kvmb Chapter 863 Why?
Chapter 863 Why?
Luo Jing originally thought that he would never live to see this day.
The moment he stepped into the Taiji Hall, his eyes welled up with tears.
After so many years, he didn't know if he could get justice for the general and his former comrades today, but at least he wanted the world to know what really happened in Chenzhou back then.
Luo Jing knelt down with his hands clasped in front of him.
"This humble citizen, Luo Jing, was formerly a bodyguard of the Duke of Rong and was granted the title of General Dingyuan. I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
Rong Xin looked at Luo Jing and asked, "Just now, Duke Xiao said that during the Battle of Chenzhou, he never received any requests for help from Chenzhou, and that he was stationed in Jinzhou and never left until after Chenzhou fell. He then received the news and went to Chenzhou to provide support. Is this true?"
Luo Jing looked up, his eyes glaring angrily at Duke Xiao, almost grinding his back teeth to powder.
"Your Majesty, I, a humble servant and a member of General Rong's personal guard, was originally with the vanguard to defend against the enemy. Sensing something amiss with the enemy's offensive, I reported this to the General. Suspecting a leak of military intelligence, the General was forced to withdraw his men to Chenzhou, ordering us to rush to Jinzhou for reinforcements. Our group of twenty-three men traveled day and night to Jinzhou, but we did not find Lord Xiao, the Prefect of Jinzhou. No matter how we explained to the Jinzhou army, or even waited patiently at the Prefect's residence, we still could not see Lord Xiao. The situation in Chenzhou did not allow us to remain in Jinzhou indefinitely. In desperation, we decided to seek reinforcements in Suzhou. Suzhou was a bit far, but if we could reach it in time, we could at least salvage the situation. So we immediately set off for Suzhou, but we were ambushed shortly after leaving Jinzhou. Of the twenty-three men, only I survived under the protection of my brothers. I clung to life as I made my way to Suzhou, only to see the Prefect of Jinzhou leaving the Suzhou military camp."
After speaking, Luo Jing questioned Duke Xiao word by word, "May I ask, Lord Xiao, you said you have been in Jinzhou and have never left, so why are you in the military camp in Suzhou?"
Duke Xiao's face was cold. "Hmph, this is just your side of the story. What evidence do you have to prove that you went to Jinzhou to seek help? And how do you prove that you saw me in Suzhou?"
Zong Que said calmly, "Duke Xiao, there's no need to rush to refute. So many eyes were watching you when you went to the Suzhou military camp. You should think about how to prove that you didn't go there."
Duke Xiao's expression froze, but he was unable to refute it.
He really couldn't prove that he hadn't been there. There were quite a few people who had seen him in the Suzhou military camp back then. Even if the governor of Suzhou at the time was willing to keep it a secret, he couldn't stop others. He was sure that if he continued to pursue this matter, Zong Que would definitely be able to produce witnesses to confront him.
"Then let's talk about the request for assistance. I reiterate that I have never received any request for assistance from Chenzhou," Duke Xiao said firmly.
Those who went to Jinzhou for help have all been killed; Luo Jing alone proves nothing.
Luo Jing took out a cloth bag from his pocket, carefully opened it, revealing a blood-stained piece of cloth.
"This is the blood letter left behind when General Rong ordered me to go to Jinzhou to seek help. There was no time to put on the seal, but the General's handprint is proof. A comparison will tell you the truth."
Luo Jing unfolded the blood-stained cloth he had kept all along, revealing the words "Upon entering" and the bloody palm print.
"I, Che, was ordered by the Emperor to launch a northern expedition, but encountered a change in the military situation and was trapped in Chenzhou. We soldiers died a worthy death, but the people are innocent. I earnestly hope that the Jin army will help us and save the people from their suffering. I respectfully submit this letter."
The blood letter written in desperation was smudged and blurred. So many years have passed, and even the bloodstains have turned yellowish. But every word, including the clear bloody handprint, tells everyone about the critical situation at the time. When the Rong family army was trapped in Chenzhou, Rong Che, as the commander-in-chief, did not think of the life or death of the Rong family army, but of the people of Chenzhou behind them.
Luo Jing knelt in the imperial court, holding aloft the blood-written petition.
"Upon seeing this blood-written letter, not a single soldier from the Jinzhou army came to their aid. I, a humble citizen, dare to ask on behalf of the people of Chenzhou who died unjustly: why is this so?"