My Realistic Simulation Game

Chapter 269 The Journey to Jianning Prefecture Shakes China

Yang Fuqing was pulled by his cousin and was also startled out of his rage.

Where there is life, there is hope!

Since Shi Dakai has already broken off all pretense and taken action, staying behind will definitely lead to certain death!
He glared venomously at the front yard, where the shouts of battle were deafening, as if trying to see through the walls to make out Shi Dakai's face, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Let's go!"

He didn't even have time to pack his valuables, nor did he care about his family members still in the inner quarters. Under the horrified gaze of the Heavenly King's messenger and the protection of Yang Yiqing and dozens of personal guards, he hurriedly broke open the back door and fled for his life towards the stables.

They had just rushed out the back door and hadn't even had a chance to catch their breath when they were terrified by what they saw.

In the alley outside the back gate, torches were lit, and a general stood with his sword drawn, followed by hundreds of elite soldiers with murderous intent, who had already blocked the way.

Who else could the leading general be but Shi Zhenji?
Shi Zhenji sat upright on his horse, a mocking smile on his face, looking at the disheveled Yang Fuqing, and said loudly, "Young Master Yang, oh no, should I call you General Yang now? Why are you in such a hurry, with your family... Where are you going?"

"You...!" Yang Fuqing was struck dumb, his blood seemingly freezing instantly. He pointed at Shi Zhenji, his voice distorted with extreme shock and fear, "You... how did you know?! How did you get here?!"

The news that he was appointed as the commander of the central army was a top-secret message that the Heavenly King's envoy had just brought. How could Shi Dakai's men have known this beforehand, or even set up an ambush here in advance?
Shi Zhenji sneered, his tone filled with undisguised mockery: "My brother is so insightful, does he really think that stagnant pool in Tianjing is airtight, without any backup plans or spies left by my brother?"

He paused, his smile turning cold, his gaze sweeping across Yang Fuqing's pale face like a blade. "Let me tell you the truth, your brother saw through you, Yang Fuqing, back when the war in Quzhou was at its most intense, and realized you were a two-faced and unreliable man!"

"The reason I decisively withdrew south and cut the Gordian knot was to guard against this stab in the back from you!"

These words struck Yang Fuqing like a heavy hammer, causing him to stagger back a step, his face drained of color.

It turns out that all of his calculations and hesitations were already within Shi Dakai's expectations!
However, what Shi Zhenji said next plunged him into an even deeper abyss.

“Furthermore,” Shi Zhenji looked up at the sky and added leisurely, “then…”

"Judging by the time, your precious cousins ​​stationed in Chong'an, Songxi, Zhenghe, and Jianyang are probably already in the hands of our other brothers."

"At this point, the entire Jianning Prefecture has probably changed its surname to 'Shi', or rather, 'Guangfu'."

"What?! Impossible..." Yang Fuqing exclaimed in shock, his pupils suddenly contracting. How could Shi Dakai's actions be so fast?

Didn't they just retreat from Quzhou City a few days ago?

So decisive, they're going to take over the entire Jianning Prefecture.

Is this still the original Shi Dakai?
He had originally hoped to escape to Chong'an, gather his troops, and then either fight or flee, leaving him with room to maneuver.

But now, Shi Dakai has launched a swift and powerful attack on all of his territories and troops at the same time!

This ruthlessness and decisiveness is completely different from the Wing King of the past who sometimes still cherished old feelings!
"Take him down!" Shi Zhenji stopped wasting words with him and gave the order sternly.

The soldiers, as fierce as wolves and tigers, swarmed forward.

Yang Fuqing's personal guards tried to resist, but were instantly cut down.

As soon as Yang Yiqing drew his knife, he was blocked by several spears and could not move.

Yang Fuqing himself was pinned down by two burly soldiers with his arms tied behind his back, unable to struggle.

He struggled to lift his head, staring intently at Shi Zhenji, his eyes filled with resentment, bitterness, and a hint of fear he himself refused to acknowledge: "Shi Dakai... he... how could he have become like this..."

Shi Zhenji looked down at him, his eyes icy: "That's none of your business. Take him away and await the commander's orders!"

The once glorious "National Emperor" and newly promoted "Commander of the Central Army" are now like stray dogs, being unceremoniously taken away.

His carefully conceived dream of relying on the Heavenly King to check and balance Shi Dakai was shattered before it even began.

As Shi Zhenji was escorting Yang Fuqing away, he caught a glimpse of a figure hastily retreating into the shadows of a street corner not far away. A barely perceptible sneer appeared on his lips, but he did not point it out. Instead, he quickly led the prisoner toward the county government office in the center of the city.

After Shi Zhenji left, the person in the shadows trembled and peeked out; it was the Heavenly King's messenger.

His face was deathly pale, cold sweat soaked his back, and he muttered to himself, "The Heavenly King's Palace... actually had the Wing King's spies all along?!"

"This matter concerns the safety of the Heavenly King and the survival of the Heavenly Kingdom! I must escape and bring this earth-shattering news back to the Heavenly Capital!"

He dared not delay any longer, immediately tore off his fine clothes, smeared his face with soot, and mingled into the chaotic crowd, fleeing out of the city.

The main hall of the Pucheng County Government Office.

The torches illuminated the surroundings as bright as day.

Qin Yuan sat upright, his expression dignified and imposing, flanked by the main generals of the Restoration Army and the mid-level officers of Yang Fuqing's troops who had been summoned.

Yang Fuqing was brought down to the hall, where he still tried to remain calm.

Qin Yuan's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Yang Fuqing, but he spoke a name that had been almost forgotten: "Yang Fuqing... oh, no, perhaps I should call you by your real name—Yang Jinsheng?"

The sound of "Yang Jinsheng" was like reopening an old wound, causing Yang Fuqing's expression to change drastically.

