"Uncle Zheng, how much further to Liaodong?"
A man in his thirties looked at the old man in the distance and asked, "We've been traveling for more than ten days now, are we almost there?"
"We're almost there."
The old man in front, Zheng Deliang, nodded and pointed to a mountain peak in the distance, saying, "Beyond that mountain is Fushun Pass."
Once we pass Fushun Pass, we'll be in Liaodong!
"Yeah?"
The middle-aged man squinted and said, "I wonder what the situation is like in Liaodong."
"Will it be dangerous for us to go to Liaodong?"
"There is definitely danger."
Zheng Deliang took a deep breath and said, "However, we are not afraid of danger."
Who are we?
We're all from the hunting party!
What dangers haven't I encountered when hunting in the mountains?
Whether it's bears, wolf packs, or wild boars, which one haven't I encountered?
Moreover, what are we holding in our hands?
That's a flintlock musket made in Dongning!
It's many times better than a bow and arrow!
"We're still here!"
Another middle-aged man next to him said with a smile, "Although we have retired from the Prince's Guard, we are still in good physical condition."
Even if we encounter the Liaodong garrison, even if we can't defeat them, we can still escape, right?
What do you think, Linzi?
Lin Qing nodded and said, "That's right, we're not afraid, we have so many people with us!"
As she spoke, Lin Qing turned around and looked at the large, dark mass of people behind her.
These people all came from Dongning to support Liaodong.
In addition to the hunting teams, there were also militia from various districts and communities, as well as newly recruited reserve troops.
Some of them were veterans who had spent a long time traversing the mountains and forests of Dongning. Although they had never been on the battlefield, their experience in navigating the icy and snowy mountains and forests was extremely valuable!
These men, though not as elite as the Prince's Guard, were still confident compared to the Liaodong garrison!
The group continued forward for another two days and finally passed Fushun Pass.
Continuing on from Fushun Pass, you will arrive at the first small town – Shenzhou.
Shenzhou is not large, and the garrison there had long been moved to Liaodong City.
In present-day Shenzhou, apart from local residents, there are only some patrol officers within the city.
News of the fall of Liaodong City naturally reached this place as well.
During this time, the people in the city were trembling with fear, wondering if Shenzhou City would be in danger.
The patrol officers on the city wall were stunned when they saw a large, dark group of people emerging from the eastern mountains.
Ta-da!
On the city wall, a huge bronze bell rang.
For a moment, the people in the city were in a panic.
Upon hearing the bell toll, they all knew that something was amiss outside the city.
Before long, these people could see clearly that the group from outside the city was carrying a large banner with the character "信" (trust/faith).
Prince Xin's army!
Zhang Duan, the prefect of Shenzhou, paced back and forth in the yamen like an ant on a hot pan.
As he walked, he muttered to himself, "What are we going to do? There are so many people, how can our Shenzhou possibly hold them off?"
"Lord Zhang,"
A clerk leaned closer and said, "In Liaodong, the city of Liaodong has been destroyed, and the King of Liaodong has been captured."
What can our small city of Chenzhou do?
The most urgent thing is to surrender the whole city; maybe then we'll still have a chance to live!
If we resist Prince Xin's army, I'm afraid..."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Zhang Duan, the prefect of Shenzhou, nodded repeatedly.
At this time, a group of gentry and powerful families in Shenzhou City also arrived at the government office.
"Lord Zhang, Lord Zhang..."
Several gentry members, upon seeing Zhang Duan, remarked, "Shenzhou City is too small; it is no match for Prince Xin's army."
In our humble opinion, we should surrender the city to the army of Prince Xin…
"Zhang also had this intention!"
Zhang nodded and replied.
Immediately, Zhang Duan, the prefect of Shenzhou, and a group of gentry and powerful families finished their discussions and brought the household registration and land registers of Shenzhou City to the east gate.
Upon seeing the approaching army of Prince Xin, they all knelt down, holding the household registration and land register of Shenzhou in their hands.
"They surrendered?"
Lin Qing was stunned by what he saw outside Shenzhou City.
He had originally thought there would be another battle in Shenzhou City, but he didn't expect these people to surrender so easily.
That's very convenient!
Accompanying them were hunting teams, militia, reservists, and officials from Dongning.
The leader was Yu Maocai, the prefect of Shuangcheng Prefecture, who was also the head of the civil officials who took over Liaodong this time.
Yu Maocai stepped forward, looked at the scene in the distance, and said, "Chenzhou City has surrendered."
"Uncle Zheng, take your men, let's go into the city and take over Shenzhou City!"
"Okay!"
Immediately, the group headed towards Shenzhou City.
Upon arriving outside the East Gate, Yu Maocai, representing Dongning, accepted the household registration and land registers offered by Shenzhou City.
Holding the household registration and land register in his hands, Yu Maocai said loudly, "I am Yu Maocai, the prefect of Shuangcheng in Dongning Province, and I have been ordered by His Highness Prince Xin to take over Liaodong!"
His Highness Prince Xin has decreed that as long as the gentry and common people of Liaodong are willing to submit to Dongning, all past transgressions will be forgiven.
You are permitted to continue living, and in accordance with the policies of Dongning, the poll tax will be abolished from now on.
Newly reclaimed land is exempt from tax for five years!
All policies will be based on those of Dongning!
If any of my Dongning people commit any offenses, please report to this official, and I will punish them severely!
Please rise, everyone!
Hearing Yu Maocai's words, the gentry and common people were somewhat pleased.
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