Chapter 61
Five thousand light cavalrymen marched day and night, risking their lives, and finally arrived at the agreed location on the planned day.
Zhao Congyun led the charge, riding his horse to the front of the team. His brows were cold and tired, and his ink-black cloak fluttered behind him, like a solemn battle flag, with the tip of the flag pointing directly at the capital.
Shen Zongwu and Dong Shu stood on the left and right, their faces covered with dust and frost like all the other cavalrymen, but as they were about to arrive, there was a hint of relief in their eyes.
"Whoa—" A familiar fork in the road finally appeared before him. Zhao Congyun reined in his horse and stopped abruptly. He pursed his dry lips and said in a deep voice, "This is it."
He turned around and looked at Shen Zongwu: "General Shen, let's say goodbye now."
There are two roads, one leading to the patrol army camp, and the other leading directly to the main gate of the capital.
Shen Zongwu nodded, paused, and said, "Do we really need to split our forces into two groups? Perhaps I can do it myself..."
Zhao Congyun shook his head and said firmly, "Just follow the plan. You take 3,000 people with you."
"But you only have 2,000 people left. What if——"
Zhao Congyun smiled faintly and interrupted him: "If there really is a 'what if', what difference does it make between two thousand people and five thousand people?"
Shen Zongwu was also a decisive person. He didn't say anything more. He just said "take care" and led his troops to leave first, heading towards the patrol army camp.
Watching the group of people gradually move away, Zhao Congyun did not delay and clamped his legs tightly around the horse's belly: "Let's go too!"
My dear brother, please hold on, I'm back!
Just as Zhao Congyun was about to set off, a flock of birds suddenly took flight from the nearby woods. They flapped their wings and soared into the sky with shrill cries. The anxiously-moving cavalry paid no attention. Only Dong Shu raised his head alertly, staring in the direction of the flock, his brows furrowed silently.
Zhao Congyun noticed something strange on his face and asked, "What's wrong?"
“…I’m afraid there’s an ambush ahead.”
The two of them looked at each other deeply, and Uncle Dong said, "Shall I go ahead and explore the way?"
"No need... No matter who comes, I must get through this road." After Zhao Congyun said this, he waved the whip and rushed out like an arrow in the direction he was determined without any hesitation.
*
Rumble.
Explosions rang out one after another.
On Xuanning Road, in the Imperial Garden, and in Tianjie.
The entire palace shook violently, and all the soldiers' faces were pale. No one expected that Emperor Zhaoming would actually dare to blow up the palace, let alone how much gunpowder was buried in the palace. They didn't know whether flowers would bloom under their feet in the next second!
Lord Fan's face was also extremely grim. The body of the general he had just appointed lay strewn across the middle of Tianjie. Three thousand soldiers had suffered heavy casualties, with broken limbs strewn across the ground. The air was filled with the mingled smell of gunpowder and blood. In an instant, the palace walls had become a battlefield.
"Your Majesty has such a cruel heart!" He sneered, "But it's not enough..."
He raised his hand and summoned another general. "Organize your troops and seize the inner palace immediately! I want to see His Majesty before noon... dead or alive!"
The last four words were squeezed out through gritted teeth.
"But... right now, there are explosions everywhere. If we rush in like this, I'm afraid it will only lead to more casualties! Should we hold off for now—"
Lord Fan raised his eyebrows and chuckled, "General Wang, if you don't want to be the commander, how about being a vanguard? Don't worry, after you die in the line of duty, I will treat your family well!"
"...I obey your command!" The general was startled and immediately understood what he meant. He sent people to rescue the wounded while regrouping and preparing for a new round of attack.
A flash of crazy excitement flashed in Lord Fan's eyes: Even if the streets were covered with corpses today, he would take their place and become the future master of this palace!
