dmims Chapter 183 Urgent Report!
Chapter 183 Urgent Report!
Chapter 183 Urgent Report!
After burying Yue Qing and his wife, it was already getting light.
Chu Yang and the others originally planned to take Xia'er away, but she insisted on staying at Yunjian Temple to keep vigil for her parents.
The group had no choice but to say goodbye to her and return to Jinling City.
Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou returned unharmed, and the complete resolution of the silver note case made Magistrate Xu beam with joy. As the official in charge of Jinling City, he had been walking on thin ice these past few days.
Putting aside everything else, the disappearance of the seventh young master of the Hua family in Jiangnan alone is enough to signal the end of his official career.
The great demon was gone, and the man returned. Not only is he now blameless, but he can also have a merit recorded, which means his career is likely to advance further. It's a huge win for him.
Therefore, Magistrate Xu generously hosted a dinner for Lu Xiaofeng and Chu Yang, inviting them to the best restaurant.
Lu Xiaofeng didn't stand on ceremony and ordered a large table of fine food and wine, making Magistrate Xu look pained and keep sucking in cold air while eating.
After several rounds of drinks...
Magistrate Xu, unable to hold his liquor, was the first to leave the table. After he left, Chu Yang and the others were able to open up and chat freely.
"I never imagined that the two of you would leave the capital one day. I thought you would grow old and die in that gentle paradise."
Lu Xiaofeng couldn't help but sigh.
"A paradise of gentle pleasures—" Chu Yang sighed. "That description is quite apt. If I hadn't gone out this time, I wouldn't have known that the outside world was such a hell on earth."
"Demons roam freely, and powerful monsters run rampant. Countless people can only survive in the cracks. On our way here, we came across a deserted village —"
As Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou listened silently to Chu Yang's story, a thought suddenly occurred to them: he truly knew nothing about the outside world.
"It's hard to believe that you've never actually left Beijing and never seen the outside world since you were a child."
Hua Manlou exclaimed in disbelief, "It seems you've been well protected."
"Protect?" Chu Yang was taken aback for a moment, then laughed loudly, "It's just a caged bird!"
"In the past, the greatest resistance I could make was to leave a few more piles of bird droppings in the birdcage to disgust the people who cleaned it."
Hua Manlou pondered for a moment and said, "I didn't realize that Brother Chu also has his own worries."
"It used to be, but it's not anymore." Chu Yang shook his head and smiled, "From the moment I stepped out of the cage, nothing has been able to trap my heart anymore."
Lu Xiaofeng raised his glass and laughed loudly, "Then I wish Young Master Chu freedom from this day forward!"
Li Gexiao stood up with a complicated expression, raised his glass with Chu Yang, and nodded.
Hua Manlou also silently got up.
The four of them drank together.
"To be honest, I'm quite touched. I didn't expect that the two of you would come straight to me after leaving the capital. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have escaped this calamity. Looking at it this way, it seems that I, Lu Xiaofeng, am quite popular."
Lu Xiaofeng started praising himself with a grin again.
"Over the years, I've indulged in a life of extravagance and debauchery, and most of the friends I've made are just fair-weather friends. There are very few people I can truly talk to, but you, Lu Xiaofeng, are definitely one of them."
Chu Yang lowered his head, stroking the wine glass with a look of nostalgia on his face.
Hua Manlou smiled slightly and said, "Brother Chu, could you include me? From today onwards, we should be considered friends, right?"
Chu Yang nodded and said, "Of course, although we have different views on things, it doesn't stop me from appreciating your character. This world needs people like you."
Hua Manlou wore a thoughtful expression.
Lu Xiaofeng asked curiously, "Where do you plan to go next?"
Chu Yang said, "This journey was just a spur-of-the-moment thing, with no particular destination. I was just doing it as I pleased, but my enthusiasm is waning now."
Lu Xiaofeng seemed to understand Chu Yang's thoughts and said, "It was supposed to be a pleasant outing, but as soon as I stepped out of the house, I saw beggars all over the streets. Although their poverty has nothing to do with me, hearing their begging made me feel bad, so I lost my mood for the outing."
Chu Yang's lips curled up. "Your analogy is quite interesting."
Lu Xiaofeng, speaking with the air of someone who's been there, said, "I have to give you a piece of advice: human strength has its limits. It's already good enough if we can help those in need when we see injustice on the road. Don't try to connect the peace and happiness of everyone in the world with yourself."
"You don't have that ability. Even if you did, doing this would only exhaust you to death. You might as well be like me and live a more carefree life."
Li Ge slammed his fist on the table and laughed loudly, "Lu Xiaofeng, who loves to meddle in other people's business the most, actually teaches others not to meddle and says you are carefree. I have never seen you carefree. You really love to talk nonsense."
Hua Manlou also laughed.
Lu Xiaofeng's face flushed red, and he angrily said, "You drunkard, we've been friends for years, and you're going to ruin my friendship like this?"
