Return of the Pearl

Chapter 75 All Sacrificed

Fu Heng walked, his steps heavy with thought. Even if we found these water sources, could we really hold them with our current forces? Would those malicious individuals make another move? Would they secretly gather forces and seize these water sources? The thought filled Fu Heng with uneasiness, his eyes revealing deep worry and confusion.

Along the way, in addition to feeling the joy of finding a water source, Fu Heng was also filled with a vague worry, which made him feel even more heavy-hearted. He knew that the road ahead was still full of challenges and uncertainties, and they had to be fully prepared to deal with various possible situations.

The worry in Fu Heng's heart was like a dark cloud, hanging over his heart and lingering for a long time. A look of pain flashed across his face from time to time, as if he was under tremendous pressure.

The soldiers, each with a solemn expression, carried back the bodies of the people escorting the grain with heavy steps one by one. Every time a body was placed on the ground, it seemed to hit Qianlong's heart hard.

Qianlong watched helplessly as these once vibrant lives now lay there lifeless. His heart was overwhelmed by waves of heavy grief, and his face instantly became as gloomy as ink, as if the sky was shrouded in haze before a storm. His eyes were filled with sadness, which surged like a tide, almost drowning him; at the same time, his eyes were also burning with flames of anger, which seemed to burn all the sins to ashes.

The soldiers reported to Qianlong solemnly, with a hint of urgency and determination in their voices. They told Qianlong that the remaining people had quickly followed the tracks left by the grain carts. According to the current situation, it would not be long before they would find the hiding place of the bandits.

At this moment, Qianlong's anger reached its peak like a volcano about to erupt. His chest heaved violently, his fists were clenched, and his nails dug deep into his palms, as if he wanted to vent all the anger in his heart. However, he was trying his best to restrain himself, trying not to lose the dignity that he should have as an emperor.

He was silent for a long time, and that silence seemed to freeze time. Finally, he slowly said, "Cremate these bodies as well. When I return to Beijing, I will take them home." His voice was low and powerful, filled with endless grief and determination.

The soldiers responded respectfully, then turned and left. Their footsteps were particularly clear in the empty room. Every step seemed to step on Qianlong's heart, making him feel even heavier.

The room was as quiet as a wilderness shrouded in darkness. Qianlong stood there like a wooden sculpture, his eyes empty and lifeless. Tears slowly gathered in his eye sockets, like a flood about to burst its dam, ready to burst out at any moment. The tears swayed in his eye sockets, reflecting the endless sadness in his heart.

His body was trembling slightly, and the trembling was like fallen leaves in the autumn wind, so powerless and so heartbreaking. His fists were clenched tightly, and his nails were deeply dug into his palms, as if he wanted to vent the pain in his heart in this way. The knuckles turned white due to the force, highlighting his inner struggle and resistance.

Painful lines spread across his face like spider webs, each line telling of his sorrow. His once dignified face now became incomparably haggard, as if time had instantly robbed him of his youth and vitality. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but was choked by sadness and could only let out low, suppressed sobs. The sobs echoed in the silent room, plaintive and heartbreaking.

He looked at Xiao Yun with grief and indignation, his voice trembling with pain and hoarse as if it was torn apart. "Yun'er, you said that when they first entered the official career and became officials in the court, they clearly made a solemn oath to do their best for the welfare of the people! But it has only been a few short years! How could they become such cruel executioners! Don't they have parents, wives and children? How could they be so cruel! What they did is simply unscrupulous!" At the end, his voice was almost a roar, and the expression full of pain and despair seemed to be telling of the endless grief and sorrow in his heart, which made people feel heartbroken.

Seeing Qianlong immersed in endless sorrow, Xiao Yun felt heartbroken as if pierced by thousands of arrows. She slowly walked forward and gently hugged Qianlong, wanting to give him some comfort.

But the words that came to her lips seemed to be strangled by something and she couldn't speak smoothly. For a moment, she couldn't utter a single word. She had witnessed the tragic situation in Shandong with her own eyes. It was truly a hell on earth that was ravaged by demons.

Broken walls and ruins were everywhere, corpses piled up like hills, blood flowed like rivers, and the whole earth seemed to be weeping and wailing for this tragic scene. Admittedly, the disaster was very serious, but if the local officials had done their duty and taken action, how could the disaster have become so tragic?

She slowly leaned close to Qianlong's ear and whispered, "Hongli, the human heart is like a den of ghosts. I have only recently come to appreciate this so deeply. You should be relieved that there are still good officials like Lord Yan who are honest and upright. Although there are many corrupt and evil officials, we can remove them. In the end, there will be officials as honest and upright as Lord Yan. And those guards who traveled with Erkang are also heroes. Look, there are still many people who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the people and the Qing Dynasty."

After listening to Xiao Yun's words of comfort, Qianlong's mood gradually calmed down. He slowly raised his head, his eyes fixed firmly on Xiao Yun, and a trace of indescribable relief and emotion flashed in his eyes.

There is no doubt that there are still many benevolent and ambitious people in the court, and there are still many loyal ministers. At this moment, he silently swore in his heart that he would do his best to rectify the administration of officials, so that those who are corrupt and break the law will have nowhere to hide, and let the people live a peaceful, harmonious, happy and fulfilling life.

At this moment, Qianlong's mind was clear as day. He knew very well that the route of the people transporting grain was a top secret matter. If someone in Kyoto had not leaked the news, they would definitely not have been ambushed and attacked by others.

Not only would he thoroughly investigate the Shandong incident, but he would also identify and severely punish the harem members, no matter who they were. He would show no mercy. Those who disregarded human life and the people were unworthy of being officials! Their actions were truly outrageous, their behavior so egregious it was simply unbearable. Their actions completely betrayed the duties and responsibilities of an official, and their crimes were truly unforgivable!

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