Chapter 561: Your Majesty, Commander Zhao captured Yongjia City without a single soldier
Zhao Duan is here!
On the licorice platform, the Yu Kingdom's empress's chest rose and fell slightly, and her jade hands clenched subconsciously in her sleeves. Then she concealed the slight abnormality.
Restore your majestic posture.
But my heart was already surging with emotions.
Zhao Duan is now in disguise and would not come to the audience for no reason.
Moreover, she knew very well that Zhao Duan had been busy in Linfeng Road recently.
Could it be... that the alienation plot had progressed? With the second step complete, the relationship between Zhao Shixiong and Xu Jingtang had deteriorated further? A larger rift had formed?
No... If it were just a crack, there would be no need to report. Could it be an accident at the front? Bad news? Xu Zhenguan's thoughts raced, and he felt unusually nervous.
Thoughts flashed through her mind, but none of them hit the mark. In her opinion, how long had it been since the last attempt to sow discord? It was unlikely that much had changed.
"Why are you here?" Under the awning, Ma Yan spoke first, breaking the silence as the governor of the imperial court.
Is it him? The new police chief?
A prominent figure in the capital? He's really here?
The Deputy Privy Councilor, the Minister of War and others were surprised, and immediately wondered how this person could get on the Gancao Terrace with this identity?
Yuan Li and Sun Lianying had complicated expressions in their eyes, vaguely realizing that something might happen.
"Your Excellency, I have been ordered to return with the latest military intelligence report from Governor Zhao of Taicang Prefecture, and I am here to present it to Your Majesty!"
Zhao Duan was neither humble nor arrogant, and bowed in greeting.
This attitude tells insiders that he does not want to reveal his identity.
"Commander Zhao's military intelligence?"
As the words fell, the officials in the tent suddenly realized:
No wonder this person has disappeared recently. Has he really left the capital?
Immediately, their hearts sank suddenly!
In everyone's opinion, the main force on the front battlefield is on the eastern front, and the mission of the western front theater is only to hold the territory and contain the Yunfu rebels.
Now Zhao Duan sent someone to deliver an urgent report, but he couldn't wait any longer and had to catch up to the Jinqiu Yaji, which shows how urgent it was.
It's no small matter.
"Could it be that Zhao Shixiong is rushing to support the eastern front?" The Deputy Privy Councilor suddenly stood up. "Commander-in-Chief Zhao failed to contain him?!"
Hearing this, everyone's heart skipped a beat.
Xue Shence had just won a battle, Prince Jing asked for help, and Prince Mu dispatched troops to support... This is very likely to happen.
This is also the most likely reason why Zhao Duan sent back an urgent report at this moment!
The cup in the Minister of War's hand shook, his eyes filled with worry and panic, as if he had foreseen the bad news, his face turned pale.
"Oh no! I was worried before that it would be difficult to contain Zhao Shixiong with only five battalions..."
Under the pergola, a depressing and dull atmosphere permeated the air.
Once Zhao Shixiong rushed to the eastern front, the two rebel forces would join forces and the consequences would be unimaginable.
In the depressing atmosphere, Zhao Duan glanced at the two of them with a strange expression and shook his head.
"Zhao Shixiong did not go east, but south."
No reinforcements were sent to the Eastern Front? Everyone's hearts suddenly relaxed. Fortunately, the worst hadn't happened...
But after hearing the second half, I became confused again.
Southward? Could it be a withdrawal?
Why keep it a secret... Xu Zhenguan finally couldn't help but speak in a hurried tone:
"Zhao...what exactly does the Governor want you to report?"
All eyes converged.
Zhao Duan raised the corner of his mouth slightly under his mask, and finally stopped keeping people in suspense. He turned towards the empress, clasped his hands together, and spoke in a loud and proud voice:
"Your Majesty! The Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Rebellion Suppression, Zhao Du'an, has recently successfully instigated the rebellion of Zhao Shixiong, the Commander of the Southwestern Frontier Army. Zhao Shixiong has now changed his flag and surrendered to the imperial court! The Yongjia Prefecture has been captured without a single soldier!"
quiet.
At this moment, the entire Licorice Stage seemed to have pressed the pause button and fell into an eerie silence.
Everyone's expression was frozen on their face, as if they were digesting these words.
Bang, bang, bang... In the quiet atmosphere, Zhao Duan seemed to be able to hear his own heartbeat. He turned his head in confusion and asked tentatively:
"Your Majesty? I have completed my report."
As these words were spoken, the dead silence was suddenly broken!
Woo!
