Chương 525: If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring breeze

The Imperial Guards, who had been lying in ambush all around, immediately rushed out and engaged in a fierce battle with the assassins.

Swords clashed and shouts of battle rose from all sides.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu led the Longxiang Battalion into battle, each one as fierce as a wolf or tiger.

Dian Wei wielded his double halberds with ferocious power, striking one enemy at a time with such force that they could send people flying.

Xu Chu's broadsword was even more domineering; with each strike, a scream was heard and blood splattered everywhere.

These assassins were all trained by powerful families; each one was exceptionally skilled, with ruthless swordsmanship and fearless in the face of death.

But the Embroidered Uniform Guard was the elite of the elite, and they were well-prepared and waiting for the opportune moment.

Needless to say, the Longxiang Battalion was Liu Ce's personal guard, selected from hundreds of thousands of soldiers...

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, all the assassins were killed, their corpses lying scattered all over the ground, and blood flowing like a river.

The scene was chaotic, but it quickly returned to calm.

Although the people were startled, they did not panic, because they saw that His Majesty was still standing there, as steady as Mount Tai.

Liu Ce put down his shovel, walked to the edge of the viewing platform without changing his expression, and spoke loudly to all the people.

His voice was exceptionally clear in the silence, like a sharp sword piercing the sky:

"Fellow villagers, a small incident just occurred. Hundreds of clowns tried to disrupt our groundbreaking ceremony and even attempted to assassinate me."

"But they failed."

He pointed at the corpses on the ground, his voice growing louder: "Look at this! This is what happens when you try to assassinate me! This is what happens when you oppose the court!"

"They thought that by killing me, they could stop the implementation of the new policies. They were wrong. Utterly wrong!"

"This new policy is not just my personal policy. It is a new policy for all the people of the land! It is a new policy for everyone who wants to have enough to eat and wants to live a good life!"

"Even if you kill me, millions more will stand up and continue to implement the new policies! Because this is the trend of the times and the will of the people!"

Anyone who dares to stop the wheels of history from turning will be crushed to pieces!

His voice, strong and clear, resounded throughout the venue, reaching everyone's ears and hearts.

The crowd below erupted in thunderous cheers, the shouts rising in waves.

"Your Majesty is right!"

"Anyone who dares to undermine the new policies, we'll fight them to the death!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

Liu Ce raised his hand and pressed down, and the scene fell silent again, so quiet that the sound of the wind blowing the flags could be heard.

He picked up a shovel and shoveled soil onto the foundation stone, one shovelful at a time.

The first shovel, the second shovel, the third shovel, each shovel was shoveled steadily and firmly.

"I hereby declare the main road from Luoyang to Chang'an officially under construction!"

At Liu Ce's command, tens of thousands of workers, who had been prepared, rushed to the construction site with their tools and cheers.

They wielded shovels and picks, working with great enthusiasm, like a group of hardworking ants.

A grand road to the future has begun to be paved.

...

After the groundbreaking ceremony, Liu Ce returned to the palace and convened an emergency meeting.

Lu Bing reported the investigation results to everyone, his voice deep and powerful:

"Your Majesty, the mastermind behind this assassination attempt is the aristocratic alliance. These powerful families, who usually appear to have good reputations, have secretly colluded together to form a vast network."

They not only orchestrated this assassination, but also the sabotage of the cement plant and iron smelting base. That fire, that collapse... they were responsible for them.

His voice grew increasingly deep: "They have planted a large number of spies and assassins throughout the country. According to the list we have, it involves hundreds of large and small families, spread across the entire country. Moreover, they also correspond with each other and exchange information."

The hall was completely silent.

No one expected that the resistance from the powerful families would be so fierce and so organized.

The air was so heavy it felt like it was about to drip water.

Liu Ce remained silent for a moment, the candlelight flickering in his eyes.

He spoke slowly, his voice low and firm: "It seems that the previous purges of those powerful and wicked families that committed numerous evil deeds did not frighten them. I originally intended to deal with the remaining powerful and wicked families gradually, not wanting to cause any unrest in the country, and hoping they would realize their own limitations."

It seems I was too lenient, giving them the wrong impression that I wouldn't dare touch them. I offered them a way out, but they refused. I gave them face, but they were shameless. Now it's time to completely resolve the problem of the aristocratic families. If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they'll grow back in the spring."

At this moment, Xun Yu said to Liu Ce, "Your Majesty, shouldn't we be more cautious? Let's take it slow and resolve things step by step. Otherwise, if powerful clans and gentry across the Han Dynasty revolt, the Han Dynasty will be plunged into chaos, and we might lose control. They are numerous, powerful, and deeply entrenched; what if..."

Liu Ce sneered, a laugh that sent chills down one's spine: "Heh heh heh, that's perfect. I'm looking forward to it. If those people really dare, we can just start over and reclaim all the lands again. It's not like we haven't fought before; my ability to conquer the world is still there. Fighting once is fighting, fighting twice is fighting too."

His voice grew louder and louder, carrying an air of domineering arrogance: "I'll see whether their bones are harder, or my sword is harder!"

Then he raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his eyes sharp as knives:

"Order: First, order Lu Bing to lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with the cooperation of troops from various military regions, to launch a nationwide manhunt, wiping out all the powerful families involved in the rebellion and sabotage. Better to kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free!

Second, the military was ordered to station troops in each military region in each province and prefecture, taking full control of local military and political power. Officials in each province, prefecture, and county who had previously graduated from Youzhou Academy were to take over government affairs.

All officials from aristocratic families were to be suspended from their posts for investigation; those with problems were to be arrested, and those without problems were to be barred from key or leadership positions.

Third, I ordered Song Yingxing to expedite the construction of the cement plant and iron smelting base, ensuring the main road from Luoyang to Chang'an was completed on time. Not a single day could be wasted. Not only on time, but also to ensure quality. What I need is a usable road, not a vanity project.

Fourth, instruct Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui to accelerate the progress of other projects under the First Five-Year Plan. The progress cannot be delayed because of the sabotage of powerful families. Even if the sky falls, the First Five-Year Plan cannot stop. The people of the whole country are watching us; the eyes of the world are watching us.

"Your Majesty, we obey!" The crowd shouted in unison, their voices so loud that dust fell from the palace beams.

Liu Ce stood up and slowly walked to the entrance of the main hall, gazing at the bustling construction site in the distance.

As the sun set, golden sunlight bathed him, casting a golden glow upon him, making him look like a statue.

"The era of aristocratic families is over," Liu Ce murmured to himself, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

"A new era is dawning."

"This war is not a war between me and the aristocratic families. It is a war between the new and the old, a war between light and darkness, a war between the future and the past."

He paused, gripped the sword at his waist tightly, his knuckles turning white:

"We will win."