Chapter 206 [VIP]
The Crown Prince and his entourage were surrounded by imperial guards, their swords drawn, and they dared not utter a single word.
The eldest prince was furious. His father hadn't told them beforehand that he was planning a rebellion. Now that things had gone wrong, none of them could escape!
Gong Hai remained hesitant, staring ahead with a hint of unease.
"Your Majesty, I..." Gong Hai planned to send someone in to investigate again.
"No way, no way, the city gates are wide open and they don't even dare to go in?" Ur laughed sarcastically. "My lads, come with me and let these cowards from Daqi see the might of our Liang warriors."
"yes!"
"Hahaha, Qi Ren is such a coward."
It's not even as big as my booger.
A burst of laughter erupted.
Zhou Mu tightened his grip.
Hearing the sarcastic and officialese voices outside, his heart sank completely.
The Crown Prince is right, Xie Rong really did collude with the Liang people!
"Walk!"
Ur swaggered in with a small group of men.
Zhou Mu resisted the urge to make a move.
"How is it?" the emperor asked.
“Emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty, don’t be afraid, everything is fine,” Ur shouted from inside, his voice arrogant.
He was the emperor, how could he be afraid! The emperor did not want to lose face in front of the Liang people, so he spurred his horse forward.
"emperor……"
The emperor grew impatient: "If you're scared, then stand still."
Gong Hai remained silent and escorted the emperor to the city gate.
Nothing seems amiss. Am I just overthinking things?
The emperor walked proudly through the city gate, savoring the feeling of being bowed down to his people. Though he could not see it.
Closely following behind were Liang Ren and Gong Hai's personal guards. The guards and Gong Hai together protected the emperor, while the remaining soldiers, led by their respective commanders, divided into several columns and entered the city one after another.
The emperor continued forward, then suddenly asked, "I've arrived, why aren't they shouting 'Long live the Emperor'?"
The surroundings were as quiet as a ghost town.
Gong Hai suddenly realized what was wrong.
It is quiet.
His expression changed drastically.
That's right! Even if Duke Chengen caught him off guard, Xie Yingchen shouldn't have surrendered without a fight. A fierce battle between the two sides was inevitable.
He looked around, but there was no blood or corpses.
Gong Hai said in a high-pitched voice, "Your Majesty, something is wrong."
The Emperor? Xie Jing, who was in a daze, suddenly snapped out of it. He rushed to the edge of the sacrificial altar and immediately spotted the Emperor in the crowd.
Xiangyang crossed his arms, and a baby smiled radiantly. There was no interference.
He blurted out, "Father! Let's go..."
Before the emperor could react, Gong Hai grabbed his wrist and ran away. His grip was so strong that it nearly broke the emperor's bones.
The emperor was blind and stumbled as he walked. After a few steps, his knees hit the ground, and the scraped wounds on his palms, mixed with dust, stung painfully.
He tried to question them as soon as he opened his mouth, but then suddenly fell silent.
He fell, why didn't anyone rush over to help him up?
Xie Jing exclaimed, "It's a trap! Father, it's a trap! Run!"
The city gate closed behind them.
"emperor!"
"emperor!!"
The soldiers, who were blocked outside the city gate, were startled. Commander Zhang rushed forward and shouted in alarm, banging on the gate loudly.
The emperor only heard the creak of the door closing, and layers of unease and chaotic noise enveloped him.
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Tell me quickly."
Gong Hai helped him up, and was about to offer some words of comfort when his pupils suddenly contracted.
At that moment, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, staring fixedly at the tall figure walking towards them.
The people spontaneously parted to make way for him. Lu Youshang's shoulder was in great pain, but he seemed not to feel it at all. He was so excited that he was willing to risk his life for it.
Led by the soldiers, the people retreated in a panic but not in a chaotic manner, clearing the open space in front of the city gate.
"Xie Yingchen?!"
It's a trap!
A simple trap ensnared him completely.
Gong Hai felt a chill run through his body; a bone-chilling coldness surged from his tailbone, like countless fine needles with a cold glint, piercing his limbs and internal organs.
He stared at Gu Yican, who was standing on the steps of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and was signaling with flags as ordered.
The soldiers in the crowd immediately sprang into action, leading the civilians to retreat and disengage from the battle lines.
Luring the enemy deep into our territory is the simplest tactic; the key lies in "luring the enemy." With so many people in the city, if even one makes a move, the entire operation will fail. But the one standing there, controlling the entire battlefield, is Gu Yican!
It is Gu Yican, a veteran of countless battles.
The emperor also heard the noise and tilted his ear.
Gong Hai gritted his teeth and stepped forward.
Only by catching Xie Yingchen off guard can we survive today.
The flag signal changed.
"Protect the Emperor!"
Zhou Mu stood in front of Xie Yingchen, deflecting the thrusting sword tip, then twisted his wrist, the sword pointing directly at Xie's throat.
Forced to retreat two steps, Gong Hai demanded, "Commander Zhou, is the Imperial Guard plotting a rebellion?"
"The traitor is Xie Rong. Imperial Guards, heed my command!" Zhou Mu shouted sternly, "Seize Xie Rong!"
