It has been said since ancient times that the merciful cannot command troops, and the kind-hearted cannot hold office. To a certain extent, both civil and military officials must be ruthless when the situation demands it, otherwise, no one will obey their orders.
Wen Anzhi was a seasoned veteran. As a civil official, he did have a compassionate side, but he was also a Governor-General in command of a massive force. The Imperial Court had sent him to pacify rebel forces, not to implement benevolent governance. There was no need for mercy toward the enemy now.
After hearing Li Dingguo’s perspective on executing the captives, Wen Anzhi quietly strangled the pity in his heart. He looked up, his gaze carrying a trace of brutality: "Kill them. The Battle of Qujing must be a display of power! I want to tell the people of central Yunnan through this incident that only surrender offers a chance at life; resistance leads only to death."
Chapter 542