Li Xuan was unaware of the discussions between Yu Jie and the Jingtai Emperor. After leaving the imperial palace, he went to the execution ground at the vegetable market.
Today was the day of execution for Xia Guangwei's case and the case of deceitfully obtaining salt. In total, 1,800 people would be beheaded today.
These people were really unfortunate, being involved in Prince Xiang's rebellion.
Their charges could have been light or severe. At the lightest, they could be accused of private embezzlement and of defrauding salt; at the harshest, they would be accused of colluding with merchants and officials, leading to the depletion of the northern granaries and the great defeat at Tumu Fort.
According to the Emperor's original intention, only two or three hundred main offenders and their family members would be executed as a deterrent. The rest would be sentenced to exile.
