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The multi-pronged blockade against the Southern Tang Dynasty continued at this time...

However, as early as the third month of the lockdown, grain prices in Nanjing had already skyrocketed.

One peck of rice costs five hundred coins.

One peck of rice costs one thousand coins.

One peck of rice costs five thousand coins.

Sometimes, you can't even buy it even if you have the money.

In particular, unscrupulous merchants in the Southern Tang Dynasty took the opportunity to hoard goods and drive up prices, since they were backed by powerful and influential figures in Jinling.

Therefore, these businessmen really stop at nothing, and even those with discernment who see through the tricks are powerless to do anything about it.

The people began to eat wild vegetables, tree bark, and clay.

Someone starved to death on the street, their body lying there for a whole day, and no one dared to collect it...

They were afraid of contracting the disease, and also afraid of being arrested by the government as troublemakers taking advantage of the situation.

Li Jing sat in the palace, listening to the commotion outside, growing more and more silent each day.

He wasn't unaware of what the outside world was like; nor was he unaware that the powerful and wealthy in Nanjing were taking advantage of the situation to make exorbitant profits.
But he has no other choice now; all he can do now is hold on.

Zhou Jun sealed off the Yangtze River, preventing even a single boat from crossing.

The ferry crossing across the river was filled with soldiers from the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Trying to smuggle grain?
The body is still hanging on the flagpole next to the ferry crossing.

The sign next to it, which read "Smugglers will be executed along with their entire family," had been exposed to the wind and rain for three months and had long since faded.

But no one dares to forget.

The Great Zhou could have easily conquered Jinling, but instead chose to torture the man in this way, so that he would completely lose the will to resist.

After all, the most turbulent region has always been the Central Plains, while the Southern Tang and Wu-Yue kingdoms have mostly been peaceful and prosperous.

Therefore, the ministers in the Southern Tang palace continued to drink and make merry as usual.

Prime Minister Song Qiqiu still ate three meals a day, and every meal included wine.

Some people advised Song Qiqiu to be more cautious, but Song Qiqiu glared and said, "Cherish what? Do you think the Zhou army can possibly march into Jinling?"

"But……"

"No buts! My Nanjing is protected by the natural barrier of the Yangtze River. The Zhou army will not be able to cross it easily."

"..."

Privy Councilor Chen Jue also took a concubine.

And this is the thirteenth.

Li Yu continued to write poetry every day, remaining indifferent to the situation outside.

After he finished writing, he read it aloud to the palace maids, who clapped and cheered.

Moreover, Li Jing's health was deteriorating, and Li Yu was looking forward to the day he would ascend the throne.

Outside, starving corpses littered the land, while inside the palace, songs and dances filled the air.

This was the "high-ranking official" of the Southern Tang Dynasty.

The people of Minglitang saw all of this.

They disguised themselves as merchants, beggars, and farmers selling vegetables, mingling in the streets and alleys of Nanjing.

Which rice shops still have grain? Which warehouses are laxly guarded? Which officials are still indulging in a life of debauchery?

Everything was thoroughly investigated.

Every few days, a secret report would be sent from Nanjing, across the Yangtze River, to the main camp in Yangzhou.

Zhao Pu reviewed each document, organized them one by one, and finally delivered them to Suning's desk.

"Your Highness, the situation in Southern Tang is almost settled."

Su Ning put down his pen and took the confidential report.

He read very slowly, turning the pages one by one.

After he finished reading, he looked up.

"Send word to Mingli Hall."

"Let's do it."

"promise!"

In the winter of the fourth year of Xiande, granaries across the Southern Tang Dynasty caught fire overnight.

The largest official granary outside Jinling City burned for three days and three nights.

Tens of thousands of bushels of grain were reduced to ashes.

The Runzhou granary is on fire.

The Xuanzhou granary is on fire.

The Hongzhou granary is on fire.

The places where fires started all had one thing in common...

