Regarding whether to kill Duke Zhi Wei, there was considerable disagreement within Sauron’s faction.
Apart from Princess Zhi Yan, almost everyone opposed executing Zhi Wei, because his status was too exalted, and the royal bloodline was already so thin. To kill another, even though Duke Zhi Ting and Zhi Wei were at odds, would still cause unease.
Moreover, the reason why King Zhi Bian had fallen out so badly with the realm’s vassals and nobles, and why his reputation was not particularly good, was precisely because the succession struggle had been too bloody. Three of six princes had died.
And now Sauron’s killing of Zhi Wei would easily evoke memories of that episode.
Many would wonder, Zhi Wei had survived the succession struggle of that time, yet unexpectedly died beneath Sauron’s blade.
Furthermore, Sauron had not even become regent yet, and already he had drawn his butcher’s knife against the king’s own brother. Once he became regent, would he not slaughter the entire Zhi clan and usurp the throne?
Thus, Suo Ningbing, who almost never expressed opinions, Yan Naier, who followed Sauron’s lead in everything, his aunt Yan Chuoer, his father-in-law Yan Yan, and all of Sauron’s household retainers opposed executing Duke Zhi Wei.
Everyone recommended placing Zhi Wei under house arrest for life.
Princess Zhi Yan remained silent because she was the sovereign. Once her opinion differed from Sauron’s, the consequences would be extremely serious.
In her heart, she too did not wish Sauron to kill Zhi Wei, for it would be too damaging to his reputation.
In the end, Sauron revealed the greatest reason for killing Zhi Wei: Duke Tu Lingtuo.
Zhi Wei and Tu Lingtuo were Zhi Li’s left and right arms, and because of his royal birth, Duke Zhi Wei’s status was even slightly higher than Tu Lingtuo’s.
With Zhi Wei present, Zhi Li could firmly suppress Duke Tu Lingtuo, and Tu Lingtuo would not dare defy any of Zhi Li’s decrees.
But with one stroke of his sword, Sauron had killed Zhi Wei, making Tu Lingtuo Zhi Li’s sole remaining pillar.
Yin Continent was powerful, controlling the economic lifelines of the realm, but money alone was insufficient. Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun.
Originally Zhi Li held two blades in his hand: Zhi Wei and Tu Lingtuo. Now, only Tu Lingtuo remained.
Thus the situation between Tu Lingtuo and Zhi Li hereafter would be that of an overmighty servant bullying his master.
Zhi Li nominally held the position of Dragon Guard Army commander-in-chief, but it was merely a sinecure. The entire Dragon Guard Army from top to bottom was Tu Lingtuo’s people.
Furthermore, the northern and southern frontier armies were filled with Tu Lingtuo’s proteges in every unit.
By killing Zhi Wei, Sauron had made Tu Lingtuo too big to control, allowing him to openly defy Zhi Li’s orders while paying them lip service.
Moreover, Sauron’s killing of Zhi Wei was also a warning to Tu Lingtuo, a杀鸡儆猴.
Warning him not to push things too far!
If he could kill Zhi Wei, he could certainly kill Tu Lingtuo as well.
Thus, the first purpose of killing Zhi Wei was to drive a wedge between Tu Lingtuo and Zhi Li. The second purpose was to seize the Southeastern Province.
Sauron’s reasoning completely convinced everyone.
After all, the greatest objective at present was to force Tu Lingtuo to withdraw. And killing Zhi Wei would exert the maximum pressure to compel Tu Lingtuo’s retreat.
Then, Princess Zhi Yan voluntarily took charge of this matter, personally drafting the decree for Zhi Wei’s execution in the king’s name, having Chief Eunuch Gao Yin deliver the decree, and ultimately personally approving Zhi Wei’s death sentence herself.
Her purpose was to bear the reputation of killing Zhi Wei on Sauron’s behalf.
She wanted the world to know that Zhi Wei was killed by her, Zhi Yan, not by Sauron.
But how could Sauron possibly be so cowardly as to let a woman bear this reputation for him?
Thus, he personally carried out the execution, beheading Duke Zhi Wei.
And so came the scene of Sauron personally performing the execution.
This was for the best, allowing all to see the unity of Sauron and Zhi Yan as husband and wife.
…
After beheading Duke Zhi Wei.
