Hyper-Dimensional Player

Chapter 828 - 76: Public Execution, Death Penalty as the Baseline (Part 3)

The reason is simply this.

The renowned figures in the Green Forest have largely been killed off during this period.

Some have even destroyed their own appearances, hidden their names, and all their fame in the martial world has faded into smoke.

This Your Majesty has such a heavy killing intent!

Countless people are terrified, afraid that one day those ferocious Jinyi Guards will come knocking at their door. Fortunately, after this wave of slaughter, the government issued a notice, announcing the end of the first phase of the crackdown. Those meant to be killed are mostly dead; the remaining ones should reform.

On the sixteenth day after the fall of Later Shu.

A day of good omen.

Suitable for bringing joy to the people of Ba and Shu.

Thus, Duncan issued a decree, relieving the people of Ba and Shu from half a year's taxes, while everything else remained the same since he couldn't exempt too much tax — after all, there are tens of thousands of troops to support, and it's known that his army always receives full salaries.

With the issuance of this policy, the entire Ba and Shu instantly showed signs of great governance, and countless civilians expressed gratitude. Their demands were actually very modest; just half a year's tax relief was enough to bring gaiety to them.

A killing, and then a relief.

Benevolence coupled with authority.

The hearts of the people of Ba and Shu quietly turned towards Duncan. Although the officials he appointed have not fully controlled the region, ordinary people already feel gratitude and awe towards this Your Majesty.

Killing is establishing authority, and also trust.

Nothing gains trust more than heads.

No one can question Duncan's stance on ending the era of chaos unless they no longer care about their own heads.

The world has been in turmoil for long, people's hearts long for stability.

No matter how fiercely Duncan slaughtered, they tolerated it. Some even felt that only such thunderous means could truly end this chaotic era!

The executions lasted less than a month.

Afterwards, everything returned to normal.

Duncan did not intentionally issue any interesting ordinances, keeping the system from Meng Chang's rule, governing the great nation like cooking a small dish, altering things slowly. The war has just ended, and the people of Ba and Shu are like startled birds, needing proper appeasement before institutional reform.

Mohechi, Crystal Palace.

In the reflections of palace lamps and candlelight, Duncan gazed down at the crowd of beauties kneeling before him. Lu Qiongxi stood by his side, gently whispering introductions. Kneeling in the center was Lady Huarui, certainly a peerless beauty at first glance, no wonder Zhao Kuangyin couldn't resist taking her into the harem.

Beside her knelt a beautiful woman named Li Yanniang, who invented the Chao Tian bun, which people in the palace rushed to imitate.

In Meng Chang's harem, there were fourteen ranks: Zhaoyi, Zhaorong, Zhaohua, Baofang, Baoxiang, Baoyi, Anchun, Anbi, Anqing, Xiurong, Xiumei, Xiujian, etc., ranked among the officials and nobles.

So many beauties kneeling before him, it dazzled one's eyes. Indeed, the emperor of the Central Plains was happier than the western emperor.

——"Ice skin, jade bones, pure without sweat, water palace, a breeze brings a hidden fragrance. A hint of moon peeks through embroidered curtains, tilted pillows, hairpins amiss, cloud-like hair in disarray.

Rising silently at the jade door, sparse stars traverse the Silver River. Count on fingers, how many times the west wind came, only fearing the years quietly change."

Beneath the glazed layers of the Crystal Palace, Lady Huarui truly had the ice skin and jade bones, hidden fragrance lingering. At this moment, with such a pitiable appearance that even women looked and felt compassion.

I shall appreciate for a while, exactly what kind of ice skin and jade bones made even Zhao Kuangyin lose control.

.........

(Note: Ice skin and jade bones are akin to the modern term for cold white skin — extremely delicate, naturally beautiful, related to physique.)