The guards were lax, and the people from Minglitang had already infiltrated.

The fires all started on the same night.

When Li Jing woke up the next morning, he heard the devastating news.

"What? It's all burned?"

He slumped onto the dragon throne, his face deathly pale.

"The food...the food is gone?"

Gone.

Tens of thousands of bushels of military rations are gone.

The tens of thousands of shi of official granary reserves are gone.

Those people waiting for relief have completely lost hope.

When the news spread, Nanjing was thrown into complete chaos.

The people rushed into the rice shops to grab the last bit of grain.

The rice shop owner and his employees stood guard at the door with sticks, but they were still beaten until their heads were bleeding.

Some people stormed into the government office, demanding that the granaries be opened and grain be distributed.

The government said there was no more grain.

Nobody believes it.

A fight broke out between the rioters and the government troops, resulting in the deaths of dozens of people.

Li Jing sat in the palace, trembling as he listened to the shouts of battle outside.

"How...how could this happen?"

No one could answer him.

In the fifth month of the lockdown, Suning issued an order.

"Order all divisions to open the checkpoints and allow the people of Southern Tang to enter the country."

"We will accept anyone who is willing to come. We will provide them with food rations, accommodation, and a way to survive."

The generals were stunned.

"Your Highness, letting them come over? Wouldn't that just cause us trouble?"

Suning shook his head.

"Why add to the chaos? People can farm, work, and be soldiers. They can't survive in the Southern Tang, and we happen to be short of people here."

“If we let them come over, Southern Tang will be completely empty.”

"No one farms, no one pays taxes, no one serves in the army. What will Li Jing rely on to survive?"

The generals suddenly realized what was going on.

Once the military order was issued, all checkpoints along the river opened their gates.

Upon hearing the news, the people on the opposite bank rushed to the riverbank like madmen.

"Zhou Jun is letting us pass!"

"There's food to eat! There's a place to stay!"

"Come on!"

For a time, the river was filled with small boats for crossing.

Some boats capsized, drowning many; others were packed with people, swaying and rocking as they rowed to the other side.

Zhou Jun on the other side didn't stop them, but just shouted, "Slow down! Don't push! One at a time!"

The people who came were resettled in various prefectures and counties. They were given food, land, and lodging.

Someone who had been starving for a year in the Southern Tang Dynasty came back and, holding a bowl of hot porridge, wept uncontrollably.

"Long live the Zhou... Emperor Zhou..."

"Long live Your Highness, the King of Qin..."

When the news reached Jinling, Li Jing was utterly devastated.

The person is gone.

The people are gone.

Farmers, taxpayers, and soldiers—they all ran away.

The Southern Tang Dynasty became a dead zone.

In the sixth month of the blockade, people began to die in the Southern Tang court.

The first to die was Chancellor Song Qiqiu.

That night, he was reading in his study when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and collapsed.

By the time his family found him, he was already dead.

The imperial physician examined the patient and said it was a sudden heart attack.

No one doubted it.

The second person to die was Privy Councilor Chen Jue.

On his way home, he was shot in the throat by an arrow.

The murderer escaped and was never caught.

The third person to die was Xu Xuan, the Minister of Rites.

He was eating at home when he got food poisoning.

The cook escaped and was not caught.

The fourth, the fifth, the sixth...

Within a month, seven pro-war ministers died in the Southern Tang court.

They all died inexplicably.

Some are "heart disease", some are "accidents", and some are "sudden illness".

But those who survived know what happened.

The people of Minglitang are in the city. They are everywhere.

When you walk down the street, the person you pass by might be a spy.

You're eating at a restaurant, and the person sitting at the next table might be an assassin.

You might be sleeping at home, but someone could be watching you from outside your window.

Those who were still alive and advocated for war dared not speak out anymore.

Some people claimed to be ill and refused to leave their homes.

Some people are closing their doors to visitors.

Some people simply packed their bags and took their whole families to the outskirts of the city to wait for Zhou Jun to arrive.

