After achieving a surprise victory, Chang Qing quickly approached the military camp, only to realize that the Great Wei had already made a move against Jiang Yu.
"Didn't Your Highness already arrange an escape route in advance?"
Chang Qing's eyes were bloodshot with rage. Before they set off, they had confirmed the retreat route with the Empress, in order to prevent the Great Wei from sending troops before they returned.
But why is our escape route being blocked for no reason?
"General."
The soldiers who came to report were sweating profusely. "A small group of elite troops appeared out of nowhere and burned down our retreat route. Now the Empress and the Marquis have been forced into a village, which is completely surrounded by the soldiers of the Great Wei."
Chang Qing immediately tightened his grip on the reins. "Let's go, come with me to rescue the Empress."
After settling Jiang He in the village, Jiang Yu came out. The thick smoke from the war made her eyes sting.
"Your Majesty, the people who have blocked our retreat..." The strategist stayed by Jiang Yu's side, but even though he knew the Daqing army inside and out, he was completely baffled by this suddenly appearing force.
"They are from Da Ning."
Jiang Yu's voice was full of certainty, "And they only recently infiltrated Daqing."
With my elder brother and the people from Lingxiao Pavilion present, there was no way these people would have a chance to take advantage of the situation.
However, due to the recent outbreak of war, the people of Lingxiao Pavilion have been dispersed to several places. Even so, the fact that this force has been able to achieve this level of strength should not be underestimated.
"So what should we do now?"
The strategist glanced worriedly at the back of the village. The village was backed by a cliff, and three sides were now surrounded by the Great Wei. The only remaining side, if it fell, would lead to an abyss.
"The Great Wei wants to capture me alive, but I will not let them have their way."
Chang Qing divided his troops in two. He led one half of the main force to quickly form another encirclement outside the encirclement of the Great Wei, while the other half of the main force headed straight for the capital of the Great Wei.
The next day, just as dawn broke, Chang Qing and Ling Zhenhou stood facing each other.
"Release the Empress Dowager."
Upon hearing Chang Qing's words, Zhenhou couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Do you take me for a fool?" Marquis Lingzhen was clearly cornered. "If I release her, do you think Daqing will withdraw its troops?"
Seeing that Chang Qing remained silent, a resolute look appeared in the eyes of the Marquis of Lingzhen. "If you really destroy my Great Wei, I will take your Empress Dowager with me even if I die."
Having said that, he ordered Marquis Zhen to look in the direction of the capital of the Great Wei.
"As soon as war breaks out there, I will lead my troops into the village."
For a time, Chang Qing was forced into a dilemma.
......
"What?"
The cup in Gu Qingyan's hand fell to the ground and shattered into pieces.
"The Empress Dowager was forced into a village, and the Marquis of Zhen surrounded that village?" Gu Qingyan seemed unable to believe his ears.
How could this be? How is this possible?
"Your Majesty, you must hold on! The Empress Dowager is imprisoned, and the fate of the Great Qing rests entirely on your shoulders." At this point, Min Fu disregarded the distinction between new and old officials and hurriedly offered his advice.
Kui Ruo has been away from the capital for a long time because of the grain supply issue, and now he is the only one in the court who can speak for him.
"Yes, I must not panic."
Gu Qingyan clenched his fists tightly. "Immediately issue an imperial decree, telling Chang Qing that you must rescue the Empress Dowager. The Great Wei can be spared for now, but the Empress Dowager must not be harmed."
Whose people were those who attacked the Empress Dowager?
After the court session, Gu Qingyan went directly out of the palace to his estate in the suburbs of Beijing.
Pushing open the courtyard gate, Gu Qingyan saw Gu Qingfeng sitting in a wheelchair in the yard, lost in thought. Without thinking, Gu Qingyan went up and grabbed Gu Qingfeng's shoulder.
"Was it you? Did you reveal your past life to someone else?"
"Gu Qingyan, what's wrong with you?" Gu Qingfeng's shoulder was sore from being twisted by Gu Qingyan. The commotion in the courtyard also brought Gu Qingyao out.
"Then why did the Marquis of Lingzhen of the Great Wei inexplicably learn about the events of my past life? During the great battle, the Marquis of Lingzhen revealed the information to my uncle, and my uncle learned that my mother had died in my past life!"
Gu Qingyan's eyes were bloodshot. "He distracted his uncle on the battlefield, and he was stabbed by a poisoned arrow. He is now unconscious."
"What?" Gu Qingyao couldn't help but run up to Gu Qingyan. "What about Mother? What is your relationship with Mother?"
"My mother went to the battlefield to take over from my uncle, and now she is surrounded by the Great Wei in a small village."
Gu Qingyan stared intently at Gu Qingfeng, "Did you leak the information?"
"If it were me, I would wish to never see my mother again in any of my lifetimes."
Gu Qingfeng's mind raced, and then he showed a look of confusion that Gu Qingyan couldn't understand. "Considering that we were once brothers, I'm kindly reminding you."
Instead of arguing with me here, you should think about whether there is a traitor among your own people.
"What do you mean?"
Gu Qingfeng twitched the corner of his mouth, "I will not do anything that would harm the Empress Dowager."
"I hope you will keep your word."
Just as Gu Qingyan turned to leave, Gu Qingyao called out to him, "Mother will be alright, won't she?"
Gu Qingyao's heart pounded like thunder. Her mother had actually gone to the battlefield and was now surrounded.
"The Empress Dowager is a lucky woman, blessed by Heaven."
After stepping out of the courtyard, Gu Qingyan's expression quickly vanished, and he regained his composure as he had in the palace. Today's visit confirmed that the news was not leaked by Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao.
Who else could it be?
Pei Lan, He Yu... an elite force from Daning...
Everything was giving Gu Qingyan a splitting headache. Qin Wei behind him lowered his head to hide the guilt in his eyes. How did things turn out this way?
What exactly did he tell Perrin that night after he got drunk...?
......
"Your Highness, we have already taken action against Heng County."
Upon hearing this, Jing Zhao slowly picked up a peeled grape and popped it into her mouth, saying, "I understand."
"Wu Sha Ge did a good job this time."
Gu Lin has the Lingxiao Pavilion, and he also has the Wusha Pavilion.
For so many years, Wusha Pavilion has relied on underground tunnels to move around, so its whereabouts have never been discovered.
This time, the Wusha Pavilion managed to evade Gu Lin's sight by using the underground tunnel.
The thought of the tunnels hidden beneath Da Ning filled Jing Zhao with joy. His ancestors were indeed wise, knowing to leave these tunnels to protect their descendants.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."
Upon receiving Jiang Yu's message, Gu Lin instantly unleashed his full aura, his long hair flying in the air, making Ling Hai unable to look directly at him.
"My lord, several groups of people have simultaneously launched an attack on Heng County."
The next second, Gu Lin's figure disappeared from the palace, leaving only a chilling aura.
Ling Hai paused for a moment. This time, things were really about to change.
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