Gu Shu’s Best City
Fu Ya had died and done so in an extremely ugly manner. There was not much clothing covering her body, and her lower body was in bad shape from Bi Xiu’s earlier actions.
Xuan Tian Ming ordered the soldiers: “When we enter the city, bring along that girl’s body and bring it back as a sacrifice to Madam Yao.”
At the same time, Bi Xiu’s death caused Gu Shu’s army to fall into chaos. Nobody thought that their top general would suddenly die in such a situation. At present, Da Shun was just outside the city, and they could launch an attack at any moment. With the impression of heavenly lightning in their minds, they were powerless to fight back. Even the deputy general felt despair creep into his heart. Slowly stepping back, he began making preparations to retreat at any moment.
The soldiers were not foolish. With their head general dead, the sight of their deputy general’s condition made it clear that he wanted to run. What would they fight for? They might as well run! Thus Gu Shu’s army made the decision on its own to flee through Yue Ping City’s southern gate before Da Shun’s army began its attack. Before retreating, they did not have time to even worry about the food stores for fear that they would be blown up by the heavenly lightning if they were slow to retreat.
But in truth, Da Shun’s army did not make a move. They just moved forward by a bit while carefully listening to the movements inside the city’s walls. Of course, there were also spies that came soaring out of the city and reported the movements inside. Only after all of Gu Shu’s soldiers had retreated from the city did they open the gate from the inside, respectfully welcoming Da Shun’s army into the city.
As for the reason that they did not attack Yue Ping City like they had before, aside from what Feng Yu Heng had said about it being far from Lan Zhou, making it difficult to transport building materials and people, the most important reasons were Yue Ping City’s location and appearance.
It was different from Sha Ping City and Jue Ping City. Yue Ping City had also been built near water; however, the water came from a large number of lakes in the desert. The entirety of Yue Ping City was a large oasis. The center of the city had a fresh-water lake. All around the lake were plants native to the desert. There were patches of fruit trees in the city, and they were even able to grow some of their own food. It was enough to feed everyone in Yue Ping City. It could be said that Yue Ping City was the best and biggest city in Gu Shu. It was just that its position was not quite in the middle of Gu Shu, and this was the only reason Gu Shu did not establish it as its capital.
Xuan Tian Ming already knew of Yue Ping City’s situation, and he had no desire to damage it. He hoped to peacefully take this city. Regardless of whether it was for the oasis or the people, they were able to interact with them with a peaceful attitude. If they could avoid using things like mines and grenades in Yue Ping City, it would be best.
This sort of thinking was something that was shared by the people of Yue Ping City! It had been many years that the people of Yue Ping City had enjoyed the most comfort. The other cities required help from the courts and trade with Da Shun to continue their existence. For Yue Ping City, they could have anything they wanted by relying on the oasis. Rice, vegetables, and fruits were all plentiful, and they were lacking for nothing. They naturally preferred peace and detested war. When Gu Shu had been chased to Yue Ping City, the prefect of Yue Ping City would have wanted to keep their gates shut if he was not an official of Gu Shu.
Finally, with Bi Xiu dying and Gu Shu’s army fleeing, Da Shun’s army had entered the city. The people of Yue Ping City were anxious and speculative. Were Da Shun’s people the same as Gu Shu’s army. Would they begin breaking things and stealing once they entered the city? If it was the case, even if they had to give up on their lives, they would fight to the end. But if they were not, if Da Shun’s people could peacefully take care of this city, they would unconditionally accept Da Shun’s governance. To the people of Yue Ping City, it did not matter who was their ruler. As long as Yue Ping City was still there, as long as they could live freely and peacefully, and as long as they could continue living the way that they had before, it was fine. They would not be loyal to anyone. They were only loyal to their own desires. They were only loyal to the people that treated them well.
Yue Ping City’s prefect, Gu Ya first went out to receive Xuan Tian Ming’s army. Neither meek nor arrogant, he cupped his hands and expressed the thoughts of Yue Ping City’s people. Xuan Tian Ming let out a hearty laugh and told him about the manner in which Sha Ping and Jue Ping were being governed. He also told him about the current living conditions in the two cities, telling him: “If you don’t believe it, this prince can send someone from Yue Ping City over to Sha Ping and Jue Ping to take a look. When they have returned, let them tell you what they have seen.”
Gu Ya was someone who did things very carefully. Hearing Xuan Tian Ming bring up this idea, he immediately agreed. At the same time, he was a man of action, immediately naming ten people from Yue Ping City, asking Xuan Tian Ming to quickly send them to take a look at the two cities. Xuan Tian Ming and Feng Yu Heng both observed this prefect’s actions and methods. Of the ten people that he chose, there were young and old, men and women, and there were even children around five or six. This sort of age distribution was very reliable. Young people and elderly people, men and women, they all had different needs. They would also see things from different perspectives. As for young children, their points of view and thoughts were most direct, and they would not tell lies. With this sort of a group going to take a look, they would definitely bring back an honest report.
Feng Yu Heng nodded and felt that this prefect really was someone that was worth using.
Xuan Tian Ming also believed this to be the case. He very happily agreed and handed these matters over to Xi Fang to handle. They would be sent out of the city the next morning. This would also allow Yue Ping City’s citizens to calm down a bit.
Da Shun’s army emphasized order. After entering the city, they did not remain for too long. Most of the people just carried on and passed through the southern gate. They continued South for another ten li before setting up camp.
