Xing Yuan spoke these heart-piercing words with a clear and cold tone, each word stabbing into Wei Feirui's heart like a knife, making his expression grow paler.
Did he not know? At first, he had indeed regarded Wu Rong as his savior. Wu Rong had always been gracious to him and occasionally proposed policies that benefited the country and its people. Later, he slowly began to sincerely approve of him and wholeheartedly wished to assist him in achieving his hegemonic ambitions.
But then, he clearly saw Wu Rong's ambition, and that he might not be as upright and honorable as he had imagined. He was a person who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
He harbored suspicions about the events of that year, but after years of interaction, he had come to regard Wu Rong as family. He could only deceive himself, as if as long as he believed, none of it had happened.
Now that the wound had been ripped open so brutally by someone else, Wei Feirui's first reaction was still to evade. He murmured to himself, "It's not like that, he wouldn't."
"Why wouldn't he? Didn't you gradually withdraw from the center of power precisely because you knew he would do these things?" Xing Yuan said coldly, without mercy. Such people needed to be woken up with scolding.
Wei Feirui fell silent, turning his head away, saying nothing.
Xing Yuan raised an eyebrow and looked at another young general.
Xing Yuan said with a faint smile, "Your name is Wu Chengan, right? A very good name, I remember you!"
Wu Chengan snorted, with an expression of disdain for associating with others.
"I admire you. Your ability to lead troops is quite good. Are you interested in joining our Xing Yu City?" Xing Yuan got straight to the point, without beating around the bush.
Wu Chengan looked at her, his expression puzzled, "Is Young General Xing trying to recruit me?"
"Isn't that obvious enough?" Xing Yuan chuckled lightly, her expression seeming a little helpless.
"What makes you think I would agree?" Wu Chengan's expression was confused. Were people recruiting like this directly now?
Xing Yuan said calmly, "Wu Chengan, male, twenty-seven years old, orphaned. I won't list the many professions you've held. You joined Wu City three years ago, but as far as I know, you also joined a passionate youth group. I believe Xing Yu City would be a more suitable place for you, where you can better showcase your ambitions."
Wu Chengan smiled. These conditions were indeed very tempting! His life was not worth much, but he had not yet seen a time of peace and prosperity, and he was unwilling to let his life be buried here like this.
Wu Chengan's expression turned serious, "I promise you! Today, I, Wu Chengan, also make a promise here: as long as Xing Yu City is truly as rumored, I will never betray you in this life, regardless of life or death."
"Good! I will not disappoint you."
Wu Chengan had some reputation in the Wu City army. Now that Xing Yuan had ordered him to be unbound, he naturally turned to face the others and began to rally them.
"Everyone, we are all brothers who have fought side by side. You all know what kind of person I, Wu Chengan, am. If you believe I am trustworthy, are there any brothers willing to continue following me?"
"I believe Brother Wu, I'll go with you." Someone suddenly stood up and replied with a face full of passion.
This seemed to be a signal, and more and more people stood up.
"Bah, cowards!" Someone looked at their fawning demeanor with disgust.
"Who are you calling cowards?" The person next to him heard this and immediately threw a punch, and the crowd instantly became lively. kuAiδugg
Xing Yuan frowned. The people from Xing Yu City quickly reacted, firing a few shots, instantly calming the arguing individuals and separating them.
"I know you are all chivalrous and righteous people, and I naturally believe this. But you also need to consider whether Wu Rong is a person worth following. As far as I know, your military pay hasn't been issued for a year, has it!"
"Also, not just anyone can enter Xing Yu City. Yuan Yi!"
"Here!" Yuan Yi hadn't expected to be involved, but he quickly reacted and answered, "Yes!"
"Investigate thoroughly whether these people have any unclean records. If there are such people, deal with them directly. I believe keeping them would only harm others!"
Xing Yuan turned to Wu Chengan, "Brother Chengan, I'll ask you to help verify and investigate this."
"I can also help. I've recorded many instances of people violating military discipline, but there might be some I haven't seen," Wei Feirui stood up and offered.
Perhaps due to being bullied often in his youth, he detested those who abused their power and acted recklessly the most. Therefore, he also wanted to contribute his meager efforts.
"Good!" Xing Yuan nodded in agreement.
"Oh! By the way, if there are any upright gentlemen who are very principled and have never committed acts of bullying or oppression, then I will respect your decision. If you wish to go home or seek refuge elsewhere, we will not obstruct you in the slightest." Xing Yuan deliberately glanced at the person who had called others cowards earlier.
The man lowered his head, constantly recalling the things he had done over the years, feeling that he had been too impulsive. He was not loyal to Wu Rong, but he had gained considerable benefits because of Wu Rong over the years, which was why he was so indignant.
Xing Yuan didn't care about their opinions. After explaining everything clearly, she left. After a satisfying battle, she began to worry about how to explain things back home.
Old Master Xing was a feudal patriarch. Although there was affection between generations, he indeed doted on and cared for his granddaughter Xing Yuan, but this did not mean Xing Yuan would not be angry after overthrowing his years of accumulated authority.
Most of the people who followed Xing Yuan recognized the Xing family rather than Xing Yuan herself. Even within the army, there were not a few Xing family members.
As early as when Xing Yuan departed, someone had secretly sent the news to Old Master Xing. Now, the old master was sending telegrams one after another, urging Xing Yuan to return quickly, which gave Xing Yuan a headache.
This was the first world where she had relatives, and she didn't know how to interact with them! She longed for a free life without any constraints.
Therefore, facing the old master's urging, Xing Yuan adopted a delaying tactic. Sometimes she said that there were still some issues in Wu City that had not been completely cleared up, and other times she claimed to have sustained some injuries. Or she would have her confidantes stage a scene, basically feeling that the later she returned, the better.
During the days the army stayed in Wu City, Xing Yuan took the opportunity to recapture the towns and cities near Wu City. These places had suffered under Wu Rong's tyranny for a long time. Now, hearing that Xing Yu City, rumored to possess virtues of truth, goodness, and beauty, had occupied Wu City.
Those who could fight back voluntarily tied up Wu Rong's men and joyfully welcomed the people of Xing Yu City.
Those who couldn't fight back, when the people of Xing Yu City attacked, they efficiently cooperated with them from the inside. Once the city gates were opened, the speed of the attack was incredibly fast!