Chapter 1135: First Volume, Chapter 1135: The Gift from Nan Jing

First Volume, Chapter 1135: The Gift from Nan Jing

Under the management of Shen Qingci and Liu Hongyan, Qin Feng donned a wedding garment with black inner lining and red outer layer and arrived at the already-prepared ceremony hall.

The day of the Da Huo had arrived, and maids and servants remained as busy as ants.

Even as dawn spread across the land, there was no sign of pause.

More than three hours remained before the wedding; the Send-off Escort would not arrive at the Qin Family until dusk.

As the saying goes, daytime is yang, night is yin; at dusk, when the sun sets and the moon rises, marking the transition between day and night, it symbolizes the union of yin and yang.

Thus, holding the wedding at dusk is in harmony with celestial timing and terrestrial advantage.

Although the bride would not arrive for a long while, guests come in an unceasing stream, entering the Fu Men one after another.

Servants stood at the Fu Men, loudly announcing each guest's name; the festive atmosphere of the wedding grew ever thicker.

While the entire Wang Du seemed immersed in the joy of Qin Feng's Da Huo, a different scene unfolded in Gusu City, a thousand li away.

Forces from various families of Nan Jing converged within Gusu City.

Gusu City was gradually transforming into a "fortress," its useless civilians nearly all evacuated; those who remained would play a crucial role in the coming war.

From the highest authorities down to ordinary soldiers, all shared one belief: united in hatred, they would resist Qin Feng and win the coming war, one that determined the survival of the entire Nan Jing.

Lin Wenwan and the Lin Family, alongside a group of generals, stood atop the City Gate tower, watching the endless tide of troops arrive, their eyes filled with determination.

"Madam, the troops stationed in Gusu City now exceed forty thousand; another twenty thousand are stationed in the rear fortresses."

"In total, sixty thousand troops to meet the southern army—though we cannot claim certain victory, our odds are at least even."

"According to timing, today is Qin Feng's wedding day."

"As the saying goes, joy lifts the spirit; and Qin Feng has taken three beautiful brides at once—he is bound to grow arrogant."

"At that moment, Qin Feng, the so-called invincible warrior, will surely break his head against Gusu City—this will be his first defeat, and the one that will ensure he never rises again!"

Zhao Chi, the Jiangnan Governor who had long betrayed his oath, appeared highly spirited.

He had risen to his current position solely through the Lin Family's patronage and naturally felt deep gratitude toward them.

Moreover, compared to obeying the imperial court, he preferred being a "local emperor" here.

Lin Wenwan heard Zhao Chi's "motivating" words but remained unmoved, her expression showing not the slightest ripple.

"Governor Zhao, Qin Feng is not to be underestimated."

"Whether in the Beidi Campaign or when the Liang Emperor entrusted him entirely with suppressing Nan Jing, both prove his capability."

"Though a newlywed groom may feel triumphant, what does that have to do with us?"

"We must never stake the outcome of this great war on the enemy making mistakes."

"We need only exhaust every effort, make complete preparations, and only then can we be the ones laughing at the end of this war."

Zhao Chi knew Lin Wenwan's abilities well and understood Qin Feng was no ordinary man.

Yet now, all the forces of Nan Jing, terrified by Qin Feng's glorious victories in the Beidi Campaign, were filled with dread.

Fear before battle is a grave military taboo; thus Zhao Chi must belittle Qin Feng to boost Military Morale.

Belittling alone is not enough!

Zhao Chi revealed a cruel smirk: "Half a month ago, I already began preparing a gift for Qin Feng; by the time he enters the Dong Fang on his wedding night, the gift will arrive precisely."

"Hehehe, I have long admired Qin Feng's name—I must add flowers to his wedding celebration!"

Hearing this, Lin Wenwan showed no outward reaction, but inside, she sighed deeply.

At this moment, they should be exhausting every effort to strengthen City Defense and prepare for war.

Aside from sharpening weapons and training troops, any provocative act is superfluous.

Had Zhao Chi not held command of the MilitaryEquipment, Lin Wenwan would have crushed this "heretical path" no matter what.

Almost simultaneously, a Merchant Caravan, vast and imposing, entered Jingji's Fuyun County.

The caravan consisted of over a hundred men, pulling more than ten carts, its scale considerable.

Because the caravan claimed to be delivering "gifts for Qin Feng" and had distributed gold along the way, it faced no harassment or inspection and entered Fuyun County smoothly.

But upon close observation, the escort personnel appeared strangely off.

Normally, for long-distance trade, caravan guards are almost exclusively young, strong men; the elderly, weak, and women are rarely seen.

Yet this caravan carried ten plus women!

These women sat on the carts, appearing unremarkable at first glance.

But their feet, hidden beneath their long skirts, were bound with Rope to the underside of the carts.

Additionally, over thirty men walked beside the carts, posing as if pushing them; their hands too were bound with Rope, fixed to the carts.

The rest of the caravan, though dressed as merchants or servants, were in fact armed guards.

The caravan moved slowly along the Official Road; soon, a young man rode up on horseback.

From afar, the youth waved and shouted: "Five li ahead, only footprints of pedestrians."

Hearing this, the middle-aged team leader immediately ordered a halt, gave a signal, and the soldiers disguised as merchants and servants unbound the thirty-plus men and marched them to the center of the Official Road.

The thirty-odd men lined up in a row and knelt.

The Little Commander, utterly unconcerned they might flee, knew why: the women bound on the carts were either their wives or mothers.

If any of these men ran, the women on the carts would be slaughtered immediately.

The Little Commander, hands behind his back, spoke solemnly: "Blame your bad fate—we are merely carrying out orders."

"Execute!"

At the command, soldiers drew nearby procured broad axes or kitchen knives and beheaded the innocent men kneeling before them, one by one.

When the Official Road was stained red with blood, they turned back to the carts and dragged the women to the execution ground as well.

The women, watching their loved ones decapitated, could no longer hold back, screaming hysterically.

"Why! Why are you so cruel!"

"We're just common people—why are you targeting us so much?"

"You bastards cursed a thousand times, you'll die a miserable death."

Faced with the woman's curses, the little commander remained unmoved.