Iron Dynasty Chapter 1098

“It is finally concluded.”

Niu Ben let out a breath of relief while perusing the morning’s newly released newspaper.

Mere days ago, he and Luo Quan had journeyed by train to Qingzhou City. Upon their return to their respective estates, news from numerous channels had flooded in.

A grand drama had unfurled before them, revealing the extent of events that had transpired across the Empire in such a short span.

Given the delicate circumstances, the pair naturally refrained from causing any further complications for Xiao Ming, electing instead to remain at home and observe the situation's progression.

It wasn't until they saw the morning's newspaper reports that they understood this storm had passed without further incident.

“It’s said many suffered this time around, and many were left trembling in fear,” Luo Quan remarked, his hair now visibly flecked with even more white strands over the past few days.

His sole preoccupations now were Luo Xin and Luo Hong, with no other matters of concern.

“They brought it upon themselves. If you consider it closely, weren't these very individuals who suffered accustomed to abusing their noble status to oppress the common folk daily? Now, they are merely facing the consequences.” Niu Ben’s gaze was sharp.

“Alas, there is little I can do regarding the others. The fate of my Luo family remains precarious. Luo Hong’s involvement in this affair constitutes a capital offense, one that could lead to the utter annihilation of our entire clan.”

Upon this somber reflection, Luo Quan struck his chest repeatedly, his regret palpable.

Niu Ben offered a sympathetic sigh and attempted to console him, “The Luo family has served the royal lineage for generations. The Emperor possesses his own discernment. You ought not to fret. It is merely that for Luo Hong… you must prepare yourself.”

“That ungrateful son… alas…” Luo Quan trailed off, his words catching in his throat.

Scarcely had his sentence concluded when the butler, haste evident in his trot, announced loudly, “Master, the young master and the second young master have returned.”

Luo Quan sprang to his feet. “Where are they?”

“They have just entered the city,” the butler replied.

“That traitorous whelp!” Luo Quan seized his cherished saber, a weapon honed through many years on the battlefield, and turned to depart his estate.

Niu Ben instinctively followed, concerned that Luo Quan, in his fury, might act rashly.

Concurrently, Xiao Ming also received intelligence regarding the Southwest Army’s arrival in Qingzhou.

“Your Majesty, Commander Luo Xin has brought only ten personal guards with him to Qingzhou,” reported Qian Dafu.

“He would not dare bring more,” Xiao Ming scoffed coldly. At present, all six military region commanders had reached Qingzhou, with the sole exception of Zhu Sansi, who was stationed in Alaska.

Zhu Sansi’s distant location meant Xiao Ming had no intention of summoning him back.

Rising and proceeding to the threshold, Xiao Ming declared, “Following this considerable turmoil, the Empire has experienced a period of unrest. It is time to render a verdict and restore peace to the realm. Let us bring this matter to a close at tomorrow’s morning court.”

With that pronouncement, Xiao Ming exited the Imperial Study.

According to collected data, a total exceeding two thousand individuals connected to the Merchant Parliament were apprehended in this sweep. The count of established nobles found in collusion with Ge Yiren and Luo Hong surpassed eight thousand, their presence dispersed across the Empire’s diverse cities.

Furthermore, within the military ranks, aside from Luo Hong, over three hundred generals were taken into custody.

A segment of these generals were Luo Hong’s former subordinates who had conspired in his rebellion; the remainder belonged to prominent families.

Upon the exposure of their scheme, these generals attempted to incite their troops into revolt, but their efforts were decisively thwarted by the chief scribes within the army, resulting in their swift apprehension. Only a select few of their most trusted confidants managed to join their ill-fated uprising.

It was precisely this sequence of events that caused this entire charade to commence with a bang and conclude with such dramatic finality.

Nonetheless, this incident exacted a toll on the Empire. In this modern era, achieving a hundred percent apprehension rate remained an elusive goal.

In this age characterized by sparse population density and the utter absence of surveillance technology, the complexity of making arrests escalated exponentially.

Yet, the unfortunate reality was that some individuals managed to evade capture. These fugitives vanished completely, with a few generals among them. Their current whereabouts, or indeed their very existence, remained unknown.

This represented the sole imperfection in the entire operation. However, Xiao Ming understood that nothing in this world is absolute; one cannot possess everything simultaneously.

After a day of respite, Xiao Ming attended the scheduled court session the following morning.

Responding to the summons, all officials convened punctually at the Zhengda Guangming Hall, aware that heads were destined to roll during this session.

From the dragon throne, Xiao Ming’s gaze swept across the assembled officials. His eyes paused on Luo Xin for a fleeting moment before shifting away.

“I surmise that today’s discussion is already evident to all assembled ministers. Several years prior, the Merchant Parliament instigated widespread turmoil in the southern territories, plunging the Empire into profound disaster. Following the Parliament’s defeat, Cao Kun and his offspring, having aligned themselves with the British, absconded to Britain where the Queen of England bestowed nobility upon them. Since that defection, this pair of national traitors has relentlessly plotted to destabilize the Empire, inciting their hidden operatives within our borders to disseminate falsehoods and conspire for rebellion. Fortunately, providence favored the Empire. Both traitors met their end during the Indian Campaign, and the covert base they had established on Indian soil was consequently razed. Furthermore, Yue Yun recovered a ledger from Cao Kun, and subsequent verification and investigation confirmed the individuals listed therein were indeed closely affiliated with Cao Kun and his son, validating these accusations beyond doubt,” Xiao Ming declared, each word resonating with clarity.

Pang Yukun then stepped forth, his voice firm. “The Cao father and son are despicable traitors who have committed treason against the nation. I firmly believe these degenerates deserve execution by a thousand cuts to serve as a potent warning! Leniency is unthinkable.”

“I propose that even after their demise, bronze effigies of them be crafted, ensuring future generations will forever remember and revile them!” Zhan Xingchang added, stepping forward in agreement.

Xiao Ming inclined his head. While Ge Yiren was a formidable adversary, his animosity towards Cao Kun ran deeper.

Ge Yiren, at least, had engaged him in a struggle for personal gain and ultimately faltered. Cao Kun, however, was a traitor who had sold out his country, readily embracing subservience to foreign powers.

For such a person, Xiao Ming harbored no shred of sympathy.

Therefore, he decreed, “As Elder Zhan has proposed, following their public execution, bronze statues shall be erected for all to scorn through the ages. As for the masterminds detailed on that list, they shall be dispatched without mercy!”

The engagement in India marked merely the preliminary phase of his formalized conflict with the major global powers. This particular defeat might compel the Western nations toward peace negotiations.

However, their apprehension towards the Empire would inevitably escalate, prompting them to secretly bolster their strength for a future resurgence.

Consequently, he was resolute in preventing the Empire’s technological advancements from being pilfered by traitors and smuggled to Europe during this critical juncture.

To establish a definitive example and underscore the gravity of such actions, exhibiting absolute ruthlessness towards the remnants of the Merchant Parliament was imperative.

After passing judgment on the Cao father and son, Xiao Ming let out a subdued sigh. “We now turn to a matter that causes me profound personal distress. A minister within the Empire’s own Cabinet has been implicated in using my name to pursue agendas contrary to my own. Ge Yiren, what defense do you offer?”

Xiao Ming directed his words towards Ge Yiren, who stood bound in chains.

The once-dignified Ge Yiren showed no vestige of his former presence. He appeared as a withered elder in the autumn of his years. Nevertheless, he was now destined to bear the full weight of accountability for the missteps he had committed.