In Jinzhou and other places in Hedong, the news that King Jin was defeated in the capital and his life or death was unknown came like a bolt from the blue, frightening the officials and their families who stayed in Jinzhou.
There was crying and people were scattered.
The officials who used to fawn over the emperor are now secretly planning their own escape route.
Xiao Lie, the most loyal subordinate of Prince Jin, who was far away in Xinzhou, heard the news of Prince Jin's defeat, but the first person he thought of was Yin Ji who was in Shuozhou.
"Hurry to Shuozhou and invite the prince back to take charge of the situation! The sooner the better!"
Xiao Lie believed that since the life and death of Prince Jin was unknown, the Crown Prince must be invited back to take charge of the situation.
"But what about Your Majesty? What should we do?" a general asked immediately.
After the new emperor of Dayin, Yin Zhao, became the mascot of Prince Jin, although he was just a puppet, he occupied the righteous position.
"Bring him back to Jinyang immediately. With him here, the Crown Prince can rally the people and gather the loyal ministers to Dayin, and fight Li Jingang to the bitter end."
Xiao Lie thought further ahead.
He also thought about supporting the prince to become emperor, but he knew that once he came forward, the prince would be in the spotlight.
At this stage, it is better to continue to maintain King Jin's strategy.
Immediately, two groups of people came out from the Xinzhou Duwei Mansion and rushed away in opposite directions.
Emperor Yin Zhao, who was "enshrined" in a separate courtyard, felt an inexplicable sense of pleasure when he first heard the news.
The brother who imprisoned and marginalized him finally got his comeuppance!
But after the pleasure, a deeper fear came.
Although the Prince of Jin sidelined him, they were still family and brothers. Even if the throne was given to the Prince of Jin, he would still be surnamed Yin in the end and would not let down his ancestors.
But Li Jingang is different. He wants to overthrow the rule of the Yin family, rebel against the Yin family, and take the lives of the Yin family members.
Previously, the entire family of King Qin was killed, and King Han was almost boiled by Li Jingang's subordinates. Once he fell into the hands of Li Jingang, who was so cruel and tyrannical that he even dared to dig the Yellow River, his end would definitely be miserable.
"Commander Xiao! Commander Xiao!" Yin Zhao called out in a low voice like a trapped beast in his bedroom.
In the shadows, Xiao Wuying, the commander of the Dragon Inspection Division, appeared silently. His expression was equally solemn: "Your Majesty!"
"Can we...can we escape? Leave here!" Yin Zhao grabbed Xiao Wuying's sleeve, his voice trembling.
Xiao Wuying slowly shook his head: "Your Majesty, once the Prince of Jin is defeated, all eyes will be focused on you."
"Li Jingang's troops may soon march north, and the Prince of Jin's former subordinates are also watching. Acting rashly at this time would be extremely risky."
"I have already dispatched additional personnel to closely monitor all movements. For now... let's wait and see how things develop and bide our time."
Yin Zhao slumped in the chair, his face ashen.
He knew that Xiao Wuying was right. He was now like a fish on the chopping board, waiting to be slaughtered by fate.
A huge feeling of powerlessness and despair enveloped him.
He couldn't help but think of Zhao Muyun who was far away in the northern border, the general whom he had repeatedly framed but who now seemed to be the only one who could remain loyal.
Didn’t Yin Qi, the deputy commander of the Longcha Division, take his father’s will and his blood letter to Zhao Muyun?
But there was no response from Zhao Muyun.
It seems that Zhao Muyun has secretly formed an alliance with Prince Jin.
Now that Prince Jin has been defeated, I wonder if Zhao Muyun will change his side and assist this emperor in name only.
"Commander Xiao, why don't you ask Deputy Commander Yin to go to Shuozhou to see what Zhao Muyun's attitude is..." Yin Zhao said what he was thinking.
"I understand, I'll do it right away!"
......
At this moment, Dayin’s two hundred-year-old capital was shrouded in the stench of floodwaters.
Li Jingang's vanguard cavalry of the Dafeng Army had already arrived at the foot of the capital like a dark cloud.
The once majestic and magnificent imperial capital now has its gates wide open and the drawbridge lying flat, like a woman who has taken off all her clothes and is being humiliated.
A month ago, she had been severely violated by the Tartars and was covered in bruises.
Now, there is about to be bullied.
The moat, mixed with the remnants of the receding floodwaters from the river, flowed quietly, as if she was crying silently.
At the city gate, the "civil and military officials" headed by the pseudo-King of Qi, Gu Dingming, had long lost their former majesty.
They were dressed in plain clothes and without official hats. They knelt in the cold and damp mud, their bodies trembling with fear and cold.
Gu Dingming held a rosewood tray high in his hands. On the tray was the imperial seal that Yin Zhao had not been able to take with him when he ran away. The seal reflected a dim luster under the gloomy sky.
His face was as pale as paper, his forehead pressed against the ground, and he didn't dare to look up at the visitor.
Li Jingang reined in his warhorse. His black iron armor was covered in mud. The horse under him snorted impatiently, spewing out clouds of white mist.
He looked down at the group of surrendered ministers crawling on the ground. There was no joy of a victor in his eyes, only cold indifference and subtle disgust.
"I, your humble servant Gu Dingming, have led… the civil and military officials of the capital to respectfully welcome the imperial army of Dafeng… The arrival of the heavenly troops has dispelled the clouds and brought light to the world. Your humble servant and I are overjoyed…"
Gu Dingming's voice was shaking so much that he could barely form a sentence, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.
Li Jingang was too lazy to talk nonsense with him. He just pointed casually with his whip and said to the deputy general beside him:
"Tied them up, imprisoned, and kept under strict guard. The rest of the people will be taken into custody and will be dealt with after identification."
"Your Majesty, please spare me! Please spare me!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Dingming collapsed like mud and began to beg with tears streaming down his face, but was roughly dragged away by two ferocious Western Army soldiers, and his cries gradually faded away.
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