Chapter 145 The Songyang Uprising... You've really put me in a terrible situation! ...
News of the great victory at Songyang spread like wildfire throughout the five cities, bringing cheers and applause wherever it went. The soldiers returned in triumph, greeted by the people who lined the streets with food and drink, their shouts deafening. The county government was brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and a three-day celebratory banquet was held to reward the troops. The aroma of wine and meat permeated the entire Songyang County, creating a scene of jubilant prosperity.
However, beneath this boisterous celebration, undercurrents were quietly brewing.
On the third day of the victory celebration, as the clamor subsided, Zhao Kuangyin sat alone in his room, reading a sealed letter detailing the latest developments at court: the emperor, alarmed and enraged by the growing power of the Songyang rebels, had issued a secret edict not only to completely annihilate the Songyang County rebels but also to execute their entire families, including nine generations of relatives. Anyone connected to the rebels, whether officials, soldiers, or civilians, was to be killed without exception. The sheer brutality emanating from the letter was almost palpable.
“Such ruthless methods…” Zhao Kuangyin muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously tapping heavily on the table, his brow furrowed. He recalled what he had seen and heard in Songyang County these past few days: the farmers who received land and were given equal land distribution and tax exemption when Jiang Ge implemented the policy; the children in the newly built school, their clothes old but clean, reciting aloud, “The people are the most important, the state is next, and the ruler is the least important”; and the unprecedented clinic where wounded soldiers and sick civilians could share a room and receive treatment together, the aroma of medicine mingling with compassion…
All of this was so different from the tragic scene he had witnessed in the bustling capital of Bianjing, where the rich feasted on meat and wine while the poor froze to death on the streets!
When have those kings and officials who sit high in the temple ever truly cared about the lives and deaths of such insignificant people?
Moreover, the more chaotic the world is, the better it is for him; only in times of chaos can gold be found.
One million isn't enough!
"In such a chaotic world, only extraordinary things can be done and extraordinary rulers can be appointed to create a new world." A clear and steady voice suddenly came from behind, breaking the silence.
Zhao Kuangyin was startled and turned around abruptly. He saw that Zhuge Liang had quietly stood at the door at some point, dressed in a blue robe and turban, gently waving a feather fan. His deep gaze seemed to have already seen through all the turbulent thoughts in his heart.
"When did the Prime Minister arrive?" Zhao Kuangyin subconsciously wanted to put away the secret letter on the table, but saw Zhuge Liang shake his head slightly and slowly step into the room.
"I have been waiting for this for a long time." Zhuge Liang's tone was calm and even. "I know most of what you are thinking right now. The situation is extremely precarious, and it is time to make a decision. This imperial decree is nothing more than a death warrant, forcing us to make a decision sooner rather than later."
Zhao Kuangyin remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "Now that the Prime Minister has understood, what do you think should be done now?"
Zhuge Liang lightly tapped the secret letter on the table with his feather fan. His voice was low, but every word carried immense weight: "Since the court has already decided not to tolerate us and regards us and the people of these five cities as mere straw dogs, why should we sit idly by and wait for our deaths? Now, Songyang has just been victorious, the five cities are connected, our military strength is at its peak, our supplies are plentiful, and what is even more valuable is the support of the people, an unprecedented unity. This is a golden opportunity bestowed by Heaven, how can we let it slip by? We should take further steps to comply with Heaven's will."
"So, what does the Prime Minister mean..." Zhao Kuangyin's eyes flashed with a sharp light, but he still pressed for an answer.
"The people have suffered under tyranny for too long, like parched lands yearning for rain." Zhuge Liang's gaze was piercing as he looked directly at Zhao Kuangyin. "Although Magistrate Jiang is only a magistrate, he is benevolent and loves the people, wise and decisive, possessing the qualities of Yao and Shun, and harboring the ambitions of Tang and Wu. He is no ordinary man, but a true dragon hidden in the abyss. Now is the perfect time. If we can raise our voices, the whole world will respond and the hearts of all will be won." He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "The most urgent task is to do extraordinary things, achieve extraordinary feats, establish our rightful place, and stabilize the world."
Zhao Kuangyin's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and without further hesitation, he stood up abruptly: "I understand! What the Prime Minister said is exactly what I was thinking! This matter should be handled as soon as possible, I will go and contact the generals to make arrangements immediately!"
"Wait a moment." Zhuge Liang slightly raised his feather fan. "This matter is of utmost importance and requires meticulous planning. We must not only succeed but also preserve His Majesty's reputation, ensuring that the matter is in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will, rather than being obtained through coercion. I already have a plan; we must proceed as follows..."
The whispers between the two gradually faded into the room.
The following morning, Jiang Ge, as usual, dealt with a mountain of official business in a side hall of the county government office. Although the celebrations of the past few days had been joyous, they had also caused many matters to pile up.
She was focused on a financial document when a guard rushed in, reporting nervously that an unexplained disturbance had broken out in the city's military camp. A large number of soldiers had gathered at the drill ground, and the crowd was in a state of turmoil. Several key generals had gone to suppress the unrest, but the situation did not seem to have eased.
