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In the following days, Han Rong’s life underwent a dramatic change, and the treatment of the Nan Dynasty envoys also improved.
Ji Yucang even specially hosted a banquet in the palace to entertain the envoys who had been anxious and uneasy for many days. This undoubtedly surprised the Nan Dynasty envoys, who had been under a cloud of gloom for days, leading them to wonder if Nan Dynasty had produced another war god, causing the Yong Kingdom’s army sent to attack Nan Dynasty to suffer a defeat, thus prompting such a significant change in attitude.
However, they soon realized their naivety.
On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head, symbolizing the revival of all things and a vibrant new life.
Ji Yucang entrusted the affairs of the court to the left and right Prime Ministers and ordered Princess Pingyao to oversee the country—matters within the Ministers’ authority would be handled by them, with Princess Pingyao playing a supervisory role.
If there were issues the Ministers couldn’t handle—such as someone mobilizing troops to rebel—then Princess Pingyao would have the authority and responsibility to mobilize troops and protect the palace.
As for Ji Yucang, he selected an elite force, took Shen Ning with him, and together they escorted Han Rong to Nan Dynasty.
The Nan Dynasty envoys looked at Han Rong sitting in the prison cart, their feelings extremely complex. Compared to his former vigor in Nan Dynasty, Han Rong’s current state was so terrible that they almost didn’t recognize him.
If Han Rong were thrown onto the street, what difference would there be between him and a beggar?
His body was frighteningly emaciated, hunched over, with disheveled hair and a body covered in scars. This was his appearance after days of rest. If he hadn’t been well taken care of during these days, his condition would have been even worse.
This showed how much suffering Han Rong had endured in the dungeon of the Regent’s residence.
The envoys were both angry and uneasy, and their fantasies of Nan Dynasty winning the war quickly vanished. The current situation gave them a new understanding of Nan Dynasty’s fate.
The Regent of the Yong Kingdom personally escorting the Loyal and Brave Marquis of Nan Dynasty back to Nan Dynasty was not a provocation but a declaration from above, declaring the demise of Nan Dynasty.
The army needed time to breach the city walls. Breaking through each city required a good rest, and setting up camp took time. With the large number of soldiers, apart from preparing three meals a day, conserving energy, and planning the next battle, they also had to pacify the innocent citizens within the city.
Therefore, even though Ji Yucang and Shen Ning’s caravan traveled at a leisurely pace to accommodate Han Rong’s condition, they managed to catch up with the army in front and arrived almost simultaneously with them outside the imperial city.
Ji Yucang and Shen Ning had been on the road for a month.
It was now the beginning of March, the early spring.
This meant that the Yong Kingdom’s army had taken just over two months to advance unstoppably, arriving directly outside the gates of the imperial city.
Along the way, the defenses of Nan Dynasty’s cities were nearly empty, and the gates were adorned with the banners of the Yong Kingdom.
The citizens showed fear and unease when they saw the soldiers. Even when faced with the small number of guards accompanying Ji Yucang and Shen Ning, they only watched from a distance, their eyes filled with fear and timidity, instinctively protecting the children in their arms.
Shen Ning looked at the citizens along the way, and her heart felt increasingly uncomfortable.
The word “war” could always help some people achieve their eternal ambitions, allowing Emperors to fulfill their ambitions, generals to be granted a title as kings or marquises through their military achievements, and the territories to constantly change hands, with the country repeatedly changing owners.
Whether it was a victory or a defeat.
The unarmed citizens were always the ones who suffered the most in wars. At the very least, they faced increased taxes to support the army, and at worst, they were displaced, their homes destroyed, and their families torn apart.
The longer the war dragged on, the harder life became for the citizens.
Shen Ning watched all of this, and her disgust and hatred for the Nan Dynasty royal family surged once again.
A tyrant ruling the world is the source of all the misfortunes of the citizens.
“Before they set out, I issued a strict order that no matter how many cities they capture, they are not allowed to forcibly seize women, plunder the people’s food and possessions, or trample on their homes.” Ji Yucang said, as if sensing Shen Ning’s thoughts. “Once they get through this difficult period, their lives will gradually improve.”
Shen Ning sat on her horse, looking at the tall and imposing city walls ahead, and slowly said, “The war in Nan Dynasty has been going on for many years. The national treasury has been empty for a long time. The money the envoys sent to the Yong Kingdom at the beginning of the year should have all been extorted from merchants and the common people.”
Ji Yucang rode his horse alongside hers: “After you take your revenge and the Nan Dynasty court changes hands, I’ll have that money returned and also transfer some from the Yong Kingdom’s treasury as a dowry to help Nan Dynasty through this difficult time.”
Shen Ning turned her head and looked at him without saying a word.
“A new Emperor ascending the throne, granting amnesty to the world, and exempting commoners from taxes for three years, except for merchants, should alleviate their situation.” Ji Yucang said unhurriedly. “Farmers usually keep some of their harvest for themselves and hand over the rest. If the grain they keep is enough to feed their family, it’s already a great fortune for many. If the government increases taxes, the grain many farmers harvest may not even be enough to pay their taxes, and after a year of farming, they can’t even see a glimmer of hope.”
Shen Ning looked at him deeply: “I didn’t expect that you, a noble aristocrat by birth, would also understand the plight of the common people.”
“Being on the battlefield isn’t just about fighting with brute force.” Ji Yucang urged his horse closer to hers and then reached out to pat her head. “A ruler should be even more aware of the people’s circumstances. The characters ‘peace and prosperity’ are easy to say but hard to achieve. There’s a lot to learn, and it can’t be explained in just a moment.”
The word “livelihood” isn’t something that can be understood by just talking about it in the grand hall. Not all officials in the court are honest and loyal. Under the protection of local officials in various states, it’s almost the norm for local officials to privately increase taxes and oppress the people.
If not dealt with harshly, the desired results cannot be achieved.
Therefore, after the change of power in Nan Dynasty, the primary task will be to clean up the corrupt local officials, reduce taxes, and give the people a chance to catch their breath.
Shen Ning didn’t speak. She turned her head to survey the elite troops stationed outside the city. The dense army, armed with shields and crossbows, waited for the final assault.
Then she slowly turned her head to look at the high city tower.
The tower was heavily guarded by armored elite soldiers, with densely packed arrows gleaming coldly, serving as the last line of defense for this once prosperous imperial city.
However, facing the siege of a great army, how long could they hold out?