Li Jing sat in the palace, listening to the news of the deaths of one minister after another, his hands trembling so much that he could not even hold his cup steadily.

"Your Majesty," the old eunuch beside him whispered, "shall we...shall we surrender?"

Li Jing remained silent for a long time.

"Wait a little longer..."

What are you waiting for?
He didn't know it himself.

……

In the spring of the fifth year of Xiande, the city was locked down for a full year.

The Southern Tang Dynasty had no ability to resist.

The people fled, the grain was burned, half the ministers died, and the remaining half dared not speak.

In Jinling City, the streets were deserted, and even dogs were rarely seen.

Occasionally someone would walk by, but they would keep their head down and hurry along.

Su Ning stood on the north bank of the Yangtze River, gazing at the lifeless city on the opposite bank.

“Your Highness,” Zhao Pu said, “it’s almost done.”

Suning nodded.

"Order all divisions to prepare to cross the river."

"Send another person across the river to tell Li Jing..."

"Either you come and surrender in person, or I'll attack."

Three days later, the gates of Nanjing were opened wide.

Li Jing, accompanied by the sixth prince Li Yu, knelt outside the city, holding the imperial seal, household registers, and map.

He is old.

A year ago, he could still manage to attend court, but now he can't even stand up straight.

Li Yu knelt behind him, trembling all over, his mind a jumbled mess, devoid of any poetic inspiration.

Su Ning rode his horse slowly towards them.

"Li Jing".

"I am guilty...I am guilty."

"You waited a year."

Li Jing lowered his head, not daring to speak.

Su Ning looked at him and remained silent for a moment.

"Take him back. Send him to Bianliang."

Li Jing and Li Yu were put into a prison cart.

The father and son looked back at the city he had guarded for twenty years.

On the city gate, the flags of the Southern Tang Dynasty are being torn down.

What was replaced was the dragon flag of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He closed his eyes and said nothing.

The prison cart rumbled forward, heading north.

The Southern Tang dynasty was destroyed.

……

In the early summer of the fifth year of Xiande, Jinling City changed hands.

On the third day after Li Jing was taken away, Su Ning held a meeting in the former Southern Tang palace.

The incense in the hall had not yet dissipated, and Li Yu's unfinished poems were still on the table.

Su Ning glanced at it, then ordered it to be put away and sent to Bianliang...

The sixth prince, Li Yu, will probably only live on in his poems from now on, mostly reminiscing about the wind and snow of his lost kingdom.

"Officials will be assigned to various prefectures north of the Yangtze River to take over. Household registrations, land holdings, and taxes will be re-registered." Su Ning's voice echoed in the empty hall. "The people of the Mingli Hall will cooperate with the local authorities to find those former officials of the Southern Tang who are hiding. Those who are willing to work will be kept, those who are unwilling will be dismissed, and those who have committed heinous crimes will be executed."

"The navy is to be stationed in Runzhou. All ports along the river are to be guarded. Fishing boats are allowed to pass, merchant ships must be inspected, and warships—not a single one is permitted."

"The divisions of the National Defense Army will rest and replenish their troops on the spot. Those civilians who fled from the Southern Tang will be selected based on their physical condition and willingness to join the army."

The generals all agreed.

After the meeting, Su Ning stood alone on the steps outside the hall, gazing south.

Further south, there are Jiaozhi, Champa, and other wild and untamed lands whose names I've never heard of.

But he doesn't plan to play anymore.

With the fall of the Southern Tang, the overall situation in the south was settled.

The remaining small countries, tribes, and chieftains will naturally be gradually assimilated within a few years.

The next step is to stabilize the situation.

Stabilize the north bank of the Yangtze River, stabilize the south bank, and stabilize every inch of this newly incorporated territory.

According to the original plan, he was to stay in Nanjing for at least a year.

This will show the people who have just submitted that the government of the Great Zhou is no worse than that of the Southern Tang.

