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Chen Rui was infuriated by Your Majesty the Emperor's resolute attitude and questioned, "What if we do not agree to this contract? The Tang Dynasty will be immediately destroyed! Although the Tang is vast and populous, its military strength is simply too sparse. It is a delusion to think we can protect the safety of the citizens in each state with such limited forces."
Your Majesty the Emperor retorted, "Did you not previously claim that the Tang Dynasty is like a lion? Why then do you express such distrust now?"
"A lion needs time to recover after being attacked!"
Chen Rui found it hard to understand the Emperor's stance. He did not believe that Your Majesty the Emperor could not see the bigger picture; on the contrary, he should be the one who sees it most clearly. If that were the case, why did he still possess such confidence?
"You do not need to worry about these matters!"
Your Majesty the Emperor said with a calm smile, "I do not care if the Dragon Court's troops run rampant on Tang territory, as long as they can manage it!"
***
Wang Jingheng and General Li rode swiftly towards Jiayuguan. At this moment, approximately eight thousand heavy cavalry from the Tang Dynasty had gathered at Jiayuguan, commanded by the Zhenxi General. However, they were unable to keep up with the Dragon Court Army's extraordinary mobility and remained on standby at Jiayuguan.
As they passed the border of Jinglongzhou, Wang Jingheng keenly noticed signs of the Dragon Court Army resting and immediately halted his horse to observe the traces.
"What are you doing?" General Li dismounted and walked up behind Wang Jingheng.
"These are traces left by the Dragon Court Army, indicating where they rested after their long journey. The signs are still fresh, so they likely haven't left for long! They are most likely heading towards Jinglongzhou!"
Having finished speaking, Wang Jingheng immediately mounted his horse and raised his whip, preparing to gallop towards Jinglongzhou when General Li stopped him.
"What are you planning to do? Even if you go to Jinglongzhou, what can you accomplish? Right now, your most important role is to head straight for Jiayuguan!"
Wang Jingheng respectfully cupped his fist in salute to General Li and smiled wryly. "While that is indeed true, I cannot simply forget about what is happening right now for such reasons. I cannot stand by idly while the people of Jinglongzhou are caught in disaster! So, I apologize! Charge!"
General Li watched the retreating figure of Wang Jingheng, unable to suppress a bitter smile. He mounted his horse and immediately followed Wang Jingheng toward Jinglongzhou.
Jinglongzhou was one of the major strongholds in the northwest of the Tang Dynasty, with a population exceeding ten million. Each county within the state had populations in the hundreds of thousands, nearly double the average for the Tang. Due to its geographical conditions, most people in Jinglongzhou engaged in farming or horse breeding. It also boasted the largest military horse pasture in the Tang Dynasty, resulting in a population with physical qualities far superior to those in other states.
The largest county in Jinglongzhou was Ankang County, which had a staggering population of eighty thousand, making it comparable to super-sized cities like Luoyang, Yangzhou, and Yi Prefecture. Although it was still some distance from Eternal Peace, the county magistrate seemed determined to challenge the unshakeable status of Yongan City.
However, these thoughts dissipated like smoke moments ago because the enemy's army was already at the gates!
The stationed troops in Jinglongzhou numbered over five thousand and were very close to Wishing Everyone Peace and Health. Upon discovering the Dragon Court Army, they immediately set off toward Ankang County. Outside Ankang County, the citizens either chose to enter the city for refuge or hurriedly packed their belongings to flee.
It seemed that the Dragon Court's army had no intention of slaughtering everyone directly; instead, they began their assault on the western side of Ankang City while selectively ignoring the other three sides of walls and gates.
"The Dragon Court doesn't care if these people escape; perhaps they hope that their flight will cause a stir throughout the Tang. At that point, they would truly be able to move freely!"
General Li noticed Wang Jingheng's puzzled expression and smiled as he explained, "This is indeed a clever plan, but they are not subjects of our Tang Dynasty; therefore, they cannot know that this scheme is unlikely to succeed."
"Why?" As General Li explained, Wang Jingheng became even more confused. Why was General Li so confident that our common people would not fall for this trick?
General Li looked at Wang Jingheng with surprise and scrutinized his face for a moment before asking, "Are you from Eternal Peace or somewhere else?"
"I was born in Eternal Peace and only came to Jiayuguan after joining the army."
"No wonder you don't know." General Li chuckled lightly. "You should know that a century ago, when the Tang Dynasty was founded, it was due to warlords dividing this land that caused widespread suffering among the people. At that time, in response to Emperor Gaozu's call, tens of thousands of soldiers rose up across various states, leading to an initial army of three hundred thousand for the Tang."
"Because previous hardships were deeply ingrained in people's hearts, even when life became stable, most would still practice combat skills and remain vigilant against the royal family. This has always been a source of concern for the Tang royal family."
"Before ascending the throne, Emperor Gaozu issued an edict stating that anyone from the Tang people living on the land of the Great Tang is free to do anything, and royal family members must not interfere. However, actions still come with consequences; for instance, murder will certainly cost a life, and rebellion will also lead to death!"
