Shen Shi Shi Fen.
Wu Fengxian, the vanguard general of the Yunhui Army, has led 10,000 troops to the city gates.
Outside Longcheng, the Yunhui Army stood ready with their weapons at their sides, their horses still saddled and their soldiers still in armor, displaying an attitude of being prepared to launch a full-scale attack on Longcheng at any moment.
On the city wall, the soldiers of the Polu Army stationed in Longcheng, wearing helmets and armor and holding swords, spears and halberds, were already on high alert, waiting for Prince Chen Huai'an of Jin to give the order so they could immediately go out of the city to meet the enemy.
The two sides faced each other across the high city walls and a wide moat.
The drawbridge on the city gate had already been hoisted high by the soldiers of the Polu Army defending the city, blocking the only passage for the Yunhui Army to enter the city.
Seeing this scene, Sun Heling, the imperial envoy and minister in charge of conveying the imperial edict, looked worried and shook his head with a helpless smile as he gazed at Longcheng, where everyone was on edge and seeing threats everywhere.
At this moment, Chang Chenghu, the deputy general of the Yunhui Army, rode up to Sun Heling and said in a somewhat provocative tone:
"Lord Sun, didn't you say yesterday that the handover of the command of the 8,000 Po Lu Army in Longcheng and the relocation of the Prince of Jin's family to the north would be discussed after the General arrives?"
"Now the young general has come to Longcheng with the General's order to hand over the military tally and city defenses, but he is being blocked outside the city and cannot enter. Take a good look at what Chen Huai'an has done."
At this moment, Wu Fengxian also rode his warhorse to Sun Heling's side, looking down at this imperial envoy, a third-rank official.
While urging his warhorse to circle in front of Sun Heling, he pointed at the city wall with his riding whip and said arrogantly:
“Lord Sun, Chen Huai’an defied the imperial decree and not only refused to hand over his military power to Beihai to assume his fief, but also ordered the city gates to be closed and secretly stored troops and armor inside the city. According to the ‘Great Xin Laws,’ Chen Huai’an’s actions are tantamount to treason and he should be executed along with his entire family!”
snort!
Wu Fengxian snorted coldly and continued, "Lord Sun, things have come to this point, so tell me what to do?"
Faced with Wu Fengxian's aggressive questioning, Sun Heling remained silent with a livid face.
Chang Chenghu, standing to the side, couldn't resist adding insult to injury with a few sarcastic remarks, saying:
“Lord Sun, I kindly reminded you yesterday that once this imperial edict arrives, Chen Huai’an will have to relinquish his military power, but you wouldn’t listen!”
"Now look what's happened! Chen Huai'an is planning to rebel. Let's see how you handle this!"
Sun Heling remained silent, his gaze fixed coldly on Wu Fengxian and Chang Chenghu.
Suddenly, a loud shout came from the city wall:
"His Highness has ordered that Imperial Envoy Sun Heling and the Commander of the Yunhui Army be summoned to the city to discuss the transfer of military power and city defenses in Longcheng, as well as the relocation of the Prince's family to the north!"
"This is a matter of great importance, and there is a strict order of seniority. All other unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!"
As soon as the words were spoken on the city wall, the drawbridge hanging high above the moat began to slowly descend.
With a loud "boom," the heavy wooden suspension bridge crashed heavily to the ground, lying across the moat, which was thirteen zhang wide and eighteen zhang deep.
Then, the tightly closed city gates were slowly pushed open from the inside.
Looking out through the city gate, one could see crowds of people bustling about inside the city, with life proceeding as usual.
Seeing this, Sun Heling looked up at Wu Fengxian, the vanguard general of the Yunhui Army, who was riding on horseback, and gestured for him to come forward, saying, "Young General, please!"
As he spoke, Sun Heling took out the imperial edict that Chen Huai'an had originally received yesterday, but which he had then forcibly taken back, and waved it in front of Wu Fengxian, continuing:
"Young General, after entering the city, I will publicly read out His Majesty's decree and personally oversee the handover of the Dragon City military tally and the official seal!"
"Young General, you must not put yourself in danger!"
Lieutenant Chang Chenghu, looking wary, immediately stepped forward to advise, "Young General, Chen Huai'an is a treacherous and cunning man. If you put yourself in danger, you might fall into Chen Huai'an's trap!"
"As I say, we should lead our troops directly into Longcheng. If Chen Huai'an has ill intentions, we should execute him on the spot!"
