The soldiers standing in the formation were at a loss, their confusion even greater than the first time they were blocked on the road.
There were no loud curses, and no rotten fruits hurled at them, but the indifferent and contemptuous expressions on the faces of the seated people, along with the words emblazoned on the fluttering white flags, were like a slap to the face.
It stung fiercely, and an uneasy panic began to stir in their hearts.
They had killed enemies for their country, protected the borders, safeguarded the people, ready to die without hesitation. They thought, at the very least, they could be considered heroes, brave and valiant men.
But now it seemed… they were not.
Soldiers of a defeated nation.
Were they truly people of a defeated country?
The soldiers' expressions turned anxious and frightened, filled with a fear they could hardly conceal.
They never felt such terror, not even when facing brutal battles or the ferocious Jin thieves. But at this moment, facing unarmed commoners, frail scholars, they felt a visceral dread.
It was as if they were children confronting their families—no matter how ferocious they might be outside, back home, they were simply children.
And family reproach was the most fearsome thing of all.
Even the horses beneath them seemed to sense their fear, shifting uneasily.
The once orderly formation began to break apart.
The changes among the soldiers did not escape the notice of the generals, who also appeared heavy-hearted and somewhat bewildered.
The purpose of this journey to the capital was to behold the grandeur of the city they had defended and to display their heroism to the people. Yet, before even entering the capital, they were blocked twice and now faced such accusations.
To think they had risked death, giving up their lives, fighting relentlessly for ten years, losing countless brothers, and enduring so much injury and loss, only to find out that their deeds were not merits but crimes.
In the eyes of those they protected, they were not heroes but sinners.
They should not have come to this capital.
Was coming to this capital a mistake?
...….
The formation scattered, soldiers and horses in disarray, their momentum dissolving completely.
Meanwhile, those frail scholars grew increasingly commanding and dignified.
With a flick of their long sleeves, they straightened their robes and strode forward in large steps.
Step by step, they pressed closer to the formation.
One soldier, gripped by fear, yanked his reins tightly, causing his horse to mistakenly charge forward, pulling the soldier along with it.
The sudden action drew startled cries from the surrounding crowd.
"Ah, stop!"
"Don't go!"
"These soldiers will beat and kill!"
"They already struck down the people blocking the road back there."
Voices rose chaotically, and the stationed soldiers' faces grew visibly unsettled.
But the scholars remained composed, their gazes sharp and unyielding, showing no trace of fear toward these armed and armored warriors, men who were said to have emerged from mountains of blood and seas of corpses.
"If we can make Duke Chengguo confess his guilt, then we are willing to die."
"We are here to establish a heart for heaven and earth, to secure life for the people, to open peace for all generations—how could we fear death?"
Their voices rang with strength and righteousness as they steadily advanced.
These scholars, though frail in body, exuded a piercing literary vigor, a blend of weakness and strength that was particularly striking.
Though much of what they said left the crowd bewildered, it did not stop the people from watching, captivated and entranced.
"What is there to fear!"
"This is the Emperor's domain; in this bright and just world, would they dare to kill?"
Suddenly, chaotic shouts erupted from the crowd.
This caused the onlookers to grow agitated as well.
"What are they acting so high and mighty about! What's there to boast of!"
"It's not like they won a great victory!"
"The wars ended because of negotiations!"
"If they had the ability, why didn't they kill all the Jurchen people instead of coming back here to flaunt their power?"
"This is not the northern lands; it's not their place to show off."
More and more shouts rose among the crowd.
Many soldiers instinctively glanced toward the crowd, as if trying to identify who was yelling, but the voices came in an endless, overlapping torrent. They couldn't pinpoint the source and soon felt as though the noise was everywhere, that everyone was shouting.
Step by step, the scholars continued their advance.
Many soldiers tightened their reins, beginning to retreat.
Some retreated, while others held their ground motionless, but those who stood firm could do nothing to restore the scattered formation. The morale had dissipated completely.
"Duke Chengguo, confess your guilt."
"All of you, disarm."
The leading scholar, stern-faced, shouted sharply.
"Duke Chengguo, confess your guilt and disarm." The scholars and students around him joined in unison.
