Chapter 1115: Applying for Battle
The five hundred militia led by Wang Er set up camp at the Hanzhong North Train Station.
The dilapidated station offered nothing more than a straw shed for selling tickets.
Fortunately, the militia had brought their own tents and supplies, allowing them to establish their camp without issue.
Hundreds of tents were pitched not far from the station, encircled by a simple palisade to keep out unauthorized individuals from the military zone.
After a brief period of chaos, the train station resumed operations. Townspeople once again flocked to buy tickets, preparing to board trains for Xi'an...
Prince Rui Zhu Changhao was currently strolling about the station, still feeling uneasy with Wang Er's men guarding it. He feared his valuable train might be seized by the rebels and refused to depart.
As he continued his stroll, a sudden commotion erupted from the straw ticket shed. He turned to look and saw a remarkably long queue had formed at the ticket counter.
"What's happening?" Prince Rui quickly made his way to the ticket counter.
The clerk at the ticket counter, seeing Prince Rui approach, knew instantly what he would ask. While continuing to sell tickets, he informed the prince, "Your Highness, tickets for the next train have been selling like hotcakes! We've already taken in one hundred and fifty taels of silver. Looking at the long line still waiting, we should earn a total of two hundred and fifty taels once they're all gone."
After his initial euphoria, a flicker of curiosity crossed his mind: why had tickets for the next train suddenly become so popular?
Just as he pondered this, he overheard a woman in the queue whispering to her husband, "Will we be safe if we flee to Xi'an?"
Her husband whispered back, "Xi'an is a major city, and its walls are far superior to Hanzhong's. Fleeing to Xi'an will be absolutely foolproof; the rebels wouldn't even dare approach the city."
Only then did the woman breathe a sigh of relief. "That's wonderful!"
Zhu Changhao finally understood. The rebel attack had terrified the people of Hanzhong, and they were all fleeing.
In that moment, Zhu Changhao's emotions were incredibly conflicted.
If the rebels came, his trains would earn more money, but there was also the risk they might seize the trains themselves.
Should he wish for their arrival, or for them to stay away?
After a moment's thought, he concluded it was better they didn't come. After all, the fright of his heart pounding out of his chest was also a price to pay.
The station continued to fill with more and more townspeople, countless individuals purchasing tickets to escape Hanzhong.
Soon, tickets for the next train were completely sold out. Then, tickets for the train after that, and even the one after that, were snapped up in their entirety...
Initially, Prince Rui had danced with joy, but after a short while, he suddenly realized something. "Oh no," he muttered. "The common folk can choose to flee when danger strikes, but I can't escape! I must remain in Hanzhong. This is utterly dreadful!"
The train chugged its way to Xi'an, carrying large groups of common folk fleeing the conflict.
As soon as they arrived in Xi'an, these refugees immediately spread the news of rebels appearing in Hanzhong throughout the entire Xi'an Prefecture—
That evening...
In Xi'an's market square, before the Celestial Mirror.
A surging crowd, all with grave expressions, watched the screen intently.
Gao Yiye's dignified face appeared on the screen. "Breaking news: a rebel army has appeared outside Hanzhong city. While they have been repelled by the militia, they have not retreated far, instead withdrawing into the Micang Mountains south of Hanzhong. It is unknown when they might attack Hanzhong again, or if they might bypass Hanzhong entirely and head directly for the Guanzhong Plain."
The people of Xi'an had already heard numerous rumors, and while they knew of the news, they were unsure of its veracity. Now, hearing it broadcast on Gaojia News, they realized the reports were true, and the entire market square erupted in an uproar.
Gao Yiye continued, "We urge all citizens to exercise caution in the coming days and avoid wandering near Hanzhong."
The crowd mumbled, "Who would dare wander there! People from Hanzhong have all fled to Xi'an!"
Gao Yiye continued, "Governor Sun Chuanting of Shaanxi has begun mobilizing troops, preparing to deal with this rebel force. However, our village's main militia forces are currently stretched thin, simultaneously managing the northern border and combating rebels in Henan and Sichuan. The exact number of troops that can be deployed remains uncertain for now."
A coal miner from the Xi'an Bamei No. 1 Coal Mine suddenly roared, "If the main army is too busy, then it's time for our reserve militia to step up! The Bamei No. 1 Coal Mine Militia requests to join the fight!"
His roar proved contagious.
A worker beside him instantly sprang up. "The Xigang No. 2 Steel Mill Militia requests to join the fight!"
"The Chang'an Automobile Factory Militia requests to join the fight!"
The market square immediately erupted in a clamor.
Just then, Sun Chuanting emerged from the crowd. "Silence!" he boomed. "What good is it to appeal to the Celestial Treasure Mirror? This is a prerecorded video playing; the Saintess cannot hear what you are saying!"
The crowd fell silent.
Sun Chuanting continued, "I will make proper arrangements. Tomorrow, each factory militia group shall list their troop numbers and equipment status on paper and submit it to my governor's office. I will then coordinate how you will fight this battle."
A hearty cheer erupted from the crowd.
At Hanzhong North Station.
The chugging trains ceaselessly transported Hanzhong residents to Xi'an to escape the conflict, while at the same time, they just as ceaselessly brought the Gao Family Village Militia from Xi'an to Hanzhong.
Before long, all two thousand five hundred of Wang Er's subordinates had arrived, establishing a massive encampment outside the North Train Station.
Seeing his subordinates grow in number, Prince Rui was naturally overjoyed. Now, his valuable train was safe from any potential seizures.
However, the Hanzhong Prefect and Regional Commander Zhao Guangyuan of Hanzhong couldn't help but feel a little bewildered as they watched Wang Er's forces steadily grow.
This man was no official military officer, and having such a formidable militia under his command was truly a peculiar situation, one that, strictly speaking, trod on sensitive ground.
But he had come from Xi'an, where Governor Sun Chuanting of Shaanxi resided. If Governor Sun himself hadn't raised any objections, then it certainly wasn't their place, a mere prefect and a minor regional commander, to question it.
Thus, the two said nothing further.
That evening...
The Prefect and the Regional Commander came together to the North Train Station, bringing Prince Rui Zhu Changhao with them. The three entered the camp and took seats before Wang Er.
Seeing the three men arrive together, Wang Er knew they surely had something important to discuss. "Gentlemen," he inquired, "what brings you to my camp?"
Zhao Guangyuan cupped a fist in deference. "The rebels we repelled that day are now hiding in the Micang Mountains, keeping us constantly on edge. The common folk cannot find peace, and in the surrounding villages, not a single farmer can be seen. Their fields lie abandoned; no one dares to cultivate them. If this continues, we'll face another great famine next year."
Prince Rui chimed in, "Indeed, indeed, a great famine is truly undesirable. During the great famine of the seventh year of Tianqi, I spent seven thousand taels of silver on disaster relief just to appease the starving populace around Hanzhong. I certainly don't wish to spend that much money again."
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