Fu Ya had died, and she had died in a very ugly manner. She did not have any clothes on her body, and her lower body was a mess from Bi Xiu's violence.
Xuan Tianming ordered his soldiers: "In a moment, bring that woman's body back to pay respects to Lady Yao."
At the same time, Bi Xiu's death caused the morale of Gu Shu's army to fall into chaos. Nobody had thought that their general would die so easily in this sort of situation. Right now, Dashun's army was just outside the city. They could attack at any moment. Under the shadow of the heavenly lightning, they did not have any ability to retaliate. Even the deputy general felt despair. He retreated step by step, preparing to retreat at any moment.
The soldiers were not stupid. The commander was dead, and the deputy general was obviously trying to run away. Then what was the point of fighting? They might as well run together! Thus, without waiting for Dashun's army to attack the city, Gu Shu's army decided to retreat from Yue Ping City's southern gate. Before retreating, they did not even bother with the granaries. They were afraid that if they were too late, Dashun's army would come in and kill them with the heavenly lightning.
However, in reality, the Dashun's army outside the city did not take the initiative to attack. They had only advanced a short distance and carefully listened to the movements inside the city. Of course, there were also spies who climbed over the city walls to inquire about the situation. Only when Gu Shu's army had completely retreated did they open the city gates from the inside and respectfully welcome Dashun's army in.
As for the reason that they did not attack Yue Ping City like the previous two cities, aside from the fact that Feng Yu Heng had said that this place was too far from Lan Zhou, making it difficult to transport bricks and manpower, the most important reason was because of Yue Ping City's unique location and appearance.
It was different from Sha Ping and Jue Ping. Yue Ping City was built by water, but the water was not a stream around the city. Instead, it was a large desert lake. It could be said that Yue Ping City was a large oasis. In the center of the city was a freshwater lake, and there were all sorts of desert flowers and trees growing around the lake. The city was filled with fruit trees, and they could even grow some crops in the oasis. It was enough for Yue Ping City's people to be self-sufficient. It could be said that Yue Ping City was the best and largest city in Gu Shu. It was just that its location was a bit far from the center of Gu Shu, which was why Gu Shu did not build the capital here.
Xuan Tian Ming knew about Yue Ping City's situation long ago and had no intention of destroying it. He hoped that he could peacefully take over this city. Regardless of whether it was the oasis or the citizens, he would be able to negotiate with them with a gentle attitude. For things like grenades and landmines, it was best not to use them in Yue Ping City.
This idea was in line with the people of Yue Ping City.. .. food, food, vegetables, and fruits......................................................................................................................... They naturally liked peace and hated war. When Gu Shu's army was chased into Yue Ping City, if it were not for the fact that he was an official of Gu Shu, he really would not have opened the city gates for Bi Xiu.
In the end, Bi Xiu died, and Gu Shu's army ran away. Now, Dashun's army had entered the city. The citizens of Yue Ping City were all on tenterhooks. Were the people of Dashun the same as Gu Shu's army, only knowing how to destroy and steal after entering the city? If that was the case, they would fight to the end even if they had to give up their lives. But if that was not the case, if the people of Dashun could treat this city kindly, they would be willing to accept Dashun's rule unconditionally. To the citizens of Yue Ping City, it did not matter who was the emperor. As long as Yue Ping City still existed, as long as they could be given peace and freedom, as long as they could live carefree lives like before, that was fine. They would not be loyal to anyone. They would only be loyal to their own hearts. They would only be loyal to the side that treated them well.
The prefect of Yue Ping City, Gu Ya, was the first to walk onto the streets and welcome Xuan Tianming's army. He was neither servile nor overbearing. He only cupped his hands and spoke of the thoughts of the citizens of Yue Ping City. Xuan Tianming laughed loudly and did not make any false statements. He only told him about the plan to govern Sha Ping and Jue Ping City, as well as the current living conditions of the citizens. He then told him: "If you don't believe me, I can have people send a group of Yue Ping City citizens to Sha Ping and Jue Ping City to take a look. When they return, we can have them tell us what they saw."
Gu Ya was a reliable person. Hearing that Xuan Tianming had brought up this plan, he immediately nodded in agreement. At the same time, he was also a person of action. He immediately picked out ten citizens of Yue Ping City and requested Xuan Tianming to quickly send them to the two cities for inspection. As for Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng, they observed the way the prefect handled matters. They saw that of the ten people that he had picked out, there were young people, old people, men and women. There were also children that were five or six years old. This distribution of people was very reliable. Young people, old people, men, and women all had their own needs. They would all see and see things from different angles. Children's eyes and thoughts were the most direct and would not lie. With such a group of people going to inspect, they would definitely bring back the most accurate information.
Feng Yu Heng nodded and felt that this prefectural magistrate really was a useful talent.
Xuan Tianming also felt this way. He very happily agreed and handed these matters to Xi Fang to personally handle. The next morning, they would be sent out of the city. This allowed the citizens of Yue Ping City to feel a bit more at ease.
