Listening to Xiao Rong’s question, Qu Yunmei answered, “Naturally, they should all be killed to appease the spirits of the people of Yizhou.”

 

Xiao Rong knew he would say that but still shook his head sadly. “Absolutely not!”

 

Qu Yunmei immediately turned his head. His expression didn’t show confusion but seemed to say: Just because you say no, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

 

Xiao Rong said, “Master Yu’s previous statements were somewhat extreme, but they weren’t entirely wrong. The turmoil in Yizhou couldn’t be blamed on the Great King, but the king’s initial use of killing, without completely eliminating the threat, left a hidden danger that is now being exploited by those with ill intentions.”

 

Qu Yunmei replied, “Then wouldn’t it be sufficient to completely eliminate the threat this time?”

 

Xiao Rong said, “It’s easier said than done. The region of Bah Shu is naturally fortified. Once the local people hide there, no one from the outside will be able to find them.”

 

Qu Yunmei showed disdain for these people. “Who do you count as local people?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Indeed. These people weren’t remnants of ancient Shu and Ba states but were Huns people who had invaded from the Western Regions 130 years ago. After changing their names, they established themselves as emperors in Yizhou. However, they were overthrown within a decade and then went into hiding, pretending to be local tribes.

 

This was a common occurrence throughout the Central Plains. Later generations called this period the “Great Migration of Nations,” where every foreign ethnic group dreamed of ruling the Central Plains. However, upon entering the Central Plains, their first act was to adopt local names, learn the language, and marry local people.

 

Most of the Yizhou locals, whom we’ll refer to as local tribes for now, were surnamed Li, the Huns were surnamed Liu, the Shanshan were surnamed Wang, and the Xianbei, being more cultured, chose quite pleasant-sounding surnames like Murong, Tuoba, and Yuwen.

 

In the end, though their regimes didn’t last, their bloodlines did indeed remain in the Central Plains forever.

 

Xiao Rong, adjusting his tone, said, “Your Majesty should understand that pursuing a defeated foe to the end will strip them of their last hope, causing them to become desperate. Leaving them alive means that as long as there’s still a path forward, they won’t resort to a desperate struggle.”

 

Qu Yunmei grew more uncomfortable. “Are you suggesting that I should let them go?”

 

Xiao Rong said, “Of course not. For committing such a grievous error, they shouldn’t be released.”

 

Qu Yunmei asked, “So you want me to keep them?”

 

Xiao Rong was confused. “Why would the King want to undertake such a thankless task?”

 

Qu Yunmei was bewildered. “Then what do you want me to do?”

 

Xiao Rong smiled slightly. “I hope your Majesty will capture these people and bring them back. There’s no need to treat them too well on the way—feed them only simple meals twice a day to test their endurance. Those who can’t make it won’t survive the journey, while those who do can be kept to work as laborers for the King.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

Good grief.

 

He looked at Xiao Rong with a different expression, surprised that someone who appeared refined and elegant could be so ruthless in their heart.

 

He usually took lives with a single blow, never resorting to torture, but Xiao Rong’s plan sounded even worse than torture.

 

Xiao Rong continued, “People dislike foreign tribes but have compassion for their fellow countrymen. Naturally, these farmers have also committed murders, and the people might hate them, but I still suggest that your Majesty differentiate between these two groups. Offer some preferential treatment to the farmers because no one knows when a desperate citizen might listen to a few instigations and decide to rise up. Compared to South Yong, the Great King’s troops are truly few. If your Majesty declares that surrendering individuals will not be killed and will receive some preferential treatment, captives will surrender faster, and ordinary people will see the King treating captives well and will think they’ll be treated even better. Then, moving their entire families might be possible.”

 

Qu Yunmei appeared calm, but his heart was like a tsunami, with waves crashing one after another.

 

He could still handle things this way.

 

He lowered his gaze and quietly fluttered his eyelashes. “Continue.”

 

Xiao Rong smiled and continued, “As for the preferential treatment, it needn’t be too generous. Just enough for the foreigners to be half full and the farmers to be eight-tenths full. For those who have blood on their hands, being allowed to live is the greatest blessing. If they are not well-fed, they can only endure. However, this is just the beginning. Once the troublemakers are subdued and they get used to this life, rewards can be given. Those who perform well can receive an extra meal, those who perform exceptionally well might get some warm bedding. If they achieve merit, the Great King might even make an exception and enlist them in the army, allowing them to continue risking their lives.”

 

Qu Yunmei suddenly thought that Xiao Rong was somewhat naive. “Have you seen what foreigners are like? Even if you break your whips, they won’t cry out in pain. Farmers might be obedient, but those foreigners will only know how to kill.”

 

Xiao Rong didn’t agree. He believed that human evolution was consistent. Except for some brainwashed individuals, most people feared death. Those who appeared fearless were merely pretending.

 

After a moment of silence, he smiled and asked in return, “Has the King ever gone hungry?”

 

Qu Yunmei paused, not answering him.

 

Xiao Rong looked at the tea set on the table and said slowly, “When a person is extremely hungry, they are no different from wild beasts. They might even resort to eating children. How much longer can a prisoner, surrounded by people eating, endure? Even if they are foreigners, how long can they hold out?

 

“Wild beasts can be tamed, and so can people. Physical suffering is one thing, and mental suffering is another. I have many methods that don’t harm a single hair on their bodies but will make them too afraid to defy your Majesty’s orders.”

 

Xiao Rong spoke with a gentle smile, looking very kind, but his words were quite terrifying.

 

Qu Yunmei felt he should be cautious but, for some reason, found that Xiao Rong didn’t seem so unpleasant anymore.

 

He didn’t spout fake kindness or fear exposing his ruthless side. Yet his ruthlessness, in this world, could be called benevolence. His cruelty was conditional punishment and didn’t truly regard human life as insignificant.

 

With this thought, Qu Yunmei’s opinion of Xiao Rong changed. This scholar seemed different from those he had encountered before.

 

His expression softened a bit as he said, “It’s indeed a good strategy, but there might not be enough time. I sent Yuan Baifu to suppress the unrest. It should be over by now. He knows my rules, and there might not be many left of the people you want.”

 

Xiao Rong was startled. “None left? That won’t do.”

 

Qu Yunmei was indifferent. “If these people are gone, there are others. The Huns have returned and can be used to carry out this task.”

 

Xiao Rong sighed, “It can’t be helped. Your Majesty must inform the general in Zhangye not to kill all of them. Some things can only be done by foreigners.”

 

Qu Yunmei had initially thought Xiao Rong wanted labor for fortifying defenses or farming. This didn’t seem to be the case.

 

He asked in confusion, “What things can only be done by foreigners?”

 

Xiao Rong blinked, realizing he had been ambiguous. He quickly clarified, “Ah, I didn’t mean it that way. What I meant was that although anyone can do this task, it’s better done by foreigners. I want these people to work as miners. A single mine can provide enough manpower for a hundred years. Certain mineral veins mustn’t be revealed. Those who go to mine should never come out again.”

 

He smiled apologetically, “After all, I’m a native of the Central Plains and want to give my fellow countrymen a chance to reform. As for these foreigners with deep grudges, there’s no need to worry too much. At worst, we can sell the mined minerals, give them a wage, and build them a market and neighborhood in the mining area.”

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

Using the minerals they mined to make money, then extracting a portion to pay them, while building them a residential area, was just a way to ensure they stayed there for life.

 

No, this was giving him a headache.

 

It seemed like he was developing a capitalist mindset.

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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