Jiang Ge's heart tightened. Without thinking, she immediately put down her pen and ink, got up, and led her men to the training ground. Along the way, doubts arose in her mind. The army had just won a great victory and received generous rewards, so why was there suddenly chaos?
Stepping into the training ground, the scene before her eyes startled her.
The field was filled with a dense mass of soldiers, their armor gleaming, their weapons like a forest, yet there was no commotion or noise; instead, an unusual silence enveloped the entire area. Each soldier's face was solemn, their eyes burning with determination, all fixed on the direction of the reviewing stand.
Senior generals such as Zhao Kuangyin, Huo Qubing, and Bai Qi stood with their hands on their swords in front of the platform, their expressions solemn, unlike their usual relaxed demeanor.
This was by no means a scene of riots; rather, it resembled a solemn gathering under heavy guard.
"What happened?" Jiang Ge suppressed his doubts, quickly stepped onto the command platform, and asked loudly, his clear voice echoing in the air above the training ground.
The thousands of soldiers below the platform were completely silent; you could hear a pin drop. Only the banners fluttered in the morning breeze.
Suddenly, Zhao Kuangyin strode forward, turned to Jiang Ge, knelt on one knee, clasped his hands in salute, and spoke in a loud, clear voice: "Reporting to the magistrate! The soldiers have gathered here today not for any other reason than for a matter concerning the well-being of the people and the future of Songyang. We have no choice but to risk our lives to plead for this!"
Jiang Ge's suspicions deepened, and he raised his hand, saying, "Please rise, speak freely."
Zhao Kuangyin, however, did not rise. He raised his head, his gaze burning, and his voice became even more impassioned: "The world is now in chaos, and the court is corrupt and incompetent, treating our people like dirt and trampling them underfoot! War is raging, lives are being lost, and cries of sorrow fill the land! But our five cities of Songyang are fortunate to have a magistrate who governs them well, ensuring harmony and peace, allowing the people to live and work in peace and have a place to breathe! The soldiers have followed the magistrate in battle and know that he is benevolent, wise, and loves the people like his own children, and possesses extraordinary talent! Now the court will not tolerate us and has secretly ordered our extermination, punishing our entire families! How can we sit idly by and wait for our doom?"
His voice was like thunder, echoing in every corner of the training ground. The soldiers below the stage suddenly began to breathe heavily, and countless eyes focused on Jiang Ge.
Zhao Kuangyin continued loudly, "The soldiers are willing to follow the magistrate to the death, to uphold justice for the world, to eliminate treacherous officials, and to save the people from suffering! This is not for personal gain, but for the sake of all the people! I urge the magistrate to follow the will of Heaven and the people, to step forward, to assume the throne, and to lead us in creating a peaceful and prosperous era!"
Before the words had even finished, the soldiers below the stage, as if rehearsed, knelt down on one knee in unison, their voices like a thunderous roar: "We are willing to follow the magistrate! To uphold justice for the world! To rule the emperor! To bring peace and prosperity to the land!"
The shouts grew louder and louder, assaulting Jiang Ge's eardrums. She froze, stunned by the sudden turn of events, speechless for a moment. She instinctively took a step back and cried out urgently, "Brother Zhao! Soldiers! Please rise! This is absolutely unacceptable! This is treasonous!"
However, before she could finish speaking, Zhao Kuangyin had already stood up. Wei Zhongxian, who was beside him, quickly stepped forward, holding a neatly folded, bright yellow robe in both hands.
Wei Zhongxian was about to drape his robe directly over Jiang Ge's body when Jiang Ge finally saw it clearly.
It was a yellow robe embroidered with a ferocious golden dragon! In the morning light, the dragon scales shimmered, and its eyes burned with supreme majesty!
At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin no longer cared about his dislike for Wei Zhongxian, and the two of them grabbed the dragon robe with one on each side.
On the drill ground, deafening shouts of "Long live!" echoed like a tsunami.
When Zhao Kuangyin and Wei Zhongxian draped the bright yellow robe over Jiang Ge's shoulders, Jiang Ge was struck dumb. Her face turned deathly pale, not with joy, but with terror. She abruptly took a step back, as if the robe were burning hot, and desperately tried to tear it off with both hands, her voice trembling slightly with shock:
"No! Absolutely not!"
She surveyed the kneeling soldiers below the platform, her gaze finally settling on the faces of Zhao Kuangyin, Zhuge Liang, and others before her. Her tone was earnest and firm, and though her voice was somewhat drowned out by the cheers, it possessed a clear and resonant quality.
"Generals and soldiers, please rise! I appreciate your kindness! However, this matter concerns the very foundation of the nation and its principles; how can it be treated lightly? What virtue or ability do I possess to dare to occupy such a high position?"
She took a deep breath, trying to make her voice carry further: "I was originally a commoner, starting from the county seat. All I wanted was for the people of Songyang to have enough to eat and be spared the suffering of war. Although I was fortunate to have your assistance in taking these five cities, this was the result of the soldiers' bravery and the people's unity. How could Jiang Ge dare to claim credit for the work of heaven?"
