Early in the morning, heavy snowflakes began to fall, and the cold wind blew up, filling the sky with snowflakes and grass clippings, making the sky and earth a silvery white.
In Luoyang City, the wide Luoshui River passes through the city like a huge silver belt.
In Luoshui, there are several small river islands.
Among them, Luoning Island is the largest, about ten acres in size, and the Old Middle Bridge, one of the three bridges in Luoyang City, is erected right on it.
At this time, the huge Old Middle Bridge was crowded with bold pedestrians, looking at Luoning Island under the bridge.
On the east side of the continent, a execution ground has been arranged, with hundreds of Tang Xuanjia soldiers fully armed and guarding the area.
In the middle of the execution ground, there were dozens of prison cars parked, but they were the civil and military officials of Xia and Zheng who were either captured or surrendered.
Heavy snow fell, dyeing the beards and hair of these prisoners silvery white, and they were all shivering in the cold wind.
But what is even colder is the hearts of these prisoners.
Now even a fool can understand that Li Shimin did not want to surrender them at all, but wanted to send them to a blissful life.
It's a pity that most of these people are not loyal and loyal people.
They are just weeds swaying in the wind in troubled times. As long as they can give them wealth and glory, they can take refuge in anyone.
They also thought that Li Tang would accept them.
After all, they all have certain talents and reputations, and Anjing Place can also make use of them.
But I never expected that Li Shimin would be so careless. Not only did he refuse to surrender, he actually wanted to kill them and eradicate their roots.
How can they accept this!?
Immediately, Qi Shanxing, with disheveled hair and a sad face, shouted: "Li Shimin, if you don't surrender even if you kill the prisoners, will you be reviled by the world?"
As soon as Qi Shanxing started, many people started to support him:
"Your Highness, King Qin, this little man is still useful. If you spare him, I will do what a dog and a horse can do."
"Yes, yes, Your Highness the King of Qin, a villain does not seek high-ranking officials and generous salaries, but only seeks to be a pawn."
…
For a time, the sounds of flattery and begging for mercy could be heard.
Only Yang Gongqing, Dong Kangmai and a few others had pale faces and said nothing.
On the north side of the execution ground, on the high execution platform, Li Shimin and Xia Yuduan were sitting on it, with Yu Chigong, Cheng Yaojin and Du Ruhui on both sides.
Hearing the prisoners begging for mercy, Xia Yu couldn't bear it.
Killing so many surrendered ministers at one time may not sound good in history, but Li Shimin insisted that there was nothing he could do.
Then he saw Li Shimin, who had no emotion in his heart and just sneered slightly.
Few of these mere mortals have real abilities. One more person in the Tang Dynasty is not too much, and one person less is not a lot. Why waste the people’s fat and money?
If you want to complain, just blame you for being blind, choosing the wrong leader, and standing on the wrong team.
"You don't have to waste your efforts. You guys can't stand each other alone. So, go on your way in peace."
Listening to Li Shimin's cold words, all the prisoners felt as if their hearts were in an ice cave, and they were completely desperate.
"Prepare for execution." Li Shimin glanced at Yuchi Gong.
"promise."
Yuchi Gong clasped his fists, walked to the edge of the stage, waved his hand, and dozens of Xuanjia soldiers rushed forward and dragged out ten prisoners from the prison car.
There are too many people to kill, so they have to come in batches.
Seeing that a disaster was imminent, some of the ten people were so frightened that they cried loudly, some excreted and urinated, and some held on to the cage, unable to survive.
The unlucky Qi Shanxing was also among them. This one didn't make any noise, he was just so scared that he collapsed into a ball.
However, the Xuanjia soldiers were not used to this bunch of people. They had a mountain of military orders and roughly dragged these ten people to beheading positions.
Ten executioners with big muscles and round waists were already on standby. Their swords were sharply polished and looked cold in the cold wind.
"flutter--"
The executioner picked up a bowl of strong wine, drank it into his mouth, and then sprayed it on the ghost head knife.
This is a custom. It is said that it can relieve the pain of the injured person and make him go on the road more easily, but only the ghost knows how effective it is.
When Du Ruhui saw this, he walked to the edge of the stage and said loudly: "According to the order of the King of Qin, the rebels are to be killed. All the criminals have been identified and they will be executed immediately!"
As he spoke, he flicked his long sleeves and dropped a command arrow.
Seeing that the time limit had come, Qi Shanxing didn't know where he got the strength. He stood up instantly and yelled at Li Shimin: "Li Shimin, you are killing prisoners wantonly, which is against the harmony of nature. There will be retribution in the future! God is under Jiuquan,
I’ll look at you. Hahaha!”
