“Zhao clan, I, Alexander Hayes, the royal-appointed King of Qin, stand before you. Anchester is my fief, yet some among you dared to rebel against me. Those traitors have been utterly destroyed by my hand. What have you to say for yourselves?”
With Alexander Hayes speaking so sternly, how could any member of the Zhao clan dare utter a word of dissent? That would be courting disaster.
So the Zhao clan members, kneeling on the ground, hastily replied, "Your Majesty is wise! Such traitorous rebels deserve death!"
"Indeed, traitors must be punished. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, undefeated in battle and unstoppable in conquest!"
Some clan members were quick to distance themselves from the rebels:
"Your Majesty, though those traitors bear the Zhao name, they are not one of us! Their rebellion was plotted in secret—we knew nothing of it! Had we known, we would have opposed them!"
"That's right, Your Majesty! Justin Zhao was the Magistrate of Anchester, and he could not bear to lose his official cap. Fearing your arrival, he knew he could no longer act as lord over Anchester, so he took the risk and attacked you. Justin Zhao was the magistrate, but we are just honest merchants and would never dare oppose Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, we all support you. We are your loyal subjects!"
"..."
The Zhao clan members immediately began to distance themselves, shifting all blame for the rebellion onto Justin Zhao and the late patriarch Charles Zhao—after all, both were dead and made perfect scapegoats.
This Prince regarded the chattering Zhao clan members with a detached air, a cold sneer curling in his heart as he thought, 'A rabble of disorderly followers.'
Yet it was precisely this rabble that held the lifeblood of Anchester’s economy in their hands.
These Zhao clan members were not like Justin Zhao or the late patriarch. If they were simply slaughtered, Anchester’s economy would collapse, and it would be the common people who would suffer most.
This Prince came to govern his fief, not to sow the seeds of chaos. Now that the Zhao clan has pledged allegiance, and their private troops have been nearly wiped out by his hand, the threat remains but is greatly diminished. Comparing the two evils, This Prince chose the lesser—he would spare their lives.
Though these men were Anchester’s native merchant lords, holding sway over the city’s guilds, This Prince was unconcerned.
Because he had Su Li.
When it comes to business acumen, if Su Li claims second place, no one would dare claim first.
This Prince had utmost confidence in Su Li. In just a few years, she would surely infiltrate Anchester’s merchant guilds and, without a single drop of blood, render the Zhao clan powerless.
When that day arrives, the wealth and power in their hands will be stripped away. If they obey, they may remain and serve; if not, they will be dealt with swiftly, like lambs to the slaughter.
Having made up his mind, This Prince’s gaze swept over the Zhao clan members as he spoke: “I know exactly what’s in your hearts. What you’ve done before, This Prince will not pursue further. To govern Anchester, I require everyone’s unwavering support. Now that the patriarch is dead and your clan is leaderless, you must promptly elect a new head. The Zhao clan’s fate concerns the livelihood of Anchester’s people—choose your leader wisely and with caution. You will recommend candidates, and This Prince will select personally. In three days, I expect two lists from you: one naming those who aided the rebels, and another with candidates for clan leader.”