139: Going South

Chapter 138: Heading South

Xu Xuanwu has rebelled.

When Zheng Yi heard this news, his heart was as calm as lake water.

After all, out of the thirteen provinces in the world right now, ten were in rebellion; one more Xu Xuanwu didn't make much difference, and one less of him didn't matter either.

It was still far too early for him to fight his way to the capital.

The various warlords, Sects, and noble families blocking his path along the way would be more than enough for him to fight.

Many court ministers couldn't believe their ears and looked at each other in dismay.

You must know that Xu Mujun was the Grand General of Great Yu, reaching the pinnacle of officialdom.

His younger sister Xu Qingluan was also Your Majesty's favorite consort, and had even been conferred as Consort Xu.

Was his brain fried to rebel at a time like this?

"Your Majesty!"

Zheng Xuanyue stepped forward and said, "Did the Jinyi Guard investigate wrongly? How could Xu Xuanwu possibly rebel? He..."

"Your Majesty! There is absolutely no mistake!"

Shen Xing, whose wounds were crudely bandaged, gritted his teeth and said, "The roads from Yue Province and Yun Province leading to Nanyue County have all been blockaded, and the three major passes have been newly repaired."

"The Clan Chief and high priest of the Baiyue Clan have been imprisoned, the Black Yue Tribe has surrendered to Xu Xuanwu, and Nanzhao Kingdom has even recruited Xu Xuanwu as its imperial son-in-law. Nanyue County has already become a state within a state!"

"This subordinate narrowly escaped with his life by jumping off a cliff, but Honored Master Yang Shaoyong unfortunately died for the country. When this subordinate left Nanyue County, Xu Xuanwu had already mobilized an army of three hundred thousand to attack both Yun Province and Yue Province."

"Your Majesty! This matter is 100% true..."

"Alright, Zhen believes it."

Zheng Yi said calmly, "Lords, out of the thirteen provinces in the world, ten are in full rebellion. Our Great Yu is suffering a calamity unseen in a millennium. We precisely need all of you important ministers and righteous men to set things right and pacify the common people."

"We obey the decree!"

The many ministers said loudly. Lu Xiangqing suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, if Xu Xuanwu has already rebelled, just to be safe, please Your Majesty recall Xu Mujun and strip him of his military power!"

As soon as his voice fell, all the ministers fell silent and quietly looked towards Zheng Yi.

Xu Xuanwu's rebellion undoubtedly had the biggest impact on Xu Mujun and Xu Qingluan.

One was the Grand General, and the other was a Consort.

If all three of them had rebellious intentions...

Zheng Yi said calmly, "Zhen trusts the Grand General!"

"Court dismissed!"

"Your Majesty~"

"Your Majesty!"

Disregarding the loud shouts of the many ministers, Zheng Yi stood up and directly returned to White Jade Capital.

"Xu Mujun... What kind of reaction will you ultimately have?"

"Your Majesty."

Chen Liancang quietly appeared, "Does this old slave need to go to Grand General Xu's tent for a chat?"

"There is no need."

Zheng Yi said, "Your task is to restart the excavation of the Grand Ancestor's mausoleum."

"Because Xu Mujun was in the capital, that matter has been stagnant for half a year. It is time to restart it."

"Understood!"

Not long after, Liu Chengen walked in briskly.

"Your Majesty, Consort Xu requests an audience."

Zheng Yi had already anticipated this and said calmly, "Let her in."

"Understood!"

Not long after, Xu Qingluan, still graceful and luxurious, walked out briskly with bloodshot eyes.

"Your Majesty!"

She knelt on the ground and said anxiously, "Eldest Brother will not rebel; he has been blinded by treacherous people. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth clearly!"

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "What is the use of you saying these things now?"

"Xu Xuanwu's treason is already an undisputed fact. However, Beloved Consort, rest assured, the things he has done will not implicate you."

"You are a daughter of the Xu Family, but even more so, Zhen's consort!"

"Your Majesty!"

Xu Qingluan said with a trembling voice, "Eldest Brother... has really rebelled?"

"That's right."

Xu Qingluan felt as if struck by lightning, her body going limp as she collapsed to the ground, "Wh-Why...?"

"My father is the Grand General, I hold the status of a Consort, and there is also Xuaner... Eldest Brother has no reason to!"

"Who knows?"

Zheng Yi said, "Perhaps his eyes were blinded by power, perhaps he was bewitched by treacherous people, or perhaps it was for a woman—simply a femme fatale."

"A woman? A femme fatale?"

Xu Qingluan's thoughts spun rapidly, and she quickly thought of something.

"Yuechan?!"

"Eldest Brother hasn't written many letters, but every time he wrote, he mentioned this woman Yuechan..."

"Could it be that Eldest Brother rebelled precisely for Yuechan?"

Zheng Yi sneered, "In the beginning, it might have been because of Yuechan, but as time passes, ambition continuously swells. How could a mere woman resist this entire world?"

"He has lived in Nanyue County for a long time, and half a year ago he advanced to the Innate realm, and was valued by the ruler of Nanzhao Kingdom, who wanted to take him as an imperial son-in-law."

