Chapter 463: 463. Arrive at Imperial City within three days.
Imperial Guards Southern Great Camp.
The solid ground was filled with stone rollers and stone locks that ordinary people couldn’t move even if they put their backs into it, along with wooden stakes thicker than a man.
This place was exclusively for officers above the Organ Refining Realm to train.
“Baihe Gully’s Three Heroes’” eldest brother, Zhu Beneng, was drenched in sweat as he wielded a 500-jin heavy stone roller.
After receiving enlightennt from Lu Yao, he deeply felt the shallowness of his foundations as he had started his journey midway. Thus, he joined the Imperial Guards to gain experience and cultivate through military life.
A few colleagues occasionally glanced at him with eyes full of envy, at the sa ti amazed by Lord Lu’s miraculous thods.
He had actually pulled soone from Bone-Tempering straight into the Marrow-Cleansing Realm without hurriedly fostering growth.
In the past few days, Zhu Beneng had been practicing relentlessly, and everyone could see his progress, especially during sparring, where the improvent was clearly felt.
Many stuck in the Organ Refining Realm, as well as those with family mbers who lacked talent, were now filled with even greater envy.
But what they coveted the most was Zhu Beneng’s situation; he had actually caught Lord Lu’s attention, establishing a connection, and was destined to soar to great heights.
After about half an hour, Elder Brother Zhu’s cultivation session ca to an end.
He put down the stone roller and went over to his two younger brothers, who were also cultivating, to give them guidance.
“Don’t slack off, pick up the pace!”
“Stand straight! Integrate the strength of your whole body!”
After the drilling, it only took a mont for the two of them to collapse on the ground like dead dogs.
After catching their breath for a while, the three brothers sat side by side to rest.
The second brother, Zhu Benning, and the third brother, Zhu Benjing, looked at their eldest brother’s formidable Marrow-Cleansing Realm body with envy and jealousy that nearly tore them apart.
They deeply regretted why they hadn’t had the courage to step forward at the ti, missing out on such a trendous opportunity.
Fortunately, they hadn’t completely missed out. The third brother’s eyes twinkled as he broached the subject:
“Elder Brother, do you think Lord Lu will ascend the throne and beco Emperor this ti?”
The second brother also said excitedly, “If Lord Lu becos the Emperor, doesn’t that an Elder Brother’s future is boundless!”
Zhu Beneng glared at them and said sternly, “Put away those thoughts and focus on your cultivation!”
But the two brothers were far from in the mood to cultivate, and they both started bombarding their elder brother with questions:
“Recently, there’s been widespread propaganda about constitutionalism. Is it sothing those governors and military inspectors have stirred up? Will Lord Lu beco the Emperor or the Pri Minister?”
“Elder Brother, you’re an officer who knows more, tell us about it.”
Zhu Beneng sighed and said, “All right, I’ll tell you about it.
Right now, Lord Lu is the strongest and has gained the support of Pri Minister Left. That’s why so people ca up with the idea of constitutionalism, wanting to hold elections to hinder his ascent.”
The second and third brothers imdiately beca anxious, “Is there a way to deal with this? Are we going to war!?”
Zhu Beneng glanced at the drill field, bustling with more people than usual, and said:
“There must be a way. These past few days, even when officers are off duty, they’re still on ti for roll call every day.
In these ranks, so are grateful for Lord Lu’s kindness, so respect him as a person, and others hope to gain rits following him. They’re all keyed up.
However, it seems that Lord Lu himself… doesn’t seem to be in a hurry.”
After listening for a while, the second brother, Zhu Benning, suddenly said:
“Actually, it doesn’t matter how it turns out, as long as Lord Lu is in power. Look at how peaceful the area around Jingjin is these days; it’s no worse than Jiangnan. Just a few days ago, our family sent a letter saying it was a bountiful year.”
“Yes, we don’t ask for a sage or a wise ruler, only for peace in the world.” Zhu Beneng softly echoed.
Lord Lu had always detested the underworld factions, especially those involved in opium and human trafficking.
After a stern crackdown from top to bottom, the Jingjin area had indeed beco tranquil and prosperous, where people could enjoy peace and happiness.
Seeing they had rested enough, the three brothers were about to continue their cultivation when suddenly a commotion arose from afar.
Upon closer inspection, they saw a group of people approaching.
The person in the lead was familiar; he was Grandmaster Fu Fangsheng. Being close to Lord Lu, he was surely one of their own.
But the rest were sowhat unfamiliar.
They all wore blue military uniforms with bright yellow stripes of varying widths on their sleeves, indicating different military ranks.
“Is this… the Zhenhai Fleet? What are they doing here?”
