Chapter 72: For Tomorrow (4)
The setting sun dyed the western sky red, as intense as a flame. Dozens of tents were set up outside Weicheng, which was in contrast to the schedule of Weicheng. Many guards were patrolling back and forth and coming in and out, looking very busy...
A group of people gathered in a tent, and Zhou Yan was the leader sitting in the middle.
"How's the progress?"
"Yes, everything is going smoothly at the moment, and the border blockade has been reported to be ready by midnight today."
"Inside Weicheng."
“Most of it has already been deployed.”
"Very good, then pass the order down. We will retreat at midnight and move together at the hour of the common people."
"yes!"
Zhou Yan's deployment has been completed one by one, and when the time is right, the flames will dye the sky the color of the sunset again.
"Your Majesty——"
After a brief silence, a middle-aged man broke the silence and walked forward. Judging from his clothes, he was a civil servant. He instantly became the focus of everyone.
"Eh? What's the matter, Master Zhu?"
"Your humble servant Zhu Ji has something to say, but I don't know if I should say it."
"explain."
As if feeling a little lazy, Zhou Yan supported his face with his elbows, looking expressionlessly at Zhu Ji who stood bravely in front of him.
"Yes, I want to know, does Your Majesty want to execute those people? And Weicheng is a city that is comparable to the capital, and even more prosperous than the capital, and has a long history. Let alone those infected people, those innocent people and Weicheng, I think it's a bit too much to burn them all..."
Under the watchful eyes of the public, Zhu Ji mustered up great courage to question Zhou Yan. Many people couldn't help but feel a chill down their spines. On the one hand, they admired Zhu Ji's courage. On the other hand, Zhou Yan looked at Zhu Ji in silence, and his silence was more frightening than anything else.
After a moment, Zhou Yan sat up straight. The others seemed to have stopped breathing in an instant. The tent was extremely quiet, or so quiet that it was scary, because they knew that if they were not careful, they would die.
"Master Zhu."
"I am here."
"Are you trying to say that what I did was cruel?"
"I dare not!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Ji knelt down on his knees and kowtowed to Zhou Yan.
"It's okay. I should say that I admire your courage. Do you think I have to watch those people die without helping them and burn down my own city?"
"That's not what I meant, of course. I just don't think innocent people should be dragged into this."
"Then can you guarantee that they won't be infected? Can you guarantee that they won't seek revenge for the dead after they survive? Zhu Ji, you should be considered one of my subordinates with a senior status, right? Or have you forgotten what you should do after a period of leisure?"
Zhou Yan asked a series of questions that left Zhu Ji speechless. "Senior" was just as the word meant. Zhu Ji had been under Zhou Yan's command for at least ten years, so it was impossible for him not to understand Zhou Yan's cruelty. It should be said that he had seen all kinds of cruel things. He only stood up now. Was it because he had a change of heart? Or ...
"If you want to cut the grass, you must remove the roots. I should have told you this, right? You should not be soft-hearted even if it is an innocent child, otherwise you will be the one who regrets it later. I thought you would understand a little bit since you have followed me for so many years, but I didn't expect you would say these words."
Zhou Yan's words were just like his actions, destroying everything completely, just like when he kidnapped Yin Yin and knocked Zhao Ziheng off the cliff on Diaoyu Island, he also massacred everyone on the island to prevent the news from leaking out, and finally set fire to cover up everything, so no one in the outside world knows about it until now.
"I'm very sorry, Your Majesty, please forgive me."
"Tell me, what made you change? What made you say such words!"
Zhu Ji was stunned. Zhou Yan's words seemed to touch the heart of his heart. This was also what he wanted to ask, but the distance between him and Zhou Yan did not allow him to do so, and he could not do it. He admitted that Zhou Yan's approach was extreme but also reasonable. He also agreed with this approach to eliminate future troubles. However, that was in the past. When he saw Zhou Yan's previous changes, he had new ideas, which also gave him new pursuits and goals. The only thing that remained unchanged was his loyalty to Zhou Yan.
"I can only say that my loyalty to His Majesty is evident to all, and I have absolutely no intention of disrespecting His Majesty when I say this."
"oh!?"
Listening to Zhu Ji's pledge of loyalty, Zhou Yan's expression or eyes did not change at all. He stared at Zhu Ji with an ambiguous look. Others felt cold sweat flowing down their backs. They didn't even dare to breathe normally, for fear that their loud noises would be heard.
"What if the king insists on doing that?"
"...I will obey."
As if he was suppressing the depression in his heart, Zhu Ji lowered his head and answered helplessly but firmly. He really had no hesitation in being loyal to Zhou Yan.
"Okay, I 'll remember this. Just think of your life as being saved by these words. Listen to me. And you guys, I won't say this a second time. From now on, just do your part. If you want to live, do more and talk less."
"yes!!"
Everyone knelt in response. Zhou Yan's words sounded ordinary and simple, but in fact, anyone who was a little smart knew it, but also understood that they were attracted by Zhou Yan's arrogant and spoiled nature. As long as they did their own thing, it was indeed not their turn to ask, interrupt or question other things. Zhou Yan's existence itself was a character that was the only one in the world, and they should be mentally prepared to accept and face everything from the moment they swore allegiance.
