Chapter 1389: Chapter 1389: 1374: Emergency Memorial
Capítulo 1389: Chapter 1374: Emergency Memorial
Outside the West City Camp, Ye Zhen sat on a tall Horned Horse, with Governor Qiao Hong and a group of officials from the County Governor’s Mansion on his left, while on his right were Heavenly Patrol Divine General Fengg Jiumo, Gu Tieqi, Liuu Feng, and other trusted aides.
At this moment, Ye Zhen was staring grimly at the crossbows raised by Kong Geli on the camp’s wall.
The Great Zhou Dynasty consistently followed a policy of weakening the branches to strengthen the trunk, providing no military support to enfeoffed states and counties, relying entirely on self-constructed forces.
At this time, the county soldiers of North Sea County held the lowest grade fire crossbows that fire three arrows at a time, significantly inferior to the standard twelve-arrow Wind-Fire Crossbows of the Imperial Guard, at least three levels different.
Yet, seeing the red glow flickering on the crossbow bolts, it was evident that although these fire crossbows were the lowest grade, the bolts, blessed by priests, still carried considerable power.
Of course, such volleys numbering in the tens or hundreds would pose no harm to Ye Zhen, but within the camp facing them were nearly eighty thousand troops, including two armies and a Personal Guard Camp.
Not to mention a full army volley, even if ten thousand soldiers focused their fire on Ye Zhen’s group, it’s likely that few among them would survive.
In such circumstances, some cowardly officials from the County Governor’s Mansion began to stammer, and even some Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters started to worry, wondering what they would do if subjected to a covering volley.
“Governor Qiao!” Seeing no response from the camp, Ye Zhen spoke softly.
Governor Qiao Hong immediately understood what he should do, “Open your eyes! I am Governor Qiao Hong, and this is the newly appointed Viscount of North Sea, Lord Ye Zhen. The entire North Sea County belongs to Lord Ye now, so get your general out here to speak.”
This was already Governor Qiao Hong’s third shout, yet on the opposite side, apart from pointing fire crossbows, there was not a hint of movement.
Nonetheless, Ye Zhen, with his divine sense spreading out like ripples, understood that things were not as they seemed on the surface; Governor Qiao Hong’s repeated shouts were causing unrest among the ordinary soldiers on the opposite side, as their expressions grew uneasy.
Suddenly, within Ye Zhen’s divine sense, a commander clad in armor came hastily, saluting Governor Qiao Hong from afar across the camp gate, “Governor, Commander Tang yesterday set out with troops to repulse invaders, and we are waiting for the commander’s orders, ready to march at any time.
If the governor has business, perhaps it should wait until the commander’s return for discussion!”
A soft rebuff.
Governor Qiao Hong was momentarily stunned, then pointed at First Army Commander Che Ben, cursing, “You insolent fool, open your eyes wide! Today, it is not I, the Governor, who has come, but Viscount Ye Zhen, the Lord of North Sea County. You…
Before he could finish, First Army Commander Che Ben raised his nose skyward and saluted, “Lord Qiao, what Viscount this or Viscount that, I do not know. I only know that Commander Tang’s orders may arrive at any time, and the army is ready to move at any moment!
If you dare to obstruct at the camp gate and delay the army’s march, then do not blame me for any offense!”
“You…”
Ye Zhen stopped the angry Governor Qiao Hong. This old fellow, despite his rage, was cunning, employing pretense instead of following the formal protocol, clearly attempting to dodge responsibility.
“You may not know the Viscount of North Sea, but surely you recognize the Holy Emperor’s Imperial Decree and the Seal of the Great Zhou?” Ye Zhen said aloud.
With this, the previously haughty First Army Commander Che Ben dared not respond to this point.
Would he dare deny the Holy Emperor’s Decree or the Seal of the Great Zhou?
Particularly these commanders, who were more than familiar with the law and military regulations of the Great Zhou!
He dared not say no, nor dare to say yes, and could only respond with silence.
But while he remained silent, Ye Zhen would not let him continue to do so.
“Strategist Liuu, fetch the Imperial Decree!”
Liuu Feng’s expression turned solemn, immediately raising a scroll made of Seven-Colored Silk Cloth in his right hand, proclaiming, “The Holy Son of Heaven of Great Zhou decrees Ye Zhen as the First-Rank Viscount of North Sea, entrusted with North Sea military and political affairs, Imperial Decree is present.”
With this proclamation, Governor Qiao Hong’s face immediately changed, hastily dismounting to bow toward the decree held high by Liuu Feng. Not only Governor Qiao Hong, but all the hundred officials from the County Governor’s Mansion behind him, including Gu Tieqi, except the Heavenly Patrol Divine Hunters on guard around, also kneeled on the spot!
This was the awe of the Great Zhou!
Across the camp gate, First Army Commander Che Ben fell into his life’s most difficult decision.
To kneel or not to kneel?
Kneeling signified submission, while not kneeling represented…
The ten thousand soldiers behind him were all watching him; some soldiers had already knelt in the direction of the decree, only to be pulled back up by some astute companions.
The scene inside and outside the camp became exceedingly strange.
At this moment, Ye Zhen silently produced a blue-hued seal, biting his middle finger to drip a drop of Essence Blood onto the blue seal. Instantly, a voice infused with endless primordial aura and authority surged out from the seal.
“Decree North Sea Ye Zhen as First-Rank Viscount, titled North Sea, fiefdom Lingzhou North Sea County!”
