“You’ve always been the one who understands propriety best.”
The Emperor sighed, took Su Qing’s hand, and said,
“I’ve just been thinking… whether I should wipe out the Ten Great Martial Families once and for all.”
Su Qing was taken aback.
“The Ten Great Families? Your Majesty, haven’t you always turned a blind eye to them?”
“Yes.”
The Emperor let out a cold laugh.
“But some people don’t know what’s good for them. They’ve come to take my leniency for granted. All day long they stir up trouble instead of doing anything worthwhile.”
People pursued profit above all else.
Since ancient times, imperial authority had stood above everything else.
No power was allowed to surpass it.
The Emperor believed he had been more than generous.
Yet some people had become increasingly presumptuous.
The mere thought of the Ten Great Families soured his mood again.
His face darkened as he said,
“I’ve already ordered the Shadow Master to notify the Imperial Clan Court.”
“All the case files involving crimes committed by the Ten Great Families over the past several years have been preserved.”
“I never pursued those matters before because I believed they still had some value.”
“They’re martial artists. They’re accustomed to freedom and dislike being restrained. I could understand that.”
“But only today did I learn that, over all these years, not a single member of the Ten Great Families has ever participated in the Imperial Martial Examination.”
“They’re showing complete contempt for me.”
“For the Tian Dynasty itself.”
“If that’s how they wish to behave, then there’s no reason to keep them around.”
Su Qing’s anger immediately flared as well.
“They’ve gone too far!”
“A true man born into this world should think of serving his country and preparing for danger even in times of peace.”
“Instead, they simply occupy their own little corners of the world and live carefree lives.”
“How are they any different from frogs at the bottom of a well?”
“Do they even realize that the peaceful lives they enjoy today were bought with the blood and lives of countless Tian Dynasty soldiers?”
“If not for the warriors sacrificing themselves on the front lines, would those people even have the luxury of living so comfortably?”
“They deserve to die.”
“They deserve to be executed.”
There was no such thing as peaceful times that existed naturally.
Someone was always bearing the burden so others could live in peace.
Yet these people…
Not only did they contribute nothing…
They even looked down on the imperial court.
If the current Emperor had been a tyrant, that would have been one thing.
But the current Emperor was genuinely a wise and benevolent ruler.
What exactly were these wandering martial artists looking down on?
What were they so proud of?
Su Qing truly couldn’t understand how people like them could exist.
The Emperor gave a mocking smile.
“Look at that.”
“Even you, a mere woman, understand this principle.”
“Yet the people of the Ten Great Families do not.”
Su Qing gently patted his chest, her voice softening.
“Your Majesty shouldn’t become angry over people who aren’t worth it.”
“They deserve whatever punishment they receive.”
“But if you damage your health because of them, what then?”
“I know.”
The Emperor took a deep breath and rubbed his aching temples.
“The only thing I’m considering now is whether I should give the Ten Great Families one final chance.”
To be honest…
Regardless of their faults, their martial arts were truly exceptional.
Any one of them sent into battle could fight ten ordinary men.
To simply execute them all…
Would be something of a waste.
Su Qing smiled.
“Your Majesty truly lives up to your reputation as a wise ruler, repaying resentment with virtue.”
“Since you wish to give them another chance, then give it to them.”
“If they still fail to appreciate your mercy… it won’t be too late to eliminate them afterward.”
“However…”
She changed the subject.
“I’ve heard that Minister Ling has several subordinates who are descendants of the Ten Great Families.”
“Why not entrust this matter to Minister Ling?”
“Hahaha!”
The Emperor burst into laughter.
“That was exactly what I was thinking!”
Throughout the empire, as long as he wished to know something, who could truly keep it from him?
He had long since learned that Ling Yu had men under him named Yan Cheng and Mu Qingfeng.
Both came from the Ten Great Families.
Yan Cheng possessed astonishing martial skills and was also highly accomplished in military strategy.
Mu Qingfeng’s lightness skill was peerless, and his mastery of medicine and poison was unmatched.
He had to admit…
The Ten Great Families really did produce extraordinary talent.
That was precisely why he had remained so hesitant.
He simply couldn’t bear to have them all executed.
Now that Su Qing had brought it up…
He also felt it was time to have a proper talk with his eldest grandson.
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