Chapter 253: The People

His Majesty is about to personally lead the expedition; the news of rushing to aid Jinzhou spread like wings grown, under Qian Gui's intentional or unintentional push, quickly reaching every street and alley of Bianliangcheng.

At first, there was surprise and doubt.

"Is His Majesty leaving Bian Liang?"

"Can this... can the capital still be held?"

"The fighting in the north is so fierce; if His Majesty goes himself, won't it be too dangerous?"

The shadow of yesterday's panic has not yet fully faded, and a new worry begins to spread.

However, this surprise and doubt did not last long.

When people stepped out of their homes, they saw the streets cleaned up, saw the orderly porridge stalls, saw the patrol soldiers, though vigilant, no longer looking as if facing a great enemy, saw Wang Ru still wearing her dust‑stained ru skirt, moving among the wards, solving concrete problems like whose roof leaked and which well needed cleaning……

A more complex feeling began to quietly grow.

It was the relief of having survived the catastrophe, approval of the imperial court's swift stabilization of the turmoil, and moreover a mixed emotion of worry, trust, and anticipation for the young emperor who beheaded agitators in court and dared to go to the front in crisis.

In the morning, sunlight broke through the lingering gloom, falling on the cleared open ground in Yongtong Ward.

A few bold children were playing the game "Soldiers Catch Iron Crows," their cheerful laughter dispelling much of the lingering oppression.

A boy about five or six years old, holding a wooden stick, shouted in a childish voice: "I am His Majesty! I will go to Jinzhou to beat the Northern Han dogs!"

The slightly older girl beside him picked up a phoenix‑tree leaf as a command flag and crisply said: "I am Vice Minister Wang, here to pacify the people, awaiting your triumphant return!"

The children's innocent words drew a knowing smile from the bustling folk around, and the tight string in their hearts seemed to loosen a little.

Wang Ru happened to pass by, heard the children's words, her steps paused slightly, and the corner of her mouth involuntarily curled into a faint arc.

She squatted down and patted the boy's head.

"Want to be His Majesty? You have to be really, really capable."

The boy lifted his head, his little face full of earnestness: "I'm not afraid! His Majesty isn't afraid either!"

Wang Ru felt a warm glow in her heart, rose to her feet, and called out to the surrounding folk:

"Folks, His Majesty's personal expedition is to lift the siege of Jinzhou and safeguard the northern borders of Great Chen!"

"His Majesty has entrusted Bian Liang and all of you to us."

"How could we let His Majesty be distracted at the front?"

"Each doing his job, each keeping his trade, is the greatest support for His Majesty and the imperial court."

Her voice was clear and uplifting, carrying a power to steady people's hearts.

"Vice Minister Wang is right!"

"His Majesty is risking his life for us; we cannot hold him back!"

"Exactly! Live well and wait for His Majesty to return victorious!"

The crowd responded in turn; the fear in their eyes was replaced by a simple determination.

At the same time, near the horse and mule market west of the city.

This is one of the larger markets inside Bianliangcheng; although not as bustling as before, it has recovered seventy to eighty percent of its vitality.

Peddlers and laborers, carts calling out their wares, the shouts and haggling never ceased.

"Old Zhangtou, I heard you're going to donate all the stored hides to the front lines? \" a familiar stall owner asked.

The old man called Old Zhangtou, who was sorting the nitrated sheep hides on his stall without looking up, said: "Well, it's cold up north; the soldiers can use them. Even if the court pays, I'd only take the cost."

"Hey, you old miser, you're being generous now?"

Old Zhangtou lifted his head, his cloudy eyes shining:

"His Majesty's accession exempted us from three months of market taxes; Vice Minister Wang just had people clear the drainage here so we wouldn't be flooded when it rains."

"Now His Majesty is going to fight personally; what's a little hide from us?"

The stall owner stared, then slapped his thigh: "That makes sense! I still have several dozen jin of cured meat; I'll donate that too!"

Similar conversations were quietly taking place at the canal wharf, the artisan workshop area, and the fields.

