The Duke of Chengguo's army was truly extraordinary.
The soldiers formed ranks, their movements precise, even the sound of hooves rang out in perfect unison.
What was even more terrifying was the stench of blood they carried.
The countless civilians retreated like waves chasing through a field of rice, each with ashen faces, their breaths stifled.
No, no, they wouldn't dare.
The man blocking the road screamed inwardly.
Could it be, could they really kill openly in broad daylight?
The government soldiers standing on duty to the side displayed expressions of fear and unease.
One step, two steps, three steps forward.
The expressions of the long-spear soldiers on this side remained wooden and unchanging.
One step, two steps, three steps back.
The expressions of the crowd crammed onto the main road showed increasing dread; many could no longer stand steadily.
It seems they really might kill.
No, they already are killers, having claimed countless lives.
Rumor has it that killing too much leads to bloodlust, indiscriminately targeting anyone.
They only sought wealth; could they possibly stake their lives as well?
Who said the Duke of Chengguo was vain and obsessed with his reputation?
How could they forget how his fame was forged? It was born of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. The saying "A general rises through the bones of countless dead" does not describe a benevolent soul.
"Run for your lives!"
No one knew who screamed first, but instantly the crowd collapsed, scattering backward and to the sides, crying, yelling, losing shoes, crashing into each other, and crawling on the ground.
Amidst this chaos, the long-spear soldiers advanced in their formation like a massive rolling cart, unyielding and unstoppable.
"Withdraw!"
A clear voice rang out. The long spears were retracted, the formation shifted again—archers moved to the front, shield soldiers took the flanks, and spearmen stood in the center.
While advancing, their maneuvers remained flawless, forming a stark contrast with the chaotic, panicked crowd running and screaming in disarray.
This solemnity, this synchronized precision, this motion within immobility carried a mesmerizing beauty. The noisy crowd fell silent, each person shivering involuntarily.
This was military formation, the very same valiant warriors and commanders before whom the Jin thieves sought peace negotiations.
The military formation surged forward, seemingly undeterred by any prior obstacle. From afar, cheers arose again, now tinged with reverence beyond the earlier excitement of idle onlookers.
A man sat on the ground, one shoe missing, his hair disheveled after being shoved. He raised his head in a wretched state, staring at the departing formation with lingering terror.
How could it be like this?
They dared to raise blades and spears against civilians!
Too frightening! Too frightening!
These were soldiers like tigers and wolves! These were bloodthirsty marauders!
Meanwhile, the soldiers on duty nearby could not hide their admiration and awe.
This, this was what it meant to be a soldier—veterans forged by countless battles.
So formidable.
So formidable.
Standing amidst the crowd, Seventh Chen lowered his hands from his mouth.
"I'm truly impressive. A single shout scared all these people witless," he chuckled softly. "Jinxiu really should've come to see this."
A manager from De Sheng Chang laughed.
"Seventh Master, please, don't stir up trouble," he said with a smile.
Seventh Chen gazed at the disheveled and terrified crowd on both sides.
"The Duke is mighty; the Qingshan Army is mighty," he declared loudly, raising a hand. "De Sheng Chang celebrates!"
The shop assistants, long prepared, immediately brought out a basket of large coins upon hearing this.
Money is always the most enticing temptation.
The previously panicked civilians instantly snapped out of their fear and swarmed toward the bounty.
This rush caused the group blocking the road, who had only just managed to stand up, to tumble over again, crying and yelling anew.
The uproar behind was now drowned out by cheers ahead.
The soldiers returned to their solemn demeanor. Since it was merely a bunch of rebels, there was nothing to concern themselves with.
They had come from the perilous northern lands, where rebels were treated as enemies. Attacks from enemies naturally invoked no surprise or sorrow.
Zhao Hanqing passed through the ranks to reach the center.
Here, the generals surrounded the Duke of Chengguo, their expressions grave.
Unlike the soldiers, they had been forewarned of disturbances.
The Duke of Chengguo was far too aware of the undercurrents within the city.
As Zhao Hanqing approached, the generals nodded warmly toward her.
"Good soldiers," the Duke of Chengguo said with a smile.
"Who was the obnoxious fellow shouting and spooking the people into fleeing?" Zhao Hanqing said with slight regret.
The Duke's orders had been clear—open up the road and let the matter drop. Otherwise, Zhao Hanqing might truly have killed a few as an example.
