On the border, battles raged, the sounds of weapons echoed, and soldiers from both sides clashed amidst the rising and falling hooves. The general, Daqing, riding on horseback, raised his spear and charged straight at the soldiers of Daliang, his momentum astonishing.
But at that moment, the immense momentum of the horses' hooves suddenly surged forth, and both sides came to an almost instantaneous stop.
The general suddenly felt uneasy and turned around abruptly.
The next moment, he realized that behind his army was a large number of Liang soldiers surging in like a tide, led by Ji Wuyu, and they were now in a siege, making it difficult for them to escape.
The general's lips twitched: "Didn't they say he wouldn't fight anymore?"
Under siege, both sides temporarily halted their offensive. Ji Wuyu, however, pulled on the reins of his horse and strode forward, saying, "I remember that I signed a ceasefire agreement with your Daqing."
"...Your Highness, this is also what we agreed upon."
The general took a deep breath: "It's not that we're breaking the ceasefire agreement, but that Daqing only intended to cease hostilities with Your Highness. However, it's now clear that you're no longer in charge of the border forces."
These words clearly show that Daqing is a bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong, and is also waiting to tear up the treaty. Anyway, it's not shameful to eliminate the enemy that has been fighting for many years.
Ji Wuyu had also considered this point. He pondered for a moment, stroking the mane of his steed, and suddenly said, "If I could represent the Great Liang, would you withdraw your troops?"
"Your Highness is joking. These are the words of His Majesty of Liang himself—"
The general's voice abruptly stopped, clearly realizing something. He stared blankly at Ji Wuyu, not even daring to utter the word "rebellion." Had this man gone mad?!
But when he met Ji Wuyu's smiling yet indifferent eyes, the general fell silent again. It seemed that a major change was about to occur in the Great Liang.
However, this is also an opportunity for Daqing.
But just as he was thinking this, Ji Wuyu said again, "I heard that ten years ago, the envoy from Daqing clung to the legs of the Marquis of Yongle, crying as he saw him off from your capital, is that right?"
"..."
The general's face darkened. This was a great disgrace to the entire Daqing, because at that time Ruan Changhong had the power to directly flatten Daqing, but because he had to restrain Ji Hao, the emperor of Liang, and face the desperate resistance of Daqing, countless civilians would also die.
In the end, Ruan Changhong withdrew his troops, giving up the opportunity.
At this moment, Ji Wuyu chuckled and said, "You in Daqing know what to do. I don't want the people to suffer either, whether it's Daliang or Daqing."
"But if you dare to trip me up next, I will be very angry. In an irrational state, you may not want to see that result. For example, my father successfully angered me."
Ji Wuyu's smile was gentle, and he spoke softly, provided that no one heard the chilling killing intent hidden in his words.
The general didn't speak again. More than ten years ago, Ruan Changhong was their nightmare, and now Ji Wuyu was the same. The two of them were even on the same side. One of them was stirring up trouble in Daliang, while the other was fighting against Daqing on the front line.
Once the capital is pacified, the two of them will fight together in Daqing...
The general shuddered, realizing he couldn't think any further. Ji Wuyu was clearly much more ruthless than Ruan Changhong; he was a real problem.
After a brief silence, the general immediately ordered the troops to retreat, and he said to Ji Wuyu, "As Your Highness wishes, I will also report to the Emperor of my dynasty, but Daqing does not want to be your enemy, Your Highness."
"I am leading my men back to Daqing. I wish Your Highness a swift and successful mission."
After saying this, the general led a large number of soldiers back to Daqing territory. However, the deputy general who was with him couldn't help but ask, "Are we just leaving like this, General?"
"Otherwise, with them around, it won't be easy to deal with them."
The general sighed: "Only when they are dead will it be the time for my Great Qing to counterattack and suppress the Great Liang again, so let them die quickly."
This is a major concern for Daqing, but it's something that can't be touched.
...
Soon, news from the border reached Daliang. Ji Wuyu's failure to achieve his goal of directly intimidating Daqing without losing a single soldier almost instantly boosted his prestige to its peak.
Not to mention that the sudden attack by Daqing has plunged the people on the border into misery, which has made them even more reverent towards Ji Wuyu.
Ji Wuyu's prestige completely overshadowed Ji Hao in the capital.
The emperor inspires awe, but the will of the people is even more important.
But the troubles in Daliang didn't stop there. Ruan Changhong recovered from his illness in an instant and revealed all the unfair treatment Ji Wuyu had received and the house arrest of Ruan Qing'an.
This is certainly not meant to make people feel sorry for Ji Wuyu and Ruan Qing'an.
This was to demonstrate Ji Hao's tyranny and oppressive rule.
If someone can be so cruel to the daughter of a meritorious official and even to their own son, then what are the common people? The once high and mighty emperor has become a figure despised by all.
When the gods begin to bleed, they will eventually fall from their pedestals.
When the emperor's authority is trampled underfoot, the dynasty will collapse.
...
Not only the border, but even the capital of Daliang began to descend into chaos. With a formidable enemy at hand, these chaotic civilians put immense pressure on Ji Hao, and for the time being, he could only suppress them with ruthless methods.
Of course, this was exactly what Ji Wuyu wanted.
Ji Hao did indeed use iron-fisted methods to suppress the people of the capital and stop their resistance, but the more he suppressed them, the more serious the hidden resentment became. If this continued, he would only completely lose the support of the people.
But Ji Hao had no choice—Ruan Changhong went to the border, which was the first way to contain him, and Ji Wuyu rushed back, which was the second way to contain him. With these two around, not to mention that Ji Hao also had to guard against Ruan Qing'an's betrayal, he simply didn't have time to deal with the chaotic crowd.
The capital city was in complete chaos.
The imperial court was completely silent and deathly still, while Ji Hao sat on the dragon throne with a livid face.
"My esteemed ministers, do you have any solutions to this?"
Upon hearing this, the court officials lowered their heads, not daring to utter a word.
The military officers were Ji Wuyu and Ruan Changhong's men, so they didn't even bother to come. The rest were all civil officials—they knew all about intrigue, power struggles, and such tricks. If Ji Wuyu were to play against them, these people would still have a way to win.
But now, Ji Wuyu not only refuses to participate in the power struggle, but also overturns the chessboard, stabbing the princes playing against him through the board with a single blow, and even punches Ji Hao, who is waiting to choose a crown prince.
Historically, power struggles within royal families have always taken place in the imperial court, much like playing chess. However, Ji Wuyu is unique in that he doesn't play chess; he only resorts to violence.
Who could stand this? Nobody could stand this!
On the dragon throne, Ji Hao remained silent for a moment: "Since that's the case, my beloved ministers, the Crown Prince has died on the frontier battlefield. I suspect that Ji Wuyu is behind it. In any case, I intend to make the First Prince the Crown Prince. What do you think?"
"this……"
The court officials looked at each other, unsure of Ji Hao's attitude.
Ji Hao, of course, had his own plans. Ji Wuyu had caused such a huge uproar because of the throne, but as long as there was a legitimate heir, Ji Wuyu would always be a traitor.
Gaining the moral high ground was also to counter the messages released by Ji Wuyu and his group, at least to prevent the people from taking up arms.
Ji Hao's plan was good, but at that very moment—
"Clap clap clap".
A burst of applause suddenly rang out, gradually approaching from outside the hall. Ji Wuyu, dressed in armor, was followed by an army as he strode in.
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