Chapter 130 Night Raid
News of the great victory in the north spread to every part of the capital and even faster to other parts of Dayu.
Everyone was overjoyed.
In teahouses, restaurants, and any other place where people can talk, everyone is talking about the same thing.
That was the great victory in the north, which brought back two cities that had been lost for twenty-five years due to the rebellion of the King of Zhou.
"I told you, His Majesty's personal command of the expedition means he is certain of victory."
"Yes, Your Majesty has chosen a good date."
On September 12th, it seems like twenty-five years ago, also on September 12th, news came from the north that two cities had been lost!
"In this battle of Dayu, the red-haired barbarians must have been utterly defeated."
"Yes, may Heaven bless the Great Yu!"
"Having captured Tianji City, known as an insurmountable barrier, in such a short time, it seems His Majesty will soon be returning to the capital."
"Yes, we will definitely line the streets outside the city gates to welcome the triumphant army."
...
Unlike the people's joyous celebration, the Crown Prince did not feel relieved after receiving news from the north.
After reviewing the urgent military intelligence report sent from the north, the Crown Prince immediately summoned Prime Minister Lin and the officials from the Six Ministries.
Lin Xiang and the officials of the Six Ministries also learned that the situation in the North was not as simple as everyone thought.
The Crown Prince's expression was serious, and Prime Minister Lin's expression was not much more relaxed.
"Your Highness, His Majesty's intention is that after capturing Tianji City and Tianju City, His Majesty will lead the Weiyuan Army to continue northward."
"Should we teach those foreign devils a lesson?" Prime Minister Lin asked the Crown Prince with some surprise, holding an urgent document from the north.
The crown prince didn't know what to say.
According to the agreement previously reached with the Emperor, the Weiyuan Army would achieve a great victory if it captured Tianji City and Tianju City.
But the news coming from the north is different from what was agreed upon before.
After the two cities were recaptured, his father did not prepare to return to the capital as previously agreed.
Instead, they regrouped their troops and prepared to continue their advance in that direction...
Furthermore, to the Crown Prince's surprise, his father, who always said he was old and his eyesight was failing, actually personally donned armor and went into battle this time...
"Father's intention is for us to be prepared here, ready to support the North at any time."
Prime Minister Lin, you are the head of all officials. What should we prepare next? You and the other officials should make preparations quickly!
The Emperor changed the original plan; he must have his own reasons.
"We just need to do as Father Emperor wishes!" The Crown Prince looked at Prime Minister Lin.
Lin Xiang glanced at the military affairs of the North in his hand, then at the Crown Prince, and could only sigh softly.
"My lords, let us first discuss state affairs in the Eastern Palace today!"
The six ministers immediately agreed.
The crown prince immediately signaled to the eunuchs around him to prepare.
...
Three days ago, on September 12th, the Weiyuan Army launched a night attack on Tianji City and Tianju City.
During the daytime, the foreigners of Tianji City did not notice any unusual activity from the Weiyuan Army.
By the time of Xu (7-9 PM), it was completely dark in the north.
Suddenly, squads of Weiyuan soldiers began to move silently.
Under General Shen's arrangement, the firearms formation, the vanguard, the forward force, and the main army all advanced rapidly towards the walls of Tianji City under the cover of night.
With everything ready, General Shen glanced at Emperor Xiao Xuan, who was dressed as a deputy general, and then looked at Tianji City in the night.
It's already Hai Shi (9-11 PM), the time is almost here...
Those who knew what the signal was all looked at Tianji City.
As soon as flames rise in Tianji City, it's a signal for them to attack.
...
In Tianji City, people who were supposed to rest after a day's work did not return to their huts.
A group of people stood quietly in the most chaotic and dirty corner of Tianji City.
They were either women or children, and the only thing they had in common was that they were all ragged and thin.
Almost everyone has wounds on their body.
There were originally many people from Dayu in Tianji City, but very few men.
Some of the original men either died in battle while defending the city, or were later tortured to death by those foreign red-haired people on various pretexts.
The remaining Dayu people in Tianji City are either women or children who are not yet adults...
Over the years, the foreign people have watched as one child after another was born to the people of Dayu.
In their eyes, these are all their bargaining chips.
It is the best shield to restrain the Weiyuan Army...
Everyone watched as a faltering, somewhat aged figure slowly appeared from not far away.
"Madam Ling!" a middle-aged woman leading the group called out softly.
Everyone called out softly.
Old Madam Ling, whose hair was already gray, held a wooden stick as a cane.
She looked at everyone's expectant yet nervous eyes and suddenly smiled.
Are you all nervous?
"Don't be nervous!"
"After waiting for so many years, I'm not nervous at all."
"Madam, give the order!"
"Yes! Madam, give the order!"...
Everyone whispered amongst themselves.
Old Madam Ling glanced at everyone slowly, feeling a sharp pain in her heart, as if she had been pricked by needles.
She has protected everyone for twenty-five years, and in the end, only this many people are left!
Fortunately, quite a few people are still left!
"As agreed, those who are physically weak will take children under the age of twelve down the secret passage! The rest of you will follow my instructions!" Old Madam Ling gave the order.
Soon, a secret passage was cleared out of a place where clutter had been piled up.
The children, who looked completely bewildered and knew nothing, were led into the secret passage by two pale-faced people.
Everyone except the children stood in front of the secret passage.
“Once the flames are lit, the barbarians will surely come looking for us.”
At that time... we would no longer allow them to humiliate us, and we would no longer be their human shield.
Grab anything you can get your hands on, this is the final battle!
After speaking, Madam Ling stood at the outermost edge.
No one made a sound; they simply picked up what was at hand and watched where Old Madam Ling was looking…
At the second quarter of Hai hour (9:45 PM), near the city wall of Tianji City, there was a loud bang followed by towering flames...
Old Madam Ling's heart was already numb with pain.
She knew that her youngest daughter was surely dead because of the fire...
Immediately afterward, before the foreigners could react, a barrage of cannon fire erupted, blasting through the city.
After being bombarded like that, the city gate of Tianji City quickly crumbled and began to sway precariously.
Meanwhile, the barbarian garrison camp in the city, as well as the places where weapons and provisions were stored, were accurately bombarded by firearms.
As the sound of cannons bombarding the city diminished, shouts of battle grew louder and louder as they approached Tianji City...
Before the people of Dayu in Tianji City, who had been waiting, could even rejoice, they saw a large number of foreigners running towards them from afar.
"Seize these despicable bastards from Da Yu..."
As the people drew closer, the people of Dayu gripped what they held tightly in their hands.
"All members of the Ling family, step forward!"
"I'd rather die standing than live kneeling! Now is the time for us to die standing!" Old Master Ling's eyes widened in anger as she raised the wooden stick that had been tied to her wrist.
The remaining members of the Ling family gritted their teeth, grabbed their weapons, and charged forward.
This time, they don't have to endure it, they don't have to be humiliated, they can be true members of the Ling family with dignity...
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