Year 335 of the New Era.
Bai Lu returned from Mobei at the head of the Northern Expedition Army.
For three years, Bai Lu had led the Northern Expedition Army rampaging across the land, nearly wiping out the grassland tribes, and beginning the legendary life that belonged to him.
"Your subordinate Bai Lu pays his respects to the King."
Seeing the King and a host of court ministers waiting outside the city gates to welcome him, Bai Lu dismounted from his warhorse while still some distance away and saluted the King, who stood before the city gates to welcome them home from the campaign.
"My subject, dispense with the ceremony!" Yang Yu said softly as he looked at Bai Lu, who was travel-worn, his armor still stained with crimson blood.
"Thank you, King."
Bai Lu rose from the ground.
"My subject has traveled far and worked hard. You must be exhausted. I have already ordered a banquet prepared to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey."
Yang Yu continued softly, "Also, General Si's contributions to the court will be remembered. He will be enshrined in the Hall of Heroes."
"Your subordinate thanks the King for his great grace on behalf of his father."
Bai Lu knelt on one knee and saluted again.
The King had truly given him too much.
Next.
The Star Ancient Dynasty developed at an astonishing speed, and its ironmaking techniques grew increasingly mature.
Civilization building also proceeded steadily.
Year 340 of the New Era.
The population of the Star Ancient Dynasty surpassed two million, and the Star Ancient Dynasty began relocating its people.
More than two hundred thousand long-established citizens were moved north to live.
Thanks to the diligence of the Star Ancient Dynasty's people, they gradually adapted to the northern lands. In addition, the court granted those who relocated a ten-year tax exemption.
Thus, many citizens were still willing to migrate north and make their homes there.
After the wars ended.
The Star Ancient Dynasty developed at an astonishing speed.
Every town was required to establish a school to provide education for the children of the people.
In front of every school, there was also a Yamen Public Security Office.
Public security administration was strengthened as well.
Year 344 of the New Era.
Yang Yu looked at the message Guardian Dragon had delivered, his brows tightly knitted. "How did the Yuanyang County Court rule?"
"Detention!"
Guardian Dragon replied.
"Detention?" Yang Yu laughed at once. "What about the child's parents?"
"The child's parents intended to go to the Royal Capital and ask the lord there to uphold justice."
"However, they were stopped."
"The father was even imprisoned on the charge of disrupting public order."
Guardian Dragon spoke solemnly.
"Good, good, good!"
Although Yang Yu wore a smile, the chill within it made even Guardian Dragon shudder.
The King's smile was simply too frightening.
"It seems someone wants to test the edge of my blade again."
Yang Yu gave a cold laugh.
The children at the school had banded together to bully another child from a poor family.
In the end, they had deliberately murdered him.
However.
The culprit had not yet reached the age of sixteen stipulated by the dynasty and could not be held legally responsible.
Moreover, the local authorities had actually colluded with the child's family and restricted other people's freedom.
Very good. Very good indeed!
"You will handle this personally!"
"I grant you the authority to execute first and report afterward." Yang Yu's eyes showed no emotional fluctuation as he spoke coldly.
Anyone who challenged the authority of the court or the existence of the law.
Would have to pay the corresponding price.
"Yes."
One day later.
Yuanyang County.
Yuanyang County was eight hundred li from the Royal Capital.
However.
With the straight, level roads and relentless riding, one day was enough for Guardian Dragon and the others to reach Yuanyang County.
They went straight to the Yuanyang County yamen.
"Everyone, what is this?"
Ma Hong, the magistrate of Yuanyang County, looked at this imposing group. They had ridden hard, wore clothing he did not recognize, and radiated the unmistakable bearing of people in positions of power.
At this.
Guardian Dragon did not answer him. He merely looked at him coldly and tossed out a token.
Ma Hong hurriedly caught the token flying toward him. When he saw the characters on it, his body could not help trembling.
It was a Royal Decree from the Royal Capital.
As the respected magistrate of a county.
He naturally knew what a Royal Decree meant.
After reading it clearly.
Magistrate Ma Hong hurriedly bent at the waist and respectfully returned the token to Guardian Dragon. "My lord, how may this humble one serve you?"
How many people had died when this very token had appeared back then?
"Where are those people who relied on the dynasty's laws to act recklessly and plot against the lives of others?"
Guardian Dragon asked coldly.
"They're... they're in the prison."
Upon hearing this, Magistrate Ma Hong's heart lurched, and he hurriedly answered.
Thankfully, thankfully he had followed the dynasty's laws and detained them for half a month.
Otherwise.
He would not have escaped punishment.
"Lead the way." Guardian Dragon stared coldly at Ma Hong and spoke in an icy tone.
"Yes."
"My lords, this way, please."
At this moment.
The magistrate who had once lorded over Yuanyang County was like a pug, eagerly leading the way before Guardian Dragon.
Upon entering the filthy, foul-smelling prison.
Guardian Dragon's expression turned even colder, but he said nothing.
The magistrate of Yuanyang County beside him felt his heart lurch again.
Could something else have happened?
They arrived at the prison where the children were being detained.
Guardian Dragon did not enter. Instead, he observed the three children inside.
Just then.
A jailer came over with food.
"Stop."
Seeing that a jailer had actually brought food to the prisoners, Guardian Dragon spoke at once.
"My lord."
Seeing that even the magistrate had personally accompanied this man, the jailer naturally did not dare neglect him and hurriedly saluted Guardian Dragon.
Guardian Dragon took the chopsticks from his hand, turned one end downward and the other upward, then handed them back to the jailer. "Give them to that child like this."
"Yes!" the jailer replied respectfully.
Magistrate Ma Hong, however, watched Guardian Dragon's actions in confusion.
What was he trying to do?
But after the jailer carried the food inside to the child.
The child straightened the reversed chopsticks.
At once.
A trace of killing intent flashed through Guardian Dragon's eyes. "This is the youngest child, correct?"
"Yes!"
Magistrate Ma Hong answered respectfully.
At this moment.
He seemed to have guessed what Guardian Dragon intended to do.
"He understands right from wrong. Execute him immediately."
Guardian Dragon spoke coldly.
"Yes."
Magistrate Ma Hong was terrified. So what if it was a child?
The lord from the Royal Capital had already issued the order.
If he still dared to refuse, he knew what the consequences would be.
Next.
All those children were executed in the street.
The people of Yuanyang County were completely shaken by the court's actions.
Guardian Dragon also posted a notice on the spot.
The law would never bow its head to lawlessness.
As long as one violated the court's laws, then when execution was warranted, execution would be carried out without delay.
At the same time.
Guardian Dragon's other soldiers also investigated many illegal matters in Yuanyang County.
Including Magistrate Ma Hong.
The next day.
Ma Hong was thrown into prison in chains, while the families of the children executed on the spot were likewise arrested in their entirety by the army outside the city.
The laws of the dynasty could not be violated.
Those who violated them had to be prepared to face death.
Guardian Dragon was truly ruthless.
He directly wielded the executioner's blade of power against all of them.
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