Chapter 33: Does Liu Zhang Kill People?

  "I can't take it anymore!" A young man from a noble family shouted and ran out of the crowd, some people saw him escape and also followed suit, but what greeted them were the bows and arrows and long spears of the Dongzhou soldiers. These Dongzhou soldiers came from the three auxiliary regions, they would not show any mercy to these big families in Shu, arrows pierced flesh, spears saw blood. More than a hundred people who escaped were killed on the spot, with blood filling the grassland.

  Zhang Gongzi already knew that Liu Zhang was playing for real, he had never thought that there would be such a day, because he had lived for 70 years, and the aristocratic families in his mind were invincible, except for openly rebelling, no official would dare to lay hands on them, even including the emperor. But why did Liu Zhang, a small state governor, dare to kill so many sons of aristocratic families? Wasn't he afraid of provoking public outrage among all the aristocratic families in the world?

  But now thinking about these things is useless, Liu Zhang has made up his mind to kill, even if Liu Zhang was surrounded by the aristocratic families of the world in the end and died, when he himself is dead, what can be done to him?

  Zhang Gongzi began to regret opposing Liu Zhang. Now that he thought about it, Liu Zhang had dared to lead 5,000 soldiers to Fu Cheng, dared to behead and display the enemy's heads on the city walls of Fu Cheng in front of an enemy army of 50,000, and dared to pursue the rebels for a thousand miles to Wu Xi. How could he have underestimated him? How could he have thought that such a person could be manipulated at will?

  What a muddle! Old Master Zhang let out a sigh that came from the bottom of his heart, he felt that he still had one last thread of hope. Liu Zhang had eliminated the other five big clans and only left the Zhang, Yuan, Han, and some smaller clans, why was this? As the master of Yi Province, Liu Zhang must still be hoping to make them surrender.

  Thinking of this, Zhang old man seized the last opportunity and loudly begged: "Prefect sir, I am ignorant and do not know the heavenly authority of the prefecture. For past wrongdoings, I am filled with remorse and willing to hand over my lawless descendants, support your four subjects in holding office, donate money and grain, help you prosper Xichuan and revive the great Han." The price of the whole family's destruction was too terrifying, and Zhang old man could not help but surrender.

  "This old man is quite calm." Liu Zhang's mouth corner revealed a hint of playful smile, Wang Lei looked at him, and Liu Zhang said lightly: "Continue."

  "Wang loudly declared: 'The Zhang, Yuan, and Han clans are all powerful families, pillars of Jiangzhou, who have been protecting the prosperity of Shu's southern regions. However, they have been relying on their power to bully others, using force to suppress the weak, cheating and domineering in the markets, occupying land, shielding outlaws, colluding with officials to embezzle imperial wealth, assisting Zhao Wei in plundering the people's fat and oil, supporting rebellion, resisting the prefectural government's edicts. Their crimes are unforgivable; according to the Great Han law, the three clans should be exterminated. The heads of the Zhang, Yuan, and Han clans will be executed by lingchi.'"

  Zhang Lao Ye Zi and Yuan tribe's patriarch suddenly collapsed on the ground.

  The sun sets in the west, a remnant of light, blood drips into the moat, making a dripping sound. In the execution ground, two thousand heads are exposed to the sunlight, looking particularly terrifying and eerie. The army and civilians together number tens of thousands, yet not a single sound is made. Only the tribal leaders of the three tribes being tortured let out faint cries of agony.

  Liu Zhang slowly got up from his chair, his stiff body and numb heart making it hard for him to maintain his balance. He could only hold onto the armrest with one hand, rubbing his temples as he walked down the steps, passing by the crowd of people, and the three tribal leaders who were humming in discontent.

  Liu Zhang walked in front of the remaining small tribes and those who were stirred up, originally planning to say something to make them surrender, but in the end Liu Zhang said nothing, and led Wen Wu directly into the city.

  Three tribal leaders were executed by lingchi, the army returned to camp, the people dispersed with a sigh, a group of soldiers cleaned up the execution ground, leaving only bloodstains.

