Chapter 76 Each Shows Their Prowess

Chapter 76: Each Displays Their Prowess

“Thank you, Grand Historian Xie!”

“Slay all who obstruct our defense of the city!”

“……”

This single command, like a steadfast anchor, was all that was needed.

From a distance, Wang Yu commanded his elite troops, watching with profound regret as the city’s defenders, startled by the sudden appearance of people from within, scattered in disarray under the impact of Xie Daoyun’s arrow.

A detachment of soldiers hastily withdrew from their counterattack against the forces outside the walls, turning their bows and arrows toward the enemies within the city.

Wang Yu retreated swiftly, narrowly evading a volley of attacks under the cover of his soldiers. When he looked back at the figure who had already returned to a commanding position, his eyes were filled with apprehension.

Yet, no amount of wariness could alter one fact: he had already made his choice. Having allied with the rebels outside the city, there was no turning back.

At his command, half of these elite troops surged toward the Ying Army reinforcements being marshaled below the walls, while the other half continued to brave the assault from the city walls, attempting to scale them.

Their arrival was crucial. Under the sudden impact of this new force, Liu Yi, outside the city, realized that the pressure on his side had significantly lessened. Although the promised opening of the city gates had not materialized as conveyed in earlier messages, this was nonetheless a considerable advantage.

He spurred his horse forward, shouting, “Gentlemen, wealth and glory are within reach! The first to breach the walls shall be richly rewarded! Follow me now—slay the enemy, storm the city, and purge the traitors!”

Crossbow bolts rained down from the city walls, instantly piercing a dozen soldiers who had rallied at his call. Yet, still, those inflamed by his words surged forward, one after another.

Xie Daoyun did not draw her bow again, her gaze constantly shifting between the two fronts—inside and outside the city.

Jiankang still had enough bows and crossbow bolts, but manpower was scarce. Fortunately, they had already uncovered two hidden enemy plots, averting an immediate crisis. However, they still faced immense challenges.

If Wang Yu’s forces were the only ones inside the city, it would be manageable. But if more people successively responded to his call, the balance on both sides of the walls would shatter in an instant.

Now, everything hinged on Liu Muzhi’s actions and the timely arrival of Chu Lingyuan’s reinforcements.

Her Majesty Yong’an believed that although Xie Daoyun came from an aristocratic family, she could hold Jiankang in these turbulent times. She, too, would not retreat a single step, trusting her comrades to fulfill their duties.

“Such blind loyalty…” Wang Yu sneered coldly.

But when he saw an elite soldier who had just scaled the city wall immediately struck by an arrow and pulled down, Wang Yu’s expression changed. He ordered his men to continue scouting the rear. “Have they arrived yet?”

Had those scions of noble families, who should have stood with him, finally abandoned their wavering and come to his aid?

“Not… not yet. But the Yu family head has done his utmost.”

Yu Hong had indeed done his utmost.

From what the Imperial Censor could hear, amidst the distant sounds of battle, a wailing cry was distinctly audible—it was Yu Hong. He sent someone to inquire, and the report came back: Yu Hong was weeping over the death of his father, Yu Kai. Xie Daoyun had previously ordered him not to escalate the situation, but now that Grand Historian Xie was occupied with defending the city, she could no longer restrain him. Who could blame him for grieving openly in the streets?

“Did he say why?”

“Only that it was due to the Celestial Screen…”

“Ah,” the Imperial Censor sighed, looking skyward. “When the rabbit dies, the fox mourns—how can we shut our doors and hide?”

Upon hearing that Wang Yu had led his men to besiege the city defenders, intending to join forces with the troops outside and seize control of Jiankang—taking a crucial step toward reclaiming power—he pushed past his hesitant family members and left his residence with his personal retainers.

“Why shouldn’t I go?” He inwardly scoffed at the indecisiveness of those who tried to stop him. “Do they truly believe that the strength of the common people alone can sustain a dynasty? That mere human effort can stop the northern cavalry? That a thirteen-year-old emperor, prematurely enthroned, can save the world?”

“Better to trust that with the Celestial Screen’s revelations, we too can forge our own path.”

