Chapter 319: It's Time to Act

Qin Zhangfeng led fifty thousand troops, claiming a force of one hundred fifty thousand, and was about to set sail from Kezhou Port aboard Yinzhou ships, heading south to Shuzhou.

At this time.

It had already been a month since Jiangzhou was invaded and occupied by the southern barbarians.

Ancient warfare was like this. Whenever war broke out, rushing reinforcements to arrive within a month was already no easy feat. Provisions moved before the troops—such was the mobility of ancient times. Thus in history, a war could easily drag on for half a year or a year, and that was normal.

During this very month, the Yinzhou side also sent over a full ten thousand gliders!

This even surprised Qin Zhangfeng somewhat.

Ten thousand gliders……this also meant that ten thousand Yinzhou troops capable of flight would make their debut in this great war! Thinking of this, he still felt some excitement.

Ten thousand people.

The Yinzhou ships had now undergone continuous improvements by Rhodes; a single Yinzhou vessel could accommodate five thousand people. Thus, ten Yinzhou ships docked at the harbor were still quite imposing.

Ten Yinzhou ships raised their sails and set off.

When they encountered the people of Hanzhong along the way, the Prince of Yong still brought the elders of Hanzhong out to pay their respects.

"General Qin, how is Governor Liu faring?"

The Prince of Yong remained his usual rotund self.

Qin Zhangfeng clasped his hands and smiled: "The young master instructed me to convey his greetings to the Prince of Yong!"

The Prince of Yong laughed heartily, narrowed his eyes, walked to the bow, and upon seeing the endless ranks of Yinzhou troops, let out a deep sigh: "General Qin, your command of troops is indeed extraordinary."

Qin Zhangfeng also knew this Prince of Yong was an old fox; coming to greet him, it was certainly not merely to offer a few compliments. He smiled and asked: "What counsel does the Prince of Yong have?"

The Prince of Yong narrowed his eyes: "General Qin, the Shu King is gravely wounded and has little time left; within Shu Prefecture, the situation remains quite complex."

Qin Zhangfeng was stunned by this, and replied testily: "How so? I am here by order to render aid—could I possibly still encounter resistance?"

The Prince of Yong laughed heartily: "General Qin, you still fail to see through this struggle and contention. The struggle for royal power is ruthless and merciless. Wherever the superiors are, who would care about your internal and external troubles? General Qin, will Governor Liu continue to send military support afterward?"

Qin Zhangfeng nodded slightly.

Claiming a force of one hundred fifty thousand, now only fifty thousand—this old fox, the Prince of Yong, naturally understood the situation. Upon hearing that Liu Zheng would still come, he laughed heartily: "If so, Shu is without worry! Bring the wine!"

Strong liquor was served, and they set sail once more.

As they flew across the water, Qin Zhangfeng also pondered the Prince of Yong's words……the Shu King was near death……no wonder these two lifelong rivals, the Prince of Yong, would actually offer support.

Rivals, after all, how could they not be kindred spirits who understand each other?

Shu and Hanzhong have been locked in endless struggle, yet find endless joy in it. At this moment, a person's words on their deathbed are kind. However, I have heard the Shu King has more than a dozen sons……

With the Shu King suddenly gravely wounded, a succession struggle will naturally erupt.

Know this: according to the laws of the Longyan Dynasty, a feudatory king has only one heir apparent who can inherit the feudatory title; other sons can only be enfeoffed as marquises, and this marquisate is not hereditary……

Who, with a feudatory title, would willingly accept being a marquis for life?

Qin Zhangfeng smiled wryly again and again.

It seems the situation in Shu is indeed quite complicated.

Moreover……

This southern barbarian invasion might very well be inseparable from the power struggles in Shu……

The more he thought, the more his head ached.

Qin Zhangfeng simply wrote a letter to Liangzhou, informing Liu Zheng of this matter.

Let him wage war—this kind of scheming and intrigue, he truly cannot engage in……

……

"Oh?"

