But Zhao Muyun was faster.
He dodged the dagger to the side, grabbed Li Jingang's wrist with his left hand, and slapped him in the chest with his right hand.
Li Jingang was sent flying backward, crashing into the dragon throne and spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Zhao Muyun stepped forward, looked at Li Jingang lying on the ground, and sighed softly, "Why did you have to do this?"
Li Jingang struggled to sit up, looking at Zhao Muyun with no hatred in his eyes, only complex emotions:
"I...I am the emperor...The emperor...cannot die at the hands of others..."
He suddenly reached out and forcefully activated the mechanism on the armrest of the dragon throne!
"Oh no! Explosives!" Lin Feng exclaimed in alarm.
But the imagined explosion did not occur.
A "click" sound came from under the dragon throne, and a hidden compartment popped open, revealing that it was empty.
Li Jingang was stunned.
Zhao Muyun took out an oil paper package from his pocket and threw it on the ground: "Is this what you're looking for? The fuse for the gunpowder. I've already had it removed."
"How...how did you know..."
“That’s what the old eunuch said,” Zhao Muyun said calmly. “He said that three months ago, you forced the craftsmen to bury gunpowder, but those craftsmen secretly kept backup blueprints. The first thing I did after entering the city was to send people to dismantle the gunpowder according to the blueprints.”
Li Jingang collapsed to the ground, the last glimmer of light in his eyes extinguished.
It's over, it's all over.
Even his final act of madness became a joke.
Zhao Muyun looked at him and suddenly felt a pang of pity.
This man was also a powerful figure of his time, who rose up in rebellion during a chaotic era and once dreamed of pacifying the world and bringing blessings to the people.
Zhao Muyun also wanted to conquer the Central Plains and unify the world.
The conflict between the two was destined to be irreconcilable.
"Guards," Zhao Muyun turned around, "take him away and keep him under close guard. We will report to His Majesty before taking further action."
The Imperial Guards stepped forward and helped Li Jingang up.
This time, Li Jingang did not resist and let them escort him as he staggered out of the main hall.
As he reached the palace gate, he turned back for one last look.
Looking at the dragon throne he had sat on for two years.
Looking at the empire he had fought for for three years but ultimately lost.
“Zhao Muyun…” he murmured, “Treat this world well… don’t… don’t become like me…”
Zhao Muyun solemnly replied, "I will certainly not fail your trust."
Li Jingang laughed, and tears streamed down his face.
Then he turned and disappeared into the night outside the palace.
Zhang Han knelt down: "This sinful subject Zhang Han pays his respects to the Great General."
Zhao Muyun helped him up: "Commander Zhang is a man of great principle, who rectified the chaos and is meritorious and innocent. Get up."
"Thank you, General!"
Zhao Muyun walked to the dragon throne, but did not sit down. He stroked the cold armrests of the throne, a myriad of emotions welling up in his heart.
It's been three years.
From the time Li Jingang rebelled and seized the soldiers of Dayin to the recapture of Xijing today, a full three years have passed.
In these three years, we have lost countless soldiers and too many innocent lives.
But now, it's finally coming to an end.
"Lin Feng," he turned around, "order all troops to take control of the entire city and appease the people. Tomorrow morning, I will announce the end of the war in front of the people of Xijing."
"yes!"
Zhao Muyun walked out of the Taiji Hall.
Outside the palace, the sky was already beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.
The long night is finally coming to an end.
The snow had stopped sometime earlier, and a ray of morning light pierced through the clouds on the eastern horizon, illuminating this ancient city that had witnessed so much history.
The capital city is back.
Da Yin is back.
Peaceful days are about to return.
Zhao Muyun stood on the high platform in front of the palace, gazing at the gradually brightening sky in the distance, and said softly:
"The late emperor, did you see that? The world is about to be at peace."
A morning breeze swept by, carrying the chill of early winter, but also the hope of new life.
On the eighth day of the month, at the beginning of the Chen hour (7-9 AM), in the capital city.
After the rain, the sun pierced through the clouds and shone on this ancient capital that has witnessed many changes in history.
The snow on the streets was melting, and the cobblestone path was wet, reflecting the morning light.
Overnight, the flags on the city walls were changed.
Li Jingang's "Feng" banner was completely removed, and the Golden Dragon Banner of the Great Yin Dynasty was raised again.
The city gates were wide open, and the soldiers of the Yin Army patrolled the streets, but they were disciplined and did not harm the people in the slightest.
Many families quietly opened their doors a crack and saw that although the young faces were tired, they did not have a fierce look, and they gradually felt relieved.
A high platform was erected overnight in the square in front of the palace.
The platform was three zhang high, covered with red felt, and a rosewood chair was placed in the center.
This is a temporary surrender platform.
Around the high platform, 30,000 Yin soldiers stood in formation.
The Mo Dao (陌刀) battalion was in front, the heavy cavalry were on the flanks, and the crossbowmen battalion was behind.
The troops were in perfect uniform and completely silent.
Further away, people poured in from all directions, a dense, dark mass, probably numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Driven by fear, curiosity, or anticipation, they all wanted to see with their own eyes how this long-running turmoil would end.
At the second quarter of Chen hour, the sound of horses' hooves came from the east.
Zhao Muyun led his troops into the city on horseback.
He was not wearing silver armor today, but only a plain white robe with a black cloak over it.
Her long hair was tied up with a crown, her face was thin and refined, and her gaze was as calm as a deep pool.
Behind him, generals such as Han Zhong, Lin Feng, Wu Shangzhi, Xiao Cheyun, Guo Luo, Murong Chunhua, Huan Wu, Namtso, Mozang Epang, Lin Yuan, Liu Yi, Xi Sheng, Han Fang, and Li Mao followed in turn, their faces radiant and their spirits vigorous.
When the procession reached the palace gate, Zhao Muyun reined in his horse.
He looked up at the majestic palace walls, at the imperial palace he hadn't seen for three years, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.
"General," Han Zhong said softly, "it's time to go on stage."
Zhao Muyun nodded and dismounted.
He did not go through the palace gate, but went straight to the high platform in the square.
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