Chapter 845 Imperial Edict
The crowd was enormous, stretching as far as the eye could see.
The four had no idea what was going on until the voices pleading for help came like a tidal wave.
Zhao Sidan was utterly shocked: "These people are kneeling here because of Mother?"
He knew his mother held a high position in the hearts of the people, but he never imagined it would be to this extent.
Zhao Sanniu rubbed his sore eyes: "Mother worked for the well-being of the people, and the people spoke up for Mother. So what Mother did can be considered a response."
Cheng Zhao looked up towards the direction of the imperial city: "It's probably difficult to see the Minister of War at this time. Let's wait a little longer."
As the group was talking, they were suddenly recognized by the person kneeling beside them.
"Oh, isn't this year's top scholar? He's Lady Sui's son!"
"This, this is Lord Cheng, who was the third-ranked scholar three years ago, and he is Lady Sui's nephew!"
“I know this young man. He’s the grandson of that old lady Shen who loves playing mahjong, and the godson of Madam Sui!”
"Are you all going to the palace to see the Emperor and plead for Lady Sui's life?"
"Come, come, those kneeling in front, make way so that Lady Sui's son, nephew, and godson can enter the palace!"
"Make way!"
"..."
Several old women shouted at the top of their lungs, and the crowd kneeling in front turned around to look.
The top two scholars, Zhuangyuan and Tanhua, were paraded through the streets, and ordinary people recognized them and knew that they were indeed from the Sui family.
Almost instantly, the crowd parted to the sides, creating a passageway in the middle.
Zhao Sidan raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye and said, "Thank you, thank you all!"
"Why are you thanking me, child?" the old lady said gently. "Madam Sui has done so many good things for us common people. We useless old folks are only good for this much. Hopefully, kneeling here will be of some use."
"It's getting late, you should hurry to the capital to see the Emperor!"
"You are Lady Sui's family, so your words carry more weight in the court. Go quickly."
"..."
Urged on by the crowd, the four slowly walked towards the imperial city.
The distance from the city gate to the imperial city is quite far; it usually takes about 45 minutes to walk there. But with so many people on the road, it took us more than half an hour to finally reach the palace gate.
The moment they arrived, the gates of the imperial city suddenly opened.
The Minister of War, dressed in court attire, came out, holding a yellow imperial edict in his hand. He went up the steps on the side of the city gate and walked up to the highest corner tower.
Standing atop the corner tower, one can see most of the capital city.
The Minister of War was utterly astonished.
Just now, when Eunuch Ming said that tens of thousands of people had gathered, he thought it was an exaggeration, but now that he sees it, it is more than ten thousand people, probably more than one hundred thousand.
It was completely dark, and many lights in the capital were on. The dim yellow candlelight shone on the faces of the people, making everyone's faces so clear... He even saw his own maids and servants in the crowd...
"Everyone, please be quiet!"
When the Minister of War spoke, his voice was amplified by the loudspeaker on the corner tower. The people in front heard it and then passed it on to those behind. After about half a cup of tea's time, the scene finally quieted down.
"His Majesty is aware of everyone's wishes and has specially ordered me to read the imperial edict!" The Minister of War opened the yellow imperial edict, coughed, and began to read, "One month ago, Prince Qin, Lady Sui, and several ministers were sent as envoys to Asab. On their return journey, they were captured by the Western Rong... The Western Rong's actions show that they have no regard for our Great Yu Kingdom! Upon learning of this, the court immediately decided to send troops. However, the war on the northeastern front of Laqi Kingdom is urgent, and the troops are insufficient, which is why the edict has been delayed!"
"The absence of an imperial edict does not mean that the court has given up on the rescue, but rather that it is seeking a foolproof plan! I heard that tens of thousands of people knelt at the gates of the imperial city to plead for Lady Sui's life, and I am deeply gratified... In order to avenge the national humiliation and to comply with the will of the people, I hereby issue an edict to immediately conscript soldiers from the entire Great Yu Kingdom!"
"Anyone who is fifteen years of age or older and not older than forty-five years of age may enlist in the army..."
"If there is only one male in the household, the Ministry of War will forcibly return him/her..."
Pang Jie, Li Jian, and the others kneeling at the front were filled with disbelief. They thought they would have to kneel for three days and three nights, but they didn't expect the military to issue the edict so quickly.
In other words, they are eligible to join the army and fight on the front lines in western Xinjiang!
"That's great!" Li Jian exclaimed with joy. "Luckily, I'm not an only child. I can go to the front lines and fight! That's wonderful!"
Upon hearing this, several of the only male members of their families present immediately looked disappointed.
A group of women nearby spoke up: "Men can join the army and fight, and we women can also do what we can!"
"I remember several years ago, Madam Sui donated a large number of cotton quilts and winter clothes to the troops stationed in Beijing. Can't we do the same?"
"By the time the troops from the Great Yu Kingdom arrive in the Western Frontier, it should already be December. It's freezing cold there, so we can sew cotton-padded clothes and donate them!"
"If it weren't for Madam Sui, where would we get these cotton-padded clothes? Madam Sui has done so many good things for the people."
“I’m clumsy and can’t sew cotton clothes, so I’ll donate food instead.”
"I think I heard that the Ministry of Revenue will borrow grain from us ordinary people and return it double after next spring's harvest."
"The imperial court won't take advantage of us common people, but we can't take this opportunity to cheat the court out of its money either. Anyway, I'm willing to donate grain and don't want a single penny!"
"..."
Listening to the discussions among the people, Zhao Sidan and his group were deeply moved.
In recent years, although people's lives have become more prosperous and they have surplus grain at home, no matter how wealthy they are, no one will take out their grain for no reason.
But now, the court doesn't even need to say much. These simple, honest people from the bottom of society voluntarily donate grain. Who wouldn't be moved by such righteousness?
Although it was already dark, the crowd had not dispersed.
The imperial court dispatched messengers overnight to issue edicts to other prefectures and states, and at the same time set up military recruitment offices and grain collection offices.
The grain was to be handed over, and the name of the household registration was to be filled in. It was to be repaid after the spring harvest. However, the people would just leave the grain and run away, not giving the officials a chance to ask any questions.
In one night, the largest granary in the capital was filled with nearly a million catties of grain, and this was only the amount of grain in one night.
Zhao Sidan walked over and placed a thick stack of silver notes on the table: "This is a donation of 50,000 taels of military pay."
Such a large sum of money left the official in charge of counting it in disbelief, but when he looked up and saw Zhao Sidan, he understood everything: "Thank you, Lord Zhao."
"I should be thanking you."
Zhao Sidan's voice was a little hoarse.
So many people pleaded for Mother, donating money, grain, and other supplies; this is the merit Mother has accumulated.
The 50,000 taels of silver he took out was also his mother's accumulated wealth.
It turns out that the good deeds one accumulates will one day return to them...
"Four Eggs, what are you standing there for!" Zhao Sanniu came up from behind him. "Last night, my eldest cousin waited at the gate of the Minister of War's residence. He finally caught up with him. The Minister of War is resting at his residence right now. Let's hurry over so we don't lose him later!"
Zhao Sidan nodded, mounted his horse with Zhao Sanniu, and quickly headed towards the residence of the Minister of War.
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