The battle lasted for three days and three nights, but the outcome was actually decided on the first day.
When Yelu Jing led his army to charge out, Liu Chen was standing on the city wall, looking at the enemy situation. He saw flags waving in the distance, smoke billowing, and the earth-shaking sound of war drums suddenly rang out, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to be shaken.
"Your Majesty, the Beiliang people are coming!" Someone shouted in his ear.
Liu Chen's face turned cold: "I saw it!"
He drew out the Emperor's Sword and headed towards the direction of the Northern Liang army, his eyes burning with fighting and killing intent, and shouted: "All soldiers, listen to my orders, follow me out of the city to kill the enemy, kill all the Northern Liang bandits, and protect the mountains and rivers of the Chen Kingdom! I, Liu Chen, the Emperor of the Chen Kingdom, will live and die with you, and will never retreat!"
Liu Chen's words were like a cluster of flames, and the moment they landed, they ignited the kerosene all over the mountains and plains. A war swept across the plains, and the fighting spirit soared into the sky. Two hundred thousand people shouted in unison: "Drive out the Tartars and protect our rivers and mountains!"
The Northern Liang soldiers and horses roared in, and their weapons reflected the light of the scorching sun. In a blink of an eye, they arrived two miles below the city, right in front of them.
But at this moment, something unexpected happened. The ground where the Northern Liang vanguard army passed suddenly collapsed at the bottom, revealing a deep gully covered with fangs. Countless Northern Liang cavalry were caught off guard and fell into the deep pit. There were countless sharp spikes stuck in the pit, and all the soldiers and horses that fell into it were pierced through. In an instant, the deep pit was filled with blood and flesh, turning it into a purgatory on earth.
Yelu Jing's pupils shrank, and he wanted to stop the front, but it was too late. The soldiers behind didn't know what happened in front, and the back pushed the front, collided with each other, and fell into the deep pit one after another. Nearly 10,000 cavalrymen and horses were buried in it, becoming meat cushions for those who came later. Countless Beiliang cavalrymen stepped on the corpses of their compatriots to cross the terrifying ditch that was ten feet long.
Yelu Jing's silver-gray pupils were filled with red bloodshot. He stared at the gap and murmured, "Such a big trap..."
Before he could finish his words, he heard the sound of war drums from three directions outside Juliang Pass. Along with the powerful drumbeats, huge trees burning with flames rolled down from high places, faster and faster, knocking countless Beiliang soldiers off their horses and crushing them. The wind helped the fire, and countless Beiliang soldiers fell into the sea of fire, making endless screams.
At the same time, the soldiers of the State of Chen raised their battle flags and rushed out from a high position. Three square formations were formed on three sides, and rows of soldiers holding bows and crossbows took turns to shoot arrows. The well-trained cooperation brought the power of the arrow formation to the extreme. Those Beiliang cavalrymen who stepped on the corpses to cross the gap had to face the arrow formations from three directions before they could recover from their shock. How could only one shield block the rain of arrows? Countless soldiers died from the crossbows.
Yelu Jing had fought against Liu Yan for many years, and he could tell at a glance that this was the arrow formation trained by Liu Yan, but Liu Yan was dead, so who was leading the troops?
The soldiers of Beiliang suffered heavy losses as soon as they met, and their morale was greatly reduced. At this time, the gates of Juliangguan were wide open, and the well-trained and eager soldiers of Chen rushed out. Yelu Jing saw from the telescope that the one rushing in the front was actually the young emperor of Chen - Liu Chen!
Yelu Jing smiled with a murderous smile: "It's him, good, great!"
As long as they captured the emperor of Chen, they would win the battle! With
such a great temptation in front of them, Yelu Jing no longer hesitated, and with a pinch on the horse's belly, the warhorse under him was like a sharp arrow, leaving the string.
The emperor led the army in person and led the troops. Nothing can boost morale more than this. The elite soldiers of Chen, who were waiting for the long journey and fell into the trap, had the upper hand with absolute advantage.