And at this moment, he was not the only one who thought so.

Before Emperor Yong’an personally led the campaign against Luoyang, she had indeed put the court officials through a rigorous assessment, purging a number of traitors and placing some incompetent individuals in powerless positions. Yet, she had not completely overhauled the court.

Those who remained were indeed more capable than those who had been dismissed, but when faced with the choice concerning the future of the aristocratic families, some deeply ingrained instincts resurfaced once more.

One by one, figures emerged from their homes, heading toward the sound of battle.

Yet, they did not notice that, at some unknown moment, the wailing that had previously echoed through the alleys had suddenly ceased.

Yu Hong quickly wiped away his tears and let out a long sigh of relief.

The burly man who had previously claimed to assist him, but was in fact monitoring him for Wang Yu, had fallen under a series of heavy blows. In his place stood a squad of guards in palace uniforms.

The leader was none other than Liu Muzhi, Xie Daoyun’s trusted ally.

With the watchful eyes gone, Yu Hong’s tightly strung nerves instantly relaxed. He praised Liu Muzhi, “Your efficiency is truly commendable.”

Though he had resigned himself to death, who would not wish to live if given the chance?

Xie Daoyun’s earlier personal visit had brought him a promise, and now was the time for its fulfillment.

His father had indeed trusted the right person and had not chosen the wrong future for him.

Liu Muzhi clapped him on the shoulder. “No need to praise me. Judging by your appearance, even if we had arrived a bit later, nothing would have gone wrong. I originally had other tasks, but someone suggested that you could still be of further use, and I found that suggestion viable.”

“Suggestion?” Yu Hong was quite bewildered, unsure what new scheme this was.

Liu Muzhi pointed to one of the “personal guards.” The man removed his helmet, revealing a face Yu Hong recognized.

“Do you still recognize me?”

Yu Hong was astonished. “Madam Huan!”

“At least you have some conscience. That day, I helped you gain the trust of that scoundrel Wang Yu, and you remembered to have Grand Historian Xie send someone to rescue me. I don’t like owing favors, so consider this my repayment,” Madam Huan replied.

This was no time for reminiscing, so Yu Hong did not dwell on it, only asking in surprise, “What do you mean by saying I can be of further use?”

Madam Huan pointed to the coffin behind Yu Hong. “Take your prop, move to another location, and deliver your speech. Go!”

Her overly natural tone made Yu Hong instinctively follow her steps.

But the next moment, Liu Muzhi heard Yu Hong roar in anger, “What prop? That’s my father! Don’t you understand that the dead deserve respect?”

“I understand, but I understand even more that if the rebels breach the city first, you’ll be joining your father underground.”

Though crude, the words were true. Yu Hong wanted to argue, but found the words stuck in his throat.

He could only follow Madam Huan’s instructions, heading in a certain direction.

He soon understood what she meant by “performing” in another location.

Yu Kai had painstakingly sought a path for his son’s survival, and now it was up to Yu Hong to represent that, rallying support for Xie Daoyun’s defense of the city. His father’s past stance was no longer to be scrutinized; what was done now was to forge a new future in the new dynasty.

And those most easily swayed by Yu Hong were the capital’s minor officials and the younger generation eager to defy their elders’ positions. If they dared to step forward at this moment, they would indeed face considerable risks, but it was also a path to survival.

And most importantly, in these chaotic times, such households often harbored one or two private militias!

Wang Yu, eager to assault the city, did not notice that among the previously hesitant observers in Jiankang’s official residences and private homes, a new orator had emerged, seeking to identify loyal subjects and stirring up a new wave of sentiment.

He only saw one colleague after another joining his ranks, exerting immense pressure on the defending side, as if proving his judgment—that a hastily established dynasty was still too fragile, too weak to withstand an effective counterattack.

The Wu and Kuaiji regions once had such an opportunity to ignite a wave of opposition to Wang Shenai’s ascension. But as the Celestial Screen had foretold, Wang Ningzhi, though bearing the name of an aristocratic family, possessed no real ability, thus giving Wang Shenai the chance to establish her authority.