"In Nanyue County, he is the local emperor."

"Wanting to go a step further and reach the pinnacle of officialdom—isn't that also very normal?"

"Your Majesty..."

"Beloved Consort, get up."

Zheng Yi walked down the high platform and pulled Xu Qingluan into his arms.

"Zhen said before: Xu Xuanwu is Xu Xuanwu, the Grand General is the Grand General, and you are you."

"The past Xu Xuanwu was your eldest brother and the son of the Grand General."

"But now... he is merely a rebel!"

"Your Majesty..."

Xu Qingluan gritted her teeth and said, "This concubine requests to demote her own consort rank and no longer be Consort Xu!"

"Good."

Zheng Yi nodded and said, "You have doubts in your heart; Zhen promises you that once this matter is concluded, you will still be Zhen's Consort Xu!"

"Your Majesty..."

Holding Xu Qingluan's small hand, he led her to the dragon bed and pressed her down.

That night.

Xu Qingluan stayed overnight at White Jade Capital, and a wisp of Pure Yang Qi was transferred into her body by Zheng Yi.

Ten months later, yet another imperial prince was born into the world!

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the eighth day of the eighth month.

Xu Xuanwu rebelled in Nanyue County.

He repaired the three major passes, expelled the officials of Nanyue County, and allowed the Nanzhao Kingdom to enter the borders. He was regarded as a favored son-in-law by the ruler of Nanzhao Kingdom and became betrothed to Princess Lingyin, the princess of Nanzhao Kingdom.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month.

Xu Xuanwu dispatched two armies totaling over 300,000 men to attack the neighboring Yue Province and Yun Province, engaging in a major battle with the warlords of both places.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twentieth day of the eighth month.

Consort Xu, Xu Qingluan, demoted her own consort rank to Consort Duan, and continued to reside in Xianfu Palace.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twenty-fifth day of the eighth month.

Your Majesty issued an imperial decree conferring Xu Mujun's older brother, Xu Mushi, as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Nephews and other relatives entered the court to become officials, and the remaining clan members all received rewards.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twenty-eighth day of the eighth month.

Xu Xuanwu entered the Boundless Cave in Yun Province alone, defeated Immortal Master Linghe, the Sect Head of the Boundless Cave, and the entire Boundless Cave Sect submitted.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the first day of the ninth month.

Xu Xuanwu took control of Yun Province, began clearing out other small factions of rebels in Yun Province, and swallowed up Yun Province like a whale.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the tenth day of the ninth month.

Consort Duan, Xu Qingluan, became pregnant.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twelfth day of the ninth month.

Xu Mujun, whose army had reached the border of Bin Province, learned of Xu Xuanwu's rebellion.

"What did you say? Xuanwu has rebelled?"

Listening to the messenger's report, Xu Mujun almost didn't believe his own ears.

A staff officer nearby said, "Your Majesty! This person must be a spy from Wu Country coming to disrupt our army's morale!"

"Men, take this person down!"

Several fierce personal guards rushed in and were about to seize the man, but they were rebuked and driven back by Xu Mujun.

He carefully observed the eyes of the surrounding staff officers and soldiers, and noticing that a few of them were evading his gaze, he immediately asked, "How long have you all been hiding this from me?"

"Gen-, General, we subordinates did not conceal anything."

"Hmm?"

"General! Although the Young Master has rebelled, that is because..."

"Shut your mouth!"

Xu Mujun immediately shouted, "You few, go out and receive fifty lashes yourselves!"

"Yes!"

The few people stepped out respectfully and then withdrew from the military tent.

"Qilin!"

"This subordinate is here!"

Xu Qilin, the son of Xu Mujun's eldest brother, was proficient in both literary and martial arts. Although he was slightly inferior to Xu Xuanwu, he could still be considered a dragon and phoenix among men.

For so many years, Xu Xuanwu had independently commanded troops for several years, while Xu Qilin had always been brought along and led by Xu Mujun.

"You lead the remaining forces to reinforce Black Mountain Pass and tell General Chen Wannian that if he truly is no match for the Empress of Wu Country, he may abandon the Mang Huang Two Prefectures and retreat to defend Black Mountain Pass."

"The land of those two provinces was essentially a free gain to begin with, and there are no strategic terrain features to defend. Do not waste troops in vain."

"General!" Xu Qilin's expression changed drastically, and he asked in shock, "You are going to..."

"Xuanwu has done something wrong, and as his father, I naturally must go resolve it personally."

Xu Mujun said calmly, "No one needs to try to persuade me anymore. I have my own plans."

He walked briskly out of the military tent and shouted, "Where is the Dragon Scale Army!"

"This subordinate is here!"

The Dragon Scale Army was the elite of the Longxiang Army and also Xu Mujun's personal guards.

Having followed Xu Mujun on military campaigns across the north and south for decades, they were all soldiers capable of taking on a hundred each.

Among them, the one with the weakest martial arts cultivation was still a Third-Rank Martial Artist.

There were also three commanders whose martial arts cultivation had long since stepped into the Grandmaster Realm!

