Chapter 568

Chapter 568: Vast as the Sea

In the year 3867 of the Xia calendar

As summer arrived, it was an important time for ordinary people because it was the summer harvest season, which determined if they would have enough food to eat.

The common people of Feng State were happy this year because they found out that only the regular taxes would be collected by the government, and all other extra taxes were waived. Even those without land at home were happy as they were told that their landlords could only collect thirty percent of the rent, and if they took more, they could report them to the government.

However, in the midst of the great harvest, enemies appeared. King Dai of Daizhou State declared war without warning, and when the soldiers arrived in Feng State, they announced that the Zhenguo Army, under the pretext of King Dai, was attacking Taizhou State, claiming they were rebels.

It wasn’t just Daizhou State taking action; Prime Minister Li had secretly gathered troops from eight provinces. Dai, Jiao, Qiao, and Shi Provinces attacked Feng State, while Tai, Fen, Ping, and Yun Provinces attacked Taizhou State. Although the other provinces of Southern Chen Kingdom didn’t send troops, they expressed their support by either promising not to take advantage of the situation or by providing financial and material assistance.

They were united because they saw Lin Jiang as a threat, with his unruly and powerful nature. Lin Jiang’s strength was overwhelming, especially for Southern Chen Kingdom, breaking through their fortifications easily. Moreover, Lin Jiang’s rebellious actions of killing King Chu and targeting the nobles were clear signs of his ambition.

Now sweeping through Taizhou State, everyone knew that Lin Jiang had grand plans of changing the ruling dynasty.

Therefore, they agreed in advance with Prime Minister Li’s request, each sending their best soldiers to launch a surprise attack on Feng State and Taizhou State.

········

In Fengzhou City, the military advisor received news that Feng State’s Daze mansion had been breached. He turned pale and quickly gathered senior officials for a meeting.

An hour later, dozens of squads dashed out of Fengzhou City to deliver messages everywhere. They also ordered the gathering of the local people outside the city, especially the farmers who had been trained for a year, and urgently brought them into the city.

"Military advisor, bad news! Troops from Jiaozhou have marched from the north…"

"Military advisor, troops from Qiaozhou, around fifty thousand men, are charging from the northeast and have crossed the Yun River…"

"Military advisor, troops from Shizhou State are advancing from the south…"

Over the next few days, messages kept pouring into Fengzhou City. The military advisor’s face turned pale upon hearing them. While they were not afraid of a single force from Daizhou State, despite Lin Jiang taking away eighty thousand troops from Feng State, there were still over a hundred thousand troops remaining. With forces from four states, the total enemy troops might be as many as two or three hundred thousand.

"Military advisor, we need a plan now!"

"Military advisor…"

"Don’t be noisy, does the general have any news over there?"

"Not yet."

"Hold on for now, gather the people in the city, then send out troops to the different counties, prefectures, and districts, let them defend themselves, don’t come to Fengzhou City. Have them gather all the peasant soldiers, tell them that the general is on his way back to help, will arrive soon, when the general arrives, all enemies will be defeated."

The military advisor clenched his teeth, saying that originally he had sent out troops from different counties and prefectures to assist, but now, he couldn’t do that anymore. He had to delay the enemy as much as possible, let the enemy attack one county or prefecture at a time, waiting for Lin Jiang’s reinforcements.

A series of bad news couldn’t be concealed, soon, the whole Fengzhou City, and even the entire Feng State, were aware of the news of the enemy’s approach.

Inside the Feng State Martial Arts Academy, when thousands of students heard about the impending enemy, they were immediately filled with righteous indignation. Most of the students rushed to the entrance of the armory, wanting to take weapons and go to the city walls to help in the battle.

When Yuan Shan found out, he hurried to stop them, saying, "Students, listen to me. You are students of the Martial Arts Academy. Your task is to study and train in martial arts, so that you can better serve the court in the future. Now is not the time to participate in battle on the city walls."

"Vice Dean Yuan, you are wrong."

"Students, what’s wrong with what I said?"

"’Vice Dean Yuan, besides treating us like pigs and dogs, what kindness does the court show us? We should remain loyal to the Zhenguo Army and Mr. Wolong."

"Even if I make a mistake in speaking, you are still young, so you should focus on learning now."

"Vice Dean, we may be young, but we are not foolish. If the Zhenguo Army loses, how can we continue studying peacefully here? Besides, we are not powerless. I participated in battles last year and fought five times."

"I fought six times, even served as a peasant soldier instructor in the countryside for half a month."

"My father went to Taizhou State. Before he left, he told me to protect my mother and sister. Now that the enemies are coming to kill us, do you think they will spare my mother and sister? Since they won’t, why not fight back?"