Li Ge smiled and shook his head, saying, "The main problem is that what you said is too outrageous. Also, your experience is not suitable for you, young master. Some people can choose to live a carefree life like you, while others are born without a choice."
"They are born with the fate of humanity on their shoulders; there is no escaping it, and they will eventually have to face it."
At this point, Li Gexiao stared solemnly at Chu Yang and said earnestly, "You've seen a lot of the world along the way. I know you don't want to be confined anymore and want to be as carefree as Lu Xiaofeng described."
"But if you really give up everything, the world will never have a chance to get out of its current state."
"The one who hides in the arms of a woman and dreams will not care about the lives of the common people outside."
Chu Yang did not answer and put down his wine glass.
Silently, I walked to the window and looked out at the bustling traffic and people outside the restaurant.
He truly had no interest in the throne. After being trapped in the capital for so many years, he had finally gained true freedom, and to make him go back would be an immense cruelty.
The more Lu Xiaofeng listened, the more uneasy he felt. Coupled with some previous events, strange thoughts began to pop into his mind.
Just as he was hesitating about how to start the conversation, a loud shout suddenly came from outside.
"Urgent!"
"Qi Family Army has ambushed Wanglong City in the East China Sea!"
"Japanese pirates and a powerful demon joined forces to set up a battle formation to surround Qi Jiguang's army!"
"The great sea monster is about to lead its army to attack Jinling City!"
"General Qi has ordered that all forces be mobilized to defend Nanjing to the death!"
"Nanjing City must not be breached!"
"Once Jinling City falls, our human race will have no more cities along the coast to stop the great demons from entering the heart of the Central Plains!"
A soldier covered in blood rode a horse also covered in blood, shouting at the top of his lungs as he charged straight toward the government office.
Before they even reached their destination, the soldier seemed to suddenly lose all his strength, fell off his horse, and crashed heavily to the ground, his breathing becoming weak.
The common people and street vendors spontaneously brought out medicine from their houses to treat the wounded soldier, and no one was disgusted by his filth.
Everyone understood that the soldiers' wounds were for their sake.
pity----
The injuries were too severe; the soldiers were barely breathing and were on the verge of death.
Some people began to cry softly, and the crying seemed to be contagious, as more and more people gathered around the dying soldier.
"Defend Nanjing to the death!"
Just as the colors in the soldier's eyes were turning pale, someone held his hand tightly, and a warm current flowed into his body.
Chu Yang, clutching his blood-soaked hand, glanced back at Li Gexiao in the restaurant.
It's like saying—
it is good!
I want this world!
Magistrate Xu, who had just fallen asleep drunk, rushed out of the yamen with his men without even properly dressing himself.
"Quickly order the county magistrate to close the city gates!"
'
"Hurry up!"
"Immediately send a message to the capital by fast horses; we need a large number of reinforcements!"
"Damn it! How did these demons manage to attack?!"
"That guy surnamed Qi is a complete waste of space—"
Before Magistrate Xu could finish speaking, a hand suddenly reached out and slapped him hard across the face, making him almost faint.
The advisor grabbed Magistrate Xu from behind, blocking his view, and exclaimed urgently, "Who dares to assault an official appointed by the imperial court!"
-
Aren't you afraid of being beheaded?!
After regaining his senses, Magistrate Xu covered his mouth and looked closely. He realized that the person who had hit him was none other than the Imperial Guard who had just been hosting a banquet at the restaurant.
"You, surnamed Chu, how dare you hit me? Are you drunk and causing a scene in front of this magistrate?!"
"Even if you are a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I will arrest you today. Assaulting an official of the imperial court is a serious crime! As a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, breaking the law knowingly is an even greater offense!"
Chu Yang looked at him coldly, "General Qi is fighting valiantly on the front lines. As the county magistrate, you not only fail to appease the people but also speak rudely to Qi's army. Shouldn't you fight back?"
Enraged by the loss of his authority and the reprimand he had received, Magistrate Xu roared, "What are you all standing there for? Seize him now!"
The constables, armed with fire and water sticks, surrounded Chu Yang.
Because the south was constantly plagued by demons and monsters, the number of government officials in each town was much greater than in the north. In an important hub like Jinling City, not counting the army, there were thousands of government officials alone.
The yamen runners are all martial artists; thousands of them formed a battle formation to surround and attack. Tell me, which top-tier martial arts master in the Jianghu could win?
Not to mention a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
This is why Magistrate Xu was so arrogant.
In this small territory of Nanjing, with Qi Jiguang's army absent, he was truly the local tyrant!
Without a second thought, Li Gexiao, Lu Xiaofeng, and Hua Manlou flew down from the restaurant and landed in front of Chu Yang to protect him.
"This isn't the capital, so nobody's going to give you face, Young Master Chu. That slap was way too hard," Lu Xiaofeng complained. Then, he changed the subject and laughed heartily, "But it was a good slap, a truly satisfying one. I've been in Jinling City for many days and have long been fed up with the magistrate's behavior."
