Those who block the way and redress grievances must be officials whom they admire and trust.

It turns out that Duke Cheng is so deeply loved in the capital.

The soldiers in the front row couldn't help but share in the honor.

I wonder what injustices these people have suffered?

As soon as the thought flashed through my mind, I heard the group of people shouting loudly.

"Duke Cheng is a traitor and is demanding money!"

"Duke Cheng is a war-monger and is causing chaos all over the world!"

"Duke Cheng made money through war and took away the people's livelihood!"

The shout echoed throughout the road, shocking everyone.

The soldiers who were originally somewhat excited were even more stunned.

What?

Raising troops for war? Causing chaos and unrest?

Who? Them?

While he was stunned, one of the kneeling people raised his hand and threw a rotten fruit towards him.

Perhaps because the distance was too far, or perhaps the person who threw the fruit was too nervous to have any strength, the fruit did not hit the soldiers, but fell on the ground in front of them with a loud bang.

The sound was not actually loud, but for some reason, it sounded particularly loud in the soldiers' ears, just like the stone bullets thrown by the Qingshan Army in front of the battlefield, which exploded and made their ears buzz.

The juice of the fruit seemed to have seeped into their faces and bodies, making them feel sticky, stinging and hot.

"It's good to raise troops!"

"It brings disaster to the country and the people!"

"Give me back my life!"

"Empty the treasury!"

“People are living in misery!”

Shouts rang out one after another, more fruits and vegetables were thrown at them, and the stunned crowd finally came to their senses, and the scene was filled with noise.

The soldiers on duty rushed in to drive them away, but the kneeling people resisted with all their might, ignoring the knives, guns, and clubs in the soldiers' hands.

"The soldiers killed people!"

Several old women even rolled to the ground, howling and charging at the soldiers.

Of course, it was impossible for the officers and soldiers to really kill these civilians. For a moment, they were like being stuck in a quagmire, and the scene was in chaos.

"What's going on?"

"It's the people who couldn't pay the fees some time ago and were not allowed to set up stalls."

"What money should I pay?"

"Of course it's the money given as a reward to Duke Cheng."

"Haven't you heard of that?"

"You are stupid. Haven't you heard that the salaries of officials have been levied? Of course, these merchants are no exception."

Questions and discussions spread like the wind, the original cheers faded, and the expressions of the onlookers became strange and complicated.

The military formation was still strict, and the soldiers stood still without moving, but the iron-blooded spirit from before seemed to have been weakened a lot by the noisy crying and complicated gazes.

…

In front of the imperial city, countless officials lined up according to their status and rank. As the emperor had not yet arrived, everyone was talking and laughing in low voices, and the atmosphere was relaxed and leisurely.

But soon, a guard came rushing over and whispered a few words to an official. The official changed color and hurried inside. Soon the news spread and the place became a little noisy.

"How could this happen?"

“I was stopped.”

"What should I do?"

Ning Yunzhao stood in the back row, listening to the whispers of people around him and sighed.

"Mr. Ning, who are you sighing for?" someone asked in a low voice, "Are you sighing for Duke Cheng?"

Even though Ning Yunzhao keeps a low profile, he is Ning Yan's nephew after all. Ning Yan was dismissed for supporting Duke Cheng and petitioning for war, so many people still unconsciously regard him as one of those who support Duke Cheng.

"You can say that," Ning Yunzhao replied calmly, "but I'm actually sad for your majesty. After all, Duke Cheng is the emperor's face. Now that he's being held back and unable to meet the emperor on time, your majesty is also ashamed."

Well, Ning Yunzhao is a man who only obeys the emperor's orders, and everyone knows this.

The man coughed lightly and pointed at several senior officials who were walking out quickly.

"The adults have all gone, so it should be resolved." He whispered, "It won't delay the auspicious time for His Majesty to receive you."

Ning Yunzhao also nodded.

"I believe that the Chengguo Association will protect your Majesty's face," he said.

Do you believe in Cheng Guogong? How will Cheng Guogong protect you? Will he admit his mistakes and ask the small vendors, the elderly, the weak, women and children who are blocking the road to clear the way?

The officials who got the news hurried out of the city, while the commotion within seven miles was getting louder.

The influx of people almost blocked the officers and soldiers on duty who had rushed to the rescue after hearing the news. The crying and shouting people on the road struggled with the officers and soldiers, and some people who were led to the middle of the road by Deshengchang's throwing money also started to shout and make noise.

"I want to see Duke Cheng!"

"Let Duke Cheng come out!"

