The only truly combat-capable troops were the three thousand imperial guards under Shen Congwu and the two thousand retainers that Xiao Xiuning had managed to pull from the homes of various noble families.
As for the city's officials and civilians who participated in the battle, they ultimately found it difficult to fight against these ferocious Xiongnu people.
With Yelü Junba dividing his troops into two gates, the pressure on the north gate was significantly reduced.
However, left with no other choice, Shen Congwu had to divide his troops for defense.
In this battle, no one has a way out.
Yelü Junba could only launch a fierce attack, while Xiao Xiuning could only defend to the death.
While a fierce battle raged on the city walls, Xiao Zi remained leisurely and carefree inside the Second Prince's residence.
It was as if everything outside the city was part of a grand opera.
At this moment, eight middle-aged men were kneeling tremblingly in front of Xiao Zi.
If Xiao Xiuning were here, she would definitely recognize the eight people kneeling on the ground in front of her.
Because these eight people were the eight largest grain merchants in the entire capital.
These days, Xiao Xiuning has also collected a lot of grain from these grain merchants for brewing wine.
The two sides had some kind of relationship.
However, at this moment, these people knelt tremblingly at Xiao Zi's feet, not daring to breathe too loudly.
Sitting in the main seat, Xiao Zi held a teacup in his hand and asked with a relaxed expression.
"Do you know why I summoned you all here?"
Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances. Seeing this, a triangular-eyed retainer beside Xiao Zi sneered.
"Now, the Xiongnu outside the city could break into the city at any time."
Do you know what's most valuable in this chaotic world?
Everyone here is a grain merchant; they know the answer better than anyone else.
The white-haired old man at the head of the group asked the question.
"What are your instructions, Second Prince?"
Xiao Zi smiled, slowly put down his teacup, and said.
As the saying goes, "A man cannot get rich without unexpected wealth, and a horse cannot get fat without night grass."
"Now that this opportunity to make money is right in front of you, aren't you tempted?"
Upon hearing this, the grain merchants immediately felt their breathing become somewhat heavy.
Everyone present was a smart person; they naturally understood the meaning behind Xiao Zi's words.
"What does the Second Prince mean?"
Xiao Zi rested her chin on her hand, a smile playing on her lips.
The triangular-eyed retainer standing to the side immediately spoke up.
"Manager Liu, are there some things that the Second Prince has to say so clearly?"
Xiao Zi waved his hand, and the triangular-eyed retainer immediately shut up.
Xiao Zi looked at the crowd in front of him and said.
"I know you have some connections with the Ninth Princess, but you must know whose sky you will be under in the future."
As Xiao Zi finished speaking, a murderous aura surged forth.
This is a blatant threat.
"As long as you do as I say, you will be my friends. If anyone dares to disobey me, they will be my enemies."
"This prince has always been clear about his gratitude and grudges. Friends will be treated to fine wine and delicacies, while enemies will only be met with swords and blood."
Upon hearing this, the grain merchants present all shuddered and quickly said...
"We understand! We will certainly live up to the Second Prince's expectations."
Xiao Zi was very pleased to see that these grain merchants were so sensible.
"very good."
"Go and do the work. I will reward you handsomely once it is done."
After saying this, the grain merchants who were kneeling on the ground quickly got up and left.
After everyone had gone far away, Xiao Zi said disdainfully.
"A few lowly commoners, why do I, the prince, need to threaten them personally? They just want to drive up grain prices in the capital. I can just issue an order."
The triangular-eyed retainer, upon hearing this, said...
"Absolutely not! If Your Highness issues an order, it will leave a handle against you. If His Majesty investigates in the future, Your Highness will inevitably be punished."
"But Your Highness has not made it clear, only hinted at it. Even if His Majesty investigates this matter later, Your Highness will not be implicated. At most, it will just be that these merchants are greedy, which has nothing to do with Your Highness."
Xiao Zi's plan was simple: since Xiao Xiuning was now using her eloquence to unite the people of the capital against external threats...
He then drove up grain prices, causing unrest among the people in the capital. How could they defend the city when they couldn't even feed themselves?
Xiao Zi looked at the triangular-eyed retainer and smiled.
"My husband is truly like a fish in water."
"Your Highness is too kind."
A moment later, laughter and cheerful voices came from the Second Prince's residence, as if they were from a completely different world from the tragic scene on the city wall.
As these grain merchants quietly left through the back gate of the Second Prince's residence, a pair of eyes hidden in the darkness vanished simultaneously.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation in the Imperial Palace, Xiao Yu was painting with a calm expression, showing no sign of worry or fear whatsoever.
Eunuch Cao, who was standing nearby, told Xiao Yu about the intelligence that the Imperial City Guard had just sent.
After a long while, when Xiao Yu finished the last stroke, he calmly spoke.
“Despicable methods are ultimately not respectable.”
"These older brothers don't really understand their younger sisters."
"Don't let Xiao Jiu's gentle and kind nature fool you; when she gets angry, she's capable of anything."
The eunuch Cao, who was serving nearby, took the paintbrush from Xiao Yu's hand and smiled in agreement.
“The Ninth Princess carries Your Majesty’s bloodline; how could she be compared to an ordinary person?”
Xiao Yu sneered upon hearing this.
"Don't those beasts also have my blood flowing through their veins? They can do such heinous things; they really do have some resemblance to me."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Cao trembled and immediately knelt on the ground to kowtow.
"I have spoken recklessly in anger; I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; no one dares to be careless.
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