Those who were scattered and sent to other military camps were truly like putting tigers into sheepfolds.
The soldiers from the Northwest were brave and agile; one of them could take on three or five of those cowards. Letting them in gave them an opportunity to intimidate the other battalions.
He had sent the palace servants who were supposed to protect Tongsu long ago, and now they had all been brought out.
Those who remained were spies and agents of various factions, and their deaths were not a pity.
Thinking of this, Xi Chenzhou said, "I'd like to test Your Majesty. If Yun Zong discovers that both Your Majesty and I are missing, what will he do?"
Tong Su thought for a moment and said cautiously, "He will definitely block the news and then send people to probe the northwest. But the Northwest Army, which has been rewarded, is now heading northwest. Before Yun Zong's troops catch up, we will definitely be able to join them, and Yun Zong will not dare to launch a strong conflict."
"And then what?"
"Afterwards, Yun Zong will try to conceal my situation. For example, he might say that I am seriously ill, or that I went to the imperial palace for a trip. Since I don't often appear in front of people, he can find a substitute or something to cover it up. That way, he can still keep it a secret."
As she spoke, she pondered and speculated:
"Finally, regarding you—the Xi family has no relatives left in the capital, not even the Northwest Army. He can't find anyone to hold hostage. He might issue an urgent imperial edict to summon you back to court to settle scores, or he might find a reason to punish you. In short, he will absolutely not let you continue to be the War God Marquis of the Great Kang Dynasty, so that you can win the hearts of the people."
Xi Chenzhou smiled approvingly, while Tong Su smiled faintly and pursed her lips: "I was just guessing, I can't say for sure."
"Your Majesty has done very well," he said with a smile. "Your Majesty is very talented and will surely become a wise and powerful emperor in the future."
Tong Su chuckled: "General, you rescued me from the palace and protected my life from Yun Zong. This is a future I never dared to imagine before. Even if I don't become emperor after leaving the palace, I will be content."
“But I refuse.” He looked at her calmly, his expression serious. “You are my emperor, and I am the sword in your hand. The throne of this world—can only be yours.”
Tong Su trembled.
She thought that Xi Chenzhou rescued her from the palace simply to spare her the constant danger of being killed by Yun Zong, but now, his intentions...
Does that mean you have to protect her forever?
However, since she had already abandoned the palace and fled to the northwest to escape for her life, how could he continue to protect her as emperor?
The events of the remaining days unfolded exactly as Tongsu had predicted.
Xi Chenzhou received a secret report from the capital. After Yun Zong discovered that it was he who took Tong Su away, he was furious and immediately wanted to hold the Northwest Army accountable. He even sent people to arrest them.
However, the Northwest Army had made preparations earlier and left no evidence for Yun Zong. He had no excuse not to arrest those who had been scattered into the barracks, but they first spread rumors in the barracks, denouncing Yun Zong for controlling the government and deceiving the emperor.
As Tongsu traveled northwest, he witnessed the plight of the common people. While their lives were not exactly miserable, they were certainly impoverished and helpless.
The taxes levied by the imperial court were extremely high. For every shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain, three dou (another unit of dry measure) of tax had to be paid. In addition, the landlords took a cut, which accounted for more than half of the tax. After working hard all year, people couldn't even afford to eat their fill.
This situation worsened the closer one got to the capital. However, as the area approached the northwest, in the barren and desolate land, the lives of the people gradually became more prosperous.
With the threat of invasion from the Northern Rong eliminated, Xi Chenzhou's rule was strict yet enlightened. They no longer had to worry about being exploited by officials, and instead lived a safer and more comfortable life.
Her expression was complicated as she looked at Xi Chenzhou: "You are more suited to be a ruler than I am."
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