Liu Chen held a long sword in his hand and was bloodshot. Unrestrained by the dragon robe, he found himself in the past, roaming the battlefield, killing all the enemies, taking revenge, and defending his country.
This is what a man should be like!
Even the soldiers who hated him could not help but be inspired and respectful when they saw such an emperor.
In the chaos, a sharp arrow pierced through the crowd and aimed at Liu Chen. Liu Chen was highly alert and knocked down the bow and arrow with his backhand. He looked up and saw a pair of eagle eyes staring
at him. "Yelü Jing!" Liu Chen squinted at the other party and held the sword across his chest.
Yelu Jing couldn't hear what Liu Chen said, but he could see the same burning fighting spirit and hatred in the other's eyes as himself.
Yelu Jing laughed loudly, a fierce light flashed in his eyes, and he rode towards Liu Chen.
The long sword and the scimitar collided, emitting dazzling sparks.
Yelu Jing stared at Liu Chen's eyes and grinned, "I will accept the head of the Emperor of Chen today!"
Liu Chen smiled coldly, "I will also accept the 300,000 troops of Northern Liang!"
Yelu Jing was a martial arts expert, and Liu Chen was equally strong. Yelu Jing had never seen an emperor who was so reckless about his life. He fought with him in a way that almost meant both sides would suffer losses. Yelu Jing was a madman, not a fool. He cherished his life. If a man who cherishes his life meets a man who doesn't care about his life, he would lose.
Yelu Jing didn't expect that he would be at a disadvantage. A trace of burning hatred flashed in his eyes. He suddenly remembered that Liu Chen was Liu Yan's favorite nephew, and he had been taught by him for many years. How could he be a simple person? He underestimated the enemy and was careless.
Yelu Jing was defeated in the battle, so he wanted to retreat. However, at this moment, a blazing fire broke out from behind the Beiliang Army, which was more dazzling than the scorching sun. The temperature of the air suddenly rose a lot, and the thick smoke was blown over by the wind. The Beiliang Army was almost stunned for a moment, and then burst into tears.
Yelu Jing quickly reacted, and a strong hatred burst out of his eyes-it was their logistics troops that were burned!
Such a big fire, it must have been burned.
Who is there?
Yelu Jing's mind was in a mess and he couldn't figure it out. He had no time to think about it. Yelu Jing, who was cut off from the retreat, burst out with a more terrible fighting and killing intent, and immediately suppressed Liu Chen. The scimitar crossed Liu Chen's right arm, leaving a deep wound.
Liu Chen almost couldn't hold the sword, and the hot blood that gushed out soon soaked his battle robe. He struggled to fight with Yelu Jing. His handsome and sharp face was pale due to blood loss, but it was glowing because of the fighting spirit.
The two weapons collided, and Liu Chen looked at Yelu Jing with a proud light in his eyes: "Yelu Jing, do you think you are the only one who wants to fight to the death?"
Yelu Jing's eyes were stern, and the strong uneasiness surged in his heart again: "What do you mean?"
"Look back and you will know." Liu Chen laughed from the bottom of his heart.
Yelu Jing was afraid that Liu Chen was lying to him, but he couldn't help but look back.
Behind the Beiliang army, a Chen army rushed over. He couldn't see the face of the first man, but the outline of his figure was inexplicably familiar.
Before he could identify the other party, 200,000 Chen soldiers had already called out his name, and the loud voice echoed on the battlefield.
"Prince Ding! Prince Ding! Prince Ding!"
The man was dressed in military uniform, holding the sword bestowed by the emperor, looking down from a high position, like a god of war, making people afraid. This scene fell into the eyes of the Beiliang people, but everyone was horrified - Prince Ding was clearly dead, why did he suddenly appear here, and where did the soldiers behind him come from? Could it be that the gods really came from the sky!
