The Rise of a Farm Girl

Chapter 118: Chaos in the Imperial City

The people of the imperial city rushed to the gate of the imperial palace like a tide.

At this moment, the remaining food in Xuanyuan Lei’s military camp was only enough to last for one month.

How could I just watch the thousands of hungry people in the imperial city starve to death?

However, if these precious military rations were distributed to the people, what would our soldiers eat after a month?

Now, the people were starving, and the emperor and princesses had not even had a drop of water or a grain of rice for the whole day.

At this moment, the three princesses who were usually arrogant finally realized the seriousness of the situation, but it was too late.

They searched for Wang Jingru everywhere, but could not find any trace of her.

The three princesses were so hungry that they could hardly move, especially those members of the royal family who had lived a life of luxury. They were so hungry that their hands and feet were weak, their whole bodies were powerless, and they could not even walk properly.

Xuanyuan Lei had no choice but to allocate part of the limited food to the people. He also sent some food to the emperors and told them that they could only drink some thin porridge to maintain basic life needs.

He ordered the three princesses to come up with a solution to the problem as soon as possible.

After all, they were the ones who drove Wang Jingru away. Now that they want to become queens, they must shoulder this responsibility!

The three princesses sat together to think of a solution. After all, the throne was too tempting. Even though the people were so hungry that they made a scene in front of the palace, they did not give in and asked Wu Tianyang to be the emperor.

The method they thought of was to go to the nearby city and ask the wealthy businessmen there to donate money and supplies.

In particular, they must be asked to donate food. If they refuse, their heads will be taken directly.

The princess's idea was really unique, it was no different from blatant robbery, and she was exactly the same as those bandits.

However, their hopes would eventually be dashed, because in all the nearby prefectures, all the wealthy merchants had moved to the most secluded places far away from the imperial city.

When they heard that the people and merchants in the imperial city were robbed by the soldiers, they quickly moved away when they learned the news.

Now, all the nearby cities are in a miserable state. Except for the penniless civilians who are unable to move, all those who have a little wealth have left.

After careful consideration, the three princesses decided to send their soldiers to the nearby city to raise funds and food.

So, a group of brave and fearless soldiers embarked on the journey with an important mission.

During the long wait, time passed quietly. The three princesses spent three anxious days and nights in the magnificent palace.

However, disappointingly, all the soldiers who went on the expedition returned empty-handed and gained nothing.

These exhausted soldiers were so hungry that they almost lost the strength to speak.

Even though they had money in their hands, they could not buy enough food to fill their stomachs during this barren time.

The people lost their trust in the soldiers, believing that once they saw the food, they would snatch it all up without hesitation and would not leave a single penny.

During these three difficult days, the soldiers could only rely on drinking water to relieve their hunger, and digging wild vegetables and chewing grass roots became their only way to survive.

After going through untold hardships, they barely returned to the imperial city.

When the princesses saw these miserable soldiers, they felt sad.

During this period, the princesses' own living conditions have become increasingly difficult.

They used to be able to enjoy thick porridge and rice, but now they have to face increasingly thin porridge.

This unforgettable feeling of hunger made them deeply realize the hardships of life.

In fact, they had already experienced the feeling of being starving.

That was the painful torture they experienced during their life-and-death escape when Xuanyuan He sent people to hunt them down.

Now, when I recall that thrilling past, it seems as if everything is still vivid in my mind.

But they only cared about eating and not being beaten, thinking that with the support of their father, they would still be the high and mighty princesses when they returned to the imperial city.

Everyone had to obey his orders, just as he said in front of Wang Jingru. Wang Jingru's money must be handed over in full, selflessly contributing to support her becoming the queen.

But who can spoil you? No one's money comes from the wind. Wang Jingru was able to provide food because she wanted her husband to be the emperor.

If her husband was not going to be the emperor, why would she offer so many things?

The people in the imperial city had no food to eat again, and they surrounded the gate of the imperial palace.

