Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the capital became unusually tense. The ministers summoned by the Crown Prince rushed to the palace, their faces filled with anxiety and unease.
"Your Highness, the Prince of Ning has rebelled. This is no small matter. How should we respond?" a minister asked anxiously. His voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was greatly frightened by this sudden rebellion.
The Crown Prince sat calmly in his chair. His gaze was firm and confident, as if everything was under his control. "Gentlemen, there is no need to panic. I have already ordered the capital's defenses to be strengthened. As long as we unite, we will surely be able to quell this rebellion." His voice was firm and powerful, which reassured the ministers present somewhat.
“However, Prince Ning’s forces are not to be underestimated. Should we request reinforcements?” another minister suggested. His eyes were filled with worry, clearly indicating a lack of confidence in the capital’s defenses.
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment. "I will consider the matter of reinforcements. For now, we must first strengthen the defense of the capital and ensure its safety." He knew that reinforcements would not arrive anytime soon; they had to rely on their own strength to hold the capital and wait for the right opportunity.
The ministers nodded in agreement with the crown prince's opinion. Under his leadership, they began to discuss specific defense measures and assign tasks to each other.
In the following days, the Crown Prince methodically arranged various defense measures. He deployed a large number of troops to strengthen the city walls, while also organizing the people to participate in the defense work, and preparing ample supplies and weapons. He knew that the safety of the capital was related to the fate of the entire country, and he had to do everything in his power to protect the capital and the nation.
As night fell, the people of the capital sensed the impending crisis. Every household kept their doors and windows tightly shut, their hearts filled with fear and unease. The streets were deserted, save for the patrolling soldiers whose footsteps echoed clearly in the still night.
The next morning, Prince Ning's army surged towards the capital like a tidal wave. On the city walls, the Crown Prince personally directed the defenses. His gaze was resolute, his face stern, showing no sign of being intimidated by the impending crisis.
"Fire!" At the Crown Prince's command, the soldiers on the city wall unleashed a hail of arrows at Prince Ning's army. Screams erupted from Prince Ning's ranks, but they did not retreat; instead, they continued their charge.
"Prepare the catapults!" the Crown Prince ordered again. Huge stones were hurled from the city walls, crashing down on Prince Ning's army and causing chaos. But Prince Ning's army continued their relentless advance; they had only one goal: to capture the capital.
In Prince Ning's army, General Zhang led the vanguard in a valiant fight. He charged ahead, wielding his longsword, cutting down enemy after enemy. Under his leadership, the vanguard gradually approached the city gates of the capital.
"Break down the city gate!" General Zhang shouted. The soldiers pushed the huge siege engines and rammed them against the city gate. The city gate made a dull thud, as if it were groaning in pain.
Seeing this, the prince on the city wall grew increasingly anxious. "Strengthen the defenses of the city gates!" he shouted. Soldiers rushed to the gates, using their bodies to block the enemy's attacks.
Just as the two sides were locked in a stalemate, Prince Ning rode up to the front lines. Looking at the Crown Prince on the city wall, he shouted, "Crown Prince, why must we be so stubborn? If you surrender, I can spare your life!"
The Crown Prince sneered, "Prince Ning, you traitor, don't even think about making me surrender! Today is your death day!"
Prince Ning was furious, "Then don't blame me for being impolite! Attack!"
With Prince Ning's order, the battle intensified. The people of the capital panicked and fled in all directions. The entire capital was plunged into chaos.
The city gate groaned groaning with each pounding, as if it were about to collapse at any moment. The crown prince stared intently at the gate, his palms sweating. Just then, a soldier covered in blood stumbled to the prince, crying, "Your Highness! The city gate is about to fall!"
The Prince of Ning's army, like maddened beasts, surged towards the city gates wave after wave. The defending soldiers fought valiantly, building an impregnable defensive line with their own flesh and blood. Screams, battle cries, and the clang of weapons intertwined to create a tragic symphony of war.
On the city wall, the Crown Prince's face was ashen. He gripped his sword tightly, his gaze fixed intently on the city gate. The battering ram pounded against the gate again and again, producing a deafening roar. Each thud struck his heart like a hammer blow. He knew the gate would eventually be breached, and once it fell, the capital would be in grave danger.
Just then, a soldier ran over in a panic, "Your Highness, it's terrible! Prince Ning's army has breached the west gate!"
The Crown Prince's heart sank. The fall of the West Gate meant that Prince Ning's army could advance unimpeded into the capital, leaving the heart of the city wide open. He made a decisive order: "Send down the command! All soldiers must immediately rush to the West Gate to provide support!"
The Crown Prince leaped off the city wall and, leading his personal guards, raced towards the west gate. Along the way, he saw panicked civilians fleeing in all directions, their cries deafening. His heart ached as if being stabbed; he knew he had to reach the west gate as quickly as possible to stop Prince Ning's army, otherwise, the entire capital would fall.
When he arrived at the west gate, the scene before him shocked him. The gate had been breached, and Prince Ning's army was pouring into the city. The defending soldiers were outnumbered and were retreating in disarray. Blood stained the ground, limbs and severed bodies were scattered everywhere, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.
The prince roared and charged into the enemy ranks, sword in hand. His swordsmanship was fierce and deadly, leaving carnage in his wake. His personal guards followed closely behind, fighting bravely against the enemy.
"Your Highness, watch out!" a guard shouted, shoving the prince aside. An arrow whizzed past the prince's ear and struck the guard in the chest. The guard fell to the ground, his blood staining the prince's robes.
Overwhelmed with grief and rage, the prince, his eyes red, slashed at the surrounding enemies like a wounded beast. He had only one thought in his mind: to slaughter all the rebels and avenge the fallen soldiers and civilians!
In the midst of the fierce battle, the prince suddenly felt a sharp pain; an arrow had struck his left arm. He gritted his teeth, pulled out the arrow, and continued fighting. Blood flowed down his arm, staining the hilt of his sword.
"Your Highness, you are injured!" a guard shouted anxiously.
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