Meanwhile, the hundred elite soldiers Guan Yu had brought descended from the sky like tigers among sheep, targeting officers and setting provisions and supplies ablaze! Though the First Treasures Navy was an elite force, its commander was pinned down by Guan Yu. Caught in this surprise attack, its chain of command instantly collapsed, leaving its soldiers fighting separately in chaos!
Inside the imperial city, the battle between Zhao Yun and Nian Genyao had reached a fever pitch.
Nian Genyao's moves were seasoned and unpredictable, his iron staff struck with tremendous weight, and his mastery of Armament Haki ran deep. With his enduring stamina as well, he managed to keep Zhao Yun tied down for the moment. Though Zhao Yun's spearwork was exquisite and his speed exceptional, he could not immediately break through his opponent's tight defenses.
"Boy, your spearwork isn't bad, but you're still a long way from getting past me!" Nian Genyao sneered hoarsely, wielding his iron staff in an impenetrable flurry.
Zhao Yun knew he could not let the battle drag on. If the palace guards surrounded him, the consequences would be unpredictable. A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he unleashed Reshiram's power in full! Azure flames surged around his body, and his speed suddenly rose again!
"Turbo Boost: Meteor Pierce the Sun!" Zhao Yun became a true streak of light, his body and spear as one. Ignoring the blur of Nian Genyao's staff, he thrust straight at his throat! It was a life-risking strike that pushed speed and attack to their absolute limits!
Nian Genyao had not expected Zhao Yun's speed to surge again. His expression changed in alarm. It was already too late to bring his iron staff back to defend, so he could only desperately twist aside while rousing all his Haki to protect his body!
Squelch!
Blood sprayed! Though the spearhead missed his throat, it pierced through Nian Genyao's shoulder blade! The terrifying impact sent him flying backward, slamming hard into the palace wall!
Nian Genyao screamed, his aura instantly weakening. Zhao Yun pressed his advantage without mercy. With a flick of his spear, he sent the iron staff flying, crippled all four of Nian Genyao's limbs with five thrusts in an instant, then rested the spearhead against his brow. "Move again, and you die!"
Nian Genyao's face turned ashen, and he dared not move again. The imperial family's greatest hidden strength had fallen!
Without a moment's delay, Zhao Yun seized Nian Genyao and kicked open the doors to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Inside, King Luo Shunzhi sat slumped on his dragon throne, his face drained of color.
"Your Majesty, Yujing has fallen. All is lost. Issue an edict of abdication, and your ancestral temples may remain undisturbed." Zhao Yun's voice was cold and brooked no argument.
The towering flames and earthshaking cries of battle from the imperial city and the First Treasures Navy's camp utterly shattered Yujing City's deathly silence!
Outside the southern city wall, Zhang Fei saw the signal. His fierce eyes widened, and he pointed his Eight-Foot Serpent Spear forward. "Men! General Guan Yu and General Zhao Yun have succeeded! Follow me and take the city!"
"Kill!!" The Peach Blossom Spring Main Force surged toward the city gates like floodwaters bursting through a dam! Inside the city, officials and spies whom Guo Jia had long since won over seized the opportunity to open the gates, shouting everywhere, "The imperial city has fallen! The king has been captured! The First Treasures Navy is finished! Surrender and be spared!"
The defenders' morale had already been low. Hearing this disastrous news and seeing the gates open, their resolve instantly collapsed, and they dropped to their knees in surrender in droves.
From elevated positions, Huang Zhong's Sharpshooter Battalion picked off targets with precision, killing hard-line officers who tried to organize resistance.
Gan Ning's Brocade Sail Battalion also seized the docks amid the chaos, cutting off Yujing's last escape route by water.
The fighting lasted less than four hours. At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight illuminated Yujing's battlements, the flag representing Flower Country was cut down. In its place rose Peach Blossom Spring's brand-new flag, fluttering in the wind!
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, King Luo Shunzhi issued an "edict of abdication" under Zhao Yun's "escort." The Chancellor, Nian Genyao, and the other hard-liners were imprisoned. After their commander was gravely wounded and captured, most of the remaining First Treasures Navy chose to surrender.
Liu Bei entered the city at once, posting notices to reassure the populace. He announced tax exemptions, called corrupt officials to account, and opened the granaries to distribute grain, swiftly calming the frightened people.
