The city gates slammed shut in the wake of the pursuing crowd. Fortunately, Liangzhou had inner and outer cities, preventing the refugees from breaching the Golden Palace.
Within the Golden Palace, Li Ru, Sun Jian, and their retinue stood beside Emperor Ling, their gazes fixed on the soldiers before them. Everyone knew in their hearts that only one person could resolve this crisis: Ye Feng!
Leading the Third Legion was the only potential way to repel the populace; no other option seemed possible.
However, the memory of yesterday's events cast a pall over them, leaving them speechless.
"You all bark orders at me usually, yet now that trouble has arisen, you fall silent. Are you expecting me to lead the charge myself?"
Emperor Ling rose and stared pointedly at his so-called pillars of the state, speaking coldly, "If anyone can devise a solution, this matter will be dropped. Otherwise, you will face the battlefield yourselves."
The assembled officials shrank under the Emperor's gaze, their necks retracting like turtles, remaining utterly silent.
"Your Majesty, please issue an decree for the King of Chu to intervene, lest the nation fall!"
Zhang Rang, his body stooped, hurried before Emperor Ling and urged, "Your Majesty, this matter cannot brook any delay!"
Emperor Ling clenched his jaw. He was extremely reluctant to beg Ye Feng for help unless absolutely necessary, nor did he wish to grant Ye Feng such prestige.
"Are there no other methods? Can you all not pool your wisdom and devise something better than the King of Chu!"
Emperor Ling declared with confidence, "Should you repel these refugees, I will appoint one of you as the governor of a province!"
Despite the lavish promises, the rest of the officials remained silent.
It was a ridiculous proposition. What use would becoming an emperor be if one lost their life? Survival was paramount.
"With so many civil and military officials, it seems I can only rely on the King of Chu. If that is the case, perhaps I should abdicate the throne to the King of Chu!"
Emperor Ling's casual remark sent a tremor of fear through the civil and military officials. Only Zhang Rang rushed forward, "Your Majesty speaks too harshly. This realm is still yours!"
"Very well, then. Either provide a solution, or face the battlefield yourselves!"
Emperor Ling tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "If no one can, then you shall accompany me to the King of Chu's manor to offer apologies!"
The prospect of such humiliation, not only for Emperor Ling but for all his officials, caused hesitation.
"Your Majesty, I have a plan. I propose that everyone in the city, regardless of age or gender, should go out to meet the enemy."
A truly vicious stratagem!
Zhang Rang sneered. Most of the cities surrounding Liangzhou had some connection to these common folk.
Seeing their own relatives on the battlefield, who would still have the heart to fight? Did they think everyone was like Zhang Rang himself?
Song Jingang, overhearing this, quietly approached Emperor Ling, holding a water kettle. With a slight movement of his finger, a stream of boiling water landed beside the Emperor.
"You blind dog servant!" Zhang Rang flew into a rage, slapping Song Jingang across the face.
A clear handprint appeared on Song Jingang's face. Zhang Rang continued to berate him furiously.
"If you serve His Majesty in such a manner, you should be sent to the most lowly of places. You, serving His Majesty? A pipe dream!" Zhang Rang quickly knelt, "Your Majesty, it is my fault for not disciplining him properly, which has led to this incident."
Emperor Ling chuckled coldly. "What are you saying, my dear companion? Since he is your man, I shall overlook it this time!"
He gazed intently at Song Jingang, half-jokingly saying, "I see you, slave, seem to have something to say. Perhaps I shall grant you the favor of speaking your mind directly!"
Song Jingang feigned a glance at Zhang Rang. Zhang Rang slowly nodded, and Song Jingang then said, with great trepidation, "Your Majesty, with the nation in peril, even if my words displease my master, I must speak!"
"You are absolved of guilt. Speak freely!" Emperor Ling reclined on his throne, "If your words are reasonable, I shall reward you handsomely!"
Song Jingang paused, then said softly, his eyes downcast, "My master speaks truly, but there is a crucial condition. If we were to drive all the common folk together, I fear they might defect in the face of battle, putting the Golden Palace in grave danger!"
Both Emperor Ling and Zhang Rang's hearts sank upon hearing this. Fortunately, they hadn't acted, or a catastrophic disaster might have ensued.
With this in mind, Zhang Rang's expression became complicated. He had intended to punish Song Jingang, yet Song Jingang had implicitly saved his life. He was unsure whether he should still act.
Emperor Ling looked at Song Jingang with interest. After much thought, he suddenly said, "What is your brilliant strategy? Speak it!"
"Your Majesty, currently, the enemy is strong and we are weak. We must fortify the city, build high walls, and stockpile grain. This will allow us to hold out for a time!" Song Jingang instructed precisely. "As for the area between the inner and outer walls, we can dig a moat to ensure the city's safety!"
"If it is possible, I implore Your Majesty to prioritize the greater good and contact the King of Chu to request his military assistance!"
