bookrandom Chapter 2329 The Curtain Falls, the Beginning!
Chapter 2329 The Curtain Falls, the Beginning!
Deng Hongwen's suggestion took into account the current emergency situation—the need to stabilize public sentiment as soon as possible and return to the capital.
They also considered the solemnity and dignity of Han Xing's funeral—the farce of these two traitors could not be allowed to tarnish the final journey of a loyal minister.
It also implies a deeper meaning—that the matter can be handled calmly after the funeral, which would not only demonstrate the majesty of the national law, but also allow Han Xing's spirit to witness the execution of the traitor.
Chu Ning nodded slightly upon hearing this.
His gaze swept coldly over the two pathetic creatures still hurling insults at each other, then glanced at Han Xing's coffin in the distance, a deep sorrow and resolute look flashing in his eyes.
"Granted."
Chu Ning's voice was cold and decisive: "Put Chu Yun and Lü Xiuwen in the prison cart and keep them under strict guard."
"After General Han's funeral, we will hold a public execution before his spirit tablet to comfort his loyal soul!"
"The minister obeys the order!"
Deng Hongwen bowed and accepted the order, then turned around and conveyed the emperor's decree to Zhao Yu and the others.
With a wave of his hand, Zhao Yu summoned several fierce Imperial Guards who immediately stepped forward, picked up Chu Yun and Lü Xiuwen, who were still hurling insults at each other, and stuffed them into the prison cart that had been prepared.
The iron locks on the prison cart slammed shut with a heavy "click," as if tolling the final death knell for the fate of these two ambitious men.
This also brought their absurd and pathetic rebellion farce to a final close.
Chu Ning's gaze shifted from the prison cart to Han Xing's coffin in the distance.
The pitch-black coffin stood silently in the middle of the official road, its bright yellow satin curtains trembling slightly in the cold wind, as if silently sighing for the bloody battle and absurd farce that had just taken place.
The blood-stained memorial banner still stands stubbornly, white background with red characters, a shocking sight—"The spirit of the late Duke Zhongguo of the Great Chu, posthumously honored as Duke Zhongwu, whose given name was Xing."
"continue."
Chu Ning's voice was not loud, but clear and firm: "Send General Han on his final journey."
After experiencing this dramatic turn of events, the funeral procession finally resumed its journey.
However, the team at this moment is completely different from the one before.
Those civil and military officials who had just stood behind Chu Yun and witnessed the massacre and farce were now pale-faced and unsteady on their feet, but they dared not slacken their efforts in the slightest.
They silently returned to their positions, heads bowed, following behind the coffin, not daring to breathe loudly.
Those who had been vomiting and looking disheveled just moments before were now forcing themselves to stand up straight, trying their best to maintain their last shred of dignity.
The Imperial Guards regrouped. Although they had just experienced a fierce battle and suffered heavy casualties, the remaining soldiers still stood tall and marched in unison, guarding both sides of the coffin.
Their armor was still stained with blood, and their faces showed exhaustion, but their gaze remained firm and loyal.
The white horse cavalry split into two groups: one led the way at the front, while the other brought up the rear, vigilantly watching their surroundings to ensure no further incidents occurred.
The thousands of rebel soldiers who had been charging wildly just moments before, now turned into cold corpses, were piled up haphazardly on both sides of the official road, like small mountains, awaiting further clearing.
Blood flowed in streams, meandering through the withered grass, staining the paper money, the soil, and this once solemn and dignified land.
The strong smell of blood mixed with the acrid smell of burning paper money created an eerie and terrifying atmosphere that lingered for a long time.
No one dared to look at the corpses even once.
No one dared to say a word.
The team moved forward in silence.
The pallbearers lifted Han Xing's coffin again, their steps heavy yet steady.
The banners led the way, followed closely by the ceremonial procession, with white banners and pennants stretching like snow.
The funeral music played again, its mournful notes echoing across the empty plains, mingling with the howling of the cold wind, as if playing a final elegy for the departed loyal souls.
Chu Ning continued to walk alongside the coffin, supporting it.
His black dragon robe was covered in dust and bloodstains, but it did not diminish his majesty in the slightest.
His face showed no anger, no sadness, only a deep, calm as still as an ancient well.
He walked silently, step by step, escorting Han Xing through this final journey.
Shen Wanying, Wu Zetian, Feng Mulan, and the three princes and princesses followed closely behind.
Although the three children were young, after experiencing the terrifying ordeal, they seemed to understand something. They stayed close to their mother, without crying or complaining, and just walked silently.
Generals such as Xue Huaide, Zhao Yu, Ma Chao, and Xue Dingshan guarded the sides of the troops.
They all bore the marks of battle, some even bearing wounds, yet they still stood tall, their eyes warily scanning their surroundings.
Civil officials such as Deng Hongwen and Liu Shouren walked at the back of the procession, their faces solemn and silent.
The procession traversed the blood-soaked plains, crossed the official road strewn with corpses, and passed through the paper money fluttering in the air, slowly making its way westward.
Three miles is not a long distance.
But for everyone at that moment, those three miles felt like an eternity.
Finally, a small hill appeared in front of us.
On the hilltop, the pines and cypresses are evergreen, remaining lush and verdant even in the depths of winter.
Before the hill stands a magnificent mausoleum, built against the mountain, facing south, with green hills behind and plains in front, offering a wide view and excellent feng shui.
This is the auspicious site chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for Han Xing—the Mausoleum of Loyal Martyrs.
Although the construction of the mausoleum was rushed, it was already taking shape thanks to the tireless efforts of the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department.
The tall stone archway stands majestically, inscribed with the two characters "Loyal and Valiant," written with vigorous strokes and exuding a powerful aura.
Behind the archway is a long spirit path, with stone figures and horses arranged on both sides. Although not yet fully carved, their solemnity is already evident.
At the end of the sacred path lies a massive tomb chamber, its doors wide open, awaiting the arrival of loyal souls.
A mourning shed and an altar had been set up in front of the tomb chamber.
On the altar were placed incense, candles, offerings, and a eulogy written by Chu Ning himself.
On either side of the altar stood officials from the Ministry of Rites and monks and Taoist priests who had been waiting there, all with solemn expressions and bowed heads.
The funeral procession slowly came to a stop in front of the tomb.
The pallbearers carefully carried the coffin down and, step by step, along the spirit path, toward the open tomb door.
Chu Ning continued to walk alongside, personally escorting the coffin to Han Xing's final resting place.
The coffin stopped in front of the tomb entrance.
Deng Hongwen stepped forward, unfolded the eulogy again, and read it aloud.
This time, his voice was more solemn and more sorrowful; every word seemed to carry a heavy emotion, falling into the hearts of everyone present.