Chapter 1654 - 522: Public Execution, Wuchuan’s Downfall
Cai Qiuhu has left.
Xia Hong agreed to his request, giving Yangqu Town a month’s time for Cao Qianyang to withdraw his people.
As soon as Cai Qiuhu left, Xia Chuan and Xu Ning, along with ten other Xianyang-level individuals, immediately gathered, including Li Xuanling, who had been staying outside the city, leading Xia Yuyao and Xia Yusheng over.
"Lord, are we trying to make nice with Cai Qiu?"
Xia Chuan came over and asked directly, the others turned towards Xia Hong upon hearing this, showing a hint of curiosity in their eyes, waiting for his answer.
Dragon Valley Town has changed hands, Yangqu is already a turtle in a jar, theoretically Great Xia has no reason to let Cao Qianyang and others go. From Xia Hong’s recent exchanges with Chu Tianxu and Cai Qiuhu, everyone could glean some intentions.
"Who said we wanted to make nice? The enemy is strong, and we are weak. Whether to make nice or not isn’t up to us; we have to see what Chen Cang and Cai Qiu, those two Landgraves, have in mind..."
After speaking, Xia Hong turned to look at the silent crowd, continuing, "Cai Qiuhu only mentioned Yangqu, not a word about Wuchuan and Jin Mountain. Don’t you understand what that means yet?"
Everyone then realized, their expressions slightly tensing.
After a moment’s thought, Xia Chuan was the first to speak, "The Lord means that Cai Qiu won’t sit back as we swallow Jin Mountain and Wuchuan; they will continue to support the two towns in resisting Great Xia?"
"Of course..."
Xia Hong nodded directly, looking at the odd expressions of the crowd, "You wouldn’t think that two Beast Emperor-level puppets would be enough to scare them, would you?"
Everyone instantly understood.
Jiang Xinfan has been undercover in Chen Cang for half a year, sending back plenty of intelligence. Xia Chuan and others are well aware of the feudal town’s strength.
"The Lord’s gesture to favor Cai Qiuhu is a preliminary show of goodwill to Cai Qiu, but the attitude of the two towns towards Great Xia ultimately hinges on strength."
Xia Chuan quickly comprehended Xia Hong’s intentions, and with his explanation, everyone understood and nodded slightly.
Xia Hong showed no intention of concealing the praise on his face, smiling and nodding, "As long as you understand. For the past three years, I’ve spent time with Cai Qiu and Chen Cang, the strength of the two great feudal towns, to put it without exaggeration..."
At this point, Xia Hong paused slightly, then continued, "If any of them were determined to retaliate fully against Great Xia, we would probably be unable to withstand it!"
Seeing Xia Hong’s serious demeanor, everyone’s eyes instantly showed more solemnity.
Only Xia Chuan’s brows furrowed slightly, a hint of opposition flashed across his face, but he could clearly perceive Xia Hong’s ulterior motives, so he remained silent, merely nodding along with the others.
"Alright, being away for three years, coming back to such major events, I haven’t had the chance to talk with you all properly. Now, there’s finally some time..."
Upon hearing Xia Hong’s words, everyone’s expressions immediately relaxed, looking down at the Beishuo City below, which was already in the finishing stages, their faces filled with excitement.
Even though it was still wartime, Beishuo Town had already been captured, with Dragon Valley Town changing hands on the night of the 28th, meaning among the Northern Five Towns, Great Xia had taken two.
It’s noteworthy that this Northern Expedition began on the 26th, and by the time Beishuo City was conquered, daylight had already arrived. Now, as the sky darkens, nightfall approaches, so it’s December 30th.
Even factoring in Great Xia’s troop mobilization time, it only amounts to a total of four days, within which they’ve conquered two of the Northern Five Towns, including the strongest Beishuo. This efficiency is truly remarkable.
"Lord, Yang Zhun, Yang Fa, and the other two Xianyang-levels, what should we do with them?"
The Lord’s Hall of Beishuo City has become a ruin, but there are other high buildings nearby. Xia Hong directly led everyone to fly to the top of a towering structure.
As soon as they landed on the building’s roof, Xia Chuan immediately inquired, still holding Yang Zhun. Last night at Bai Mu City, Yang Fa and the other two Beishuo Xianyang-levels were captured alive and are currently controlled by the Xia Army outside the city.
"What do you think we should do?"
Xia Hong turned to look at the Yang Zhun in his hand, hesitation flashing in his eyes, directly questioning Xia Chuan and others.
"Kill!"
Xia Chuan turned to look at the chaos in the city, decisively giving his answer without hesitation.
"We can only kill. There are still quite a few Beishuo loyalists causing trouble in the city right now; Yang Zhun was just defeated by the Lord, witnessed by many. Under such circumstances, those people are still unwilling to give up resistance, which shows their loyalty to the Yang Family. Yang Zhun’s two brothers, including other Yang family members, must be thoroughly eradicated; otherwise, there will surely be future troubles."
The Yang Family members must be thoroughly eradicated...
Hearing Xu Ning’s words, everyone’s pupils flashed with a hint of surprise, but after contemplating for a moment, they nodded to express agreement.
"Then let’s kill them!"
Xia Hong wasn’t indecisive; his hesitation was more out of admiration for Yang Zhun. But frankly, he didn’t have much confidence in converting him, not to mention so many loyal to the Yang Family in Beishuo.
Yang Zhun was defeated publicly, the city was captured by Xia Army; given such circumstances, there’s still chaos in the city. If Yang Zhun and Yang Fa are spared, it’ll surely lead to future turmoil.
Not just Yang Zhun...
Having decided, Xia Hong hesitated no more, glancing at the chaos in the city again, his eyes reflecting a chill as he said, "After clearing out the chaotic troops, begin searching the entire city, capture all of the Yang family’s kin and their affiliates. Anyone found harboring them will be considered equally guilty. Two hours later, publicly execute them along with Yang Zhun and Yang Fa."