Wang Jingheng stared in shock at General Li, completely unaware that such a decree had ever existed. This edict, to some extent, limited the rights of royal family members, all for the sake of allowing millions of Tang people to live more peacefully.
However, despite this, it merely eased the atmosphere in large cities. In most counties and towns, the tradition of practicing martial arts remained strong, with some individuals possessing combat abilities several times stronger than those of the Imperial Guards.
The two avoided the Dragon Court Army attacking Ximen and quickly moved to Ankang City’s North Gate. Entering through the North Gate, they headed straight for the western wall.
"But," Wang Jingheng asked as he looked at the guards atop the wall, "from what you see, there are at least fifty thousand here in Ankang City with the combat strength of ordinary soldiers. Why are only the Imperial Guards facing the enemy? Why do no civilians dare to step forward to defend themselves?"
General Li sighed and lamented, "You forget that Emperor Gaozu's edict has one final statement: everyone must pay for their actions. If they take up arms on Tang Kingdom's territory now, it signifies their intent to oppose Tang Kingdom. Not only would they lose their identity as Tang people, but they would also be regarded as enemies of the Great Tang. So..."
"This... this is a matter of life and death for defending our homeland! I believe Emperor Gaozu did not mean it this way!"
Wang Jingheng was stunned. If taking up arms to defend one's home meant being treated as an enemy, who would be willing to do such a thing?
"Who dares to interpret the emperor's will? Or..." General Li glanced at Wang Jingheng and sighed again. "The current royal family doesn't want this edict to remain in effect; that's why they distort its meaning."
"What should we do then?"
Wang Jingheng watched as casualties among the guards on the wall increased. It felt like he was back at Jiayuguan. With reddened eyes, he grasped General Li's light armor and said angrily, "Are we just going to watch them die? Then let the Dragon Court's army rush in and slaughter the civilians?"
General Li spoke softly, "There is a way... but..."
"But what?!"
Wang Jingheng shook with excitement. General Li shouted, "What are you talking about?"
"You're just going to die!"
General Li yelled at Wang Jingheng. "Using this method! Whether it succeeds or not, you're destined to die!"
At first, he hadn't cared much about the boy's life, but after the events of the past hour, General Li found himself unwilling to let this boy die. For some reason, he could always see his own past reflected in this young man.
Unexpectedly, Wang Jingheng sneered, "What's so bad about dying? In fact, I've already died at Jiayuguan."
General Li gazed heavily at Wang Jingheng, suddenly removing his robe and draping it over him. He pulled out a golden jade scroll and handed it to Wang Jingheng.
Looking at his new attire, Wang Jingheng immediately understood General Li's intentions. He laughed heartily and mounted his horse, racing toward the county office.
When they arrived at the county office, they found it bustling with activity. People of all kinds were coming and going—merchants, farmers, soldiers, and officials. The two made their way directly to the magistrate without drawing anyone's attention until the magistrate noticed the golden scroll in Wang Jingheng's hand.
"Welcome, Your Majesty, General!" The magistrate immediately knelt down in excitement. As his voice echoed through the office, everyone froze for a moment before kneeling in fervor.
Though they didn't understand why the imperial decree had come so quickly, the fact that His Majesty had not abandoned them was incredibly heartening!
"Magistrate, receive the decree!" Wang Jingheng opened the golden scroll and spoke rapidly.
His youthful voice puzzled many, but when they saw Wang Jingheng's figure and sensed the killing intent emanating from him, no one dared to question the identity of this young general any longer.
"I accept the decree!" The magistrate exclaimed excitedly as he lay prostrate on the ground.
"Emperor Gaozu decrees: The Dragon Court has launched a massive invasion, the border defenses have been breached, the Tang Territory is under attack, and the Tang People are humiliated. All Tang People, due to their diligence and responsibility, must unite with all their strength to resist the foreign enemies. Their offenses are not to be held against them; their crimes are not crimes. March 20, Year 162 of Tang."
Once the decree was announced, everyone who heard it could hardly believe their ears. The message was clear: the entire populace was to become soldiers and resist the foreign invaders. Was the long-standing rule of only picking up arms in defense now broken?
"Everyone, what are you standing there for? Wishing everyone peace and health! The situation is dire! Are you all willing to join me in fighting the enemy?" Wang Jingheng tucked the decree into his satchel and drew the Tang Hengdao hidden in its sheath, shouting loudly at the stunned crowd.
After a moment of shock, a dark-skinned strong man stood up. "I will go!"
"I will also go!" another voice chimed in.
※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※
Yongan City
"Your Majesty! Everything is ready," Li Li said with a smile as he approached Your Majesty the Emperor, a faint smile on his face. "However, we do not have enough supplies, so we can only equip the Heavy Cavalry for now!"
"Good! The Heavy Cavalry will be under your command, Chancellor. The fate of the Tang Dynasty rests with you."
"I will not fail Your Majesty's trust!"
More than eleven thousand Heavy Cavalry gathered east of Eternal Peace set off towards the northwest…
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