Chapter 166 Escape Failed

Early in the morning, Emperor Wu summoned Liu Quan'an and Wu Yuanshou, commanders of the Imperial Guards, and sternly ordered them, "I cannot remain trapped in Pingcheng forever. Tonight, gather all the Imperial Guards and the government offices in Pingcheng to protect me as I break through the siege and return to the capital..."

Liu Quanan was a little worried about the emperor's safety, fearing that if something went wrong, his life would be in danger.

He quickly advised, "Your Majesty, those men in black are all mixed in with the refugees. They are very skilled in martial arts and are impossible to guard against."

"The two thousand Royal Guards led by Prince Chang have been slaughtered by them. We must not take any more risks!"

"The safest approach is to wait for rescue from the capital. Besides, this place is not far from the capital. Maybe someone will come to rescue the emperor soon!"

Wu Yuanshou also felt that escaping back to Beijing like this was too risky and inappropriate.

If the emperor had an accident on the road, he wouldn't be able to afford the compensation even if he had ten heads.

He also hurried forward to persuade, "Your Majesty, several letters for help were sent out yesterday. We should wait a little longer!"

"Maybe reinforcements are on the way and will reach Pingcheng soon!"

Emperor Wu of Qin was extremely anxious at this time. He did not like to wait passively, and was even more afraid of the feeling of having no control over power and destiny.

This feeling made his fear grow day by day, and he lost his appetite, couldn't sleep at night, and suffered from extreme torment...

He has always been used to being superior, but now he feels so aggrieved, which makes him very annoyed.

Last night he dreamed that men in black led refugees, broke through the defenses of Pingcheng City Gate, and stormed directly into the city...

Those daring men in black even rushed into his residence and chopped off his neck with a single blow, leaving him with lingering regrets...

The thought of that bloody scene made him shudder with fear and almost freak out.

The red blood was constantly splattering before his eyes...

The two men's advice did not shake Emperor Wu of Qin's determination at all. He decided that he must escape from Pingcheng as soon as possible to change his fate of being massacred by refugees.

Looking at the two people kneeling on the ground and begging, Emperor Wu of Qin said firmly, "Just follow my request and make arrangements immediately. Leave the city and return to the capital at midnight tonight..."

"Also, court officials above the third rank may return to the capital with me. Officials below the third rank and their families will all remain in Pingcheng for the time being. They can return to the capital on their own after the refugee crisis has subsided!"

Liu Quanan and Wu Yuanshou were both shocked after hearing this.

It is obvious that officials below the third rank and their relatives were abandoned by Emperor Wu of Qin.

Doing so would inevitably cause Emperor Wu of Qin to lose the support of the people. Not only would the people be dissatisfied with his governance, but soon even the officials would be extremely disappointed in him.

Liu Quanan couldn't help but advise, "Your Majesty, isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

Unexpectedly, Emperor Wu of Qin's attitude was extremely tough. "Okay, don't say anything more, just follow my orders!"

However, they dared not disobey the emperor's order and had to carry it out anyway.

We could only pass on the emperor's order and make preparations for breaking out at night.

When the ministers heard about this order, they were all angry but dared not say anything, but they felt extremely dissatisfied in their hearts.

Minister of Revenue Hua Guoxiong once again sighed at his decision, saying it was so wise and brave. Fortunately, he believed what Lin Pianran said. His family members probably had returned to the capital safely long ago.

There is no need to be like him, like a trapped beast, anxious and frustrated in Pingcheng, but still unable to find any help.

In the blink of an eye, it was midnight and everything was quiet.

The commander of the Imperial Guards, Liu Quan'an, led 500 Imperial Guards in the front, followed by Emperor Wu of Qin and ministers of the third rank and above who were traveling lightly.

When they came out of the mansion, there was no one on the street.

The journey was very smooth.

After leaving the city, it was still quiet outside and nothing unusual was found.

Just as Emperor Wu of Qin and his entourage were rejoicing that they had successfully left Pingcheng and could return to the capital smoothly.

Suddenly, countless lanterns were lit around them, and countless refugees gathered around them and rushed towards them like a flood.

These people seemed to have suddenly emerged from the ground, catching the Royal Guards off guard and trapping them all.

The Imperial Guards quickly protected the emperor and his ministers.

Emperor Wu of Qin was also in disbelief when he saw the dense crowds of people in black surrounding him.

I thought I could escape successfully, but I didn't expect to be surrounded as soon as I left the city gate.

They were clearly leaving the city quietly, so how did the news leak out?

Emperor Wu of Qin was extremely panicked and quickly ordered Liu Quan'an, "We have just left the city. Break through immediately and return to Pingcheng. Anyone who blocks our way will be killed without mercy..."

Liu Quan'an immediately ordered his troops to turn around and sent out 500 imperial guards and 500 yamen runners to clear a path as quickly as possible to ensure that the emperor and his court officials could retreat smoothly to Pingcheng.

The Royal Guards in front shouted at the refugees, "Please retreat quickly, don't rush forward. If you bump into the nobles, you will be killed without mercy..."

However, the refugees insisted on their own way and refused to listen to any advice.

They were instigated by others during the chaos and pushed towards Emperor Wu of Qin and his troops, like an overwhelming tidal wave, with an overwhelming momentum.

To ensure the emperor's safety, Liu Quan'an acted decisively and ordered, "We must protect the nobles with our lives. Anyone who approaches without hesitation will be killed without mercy..."

Any refugees who approached or blocked their group were killed without exception.

Suddenly, blood flowed like a river, and the number of refugees slaughtered soon reached hundreds.

This action immediately aroused public indignation, and the men in black hiding among the refugees took the opportunity to incite.

Someone hiding among the refugees shouted, "Look everyone! Our government has turned a blind eye to everyone's suffering, doing nothing, and now is even killing innocent people. What use is there for such a government?"

The refugees were even more indignant and began to take up arms, continuously fighting back against the emperor's troops.

Soon, the two sides started fighting.

Some men in black even hid among the refugees and took the opportunity to massacre the royal guards and officers and soldiers.

The two sides fought fiercely.

When Emperor Wu of Qin saw the crazy behavior of the refugees and thought of the terrible dream he had at night, he was even more frightened.

He was extremely worried about his situation and extremely afraid of death. He ordered the leader of the Royal Secret Guards who was guarding him closely, "You must fight your way out as quickly as possible and quickly take me back to Pingcheng..."

"At all costs, anyone who stands in our way will be killed without mercy..."