The wind also resumed its flow.
All the civil and military officials present in the court were shocked and dizzy by this result.
Zhao Shixiong...surrendered...?!
Successfully persuaded by Zhao Duan to...surrender?
In the entire western theater of operations, Yongjia City was the most formidable. Even Xue Shence avoided it, preferring to turn around and fight on the eastern front rather than confront Yongjia City head-on...
Zhao Duan had taken them down without anyone noticing, without sacrificing a single soldier...?!
The Queen of Dayu, who was sitting behind the bright yellow desk, was stunned. Her tightly pursed red lips on her beautiful face opened slightly, revealing her pearly teeth, and a look of confusion appeared in her narrow and long phoenix eyes.
As the only person present who knew about Zhao Duan's divisive plan, she thought she could calmly face any outcome.
However, when the empress heard Zhao Duan's report in person, she still lost consciousness for a moment!
true and false?
Zhao Duan would naturally not be false in front of him.
But...what exactly happened?
Just a small discord resulted in such a result? And, so quickly?
It's only been a month since the last time we infiltrated Yongjia City, right?
She doesn't understand!
"You... say it again, explain it in detail!"
Xu Zhenguan stood up slightly awkwardly, supporting himself on the bright yellow table with both hands, his body leaning forward slightly.
"Yes, sir," Zhao Duan said calmly, explaining the general process in a concise manner.
In public, of course, all the details cannot be revealed.
Therefore, his version of the story omitted many key steps and only said that Zhao Du'an had lurked alone in Yongjia City last time and used some tricks to make Xu Jingtang suspicious of Zhao Shixiong, and then he wanted to seize power by threatening Zhao Shixiong's family.
Zhao Duan sent people to rescue him and found out that Zhao Shixiong had betrayed the court and was deceived.
The two sides resolved their misunderstandings and surrender was a natural process.
After hearing this almost "fairy tale" story, all the officials in the court were stunned.
That's it? They weren't stupid, so they quickly realized that this explanation must have omitted many details.
but……
It doesn't matter.
What’s more important is that he suppressed the rebellion of General Zhao Du’an, successfully occupied Yongjia City, and subdued the great general Zhao Shixiong.
This will definitely completely reverse the situation of the entire Huai River and even the entire Yu State!
Unbelievable!
The Deputy Privy Councilor of the Privy Council sat there in shock, his eyes full of disbelief.
The cup in the hands of the Minister of War fell, and the tea splashed out and soaked his official robes. He didn't care, and kept muttering:
"How did he do that... How did he do that..."
There was also a slight daze on Yuan Li's handsome face, and he looked at the white-faced police officer with deep eyes.
Sun Lianying and Ma Yan stared at the disguised Zhao Duan, resisting the urge to pull him over and question him!
The other civil officials were also stunned by this huge surprise:
"Hahahaha... God bless Yu Kingdom, God bless Your Majesty!"
The Minister of Rites laughed and stood up, dancing with joy, excitedly and exaggeratedly raised his hands to the Empress:
"A great victory on the Western Front, the court's crisis is resolved!"
The Minister of Personnel also reacted upon seeing this, and stood up suddenly, his face flushed with excitement:
"Commander-in-Chief Zhao has captured another city and achieved great success. This is a joy for Your Majesty and the Kingdom of Yu!"
The other ministers also gradually came to their senses and congratulated loudly.
The depressing atmosphere was suddenly broken!
Zhao Shixiong rebelled!
Anyone with a brain would understand what this means.
This is almost equivalent to destroying half of the Yunfu rebels. Next, as long as Zhao Shixiong and the Five Military Camps work together to move south, it is very likely that they can drive Prince Mu Xu Jingtang back to Yunfu Road.
Retake half of the Huai River controlled by the Yunfu rebels!
How could the officials not be delighted and excited?
Only the ministers belonging to the military group under the shed had the most complicated feelings.
Especially when I think about the fact that not long ago, they were still praising Xue Shence, openly praising and secretly criticizing Zhao Duan, trying to elevate the status of the military group.
But the slap in the face came so quickly that they were caught off guard.
Xue Shence's great victory on the eastern front saw him capture three county towns whose granaries had been taken away. It seemed glorious, but it actually came at a great cost.
Zhao Duan turned the entire situation of the Huai River battle around without making a single move and without wasting a single soldier.
The difference between the two is like heaven and earth.
"Haha, after today, let's see who in the capital dares to say that Zhao Shaobao is not as good as Xue Shence?" An official of the imperial party puffed out his chest proudly.
