"Insolence!"
Li Xiuyun flew into a rage and immediately had his men surround the Ouyang family disciples. "Ouyang Che, I tolerated your constant scheming against me, but now with the enemy at our gates, how dare you spread seditious rumors?"
Ouyang Che sneered, "You all defend the city at any cost, gaining merit if you win, and escaping if you lose, leaving us common folk to suffer? Don't forget, Li Xiuyun, you were once just a student I discarded. Know your place!"
Li Xiuyun said sternly, "Nonsense! The enemy numbers at most tens of thousands. Luzhou's army is strong and capable of repelling them! Furthermore, many in the enemy ranks are followers of the Spring Revival Cult. How cruel and vicious are they? Do you think surrendering will spare the lives of the city's populace? Without the Ouyang family's backing, you'd be worse than a stray dog!"
...
The common people watched the two men's sharp exchange, unsure of whom to believe.
One was the newly appointed Prefect Li, who lacked experience but was good to the people.
The other was a scholar from the Ouyang family, who had been influential in the region for over a decade, and was the former Prefect!
Just as Ouyang Che was about to lash out, a clear voice called out from afar, "Prefect Li, what has happened?"
Everyone turned to see Liang Xiao approaching with over a dozen soldiers, his gaze fixed on Ouyang Che.
"Marquis Anguo!" Li Xiuyun's eyes lit up, and he quickly explained the situation.
Liang Xiao frowned, fixed his eyes on Ouyang Che, and asked, "Is what Prefect Li said entirely true?"
Ouyang Che stood tall and righteous, "So what if it is? I will not stand by and watch the common people become your scapegoats!"
Liang Xiao chuckled for a moment, then asked, "So you advocate for peace talks and surrender with the Spring Revival Cult enemies, and also, like the enemy, you falsely reported their numbers at two hundred and eighty thousand?"
"Where is the false report? It's just that you are eager for merit and are misleading the people into a desperate gamble, hence the concealment!" Ouyang Che replied calmly.
Liang Xiao stared at Ouyang Che and smiled, "Eager for merit? Lord Zhuo and I lack neither money, nor reputation, nor official positions. Why are we assisting in defending Luzhou? Are we so bored we came here to die? Tell me."
Ouyang Che was stunned into silence.
The common people carefully considered Liang Xiao's words and nodded in agreement. "Marquis Anguo speaks the truth!"
It was then that people remembered Liang Xiao and Zhuo Zifang were also assisting in the city's defense!
While it might be understandable for Li Xiuyun to seek merit, these two had no reason to risk their lives here. They could easily leave and be successful elsewhere.
"I... I..." Ouyang Che broke out in a sweat.
Liang Xiao then announced in a clear voice, "I have been ordered by the Emperor to inspect Jiangnan. Wherever I go, I am authorized to participate in military and political affairs. Those with official ranks lower than mine in the jurisdictions under their charge shall have their military and political matters decided by me. His Majesty's decree has already been shown to Prefect Li, Lord Zhuo, and General Hengjiang, Gongsun Dingjun!"
"Lord Zhuo and General Hengjiang can attest to this!" Li Xiuyun nodded solemnly.
Everyone became serious.
"So that's how it is. My apologies, my apologies..." Ouyang Che quickly forced a smile.
Liang Xiao merely gazed at Ouyang Che and declared loudly, "With the enemy at our gates, the former Prefect Ouyang Che, driven by malice and revenge, spreads seditious rumors, advocating for surrender and peace with rebels and the Spring Revival Cult, disregarding the safety of the people. Guards, take Ouyang Che to the city gates and behead him publicly as a warning! Anyone else who incites talk of peace or surrender will also be executed!"
The moment the words fell, the entire crowd was horrified!
This was a member of the Ouyang family, the former Prefect, to be executed at a moment's notice?
Ouyang Che staggered back several steps and declared furiously, "I am from the Ouyang family! A former imperial official with a title! On what grounds do you kill me?!"
Liang Xiao coldly glanced at Ouyang Che. "When you reach the underworld, ask Dugu Ling on what grounds I killed you."
Ouyang Che choked, then, moments later, in sheer terror, lost control of himself.
