Chapter 285: Side Story 25 – A Job Well Done

"Many in history had claimed that to be a ruler is to be alone and isolated. That a ruler could not afford to fully give their trust to others, even to their own family members, for ambitions and betrayal lurked behind every corner.

 

I, for one, had chosen to trust others. Most everyone who had helped me sit on this throne, had risked their life and limb for my sake. Many of them were as close as a true family to me, and remained so even now.

 

Where others fall into paranoia and distrust, I chose to trust and love. That said, I was not foolish enough to freely extend such trust much further either. My late grandfather already served as a good example for what happened when trust was given to those who should not have earned it.

 

Those I trust with my life, are the ones I know would have given their life for my and the Empire's sake. For the rest, I made sure to keep them away at arm's length, as Emperor and subordinate.

 

When I eventually employed some as they earned my trust, I did not question them. Similarly, those who remained questionable, would not be employed either." - Xain Haroone, Emperor of the Al-Shan Empire, circa 689 FP.

Cal had done a good job teaching her student, Xain thought immediately when he saw Ying Xiao and Rafiqa enter the audience hall side by side as they were summoned.

 

The young woman walked forward with confidence and pride in herself, a far cry from the timid, flinching waif of a girl he had inadvertently rescued from an undignified fate during his travels a few years ago.

 

Many eyes were drawn to the girl, followed by gasps and sharp, audible intakes of breath from some of the gathered ministers, all focused on the many scars and burn marks easily visible on the girl's visage.

 

By contrast many of the military officials nodded in approval and respect, while more than a few just looked downright nostalgic. The sight was one Xain knew reminded them of Cal, as she too, typically returned from her battles with open wounds and injuries all over her body.

 

Ying Xiao had evoked all those memories from their minds, and at the same time, reminded them of what she is. That she was a blood mage was something Xain had ordered spread by rumors after the expedition left. Rumors that would be cemented by her appearance today.

 

"Welcome back, Jiāngjūn, Shàngxiào," said Xain from his throne as both women knelt and saluted towards the throne. His usage of their previously probationary ranks were pretty much an affirmation that those ranks are there to stay. "We have heard that you have succeeded in your endeavors and offer Our gratitude on behalf of the Empire."

 

"We do not deserve your gratitude, Your Imperial Highness," said both women together as they held their bow and lowered their heads in obeisance. "We merely did as our duties dictated."

 

"Raise your heads," said Xain with a dignified tone from his throne. Both women followed his command. From up close, the scabbed wounds and burns on Ying Xiao were far more obvious to the eye, which told of how hard fought the battles were. "Such humility does not become you two. Such dedication and loyalty also needs to be rewarded."

 

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High Magistrate Wang's rebellion had given Xain the excuse and the opportunity to rightfully purge his faction and supporters from the Imperial court as a whole.

 

Besides the man himself and the other nobles of Tian-Mao, a good number of other nobles and ministers had been suspected of being on his side or of supporting him in a clandestine manner.

 

A good third of those suspected nobles and ministers had tried to raise them banners in support of the High Magistrate and the traditional ways he stood for when the rebellion became an open fact. These men were swiftly arrested by the waiting military operatives who had prepared for just that to happen. A few resisted and were unfortunately brought in dead rather than alive.

 

Around a quarter of those kept under watch had a change of heart when the rebellion started, and had reported the invitations to rebel that they received to Imperial officials. They were praised for their cooperation and had even named a few collaborators that the intelligence agents had not noticed.

 

The rest of the nobles and ministers under watch sat on the sidelines and had mostly sequestered themselves in their residences with various excuses as they waited for a winner to emerge. Xain could not exactly punish them, as technically they had not committed any wrongdoings yet, but he made sure to note their names. They were to never rise any higher than their current positions unless they proved that they had turned a new leaf in the future.

 

That Ying Xiao brought thousands of prisoners, including some of High Magistrate Wang's family, was a pleasant surprise as well. They were an opportunity for Xain to show himself as merciful and fair, as his grandfather-in-law taught him, and he would not let such an opportunity escape him.

 

"We hereby decree the following:" said Xain as he began. The gathered ministers and officials all turned to face him, and the Imperial scribe frantically jotted down his every word. "Jiāngjūn Ying Xiao is hereby promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards, with the title of the Generals who Subdued the Rebels."

 

"Shàngxiào Rafiqa Bey Leung is hereby promoted to Jiāngjūn, with all the rights and responsibilities it entails," Xain added as he continued on. "Both shall also be awarded with ten catties of gold, ten catties of silk and brocade, and ten fine steeds from the Imperial stables each."

 

A few surprised gasps were barely audible from the gathered ministers. Xain quietly noted down the source of those gasps. People who probably thought he had bestowed too generous rewards or the likes, most likely, but he would find out one way or another.

 

"The soldiers who had taken up arms under the treacherous Wang Dong-Lu's orders are to be punished with two years of forced labor for their mistakes," he continued on, which brought more murmurs as he expected. "All officers ranked sergeant or above are to be interrogated to discern their involvement in the rebellion. All those found to be an active part of the rebellion shall be executed by decapitation."

 

"The families of the traitors are to be interrogated as well. Those who had directly aided the rebellion are to be drawn and quartered in public," more gasps came from the crowd, which had not surprised Xain. Such public executions had not been done since shortly after the civil war ended. "Those found innocent will be exiled from the empire. Such is Our judgement."

 

"As for the two of you… We congratulate you for a job well done."

 

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