The Fallen Nation System, Turning the Tide - Chapter 103: Escape

Chapter 103: Escape

“Better to flee before His Highness returns.”

Xu Ying was determined to overthrow the dynasty and establish a new order, yet under the coercion of Prince Yong, after he took action, everyone reluctantly invited Prince Yong to ascend the throne and prepared his coronation ceremony. After all, it was still the Xu Jin family’s empire. Submitting to Xu Ying, they had no idea what policies she might implement to uproot the noble families’ foundations. To be safe, it was better to let Prince Yong take the throne.

Meanwhile, envoys from various states gathered in Zhenping to witness Xu Ying’s coronation ceremony.

Xu Ying was fixing her hair bun when Xu Lang came over to help straighten her clothes.

Xu Lang said, “Rest assured, Zhang Yu is helping us relay messages in Youzhou. Li Dengyun has escorted the common people here, and Zhou Jin has secured the land deeds and property titles. The regions remain stable.”

Xu Ying felt relieved. “I’ve heard many merchants have migrated here. They must be settled promptly. Zhenping greatly needs merchants; we must find ways to keep them here.”

“Sun Wanyun has already gone to arrange their settlement, awaiting your ascension to return to Youzhou.”

Xu Ying felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavy, her palms sweating.

The coronation ceremony was held with minimal pomp due to Zhenping’s scarce resources. Envoys from various states and the common people gathered to watch, the crowd below the platform vast.

After burning incense and offering sacrifices to the gods, the establishment of Xia Country was proclaimed, with Xu Ying as its founding ruler. The people paid homage, and envoys from various states stepped forward one by one to convey their kings’ blessings and tribute.

Qing Wang Xu Ge, accompanied by his son Xu Lian and Hengjiang Prince’s son Xu Chong, stepped forward and knelt, saying, “Long live the Emperor of Xia.”

Among the imperial clan, only they and Xu Chong were close to Xu Ying. In the future, succession would prioritize Xu Chong and Xu Lian.

Xu Chong, having rendered merit by saving the throne, ranked above Xu Lian. Xu Ge had to plan early for his own son, fully supporting Xu Ying’s change of the state’s name.

Wang Qiu came forward with gifts from various states obtained during her travels, announcing, “Your Majesty, while resisting the Western Rong, we were separated from the main army. To return swiftly, we appointed ourselves as envoys without decree and contacted various states, begging your forgiveness. The kings of these states have gifted cattle, sheep, camels, rare horses, countless jewels, various artifacts, and skilled craftsmen as gestures of friendship. They wish to send people to remain in our court to learn our culture. Your Majesty’s prestige radiates across the seas, shaking the world, with all states submitting. Now, with the establishment of this new dynasty, may blessings extend for generations to come.”

The Women’s Army herded cattle and sheep, leading horses forward, and specially cleared a space to display artifacts gifted by Zixu and Wu You Guo. The grandeur of the display astonished everyone.

“This is the two-wheeled pedal vehicle.”

A person riding the vehicle appeared before the crowd. Having practiced, she had mastered the technique, maintaining balance and riding steadily. Wang Qiu began introducing each item to the assembly.

The crowd watched the two-wheeled pedal vehicle with curiosity, puzzled by how this slender, elongated structure on two wheels didn’t topple when ridden, and how it seemed effortless, requiring little strength.

Tong Wan’s eyes were glued to it, not looking away for a moment.

Xu Ying couldn’t help but widen her eyes and gaspwasn’t this a bicycle!

“This was gifted by the King of Wu You Guo. It is said that it only needs boiling water to move, but unfortunately, the creator has died, and it cannot truly operate.”

The two of them jointly carried up an iron frame, strange and peculiar, its purpose unclear and currently inoperableserving only as an ornamental piece. The crowd showed little interest in it, still immersed in reminiscing about the earlier two-wheeled pedal vehicle.

