After I transmigrated, the cold king clung to me every day.

Chapter 25 The Matter of Recruiting the Enemy

Lin Xiaoqian pondered for a moment, then reported in a humble yet assertive manner: "Your Majesty, I have a request."

"Oh? What is it? Please speak freely," Murong Xuan said softly, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Murong Yi glanced at her thoughtfully as well.

Lin Xiaoqian bowed slightly, his expression firm and sincere, and said, "Your Majesty, the bandits do indeed have a leader named Zhao Xiong. He is a generous and righteous man, and although he is a bandit, he is very principled. In the bandit's den, he strictly disciplines his subordinates, forbidding them from indiscriminately killing the innocent or bullying the weak."

She continued, “When I first entered the bandit's den, I was filled with trepidation, but Zhao Xiong did not treat me harshly; on the contrary, he treated me with respect. He knew that the life of a bandit was not a long-term solution and also wanted to secure a better future for his brothers. When I mentioned the floods in Jiangnan, Zhao Xiong did not hesitate at all, immediately gathering his brothers and offering to help solve the problem. When dredging the waterways, Zhao Xiong always took the lead, carrying huge stones without fear of hardship. For those days and nights, he never wavered, and his tenacity earned everyone's admiration. Moreover, in cooperating with the government troops, he did his best to maintain order, ensuring that both sides got along harmoniously and without any resentment. Your Majesty is wise and should accept them with an open mind. If Zhao Xiong and the others are granted amnesty by the court, they will be eternally grateful and loyal to the death. They are familiar with the terrain of Jiangnan…”

"This..." Murong Xuan frowned upon hearing this, lost in thought. This matter of surrendering the emperor to the emperor concerned not only the face of the court but also involved many difficult issues regarding subsequent resettlement and management. He had to consider it carefully.

Seeing this, Murong Yi immediately stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, what Miss Lin said is very true. During my time with the bandits, I could also truly feel their change and sincerity. Someone like Zhao Xiong is brave, resourceful, and chivalrous. If we can recruit him and guide him, he will surely be of use to the court, becoming an asset rather than a threat. Moreover, the floods in Jiangnan have just subsided, and the region is in dire need of rebuilding and manpower. The bandits are familiar with the local customs and traditions, so we can let them redeem themselves by helping local officials restore the people's livelihood. This is a win-win situation. I hope Your Majesty will consider this.”

Murong Yi spoke earnestly, looking firmly at the Emperor, hoping to bring this matter to fruition, to fulfill Lin Xiaoqian's loyalty and sense of responsibility, and to find a capable person for the court.

After listening to his ninth brother and Miss Lin's words, Murong Xuan pondered to himself and felt that what they said seemed to make a lot of sense.

He stood up and paced slowly, weighing the pros and cons of the amnesty in his mind. On the one hand, the bandits were, after all, a target the court had long sought to eradicate, and the amnesty might be opposed by some senior officials in the court. Moreover, if not handled properly, it could lead to unforeseen changes in the future. On the other hand, their contributions to the floods in Jiangnan could not be ignored. If they could be successfully amnestyed and properly resettled, it would not only demonstrate the emperor's benevolence and the court's ability to appoint people, but also add strength to the reconstruction and stability of Jiangnan.

Murong Xuan stopped, raised his head, and lingered his gaze on Murong Yi and Lin Qianqian for a moment before saying, "I understand your meaning. This matter requires careful consideration. I will discuss the feasibility and details of the amnesty with the court officials. But before that, I will send people to secretly investigate these bandits. If, as you say, they are truly repentant and have some use, I will certainly not treat them unfairly."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yi and Lin Xiaoqian exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes. They quickly bowed and thanked each other, saying, "Your Majesty is wise. Thank you for considering this matter."