Her gaze swept over Zhuge Liang and Zhao Kuangyin: "To establish an empire and a nation, one must possess the virtues of Tang and Wu, and the talents of Yi Yin and Lü Shang. Jiang Ge's virtue is shallow, his talent mediocre, and he only has the ability to govern a county. How dare he covet the imperial throne and usurp the throne? This is not a sign of good fortune, but rather the beginning of disaster. If, because of my own actions, the foundation of Songyang County is shaken, the soldiers shed blood, and the people suffer, Jiang Ge will not be able to atone for his sins even if he dies ten thousand times."
She tried again to remove the dragon robe, her words growing more earnest: "You are all heroes of the world, talents capable of supporting the nation. You should choose another wise ruler to bring peace to the world. Jiang Ge is willing to emulate the wise ministers of the past, exerting all his strength to assist the true God in pacifying the chaotic world. He can also save the people from suffering. Why take this risky step and put me in a position of disloyalty and injustice? This dragon robe... I dare not accept it, nor can I accept it!"
Django's sincere and self-reproachful refusal followed the historical precedent of "three refusals and three concessions." How could he show his worth without making a concession? He was saying, "I'm not doing this for the throne."
"Wei Zhongxian! What...what are you doing!" Jiang Ge exclaimed, taking another step back, only to feel herself being firmly supported on both sides at the same time. Looking to the side, she saw Huo Qubing and Bai Qi standing on either side of her, like iron towers protecting her, their expressions firm and not allowing her to back down.
Wei Zhongxian and Zhao Kuangyin, holding the yellow robe, stepped forward, their voices deep and resolute, carrying an undeniable authority: "The Mandate of Heaven has been bestowed, and the will of the people is irreversible. We beseech Your Majesty, for the sake of the people, to follow the will of Heaven and the people, to ascend the throne and inherit the great lineage!" Having said this, without allowing Jiang Ge any further resistance, they draped the heavy yellow robe, a symbol of supreme imperial power, over her shoulders!
The color yellow was being applied to a woman for the first time in this world. Even if the people in the audience didn't know, Django could see the phoenix embroidered on the dragon robe, its wings spread as if about to take flight.
A deafening roar erupted from the crowd below, even more fervent and unified than before, causing the platform beneath their feet to tremble slightly: "Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Jiang Ge struggled to remove the hot potato-like yellow robe, but felt Huo Qubing and Bai Qi's arms firmly and powerfully supporting her, not by force, but with an unquestionable sense of protection. She looked down at the audience, her gaze sweeping over Huo Qubing and Bai Qi, whose eyes held only absolute loyalty and fervent expectation.
"You...you're staging a mutiny! A mutiny!" Jiang Ge was shocked and furious, and an indescribable panic swept over him. "General Huo! General Bai! Are you even going to rebel against me?"
Huo Qubing was the first to release his grip, took a step back, and knelt on one knee. His voice was firm and resolute: "This humble general dares not! The world is in chaos now, and only a wise ruler can restore order! Your Majesty's benevolence extends throughout the land, which is a blessing for all people and the foundation for lasting peace! Huo Qubing is willing to swear to serve Your Majesty to the death, even if it means facing mountains of knives and seas of fire!"
Bai Qi also knelt down, his words concise yet carrying immense weight: "This humble general, Bai Qi, swears to serve Your Majesty to the death. Even if I die nine times, I will not regret it!"
Yuchi Jingde and Qin Shubao, two fierce and imposing generals, stood side by side. Upon seeing the dragon robe bestowed upon them, their faces showed no hesitation, but rather erupted with fervent fighting spirit and excitement. Yuchi Jingde slammed his fist into his chest armor, producing a dull thud, and roared like a bell, "It should have been this long ago! Your Majesty should have ascended the throne long ago! I, Yuchi Jingde, am willing to be Your Majesty's sharpest spear, sweeping away all those who dare to disobey!" Qin Shubao, though slightly more composed, had a glint in his eyes. He clapped his hands and laughed, "It is the mandate of Heaven, the will of the people! With Your Majesty leading the way, what is there to fear about the stability of the realm? I, Qin Qiong, am willing to be Your Majesty's vanguard, to trample the old dynasty's lands!" The two knelt on one knee almost simultaneously, their movements perfectly synchronized.
Hei Fu roared at the top of his lungs, shouting with all his might along with the crowd: "Long live the Emperor! Long live His Majesty! Follow His Majesty and conquer an even greater empire!"
These gazes—the fervor of the fierce generals, the aspirations of the civil officials, the sincerity of the soldiers, the foresight of the capable, and the loyalty of the guards—flowed like rivers into the sea, unreservedly converging on the new emperor in his yellow robe on the command platform.
Each of them firmly believed that by following Django, they could not only share in the glory of becoming emperor, but also personally build a stronger and fairer new dynasty.
Django felt the fervent and loyal gazes from below the stage, filled with no doubt, only unreserved trust and expectation.
At that moment, she had only one thought in her mind—you have really made my life miserable!
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