One by one, members of the Shuisky family were dragged from their residence by Ivan IV's guards and forced to kneel before the Tsar. Some were even dragged from their beds by their hair while still asleep, pulled out onto the street.
Their faces were grim, filled with fear and unease as they stared at the indifferent Ivan IV, unsure of their fate.
The Shuisky men wore Persian-style pointed hats over black fox fur linings, embroidered undergarments, the longest reaching their knees, and over these, tight-fitting gold-threaded brocade robes that billowed to their feet. Their belts were tied below their navels, and on top of that, they wore silk cloaks with fur trim, even longer than the brocade robes. Even as they knelt, their beaded goatskin boots were visible.
The noblewomen's attire was even more elaborate, with silk layered over brocade, robes layered over robes, their surfaces adorned with jade. They wore fine linen hats, earrings, bracelets, and brightly colored boots studded with gemstones. The overweight woman knelt on the ground, speechless.
Compared to the glittering Shuisky family, Ivan IV appeared far more impoverished. He wore only a gray-brown robe, devoid of any ostentatious adornment. If it weren't for the retinue of guards, no one would guess that this aloof young man was the master of the Kremlin.
After years of plunder, Andrei Shuisky had seized all the Kremlin's wealth, practically emptying the entire national treasury, leaving him only with the magnificent shell of the Kremlin.
At this moment, Ivan IV finally felt the same sorrow as the Ming Dynasty's Chongzhen Emperor's empty treasury. A group of parasites were wantonly devouring the national treasury and enriching themselves. Furthermore, Russia's greatest wealth was controlled by the Church; monks possessed vast territories and enjoyed tax exemptions. Ivan IV had nothing but the power he wielded as a monarch.
Stripped of the glittering cloak of power, he was no different from an ordinary person.
The citizens of Moscow gradually gathered around the palace, and the Tsar's guards dispersed to maintain order. Ivan IV paced back and forth in front of the Shuysky family, his gaze finally settling on Shuysky's wife, Valiana.
Having just learned that her son had been beaten to death by the Tsar's hounds, she was completely dazed.
"I killed your son,"
Valiana said, her previously expressionless face now showing anger.
Ivan IV stated without hesitation, "I ordered the hounds to beat your son to death with clubs and hang his body on the palace gates. It was to show the other princes the consequences of opposing the Tsar, that things were different now."
"So you killed my son?"
"I was too lenient before. When you exploited me, I dared not resist. When you humiliated me, I dared not fight back. When you banished my only relative to a monastery, I dared not fight back either. You did whatever you wanted, and I could only swallow my anger,"
Valiana angrily condemned him. "Is this your excuse for targeting the family of your political enemies? Even the late king did not go to such extremes! You tyrant!"
The Tsar slapped Valiana across the face, speaking coldly, "When you say those words, don't forget that you attacked my family first. All sins must be paid for with blood. Not a single ruble of your property will be left, and no one will inherit it."
Ivan IV snapped his fingers, and the dog handler appeared before the Shuisky family with a pack of hunting terriers. The terriers growled and barked fiercely at the Shuisky family.
Vasily Vorozov was the only courtier in Ivan IV's recorded history to be executed by hunting dogs for offending the Tsar.
He waved his hand and said to the dog handler behind him, "Execute all the men of the Shuisky family in the street."
"Leave no one alive"
All the men were dragged out and gathered together. The dog handler loosened the leashes, and the impatient dogs pounced on them.
Blood splattered everywhere.
Painful screams echoed throughout the street as sharp canine teeth chewed on them. The citizens of Moscow couldn't bear to watch and turned their heads away, no longer able to bear this bloody and horrific scene. Only Ivan IV watched their gruesome state with unwavering eyes.
The bright red blood seeped into the ground, congealing into a black stain. The women of the Shuisky family were terrified, trembling like leaves, and huddled together in panic.
Valiana looked at the indifferent Ivan IV before her, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness. However, she faced the most powerful emperor in the entire country, completely different from the one her husband had described.
The timid Ivan IV, who had cowered on the throne, weeping and begging the Grand Duke not to take his family away, had grown up. He had begun to understand how to seize power and execute those who had once humiliated him.
All Valiana could do was glare at her enemy with hatred.
The hunting dog continued to tear at flesh, and even the dog handler couldn't bear to watch and turned away, no longer able to bear the bloody scene.
The Tsar turned, preparing to leave the Shuysky family's residence. His gaze swept over the surrounding Moscow citizens, who instinctively avoided Ivan IV's eyes, their eyes filled with fear. They were terrified that they would be next. They had previously thought he was just a mischievous child; now it seemed they were wrong.
The monarch was demonstrating his authority, making it clear to everyone that he was far above all others.
Now that Tuchkov has likely taken down Shuisky and Yusorov, the other high-ranking nobles have probably heard the commotion and are eager to replace Shuisky. It's time for him to return and prepare; an even more exciting drama is brewing in the palace: the power struggle between Ivan IV and the other nobles.
The Tsar's escape from Shuisky doesn't mean he'll fall into the hands of other princes and become a manipulated pawn.
After all, Ivan IV's rivals aren't just the Shuisky family; others are eyeing his position. After the Shuisky family's downfall, they will replace them.
Ivan IV remained silent, and the guard, unsure how to deal with the women, followed behind the Tsar and whispered, "Your Majesty, what about the remaining women?"
Ivan IV paused, his simple answer extinguishing their last hope of survival.
"Hanging."