Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 333 It's only been a few decades, how did the Great Yuan become like this?
This is an auspicious day for marriage.

At the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), the sky began to brighten.

As the morning sun cast its golden rays upon the world, the entire city of Jinling was bathed in a golden glow.

The streets throughout the city were filled with solemn Red Turban Army soldiers.

The crowds of onlookers were as numerous as mountains and seas.

Tao An, acting as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, led his entourage to the Guo residence with an imperial insignia.

The previous steps, such as betrothal, asking the name, and accepting the auspicious date, have all been completed.

Today is the final step: the wedding ceremony.

Upon arriving at the mansion, Tao An proceeded according to the established procedures.

Inside the house, Lan, acting as the bride's parent, dressed Ma Xiuying in a wedding gown embroidered with gold thread.

Beyond the bright red wedding gown embroidered with gold phoenix patterns, there was a shawl over a meter long.

The long ribbon wraps around the neck and hangs down in front of the chest, with a pendant at the very end.

To put it simply, this thing is just a shawl.

The patterns on the wedding dress and the embroidered robe are both pheasant patterns.

This is a pattern that only the most noblewomen could use.

Zhai is a type of bird.

Further down are peacock patterns, mandarin duck patterns, and magpie patterns.

"Sister," Ma Xiuying said, holding Lan's hand with gratitude, "thank you so much."

"Hi~"

Lan's eyes were full of envy. "Between you and me, there is no need for thanks."

You look really handsome in that outfit!

"Let's not talk about what happened when I got married."

When she married Chang Yuchun, neither family had much money.

Even if you grit your teeth and make preparations, it's still just so-so.

Compared to Ma Xiuying at this time, there's no way to compare.

Lan wiped her eyes and took out the phoenix crown.

The so-called phoenix crown is made by binding lacquered bamboo into a hat frame, weaving it into a silk net, and then covering it with silk fabric.

The front is decorated with nine golden dragons, each holding a pearl in its mouth.

Below are eight kingfisher feather phoenixes, and there is also a golden phoenix at the rear, making a total of nine dragons and nine phoenixes.

The golden phoenix faces downwards, its beak holding a pearl.

Below the phoenix is ​​a jewelry inlay made of rubies and sapphires, interspersed with orchid leaves.

The crown has a jadeite rim at the bottom, inlaid with gemstones and flowers.

The lower rear section is decorated with three layers of kingfisher feather inlay and gold dragons and pearls, with openwork gold dragons and pearl flowers on the beard.

Overall, it resembles a golden dragon soaring above emerald clouds, and an emerald phoenix spreading its wings and flying among jeweled flowers.

The gold and jade shimmered, creating a magnificent and opulent scene.

"This girl is really lucky."

Lan Shi helped her up and exclaimed, "The Ming King decreed that people throughout the land may borrow the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe when they get married, all for your sake."

"For this one thing alone, all the women in the world will be grateful for your kindness."

There are two historical origins of the practice of allowing the common people to use the phoenix coronet and embroidered robe.

One is the well-known Empress Ma, and the other is surprisingly Wanyan Gou.

Of course, both of these stories are folk tales and are not supported by any definitive historical records.

As far as Lin Dao was concerned, Wanyan Gou, that scoundrel, was naturally not worthy of such a reputation.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Ma Xiuying, fully dressed in her protective gear, walked onto her stage.

As you walk, the sound of jade pendants jingling can be heard with every step.

At the top of the gilded phoenix carriage is a nine-winged golden phoenix holding a pearl in its beak.

The surrounding curtains are woven with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix in Shu brocade.

As it moves forward, every time it encounters a gust of wind, a crimson wave like flowing clouds rises.

The imperial carriage arrived at the Prince's residence.

Lin Dao, dressed in black robes and crimson skirts, was waiting here.

The imperial carriage stopped, and Tao An sang loudly, "Descend from the carriage~~~"

Ma Xiuying came out and reached out to take the five-colored thread that Lin Dao handed over.

