novelcrest Chapter 1309 Coronation (Part 1)
Chapter 1309 Coronation (Part 1)
Chapter 1309 Coronation (Part 1)
The fifth day of the sixth lunar month, at Shen time (3-5 PM).
As the sunlight gradually warmed from its intense heat, You Hongzhuo, carrying a bow and arrows, was running and fighting through the forest.
Unlike the firearms seen in the southwest, the muskets wielded by the Gongchen Guards lacked accuracy at medium to long ranges. In fact, at greater distances, they were less effective than skilled archers. However, their threat lay in two aspects: their coordinated attacks and their use of firearms and explosives. If ordinary martial artists swarmed them, they would become lambs to the slaughter. If they separated, even a bandit of average skill would find it extremely difficult to gain the upper hand on their own.
However, if someone is skilled in martial arts and wants to take a risk, they would probably only be able to dodge the close-range concentrated fire of several muskets from the enemy if they were fully focused.
These soldiers of the Gongchen Guard were not top-tier martial artists, but they were still considered elite soldiers. They appeared invincible, but in reality, their fighting style was conservative, emphasizing mutual support and teamwork. The knights-errant or scouts from Jin suffered heavy losses upon their first encounter, and the more spirited and courageous they were, the less advantageous they became against their opponents.
In reality, this is just a conservative, rudimentary tactic used by the Southwest Special Forces.
After arriving at the battlefield, You Hongzhuo observed the situation briefly and then instructed his soldiers to shoot arrows from a distance or throw hidden weapons at medium range, striking once and then fleeing to a distance to harass and distract the enemy. The rest of the men were to quickly expand their search area to find the female prime minister. As a result, the forces near the battlefield had fought the Gongchen Guard to a draw, with neither side suffering heavy casualties, leaving both sides frustrated.
However, Jin was their home turf, and they would have the advantage if the time dragged on. But as time passed, and the afternoon was well past, there was still no trace of the female prime minister. It had been three days since the female prime minister was attacked late at night on the second day of the month. The situation in Weisheng City was unstable, and everything was causing great anxiety.
Looking back, it seems that every change in Shanxi has come so suddenly. Just three months ago, Chen Fangda, the Little Ming King, was still smiling triumphantly as he led his troops westward. In the blink of an eye, Shanxi is about to face annihilation again...
……
Weisheng, Qinggong.
Inside the palace, the mutual attacks and insults continued. Many people were pondering the conditions proposed by the envoy Zou Xu several times in their hearts, and then more news came.
"General Yu was attacked on his way back north..." Inside the palace, various thoughts became even more chaotic. Someone suggested, "Such an important matter cannot be left without a leader. We must ask Madam Jin to step forward and make the decision." When Shao Qingshi reprimanded him, several minor officials came out and accused the Right Chancellor of being subservient and indecisive. Then, Madam Jin, who was behind the curtain, spoke up and ordered the guards to take these minor officials away.
While seemingly protecting Shao Qingshi, she was actually subtly shifting the decision-making power to her own side. Shao Qingshi's expression changed slightly, but she still had to bow and express her gratitude.
More news followed.
"There's been a popular uprising in the east of the city. Rumors are circulating that Yu Shen, the garrison commander of the east gate, is colluding with Zou Xu. They've sent messengers to exchange letters and discuss the details of surrender. A large number of bandits have already headed that way..."
"In the west of the city, someone shot an arrow at Niu Wenzhong's residence, accusing him of betraying Weisheng..."
"Arrest them!" Shao Qingshi ordered. "Send men from Weisheng Prefecture to arrest everyone who has acted without permission!"
"I believe..." a voice came from behind the curtain, "that a thorough interrogation and careful investigation are necessary. Furthermore, if Yu Shenzhen is indeed colluding with Zou Xu, the city is in grave danger. Shouldn't we send someone over to inquire further..."
……
On the city streets, some passionate heroes were tying strips of cloth to their foreheads. This was suggested by someone in the crowd. Zou Xu was a disciple of the Southwest Demon, and he wanted to attack the city. With the help of heavenly soldiers and divine magic, his might was unstoppable. Everyone had to be prepared to go up to the city walls to help defend it.
After all, Wasion belongs to everyone, so how can we not contribute?
……
In the city, plumes of smoke rose again. Someone had set fire to a house in the city.
A single plume of smoke attracted the attention of most of the city.
Far away, on the hillside northeast of the city, Zou Xu took a sip of tea, watched the thin column of smoke rising, and laughed.
He handed the tea in his hand to the general under Ma Ling standing to the side and pointed into the distance.
"Look, that's what I ordered."
The general's eyes were filled with respect and passion: "General Zou's strategies are flawless, I admire him greatly."
The fall of the city is not far off.
Before midnight, a new flag will be raised here.
……
Few people know that on the southwest side of the city, at the ancient city's Dingyuan Gate, the drawbridge has been slowly lowered.
……
The figure slowly walked across the suspension bridge.
Not far to the side and rear, the assassin, now surrounded by the crowd, was brandishing his sword and shouting by the drawbridge. He was a martial artist and an elite soldier, his muscles bulging. A single swing of his sword could decapitate a person, a single punch could break a bone. As he frantically swung his sword, the people surrounded him, throwing stones, ropes, and all sorts of things at him. He tried to run towards the moat, but a hoe swung and dug directly into his back. He swung his long sword, then another hoe strike. Someone swung a stick, which slammed into his head. The man turned his head with a fierce look, and the next moment, a kitchen knife came down and cleaved open his eye.
People surged over and tore him to pieces.
Lou Shuwan didn't even look back once.
