Chapter 1741: Yulin Prefecture

Chapter 266: The Empress Has ArrivedChapter 1741: Yulin Prefecture

Upon the arrival of the order signed by Li Chen, the army will enforce immediate relocation for all individuals, regardless of their status or circumstances. Every household must vacate within twenty hours and relocate under military escort to a designated prefecture city for resettlement.

This was the policy that Li Cheng carried out when he took refuge in the mountains.

For the common people, there's no need to explain too much. Just tell them what to do and what they must do.

There will inevitably be public outcry, no one wants to leave their ancestral home, but with the army at the door, all resistance instantly vanishes.

At least according to the reports Li Chen received, all the people were very 'willing' to cooperate with the imperial court's actions and proactively moved.

Under the looming shadow of war, there are certainly those who choose to leave voluntarily. However, the vast majority must be forced to do so.

These matters, Li Chen didn't bother with them, nor was there a need to. After all, if one were to be truly honest, while the phrase "fortify and defend oneself" was Wu Qingcang's suggestion, it was Li Chen who wholeheartedly supported it. Without his approval, Wu Qingcang wouldn't have had the ability to relocate half the population of Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.

Even to leave no houses for the Liao army, almost everything that could be taken away was removed. The military helped the people with this task.

Such a command, Li Chen could tell without even thinking, would result in countless horrifying tragedies.

If historical records were to be kept in the future, his scorched-earth policy implemented in Gansu and Shaanxi would certainly be recorded prominently. However, whether it was considered good or bad would depend on whether he won or lost.

History is always written by the victors.

If the Qin dynasty truly had a tradition that lasted for centuries, then the burning of books and burying of Confucian scholars wouldn't have unjustly implicated Emperor Qin Shi Huang for thousands of years.

"Your Highness, everything is done for the greater good. The people will understand," Xu Wei said, consoling Li Chen when he saw his gloomy expression.

"Understanding Impossible."

Li Chen shook his head and said, "The common people are the easiest group to fool in the world, but they are also the most difficult to serve."

"Brothers who share the same mother's milk have their own strengths and weaknesses, let alone the millions of common people. Among them, there are honest ones, mischievous ones, diligent ones, and cunning ones, to name but a few."

"This palace does not expect anyone to understand, everything, but leave it for posterity to judge."

After finishing his words, Li Chen galloped away on his horse. Xu Wei and his confidants followed behind, watching Li Chen's retreating figure. Suddenly, one of the confidants said: "In the future, people will undoubtedly praise Your Highness as a wise ruler for all ages."

Xu Wei first nodded in agreement, then glared fiercely at him and said: "Don't talk nonsense, watch your words!"

That confidante knew Xu Wei was just going through the motions. He laughed and didn't take it seriously at all.

One hundred and twenty miles, passed in the blink of an eye.

Upon arriving at the outskirts of Yulin Prefecture, I was met with a scene unlike any I had imagined. As one of several major gathering points, all the people from towns, villages, and townships within a radius of two hundred miles had converged here. Even though I had mentally prepared myself, seeing the sheer number of people crammed outside the city walls of Yulin Prefecture was overwhelming. Temporary makeshift shelters were erected everywhere, each housing at least seven or eight people. The endless rows of these shelters stretched as far as the eye could see, covering the entire landscape. It was a sight so grand and unexpected that it left me speechless.

Under such crowding, there's no talk of quality of life. Everyone's expression is numb or complaining.

Li Chen frowned, walking all the way to the city gate. Before he could enter, he was immediately stopped by a group of yamen officers.

Halt! Entry into Yulin City is restricted to those of known identity. longer said anything, lowering his head in response.Wu Qingcang spoke: "Your Highness, can we trust all the information Zhao Taile provided"Li Chen smiled and said, "It's natural for Wu Shuai to have...