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Zhao Family
Human Race Guardian
Biodata
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Zhao Family (赵家) |
| Species/Race | Human clan |
| Affiliation | Lin'an City |
| Occupation/Role | Prominent and influential Lin'an City family; owned shops, properties, and substantial wealth |
| Status | Lin'an City branch exterminated under Great Qin law; its assets were confiscated 43 48 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 27 (named) 27 |
Background / History
During Zhao Fang's twenty years as Lin'an City's magistrate, the Zhao Family gained considerable benefits and rapidly expanded its influence. To the city's common people, the family had once appeared untouchable. 48
Zhao Fang secretly joined the Eternal Life Alliance through Zhuang Mingyuan, seeking to extend his lifespan. He participated in the sacrifice of Ancient Moon Village to nurture the specter Blood Soul and considered sacrificing all of Lin'an City. 20 21 27
After Zhao Fang's crimes were exposed, he pleaded for Shen Changqing to spare his relatives, claiming that they knew nothing of his actions. Shen rejected the request, holding that the Zhao Family had enjoyed Zhao Fang's favor and therefore had to bear the consequences of his betrayal. Zhao Fang then committed suicide. 27
Assets & Holdings
| Asset | Recorded value / disposition |
|---|---|
| Gold | 3,000 taels 43 |
| Silver | 7,000 taels 43 |
| Antiques and paintings | Estimated at roughly 20,000 taels 43 |
| Shops and properties in Lin'an City | Estimated at more than 150,000 taels 43 |
| Lin'an City branch total | Roughly 210,000 taels 43 |
| All branch families | Potentially more than 500,000 taels combined 43 |
| Final disposition | Assets were seized, with properties and valuables ordered sold and the proceeds deposited in the government treasury. 42 43 |
Relationships
- Zhao Fang — Lin'an City magistrate and senior Zhao Family member; his collusion with demons and the Eternal Life Alliance brought about the clan's downfall. 27 40
- Zhao Li — Direct descendant of Zhao Fang's generation and the family's highest-ranking elder after Zhao Fang's death; attempted to organize an escape and seek outside aid. 40 41
- Zhao Mingtang — Zhao Fang's son; opposed efforts to make his branch scapegoats for Zhao Fang's crimes. 40
- Zhao Mingye — Zhao Li's son; advocated sacrificing Zhao Mingtang's branch and later supported fleeing Lin'an City. 40 41
- Shen Changqing — Temporary Lin'an City magistrate and Demon Suppression Bureau official who sealed the estate, enforced the imperial judgment, and oversaw the execution. 28 41 48
- Eternal Life Alliance — Zhao Fang's organization; dispatched evil creatures to attack the yamen and attempt to rescue the detained family members. 44 46
- Cui Cheng — Friend of Zhao Li, but refused to intervene because aiding the Zhao Family could implicate the Origin-Returning Sword Sect. 42
Story Role / Major Arcs
Exposure and confinement
Following Zhao Fang's confession and suicide, Shen Changqing ordered the Zhao Family residence sealed and forbade anyone from leaving. Family members and servants repeatedly attempted to flee, but Shen authorized the killing of anyone escaping before judgment. 28 34 35
The confinement also exposed division within the household. Zhao Mingye proposed that Zhao Mingtang's branch accept blame for Zhao Fang's crimes, while Zhao Li concluded that the family could only survive by escaping Lin'an City. 40 41
Imperial judgment and arrest
Great Qin's judgment found Zhao Fang's collusion with demons and evil creatures conclusive. It ordered the execution of the Zhao Family through nine degrees of kinship, treating the crime as treason against humanity. 36 41
When Shen Changqing arrived to enforce the judgment, Zhao Family guards and martial artists resisted. Shen crushed the resistance, ordered all members arrested, and had the estate's wealth transferred to the yamen treasury. 41 42
Failed rescue attempt
Before the execution, evil creatures attacked the yamen in an attempt to free the Zhao Family prisoners. Shen concluded that the Eternal Life Alliance had sent one attacker to rescue the captives and another to create chaos through assassination. The attempt failed, leaving the prisoners in custody. 44 45 46
Public execution
The Zhao Family was publicly executed east of Lin'an City. The condemned included direct descendants, servants, guards, elderly people, and infants; Shen regarded servants bound by contracts as part of the family because they had benefited from its former prosperity. 42 48
After nearly two hours, all 187 Zhao Family members in Lin'an City had been beheaded. Their bodies were ordered buried in a mass grave outside the city, with visits and memorial offerings forbidden. 48