Qin Yuan gave him no time to react, his voice suddenly rising and echoing throughout the hall: "Yang Jinsheng! Ask yourself honestly, how did Dongwang Xiuqing treat you? Back then, you were just a poor man in the mountains. Who brought you into the sect, united you with the sect, and gave you the name 'Fuqing'? Who treated you like a brother, allowing you to rise to prominence and enjoy all the glory?"

"This kindness is as heavy as Mount Tai and as deep as the sea, is that not an exaggeration?"

Yang Fuqing's lips trembled, unable to look directly at him. "But where were you when the entire Eastern King's household was massacred, and blood stained the capital?"

Qin Yuan's voice was filled with grief and indignation, "As a cousin of the Eastern King, you have received great kindness from him. Instead of seeking revenge, you have recognized the enemy as your father and accepted the high-ranking position and generous salary from the mastermind behind the scenes!"

"Yang Jinsheng, where is your conscience?!"

"How can you face the spirit of the Eastern King in heaven?! How can you face the Yang clan members who died?!"

These words were powerful and scathing, not only a trial of Yang Fuqing, but also a warning to all former subordinates of the Eastern Palace.

Yang Fuqing blushed and struggled to explain, "I... how could I not want revenge! But wasn't the Northern King Wei Changhui already executed? I... I am weak and powerless, what can I do?"

"Insignificant and powerless?" Qin Yuan scoffed, his tone full of mockery. "Do you really think that Wei Changhui was the only one who killed the Eastern King?"

He gave Yang Fuqing no more chance to argue, his gaze sweeping across the entire room, his voice as cold as ice: "Let me speak for you!"

"You know better than anyone that the real mastermind behind the order and tacit approval of the massacre of the Eastern King was none other than the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan!"

"You know this all too well, yet you dare not speak of revenge. Instead, out of fear and covetousness for the official position and power promised by your enemy, you are about to betray the spirit of the Eastern King in heaven and betray your comrades who share the same blood!"

"Yes and no?!"

"I'm not! I didn't!"

Under Qin Yuan's sharp gaze and barrage of questions, Yang Fuqing's defenses completely collapsed, and he could only weakly deny it.

He could feel that the gazes cast upon him by his former subordinates had changed from doubt to contempt and anger.

"The evidence is irrefutable, how can you deny it!" Qin Yuan slammed his hand on the table and shouted to the guards beside him, "Bring up the edict of Hong Xiuquan that we just found in the traitor's secret room!"

One of the guards immediately held the yellow silk edict high and showed it to everyone.

The jade seal of Hong Xiuquan and the words "Commander-in-Chief of the Central Army" conferring upon Yang Fuqing are clearly visible on the top!

Now, even the last shred of hope has vanished.

An uproar erupted both inside and outside the hall, especially among the former members of the East Hall, whose gazes toward Yang Fuqing were filled with anger, as if they were looking at a traitor.

"Take this treacherous scoundrel who has recognized a thief as his father away and keep him under strict guard!"

Qin Yuan waved his hand to give the order, and said no more.

The soldiers dragged the completely limp Yang Fuqing away.

After dealing with Yang Fuqing, Qin Yuan's expression softened, and he turned to the uneasy officers and soldiers of Yang's troops below the hall. "Brothers, most of you were once warriors under the Eastern King. I, Shi Dakai, will never forget the Eastern King's injustice!"

"But Hong Xiuquan acted perversely and was suspicious of his meritorious officials; he was no longer a wise ruler!"

"Our Restoration Army is determined to restore China, expel the Tartars, and rebuild a peaceful and prosperous world. This ambition is no different from the original intention of the Eastern King when he led us to create the Heavenly Kingdom!"

"All those who are willing to fight together for this goal are my brothers and sisters in the Restoration Army! Past events will be forgiven, and merits will be rewarded equally to all!"

His gaze swept over the crowd: "Those who are willing to stay and work with my Restoration Army to achieve great things, please stand on the left! If you have other plans, I, Shi Dakai, will not make things difficult for you. I will provide you with travel expenses and escort you out of the country with courtesy!"

After a brief silence, most of the officers, especially those former members of the Eastern Palace who were utterly disappointed in Yang Fuqing, moved to the left.

Only a very small number of Yang Fuqing's die-hard loyalists stood there, their faces ashen.

Just as Qin Yuan was preparing to further appease and reorganize the troops, a scout on horseback galloped to the outside of the yamen. He dismounted and reported loudly, "Reporting to the commander! Zhenghe and Songxi cities have been captured, and Yang Yuanqing and Yang Xiongqing have both been taken prisoner."

"Great!" Qin Yuan's spirits lifted.

No sooner had he finished speaking than another rider galloped in: "Report—!"

"Chong'an has fallen, and General He Mingbiao has taken advantage of the victory to advance his army and has already captured Shaowu Prefecture!"

When the good news arrived, the hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into thunderous cheers!

He Mingbiao's rapid advance and capture of fortified cities greatly boosted the morale of the entire army.

Qin Yuan's eyes gleamed, and he clapped his hands and laughed loudly: "Good! Good! He Mingbiao is truly a tiger general!"

He pressed his advantage, abruptly rising to his feet, his voice echoing far and wide: "All soldiers, listen to my command! Rest for three days, then prepare for battle! Three days later, march on Jianyang and capture Jianning and Shaowu prefectures in one fell swoop!"

"The restoration of China begins today!"

"Long live! Long live!"

The joy of victory and the anticipation of the future swept away the previous gloom, and the morale of the Restoration Army reached a new peak at this moment.

The dramatic changes that occurred in Jianning Prefecture quickly spread to Tianjing and then to the Qing court's capital within a few days.

The name of the Restoration Army shook the entire nation.

(End of this chapter)