Chapter 1041: I Have the Power to Turn the Tide
Gao Yingxiang said, "Stop arguing, I already understand what I need to do."
Everyone was baffled: "When did it become your turn to decide?"
In that very instant, Gao Yingxiang suddenly sprang from his stretcher. Though gravely wounded, he still had enough breath to move. No one anticipated his sudden leap; his movements were lightning-fast. The moment he was up, he vaulted over the railing, tumbling outside the watchtower's balcony...
By the time everyone reacted, he was already hanging from the outside of the railing.
He was critically injured and severely weakened; that one vault had drained his last reserves of strength, leaving him gasping for air.
Yet, his spirit was far more vibrant than before, even tinged with a hint of excitement. "Friends," he declared, "my hands are stained with blood. I don't know how many innocent lives and children like Gao Sanwa I've harmed. My crimes deserve a thousand deaths; no one should plead for me. I've never done a single good deed for the people of Gao Family Village before. If my worthless life were to cause discord within the village, that would be an even greater sin."
Everyone was momentarily speechless.
Gao Yiye cried, "Uncle, don't hang outside the railing and talk. Climb back over and speak properly."
Gao San Niang pleaded, "Brother Yingxiang, no... please don't..."
With that, Gao Yingxiang released his grip. Headfirst, he plunged downward.
In that very moment, Li Daoxuan had time to reach out and catch him.
But he didn't!
Adults, taking responsibility for their actions—that's good.
Gao Yingxiang's head hit the ground first with a sickening thud, and then he was gone.
The original forty-two villagers of Gao Family Village rushed down from the third floor, frantically gathering in a circle around his body. The crowd soon echoed with Gao Yiye's loud sobs, the Old Village Chief's sighs, and then Gao San Niang also began to weep, even more fiercely than Gao Yiye...
For some reason, a song began to play softly in Li Daoxuan's mind.
There were old mothers, there were loved ones, there was love unto death, and there was the bitterness of parting!
Li Daoxuan suddenly noticed a speck of light float up from Gao Yingxiang's body, merging into the box. Then, the box's Salvation Index actually increased by two points.
"Huh? This can also increase the Salvation Index?"
Although his life wasn't saved, his soul was.
The weight of a soul, greater than life itself?
Li Daoxuan patted the box, momentarily at a loss for words.
July, the Ninth Year of Chongzhen. The Imperial Study, Capital City.
The Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian, was poring over memorials, his face grim.
"The Manchu general Ajige has divided his forces into three routes, entering Xifeng Pass (present-day Qianxi County, Hebei) and Dushikou (north of present-day Chicheng County, Hebei). Censor-Inspector Wang Zhaokun resisted in battle but was defeated and killed. Our forces have retreated to defend Changping (present-day Changping, Beijing), and the Manchus are once again invading Juyong and the northern road of Changping."
Reading this, Zhu Youjian's mood plummeted as if he were on a free-fall tower ride.
"Where is Lu Xiangheng?" Zhu Youjian demanded, slamming his hand on the table. "Did I not summon Lu Xiangheng to the capital as reinforcement?"
Cao Huachun emerged from the side, "Supreme Commander Lu is still en route. From Henan to the capital, it's a journey of a thousand li; merely walking would take a long time. Not to mention he still needs to organize his troops, prepare provisions and weapons... Oh, and after Lu Xiangheng left, the bandit groups in Henan have started causing trouble again, dividing into three forces: Chuǎng Wang is entering Shaanxi, the Dashing General is attacking Kaifeng, and the West Camp Eight Great Kings are heading to Sichuan..."
Zhu Youjian was utterly frustrated. "What is to be done? The Manchus beyond the pass frequently cause trouble. The rebels seize the opportunity to stir up unrest. This is truly..."
He wanted to say 'ignoring the rear while focusing on the front' but felt it was too crude, so he swallowed the words.
Governing the realm is so difficult!
Zhu Youjian was an emperor who had taken the throne unexpectedly, having never received the rigorous training in imperial governance from childhood. Only after he personally took charge of this vast empire did he discover it was teetering on the brink, and managing it was incredibly, incredibly difficult.
Just then, a young eunuch scurried in from outside, his face beaming with joy. "Your Majesty, good news, splendid news!"
Zhu Youjian scoffed, "Given the current situation, what possible good news could there be?"
The young eunuch quickly declared, "Chuǎng Wang, the Supreme Leader of the world's rebels, was ambushed by Sun Chuanting's militia and the Tongguan garrison forces while leading his army into Shaanxi. Chuǎng Wang was struck in a vital spot by a firearm and executed!"
"What?!"
Zhu Youjian instantly shot to his feet, his mood soaring as if he were on a jet.
"Is Chuǎng Wang truly dead?"
The young eunuch affirmed, "Truly! The Tongguan garrison, the Governor of Shaanxi, and the Governor of Henan have all simultaneously submitted memorials reporting this. So many people would not dare to lie to Your Majesty."
Zhu Youjian burst into uproarious laughter. "Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
It was a rare occasion for him to be so overjoyed.
"Heaven aids me!" Zhu Youjian declared. "I can do this, hahahaha, I truly can turn the tide! Hahahaha, who did you say killed Chuǎng Wang just now?"
The eunuch replied, "Sun Chuanting."
Zhu Youjian mused, "That name... I seem to have heard it somewhere before?"
Cao Huachun elucidated, "Your Majesty, the 'Memorial on the Enemy's Inherent Weaknesses' and the 'Memorial on the Standardization of Logistics and Transport' that you read last time were both penned by Sun Chuanting. You had even intended to promote him and sent people to find him, but he had, to our dismay, disappeared."
Zhu Youjian's memory began to stir. "Yes, that seemed to be the case."
"This man truly possesses great talent," Zhu Youjian affirmed. "My original intention to promote him was indeed correct. Even without an official post, he managed to slay Chuǎng Wang. He is truly a talent among talents!"
Cao Huachun responded, "It's not too late." He turned to the young eunuch. "Where is Sun Chuanting now?"
The messenger eunuch reported, "Sun Chuanting is currently in Puzhou. It is said he has established a military academy there, named the Yellow Pole Military Academy, where he teaches military strategy to young people and trains militias to defend against bandits..."
Cao Huachun murmured, "As long as he can be found. Let's not have him vanish again like last time, when we sent people to search for him only for him to disappear."
Zhu Youjian nodded, pondering for a few seconds before looking up. "The Governor of Shaanxi, Lian Guoshi, has been in office for nearly three years now, hasn't he?"
Cao Huachun confirmed, "Indeed. Lian Guoshi took office as Governor of Shaanxi in the sixth year of Chongzhen and has served for almost three years. During his tenure, his performance has been rather subpar; taxes haven't been collected effectively, and his evaluations are poor."
Zhu Youjian decided, "Then let's reassign Lian Guoshi to another post and promote Sun Chuanting to Governor of Shaanxi."
"As Your Majesty commands!"
Cao Huachun promptly set about grinding the ink for Zhu Youjian...
Zhu Youjian put brush to paper with grand flourishes, and the imperial edict was complete.
He glanced left and right, admiring his calligraphy. No, no, it wasn't just that his writing was good; his improved mood simply made the characters look better.
Since Chuǎng Wang has been executed, the realm should soon be put in order, shouldn't it?
I, after all, am a sagacious ruler capable of turning the tide and saving the Great Ming Dynasty from peril, hehehehe.
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