Chapter 149 The City Falls
At that moment, the familiar, sharp sound struck Shang Ruyi as if she had been struck by lightning.
"It's a whistling arrow!"
As she cried out, a cold light pierced through the hole in the city gate and shot straight toward the emperor, who stood in the very center of the long street.
"emperor!"
Someone shouted in the crowd, while many more rushed toward the emperor.
However, none of them could compare to that fleeting moment of brilliance, like a shooting star.
The cold light shot towards Chu Yang, barely grazing his ear and temple. As the wind swept past, his hair was disheveled and suddenly flew up. The sharp-sounding arrow then slammed heavily into the doorpost of the sedan chair behind him.
The large sedan chair was shaken by the force of the arrow.
Chu Yang was completely stunned, unable to believe what had happened in that instant. He slowly raised his hand to touch his disheveled hair, then turned to look at the palanquin behind him. Before he could even react, Shang Ruyi shouted to him, "It's a whistling arrow! The Turkic soldiers are here! Ashina Shali is here!"
This time, everyone realized that the Turks had launched another siege right after the end of World War I, and before the battlefield had even been cleared!
The soldiers kneeling on both sides of the road hurriedly got up and rushed forward, while Wang Shaoji had already drawn his sword from his waist and was waving it around, shouting, "Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
The Imperial Guards quickly surrounded Chu Yang.
"Quickly escort the Emperor back!"
"Protect the Emperor, quickly!"
Just as everyone was frantically trying to protect Chu Yang and retreat, the imperial guards escorting her had already forgotten about her and rushed to the emperor's side. She was immediately jostled and confused in the crowd, almost not knowing where to go.
In the distance, one could still hear Mu Xian and Tu She'er desperately calling for her.
"Miss!"
"Young Madam!"
Shang Ruyi raised her hand high, about to respond to them, when suddenly a large hand reached out and grabbed her.
"...!"
Shang Ruyi was startled and turned around to see Chu Yang being escorted back by the Imperial Guards. His face was ashen, his eyes were red, and his expression was a mixture of fear and anger, making him look almost ferocious. Yet, he tightly grabbed her hand and dragged her to his side.
It was also dragged to the center of the crowd of all the Imperial Guards.
Shang Ruyi was utterly shocked: "Your Majesty—?"
Chu Yang gritted his teeth, his lips twitching, and said viciously, "Come with me!"
"..."
Shang Ruyi didn't know why he suddenly wanted to take her with him at this moment. Was it to protect her? Or had her words just now angered him to the point that he was determined to punish her severely even if the Turkic soldiers came?
Shang Ruyi's mind was in chaos, and she was at a loss for what to do when more arrows shot in through the hole in the city gate. Several screams were heard, and many people in the crowd had already fallen to the ground after being hit by arrows.
The soldiers guarding the city were still rushing towards the city gate, but when the person at the front fell, they immediately hesitated.
Before, their defenses had at least one city gate, providing some shelter. But now, with a gaping hole in the gate, what could possibly stop the Turks' attack? Were they to use their own flesh and blood to hold them off, just like last night?
Even if I really die, what's the point?
Those who survived still faced heavy taxes from the imperial court, and they might even have to pave the way with their own blood and flesh when the emperor campaigned in Liaodong.
In that instant, all the discontent and hesitation held the soldiers back.
Once morale is low, the situation on the battlefield changes immediately.
No one went to block the city gate anymore. Through the holes in the gate, they could clearly see the Turkic soldiers rushing towards them from afar, kicking up clouds of dust. They were only a few dozen feet away. This intimidating force made the people inside the city gate retreat step by step.
As Shang Ruyi was being dragged backward by her wrist, she looked up at the panicked soldiers and terrified civilians around her.
If the Turks really breach the city gates—everyone here will die.
Along with her, and the person who brought her along!
Thinking of this, Shang Ruyi looked up at Chu Yang and said sternly, "Your Majesty! At this point, Your Majesty must reward the soldiers and be lenient with the people. Otherwise, who can defend Yanmen City?"
The surrounding noise almost drowned out her voice, but how could two people who are closest to each other not hear each other's voices?
Chu Yang looked down at her, his long, phoenix-shaped eyes filled with a mixture of fear and anger.
He was the emperor, the chosen one of heaven, and it was always up to him to achieve this. But now, such a cruel reality is forcing him to give up!
He refused.
But we can't help but—
As the Turkic soldiers outside the city gate drew ever closer, Chu Yang's expression grew increasingly conflicted. Shang Ruyi cried out hoarsely, "Your Majesty, are you determined to die here?!"
These words struck Chu Yang like a thunderclap.
His steps suddenly faltered as he stood in the middle of the long street, and before him, the Turkic soldiers were almost about to storm into Yanmen County.
Chu Yang gritted his teeth and suddenly raised his voice: "All soldiers, listen to my command!"
Amidst the chaos, his voice, like a thunderclap, resounded above everyone's heads.
"Kill one enemy soldier, and you'll be rewarded with ten gold coins! Kill one enemy general, and you'll be rewarded with one hundred gold coins! Kill one enemy leader, and you'll be rewarded with a marquisate of ten thousand households!"
……!
For a moment, everyone felt breathless.
Chu Yang continued, "The soldiers and civilians of Yanmen Commandery will be exempt from taxes for three years!"
A look of wild joy shone in everyone's eyes. Even the city guards, who had been somewhat hesitant, regained their courage.
"From this day forward, I, the Emperor—"
He paused for a moment, and Shang Ruyi, standing beside him, clearly saw the resentment flickering in his eyes.
For a moment, she was also in a cold sweat.
But after only a brief pause, Chu Yang gritted his teeth and finally said, "We will no longer wage war against Liaodong!"
Just this one sentence caused a burst of wild cheers to erupt from the crowd!
Some even wailed and shouted to the emperor, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The next moment, the soldiers were all invigorated. Through the large hole in the city gate, the Turkic soldiers rushing in from outside were now like glittering gold in their eyes. If they could really capture and kill the enemy leader, their lives, and their families, would be set for life!
So the soldiers all drew their swords and charged forward, roaring as they went to meet the enemy.
Meanwhile, the Turkic soldiers outside the city gates roared in, their heavy battering rams striking the already damaged gates like the fists of giants.
A deafening roar was heard.
The city gate shattered into countless fragments, and the Turkic soldiers immediately swarmed in!
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