However, when Xu Ying saw this object, her chest felt as if struck violently. Her body swayed, nearly causing her to lose balance and fall from the platform. Beneath her sleeves, her fingers trembled uncontrollably.

This… this is a steam engine!

Which predecessor brought the steam engine to this era? The timing is far too early.

“What’s wrong, everyone?” Xu Lang noticed Xu Ying’s unusual state and stepped forward, whispering to inquire.

Xu Ying clenched her fingers, her nails digging into her palms, forcing herself to calm down. She called out to stop those about to carry the steam engine away: “Wait.”

The crowd was astonished, their gazes turning uniformly toward Xu Ying.

Xu Ying descended from the high platform and approached the steam engine, speaking calmly: “I have seen this object in a dream. It is called a steam engine, using the power of steam to set machinery in motion, greatly saving human labor.”

As soon as these words were spoken, exclamations erupted from the crowd: “A Divine Artifact!Wang Qiu’s eyes lit up with surprise, never expecting their empress to recognize this object. He promptly knelt and proclaimed loudly: “Your Majesty has obtained this Divine Artifact, proof that you are chosen by heaven to be the Emperor of Xia.”

The others followed suit, kneeling and shouting in unison: “Chosen by heaven, long live the Emperor of Xia”

Upon learning that the steam engine could convert steam power to move objects autonomously, Tong Wan, long troubled by a particular problem, felt her heart race. From now on, it seemed the world would truly be turned upside down, with yin and yang reversed.

Beyond machinery, Wang Qiu had encountered various merchants during his travels through different countries and brought back seeds of numerous vegetables and fruits, all of which he presented.

“There are also sweet potatoes, said to be an overseas species. We met a merchant fleet during our voyage who relied on sweet potatoes for long journeys. Sweet potatoes can be grown in arid land and provide a feeling of fullness when eaten, similar to taro. I believe they could serve as a famine relief crop.”

Xu Ying was too stunned to speak. Wang Qiu had managed to gather all the essential items for crossing over in one trip.

Compared to strange machinery like the steam engine, the common people placed the highest importance on food. Upon hearing that sweet potatoes could relieve famine, they grew restless and excited.

If sweet potatoes were cultivated, wouldn’t they never have to worry about starvation again!

The coronation ceremony was inspiring; everyone looked forward to the future with anticipation, believing that being well-fed and warmly dressed was within reach.

After Xu Ying’s coronation ceremony, Wu Zhaoyan quickly drafted a public announcement and had it distributed urgently throughout the country via fast horses. Local officials and influential families who had been wavering between Xu Ying and Prince Yong, or who had initially leaned toward Prince Yong, privately felt uneasy.

Sweet potatoes for famine relief, and the precious steam engine.

They could dismiss the latter as fabrication, but the power of sweet potatoes among the populace was unstoppablethe people would surely support Xu Ying.

Considering this, a cold sweat broke out on their backs. Could the accounts of Xu Ying’s origins in the bulletin be true? Blessed by the gods, the heaven-ordained womanotherwise, how could her journey have been so smooth? She could summon thunder and rain with a gesture, audaciously establishing the separate Xia Country, yet aided by Divine Artifacts.

If this artifact that could make objects move automatically was not a fabricated lie, then great changes were imminent.

Not long after Xu Ying ascended the throne, Prince Yong also held his coronation ceremony in Youzhou. Li Dengyun had finally completed the relocation of all the city’s residents.

On the day of Prince Yong’s ascension, Zhang Yu had someone drug the meals of the guards overseeing the imperial clansmenenough to render them unconscious for two hoursand rescued the clansmen.

While leaving, Zhang Yu unexpectedly encountered Lu Yi, one of Prince Yong’s subordinates. Thinking their plan had been exposed, Zhang Yu steeled his heart and prepared to fight his way out. But just as he drew his blade, Lu Yi pointed them in a direction and said, “This path is more concealed. I’ve already arranged clearance along the way.”

Zhang Yu warily asked, “Since when are Prince Yong’s subordinates so helpful?”

