Chapter 129: Timely Rain

Chapter 129: Timely Rain

The Riverside Village was under attack from both land and lake, and among the attackers were the Southern Armys war junks. Prince Donghai was so shocked that he nearly fainted, and Han Ruzi was equally at a loss.

This shattered almost all of his expectations.

This is the Southern Army Han Ruzi strained to peer at the lakes surface, only to see three large silhouettes, surrounded by what seemed like some smaller boats, none lit with torches, all drifting slowly toward Riverside Village like ghostly ships.

Why? Prince Donghai asked tremulously, turning his gaze to Han Ruzi, hoping to find answers from him. Uncle knows that Im here, could it be

Could it be that the Empress Dowager has already triumphed? Han Ruzi could only draw such a conclusion.

Prince Donghai began to tremble.

Once the balance between the Empress Dowager and the Cui clan was disrupted, the narrow space in which Han Ruzi survived would cease to exist.

Han Ruzi suddenly realized someone was missing beside him. Reckless had vanished. He had said that when there was no hope left, he would not accompany Han Ruzi to the death. In his view, this was probably one of those situations.

Han Ruzi felt despondent, but he was not Prince Donghai. He had long grown accustomed to desperate situations. Unless he died, he would never resign himself to fate.

Retreat, starting from the first team. Dont go into the houses, hide behind them! he ordered. No one opposed, and no one questioned. They feared that if they got an answer they didnt want to hear, they would lose the last glimmer of hope.

The militiamen were surprisingly organized. Even though retreating meant getting closer to the raging fire, no one protested.

Han Ruzi knew he had to remain calm, so he stood on the pier, facing the boats on the lake, with no cover in front of him, and shouted to Prince Donghai, Does the Southern Army have a navy at Guaizi Lake?

Prince Donghai had no intention of getting closer, but was pushed by several guards behind the Emperor. The Southern Army has a fleet of war junks at the Wei River, which might be connected to Guaizi Lake. It would take at least half a day to get from the Wei River to here, which means arrangements were made during the day.

Han Ruzi had just asked the question casually, with no purpose. Chao Hua walked up from behind, clasped his fists, and said, Your Majesty, may I take a few men to sabotage the boats?

Is it feasible?

Chao Hua smiled, We have been fishing and swimming in the lake since we were children. Let us try.

Very well, General Chao, assemble your troops.

Seeing Han Ruzi solemnly dispatching troops, Prince Donghai wanted to laugh but couldnt, only emitting a few grunts from his mouth.

Chao Hua called out a series of names, selecting fourteen people. Most of them were young men from the Chao family fishing village. They were already prepared, wearing only shorts, with knives and awls in their mouths, they walked into the lake, swimming towards the distance, soon disappearing into the night.

Its useless, the soldiers on the war junks have long spears, specifically to deal with these underwater attacks. Prince Donghai still couldnt see any hope.

The retreat was almost complete. After the last hundred-man team left the pier, Han Ruzi walked towards the center of the village under the escort of his guards.

Death by fire on one side, death by arrows and drowning on the other Prince Donghai didnt want to go anywhere.

There was a strange sound in the air. Han Ruzi and others turned to look, only to see a fire arrow descending from the sky, hitting the spot where he had just stood. Deeply embedded in the wooden bridge, it trembled slightly and the flames quickly extinguished.

The Southern Armys archery skills arent that great, Han Ruzi said with forced ease.

The true dragon emperor, I told you, he is the true dragon emperor.

Prince Donghai also knelt down. There was no choice; guards pressed down on his shoulders, and he couldnt remain standing.

He was both astonished and envious. Han Ruzis luck was too good. Although summer rains were frequent, it happened to come down at this moment, truly miraculous. But he also had to admit that if Han Ruzi hadnt been prepared and had panicked from the start, this rain would have been meaningless.

Standing in the rain, Han Ruzi accepted the kowtows of the people. He didnt believe much in gods or buddhas, but at this moment, he did feel a sense of destiny.

Despite being drenched, he felt a burning sensation all over his body and thought to himself, I am the Emperor, I am the Emperor

The rain came suddenly and departed just as swiftly, as if it had been sent specifically to extinguish the fire.

But the night didnt recede; without the flames, it seemed even darker. Han Ruzi, now soaked like a drowned rat, turned around. The numerous rebels could only see a blurry figure. They became even more awestruck and all prostrated themselves on the ground, even the captured government troops, not daring to move.

Even after attaining success, one must not forget ones humble beginnings. No matter how much time passes in the future, I will remember todays followers. Han Ruzi called out, General Chao

Chao Hua and his companions had returned, equally stunned and kneeling in the mud. Hearing the call, they crawled forward in the mud. At your service.

Go and bring me the roster prepared by Chief Clerk Chao. From now on, it shall always be by my side.

Yes. Chao Hua called someone and together they went to the meeting room to retrieve the wooden door which had served as the militias roster, standing respectfully behind the Emperor.

Long live the Emperor! the rebels shouted in unison.

Han Ruzi knew that he could keep these people with him for some time.

But the crisis was not over yet. As the cheers subsided, Han Ruzi asked Chao Hua, Whats the situation on the lake?

Chao Hua replied with extreme respect, We sunk a small boat, and fortunately, the rain caught them off guard, so the enemy retreated.

The rain didnt last long. The Southern Armys war junks would soon return. Han Ruzi made an order to depart, not knowing where to go, but wanting to leave the village.

Among the people, only Prince Donghai didnt believe in the true dragon emperor theory. If Heaven truly favored Han Ruzi, it wouldnt have let him be deposed and end up in such a place.

His concerns were more pragmatic. Covered in mud, he walked over to Han Ruzi and asked, Whats your plan? Youre not counting on Heaven to help you again, are you?

Seeing Prince Donghai, Han Ruzi had an idea. The Southern Army attacked Riverside Village under the Chai familys banner, which means neither of us have been found guilty of capital crimes.

So what? Were still going to die.

Lets go to the Southern Army, to the Capital, and demand an explanation from Grand Tutor Cui and the Empress Dowager. We must let the whole city know about this.

Prince Donghai was speechless for a moment, then said, Wait until you escape this assault.

The several hundred-man squads acting as vanguards had already left the village. Suddenly, cries broke out, as if they had encountered the enemy as soon as they went out. Han Ruzi was about to order an attack when excited voices came from the front, Empress! The Empress has returned!

Jin Chuiduo had returned, bringing several men with her.

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CH 128