The suffocating primordial aura, the authoritative voice, combined with the sacred decree exuding the unique pressure of the National Guardian Qiankun Seal, immediately affirmed Ye Zhen’s identity.
Under the dual impact, a portion of the soldiers opposite the camp gate knelt on the ground in panic, even dropping their Fire Crossbows, disregarding everything else.
However, shortly after, most of them were forced to stand back up and pick up their Fire Crossbows under the glare of the trusted aides of First Army Commander Che Ben.
First Army Commander Che Ben’s expression became extremely conflicted at this moment. In their minds, Viscount Ye should be enraged, but the appearance of an Imperial Decree and a Seal was completely unexpected.
“Governor Qiao, who is this person?” Ye Zhen suddenly pointed to First Army Commander Che Ben and asked.
“Reporting to Lord Ye, this person is First Army Commander Che Ben of the North Sea County soldiers, known for being brave and battle-hardened…”
Before Governor Qiao Hong could finish rambling, Ye Zhen interrupted his chatter and commanded, “Gu Sima, activate the Communication Transfer Formation, urgently contact Luoyi!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Gu Tieqi received the order, and not far behind Ye Zhen, he quickly set up a Communication Transfer Formation, then installed a High Grade Spiritual Stone and activated the communication array.
“My lord, it is ready!” Gu Tieqi announced.
Inside the camp gate, First Army Commander Che Ben watched the scene with some confusion, unable to figure out what Ye Zhen was planning to do.
Seek reinforcements from Luoyi?
That shouldn’t be the case!
The military spirit of the Great Zhou Dynasty is strong. If a lord cannot smoothly take over their fiefdom and has to ask Luoyi for help, the outcome for the lord is typically only one—being stripped of their title and exiled for incompetence!
Such a foolish thing, the Viscount Ye in front of them shouldn’t be doing, as that would be courtship of death.
Under the watchful gaze of First Army Commander Che Ben, Ye Zhen casually tossed his Viscount Seal to Gu Tieqi, “Gu Sima, urgently draft a distress document. The First Army Commander Che Ben of the North Sea County soldiers saw the Imperial Decree and did not salute, viewing the Holy Son of Heaven, Great Zhou’s decree as nothing, and disregarding First-rank Viscount Ye Zhen.
Instead, he commands his soldiers to wield military arms against the Imperial Decree, holding troops for his own gain, plotting rebellion, colluding with the Demon Clan to conspire, First-rank Viscount Ye Zhen implores, with tears of blood, to quickly dispatch an army to quell, to secure the frontier!”
Ye Zhen recited this distress document in a slow and loud voice, each word clear to every soldier listening, including Commander Che Ben.
Especially for First Army Commander Che Ben, each of Ye Zhen’s words felt like heavy hammers pounding in his mind, leaving him in terror, drenched in sweat, and weak-limbed.
Not just Commander Che Ben, all the officers large and small of the First Army were stupefied, feeling as if they had been struck by heavy hammers three hundred times.
If this distress document were sent to Luoyi, they would have no way to explain even with ten thousand tongues.
The North Sea, after all, is a frontier place. With soldiers colluding with the Demon Clan to conspire for rebellion, it would be catastrophic!
Che Ben was sure, Luoyi would undoubtedly dispatch an army to suppress at the first instance. By then, not only would the entire First Army be eradicated, but everyone could be framed as colluding with the Demon Clan for rebellion, and even regular officers would likely face execution of their entire lineage of three generations at a minimum.
As for Che Ben himself, execution of his entire lineage of ten generations would be lenient!
This document was like a deafening Thunderclap, instantly shattering the pressure and orders placed upon him by County Captain Tang Biao.
In the face of the mighty authority of Great Zhou, a mere County Captain was insignificant.
With a thud, First Army Commander Che Ben knelt on the ground.
As Che Ben knelt, soldiers around him near the camp gate hurriedly knelt in the direction of the Imperial Decree.
In an instant, the sound of kneeling echoed like rolling thunder!
First Army Commander Che Ben had knelt down, but Ye Zhen’s voice did not cease, “Gu Sima, affix the First-rank North Sea Viscount Seal of this Viscount, and also affix my Seal as the Second Wind Patrol Envoy of the West Patrol, and then urgently send it to Luoyi!”
Gu Tieqi acted swiftly, quickly affixing Ye Zhen’s Viscount and Second Wind Patrol Envoy Seal on that distress document, then approached the kneeling Governor Qiao Hong with the document in both hands, “Governor Qiao, please affix your seal!”
Governor Qiao Hong was also dumbfounded, after contemplating for a moment, he decided to take out his seal.
At this juncture, if he didn’t affix his seal, Ye Zhen might label him a co-conspirator of rebellion at any moment!
This conduct left First Army Commander Che Ben aghast, almost spitting blood in anxiety!
If this document were indeed sent out, not only he but also his brothers here would face eternal damnation.
He also realized the true intentions of Viscount Ye in front of him!
In a flash of insight, First Army Commander Che Ben of the North Sea County soldiers made his decision and crawled to the camp gate on his knees, pleading for mercy from Ye Zhen with his head bowed to the ground.
“Lord, spare me, lord, spare me, this subordinate has realized his mistake, this subordinate has realized his mistake! This subordinate is willing to obey the Imperial Decree and follow the lord’s command, serving the lord unto death!”