Iron Dynasty Chapter 1013

“Commander Lei, is this really happening?”

Shi Yanjun found it hard to accept what he heard. He felt genuine shock that Lei Ming, known for his iron-blooded and merciless nature, would opt for such a decision.

Lei Ming nodded and replied, “Even though Australia is now under our control, establishing solid governance will require additional time. Furthermore, based on His Majesty’s spoken command, the court will probably, similar to Britain, draw in settlers initially by offering free land policies. With it being free, opportunities for small profits vanish.”

“Commander, you're being completely honest. Australia's territory is enormous, yet how many ordinary folks would brave the seas to reach this place? They're barely managing to farm their own plots back home and show no interest in relocating. It's only bold souls like ourselves who venture out to broaden and safeguard the Empire's borders overseas.” Shi Yanjun started rambling on.

All the other generals burst into laughter upon hearing these words, each filled with joy.

“Don't act like you deserve more after scoring a great opportunity. Still, the land allocation must be reported to the court, and approval hinges on His Majesty’s decision. Should His Majesty reject it, there's nothing I can do.”

A sharp gleam appeared in Lei Ming’s gaze. He was certainly iron-blooded and ruthless, yet after countless years battling in the ranks, he had picked up certain strategies along the way.

These generals had staked their lives on battles under his lead, so as their leader, he needed to protect their benefits to secure their devotion. To prevent giving ammunition to his rivals, he chose to add this issue to the official battle report and forward it, thereby freeing himself from complications.

“The Commander's care for us has already overwhelmed us with endless thanks. Should His Majesty refuse, we'll accept it without protest,” Gao Shunyi declared firmly. Deep in every general's core, Xiao Ming, clad in the imperial yellow attire, stood as their ultimate authority.

The rewards from the war stemmed from the Emperor's generosity in the first place, and if the Emperor chose not to bestow them, they would hold no grudges.

“Yes, with that settled, once we announce the temporary Slave Act this day, we'll proceed to address the land division.” Lei Ming let out a quiet breath of ease. In pivotal instances, invoking the Emperor proved reliably powerful.

As the group conversed, abrupt shots rang out from the southern side of Wales City.

Lei Ming and Shi Yanjun exchanged glances, then swiftly climbed onto their steeds and raced toward the source of the shots.

These steeds had been seized in Wales. Differing from the mounts of the Great Yu Empire, they stood tall and served perfectly for cavalry use.

The unexpected blasts heightened tension across all of Wales. Empire troops rushed to bolster the southern area.

Soon enough, Lei Ming and Shi Yanjun reached the outpost on Wales' southern route. Soldiers there were currently inspecting the bodies sprawled on the ground.

Chang Yuzhu had gotten there ahead. He reported, “Sir, Commander, a band of British attempted to grab arms from the outpost guards. They've all been gunned down now. Military identifiers were discovered on the bodies. They seem to be remnant British troops concealed within the city.”

Lei Ming heaved a deep sigh of relief at the news. He stated, “You acted with swift resolve. Losing those Han-style rifles would have brought grave repercussions for us.”

Chang Yuzhu wiped away cold sweat too. The outpost defenders were under his direct command.

“These British stole our explosive rounds and the know-how for our (Conqueror) guns, and now they're scheming to pull the same stunt with our Han-style rifle designs. Such foolish ambitions!”

Shi Yanjun uttered with icy disdain.

After a brief silence, he added, “Commander, allowing these unrestrained British to remain in Australia will spark these incidents over and over. The Slave Act must be applied rigorously. I propose creating a dedicated enclosure and herding every British in Wales into it for centralized oversight.”

Lei Ming's gaze settled on one of the imperial troops. This warrior had taken a dagger wound to the gut in the fresh clash, and now a healer was wrapping it up.

The sight ignited fury in Lei Ming’s eyes. During wartime, mercy amounted to mere negligence toward one's warriors' safety. He commanded, “Follow your suggestion. Incorporate this provision into the Slave Act and implement it right away.”

Shi Yanjun acknowledged the order, then directed that the thirty-six British dead be hauled to the gallows platform, while also summoning the Wales inhabitants once more.

Addressing the throng, Shi Yanjun proclaimed, “We offered you a shot at liberty, but this morning's events let us down. These thirty-six souls attempted to seize our arms and even harmed our troops. Freedom is now denied to you; from here on, you'll exist as the slaves you once trafficked, and this marks your retribution.”

Having unleashed his frustration in rage, Shi Yanjun had Gao Shunyi recite the Slave Act's provisions one by one.

The key stipulation declared the Wales dwellers stripped of liberty, reduced to slaves. As this was voiced, uproar exploded among the masses.

“This can't be real! We hail from a refined civilization; you can't turn us into savage slaves!”

“You barbaric invaders, yellow-skinned swine, you're powerless to enforce this!”

“I'd choose death over servitude to you yellow-skinned swine!”

“…”

Chaotic shouts echoed relentlessly from the assembly, ratcheting up the strain in the air. Some started shoving against the imperial forces.

Lei Ming observed the chaos from his elevated vantage. At that instant, he issued, “Execute any who resist.”

Emboldened by Lei Ming’s directive, Shi Yanjun's resolve strengthened.

He watched the unfolding turmoil steadily. A gathering of ten thousand formed an imposing spectacle, and it was their sheer volume that fueled the swelling ranks of furious British.

As the enraged British surged forward, he delivered the ultimate command: “Open fire!”

“Dah dah dah…” “Pa pa pa…”

The roar of machine guns mingled with Han-style rifle blasts across the field. The spiraling disorder forced Shi Yanjun's hand. Should it escalate further, his men would face heavy losses. To shield his soldiers, he resorted to this decree.

A barrage of intense fire engulfed the advancing British. Rushing at machine guns equaled certain doom.

A nightmarish vista replayed for the British eyes. Swaths tumbled before the gun muzzles, corpses stacking higher on the earth.

Confronted by this horrifying display, the surviving British at last quaked in fear. They lifted hands and dropped to knees, pleading for clemency.

At this, Shi Yanjun signaled to halt the shooting. He was convinced this show of force would compel the British to full submission and adherence to their imposed order.

Lei Ming gave an approving nod. He then pivoted, delegating the leftover tasks to Shi Yanjun, planning himself to document these events in a report and dispatch it to Qingzhou.