“I will tell my uncle when he and his entourage return in triumph,” Wen Nongnong said, then added with a smile, “Actually, the Empress Dowager and I both noticed my uncle’s feelings for you, but he’s a bit oblivious when it comes to matters of the heart, so he probably didn’t even realize it himself.”
A-Tuo Jiang Hua was taken aback. "His feelings for me?"
“Hmm.” Wen Nongnong nodded. “Don’t be fooled by his unpleasant words. If he’s not interested, he won’t have the patience to keep teasing a girl.”
Upon hearing this, A-Tuo Jiang Hua's face flushed slightly, and for the first time, she revealed the shyness of a young girl.
"I hope they all return victorious," she said softly at the end.
"Yes, they will definitely return in triumph," Wen Nongnong said firmly.
...
After Gu Linchao, under the pretext of purging the court of corrupt officials, issued an edict to the world and led his army to the capital to defend the emperor, many virtuous and righteous people from all over the country came to join him. In a short time, the army, which was not very strong before, immediately grew stronger.
After departing from Xiangzhou, Gu Linchao led his army on an exceptionally smooth journey.
Wherever they went, the generals guarding the city opened the city gates to welcome the army into the city.
When the news reached the capital, Gu Heng was so angry that he lashed out in the imperial court.
"They receive salaries from the imperial court and eat the imperial food, yet they betray the imperial court. How dare they?"
The court officials held their breath, not daring to utter a sound.
In fact, they did not approve of the emperor launching an attack on Xiangzhou so soon after assuming power.
Gu Linchao is not someone who can be slaughtered at will.
Instead of trying to appease him, the Emperor kept pressing him. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone someone like Gu Linchao.
Now, the imperial court's attack on Xiangzhou has ironically given them a pretext to attack the capital.
The court officials knew this all too well, considering Gu Lin's influence on the Great Cause. If he wanted it, the Great Cause would be his for the taking.
But they tried to persuade the emperor, but to no avail.
The situation has now taken a sharp turn for the worse, and the Emperor is now in a difficult position.
After venting his anger, Gu Heng saw that the usually eloquent court officials were now all silent like quails, and he couldn't help but feel furious. "The court raised you, not to be pillars of society. You all need to think of a good way to deal with this."
The court was silent.
After a long while, an old minister stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, the most urgent task is to appease Prince Xiang and persuade him to change his mind." After a pause, the old minister earnestly said, "Prince Xiang is, after all, Your Majesty's uncle. As long as Your Majesty softens your attitude, I think Prince Xiang will not press the matter further."
Upon hearing this, Gu Heng's expression darkened.
Is this meant to make him bow down and admit his mistake to Gu Linchao?
He sneered, "Absolutely impossible."
He completely ignored the old minister's suggestion and glanced at the other ministers.
After a moment, he calmed down and said in a deep voice, "Gu Linchao, as a subject, actually defied the court. His crime is unforgivable. Issue my decree to order Prince Jue to lead the army into battle and annihilate the rebellious minister."
The court officials felt a chill run down their spines, and many couldn't help but kneel down and advise, "Your Majesty, Prince Xiang has made countless contributions to the Great Cause. This time, he may not be deliberately targeting the court. It would be best to persuade him to surrender..."
"My mind is made up. You should not say anything more." Gu Heng's icy voice interrupted the court officials.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider..." a courtier couldn't help but say.
Gu Heng's expression was extremely unpleasant.
I don't understand why these people are still on Gu Linchao's side and pleading for him when he's about to rebel against the court.
"Guards, drag him out and give him fifty strokes of the cane!" Gu Linchao's voice was icy.
Imperial guards immediately entered and dragged the courtier away.
The courtiers, utterly despondent, shouted, "Your Majesty, your inhumanity and wickedness will surely bring retribution..."
The imperial guards were startled and quickly covered the courtier's mouth, dragging him away.
Gu Linchao's face turned ashen.
After the court session ended, back in the Imperial Study, Gu Heng's shoulders slumped, all traces of the cold and imposing demeanor he had displayed in court were gone. He sat in his chair, his hands trembling beneath his sleeves.
He did not expect that Gu Linchao would use the pretext of "purging the court of corrupt officials" to lead his army to the capital to launch a campaign against him.
To everyone's surprise, the generals of those prefectures and counties opened the city gates for Gu Linchao without even fighting.
It is said that as soon as Gu Linchao issued his edict, many virtuous and ambitious people flocked to him to seek refuge.
Originally, Gu Linchao's Xiangzhou troops numbered only 20,000, but now they have grown to 50,000. With the addition of the surrendered generals from various prefectures and counties, Gu Linchao now commands a force of 80,000, and they are marching toward the capital with great momentum.
He once thought that as long as Gu Linchao left the court and relinquished his position as regent, he would be nothing. But this incident made him realize that he was so wrong.
Over the years, Gu Linchao has become deeply ingrained in people's hearts.
If he wanted to, this great empire could be easily overthrown.
Thinking of this, Gu Heng found his clothes soaked with sweat despite the cold weather.
Although the Jue Wang and the Si family were still blocking his way, he suddenly felt a little uncertain.
If the two sides were to actually go to war, what would be his chances of winning?
He closed his eyes.
But now the arrow is on the bowstring, and there's no choice but to release it.
Moreover, he cannot lose to Gu Linchao!
Gu Heng slammed his fist heavily on the table, his eyes filled with malice.
Meanwhile, Gu Linchao's army arrived in Juezhou on the same day.
Unlike other cities where the defending soldiers would immediately open the city gates to welcome him upon seeing his banner, the gates of Juezhou were tightly closed, and the generals on the city walls were on high alert.
There's no need for Gu Linchao to step forward; his generals will naturally step forward to challenge him.
"Listen up, all of you! The court is corrupt and treacherous, and the emperor is being misled by villains. The Prince of Xiang, unable to bear the suffering of the people, has led his army into the capital to assist the emperor in eliminating the treacherous officials and restoring order to the court. Open the city gates immediately and do not delay our journey."
The general on the city gate, a confidant of the Prince Jue, sneered upon hearing this, "Traitorous officials, your words are quite sweet. What do you mean by assisting the Emperor? I think you are plotting rebellion!"
The general who had challenged him immediately retorted, "You're talking utter bullshit! Prince Jue is colluding with Bei Di, plotting to overthrow the court. If it weren't for Prince Xiang, you would have all become Bei Di's lackeys long ago. Prince Jue is a criminal who should have his property confiscated and be executed. However, the Emperor, unable to distinguish right from wrong, not only pardoned the criminal but also restored him to his original position. He is utterly incorruptible and disregards the safety of the people. You are the real traitors!"
The general on the city gate was speechless, unable to utter a word for a long time.
After all, everything the other party said was true.
Wen Tingyun spurred his horse forward, his silver spear pointed directly at the enemy general, "I'll give you the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If you don't open the city gates by now, we'll be attacking!"
The generals on the city gate were deeply impressed by Wen Tingyun.
The last time King Jue was captured, it was the enemy's troops who were captured.
This man is young, yet extremely brave and fearsome.
If possible, he would not want to confront the other party.
But the order was given to them to defend the city gates to the death, so the general, though weak, still forced himself to say, "His Majesty is benevolent and considers the Prince of Xiang's contributions to the great cause. You should turn back immediately, and he may spare your lives."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