Liu Zheng received the letter that very day.

After reading the Prince of Yong's warning, he could not help but laugh and cry at once. As expected. Where there are people, there is the martial world. The Shu King's near-sudden death means the situation in Shu must already be in great turmoil.

Liu Zheng is now a renowned general of the present age, but he still lacks skill in such deceit and intrigue.

It seems he must quickly conclude affairs here and personally journey to Shu.

Just then.

Shen Xing came running in panic: "Young Master, Ying Rong has taken action!"

"What?"

Liu Zheng sprang to his eyes, eyes gleaming.

This old fox, has he finally been unable to restrain himself?

Shen Xing smiled: "Not him, but a young man from the Ying Family—perhaps seeing others profit, he could no longer hold back……"

"Over five hundred taels?"

Shen Xing nodded: "A full three thousand taels of baggage!"

"Good, inform Jiang Xuan, prepare to act!"

"Bring the personnel of the Supervision Department; I, the Young Master, will personally lead them to give the people of Liangzhou an explanation!"

"Yes!"

Shen Xing trembled all over with excitement.

At this time.

The gates of Liangzhou Prefecture remained bustling beyond measure.

"What damned 'Anti-Corruption Law'! Is it just for show?"

"Make Governor Liu come out and give us an explanation!"

"Now Liangzhou has become what it is! Better to let Chen Ping live!"

These days, these people can no longer endure. Disregarding their own strength, disregarding fatigue, marching out to Chuan Shu would be tolerable, but you cannot act recklessly!

A war has fattened how many parasites? This Liangzhou Prefecture actually ignores them all!

At this moment in Liangzhou Prefecture, two officials had just returned, stepping down from their horse carriage, and upon seeing such a lively scene, they coldly smiled under the protection of their guards.

"A bunch of lowly commoners!"

"Do you really think Liu, the Prefect, has come here to uphold justice for you?"

"Hahaha, delusional!"

"Lowly commoners are lowly commoners—how could they dare to enter this exalted hall?"

"Beat them out with sticks!"

The two officials had only wanted to go inside, but who would have thought these civilians would grab and pull at them—someone had already lost patience and struck out. This instantly enraged the two magistrates, who barked orders for the garrison troops to act.

Who would have known.

Liu Zheng emerged with Shen Xing following, and behind them came a contingent of garrison troops fully equipped with weaponry and equipment. Upon seeing the two, the officials instantly feigned distress: "Prefect Liu, these lowly commoners are about to rebel!"

"Master Liu, if these lowly commoners go unpunished, where is the dignity of Liangzhou Prefecture?"

At this moment, the civilians gazed upon Liu Zheng with faces full of disappointment and coldness—what kind of Prefect is he? Still just a man who loves empty talk and accomplishes nothing real?

Liu Zheng halted his steps, coldly smiling: "Seize them!"

Hearing this, the two officials grew even more arrogant, lording their power like a fox borrowing a tiger's might, coldly staring at the rioting "lowly commoners" and shouting: "Did you hear? The dignity of Liangzhou Prefecture must not be violated! Master Liu has given the order—anyone causing trouble shall all be seized!"

"Dog officials!"

"Today we rebel!"

"Charge in!"

Seeing this, the civilians erupted in fury, and the scene teetered on the edge of losing control.

Who would have thought.

The garrison troops, led by Shen Xing, did not act against the civilians at all, but instead marched straight toward the two officials. Caught completely off guard, the officials were suddenly kicked hard by the troops, fell to their knees, and were then bound with ropes.

In that instant.

The entire crowd froze.

Who, exactly, was supposed to be seized?

"This..."

"Master Liu, why is this?"

The two officials' faces turned ashen.

Shen Xing coldly bellowed: "Wang Qiang and Li Cheng, corrupt and lawless, having embezzled military supplies worth thousands of taels—evidence is conclusive. Imprison them in the great jail, await trial and execution!"

The entire crowd fell into deathly silence.