As the intervals between explosions grew longer and longer, the soldiers under Lord Fan gradually calmed down and displayed the same vigor and decisiveness as on the battlefield. In a short while, they had divided their forces into three groups. The main group crossed the long street strewn with blood and flesh flying and headed straight for the inner palace, while the remaining two groups each surrounded the Imperial Garden and Xuanning Road to prevent Emperor Zhaoming from escaping.
Earlier, when Song Liang suggested that there was gunpowder hidden in the palace, Lord Fan had analyzed with him that the amount of gunpowder would not be too much. Firstly, there would be inconvenience and risks in storage. Secondly, given Emperor Zhaoming's suspicious character, even if he listened to his brother's advice, he would secretly take precautions to avoid being used by Zhao Congyun.
The amount of gunpowder that was just detonated was probably all that Emperor Zhaoming had.
Make a good start and then bluff.
Unfortunately... it was seen through!
Lord Fan watched the soldiers move cautiously inch by inch towards the end of the long street, but there were no more explosions, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Your Majesty, what else do you have?
I heard that the Qilin Guards are particularly good at riding and shooting. Next... is it the archers' turn?
As if to confirm his guess, a row of black longbows suddenly appeared on the palace wall at the end of the long street, and suddenly fired a torrential rain of arrows at the approaching soldiers!
Those were not ordinary arrows, but sharp-edged arrows specially provided to the Qilin Guards. The narrow arrow tips with barbs were tempered with poison, which could kill instantly with just one blow.
The soldiers walking in the front were caught off guard and were pierced by sharp arrows before they could react. Even if they did not die on the spot, the poison would immediately take their lives.
Once again, progress was blocked.
Mr. Fan narrowed his eyes and watched from afar, without showing any panic.
"Shields and armor, formation!"
Someone in the panicked team shouted orders, and then a group of soldiers holding shields rushed up from the back. Those shields were extremely huge, and they were like a solid wall in front of them, covering the soldiers behind them tightly.
"Could this be... the Black Armor Shield from the North?!" someone from the Qilin Guard exclaimed.
How could this kind of shield armor, which was specially made to fight against the northern barbarians on horseback, appear here?
The rain of arrows could no longer penetrate the giant shield and immediately lost their killing power. The black mass of soldiers gradually approached. The Qilin Guards had no choice but to put away their longbows, drew their swords, jumped down from the palace wall, and rushed into the enemy formation!
"Kill the rebels! Protect His Majesty!"
The soldiers below were well prepared. When they saw the Qilin Guards appear, their formation suddenly changed, forming a circle with a giant shield at the head, and encircled the Qilin Guards.
Someone in the team shouted, "Archers, get ready! Shoot!"
The Qilin Guards, hunters just a moment ago, became their prey in the blink of an eye! And the arrows their opponents used were surprisingly sharp-edged arrows! These were specially designed for the Qilin Guards!
"You... actually dared to embezzle military weapons!" Finally someone realized this horrible fact.
Embezzling military equipment was tantamount to treason, a grave crime punishable by the death of nine generations of the clan in every dynasty. But who cared about that now? Treason...wasn't that exactly what Lord Fan was doing?
After all, these Qilin Guards had lived in luxury in the imperial palace for years. While they held great prestige, their combat prowess and experience were far inferior to those of soldiers who had fought in the battlefield with real weapons. Coupled with their superior weaponry, it wasn't long before hundreds of them fell to the arrows.
The remaining people did not dare to fight and retreated back to the palace wall, holding long swords and waiting for battle.
Lord Fan did not order another attack. Instead, he stepped forward and shouted, "Men of the Qilin Guard, listen up! Those who lay down their weapons will be spared from death. Those who surrender to our army will be promoted to generals and enjoy a third-rank salary, effective immediately!"
The long street was silent for a moment.
No one had any illusions about the current situation anymore. Every Qilin Guard understood that this was a fight to the death, and it was also a well-prepared battle, except that they were not the side with the advantage.
Terrain, number of people, and even weapons.
There is no chance of winning.
