The shouts and explosions in Jinyang City gradually subsided, replaced by the patrolling footsteps of the Allied Forces soldiers and the calls to maintain order.
The bloody smell in the general's mansion has not yet dissipated, but in a secluded mansion in the city that is strictly "protected", the atmosphere is like the dead silence before the storm.
The nominal emperor of the Dayin Dynasty, Yin Zhao, was under house arrest here.
The former emperor now has a pale face and sunken eye sockets, and the luxurious dragon robe looks empty on his thin body.
Only in his eyes did a trace of fire still remain that refused to go out, but that fire was also shrouded in deep worry and fear.
From fleeing from the ruined capital to being held hostage by Prince Jin Yinxi as a puppet.
When Prince Jin was defeated, he was "taken" by Xiao Lie to Jinyang to continue his prisoner-like life as emperor. He had already experienced the fickleness of the world and was like a frightened bird.
By his side, only the old eunuch Cao Chunfeng, a dozen or so eunuchs, and a few close confidants such as the shadowy commander of the Longcha Division, Xiao Wuying, and Yin Du were left.
Xiao Lie kept them under extremely strict surveillance, almost isolating them from the outside world.
"Outside...what's that noise outside? So terrifying?"
When Yin Zhao heard the deafening artillery fire and shouts of killing, he was so scared that he jumped up from his seat, his voice trembling.
He carried the secret decree left by Emperor Yongchang to Zhao Muyun, and had been hoping that the General Zhenbei, who was rumored to be able to turn the tide, would come to "support the king" and support him as the legitimate ruler.
But then Yinji's arrival made him feel vaguely uneasy. Zhao Muyun seemed to have chosen to support the Prince of Jin who had more foundation and reputation.
Xiao Wuying fell from the beam like a ghost, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a low voice without any fluctuations:
"Your Majesty, it is General Zhao Muyun of Shuozhou and Prince Yinji of Jin who have led their troops into Jinyang and are currently engaged in battle with Xiao Lie's rebels."
"Zhao Muyun...Yinji..." Yin Zhao murmured, feeling mixed emotions.
Zhao Muyun finally came, but not for him as the emperor, but for Yinji.
Then his hope, his throne...
He didn't dare to think any further. He felt a chill running from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He sat back in his chair dejectedly, his face becoming even more gloomy.
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps and the clashing of armor were heard outside the door.
The old eunuch Cao Chunfeng crawled in, his shrill voice distorted by fear: "Your Majesty! Prince Yinji of Jin and General Zhao Muyun of Zhenbei are requesting an audience outside the palace!"
What was supposed to come finally came. Yin Zhao's body stiffened, his heart nearly leaping out of his chest. Did they win? Xiao Lie was dead? They were coming to me now... to force me to abdicate? Or... He didn't dare to think of the worst-case scenario.
"Your Majesty, the dragon's might must not be lost!"
Xiao Wuying whispered a reminder from the side, his hand on the hilt of the knife, even though he knew it might be futile.
Yin Zhao took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress the panic in his heart, and said to Cao Chunfeng: "Please…please help me to tidy up my clothes."
He couldn't lose his last bit of dignity when he was at his lowest point.
A moment later, in the simple "main hall" of the mansion, Yin Zhao sat upright on the only decent chair, trying to straighten his back and maintain the majesty of the emperor, even though his fingers trembled slightly in his sleeves.
Footsteps sounded, and Zhao Muyun and Yin Ji walked in side by side.
Zhao Muyun was still wearing the blood-stained black armor, his expression was calm and his eyes were deep, as if he had just completed an ordinary task.
Yinji was dressed in plain clothes, with grief and fatigue on his face, but his eyes were firm.
When the two men arrived at the hall, they did not kneel down and kowtow, but simply bowed and clasped their hands in accordance with the common etiquette of a minister meeting the emperor.
"Your Majesty, I, Zhao Muyun, the General of the Northern Frontier of Shuozhou, pay my respects to His Majesty!"
"Your nephew, Yinji, pays homage to Your Majesty!"
Yin Zhao looked at the two people below, especially Zhao Muyun. He felt an invisible pressure that was far more frightening than Xiao Lie's.
He forced himself to remain calm, his voice as steady as possible: "Mr. Zhao, nephew Ji... stand up! What's the situation outside...?"
Zhao Muyun stood up straight, his eyes calmly meeting Yin Zhao's inquiring and fearful gaze, and reported in a steady voice:
"Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin was defeated in battle with Li Jingang at Dahe and was severely wounded. He passed away in Jingzhou, Hebei, half a month ago..."
Although he had expected it, Yin Zhao still felt a tremor in his heart when he heard the news of Prince Jin's death with his own ears, and at the same time he also felt a sense of grief for the other party.
The two fought for so long, what was the result?
Zhao Muyun continued, "Xiao Lie has evil ambitions. He colluded with the Northern Di, surrendered Hedong, and set an ambush to murder the Crown Prince."
"Thanks to the bravery of our soldiers and the will of Heaven, we have conquered Jinyang, slain the traitor Xiao Lie, and captured his accomplices."
Every word was like a heavy hammer hitting Yin Zhao's heart.
Xiao Lie is dead, and Prince Jin is also dead... Now, it's time to decide his fate.
He looked nervously at Zhao Muyun and Yinji, awaiting their final decision: dethronement? Imprisonment? Or perhaps a white silk scarf to hang him?
However, Zhao Muyun's next words were beyond his expectations:
"Now that the traitors have been executed, Jinyang has been restored. However, the country cannot remain without a ruler, and Hedong cannot remain without a garrison. Your Majesty, please move and summon the civil and military officials of Jinyang to take charge of the situation and reassure the people."
Yin Zhao was stunned.
They... still acknowledged me as the emperor? And asked me to take charge of the situation? He could hardly believe his ears.
But then, a huge sense of sadness and understanding came over me.
He understood that he was not really going to "take charge of the situation". He was just a symbol, a "mascot" used to appease people's hearts and give a legal cover to Yin Ji and Zhao Muyun's next actions.
Just like with Prince Jin and Xiao Lie.
But does he have a choice?
Being able to stay alive and retain the last bit of dignity as an emperor is already the best outcome.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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