Who is this person?
This king?
Isn't Prince Xian supposed to come?
Prince Xian's son?
The people looked at this child, who was about eight or nine years old, neither fat nor thin, clean and tidy, with a rosy complexion and lively spirit, and his facial features were not similar to Prince Xian.
In fact, no one really knows what Prince Xian looks like, he's too fat to tell.
However, Prince Xian's son can't call himself this king.
So who is this child...
"Is he Prince Huai?"
An elderly man abruptly asked from the crowd.
This remark puzzled many; for a moment they couldn't recall who Prince Huai was, but then they immediately remembered.
It's hard to remember because he's seldom mentioned in daily life, and the reason for that is his identity, but precisely because of this identity he's not unfamiliar to anyone.
"It's Prince Huai!"
"This is Prince Huai!"
"Is it really Prince Huai?"
The former prince everyone remembers, as he often represented the emperor, people have seen him, but almost no one has seen the former grandson.
He was born late, and because of his young age was rarely brought before people, not long after the former prince also passed away, he was directly confined to the Prince Mansion, not appearing before people again, and even his name was not mentioned.
This child has grown so big.
He's quite good-looking.
Raised with an air of elegance and nobility.
The crowd surged, temporarily forgetting the crisis and fear of the enemy at the city gates, fully curious and gathered around to watch.
Guards blocked the crowd around him, and Jiurong standing on the carriage slightly clenched his hands hanging by his side, showing the child's inner tension at this moment.
The people had never seen him before, just as he had never seen people, nor seen so many people.
In his childhood at the imperial palace, alongside him were only a few eunuchs and palace maids, and then he went to Prince Huai's mansion, where he saw even fewer people.
He would be very nervous and scared, wouldn't know how to speak, after all, he had never dealt with the people.
Miss Jun clenched her hand in front of her, she should go and say a few words for Jiurong, help him calm the people.
But she still stood motionless, just looking at Jiurong on the carriage in front of the city gate street.
"Yes, I am Prince Huai." He said, his voice somewhat trembling but with clear and sonorous enunciation.
Though they had already guessed, hearing him confess it truly, the crowd still erupted in a surge of noise, the guards barely managed to hold them back.
Jiurong was not scared into retreating, instead, he slightly crouched and jumped down from the carriage with a thud.
Like all mischievous and energetic boys, this move was skilled, obviously, he often did it.
With a tiger-like head and lively eyes, just like the children among them, this elicited closer feelings among the surrounding people.
"This king heard the Jurchen people have attacked and felt very ashamed." Jiurong stood by the carriage, looking at the surrounding citizens, indeed a hint of shame appeared on his small face, "Made everyone suffer, it was the dynasty's failure."
Normally, such words from a child would be deemed amusing, but given his identity, the people inexplicably felt wronged.
The emperor fled after such a big incident, finally someone came forward to express shame, although just a child, but he is of the Chu family, his father was once the prince, and he was the former grandson.
He was originally supposed to be the emperor.
He also possesses the true dragon lineage.
"However, given the situation as it is, expressing remorse and regret is useless now. The most important thing is to hold the capital, to defend our home." Jiurong continued, walking toward the people.
The guards hesitated for a moment and made way, seeing him coming toward them, the people also parted to let him pass.
"Don't be afraid, they come, we'll fight them." He said while walking.
After all, he's a child, doesn't know how terrifying the Jurchen people are.
"Your Highness, what if we can't win?" A citizen couldn't help but wipe away tears as he spoke.
"How do you know we can't win without fighting?" Jiurong looked at him, although small in stature, yet standing tall, showing no semblance of looking up at those taller than him, "Our great Zhou is not eager for war, but absolutely unafraid to fight, those who come with good will we treat well, those who come with evil will surely meet retaliation, even if we can't win, we will fight."
He said pointing to the city gate.
"Don't fear, this king will guard the city gate, if the gate breaks, this king shall be the first to die."
He nodded afterward, the small face solemn.
"Die without retreat."
He stood still, looking at the surrounding people.
"This king wishes to live and die with the capital; I wonder if you are willing to live and die with this king?"
The childish boy talks of life and death, seemingly something laughable, but at this moment not a single person present laughed.
"Willing to live and die with the capital."
Someone instead followed with a loud shout.
This must be someone arranged by Prince Xian, Miss Jun looked around the crowd but couldn't spot Prince Xian.
This is someone from the guards, soldiers, constables, feudal authority? Miss Jun looked, the guards next to Jiurong's carriage didn't speak, the soldiers in front and behind her all looked there and didn't speak.
"Willing to live and die with the capital!"
