novelSusiti Chapter 69 Martial Law in the Capital
Chapter 69 Martial Law in the Capital
The Great Military Parade Ground of the Three Major Camps of the Capital.
Banners filled the sky, armored soldiers stood like clouds, and 100,000 elite troops stood in formation, their ranks layered like a forest or a wall, their imposing presence as majestic as a mountain.
In the Ming army today, only three thousand battalions of iron cavalry are clad in armor and armed with sharp weapons, their swords gleaming coldly.
The Shenji Battalion and the Fifth Army Battalion have all been equipped with firearms. The infantrymen stand in formation with single-shot rifles in hand, while the artillerymen guard the rows of dark cannons.
But what attracted the most attention was not the cannons, but the ten airships of the Ming Dynasty's Divine Dragon Camp hovering in mid-air.
The enormous airbag, silver in color, reflects the dazzling sunlight, overlooking all living beings as if blotting out the sky.
In the wilderness, a single airship, without the need for force, is enough to suppress any barbarian nation simply by appearing on the battlefield!
This is one of the three great national treasures of the Ming Dynasty.
Alongside them are the steam trains that roar across the land and the ironclad battleships that traverse the seas.
Emperor Jinghe, dressed in gilded armor and covered with a black cloak embroidered with dragons, stood tall and straight as a pine tree on the high platform, despite his advanced age and gray hair and beard.
Chang Yuan and his elite cavalry squad stood on the left side of the high platform, equally awestruck by the steel mighty army before them.
He never expected to see such a mighty army in the Ming Dynasty. The Ming soldiers were more proud and confident than the Russian army that won World War II, and their discipline was no less than that of the German Tigers who killed the rooster.
In Chang Yuan's mind, only the People's Liberation Army could truly overpower the Ming army.
A powerful military is a concentrated manifestation of the great power of human order, possessing awe-inspiring charm and infectiousness.
Even the Ming emperor, who had witnessed dozens of military parades, was still captivated by the mighty Ming army. Looking at his 100,000-strong army, he felt a surge of confidence that he could rule the world.
His Majesty the Emperor sighed silently, "Such a mighty army, it's a pity it has no equal."
If the emperor was like this, Chang Yuan's four subordinates, seeing this for the first time, were already trembling with excitement.
Young Li Hui stared blankly, muttering, "My Great Ming army is invincible... Long live the Great Ming..."
The older Chiu Yi-hsin wasn't much better; he just didn't lose his composure enough to say it aloud.
Only Chang Yuan, who was well-informed and had seen even stronger armies, was able to maintain his composure.
His reaction surprised Lu Linglong, who immediately asked, "Commander Chang, you... don't seem excited at all?"
Chang Yuan didn't turn around, but immediately retorted, "Don't talk nonsense, sir. Of course I'm excited, I just didn't show it in such an exaggerated way..."
Lu Linglong laughed: "Hehe, you are more composed than the three dukes, and even more so than His Majesty the Emperor."
Chang Yuan broke out in a sweat and offered a haphazard explanation: "Ah, it's because I witnessed a large-scale military mobilization once..."
Lu Linglong smiled even more brightly: "I know about the mobilization of the Henan Provincial Thousand-Household Office."
"But how can the mobilization of a mere thousand or so Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) compare to a military parade of 100,000 of the most elite troops in the land?"
"Don't worry, I don't suspect you of being a spy. When the enemies of the Ming Dynasty see this scene, they are either more excited than the people of the Ming Dynasty, or they are so frightened that they collapse on the spot."
"They could never be as excited as you are, with only a little bit of excitement."
The girl used her right thumb and forefinger to measure the distance, reducing it from the size of a peanut to the size of a sesame seed, before nodding and saying, "Hmm, that's all."
"You get most excited when you look at the Shenlong Battalion airships, and when you look at the formations of the Five Armies Battalion, your eyes even show a bit of criticism."
"It's like... you've seen a more powerful, more imposing, and more disciplined army."
Chang Yuan: "..."
Lu Linglong smiled, her eyes crinkling: "That's right, I can read minds! Whatever you're thinking, you can't hide it from me!"
