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Amidst the rumbling cannon fire, Shouzhou City was covered in flames and smoke.
Just as he had told Ye Qingyun, Lu Fei had assigned Luo Hong the task of attacking Shouzhou City this time.
Throughout this campaign, the Luo family brothers had worked tirelessly and without complaint. Lu Fei had seen all of this, so for the final Battle of Shouzhou, he intended to give some of the credit to Luo Hong.
He did this partly out of respect for the Luo family’s performance in the Battle of Jizhou, and also to avoid being too greedy for credit. He knew that after returning, merits would certainly be rewarded, and it would not be good if he monopolized all the credit.
Moreover, he understood Xiao Ming well and believed that Xiao Ming would also want him to do so.
Shouzhou City was the last remaining city in Wei and also the closest to Yan. Its strategic position was important; taking Shouzhou City would allow for a direct assault on Yan.
It was precisely for this reason that the two armies, after converging, launched an attack on Shouzhou City. The reason was none other than their concern that Prince Yan might take the opportunity to seize Shouzhou City.
However, to their relief, Prince Yan did not launch an attack on Shouzhou City.
Under the combined assault of the two armies, Shouzhou City’s defenders quickly chose to surrender. On April 21st, Shouzhou City fell, and all thirteen prefectures of Wei were conquered.
In the blood-red sunset, Ye Qingyun and Lu Fei led their soldiers into Shouzhou City. Blood and glory accompanied them, shining brightly.
Subsequently, this news was sent to Qingzhou City.
After waiting for over a month, Xiao Ming revealed a heartfelt smile upon receiving the news. Now that Wei was also incorporated into his state, the war for Wei had finally ended.
Upon receiving the news, he immediately called Fei Ji over. After a discussion, the two traveled on the third day to Jinling City, a city reputed to be as prosperous as Great Yu Empire’s capital and Chang’an. Accompanying them was a group of officials who were about to take office in Jinling City.
Because Wei was completely occupied, Xiao Ming did not take the sea route but went directly to Jinling City via the canal. At the same time, Ye Qingyun also received orders to rush to Jinling City.
Six days later, the ship carrying Xiao Ming and a group of officials docked at Jinling City’s pier.
Stepping ashore, Xiao Ming looked at the city wall of the South Gate, which was being repaired, and smiled bitterly. It was clear that this was the wall that Ye Qingyun had directly breached with cannon fire.
Fei Ji and the officials followed closely behind Xiao Ming. They too pointed at the city wall, looking pained.
After observing from a distance for a while, Xiao Ming and the others entered Jinling City.
Xiao Ming had always yearned for Jinling City. After all, in contemporary times, Jinling City was also an ancient capital of six dynasties, and the charm of the Qinhuai River banks was famous in poetry and prose, making people long for it.
Now, the land beneath his feet belonged to Jinling City, and he was somewhat excited.
“Your Highness.”
Ye Qingyun was already waiting for them halfway. Seeing Xiao Ming and the others approach, he immediately became their guide, leading Xiao Ming towards Jinling City.
“I heard Jinling City’s treasury is quite remarkable,” Xiao Ming asked with a smile.
Ye Qingyun’s face lit up. He said, “Yes, Your Highness. When I opened the treasury this time, I was truly shocked. I never imagined Prince Wei was so wealthy. The prosperity of Wei is no mere legend.”
Xiao Ming smiled slightly. It was precisely because he heard about this huge treasury that he decided to come to Jinling City personally. Moreover, Prince Wei was also imprisoned here, and he needed to deal with this imperial uncle.
Upon entering Jinling City, Xiao Ming looked around. Jinling City seemed to have resumed its daily life now. Common people came and went on the streets. If it weren’t for the ruined city wall behind him, he would have truly doubted if a war had occurred here.
Fei Ji was even more surprised than Xiao Ming. He said, “After a war, a city is bound to be desolate. Why is Jinling City still so prosperous?”
“Elder Fei Ji, that’s not surprising. This attack on Jinling City was a surprise attack. The common people in Jinling City didn’t have time to flee. Secondly, our siege was very fast; the Wei army didn’t have time to destroy the city’s treasury or houses. Thirdly, after we entered the city, we didn’t harass the common people. These days, the common people no longer fear us and have gradually returned to their former state,” Ye Qingyun explained to Fei Ji.
Fei Ji and the officials were once again impressed by the Dengzhou army’s discipline. If it were the Great Yu Empire’s army, they would surely have plundered the city upon entering. How could they have not harmed a single hair?
“With such a mighty and strong army, why worry about not being able to stabilize the country and expel the barbarians?” an official exclaimed in admiration.
Other officials echoed, having initially thought that the war in Wei would last at least three years, they never expected everything to end in less than a year.
As they talked along the way, Ye Qingyun led Xiao Ming to Prince Wei’s mansion.
“Your Highness, the plaque of this princely mansion has been removed and replaced with the four characters ‘Imperial Traveling Palace’. The rooms inside have also been cleaned. Your Highness can rest here tonight,” Ye Qingyun said to Xiao Ming, pointing at Prince Wei’s mansion.
Xiao Ming looked at Prince Wei’s mansion. In front of the mansion were two two-meter-tall auspicious qilin beasts. The vermilion lacquered main gate, with its two golden beast-head knockers, exuded a hint of ferocity and solemnity.
Looking inward from the main gate, a white jade road also led to the opulent main hall of the princely mansion. The white jade road forked beside the main hall, suggesting a large complex of buildings behind the main hall.
“This Prince Wei’s mansion is truly magnificent!” Xiao Ming smiled.
Fei Ji said, “Indeed. Compared to here, Your Highness’s princely estate is much smaller. Your Highness, now that Wei is settled, shouldn’t you also consider the capital and the imperial palace?”
Xiao Ming frowned upon hearing this. Several months ago, an official had submitted a memorial, requesting Xiao Ming to build a new capital and an imperial palace.
Xiao Ming had outright refused this and had severely criticized that official. He knew the official was trying to flatter him, but he didn’t want to bring disaster upon himself by wasting money and resources.
Now that Fei Ji brought it up again, he couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. He said, “Elder Fei Ji, why are you also joining in the commotion?”
Fei Ji smiled and said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness, look at the prosperity of Jinling City, and then look at the magnificence of Prince Wei’s mansion. In my opinion, Jinling City is suitable to be the new capital.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Ming’s eyes shifted. He looked at Fei Ji and said, “I think it’s inappropriate.”
“Why?” Fei Ji was puzzled.
Xiao Ming said, “Jinling City is indeed prosperous, but it is a place of wealth and indulgence. I fear it would bury great ambitions. In my opinion, choosing Jinling City is not as good as choosing Youzhou.”
“Youzhou!” Fei Ji was startled. “Your Highness is joking. Youzhou is currently barren land; how can it be suitable as a new capital?”
“The Son of Heaven guards the nation’s gate, and the monarch dies for the country. Outside Youzhou City lies the land of barbarians. There, you will constantly remember that the barbarian threat is right before you, lest you become intoxicated in this pleasure district of the Qinhuai River,” Xiao Ming sneered.
He said this merely to scare Fei Ji and the others. Now was not the time to relocate the capital. At the very least, it would only be considered after Youzhou had recovered its prosperity.