Lu Yi replied calmly, “Loyalty under Prince Yong is no longer united. I’m merely making early preparations for myself, securing an escape route. However… I am curious. Why are you abandoning Youzhou City?”

By all reasoning, Xu Ying should have retaken Youzhou. With coordination from inside and out, reclaiming the city would be a certain victory. Yet what he observed was a continuous evacuation outward.

The common folk he could understand, but even imperial clansmen and officials seemed to be leaving as well. This was strangeunless Xu Ying truly intended to establish the capital in Zhenping.

Zhang Yu’s brow twitched slightly. He lifted his gaze to meet Lu Yi’s eyesLu Yi knew more than he let on.

Li Dengyun had earlier sought him out, conveying Xu Ying’s directive to covertly arrange the orderly evacuation of palace staff and officials’ families, aiming to leave Youzhou an empty city.

He had carried this out with extreme care, sending away only one or two people at a time. Prince Yong’s men, preoccupied with the ascension ceremony, had taken no notice. Yet Lu Yi had somehow detected it.

“By the Great Chief’s command, none dare disobey. Your doubts will be resolved in due time.”

Lu Yi gave a light laugh and stepped aside to let them pass.

Zhang Yu followed the original plan, leading the imperial clansmen out of Youzhou. Taking advantage of Prince Yong’s presence at the ascension ceremony, he and the remaining officials and palace staff departed as the final evacuation group.

By the time Prince Yong’s men realized what had happened, Lu Yi intervened, saying, “They’ve already fled far by now. Pursuing them would be futile.”

“But what if His Highness returns and punishes us?” They feared provoking Prince Yong’s wrath and ending up dead by his blade.

Lu Yi sighed deeply. “Even if you chase them, His Highness will still be enraged upon his return. This way leads to death; if by chance you survive, future failures in duty will also mean death. Better to flee now before His Highness returns.”

One guard remarked, “I’ve heard the Great Chief is benevolent and kind. If we seek refuge with him, there’s still a chance to live. Staying here, we’ll either be killed by Prince Yong or perish in the turmoil when the Great Chief leads his army back to Youzhou.”

The others pondered this and found it reasonable. Rather than waiting in terror for death under Prince Yong, it was better to take a gamble. Thus, they scattered and fled.

Prince Yong completed his ascension rites, assumed the throne, and enfeoffed his son Xu Jin as Crown Prince. After the ceremony concluded, he suddenly felt an unusual stillness. Pacing around the palace grounds, he finally noticed something amiss.

“Where is everyone?!”

The palace staff and guards had all vanished.

The attending officials exchanged uneasy glances, suddenly realizing why Lu Yi had claimed illness and taken leavehe had used Prince Yong’s ascension as cover to escape.

The officials couldn’t help but complain inwardly: That Lu Yihe didn’t even give us a heads-up before fleeing. If we’re going, we should go together. Leaving us here to bear Prince Yong’s fury is downright shameless.

“Your subjects will immediately investigate the matter,” the officials declared in unison. Exchanging glances, they each saw the same desire to retreat in the others’ eyes.

Without waiting for Prince Yong’s permission, they hurried out, eager to ascertain what had happened. But no matter how long Prince Yong waited, none of them ever returned.The families and clans who had reluctantly supported Prince Yong’s ascension to the throne watched as his subordinates fled one after another. With external voices increasingly recognizing only the Empress and rejecting the legitimacy of Jin, and local officials submitting their memorials to Zhenping, those prominent families backing Prince Yong dared not even step outside their gates.

Upon hearing that Zhang Yu had rescued the children and gone to Zhenping, the imperial clan deliberated. Since matters had reached this point, whether it was called Xia or Jin no longer matteredthey could always reclaim the throne from Xu Ying later and restore the previous designation. After all, the ruler would still be a member of the Xu family. Thus, the imperial clans separately submitted memorials congratulating Xu Ying on changing Jin to Xia.