"You killed Li Ruyu?"
Hearing his words, Lin Yi's eyes lit up with amusement. This guy was ruthless enough to kill Li Anlan's uncle to show his stance. That was quite interesting.
People from aristocratic families are indeed unreliable; they betrayed their own people at a crucial moment. No wonder Li Ruyu died with his eyes open in disgrace.
Why!
Wang Yunze naturally understood Lin Yi's sarcasm and sighed, "Your Highness, it's not that I, Wang Yunze, am afraid of death, but this Li Ruyu is truly heartless and insane."
How so?
"He actually wanted to conscript able-bodied men from Wuning City to defend against the Xiliang army. This was tantamount to dragging the entire city down with him. I, Wang, had no choice but to kill him for the sake of the All Under Heaven."
Wang Yunze looked righteous and awe-inspiring, carrying the burden of the All Under Heaven's suffering on his shoulders.
Pfft!
Xu Chu couldn't help but laugh. This shameless person must be from a noble family; he's even more absurd than our lord.
He couldn't help but sneer, "You truly are a scholar, making betraying your own people sound so righteous. You're clearly no good person. If you really cared about the All Under Heaven people, your Wang Clan should hand over all your money to disaster relief instead of enjoying it yourselves."
Holy crap!
Upon hearing this, Lin Yi almost gave Xu Chu a thumbs up. It was truly unexpected that this guy would say something so reasonable.
It wasn't until he saw Guo Jia behind him that he suddenly realized that someone was backing him up.
Cough cough!
Wang Yunze almost coughed up blood. This reckless man had gone too far with his words, which only confirmed that he was a bad guy.
Seeing the displeased look on the Prince of Xiliang's face, he gritted his teeth and said, " Prince of Xiliang Highness, I have also considered providing relief to the people, but in my opinion, only Your Highness can be fair in this matter. I have already prepared a large amount of grain and money to offer to Your Highness."
You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. If we don't open up the Xiliang route now, we won't be able to keep our money. We might as well be more generous.
"How can that be? I've already said that this is just a campaign against a tyrannical ruler, and I won't take a single needle or thread from the people. How can I possibly take your grain!" Lin Yi glanced at him and sneered.
Upon hearing his words, Wang Yunze's heart sank.
He thought to himself, "If I really believe Lin Yi, I'm afraid in the end I won't just be left with nothing but needles and thread!"
He had investigated the methods of the Prince of Xiliang. He might be somewhat lenient with ordinary people, but if he found even the slightest fault in you, he would leave you with absolutely nothing.
There's only one possibility for why Lin Yi said that: he didn't give enough!
Thinking of this, Wang Yunze gritted his teeth and said, "Your Wang Clan loves the people like your own children. The Wang family is willing to lend you a hand and offer all the grain in our manor to Your Highness. Furthermore, to prevent any further trouble, the Wang Clan is willing to fully cooperate with Your Highness in taking Wuning Commandery!"
At this point, the grain was too hot to handle, so they simply threw it all away. This way, the Prince of Xiliang would have no reason to cause trouble for the Wang Clan, and they could even gain a favor.
Hahaha!
Lin Yi's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but laugh. This guy really had guts; no wonder he escaped unscathed in this situation. Just look at his guts!
He couldn't help but exclaim, " Little Wang, you truly are the prodigy of the Wang Clan! You have impressed me greatly. You deserve the greatest credit for helping me conquer Wuning Commandery this time, and you will be appointed as the Prefect of Wuning Commandery!"
Little Wang?
Wang Yunze's face stiffened. He had spent most of his life being flattered by others, and this was the first time he had ever heard someone call him "Little Wang ".
Moreover, by serving as the Prefect of Wuning Commandery at this time, he was openly siding with Xiliang, and the Emperor might very well kill his entire family.
He chuckled dryly, "Your Highness, I am but a humble scholar, lacking in learning and talent, and I fear I am ill-suited to governing this region."
I believe in you!
Lin Yi waved his hand, effectively sealing him in the position of prefect, and then said in a deep voice, " The Wang Clan has made a great contribution this time. If we don't reward them, what will the people of the All Under Heaven think of me?"
Furthermore, the army is currently clearing out Wuning Commandery, and to avoid any misunderstandings, we'll need your help to keep an eye on things."
Grunt!
Looking into the benevolent eyes of the Prince of Xiliang, Wang Yunze's face stiffened. That last sentence made him feel numb all over, and he almost wanted to shout out loud.
This is absolutely dangerous; if I disobey, the Wang Clan will likely suffer a bloodbath.
He had no choice but to bite the bullet and agree, forcing a smile as he said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness. I will certainly do my best!"
"Well, I have another good thing for you, I'm sure you'll love it. It's a chance to All Under Heaven." Lin Yi patted his shoulder and said with a smile.
Holy crap!
I don't want this; it feels like a huge trap.
Wang Yunze's face turned green. This so-called opportunity to All Under Heaven was absolute nonsense; he was probably going to be killed.
"I..."
"What, does my word not carry weight?" Lin Yi glanced at him and said with a gloomy face.
Wang Yunze sighed and said with a wry smile, "Your word is as good as Nine Tripod Cauldrons; your words naturally carry weight!"
"Okay, that's good!"
Lin Yi nodded, handed him a newspaper, and said with a smile, "You should also know about my Xiliang's ' Northern Daily,' which has now been officially renamed ' All Under Heaven Daily.' I'm giving you the first interview."
You know best the ruthlessness of Shangguan Yun and Li Ruyu, and also the emperor's incompetence; you're truly the perfect candidate!
The All Under Heaven Daily!
Holy crap!
Wang Yunze's face turned green. He naturally knew about this; almost everyone in Xiliang had a copy. Now that the Prince of Xiliang had created the All Under Heaven Daily," it was clearly an attempt to smear Emperor Li Anlan and his allies.
However, the words of refusal reached his lips but he swallowed them back, and instead agreed with tears in his eyes.
If you disagree, someone will die.
"Your Highness, how should this interview be conducted?"
Lin Yi said with a smile, "Don't worry, I'll have my strategist and my trusted confidant Xu Chu interview you later. I hope you won't disappoint me!"
"Haha, I'll interview you later!" Xu Chu shook the huge hammer in his hand and said with a friendly expression.
Forehead!
Wang Yunze felt a wave of bloody stench wash over him, and his face instantly turned pale.
I'm at their mercy, like a fish on a chopping board; this is all I can do now.
However, there is no shame in submitting to the strong.
He smiled wryly and said, "In that case, I'll trouble this brave warrior."
"Report! Generals Gan Ning and Qu Yi request an audience!" At this moment, a guard ran in from outside, speaking with a solemn expression.
I'm back!
Lin Yi's eyes lit up. These people were responsible for clearing out several outlying counties, and he didn't expect them to return so quickly. Their speed was truly impressive.
He laughed and said, "Let them in!"
Wang Yunze sighed. Luckily, he made the right choice in time, otherwise he would probably be beheaded by now. The Xiliang army was just too fierce.