When the other nine people saw this, they also cursed like crazy, just to have a good time before they died.
Xia Yu sighed in her heart: Maybe there were too many killings in the troubled times. In history, Qi Shanxing's curse can be regarded as fulfilled. Li and Tang father and son were jealous of each other, and brothers killed each other, leaving countless tragedies.
This also cast an embarrassing color on the extremely glorious Tang Dynasty.
In this life, he traveled through time, but he didn't know if he could change everything.
However, the most difficult thing in the world to change is people's hearts. Imperial power is tempting, and Li Shimin is destined to get off to a bad start. I'm afraid it will be difficult!
Xia Yu looked at Li Shimin with a complicated expression on her face.
Li Shimin didn't know that countless thoughts were running through Xia Yu's mind instantly. He just thought that Xia Yu couldn't bear it and wanted to admonish him.
But regarding the handling of the surrendered ministers of Xia and Zheng, Li Yuan had already received a secret decree two days ago.
Therefore, he had no choice.
Xia Yu opened her mouth, which was difficult for everyone. Li Shimin immediately sneered: "Incompetent rats, they can only bark! I have been alone in the battlefield and killed countless people. How can I be afraid of your curse! Come on quickly!"
Seeing Li Shimin's anger, the executioners did not dare to neglect him. They immediately raised their swords and chopped off with all their strength!
"flutter--"
In an instant, blood spattered, heads rolled down, and the silver-white ground was dyed scarlet red by the hot blood, which was shocking.
Seeing this tragic scene on the Old Middle Bridge, the people all screamed in shock.
These people in Luoyang feel very complicated.
Wang Shichong was cruel and unkind to the people of Luoyang. In addition, he lost the battle, causing many people to starve to death in the city.
Therefore, when the Zheng Kingdom fell, the people of Luoyang did not miss it.
However, after all, humans are not grass and trees. The Tang army's large-scale execution of surrendered ministers was still shocking and unbearable.
Of course, this unbearable feeling is only limited to sadness in my heart.
After killing the first group, in a blink of an eye, the second group of ten prisoners were pushed out again. This time, Yang Gongqing was also among them.
Seeing death, some people were so frightened that they were paralyzed, and some people were brave enough to curse.
Only Yang Gongqing was kneeling on the ground, with a calm face and a straight back. His calm look seemed to be that he was not going to die, but to attend a banquet.
When Xia Yu saw this, she felt emotional.
He has liked "The Legend of Two Dragons of the Tang Dynasty" since he was a child, so he still has a good impression of Yang Gongqing, who has a rather positive image in it.
If it was a simple task, he would be willing to lend a hand to Yang Gongqing.
But now, it was obviously very difficult. The monarch's favor was not wasted like this, so after weighing the pros and cons, he gave up.
Perhaps, this is the price of growing up. As adults, there are always many things that are against your will and no choice.
"Master Du, please postpone the execution."
Xia Yu turned to Li Shimin and said: "Your Highness, Yang Gongqing is also a man. I would like to ask you to give me a glass of water and wine as a farewell."
"Military advisors do as they please."
Li Shimin knew that Xia Yu was grateful to Yang Gongqing, and he responded to this request, so he nodded.
"Zhang Yu, go and give General Yang a glass of water and wine on my behalf."
"promise."
Zhang Yu accepted the order and hurriedly poured a glass of wine and brought it to Yang Gongqing, explaining that it was Xia Yu's sincere wish.
Yang Gongqing looked slightly surprised.
Unexpectedly, Xia Yu, who had gained such fame and was revered by the world as the 'Ghost of the Tang Dynasty' and the 'Magic Military Advisor', would think so highly of him.
Yang Gongqing suddenly realized that although this life was short, it was not in vain.
He nodded to Xia Yu to express his gratitude, and then drank the water and wine handed over by Zhang Yu happily, shouting: "Have fun! Come on. Twenty years later, so and so will be a good man again!"
In an instant, the executioner raised his knife and dropped his sword, and ten more people lay dead in the snowy field.
Immediately afterwards, there were the third batch, the fourth batch, and the fifth batch, until nearly fifty of the major surrenders of Xia and Zheng were all killed.
On Luoning Island, the snowy fields were stained red for a while, and the thick smell of blood was nauseating.
However, Li Shimin's expression did not change. He stood up and patted Xia Yu, who had a complicated face and was in a daze. He said softly: "Commander, a man should not be a woman's benevolent man. Everything is fate. It's too cold, so go back."
"promise."
Xia Yu sighed and stopped thinking about it.
The two of them got off the prison and beheading platform and were about to return. Suddenly, a fast horse flew up and shouted: "Your Highness, military advisor, please wait for a moment."