King Yan Xi died, and the soldiers of Yan immediately gave up their resistance.
They threw down their weapons and surrendered to Qin.
However, Lin Tian did not stop their slaughter.
Lin Tian had already said it before.
He was not just saying that he would annihilate the Yan nobility; he intended to follow through.
After all, although the Qin state in history experienced peasant uprisings, it was truly the remnants of the noble families of the six states that caused the turmoil.
Only they possessed the wealth and influence to mobilize large numbers of soldiers to join them.
Although Lin Tian would not allow peasant uprisings in Qin, this did not mean he would leave these Yan nobles to plant the seeds of future trouble for Great Qin.
Therefore, he ordered his men to carry out a slaughter in the Yan capital for a full day and night.
During this day and night, the entire Yan capital ran red with blood.
Yet, strangely, the common people remained calm. No one among them stepped forward to resist Lin Tian's massacre.
This was because, while Lin Tian was slaughtering the Yan nobility, he also did something else: he distributed the Yan nobles' land to the common people for cultivation.
In Yan, many commoners were merely long-term laborers for the nobles. Although not slaves, their status was no different from that of slaves.
They were people without land.
But now, they could own their own land and feed themselves and their families. How could they not be happy?
Therefore, not only did they not resist the slaughter of the Yan nobility by Lin Tian's army, but they also wholeheartedly supported it in their hearts.
The day and night of slaughter brought about the complete demise of the Yan nobility and terrified many.
However, it also encroached upon the interests of many.
Originally, after conquering Yan, many Qin nobles could have purchased the land belonging to the Yan nobles.
With money, they could not only buy land and slaves but even wealth.
But now, Lin Tian had plundered all the wealth of the Yan nobles and distributed their land to the common people, which left many dissatisfied.
These dissatisfied people were mostly Qin citizens.
Especially since Lin Tian also indicated his intention to implement similar policies in the former territories of Han and Zhao, providing welfare to the people, which caused even more dissatisfaction.
Consequently, although Lin Tian had conquered Yan, the impeachment memorials against him grew in number, with many ministers claiming he had overstepped his authority.
More and more people also hoped that Lin Tian would return to Qin to face judgment for his transgressions.
However, Ying Zheng did not even look at these memorials, casting them aside.
He did, however, agree to Lin Tian's return to the court.
Because he also missed Lin Tian.
Each campaign took at least ten to fifteen days, and wars lasting several years were not uncommon.
Ying Zheng did not wish to be separated from Lin Tian so often.
Therefore, having Lin Tian remain by his side was a joy for Ying Zheng.
Under Ying Zheng's decree, Lin Tian calmly led his army back to Xianyang.
His composed demeanor puzzled many nobles; they did not understand where Lin Tian's confidence came from.
"We are focusing on Lin Tian's overstepping of authority. The King is extremely suspicious and wary of anyone encroaching on his power. Lin Tian daring to act this way must have made the King harbor ill intentions towards him. How could he be so calm?"
"I also cannot comprehend it. Could it be that because he is the Great General and has achieved brilliant military exploits on the battlefield, he acts with impunity? Remember, Lord Wu An met his end due to his excessive power!"
"Regardless, it is right for us to impeach him desperately and accuse him of exceeding his authority! Even if the King truly trusts him, he will become wary and must deal with him!"
"Yes! Let him be bestowed death by the King, just like Lord Wu An!!"
These nobles were unaware of Lin Tian's true backing, so their words sounded rather ignorant.
However, the truly intelligent individuals in Qin understood precisely where Lin Tian's backing originated.
For instance, Li Si remained unmoved, Wang Jian made no move, and no one from the Meng family impeached Lin Tian.
Even Zhao Gao, who was close to Ying Zheng, dared not speak ill of Lin Tian.
These individuals were well aware that Lin Tian's status was not as simple as everyone perceived.
He was not only the Great General of Great Qin, the Sword God of Great Qin, but also King Qin Ying Zheng's eldest son.
The entire Qin would belong to him in the future.
The measures he was currently implementing in Qin were entirely within his purview.
Therefore, they understood that Ying Zheng would not only not blame him for this matter but might even commend him.
Only a prince who has truly grown up would manage state affairs.
Thus, when many approached Li Si and others for help, they were all refused.
This refusal left those around Li Si and the others bewildered.
"My lord, General Lin's actions this time have clearly exceeded his authority. Why are you indifferent to this? Are you not the staunchest advocate for legislation?"
"Indeed! I advocate for legislation, but it also depends on for whom the law is made! Moreover, it is not as if General Lin has necessarily overstepped his bounds!"
"Hm? General Lin has not overstepped?"
Li Si's subordinates clearly did not understand these words.
However, Li Si did not explain himself to them.
As long as Ying Zheng had not publicly announced this matter, he could not act rashly and make it known.
Even disseminating it was not allowed.
Therefore, Li Si and the others acted as if they were deaf and blind, pretending not to see and not to hear.
They were waiting for Ying Zheng's decision on this matter. Until Ying Zheng expressed his stance, they would not make any statement.
Upon Lin Tian's return to Xianyang, Ying Zheng immediately summoned him into the Xianyang Palace.
However, when Lin Tian emerged, nothing seemed amiss. On the contrary, he was beaming with smiles.
The following day, Ying Zheng issued several shocking decrees.
First, all the land and wealth of the former nobles of Han, Zhao, and Yan were confiscated. All nobles were to be relocated from their old territories.
Anyone who dared to resist would be killed without mercy, and their entire clan exterminated.
Second, the land in each state would be allocated and contracted to the impoverished common people based on local conditions. Households without land would be allocated a maximum of five mu, with no more than ten people per household.
This measure would effectively allow the common people to settle down and also prevent the formation of large factions in other regions.
Third, the imperial examination system would be established to recruit talented individuals from across the land through assessments. Qin laws would be promoted, and the land contracting system would be implemented, responsible for distributing land to the common people.
Anyone possessing sufficient talent, even a slave, could be appointed exceptionally. All commoners in the land could participate.
Upon the issuance of these three decrees, the entire court erupted in an uproar.