Chapter 136: When the Earth Dragon Turns (Part Two)

The Prince of Qin and his followers atop the city gate were just about to mock Yang Yaozong when their smiles froze upon their faces, soon replaced by expressions of terror.

Accompanied by a deep rumbling from beneath the earth, the ground began to tremble. Before Yang Yaozong’s eyes, the gate tower split apart in an instant, several enormous cracks tearing through it. Amid the terrified screams of those on the tower, it collapsed completely and was reduced to a heap of ruins.

The more than one hundred thousand soldiers recruited by the Prince of Qin behind the frontier troops were thrown into panic. One after another, they stumbled and fell, cast aside their helmets and weapons, and knelt with their faces to the ground, constantly begging for mercy.

The earthquake lasted for several dozen seconds before finally subsiding.

Zhang Lie gazed at Yang Yaozong with fervent admiration and cried, “My lord! The earth dragon truly has turned over!”

Yang Yaozong sighed and ordered, “General Zhang, take ninety thousand troops and bring those soldiers behind us under control. They should have little fighting spirit left. Those who surrender and lay down their weapons are to be treated well. Zhang Lie and I will take ten thousand men into Upper Capital to rescue the victims.”

Because the foundations of buildings in this era were not very sturdy, and most structures were built of wood and mud brick, their resistance to earthquakes was extremely poor. The destruction was therefore severe. Looking out across the city, Yang Yaozong saw scarcely a single building left intact.

The new royal residence built by the Prince of Qin had also collapsed in the earthquake. The main hall that lightning had struck and destroyed that day had never been rebuilt. The disasters of nature were merciless. This time, they had not only shattered the Prince of Qin’s hopes but also taken his life.

Fortunately, most buildings in this era were low-rise structures. Ordinary homes in particular were small and modest, and because warnings had been issued in advance, few of Upper Capital’s residents had been injured or killed.

Yang Yaozong gazed at Upper Capital, where clouds of dust still hung in the air, then looked up at the sun, its light dimmed. He could not tell whether overcast skies had blocked its warmth and radiance, or whether the dust drifting through the air had obscured its rays. All he knew was that he felt terribly cold.

War was merciless. Flood and fire were merciless. And when nature lost its temper, it was more merciless still, Yang Yaozong thought with a sigh.

Zhang Lie had already taken some of the soldiers into the city to aid the common people.

Yang Yaozong likewise led a number of soldiers to the city gate, where they worked to rescue those buried beneath the rubble.

“My lord! We found the Prince of Qin!”

A few soldiers then carried the prince before Yang Yaozong.

The Prince of Qin’s hair was disheveled, and his face was covered in blood. Several tears had been ripped in the dragon robe he wore, now stained with dust and grime.

He slowly opened his eyes. It took him a long while to focus before he saw Yang Yaozong crouching before him and looking down at him. He gave a bitter smile.

“I never imagined that after I became emperor, Heaven itself would be so enraged.”

He seemed to want to laugh aloud, but instead he began vomiting great mouthfuls of blood, his laughter growing muffled and indistinct.

Yang Yaozong gently pressed a hand against the prince’s chest and discovered that it had caved in. He guessed that falling stones had broken the ribs there, driving the splintered bones into the prince’s internal organs. With the medical knowledge available in this age, the Prince of Qin was beyond saving.

Yang Yaozong shook his head and sighed. He had just begun to rise when the prince desperately seized the hem of his robe.

The dying man seemed to gather every last ounce of strength. Straining to lift his head, he stared anxiously at Yang Yaozong.

“I have a young son. He is still an infant. Please, I beg you—save him. Save him.”

When he finished speaking, he again vomited mouthful after mouthful of blood. His gaze gradually grew vacant, and the hand clutching Yang Yaozong’s robe slipped loose and fell to the ground.

Yang Yaozong immediately led his men to the Prince of Qin’s residence. When they arrived, he was bewildered to find that many people within the estate had been buried beneath the collapsed buildings. Only a small number of household retainers and servants had survived.

After questioning them, Yang Yaozong learned that, before leaving the residence, the Prince of Qin had ordered in a fit of rage that his wives and concubines be locked inside their rooms. He had forbidden them from believing the proclamation or leaving their quarters to seek shelter.