Gong Hai froze for a moment.
What kind of spell did Xie Yingchen cast that made them address the Emperor by his first name?!
The soldiers swarmed forward, their blood boiling with excitement.
Ul cursed, "The Qi people are cunning and full of tricks!"
He swung his thick spiked club down on the soldier's head. The soldier knew something was wrong and it was too late to lean back. Suddenly, a black arrow was reflected in his pupils. It struck the spiked club after being thrown back, knocking it several inches away.
The spiked club narrowly grazed the soldier's ear, its sharp points drawing blood from his right ear.
The people of Liang are exceptionally brave and skilled.
Although the Jinwu Guards and others were fearless, they had always stayed in the comfort of the capital and had lost some of their fighting spirit.
In just a few rounds, he almost lost.
Gu Yican nocked an arrow, and one black arrow after another flew swiftly like the wind, always managing to save their lives in the most dangerous moments.
Weapons clashed, each fighting for their own master, risking their lives in the struggle.
Soon, a thick stench of blood filled the air. Gong Hai wiped the blood from his face, his eyes bloodshot, and his murderous intent surged.
Yes.
This is what it should look like after a fierce battle; he was too careless! However, it's one thing for Xie Yingchen to win, but what he can't understand is how Xie Yingchen managed to turn the emperor's personal guards against him without shedding a drop of blood?!
Not only that, when they entered the city just now, the tens of thousands of people did not make a sound. Even now, their faces are filled with fervor, and they wish they could pick up weapons and protect Xie Yingchen.
Could Xie Yingchen have cast a spell on me?!
"Gong Hai!"
The emperor screamed in terror.
Gong Hai turned around and saw him leaning against the city gate, looking around anxiously.
Gong Hai drew his sword and blocked two soldiers, blood splattering everywhere.
His sword was covered in blood, dripping onto the ground. He gritted his teeth, sprinted towards the emperor, and the longsword danced fiercely in his hand, each strike taking a life.
Gu Yican walked over with a bow in hand: "I heard that when Gong Hai was young, he was able to fight against a hundred men single-handedly and never suffered a defeat."
Xie Yingchen sighed softly.
Gu Yican patted his shoulder and said, "You've done your best."
“Otherwise, just stabilizing the court would have cost at least tens of thousands of lives.” Gu Yican leaned his arm on his shoulder and nuzzled closer. “Are all rulers as soft-hearted as you?”
Xie Yingchen glanced at him sideways and raised his musket.
Bang!
The bullet was fired, hitting Gong Hai in the chest.
Gong Hai remained in the position of holding his sword, as if he had been frozen in place for a moment.
The sword slipped from his hand, and he fell to his knees, face down, as blood spurted from the bullet holes splattered all over the emperor's face.
The strong stench of blood assaulted the emperor's nostrils, and he cried out in terror, "Gong Hai! Where are you, Gong Hai?"
Wow. Accurate! Amazing.
Gu Yican gave him a thumbs up and praised him with a smile.
As expected of siblings, their way of praising people is just like Yaoyao's—completely insincere. Thinking of Gu Zhizhuo, his expression softened. He believed Yaoyao could defend the capital, but he feared she might still take risky actions without regard for her own safety.
The musket in Xie Yingchen's hand was the one Gu Zhizhuo had used. It was the only improved version of the musket, and Gu Zhizhuo insisted that he take it with him.
Bang!
Another shot.
The bullet grazed the emperor's cheek, startling him so much that he scrambled to his feet.
"No!"
"Father."
Xie Jing screamed, scrambling to his feet and running towards the stone steps.
"Your Highness," Qingping's whisk blocked his way, "Are you a prince or a commoner?"
Xie Jing didn't understand, and swept aside his whisk as he rushed down the steps. He stood there stunned on the last white marble step, staring at everything before him, and then he knew—
The outcome is decided.
Ur wiped the blood from his face, his fierce-looking face contorted with rage.
He swung his spiked club and smashed it forcefully against the city gate.
He used all his brute force to try and break open the door.
The intermittent sounds of fighting and the commotion of breaking down doors threw the soldiers outside the city into disarray.
"Commander Zhang, the ramming log is here."
"The rebels have kidnapped the Emperor. Everyone, obey my command and smash open this city gate."
"Help!"
"Yes!" the soldiers shouted in response. A group of soldiers split into two lines, grabbed the battering ram, and rammed the ram heavily against the city gate.
boom!
In just one moment, the crack in the bolt widened again, and it could break at any moment. The right half of the door tilted at a dangerous angle.
"Hit it again!"
A voice suddenly rang out in surprise: "Commander Zhang, look!"
"On the city wall!"
"What?" Zhang Xiang looked up, his eyes widening suddenly, and blurted out, "Your Majesty!"
The emperor was being held against the wall, his face ashen, blood still flowing from his cheeks, half of his face a bloody mess.
"Release the Emperor at once!"
"Treason is punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!"
Xie Yingchen laughed: "Exterminate the entire clan?"
Zhang Xiang opened his mouth, but was too angry to speak.
He made a gesture, and the soldiers behind him drew their bows and pointed them at Xie Yingchen.