"Slaying a chicken to warn the monkeys; intimidation is necessary to prevent further trouble," she remarked.
The Duke of Chengguo responded with a gentle smile.
"Some can be intimidated; others cannot," he replied, speaking earnestly rather than dismissively. "One cannot treat all situations the same. Nor can all problems be solved through killing."
Zhao Hanqing let out an "Oh."
"So, are we proceeding the same way next?" she asked.
The Duke of Chengguo smiled and nodded. Zhao Hanqing then turned her horse and rode forward.
"My Duke, will there be more obstacles ahead?" one general asked in a low voice.
The Duke gazed into the distance, where the city sprawled like a crouching beast.
"Living in the capital is difficult; entering it is no easier," he responded.
........................…..
Music resounded from the Imperial City, signaling that the emperor had emerged from the palace to ascend the city tower.
Outside the Imperial City Gate, officials quickly adjusted their attire, stopped their banter, and prepared to walk toward the gate in formation. But then, a troop came galloping down Imperial Street.
The sight of the troop left everyone slightly surprised.
"Hey, look, did they just leave only to return?" an official whispered to Ning Yunzhao.
Otherwise, given the timing, it was impossible for them to resolve the trouble and return so quickly.
Could it be that the disturbance was already settled?
Did the Duke of Chengguo really handle it on his own?
Ning Yunzhao's expression was calm, even displaying a touch of delight.
"His Majesty truly is a wise ruler, blessed by heaven," he said sincerely.
The official glanced at him, feeling that he spoke so rationally that it left no room for rebuttal.
"Long live His Majesty," he could only nod and reply.
The music drew closer, yet the leading official, Huang Cheng, displayed neither urgency nor anxiety. Instead, he listened calmly to the whispers of those around him, his countenance steady and warm.
"The Duke of Chengguo truly lives up to his reputation as both a saintly protector and a ruthless enforcer," he said quietly.
The newcomer, however, looked far less composed.
"These people are truly worthless, collapsing at the slightest scare," he muttered anxiously.
Huang Cheng chuckled, his tone filled with the compassion of one who had survived many trials.
"They are but petty merchants lacking loyalty and integrity. Don't be too harsh," he said softly.
"But if the Duke of Chengguo shows such savagery, what then…" The newcomer seemed uneasy.
Huang Cheng smiled again.
"No, no, you must believe—there are many people in this world who possess spine," he said solemnly and earnestly. "If one reads the writings of sages and understands morality, there will be those unafraid of death."
He chuckled once more.
"Besides, the Duke of Chengguo cherishes the people as his own children. How could one call him savage?"
He seemed to genuinely wish to see the Duke forced into savage ruthlessness, just to test whether he would sacrifice his good reputation.
The newcomer's expression relaxed, and he said no more, bowing slightly before retreating.
Huang Cheng appeared to turn his gaze to the side.
"Suddenly, I feel like watching a play," he said softly to his colleague.
The colleague didn't find these words out of place, as if it had been part of their ongoing discussion all along.
"It's a joyous occasion today; we should celebrate together. After the Duke's triumph, we can enjoy the theater with Scholar Huang," he replied quietly, with a tone of respect.
Huang Cheng smiled faintly.
"…I am like Sima Shi besieging Tielong Mountain. I am like a tiger descending the mountain, standing firm. I am like a dragon trapped in shallow waters, stranded on the sands…" he hummed softly as he stepped briskly forward to greet the emperor's procession emerging from the palace.
........................…..
Meanwhile, the Duke of Chengguo's military formation halted once more.
The Capital Gate was faintly visible ahead, yet the broad official road was blocked again.
This time, it was a group of over a hundred men. There were no women or children, only men of various ages, sitting silently and upright in the middle of the road.
They all wore scholars' robes, their expressions solemn and dignified.
This quiet, orderly gathering radiated an aura of authority and gravity that rivaled the Duke's military formation.
They were esteemed scholars from the Imperial College within the city, alongside traveling academics who commanded immense respect despite holding no official rank.
At this moment, each of them had cloth tied around their heads, and a large flag stood amidst the group.
A white banner stained with blood fluttered in the summer wind, revealing its bold characters to all eyes.
"Soldiers of a fallen nation."
The white banner resembled mourning, the blood-red characters evoked sorrow, and the four words roared like thunder.