Early the next morning.
The common folk walked onto the streets to begin a new day, and the shopkeepers opened their doors to start business. At this moment, a loud bronze gong sounded from afar, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
People looked over and saw, at the entrance of the main road, countless Qianyan Army soldiers escorting prisoners as they slowly approached.
It was the first time the citizens had ever seen so many criminals, so they immediately gathered around.
As the group drew closer, some people recognized the identities of the prisoners.
"Huh? Isn't that the clerk from Boss Wang's shop? And that one is Zhu Er, the errand boy. What did they do wrong?"
"What did they do wrong? Hmph. Open your eyes and look clearly. These fellows are all members of the Treasure-Stealing Group! The ones you recognize are spies who infiltrated the city and sent intelligence to the groups outside. They have all been captured!"
The commander of the Qianyan Army explained the situation. The news was explosive, because the number of captured criminals reached into the thousands. Could it be that so many people were part of the Treasure-Stealing Group?
Although the citizens were skeptical at first, seeing the overwhelming number of captured prisoners made them gradually realize that the Qianyan Army was dead serious this time.
In less than an hour, all of Liyue Harbor knew that last night the Qianyan Army swept through the Treasure-Stealing Group, capturing a total of 3,600 people!
The trial location was the docks of Liyue Harbor. The view was open, and it would also make cleaning easier afterward. As time passed and noon approached, more and more citizens came to watch. Then Tianquan Ningguang appeared.
"All citizens, listen carefully. Every criminal here today has been thoroughly verified. Among them are spies, bandits, and murderers. In the past, we were lenient, but starting today, things will be different. From this day forward, the existence of any Treasure-Stealing Group within Liyue is forbidden. Anyone who dares continue committing wicked deeds, the Qianyan Army will show no mercy!"
"Bring the leaders forward."
At Ningguang's command, several leaders of the Treasure-Stealing Group were pushed onto the platform.
Among them were the true husband of Lianhua, Valenstein; the long-time relic thief and smuggler Elder Sister Nan; the Guanhua Sect's self-proclaimed chivalrous wanderer Carmen; and the tyrant of Guyun Stone Forest, Liuliu.
Besides these, all other large and small group leaders were also brought forward.
With just one glance from the Qianyan commander, those individuals were immediately executed on the spot.
When the foul blood splashed onto Carmen's face, the plump man instantly collapsed to his knees in terror and cried, "S-spare my life! I-I'll do anything!"
Liuliu beside him also began kowtowing desperately. Although they were criminals, when death truly approached, no one could remain fearless.
Ningguang merely cast a calm glance at them and gave no reply.
Another batch of criminals was pushed onto the temporary stage. With the executioners' blades falling, more than twenty heads dropped to the ground one after another.
At that moment, even Elder Sister Nan, who prided herself on toughness, could no longer endure. She fell to her knees crying, "Lady Ningguang, please give us a chance! We are willing to atone! Killing us only buries us in the ground, but we still have value!"
"Oh? But I don't need it."
Ningguang waved her hand lightly, and Liuliu, the tyrant of Guyun, was executed as well.
Seeing this, the citizens burst into cheers. With such iron-blooded measures from the Qianyan Army, their future travels would finally be safe.
But the Treasure-Stealing Group members were terrified. They thought they would be detained for a while as before, but who could have expected the Qianyan Army to be so ruthless this time?
And so, more and more criminals began begging for mercy.
Seeing this scene, Ningguang's lips curved slightly. She said,
"Heaven cherishes life. And as Boss Su's recent manga explained, what does it mean to be human? Have any of you ever considered the feelings of your victims?"
"Forget it. I am not heartless. I will give you a chance to atone. But death may be spared, punishment will not. Recently, Liyue has begun constructing a new city called Guili City. If you wish to redeem yourselves, then work diligently and undergo reform. As for how long you must work, that depends on the sins you've committed."
"One more thing: any Treasure-Stealing Group members who have not yet been captured, if they surrender voluntarily, they will be spared from death. If they stubbornly resist, the Qianyan Army is authorized to execute them on the spot!"
This combination of harshness and mercy sent Ningguang's prestige among the citizens skyrocketing. The Liyue Qixing had always been strong, but very few in history had ever wiped out the Treasure-Stealing Group so decisively. With today's events widely spread, the Treasure-Stealing Groups across Liyue would surely be frightened to the core.
Not long after the executions ended, that very afternoon, two small Treasure-Stealing Groups voluntarily surrendered.
Watching the trembling members, Yelan smiled slightly and said, "There is no need to be afraid. Theft of property at most results in two years of reform, after which you regain freedom. During reform you will even receive wages, so fear not that you won't survive afterward."
"Thank you, my Lady! Then should we head to Guili Plains now?"
"No. The Qianyan Army will escort you. And before going, each of you must be officially registered."
"Y-yes, yes!"
A staff member nearby watched the Treasure-Stealing Group members leave and sighed, "In the past, merchants were afraid to even go out. After this cleanup, we finally don't have to fear anymore. All thanks to Lady Ningguang."
"Ningguang? I have a feeling this is that man's handiwork."
Yelan placed her shawl over her shoulders and spoke in a low, thoughtful tone. She had an intuition that these recent actions likely stemmed from that shopkeeper's plan. Though she hadn't interacted with him directly, she had uncovered many secrets while secretly protecting him recently.
...
Meanwhile, in the new city at Guili Plains—
Keqing, who was working, saw the large group of criminals arriving and was filled with confusion. She asked the Qianyan Army officer, "Why are you bringing so many criminals here?"
"Reporting, my Lady, this is arranged jointly by Lady Ningguang and Lord Su Han. The purpose is for these criminals to undergo reform and atonement!"
"So that's how it is. Alright, I understand. I'll have people guide them on where to begin working. Any other instructions?"
"Lord Su Han said we must not simply have them work. At night, teachers must give them ideological lessons, specifically, how to become good people! And based on each person's strengths, arrange additional courses so that after release, they won't fear being unable to find jobs."
Hearing this, Keqing fell into deep thought. Soon, she fully understood Su Han's intentions. She said to the officer, "Alright. Leave things here to me. Go back and report."
"Yes, Lady Keqing."
Soon, the Treasure-Stealing Group members began their new lives. Although they were despairing at first, when they discovered that the evening meal included meat dishes, some members who had long been exploited broke down in tears on the spot.
The nearby Qianyan soldiers, thinking a quarrel had broken out, hurried over. "What happened?"
The young criminal choked out, "The meat smells so good… I haven't eaten meat in three months… If I had known being captured had such good treatment, why would I ever join the Treasure-Stealing Group…"
The surrounding prisoners froze, then fell silent in deep reflection.
His words struck them hard, meat to eat, work to do, no need to fear the Qianyan Army, no need to fear fighting other groups, and even wages to collect. They had never imagined a life like this.
Though the work was exhausting, if they persevered, they could live honorably in the future.
Another issue was that in the Treasure-Stealing Groups, only the core members and leaders lived well. Small fry like them were never treated well. Continuing to risk their lives for those leaders now seemed utterly foolish!
The Qianyan soldiers secretly observing the scene couldn't help but admire the result. Using just one meal with meat to completely win them over, it was truly incredible.
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