"Give us an explanation!"

Nearly a hundred people shouted loudly, waved banners, and even rushed towards the military formation.

The soldiers standing at the front of the army no longer had any excitement on their faces. Instead, they were dull and had an unconcealable sense of bewilderment and loss.

The army formation suddenly parted, and a man in armor rode over.

Everyone present was stunned when they saw the newcomer.

Although she was wearing armor and a hat with her face covered, she was undoubtedly a girl.

There are women in the army?

The appearance of this woman surprised everyone, and the noise became much quieter unconsciously.

"Hey, are you here to cause trouble because you are unwilling to pay the government's money?" Zhao Hanqing asked loudly.

I heard that Duke Cheng was rescued from Yizhou by his daughter-in-law and her troops. So is this the maidservant of the Crown Prince’s wife?

The leading man's eyes flickered.

No matter who the visitor is, as long as he comes out to ask questions, the matter can be attributed to the Duke Cheng. Look at these officers and soldiers who were originally pulling them, now they are hesitant and stop.

And it was a little girl who came out to question. Little girls are so easy to deal with.

The man suppressed his ecstasy and responded loudly. Others followed suit and the scene became noisy again.

“…The government collects our money for…” the man continued speaking loudly, but was interrupted by the girl as soon as he opened his mouth.

"Disobeying orders is a crime," she said loudly, "gathering together to cause trouble is a crime. Criminals and rioters should be punished according to the law. You should surrender immediately."

What? Criminals and rioters? Surrender?

The noisy scene became quiet again.

What are you talking about? How did they become criminals and rioters? Who does she think she is?

The leading man came to his senses and was amused and furious.

What a rustic warrior woman, ignorant and ridiculous.

"We are not rioters, we are the oppressed..." he shouted.

Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by the girl again.

"We have been ordered to enter the city. You must leave immediately. Otherwise, you will be disobeying the emperor's order." She shouted loudly, "Anyone who dares to disobey the emperor's order will be killed without mercy."

Kill without mercy? Is this true or false?

Everyone present was stunned. What kind of big talk was this little girl saying?

As the thought flashed through his mind, he saw the little girl raised the crossbow in her hand and aimed it at them. As she moved, the soldiers behind her raised their crossbows almost at the same time.

The bright and cold crossbow arrows flashed before their eyes, causing the people who had never seen such a scene to cry out in surprise and retreat in large numbers.

The murderous aura gave the leading man a chill, and his expression changed constantly.

Kill without mercy? How is that possible? If they were facing the Imperial Guards, they would not have any doubts, but why would Duke Cheng act like the Imperial Guards?

"Don't panic. I don't believe that the Chengguo Guild, which loves its people like its own children, will shoot and kill us, the wronged people." He shouted loudly and took a step forward.

The others also calmed down.

"Yes, we have grievances and we want to appeal for justice."

"We are the people, not gold thieves."

"The soldiers didn't dare to kill us."

"Duke Cheng is going to kill the people."

Chaotic shouting, cursing and crying rang out, and the crowd surged forward again.

"Release the arrow."

A clear and cold female voice was heard, accompanied by a buzzing sound, and crossbow arrows flew towards them one after another.

Screams were heard all around, and even the officers and soldiers on duty to maintain order shouted out subconsciously.

Fortunately, the arrows did not actually hit anyone, but instead formed a row in front of the feet of the surging crowd.

Rao was so frightened that the people in the front row sat down on the ground and howled.

He actually shot the arrow!

The man standing in the middle looked terrified, but he gritted his teeth.

Look, although they dare to shoot arrows, they dare not shoot anyone, which is just arrogance.

"Don't be afraid of them," he shouted, waving his hands. "We want an explanation! We want an account!"

Following his shout, the hesitant crowd moved forward again.

Zhao Hanqing put away her bow and crossbow, and as she did, the soldiers behind her also put away their bows and crossbows.

Look, look, they are scared!

The crowd was delighted, but before their joy faded, the girl drew out her rifle.

"Form a formation and move forward!" she shouted loudly, swinging the spear in her hand forward and pointing it at the crowd blocking the way.

There were loud bangs behind him, and the army moved in unison. The archers in the front row retreated, and a team of long spearmen appeared.

"drink!"

With uniform shouts of response, they rode their horses in formation and marched forward.

The horses' hooves rolled and the ground shook. Their expressions were solemn and wooden, as if they were facing gold thieves instead of ordinary people. The spears in their hands were cold and bloody.

The murderous aura was overwhelming.