Elegant music suddenly arose, with chime bells and zithers playing in harmony with the poem "Guanju" from the Book of Songs.

The smoke from the incense burner rises to the sky.
The two held a love knot and stood on a sandalwood prayer cushion covered with grain.

Between the three prostrations and nine kowtows, the patterns of mountains and rivers appear when bowing, and the sun and moon appear when rising.

Tao An, acting Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, loudly proclaimed the imperial edict.

The entire palace was bustling with activity all day long.

The sounds of eating, drinking, and laughter were constant.

Lin Dao only returned to his room after everyone had left.

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave, and told the musicians playing "Rainbow Skirt" outside to stop and go back to rest.

Lin Dao picked up the jade cup made of Hetian jade from the table, poured some wine, and came to Ma Xiuying.

Next comes the drinking ceremony.

At this point, all procedures have been completed, and the next step is something everyone knows.

At this moment, Ma Xiuying bowed to Lin Dao and apologized.

"I simply admire the King and wish to repay his kindness."

"I never had any improper thoughts~"

Sitting on the bed, Lin Dao composed himself and said, "If that's the case, then come and atone for your sins."

"Yes."

Under the guidance of the Ming King, Ma Xiuying removed her phoenix crown and tied up her beautiful hair.

The process of atonement is somewhat complicated, so we will leave it aside for now.

After the wind and rain stopped, Ma Xiuying, who had just finished rinsing her mouth, finally revealed the agreement between herself and the Lan family.

Lin Dao, yawning and feeling drowsy, had no objection to this.

"Marriage is possible, but the people involved must be of good character."

"Apart from that, nothing else matters."

Ma Xiuying was overjoyed and began to imagine the future.

"Your Majesty, if it's a boy, what would be a good name?"

Lin Dao was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, so he casually replied, "What are your thoughts?"

"How about calling him Biao'er?"

"Hmm~ Hmm?!"

Lin Dao was suddenly startled, and all sleepiness vanished.

"The King of Light?" Ma Xiuying was also surprised. "What's wrong?"

“This…” He scratched his head a little. “This name isn’t very good. It feels like it might indicate a short life.”

These words made Ma Xiuying turn pale, and she quickly spat out, "Pah, pah, pah!"

"Nonsense~ Nonsense~~"

"Ming Wang," she asked cautiously, "what name do you think would be good?"

“棣”.

Hundreds of thousands of Red Turban soldiers embarked on a massive northern expedition.

The western route was led by Chen Youliang, whose army marched out of Huguang Province and headed straight for Xiangyang and Nanyang.

The eastern route was led by Xu Da, with Chang Yuchun as his deputy, heading north from Lianghuai to Xuzhou and then directly into Shandong.

The central route, led by Lin Dao himself, departed from Jinling City and headed north towards Bianliang City.

Chen Youliang's side followed the traditional route of expedition, relying on a large number of civilian laborers accompanying the army and the Han River waterway to provide logistical support.

Xu Da's side, on the other hand, went north along the Grand Canal, relying mainly on the Grand Canal for logistical supplies.

Previously, Jia Lu had managed the river and dredged the Grand Canal.

The original intention was to replace sea transport, plundering goods from Jiangnan and sending them to Dadu.

The result was that the Grand Canal's transportation line was cut off by the forest road, and later even the Jiangnan region was lost.

Today, this Grand Canal, which cost countless manpower and resources and even sparked the Red Turban Rebellion, has become an important supply line for the Northern Expeditionary Army.

Yuan Ting's actions have resulted in a huge loss for him.

There is nothing we can do about this.

After all, no one in the Yuan court at the time could have imagined it.

The uprising of the Han Chinese was truly terrifying.

As for the middle lane, there is not much logistical burden.

Their enlightened king could even create things out of thin air.

They had everything they needed—food, clothing, and daily necessities—it was a complete miracle.

