Chapter 1479: Chapter 1580: He’s Impulsive for Once_1
Just outside Anxia Town, near the Qingzhou Military Camp, Jiang Yichun had brought a group of Shadow Guards to lurk in the town.
“My lord, the scouts report that the target will appear in at most half an hour, we have made thorough preparations,” said a Shadow Guard disguised as a Quanrong person.
Jiang Yichun’s face was grave, as he too had disguised himself to look like a thin, dark-skinned man, his entire deanor muted significantly, almost as if he were a different person from his usual self.
“No matter what, we must not reveal our identities. If the situation changes, withdraw in ti and absolutely cannot leave any loose ends,” Jiang Yichun instructed.
They had left the Capital before Yang Tianhua, having made nurous arrangents along the way, and had arrived at Anxia Town three days earlier, putting everything in place.
Jiang Yichun touched the small jade pendant hanging around his neck, his expression softening slightly.
The jade was a gift from Bai Ruozhu before she left; at a cursory glance, it appeared to be a simple pendant made of lustrous white jade, but hidden inside it was a precious detoxification dicine, specially formulated by Bai Ruozhu, more effective than the ordinary detoxifying pill.
Bai Ruozhu, fearing that he might fall prey to others while away, had labored tirelessly to make it.
Once he had killed Yang Tianhua, he would rush back to the Capital City and be with Ruozhu and their son.
Thinking of his wife and child, Jiang Yichun’s deanor softened again, until he noticed a slightly frail figure beside him watching him and his face returned to its usual cold indifference.
He cast a glance at Ling, who was disguised as a Quanrong woman, gesturing to her not to reveal any flaws.
This flaw did not just refer to her disguise as a Shadow Guard, but also included her identity as a mber of the Hao Mu.
Female Shadow Guards were rare, and Ling was said to be one of those Shadow Guards who moved like a ghost and had excellent lightness skills. Like Hao Mu, she too belonged to the Hao Mu, even under the people Jiang Yichun was in charge of at Chen Hall.
Jiang Yichun was afraid Ling would reveal her identity and signaled her to pretend not to know each other.
Ling’s eyes dimd slightly, and she swiftly concealed her presence. The Shadow Guard accompanying her gave her a puzzled look.
Half an hour passed, and a party of Horsen, under the scorching sumr sun, marched grandly towards the small Town, kicking up clouds of dust along the way, with Yang Tianhua in armor leading in the front, his appearance slightly grimy from the journey.
From the shadows, Jiang Yichun’s eyes narrowed slightly, ready to signal the assassin to lunge and take Yang Tianhua’s wretched life.
Choosing the right mont was critical. Yang Tianhua had brought so many Horsen into the Town, but the City Gate was only so wide, and it was not possible for many to enter at once. The best mont would be just as Yang Tianhua had entered the Town while the backup troops were still squeezed outside the City Gate.
Jiang Yichun dared not even blink, being a person who was naturally cautious and ticulous; he wouldn’t allow any slip in the plan, nor did he want to increase the casualties among his subordinates.
Just as he was about to send the signal, a commotion suddenly erupted from within the Town, and a flood of common people spilled out from both sides of the main street.
“The high officers from above have arrived; let’s hurry and plead for the officers to decide on our behalf!” shouted the leading Farr, with the rest of the crowd following suit, quickly clogging up the City Gate.
“Sir, we can’t survive under the oppression of the Qingzhou army anymore! Please help us— we can’t pay any more taxes!”
“Sir, please give us a way to live!”
“We’ve captured Qingzhou’s dog of a general; they only know how to oppress us common people. Sir, please uphold justice for us!”
“…”
Jiang Yichun hadn’t expected such a sudden turn of events. He quickly gestured to his subordinates to pause—they were blocked by the people. Yang Tianhua also beca alert; it was not a good ti to make a move.
Yang Tianhua squinted his eyes at the poor folks in front of him, yet his face did not show much surprise. The taxes were imposed by his orders. The military force of Qingzhou was his, and he had the final say over the territory. He naturally could cover the sky with one hand, but he did not expect these contemptible peasants from Anxia Town to be emboldened enough to rebel.
“Do you realize the cri of rebellion? Leave at once, or face execution without rcy!” Yang Tianhua shouted at the people.
The crowd was in an uproar. The leading man shouted, “We are here to petition! We’re asking the official to hold justice for us, it’s not rebellion. Won’t you stand up for the people, sir?”
Jiang Yichun shook his head secretly. These commoners were too naive; they didn’t understand what kind of person Yang Tianhua was. What was the use of asking Yang Tianhua for justice?
Yang Tianhua’s face was cold. “Humph, you troublemakers speak utter nonsense! As subjects of Danliang Country, paying taxes is your duty. Refusing to pay taxes, are you not rebelling?”
“Sir, don’t bully us for being inexperienced. So of us have asked around in different territories; there are nowhere such heavy taxes. The drought has already diminished the harvest, and with the added taxes from the Qingzhou army, aren’t you driving us to death?” the leading man said loudly.
“Audacious! Seize the ringleaders of this rebellion for !” With a command from Yang Tianhua, a line of soldiers charged forward on horseback. Jiang Yichun had not yet had ti to react when several heads rolled onto the ground.
He had thought Yang Tianhua’s warning of “execution without rcy” was just to scare the people, but he didn’t expect Yang Tianhua to start killing without even finishing his sentence!
Blood spattered everywhere, and bodies dressed in ragged clothes fell. Heads rolled to the side of the road, still wearing expressions of shock and disbelief. They were rely petitioning, hoping the high official would grant them a way to live; why did they lose their lives in the blink of an eye?
The eyes of those severed heads were all wide open, testifying to the owners’ unwillingness to die.
The common people behind started to scream. Those who were cowardly fled in panic. They were ordinary people; how could they have witnessed such a heartless, demonic slaughter? In sheer panic, those at the back toppled those in front, and so were trampled. Instantly, cries and screams filled the air, and the town, which had been peaceful, seed to be shrouded in the stench of blood, filled with the aura of death.
Dark clouds in the sky blocked the sun, and what had been a blazing sunny day turned gloomy, with rain looking imminent.
The distant sound of thunder rumbled, and Yang Tianhua, riding on his horse, burst into a sinister laugh. “Teach these troublemakers a good lesson. Let’s see who else dares to rebel after this!”
More soldiers charged forward, chasing and cutting down the fleeing commoners. Even those kneeling and begging for rcy were killed without a second thought, as if they were enemies on a battlefield.
Jiang Yichun’s eyes reddened. The taxes paid by these commoners were supposed to sustain an army that fought against enemies, not one that rcilessly slaughtered its own people, as cruelly as butchering pigs and sheep. Was this what the Danliang army had beco?
He resolutely gave the signal. He knew this was not the right mont for assassination. With his consistent caution and diligence, he should not choose to act at this mont, but he could no longer restrain himself, let him also act on impulse for once!
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