Chapter 307: Azure Dragon on the Left and White Tiger on the Right
Chapter 307: Azure Dragon on the Left and White Tiger on the Right
The Huns raided the capital city, devastating the entire city.
The barbarians who came from afar burned, killed and looted in the city. They broke into houses at will, killed men, and humiliated women. No one was spared, including the elderly, the weak, women and children.
The streets were in ruins, fires were raging, and corpses were strewn everywhere.
Until Gu Zixuan led his men back, the young general rushed straight to the palace and finally protected the emperor's name...
These were all said by people later, but the real danger at that time was probably only known by Zhao Jingcheng.
In the early morning of the next day after Gu Zixuan led his men back to Beijing, Liu Chong also led his men back thousands of miles away. Only He Bi was left to guard the northwest. With the help of the Su family in Hexi, and the Huns were exhausted after three years of war, He Bi was able to control the overall situation.
After making sure there was no worry in the northwest, Liu Chong returned alone. On the way, he killed several small groups of roving Huns, set up camp thirty miles away from the capital, and wrote a letter to the emperor.
Only after the emperor agreed to let him go to Beijing to meet him did Liu Chong hurried back to the palace.
Along the way, Liu Cong was horrified by the heavy damage suffered by the capital.
We can only say that it was thanks to Gu Zixuan that he was the first to discover something was wrong, and then he made a prompt decision to lead his troops back. If they had delayed a little longer, the entire Great Zhou would have been finished, and their soldiers’ three years of hard work at the border would have been in vain. If the Huns had really succeeded, they would all have regretted it to death!
The further he walked, the heavier Liu Cong's mood became, until he saw Zhao Jingcheng, he immediately knelt down.
"Your Majesty is frightened, and I, the guilty minister, shall die!"
Liu Chong was horrified. There were young eunuchs washing away blood on the steps of the palace, which was enough to show that the Huns had already broken into the palace.
It’s really dangerous!
"Stand up."
Zhao Jingcheng's voice was still steady. Liu Cong stood up and looked around. He found that Gu Zixuan was standing on the emperor's left and Xie Huaiguang was standing on the right. Both of them were injured to varying degrees. Gu Zixuan had a bandage on his arm and some white cloth strips were visible under Xie Huaiguang's official hat.
Looking around, there were not many officials around. There were only Prime Minister Dou, Prince Rui, Yin Qing and a few others. Outside the palace, the Imperial Guards were guarding the area in an extremely strict manner.
"Your Majesty, I am late."
Liu Chong had a look of regret on his face, and Zhao Jingcheng was filled with emotion.
"You have taken good care of General Gu. When I asked him why he was so sure that the Xiongnu would bypass the capital, he said it was all taught by General Liu. He also said that General Liu told him to trust his instincts, so he would come back on his own. If something really happened, he would take the responsibility himself and would never implicate General Liu, who was so kind to him."
Gu Zixuan never said a bad word about Liu Cong, so Liu Cong was naturally grateful. During the past three years at the border, Gu Zixuan's abilities were outstanding, so Liu Cong naturally looked at Gu Zixuan with new eyes. It can only be said that like nature breeds like nature, like nature, and the grandson of Marquis Yong'an is indeed the grandson of Marquis Yong'an.
"Your Majesty, after General Gu left, General He and I continued to investigate the movements of the Huns and eventually captured one of them. We finally figured out their purpose. After discussing with General He, we decided to let me return to the court..."
Liu Chong didn't dare to hide anything and told him everything. Zhao Jingcheng nodded as he listened.
After finishing the work report, Liu Cong stood beside Dou Qin, waiting for his decision.
Soon, the emperor gave orders to explain.
Dou Qin temporarily took charge of the government and asked the Ministry of Revenue to take inventory of the damage suffered by the people. The state would compensate the people for half of their losses, open two additional royal gardens for the gentry and the people to enjoy, and exempt the people from taxes for the whole year so that they could recuperate.
As for the northwest, we will intensify the war. No matter what, we must defeat the Huns this year.
When several decrees were issued, everyone cheered.
The people were extremely happy because they could finally save something this year.
However, what they didn't know was that this was just the beginning. Even if they paid taxes in the future, what they would have left would definitely be more than if they didn't pay this year.
After the court session, Zhao Jingcheng asked Gu Zixuan to talk to him. The young general bowed his head and said, "Your Majesty, I am worried about my mother and would like to go back to visit her first."
It is natural for a son to worry about his mother. Moreover, Zhao Jingcheng also heard that Su Jin picked up a knife to fight against the Huns and saved the name of the Grand Princess. Although this woman rejected Prince Rui, she saved the royal family of the Great Zhou once again.
She, a woman, saved the Grand Princess, and her son saved himself and the Great Zhou.
In response, Zhao Jingcheng didn't say anything more, just nodded slightly and watched Gu Zixuan leave.
Soon, there were only three people left in the upper study room: Zhao Jingcheng, Zhao Jingyu, and Xie Huaiguang.
Xie Huaiguang was seriously injured. He happened to be in the imperial study when the Huns attacked. The moment he heard the fighting, he tore off Zhao Jingcheng's dragon robe and put it on himself, hid the emperor under the table, drew out the sword hanging on the wall, and fought with the Huns who were rushing in.
Zhao Jingcheng, who was hiding under the table, saw it clearly. Xie Huaiguang was stabbed in the back, once on the head, and another knife almost grazed his neck. This young master Xie, who had won the top three places in the imperial examination, was almost beheaded in front of him!
Zhao Jingcheng sighed in his heart. As for Prince Rui, he was also covered in wounds, but not as serious as Xie Huaiguang. However, Zhao Jingcheng could still clearly remember how his own brother walked back from the harem covered in blood and was supported by others.
"Fortunately, it's all over."
Zhao Jingcheng felt emotional.
Looking back on yesterday, everything seemed like a nightmare.
"Your Majesty, I think that we should reward people according to their merits. Gu Zixuan rushed back to save you regardless of his own safety, so he deserves a generous reward."
Things have passed, and now it’s time to reward people based on their merits.
Zhao Jingcheng nodded and discussed the issue of rewards based on merit.
However, this matter was not done behind Xie Huaiguang's back, which made Zhao Jingyu a little confused. He couldn't help but look at Xie Huaiguang twice more. However, this person seemed to be unaware of it and was calm and composed, which made Zhao Jingyu a little shaken.
Maybe he was just overthinking it. His royal brother kept the person here today just because he was happy. He won’t do that again in the future, right?
However, Zhao Jingyu soon discovered that the place where he and his royal brother used to discuss matters had actually become a place for three people to discuss matters. Zhao Jingcheng even did not avoid mentioning Xie Huaiguang on many matters concerning the relationship between the ruler and his subjects.
This made Prince Rui confused and shocked.
What is going on?
Isn't it just the merit of saving the emperor? Why doesn't he avoid Xie Huaiguang at all? When my brother was taking care of the prince before, he was not so attentive. And Xie Huaiguang is just a minister...
This, what is going on?