362: troops dispatched

From Lin Ang's perspective, the black sun split open, as if it had opened its mouth wide and swallowed him whole.

The next moment, Lin Ang woke up.

He gasped for breath, the dream's images lingering in his mind.

What was that terrifying scene?

Lin Ang thought of the Holy Mother Sect, and of the Little Holy Mother.

Why did the Little Holy Mother perish here? Was it man-made or... If it was man-made, would the other party spare him, as the Little Holy Mother's successor?

The answer was beyond doubt.

That dream just now might have been a warning, cautioning him that he must act quickly.

Otherwise, if the Little Holy Mother's enemies arrived, he would surely die.

Lin Ang had no doubt about whether the other party had the strength; even someone as powerful as the Little Holy Mother was gone, let alone him.

He sat up and looked up; the sky was already bright.

Outside, Zhengqi Alliance Members and soldiers, waiting for Lin Ang's orders, had already gathered.

Yesterday, Lin Ang had ordered the army to depart this morning.

So these people, led by their officers, had packed up early, with only Lin Ang, the army's commander, still asleep.

Given Lin Ang's ferocity and the orders he had given and actions he had taken during this period,

no one dared to wake the sleeping Lin Ang; they could only wait for him to wake naturally.

They also dared not let the army disperse, fearing punishment from Lin Ang when he woke up.

So they waited and waited, for nearly two hours beyond the appointed time.

Stepping out of the house, Lin Ang said apologetically, "Delaying military affairs is my fault, and by law, I should be executed!"

The members and generals were greatly alarmed upon hearing this and rushed to dissuade him, "Alliance Head, absolutely not!"

Lin Ang shook his head and said solemnly, "As the head of the army, I must set an example, otherwise, how can I command respect.

My decision on this matter is final; you need not persuade me further."

With that, Lin Ang drew his sword, preparing to commit suicide.

A member ran out, crying, "Lord Alliance Head, please stop!"

Lin Ang was furious upon hearing this and rebuked, "My words have been spoken; there are no jests in the army. Are you asking me to go back on my word, to be an untrustworthy person?"

The member quickly pleaded, "Lord Alliance Head, you cannot die.

You must preserve your useful body to bring welfare to the world and rescue the common people from suffering.

If you must die, please first think of the people who are waiting for you, and the soldiers who have great expectations of you.

Do they want you to die?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but shed tears, turning to face the army, "Tell me, do you want the Alliance Head to die?"

"No!"

"The Alliance Head now seeks death; do you agree?"

"No!"

Lin Ang was somewhat moved, but still decided to stick to his principles to uphold military discipline,

"No, we are only one capital city away from taking Great Zhou. Now that the Imperial Advisor is dead, you can do it; you no longer need me."

"No!"

The member shouted loudly, then drew his saber and held it to his neck, "If we do not have the Alliance Head to lead us, even if we are only a finger's twitch away from victory, we will not win.

If the Alliance Head insists on committing suicide here today, I will accompany him and follow him to death."

"We will accompany you!"

Swish!

Behind him, all the Zhengqi Alliance Members and generals drew their sabers and held them to their necks, and the soldiers did the same.

Seeing this, Lin Ang slowly lowered the saber he had held to his neck.

He closed his eyes in pain, "Am I to be this untrustworthy person? Knowing the law and breaking it, from now on, how can I have the face to command the army?"

"If the Alliance Head does not commit suicide today, we will all commit suicide here today," the soldiers below shouted in unison.

"Enough, enough!"

After a bitter smile, Lin Ang made a decision; he truly could not die now.

He still had so many soldiers following him, and so many people outside who believed in him.

And the people in the capital city of Great Zhou who were still living in dire straits.

Compared to them, what was his own life worth?

The next moment, Lin Ang suddenly raised his saber again, just as everyone thought he was going to continue to commit suicide.

Lin Ang gathered a lock of hair, held the saber, and chopped it down fiercely; the hair snapped in response.

