Nightfall

Killing as I Think of Life and Death

The sound of boots treading on snow echoed throughout the quiet streets. It sounded monotonous as if someone were slapping the old bell in the Imperial Palace with his hand. It was a dull, painful ringing. The crutch under Ning Que’s armpits landed rhythmically on the snowy ground, following his footsteps. However, it did not make any sound.

He had stayed silent after a long time, after hearing Chao Xiaoshu’s words. Then, he said, “The Academy does not interfere with politics. The Empress will be the one to decide whether to kill her or not.”

If the Academy did not interfere in politics, the Tang Empire would have fallen months ago. The words ‘The Academy did not interfere in politics’ had long become a empty talk, and as such, the second statement was pointless too.

Chao Xiaoshu said, “Should Hua Shanyue be killed?”

Ning Que said, “I want to kill him.”

Chao Xiaoshu replied, “The Hua family is still a prominent family in Hebei. Unlike the families of Qinghe County, he has always been loyal to the Tang Empire and has connections in the army and court, especially in the five camps of Gushan Commandery, which they are in charge of. The Hua family has fought hard this time in the Northern Frontier and the Eastern Border, and they’re still fighting hard.”

Ning Que said, “Are you telling me all this to say that Hua Shanyue shouldn’t be killed?”

Chao Xiaoshu said, “You know this as well, otherwise you’d have done it already even if I had not stopped you.”

Ning Que said, “I was thinking, if I wanted to kill Hua Shanyue, should I also kill his entire family?”

“Even though this answer is cold and cruel, it is within my expectations.”

Chao Xiaoshu said, “It’s just that there are too many for you to kill them all. You cannot possibly exterminate the families of ministers that support Li Yu since that will doom the Tang Empire. However, once the war calms, these people will definitely worry if the Empress or the Academy will get rid of them. The conflict will thus continue. Even if the Hua Shanyue incident had not happened, something similar will also happen in the future.”

Ning Que said, “I will find a suitable method to deal with this.”

The two stopped their discussion about the matter. After all, those incidents and their solutions were all rather sinister. It was rather dissonant with the snow white streets and the days of hot-bloodedness.

Ning Que did not say anything else since Chao Xiaoshu did not like it. The two continued forward silently, and they shortly arrived at the Eastern City’s Spring Breeze Pavilion.

Upon entering the Chao Mansion, Ning Que greeted Old Master Chao before being pulled away to the yard by Shangguan Yangyu. He looked at the prefectural magistrate sleazy’s appearance and raised his brows, saying, “How fast was the reaction over there?”

Shangguan Yangyu touched his goatee, looking calm. However, his hand was actually shaking so hard he nearly plucked his already thin beard off. He said, “It was not easy for things to calm down over the last two days. There would be great trouble if this matter is not handled properly.”

“How do we handle the matter well?” Ning Que looked at him and asked.

Shanagguan Yangyu grew anxious at Ning Que’s stare and he answered, “The best way to handle it is the way that you deem is the best.”

Ning Que smiled and said, “Who’s been pressing you for it?”

Shangguan Yangyu answered, “Not even the Grand Secretary or the senior ministers dare to come forward regarding this matter. Who else could it be? The Supreme Court minister is waiting at my house right now.”