At this moment, the clerk Zhu pulled the Liu brothers up and shouted, "This imperial edict is fake. With the Empress Dowager in the palace, how could such an edict be issued? It must be that the Prince of Wu is forging an imperial edict, intending to get rid of these loyal ministers around the Emperor and then seize the throne."
Liu Guang and Liu Yao had held high positions in the government for many years. Although they were somewhat incompetent, they were not stupid. After being reminded by Master Zhu, they immediately realized that they were now at a critical juncture of life and death. Even if the King of Wu was telling the truth, they had to treat it as a lie, let alone the possibility that he was forging an imperial edict.
He hurriedly chimed in, "That's right! According to ancestral precepts, princes are not allowed to enter the capital without a valid reason. Prince Wu's arrival in the capital this time is clearly a plot to commit treason. Guards, for the sake of the Emperor and Empress, seize this treacherous minister!"
The Liu family members, who had been ashen-faced, suddenly seized a glimmer of hope and unleashed an astonishing fighting spirit. They all knew that if this matter were to be judged, it would be a catastrophe that would lead to the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their clan. They had no choice but to fight to the death.
King Wu's expression changed: "How dare you defy the imperial edict! Your crime is even more serious! Guards, seize Liu Guang and Liu Yao! Anyone who obstructs you will be killed on sight, and their families will be confiscated and exterminated!"
His soldiers were already packed together, and upon seeing this, they all rushed towards the gate.
The Liu family's defensive formation was activated immediately, and the two sides instantly engaged in battle. The fighting was so fierce that countless people fell in almost every single exchange.
...
Meanwhile, in the outer city of the capital, Yuan Zhou, the commander of the Central Protectorate, noticed the change in the city and immediately summoned his troops to go and support the Liu family.
However, it was nighttime, and the city gates were already closed, so he could only mobilize a limited number of troops.
However, he didn't care much. The thousand or so men around him were all elite soldiers. Moreover, the Liu family controlled various key positions in the army. Gao Ying's Left Guard, Li Mian's Imperial Guard, and the armies under Liu Guang and Liu Yao's command still held an absolute advantage.
Moreover, all the camps outside the city are under the control of Master Liu, and he can lead the main force into the capital to quell the rebellion at any time.
I wonder which clown dares to cause trouble in the capital!
As they were galloping, his expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly pulled on the reins, bringing the galloping army to a complete stop.
His gaze swept around, and he saw that the doors and windows of the surrounding houses were tightly closed, and not a single ray of light could be seen.
The only sound on the street was the cold wind blowing through some fallen leaves, making it seem exceptionally desolate and quiet.
Suddenly, the doors and windows of the surrounding houses opened, revealing rows of archers lying in ambush, and many soldiers poured out from the nearby alleys.
"General Yuan is indeed a veteran of the battlefield; he was able to see through our ambush. Unfortunately, it's too late." A group of soldiers slowly approached from the distance.
“Zhao Anming!” Yuan Zhou recognized the other party, and a chill ran down his spine.
Zhao Anming was the heir apparent of Prince Liang, Zhao Yi, but that was not the key point. What was important was that he was the commander of the Champion Colonel, in charge of one of the six major field armies outside the capital.
Logically, he should be under the control of Master Liu. Why was he able to appear in the capital with his army without a sound? Does this mean that something happened to Master Liu?
"Your Highness is far too confident. Do you really think you can handle my battle-hardened army?" Yuan Zhou realized that Zhao Anming's forces were not many, roughly equal in strength to his own. It seemed he intended to infiltrate the capital discreetly, unable to bring a large army.
Since that's the case, and everyone's numbers are roughly equal, he doesn't think he'll lose to this spoiled brat.
Just then, a mocking laugh came from behind: "What if I join you?"
Yuan Zhou's expression changed, and he hurriedly turned around, gritting his teeth as he said, "General of the Northern Army, Zhao Zhang!"
The other party's father is Zhao Huang, the Prince of Yi and General Who Guards the East. Could it be that the royal family and the Grand Masters are plotting a rebellion?
At this moment, Zhao Zhang's troops, combined with Zhao Anming's men, outnumbered him several times over and had formed an encirclement. It seemed unlikely that he would survive today.
He gritted his teeth and drew his long sword: "Soldiers, follow me to break through the encirclement!"
Zhao Anming and Zhao Zhang simultaneously gave the cold order: "Kill!"
Sensing enemies all around, Yuan Zhou's heart sank to the bottom; the current situation likely meant his chances of survival were slim.
However, being a seasoned veteran, he quickly adjusted his mindset and shouted, "Hold on, everyone! Once Master Liu outside the city, the Empress Dowager in the palace, and General Gao react, they will surely come to our aid."
"Here you go!"
His soldiers were immediately invigorated. Often, the fear is the absence of hope. As long as there is a glimmer of hope, no matter how difficult it is, there will always be someone who fights with all their might.
At this moment, Zhao Anming burst into laughter: "Relying on them? They'd probably be beheaded by now."
Upon hearing this, the morale of Yuan Zhou's army immediately wavered. Yuan Zhou roared, "Don't let the enemy disrupt the army's morale!"
The soldiers realized that the other side was the enemy, and how could they believe what they said? So they rallied their troops and fought against the enemy. In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere in the alley.
...
Back in time, Liu Ji, the third master of the Liu family, was handling military affairs in his tent when he suddenly got up again, picked up the teapot next to him, and drank it all in one gulp.
For some reason, he felt somewhat uneasy today.
"Someone, go to the Liu residence in the capital and see if there's anything going on there."
"Yes!" Although the guard was somewhat puzzled, he still accepted the order and left.
Now that the city gates of the capital are closed after nightfall, it is not difficult for the Liu family to send one or two people in, given their power.
Not long after the guard left, someone came to report: "Reporting to the Commander, General Lü He of the Left Guard requests an audience."
Liu Ji was taken aback, wondering why he was here in the middle of the night instead of at the palace. Had something really happened in the capital?
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