After conducting a careful search, Yang Yaozong still failed to find the prince’s infant son. He questioned the surviving servants, but none of them knew where the child had gone.

Yang Yaozong guessed that someone must have rescued the infant, fearing that the Prince of Qin’s bloodline would otherwise be extinguished. He had seen the regret in the prince’s eyes before death. So long as the child was alive, that was enough. It could be considered the fulfillment of the prince’s final wish.

Thus, Yang Yaozong decided not to investigate further. He left some soldiers behind to continue rescuing those buried under the ruins, then hurried elsewhere to direct the relief efforts.

Yang Yaozong and Zhang Lie had planned the post-disaster rescue operations in advance. There were also ample personnel, each assigned a specific duty, so the rescue proceeded with great efficiency.

By nightfall, the first round of searches throughout Upper Capital had been completed. Tents had been erected in several flat, spacious areas of the city for those with nowhere to stay, and free porridge was being provided. More soldiers than usual patrolled the streets, maintaining order.

The people of the city had long since learned that the man who had come to suppress the Prince of Qin’s rebellion was Yang Yaozong, Tutor to the Crown Prince’s Heir. They also knew that he had foreseen the earthquake and warned everyone in advance, allowing most of Upper Capital’s inhabitants to escape the disaster.

Therefore, whenever the people saw Yang Yaozong, they worshiped him as though he were a god, bowing and offering thanks for their deliverance.

Night had fallen deep when Yang Yaozong, Zhang Lie, and Zhang Qiang gathered inside a tent. All three had disheveled hair and were covered in dust and grime.

Zhang Lie and Zhang Qiang knelt on the ground, their eyes bloodshot and glistening with tears.

No matter how Yang Yaozong tried to help them up, the two men refused to rise.

“My lord,” Zhang Lie said in a trembling voice, “it was only because of your careful planning and arrangements that the people of Upper Capital were able to escape this heavenly calamity with so few casualties. On behalf of Upper Capital’s people, I bow to thank you for giving us life anew!”

Yang Yaozong pulled Zhang Lie upward by the arm.

“What are you saying, Brother Zhang? The two of you, get up at once. We are all people of Great Zhou. Helping and protecting the people of Great Zhou is only right and proper. It is the duty of every subject of the realm. There is no need to thank me like this.”

Zhang Qiang said excitedly, “Today, we subdued every one of the Prince of Qin’s soldiers without even having to fight. My lord, you are truly a man touched by the gods! I am filled with admiration. As you instructed, I have already sent them back to the Tongzhou garrison. Tomorrow, when I return there, I shall assign them according to the rolls. Those who wish to remain in the army and meet the requirements may continue their service. Those who wish to return home will be given money for the journey.”

No matter how Yang Yaozong tried to lift them, he could not get the two brothers kneeling before him to stand. With an exasperated smile, he said, “Get up and speak properly. Otherwise, I shall have no choice but to kneel here and speak with you.”

He made as though to kneel.

Zhang Lie and Zhang Qiang hurriedly caught hold of him, and only then did they rise themselves.

Wiping the tears from the corners of his eyes, Zhang Lie said with a smile, “My lord, today we uncovered an underground vault beneath the ruins of the Prince of Qin’s residence. When we opened it, we found more gold, silver, and treasures than we could count.”

Yang Yaozong nodded.

“For the past several years, the Prince of Qin has diverted all the taxes from the lands around Upper Capital, not to mention the tribute offered by officials. It is no surprise that he accumulated such a fortune. As it happens, we can use his wealth to rebuild Upper Capital. That may also allow him to earn some merit in the afterlife. I shall entrust this matter to you, Zhang Lie. It will be hard work, but the capable must shoulder greater burdens.”

Zhang Lie declared fervently, “I shall not betray your trust, my lord. On behalf of Upper Capital’s people, I bow to thank you!”

He once again moved to kneel.

Yang Yaozong hurriedly pulled him up.

“All right, all right. Stop kneeling at every turn. At this rate, we may as well remain on our knees while we talk!”

The three men burst into hearty laughter, wholly unsuited to the solemnity of the moment.

To be continued...