immediately, "Isn’t it safer for Xun Xiu in Meng County?"

"It used to be, but now, Xun Xiu and Uncle Ming are not on good terms, and the Xun Family Army suffered a defeat and might feel fear and resentment," Zhao Hanzhang said. "I’ve already sent a letter back to Meng County, telling Uncle Ming to be cautious and alert, while comforting Xun Xiu. I’ll handle it when I go back."

The premise is that she arrives in time, or that Xun Xiu can hold to his principles and not be provoked.

Truth be told, Zhao Hanzhang deep inside didn’t trust Xun Xiu much; it should be said she didn’t trust people of this era much.

It’s a very strange era; those who are loyal are extremely loyal, but only a few are. Most people’s ambitions arise without reason, and they act decisively without backing down.

This was a small insight she gained while exploring the library.

Fu Tinghan naturally believed in her more, so he said, "Be careful on your way; I will follow with the army."

Zhao Hanzhang finally smiled, "Don’t worry, I’ll be cautious."

In the afternoon, Zhao Kuan and Zeng Yue returned. After Wang Heng captured Tiao County and Yun City, he left only a few hundred men in the county government to control the county people. So when they led the army to recapture, the two county cities were quickly seized.

There were even citizens who cooperated from within, helping to open the city gates.

It turned out, Zhao Jiashi and Zhao Yicheng, despite being appointed for half a month, had indeed gained some people’s support.

Zhao Kuan had the bandit leader Wang Heng and his family imprisoned, along with a few confidant families who followed Wang Heng.

Zhao Hanzhang did not let them enter the city but judged them outside the city.

Not only did over twenty thousand rebel captives watch, but many citizens also came outside to observe.

Zhao Hanzhang walked over to the Wang Clan Leader, threw two pieces of paper in front of him, and asked, "Were you by the side when they spoke to Wang Heng?"

Wang Cheng was drenched in cold sweat and quickly said, "Though I was by the side, I didn’t know the details, only thought they were Wang Heng’s friends outside. The clan didn’t know of his rebellion."

"Shi Bai and Gao Tong didn’t say that," Zhao Hanzhang raised her head to look at the kneeling people, pointing to the corpses hanging on the city tower and said, "They tried to press me with their power; in the end, they died. You intend to reap the benefits without risks, now I will tell you the result."

The leaders, Wang Heng, Wang Ba, and Zuo Yao, had their heads of households and clan leaders executed, and all males aged fourteen and over were sentenced to three years of long service, serving ninety days a year.

Soldiers came forward according to orders to seize five people, three fathers, and the clan leaders of the Wang Family and Zuo Family.

Wang Cheng was prepared to die on the way, even thinking the entire clan might be wiped out. After all, being defined as a rebellion, going back a few years, when did the Sima family involve in rebellion or military upheaval without executing one family after another?

Before the incident, he thought Wang Heng’s calculation was right; Zhao Hanzhang is a woman, ultimately soft-hearted. She has a reputation for benevolence. As long as Wang Heng surrendered in time, Zhao Hanzhang would treat them kindly; after all, she always left the impression that she would treat anyone who surrendered well.

He didn’t expect Zhao Hanzhang to be so tough this time, even after accepting Wang Heng’s surrender, she executed people on the spot and so many of them.

At this moment, hearing that only he was held accountable without the entire clan’s extermination, he couldn’t help being overwhelmed with emotion and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But this relief dissipated when the rope cinched around his neck, leaving only fear in his heart.

Even knowledgeable Wang Cheng was like this; let alone others. Father Zuo struggled violently and shouted, "I don’t recognize Zuo Yao as my son, I don’t recognize him! Clan leader, expel Zuo Yao from the clan, expel! General, spare me, General, spare me..."

His voice echoed across the sky. Since yesterday, the captives had only eaten the dry rations they carried. At this moment, their eyes were dazed yet fearful, quivering as they listened to this voice.

Zhao Hanzhang did not show leniency, she just stood coldly watching.

People from the three clans trembled and cried, those aware of the rebellion were terrified and regretful, those unaware felt resentment towards Wang Heng and his people, and also blamed his family and clan leaders for not controlling Wang Heng, leading them astray and implicating themselves. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Zu Ti, upon hearing Zhao Hanzhang’s sentence, felt a sense of relief and said to Zhao Shi and Zuo Min, "Although the Great General is angry, she is restrained."

Zuo Min, feeling Zhao Hanzhang was too kind, discontentedly said, "The Great General should have executed them all as a warning."

Zu Ti glanced at him, not too agreeable, "The corpses hanging on the city tower are enough to deter."

Zuo Min disagreed, "To prevent future troubles, they must be made to fear."

Zhao Shi disagreed, "The Great General has always treated the people with kindness and virtue. The involvement of so many this time is already unexpected and a strong deterrent."

"Humph, I’m afraid people outside will think the cost is too small and have restless hearts, fearing future military disasters will be endless."

Zhao Shi: "It requires clan leaders who disregard their lives. Who among them would die for one man to spare a clan leader? How many clan leaders have this sacrificial spirit in the world?"

Zuo Min frowned slightly, pondering his words, and seeing Zu Ti’s approving look, asked, "Does the General also think this move can deter those with intentions?"

Zu Ti said, "It’s not just implicating the clan leaders; there’s also three years of long service for all clan males, serving ninety days a year. Don’t underestimate these ninety days; once this spreads, no ordinary household will dare rebel easily."

Ninety days a year, can’t substitute the service; a slow slice of meat, who knows how many will die?

Three years later, they won’t resent Zhao Hanzhang for sparing their lives; they’ll only hate Wang Heng and those who incited their rebellion more.

Zhao Hanzhang had no intention of covering up for Wang Han and Jiangdong. She told Zu Ti, "Once this matter is clearly investigated, announce it to the public, advertise it widely, letting those with intentions weigh the pros and cons themselves."

Zu Ti agreed and asked, "Does the Great General still want to use Shi Bai and Gao Tong?"

"No need, give them a quick death."

Shi Bai and Gao Tong, later, when answering some questions hesitantly, had pieces of flesh cut off, forcing the executioner to gather enough for two pecks of grain. Although the bleeding stopped, their condition wasn’t good.

Zhao Hanzhang had never intended to spare their lives, only letting them die without much pain.