More voices rose up, spreading further from Jiurong's side.
"We are willing to live and die with the capital!"
The sound returned from afar, accompanied by the arrival of people and horses.
"Hey, that's Lord Song from the Hanlin Academy."
"Lord Dong from the Triple Department has also come!"
Countless officials, whether old with white hair or youthful and robust, whether civil or military, regardless of rank, all wore ceremonial robes with official hats, solemnly shouting their willingness to live and die with the capital, bringing along their house servants and guards.
Not only the officials, but the nobles and wealthy who had originally closed their doors in the city now opened them one after another, leading their house servants, carrying wooden sticks, knives, and even iron rods and hoes, surging forward.
"We are willing to live and die with the capital!"
Waves of shouting surged from all directions and went out in all directions, and in an instant, it seemed as if the entire capital, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians, were shouting in unison.
Ning Yan stood on the city wall, his solemn face finally showing emotion.
"How can we bear to abandon such officials and people?" he said, placing his hand on the heavy city wall, his eyes shining brightly, "With these officials and people, how can we lose even an inch of river or land!"
..........
..........
The entire capital was mobilized, and the people had no more doubts. The defense deployment proceeded smoothly, and only then did Prince Xian step out, his guards having already been handed over to the general responsible for the city's defense, like everyone else, for unified command.
"Well done, you lad." He looked at Jiurong and said with astonishment, trying to bow.
Helplessly, his body was too fat to bend down.
"Who taught you those words?" he had to lower his voice and say.
Jiurong looked at him.
"Do these words even need teaching? Isn't it something everyone knows?" he asked in return, as if the question from Prince Xian was strange.
Prince Xian was taken aback then laughed heartily.
Being able to consider such words as self-evident shows the subtle influence of orthodox holy education and innate noble nature.
Prince Xian looked at Jiurong, his expression somewhat reflective.
He had just walked into Prince Huai's mansion, which had no Jinyiwei, and the door was easily opened.
He could no longer recognize Prince Huai, and Prince Huai was unfamiliar with him too. They hadn't met for a long time.
But when he revealed his identity, the child greeted him thoroughly, calling him Imperial Uncle, without alienation or forced closeness, naturally and casually, as if they had always been acquainted.
No wonder Duke of Chengguo gave a commendable evaluation of Prince Huai in the court.
This child is really good.
Well-taught by others, he himself is also good.
"The Jurchen people have reached the capital, dare you join me in defending the city?" He said just this one sentence.
"Of course, I dare, naturally, it's my duty." Jiurong replied with just this one sentence, without panic or inquiry.
He followed him out of Prince Huai's mansion, walking through the streets under numerous watching eyes, coming to the city gate, standing before the people, expressing his determination, and making a request to the people.
Everything was swift and smooth.
Prince Xian looked at Jiurong, his expression somewhat wistful again.
He thought of his elder brother, the prince, who seemed gentle and elegant but was ironically filled with passionate blood.
Back then, he claimed he would go to war, was rebuked by several ministers and his mentor for his military zeal, but only his elder brother praised him with a smile and even crafted armor for him. His elder brother also spoke highly of him before the emperor, making the emperor delighted and even drew a portrait of him as a general.
His elder brother the prince is gone; his bloodline and spirit cannot be imprisoned in a residence, silently decaying and disappearing from the world.
"Today, I made two decisions." He suddenly said, his voice turning soft, "I feel these are the best and most correct decisions I've made in my life."
Jiurong was somewhat puzzled. Prince Xian had already stood up straight, patting his belly.
"You are right, it's something everyone knows and everyone should do." He said, gripping the long knife in his hand, his face glowing, "This prince and Prince Huai, each guarding a city gate."
With that, he turned and strode away.
Prince Huai watched him leave, seemingly with some reluctance.
"Are you scared?"
Miss Jun's voice sounded from behind.
Prince Huai turned and saw Miss Jun, who had been standing by, walking over, pleasure appearing on his face.
"Not scared." He shook his head, then with a child's shy unease, "I just haven't done these things before, I don't know what I should do, haven't asked Imperial Uncle yet."
This shy unease revealed before her showed trust and reliance.
Miss Jun reached out and touched his face.
This sudden movement made Jiurong stiffen slightly; as a prince, no one could casually touch him, except his close relatives.
His close relatives were no longer around; it had been a long time since anyone treated him this way.
Yet, Miss Jun did it so naturally and casually, as if it was a habitual act.
"You don't need to do anything." She said softly with a smile, "You just need to stand out, that's enough. For the rest, I will do it, we will do it."
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(Today's update)