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Anhe City was still in chaos. After Mo Rongzhan's notice was posted, many people were excited. Some packed up and left quickly, some chose to stay, and some were hesitant and did not know what to choose.
"In my opinion, what's the difference between the Jin Kingdom and the Northern Dark Kingdom? As long as we have food to eat, don't be tortured by war, and don't force us to be soldiers, it'll be fine." In the restaurant, some scholars were also discussing this matter.
"That's right. Since the death of the Jin General and Wan Ziliang became the Great General, our people have not had a good life. If it weren't for our achievements, we would have been captured to be soldiers long ago. Since the Emperor doesn't care about the lives of our people, why should we go back? Maybe … when we leave Anhe City, we will be captured by Wan Ziliang and used as a shield."
"I heard that the Jin Kingdom's Emperor governs the country with literature, humbly accepts advice, and is wise and decisive. He is definitely a good ruler. Why don't we stay in Anhe City and participate in the Jin Kingdom's Imperial Examination in the future? As the saying goes, a fine bird chooses a good tree to nest in. Isn't the reason why we study so much to realize our ambitions? Instead of going back to die, it's better to stay and fight for our future." A young man in his twenties waved his arm and said loudly.
"Well said!"
"That's right, we're not leaving!"
"…"
Obviously, this young man's words resonated with many people. Beitang Yu had lost the support of the people by forcing them to be soldiers, especially the young scholars. They could see that the Emperor valued martial arts more than literature, so they were naturally unwilling to stay in the Northern Dark Kingdom.
The discussion in the teahouse was still heated. The man who had been sitting in the corner and listening quietly got up and left.
"Your Majesty, it seems that Beitang Yu has lost the support of the people." Wang Cuo followed behind Mo Rongzhan and said with a smile.
The man who had been in the corner of the teahouse just now was Mo Rongzhan. He was only wearing a simple straight robe and his face was slightly disguised, but it still could not hide his graceful charm. He was planning to come out to find Lu Lingzhi, but seeing that the street was rather chaotic, he walked into the teahouse to listen.
Currently, there were many soldiers of the Jin Kingdom on the streets of Anhe City. It would take a few more days for the situation to calm down. At that time, the number of civilians would be determined. As the ruler of a country, he naturally hoped that these civilians would pledge allegiance to him. Anhe City was a very important place. If all the civilians left, there would be no one to farm and the population would be sparse. Naturally, the city would decline day by day, and this place would be no different from a wasteland.
"Beitang Yu is very important to Wan Ziliang, but Wan Ziliang looks down on scholars and doesn't pay attention to the people's livelihood. Naturally, these scholars will rebel." Mo Rongzhan said lightly. With these scholars taking the lead, he believed that even more commoners would stay.
"Your Majesty, what should we do with those ten thousand captives?" Wang Cuo asked in a low voice.
Mo Rongzhan said lightly, "Those who are willing to pledge allegiance can stay as soldiers. Those who are not willing can go to the wasteland to farm. We'll talk about it when Beitang Yu sends an envoy over."
Wang Cuo was stunned. The Emperor had no intention of returning these captives to the Northern Darknorth Kingdom, right? Otherwise, why would he send them to the wasteland? Tsk tsk, the Emperor's move was really powerful. What the wasteland lacked the most now were civilians who were willing to go there to develop. If these captives could develop the wasteland into a piece of land, then the food that fed them would not be in vain.
"I'm afraid that Beitang Yu doesn't care about the lives of these soldiers." Wang Cuo said in a low voice, "These soldiers in Anhe City are not elite soldiers. They are not worthy of Wan Ziliang's attention. What will Beitang Yu use to exchange for them?"
Mo Rongzhan smiled faintly, "It's not a big deal if he doesn't exchange for them."
If Beitang Yu really ignored these captives, it was estimated that the soldiers in other places of the Northern Darknorth Kingdom would definitely be bitterly disappointed. They fought for the country and sacrificed their lives. In the end, they were abandoned by their own Emperor when they became captives. If the lips were gone, the teeth would be interdependent. The others would definitely feel the same. If Beitang Yu wasn't so stupid, he would naturally think of the consequences.
"What time is it?" Mo Rongzhan asked.
"Replying to the Emperor, it's already noon." Wang Cuo said.
It was almost noon, and Ye Chunnan should be able to pick up Ye Zhen after noon. Mo Rongzhan's eyes were deep as he looked ahead. Murong Ke had been looking for Lu Lingzhi all night, but he still couldn't find him. He planned to let Murong Ke stop looking for him, as Lu Lingzhi would definitely look for him.
Since Lu Lingzhi had done so many things just to get him to Anhe City, he would definitely appear by himself.
"Ah Zhan!" Before Mo Rongzhan returned to the General's Mansion, Murong Ke came from the front on a horse. When he saw Mo Rongzhan, he immediately dismounted.
"Did you find him?" Mo Rongzhan whispered to Murong Ke, who had already come to him.
Murong Ke shook his head gently, "The whole Anhe City has been searched, but we still haven't found him."
"Then there's no need to look for him. Wait for him to come to see me." Mo Rongzhan said coldly.
"Will he come?" Murong Ke asked.
Mo Rongzhan nodded gently, "Is there any place you haven't searched?"
Murong Ke thought carefully, "Haven't you checked the shipyard by the river? Will Lu Lingzhi be there?"
"Not only do merchants like to go to that place, but many scholars also like to gather there, recite poems, and add incense to their sleeves. It's the best place to hide from the public. Will Lu Lingzhi be there?" Wang Cuo whispered.
Mo Rongzhan and Murong Ke looked at each other, "Let's go and see."
"That place only opens at night. There may not be people there at this time." Wang Cuo said.
"What do you think we are going to do?" Murong Ke raised his eyebrows and asked.
Wang Cuo smiled, "Naturally, we are going to look for someone."
Mo Rongzhan said to Murong Ke, "You go to the shipyard first. Yao Yao will be back soon. I will pick her up first."
"You accompany Yao Yao. If I find Lu Lingzhi, I will bring him to see you." Murong Ke said. He was worried that the emperor would have an accident on the battlefield. Now that the dust had settled, he felt that Lu Lingzhi might be a threat.
"Good." Mo Rongzhan nodded lightly and let Wang Cuo follow Murong Ke. He went to the General's Mansion to wait for Ye Zhen's arrival.
At this time, Ye Zhen had already arrived outside Anhe City.
This was the first time she had come to Anhe City. When she saw the turbulent An River outside the city, several scenes she had seen in her dreams flashed in her mind. Her face suddenly turned white. "Is this the An River?"
"Yes, Your Highness, it has been a rainy season recently. The current of the An River is very fast. From a distance, you can hear the sound of waves hitting the shore." Jin Shanshan said with a smile.
Ye Zhen's eyebrows wrinkled tightly. She looked at the An River uneasily. Why did she feel inexplicable fear in her heart?
In her dream, she saw herself crying beside the An River. Could it be … a sign of her eyebrows?
"Your Highness, look, we have arrived at the city gate." Hong Ying said happily.
Ye Zhen shook her head gently in her heart. No, Mo Rongzhan had already conquered Anhe City. What else could happen? She must be thinking too much.
～～7k～～
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(Nine-headed Bird Academy)
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