Chapter 847: Escape and Rebellion (4)

Sui Dynasty's imperial court was shaken violently once again.

The Sui Dynasty's court and populace were also greatly shocked.

From the noble lords and prefects, high and low ranks, to the base such as the three teachings and nine streams, slaves and servants, everyone learned in the shortest time a shocking, unbelievable piece of news.

Of the seventy-nine fiefdoms of Sui Dynasty's Western Border, twelve lords led their civil and military officials to rise up, raising the banner of rebellion.

Just two days later, an even more earth-shattering piece of news arrived:

Excluding the thirty-one lords who were implicated by Wu Tie and Feng Xiao, already killed by Wu Tie, or ordered slain by Feng Rong; excluding the twelve lords who have already raised the rebel banner, of the seventy-nine fiefdoms of Sui Dynasty's Western Border, the remaining thirty-six fiefdoms all rebelled.

They killed the supervising eunuch sent by Feng Rong to oversee their pursuit of Wu Tie and Feng Rong, and in a near-frenzied manner conscripted cultivators from their own territories, even those of the Chonglou Realm, forcibly drafting them into the army.

Countless armories were opened, arming cultivators big and small to the teeth.

One after another, magical command signals shot up from every corner of Sui Dynasty's Western Border, swiftly spreading throughout the realm—forty-eight rebel lords who commanded troops jointly issued a proclamation enumerating Feng Rong's one hundred and eight heinous crimes, then urged the 'loyal and virtuous officials' of Sui Dynasty to 'raise righteous armies and slay the tyrant,' to restore Sui Dynasty's bright and orderly universe, to restore Sui Dynasty's pure and righteous air.

When the rebel lords' proclamation was issued, the entire Sui Dynasty was instantly thrown into turmoil; many lords and clans of the South, North, and East Borders had wavering intentions, the common folk in the markets panicked, grain prices soared everywhere, and daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, and salt changed price daily, quickly rising to a level the people could not bear.

Many lords and prefects began secretly expanding their armies.

In their territories, many reclusive masters were hired with generous rewards and joined the armies.

On their fiefdoms, countless cultivated servants and guards took off their common clothes, donned armor, and became elite troops.

Foundry after foundry blazed with fire reaching the heavens, heat waves rolling; countless highly skilled casters and weapon refiners began frenziedly crafting all kinds of magical weapons and immortal weapons, and began forging various large-scale war equipment.

Whether following the western border lords in raising banners to oppose Feng Rong, or responding to Feng Rong's edict to mobilize troops to suppress the rebels—armies, armaments, provisions, and logistics all needed to be prepared in advance.

Taking the opportunity… they could also use the momentum to nicely expand their own private forces.

As for which side to ultimately choose, that still depends on how events unfold. The sly and crafty lords, clans, and various princes of Sui Dynasty, at this very moment, will absolutely not lightly place their bets.

Had it been the earlier sage rulers of Sui Dynasty on the throne, these lords would have long since rolled up their sleeves, personally volunteered to command the great army, and gone to the Western Border to quell the rebellion.

But now Feng Rong, he has slain so many lords and prefects, making the great and small princes of Sui Dynasty feel a bit of alarm and dread, with resentment growing in their hearts—how could they possibly remain as before, wholeheartedly loyal to Feng Rong?

Even more magical command signals flew out of Sui Dynasty's borders, straight into the four enemy states.

The Eastern Demon State, Southern Ghost State, Northern Monster State— in the borderlands, shocks occurred day and night; countless demons, monsters, and ghosts, like ants smelling blood, quickly called friends and gathered together, bearing immense killing intent, pressing toward the borders of the three regions.

Sui Du, in the imperial conference hall of Sui Dynasty, Feng Rong slammed a jade seal hard onto the forehead of Xiahou Wuming, the Grand Tutor of Sui Dynasty and also Commander-in-Chief of the Four Border Armies.

White-haired and ancient-looking yet not showing his age, every move of Xiahou Wuming resembled a primordial beast, his violent and ferocious aura flashing with fire on his forehead; the jade seal exploded into powder upon his head, yet his scalp suffered not the slightest harm.

"Your Majesty." A flash of ferocity passed through Xiahou Wuming's eyes as he gritted his teeth, slightly bowing to Feng Rong in salute: "What fault do this old minister have, that Your Majesty is so thunderously wrathful?"

Xiahou Wuming harbored inner fire; he was a bona fide veteran minister who had served four dynasties of Sui Dynasty, not counting Feng Rong who just ascended the throne, having served Feng Rong's father, grandfather, and great-grandfather—three generations of divine emperors.

In terms of authority, cultivation, influence within Sui Dynasty's military and court, and even actual military achievements, Xiahou Wuming is unquestionably the foremost person of Sui Dynasty today.

The Commander-in-Chief of the Four Border Armies, sole commander of Sui Dynasty's four border forces, responsible for defending against and attacking the demon, monster, and ghost states of the southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast; under him are millions of fierce generals and billions of elite soldiers, with countless disciples and followers in the army, he can be called the heaven‑supporting white jade pillar and sea‑spanning golden beam of Sui Dynasty, truly a pillar of the state that can be counted on one's fingers.

Xiahou Wuming also cares about face.

Having just been struck on the forehead by the newly enthroned Feng Rong's seal, Xiahou Wuming's anger surged straight to his head, and countless red threads instantly appeared in his eyes.

"One hundred and eight heinous crimes! One hundred and eight!" Feng Rong seized a copy of the rebel proclamation transcribed by a trusted old eunuch, and hysterically screamed at Xiahou Wuming: "Look at what crimes they say I have!"

"What? Plotting to murder the former emperor—how could that possibly be true?"

A flicker of guilt crossed Feng Rong's eyes, but it was instantly overwritten by rage.

"Even if these fabricated charges are dismissed, look at this one: they say I am lustful for beauty… I, it's true, I am fond of beauty, but what nonsense is this? Claiming I spend my days cavorting with female demons cultivated from hyenas?"

Feng Rong jumped with fury, snatching a purple jade paperweight from the dragon case before him, poised to smash it at Xiahou Wuming.

"What they mean is… that sort of baseness, that sort of filth, that sort of impurity… am I really such a starving, indiscriminate person? Hyena‑cultivated female demons? I admit I have been involved with female demons, but they are also phoenix‑kind creatures I had people capture and bring back!"

"They, they, they are utterly shameless… you, you are utterly incompetent!"

Feng Rong shook the paperweight in his hand, ready to hurl it at Xiahou Wuming.

Xiahou Wuming's eyes flashed with a murderous glare as he fiercely stared at Feng Rong.

At this moment, if Feng Rong dared again, before tens of thousands of civil and military officials in the hall, to strike his old face with the paperweight once more, Xiahou Wuming reckoned it would be better to truly answer those rebel lords' proclamation and simply strike down Feng Rong himself.

Hehe, the act of overthrowing superiors and slaying a divine emperor has never occurred in the history of Sui Dynasty.

The ever‑steadfast, ever‑spicy Xiahou Wuming— as he grows older, his temper becomes ever more explosive and vicious.

The sword‑bearing Xiahou Wuming, who may wear his blade to court, instinctively gripped the hilt of his waist‑worn sword, his eyes' murderous light nearly solidifying as he locked onto Feng Rong.

Feng Rong shuddered with fright, glanced at the fiercely angry Xiahou Wuming, and instinctively placed the paperweight he held carefully back upon the dragon case.

He cleared his throat, and Feng Rong said in a cold voice: "How should the rebels be dealt with? What do you esteemed officials have as a good plan for Feng Shang's few bastard sons?"