Chapter 888

A faint light penetrated the heavy cloud cover in the sky, forming a beautiful beam of light between heaven and earth.

Yun Changfeng and the generals in the grand camp were no longer in the mood to appreciate it.

The poisoning of the water was an extremely malicious act. Generally, this was an extreme measure used only when war reached its climax, but now such a thing had appeared in Ryukyo City, making everyone feel a sense of crisis.

“Great Yu Empire army, get out of Ryukyo City!”

“Great Yu Empire army, get out of Ryukyo City!”

“…”

While everyone was discussing their next move, shouts in unison came from afar, growing closer, and soon reached the outside of the grand camp.

Hwang Ja-man’s face was extremely grim. He said, “Division Commander Yun, it’s clear that someone is fanning the flames of this incident. First the poisoning, then the incitement of the common people to harass the grand camp. This must all be Kim Hyun-sung’s evil scheme. And during this time, he has been very close to the nobles of Ryukyo City. It’s very possible he still has a final killer move up his sleeve.”

“Do you mean he’s ready to turn hostile with us?” Yun Changfeng asked. Hwang Ja-man often mentioned this Kim Hyun-sung to him. He was a high-ranking and powerful minister in Goryeo, and shared the same lineage as the King of Goryeo.

Because the King of Goryeo submissively accepted the terms of the treaty, they did not purge the Goryeo upper echelons, deciding instead to adopt a gentle policy.

After all, Japan had not yet been driven out, and they did not want trouble in the rear.

However, this gentle policy brought about a lingering problem: the royalist faction in the Goryeo court. They outwardly acknowledged the Great Yu Empire’s rule, but their true purpose was to use the Great Yu Empire to drive away Japan, and then have the Great Yu Empire pay and exert effort to build an industrial foundation for them.

It could be said that their real purpose was to exploit the Great Yu Empire, not to accept the Great Yu Empire’s rule.

Now, they realized that the Great Yu Empire would not fall for their trick and had even divided Goryeo in two. They immediately became angry and started looking for ways to drive out the Great Yu Empire army.

“Very likely. This Kim Hyun-sung has always been at odds with me, obstructing many of the decrees I proposed. And I can guarantee that the common people have no resentment towards the Great Yu Empire army. After all, you have never burned, killed, or plundered like Japan. The only possibility for this incident is that Kim Hyun-sung and his ilk are secretly stirring up trouble.”

As the two were speaking, the noise at the entrance grew louder. The soldiers in the camp had already gathered at the entrance, ready for any sudden situation.

Yun Changfeng’s eyes narrowed. “I want to see what they’re up to.”

With that, he walked towards the entrance of the grand camp.

“Great Yu Empire army, get out of Ryukyo City! This is our land! You don’t belong here!”

“Get out!”

“…”

At the camp entrance, over a thousand Goryeo common people roared furiously. Their faces were angry, their eyes bloodshot, as if they wanted to devour people.

Yun Changfeng coldly looked at the three loudest shouting individuals among them, a sneer playing on his lips.

Although these three were dressed as commoners, their clothes were too clean, and their fingernails were even neatly trimmed. Their skin was also too pale and delicate. They clearly looked like people who had never done heavy labor.

With this glance, he understood. Fortunately, Hwang Ja-man had some influence in Ryukyo City, and successfully discovered the poisoner. Otherwise, this series of traps would surely have cost him dearly.

In his opinion, the poisoning incident was precisely for the subsequent events. Because this group of people would soon clash with them, and then a large number of disguised common people would charge in. If they were poisoned at that time, this battle would surely be lost.

“Division Commander Yun, these leaders are definitely not common people. They must be arranged by Kim Hyun-sung. It’s likely more people will come soon,” Hwang Ja-man said, somewhat nervous, his voice trembling.

Yun Changfeng gently nodded. His expression began to grow serious. He said to his adjutant, “Prepare the cannons. Use grapeshot. Governor-General Ye said that once a rebellion breaks out in Ryukyo City, immediately suppress it and arrest all culprits.”

“Yes, Division Commander!” The adjutant took the order and immediately ran off.

Soon after, the soldiers pushed out the field cannons. Boxes of ammunition were placed in front of the cannons.

“Bastards! Get out of Goryeo!”

Someone in the crowd shouted angrily. A stone flew directly towards Yun Changfeng.

Yun Changfeng, seeing this, merely shifted his body slightly and dodged the stone. However, this act seemed to further enrage the Goryeo people outside.

They cursed, their faces red, and stones flew towards the vigilant soldiers like rain.

Some soldiers, unable to dodge, were struck by stones, their heads bleeding. The situation became increasingly chaotic.

“Indeed, they are a bunch of lowly creatures who won’t know their place until you beat them into submission!” The anger accumulated in Yun Changfeng’s heart finally erupted.

He gently raised his hand. “Fire!”

His order was given. The soldiers, who had been holding back their anger, immediately opened fire. The artillerymen loaded grapeshot into the cannon muzzles. With a “boom,” the rioters blocking the gate fell in pools of blood.

The common people in the crowd, who had been paid to instigate, were terrified by the horrifying scene before them and immediately sat on the ground. Coming to their senses, they scrambled to their feet and fled.

The three leaders, meanwhile, were riddled with bullets in the first round of firing. They never expected the Great Yu Empire army to be so ruthless.

With just one volley, the rioters, who had been like hungry wolves just moments before, scattered. Hundreds of corpses lay in front of the grand camp gate, and blood flowed like a river.

Yun Changfeng said coldly, “You plotted to poison our water and murder our soldiers! You are no different from the Japanese pirates who massacred our countrymen and attacked our coastal fishermen, enslaving our brothers and sisters! Today, we will settle all scores with you! If a tiger doesn’t assert its might, do you think our Great Yu Empire army is a sick cat? You refuse our goodwill, so do not blame our iron-blooded ruthlessness.”

With that, he said to Hwang Ja-man, “Are you aware of the officials in Ryukyo City who feign compliance with the treaty?”

“Yes, yes.” Hwang Ja-man swallowed hard. The hellish scene before him made him realize that this group was not here to protect Ryukyo City, but to supervise them.

Yun Changfeng’s voice was like metal and stone. He said, “Good. Commander Cang, you will lead a thousand men with Hwang Ja-man to arrest all officials in the city who oppose the treaty. Anyone who dares to defy will be killed without mercy.”

“Yes.” A burly man responded.

Hwang Ja-man was startled for a moment, then immediately beamed with joy. For him, this was an opportunity to eliminate dissenters. Of course, the people he disliked were also those who opposed the Great Yu Empire.

“Division Commander Yun, rest assured. I guarantee not a single one of them will escape,” Hwang Ja-man said.

Yun Changfeng nodded. He said to the remaining generals, “If nothing unexpected happens, a large number of disguised rioters will arrive. The real battle will begin then. Brothers, now is the time for you to achieve great deeds! No one can take a single step back! We must clear Ryukyo City and completely eliminate our enemies!”

“Yes, Division Commander!”

A loud and uniform response rang out.

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