allonlinenovel Chapter 1251 The dust has settled
Chapter 1251 The dust has settled
Inside the carriage, Hua Yunhong sat with his eyes closed, his plain robe making his complexion appear even more drab. He barely ate or drank, and rarely opened his eyes, like a body long since devoid of soul, passively enduring the journey to its end. Only when the team occasionally passed familiar places and checkpoints would his withered eyelids twitch imperceptibly, betraying a piercing pain buried beneath the dead silence.
Counties along the route had already received strict orders, imposing martial law on the post roads and forcing all outsiders to stay away. From afar, the common people could only glimpse the menacing cavalry escorting a mysterious carriage, whispering among themselves and speculating about the identity of the "important prisoner" within. No one could have imagined that it was the King of the Divine Tree, who had once stirred up the turmoil in the north and even threatened the safety of the capital.
Meng Zhi personally escorted Hua Yunhong throughout the entire process, his hawk-like gaze ever vigilant, his great axe never unsheathed. He did not mistreat Hua Yunhong, but neither was he polite, following the proper protocol for escorting a serious criminal. He harbored only cold murderous intent towards this mortal enemy who had threatened to overturn the peace of the empire.
The team advanced silently and efficiently, finally arriving at the capital on a gloomy afternoon. The towering silhouette of the capital city loomed on the horizon, like a crouching giant beast, exuding a breathtaking majesty.
The black carriage did not proceed to the imperial city. Instead, it was led by a team of imperial guards to a remote and heavily guarded imperial retreat in the western suburbs—the Jingsi Garden. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, this place, nestled behind high walls and deep courtyards, had historically been used to detain serious imperial criminals or receive special "guests." It was, in fact, an elegant prison.
The carriage curtain opened, and Hua Yunhong, supported by two imperial guards, stumbled out. He glanced up at the cold bronze knocker on the vermilion lacquer gate and the watchtower looming above the high wall. The corners of his mouth twitched ever so faintly, a hint of mockery, yet also of utter silence. He didn't resist, obediently stepping through the door that completely isolated him from the outside world.
The pavilions and towers within Jingsi Garden remained intact, but deserted. Only cold armor and vigilant gazes filled the air. He was led into a simple yet clean courtyard. Outside the gate, at least four calm and composed Imperial Guards masters stood guard in the corridor.
Hua Yunhong's "going to Beijing to await punishment" was the highest level of imprisonment from the very beginning.
……
Huangji Hall, court meeting.
Qin Ming sat high on the throne, listening expressionlessly to the report that Hua Yunhong had been taken to Jingsi Garden and was under strict guard.
The officials in the palace had varying expressions, but no one mentioned immediate execution. Since Your Majesty had already escorted him to the capital, there must be a deeper meaning.
As expected, Qin Ming spoke slowly, his voice steady yet carrying an undeniable pressure: "Hua Yunhong has arrived in the capital. The matter of Shenmu's surrender must be resolved. Although his crimes are extremely serious, the northern border has just annexed and the people's hearts are not stable. I must give an explanation to the world."
He glanced at the Prime Minister and the Privy Councilor. "Draft an imperial decree to summon Yao Chang, the former chief of the Shenmu Council, to the capital immediately. I wish to discuss with him... the terms of this 'surrender.'"
The decree was quickly announced.
Ten days later, Yao Chang, dusty and haggard, arrived in the capital under the "escort" of a team of imperial guards. He was also placed in Jingsi Garden, but was separated from Hua Yunhong and was not allowed to meet him.
Three days later, an extremely special and depressing "negotiation" took place in a tightly guarded side hall in Jingsi Garden.
On the Daqian side, there are only two people, the prime minister and the privy councilor, who represent the emperor's will.
On the Shenmu side, there was only Yao Chang, all alone, facing the two powerful imperial officials, like a lamb to be slaughtered.
Without any greetings or formalities, the Prime Minister directly pushed a document that had been prepared long ago in front of Yao Chang.
That was not a draft for the negotiations, but the final terms.
Yao Chang picked up the heavy scroll of silk with trembling hands. After reading only the first few lines, his face turned as pale as paper and cold sweat instantly soaked his shirt.
The terms of the instrument are extremely concessionary.
The first thing is to stop fighting and disband the army.
Only one in ten troops survived.
As for Hua Yunhong, the culprit, he should have been executed by slicing, but Your Majesty, mindful of his eventual surrender, has granted his body its entirety. He has been granted poisoned wine in Jingsi Garden. After his death, he may not be buried in the northern border; his body will be disposed of by the court.
Yao Chang and other former council officials were stripped of all their titles and salaries, and their entire families were moved away from the northern border and dispersed across inland prefectures and counties, where they were kept under strict surveillance and never re-employed.
Shenmu elected a new emperor and made peace with the Daqian era.
This was not a peace treaty, but a final judgment and declaration of annexation. The so-called "negotiation" was just a formality to inform Yao Chang of the final outcome.
Yao Chang burst into tears, his hands shaking violently, barely able to hold the scroll. He had long anticipated a disastrous outcome, but he had never imagined it would be so complete, so decisive. His Majesty would be executed, and these old ministers would be exiled and guarded. All traces of their homeland would be completely erased...
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." He choked, trying to make a final struggle, "Although His Majesty Hua Yunhong has committed serious crimes, he is, after all, the ruler of a country. Can... can I ask Your Majesty of the Celestial Empire to show some mercy and spare his life, or just imprison him? We are willing to be his slaves forever to atone for his sins..."
The Prime Minister had no expression on his face and his voice was cold:
"Yao Chang, Your Majesty has shown mercy by allowing you to surrender and spare the northern border from the scourge of war. This is already a great mercy. Hua Yunhong's crimes are too numerous to list. Not executing him would be insufficient to appease the wrath of heaven, insufficient to comfort the heroic spirit, and insufficient to reassure the hearts of the people in the north. This is the final decision, and there can be no change."
The Privy Councilor also said coldly, "Your Majesty has shown us a great favor by allowing us to obtain the body intact. Could it be that you are still trying to push your luck further?"
Yao Chang was completely despairing, collapsing to the ground, weeping uncontrollably. He knew that nothing could be undone. Saving the people of the northern border from slaughter was perhaps the only, faintest solace in this disaster.
……
The next day, a Shenmu naturalization oath with an official seal and clear terms was presented to Qin Ming's desk.
On it, there is the seal representing the final authority of the original Shenmu Council, which was pressed by Yao Chang with trembling hands, as well as the official seals of the Prime Minister and the Privy Councilor of Daqian.
Qin Ming glanced at the document that symbolized the final ownership of the Northern Territory, his gaze lingering on the three words "giving poisoned wine" for a moment, without any emotion in his eyes.
"Approved." He picked up the red brush and wrote a word at the end of the document with such force that it was written with iron and silver strokes and could be seen through the back of the paper.
The jade seal fell, as red as blood.
The news quickly spread back to Jingsi Garden.
The courtyard where Hua Yunhong was located remained silent. A eunuch, carrying a red sandalwood tray with a crystal-clear jade cup filled with clear wine, walked silently into the room.
Hua Yunhong was sitting by the window, looking at a withered old tree in the courtyard. Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around and his eyes fell on the glass of wine, his calmness disturbing.
He knew. From the moment he stepped into the Jingsi Garden, he knew the ending.
The eunuch bowed and said in a shrill, flat voice, "Your Majesty, I grant you wine."