The people were determined not to speak, looking at Qin Yining’s group with eyes full of terror and resentment.

Obviously, their emotions were still difficult to control, viewing Qin Yining’s group as lackeys of the court.

Qin Yining said with a stern face: “Destroying the imperial mausoleum was Lu Heng’s doing alone. Originally, if the Emperor were to punish anyone, it would be Lu Heng alone for his crime of treason. The Lu family had already rebelled, and this time coming here to destroy the imperial mausoleum – what does it have to do with all of you? But he’s cunning indeed, deliberately dragging all the people of the county into this to divert the Emperor’s attention. This person is truly too detestable!”

Some of the people were somewhat swayed upon hearing this, while others remained stubborn and unmoved.

There was even a troublemaker who, dissatisfied with Qin Yining’s words, loudly said: “You’re from the court, of course you speak for the court! The Emperor doesn’t care about people’s lives – he’s willing to spend silver on building imperial mausoleums but reluctant to give us food to eat. Such a foolish ruler deserves to have his mausoleum destroyed!”

“But how innocent you all are.” Qin Yining frowned with heartfelt pain and said loudly, “Originally this matter had nothing to do with you, yet he forcibly dragged you into it. You’ve been arrested, but where is the person who dragged you in? He fled long ago without a trace! He loaded the gunpowder and made you light the fuse, but in the end he remains clean and carefree while everyone else, being simple-minded folk, was used by him!”

The people looked at each other, already somewhat shaken.

“Look around yourselves – aren’t those who were arrested all familiar common folk like yourselves? How many of Lu Heng’s rebel troops are there? They only left a small number of people here, yet used you – people who should have been protected – to guard the city gates.”

Qin Yining quickly walked several steps toward the city gate, pointed toward the direction outside the city and continued: “But do you know what you’re guarding? You probably don’t know that right now, Tatar cavalry has reached the city walls! The Duke Dingguo, whom you consider to be coming to kill you, is leading the imperial soldiers you resent in bloody battle, using their lives and blood to resist the Tatar attack!

“Don’t they have horses? Can’t they flee? They can! But why don’t they run away? Isn’t it all for you people! Yet you stubbornly guard the city gates, refusing to let the troops protecting you enter the city, watching them with no retreat possible, only able to fight the Tatars to the death! Fellow villagers, do you think this is a righteous act?

“Everyone has been honest, law-abiding people for generations! Yet because of Lu Heng’s deceptive words, you’ve lost your minds, been used by him, committed such unrighteous acts, and implicated yourselves and your families in rebellion. You don’t care about your own lives, don’t care about how future generations will judge us people of Huichuan County, but don’t you care about the lives of your elderly parents and young children at home?!”

The area before the city gate fell silent as death.

Qin Yining’s forceful, resounding questions struck their hearts like drumbeats.

Originally there was still some anger, but now only regret and despair remained.

“We, we…” A man with a miserable expression opened his mouth, “We beg the Princess Consort to show us a way to live!”

The man fell to his knees with a thud.

With someone taking the lead, those who had been too proud to beg for mercy first finally lost their psychological burden and knelt down one by one. Qin Yining had an excellent reputation during her time in Huichuan County, had performed righteous acts under Lady Lu’s oppression, and had Pang Xiao’s accumulated good reputation over many years. When these people calmed down and remembered these things, they truly felt both regret and fear, kowtowing continuously.

Qin Yining shook her head and said: “Everyone was deceived by others’ words and committed treasonous acts, collaborating with rebels. Haven’t you become rebels against the court yourselves? Do you know how the court handles rebels?”

“Execute… execution…” someone stammered.

The scene fell silent for a moment, then everyone began sobbing in despair.

“No, we don’t want to die! We were just temporarily blinded by greed! We beg the Princess Consort for mercy, we beg the Princess Consort for mercy!”

Everyone finally became frightened, kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly for forgiveness.

Watching those who had just been bound on the city wall yet remained defiant and resentful finally obediently confess their crimes after Qin Yining’s speech, Lu Weigui, who had approached nearby, finally recognized the formidable abilities of Princess Consort Zhongshun.

Lu Heng stirred people’s hearts to achieve his goals, and Princess Consort Zhongshun had the same ability!

Lu Weigui’s respect for Qin Yining increased greatly. He came to Qin Yining’s side, bowed, and said in a low voice: “Princess Consort, should we open the city gates now, or have someone go out to scout first?”

Qin Yining turned back, smiled and said: “What does Magistrate Lu think?”

Lu Weigui said seriously: “For safety’s sake, this humble official thinks we should scout first and establish contact with Duke Dingguo.”

“Magistrate Lu speaks very correctly.” Qin Yining nodded in agreement, “Let’s proceed as you suggest.”

Lu Weigui agreed, feeling particularly pleased in his heart. He guessed that Qin Yining probably had the same idea, but by giving him the opportunity to speak, she was essentially giving him the credit for pacifying the rebellion here and welcoming Duke Dingguo’s group into the city. Although such credit wouldn’t be of much use to a woman, as she wouldn’t pursue an official career, her willingness to yield the credit showed great respect and recognition for him. Lu Weigui felt truly grateful and admiring.