Dashun's army emphasized order and did not stay for long after entering the city. Most of the people left through the southern gate and only stopped ten li south of the city. They immediately set up camp.
Yue Ping City had been taken without a fight. The soldiers still had their strength and quickly set up camp before the sun rose. They were prepared for a new wave of heat when the sun rose the next day.
There was also a small group of soldiers that remained in the city. They did not take care of themselves first. Instead, they cleaned up the mess that had been left behind by Gu Shu's soldiers. They then recorded the buildings that had been damaged and told the citizens not to panic. They would wait until the next day to repair them. Also, all of the damage that Gu Shu's army had done to Yue Ping City would be repaired by Da Shun. There was no need for the citizens to waste money.
Before this, Gu Shu's army had been setting up camp in the city the entire time. Hundreds of thousands of people had flooded in, causing Yue Ping City to be in a terrible state. Even the main streets had been covered in tents, and the people had nowhere to walk during the day. There was a large lake in the middle, and Gu Shu's people had surrounded the lake. All of the vegetables and fruits that grew by the lake had been ruined.
Feng Yu Heng felt her heart ache seeing this. She gritted her teeth and said to Xuan Tianming: "If there's a chance, I will definitely steal from Gu Shu's imperial palace. This debt still needs to be settled with Gu Shu. We won't be paying for Gu Shu."
Xuan Tianming expressed his approval of this matter. He was even eager to try stealing from Gu Shu's imperial palace. If it were not for the fact that Feng Yu Heng's space was limited, he really would have emptied Gu Shu's imperial palace.
The citizens of Yue Ping City saw the discipline of Dashun's army and were completely at ease. They knew that this was an army that was completely different from Gu Shu's army. They were thinking for the citizens and did not destroy a single blade of grass or tree. They even actively participated in the repairs. There were even soldiers who sighed at the destroyed trees in the oasis. Magistrate Gu Ya followed along and observed the entire time. He took note of every word and action of Dashun's army and could not help but sigh. It was no wonder everyone said that Dashun was good. It was no wonder Dashun could occupy the richest and largest piece of land in the world. It seemed that it was not without reason. Only a benevolent country could accept riches and honor. Only the strictest military discipline could nurture the most virtuous soldiers that loved the citizens.
Gu Ya bowed deeply to Xuan Tianming. He did not say anything, but he expressed his most sincere surrender.
Xuan Tianming did not want him to accept Dashun so quickly. He still told him seriously: "When the people return from Sha Ping City and Jue Ping City, listen to them again. The most important thing is for you to analyze where we did not do well in those two cities. I am very happy to accept your suggestions and implement them effectively. After all, we Dashun people have never ruled the desert before and are not very used to the environment here. We need the magistrate's help. "
Gu Ya was surprised and asked: "You still need this lowly one's help? Dashun's army has entered the city. Yue Ping City no longer belongs to Gu Shu. This lowly one naturally cannot be the magistrate. Dashun should send someone over to manage it. This lowly one will be a commoner. This is something that should be done. " He had never heard of a new master entering a city and using the officials left behind by the old master. Although he was from Gu Shu, he had heard of the saying in the Central Plains, "A new emperor brings in new officials." He was willing to follow it.
However, Xuan Tianming shook his head and said: "I have never thought of replacing you. Although the magistrates of Sha Ping and Jue Ping City have been changed, that is because the original official's ability was not enough for him to continue sitting in that position. That is why they were replaced. This is for the people of the two cities to live better lives than before. However, ever since I entered the city, I have seen your every word and action. You are different from the magistrates of those two cities. Your ability is enough to support the rise of this city. It is enough for this city to have the ability to be reborn after being persecuted. I believe in you. "
The words "I believe in you" made Gu Ya's blood boil. He had already been the prefect of Yue Ping City for 15 years. Speaking truthfully, he could not bear to part with the citizens. He still had so many good ideas that he wanted to implement in the city, and there were so many ideas that he wanted to experiment with in the city. He also wanted to allow the citizens to live better lives. He had even thought of going to Da Shun one day and bringing Da Shun's culture to Yue Ping City. He would also bring more fruits and vegetables from Da Shun over to see if he could plant them in the fields next to the oasis. If he stepped down from the position of magistrate because of this battle, he would not have the chance to implement those ideas.
Now, Xuan Tianming had allowed him to continue as magistrate. Gu Ya was so happy that tears filled his eyes. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed three times to Xuan Tianming. He did not make any promises. He only said to Xuan Tianming, "Please give me half a year. After half a year, if Your Highness thinks that I am not suitable, you can replace me."
Xuan Tianming nodded and did not say anything else. He got down from the camel and held Feng Yu Heng's hand, strolling around the oasis.
Gu Ya was tactful and did not follow them. He watched from afar as the two of them wore red wedding robes and walked by the lake in Yue Ping City. Occasionally, they would laugh and play around. The woman would even climb onto the man's back. When she came down, she would scoop some water from the lake and drink it with a smile on her face.
A feeling of happiness rose from his heart. He suddenly felt that it was great that Dashun could occupy Yue Ping City!
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