303 Don't mess with the Empress.
Shi Lang sat beside Cara, on his old chair, which had not been removed from the court even after he left the planet. Zyra looked at the scene and asked, “Lang, what do you think this old phony will do?”
The young general shrugged his shoulders as he did not have any answer to this question. He could not say what the capabilities of this old guy were, he had yet to look into the history of this guy personally, and even the detailed data sent by OB-One did not see. The reason was that he wanted to see how Cara will deal with this person.
However, one thing was sure, this guy will not take a death sentence lying down, however, Shi Lang was being patient to see where the confidence of this person came from, and if this old thing tried something, it would reveal the lead to potential enemies, Shi Lang decided to wait and catch all the fish in one go.
The right minister led the turtle inside with another person following them. Shi Lang tilted his body to a side away from the throne and placed his elbow on the armrest as his chin rested in his palm. The posture he assumed gave off the laid-back vibe. It was to make the people think that he had no say in this issue and he did not care what was happening in the court at all.
The right minister looked at the gloomy Cara and moved aside. The empress asked, “What brings the famous General of the Artillery to my humble door?”
The person in question was the man who followed the old turtle into the courtroom. He gave a superficial bow and said, “Your Excellency, your method to deal with this issue is a bit too crude. I wish to have an audience with her excellency, and confide in her.”
Shi Lang did not say anything and even closed his eyes slightly, as he could tell that the other party was trying to see through him. This person was not available to meet Shi Lang during his tenure here. This guy had personally led the artillery division to quench the rebellion once Cara had taken the throne.
This person coming over now that two with the turtle. They seemed to have reached an agreement. Cara nodded and said, “You can speak what you wish to after this matter is settled and do it here. I do not have a house big enough to house the person with the title of universal cunt collector.”
Shi Lang finally could not hold it in and laughed as he asked, “Universal Cunt collector? What is this guy? A dick?”
Cara looked at him and said, “From what I have heard, he is. However, his wife is not aware, but his sons are.”
The conversation between the two seemed to be typical banter, but it was a blatant insult and threat to the artillery general. If he wished to remain a part of the happy community, he must step back or he will suffer.
The person subjected to this special treatment, made the person calms down and Cara looked at the old turtle, who had a shocked expression written over his face. She said, “You think you can bring up someone to deal with me?”
The turtle shook his head like a rattle and said, “I dare not, I have come to accept my punishment, but the humble slave thought it would be too easy for me to die like this, after the crime, I have committed, I should suffer more, and try to repent for my deeds before I am put under the blade.”
Cara nodded and said, “Your emotions are commendable, but a traitor is not allowed to breathe under the sky of the mortal world for a minute longer. However, despite finding out that you were a snake, I allowed you twenty-four hours to deal with your affairs, yet you dared to scheme? Also, let me clarify, your death will be anything but an easy and quick one.”
Shi Lang held his chin in his hand and then nodded slightly while humming and said, “What are you waiting for? He wanted the old man to play the peacemaker, what is their attitude toward normal people is different. They are both the same, one betrayed his family and the other betrayed his empire. Kill them and be done with it.”
Cara sighed and said, “I do not know, how can his death be more painful?”
Shi Lang sighed and said, “This type of phony people care most about their face, break their face, you can break their soul, and it is the most torturous manner of death.”
Cara sat up straight and her eyes glittered, she asked, “Public Execution? Yes, I will have it telecasted live throughout Arcadian Empire.”
Shi Lang nodded and then said, “Go on.”
Cara reacted, “Guards! Capture the left minister.”
Before Kito could say or react at all, a bunch of strong soldiers came over to pin him down. Cara said, “Tie him up to the pole on the square and find someone to take off his shell first. Then he will be lashed till the moment he is dead.”
The people were shocked at this decree, and they were even sizing up the lady. To think she was so cruel, they felt a shiver run up their spine. The old turtle was dragged outside by the guards and the other person flinched a bit. He was caught in the middle of a pit and an abyss. He did not even dare to move a bit to see his friend being dragged away.
Shi Lang looked at the old general and said, “You have one last chance, either get vasectomized or orchestrated.”
The old general shivered from fright, and Cara shivered from her urge to hold back the laughter. She did not expect Shi Lang to be so black-hearted. However, she liked it. She nodded and said, “Right Minister, take the Artillery General to the doctor. His urges almost landed him into big trouble. What would happen if he gave in to his urges during a war? We cannot afford that.”
The minister of the right nodded and with a bow, he took the artillery general out of the courtroom, the two people looked at their retreating figures and could not help but laugh out loud. Zyra also chuckled and said, “You two are worse than the two-headed snake.”
…
In the imperial square, Kito stood up and tied to a pole. He was surrounded by high-resolution camera probes. The glory of the majestic and wise left minister was nowhere to be seen. The people were shocked to see the state of the person in front of them. Kito was unrecognizable.
Shi Lang and Cara were standing on the balcony of the imperial palace, and a few reporters were allowed to interview them the Empress accommodated the people and told them about the punishment decided by the throne for the traitors set in high position.
After a few minutes, a thin soldier came forward holding a common leather whip. The soldier looked up to Cara, who said, “Begin.”
The guard gave the whip a flick and it skillfully landed on the back of the turtle. The person shivered and bit his lips hard to avoid wailing. However, his perseverance did not last for long, the lashes became faster, and the spot of landing became more damaged.
Shi Lang did not even blink when he was looking at all this, if he had it his way, then the turtle might have been dissected on a table while alive, but that scene was not suitable for a galactic telecast.
Not everyone was capable of tolerating that much gore. The people watched the telecast, or more like, they were asked to. After three hours, the vitality of the old turtle vanished and Cara asked the reports to convey her few words to the citizens.
The camera probes pointed at her, and she said, “If you have any trouble, then come tell me, I will do my best to help you. Call for the officials, and they will help you, but if they fail, you have the right to complaint to me. These complaints will be seen as a plea to deal with the traitors who betrayed their duty. Yes, any official shirking their duty will be tagged as a traitor and they will be given the same sentence as the former left minister, Kito.”
The rebellion was quenched, and the people once again saw the power of their ruler. The privilege she gave them, in the end, was something too shocking, and effective. The officials who had been enjoying a life of under-the-table transactions were shivering as they recalled the end of the left minister, one of the shot callers of the empire.
Shi Lang looked at Cara and said, “Kid, you have grown up well.”
Cara said, “Shut up you old man, I will tell Amelia that you were checking out that bunny reporter lady.”
Shi Lang shivered and said, “I apologize, I will not mess with you anymore.”