Hot flashes

The surrender of Luancheng was like carving a huge, unavoidable gap in the already crumbling wall between the northern border and the southern capital.

The news spread like wildfire, carrying with it the fame of Xiao Jue's army's consecutive victories and unstoppable advance, quickly sweeping across every city and prefecture in northern Central China.

In the following months, the war progressed in an almost snowballing manner.

Xiao Jue did not rush to attack Nandu, but instead took a steady and methodical approach, using Hengshui and Luancheng as bases to sweep and intimidate the eastern and western flanks.

Many prefectural commanders were already terrified after hearing the news that Li Chong's cavalry had suffered a setback and that Luancheng had surrendered without a fight.

Some surrendered at the mere sight of the enemy, while others offered only slight resistance before being quickly routed by Xiao Jue's swift and decisive actions. Still others, under internal pressure, surrendered their cities outright.

Xiao Jue's influence spread rapidly throughout the northern lands, like ink drops into water.

He did not indiscriminately slaughter; those who voluntarily surrendered were often treated leniently, retaining some of their power and position; while those who resisted were dealt with swiftly as a warning to others.

At the same time, he vigorously promoted the measures to pacify the people that had been tested in Hengshui and Luancheng: rectifying official corruption, reducing taxes, building water conservancy projects, and recruiting refugees.

In chaotic times, what people seek is nothing more than stability and a way to survive. Although Xiao Jue's rule cannot be called a golden age, it is much more enlightened and orderly than the chaotic and corrupt rule of the Southern Capital court, and the people's hearts are gradually won over.

The Southern Capital court's reaction ranged from initial fury and stern condemnation to later panicked troop mobilization and the dispatch of more lobbyists.

The young emperor did not want to resist, but the factional infighting in the court was becoming increasingly serious, the shadow of the disastrous defeat in the northern expedition loomed over the entire bureaucratic system, the national treasury was empty, and morale was low.

Even more critically, Xiao Jue's reluctance to engage in a decisive battle was like a slowly tightening noose, plunging Nandu into an awkward situation where it could neither fight nor make peace.

Every attempt to mobilize troops was accompanied by endless wrangling and shirking of responsibility; every attempt to negotiate peace was met with a firm but firm rejection from Xiao Jue's side, with increasingly harsh conditions.

Amidst this chaotic situation in Nandu and Xiao Jue's cautious advance, autumn quietly arrived.

On this day, Xiao Jue's army arrived at the north bank of the Canglan River. The river flowed swiftly, and on the opposite bank lay the three most prosperous prefectures of Jiangzuo in the heart of the Central Plains.

Taking this place would truly sever the financial lifeline of the Southern Capital, giving us control of half the country.

However, the army did not immediately cross the river. Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was subtly unusual.

A group of military officers, led by Zhao Ting and Wang Ben, along with key advisors such as Shen Yu, gathered in the tent. Their faces were solemn, but their eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.

Shen Yu, representing the civil officials, stepped forward first, holding a pre-prepared document with neat handwriting. He bowed deeply to Xiao Jue, who sat calmly in the main seat, and spoke in a loud and earnest voice:

"My lord! Since the uprising in the north, you have been pacifying the people and punishing the guilty, cleansing the filth, conquering Hengshui, subjugating Luancheng, and sweeping across the north, invincible in every way!"

Today, our army stands proudly north of the Yangtze River, with hundreds of thousands of armored soldiers, and the hearts of the people are with us; it is the mandate of heaven!

The Zhao family of Nandu is incompetent and corrupt, favoring treacherous officials, which has led to the decay of the court and the suffering of the people. They have long lost the hearts of the people!

He paused, then his voice became even more impassioned: "My lord is a man of extraordinary talent and unparalleled strategy, who has saved the people from suffering and continued the orthodoxy of China!"

If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, things will not be accomplished! Now the soldiers are risking their lives, and the people are looking up to them; how can we continue to be confined to the position of "Marquis," serving as subjects of that incompetent court?

He held the document high above his head with both hands: "Your humble servants risk their lives to submit this memorial! We earnestly request that Your Majesty, in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's wishes, ascend to the throne and become king!"

"Establish a new regime and system to pacify the people and to justify the suppression of rebellion! This is the wish of the entire army and the hope of all the people! We beseech your lord—to grant permission!"

"Please, my lord, ascend to the throne and become king!" Inside the tent, generals Zhao Ting, Wang Ben, and others knelt on one knee, clasped their fists, and roared, their voices echoing across the tent ceiling. Civil officials and advisors also bowed deeply.

I urge you to take the throne!

It has finally come to this. With its power expanded to this point and its territory occupying half of the land, it is indeed no longer appropriate to still bear the titles of "Marquis of Zhenbei" or "Xiao Ni".

A more prestigious title is needed, one that can rival or even replace the Southern Capital. "King" is the most appropriate step at present.

Xiao Jue sat upright, his face showing little excitement, but rather remarkable composure. His gaze slowly swept over the kneeling civil and military officials filling the tent, finally settling on the petition for the emperor held aloft by Shen Yu, and he remained silent for a moment.

Inside the tent, you could hear a pin drop; everyone held their breath and waited.

"I understand your intentions, gentlemen," Xiao Jue finally spoke, his voice calm and unreadable. "However, my uprising was for the sake of avenging my father and brothers, and for the sake of the people of the Northern Frontier, not for personal fame or position. With the Southern Capital still unpaced and the world still unsettled, how dare I presume upon such a prestigious title?"

This is a typical humble remark, and also a necessary gesture. One should neither appear impatient nor genuinely refuse.

Sure enough, Shen Yu immediately said, "Your Majesty is mistaken! It is precisely because the world is not yet settled and the capital is incompetent that Your Majesty needs to assume the title to unite the people and command the world!"

When names are correct, words will be proper; when words are proper, things will be accomplished! This is not for personal gain, but for the common good of the world, for the swift pacification of chaos, and for relieving the people from their suffering!

"Please, my lord, consider the well-being of all people!" the crowd pleaded in unison once more.

Xiao Jue remained silent for a while before letting out a soft sigh, seemingly helpless: "I am unworthy of your kindness, gentlemen." He paused, "However, the title of king is not light, and the proper etiquette cannot be disregarded. It is not too late to discuss this after we have crossed the Canglan River and pacified Jiangzuo."

This was the initial agreement, but the formal ceremony was postponed until after the next military victory.

He accepted the advice to ascend the throne, maintained a composed demeanor, and linked his ascension to the throne with the upcoming military campaign, thus boosting morale.

Everyone inside the tent was overjoyed upon hearing this. Although the ceremony had not yet taken place, their lord's approval meant that they had already achieved more than half the success!

"Our lord is wise!" The crowd bowed down once more.

In the following days, the army actively prepared for crossing the river, but the atmosphere in the camp had changed.

The generals and soldiers had a more spirited and eager look on their faces, as if the title of "royal army" had already been bestowed upon them in advance.

Privately, people have quietly changed their address for Xiao Jue from "Lord" to "Prince," even though Xiao Jue himself has not yet been officially granted the title.