"Wuji Gate, he's from Wuji Gate!" someone recognized the totem on the deceased's body.
Once the identity of the deceased was revealed, the few who had been the most aggressive began to quietly retreat.
"Stop them!" Xie Jiayan's arrow struck one of them in the leg.
The man stumbled, nearly falling to his knees, and the others attempting to escape in the chaos were surrounded by the commoners.
The crowd, which moments ago had been united in their anger and shouting for the Cui family's downfall, suddenly shifted their focus.
Compared to the Cui family, Wuji Gate was truly ruthless. The commoners harbored both hatred and fear towards them, and even with their sickles in hand, they dared not approach.
Across the crowd, Yu Mingyue nodded to Elder Cui. It was not appropriate for her to reveal her identity to her maternal grandfather at this moment, lest the commoners, unaware of the truth, perceive Jiayan Gege's actions as unfair, and the unrest would truly become uncontrollable.
Ye Feisheng, along with people from the Lijing Gate, also arrived in haste and quickly brought the situation under control.
Xie Jiayan drew the sword at his waist and raised it, saying, "I am Xie Jiayan, sent from the capital by imperial decree to establish official schools. Yesterday, I arrived in Qinghe to discuss school matters with Lord Qian and happened upon this riot. This was all a conspiracy by Wuji Gate. They murdered Imperial Envoy Lord Yao to frame the Cui family, then incited the bandits of Taohua Village to burn the Cui family's merchant ships, creating conflict. The Cui family, in retaliation, massacred Taohua Village. This led to today's riot. Tonight, the Cui family was ransacked, and countless commoners were killed or injured. Everyone, think, who benefited from tonight's events?"
"It is not wrong for everyone to fight for their rights, but you should not be exploited by those with ulterior motives. If the Cui family has erred, they will be punished by the laws of Great Wei. We must trust the imperial court, trust the law, and not resort to violence for violence."
"Why is the imperial court establishing official schools in the provinces? It is so that all citizens of Great Wei have the opportunity to study, and everyone has a chance to change their destiny. It is not so that you neglect your fields and become bandits; nor so that artisans abandon their craft for trickery; nor so that merchants forsake their trade to flatter superiors and deceive inferiors, becoming inhumane mobs at the slightest provocation."
"Look at your relatives and friends beside you. How many people did you lose tonight during this riot, and what did you gain? After tonight, your land will not increase, nor will your wealth. Instead, you have lost loved ones, friends, and neighbors. This is the price of repaying violence with violence. You have taught our students, before they even enroll in school, the most important lesson through your ignorance."
"If you believe that officials are apathetic and do not champion the people's cause, then strive to study and enter officialdom to change the status quo. If you believe that superiors exploit the people, then work hard to change the rules and establish a new order."
"I know it is difficult to change these things with the strength of one person, but we are tens of millions. The faint light of fireflies, when gathered together, can illuminate the path ahead. Even if we are poor, we must uphold righteousness and have pure intentions. Those in positions of power should especially cultivate their own character. If one is not upright, how can one rectify others?"
He asked himself, was it not the Cui family's fault that they had reached this point?
The Sage's methods were indeed not entirely honorable, but the Cui family was the first to use the commoners as bargaining chips in their games.
Elder Cui knew that even if they survived this calamity, the Cui family would be severely weakened, their reputation lost, and it would be difficult to establish themselves in Qinghe. Now was indeed the perfect time to establish official schools.
"Academician Xie speaks the truth. If one is not upright, how can one inspire righteousness in others? The ancestors of the Cui family established their lineage through self-discipline, integrity, and benevolence. For generations, our ancestors educated others and protected this region, allowing the Cui family to endure for a hundred years. Now, the descendants have forgotten their ancestors' teachings, lost their original intentions, and succumbed to greed, committing great errors. It is I, Cui, who failed to govern my household strictly and manage my subordinates effectively. I have failed the people of Qinghe, and even more so, the unjustly deceased people of Taohua Village. I pledge here to provide everyone with a satisfactory resolution."
