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Su Jiu was not unfamiliar for the old master of the Hou family.
In the wars between Xuan and Qi, Su Jiu was the marshal, shining brightly in battle.
He hadn’t expected to find them here.
“What does Lord Su mean by this? You cannot trespass into someone’s home just because of your status,” said the old master.
“Since you know who I am, you should also know the identity of Xiao Yu. Xiao Bao is the son of Prince Yu, a child favored by the emperor. Your family dared to poison Xiao Bao, and now you come here asking what I mean? Your act is quite convincing,” Su Jiu replied, looking at the old master of the Hou family.
The old master’s face changed slightly. How could he be discovered so quickly?
“How long has it been since your son and grandson returned?” Su Jiu asked the old master of the Hou family.
The old master furrowed his brow. Indeed, his son and grandson hadn’t returned for quite some time.
Could it be…
“That’s right, these two are indeed in Xiao Yu’s hands. How about that? Isn’t it a bit of a surprise?” Su Jiu’s tone was mocking, and the old master’s expression turned unpleasant. He wasn’t surprised at all; now he was somewhat frightened.
If his son and grandson were both taken, then Su Jiu’s sudden appearance here wasn’t a coincidence.
It seemed Su Jiu’s intentions were not benign.
“I didn’t come here to reminisce with you. Take them all away,” Su Jiu declared.
“Su Jiu, how dare you!”
“Do you think I came all the way from the capital to Fu’an County just to see my nephew?” Su Jiu’s voice was cold as he looked at the old master of the Hou family.
The old master of the Hou family’s face turned somewhat pale, and there was a hint of anger in his gaze as he looked at Su Jiu. “What exactly do you want?”
“Don’t look at me like that. Isn’t your family affiliated with the Lu Empire? You’ve been involved in treasonous activities, haven’t you?” Su Jiu remarked, his brows furrowed.
“But then again, you were originally citizens of the Lu Empire, so it’s not exactly treason,” Su Jiu continued.
His words left the old master of the Hou family speechless.
Su Jiu already knew?
How could they know so much?
“Just so you know, Xiao Yu had already uncovered everything. And to add one more thing, Xiao Yu’s people have already started dealing with the spies sent by the Lu Empire. If it weren’t for your actions against Xiao Bao, Xiao Yu wouldn’t have thought of investigating these matters so soon,” Su Jiu said, seemingly unfazed, as he looked at the two old masters of the Hou family with a smile.
His demeanor caused the old master of the Hou family’s expression to change repeatedly.
“You…,” the old master of the Hou family began, his expression crestfallen as he looked at Su Jiu. The situation had become unexpectedly dire for the Hou family. How did things end up like this?
Clutching his hands tightly, he said, “I’m the one responsible for all of this. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”
“Old master, you’re saying that to comfort yourself. There’s no need to tell me all this. Do you think I’ll believe what you say?” Su Jiu spoke calmly as he looked at the old master of the Hou family.
The old master’s face turned somewhat pale, and his gaze towards Su Jiu was calm.
When Su Jiu ordered his men to make their move and apprehend individuals, the old master suddenly attacked.
Su Jiu swiftly dodged the attack, observing the disappointed expression on the old master’s face, and chuckled softly. “Seems like everyone underestimated you. Who knew you still had some martial skills?”
The old master of the Hou family felt a twinge of regret. How could he not have foreseen that Su Jiu would be able to evade his attack so effortlessly?
“Su Jiu…”
“Round them all up, and execute those who resist on the spot.”
“Yes.”
The people of the Hou family were swiftly apprehended. The old master gazed at the group with a gloomy expression. “Even if you capture us all, what can you do? Xuan Empire will never be a match for Lu Empire. Sooner or later, the iron cavalry of Lu Empire will breach Xuan Empire’s defenses, and you will all become subjects of a fallen nation.”
Su Jiu scratched his ear mockingly, looking at the old master as he uttered such naïve words. “It seems that you haven’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation, old master of the Hou family.”
“Now you are the captive, and as for becoming subjects of a fallen nation, that day will come, but unfortunately, you won’t live to see it.”
“Furthermore, it will be Lu Empire that becomes the fallen nation, not Xuan Empire.” It seemed that after returning, they would need to intensify military training. Su Jiu also planned to discuss with the emperor about further arming the army. The more weapons designed by Xiao Yu, the better.
“Take them away.”
Outside, the common people watched as all the members of the Hou family were apprehended by the officials, murmuring among themselves at the scene.
When they learned that the Hou family were actually people from Lu Empire who had been relaying information about Xuan Empire back to Lu Empire for years, they were instantly outraged.
A child grabbed a small stone nearby and hurled it at them.
“Traitors! Xuan Empire is so good to you, yet you dare to aid Lu Empire and plot against Xuan Empire? I’ll kill you!”
“That’s right, kill them!”
They had finally begun to enjoy good days, with a benevolent emperor ruling over them. Now, someone dared to jeopardize their lives by plunging them back into war?
One by one, more people joined in. Many began pelting the members of the Hou family with rotten vegetable leaves, and some innocent soldiers were inadvertently caught in the fray.
“Everyone, we will definitely deal with the people from the Hou family. You can rest assured of that. We won’t let you down. Let’s all stay calm.”
“Sir, people like this must not be spared. His Majesty has worked so hard to develop Xuan Empire to this point. We cannot allow anyone to threaten it. These kinds of people should be dealt with directly.”
If you were to ask the people of Xuan Empire what they detest the most, it would undoubtedly be those who seek to make them slaves of a foreign nation.
This is something they cannot forgive.
Seeing their anger, Su Jiu smiled faintly. “Rest assured, His Majesty has already decreed that once the culprits are caught, they will be publicly executed on the spot, without the need to bring them back to the capital.”
“His Majesty is wise.”
With Su Jiu and his men departing, the crowd followed, escorting them for quite a distance before stopping.
After Su Jiu took the members of the Hou family away, Lin Zixun and his men began to seize the Hou family’s properties, quickly turning them over to Su Yu.
In the old residence of the Hou family, Lin Zixun found quite a few valuable items.
When Su Jiu saw what Lin Zixun had brought, he raised an eyebrow, impressed. Indeed, the people chosen by Xiao Yu were quite remarkable.
“You’re wasting your talents just being a businessman by Xiao Yu’s side.”
Hearing Su Jiu’s words, Lin Zixun felt a surge of emotion, followed by calmness. “I’m doing quite well by Young Master and Madam’s side.”
Because of the appearance of Madam and Young Master, he had the good life he enjoyed today, as well as a beloved wife.
He wouldn’t trade this life for anything.
Seeing him like this, Su Jiu shook his head with amusement. “Don’t make it seem like I’m trying to steal people away from Xiao Yu.”
“Young Master, don’t even think about it. Zixun won’t with leave you,” said Yuan Bao firmly.
Lin Zixun nodded vigorously in agreement. “Master is right. I won’t leave with you.”
Su Jiu looked surprised at Yuan Bao. “You’re his master?”
“Yeah, Zixun is someone I’ve nurtured from the beginning.” Originally, Yuan Bao didn’t intend for Lin Zixun to call him “master,” but this guy was just stubborn.