The sentencing continued. Chief Eunuch Gao Yin read out one decree after another.
Lord Zhi You, accomplice to tyranny, imprisoned for life.
“Count Gui Xingfu, City Lord of Linhai, trampled upon the Chaos Rock Island Agreement, wantonly igniting the flames of war, his crimes unforgivable. He is stripped of his titles as Count of Linhai and City Lord of Linhai.” Chief Eunuch Gao Yin looked at Gui Xingfu and asked, “Do you accept your guilt?”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed heavily and said, “Your subject accepts his guilt!”
He had torn up the authoritative agreement previously signed and wantonly ignited war. By rights he should have been sentenced to execution.
But considering that he had not attacked without declaration, having actively sought the king’s and the young lord’s opinions before opening hostilities, received the young lord’s decree, and the Sauron clan of Tianshui City had publicly accepted the challenge.
Thus, Gui Xingfu’s death sentence was commuted. He was merely stripped of his titles as Count of Linhai and City Lord of Linhai.
Gao Yin then asked on behalf of the king, “Gui Xingfu, I have heard that your war against the Sauron clan of Tianshui City received the young lord Zhi Li’s consent. Did he issue a formal decree?”
“He did,” Gui Xingfu said, then respectfully presented the formal decree Zhi Li had given him.
Thus, this formal decree became a piece of evidence against Zhi Li.
Gao Yin then asked on behalf of King Zhi Bian, “Linhai City cannot be without a master for even a day. Among your children, select one to inherit the titles of Count of Linhai and City Lord of Linhai. I shall convey this to His Majesty the King, awaiting his approval and enfeoffment.”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed once more and said, “Of my three sons, all were drawn into this unjust war. Only my daughter Gui Qinshao is pure and unsullied. I wish to establish Gui Qinshao as heir to the titles of Count of Linhai and City Lord of Linhai. I beg Your Majesty’s approval.”
At these words, the expressions of all the captives present changed once more.
Ashi Liren was the first female vassal. Gui Qinshao became the second.
Did this not make Princess Zhi Yan’s eventual ascension to the throne a matter of course?
Gao Yin said, “I shall convey this to His Majesty the King.”
Then, Chief Eunuch Gao Yin prepared to depart.
Suddenly, Gui Xingfu kowtowed and said, “Lord Gao, wait. I have important matters to report.”
Chief Eunuch Gao Yin was startled, his gaze towards Gui Xingfu becoming sharp and cold. Could this old thief be about to create further complications?
Gui Xingfu said, “Regarding the case of the assassination attempt upon the young lord Zhi Li, this criminal subject has details to report to His Majesty the King.”
Gao Yin said, “Speak!”
Gui Xingfu said, “This criminal subject’s daughter Gui Qinshao married Ling Ao, commander of ten thousand in the Dragon Guard Army. The young lord Zhi Li coveted my daughter’s beauty and actually proposed to this criminal subject that he be granted the right to my daughter’s virginity. This criminal subject, greedy and despicable, actually agreed to his excessive demand. On the night of the bridal chamber, the young lord Zhi Li attempted to violate my daughter. My daughter Gui Qinshao, of fierce and noble character, would rather die than submit. She drew a dagger and angrily stabbed Zhi Li. This is the truth of the young lord’s assassination case, completely unrelated to Count Sauron.”
At these words, the entire assembly erupted in uproar.
No one doubted the truth of this matter, for Zhi Li had indeed been stabbed at Gui Qinshao’s wedding, and it was after the wedding ceremony, completely consistent with the bridal chamber timing.
Moreover, Gui Xingfu had admitted to playing the most despicable and contemptible role in this scandal.
Then, with both hands he presented a sharp little dagger, saying, “This dagger is the physical evidence. My daughter Gui Qinshao held this very dagger when she stabbed the young lord Zhi Li. It still bears Zhi Li’s bloodstains, completely traceable.”
Gui Xingfu was truly venomous. On that day, in such a dangerous and urgent situation when Gui Qinshao stabbed Zhi Li, he had actually remembered to conceal the murder weapon.
At that time, no one had thought to seize Gui Qinshao’s weapon, nor had anyone considered that dagger of any use.
Yet Gui Xingfu had secretly hidden it away as leverage against Zhi Li.
