In the spring of the 3243rd year of the Qingzhou Continent, in the second month, as the nation transitioned from a fervent winter to the eagerly anticipated spring.
In Mengdie County, Anlan Prefecture, Shizhou, the Imperial Uncle Li Mengdie was extremely enraged.
This was because the Yunyue Kingdom had undergone immense changes during the past winter.
The seven million laborers from the farms, busily engaged in road construction, had seen their purses swell with Yuncao, which had been legally established by the court as one of the primary currencies.
Everyone was scheming how to profit from the Yuncao in these people's pockets, and their support for the Imperial Uncle Li Mengdie had consequently stalled.
The noble families suddenly realized that even though they were paying more taxes than before, the environment of the court and the Yunyue Kingdom seemed to have improved?
In that case, was there still a need to support the Imperial Uncle in his rebellion?
With such hesitant thoughts, the eight great noble families, who had originally supported the Imperial Uncle, began to adopt an ambiguous stance.
"Bastards! Don't these people understand that rebellion is a path of no return? Do they really think the court will let them, these fools, off the hook if they stop their actions? This truly infuriates me!"
"Your Highness, if you still harbor ambitions, the only way forward is for us to launch our grand undertaking ahead of schedule to seize a sliver of hope!"
The Prime Minister, Fan Ju, standing before Li Mengdie, gritted his teeth and suggested.
According to the original plan, they were to raise the banner of "cleansing the emperor's ears" after the spring plowing and the planting of crops. This would have bought them more time, allowing for more soldier training and ensuring a more ample supply of provisions and funds.
However, the situation had become difficult. The Yunyue Kingdom was miraculously showing signs of resurgence, which was not good news for Li Mengdie's faction, who intended to use the guise of "cleansing the emperor's ears" for actual rebellion.
"Why abandon the spring plowing?"
After her anger subsided, Li Mengdie asked in confusion.
Spring plowing was necessary to harvest grain in the autumn. Without a stable food source, rebellion would be a path to death.
"Your Highness, the situation is vastly different now. These noble families are wavering in their attitudes, and their support for us has dwindled to mere gestures, with some even ceasing it entirely."
"These people are unreliable! Furthermore, the court has inexplicably gained tens of millions of taels in annual revenue, and no longer lacks money or provisions. If we do not act before the court's spring plowing, once they finish and have free time, we will likely be surrounded, with enemies on all sides!"
Fan Ju said worriedly, "In the current situation, abandoning the spring plowing to act is not entirely without its benefits for us."
"Oh? Elaborate," Li Mengdie frowned.
"Spring plowing is a crucial activity for all nations. Only by planting grain can we have a harvest. If we act before the spring plowing and disrupt the surrounding spring plowing activities, the common people will have no income and no food for the entire year. In such circumstances, what else can they do but follow Your Highness in our grand undertaking?"
Fan Ju spoke with a sinister expression.
Li Mengdie understood. Fan Ju wanted her to coerce the common people, but this would severely damage her reputation. However, without doing so, she feared she would be defeated before even starting her rebellion.
After a few moments of contemplation, a hint of madness flashed in Li Mengdie's eyes, and she said calmly, "In that case, I shall heed your suggestion. We will immediately launch the 'cleansing of the emperor's ears'!"
"You will go and prepare immediately. I want all matters concerning the expedition to be ready within three days!"
"Yes!"
Three days later, on the battlements of Mengdie County, Li Mengdie stood atop the city wall, looking at the tens of thousands of troops below. She shouted, "There are wicked individuals in power at the court! They cause the people to suffer and starve! This is all due to the wicked Chu Chen, who deceives the emperor and manipulates and threatens court officials! He has thrown the court into chaos!"
"Now, for your bright future! For the clear and upright atmosphere of the Yunyue Kingdom! I, as a member of the royal family! Have decided to raise an army from this very moment, marching towards the capital, Shuangyue City! To cleanse the emperor's ears! To kill the wicked Chu! And to restore a bright and clear world to the realm! And a beautiful future for all of you!"
"Victory! Victory! Victory!"
"Cleanse the emperor's ears! Kill the wicked Chu!"
The tens of thousands of troops below raised their weapons and shouted in unison, their killing intent palpable.
Li Mengdie looked at the soldiers below with satisfaction, feeling that their morale was high. She drew the sword at her waist and shouted, "Set forth!"
Twenty li from Mengdie County, a coalition of five hundred soldiers, stationed there, faintly heard the shouts from Mengdie County, their faces turning pale.
"My heavens, the Imperial Uncle actually dares to plot rebellion! What are we to do?"
"What's good about it! Is this something we can manage? Hurry and take your men and run!"
The five hundred soldiers descended into chaos, scrambling to flee.
By the time the Imperial Uncle's army arrived, they saw only scattered remnants and no one in sight.
A few hundred men were left behind to clean up the mess and salvage usable supplies, while the Imperial Uncle's army continued onward.
Ahead lay Guangchang County in Anlan Prefecture.
"County Magistrate, County Magistrate! Disaster has struck!"
In Guangchang County, the County Lieutenant rushed into the county yamen in a panic.
"What has happened? Why are you so flustered?"
The County Magistrate asked with a frown.
"The Imperial Uncle has rebelled!"
"What!"
The County Magistrate was stunned. The Imperial Uncle, being the Emperor's own daughter, had actually rebelled?
"County Magistrate, tell me, what should we do? The Imperial Uncle has dispatched twenty thousand troops, and the vanguard is only an hour away from our county!"
"Damn it, what else can we do? Military matters are your responsibility as County Lieutenant! Hurry and assemble the county soldiers and gather the able-bodied men to prepare for defense!"
The County Magistrate cursed, quickly sending for his subordinates and beginning to assign tasks.
Soon, as the five thousand vanguard troops of the Imperial Uncle arrived at Guangchang County, Guangchang County had already shut its gates. Over two hundred county soldiers stood on the city walls, and there were also over a thousand able-bodied civilians gathered around.
"Listen, you on the city walls! I am the Vanguard Commander of the Rebel Quelling Army under His Highness the Imperial Uncle! The main army is approaching the city! Why do you not surrender early? Why do you obstruct our path to the capital?"
"I am the County Magistrate of Guangchang County! I was born a person of Guangchang County, and I will die a ghost of Guangchang County! I will never surrender to you! You rebel, give up this thought!"
"Since that is the case, you are seeking your own death, and you cannot blame me!"
"Guards, prepare to attack the city!"
The army of five thousand, after some preparation, sent five hundred men as the vanguard, with another thousand in support, launching the first probing attack on the city walls.
The County Magistrate, knowing the importance of the first battle, and despite his fear, remained on the city walls with the County Lieutenant, attempting to boost morale and direct the county soldiers in defending the city.
However, the county soldiers of Guangchang County, having not trained for a long time, were no match for the Imperial Uncle's vanguard army, which had been meticulously trained for over two months.
During the first probing attack, they were completely routed. The city walls were lost, the county soldiers were killed and scattered, and the able-bodied civilians brought to defend the city all fled.
"Hmph, a bunch of weaklings!"
The Vanguard Commander sneered, immediately ordering men to open the city gates and leading his army into the city.