This is why the Red Turban Army was in high spirits and full of fighting spirit.

All the Red Turban Army soldiers were filled with the belief that they would win.

With a wise ruler in charge, victory is assured!
The army marched at a fast pace, heading north from Yingzhou into the territory of Bianliang Road, and was not far from Bianliang City.

At this time, Bianliang City had been besieged by Li Chahan and his son Wang Baobao for several months.

The city was already at the point of running out of ammunition and food.

However, as soon as news of the Ming King's northern expedition arrived, the morale of the defending troops in the city soared.

They dismantled houses to make fires, caught rats, and peeled bark from trees for food, fighting desperately to defend the city.

Although Richard Khan and his son had hundreds of thousands of troops, they could not break through the city quickly.

"Expel the barbarians and restore the Central Plains."

Looking at the manifesto in his hand, Richard Khan sighed repeatedly.

Although the father and son had been living a smooth life ever since they escaped by swimming across Gaoyou Lake.

They almost wiped out the Red Turban Army forces in various parts of the north.

But the battle outside Gaoyou City was like a nightmare that lingered in my mind.

The thought of that terrifying mechanical beast would wake the father and son from their dreams.

That is an existence that cannot be resisted by human power.

In Wang Baobao's words, even if Genghis Khan and the Mongol cavalry that swept across the world were resurrected, they still wouldn't be able to win.

They can't break through the opponent's defenses, they can't run as fast as the opponent, and their attack power is so great that they can take on a large number of enemies at once.

There's no chance of winning.

"Abu."

Wang Baobao advised, "Let's withdraw our troops."

"Don't bother attacking Bianliang. Even if we take it, we won't be able to hold it."

He told the truth.

What good is taking Bianliang City if all that's left in the city is a bunch of lunatics who'd rather gnaw on tree bark than give up and fight to the death?

Even if they were all killed, when Lin Dao's army arrived, they would be the ones surrounded in the city and waiting to die.

"I know."

Richard Khan shook his head with a wry smile, "We can't fight anymore, and we can't fight any more."

"Yes~"

"Even if we don't fight in Bianliang, where else can we fight after we retreat? Are we going to fight in Dadu?"

"What are the differences between the current capital, Dadu, and Bianliang?"

The capital, lacking supplies, was already a living hell.

Not only was there a food shortage, but a plague also broke out.

The emperor and the crown prince were already at each other's throats.

Rather than fighting in the chaotic capital, where there are many obstacles hindering our progress, it would be better to start the war in Bianliang.

"If it really doesn't work."

Wang Baobao sighed, "Then they can only go back to where they came from."

Richard Khan, of course, understood what he meant.

They abandoned the Middle-earth completely and returned to the Great Plains.

Can the Mongols, who have enjoyed a wonderful life in the Central Plains for decades, really go back?

Not to mention the nobles in the capital who indulge in pleasure all day long.

Richard Khan himself was unwilling to leave.

Richard Khan was born in Yingzhou.

Wang Baobao, on the other hand, was from Gwangju.

They were born in Middle-earth and grew up in Middle-earth.

Furthermore, they have long been influenced by Chinese culture.

Are you suggesting we send them to the grasslands to eat sand?

Besides, their poor relatives on the grasslands didn't actually welcome them back.

Kublai Khan burned down even Karakorum.

The Yuan court treats them like thieves, and now that they're short of food and supplies, they're even sending troops to plunder the grasslands.
As for the more distant lands, those distant relatives have long since parted ways.

When the Yuan court was in trouble, instead of coming to its aid, it sent envoys to mock it with glee.

The world is so vast, yet I don't know where to retreat to.

"Dayuan."

Richard Khan sighed repeatedly, "It's only been a few decades, how did it become like this!?"

Wang Baobao, standing to the side, remained silent.

The Yuan Dynasty collapsed far too quickly.

After an unknown amount of time, Richard Khan sighed and gave the order.

"retreat!"

(End of this chapter)