On the wedding day, my wife was abnormal

The gate of Yanjing City is tall and majestic.

The huge iron-clad city gate gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the morning light, and the doorway was deep and dark, like the mouth of a giant beast.

At this moment, this city gate, symbolizing the transition of power in Northern Yan, was shrouded in a suffocating atmosphere of murder and bloodshed.

Right above the city gate, a wrought iron spear, as thick as a child's arm and about ten feet long, was deeply wedged into the hard bluestone bricks.

On the tip of the spear, a huge head with standing hair and beard, leopard-like eyes, and beard that exploded like steel needles was lifted high.

It was the head of Heishui tribe chieftain Helian Tieshu.

The face of the head was distorted by extreme pain and resentment. The eyes were wide open, and the pupils had long been dilated, but the incredible astonishment and overwhelming hatred before death still remained.

Dark red blood solidified on the tangled beard and the broken neck, and froze into a dark purple ice shell in the biting cold wind of the early morning.

A few drops of dark red blood that had not yet completely solidified, like dying tears, hung at the junction of the spear tip and the broken neck, trembling slightly in the cold wind, reflecting the cold light of the rising sun and emitting a disgusting stench.

On both sides of the city gate, dozens of heavily armored soldiers of the Jinwu Guard stood solemnly like cold sculptures.

Their dark fish-scale armor shone dimly in the morning light, their visors lowered, revealing only their icy lips and jaws. They wielded eight-foot-long steel spears, their tips pointed obliquely at the sky, emitting a frightening, iron-blooded aura.

Silently proclaiming the majesty and taboo of this city gate at this moment.

Inside and outside the city gate, a huge crowd of people had already gathered.

There were ragged, skinny people from Yanjing, old people from Beiyan wearing colorful fur coats and with complicated expressions, and many spies and messengers from other tribes who came after hearing the news.

Everyone was stunned into silence by the bloody and horrifying scene before them.

The air was filled with a strong smell of blood, a biting chill, and a fear that penetrated deep into the bone marrow.

People looked up at the head hanging high in the air with its eyes open, their eyes filled with fear, awe, confusion, and even... a hint of barely perceptible pleasure.

Helian Tieshu, the powerful chieftain who had occupied Yinshan Mountain, was notorious for his evil deeds and had frightened countless people, now ended up like this.

Their heads were hung at the city gates like animals waiting to be slaughtered.

This silent deterrence is more shocking than the roar of thousands of troops.

"Did you see it? That's Helian Tieshu!"

"Oh my god...it's really him...the Wolf King of the Blackwater Tribe..."

"Your Highness... Such cruel tactics..."

"Serves you right! That old dog! He stole my cattle and sheep! He killed my son! Retribution! Retribution!"

"Shh...be quiet...don't get into trouble..."

In the crowd, suppressed discussions buzzed like mosquitoes, carrying all kinds of complicated emotions.

"Silence!" A cold and sharp shout sounded like thunder.

Mao Mengji's figure appeared on the city gate tower like a ghost.

He was wearing heavy black armor, and the hideous scar on his face looked like a wriggling centipede in the morning light. His eyes were as sinister as an eagle as he scanned the dark crowd below the city.

The voice was hoarse and cold, with unquestionable majesty:

"According to the order of Prince Jun of Zhenbei, the rebel chief Helian Tieshu, who colluded with the remnants of Northern Yan, raised his own troops, resisted the king's rule, ambushed and killed the angels, and committed heinous crimes. He has now been executed and his head will be displayed to the public for three days. As a warning to others! Anyone who collaborates with the enemy and commits treason, resists the new policy, or gathers a crowd to cause chaos will be treated as this beast and will be executed without mercy. His head will be hung on the city gate and his entire clan will be exterminated. Don't say I didn't warn you..."

His voice was like a cold wind from the underworld, instantly freezing all the discussions below the city.

The crowd was dead silent.

Only the cold wind whistled past, blowing up the snow foam on the ground and making a rustling sound.

Fear is like a cold vine, entwining everyone's heart!

Lin Zhen did not appear on the city wall. He was sitting behind the huge rosewood desk in the main hall of the headquarters, listening to Xiao Hanzhou's report.

"Master," Xiao Hanzhou said, holding the file, his voice steady but with a hint of excitement.

