socalfunplaces Page 25
Page 25
The main street along the west gate of Fuzhou was decorated with red ribbons and colorful decorations. The gate of Fuwei Escort Agency was wrapped with red silk ribbons and the character "囍" (double happiness) was posted everywhere.
At the two main entrances on either side, eight burly men stood in two rows, adding to the imposing presence.
The Huashan Sect's leader, Yue, along with his eldest disciple Yue Yuchen, and the Fuwei Escort Agency's chief escort, Lin Zhennan, with the groom, stood on either side of the door to greet the guests early in the morning.
People from all walks of life in the surrounding area, including those from Wudang, the Five Mountains Sword Sect, the Beggars' Sect, the Six Harmonies Sect, the Canal Gang, and other forces who had known the news in advance, all sent people to offer their congratulations.
With the world's number one swordsman backing them up, no one dared to cause trouble. Everyone behaved themselves and waited patiently for the opportune moment.
Even if there are conflicts, they pretend not to see them and will resolve them outside the city after today.
As the auspicious time arrived, guests gathered in droves.
Lin Zhennan and Yue Buqun entered the hall hand in hand, and the couple took the seats of honor at the head of the table. With the support of the master of ceremonies, the wedding proceeded smoothly.
After the excitement subsided, intimidated by the power of the Huashan Sect, no one dared to make a fuss, and everyone politely took their leave.
………………
At the entrance of Fuwei Escort Agency.
Seeing Yue Buqun accompanying the host to see off the guests, Abbess Dingyi, Taoist Tianmen, and Master Mo Da couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
Although they had always known this, today's feelings truly told them that the Five Mountains Sword Sect was completely dead in name only.
After seeing off the guests, the Huashan Sect disciples quickly returned to the inn in the west of the city, awaiting their next move.
September 14th, the fourteenth year of Zhengde.
Prince Ning, Zhu Chenhao, summoned officials of all levels in Nanchang to his residence and ordered hundreds of armored guards with swords to surround the residence, claiming that he was "ordered by the Empress Dowager to raise troops and enter the capital."
Zhu Chenhao proclaimed himself emperor in Nanchang, adopting the reign title Shunde. He appointed retired Censor-in-Chief Li Shishi and scholar Liu Yangzheng as left and right prime ministers, and Councilor Wang Lun as Minister of War. He amassed an army of 100,000, issued a proclamation to punish Zhu Chenhao, and marched his troops to Nanjing.
The whole country was shaken, and the southern provinces were filled with fear and unease.
On the first day of the tenth month, the rebel army of Prince Ning set out from Nanchang. The rebel army attacked Nankang and Jiujiang, and went down the river to Anqing, where they were resisted by Prefect Zhang Wenjin and Commander Yang Rui. Their advance was blocked at the gates of Anqing.
On October 13th, Jiujiang fell.
On October 14th, Wang Shouren, the governor of southern Jiangxi, mobilized local officials, including Wu Wending, the prefect of Ji'an, to lead troops to defend the emperor.
On the first day of the tenth month, disciples of the Huashan School set off from Fuzhou, crossed the border, and headed straight for Nanchang.
On the 19th, the main force of the rebel army surrounded Anqing, and then marched towards Nanjing.
………………
On October 14th, the Huashan Sect arrived outside Nanchang City.
Thirty li outside the east gate of Nanchang City.
The area is covered with dense forests and lush vegetation. Deep in the woods, inside a cave that had been dug in advance, a group of Huashan disciples were resting quietly.
The withered grass and branches covering the area obscured the view, and without getting close, no one would know that nearly two hundred martial artists were hiding here.
Yue Yuchen and Linghu Chong hid in the tree trunks, quietly waiting for the Huashan disciples who had already hidden in Nanchang City.
"They're here," Yue Yuchen said, opening his eyes to look out of the dense forest.
A moment later, a rustling sound approached, and two figures dressed as hunters and woodcutters cautiously moved closer.
After confirming the location, one of them was responsible for keeping watch, while the leading woodcutter made a "coo-coo" sound, with three long, two short, and one long sound.
Yue Yuchen and Linghu Chong exchanged a smile and leaped down from the tree trunk. The newcomer was startled, but after recognizing them, he couldn't help but smile: "Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother."
"Junior Brother Lu, Junior Brother Lao." Linghu Chong patted their shoulders; it was Lu Dayou and Lao Denuo.
"How are things? Are the junior brothers alright?" Linghu Chong asked Lu Dayou.
Lu Da nodded slightly...
“We arrived in Nanchang Prefecture more than a year in advance, and no one paid any attention to us. Apart from my three junior brothers and me, who ran an inn in the city, the other disciples were originally hiding outside the city.”
“Previously, the rebels harassed the surrounding towns and villages, and many people brought their families into the city. My fellow disciples also disguised themselves as refugees and infiltrated the city.”
