Chapter 645 Good heavens, has Li Rong gone mad?
"Uncle Xin, we're all family, why are you saying this? Get up quickly."
For Li Rong, Xin Bo was both a mentor and a father figure; he had truly watched Li Rong grow up. Jiang Nuanzhi had no doubt about Xin Bo's words. However, she didn't expect that the first thing he did after regaining consciousness wasn't to go find Li Rong, but to solemnly make this promise to her.
Feeling a little embarrassed, but also feeling a warm glow inside, I quickly helped the person up.
"Yes." Xinbo responded, and then added, "Azhong and Ayong said they will come to kowtow to the madam as soon as they can move."
Jiang Nuanzhi waved her hand: "Alright, let them take good care of themselves. They have been imprisoned in the dark dungeon by Xiao Yuanshan for many years and suffered endless torture. What I fear most is that they will not be able to survive."
Xin Bo's eyes were filled with undisguised hatred: "That scoundrel Xiao Yuanshan, one day, I will surely grind him to dust."
After saying this, Xin Bo realized he had lost his composure and calmed himself down, then said, "Don't worry, Madam. You've fought on the battlefield for many years, and the dungeons were even worse than death. You've survived all that, so this little bit of suffering is nothing. Things will get better."
Jiang Nuanzhi paused for a moment, then nodded to herself: "That day will come too."
Xin Bo was taken aback for a moment, then realized what Jiang Nuanzhi was talking about and nodded emphatically.
As the two were talking, a clear, metallic "screech" suddenly pierced the sky.
Jiang Nuanzhi looked up and saw that the lightning had returned and was circling overhead.
"Lightning is back, and Winter's Retreat has probably returned from the general's tent as well. He shouldn't be back for long," Lin Chun said beside him.
Jiang Nuanzhi turned to look at her: "Hmm? Dongzang went to Arong's place?"
Lin Chun nodded: "Yes, the general summoned me yesterday, but I don't know why yet. However, I think I'll find out soon. Master, shall we have our meal first?"
Jiang Nuanzhi had just picked up a piece of oily salted egg yolk with her chicken porridge when she heard a noise outside.
"Madam, I'm back!"
Dongcang's excited voice came, followed by the clanging of armor.
With a creaking sound, a row of burly soldiers appeared behind Dong Zang, all exuding a chilling aura. They bowed to Jiang Nuanzhi, saying, "This humble general greets Madam!"
*Smack!*
The salted egg yolk that Jiang Nuanzhi had just scooped out fell onto the table with a thud, causing the chicken porridge in the bowl to shake.
She stared blankly at the large group of people: "What are you all doing here?"
"These are all the people the general sent back to escort the lady and the young master and young lady," Dongzang said proudly.
"This humble general, Zhao Lie, from the Divine Arrow Battalion under Huo Xiao of the Li Family Army, has come to ensure the safety of the lady on the orders of his commander!"
One of the soldiers stepped forward and roared, and the others behind him followed suit as if a switch had been flipped.
"This humble general, Zhou Heng, is a cavalryman under Qin Lin of the Li Family Army. I have come here on the orders of my commander to ensure the safety of the lady!"
"This humble general, Wu Shan, is a vanguard officer under Li Xin of the Li Family Army, acting on orders from our commander."
"This humble general is Zheng Yue, an assassination squad member under Huo Xiao of the Li Family Army."
"Li Shi, a guard under Li Zhong of the Li Family Army."
"Wang Heng, a scout under Li Wang of the Li Family Army"
Jiang Nuanzhi swallowed hard. These soldiers looked even more like they'd taken some kind of tonic than she had.
After calming herself down, she looked at the last two people who had remained silent: "And these two..."
"Secret Guard Li San greets Madam."
"Secret Guard Li Jiu greets Madam."
Dongzang grinned and leaned closer: "Madam, these two are the victors from the two thousand elite troops. They were personally trained by the divine general Huo Xiao. In terms of guarding and assassination abilities, even I, a humble general, must concede. They were sent back by the general to protect you!"
As she spoke, she respectfully presented another black token made of black iron along with a letter: "Madam, this is a letter from the general to you. Along with this Xuanjia token that can command six thousand elite Li family soldiers, I am giving it to you as well."
"Six thousand elite troops!" Jiang Nuanzhi knew that Li Rong had sent so many battalion commanders to protect her, so there must be a lot of people, but she was still surprised to hear the number.
It should be understood that, throughout history, subjects have never been allowed to station their own troops.
She was even certain that Xiao Yuanshan's Black Feather Guards numbered no more than a thousand. She didn't even know their exact location, yet he roamed the capital with impunity. This was only because the Emperor turned a blind eye, unable to control him.
The young princess's father, Prince Xiao, was the commander of the Golden Feather Guards. To be precise, he had been training the Golden Feather Guards for the emperor and later incorporated them into the emperor's direct imperial guards. With 200,000 Golden Feather Guards, the young princess probably doesn't have many people she can command now.
Now let's talk about inside the imperial city.
Jiang Nuanzhi had previously paid some attention to the matter. The Thousand Bull Guard of the Tang Dynasty numbered only a little over 500. She was unsure about the Embroidered Uniform Guard of the Ming Dynasty, but estimated it to be several thousand, which was already a large number. The Imperial Guard of the Qing Dynasty, including both Manchu and Mongol troops, numbered only a little over 2,000.
Of course, the imperial city would have imperial guards directly under the emperor's command, ranging from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands. However, these people would not be stationed in the palace.
Nowadays, the emperor in this world is surrounded by enemies. Xiao Yuanshan, Li Rong, and even the Prince's Mansion are all people he needs to be wary of. He is cautious, and he maintains a large number of imperial guards around the capital. She doesn't know the exact number.
However, his personal guards protecting him in the imperial city numbered only three thousand. In fact, under normal circumstances, three thousand men would be enough to hold out until the Imperial Guards arrived, no matter what happened.
In fact, in history, sometimes when a dynasty was overthrown, two or three thousand elite troops were enough to reverse the situation. In fact, during the Xuanwu Gate Incident, Li Shimin only brought two hundred elite soldiers.
Now Li Rong has actually given her six thousand in one go!
Swallowing hard, Jiang Nuanzhi asked again, "Where are the soldiers now?"
"Two thousand elite guards are stationed ten miles outside the city to provide support, and another four thousand have already infiltrated the capital in recent days. They are just waiting for Madam's order to assemble quickly."
Dongzang's voice was filled with barely concealed excitement as he continued, "General Huo Xiao has already received the young master and is on his way to the capital. He will arrive in the capital to assist the lady as early as tonight or as late as tomorrow!"
Jiang Nuanzhi's heart pounded as she listened. Good heavens!
Has Li Rong gone mad?
What does Li Rong want her to do?
How did he manage to infiltrate four thousand elite troops right under the noses of Xiao Yuanshan and the Emperor?
To enter the city, one had to pass through the outer moat, the middle barbican, and the inner city gate. Soldiers checked identities, and one needed a travel permit to enter and exit.
He had never even mentioned this scheme before. Thinking back to the last time the two of them were together, he just slept with her and didn't say a word about it!
No, he didn't really sleep with her; all he did was spit on her face and nothing else!
For a moment, Jiang Nuanzhi thought, what if the surnames of people in this world were changed?
It's not like we can't give it a try.
Li Rong: Achoo! ...
(End of this chapter)
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