The morale of the Beiliang soldiers was completely scattered, and they were suppressed and beaten by the Chen soldiers, and they had no power to fight back.
Liu Yan raised his long sword high, drawing a silver arc in the air. The next moment, countless elite cavalry rushed down from the high ground, joined the battle group, and harvested lives.
Yelu Jing suddenly understood everything.
That deep trench could not be dug in a few days. They had prepared for it long before.
They encountered traps at the two passes on the border, but they did not encounter too strong resistance. Those soldiers who pretended to abandon the pass and escape were now behind Liu Yan!
Liu Chen was not surprised to see Liu Yan appear. Liu Yan held the sword bestowed by the emperor in his hand. All this was a plan set up by their uncle and nephew! And this Juliang Pass is the burial place they set for the 300,000 troops of Beiliang!
Liu Chen's long sword pierced into Yelu Jing's shoulder blade. Yelu Jing's face was pale and his red eyes stared at Liu Chen.
"Yelu Jing, do you think that the tricks used by the emperor's uncle can be used against him?" Liu Chen sneered, exerted force on his hand, and forced Yelu Jing to kneel on the ground, "You are stupid, don't think that others are as stupid as you!" Yelu Jing
raised his head, and a strong unwillingness and resentment emerged in his silver-gray pupils, looking at the figure coming against the light. He rode on a steed, tall and slender, looking down at his defeated general. Even though he was wearing armor, holding a long sword, and covered in blood, his graceful and elegant demeanor was not damaged at all. This battlefield was originally his world.
He was not going to fight, but returning.
Just like before.
"Liu, Yan!" Yelu Jing gritted his teeth, and two trembling words flowed out of his throat, with strong unwillingness and regret.
The iron hoof came in front of him, and the shadow enveloped Yelu Jing. Liu Yan looked down at the embarrassed Yelu Jing, but there was no pride or joy in his eyes. Those eyes were warm and calm, but they had the calmness and domineeringness of calculating everything. Yelu Jing suddenly realized that he regarded Liu Yan as his lifelong enemy, but in Liu Yan's eyes, he was nothing.
The pair of eyes swept across his face lightly, and then they didn't look at him again. Their eyes fell on Liu Chen's injured and bleeding right arm, and their brows frowned slightly: "Your Majesty should not put yourself in danger."
Liu Chen smiled: "Uncle, this is the happiest day since I ascended the throne."
Liu Yan shook his head helplessly, then raised his head and looked at the high city wall in the distance.
Behind the high wall, there was a little girl waiting for him to go back.
It was dark, and the city was in chaos. Several people were about to escape, but at this time they heard earth-shaking cheers from outside. The cheers flew over the high wall and came in, deafening and very clear.
- Your Majesty triumphs! The Kingdom of Chen wins!
- Long live Your Majesty! Prince Ding lives a thousand years!
Yelu Zhen suddenly stamped his feet, his face turned pale in an instant, his lips trembled, and he murmured: "The Kingdom of Chen... won?"
Shen Jinghong didn't seem surprised to hear that the Kingdom of Chen won a great victory, but when he heard that Prince Ding lives a thousand years, his whole body stiffened and his pupils shrank.
"Prince Ding..." Shen Jinghong's face darkened, shock and confusion flashed in his eyes, "He's not dead?"
Yelu Zhen finally reacted and noticed the voices calling out "Long Live Prince Ding". She looked at Shen Jinghong in disbelief: "Didn't you say that Prince Ding is dead? Didn't you see him drink the poisoned wine with your own eyes!" Shen Jinghong
slowly clenched his fists, a sneer appeared at the corner of his lips: "So that's how it is... I was fooled."
Yelu Zhen was in a panic, his eyes were blank: "Beiliang actually lost, what should I do..."
Shen Jinghong looked up at Yelu Zhen and said sarcastically: "Of course you can only die."
