Chapter 258
Autumn was a season of plenty. In just two months, the day Su Li had agreed with Li Er to leave the Central Plains had arrived. Changan City was already the most densely populated place during the Tang Dynasty and was now even more crowded, teeming with people. Even the fields outside the city were bustling with activity.
Most of the belongings had already been packed at the Princess’s Residence. Alongside Su Li were also the key members of the 50,000-strong Tang Dynasty Iron Riders that Li Er had provided. While 50,000 Iron Riders might not appear to be a vast force, it still held significant strength. However, when compared to the expansive northwest, it was clear that this force wouldn’t be sufficient.
In the end, Li Er was being economical, but Su Li didn’t mind. Upon reaching his fief, he intended to build his forces from the ground up, creating a core force exclusively under his command.
“Brother-in-law!” The young boy was already in tears at this moment. Su Li had kept his departure from the Central Plains a secret from the young boy, but the news eventually reached him through others. Su Li glanced at him, acknowledging the boy’s assistance, and affectionately ruffled his hair before giving him a lollipop.
“Brother-in-law has always treated you well.”
“Brother-in-law, will you come back in the future?”
Su Li nodded and smiled. “I will.” He then called a female attendant to take the tearful boy away. As they departed, Changle couldn’t help but look back at the Princess’s Residence with a heavy heart.
At this moment, the carriage master awaited outside the gate, silently waiting. Su Li tightly held Changle’s hand and reassured her, “My dear, it’s time to go.” She nodded, allowing Su Li to lead her onto the carriage.
Many commoners followed as Su Li and Changle left the Princess’s Residence. These people had received kindness from Duke Yongle in the past and now wished to bid him farewell personally.
Li Er and the court officers, leading the commoners, had all come to bid farewell to Duke Yongle. Su Li mounted on a white horse, turned around to gaze at the people who had come to see him off. Faced with such a grand spectacle, he couldn’t help but be moved.
Common people, in any era, were undoubtedly the most sincere. They adhered to a simple principle: whoever treated them well would genuinely receive their goodwill in return. They had fewer ulterior motives and were less deceitful.
Su Li dismounted from his horse and expressed his gratitude with a salute, saying, “Elders of Changan, fellow countrymen of the Tang Dynasty, I am truly grateful for your kind intentions. Please return home and do not let this delay your farming and harvesting. If my presence causes any delay in the harvest, I would feel ashamed.”
A year’s worth of labor had gone into the harvest, and the results were now in the hands of the people. Amidst the sea of people, someone was the first to speak up, “Duke Yongle, please stay in the Central Plains. The Central Plains can’t be without Duke Yongle!”
And then more voices joined in, echoing the same sentiment. “...”
At that moment, with no prior rehearsal or preparation, hundreds of thousands of commoners shouted in unison, imploring Duke Yongle to stay. Their voices, united and thunderous, reverberated through the air. “Duke Yongle, please stay in the Central Plains. The Central Plains can’t be without Duke Yongle!”
The sight of this scene left the court officers in a state of almost tangible shock and trepidation. Duke Yongle’s influence was so vast that one could imagine a single call for rebellion might prompt these commoners to rise immediately, potentially turning against Li Er himself.
Such a statement, similar to incitement, left Li Er without a clear response, as he couldn’t reasonably punish all these hundreds of thousands of Tang Dynasty citizens. The law didn’t hold individuals accountable for the actions of the masses.
Countless commoners and laborers all knelt in the direction of Su Li, their pleas continuing despite the efforts of court officers to discourage them. Su Li was a man of his word. He spoke loudly enough for everyone present to hear, saying, “If, in the future, officers or powerful families oppress you, all you need to do is send a letter to the northwest. I will still intervene on your behalf!”
With those words, Duke Yongle’s carriage departed towards the northwest. In the end, Duke Yongle had left. Li Er observed the assembled commoners, united by Duke Yongle, and couldn’t help but feel perplexed. He pondered, Was it the right decision to send Duke Yongle away from the Central Plains?