Song Jingang laid out his strategies without hesitation. Zhang Rang's face darkened.
Emperor Ling listened intently, and after a long pause, he finally responded with a cold snort, "You may all withdraw. I need time to ponder this matter."
Zhang Rang hastily withdrew, casting a glare at Song Jingang as he left. Song Jingang understood immediately and silently retreated.
As soon as they entered the room, Zhang Rang's expression was grim. He reprimanded Song Jingang, "Kneel and reflect carefully on what you have done wrong today!"
"I should not have taken it upon myself to speak those things to His Majesty," Song Jingang quickly explained, "Please punish me, Master!"
"Good boy, out with your hand!" Zhang Rang grabbed a ruler. "Quickly!"
Song Jingang tremblingly extended his hand, and several people immediately seized it firmly.
"Beat him!" Zhang Rang roared.
Two or three eunuchs wielding rulers struck down heavily. Soon, Song Jingang's hands were bleeding profusely.
"Do you resent me?" Zhang Rang turned, speaking coldly. "I hit you so you would remember to serve His Majesty with utmost caution, otherwise, the next time, you might lose your head!"
"This disciple understands," Song Jingang replied, bowing his head. He carefully tore off a strip of white cloth to wrap his hands, gasping in pain despite his gentle movements.
"Good boy, remember this: whoever His Majesty needs is useful. No matter how clever you are, it will only lead to your demise."
Song Jingang responded obediently, but his eyes darted towards Zhang Rang like daggers.
Nothing else mattered now. His task was to relay the message to Ye Feng. With Ye Feng's support, eliminating Zhang Rang would be a simple matter.
Having made up his mind, Song Jingang tremblingly left the room. As he departed, Zhang Rang's voice faded into the distance.
"Since you are not careful in serving His Majesty, you may rest for a few days. Others will handle the remaining matters!"
Song Jingang offered a bitter smile. He was already a marginal figure, and his absence would go unnoticed.
After much thought, Song Jingang ordered a sedan chair with a blue canopy and hurried towards the King of Chu's manor.
As the blue-canopied sedan chair stopped outside the King of Chu's manor, a figure emerged to greet him. "You have arrived. The King of Chu had instructed that if you came, you were to enter directly without announcement."
Led by one of the attendants, Song Jingang entered through a side door and met Ye Feng, who was seated, laughing and chatting with Diao Chan.
Diao Chan covered her mouth and chuckled, pointing at Song Jingang as she said slowly, "My lord, I told you he would return, but you didn't believe me. See, I was right!"
"My beautiful one is indeed wise and intelligent," Ye Feng teased, embracing Diao Chan. "Since my beauty knows he would come, does she know why he has come?"
"What are you saying, my lord? How could I possibly know?" Diao Chan turned to leave, but Ye Feng pulled her back. "My lord, are you reluctant to part with me?"
"However, it's not the right time now. My lord has a guest, and I dare not speak carelessly!" Diao Chan said slowly.
"Please, sit!" Ye Feng gestured to a stool. "Don't be constrained; consider this your own home!"
Ye Feng then turned and said, "We are all family. Who would mock you?"
"What is it that brings you here personally!" Ye Feng dropped a few lighthearted words.
These simple words, however, brought Song Jingang considerable comfort. This was his kind of person.
With clarity in his mind, Song Jingang did not conceal anything from Ye Feng and quickly recounted everything in detail.
"Bastards!" Ye Feng slammed the table, roaring with indignation.
"To deal with unarmed commoners is already a sin, and yet they devise such a plan!"
At this moment, Song Jingang saw in Ye Feng a regal aura that Emperor Ling lacked, and he was momentarily lost in thought.
"What is it? Do you fancy something here? Perhaps I shall give it to you!" Ye Feng teased. "Or perhaps you've taken a liking to one of the maids?"
Song Jingang's face turned red. He quickly stood up and said, "His Majesty will surely pay a visit to the King of Chu. At that time, please act as you see fit, but I implore you to do your utmost to protect the ordinary people!"
"Naturally!"
Before Ye Feng could finish speaking, the sedan chair had already traveled a considerable distance.
"What is this man thinking?"
Ye Feng was perplexed. Why was Song Jingang so insistent on him protecting the common people? Unable to fathom it, he decided not to dwell on it. He coldly instructed his steward.
"If His Majesty arrives, tell him I am indulging in revelry. No matter what they say, do not open the door!"
"My lord, that is His Majesty. If..."
"And what if he is His Majesty?" Ye Feng's voice suddenly rose. "If he cannot do things that benefit the country and its people, he is unworthy. As for the rest, leave it to me. What are you afraid of?"
The steward knew Ye Feng's character and was unwilling to say more. He could only nod repeatedly and sigh as he left the room. This task had indeed fallen upon him, making it difficult.
"Emperor Ling, I still need you as the nominal emperor. I hope you will not be unwise!" Ye Feng clenched his fist, speaking coldly.