Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

It was almost dusk on Jicheng South Street.

The people in the city were driven by the Chu army soldiers to gather on the main street. People crowded together in panic and whispered to each other.

Three days ago, when the Chu army entered the city, they hid in their homes and dared not make a sound. Now that they were forcibly summoned, they were filled with fear.

A temporary platform was built in the middle of the street with three wooden poles erected on it.

When they saw three bloody heads hanging on the city wall, the crowd gasped in fear.

"Whose head is that?" asked an old man with narrowed eyes.

"I don't recognize him. There's blood on the head and I can't see clearly." The woman next to him answered in a low voice.

People were talking about it, but no one recognized the identities of the three heads.

Until a horn sounded, and everyone fell silent.

Chu Ning, dressed in military uniform, climbed up the city wall surrounded by his personal guards.

The afterglow of the setting sun gave him a golden edge, making him look like a god descending from heaven.

He looked down at the people below the city, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears: "People of Jicheng, these three heads belong to the last emperor of Wei, Sima Yi, Crown Prince Sima Zhao, and Empress Murong."

The crowd exploded in an instant, with exclamations coming one after another.

Who could have imagined that the once high and mighty royal family would end up like this?

Chu Ning raised his hand to signal for silence and continued, "You may not know that there has been no water in the city for the past three days. Sima Yi refused to give you water and would rather let you die of thirst. He wanted to cause chaos in the city so that he could take the opportunity to escape."

These words were like a spark falling into a pile of dry wood.

The people immediately remembered the suffering of the past three days - babies crying for lack of water, old people fainting on the ground with cracked lips, and people fighting for a sip of water.

It turns out that all this was caused by their former monarch!

"Damn Sima Yi!" a burly man suddenly roared, "My mother almost died of thirst!"

"You beast! You don't even care about your own people!" a woman holding a child cried and cursed.

Anger quickly spread among the crowd.

Chu Ning watched all this coldly, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

This was exactly the effect he wanted - to transfer all the people's resentment to Sima Yi.

After the cursing subsided, Chu Ning spoke again: "Everyone, the entire territory of Wei now belongs to our Great Chu."

"From today on, you are no longer people of Wei, but my people!"

There was silence in the crowd, and people looked at each other.

The fact of the country's demise was laid out before them, and some people began to sob softly.

"I know what you are worried about."

Chu Ning's voice suddenly softened: "But I can guarantee that as long as you behave yourself, I will never kill innocent people."

"On the contrary, I have ordered people to repair the water source, and you will be able to drink clean water tonight."

This message is more effective than any promise.

A ray of hope finally appeared on the tired faces of the people.

A white-haired old man knelt tremblingly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

Like the first domino falling, more and more people knelt on the ground, shouting: "Long live His Majesty the Emperor of Great Chu!"

Chu Ning nodded in satisfaction, but then his face darkened and his voice suddenly turned cold: "But! If anyone dares to cause trouble in the city and collude with the remnants of the Wei Kingdom, I will execute them without mercy! The stability of Jicheng depends on the protection of each of you."

He waved his hand, and a group of soldiers came over carrying dozens of large wooden barrels filled with clean water.

"This is the first gift I give you. Each of you can take a bucket of water."

The long-thirsty people immediately lined up, their eyes full of gratitude.

Chu Ning turned and left the city wall, whispering to the general beside him, "Strengthen the guards at the four gates and strictly check who is entering and leaving."

"Also, post a notice announcing a general amnesty, but list ten categories of people who are not included in the amnesty, including former Wei officials, military officers, etc."

"Your Majesty is wise."

The general sincerely admired: "This way, we can both appease the people and eliminate hidden dangers."

Chu Ning looked towards the gradually darkening sky and murmured, "Governing a country is like cooking a small fish. The heat must be just right. Too much heat will break it, and too little heat will ruin it."

As night fell, clear water began to gush out from the wells all over Jicheng again.

The people held bowls of water, some cried bitterly, and some knelt on the ground to thank God.

At the city gate, three heads swayed gently in the wind, silently warning anyone with evil intentions.

Chu Ning stood on the high platform of the palace, overlooking the newly conquered city.

Thousands of lights gradually lit up, as if a star had fallen into the mortal world.

He knew that the real challenge had just begun - how to make this land truly become a part of the Chu State, and how to make these people accept the new rulers from the bottom of their hearts. These were problems that required time and wisdom to solve.

"Your Majesty, we have just received news that the former Wei army has gathered in the northern mountainous area, with about 5,000 people." The personal guard hurried to report.

Chu Ning chuckled. "Pass the word down. Offer a reward for the heads of Sima Yi's other children. One thousand taels of gold each. I want to see how long they can hold together."

In this world where winners take all, kindness and cruelty must go hand in hand.

Chu Ning knew very well that only by allowing the enemy to collapse from within could the fruits of victory be consolidated at the lowest cost.

Jicheng is just the beginning, his ambition goes far beyond this.

The night wind blew on Chu Ning's face. He closed his eyes, as if he had seen the day when the flags of Chu would be planted all over the world.

Afterwards, Chu Ning went to the imperial palace in the city.

Chu Ning stood in front of the hall with his hands behind his back, his eyes sweeping over the towering palace that once belonged to Sima Yi, his expression indifferent.

Soon, the three generals Han Xing, Guan Yun and Zhao Yu came forward with heavy steps, their armor still stained with blood.

The three men bowed, and Han Xing, clasping his fists, reported, "Your Majesty, the remnants of the Wei army have surrendered, totaling over 50,000 men. Most of them are able-bodied men and county soldiers, not elite troops. I have come to ask for your instructions on how to deal with them."

Guan Yun added: "According to customary practice, the surrendered soldiers can be used as hard labor or incorporated into our vanguard battalion."

Zhao Yu frowned slightly and whispered, "But there are so many of them. If we keep them, something unexpected might happen."

Chu Ning was silent for a moment, his fingertips tapping lightly on the sword at his waist, his eyes far-reaching.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke, "Never mind. These people are just ordinary civilians who were forcibly conscripted into the army. They are not loyal to the Sima family."

"Killing them will only make the people of Wei hate me even more."

He paused, his tone firm: "Pass on my decree. Let them return home and be allowed to make a living on their own. If there are those who are willing to join the army, they will be recruited on merit, and the rest will be pardoned."

Han Xing and the other two exchanged glances, then responded in unison, "Your Majesty, be merciful! We will do it right away!"

The three were about to retreat when suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps were heard.

The counselor Jia Yu looked panicked and rushed to the front of the hall. Without even having time to salute, he said urgently:

"Your Majesty, something has happened!"

Chu Ning frowned, a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Why are you so panicked?"