After speaking, Elder Cui bowed deeply to the crowd.
In his life, he had never bowed to the imperial court, yet facing these commoners, even if they were misled, the Cui family had wronged them first.
No one noticed when Elder Cui plunged the dagger in his hand into his chest. As his body slowly fell, Cui Daye, who was closest to him, lunged forward to support him. "Father!"
"Maternal grandfather!" Yu Mingyue also rushed forward desperately.
Elder Cui was breathing his last, blood continuously flowing from his mouth. The young men of the Cui family knelt beside him, their faces solemn.
Elder Cui's gaze fell upon Cui Daye's face. "Take the clan... and leave Qinghe."
"Father, it is I who have erred!" Cui Daye, who had always been proud, could not help but shed tears.
Elder Cui smiled. "Knowing one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest good... Dalan, do not act impulsively in the future. The Cui family, the Cui family... Jiulang, Jiulang."
Cui Jiulang knelt and stepped forward. "Your son is here!"
Elder Cui grasped Cui Jiu's hand. "The Cui family... I entrust it to you!"
Elder Cui's gaze finally swept past the young men of the Cui family and landed on Yu Mingyue, who was kneeling behind them. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but there was no time. He merely smiled at her and slowly closed his eyes.
Her heart was with the Cui family; it was she who had saved the Cui family.
He regretted it, regretting not listening to this girl earlier. Perhaps the Cui family would not have fallen into such a desperate state.
But life cannot be redone, and there are no "maybes."
An apology is not just a word of regret; an apology is to pay with one's life. He hoped that his life would bring peace to his clan.
"Maternal grandfather!" Yu Mingyue wanted to step forward to see her maternal grandfather one last time, but the young men of the Cui family were in front of her, and she had no chance to approach.
Xie Jiayan stood silently behind her, saying nothing.
"Father!"
"Patriarch!"
The young men and guards of the Cui family knelt together, their cries of grief shaking the heavens.
Stifling his sorrow, Steward Hua produced the will Elder Cui had just drafted: "By order of the Patriarch, all members of the Cui clan shall leave Qinghe within three days. The properties and shops under the Cui family's name shall be distributed by the government. The Cui family's library shall be left to Yu Liuniang, who shall decide on its donation to the Jiangzhou official school. May my death bring an end to the conflict between the Cui family and the people of Qinghe, and may old grievances be set aside for the rebuilding of our homes."
After Steward Hua finished reading, he handed Elder Cui's will to Cui Dalang, picked up his sword, and pierced his own chest. "This old servant shall follow the Patriarch!"
...
The people of Qinghe slowly lowered their farming tools. In truth, they had followed along in confusion and had not intended to drive Elder Cui to his death.
"Elder Cui is right. Let us rebuild our homes and start anew. Let this tragedy end here. Everyone, go back!" Xie Jiayan said to the crowd.
Things had reached this point, and there was no turning back. Only by living better for those who remained was there hope.
Slowly, the commoners began to retreat, one by one, then more and more...
The Cui family mansion, having experienced a catastrophe, finally fell silent, but it would never be the same.
Cui Liulang, holding the jade pendant given to him by Yu Mingyue, finally brought soldiers from the provincial governor. Unfortunately, it was still too late.
"Father!"
Cui Liulang knelt before Elder Cui. "Your son is unfilial, causing you this misfortune. I have no face to continue living..."
He was the one who had led the men to slaughter the people of Taohua Village. If anyone should die to atone, it should be him, not his father.
Cui Liulang drew his sword to commit suicide, but Cui Dalang's sword deflected his. "Father died for the Cui family. We, the sons of the Cui family, must shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding our homes. Otherwise, we will have no face to see Father in the afterlife."
"Elder brother is right. Sixth brother, the Cui family cannot afford to lose anyone else."