Now was the true moment to restore the old dynasty!

…

“Mother, what are you doing out here?”

“Why have I come out?” The old woman slammed her cane down on the ground and snapped, “Instead of asking me what I’m doing, why don’t you ask what’s going on in the north!”

“They’re fighting…”

“Good, they’re fighting. Who’s fighting whom, and why are they fighting?” the old woman pressed immediately.

The stooped man stammered for a moment before answering, “I heard people say it’s the Beifu Army attacking the city. They say Emperor Yong’an usurped the throne, which destabilized the situation and led to war in Luoyang. Now, Madam Xie is managing affairs in Jiankang on her behalf and has made mistakes, so it’s better to return to how things were before—Ow! Why did you hit me? That’s what others said, not me!”

“If you believe whatever others say, then what good is that brain of yours!” The old woman was furious. “When Emperor Yong’an ascended the throne, we all cheered. When that absurd, foolish ruler died, we even put on our finest clothes to celebrate. When Her Majesty decided to aid Luoyang, we applauded her for her sense of responsibility. So why now, when someone offers a ridiculous excuse to avoid punishment, do you believe it too?”

“I’ve never had any schooling in my life, but now I recognize the character for ‘Jin’ from the former Jin Dynasty, and ‘Ying’ from the Ying Dynasty. But I’m not a fool who believes everything others say. I think they just don’t want us to live well. They want those manors to keep grinding us under their heels, so they attack while Her Majesty is still at the front lines supervising the battle.”

She started to walk forward, but someone pulled her back. “Mother, slow down!”

“Slow down for what?” The old woman raised an eyebrow. “What, has the Celestial Screen’s talk of Wei and Qin states, or its excessive talk of official examinations, made you forget what it said before? It said that only Emperor Yong’an would listen to our voices, that she would think about improving farm tools and developing irrigation so we could eat our fill. Believing that the foolish rulers of the Sima family would become wise, or that those high officials and nobles would learn their lesson and govern well, is like believing this old woman could learn to read at seventy!”

“But going out like this won’t help!” The man stamped his foot and let out a long sigh.

How could he not understand the truth his mother spoke? And how could he not have seen that since Emperor Yong’an ascended the throne, the atmosphere in Jiankang had improved day by day?

While change occurred through various decrees and still needed to progress further to truly become the peaceful era described by the Celestial Screen, they could already vaguely glimpse a bright future.

Anyone who sought to overthrow Emperor Yong’an’s rule was opposing them, the common people, and they were right to fight back.

But resistance also required weapons.

“Those attacking are the elite of the Beifu Army. I saw them from afar; their arrows fly so high that even if they don’t hit you, just falling on you could kill you. We’re unarmed—what can we use to fight them? My legs are not good, but fortunately, I’m skilled in woodworking, which allows us to make a living. You’re also old; do you really want to use your flesh-and-blood body to contend with iron?”

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to support Emperor Yong’an, but he needed to do so when he had the means.

The battle was raging fiercely over there; he would lose his life just by going near, and he couldn’t contribute anything, let alone his elderly mother.

The old woman stared into her son’s eyes. “Then tell me honestly, whose side are you on?”

“Emperor Yong’an’s side!” This time, his answer was without hesitation. “I also hope Her Majesty returns victorious soon.”

“At least you got that right.”

He merely carried the helplessness of a commoner worn down by life, and the fear that all humans possess.

But not everyone could think this way.

Just as the old woman was about to speak again, a child, barely taller than a table, ran over from the house next door. “Grandma, my father wants to borrow a few jars from your house.”

She bent down. “What do you need jars for?”

The child replied, “To send all our firewood up to the city tower to boil water! My grandpa says we can defend the city with boiling water. My father still has some heavy labor to do; he plans to find a few hunting companions to see if they can get to the former recruitment office and borrow two bows and arrows to kill the enemy!”

“Do you hear that!” She struck the timid man’s leg with her cane again, her face filled with the expression of “hating iron for not becoming steel.” “If you don’t have weapons, borrow them! If not, find another way. We received the news late; do we really have to wait until others break through the city and drive away Emperor Yong’an before we dare to say that we’ll have to live a hard life again? Bah!”

