For the first few days, the city of An Ling was in a state of panic. The people did not leave their houses, and the gates were tightly shut, fearing that the invading Yan army would loot and burn the people.
The families of the officials were in an even worse situation. The heads of the families were captured in the middle of the night, and no one knew if they were dead or alive. Then, they heard that the emperor had been captured by the Yan army. The country was about to fall, and there was nothing they could do. Many people were unwilling to die just like that. They packed their belongings overnight and wanted to sneak out of the city with a group of guards. However, before they could even touch the city gate, they were captured by the patrolling soldiers of the Yan Kingdom and sent back home.
In short, they could not escape even if they had wings.
Speaking of which, when Xue Rui captured hundreds of court officials and threw them into prison, he did not yell at them. Instead, he waited for the emperor of Great Yan to enter the city, and then he would ask for the Emperor's judgment.
These days, he had been running between the city and the outside, and he was so busy that his feet did not touch the ground. He was busy during the day, but every evening, he would return to the camp to spend the night, just for a moment of reunion.
Seeing that he was tired from running back and forth, Yu Shu suggested, "Why don't I go back to the city first, so you don't have to do this?"
Xue Rui shook his head and said, "No. That day, I captured you in front of everyone, so that you can earn a good reputation for risking your life to save the emperor. If you go back now, all your efforts will be in vain. "
He 'imprisoned' Yu Shu here, not entirely out of selfishness, but more for her future.
Although Great Yan came with great momentum and conquered half of the country in one go, it was not easy to conquer, and even harder to defend. It was child's play to rule the country with a group of military officers. When Great Yan moved the capital to An Ling in the future, they would need to make use of those civil officials.
Coercion and temptation were one of the reasons, but the key was to set a standard, a leader, so that those officials could serve Great Yan honestly. And Yu Shu could do just that.
Xue Rui did not want her to bear the infamy of 'a slave with two surnames', so he had to strike first, firmly stamping the word 'loyalty' on her. Even if she were to submit to Great Yan in the future, no one would be able to point fingers at her.
"I have already arranged everything," He took her hand, his rough fingers caressing her soft fingertips. He lightly said: "I will ask Jun Shang to spare Emperor Chong Zhen's life and imprison him in Jing City as a hostage. You, on the other hand, were forced to serve the imperial court. "
He had even thought of an escape route for her. Yu Shu did not have to worry at all. She smiled and asked him, "Have you ever thought that I might not be willing to enter the court as an official?"
Xue Rui looked up at her, trying to figure out if she was joking or if she was speaking from the bottom of her heart.
"If you don't want to, then just pretend that I didn't say anything." Behind his conniving tone was incomparable confidence. Today, he could finally protect her.
Yu Shu looked into his gentle eyes and her heart was moved. She stretched out her slender fingers and intertwined them together. She gripped them tightly and said with a determined expression: "The power that I have worked so hard to obtain, how can I just give it to someone else."
She was tired of the deceit in the imperial court, tired of the endless scheming and scheming. But if she could advance hand in hand with him, wouldn't it be a happy thing?
It was time for a new beginning for this decaying country.
*
*
*
In the seventh month, the Great Yan Emperor entered the pass. On the twelfth day, he arrived at the east of An Ling. Changping Wang ordered his subordinates to open the city gates, sent more soldiers, and personally went out of the city to receive the Emperor. Banners fluttered in the wind, welcoming the Imperial Entourage. The Yan Emperor was clad in iron armor, riding on the back of a horse with a glowing face. He brought a group of personal attendants with him, not showing any signs of hardship from the journey.
"Subject brother kowtows in salute to Jun Shang. Fortunately, I did not disappoint you and have taken the capital! Long live the Emperor! "Xue Rui flipped off the horse, cupped his fists and half-kneeled. Behind him, countless soldiers knelt down in unison, the noise was overwhelming — —
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Hahaha!"