He had not wished to fall out with Zhi Li at that time, only wanting to be Zhi Li’s loyal dog, yet still harbouring such sinister calculations. This man was truly a venomous serpent of a character.
Moreover, to save his own life, he had not hesitated to offer up a grand gesture of allegiance, completely breaking with Zhi Li and trampling his face countless times.
And what pretext had Zhi Li used to dispatch Zhi Wei and Tu Lingtuo’s armies to attack the Sauron clan of Tianshui City?
Was it not that Sauron was suspected of assassinating the young lord Zhi Li? This was the great crime of treason, which was why Zhi Li could mobilise hundreds of thousands of troops for the punitive expedition.
If Sauron had not committed the great crime of treason, then whoever dared attack Tianshui City would be the one subverting the state.
And Gui Xingfu’s action completely cleared Sauron of suspicion.
The truth of the so-called young lord assassination case was now revealed to the world, and physical evidence had been presented.
Next, a third party need only take a blood sample from the dagger for dragon bloodline testing, and it could be determined whether this was indeed Zhi Li’s blood.
At that time, with both human testimony and physical evidence present, Zhi Li would face the greatest scandal in the realm.
And what was even more ingenious was that the place Gui Qinshao had stabbed was Zhi Li’s genitals. This hidden matter, which Sauron and Gui Xingfu held back without revealing, made Zhi Li dare not completely burn his bridges.
After all, his attempted violation of Gui Qinshao, though scandalous, was not fatal.
But once revealed, the fact that his genitals had been severed, that he might never again have descendants, that he was completely destined to be without issue, the consequences would be severe. It would directly overturn the legitimacy of his succession to the throne.
Gui Xingfu was truly a venomous serpent. One bite from him went straight to the bone.
…
Within the Tianshui City Lord’s manor.
Gui Xingfu prostrated himself at Sauron’s feet, incomparably respectful as he said, “Your Majesty the Regent is wise, especially in holding back the matter of Zhi Li’s severed genitals without revealing it, ensuring he absolutely dares not completely burn his bridges. This old servant is filled with admiration.”
Sauron stared coldly at Gui Xingfu and said, “You hid that dagger very deeply.”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed and said, “This old servant is ashamed.”
Sauron said, “You truly valued Ling Ao highly, not mentioning him even once in the matter of Zhi Li’s attempted violation of Gui Qinshao.”
Gui Xingfu kowtowed heavily and said, “This old servant is guilty.”
Sauron looked at him and said, “Gui Xingfu, remember this. You are a venomous serpent. I shall only ever use you, never truly employ you. Do you understand?”
Gui Xingfu said, “To be used by Your Majesty the Regent is this old servant’s fortune.”
Sauron said, “Someone come. Write several hundred copies of today’s decree for Zhi Wei’s execution, the decree stripping Gui Xingfu of his titles, and Gui Xingfu’s testimony regarding the young lord Zhi Li’s assassination case. Send them by falcon, by messenger, to every vassal, every noble above the rank of baron, every county.”
“Understood!” Suo Feiyang replied from outside.
Gui Xingfu’s heart trembled.
Sauron was truly ruthless and cunning. Exposing the scandal of Zhi Li’s attempted violation of Gui Qinshao and subsequent stabbing, yet holding back the matter of his severed genitals without revealing it, was entirely Sauron’s strategy.
Now, he was about to spread Zhi Li’s scandal throughout the realm, completely clearing himself of suspicion in the young lord’s assassination.
The total annihilation of Zhi Wei’s one hundred and fifty thousand troops at Tianshui City, Zhi Wei’s execution by royal decree, the scandal of Zhi Li’s stabbing. Each of these was a world-shaking event, yet Sauron was about to spread them throughout the realm.
What tremendous waves would this cause? Completely imaginable.
And Zhi Li’s face would be trampled beyond recognition by Sauron.
Two hours later.
Hundreds of falcons, bearing these world-shaking tidings, flew to every corner of the Raging Wave Kingdom.
Hundreds of messengers, riding swift horses, galloped to every province, every county city, every vassal territory of the Raging Wave Kingdom.
Sauron was about to raise towering waves to crash against Zhi Li.
…
At this moment, Tu Lingtuo’s two hundred thousand troops were still over three hundred li from Heavenly Wolf Pass, to arrive in two and a half days.