"No! I don't want to die!" Fear appeared on Yelu Zhen's face, "I am Princess Jing'an!"
She seemed to have forgotten that she had just denied her identity as Princess Jing'an.
Shen Jinghong said indifferently: "Liu Chen will be back soon, and he will definitely kill you, unless..."
Yelu Zhen grabbed Shen Jinghong's wrist fiercely, looking at his face for help: "Do you have any solution?"
Shen Jinghong curled his lips and smiled: "Yes, if Princess Yelu does not want to die at the hands of Liu Chen, there is another choice." As Shen Jinghong spoke, he suddenly hugged Yelu Zhen from behind, his movements as gentle as a lover. He reached out and held Yelu Zhen's sword-holding hand. Yelu Zhen's heart trembled. She did not expect to get the long-awaited hug at this moment. However, the next moment, Shen Jinghong held her hand, raised the sword with a neat and tidy movement, and slashed Yelu Zhen's slender neck heavily. Blood spurted out and spilled all over the ground.
Yelu Zhen could not close her eyes until her death. She fell to the ground, blood gushing from her neck, quickly soaking her clothes. The blush on her face had not yet faded, and her pair of ice-blue eyes stared at Shen Jinghong's cold and ruthless face. The fear, unwillingness, resentment, and infatuation in her eyes were like meteors, fleeting and turning into a dead silence.
"If you don't want to die at the hands of Liu Chen, then commit suicide and sacrifice your life for the country." Shen Jinghong glanced at Yelu Zhen's body, turned his head to look at the two stunned Beiliang swordsmen, and smiled faintly, "You said, right?"
The two Beiliang masters only reacted at this moment, but they were still immersed in the despair and confusion of Beiliang's defeat, and for a while they didn't even think of killing Shen Jinghong for revenge. What's more, what Shen Jinghong said made some sense in their ears.
Yes, rather than dying at the hands of the Emperor of Chen, it is better to commit suicide to preserve the dignity of the Beiliang royal family.
"What about you two?" Shen Jinghong looked at them and asked, "Will you commit suicide, or will I help you?"
The two Beiliang swordsmen's hearts skipped a beat, and a killing intent rushed towards them. Shen Jinghong's long sword slashed across, and a silver light as fast as thunder cut the blood vessels in the throats of the two swordsmen. Before the two swordsmen could make a move, they had already died under the sword. He couldn't believe until his death that he would die at the hands of a mere scholar.
Shen Jinghong coldly abandoned his sword and threw it on the ground. People only knew that he was good at both civil and military affairs, but no one knew how good his martial arts were.
Countless imperial guards rushed in and surrounded Shen Jinghong. Shen Jinghong was covered with wounds, but he was neither humble nor arrogant. The torches illuminated his handsome face. His sword-like eyebrows flew into his temples, his nose was high, and his pair of black jade-like phoenix eyes were like a ghost, bewitching and unpredictable.
"Catch the traitor Shen Jinghong!"
Although he was chained, Shen Jinghong had no intention of resisting and let the guards escort him to Fenghua Palace.
The lights in Fenghua Palace were all on, and the palace was as bright as day, illuminating the dark expressions on everyone's faces.
Liu Chen waved away all the officials. At this moment, there were only him, Liu Yan, and Princess Roujia in the palace. When Shen Jinghong was brought in, the three of them looked at each other in silence, and the atmosphere was weird and depressing.
Liu Chen looked coldly at Shen Jinghong who was forced to kneel on the ground. Princess Roujia had a calm and demure face and turned a blind eye to this.
"Your Majesty, Princess Jing'an led the Beiliang spies to try to rescue Shen Jinghong. When we arrived, Princess Jing'an and the Beiliang spies were already dead." The speaker was the Privy Councilor Wen Xiaoli, who was also a person Liu Chen trusted.
"Dead..." Liu Chen frowned, "How did he die?" "I checked the injuries. The two spies and Princess Jing'an all died under my sword." Wen Xiaoli said.