Having arranged for Lu Weigui to handle the matter, Qin Yining turned to look at those people: “Everyone, please stand up. If we wanted to kill you, we would have acted when you were on the city tower. Why would we waste so much effort bringing you here to listen to all this?

“You are all ordinary people who have suffered this undeserved disaster. Everyone has elderly parents and young children at home. I truly couldn’t bear to see you being used like this without knowing it.”

The people raised their heads to look at Qin Yining, hesitating and not daring to stand.

Qin Yining sighed: “Please stand up, everyone. I keep my word and will certainly protect you all before Duke Dingguo, but you must also clearly see the current situation. The Tatars have now reached our city walls. Duke Dingguo is fighting desperately! If we let the Tatars enter Huichuan County, think about the consequences.”

The people finally calmed down and recognized the seriousness of the situation.

The leading man stamped his foot and lamented repeatedly with regret: “Wrong! Truly confused! The Tatars are right outside, and everyone has long heard about the lives of those border people who have been raided by Tatars year after year. How did we become so confused at this moment! Does that Lu Heng know sorcery?”

Everyone was filled with regret, wishing they could beat their chests and stamp their feet.

Seeing that most of her goal had been achieved, Qin Yining pressed on: “For the sake of your family members, Huichuan County must be defended. The Emperor originally ordered Duke Dingguo to capture the rebels – just to catch Lu Heng and his small group – so he didn’t send many troops. But knowing that Tatars have come here, the Emperor will certainly arrange reinforcements. Before reinforcements arrive, please help Duke Dingguo and the court’s soldiers, brothers and elders. This is not only your chance to atone for your crimes through merit, but also for your parents and children at home.”

At this point, Qin Yining curtsied: “Your righteousness is admirable. I thank you all here.”

When had the common people ever seen a noble lady from the court bow to ordinary folk? Moreover, from beginning to end, Qin Yining never directly criticized their faults, always understanding that they had been deceived, and giving them a way to atone through merit. Their gratitude to Qin Yining deepened even further!

Everyone nodded repeatedly, talking over each other loudly: “Princess Consort, rest assured! We will definitely guard the city gates and not let the Tatars advance one step!”

“Right! We’ll definitely help Duke Dingguo guard the city gates!”

…

Not only these people who had been tied up, but even the bailiffs and runners, as well as other people who had heard the commotion and rushed over, all became energized, shouting loudly that they would definitely guard the city gates and protect their homes.

Once people unite, the power they form is tremendous. Even if Ji Zeyu had three heads and six arms, it would be difficult to guard against people stabbing him in the back. Now Qin Yining’s passionate speech had stirred everyone’s emotions. They might not care who became emperor, might not care about the lives of others in the court, but they couldn’t not care about their own families.

Even if fighting for their families, they would absolutely not hold Ji Zeyu back anymore.

Qin Yining nodded repeatedly, moved to join in shouting slogans passionately and cursing the Tatars.

At this time, sounds of battle cries came from outside the city gate. The gate official, following orders, opened the city gate just a crack, and the cavalry sent by the court along with soldiers from the Three Thousand Battalion rushed in one by one, exhausted.

The people were all stunned for a moment.

Qin Yining quickly ordered: “Quickly untie everyone! Everyone go help! We must guard the city gates – not one Tatar can be allowed to enter alive!”

“Right! We can’t let the Tatars come in and harm us common folk! Men, grab your weapons!”

The strong men each went to find weapons – some found iron spades, some took hoes, some grabbed door bars, and some even brought long iron ladles used for cooking at home. Some were clever enough to bring wooden pot lids to use as shields.

This group, clearly a ragtag crowd of civilians, burst forth with fighting spirit even more passionate than the imperial army in order to defend their homes. They all rushed forward, bypassing the troops Ji Zeyu had brought and heading straight for the city gate, determined not to let a single Tatar enter the city.

Like Pang Xiao, Ji Zeyu always covered the rear when fighting and retreating, never running away first. When he struck down a Tatar cavalryman who had approached with his blade, turned around and spurred his horse to gallop through the city gate while shouting “Close the gate! Close the gate!”, what he saw were ordinary people holding various “weapons.”

Seeing Ji Zeyu ride through the gate, these people immediately used all their strength to push the heavy city gate with all their might.

Watching the Tatar cavalry approaching, these farmers, even though they hadn’t had a full meal in a long time and were exhausted to the point of seeing stars, managed to slam the city gate shut with a “clang” at the critical moment.

Ji Zeyu dismounted with a leap, looked at these people with an expressionless face but surprised eyes, the corners of his lips curving up slightly.

Qin Yining and Lu Weigui quickly walked forward.

Lu Weigui cupped his hands and bowed: “This humble official Lu Weigui, Magistrate of Huichuan, greets Duke Dingguo.”

Qin Yining also curtsied: “Greetings to Duke Dingguo.”

Ji Zeyu turned and raised his hand to indicate that neither needed to be so formal. Though his attitude was cold, it didn’t make people feel repulsed. He raised his riding whip to point at those people, looking questioningly at Lu Weigui.