"In the Battle of Black Stone Fort, our army won a resounding victory. Helian Tieshu was killed, and his son Helian Bao fled deep into the Yin Mountains with the remaining thousand men. General Mao has sent elite troops in pursuit. The main force of the Black Water Tribe was completely destroyed, along with over 40,000 men, hundreds of thousands of cattle and sheep, and thousands of miles of pasture, all of which have been brought under the rule of the king. Countless grain, fodder, weapons, gold, silver, and jewelry were seized and recorded and transported back to the city."

"Yeah." Lin Zhen nodded slightly, his face showing no joy. "How many casualties are there?"

"The Jinwu Guard suffered 27 casualties and 41 serious injuries; the Shenji Camp suffered no casualties and 5 minor injuries; the Jingbian Camp suffered 183 casualties and 65 serious injuries; the Northern Border Army suffered 312 casualties and 197 serious injuries."

Xiao Hanzhou's voice deepened. "Although we won this battle, the brutality of the attack is evident. Especially since nearly half of the Jingbian Camp's soldiers were killed."

"The compensation will be doubled. The families of those killed in action will be supported by the government. The seriously injured will receive proper medical treatment and be given land to settle down." Lin Zhen's voice was low and firm, "Their blood will not be shed in vain!"

"Yes! I will do it immediately!" Xiao Hanzhou bowed and accepted the order.

"How is the new policy progressing?" Lin Zhen changed the subject.

"Your Highness, the public display of Helian Tieshu's head has had a significant deterrent effect. Rumors have drastically decreased in Yanjing and the surrounding counties. Notices to Reassure the People have been posted everywhere, and the opening of granaries to distribute grain is underway. The first batch of relief grain has been sent to Heishui County and Langya Fort, the hardest-hit areas. Work-for-relief has also been initiated, recruiting over 3,000 able-bodied refugees to begin repairing the official road from Yanjing to Heishi Fort."

Xiao Hanzhou spoke faster, his eyes gleaming. "Even more gratifyingly, Madam Chu Xiling's exploration team has arrived in Yanjing. Yesterday, they split up and headed for the Black Stone, Hematite, and White Stone Valley mining sites. Madam Chu Xiling's eldest disciple personally led the team to Black Stone Mountain! According to her preliminary survey, the Black Stone Mountain open-pit coal mine has astonishing reserves and excellent coal quality, far exceeding expectations. If mining goes smoothly, it could alleviate the urgent needs of Northern Yan and even Daqian."

"Alright!" Lin Zhen's eyes finally flashed with approval. "Send the order, fully support the Ministry of Industry's exploration and mining. Prioritize the allocation of manpower and materials required, no matter the cost. Within three months, I want to see the first shipload of Beiyan coal arrive in Hu County!"

"Yes!" Xiao Hanzhou replied, and then presented another list.

"Your Highness, this is the response from the tribal chiefs to your order for an audience within ten days. Seventeen great chiefs, including Chief Wulianghetai of the Vulture Tribe, Chief Tuoba Xiong of the Snow Wolf Tribe, and Chief Murong Feng of the Wind Falcon Tribe, have sent envoys to present surrender and tribute, and have stated that they will personally travel to Yanjing for an audience. However..."

He paused, his voice sinking slightly. "There are still eight chiefs, including Baiyin Cangcuo of the White Deer Tribe, Bater of the Goshawk Tribe, and China of the Fire Fox Tribe. They only sent messengers with some cattle and sheep furs. Their words were evasive, saying that they were busy with tribal affairs or were ill and could not come in person. Their messengers were also not very respectful!"

Lin Zhen's eyes turned cold instantly, and he tapped his fingers lightly on the table:

"Oh? Unable to come in person because you're ill? Humph, what an icy arrogance." The corners of his mouth curled up coldly. "It seems that Helian Tieshu's head is not enough to make them sober. Send out orders, throw the tributes of these eight chiefs back to the camp intact, and tell their messengers that this prince will give them one last chance. If their leaders don't come to Yanjing in person within three days and apologize, then..."

His voice suddenly turned harsh, like the clanging of metal. "This prince will personally lead the army, crush their tribe, hang their heads at the city gate, and accompany Helian Tieshu. Get out!"

"Yes!" Xiao Hanzhou's heart trembled and he responded quickly.