Let those powerful figures who are still observing understand that those who obey will prosper, and those who resist will perish.

The plan can't keep up with the changes.

In early June, an imperial edict, delivered by express courier, was sent from Bianliang to Jinling.

Su Ning unfolded it and frowned.

"His Majesty summons Your Highness back to the capital immediately." The eunuch delivering the decree lowered his head, not daring to look at Su Ning's expression. "It's extremely urgent and cannot be delayed."

"What happened?"

“This…” the eunuch hesitated for a moment, “His Majesty wants to launch a northern expedition.”

Suning was stunned.

Northern Expedition?

The Khitans were still entrenched in the north, and the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun were still in the hands of the Liao people.

That place has been lost for nearly thirty years, and countless emperors in the Central Plains have tried to take it back, but none of them have succeeded.

Even when Guo Wei was around, he didn't dare to easily entertain this idea.

Now, Guo Rong wants to fight?
"His Majesty says that with the world unified and our momentum unstoppable, this is the perfect time to reclaim Yan and Yun," the eunuch said cautiously. "The Khitans have just suffered a defeat and their morale is low. Our Great Zhou has a strong army and high morale. If we don't fight now, when will we?"

Su Ning was silent for a moment, then asked, "What else did Your Majesty say?"

"His Majesty said... he will personally lead the expedition."

The emperor personally led the expedition.

These four words weighed heavily on Suning's heart like a stone.

He recalled the battle two years ago when he personally led the army to conquer the Khitan.

One hundred thousand national defense troops fought against fifty thousand Khitan cavalry. They won the battle, but more than twenty thousand people died.

After that battle, my elder brother's confidence returned.

However, being too confident is not necessarily a good thing.

"Send orders to all divisions," Su Ning said. "The First Division will return to the capital with me. The remaining divisions will be under the command of Cao Bin and will continue to guard Jiangnan."

"Your Highness, regarding the situation in the south..."

“Cao Bin can handle things in the south,” Su Ning said. “I have to personally intervene in things in the north.”

Three days later, Su Ning led the elite of the First Division northward.

The army traveled day and night along the canal.

Along the way, people from various prefectures and counties lined the streets to see them off.

The people who came from the Southern Tang Dynasty knelt by the roadside, crying out, "Your Highness, Prince Qin."

Su Ning sat at the bow of the boat, watching the scenery rushing past on both banks, without saying a word.

Zhao Pu stood behind him and said softly, "Your Highness, what about His Majesty..."

“I know,” Su Ning said. “He’s wanted to attack Yan Yun for a long time.”

"So, Your Highness, do you think we should fight?"

Suning remained silent for a moment.

“They deserve to be attacked. The Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun are the gateway to the Central Plains. If they are not taken back, the north will never be at peace. But not now.”

"why?"

“Because it’s not the right time yet,” Su Ning said. “Jiangnan has just been pacified, and the people’s hearts are not yet won over. Although the Khitan suffered a defeat, their strength is not damaged. If we launch a major northern expedition now, it’s fine if we win, but what if we lose…”

Suning did not continue speaking.

However, Zhao Pu already understood.

If we lose, all the victories that Great Zhou has achieved in the past few years will be ruined.

Those southern countries that have just submitted to us will be eager to make a move.

Those warlords who have been subdued will rekindle their rebellious intentions.

Even within the National Defense Forces, there might be those who harbor ulterior motives.

Su Ning gazed northwards, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Guo Rong must be getting impatient in Bianliang.

Or perhaps Guo Rong sensed that his lifespan was coming to an end, which is why he wanted to fulfill his ideals before he died.

I have to do my best to stop Guo Rong.

Even if we can't stop him, we have to make Guo Rong understand...

This battle cannot be rushed.

The canal water flowed gurglingly as the fleet of boats traveled day and night.

Ahead, Bianliang City is getting closer and closer.

But an even bigger storm is waiting for them.

...(End of this chapter)