  Jiangzhou massacre, 2,178 people beheaded, blood flowing into Jiangzhou moat, dyeing the waters of Yangtze River and Jialing River red, bloody atmosphere lingering around ancient city of Jiangzhou for months, rarely seen in history, shocking the world, attention of various lords drawn to Yizhou by this stunning event.

  "Liu Zhang will kill someone? Haha, do you believe it?"

  In Xuchang city, Cao Cao held a bamboo slip handed to him by a soldier and burst into loud laughter. He passed the slip to Xun Yu beside him and said to the gathering of civil and military officials: "I really didn't expect it! Liu Zhang, such a weakling, actually dared to kill someone, and with such a big hand. Interesting! What do you all think about this?"

  "Your Excellency, Liu Zhang is weak and timid, as everyone knows. Now he's slaughtering thousands of innocent people in Jiangzhou, which must be the result of someone's instigation. In my opinion, Shu either has a ruthless and cunning minister or a bold and daring hero who has gained Liu Zhang's trust. Either way, Shu is likely to be a place full of variables."

  "No." Xun Yu stepped forward: "My lord, if it were just the Jiangzhou massacre, Mr. Cheng's conjecture would be quite possible. However, according to what I know, before the Jiangzhou massacre, Liu Zhang personally went to Fu City to quell the rebellion of Zhao Wei, with 5,000 men resisting 50,000 men, and ultimately won a great victory. After that, he pursued for a thousand miles and beheaded Zhao Wei in the Wuxi Man area.

  "If Liu Zhang was indeed weak, it would not have been possible for a trusted minister to persuade him to do so. Therefore, I believe that the massacre in Jiangzhou was carried out by Liu Zhang himself, and he must have suppressed many opposing voices. Such a lord is truly worrying."

  "Liu Zhang? Heroic master? I don't know why these two words standing together sound so awkward. What's your opinion, Wen Ruo?" Cao Cao asked, turning his head to the side.

  Xun Yu bowed respectfully and said, "My lord, Xun You's words are quite reasonable. In the past, King Zhuang of Chu did not make a sound for three years, and then suddenly startled everyone. Liu Zhang has been governing Yizhou for six years, and it is possible that he was awakened by internal worries such as Zhao Wei. However, what Xun You said 'is indeed worrying', but I dare not agree with him hastily. Even if Liu Zhang has been awakened, he has changed from being weak to being tyrannical, one extreme becoming another. Such a person can be called a violent ruler, but cannot be called a heroic ruler."

  A weak lord can still survive, but a cruel one will not last long. What's there to worry about? Not to mention the massacre in Jiangzhou, Liu Zhang has lost the hearts of his people, and Western Shu is already without prospects. My lord need not put Liu Zhang in mind.

  "En." Cao Cao nodded: "Wen Ruo's words are very much in line with my intentions. En? Feng Xiao, why aren't you speaking?"

  Guo Jia stood at the end, staring out the door, and didn't hear Cao Cao's words. He looked foolishly at Cao Cao, who had to repeat himself again. Guo Jia smiled: "My lord, whether it is Liu Zhang being incited by others or opening his eyes himself, this has nothing to do with you."

  The lord has the world in his heart, now he should focus on the north. Whether Liu Zhang becomes good or bad, beautiful or ugly, our current archenemy is Yuan Shao. Why bother analyzing what Liu Zhang does? Wait until we conquer Xichuan or when Liu Zhang comes to our doorstep, it's not too late to analyze then.

  "My lord, for now, just write an article in the name of the Son of Heaven to severely criticize Liu Zhang's massacre of the scholar-officials. Post it widely within our territory. This way, not only will Liu Zhang be in big trouble, but we can also win over the hearts of the scholar-officials. Why bother using so much brainpower?"

  "The words of Feng Xiao are indeed piercing, and they have awakened my senses." Cao Cao burst out laughing and said: "With Feng Xiao and all of you able ministers by my side, the day I send troops to Western Shu, Liu Zhang's fate will be sealed. For now, let us analyze the situation in the north..."

  Guo Jia's gaze flew out of the door again, and he smiled suddenly: "Massacring the imperial clan, promoting officials from four categories, no matter what the outcome is, it can be considered a great feat to turn the world upside down."