One month before the Great Silence, mornings in Taicheng were always very quiet, as many citizens had nothing to do during this time.
Apart from the workers who routinely repaired riverbanks and city walls, the government officials and minor clerks who worked tirelessly year-round, and the soldiers who diligently practiced their martial arts every day, most people had little to occupy themselves. After all, the third harvest period had passed, and most of Taicang's people who worked in agriculture no longer had to worry about planting, harvesting, or storing food.
Normally, the city gates, which were sparsely populated, would be quiet. However, today was exceptionally lively. This was because, the previous night, advance scouts had returned to Taicang with news: the war against the Kuqi Dog Kingdom had been concluded, and the Silver Guards were on their way back to the capital.
Considering the dangers of traveling at night, the troops had temporarily camped at the southern edge of the Forbidden Forest, planning to return to Taicheng early the next morning.
The royal court had posted proclamations overnight, which were quickly spread by the early-rising people of Taicang, leading to the bustling scene at the city gates.
Many citizens gathered in groups along the open streets on both sides of the city gates, whispering among themselves about the content of the proclamation.
"The Lord's personal expedition to the Kuqi Dog Kingdom was something that many people of Taicang did not approve of. After all, for so long, the Kuqi Dog Kingdom has been stronger than us. For the Lord to make such a hasty decision was a bit reckless," an elderly man with a white beard and dressed in a pure white robe said.
He wore a wooden badge on his chest, about the size of a thumb, which featured the image of a phoenix tree. The badge looked special and solemn. This wooden badge was issued by the royal court and was only given to those over 100 years of age. Elders who wore this badge were known as the Elder of the Green Phoenix Tree in Taicang.
Cultivators generally lived longer lives than ordinary people, but in Taicang, very few people were capable of cultivation, and even fewer could cultivate without going to war and fighting the enemy. This led to the unusual situation where very few of the long-lived individuals in Taicang were cultivators.
All elderly people over 100 years old held high status in Taicang, and they didn't need to bow to the ruler when they met. On the contrary, the ruler was required to regularly visit the elderly as a sign of respect.
In the boundless wilderness, surviving past 100 years was not only a matter of health but also a sign of extraordinary luck.
The elderly man spoke, and a young person next to him quickly agreed.
"Tribal Elder is right. The Lord is insightful in many matters and has contributed greatly to Taicang, but after all, he is still young and easily impulsive."
"The war between Kuqi Dog and Crocodile Horn has nothing to do with us. We should just sit back and let them fight it out. There's no need to risk the lives of Taicang's youth in such a gamble."
"It would be one thing if the Lord had led the attack on Kuqi Dog, but to do so with only two thousand men? What was he thinking?"
"What's even worse are those officials in the royal court! The Lord is young and lacking in restraint, but many of those old officials, whose beards are as long as Elder Green Phoenix's, still allowed him to act recklessly!"
The atmosphere turned strange as the group began to openly criticize Ji Xia's rash decisions, escalating to a full-blown condemnation meeting, with the royal court officials becoming the subject of their scorn.
"But the proclamation clearly states that Taicang achieved a great victory, and the Silver Guards seized many spoils of war—five large sacks full!"
Amidst the murmurs, a timid voice suddenly spoke up from a corner, drawing the attention of many. A beautiful young girl, about seventeen or eighteen years old, was standing there holding a small deer-horned goat.
The girl was of a graceful figure, with delicate brows and a face that could easily be described as stunning.
The critics who had been ready to scold were momentarily taken aback when they saw the young girl. They immediately held their tongues.
An elderly man with a kind expression asked the girl, "Little girl, which family are you from? It's crowded here, so be careful. The crowd may become overwhelming, and you could get hurt."
This girl was indeed Jing Yu, who had been worried for Ji Xia ever since hearing about his expedition to Kuqi Dog. She had been unable to sleep for two nights, and when she woke up early today to find out that the Lord was returning with his army, she, usually someone who loved to sleep in, decided to skip her nap. She hurriedly dragged the reluctant Huai Shuang out and ran to the city gates.
While waiting, she overheard the criticism of Ji Xia, and felt compelled to speak out. Though she was shy, she couldn't stay silent any longer.
"Little girl, you don't understand the affairs of the nation. The proclamation says we won, but it doesn't say how we won. What if only a few hundred of the two thousand Taicang men returned? How would that be?"
"We're worried about this. Of course, we are happy that we won the battle and looted treasures, but if those treasures were obtained by sacrificing the lives of our own people, then no matter how valuable those treasures are, it would still be a losing trade."
Jing Yu looked at them with bright, clear eyes. She understood their concern but also felt the need to support Ji Xia's decision.
She spoke again, defending the Lord. "But war is unavoidable. If we're always afraid of death, how can Taicang ever defend itself from other kingdoms?"
The hundred-year-old Elder of the Green Phoenix Tree's wrinkled face actually showed a faint smile as he responded, "The little girl has a point. But this time is different. In the past, when Taicang faced external threats, we naturally had to fight bravely, even if it meant sacrificing our youth. A few lives lost were worth it."
"When the youth are lost, and we elderly, weakened people, also fall, we don't mind. Even without strength, we still want to strike the enemy with a stick, punch them with our fists, and let them know that Taicang may have nothing, but it still has blood and courage!"
"But this time is different. The Lord wagered the lives of our people on a gamble that had nothing to do with us. Though we won and looted treasures, it was a tough victory, and hundreds of families may have lost their sons and daughters."
The Elder's eyes held deep concern. "With all of this, do you still think it was right to go to war?"
Hearing such words from this elderly figure, Jing Yu couldn't help but feel deep admiration and respect. Even though she still believed that Ji Xia's decision was correct, she didn't know how to defend him any longer.
"Of course, it was worth it."
Suddenly, there was a stir in the crowd as several figures pushed their way through. The crowd parted to make way for three people.
As they walked closer, many people dropped to their knees, bowing and shouting, "Great Wind's protection, long life to the Lord!"
Jing Yu finally realized that the three figures approaching were none other than the Lord of Taicang, General Ji, and a distinguished young man in green robes.
Ji Xia had arrived before the Silver Guards and happened to encounter the discussions of the crowd. He slowly approached the Elder of the Green Phoenix Tree, bowed deeply, and with a sincere smile, asked, "Elder of the Green Phoenix Tree, how is your health?"