CHAPTER 451: CHAPTER 451: RIGHT OR WRONG

But after three or four days, they only sent someone to rescue the common people. Isn’t it obvious that they don’t care about the people?

Thus, when he saw Feng Qi arriving in such a hurry, the contrast became even clearer.

On one side is the Northwest Army, indifferent to the lives of the people, busy with who knows what.

On the other side is the Imperial Armor Army, willing to make the journey and help even with only a thousand men.

Right and wrong, it’s become quite clear.

Upon hearing this, Mr. Liu’s face turned even more grim.

"Nonsense! Where did this rumor come from! It’s utter rubbish!"

"Rubbish? The Emperor had long sent a letter notifying the various states in the Northwest about the potential for an earthquake. I had doubts, but still relocated the people. Now it seems, truly Da Wei is blessed by heaven, allowing the Emperor to warn us in advance."

Then he suddenly turned to question Mr. Liu.

"And what of Ganzhou? Don’t say you didn’t receive the letter!"

As Liang Qingde said this, the people erupted.

"So, the reason so many of us died is entirely due to the inaction of the Northwest Army?"

"You clearly knew there might be an earthquake, yet chose not to inform us earlier?"

"Good heavens, is this really the Northwest Army we worship daily as a divine force?"

...

Suddenly, a variety of comments were ignited.

Liang Qingde and Feng Qi watched coldly, noting the unease on Mr. Liu’s face.

A hint of panic emerged.

Indeed, they had received the letter about the earthquake.

But the two brothers did not take it seriously.

First, there was no precedent of an earthquake in the Northwest. They didn’t believe it.

Second, they suspected the Little Emperor was deceiving them, as it involved the saltpeter in Cold Mountain and the secret creation of fire thunder.

If they caused chaos by relocating the people, only to be discovered by someone looking for trouble, wouldn’t that be a hassle?

Thus they delayed until now.

The Liu brothers thought of the Liu Family, of their future, of the Northwest Army, but forgot about the people of this land.

For so long, the high honor and military achievements made them forget who they were guarding the territory for.

Thus, what they thought about most daily was the Little Emperor reaping benefits while their Liu Family was being wronged.

Completely forgetting their ancestors of the Liu Family stayed here, for the original intention of allowing these people to live and work in peace.

Seeing the people surrounding them, Mr. Liu suppressed the fear in his heart.

He immediately rebuked.

"What do you mean by this? Are you trying to start a rebellion?"

The people remained silent, but the disappointment and anger in their eyes were unmistakable.

Furthermore, Mr. Liu noticed that just when he clashed with the people.

The Anzhou Army had stealthily surrounded them.

Thirty thousand against three thousand, it seemed like a sure-win situation.

Feng Qi’s men were few, but the Anzhou Army was strong and plentiful.

Thus, as the Anzhou Army emerged from all directions, Mr. Liu realized he was trapped by them.

Suddenly, anger flared up.

However, compared to Third Master Liu, his temper was a bit more restrained.

He immediately shouted to General Liang Qingde, leader of the Anzhou Army.

"What does General Liang mean by this? Could it be that my coming to aid was a mistake? Why has the Anzhou Army crossed territories to Ganzhou, and what is your intention?"

Liang Qingde, who was named, was no pushover.

He responded with a sardonic smile.

"Mr. Liu is joking. I loyally serve my lord and regard the Emperor as heaven, never having any ulterior motives. Yet it seems the Liu Family might be different. In the face of natural disaster, Mr. Liu didn’t focus on disaster relief but instead on shifting blame. What kind of reasoning is that?"

Hearing this, Mr. Liu felt a chill.

It seemed there was a "traitor" among the commanders of the Northwest states.

To publicly undermine the Northwest Army’s reputation and instead support the Little Emperor, it was laughable.

At the same time, he squinted.

When did the Little Emperor begin to eat away at the Six States in the Northwest?

He immediately began to think.

Ganzhou, the Northwest Army and Liu Family’s stronghold, couldn’t possibly have a problem.

The commander of Yan State was related by marriage to their Liu Family, so naturally, no betrayal could occur.

As for the remaining Sui Province, Anzhou, Qingzhou, and Liangzhou, it was harder to say.

Though all were old subordinates of the Marquis of Northwest for many years, the human heart is unfathomable, and anything was possible.

Wasn’t Liang Qingde right now such a case?

Decades of friendship, yet the moment of defection arrived.

Seeing this, could it be that he intended to bury him here?

Thinking of this, Mr. Liu began to arrange for his escape.

The matter of them hollowing out Cold Mountain would soon be exposed.

Since that’s the case, the Liu Family’s uprising must be expedited.

The father and third brother had gone to Shengjing City for a long time to arrange it.

As soon as news from over there is received, they could immediately rebel.

By then, Ganzhou would be designated as the new capital.

A brand new dynasty would soon emerge.

So, for now, he only needed these three thousand men to escort him back safely.

He had methods to make the Anzhou Army and Liang Qingde pay for today’s insolence.

Unfortunately, despite all his plans, he couldn’t truly realize them all.

With Feng Qi here, perhaps the three thousand Northwest Army could remain alive.

As for him, Mr. Liu, his head was but temporarily attached to his neck.

In the standoff, neither side wished to take the first step.

Yet Mr. Liu suddenly shouted.

"What letter from Shengjing City? As a general, I never received such a thing. General Liang, could it be you caused the earthquake? How else to explain that all my people in Ganzhou suffered, yet yours in Anzhou are all safe?"

"Under such circumstances, I have reason to suspect you are a spy of Da Jin, deliberately causing chaos here, intending to harm Da Wei! Framing the loyal!"

He truly knew how to play the scoundrel!

In his words, he directly pinned a label on Liang Qingde.

Obviously labeling him a Da Jin spy.

Having known each other for decades, they both knew exactly what this meant in their hearts.

Seeing him act this way, Liang Qingde knew he must have an escape plan.

He softly instructed the deputy next to him.

"Make sure Feng Qi keeps a close watch on him. Liu Er has a crafty mind, who knows when he’ll escape. If he manages to send information back, our Anzhou Army will be the first to suffer!"

Compared to the well-trained Northwest Army in Ganzhou, the fifty thousand troops of the Anzhou Army were insufficient.

If their allegiance to the Emperor failed, and they were instead used as an example by the Northwest Army, it would all have been in vain, leaving him with no hope from either side.

So today, even if it costs him these troops, he had to ensure Mr. Liu’s life ended here.