Gao Yingxiang said, "Stop arguing. I already understand what I need to do."
Everyone was baffled. When did it become his turn to make the decision?
In that very instant, Gao Yingxiang suddenly sprang up from his stretcher. Though he was gravely wounded, he still forced out enough strength to move. No one anticipated such a sudden action. His movements were lightning-fast. The moment he stood, he vaulted over the railing, tumbling toward the outside of the watchtower's balcony.
By the time everyone reacted, he was already hanging from the outside of the railing.
He was critically injured and severely weakened. That single vault had drained the last of his strength. He was left gasping for breath, his grip trembling.
Yet his spirit was far more vibrant than before, even carrying a trace of excitement.
"Friends," Gao Yingxiang declared, "my hands are stained with blood. I don't know how many innocent lives I have harmed, how many children like Gao Sanwa have suffered because of me. My crimes deserve a thousand deaths. No one should plead for me. I have never once done a single good deed for the people of Gao Family Village."
Everyone was momentarily speechless.
"Uncle, don't hang outside the railing and talk. Climb back over and speak properly," Gao Yiye cried out.
"Brother Yingxiang, no… please don't," Gao San Niang pleaded, her voice filled with despair.
Gao Yingxiang said, "After I die, take my head to the imperial court and claim credit. You should receive a substantial reward. That will be the last thing I can do for the village."
With that, Gao Yingxiang released his grip.
Headfirst, he plunged downward.
At that very moment, Li Daoxuan had time to reach out and catch him.
But he did not.
Adults, taking responsibility for their actions—that was something Li Daoxuan respected.
Gao Yingxiang's head struck the ground first with a dull, sickening thud. Then his body followed. He was gone.
The original forty-two villagers of Gao Family Village rushed down from the third floor, frantically gathering in a circle around his body. Soon, Gao Yiye's loud sobs echoed through the area. The Old Village Chief let out a long, heavy sigh. Then Gao San Niang also began to weep, even more fiercely than Gao Yiye.
For some reason, a song began to play softly in Li Daoxuan's mind.
There were old mothers.
There were loved ones.
There was love unto death.
There was the bitterness of parting.
Li Daoxuan suddenly noticed a speck of light float up from Gao Yingxiang's body and merge into the box.
Then, the box's Salvation Index actually increased by two points.
"Huh? This can also increase the Salvation Index?" Li Daoxuan murmured.
Although his life was not saved, his soul was.
The weight of a soul was sometimes greater than life itself.
Li Daoxuan patted the box gently, momentarily at a loss for words.
July, Ninth Year of Chongzhen
Imperial Study, Capital City
The Chongzhen Emperor, Zhu Youjian, was poring over memorials, his expression grim.
"The Manchu general Ajige has divided his forces into three routes, entering Xifeng Pass and Dushikou. Censor-Inspector Wang Zhaokun resisted in battle but was defeated and killed. Our forces have retreated to defend Changping, and the Manchus are once again invading Juyong and the northern road of Changping."
As he read, Zhu Youjian's mood plummeted as if he were on a free-fall tower ride.
"Where is Lu Xiangheng?" Zhu Youjian demanded, slamming his hand on the table. "Did I not summon Lu Xiangheng to the capital as reinforcement?"
Cao Huachun stepped forward. "Supreme Commander Lu is still en route. From Henan to the capital, it is a journey of a thousand li. Merely traveling on foot would take a long time. Not to mention he still needs to organize his troops and prepare provisions and weapons."
He paused before continuing, "And after Lu Xiangheng left, the bandit groups in Henan have started causing trouble again. They have divided into three forces. Chuǎng Wang is entering Shaanxi. The Dashing General is attacking Kaifeng. The West Camp Eight Great Kings are heading toward Sichuan."
Zhu Youjian was utterly frustrated. "What is to be done? The Manchus beyond the pass frequently cause trouble. The rebels seize the opportunity to stir up unrest. This is truly…"
He wanted to say that he was ignoring the rear while focusing on the front, but felt it was too crude, so he swallowed the words.
Governing the realm was so difficult.
Zhu Youjian had taken the throne unexpectedly and had never received the rigorous training in imperial governance from childhood. Only after personally taking charge of this vast empire did he realize it was already teetering on the brink, and managing it was incredibly, incredibly difficult.
Just then, a young eunuch scurried in from outside, his face beaming with joy.
"Your Majesty, good news! Splendid news!"
Zhu Youjian scoffed. "Given the current situation, what possible good news could there be?"
The young eunuch quickly declared, "Chuǎng Wang, the supreme leader of the world's rebels, was ambushed by Sun Chuanting's militia and the Tongguan garrison forces while leading his army into Shaanxi. Chuǎng Wang was struck in a vital spot by a firearm and executed!"
"What?!"
Zhu Youjian instantly shot to his feet, his mood soaring.
"Is Chuǎng Wang truly dead?"
The young eunuch affirmed, "Truly! The Tongguan garrison, the Governor of Shaanxi, and the Governor of Henan have all simultaneously submitted memorials reporting this. So many people would not dare to lie to Your Majesty."
Zhu Youjian burst into uproarious laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Hahahahaha!"
It was a rare occasion for him to be so overjoyed.
"Heaven aids me!" Zhu Youjian declared. "I can do this! Hahahaha! I truly can turn the tide! Hahahahaha! Who did you say killed Chuǎng Wang just now?"
The eunuch replied, "Sun Chuanting."
Zhu Youjian frowned slightly. "That name… I seem to have heard it somewhere before?"
Cao Huachun explained, "Your Majesty, the 'Memorial on the Enemy's Inherent Weaknesses' and the 'Memorial on the Standardization of Logistics and Transport' that you read last time were both written by Sun Chuanting. You had even intended to promote him and sent people to find him, but unfortunately, he disappeared."
Zhu Youjian's memory stirred. "Yes, that seems to be the case."
"This man truly possesses great talent," Zhu Youjian said. "My original intention to promote him was indeed correct. Even without an official post, he managed to slay Chuǎng Wang. He is truly a talent among talents!"
Cao Huachun responded, "It is not too late." He turned to the young eunuch. "Where is Sun Chuanting now?"
The eunuch reported, "Sun Chuanting is currently in Puzhou. It is said that he has established a military academy there, named the Yellow Pole Military Academy, where he teaches military strategy to young people and trains militias to defend against bandits."
Cao Huachun murmured, "As long as he can be found. Let us not have him vanish again like last time, when we sent people to search for him only for him to disappear."
Zhu Youjian nodded. He pondered for a few seconds before looking up again.
"The Governor of Shaanxi, Lian Guoshi, has been in office for nearly three years now, hasn't he?"
Cao Huachun confirmed, "Indeed. Lian Guoshi took office as Governor of Shaanxi in the sixth year of Chongzhen and has served for almost three years. During his tenure, his performance has been rather poor. Taxes have not been collected effectively, and his evaluations are bad."
Zhu Youjian made his decision. "Then reassign Lian Guoshi to another post and promote Sun Chuanting to Governor of Shaanxi."
"As Your Majesty commands!"
Cao Huachun immediately began grinding the ink.
Zhu Youjian took up his brush and wrote the imperial edict with bold strokes.
After finishing, he glanced left and right, admiring his calligraphy. No, it was not just that his writing was good. His improved mood simply made the characters look better.
Since Chuǎng Wang had been executed, the realm should soon be put in order, shouldn't it?
After all, I am a sagacious ruler capable of turning the tide and saving the Great Ming Dynasty from peril.
Hehehehe.