Chapter 414: Giving Up the Small to Gain the Big

The struggle between Emperor Mingcheng and Helian Kai.

Regardless of who wins or loses, it will be a predicament for the Yang family. Even if the Yang family is exiled now, they don't have to worry about being killed on the way if someone makes arrangements behind the scenes.

No matter what, the Yang family was saved.

If today really came to this, the Yang family would be guilty of treason together with Helian Kai, and the nine clans would be implicated. The Yang family is a large family, and Lord Yang is from the main branch, so at least tens of thousands of family members would die.

Even if Helian Kai wins.

Despite the example of the Jiangnan Banquet, Yang Ge Lao still could not become the head of all officials. Whether it was because he was a minister who could not serve two masters or because he was a spy, he could not avoid being despised by the world.

Besides, Emperor Mingcheng did this tonight.

Most of the followers of the former crown prince in the court would probably be eliminated. It is very likely that Emperor Mingcheng and Xu Lao did this not only to lure the rebels into the city and catch them in a trap, but also to eliminate spies.

It was actually a blessing that the Yang family was eliminated early.

It was not until today that Qin Chi finally figured out the secret.

He talked about this with Li Huarong, and Li Huarong agreed, "We really can't underestimate anyone."

Qin Chi raised his eyes and glanced at him.

I wonder if he was referring to Emperor Mingcheng or to Mr. Xu? The turmoil in the imperial city continued until dawn.

Until most of the rebels were killed on the spot, and a small number escaped.

The officers and soldiers blocked all entrances and exits.

They are searching door to door.

Qin Chi turned around and went downstairs, walking very steadily, step by step.

A group of people appeared on the street.

There were few pedestrians on the main street in the early morning, and most of the people coming and going were soldiers searching and Jinyiwei patrolling. Seeing Qin Chi appear, those people were surprised for a long time.

They thought Qin Chi died in his own house.

The officers and soldiers had gone to the Qin Mansion to check it out earlier. It was a ruin with sparks still burning in several courtyards. The charred corpses in the mansions were so tingling that the officers and soldiers felt their scalps tingle when they went there.

"Master Qin?"

A man walked out from the Jinyiwei.

Captain Chen quickly approached Qin Chi.

When he was about ten feet away, he was stopped by the guards.

Captain Chen paid attention to the guards protecting Qin Chi. Each of them walked steadily and silently, and they were obviously masters. He was secretly shocked. It seemed that this Lord Qin was no simple person.

Qin Chi waved his hand to signal the guards to retreat, "Master Chen is not an outsider."

Hearing this, the guards moved aside.

Chen Qianhu then approached Qin Chi with a nervous ache, feeling a slight chill down his spine. He had no doubt that if he had any ill intentions towards Qin Chi, he would die miserably.

"Is Lord Qin all right?"

Captain Chen stepped forward and bowed politely, his attitude was more than twice as good as before.

Most people are quite sensible, especially when there is a knife hanging over their heads.

Qin Chi raised his hand and returned a half-salute, "Thank you for your concern, Lord Chen. Everything is fine. But, what is the situation outside?"

"It's a mess."

Captain Chen looked around, leaned towards Qin Chi, and whispered, "Some of the rebels are still hiding in the city, so be careful when you go out."

"Thank you for the reminder, Master Chen."

"Well, there are also matters in the lord's mansion. Someone will come to ask you specifically later." This was to let Qin Chi be mentally prepared.

Captain Chen worked with Qin Chi last time.

They should have been rewarded with merit, but unfortunately there was a spy in the Jinyiwei who assassinated Qin Chi. Because they were in the wrong in this matter, Emperor Ming Cheng suppressed the Jinyiwei's merit.

I can only blame myself for my bad luck.

However, Captain Chen caught the commander's eye and was promoted to work for the commander.

Captain Chen still had official business to attend to and could not stay with Qin Chi for long. Before leaving, he told Qin Chi a piece of news that the city of Zhangjiawan was occupied by the rebels last night, which was equivalent to saying that the first wharf in the capital was controlled by the rebels.

Zhangjiawan is a material transfer center at the northern end of the Grand Canal, and is very important to the capital. This matter is too big, and the throat is equivalent to being pinched by the rebels.

Qin Chi thought that it was true.

With Helian Kai and Yan Jiangnan's plan, how could they easily send a rebel army into the imperial city as cannon fodder? It turned out that they had a big plan.

While Emperor Cheng of the Ming Dynasty was gathering his troops to defend the imperial city, Helian Kai sacrificed the small to seize the big, completely taking Zhangjiawan into his possession and gaining the upper hand in this battle.

By the time Emperor Mingcheng had cleared the hidden dangers in the imperial city, the rebels outside might have already surrounded the city.

"How is it possible? How could so many rebels appear in the capital without anyone noticing and have not been discovered by anyone?" Li Huarong could no longer bear it and pushed Lao Huo aside to reveal his figure.

Qin Chi looked at the Jinyiwei's hurriedly leaving back.

Thinking of how Old Huo's burly body had just blocked Li Huarong, Chen Qianhu didn't notice him. Li Huarong let Old Huo block him, probably because he didn't want Emperor Mingcheng to know that he and Qin Chi were familiar with each other.

Qin Chi actually doesn't care much about this.

There is no wrong version in the 1619 book forum!

Under the current circumstances, Emperor Mingcheng could not take care of him.

Qin Ba sent for a carriage.

Seeing that Li Huarong wanted to ask more questions, Qin Chi spoke first, "Sir, there are so many people around, let's talk in the car first."

"Okay, I'll get in the car right away."

Li Huarong lifted up her skirt, got on the carriage eagerly, and waited for Qin Chi to get in.

Qin Chi just sat down.

Li Huarong asked, "Tell me, is Zhangjiawan really occupied by the rebels?"

"You were there just now, so you should know that I just learned about this from Captain Chen. Even if you ask me anxiously, I can't answer you."

Qin Chi secretly knew a little more than Li Huarong.

But it's just a little more.

It is not easy to tell Li Huarong the source of these information.

Li Huarong's brows were solemn, "No, I have to go to the palace."

"Think again, sir."

Qin Chi stopped him and said, "You'd better go back to the mansion first and wait patiently for His Majesty to summon you. Sir, you shouldn't know the information outside the city."

Li Huarong is a smart man.

I immediately understood what Qin Chi said.

Currently the city gates are closed and no one can go out. Without some connections, there will be no news of the fall of Zhangjiawan. If Li Huarong suddenly finds out, given Ming Chengdi's suspicious nature, he might think too much and treat him as a spy.

Li Huarong nodded.

As one of the three cabinet ministers, he did not need to take the initiative to enter the palace. With such a big event happening in the court, Emperor Mingcheng should have summoned ministers to the palace to discuss the matter.

Qin Chi sent Li Huarong back home in a carriage.

Before that, the Li family members were escorted back by Qin Chi’s men at dawn. Each of them felt like they had escaped death, and they were in tears as they looked at their home which was mostly burned down.

Li Huarong's return was like seeing his backbone.

They surrounded him one by one, calling him "Master" all the time, and Li Huarong had no time to think about it.

Qin Chi has already taken his men away.

Qin Chi's mansion was not suitable for living, so he returned to his house in Cuihua Hutong. On the way back, he encountered several groups of soldiers blocking his way. After learning that it was Qin Chi, they let him go.

Wait until Qin Chi and his group are far away.

The officers and soldiers began to whisper.