In that single night, Peach Blossom Spring had taken Flower Country's capital almost flawlessly at minimal cost, captured the core of its ruling power, and defeated the expert the imperial family had kept hidden as its reserve strength. From that day onward, the legend of Guan Yu and Zhao Yun's "divine soldiers descending from the heavens," and the tale of Zhao Yun defeating the Vice Admiral-level hidden expert Nian Genyao with his spear, resounded throughout the West Blue!
Chen Yu received the news of victory in Huaxia City, his gaze deep. Taking the capital was only a beginning. How to absorb this vast country, how to handle the World Government's possible response, and how to truly establish a stable "Hua Country"-the real challenges had only just begun.
Yujing's change of flags marked Peach Blossom Spring's true arrival on the world stage. With the rising sun, the curtain slowly rose on a new era.
The ruler's flag had changed atop the walls of Yujing, Flower Country's capital. Yet this brand-new flag symbolizing "Hua" could actually control only the "Capital Region," centered on this thousand-year-old capital and extending over a limited surrounding area. Against the vastness of the West Blue and Flower Country's enormous territory, this lightning-fast "decapitation" raid was more like a huge boulder hurled into a deep pool-after raising towering waves at the point of impact, even stronger undercurrents and whirlpools were surging wildly beneath the surface.
Yujing City's former imperial palace had now become Hua Country's seat of power. The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and dignified. Chen Yu sat in the principal seat, with his leading civil and military officials arrayed on either side.
Guo Jia stepped forward first and reported developments from all quarters in a clear voice. He concluded, "My lord, though Yujing has fallen, Flower Country remains unsettled, and powerful neighbors watch on all sides. At such a time, we should 'lay the foundations of rule and establish the highest authority, showing impartiality to all beneath heaven; marshal our forces and establish our might, deterring all who refuse to submit.'"
Liu Bei followed immediately, bowing. "Fengxiao is entirely correct. A country cannot go a day without a ruler, nor can its institutions go a day without order. My lord, please establish our country's name, define our standing, and promulgate new policies, so the people know what to follow and what to avoid, and worthy talents know where to pledge their allegiance."
Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Huang Zhong, Gan Ning, and the other generals likewise offered their services, pledging to fight to the death to sweep away the remaining enemies and secure the territory.
Chen Yu's gaze swept over his officials. Arceus's aura of creation-like inclusiveness and order flowed naturally from him, calming everyone in the hall and uniting their resolve. He spoke slowly, his voice steady yet carrying the power to settle the realm:
"All you have said reflects seasoned judgment in service of the state. Flower Country's old institutions were rotten beyond repair, plunging its people into misery. Today, following heaven's will and answering the people's wishes, we shall establish a new order here!"
"Effective immediately, the old name 'Flower Country' shall be abolished. The name of our new dynasty shall be-Hua! It shall mean 'the light of Huaxia, shining once more upon the West Blue'!"
"Our capital shall be established here, and this city shall be renamed-Chang'an! May there be peace for ten thousand generations, enduring order and lasting tranquility!"
"I shall provisionally take charge of state affairs. As the entire country has yet to be unified, I shall provisionally take the title 'Duke of Hua,' establish my administration and its institutions, and oversee the realm!"
"Liu Bei shall be appointed Chancellor, overseeing Internal Affairs, comforting the people and securing the state; Guo Jia shall be Army Adviser Sacrificer, advising on military affairs and coordinating overall strategy; Guan Yu shall be General of the Front, Zhang Fei General of the Rear, Zhao Yun General of the Left, Huang Zhong General of the Right, and Gan Ning General Who Crosses the River. Each shall command mighty troops, guard the four quarters, punish rebels, and quell unrest!"
"Promulgate the 'New Policy Outline of Hua Country,' prioritizing equal distribution of farmland, lighter taxes, advancement of civil and military pursuits, and clear laws!"
Once announced, the outline was swiftly copied and posted throughout Chang'an. Though brief, its contents directly addressed the old dynasty's entrenched abuses. In particular, "equal distribution of farmland" and "lighter taxes" fell like welcome rain upon the hearts of commoners who had suffered deeply under oppression. Yet both Chen Yu and Guo Jia knew that, for now, this spring breeze of benevolent governance could only reach the Capital Region centered on Chang'an. The edict's authority was still far from covering Flower Country's vast territory.
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