“Why aren’t you asking how you can help? Do you need me to lead the way for you?”

Although she didn’t know what the common people in Luoyang were like, the commoners of Jiankang had personally witnessed Emperor Yong’an’s regicide and ascension, and personally witnessed the changes happening here. Compared to the so-called slogans of the attackers, they believed more in what they saw with their own eyes, and they believed that Emperor Yong’an, with the Celestial Screen as her backing, would surely be the ultimate victor.

If the city fell and they returned to their former hard lives, that might even be the best outcome. She feared even more that their voices, and even the voices of their descendants, would be suppressed into even darker places due to the fear of certain individuals.

Fortunately, as she looked around, she not only heard the child asking to borrow basins and jars but also heard other responses.

“I say, it’s normal that Grand Historian Xie was caught off guard and didn’t have time to inform us. But what do those rebels mean? They think they can take Jiankang with just this handful of people? Do they not think we can fight back?”

“How dare they! They don’t even take us seriously!”

“This is outrageous, truly outrageous!”

“…After how many years, after a hundred years of war, we finally have a wise ruler. Whose eyes did she offend that they want to take advantage of the situation and attack the city now?”

“I don’t know about Grand Historian Xie wronging anyone. All I know is that half a month ago, Grand Historian Xie sent people to visit house by house and reinforced all our homes so no one would freeze to death in winter.”

“Exactly! So, who has an extra hoe to lend me?”

“……”

“Do I really need to reason with them, or incite them?” Sun En looked at the scene before him, his eyes somewhat dazed.

After arriving near Jiankang, he had chosen to rush ahead with a portion of his forces to stir up a wave of resistance, in order to complete the arduous task assigned to him by Chu Lingyuan.

He had preached before and understood a clear principle: when a voice is still budding, it might be suppressed into the earth by heavy silence, but as long as a few people speak out first, others will be awakened and respond.

But it seemed that the fear and silence of the Jiankang populace had only lasted for half a day before the situation was swayed by another force.

If one were to look again at the originally calm surface, it had become a winter’s dry grassland; just a spark falling upon it would ignite a raging prairie fire.

He didn’t need to use religious methods to incite and inspire them, nor did he need to fill the cries of the people with the reactions of his subordinates.

They were already spontaneously forming teams for a counterattack—no, it should be said, they were forming the backbone of the counterattack.

But just as Sun En thought of this, he suddenly snapped out of his daze, grabbed a young man who was about to run past, and instinctively pulled out his military order from his怀. “Quick! Tell them not to act rashly.”

“You…”

“I am General Sun, His Majesty’s general, the one the Celestial Screen said would be the political commissar!”

“Listen to me, then immediately find a way to spread the news,” Sun En said, cutting to the chase. “Those attacking the city now are rebels from the Beifu Army. The true Beifu Army remains loyal to His Majesty and is on its way, almost here.”

“Please, only the able-bodied young men among you should follow me. The others should look after each other and simply wait for reinforcements to arrive!”

Sun En watched, half-amused and half-exasperated, as the young man’s message not only failed to calm the civilians preparing for battle but instead made them question his identity.

He struggled through the crowd, climbed onto a high pole, and shouted, “Do you need me to recite a passage from the Celestial Masters’ scripture right here to prove my identity! His Majesty will return victorious within days—our General Liu has already burned Yecheng, which was taken by the Wei state, and he is also rushing back to support us. With three routes of reinforcements coming, the rebels of the Beifu Army and the villains of the aristocratic families have only one path: death! Please obey my command and do not fall into disarray.”

The clamor in the crowd finally subsided temporarily, and a voice emerged, “Then why don’t you really recite a passage for us?”

“Hahahaha, General Sun, where are these three routes of reinforcements you mentioned?”

Where indeed…

Under the cover of Mount Fuzhou, Liu Bobo and Murong De’s forces had landed on the north bank of Jiankang with the tide, revealing their sharp blades to the rebels who were once again attacking the city walls.