Demon Emperor

Chapter 18 Entering the Capital to Demand a Reward
Ruan Hu arrived at the training ground early in the morning.

Yuchi Chongwu, who had just been promoted to Right Guard General, and a group of officers and soldiers were waiting here, along with a large number of figures tied to the ground.

A soldier knelt on one knee and held up boxes for Ruan Hu to see. Inside the boxes were human heads with hideous faces.

Ruan Hu ignored the bound men and their bloodied heads, and instead had a horse brought over and a target erected.

Riding on horseback, Ruan Hu felt as if he were born on horseback, no longer swaying and rocking like before.

He could draw his bow with ease while on horseback.

Moreover, he could shoot with both hands and hit a target a hundred paces away.

The Imperial Guards that Ruan Hu brought back from outside immediately erupted in cheers.

There seemed to be no major disturbance last night; most of the ordinary soldiers were locked in their barracks and not allowed to go out.

However, Ruan Hu reshuffled most of the officers in the Imperial Guard according to the list, and many of them were killed or captured as traitors in yesterday's great upheaval.

Regardless of ability, the first people Ruan Hu recruited were all those who, according to the art of "Changpo Xiangren" (伥魄·相人), were loyal to themselves.

It must be said that this art of judging character is an incredibly practical and effective method, especially for Ruan Hu.

Being able to tell at a glance whether someone is friend or foe, and their approximate abilities, allows one to quickly select suitable individuals from a crowd.

Ruan Hu had previously used this tactic to take away thousands of imperial guards and overthrow Xijing.

now.

He also plans to use the same tactic, repeating his previous methods to break the current situation.

As Ruan Hu rode on his horse, he looked at the faces surrounding him, his gaze sweeping over each one as they bowed their heads.

Although he had just returned to the capital, he planned to conduct several more military exercises in the army, covering all the camps in the capital.

Intimidation and obedience are built up little by little in this way.

Sometimes it may seem like you've only met once, exchanged a few words, and won some praise from others, but it doesn't seem to have any immediate effect.

But in crucial moments, he might come in handy, just like Zhou Kaigu before him.

"We've finally regained control."

"that is……"

Ruan Hu looked at the soldiers, whose expressions were still somewhat uneasy.

Having just experienced one upheaval after another, and with already lax military discipline, it's impossible for Ruan Hu to suddenly become a formidable force simply by replacing his officers with a new, more obedient group.

But at least, they wouldn't just shout a few times outside the city and immediately betray Ruan Hu.

At least.

If Pei Yuanxiao arrives with his army a few days later, Ruan Hu will be able to stabilize the situation in Xijing City.

Ruan Hu dismounted, and Yuchi Chongwu personally came over to lead the horse.

After Ruan Hu came down, he spoke directly to him.

"I have already sent people to Ya County to transfer the Flying Cavalry Commandery, and also transferred the Shield Warriors from the south. Although these two barbarian troops and barbarian soldiers are still relatively obedient, transferring them will come at a price, and no one knows what might happen. It's best to avoid fighting if possible."

"At the same time, I also sent someone to deliver an imperial edict to Pei Yuanxiao, ordering him to stop the march and come to the capital immediately to report on his duties."

Yuchi Chongwu followed closely behind and said.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid Pei Yuanxiao will not obey the imperial decree."

Ruan Hu nodded; he also felt that Pei Yuanxiao probably wouldn't.

but.

Why not give it a try?

Perhaps Pei Yuanxiao really will come to the capital. If we detain him there, many things will be easier to solve.

Turning his head, Ruan Hu looked at Yuchi Chongwu.

"Whether Pei Yuanxiao obeys the imperial decree or whether the barbarian soldiers are obedient."

Ultimately, it depends on whether the Imperial Guards can maintain their position.

Ruan Hu took another look at Yuchi Chongwu's face and bone structure. His face had not changed, but his bone structure had changed.

"Judging from this man's bone structure, he is skilled in spear fighting and adept at training soldiers and selecting troops."

The more one observes, the more accurate and comprehensive the information seems to become in this art of physiognomy. Ruan Hu has yet to verify Yuchi Chongwu's abilities in leading troops into battle.

However, he comes from a family of military generals, and his father was a staunch follower of the late emperor from the Central Plains to the Western Regions.

The basics of how to train troops, how to march, how to set up camp, how to deploy troops, and how to give orders are very solid, as Ruan Hu has recently witnessed firsthand.

With him around, and Ruan Hu's ability to judge character, the Imperial Guards will definitely not cause any trouble.

Five days later.

Ruan Hu was reviewing documents behind the screen when a figure appeared outside the door, bowing towards him across the high threshold.

"His Majesty!"

"Say!"

"The Pillar General has withdrawn to Shicheng."

In the past few days, Ruan Hu has been appeasing the civil officials and controlling the imperial guards internally, while deploying troops externally and putting pressure on Pei Yuanxiao.

However, considering that the imperial decree should have reached Pei Yuanxiao's hands not long ago, how come the news of Pei Yuanxiao withdrawing from Shimen has already been sent back?

Ruan Hu raised his head: "The troops have withdrawn, but what about the Pillar General?"

The eunuch said, "He also went back to Shicheng."

Ruan Hu: "Didn't I say that I wanted to invite the Grand General to the capital? Where is the messenger?"

Eunuch: "The imperial decree has not yet been issued. This is a message sent by the Pillar General."

Ruan Hu didn't look: "Speak."

The eunuch said, "Pei Yuanxiao submitted a memorial stating that the borders are not yet at peace. Now that His Majesty is in good health, I request to return to serve on the frontier to secure the imperial rule..."

As Ruan Hu listened, he was also calculating the time.

It seems that Ruan Hu's decree had not yet been delivered. When Pei Yuanxiao learned that Ruan Hu had entered the capital with a thousand men and that Prime Minister Ruan Heng had died, he immediately began to withdraw his troops.

It must be said, this person is truly decisive.

It seems that Pei Yuanxiao doesn't want to fall out with Ruan Hu yet.

and.

He did not take advantage of Ruan Heng's recent rebellion to cause trouble, nor did he follow up on Ruan Hu's claim that Ruan Hu was a demon.

At least for this moment, he still recognized Ruan Hu as the emperor.

This wasn't the best news for Ruan Hu, but it was certainly good news; at least he could breathe a sigh of relief for the time being.

He has been in this place for some time now.

The various treacherous officials, both inside and outside the court, all wanted to put a knife to the emperor's neck. Although Ruan Hu was not afraid, it was still a very difficult situation for him.

Ruan Hu slowly relaxed his posture, leaning back on the couch and spreading his arms.

I remembered it again.

At the beginning, I was in the palace, watching the emperor's extravagant and decadent lifestyle.
-
Two more days passed.

Ruan Hu hadn't finished his work yet, nor had he had time to indulge in extravagance and debauchery.

In the same place, in the same position, another courtier requests an audience.

Ruan Hu raised his hand: "Let him in."

The minister held the jade tablet and bowed, and it took a while before they got down to business.

"Your Majesty, something has happened to the Flying Cavalry and the Shield Warriors."

Ruan Hu sat up abruptly from his relaxed, outstretched posture, his gaze sharpening once more.

"what's up."

A voice came from outside: "These barbarian soldiers refuse to go back because they think the reward is too small. They say they want to go to Xijing to demand a reward."

Ruan Hu rubbed his temples, really wanting to curse these arrogant and domineering soldiers, and then lead his army to chop them all down.

In the end, I still said, "Send!"

Those bastards, I'll kill them all sooner or later.

(End of this chapter)