"You bold traitor! How can you insult the reputation of Qilin Guard for loyalty and righteousness!" Suddenly someone on the high wall started cursing.
Following these words, the expressions of all the Qilin Guards changed! Yes, they could lose, they could die, but they could not betray the glory they carried behind them!
Be loyal to the emperor, protect the country, punish treacherous officials, and safeguard the country.
Although they live in the deep palace, they are warriors at heart. However, their battlefield is not on the border, but here and now!
"Hmph! Just foolish loyalty!" Seeing no one respond, Lord Fan aroused the blood of the Qilin Guards. Murderous intent flashed in his eyes: "Since you are seeking death, don't blame me for being rude!"
"Kill them all! Leave no one alive!"
The huge shields gathered together again, this time not to be used for shielding, but to become offensive weapons, smashing heavily against the palace wall.
How could the flimsy palace wall withstand such an impact? It shattered in just a few hits and was about to collapse. The Qilin Guards were about to lose their last barrier.
At this time, a figure slowly walked out from the end of the long street.
A bright yellow dragon robe, a colorful pearl and jade ceremonial crown, two white jade pendants hanging from the waist, and a zhenggui in hand - this is the most solemn attire that the emperor of this dynasty would wear when he ascended the throne and offered sacrifices to heaven.
The only difference is that Emperor Zhaoming has a sword hanging around his waist!
Everyone stopped attacking unconsciously.
Even Lord Fan was taken aback. He had not expected that Emperor Zhaoming, instead of running away or hiding, would come to him!
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty..." Many soldiers showed fear on their faces.
Emperor Zhaoming walked without stopping, straight into the middle of the Qilin Guard, almost facing the rebels.
Some tried to dissuade him, but Emperor Zhaoming ignored them. His gaze swept over the soldiers wielding sharp blades, attempting to overthrow him. He drew his sword and pointed it at Lord Fan: "Do you want this world? Come and take it if you dare! I'll be watching from here!"
Lord Fan remained silent, his expression shifting from gloomy to bright. His mind was frantically pondering Emperor Zhaoming's possible next moves.
Where had he miscalculated? Was there any power in the capital he didn't know about? Otherwise, how could Emperor Zhaoming dare to show up so brazenly?
He simply didn't believe that Emperor Zhaoming wasn't afraid of death. Countless emperors throughout history had sought the path to immortality. Even if Emperor Zhaoming was clear-headed and hadn't become addicted to elixirs, he would never seek his own death.
"It seems that in addition to gunpowder... Your Majesty has left other surprises for me in this palace!" Lord Fan couldn't help but probe.
Emperor Zhaoming sneered: "Are you afraid, my dear?"
Lord Fan said, "Your Majesty is a master of chess. I am ashamed to say I am not as good as you, so—" He changed the subject and said, "I have prepared a surprise for Your Majesty."
"Oh?" Emperor Zhaoming didn't seem surprised.
"It seems that His Majesty already knew... His Royal Highness Prince Jia had secretly returned to the capital."
Emperor Zhaoming did not deny it and looked up at the sky: "He should be here by now."
Lord Fan smiled and secretly breathed a sigh of relief: "So His Royal Highness Prince Jia is your Majesty's 'special force'!"
"So what?"
"Why don't we wait a while? It would be a shame if Prince Jia wasn't present at such an important moment."
"What exactly do you mean?" Emperor Zhaoming's expression changed slightly.
Lord Fan's smile deepened. "Don't worry, Your Majesty...it will be soon."
The spies sent out have just reported that Song Liang's troops have arrived at the palace gate and will enter the palace immediately.
The brief, silent standoff on the long street was soon broken by the sound of horse hooves. Song Liang appeared.
However, everyone's eyes fell on another person——
The man had his hands tied and was covered in blood. He staggered behind Song Liang's horse. His black cloak was already tattered and his hair was disheveled, but his eyes remained cold.
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