He handed the severed hair to the member who had just spoken, who was puzzled.

Regarding this, Lin Ang faced the army and explained, "My offense is a capital crime, and it must be punished.

But I deeply understand the heavy responsibility on my shoulders and cannot easily die.

Today, I shall cut off a lock of hair to represent my head.

Take it and behead it!"

"Yes!"

The member responded, taking the hair Lin Ang had given him and retreating.

Just as everyone thought the matter was over, Lin Ang spoke again.

"But, this is only a temporary measure."

"Today, I guarantee to all of you, I make a military pledge: after we take Great Zhou, on the day the world is at peace, I will commit suicide to repay the karma of today."

"Lord Alliance Head!"

Lin Ang's words drew cries of anguish from below the platform.

This time, Lin Ang was extremely serious, "This matter is not to be discussed further, otherwise, I will die in front of you right now."

Upon hearing this, everyone dared not persuade him further.

"Report!"

The member who had gone to carry out the beheading returned, holding his hands in fists, one hand grasping half of the hair.

He came before Lin Ang, knelt on one knee, and held the hair high above his head,

"Reporting to the City Lord, the violator of military regulations has been executed. Please inspect, Alliance Head."

Lin Ang took the hair, held it straight up with one hand, and loudly declared,

"From today onwards, anyone who violates military regulations will not be tolerated, and I, as the Alliance Head, am no exception."

"Violators shall be like this hair!"

With that, Lin Ang exerted force, and the hair in his hand instantly shattered into dust.

"Long live the Alliance Head!"

The soldiers waved their weapons and cheered in unison.

"Now, the army moves out!"

With Lin Ang's command, the entire army moved in an orderly fashion.

Because of Lin Ang's actions just now, the army's efficiency was much stronger than before.

Lin Ang was very satisfied with this; this was how a righteous army should be... "Emperor!"

"Emperor, something is wrong!"

"Emperor!"

"You scoundrel, what's wrong? Speak quickly!"

Emperor Zhou kicked down the eunuch who had come to report, cursing angrily.

The eunuch knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly, "Emperor, intelligence from below reports that Yang Dongchang, the Prefect of Xuzhou, surrendered without a fight. At this moment, the rebel army is approaching the capital. Emperor, what should we do?"

Unexpectedly, Emperor Zhou listened but was completely unconcerned, "What to do? The same as with previous rebel armies; offer amnesty."

"Emperor, this rebel army is different from the previous ones!"

Hearing Emperor Zhou's solution, the eunuch advised.

"Different? What's different? Just give them more money," Emperor Zhou said with an impatient look.

Then he waved his hand, "Alright, you may leave. I still want to have fun with my beloved concubines."

"Emperor!"

The eunuch cried out in despair.

"Go down." Emperor Zhou gradually walked towards the back palace.

Seeing Emperor Zhou walk further and further away, the eunuch could only retreat helplessly.

After a few steps, Emperor Zhou stopped and suddenly said, "Wait."

This suddenly rekindled hope in the eunuch's heart, and he immediately turned around and knelt on the ground, excitedly saying, "What are the Emperor's commands?"

Emperor Zhou thought for a moment and said, "That Prefect of Xuzhou dared to surrender without a fight; it truly disgraces the prestige of our Great Zhou."

"How about this: all his family members in the capital shall be executed, hmm... except for the female relatives; send them to the palace for me to see first."

The first sentence had been fine, but the second sentence completely plunged the eunuch into despair.

After all that, he just wanted to see the man's female relatives.

At this point, Emperor Zhou had already entered the back palace.

The eunuch remained kneeling silently in the front palace, while the sounds of debauchery from the back palace occasionally echoed.

"Emperor, hurry!"

"Beloved concubine, I'm coming."

"Emperor, Emperor, and what about me, your humble servant?"

"Good, good, good, you'll have your share too."

"Emperor, you're annoying~"

"Hahaha!"