Gu Yican grabbed the emperor by the back of his collar and dragged him in front of Xie Yingchen to block him, then casually patted the dust off his fingers.
Zhang Xiang: "..."
mean!
Prince Li held the imperial edict in his hand and began to recount it in detail.
At first, the soldiers' attention was focused on the emperor's safety, but as the imperial edict was read aloud, their eyes and hearts were filled with disbelief.
The emperor was chilled to the bone. He cried out in anguish, "It's fake! It's fake!"
"It's true."
Prince Jin repeated the events of that year to his soldiers. Amidst the emperor's shouts, Prince Jin finally said, "Your Majesty... no, I should call you Prince now. You strangled the Crown Prince with your own hands and used the life of the Crown Prince's grandson to force the Crown Princess to commit suicide by hitting her head against the wall."
Prince Jin faced the Emperor: "You have had the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, the eunuchs serving by his side, the relatives of the Crown Princess's family... everyone around the Crown Prince keeps telling him that he should commit suicide with his parents, otherwise the late Emperor will not be appeased and will order the Crown Prince and Crown Princess to be ground to ashes."
“The Crown Prince is resolute and will not be misled, so you had someone poison him.”
"I have the rope that strangled the Crown Prince, the poison residue that poisoned the Grandson, and the eunuchs who served the Grandson back then."
In that small village, he hid far too many secrets.
It was originally intended as a precaution against the emperor discarding his tools after he had served his purpose; he never imagined it would be used in such a situation.
With each word he spoke, the emperor's face grew paler.
The emperor tried to pounce on him and grab his neck to stop him from talking, but he couldn't move at all.
"Xie Lü! I am the emperor, how could you betray me! You are my subjects, yet you side with Xie Yingchen... Xie Lü, I have treated you well. I have treated you all well."
"Why have you betrayed me?"
He appeared deranged, and the Prince of Jin sighed, "I regret it."
Indeed, those who defy destiny and insist on seizing what does not belong to them will face retribution.
He slaughtered the entire city.
He got his comeuppance.
The emperor roared and cursed everyone.
The Prince of Jin chuckled self-deprecatingly, tore off the cotton cloth binding his hands, and blood flowed like water, dripping onto the bricks and stones of the city tower.
Before Xie Rong ascended the throne, they also drank and talked merrily.
They used to be best friends.
They are brothers.
He walked up to the emperor, and perhaps sensing his presence, the emperor lunged forward, trying to bite his neck.
"Xie Lu, you have betrayed me! You shall die a horrible death!"
The Prince of Jin said softly, "Arong, if you recklessly defy the will of Heaven, you will suffer divine retribution just like me."
After he finished speaking, he shouted loudly, "Everything I have said today is true!"
"Heaven bears witness!"
The Prince of Jin rushed toward the wall and leaped down.
"Prince Jin!"
Duke Wei cried out and rushed over, reaching out to grab him, but it was too late; his fingertips barely touched his clothes.
The Prince of Jin fell from the city tower. Facing the sunlight, he seemed to see the bright, moon-like young man from years ago, looking up expectantly and asking, "...There are bandits in our city. They have killed many people. Can you go and help us suppress them? I beg you!"
Thump!
The Prince of Jin fell headfirst to the ground, his twisted limbs twitching. He managed to move his lips with difficulty: "Fine..."
There was no further movement.
Blood flowed freely beneath him, staining the surrounding area.
The soldiers were stunned and stood there for a long time, unable to recover.
"Prince Jin..."
Prince Li sighed deeply, feeling somewhat regretful.
A moment of silence fell over the surroundings; no one had expected the Prince of Jin to be so resolute at this moment.
What was that sound?
The emperor tilted his head blankly: "Where's Xie Lü? Where's Gong Hai? Where are you all?!"
"I...I...don't leave me here alone. Where is everyone? Where is everyone?!"
No one responded to him.
"Thank you, Rong."
Xie Yingchen opened his lips slightly and called him by his name.
The emperor's ears twitched, and following the direction of the sound, his eyes vacant and dull.
"Xie Rong plotted to murder the late emperor and killed the crown prince and his wife; his crimes are intolerable to Heaven and Earth."
"In accordance with the late emperor's last will, Xie Rong's title is stripped, and the three judicial departments shall jointly try and determine his crime."
"Thank you, Rong."
Xie Yingchen faced Xie Rong and said, word by word, "From now on, you are no longer the emperor of the Great Qi."
Xie Rong cried out, "Xie Yingchen, you can't!" His voice was filled with panic and disbelief.
“I can.” Xie Yingchen’s gaze swept over everyone. “I am the one chosen by the late emperor to be the King of Daqi.”
"I am ordained by Heaven!"
A dazzling white light appeared in the distance, and the sky rumbled like a heavenly drum resounding from the highest heavens. Golden halos drifted through the clouds, as if a giant dragon had raised its head and torn through the chaos.
With a flick of his sleeve, Qingping's whisk moved without wind, stirring up the surrounding talismans and yellow paper, and the blue smoke from the incense burner shot straight into the blue sky.
"Destiny has been decided!"
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