The five hundred Dragon Scale Army soldiers shouted in unison, drawing countless staff officers, generals, and soldiers to gaze in this direction.

"Eating the ruler's stipend, being loyal to the ruler's affairs, and sharing the ruler's worries—what is there to fear?!!"

Xu Mujun said in a deep voice, his voice echoing throughout the entire military camp.

"My Xu Family has enjoyed the ruler's stipend for generations and should naturally repay it even in death."

"Yet my Xu Family actually produced an unfaithful, unfilial, unbenevolent, and unrighteous scoundrel. This general naturally ought to personally campaign against him to restore a lifetime of loyalty and integrity to my Xu Family, and return a bright and clear sky to Great Yu!"

"Lords, are you willing to follow me to crusade against the enemy!"

"We are willing to die for the General!"

"Good!"

Xu Mujun flipped onto his horse and said in a deep voice, "Dragon Scale, listen to the order: Those with living parents at home, step out of the ranks!"

Over thirty Dragon Scale Army soldiers led their warhorses and walked out with puzzled expressions.

"Those with wives and children at home, step out of the ranks!"

Another twenty-something Dragon Scale Army soldiers led their horses out, and everyone present seemed to think of something.

"Those who are the only sons in their families, step out of the ranks!"

A dozen or so youths who looked to be just over twenty years old walked out hesitantly.

"Those who have wives but have not yet obtained offspring, step out of the ranks!"

Yet another dozen young men led their warhorses and walked out.

"Those whose father and son are both in the army—sons, step out of the ranks!"

Seven or eight youths, under the ardent gazes of several old men, slowly stepped out of the ranks.

"Those whose brothers are both in the army—younger brothers, step out of the ranks!"

Several big men argued endlessly until they were forcefully kicked out by the people beside them, and the remaining people burst into loud laughter.

Xu Mujun surveyed the circle. Out of the five hundred personal guards, after such a selection, only two hundred or so remained.

However, it was already enough.

"All those who stepped out of the ranks shall remain behind to guard the military camp. All those who did not step out, mount your horses and listen to my command!"

Xu Mujun pointed his riding crop southward and gritted his teeth as he said, "Follow this general to punish the rebel, Xu Xuanwu!!!"

"The Young General?"

"What is going on?"

"The Young General has rebelled?"

"How is that possible!"

"Could the General have made a mistake?"

Faced with the low discussions of his subordinate personal guards, Xu Mujun said, "Silence!"

"You all have doubts in your hearts, and this general does too."

"But no matter what, the fact that this general's son Xu Xuanwu has rebelled is already true, and this general's heart aches as well."

"What we need to do right now is to crusade against the rebel and capture Xu Xuanwu alive!"

Xu Mujun said, "Your Majesty's decree was to order this general to lead the army far to Black Mountain Pass, but Xu Xuanwu has rebelled, and the blame lies with this general."

"Ordering General Xu Qilin to lead you all to reinforce Black Mountain Pass, this general will personally lead his personal guards to crusade against Xu Xuanwu and give his utmost loyalty to the country!"

"Are you all willing to follow this general?"

"We are willing to die for the General!"

"March out!"

"Giddyup!"

Along with Xu Mujun, the two hundred and ninety-six soldiers of the Dragon Scale Army slaughtered their way towards the southwest!

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twelfth day of the ninth month.

Xu Mujun personally led his personal guards, galloping swiftly from the border of Bin Province towards Nanyue County in the southwest.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the fifteenth day of the ninth month.

Xu Mujun entered You Province, charged into and slaughtered the army of the rebel Gongsun Bo, killing 1,565 people and killing Gongsun Bo's third son, Gongsun Yue.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the eighteenth day of the ninth month.

Gongsun Bo led an army to surround and kill Xu Mujun. Xu Mujun charged into the camp single-handedly on a horse and killed Gongsun Bo!

Gongsun Bo's second son, Gongsun Tai, led 6,000 dragon-horse cavalry to avenge his father and pursued Xu Mujun, but was counter-killed by the army led by Xu Mujun. Gongsun Tai died in battle.

In this battle, 3,628 of the dragon-horse cavalry led by Gongsun Tai died in battle, and the remaining cavalry fled in disarray.

Seventy-six of Xu Mujun's personal guards died in battle, Gongsun Bo's forces collapsed, and the rebels of You Province disintegrated.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month.

Xu Mujun led his army into Ji Province, killing one Protector of the White Lotus Sect and three altar masters of the White Lotus Sect, causing the 100,000 believers of the White Lotus Sect to scatter in rout.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the ninth day of the tenth month.

Xu Mujun led his army into Yu Province. The Prince of Fu of Great Yu closed the city gates and refused to see him, so Xu Mujun skirted around the city and left.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the fifteenth day of the tenth month.

Xu Mujun led his army into Jing Province, killing three of the Nine-Route Water Kings of Jing Province and destroying a hundred ships.

In the eighth year of zhengyong, on the twenty-eighth day of the tenth month.

Xu Mujun led his army and entered Yun Province!

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