It was not organized by anyone, but a heartfelt reciprocation.

They saw the court's actions and the emperor's sense of responsibility.

In this chaotic age, such a rare order and justice are worth their upholding and cherishing.

In the afternoon, a detachment of Imperial Guard soldiers escorting some grain, fodder, and equipment passed through the streets, drawing many onlookers.

There was no fear, no avoidance.

On the contrary, bold women shoved boiled eggs and steamed buns into the soldiers' hands.

"Take it, eat on the road!"

"Follow His Majesty well in battle!"

"May His Majesty be safe!"

The soldiers were somewhat at a loss, but under the officers' tacit approval they accepted this weighty sentiment, and hot blood surged in their chests.

An old stonemason with white beard and hair, accompanied by two apprentices, was clinking away at something in a corner of the square outside Chengtian Gate, where the heads of agitators had once been hung.

Someone asked curiously.

The old stonemason wiped his sweat and spoke loudly:

"His Majesty is going out to campaign; this old man has no other skill, I just want to carve a 'Peace Stone,' praying to Heaven that His Majesty wins the first battle and returns safely."

At his feet, a huge block of bluish stone had taken rough shape, with the four large characters "Peace and Prosperity" carved on it; the reserved space beside it clearly intended for more blessings to be carved.

All the onlookers were moved.

The Imperial Palace, before the Hall of Purple Clarity.

Chen Wen had already changed into military uniform, his black armor gleaming in the sunlight, stern and imposing.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Pu and the other senior ministers left behind, all in court robes, stood solemnly to see him off.

"Your Majesty, with us guarding Bian Liang, there will be no mistake!" Zhang Cheng solemnly promised on behalf of all.

Chen Wen's gaze swept over one determined face after another, and he nodded.

I will entrust my back to you all.

He said no more, and nimbly swung onto his horse.

Just as he reined his horse around, preparing to set out—

Outside the palace gates, on the Imperial Way leading to Vermilion Bird Avenue, at some point countless Bian Liang residents had gathered!

They stood in silence, packed tightly, a sea of people with no end in sight.

No one clamored, no one pushed.

They simply stood still, gazing at their emperor with their eyes.

When Chen Wen's figure appeared at the palace gate, the crowd, like a tide, silently knelt down.

There were no shouts of "Long live the emperor," only a profound silence.

Yet this silence was more powerful than any shout.

It was an entrustment, a trust, a silent vow.

Chen Wen sat upright on his horse, beholding the magnificent sight of the myriad people bowing their heads, feeling within him the Fortune Momentum vortex alive with unprecedented vigor and weight.

The vortex spun, as if drawing strength from the beliefs of countless hearts, becoming more solid and radiant.

The Growth Progress Bar, deep within where no one noticed, steadfastly leapt upward, breaking through the 72% threshold.

He slowly raised his hand, offering a solemn fist‑and‑palm salute to the silent multitude.

Immediately, without hesitation, he squeezed his legs against the horse.

"Set out!"

Hoofbeats thundered, armor clanged, twenty thousand elite Imperial Guards escorted their emperor, like a black torrent, passing through the kneeling populace, through the streets gradually regaining life, winding toward the North City Gate.

Along both sides of the road, the kneeling folk lingered, unwilling to rise.

Wang Ru stood on the high place of the government office, gazing at the distant banners, silently murmuring in her heart.

"The people's hearts can be relied upon, Your Majesty."

"This Bianliangcheng, this foundation of Great Chen, we will surely safeguard it for you."

She turned, issuing orders to her subordinate officials behind her, her voice returning to its usual calm and efficiency:

"Notify all wards to compile a roster of able‑bodied volunteers willing to assist in city defense and transport."

"Your Majesty fights on the front lines; we in the rear cannot afford the slightest slack!"

"Yes!"

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed Bianliangcheng in a warm golden hue.

The clouds of war had not yet dispersed, but the city's backbone stood straight amid hardship and trust.