The people were so hungry that they banged on the palace gates with all kinds of farm tools in their hands.

Even if there were soldiers guarding the place, it would be useless because all the soldiers were too hungry to have any strength left.

The people were starving and the children at home were dying.

The three princesses and royal relatives all found the emperor, knelt on the ground and kowtowed to him, begging him to find a solution.

The emperor simply said: "I am a mortal, not a god. If you have a good plan, think about it quickly; if you have no plan, then the throne will change hands."

His tone was calm, but it carried an irresistible majesty.

Everyone knows that the throne is not something that cannot be abandoned.

If they cannot solve the problem of food and clothing for the people, what awaits them will be being killed by the people, or even being eaten alive.

Since the person is dead, how can there be any royal relatives or throne?

"Don't the three of you want to be emperor? Then go ahead and do it! After the people kill you, they will naturally support Wu Tianyang as emperor.

The reason why I took the initiative to abdicate is to give you a glimmer of hope.

However, instead of being grateful, you spoke harshly to Wu Tianyang. Now that Wu Tianyang has ascended the throne, he will no longer show mercy to you.

I adopted Wu Tianyang as my adopted son. He still treats you as sisters and grants you the honor of being a princess.

It's a pity that such a good opportunity was ruined by you guys." The emperor's words revealed deep disappointment and helplessness.

If Wu Tianyang is supported by the people and becomes emperor this time, he will not give you the honor of being a princess, but may even put you in jail.

No, you don't need Wu Tianyang to throw you into jail, the people will kill you.

The three princesses were so frightened that they sat on the ground. The royal family members were so frightened that their faces turned pale and beads of sweat dripped down their cheeks.

This time the arrogance is gone, and even less is the clear-headedness of the past.

This time they really regretted it. The three princesses were so frightened that they knelt on the ground and begged the emperor for advice.

Father, you must think of a solution. I don't want to die. Please, father, please have mercy and think of a solution!

The emperor lazily leaned back on the dragon throne, his tone revealing despair and anger: "The only way out I could think of was ruined by you!

Humph, if that’s the case, then wait for death! When the people in the city break through the gate and enter, you will die! All of this is your own fault!"

The emperor's eyes became more fierce as his thoughts drifted back to the past. "I still remember what you said when Wu Tianyang worshipped me as his adoptive father?

You guys want to become the queen who is high above everyone else, but you are unwilling to pay any price!

At that time, you wanted to use the financial and material resources of Wu Tianyang and Wang Jingru to help you ascend the throne.

Now, he is unwilling to fulfill your wish and leave. Where can I find someone like him? And how can I come up with a plan to deal with him?

Looking around, the guards, soldiers, and secret guards were all so hungry that they had no strength left.

Even if I ordered them to go after Wu Tianyang, they would be unable to do so.

Is this the outcome you hoped to see?"

The arrogance of the three princesses disappeared in an instant, and was replaced by full of resentment.

They resented Wang Jingru and asked her why she didn't lend a helping hand to them. After all, they were princesses of the most noble status!

However, no matter how much they complained and resented, the imperial city had already fallen into chaos.

The hungry people had no choice but to rush out of the imperial city and look for wild vegetables, tree bark and grass roots to fill their stomachs.

These poor people were extremely disappointed with the royal family, so they resolutely took their families and carried their young children on their backs and arduously moved forward towards the south.

In the imperial city, only the elderly, infirm, women and children who were unable to travel far were left. Too weak to walk, they could only stay here helplessly and wait for their fate to decide.

They have lost their expectations and hopes for life.

As time went by, more and more people chose to leave the imperial city, and this once prosperous city quickly became an empty and deserted city.

The hustle and bustle of the past are gone, leaving only silence and desolation.

The three princesses and the emperor also walked out of the imperial city, and hundreds of thousands of soldiers also slowly walked towards Qingyang County, Shanhuan Prefecture, Huaqing County, and Wangjia Village in Daqing Town.