"Most of the disciples are now living as refugees on the streets around the inn, and their weapons are kept in the inn."
"My third senior brother just arrived in the city today. I thought you would arrive in the next few days as well, and since it's your routine patrol, we came together."
Laudenau nodded, cupped his hands, and said...
"Eldest brother, second brother, Lord Wang has already led his troops to defend the emperor. The army was originally scheduled to depart today and should arrive in Nanchang in the next two days. I specially came ahead to meet you."
Yue Yuchen took out a letter and handed it to him...
"Third junior brother, I'll trouble you again. Take five more junior brothers to greet Lord Wang and let them stay by his side to serve him."
“In this letter, I left a coded message that he could understand.”
Laudenuo nodded and led his five junior brothers away.
Yue Yuchen then looked at Lu Dayou: "Have you figured out the city's armory?"
Lu Da nodded and said...
"We've figured it out. We have people watching that place every day, and... for some reason, that Prince Ning has even conscripted most of the city's garrison troops to Anqing."
"There are fewer than thirty soldiers guarding the East Gate Treasury. Moreover, they are all lax and completely unprepared."
Yue Yuchen breathed a sigh of relief. This would make attacking the armory much easier. As long as they could seize the paper armor, their junior brothers would be safe on the battlefield.
Chapter 49 The Prince of Mouning 5
Subsequently, the hidden Huashan disciples changed into pre-prepared clothes and infiltrated Nanchang Prefecture in batches.
After nightfall, Yue Yuchen, who was providing support outside, also sneaked into Nanchang Prefecture.
On the afternoon of the 15th, the city gates of Nanchang Prefecture were suddenly closed. The remaining soldiers, under the organization of the Prince of Ning's heir and the officials of the Prince's Palace, drove some of the refugees onto the city walls.
Outside the city, Wang Shouren, the governor of southern Jiangxi, led four thousand soldiers to the east gate of Nanchang.
The atmosphere in the city became extremely tense for a time.
At the East City Armory, Yue Yuchen stood in the shadows of the opposite street, surrounded by dozens of Huashan disciples.
With the city gates closed, the soldiers who had been guarding the armory were thrown into chaos and were unable to organize themselves effectively.
Without further hesitation, Yue Yuchen flashed and leaped over the closed door. Several exclamations and muffled groans came from behind the door, and Yue Yuchen had already opened it.
The Huashan Sect disciples rushed in and, led by Yue Yuchen, Linghu Chong, and Yue Buqun, quickly surrounded and killed the guards left behind.
Nearly two hundred Huashan disciples donned Ming army paper armor and weapons, and a group of them, led by Linghu Chong, headed towards the East Gate tower.
A group, led by Yue Buqun, Lin Zhennan, and Lu Dayou, approached the East Gate, ready to open the city gate from the inside at any time.
Yue Yuchen chose a strong bow and two quiver of long arrows and stood on the arched corner of the restaurant opposite the East Gate tower.
………………
Yue Yuchen stood quietly here, his hard bow ready to provide immediate support to the Huashan disciples. With his strength, his range from here to the East Gate tower was comparable to that of a long-range heavy sniper.
Suddenly, a fleeting aura appeared. Yue Yuchen turned his head to look at the tall building on his left, where a bright red figure flashed by.
"Dongfang Bubai is here too?" Yue Yuchen was certain he wasn't mistaken.
The figure had obviously spotted him as well. The figure, which was originally heading towards the east city wall, paused and reappeared not far from Yue Yuchen.
"Is the leader also interested in coming to the battlefield?" Yue Yuchen asked, looking at Dongfang Bubai.
Dongfang Bubai looked at Yue Yuchen with great interest and said, "If the Huashan Sect can come, then of course I can come too. Judging from your appearance, the Huashan Sect is on the side of the imperial court!"
Yue Yuchen nodded and said...
"Anyone with eyes can see that Prince Ning is no good. He's about to lose his stronghold. Choosing him is just asking for trouble."
"I wonder which side the leader has chosen this time?"
Dongfang Bubai did not answer, but quickly glanced at the city tower and gate, then looked at Yue Yuchen with a half-smile...
"I didn't expect the Huashan Sect to have almost come out in full force. Yue Buqun is here, and so is that kid named Linghu Chong. Your Huashan Sect actually has nearly a hundred people lurking in Nanchang City."
"Aren't you afraid that one wrong move could lead to the deaths of two generations of leaders of the Huashan Sect on the battlefield?"
Yue Yuchen shrugged and said, "To reap rewards, you must first make sacrifices. The revival of Mount Hua cannot be accomplished by one person alone."
Dongfang Bubai said meaningfully, "No wonder the Huashan Sect disregarded public opinion and gathered in Fuzhou before. It turns out it was all for this moment. What are you planning?"