"I was merely anxious for the people and misspoke! Please, Marquis Anguo, give me a chance to atone for my mistakes!"
He no longer cared about his former prestige, only about saving his life.
However, Liang Xiao turned a deaf ear and ordered the soldiers to drag the kneeling and weeping Ouyang Che out for execution. The remaining Ouyang family disciples were terrified and immediately fell to their knees begging for mercy.
Everyone present was stunned. Even Li Xiuyun thought Liang Xiao was being too harsh. He whispered, "His background is special. Can't you spare his life?"
"It's his misfortune, and his stupidity. How could he not know about such a significant event happening in Luzhou?" Liang Xiao replied without hesitation.
Half the commoners present looked at Liang Xiao with awe, many swallowing hard.
A core member of the Ouyang family, executed without hesitation...
Li Xiuyun said no more.
He understood that in these critical times, Liang Xiao needed to make an example to stabilize public morale, preventing unrest on the home front while the battle raged on the front lines.
Liang Xiao then surveyed the crowd and said loudly, "I hope you all understand the depravity of the Spring Revival Cult. The enemy forces outside are composed of their followers, robbers, and fierce bandits. If they capture Luzhou, the landlords and gentry might still have a chance to buy their way out, but what about you?"
The common people suddenly understood and indignantly declared, "Ouyang Che deserved to die!"
Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Please, elders and folks, help our soldiers keep an eye on the Ouyang family members. While we fight and bleed on the front lines to protect the entire city, we cannot allow them to cause trouble in the rear. Prefect Li will investigate after the war!"
"We obey Marquis Anguo!" The commoners all agreed, and in an instant, they surged towards the Ouyang family's compound!
The group of Ouyang family disciples were also rounded up by the commoners, daring not to resist.
Li Xiuyun looked at the cheering crowd in bewilderment, then at Liang Xiao, his heart filled with solemn respect.
Indeed, one cannot judge this man by ordinary standards!
He swiftly executed a former imperial official with a title, and mobilized the populace to pressure the Ouyang family branch in Luzhou.
Earlier, Ouyang Che had used popular sentiment to pressure him. How had Liang Xiao reversed the situation so quickly?
Li Xiuyun could already imagine the outrage of the Ouyang family in the capital!
But no matter what, once this matter spread, it would undoubtedly serve as an effective deterrent to troublemakers within the city, and rumors and incitement would greatly improve, as normal people had no desire to die.
Li Xiuyun secretly rejoiced and followed Liang Xiao to his residence.
On the way, Li Xiuyun was shocked to learn that Lü Ma'er had been killed by Liang Xiao's arrow. "That Lü Ma'er was a bandit, how did he become a rebel leader? If that's the case, wouldn't it have been better to keep such a good-for-nothing as a leader?"
Liang Xiao laughed, "How could such a good-for-nothing hold real power? He would have been sidelined if he lived. It's better to use him to boost our troops' morale and crush the enemy's spirit. I certainly don't want our soldiers to become complacent upon learning Lü Ma'er is the enemy commander."
Li Xiuyun understood.
"What truly angered me was Ouyang Che's audacity in spreading seditious rumors. What does that signify?" Liang Xiao's expression grew grim.
Li Xiuyun pondered, "It means the situation is more complicated than we imagined..."
Perhaps members of the Ouyang family were also secretly involved in the rebellion, but without concrete evidence!
The more Li Xiuyun thought about it, the more worried he became.
Could there be more hidden pawns within the city?
Liang Xiao grinned, "No, it means we can force the Ouyang family to donate a large sum of money again!"
Li Xiuyun was speechless. He knew Liang Xiao had become a professional extortionist.
Liang Xiao returned to his home in the southeastern part of the city center to rest, while Zhuo Zifang went to the southwest to maintain vigilance.
Upon hearing that Liang Xiao had executed Ouyang Che, Zhuo Zifang was merely surprised, not questioning it. He then led his guards, including San Quan, towards the southwestern city wall.
At the same time, Yan Jun and others in the rebel camp were anxious.
"Why has there been no news from our inside contact?"
Duan Hong stood up and said, "Sect Leader, the enemy's reinforcements might already be on their way. We cannot delay any longer. We should attack the city tonight, bypass the southeast, and achieve success in one fell swoop!"