Chapter 273: The Turmoil in the Jingcheng Grand Camp

Feng Feng Xiwei stood at the center of the Jingcheng Grand Camp, his gaze firm as he scanned the soldiers around him. He knew this was his last chance, and the last chance for Great Feng. Taking a deep breath, he raised his voice and said, "Comrades, you are the elite of Great Feng, you are the backbone of Great Feng, you are the hope of Great Feng! Behind you lie our homes, our parents, our wives and children, our land! Before you stand Jiang Jiang Mingyu's iron cavalry, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's blades and spears, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's ambition, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's sins! Remember, as long as we can withstand his assault, as long as we can defend this city, as long as we can protect this heart, Great Feng will have a day of revival!"

His words had barely fallen when a cold laugh came from the crowd: "Revival? Pah! Do you take us for fools? Do you not know that Great Feng is already finished? Do you not know that Fei Hou is a tyrant? If not for his debauchery and lawlessness, his boundless corruption, his neglect of court affairs, his neglect of military matters, how could Great Feng have fallen to this state?"

Feng Feng Xiwei started, looking in the direction of the voice. He saw a gaunt man step out from the crowd; his face bore an expression of disdain and mockery, his eyes flashed with cunning and treachery, his hand gripped a blade stained with fresh blood, and his body was clad in tattered armor. One glance told Feng Feng Xiwei this was merely an ordinary private soldier named Li Gang.

Trembling all over with rage, Feng Feng Xiwei pointed at Li Gang and shouted loudly, "Who are you? How dare you spout nonsense here? How dare you slander the sovereign here? Do you know what crime this is? Do you know what the consequences are? Men, seize him! After the city falls, hand him over to the sovereign for punishment!"

His words had barely fallen when several soldiers rushed in from all directions, trying to grab Li Gang. But Li Gang feared nothing; brandishing his blade, he hacked at the approaching soldiers while shouting loudly to those around him, "Brothers, do not be deceived by him, do not be hoodwinked by him, do not sacrifice your lives for this tyrant any longer! Think, for what do we fight? For what do we die? We fight for the nation, for the common people, for honor, for freedom! But Fei Hou? For what does he fight? He fights for himself, for power, for wealth, for pleasure! He never cares about our life or death, he never cares about the suffering of the common people, he never cares about the rise or fall of the nation; he cares only for his beauties, his treasures, his wine and meat, his longevity!"

Li Gang's words were like a sharp blade, piercing the hearts of the crowd. Involuntarily, they lowered their heads; they dared not meet Li Gang's gaze, they dared not deny Li Gang's words. The resentment in their hearts, the dissatisfaction in their hearts, the fear in their hearts, the despair in their hearts—all were ignited by Li Gang's words. They thought of their relatives and friends, they thought of their hometowns, they thought of their dreams, they thought of their futures, they thought of their fates, they thought of their choices.

Seeing this, Li Gang grew even more excited and continued, "Brothers, look at how Jiang Jiang Mingyu treats his soldiers! Look at how he treats his common people! Look at how he treats his nation! He provides his soldiers with sufficient grain and fodder, he provides his soldiers with excellent equipment, he provides his soldiers with generous rewards, he provides his soldiers with a bright future. He has exempted his common people from taxes for three years, he has lessened harsh policies for his common people, he has guaranteed safety for his common people, he has brought happiness to his common people. He has brought strength to his nation, he has brought prosperity to his nation, he has brought peace to his nation, he has brought glory to his nation. He is a true hero, he is a true monarch, he is a true benevolent ruler, he is a true sage!"

Li Gang's words were like a spring breeze, brushing across the souls of the crowd. Involuntarily, they raised their heads; they could not help but envy Li Gang's insight, they could not help but admire Li Gang's courage. The hope in their hearts, the longing in their hearts, the aspiration in their hearts, the anticipation in their hearts—all were ignited by Li Gang's words. They thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's deeds, they thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's image, they thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's reputation, they thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's promises, they thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's mercy, they thought of Jiang Jiang Mingyu's choices.

