Below the city, people wept. The officials who had rushed to the battlements and looked down saw their own families, and their hearts felt as though pierced by awls.
Someone turned and ran to Hu Yan Wei, clasping his hands as he pleaded, "Commander-in-Chief, my family is here. They were only one step too late. I beg you, Commander-in-Chief, show mercy and allow the cultivators to bring them up!"
Blood smeared across his face, droplets still hanging from his thick beard, Hu Yan Wei suddenly shouted, "Pass down my military order! The palace gates are closed. No one is permitted to force their way inside, regardless of their identity. Those who trespass will be killed without mercy!"
"You..." The official was stunned.
Hu Yan Wei swept out a hand. "Men, drive them down and put them under guard!"
"Hu Yan Wei, you're abusing your authority! You're abusing your authority..."
A crowd shouted and cursed as soldiers forcibly drove them from the city wall.
Raising a hand to wipe the blood from his face, Hu Yan Wei let out a long breath. He had never imagined that one day he would raise his hand against high officials of the Imperial Court—and personally kill, before everyone's eyes, an Imperial Court official who had committed no wrong at all.
Turning to look outside the city, he saw that it was not only the families of Imperial Court officials. Many civilians with nowhere else to flee had followed suit and crowded over as well.
Looking at the enemy army drawing near in the distance, Hu Yan Wei gave another order. "Archers, fire! Disperse them!"
The deputy general beside him said in alarm, "Commander-in-Chief, those below are officials' families and the city's common people."
Hu Yan Wei pointed toward the direction from which the enemy