"You leave. I want to interrogate him personally."
Wen Xiaoli received the order and left. The door of Fenghua Palace was closed. In the huge palace, only people with their own thoughts were left.
Liu Chen stared at Shen Jinghong's eyes and asked word by word: "Shen Jinghong, are you really a spy from Beiliang? Your approach to me was a scam from the beginning!"
Shen Jinghong did not deny it. His voice was calm and almost cold: "Yes, I approached you and gained your trust in order to cause civil unrest in Chen and give Beiliang an opportunity to take advantage of it." After
getting the expected answer, Liu Chen thought he would be furious, but he didn't. He stared at Shen Jinghong's cold eyes, and suddenly a sense of inexplicable sadness surged in his heart.
He once regarded him as a bosom friend, a confidant, a mentor, and a good friend. The two of them had also drunk and talked happily, talked by candlelight at night, and made great efforts together to point out the world. He thought Shen Jinghong was someone who understood him, and it turned out that this was not wrong. The mistake was that he did not understand Shen Jinghong. His sincere treatment was just a trap woven by others!
"Why me, not Liu Yu, Liu Jin..." Liu Chen asked weakly.
Shen Jinghong's answer was so frank that it hurt his heart: "Because you are of noble birth, you have the support of the aristocratic family and Prince Ding, and you are the person closest to the throne, and..." He paused, and then said, "You are simple-minded and sincere to others. As long as you cater to their preferences, you are the easiest to approach."
Liu Chen's breath was choked. The advantage he was most proud of became his biggest shortcoming.
"You offended all officials for me, reformed the system of favoritism, and eliminated the aristocratic families..."
Shen Jinghong answered before he finished speaking: "It was just to alienate the power of the aristocratic families and cause civil strife in the court."
Liu Chen closed his eyes, his heart was bitter: "So... burning the palace and stealing the will were also your doing."
"Yes, I wanted Liu Yu to fight you, but I didn't expect Prince Ding to use thundering means to suppress Liu Yu's faction and put an end to the war."
Liu Chen asked, "You clearly have the record of the emperor's uncle entering the palace, why didn't you take it out early and accuse him of murdering the late emperor."
Shen Jinghong said, "He has a large number of troops. Once he is put to death, I am worried that he will rebel and proclaim himself emperor. Prince Ding is a man of great talent and strategy. If he becomes emperor, Beiliang will have no chance. Only a simple and easy-to-manipulate emperor will be beneficial to Beiliang."
Every word of Shen Jinghong's answer was heart-wrenching, and was almost the same as Liu Chen's guess. Even though Liu Yan had told him before that Shen Jinghong was colluding with Yelu Zhen, he was still skeptical, and kept making excuses for Shen Jinghong's actions in his heart. But when he returned to the city today, he saw Yelu Zhen rescue Shen Jinghong, heard countless people in the imperial city saw Shen Jinghong colluding with Yelu Zhen, and now Shen Jinghong confessed everything in person, and he finally had to believe it.
The pride of returning victorious from the battlefield was shattered by the betrayal of the person he truly trusted. The young emperor smiled dejectedly, self-mocking and discouraged: "It turns out that in this position, everyone wants to use me..."
Shen Jinghong's eyes dimmed, as if there was a very faint apology passing by, but it was only for a moment. He slowly looked away and looked at Liu Yan who was standing beside Liu Chen. Liu Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, and his right hand was on the hilt of the sword. He seemed indifferent to everything that happened in front of him, and it seemed that everything was already expected by him, so he was calm and composed.
"I also have a question for Prince Ding." Shen Jinghong stared at Liu Yan and asked, "Since Prince Ding is not dead, the body buried in the tomb must be the one you prepared long ago." Shen Jinghong laughed, "I wonder when Prince Ding started to doubt me?"
Liu Yan raised his eyes slightly and looked at Shen Jinghong: "I have never believed you."
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