All the soldiers fell silent, knowing in their hearts that he spoke their true thoughts. That man continued:

"Think about it, brothers: in less than a year of Fei Hou's reign, how many common people have been persecuted until their families were destroyed and they perished? And how many years have we gone without receiving our silver allowances?"

Seeing the expressions of the crowd grow increasingly grim, he shouted loudly, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu has already exempted the common people in the north from taxes for three years! He is the true good monarch who thinks for the people. Why should we continue to sacrifice our lives for this incompetent ruler?"

"Better to open the city gates and welcome Jiang Jiang Mingyu to rule the Central Plains; then we too can live good lives! What do you all say?"

For a moment opinions varied, but soon someone responded: "Since we are going to die anyway, might as well follow the new master Jiang Jiang Mingyu and change our luck!" "That wretched master Fei Hou should have been replaced long ago!"

Seeing that the army's morale had collapsed, the man drew his broad waist-blade and grinned viciously at Feng Feng Xiwei, "General Feng, we will present your head to Jiang Jiang Mingyu; that will be our proper introduction to the new master!"

With that, he stepped forward step by step. Feng Feng Xiwei's face turned deathly pale, and he was struck with great terror. He understood that the situation was lost; this group of soldiers, who clearly meant no good, would likely kill him.

By now the man had arrived before him. Feng Feng Xiwei took a step back, still wanting to struggle with a few words. Gritting his teeth, his heart was nevertheless filled with despair. He thought of his wife and children, he thought of his official merit, he thought of his loyalty and righteousness. He was unwilling, he was unconvinced, he did not want to die!

Just as Li Jiang Daoren's blade was about to fall, Feng Feng Xiwei suddenly shouted, "Wait!" Li Jiang Daoren's blade tip halted abruptly; he stared at Feng Feng Xiwei suspiciously, like a vigilant leopard staring at its prey.

A plea shimmered in Feng Feng Xiwei's eyes, and his voice trembled slightly: "Brother, I was forced to lead the troops; it was out of helplessness. My family is still in Fei Hou's hands; my life is held in his palm. I am not a trusted confidant; I beg you to show mercy and spare my life!"

Li Jiang Daoren pondered for a moment, a glint of treachery flashing in his eyes, then slowly nodded: "Since you are from a decent family, I cannot bear to put you to death. Come with us to see the new master!" His tone was casual, yet it concealed the ferocity and cunning of a beast of prey.

But Feng Feng Xiwei shook his head, a hint of cunning revealing itself in his gaze: "My family is still in Fei Hou's hands, making escape difficult. However, I do have a plan that can present a great gift to General Jiang."

Li Jiang Daoren asked in puzzlement, "What plan?"

Suddenly a cold light flashed in Feng Feng Xiwei's eyes; he said in a sinister whisper, "With all our troops now out of Jingcheng, if we join forces to capture Fei Hou and present him to Jiang Jiang Mingyu, the merit will be enormous, and we will all achieve fame and success!" His tone was impassioned, as if he already saw a bright future awaiting him.

A wild, bloodshot glow also faintly appeared in Li Jiang Daoren's eyes; he shouted loudly, "Good! Everyone obey the Vice Minister's orders! Let us go capture that beast Fei Hou!" All the soldiers were likewise extremely excited, their surging killing intent soaring straight to the clouds.

At a single command, ten thousand horses galloped; the army, brimming with killing intent, surged forward like terrifying waves, rushing toward the imperial palace. A cold smile flickered across Feng Feng Xiwei's face as he murmured to himself, "Fei Hou, I will take your life to repay my blood debt!"

His words revealed a resolve and hatred; his eyes flashed with a coldness and intent to kill; his body radiated an aura of dominance and tyranny. He looked like a falcon, ready at any moment to tear its prey apart.

His voice had barely fallen when he too flipped onto his horse, spurred it forward, and chased after the army.