The Yan Emperor laughed loudly and immediately jumped off the horse. He walked forward and helped Xue Rui up with one hand. He patted his shoulder hard and said in a loud voice, "Well done! I will remember your great merit! "
There was a smile in Xue Rui's eyes. He was not arrogant, but he did not decline either. No matter how many people felt uncomfortable when the Emperor said this. He was definitely going to take the position of the greatest contributor to the founding of the country.
Then, the Imperial Entourage entered the capital and went straight to the palace. Along the way, the extravagant and magnificent scenery dazzled the group of generals who were born in a bitter and cold place. They had never seen glazed roofs and gold painted walls. They had never seen white jade steps and jeweled corridors.
Walking and stopping, they came to the dazzling palace. Everyone looked at the high dragon throne, and even the Yan Emperor could not hide the excitement on his face. He took a deep breath, crossed several steps, and could not wait to sit on the dragon throne.
Seeing this, everyone knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor".
The Yan Emperor was greatly delighted. He waved his hand grandly to dismiss the crowd of officials from the formalities. Suppressing his agitated feelings, he called Xue Rui forward and asked, "Where is the Da 'an Emperor now?" There was not a single Emperor who was not worried about his predecessor when the dynasty was about to change.
"He is imprisoned in the camp."
Someone said in a rough voice, "Why not kill him quickly?"
Xue Rui glanced at the boorish man and turned to report to the Emperor, "I have something to say."
The Yan Emperor was amiable to him, "Speak your mind."
Xue Rui first brought up the matter of moving the capital before discussing the governance of the country. He proposed to use Emperor Chong Zhen as a hostage to subdue the officials of the previous dynasty. Once this was said, there were many voices of opposition. They felt that he was nurturing a tiger and inviting trouble.
Xue Rui did not argue with these simple-minded warriors. He said to the Emperor, "Founding a country is based on manpower. Governing a country is based on the hearts of the people. The Emperor has already obtained the world. All the people of the Yan Kingdom are your people. Why distinguish between the previous dynasty and the current one? "
The Yan Emperor was wise. He knew that Xue Rui's suggestion was the most practical. He had just obtained the world and did not lack troops. But the court lacked manpower. If he wanted to settle down quickly and prevent chaos among the people, he could only use the officials of the previous dynasty.
"Royal brother's words are reasonable. I will leave this matter to you." The Yan Emperor was born in a military family. He had a decisive personality and did not go back on his word. Disregarding the grumbling of those below him, he immediately ordered Xue Rui to pick some useful people.
There was only one additional sentence, "Those who are willing to be used by me, stay. Those who are not, kill them."
Xue Rui accepted the decree and said, "There are still people in the Chong Zhen Imperial Harem. Please decide whether to stay or leave." He was obviously reminding the Emperor that there was still a group of women in the Imperial Harem that had not been dealt with. To kill or to keep, it was up to you.
The Yan Emperor had an embarrassed expression. He waved his hand and said, "The Empress Dowager's carriage is still on the way and will arrive in a few days. I have no wife or daughter. Let's wait for mother and the princess to enter the capital first."
Lady Wei had been promoted to Empress Dowager. There was also Jiang Miya, the Eldest Princess. To the Yan Emperor, the matters of the Imperial Harem should be managed by women. He was too lazy to worry about it. After days of traveling, he was tired after the excitement. After discussing a few more matters, the Yan Emperor dismissed everyone to rest for a while before making plans.
After he left the palace, Xue Rui was surrounded by a group of people, and they congratulated him and inquired about him in succession. All of their words were filled with the same concern — Where would their group stay in the future?
Luckily, Xue Rui was prepared. He took out a map from his sleeve unhurriedly and spread it on the ground. It was a bird's eye view of An Ling City. He pointed at a dozen places and said, "Earlier, some officials and rich merchants fled at the sight of the wind. There are many empty houses in the capital. You can go take a look first. After I report to the Emperor, I will let you move."
Only then was everyone satisfied. They asked for the map and swarmed to look at the houses. They were afraid that if they were late, the good places would be taken away by others.
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