Chapter 253 Decisive Battle 2
The "battle" in the imperial city is also being played out according to the script of Xiao Yuluan and Xue Chen.
As King Wu advanced, he encountered numerous obstacles. Arrows rained down from the walls, and occasionally small groups of "imperial guards" would appear from the forks in the road and engage in a fierce battle with his troops, only to suffer a few casualties before retreating.
The resistance of the guards of the imperial city seemed very "hard-working", with shouts of killing shaking the sky, creating the illusion of fighting for every inch of land and bloody battles.
However, if you look down from a high place, you will find that although these resistances are fierce, they always appear in some non-core areas at the right time, and once King Wu deploys heavy troops, the guards will "fight too hard" and retreat, as if they are "luring" King Wu's rebel army deeper step by step.
King Wu was so engrossed in his killing spree that he only wanted to rush to the palace and capture the emperor and Xiao Yuluan as quickly as possible, not paying close attention to the subtleties involved. He only felt that his soldiers were brave and their offensive was unstoppable. After another quarter of an hour, the heavy palace gate was slowly opened from the inside!
A thousand-man captain of the Imperial Guards appeared behind the door with dozens of soldiers. He knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said loudly, "I have long admired the great reputation of Your Highness King Wu. I am willing to open this door and help Your Highness clean up the imperial court and support the country!"
King Wu was stunned at first, then overjoyed! He knew this captain of the imperial guards, surnamed Wang. He had previously sent people to recruit him with a large sum of money, but there had been no news. Was he now defecting because he was frightened by his might?
But on the surface, he shouted loudly: "Excellent! General, you are wise and have turned from evil to good! When I accomplish great things, I will reward you handsomely! No matter what, you will be granted a title of nobility and appointed as a general!"
The captain's face was filled with excitement, and he kept saying, "I am willing to die for Your Highness!"
King Wu was extremely happy, feeling that destiny was indeed on his side. Even the defending generals surrendered.
He no longer hesitated, leaving behind a few trusted generals and some of his troops, and ordered, "You remain here to assist General Wang in guarding this gate for me! No one else is allowed to enter without my order!"
"I obey your command!" The captain and King Wu's confidants responded in unison.
King Wu nodded with satisfaction, ignoring the rear, and led the main force, rushing towards the Purple Palace with growing confidence. He could already imagine the scene of capturing Xiao Yuluan and his sickly father.
When the time comes, he can force his father to write down a will, and then his status will be determined.
However, not long after he left, the palace gates slowly closed again. The flattery and excitement on the face of the "turning from darkness to light" captain gradually faded, and he began to get close to the confidants left behind by King Wu.
King Wu had been walking for less than half a minute when he heard fighting coming from behind. He thought that Xiao Ji and others came too quickly, but he didn't know that the confidants he left behind had already been beheaded.
King Wu kept rushing towards the Zichen Palace, and the spies of the Zichen Palace kept bringing in the bad news. Upon hearing that the palace gate had been broken, Xiao Yuancheng was so angry that he vomited blood. After vomiting this blood, he could not even sit still.
"The traitor! The traitor!"
"What's going on with these Imperial Guards? How come they couldn't even hold out for an hour?! How can they be so useless!"
At this time, Xiao Yuluan, who had been sitting near him, suddenly stood up, her gray hair occasionally shining in the candlelight.
"I'm afraid the Imperial Guards have already been bribed by him."
This time, Xiao Yuancheng finally realized that Xiao Yuluan's calm tone was a little abnormal. "Auntie... you, do you have any other ideas? If he attacks, I might survive, but what should I do, Auntie?"
He did not forget what pretext King Wu was using.
But Xiao Yuluan slowly turned her head, looked at him sideways, and sneered: "At this age, what am I afraid of?"
In Xiao Yuancheng's eyes, this looked like despair and madness, but he couldn't find any solution for a long time. There were only two thousand Jinwu Guards in the palace, and they were all here. If they broke in... the possibility of passing on the throne would be a small matter, but losing their lives would be a big deal.
What you fear will come to you.
The sound of fighting came instantly, and it was obvious that the Jinwu Guards had already engaged in close combat with King Wu's subordinates.
"What should I do? What should I do?"
When the time came, Xiao Yuancheng was completely panicked.
"Your Majesty, this is the only way. Can you still surrender and follow the traitor?"
This persuasion made Xiao Yuancheng feel like he had grabbed the last straw. He raised his head suddenly and said in a sharp and abnormal voice:
"Yes! Yes! You're right! We can't resist! He's my son! My own son! He's purging the emperor's court... and the one he's purging is Xiao Yuluan! Yes! All we have to do is hand over my aunt... and then give him the throne! I'll abdicate! Let him be emperor! He should be satisfied, right?"
These words were absolutely absurd, full of cowardice and naiveté, and totally unlike what an emperor would say, but they truly reflected that he was on the verge of mental collapse at this moment.
Physical weakness will eventually affect the spirit.
Bai De'an and the eunuchs around him were stunned and could hardly believe their ears!
Xiao Yuancheng rushed towards the palace door as if he had gone mad, and came outside the palace:
"Stop! Everyone, stop! Listen up, Jinwu Guards outside! Put down your weapons! Stop resisting! Open the palace gates! Let...let King Wu in! I...I have something to say to him!"
This order was like a bolt from the blue, not only making everyone in the hall look pale, but also making the Jinwu Guards who were fighting desperately outside stunned!
If we give up at this point, what will our dead brothers matter?
The leader of the Jinwu Guards, upon hearing the emperor's order to destroy the Great Wall, was furious: "Your Majesty! No!"
But Xiao Yuancheng said firmly: "Put down your weapons!"
This order spread from the nearest place in Zichen Palace like layers of waves, and soon the resistance became chaotic and powerless.
Xiao Yuluan stood behind him and watched all this coldly, watching how Xiao Yuancheng destroyed the last barrier with his own hands in his extreme fear.
He was indeed a loser. It was a shame that he had ruled the country for so many years. But it was all good. The more he was so despicable, the less likely she would resort to violence.
After receiving the emperor's order to give up resistance, the Jinwu Guards at the palace gate finally broke down. With a heavy creaking sound, the gate to the Purple Palace finally opened.
King Wu stood outside the gate and met Xiao Yuancheng's eyes, who was standing at the palace gate dozens of meters ahead. Looking at the thin and weak figure, he licked the blood that splashed from the corner of his mouth.
"Father..."
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