nycdaug Chapter 374 Gong Liangzhao's Ambition
Chapter 374 Gong Liangzhao's Ambition
After the border city of Liunan fell, the two armies experienced another brutal fight. When the flames of war gradually died down, the city was already a river of blood and piles of corpses, like a hell on earth. After watching the remnants of Liunan's army flee from the east gate, General Zheng Yu and his wife committed suicide on the tower of the east gate, dying tragically for the city.
Yan Zong and Shu Feng, who arrived at the scene, sincerely admired the couple's loyal and heroic act, so they ordered people to bury them properly.
The remnants of Liunan's army fled all the way to the capital after leaving the border city. The Xiyue army continued to pursue them as if they were in an empty land, and in less than a day they arrived at the capital of Liunan.
It was originally thought that the Guzhu Dynasty would continue to fight stubbornly and fight bloody battles with the Xiyue Army, but no one expected that the soldiers on the city wall would lay down their weapons before the battle even started. Then the tightly closed city gate suddenly opened, and Emperor Liu Nan walked out of the city gate with his upper body naked, holding the jade seal in his hand and leading the lead sheep. Behind him, the civil and military officials all followed silently in mourning clothes, which made the Xiyue Army involuntarily show surprise.
"Is this the character of the Guzhu Dynasty?" Shufeng looked at Emperor Liu Nan from afar, who looked half-dead and as if he had lost his parents, with a hint of sneer on his face.
Yan Zong's face was cold and he remained silent, but he was full of contempt in his heart. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the Liunan soldiers and Zheng Yu and his wife who were fighting to the death to defend the city at the border.
After Liunan surrendered, the Emperor of Liunan was taken to the capital of the Western Moon Kingdom, and Yan Zong took over Liunan temporarily before the arrival of the minister appointed by the court. Shufeng led the Western Moon Army to return and destroy Wucang. The first to suffer were the Wucang Army, which followed the Western Moon Army into Liunan but was ordered to be stationed in the border city.
Seeing Liunan and Wucang destroyed, Xiyue Kingdom became even stronger, and other countries were even more worried. Nanjiang was also afraid that it would become the next Liunan Kingdom, so on the third day after Liunan surrendered, the Queen of Nanjiang could not wait to send envoys with tribute to show goodwill to Xiyue Kingdom.
After Liunan and Wucang were destroyed by Xiyue, the territories of the two countries were merged to become Nanying Prefecture of Xiyue Kingdom. The two places were further divided into Xuancheng and Wucheng. Naturally, the dynasty that no longer existed no longer had any place for the imperial palace.
Compared to Wucang, which was devastated by the war, other places in Liunan were not seriously damaged except for the border city, but most of the original Liunan people fled due to the war. Today, Xuancheng is sparsely populated. Yan Zong issued a decree to reduce taxes for local people for two years in accordance with Yan Qiao's will. Less than three days after the notice was posted, many people who fled to Lianzhou returned home.
“In more than three months, Liunan and Wucang were wiped out by the Xiyue Army. Alas, I didn’t expect the Xiyue Army to be still so powerful.” In the back garden of the East Palace in the capital of Jingsong State, when Prince Gong Liangming learned the outcome of the war between the two southern countries, he still felt mixed emotions although he had expected it. He stood under the pavilion by the lake and sighed with a melancholy face.
“If it weren’t for the plague in Lianzhou that made the Xiyue Army afraid and quiet for half a month, I’m afraid these two countries would have perished even earlier. However, what is most incredible to me is that the traditional character of the Guzhu Dynasty was completely destroyed at the critical moment. It’s really sad!” Gong Liangzhao immediately stood up and walked behind the prince, and couldn’t help but sigh with regret.
“Humph, General Zheng Yu, his wife and the Liunan soldiers who died in the border city are the ones who deserve the word ‘integrity’. As for the Guzhu Dynasty, when the enemy was at the gates, those people of the Guzhu royal family didn’t even have the courage to draw their swords. It’s so hypocritical that they have always boasted about their integrity. Now they have become a laughing stock of the world!” Gong Liangming sneered disapprovingly.
Although Jing Song has been on good terms with Liu Nan for many years, Gong Liangming privately sneers at the Guzhu Dynasty's love of flaunting its character.
"Isn't it that the Wucang Kingdom has become a real laughing stock?" Gong Liangzhao also sneered.
The King of Wucang thought that he could rest easy after asking the Xiyue Army for help, but he didn't know that he was actually inviting a wolf into the house and water into the wall!
"Wucang Kingdom? A pig has more brains than the leader of Wucang Kingdom. Now that it has been destroyed, it is its own grave dug. It really deserves it!" Speaking of Wucang Kingdom, Gong Liangming gritted his teeth in hatred and couldn't help cursing.
The source of all the troubles in the war in the south was the ill intention of the Wucang Kingdom to use Xiyue to swallow Liunan, but it never expected that it would bring disaster upon itself and help Xiyue Kingdom further expand its territory to become more powerful, and it directly threatened the safety of Jingsong Kingdom.
"Under the current circumstances, my royal brother should advise father to maintain peace with the Xiyue Kingdom on the surface and not offend it, and to win over other countries in secret." Gong Liangzhao said immediately.
“Now even Southern Xinjiang has to pay tribute to Xiyue.” Gong Liangming sighed after calming down his anger.
Although Nanjiang is close to Liunan, it also relies on Jingsong. This time, it showed goodwill to Xiyue. Obviously, Nanjiang was disappointed by Jingsong's indifference to Liunan. Jingsong, as a big country, was timid and irresponsible. In the eyes of other countries, it had already lost its prestige. I am afraid that the current attempt to win over Xiyue is just a facade.
"Sixth brother, what do you think of Xiao Hongzhong?" King Zhao's proposal gave Gong Liangming a headache, so he changed the subject and asked again.
"Xiao Hongzhong? He has been stationed in the southern border for ten years. I have never dealt with him and rarely heard of him. The only thing I know about him is that he acted decisively to blockade Lianzhou in the early stages of the plague, which prevented the plague from spreading." Gong Liangzhao thought for a moment before replying indifferently.
"Well, Lianzhou was able to quell the plague on its own within a month without any riots. Xiao Hongzhong deserves half the credit. Even Prefecture magistrate Yan generously praised General Xiao in his memorial for his ability to remain calm in the face of disaster and to pacify the people until the arrival of Mr. Zisang, the miracle doctor." Gong Liangming turned around slowly and sat back at the table under the pavilion. He continued to nod with appreciation in his eyes.
"It can be seen that the emperor appreciates General Xiao very much?" Gong Liangzhao's eyes flickered and he smiled slightly.
"He is capable of both civil and military affairs. He has been stationed on the southern border for ten years without any complaints and has received praise from local people and officials. I naturally appreciate such a loyal minister and capable general." Gong Liangming picked up the glass teacup beside him and smiled lazily.
"My royal brother wants to make use of Xiao Hongzhong?" Gong Liangzhao asked with a smile.
"Ah, no rush. I am only a crown prince now. If I arbitrarily reuse a general who holds military power, it will inevitably arouse my father's suspicion. Let him continue to stay in the southern border. I will naturally remember him when the need arises in the future."
"Your Majesty is wise!" After hearing the words of Crown Prince Gong Liangming, Gong Liangzhao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
After following the prince for more than half a year, Gong Liangzhao finally got his wish and entered the center of the political power. Now he not only has a say in the court, but also has been given some real power by the prince. However, Gong Liangzhao's ambition is still gradually expanding. He is no longer satisfied with the current status of King Zhao, and of course he does not want to see another loyal minister like Xiao Hongzhong around the prince.