Chapter 844 The People Plead for Their Lives

The ministers in the Imperial Study were all stunned.

More than 10,000 people gathered at the gates of the imperial city—something that had never happened since the founding of the nation.

The emperor spoke up, "Who are these people gathered here, and what is their purpose?"

The eunuch bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, it started with more than fifty students from Xiao Qin Academy kneeling and requesting to join the army. Later, a group of scholars joined in, requesting the court to send troops. After that, the common people also knelt down to plead for Lady Sui..."

"Xiao Qin Academy..." Grand Scholar Pang looked up, "Is my good-for-nothing son among them?"

Eunuch Ming replied, "This group is led by Young Master Pang and Young Master Li from the Marquis of Huainan..."

"Haha, my son has actually shown some promise this time." Grand Scholar Pang was beaming with pride. "Before, he only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun, never caring about family matters, national affairs, or world events. After studying at Xiao Qin Academy for a few months, he has made such great progress. He is twenty years old this year, a true man of honor. Although he doesn't have outstanding martial arts skills, he has a strong sense of honor. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you allow my son to join the army and rescue the Prince and Lady Sui!"

The Marquis of Huainan refused to be outdone and said: "Your Majesty, although Quan Zi has not specifically learned kung fu, he has liked fighting since he was a child and can still resist being beaten. Let him go to Western Xinjiang and show some color to those bastards in Xirong Kingdom!"

Lord Dou stepped forward and said, “In the past, I always opposed my son’s involvement with weapons, but now that the country is in trouble, young people should be at the forefront. I am willing to request that my son, Dou Qingsong, be allowed to join the army. I beg Your Majesty’s permission!”

"Your Majesty, this is an excellent opportunity!" said the Grand Councilor, who had been opposing the military expedition. "Since His Highness the Crown Prince's troops are unable to return to the capital, why not conscript soldiers immediately!"

The Minister of War frowned: "The soldiers conscripted immediately have not been trained. How can they go to the battlefield and fight against the Western Rong cavalry?"

The Minister of Revenue sighed, "The national treasury doesn't have enough funds for military pay, and besides, all the provisions have been sent to the front lines in Jilin Province, I'm afraid..."

“A soldier who has never been on the battlefield cannot be considered a true soldier. Every new recruit grows up on the battlefield.” The emperor suddenly spoke up. “More than three hundred years ago, the soldiers under the founding emperor were farmers who were conscripted along the way. Those farmers used hoes, shovels, spades and other farming tools to help the founding emperor conquer the great country. If our ancestors three hundred years ago could do this, why can’t the younger generation do the same?”

"That's right, even if we have to use farm tools, we must put an end to the arrogance of the Western Rong Kingdom!" Grand Tutor Lin said. "So what if they don't have military pay? Then we can call on officials and wealthy merchants to donate money. So what if they don't have enough food? Then we can borrow food from the common people and repay them double after next year's spring harvest! I believe that as long as there are any patriotic people in the Great Yu Kingdom, they will definitely step forward when the country is in trouble!"

"Just look at all those commoners kneeling at the palace gates! They are not apathetic or indifferent; they have passion in their hearts and a deep love for their country!" said the General of the Cavalry. "I implore Your Majesty to issue a conscription decree. Your humble servant is willing to give your life for the cause!"

The emperor's hand gently tapped the table.

The Imperial Study was very quiet.

More and more people gathered at the gates of the imperial city, creating a bustling atmosphere.

The wide main road leading into the palace was packed with kneeling people, stretching from the main gate all the way back, and those at the very back had no idea what was happening.

Why are so many people kneeling here?

"Lady Sui has been arrested, and the court has not made any statement. We are all kneeling here begging the emperor to send troops."

"The Emperor and the court naturally have their own considerations. What's the use of kneeling here?"

"Whether it works or not, kneel down first. Can't you see everyone else is kneeling?"

"If you don't kneel now, there won't be any seats left!"

"..."

Some ordinary people didn't even know what was going on; they just saw others kneeling and followed suit.

A huge crowd surged from the palace gates to the entrance of the capital's east gate, kneeling all the way to the front. As far as the eye could see, there were people everywhere.

As soon as Sister-in-law Cheng opened the gate to the courtyard, she saw a group of people kneeling at her door.

Their newly purchased house is in an alley near the East Gate. It's a bit far from the palace, but at least it's inside the city. From now on, Cheng Zhao won't have to get up more than half an hour early to queue up to enter the city anymore...

"No, what are all of you doing kneeling at my doorstep!" Sister-in-law Cheng frowned. "Go away, don't get the steps dirty."

An old woman kneeling at the bottom of the steps said, "Who specifically knelt at your doorstep? I just happened to be kneeling here. It has nothing to do with you!"

Sister-in-law Cheng didn't understand what he meant. She walked out the door, went down the steps, and was immediately stunned.

Good heavens, there are thousands of people kneeling in front of her house. What big event has happened to warrant such a large-scale gathering?

A voice suddenly came from afar: "Save Lady Sui!"

Then, the sound surged toward them like a wave, and the kneeling people joined in the shouting.

"Save Lady Sui!"

"Attack the Western Rong Kingdom!"

"Help! Help! Help!"

The old women kneeling at the entrance of the Cheng family's house raised their fists and shouted loudly along with the crowd, completely absorbed in the moment.

"Mother, let's kneel down too!" Situ Man led the child out. "I just sent someone to the front to ask. The people kneeling here are all pleading for Second Aunt, hoping the court can send troops to save her! One person's strength is insignificant, but so many people pleading together will definitely be useful. Mother, kneel here!"

Situ Man, holding the child's hand, knelt down directly.

Sister-in-law Cheng found it hard to believe.

So many people are kneeling here, just for my second aunt?

Although the second sister-in-law was already a second-rank lady of the Sui family, could the arrest of a woman really attract so much attention from the people?

Isn't this a bit too exaggerated?

Sister-in-law Cheng pulled the old lady next to her and asked, "So many people are kneeling down, surely to beg the imperial court to send troops to rescue that Prince Qin?"

"King Qin?" The old lady rolled her eyes. "What good is King Qin besides sleeping with women? If he gets arrested, I'll set off firecrackers for three days and three nights! Didn't you hear us kneeling here for Lady Sui, to plead for her life? You can only say King Qin is lucky, otherwise who can control him!"

Sister-in-law Cheng: "..."

She suspected there was something wrong with her ears!

A proper prince of the Great Yu Dynasty is actually inferior to his second aunt?

This, this...

"What are you all standing there for?" Old Mrs. Cheng walked out of the courtyard. "The Zhao family and the Cheng family are in the same boat. If something happens to her, it won't do us any good. Hurry up and kneel down!"

Sister-in-law Cheng was forced to kneel down.

As dusk fell, it was supposed to be dinnertime, but who cared about that now?

In the deepest part of a low hill outside the city gates of Beijing, several figures crouched and hid behind a mound of earth. Not far from them, a firelight flickered.

A moment later, a loud explosion occurred.

Countless mounds of earth were blasted open, and several people were covered in dirt and their faces were filthy.

"We did it! We did it!" Zhao Sidan jumped for joy. "With the bomb, we can bring Mom back!"

Shen Zheng wiped the dirt off his face and took out a booklet from his waist: "The bomb mix proportions are all here. Let's go and quickly go see the Minister of War!"

Cheng Zhao's face lit up with joy: "Let's not delay, let's go now."

Zhao Sanniu loaded the remaining bombs, and the group hurried into the city.

Before even entering the city gate, I saw countless kneeling people.