Early June, 205 BC, morning.
"Liao Ye, take a few men later and remove the plaque from the Qi royal palace up there." Xiang An gave the order to Liao Ye as he passed through the main doors of the hall.
"Yes!"
Liao Ye went to find people to take down the plaque, while Xiang An entered the hall with several guards. Zi Juan was standing to one side, waiting to receive him.
"Your Majesty, all the Qi officials in the city who have not yet fled are here." Zi Juan clasped her fists and stepped to Xiang An's rear right.
Standing at the entrance to the hall, Xiang An swept his gaze through it. The first thing he saw was a cluster of Qi officials gathered together, most wearing terrified expressions. Some had been bound, while several of those left unbound wore ingratiating smiles.
Xiang An looked at Zi Juan, a question in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, the ones who were bound put up the fiercest resistance during the arrests. Those who were not bound mostly surrendered willingly," Zi Juan replied.
Xiang An nodded to show that he understood, then asked, "Where is Peng Yue? You did not kill him, did you?"
"Not yet. He's over there." Zi Juan gestured with her chin.
Xiang An looked in the direction Zi Juan indicated and found an unconscious figure lying at the side of the hall. Bandages were wrapped around his wrists and ankles, and bloodstains still remained on the floor.
Xiang An paid no attention to the Qi officials glaring furiously at him or wearing fawning smiles. Instead, he walked straight toward Peng Yue.
Zi Juan had already severed Peng Yue's hand and Achilles tendons. He was destined to cause no more trouble.
Xiang An looked down at the still-unconscious