Chang Yuan put on a "I don't believe it" expression and helplessly begged for mercy, "My lord, please don't tease me anymore, my heart is about to jump out of my chest..."
"Haha, what a load of nonsense!"
Lu Linglong nodded in satisfaction and stopped teasing her first subordinate.
[Yes, with today's experience, he won't doubt my ability to read people's minds anymore. He'll think, like my grandfather the Emperor, that I'm exceptionally clever and charming.]
Chang Yuan's eyes were unfocused as he tried his best to maintain inner peace, lest the shocking storm engulf him.
[Oh my god, my boss can read minds!]
I can't live like this anymore!
Wait a minute, if she really can read minds, wouldn't I be exposed for everything?
[This isn't mind-reading that directly accesses memories, but rather the ability to see through inner emotions and strongest thoughts.]
That's alright, I just need to be a little more careful in the future...
The emperor raised his hand, and 100,000 soldiers held their breath in unison, with only the whistling of the wind echoing across the entire training ground.
The soldiers scattered across the drill ground began to loudly recite the proclamation announcing the start of the campaign:
"The Ming Dynasty, with its five-hundred-year foundation, inherits the virtues of its forefathers, continues the achievements of its founding, stabilizes the four seas, brings peace to all people, establishes a prosperous era, and commands respect in all directions! Today, the Ming Dynasty boasts a strong military, a powerful nation, the hearts of its people, and the submission of all foreign tribes!"
"Yet beneath this prosperous age, evil forces have seized power, and treacherous officials lurk in the shadows! Corrupt officials in the court sell out the country for personal gain, demons in the streets bewitch people, and remnants of cults lie in wait in the capital, secretly causing trouble and attempting to overthrow the legitimate Ming Dynasty!"
"An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one! The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty have received the nation's great favor and should shoulder its heavy responsibilities!"
"To protect the peace and tranquility of all people, and to ensure the eternal stability of our land!"
"All soldiers who have fought bravely to quell the rebellion today will be richly rewarded, their merits recorded, and they will be promoted!"
One hundred thousand soldiers cheered in unison: "Long live!"
"Long live the Ming Dynasty!"
"Long live the Emperor!"
The Duke of England spoke with a booming voice, "All troops, heed my command—move out!"
"Sweep away all evil spirits and pacify the capital!"
Upon hearing the Duke's order, the 100,000-strong army instantly unleashed its overwhelming fighting spirit and set off with tremendous momentum.
The elite troops of the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) from the North and South Garrison Divisions stood solemnly on both sides, following the departing army, to indicate the direction of the army.
Lu Huan, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, ordered: "Seal off the private residences of the convicted officials according to the list, cut off the newly installed telephone lines, block telegraph communications, and then arrest them for verification!"
"Yes, sir!"
The commanders of the Northern Garrison Command responded in unison.
As soon as the order was given, the entire Imperial Guard of the Northern Garrison was mobilized, leading four hundred extraordinary elite troops into the city to command the soldiers of the three major battalions to lock down the city.
All alleyways, secret passages, and hidden routes near the officials' private residences were immediately sealed off.
Then, the access routes around the imperial city, the back streets of the Six Ministries, and the residences of the powerful and wealthy were sealed off to completely eliminate the possibility of people escaping.
Two sentries would patrol the dark corners of the capital, intercepting those who delivered private messages, secret letters, and tokens.
At night, all post stations, post offices, and telegraph stations in the city were sealed off, blocking all paths for transmitting intelligence outward.
With everything ready, the elite cavalry squad set out.
Chang Yuan, a rough man, armed with all sorts of weapons, rudely broke down the gate of the official's residence and barged in without saying a word.
Some officials were completely powerless to resist; upon seeing the imperial guards, they collapsed to the ground, allowing the guards to complete their arrest.
Some officials, relying on their extensive connections and discreet actions, boldly rebuked the Embroidered Uniform Guard for overstepping their authority.
But the Imperial Guards showed no mercy, immediately slapping the officials in the mouth and breaking their teeth to shut them up.
The second blow was to the legs, ensuring the officials could not escape, before calmly making their arrest.
However, some officials completely forgot the prestige of the Ming Dynasty and dared to resist the Embroidered Uniform Guard by force.