Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Seeing this, Lingyan chuckled and said, "You don't need to be so afraid. Although some of you have participated in the infighting, you haven't killed anyone or committed any serious crimes, so I can spare your lives."

Her voice was calm and unhurried, yet it possessed a reassuring power.

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of hope rose in the hearts of the ministers. They raised their heads, their eyes filled with gratitude.

However, Lingyan's next words made their hearts sink again.

"But forget about becoming an official."

Lingyan's tone became serious: "What the court needs are officials who are capable, responsible, and dedicated to the well-being of the people. Since you have participated in the infighting, it means that your minds are not fully focused on serving the country and the people. Therefore, you are no longer suitable to hold official positions."

Her gaze swept over the ministers, and she continued, "As for the rest, you all know that you are incompetent good-for-nothings who got into the court through connections. Since you are good-for-nothings, there is no need for you to stay in the court. After all, the capable rise and the mediocre fall, which is an unchanging principle. So I will only strip you of your official positions, not take your lives."

The ministers who were accused of being incompetent and useless showed expressions of shame and remorse.

They also knew that they were not capable of holding official positions and had only managed to get into the court through connections.

They lowered their heads, not daring to look Lingyan in the eye again.

But at this moment, all the ministers felt as if they had been given a new lease on life and had escaped a calamity.

Although they could no longer serve as officials, at least their lives were saved, and they felt like they had survived a calamity.

Lingyan found it quite amusing to see the lingering fear on their faces.

These officials are just here to coast along; they have no ability to do anything wrong or commit any crimes.

They were simply incapable, not heinous criminals, so their lives could be spared.

However, this group of officials will never have the opportunity to hold office in their lifetime.

However, if their descendants are capable and enter the court as officials through their own abilities, Lingyan will naturally not stop them.

These officials naturally understood this as well.

So they quickly expressed their gratitude to Lingyan.

He looked as if he were facing his savior.

They kowtowed again, their foreheads striking the ground heavily with dull thuds: "Thank you, Your Highness, for sparing our lives! Your Highness is magnanimous, benevolent, and wise; we are eternally grateful."

Their voices trembled, filled with sincerity and reverence.

Some even had tears in their eyes, their faces showing excitement: "We will never forget the Crown Princess's great kindness. From now on, we will definitely turn over a new leaf and start anew."

Their words were filled with remorse and determination.

Throughout the hall, the officials' expressions of gratitude rose and fell.

They expressed their gratitude in the most sincere language, hoping to gain Lingyan's forgiveness and recognition.

Lingyan watched them quietly without responding, her eyes revealing a sense of authority and composure.

After they all stood up and stood properly, Lingyan turned her attention to the last group of officials.

The officials felt the Crown Princess's gaze, and although they were still somewhat afraid, their hearts were now at ease.

What just happened proves that the Crown Princess is a truly righteous person who cares deeply for the country and its people.

Therefore, those who were killed or dismissed were all officials who harmed the country and its people.

Since they did not participate in court infighting, nor did they harm the country or its people in the slightest, there was no need to be so afraid.

Therefore, they appeared very calm and composed.

Their eyes no longer held fear and unease, but instead a calm and resolute look.

Seeing this, Lingyan was quite pleased and said to them with a gentle smile, "My lords, you have been able to uphold your principles, not participate in court struggles, and not harm the country and its people. On the contrary, you have always worked hard for the country and its people, and your abilities are also quite remarkable. I am very pleased. Now we are at a critical time, and we need loyal ministers and generals like you. Therefore, I hope that you can continue to maintain this loyalty and responsibility and contribute your strength to the prosperity and strength of the country."

Her voice was gentle yet firm, like a spring breeze, making people feel warm and at ease.

Upon hearing the Crown Princess's words, these officials felt a strong sense of mission.

They all knelt down and said in unison, "We will do our utmost to serve the country and the people, and live up to the expectations of the Crown Princess."

Their voices were loud and firm, full of confidence and determination.

Ling Yan nodded slightly, her eyes sparkling with appreciation.

Not bad, not bad. Although only these officials remain now, they are all capable and don't cause trouble.

With the addition of officials sent by Emperor Jingzhao, Northern Li should soon be able to regain its stability and prosperity, and there should be no more trouble.

After the official's matter was resolved, Lingyan and the other two left.

Next, all they need to do is appease the people and wait for the officials sent by Emperor Jingzhao to arrive before they can set off to return to Dazhao.

………………

Around noon, the market was bustling with people.

When the people from the Great Zhao Shadow Division brought the villain Yao Gongzi into the public eye, the scene instantly erupted in excitement.

When the people saw this villain who had committed evil deeds and persecuted them, their anger burned fiercely like a blazing fire.

They all forgot their fear, and forgot that these people before them were the awe-inspiring Shadow Envoys of the Great Zhao Dynasty.

At this moment, all they felt was overwhelming hatred for Yao Yu.

I just want to vent the anger that has been building up inside me for so long.

So the people began to hurl insults at Yao Yu, their words filled with anger and condemnation.

They recalled Yao Yu's past misdeeds, and the days of being bullied and oppressed seemed to reappear before their eyes.

Some people cursed him for being ruthless, some called him heartless, while others lamented the suffering they had endured.

Their emotions were extremely agitated, and their voices rose and fell, echoing in the air above the market.

The Shadow Envoys stood quietly to the side, watching everything with cold eyes.

They did not stop the people from cursing, because it was the Crown Princess's wish.

The Crown Princess knew the suffering of the people and hoped that they could vent their anger in this way and find some solace.

As the people's emotions gradually stabilized, a skilled craftsman from the Shadow Division began to carry out the punishment of being sliced ​​into a thousand pieces.

They deliberately didn't cover Yao Yu's mouth so that the people could hear his screams, making them feel even more relieved and happy.

Yao Yu was tied to the execution platform, unable to move, his eyes filled with fear and despair.

When the first knife fell, he let out a heart-wrenching scream, a sound that seemed to pierce people's eardrums.

As the people watched Yao Yu being tortured piece by piece, a sense of pleasure welled up in their hearts.

Seeing Yao Yu's pained expression, their hatred seemed to find some release.

With each stab, Yao Yu's screams were met with cheers from the crowd.

Some people clapped and cheered, their voices loud and powerful.

Some people couldn't help but burst into tears.

That's because they remembered the suffering they had endured and now they finally saw the wicked receive their due punishment.

At this moment, the people vented their emotions to the fullest.

Looking at Yao Yu's miserable state, they felt an unprecedented sense of relief and pleasure.

At this moment, they felt a great deal of goodwill towards these envoys of the Great Zhao Shadow Division, because they had upheld justice for their people.

As for the Crown Princess of the Great Zhao Dynasty, who was feared by many but regarded as a deity by the people and loved them like her own children, they were filled with even greater respect and love.

Therefore, the execution at Caishikou was not only a punishment for Yao Yu, a villain, but also a comfort to the people.

It allowed the people to see the power of justice and the care that the Zhao Dynasty had for its people.

This is only the first step in winning them over.