Wu Chong's smile widened. "Oh, no. Corpses are useless. Obedience, that is a currency that never loses value."
He gestured, and four heavily armored guards stepped forward. "Bind him."
Yuan Cai tried to rise, but exhaustion betrayed him. The soldiers forced him to his knees.
"Tell me," Wu Chong said, crouching so their eyes met. "Why destroy what little peace this city had? You were respected once—a decorated officer, a man of discipline. What drove you to rebel against reason itself?"
"Reason?" Yuan's laugh was bitter. "You mistake order for servitude. You mistook this city for your counting board."
"Perhaps." Wu Chong's voice remained smooth. "But I understand men better than you do. They don't crave honor, Yuan Cai. They crave stability. Food. Safety. You offered them pride and punishment; I offered them bread and coin. Tell me—who do you think they'll follow?"
Yuan Cai said nothing. His jaw tightened as Wu Chong's words cut deeper than the pain.