She slowly stepped across the drawbridge. On the other side of the open city gate, there were soldiers guarding the city, and also civilians gathered further away who seemed to want to leave. At first, people stared at her in a daze, and then, just like outside the city, some wept, some knelt down, and people spontaneously parted to make way for her.
Lou Shuwan walked forward and stopped in front of a stall that hadn't been packed up yet near the city gate. She took out a coin from her pocket and put it down. She picked up a hair tie from the stall and slowly and laboriously tied her hair up behind her head with both hands. There was blood in the corner of her eye, scratches on her face, and her mouth was slightly swollen, but at this moment, no one cared.
The garrison commander, Hu Changshu, was quickly descending the stairs on one side of the city wall. Lou Shuwan walked to the entrance of a shop on the roadside, which was half-closed. People were kneeling beside her, and she greeted them as they entered the shop.
"Brother, could I have a drink of water? I'm thirsty."
The person in the room trembled and ran to the inner room. After a moment, he came out carrying a ladle of water, knelt down at the shop entrance, and raised the ladle: "Lou...Lou Xiang."
"Thank you."
Lou Shuwan took the ladle with both hands, tilted her head back, and drank it in large gulps. Water droplets fell from her lips and dripped onto her tattered and dirty dress.
Hu Changshu rushed over. He had brought his horse over, but after seeing Lou Shuwan's condition, he waved to the back and said, "Go find a carriage! Go find a carriage!"
Lou Shuwan raised her hand and waved slightly. She slowly walked towards the crowd by the roadside, where there was an oxcart loaded with various household items. It seemed that the owner knew that Weisheng was in trouble and had packed his valuables to leave the city. Lou Shuwan walked closer and said to the oxcart owner, "Old man, could you give me a ride?"
“Yes, yes! Yes!” the old man said, getting up to throw all his belongings off the cart, but Lou Shuwan shook her head: “Don’t throw them off, let me lean on them.” She sat down on the cart shaft, leaning against the boxes and bundles behind her, “Please, sir, hold the whip for me.”
Hu Changshu stood to the side, looked around, his eyes red, and said to those around him, "Escort Prime Minister Lou back to the palace!"
"I'm not returning to the palace." Lou Shuwan looked at him. "Where is Zou Xu?"
"Zou Xu... camped at Wangque Mountain outside the city."
"it is good."
Lou Shuwan smiled.
"Then let's go to the East Gate."
Upon receiving the order, Hu Changshu was about to lead his troops to follow when Lou Shuwan quietly looked at him and said, "Hu Changshu, your men should guard your gate... You take a few messengers and come with us."
……
On the long street, the old man turned his oxcart around and slowly moved forward. Ahead was a crowd of people who spontaneously made way for him. Perhaps because the people in front had knelt down, everyone along the way had also knelt down. In the past two days, the most talked-about topic in the city was the consequences of the female prime minister's death. And because of this, her return had touched almost all the people.
After the car had been moving forward for a while, Lou Shuwan frowned and asked into the crowd, "Is there a doctor? Please bandage my hand—it hurts a bit."
Then another doctor went to the car to treat her almost severed finger.
Hu Changshu followed beside the oxcart, recounting various news from the city to the female prime minister. Lou Shuwan leaned against the cart, squinting her eyes and listening quietly.
The oxcart passed through the long street and across a stone bridge ahead. She squinted and slowly began to speak.
"Send word to the Ministry of War that I have returned. The garrison commanders at all gates of Weisheng remain unchanged. They are to be strictly guarding their posts. Anyone who neglects their duty will be executed."
"Order the Weisheng Prefectural Government to send all constables into the streets to quell any unrest. Also, inform them that I have returned. Order all parties to report and investigate any unauthorized disturbances within the city, and arrest them immediately upon discovery..."
"Order Xu Weishi and Yang Fa to take stock of all available troops. I will be engaged in a decisive battle with Zou Xu in one hour. Pack rations and prepare for a long-distance raid..."
"Furthermore, the Ministry of War is to immediately issue an order to Wu Su and Zhang Xiang to immediately mobilize troops to the south and block all crossings of the Yellow River to the south."
"The Ministry of War is hereby ordered to immediately dispatch troops to reinforce the defenses around Fenzhou and Yuci, and to prevent Ma Ling's army from advancing north. If a breach is made, the troops will be punished according to military law..."
"Order the Ministry of War to immediately issue a decree ordering Chen Chang's navy to secure all waterways and crossings upstream from Hezhong Prefecture. If Zou Xu's army passes through his lines, they will be dealt with according to military law..."
The oxcart creaked and groaned as it moved forward. Lou Shuwan squinted, slowly and calmly issuing command after command. Hu Changshu walked along, carefully taking notes, only occasionally reminding him, "Bai Hanwei... is Niu Wenzhong's subordinate..."
Lou Shuwan leaned against the wall and said, "He will obey orders."
"Yes."
The oxcart turned two streets, and strange cries of "The Prime Minister is back" spread into the distance of Weisheng City. At one moment, a commotion arose in the crowd. An assassin with a gunpowder bag tried to approach, but he was discovered halfway there. A fight and entanglement broke out again, and the excited crowd pinned the risky assassin to the ground and crushed every bone in his body.
Lou Shuwan leaned quietly against the oxcart, her eyes gazing at the eaves and wooden buildings along the roadside. Most of these eaves were new, with only a few old houses bearing the marks of fire. She silently observed this familiar yet strange scene. Wherever she passed, countless people knelt, countless people chanted her name. Her orders were taken away by the messengers, only at one moment did Hu Changshu remind her: "Within the Qing Palace... nothing has been done yet."
Lou Shuwan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and after a long while, she finally let out a soft sigh.
"Send the order to them, and let them... handle it themselves."