Yue Ping City had been taken without any need for fighting. The soldiers still had some strength and quickly set up camp before the sun came up in preparation for being assaulted by another wave of extreme heat.
There was another smaller group of soldiers that remained in the city. They did not worry about themselves first. Instead, they took care of cleaning up the mess that had been left behind by Gu Shu’s army. They then registered the buildings that had been damaged and told the people not to worry. They would come by the next day to repair it. Also, all of the damages caused by Gu Shu’s army would be repaired by Da Shun’s side. There was no need for the people to spend their own money.
Before this, Gu Shu’s army had been set up inside the city. Hundreds of thousands of people were squeezed inside, and it had caused great damage to Yue Ping City. Tents had even been set up on the city’s main road, leaving the people with no place to walk. As for the large lake in the middle, Gu Shu’s people lived around it. All of the fruits and vegetables that had been growing there were ruined.
Feng Yu Heng felt distressed upon seeing it and said to Xuan Tian Ming through gritted teeth: “When I get a chance, I will definitely go to Gu Shu’s Imperial Palace to steal some things. I need to go and settle this debt with Gu Shu. We won’t pay for Gu Shu.”
Xuan Tian Ming expressed his approval of this, and he was also itching to have a go at Gu Shu’s imperial palace. If it was not for Feng Yu Heng’s space having a limited amount of room, he really wanted to go and empty out Gu Shu’s Imperial Palace.
The citizens of Yue Ping City witnessed the bearing and discipline of Da Shun’s army and were completely at ease. They knew that this was an army that was completely different from Gu Shu’s army. They were considerate of the people, and they did not destroy anything. They even joined in fixing things. There were even soldiers that lamented the destruction of the food growing in the oasis. The prefect, Gu Ya, followed along the entire way, and he also spent this time observing. He took note of everything that Da Shun’s army was doing, and he could not help but silently feel emotional. It was no wonder everyone said that Da Shun was good. It was no wonder that Da Shun could occupy the most fertile lands, as well as the largest piece of land. It turned out that it was not without reason. Only a benevolent and generous country could take in so much. Only the strictest of military discipline could train this sort of reasonable and country-loving soldier.
Gu Ya performed a deep salute to Xuan Tian Ming without saying anything; however, this expressed his sincerest thoughts.
However, Xuan Tian Ming did not advocate for him to accept Da Shun this quickly. He just continued to seriously say: “When the people have returned from Sha Ping and Jue Ping, have a listen and see. The most important thing is for you to analyze whether or not the things we have done in those two cities are good. This prince is happy to accept your opinions while putting any additional ideas into practice. After all, our Da Shun has not governed a desert region before, and we are very unaccustomed to the environment here. We need lord prefect’s advice for certain matters.”
Gu Ya was also stunned then asked: “You still need this lowly one’s advice? Da Shun has entered the city, and Yue Ping City no longer belongs to Gu Shu. This lowly one naturally can no longer be the prefect. It should be someone sent over from Da Shun to govern it. This lowly one will just be a normal citizen. This is something that should be done.” Who had ever heard of a new master coming into the city but keeping the former master’s officials? Although he was one of Gu Shu’s people, he had heard of the central region’s saying of “a court for each ruler.*” They were also perfectly happy to follow this rule.
But Xuan Tian Ming shook his head and said: “This prince has not thought of replacing you. Although Sha Ping and Jue Ping’s prefects had been replaced, that was because the previous officials did not have the ability to remain in that position. That’s why they were replaced. It was for the sake of allowing the citizens of those two cities to live even better than before. But ever since this prince entered the city, this prince has taken note of your words and actions, and they were completely different from those of the previous cities’ prefects. Your ability is enough to support this city, and it’s enough to revive a city after it has been ruined. This prince trusts you.”
The words “this prince trusts you,” caused Gu Ya to become passionate. he had been the prefect of Yue Ping City for over 15 years. Speaking truthfully, he was reluctant to become a normal citizen. He still had a number of things that he wanted to do with this city. He still had a number of ideas that he wanted to try, and he wanted to allow the people to live better lives. He had even thought of eventually being able to travel to Da Shun and bringing Da Shun’s culture to Yue Ping City. He would also bring more of Da Shun’s finer fruits and vegetables back to see if they could be planted in the oasis. If he had to retire from the position of prefect because of this battle, none of those ideas could ever be realized.
Now, Xuan Tian Ming was allowing him to continue being the prefect. Gu Ya was so moved that tears filled his eyes, as he immediately dropped to his knees and kowtowed three times to Xuan Tian Ming. He did not make any promises and only said: “Please give me half a year. After half a year, if Your Highness believes that I am not suited to the position, just have me replaced.”
Xuan Tian Ming nodded and did not say anything else. He just dismounted his camel and grabbed Feng Yu Heng’s hand to begin strolling around the oasis.
Gu Ya knew what to do in this situation and did not follow. He just watched the two walk along the lakeside in their bright-red wedding clothes. Walking along Yue Ping City’s lake, they would occasionally laugh or shout. The girl would even climb on the man’s back. When they returned, they walked to the edge of the lake and cupped some water to drink with smiles on their faces.
A feeling of happiness filled his heart, as he suddenly felt that Da Shun being able to take over Yue Ping City really was quite good!
*TN: When the ruler changes, the members of the court will also change