xymnovel Chapter 449 The Emperor's Determination
Chapter 449 The Emperor's Determination
The soldiers looked at each other helplessly, and finally had no choice but to pick up their tools and walk step by step toward the sturdy dike.
Each step felt unusually heavy, as if each step was treading on my heart, causing unbearable pain.
"Oh, what a tragedy!"
The older soldier sighed softly, his shovel falling slowly, each swing feeling like a self-inflicted wound.
"May God bless these innocent people, and may their suffering bring peace to the country."
The young soldier prayed silently, his eyes filled with uncertainty and deep worry about the future.
As heavy digging sounds echoed, cracks gradually appeared on the dam, like the earth weeping, foreshadowing the impending disaster.
Sweat and tears mingled on the soldiers' faces.
As night falls, the firelight illuminates the busy figures; those warriors who once protected their homes have now become the ones who destroy them with their own hands.
"May this sacrifice bring true peace."
The captain stood on high ground, gazing at the land about to be swallowed by the flood, and silently prayed.
In his eyes, there was both determination and a hint of barely perceptible sorrow.
Perhaps, in this chaotic world, everyone is just a pawn against their will, deprived of even the right to choose their own destiny.
...
The night was deep, and the main tent of Qianyuan County was brightly lit, illuminating the resolute and profound face of Emperor Si Xiaofei of the Great Qian Dynasty.
Emperor Si Xiaofei of the Great Qian Dynasty, dressed in a black dragon robe, sat upright before his desk, his brows furrowed with the weight of mountains and rivers, and his eyes gleaming with an inextinguishable flame of war.
The chief attendant in the palace stood to one side, his expression respectful, yet it was not hard to detect the worry and unease in his eyes.
"Your Majesty, while breaching the dike temporarily relieved the siege of the Great Qian Dynasty, it also..."
Eunuch Li hesitated, a hint of worry in his eyes.
He knew that this seemingly resolute move was actually like drinking poison to quench thirst, carrying with it the lives and deaths and grievances of countless people.
Upon hearing this, Si Xiaofei frowned slightly, a heavy feeling welling up in his heart.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, as if trying to calm the turmoil in his heart.
However, when he opened his eyes again, that heaviness had been replaced by ruthlessness and decisiveness.
"I know this is not benevolent, but the great plans of the nation often require extraordinary measures."
"The Yellow Turban Rebellion spread like wildfire, and the troubles faced by aristocratic families were like woodworms eating away at wood."
"I wish to sweep away all obstacles and restore order to the world, to restore a bright and clear heaven and earth to the Great Qian Dynasty. How can this be achieved without sacrifice?"
Si Xiaofei gently raised his hand, stopping Eunuch Li from finishing his sentence. His voice was deep and firm.
"I know that this act of breaching the dike will come at a heavy price, but without it, how can the Great Qian eradicate its old ailments, how can it fight against the millions of Yellow Turban rebels, and how can it break free from the shackles of those powerful families that leech off the Great Qian Dynasty?"
Si Xiaofei's voice was cold and firm, revealing an unquestionable determination.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li felt a chill run down his spine, but dared not say anything more.
He knew Si Xiaofei's temperament and ambition well, and understood the helplessness and sacrifice behind the act of digging up the dike.
"Your Majesty, however, countless people within the Great Qian Empire are watching you, wanting you to remain in this place forever."
Finally, Eunuch Li couldn't help but speak, his voice filled with worry and concern.
"Hmph, they want me to stay here?"
"I'll show them how I, Xiao Fei, can sweep away all the shackles from the Great Qian Dynasty and restore its former glory!"
Upon hearing this, Si Xiaofei's lips curled into a cold smile.
His voice was full of confidence and determination, as if he could already see the victory to come.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Li's heart skipped a beat, but his worry only intensified. "Your Majesty, but..."
He wanted to say something more, but Si Xiaofei waved him off.
"There's no need to say more; my mind is made up."
"You only need to follow my plan and make sure everything goes smoothly."
Si Xiaofei's voice was cold and powerful, revealing an unquestionable authority.
Seeing this, Eunuch Li could only nod helplessly.
He knew Si Xiaofei's temperament and determination well, and understood that he could not change his decision.
"Eunuch Li, convey my decree: order all troops to assemble at an accelerated pace. At the same time, secretly investigate the movements of those aristocratic families. I will personally expose their disguises and leave them nowhere to hide."
Si Xiaofei's words exuded an undeniable determination and domineering presence.
"Your Majesty, urgent military intelligence!"
As Eunuch Li was about to leave after receiving the order, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the tent. A scout rushed in, knelt down, and presented a secret letter.
Si Xiaofei opened the sealed letter, and after reading it, his expression became increasingly solemn.
The letter stated that the Yellow Turban Army was taking advantage of the situation to launch a counterattack, advancing in multiple directions and heading straight for the heart of Qianyuan County. Some powerful families were also stirring and seemed to be responding.
"Hmph, what a convenient way to take advantage of someone's misfortune!"
Si Xiaofei sneered, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Eunuch Li, immediately issue the order for Marquis Zhongwu to lead his elite troops straight to the heart of the Yellow Turban army and to stop the enemy from entering Qianyuan County."
"As for those powerful families, I have my own ways of making them understand who the true ruler of this Great Qian Dynasty is!"
Eunuch Li left as instructed, leaving only Si Xiaofei in the tent. He stared at the map on the table, calculating each move of the game in his mind.
He knew that this battle was not only a decisive battle against the Yellow Turbans, but also a purge of the corrupt elements within the Great Qian Dynasty.
He will use ruthless methods to sweep away all obstacles and restore the glory of the Great Qian Dynasty.
"My mind is made up. Even if there are a thousand difficulties and dangers, I will forge ahead."
"The future of Daqian cannot be stopped by anyone!"
Si Xiaofei's voice echoed in the empty tent, carrying an undeniable determination and domineering presence.
A night breeze gently rustled through the curtains of the large tent, bringing a touch of coolness.
Si Xiaofei stood up, walked to the front of the tent, and gazed at the land that was about to be swallowed by the flood.
His eyes flickered with complex emotions: anticipation for the future, helplessness in the face of reality, guilt towards the people, and determination to win.
"Although the act of breaching the dike has been criticized, it is also part of my plan."
"I have already made arrangements in secret. Once Qian Yuan County is turned into a swamp, I will take advantage of the waterways, ride a dragon boat downstream, and strike directly at the heart of the Yellow Turban army."
Si Xiaofei silently recited the mantra, a resolute glint in his eyes.
Thinking of this, Si Xiaofei felt relieved.
He had already laid a trap, and now he was just waiting for those who dared to challenge his authority to walk right into it.
"Furthermore, I have secretly dispatched trusted confidants to infiltrate those aristocratic families, waiting only for the opportune moment to wipe them all out!"
Si Xiaofei pondered in his heart, "Although those Yellow Turban rebels are powerful, the elite troops led by Marquis Zhongwu should be able to stop them from advancing an inch in Qianyuan County!"
In addition, Si Xiaofei had laid out another backup plan.
He knew that if he were to fall into the hands of those people while he was in Qianyuan County, everything would be for naught.
Therefore, he had already secretly trained a personal guard, which would be his last trump card.
"This personal guard is loyal to me, highly skilled in martial arts, and adept at swimming."
"If it truly comes to an unavoidable situation, they can protect me and help me escape by water!"
Si Xiaofei silently recited this last trump card in his heart.
A complete plan had already formed in his mind.