"Let’s fight!"

"Open the armory!"

"Open the armory!"

The crowd erupted in loud noise. Yuan Shan’s expression changed drastically, but he dared not stop them. He watched as the armory was unlocked, a group of people grabbed weapons, and headed towards the city walls.

"Vice Dean, we are going to the battlefield too."

Not only the students, but also the teachers from the Martial Arts Academy, each carrying weapons, came to bid farewell to Yuan Shan and then headed to the city wall.

Yuan Shan walked out of the Martial Arts Academy feeling a little lost, and as he walked onto the main street, he saw groups of young people gathering towards the city wall.

"Hey, where are you all going?"

Yuan Shan pulled aside a person and asked him if he knew that they were going to war.

"We’re going to fight the enemy, what else can we do?"

"Isn’t fighting the enemy a soldier’s job? Aren’t you soldiers?"

"Mr. Wolong said that we have to fight for our good days ourselves, not rely on others’ charity. Since Mr. Wolong came, my family has finally had a good year, and if anyone tries to ruin it, we will fight back. I have said enough, I’m leaving."

The man shook his head, grabbed a kitchen knife, and quickly joined the group. Yuan Shan looked at all this in confusion, feeling deeply moved.

"This is what Mr. Wolong said, that the power of the people is like the vast ocean."

·······

Outside the city of Qishan Prefecture

A military camp emerged, and outside the camp, there were groups of farmers and soldiers from various counties and townships in Qishan Prefecture.

The farmer-soldier system of Feng State was not fully developed, mostly reaching only the county towns and villages close to them, not the more remote areas.

"Who are these people?"

Tian Heng walked outside the camp and saw a noisy group of farmers, most of them carrying farming tools like hoes, sickles, or some kitchen knives, rather than proper swords.

"Report to the general, these are local villagers who are clamoring to enter the military camp to assist in the battle. When we refused, they started insulting us."

"What were they insulting you about?"

"The general of the town said, when friends come, there is wine, and when enemies come, there is a spear. Now that the enemies have invaded, why not let them fight on the battlefield?"

"The people’s hearts can be used."

"General, we must never let them into the military camp. We soldiers practice every day, while the farmers train three days a month. They don’t understand how to set up battle formations. If they enter the camp, they will disrupt our formation."

"Understood, let’s go and have a look."

Tian Heng nodded. He is Tian Xiong’s cousin and currently the deputy general guarding Qishan Prefecture in Shizhou State. The enemy army is less than three days away from this place, and he must protect the city.

When Tian Heng came forward, the farmers immediately surrounded him and started talking all at once. Tian Heng shouted angrily, and everyone quieted down.

"Fellow villagers, the government has mobilized the farmers. You are not farmers, why are you here?"

"General, we heard that the government is only collecting regular taxes this year, not extra taxes. Is that true?"

"Of course, hasn’t the government already said so long ago? Do you think the officials dare to collect more?"

"No, the officials who went to the countryside said the same thing, but does the general know how much various taxes the government used to collect before?"

"This… "

"Most likely, I have calculated it. When I plant one hundred kilograms of grain, the government takes away eighty percent. Every year, I have to do forced labor for at least one month. I work tirelessly, never resting all year round, but never eating enough for a day. Even during the New Year, I can only have a meal of plain rice porridge.

However, when the General of Zhenguo came, he made sure we had a full meal. Last New Year, I had three bowls of rice, and in my thirty-six years of life, it was the first time I ate so much rice.

This year, I was thinking of planting more fields, saving more grain, and then selling it for some money. I wanted to use that money to arrange a marriage for my son. But now there are rumors of bad people coming again, ready to impose an eighty percent tax on us. General, should I agree to this?"

"General, we are all human beings with flesh and blood. Zhenguo Army has treated us well, and we all know it. My elder brother is a peasant soldier, and he has come too. I am not inferior to my elder brother in battle. Please let me join."

"General…"

The farmers each shared their reasons, and soon it became chaotic. Many were honest farmers, not knowing how to explain. They simply relied on their instincts, telling themselves that they needed to help in this battle.

Tian Heng listened to their heartfelt words, feeling deeply moved. He remembered his days as a rebel, when so many followed his brother to do dangerous things. Wasn’t it all because the court had been too harsh? Now, with those court officials appearing again, just like back then, the rebels were willing to fight hard. Why couldn’t these people do the same?

"Fellow villagers, listen to me. Instead of becoming soldiers, you can serve as support troops and attendants when entering the army camp."

At this thought, Tian Heng immediately shouted. He was determined not to lose anymore.