The emperor said that Wang Jingru and Wu Tianyang would definitely return to Wang Jingru's hometown.

Because his parents, grandparents have returned to live in Wangjia Village.

Whether they can reach Wangjia Village depends on their luck.

The 300,000-strong army marched forward with great momentum, like a surging torrent.

At first, the soldiers were exhausted and lacked physical strength, but in order to survive, they had to reluctantly slaughter the war horses in the camp as food to satisfy their hunger.

As time went by, they gradually regained some strength, so they began to dig wild vegetables around them and go up the mountain to hunt to get more food to sustain their livelihood.

The army continued to advance in a mighty manner. The emperor looked at the people on both sides of the road. Each one of them had a haggard face and a pale complexion. They were so weak that they could not even walk steadily. His heart was filled with endless self-blame and regret.

He was deeply aware that if he could be more resolute and decisive, he would have executed the royal family and the three princesses without hesitation.

If Wu Tianyang were acknowledged as his adopted son, then the current situation might not be so difficult.

Recalling the time when Jingru returned to the imperial city, the people in the city were still energetic and full of vitality, and everyone was enthusiastically involved in building their homes.

However, after just a few days, the imperial city became empty and sparsely populated.

Along the way, the royal family and the three princesses realized the difficulties faced by the common people, and even more so, they realized the people's disgust towards them.

When the people saw them coming, they would avoid them from afar and no longer respect and love them as they did before.

The people only had resentment and fear towards them. They were afraid that the wild vegetables they had worked so hard to dig would be snatched away by these soldiers.

The people no longer trusted the soldiers or the emperor who was high above them.

The people did not follow them. They went north, and the people all changed their route and went south.

Afraid that these people would follow, he tried to move forward even though he couldn't walk anymore.

All the soldiers were in extremely heavy moods, and their hearts were filled with resentment and dissatisfaction.

At this moment, they directed their anger towards the third princess, the emperor and those royal relatives.

Xuanyuan Lei was feeling very depressed, and he was even unwilling to respond to the emperor's questions.

Xuanyuan Lei said to the emperor: "Uncle Huang, you may not know my sister.

Once she said something, it was like spilled water, and it was impossible to take it back.

When she was so determined, I knew she would never forgive you, let alone care about these messy things.

She doesn't want to see you. Even if you go looking for her, it will be in vain and you won't be able to find her at all.

You may not even be able to see her or her family. I'm afraid your trip will be in vain."

The emperor won't give up. Lei'er, this is my fault.

It was because I was not firm in my decision. I heard your three cousins ​​making trouble in the hall, and the royal family members opposed it.

My heart was wavering, which led to the current situation. Who would have thought that Princess Jingru had such a bad temper, and she would just quit and leave if she didn't agree with me.

But no matter what, we must find Princess Jingru first. Now only if we find Princess Jingru, the Dayu Dynasty will have hope and a future.

The emperor led an army of 300,000 and arrived at the foot of a mountain in a mighty manner.

Just as they were hunting in the mountains and forests, they accidentally discovered a huge mountain stronghold hidden in the mountains.

This mountain village has obviously been abandoned for a long time and no one lives there, but it covers a very large area.

Faced with this situation, Xuanyuan Lei made a prompt decision and discussed with the emperor: "Your Majesty, I think we can order the 300,000 troops to set up camp on the mountain for the time being.

I will lead a team of guards to explore the way ahead and look for the whereabouts of Wang Jingru and others."

Upon hearing this, the emperor expressed his agreement and decided to move forward with the civil and military officials.

However, the three princesses and royal relatives also wanted to go with him.

Xuanyuan Lei did not agree to this. He knew very well that this matter was of great importance and that they had to wait until Princess Jingru was found before they could discuss how to place the royal family members and the three princesses.

After all, everything depends on whether Princess Jingru is willing to support Wu Tianyang to ascend the throne.

As long as Princess Jingru agrees, she can deal with these people as she pleases.