“Your Grace, a personal letter from Count Sauron of Tianshui City.” A messenger entered, presenting a thick stack of correspondence.
Opening the first letter, Duke Tu Lingtuo was as if struck by a paralysis technique.
His eyes suddenly bulged wide, revealing an expression of complete disbelief.
Then, his entire person seemed to freeze there, completely unable to move.
“This, how is this possible?”
“How is this possible?”
“How is this possible?”
Tu Lingchen asked in surprise, “Father, what is it?”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said, “Sauron… has beheaded Duke Zhi Wei.”
This personal letter from Sauron carried the scent of blood, written in Duke Zhi Wei’s own blood.
It briefly stated one matter: Duke Zhi Wei had been publicly beheaded.
“What…” Tu Lingchen cried out in alarm, “This, how is this possible? Has he eaten leopard’s gall? How could he be so foolish? Even the king dared not kill Zhi Wei, yet he dared?”
“Foolish, utterly foolish…” Tu Lingchen laughed heartily, “They all say Sauron’s wisdom borders on the demonic. Now it seems, after defeating Zhi Wei, he has become swollen with arrogance. With our army at his gates, Sauron, driven by fear like a cornered beast, has lost his reason to rage. Truly, Heaven wishing to destroy someone first drives them mad.”
“Slap…” Duke Tu Lingtuo struck him across the face.
“The utterly foolish one is you.” Duke Tu Lingtuo raged, “How could Sauron not know the consequences of killing Zhi Wei? He killed Zhi Wei to make me withdraw.”
After being struck, Tu Lingchen covered his face and said, “Withdraw? How is that possible? Once we withdraw, we would completely enrage His Highness Zhi Li, and Sauron would be dead for certain, Tianshui City destroyed. Why would we withdraw?”
Tu Lingtuo said, “With Zhi Wei killed, His Highness Zhi Li’s left and right arms now consist only of I, Tu Lingtuo. So it is no longer we who have need of His Highness Zhi Li, but he who has need of me. The servant has grown too big for his master. Even if I withdraw, Zhi Li would not dare touch me.”
Tu Lingchen was startled. Yes, indeed that was so.
Sauron killing Zhi Wei was equivalent to delivering a tremendous gift to Tu Lingtuo.
Tu Lingtuo said, “Moreover, he is also warning me. If he can kill Zhi Wei, he can kill me as well, advising me not to push things too far.”
“Hmph…” Tu Lingchen smiled coldly, “Why should we listen to him? Our two hundred thousand troops are at his gates. How could his few remaining troops resist? Sauron at this moment is already a withered skeleton in a tomb. His death has come.”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said, “Pass the order. The army shall make camp on the spot. Halt the advance.”
Tu Lingchen said in astonishment, “Father? Are we truly going to withdraw?”
“Fool.” Tu Lingtuo said, “Sauron’s petty tricks cannot deceive me. He still must be killed. Tianshui City still must be destroyed. But before that, why not extort something from His Highness Zhi Li? Sauron has delivered us such a tremendous gift. It would be a waste not to use it.”
Tu Lingtuo was truly a cunning and ambitious hero. Sauron beheading Zhi Wei to force his withdrawal, yet not only did he not withdraw, he made camp on the spot to blackmail Zhi Li. He would eat Sauron’s benefit, then go destroy Sauron.
…
The royal capital, Zhi Du.
Zhi Li received a thick stack of correspondence.
The first letter: Duke Zhi Wei’s one hundred and fifty thousand troops completely annihilated, and he himself publicly beheaded.
The second letter: Gui Xingfu captured by Sauron, stripped of his titles as Count of Linhai and City Lord of Linhai, with Gui Qinshao to inherit the position of City Lord of Linhai.
The third letter: Gui Xingfu publicly revealed the truth of Zhi Li’s stabbing case, that Zhi Li had attempted to violate Gui Qinshao, who would rather die than submit and stabbed him in one blow, with both human testimony and physical evidence present.
After reading these three letters.
Zhi Li’s entire body trembled, then a chill spread from within his heart, his limbs completely icy cold, losing all sensation.
Boundless darkness and cold enveloped him.
Then, a wrenching pain in his abdomen.
“Pugh…” A mouthful of blood suddenly sprayed forth.
Zhi Li’s vision went black, and he collapsed unconscious, his life hanging in the balance.