Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1002 - 87: The Military Parade Begins (Part 2)
Previously on Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne...
Although the military parade hadn't commenced yet, residents of Swamp Prefecture, traders from distant lands, and overseas visitors had flocked to the dock well in advance. They aimed to grab the top vantage points for observing the spectacle.
Regardless of being Swamp Prefecture natives or honored guests from afar, no one had laid eyes on a military parade previously. For all, this marked the initial encounter, sparking natural curiosity within.
The dock teemed with crowds, but all maintained neat and compliant lines.
More than fifteen hundred Personal Guards assembled; one thousand took part in the parade, as the other five hundred ensured stability across Swamp Prefecture.
In the fourth watch of the Hour of the Dragon, Zhao Yao welcomed foreign royal kin to the dock's observation deck to behold the parade.
Prior to the event's start, the famed Prince Han, Zhao Yao, offered an initial address. He opened with thanks to the crowd for attending the viewing, proceeded to describe the assorted troop formations involved, and concluded by noting the parade's intent to highlight the troops' courage.
His speech wrapped up, and firecrackers crackled explosively. Moments later, four warriors in dark armor emerged before the audience, elevating the Great Zhou Dragon Flag.
A dark canvas backed the Dragon Flag, featuring a dragon sewn with golden filaments. Sunlight made the gold dragon sparkle radiantly. The beast twisted around the character 'Zhou,' its neck arched upward, mouth open in a fierce bellow.
Bearing the Dragon Flag were Song Jicai along with his allies. Often relaxed in demeanor, they now displayed grave and steadfast looks. Beneath the sun, their ebony combat gear gleamed impressively.
Beside the dock loomed a soaring flagpole, where Song Jicai and his team precisely and uniformly elevated the banner.
As the flag ascended, a rousing battle song struck up.
All attendees rose to their feet, beholding in admiration the Dragon Flag mounting firmly skyward.
Right then, a profound wave of pride flooded the souls of Swamp Prefecture dwellers and the traveling traders. The foreign attendees felt the stir too; without personal pride, they buzzed with intense thrill.
Flag hoisted complete, infantrymen followed, gripping spears alongside shields. They wore gleaming chill-black armor, faces rigid, stares intense. Steps aligned perfectly, boots slamming down with deep, booming impacts. Merely two hundred in count, their march still quaked the soil.
Heading the foot soldiers, a warrior hoisted his spear and bashed it hard on his shield, yelling fiercely, 'Kill!'
The troops trailing him lifted spears too, clanging them on shields, hollering with full force, 'Kill!'
Two hundred 'Kill!' cries boomed across Swamp Prefecture.
Watchers detected a thick aura of slaughter from those two hundred foot soldiers. Suddenly, the scene mimicked a war front, confronting wild infantry, making knees buckle in fright.
In harmony, the two hundred infantrymen proclaimed, 'Long live Great Zhou! Long live Prince Han!'
On the observation stand, Zhao Yao gestured toward the nearing two hundred foot soldiers. Briefly, 'Comrades, great work!' nearly escaped his lips.
Foreign nobles upon the stand jolted at the aura radiating from the two hundred infantrymen. Despite their small numbers, it felt like facing twenty thousand or perhaps two hundred thousand's power. Their vibe carried a dense whiff of blood.
Foot soldiers departed, and two hundred archers advanced next.
These bowmen projected a fiercer vibe than the infantry; they resembled drawn arrows, keen and commanding.
'Kill!' Simultaneously, the two hundred archers fired their bolts. Viewers' pulses raced in panic, dreading the projectiles might strike them.
The two hundred archers called out, 'Long live Great Zhou, long live Prince Han!'
From the stand, Zhao Yao received a bow and shaft from Tong Xi, sighting a goose winging by above. A sharp shout, and the fowl, hit by the arrow, spiraled earthward.
Swamp Prefecture folks, beholding this, erupted in cheers, 'Long live Great Zhou, long live Prince Han!'
Foreign visitors marveled at Prince Han's marksmanship, falling temporarily mute in awe.
Following the two hundred bowmen rolled in the chariot warriors.
They commanded their vehicles with grand might. In front, one chariot fighter clutched hammers in each fist, hammering the battle drum with power.
Every beat thrashed directly at the hearts of those watching.
'Kill!' The two hundred chariot warriors' shouts, woven with the grind of wheels on earth, struck terror deeply!
'Long live Great Zhou! Long live Prince Han!'
Swamp Prefecture residents and far-off traders chimed in, 'Long live Great Zhou! Long live Prince Han!'
Showcased chariots encompassed every model active in Great Zhou. Swamp locals and traders had never inspected such war machines so intimately. Even at a leisurely pace, the vehicles instilled an odd sense of dread.
Foreign nobles, strangers to combat's nightmares, now sensed war's chill. The creeping chariots loomed like colossal creatures, set to crush beneath them.
Chariot forces moved on, succeeded by two hundred mounted soldiers.
Astride grand, robust steeds, the two hundred horsemen sported side-sword blades, countenances frosty, sights drilling, emanating fatal presence. They appeared bound for combat rather than display. Motionless, their mere sight evoked impending death.
The atmosphere hushed abruptly; a choking pressure permeated. Here stood horse warriors capable of unnerving the Xiongnu themselves. Dread surfaced on every face without choice.
Together, the two hundred horsemen roared 'Kill.' That unified 'Kill' froze the assembly in shivers.
'Long live Great Zhou! Long live Prince Han!'
Zhao Yao cheered the riders with claps, exclaiming with passion, 'Good! Very good!'
Dread yielded to zeal on Swamp Prefecture folk and traders' features; cheeks burning, they howled wildly, 'Long live Great Zhou! Long live Prince Han!'
Among military strengths, cavalry holds the ace position. In times past, Central Plains riders fell short of the northern steppes' Xiongnu cavalry. Long ago, Xiongnu hooves ravaged the heartlands. Presently, Xiongnu gaze hungrily at Great Zhou, scheming to overrun its every corner. However, Prince Han now wields horsemen rivaling the Xiongnu's unyielding charge.
Swamp Prefecture inhabitants and traders, loyal Great Zhou subjects, brimmed with glory beholding such potent cavalry. Yet foreign nobles quaked in icy terror.