"I have no other request than to ask the imperial court to bestow upon the Huashan Sect the lineage of the Great Emperor of the Western Peak, making it the direct descendant of the Daoist sect," Yue Yuchen said. "I wonder if the sect leader would be willing to help?"
………………
"Whoosh...whoosh whoosh..."
Three fireworks rose outside the East Gate.
It was precisely because of the agreement between Yue Yuchen and Wang Shouren that Yue Yuchen immediately stopped hesitating, drew his longbow to its fullest extent, held three long arrows in his right hand, and pointed them directly at the guards at the east gate.
With three sharp whistles, at the East Gate, three figures had a bloody hole the size of a bowl ripped open in their chests.
Yue Yuchen's hands moved swiftly, arrows flying like lightning, aimed straight at the city gate. In a short time, more than ten people had died under his arrows.
Taking advantage of the confusion of the guards, the Huashan disciples who were lying in ambush at the city gate immediately drew their swords and charged straight towards the city gate in the melee.
At this moment, a red figure flashed beside Yue Yuchen and headed straight for the East Gate: "We're even."
Yue Yuchen smiled, knowing that Dongfang Bubai had repaid the debt for the Yi Jin Jing.
Seeing Dongfang Bubai appear at the city gate, Yue Yuchen knew that the situation was under control. He immediately pointed his arrow at the city tower to support his fellow disciples who had gathered there.
Caught between forces from near and far, the city's soldiers, who had no will to defend the city to begin with, were thrown into chaos, as were the refugees who had been forcibly conscripted to the city walls.
………………
Dongfang Bubai's figure flashed repeatedly, and he appeared at the city gate. With the flick of his silver needles, he moved like a ghost, his bright red figure flashing past the soldiers.
As soldiers fell in droves, someone shouted, "A ghost!"
The already weak soldiers scattered immediately after someone took the lead.
Dongfang Bubai smiled slightly at Yue Buqun, and then disappeared again with a flicker of his figure.
Yue Buqun was stunned for a moment, then immediately ordered the city gates to be opened and the drawbridge to be lowered.
………………
As the drawbridge lowered, the soldiers who had come to the aid of the emperor surged in from outside the city, and someone on the city wall shouted: "The city has fallen!"
The soldiers, their morale shattered, scattered in all directions. Linghu Chong, wielding his executioner's blade, met the fleeing soldiers' advance with a slash, preventing them from escaping. He channeled his inner strength and shouted, "Those who kneel and surrender will not be killed!"
The Huashan disciples behind them also shouted, and for a moment the sound was deafening. Some of the fleeing soldiers hesitated and threw down their weapons, squatting down to surrender.
Linghu Chong bypassed the surrendered soldiers and charged towards the scattered troops. A red shadow flashed past him, followed by a mocking laugh: "You little rascal, you actually have the heart of a bodhisattva."
Linghu Chong was taken aback. He recognized the voice, but he had no time to worry about that. The most important thing right now was to stop the soldiers from scattering. Once they flooded into the city, it would inevitably cause chaos.
………………
As night fell, Wang Shouren and Yue Yuchen stood atop the city wall of Nanchang, watching the fires within the city gradually die out, wondering how many innocent people had perished.
Wang Shouren glanced at the composed Yue Yuchen beside him and couldn't help but say, "After our parting years ago, I never expected you to have such a scheme? Do you wish to receive an official title from the imperial court?"
Yue Yuchen knew that nothing could be hidden from this grandmaster, so he nodded slightly.
Wang Shouren turned to look at Linghu Chong and the others who were approaching and said...
"After capturing Prince Ning, I will submit a memorial to the imperial court requesting that the Huashan Sect be officially recognized."
"Young friend, you are a heartless person. Do not fall into evil ways in the future."
Watching Wang Shouren leave, Yue Yuchen bowed and thanked his friend, with whom he had a mentor-student relationship.
………………
On October 15th of the fourteenth year of the Zhengde reign, Wang Shouren, the governor of southern Jiangxi, captured Nanchang Prefecture in a single battle.
Prince Ning's heir, along with his concubines and the princess, escaped by boat under the cover of the chaotic soldiers.
On the 19th, the main force of Prince Ning, who was besieging Anqing Prefecture, learned of the fall of Nanchang and panicked, so they turned back to Nanchang, and the siege of Anqing Prefecture was lifted without a fight.
Wang Shouren reasoned that the rebel army was hastily returning, its morale was low, and its soldiers were exhausted, making it impossible for them to fight the imperial court. He then mobilized the surrounding loyalist armies, totaling more than 7,000 men, to confront them head-on.
On the 24th, the two armies met at Huangjiadu, near Nanchang.
Chapter 50 Imperial Edict Conferring Titles