"Taking advantage of General Qi's absence from the city, this scoundrel dared to relax the defenses. A group of people, including the county magistrate, were secretly accepting bribes at the city gates. Those of high status could enter the city without being checked. This is outrageous!"
Upon hearing Lu Xiaofeng expose his affair in public, Magistrate Xu became enraged and shouted, "Lu Xiaofeng, don't think that just because you solved one case you can spout nonsense and slander me here!"
Lu Xiaofeng chuckled, "Whether it's slander or not, don't you know in your heart?"
Even the usually amiable Hua Manlou couldn't help but turn cold, saying, "Magistrate Xu, although my Hua family is wealthy, we know there are proper ways to make money. Some money can be earned, but some cannot be taken even a little bit. Jinling City is the southern gateway, protecting the Central Plains from the great sea monsters. How can you act like this?"
"If the imperial court finds out about this, they will surely exterminate your entire family!"
The words "extermination of nine generations" were a huge shock to Magistrate Xu. He probably knew that his own affairs would not end well if they were exposed. His face turned red, and he pointed at Hua Manlou and cursed him in shock and anger.
"So what if you're the young master of the Hua family in Jiangnan? Even if you've offended the Hua family, I won't let you leave Jinling City today!"
A large number of yamen runners had surrounded Chu Yang and his companions in layers, pushing the onlookers outside so they couldn't hear their conversation, only vaguely hearing Magistrate Xu's shouts and curses.
As more and more officials arrived, the people knew that something big was about to happen, and they gradually retreated to a distance, fearing that they would be implicated.
"I felt uncomfortable the moment I saw you, you corrupt official. I didn't expect that after all these years of not being a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, my judgment hasn't deteriorated."
Li Gexiao drew his embroidered spring knife and pointed it at Magistrate Xu, cursing him.
"You're not the Embroidered Uniform Guard?" Magistrate Xu was stunned for a moment, then his whole body trembled with excitement. He laughed wildly, "Impersonating the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a serious crime. If I kill you all today, I will not only be innocent, but I will also be credited. It's truly heaven's help!"
Lu Xiaofeng glared at Li Ge, annoyed, and said with a laugh, "Are you crazy? Why did you talk to him about this stuff? Now look at his smug face!"
Li Gexiao didn't care at all and said calmly, "He has to die knowing the truth."
Hua Manlou smiled slightly and said, "Brother Li, you might as well say a little more. He's still a confused fool when he only says half of what he means."
Li Gexiao looked at Hua Manlou with some surprise. Although the other party was blind, Li Gexiao felt that his eyes were incredibly bright, as if he had seen through the world.
Chu Yang laughed and said, "It won't work for you to bring up my name now. He's already desperate and will only make him more determined to kill us."
Li Ge chuckled and clicked her tongue. "Trying it doesn't cost anything. How bad can things get?"
The next moment, he shouted, "Hey Xu, I have something to remind you of. Consider it my mercy to give you a chance, so that you won't be implicated and your whole family will be punished, and you won't hold a grudge against me in the afterlife."
Magistrate Xu, who was about to order his constables to attack, gestured for his men to wait a moment!
Magistrate Xu's lips curled up. With his absolute advantage, he was filled with arrogance and laughed, "If you have anything else to say when you're about to die, say it all. Consider it my mercy."
"By the way, I have no unworthy descendant like you!"
Lu Xiaofeng said with amusement, "He's certainly not going to let you get the slightest advantage with his words."
Li Gexiao coughed lightly.
"Listen carefully, grandson!"
"The one who just slapped you was a prince appointed by the late emperor, the current emperor's younger brother, His Highness Prince Xian!"
The words "Wise Prince" were like a bombshell dropped on a group of yamen runners!
The next moment, a cacophony of voices erupted!
A clamor arose from all sides!
Magistrate Xu was caught off guard by this turn of events, and a look of panic appeared on his face.
Wise King!
Isn't that the useless prince who's always been stuck in the capital?
How did you suddenly appear here?
A glint of inspiration flashed in Magistrate Xu's mind, and he shouted, "You damned scoundrel! First you impersonated a member of the Imperial Guard, and now you're spreading these lies and misleading the public!"
"Who in the world doesn't know that the wise prince never leaves the capital? There's no way he would travel all the way to Jinling City!"
"Even if he comes, he can't possibly bring only two or three people. Everyone knows that the Prince is extravagant and lavish. When he travels, he will definitely have a grand procession, and the prince's entourage will not be any less."
"You prince riding into the city on horseback, who are you trying to fool!"
After these words were spoken, the previously flustered yamen runners gradually calmed down.
Chu Yang said helplessly, "You can hit me if you want, but you have to drag me into it. I got scolded for no reason."
Li Gexiao spread his hands.
Lu Xiaofeng said in a low voice, "Really?"
Chu Yang nodded. "That's true."
Recalling his previous insolence, Lu Xiaofeng felt he would have to behead someone several times over, so he closed his eyes and looked utterly despondent.
"This is it, we're completely finished."
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