"What Zhao Shaobao said is true. He is indeed not good at leading troops in battle, but what he didn't say is... victory doesn't just happen on the battlefield..."
Some people sighed.
Xu Zhenguan's face, a rare imperial beauty, also flushed with a blush of joy. She tried her best to suppress the corners of her mouth that were curling up wildly, trying to appear calm and composed. She raised her hand and pressed lightly:
"Today is a festive day, Zhao Qing is so thoughtful."
After that, she continued, "Please return to the palace. All the ministers, please follow me back to discuss government affairs!"
With such a major event happening, how could anyone have the energy to enjoy the scenery? Next, the court would definitely have to make a series of corresponding arrangements.
The ministers calmed down and stood up to follow.
"Bai Jisi, come into the palace later. I have some details to ask you." Xu Zhenguan turned his head again and said to Bai Lian Jisi.
Zhao Duan understood what Zhenbao meant, and he must hear the full version of the details of the rebellion.
He lowered his eyes, bowed and said:
"As you wish."
…
…
Halfway up the mountain.
The climax of the literary gathering among the pavilions and towers finally came to an end. Zhao Duan's poem "Farewell to Dong Da" attracted the greatest attention of the Golden Autumn Gathering.
The comments from scholars such as Han Zhou made this poem spread quickly among the people.
However, just as the readers were feeling extremely bitter, they had to admit with a pinch of their noses that Zhao Duan's poetry was brilliant.
Someone noticed the changes at the top of the mountain:
"Everyone, look quickly. What happened on the Licorice Terrace? Why did His Majesty and his ministers anxiously descend the mountain?"
Countless eyes looked over.
Suddenly someone said:
"I saw that Bai Jisi just left and went to Gancaotai. Yes, didn't he say he brought back military intelligence from Zhao Shaobao? I guess he was going to report to the emperor. Could something have happened on the front line?"
Upon hearing this, the crowd could no longer sit still, as the military situation on the front line concerned everyone's safety.
Han Zhou's face changed slightly, and even the "Farewell to Dong Da" in his hand, which he couldn't put down, lost its fragrance. He hurriedly stuffed the dried poem to the original author, Master Dong, and hurried towards the ministers to inquire about the news.
Master Dong finally snatched his own poem back from the hands of this group of scholars, and hurriedly folded it up carefully and put it into his sleeve.
Haitang, Zhang Han and others suddenly rushed out from the crowd and asked Qian Kerou and the others in Jinyi:
"Did anything big happen on the front line?"
The secretary and the others were also confused and shook their heads in unison:
"Sir...we don't know."
What's the use of you... Haitang curled her lips, followed the crowd, and fell behind Han Zhou and other scholars, wanting to find out what was going on.
A moment later.
The news about Zhao Shixiong's surrender spread like wildfire among the crowd.
Everyone who heard the news was overjoyed.
Only the group of people who have recently dominated public opinion, madly praising Xue Shence and criticizing Zhao Duan, have collectively remained silent.
It felt like being slapped in the face, and my face was burning with pain.
Chen Siye stood in the crowd and murmured softly:
"How could it be... He's a warrior, so it's fine if he's so good at poetry and prose, but how did he conquer Yongjia?"
Beside him, the Privy Council's Chief Secretary looked even more dejected:
"How could the Privy Councilor be outmatched by him? Why is Zhao so lucky..."
Yes, many people could only feel resentment in their hearts, thinking that Zhao Duan was just lucky, and that was why Zhao Shixiong took the initiative to surrender and ran into him.
It is believed that if Xue Shence was on the western front, the one who accepted the surrender would be the military god of the Yu State.
The imperial guards in the imperial court also heard the news and were very excited. Haitang smiled brightly and waved her hand:
"Today is a day for celebration. Let's go to Dingfenglou at noon. It's my treat."
The people in brocade clothes cheered and were very happy.
In the crowd, Chen Juan suddenly pulled Hou Renmeng.
"What are you doing?" The troublemaker was laughing foolishly and glanced at him with a frown.
Chen Juan raised his chin and pointed at the distraught Chen Siye and Du Chengzhi not far from the crowd:
"Yes."
Hou Renmeng's eyes lit up, he clasped his hands together, moved his wrists, making a "click" sound, and said with a sinister smile:
"Walking?"
"Let's go!"
"I didn't go easy on them last time, so I'll teach them a lesson this time."
…
"I heard that Commander Zhao has subdued Zhao Shixiong..."
On the other side of Leyouyuan, the wives of high-ranking officials and dignitaries from the capital gathered here.