"Duke Chengguo, confess your guilt and disarm." The surrounding citizens began to echo, their voices a disordered chorus.
Not all of the crowd joined in, however. The elderly among them were perturbed by the unfolding scene.
How did it come to this? It was not supposed to be like this.
"No, no, it's not like this. Duke Chengguo is a hero, a valiant man," they explained to those around them.
But those swept up in excitement ignored them, jeering and clamoring along.
"How is he a hero?"
"Did he slay all the Jin thieves?"
"We lost three counties in the northern lands!"
"Can't see what makes him a hero."
"Why should we reward him? Why would he take our money?"
The shouts multiplied, the heavy atmosphere evaporating. The unruly crowd surged toward the orderly military formation, shouting and making a ruckus.
From a distance, the military formation of Duke Chengguo looked like a lone boat in a torrential river, besieged by fierce winds and driving rain.
Seventh Chen clenched his fists, his teeth grinding hard.
"So this is how it is," he said deliberately, word by word. "At this moment, I don't even want to throw so much as a penny."
Manager Liu also stood atop the carriage, watching the scene.
"Peaceful days have lasted too long," he said with a wistful tone. "Twenty years. The days of the Jurchen cavalry storming south, cities falling, the nation perishing, fleeing in panic—those days are long forgotten. The northern lands are too distant. Tales of the Jin people's brutality and the tragedies of war are but fleeting writings in official bulletins or idle chatter over wine and tea."
Seventh Chen took a deep breath.
"So this is the bitter end for heroes and valiant men?" he asked. "This is how the bow becomes a crime after the birds are gone—that it harms others, even if it only ever harmed enemies before?"
Manager Liu chuckled softly.
"Not necessarily," he replied. "Duke Chengguo hasn't even come forward yet."
Yes, thus far, it had been only the students and scholars shouting and stirring unrest. Duke Chengguo had yet to appear.
As long as Duke Chengguo stepped forward to address the people, to explain and refute, the misunderstanding would surely dissipate.
Seventh Chen clenched his fists, rising unsteadily on his toes atop the carriage, heedless of the danger.
Duke Chengguo, hurry and come forward.
.........…
Before the Imperial City, melodious music filled the air, as countless officials bowed reverently.
"Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years!"
High atop the stately city walls, the Emperor took his seat.
At the city gates below, the officials knelt in supplication. Though their movements lacked the military's precision, they radiated a unique solemnity.
Looking farther out, the streets beyond the Imperial thoroughfare were packed with seas of people. Even though they could only catch a vague glimpse of the Emperor far away, it was enough to elicit thunderous cheers and shouts.
Beyond that, pavilions, towers, and rows upon rows of buildings stretched endlessly into the horizon.
The roaring cheers engulfed the plains, and the bustling splendor resembled a paradise.
This was his people. This was his nation. This was his world. A sight that could intoxicate and enchant.
A smile spread across the Emperor's face as he raised a hand in gesture.
The eunuchs' bright, resonant voices carried forth.
"Rise."
Huang Cheng was carefully helped to his feet by the officials around him. Shielded by the music and the cheering, they conversed in low tones.
"…Make him come out? Of course, he has to come out. For the dignified Duke Chengguo to be forced into addressing this publicly is already a great humiliation." Huang Cheng murmured with a soft smile.
"But what if he persuades those people?" an uneasy official beside him whispered. "After all, Duke Chengguo's renown…"
Huang Cheng laughed.
"Persuade? Then let him talk," he said. "One man with one mouth against hundreds of men with hundreds of mouths—let them slowly argue it out."
As he finished speaking, his eyes lifted toward the front, where a eunuch stood gesturing respectfully toward him.
The Emperor was inviting select high-ranking officials to approach the tower and ascend.
This was an honor granted only to the most trusted and intimate ministers.
"There's an old saying among the people: 'Aroma fades when the source is too near.' But in the court, that principle doesn't apply." He smiled faintly, moving along in slightly unsteady steps toward the city tower.
Behind him, the distant cheers of the crowd still rang out without end.
*******************************************************
Thank you, everyone. The doctor says I need to stay in bed for at least ten days and take the prescribed medication for a month, so I'll continue resting and taking my meds.