The soldiers standing in the formation were at a loss, even more confused than the first time they were blocked.

There were no loud shouts or rotten fruits thrown at them, but the indifferent and contemptuous expressions on the faces of the people sitting upright and the words on the fluttering white flags were like a slap in the face.

It was burning with pain and my heart started to panic.

They killed enemies to serve their country, they defended the borders and protected the people, they were ready to die, and they thought they were heroes to some extent.

But now it seems... not.

Soldiers who destroyed a country.

Are they the people who lost their country?

The soldiers looked uneasy and terrified.

No matter how fierce the battle was or how brutal the gold thieves were, they were never frightened. But at this moment, facing the unarmed civilians, the thin scholar was afraid.

It's like a child meeting his family. No matter how fierce he is outside, he is always a child when he returns home.

Being scolded by family members is also the most frightening thing.

The horses beneath them seemed to sense their fear and restlessness.

The originally well-organized military formation became disorganized.

The generals naturally noticed the changes in the soldiers in the army, and their expressions were heavy and a little confused.

They came to Beijing this time to see the prosperous capital they were guarding and to let the people see their heroic deeds. However, they did not expect to be blocked twice before entering Beijing and to be criticized like this now.

It turned out that they risked their lives and fought desperately for ten years, and countless brothers died and many soldiers were injured. Everything they did was wrong, and they received no credit, but instead committed a sin.

It turns out that in the eyes of the people they are protecting, they are not heroes, but sinners.

I shouldn't have come to the capital.

Is this the wrong capital?

…

The army was in disarray, the soldiers were in panic, and their momentum was gone.

And these thin students and scholars became more and more majestic.

They brushed their long sleeves, straightened their clothes, and walked forward with big strides.

They advanced step by step, approaching the military formation.

A soldier was frightened and tightened the reins, causing the horse to mistakenly think it was moving forward and rush out with the soldier.

This action caused the people around to exclaim in surprise.

"Ah stop it."

"Don't go."

“These soldiers will beat and kill people.”

"We have already beaten the person blocking the road over there."

There were loud shouts and the soldiers on duty looked uneasy.

But these scholars and students had calm expressions and sharp eyes. They did not show any fear when facing these brave soldiers wearing armor and weapons, who were said to have fought in mountains and seas of blood.

"If Cheng Guogong can plead guilty, we are willing to die."

"We have established our hearts for the world, our lives for the people, and have created peace for the world for eternity. Why should we fear death?"

They are in high spirits and continue to move forward steadily.

This scholar is thin, but his every move reveals his sharpness. The combination of weakness and strength is particularly eye-catching.

Although the people around were confused by what was said, it did not prevent them from watching with fascination.

"What are you afraid of?"

"This is the emperor's kingdom. In this open and clear world, do they dare to kill people?"

Suddenly, there was a chaotic shouting among the crowd.

This caused the people to stir up a commotion.

"What are they so arrogant about! What are they so proud of?"

"It's not like we won the battle!"

"The war was stopped by peace talks!"

"If they have the ability, why don't they just kill all the Jin people instead of coming back to show off their power?"

"This is not the North. It's not a place for you to show off your might."

More and more shouts echoed in the crowd.

Many soldiers subconsciously looked into the crowd, as if they wanted to see who was shouting, but the sounds were continuous and they could not see clearly. Instead, their eyes became hazy and they gradually felt that there were shouting everywhere and everyone was shouting.

The students and scholars advanced step by step.

Many soldiers pulled the reins and began to retreat.

Some retreated, while others stood still. However, the soldiers who stood still could not reverse the disarray of the army, and the momentum had already been lost.

"Duke Cheng, I apologize."

"You guys, take off your armor."

The leading scholar Su Rong shouted.

"Duke Cheng, please apologize and take off your armor." The scholars and students beside and behind him shouted.

"Duke Cheng, please apologize and take off your armor." The people around also shouted in chaos.

Not all people were like this. The older people were uneasy about the situation.

How could this happen? It shouldn't be like this.

"No, that's not the case. Duke Cheng is a hero and a good man." They explained to the people around them.

But those who were excited were too lazy to pay attention to them and just followed suit.

"What's wrong with being a hero?"

"Killed all the gold thieves?"

"The North has lost three counties."

"I don't see how he's a hero."

"Why do you want rewards? You want our money!"

Shouts arose everywhere, the previous solemnity disappeared, and the chaotic crowd rushed towards the square military formation, shouting and yelling noisily.

Looking from a distance, the army of Duke Cheng was like a boat in a river in a storm.

Chen Qi clenched his hands and clenched his teeth.

"Well," he said, word by word, "I don't want to throw away a penny at this moment."

Shopkeeper Liu was also standing on the carriage and looking at this side.

"We have been in peace for too long." He said with some resentment, "It has been twenty years. The Jin people marched south, the city was destroyed and the country was ruined. We have forgotten the days when Emperor Cang fled. The north is too far away. The cruelty of the Jin people and the fierceness of the war are just a few hundred words in the report documents and the jokes in the teahouses and restaurants after eating and drinking."

Chen Qi took a few deep breaths.

"Is this the end of the hero?" he said. "Is this the end of the bird and the bow? Is the bow even guilty because it can hurt people, even enemies that it has hurt before?"

Shopkeeper Liu smiled.

"Not entirely." He said, "Duke Cheng hasn't come out to speak yet."

Yes, now it is those students and scholars who are making a fuss, Duke Cheng has not come out yet.

As long as Duke Cheng comes out to explain and refute, everyone will understand.

Chen Qi clenched his hands and stood on tiptoe on the roof of the car, not caring about the height and instability.

Duke Cheng, please come out soon.

…

In front of the imperial city, music was playing and countless officials were kneeling in unison.

"Long live the Lord!"

The emperor sat on the high tower

All the officials kowtowed at the city gate. Although their movements were not as orderly as those of the soldiers, they were more solemn.

Looking further away, there was a huge crowd of people gathered outside the street. Although they could only see the unclear figure of the emperor, it was enough to make them cheer like thunder.

Looking further, I saw pavilions, terraces, attics and houses lined up one after another, so densely packed that there was no end in sight.

The roar of the mountains shook the whole area, and the prosperous scene was like a fairyland.

These are his people, this is his country, this is his world, it is truly fascinating.

A smile appeared on the emperor's face and he raised his hand to signal.

The eunuchs' loud and long voices were sent out.

"Stand up."

Huang Cheng was carefully helped to his feet by the officials beside him. They were talking in low voices under the sound of music and cheers.

“…Let him come out? Of course he will come out. It’s embarrassing enough for the Duke of Cheng to be forced to deal with it in public.” Huang Cheng said in a low voice with a smile.

"What if he convinces those people?" The official beside him said with some trepidation, "After all, the reputation of the Duke..."

Huang Cheng smiled.

"To convince him, I just need to talk. He just opens his mouth one by one, and there are hundreds of people opening their mouths. So I just need to talk slowly." He said, looking up in front of him. The eunuch was greeting him.

This is the emperor inviting some important officials to come upstairs.

This is not an honor that everyone can have. Only close and trusted ministers can enjoy it.

"There is a folk saying that goes, 'Smells good from afar, but smells bad up close,' but that is not true in the imperial court." He said with a smile as he walked towards the tower trembling with fear.

From far behind me, I could hear the cheers of the people who were still there.