At this moment, Madam Ning came back hurriedly, holding up her skirt, breathing slightly, and recounted the news she had learned.
In her hands, Eugene Hua was still holding the "Farewell to Dong Da" which she had copied back from the literary gathering not long ago. The beautiful woman was listening attentively, with a smile on her lips that was harder to suppress than Valorant's trajectory.
Beside her, Zhao Pan'er, who was wearing a brightly colored skirt, pricked up her ears and listened. Her autumn-water eyes were filled with admiration. She looked past the crowd and looked at a masked figure in the empress's team in the distance...
The mother and daughter naturally knew that it was their own Dalang.
"Brother is really amazing." Zhao Pan whispered, "Mom, you said..."
She turned her head and found that Eugene Hua was already twisting her plump waist, pulling Madam Ning to the crowd where other noble ladies were gathered to receive flattery and congratulations from everyone around her.
"Oh no, no, Dalang doesn't write much poetry, I just did this casually."
"What about Zhao Shixiong? I guess it wasn't easy to persuade him to surrender... Luck, luck."
"..." Zhao Pan withdrew his gaze expressionlessly and stamped his feet, thinking that his mother was so simple-minded that she actually liked to listen to others bragging and praising her elder brother.
I caught a glimpse of a large group of girls of the same age gathered together to discuss Zhao Duan, looking very aroused.
She became increasingly unhappy, turned her head to glance at Miss Ning beside her, raised her chin proudly, and snorted:
"Ningning, let's go."
…
Dong family mansion.
Grand Tutor Dong Xuan did not go out for the autumn outing today because of his old age.
I got the news a little late.
"Is this true? He persuaded Zhao Shixiong to surrender?!"
Grand Tutor Dong was stunned. The face of the octogenarian, a third-generation veteran, flushed red. He stood up, leaning on his cane, and paced around the room, muttering:
"So that's how it is... So that's how it is... I was actually deceived by the Kuangfu Society. I was thinking that the late emperor treated Zhao Shixiong well, so why can't I keep him accustomed..."
"Prepare the carriage, I want to go to the palace."
…
The news of the Golden Autumn Gathering spread by word of mouth, and on that day, it spread like a whirlwind throughout the streets and alleys of the capital.
In teahouses and taverns, everyone was talking about the great victory on the Western Front and how Zhao Duan had used a strategy to capture Zhao Shixiong.
Especially because the process was so confusing, countless people were speculating on conspiracy theories and what the truth was.
"Is it true? Such a great general surrendered without even a fight?" Some people in the restaurant didn't believe it.
"That was military intelligence sent back from the front lines, with all the fanfare. How could it be fake? If something like this were fabricated, wouldn't it bring shame to the entire imperial court?"
An old scholar spoke confidently, took out a dime and slapped it on the table:
"Waiter, I'm happy today. Give me another two taels of meat."
Two scholars from the Imperial College sitting at the table curled their lips and said:
"It must be a stroke of luck. I don't believe it. I'm afraid that Zhao Shixiong is just pretending to surrender, and then he'll be in big trouble..."
"That's right. I heard that the military intelligence was brought back by that pretty boy. His identity is questionable and he dares not reveal his true appearance. There must be something fishy going on."
The voice was neither loud nor soft.
"Bang!" A burly gangster in the building clapped his hands with a palm-leaf fan, stood up angrily and cursed:
"Commander Zhao has accomplished such great things, yet you are here gossiping. I think you are acting like a traitor and colluding with the enemy. Come with me to see the official!"
As he said that, the upright man raised his fist as big as sand glass and started hitting him.
The two scholars' expressions changed drastically.
The restaurant was immediately filled with a happy atmosphere.
…
Imperial Palace.
Zhao Duan returned from Leyouyuan, took a walk around the palace, chatted with Eunuch Hai for a while, and then rushed to the imperial study when he thought it was about time.
With the "offering" badge on his waist, he waited for a while in the imperial study.
Only the voice of a female official could be heard from outside: "Your Majesty."
After a while, a beautiful figure appeared at the door. Zhao Duan raised his head and saw the midday sun shining in from the antique door. The golden autumn sunlight ignited the ground.
In the light, a figure in white clothes and black hair blocked the light, and her lotus feet stepped into the study under the hem of her skirt and stepped on the knitted carpet.
"Bang!"
The door closed.
Zhao Duan stood up, wiped his right hand across his face, took off the white mask, and a smile appeared on his real face: "Your Majesty."
(End of this chapter)
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