Just as Zhu Beneng was puzzled, a few well-inford officers nearby had already provided the answer:
[The people of the Zhenhai Fleet mostly co from the Fuzhou Ship Administration College. This academy was personally established by Pri Minister Left, so naturally, they stand with us now.]
[So very good, suddenly we have a strong reinforcent. But wouldn’t they be more useful staying on the ships?]
[What ships are left? Warships are just money burners, and the Imperial Court has never allocated funds for repairs. There are hardly a few that can sail on the seas anymore.]
…
The people present were all insiders, and a few officers talking in the distance did so in loud voices, without any attempt to conceal their conversation.
The three brothers heard everything clearly and imdiately understood the situation.
“Everyone is gathering; it looks like sothing big is going to happen!”
No sooner had Zhu Beneng finished speaking than he heard a series of urgent drum beats, and Grandmaster Dong Fuxiang’s personal guards arrived.
“All officers above the Organ Refining Realm must assemble at the commander’s tent imdiately!”
Military orders are absolute, and everyone hurried to the gathering.
By the ti Zhu Beneng arrived, he noticed many things covered with canvas in the area, unknown what they were.
And it wasn’t only the high-ranking officials of the Imperial Guards who were present, but Fu Fangsheng with his Yinghe Society mbers, as well as those from the Zhenhai Naval Force, were there as well.
As soon as everyone had arrived, Commander Dong Fuxiang didn’t waste any ti and shouted loudly,
“There’s news you all must know—Lord Lu has issued a final ultimatum, ordering all provincial governors of the highest rank, as well as powers guarded by Grandmasters, to co to the Imperial City within three days to discuss the future of the nation.”
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone showed signs of excitent!
This was clearly an ultimatum. Issued in such a domineering way, it made people remark—it was indeed Lord Lu’s style.
Dong Fuxiang paused for a mont to let everyone digest his words, then continued to shout,
“Now cos a ti of many troubles. We’re all people Lord Lu carries in his pocket, so I’ll keep it brief. Today, Lord Lu bestows Battle Armor, and everyone should take one set according to their cultivation.”
With that, he waved his hand, and the guards moved forward to unveil the canvas in the center of the area.
Countless pieces of Battle Armor and chas, shimring with tallic cold light, appeared before everyone’s eyes.
These steel creations had both the fierceness of killing machines and the ingenious craftsmanship of fine work, possessing a unique aesthetic of violent beauty that clearly was not ordinary.
Being Martial Artists, those present were extrely interested and hurriedly ca forward to fiddle with them.
“The wearing and operation are very simple; everyone get familiar with it quickly, as I believe it will soon co in handy.”
“We obey the command!”
The crowd was jubilant and itching for battle.
With grace, authority, and profit combined, the morale was incredibly high.
Dong Fuxiang was accustod to this, and even he wanted to hear the resounding roar of the Golden Dragon once more, hoping for a breakthrough.
~~~~~~~~~~~
There were telegraphs and telephones; Lu Yao’s summoning order spread instantly across North and South, reaching the hands of various important figures.
The reactions of these individuals varied, and so gritted their teeth and said,
“What domineering tactics! This is clearly an imitation of the alliance etings of the dukes in the Spring and Autumn period! If anyone dares not to go, that person nad Lu will certainly find an excuse to attack their doorstep!”
“So overbearing and unreasonable, isn’t he afraid of the world’s censure?”
“This person nad Lu wants to ban opium! Well, I just won’t go. Let him co and exterminate my entire family if he dares!”
It wasn’t only the summoning order that spread throughout North and South, but also various news pieces in the newspapers.
One widely accepted piece of news was that once Lord Lu took power, he would definitely ban opium and human trafficking!
And these are the most lucrative industries.
Impeding soone’s livelihood is worse than killing soone’s parents. Countless people regarded Lu Yao as a thorn in their side!
Having observed Lu Yao’s past actions, nurous people were convinced that he was not on the sa path as them.
In the midst of this uproar, so people took it more lightly.
As soon as Grandmaster Zhang Wenda heard the news, he sighed, preparing to set off.
His close aide, Zhao Fengchang, reminded him, “Elder Zhang, a wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall. If this person nad Lu harbors ill intentions…”
“It’s alright,” Zhang Wenda said, stroking his beard. “A visitor is a guest; there won’t be danger in going. If we ignore this summons and do not attend, it would instead invite disaster.”
Zhao Fengchang frowned deeply, “This person doesn’t play by conventional rules… Elder Zhang, are you confident about constitutionalism?”
“I’ve t him once. It’s difficult to say what he’s capable of. Just watch and adapt accordingly.”
Having personally witnessed Grandmaster Zeng’s sudden demise in the Underground Palace, Zhang Wenda had completely abandoned any thoughts of direct confrontation.
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