Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 744: Bowing in Submission (Part 2)
The Left General conquered Yu State City with overwhelming force.
Fires broke out everywhere in Yu State City, burning large areas of residential houses, countless civilians perished in the flames. Those who survived were busy fighting the fire.
As for the Yu State Rebel Army, the camp exploded and burned through the night, continuing until dawn. The number of rebels dead in the explosion was innumerable; those still alive were either covered in wounds, or deranged, or too exhausted and unconscious. The Heroic Guard Camp troops descended like a storm, and without much effort, completely pacified the Yu State Rebel Army.
"Surrender and you shall not be killed!"
"Drop your weapons! All kneel down!"
Those who dropped their weapons and surrendered knelt down as if dumplings were tossed into a pot. For those too deranged to communicate, a single knife stroke ended the matter.
This took only half a day’s effort, and the court’s army had flattened the Yu State Military Camp, akin to a hell on earth.
"Great General!" A personal soldier hurriedly reported: "The rebel Zhao Wu is in the military tent ahead!"
The Left General’s gaze turned cold, striding swiftly into the tent.
Zhao Wu laid dying on the bed, lacking even the strength to crawl down and plead for mercy, he could only implore with his eyes, "Great General, please spare my life for the sake of my past service with the border army."
Mentioning "past" ruined whatever shred of optimism he had; upon hearing those words, the Left General’s rage soared suddenly, resentment flashing in his eyes: "Zhao Wu! You dare speak of the past!"
"How did I treat you in the past? How did you betray me?"
"You secretly aligned yourself with the Grand Empress Dowager’s faction. For power, fame, and personal gain, that I might have excused. However, you should never have abandoned the city and fled when the Rouran Barbarians invaded the border, causing Peng City to fall and be massacred entirely."
"This is a disgrace that will be recorded in the history books. You Zhao Wu, are a traitor to the Da Liang Dynasty, forever marked in the annals of history, left to be cursed by future generations."
Accused, Zhao Wu’s eyes turned red, tears streaming down.
If only he had known it would come to this, why did he make those choices back then!
He had been secretly persuaded by the Zheng Family, tempted by promises of glory and riches, and at a crucial moment betrayed the Left General with a backstab. Consequently forced to hide in the Yu State Military Camp, his hiding lasted several years. During these years, regret gnawed at him countless times, with his intestines nearly breaking from remorse. But what use was it? He couldn’t turn back, destined to follow one path into darkness.
Now, the time had come to pay the price.
The Left General sneered: "What use is regret now? I was influenced by you, lost my position as Border Army Commander, idly staying in the Capital City, mocked and with disdain. Had it not been for the Commandery Princess’s intercession with the late Emperor, I might never have been reinstated. I managed to return to the court, regained command of the troops. The Commandery Princess sits on the Dragon Throne, whether others respect her or not I care not, but I am thoroughly impressed."
"Had you hidden your name and confined yourself, I could have done nothing to you. Yet you couldn’t sit still, causing trouble and adding chaos for the Emperor. How could I allow you to keep skulking about!"
"I personally led troops here to take your worthless life! To comfort the spirits of the innocent civilians and soldiers brutally killed in Peng City!"
This tirade thoroughly vented the Left General’s years-long suppressed frustration.
Impatient with Zhao Wu’s sobbing pleas, the Left General drew his long knife, slashing down fiercely.
The Left General had fought many battles over the years, his skills were first-rate, and his strength great. This stroke, full of anger and exerted with all his might, split Zhao Wu from the center of his forehead, slicing him in two from top to bottom.
With a splatter, blood sprayed forth, entrails gushed over the bed.
Too gruesome and horrific a death.
The Left General’s personal soldiers were accustomed to such sights: "Great General, how do you wish the rebel’s remains to be handled?"
The Left General exhaled a long, turbid breath, saying: "Assemble the head, treat it with quicklime, pack it into a wooden box, and send it back to the military camp. Ask Commander Song to take it back to the Capital City. Toss the body to feed the dogs!"
...
Capital City.
Jiang Shaohua completed her confinement period on the sixth day of February, and on the seventh, donned the Dragon Robe and resumed court to handle state affairs.
Chief Historian Chen and Secretary Wang could finally breathe a little easier, having been overwhelmed by the demanding state affairs.
The Empress handled affairs decisively and efficiently, whereas they could not avoid repeated consideration and closer evaluation, costing more time and energy.
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that during this month, Chief Historian Chen didn’t sleep more than three hours each night. Wang Jin, young and vigorous, bore more tasks, and considered two hours of sleep a good night. Neither of them even had time to leave or enter the palace, choosing to stay directly in guest rooms at Zhaohai Palace.
Chief Historian Chen was of an age suitable for being the Emperor’s grandfather, yet he was the Emperor’s most trusted inner circle elder. Naturally, he wouldn’t draw idle gossip.
As for Wang Jin, his ardent admiration for the Emperor was well known. A distinguished figure like Elder Changning and Minister of Agriculture accompanied the Empress day by day; if Wang Jin stayed in the palace, people sometimes chuckled about it secretly.
Once the Empress returned to court, Wang Jin promptly left the palace and returned to the Wang Family. Such a swift change in stance, along with the news deliberately spread by Prime Minister Wang of an alliance marriage with the Boling Cui Family, managed to quell some unpleasant mockery.
Spring planting was soon to commence, Jiang Shaohua urged Cui Du back to the field manor.
Cui Du sighed unwillingly, "I hate to leave you."
Jiang Shaohua smiled, glancing at Cui Du: "You hate to leave Bao’er!"
The two were often separate, busy with their respective important tasks, occasional reunions were normal. Cui Du wasn’t reluctant about leaving her, it was clearly about parting from his newborn daughter.
Cui Du, caught in his thoughts by Jiang Shaohua, didn’t feel embarrassed: "I’m reluctant about both. No wonder they say love for children shortens a hero’s spirit. I’m destined not to achieve great things. I just want to be with you and Bao’er."
Jiang Shaohua did not allow him to enjoy stay-at-home husband life, impolitely urging: "This year’s spring planting requires promotion of new crops in nearby counties and Commanderies around the Capital City. This is crucial, it needs you to personally oversee. Don’t dilly-dally, head to the Imperial Manor early. After spring planting busy period, you can return."
Cui Du was just joking, aware of the importance of business. He embraced his wife intimately, and lovingly held his tender Bao’er, kissing her several times: "Dear Bao’er, Dad is leaving now. I’ll come back to accompany you in a period."
After Bao’er turned one month old, her fetal redness receded, her skin ivory and tender. Her eyes glistened, her lips were rosy, incredibly adorable.
Her father set to depart, Bao’er remained indifferent, stuffing her little fist into her mouth, savoring it earnestly.
Spring planting began in early February. Upon returning to the Imperial Manor, Cui Du busied himself without pausing, hardly having a moment for palace visits.
Jiang Shaohua was even busier in the palace, managing affairs daily, occasionally finding time to accompany Bao’er.
By the end of February, the court’s military triumph over the Yu State Rebel Army brought joyful news back to the Capital City.
