Good-for-nothings?
Of all the dignitaries who had risen above tens of millions of people in Great Song to stand at court, which of them could be called that?
Some of them did indeed know nothing but how to take bribes and extort others, but most considered themselves a cut above everyone else-no, several cuts above.
After all, the imperial examinations at this time were far more difficult than the so-called civil service and postgraduate entrance exams, and those who could attend court in Daqing Hall either had genuine ability, were skilled at scheming their way up, or possessed both qualities.
Xu Xiao's words showed utter contempt for them.
How could they endure this? If this could be endured, what could not?
Two stubborn officials immediately stepped forward, showing no fear of Xu Xiao, who stood suspended in the air and was clearly no ordinary mortal.
"Halt! You villain, how dare you spout such nonsense? Do you know-"
"Buzz... buzz."
Before the man could finish, Xu Xiao, who had not come to debate with anyone, acted.
Two pieces of iron sliced through the air, leaving a pile of minced meat on the ground.
The thick stench of blood spread, striking deep into the minds of the assembled officials.
He had killed someone!
The brute had killed people right there in Daqing Hall!
Whether they were high-ranking officials and gentry who knew the inside story or middle- and lower-ranking officials who had barely qualified to attend, they all stood rooted to the spot.
This... this was not how things were done in the past!
When it came to politics, who started by killing people?
Wasn't it always a matter of me berating you and you berating me, until someone stepped in to play peacemaker and smoothed everything over?
How could he strike so directly and decisively, without even giving anyone a chance to think?
A brute!
Just like those military officers, he was a brute.
When faced with the butcher's blade, a group of civil officials supposedly well versed in the sages' teachings were really not much better than ordinary people.
At least, not one of them dared step forward to stop Xu Xiao's ruthless methods.
They really are all spineless. No wonder there was a monumental humiliation like the Jingkang Humiliation.
Xu Xiao looked over the ministers at the very front and saw that none had stated a position. He found it amusing.
They really are all clever people. But sometimes being too clever isn't a good thing.
Xu Xiao descended from the air and walked up to the elderly man in purple dragon robes at the head of the left-hand row.
"Uh, what advice do you have for me, esteemed master?" Lü Dachun, the left chancellor, asked hesitantly.
"You heard the emperor's decree just now, didn't you? Well? Do you agree or object?"
Xu Xiao looked at the old man before him and put the question to him directly, without beating around the bush.
"This..." Lü Dachun hesitated, looking troubled.
"Is it so difficult to answer my question?"
"This... I... Your Majesty..."
"Forget it. If you can't answer, then don't."
Xu Xiao waved his hand, and the next second, the sound of bones snapping and sinews tearing rang out.
The old man before him, dressed in his purple robes of the honored dragon, was crushed by invisible Telekinesis and instantly reduced to a pile of mangled flesh.
Just like that, the chancellor, whose status at the Northern Song court was second only to the emperor's, was dead.
Every official in Daqing Hall who witnessed the scene shuddered, including the emperor at the head of the hall. It was far too ruthless.
"What I hate most is people taking their time when answering a question and wasting mine."
Xu Xiao did not feel in the least that he had gone too far.
Prosper if you submit, perish if you resist-that was a truth as old as time.
He then strode toward the next official, who also wore luxurious purple robes.
Cao Hui's positions were arranged according to the officials' ranks. Those at the very front were all important officials of the third rank or above. It could also be said that they controlled the nation of Northern Song together with the emperor.
"Your turn. Do you agree or object?"
It was the same question, in the same tone.
The man before him was an old man about the same age as Li Lü Dachun. He had held great power for more than thirty years, yet had never been as flustered as he was today.
"I..." the old man began, trembling, but the moment he opened his mouth, the stench of blood from the ground filled it, leaving him unable to speak.
Crack... snap.
"Another one who can't even speak clearly. What business does he have being an official?"
It was the same method. Anyone who could not answer at once met the same fate.
The smell of blood in the air grew stronger as Xu Xiao walked unconcernedly to the third man.
This time, before he could ask, the equally elderly man immediately nodded and bowed as he answered:
"I agree! I agree! This old minister agrees."
"Good, very good." Xu Xiao patted the old man on the shoulder, a smile appearing on his face.
He had thought he would have to kill a few more before he could kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.
He had not expected these people to become afraid after he had killed a mere two.
This was a good result. Once someone took the lead, others would naturally follow.
Over the next ten minutes, Xu Xiao questioned every dignitary at court. Aside from another ten or so hard-boned men he killed, everyone else expressed their agreement.
Some might ask what use this questioning was. Wouldn't it make no difference if they submitted with their lips but pulled tricks behind his back?
Not quite. This was merely a way for Xu Xiao to establish his authority and do some screening while he was at it.
First, he would eliminate those stubborn hard bones. Of those who remained, whether they were petty men who trimmed their sails to the wind or gentlemen who bided their time, none were cause for concern.
Most people were creatures who lacked courage. If they did not dare resist openly the first time, they most likely would not dare the second time either.
As for whether they would dare in the future? Heh. They would have to have a future first.
After making sure no one objected, Xu Xiao stood among the ministers and spoke without restraint:
"Since the assembled officials and His Majesty have all agreed to my appointment, from today onward, I am Great Song's Military Command Commissioner."
"Now I will announce the first matter."
"First, as of today, Great Song will establish the Martial Command Office to command all troops under heaven. Without my orders, no one may move an army."
"Second, Great Song will bring the forces of all three teachings and nine schools to heel, bringing the jianghu under its control as well. It must not be allowed to become a runaway horse."
"One more thing. The Martial Command Office is newly established and lacks funds, so I need all of you at court to open your purses generously and provide assistance."
"You are all ministers who serve as the court's arms and legs. Each of you should donate half your family's property for the construction of the Martial Command Office and its startup costs."
One stone stirred up a thousand waves. As soon as Xu Xiao took office, he planned to squeeze the officials dry-and every official at court at that. Everyone was angry, but none dared speak.
Since Great Song's founding, officials had been promised many benefits, and these people had grown accustomed to taking advantage.
Now, hearing that Xu Xiao intended to fish the fat from their bellies, every one of them was genuinely furious.
But no one dared resist him outright. The filth on the ground was still steaming.
"This... Lord Military Command Commissioner, we have little wealth ourselves!" someone pleaded poverty.
"That's fine. We can just confiscate your property." Xu Xiao nodded, and the next second, the man who had spoken was reduced to the same kind of minced meat.
"Don't blame me for not warning you. From today onward, the skies over Great Song have changed."
Xu Xiao looked coldly at the important figures in their red and purple official robes.
"I don't care whether you are sincere or merely pretending to submit. Anyone who disobeys orders will die."
"Among Great Song's countless millions, there is no shortage of people who want to be officials and can get things done."
"You can also try every method you can think of, whether it's killing me or colluding with outsiders for benefits. If you can think of it, you can try it."
"So long as you're ready for me to wipe you out. Oh, and that means a whole-clan elimination game."
The entire hall was silent as cicadas in winter, save for Xu Xiao's chilling words.