Chapter 394: Chapter 382: Beating Up Violently
News from Yangzhou had long reached Jiaozhou. Everyone in the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry was anxious and distressed but had no other choice but to wait for word from Xie Xun.
Refugees fleeing from Yangzhou reported tales of rivers of blood, a state mansion slaughtering civilians, and an epidemic wreaking havoc. They all feared that Xie Xun had met his end in Yangzhou.
Amid such a perilous situation, Xie Xun stayed behind in Yangzhou, unafraid of death, to save the people. His actions inspired countless members of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry, even moving the people of Jiaozhou to respect and admiration. Under those circumstances, no one would have faulted him for leaving Yangzhou—after all, the Twelve States were already fraught with difficulties and needed Xie Xun to preside over the overall situation. Yet, he risked everything for the people of Yangzhou, silencing all doubts with his actions.
Their commander was a man who truly cared for his country and its people. Only someone like him could bring genuine peace and stability to Yanyang.
This is the spirit and responsibility of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
They guarded the borders, protected the people, and defended the common folk of the entire nation.
"What’s the situation in Jiaozhou?" Xie Xun asked urgently.
"There are many refugees, and the epidemic has been contained outside the city. About ten thousand people are infected outside the city, while the situation inside the city is relatively better. A quarantine zone has been established, with around six hundred people affected. However, the infections outside the city are severe, and the numbers are still rising," General Xu Zhou reported.
Xie Xun nodded. "We brought with us a prescription for treating the epidemic from Yangzhou, devised by the Imperial Physicians of the palace. It’s remarkably effective in targeting the illness. Assign personnel to redistribute the medicinal ingredients."
"Understood!"
General Xu Zhou accepted the order and turned to leave but then hesitated and came back. "Your Grace, it’s truly a relief that you’ve returned safely."
Xie Xun chuckled lightly. "Go about your duties!"
"Yes!"
In General Xu Zhou’s eyes, Xie Xun caught a glimpse of respect and admiration. Xu Zhou had always been Deputy General to Xie Zhang and utterly loyal to him. This was the first time Xie Xun had seen in Xu Zhou the same reverence typically reserved for his elder brother. Through courage and competence, Xie Xun had finally earned Xu Zhou’s respect.
"General Xu, are you unwell?" Xie Xun noticed something off in Xu Zhou’s gait—a sluggish heaviness indicative of an injury.
Feiying stepped forward, steeling himself as he spoke, "Master, the Second Young Master is in the city."
"What?" Xie Xun’s expression darkened instantly. "Why is he here?"
"He arrived on New Year’s Eve." Feiying hesitated before explaining. Before leaving for Yangzhou, Xie Xun had ordered that no information be sent to Ningzhou. However, when the epidemic began spreading across Yanyang, Xie Jue received word in Ningzhou. Suspicious over the lack of letters from Xie Xun, coupled with news trickling out of Yangzhou through poorly guarded ferry crossings, Xie Jue became both furious and worried. On New Year’s Eve, he rushed to Jiaozhou overnight.
Upon arrival, Xie Jue hauled out all the generals in the army and had them flogged with forty strokes each. No one dared to resist; not a single person protested.
"When the master is humiliated, the subordinates must face death." This had always been the way.
The commander of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had fallen into peril. Naturally, this was seen as a reflection of his generals’ incompetence. Both General Xu Zhou and Feiying had endured forty strokes of military punishment.
"You’re not going to get beaten too, are you?" Fengyu raised an eyebrow.
In this world, the only person who could beat Xie Xun without him daring to resist was Xie Jue.
"I’m the commander of the army; he won’t lay hands on me." Doing so would compromise the dignity of a commander. "Second Brother is most skilled at cold wars; he might ignore me for three months."
Fortunately, no one in Xie Xun’s party had contracted the disease along the way, proving they weren’t carrying the illness. With General Xu Zhou’s arrangements, Xie Xun entered the city, where a special residence had been prepared for him to work. It was linked to the state mansion.
When Xie Xun returned to the residence, Xie Jue and Xue Yu were in the middle of a discussion.
Upon seeing Xie Xun, Xue Yu’s face broke into a smile as he cupped his fists in greeting. "Your Grace, you’ve had a challenging journey. The people of Jiaozhou have been anxiously awaiting your safe return."
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Xue."
Back when Xie Xun had first arrived in Jiaozhou, Xue Yu hadn’t been this respectful.
Xue Yu glanced at the Second Young Master, who remained expressionless, and realized the brothers clearly had something to discuss. Making a few polite remarks, he tactfully took his leave. In his heart, he understood. Now that Xie Xun had safely returned from Yangzhou, news of his heroics would soon spread across Yanyang. The Twelve States would all but fall under Xie Xun’s influence.
Who wouldn’t want a leader like this? A leader who, even in the face of epidemics and uprisings, never abandoned his people. For the Twelve States, it had been years since there was such hope and expectation.
"Second Brother..." Xie Xun mustered his courage to step forward, flashing his signature guilty smile whenever he made mistakes. "I was wrong. Don’t be mad. At least I..."
Xie Jue’s face was as finely chiseled as jade, cold as snow—like an emotionless sculpture. Suddenly, he lashed out with a kick, sending Xie Xun sprawling to the ground. Xie Jue used his full strength, and pain flared in Xie Xun’s waist and abdomen.
"I was wrong!" Xie Xun dared not cry out in pain. "I shouldn’t have recklessly gone to Yangzhou. I shouldn’t have taken such risks. But I saved an entire city of people. My conscience is clear. Surely you don’t have reason to beat me again, Second Brother?"
Xie Jue stared at him impassively. "Does your brother need a reason to hit you?"
Xie Xun, "..."