Apart from those who resisted to the death and were killed by Lu Yanzheng, all the others were taken to Yongshan County by Wei Chengzhong.

This time, he ignored Lu Yanzheng's advice and left three thousand men to guard Dingshui Village.

Wei Chengzong looked at Lu Yanzheng seriously, "Times have changed. Your Highness must prioritize your own safety."

Lu Yanzheng pursed his lips and nodded. "Okay."

He himself had nothing to fear, but his family could not be exposed to danger again and again.

"Furthermore, I would like to have the Northwest Army stationed in Dingshui Village, instead of just guarding the outer perimeter, to ensure the safety of Your Highness and the people," Wei Chengzhong added.

Lu Yanzheng nodded, "You can make the arrangements."

He had anticipated that someone would come to rescue Jiang Chengyou, but he hadn't expected them to dare to send over a thousand people, all of whom were suicide soldiers; otherwise, the village wouldn't have suffered such heavy losses.

"Take care, Your Highness. I'll take my leave now." Wei Chengzhong bowed, and after receiving Lu Yanzheng's permission, he strode away.

Lu Yanzheng stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the village that resembled ruins, a sense of urgency he had never felt before filling his heart.

He did not want to initiate a war, but the imperial court actually colluded with the Western Qiang and sent assassins into villages to kill ordinary people, which was something he could not accept.

...

Leaving aside the situation in Dingshui Village for the time being, when the imperial court learned that Hanba's rescue operation had failed, Emperor Jingqing panicked and summoned the most important ministers of the court to the palace for a meeting.

The following day, the imperial proclamation was sent to all parts of the country, with the capital region bearing the brunt.

"What? Each household must have two people enlist in the army?"

"That's not all. It says that everyone must go to the army this time, regardless of whether they are an only child or not. If your family only has one son, you have to fill another spot, and each person will receive ten taels of silver!"

"My God, has the imperial court gone mad? How could they issue such a proclamation?"

"Heavens above! We're about to go on living like this. All my sons were conscripted into the army and we haven't heard from them since. Now there's not a single man left in the family, and they still want us to pay twenty taels of silver? Why doesn't the imperial court just take a knife and kill this old woman like me!"

"..."

The Kyoto area was filled with ghostly wails and howls.