After saying that, Chang Chenghu made a throat-slitting gesture with a fierce look in his eyes.
snort!
Upon hearing this, Sun Heling immediately sneered, "General Chang, you seem to have forgotten Article 33 of the Great New Laws, which states that anyone who mobilizes troops into the city without the order of the Ministry of War shall be deemed to have committed treason and shall be executed along with his entire family!"
"Sun Heling, you—"
Chang Chenghu was once again rendered speechless by Sun Heling's retort, and he could only stomp his feet in anger on horseback.
Sun Heling's words were true. According to the "Daxin Laws," mobilizing troops into the city without the approval of the Ministry of War was indeed considered treason.
If Sun Heling were to report this matter to the Emperor, even though Chang Chenghu was a confidant of Wu Qingyun, the General Commander of the Northwest, it would probably be enough to give him a hard time.
After all, they currently lack evidence that Chen Huai'an and the Po Lu Army intend to rebel. If they rashly lead a large army into the city, it will surely attract criticism and cause trouble.
But Chang Chenghu always felt that something was fishy about this matter. It might be a trap set by Chen Huai'an. He thought that to catch the thief, he should first catch the kingpin and then arrest the young general Wu Fengxian.
If anything were to happen to the young general, even nine heads wouldn't be enough for Commander-in-Chief Wu Qingyun to chop him off.
Left with no other option, Chang Chenghu could only continue to dissuade Wu Fengxian, saying:
"Young General, sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood. Why don't we wait a little longer and wait until the General arrives tomorrow before we go into the city to receive the military tally and official seal of Longcheng?"
"Enough!"
Wu Fengxian waved his hand impatiently and said, "General Chang, I have decided to go into the city with Lord Sun to receive the military tally and official seals."
"I refuse to believe that Chen Huai'an would dare to be so disrespectful to me!"
After a pause, Wu Fengxian continued, "Besides, isn't General Chang here to guard the city? If there's any disturbance inside, you can immediately lead your troops to attack!"
"Young General—"
"Alright, it's decided then!"
Chang Chenghu wanted to say something more, but was rudely interrupted by Wu Fengxian, who was fearless and headstrong.
The latter then glanced at Sun Heling and roared imperiously, "Lord Sun, what are you waiting for? Lead me into the city!"
Upon hearing this, Sun Heling smiled and shook his head, then stepped forward without hesitation.
Wu Fengxian led over a hundred of his personal guards and soldiers, and the group walked onto the drawbridge and headed straight for Longcheng.
Chang Chenghu was deeply worried and immediately gave the order: "Pass on my command, the entire army is to prepare for battle and be ready to attack the city at any time!"
"Yes, General!"
As they spoke, Sun Heling, Wu Fengxian, and their entourage had already entered Longcheng. The drawbridge over the moat had been pulled back up by the defending troops and was now suspended in mid-air.
As the two heavy city gates were closed again, the only passage between the Yunhui Army and Longcheng was once again cut off.
Chang Chenghu watched helplessly as the drawbridge was raised and the city gate closed. His hands, gripping his sword tightly, were already drenched in sweat, and he was extremely tense.
An ominous premonition welled up in his heart, making him agitated and anxious.
At the same time, inside Yongding Gate of Longcheng.
Sun Heling, Wu Fengxian, and their entourage, guided by the guards, headed towards the Jin Prince's Palace inside the city.
Riding on horseback, Wu Fengxian was fearless, his eyes greedily surveying everything in the city, his mind still dreaming of a life of debauchery and revelry after taking over Longcheng.
The hundred personal guards accompanying Wu Fengxian were on high alert, extremely tense. The guard following closely behind Wu Fengxian always carried the Cloud Piercing Arrow, which was meant to summon reinforcements, ready to launch it into the sky at any moment.
Soon, the group arrived at the Taihe Hall of the Jin Prince's Palace.
Upon entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Wu Fengxian was immediately captivated by its magnificent and resplendent interior.
However, the next second, Wu Fengxian and his personal guards were stunned by the golden nanmu chair with carved dragon patterns and painted with gold lacquer placed on the steps of the main hall!
Wu Fengxian immediately recognized that the shape and lacquer of the golden nanmu chair in the Taihe Hall of the Jin Prince's Palace were exactly the same as the dragon throne that the emperor sat on in the Golden Palace.
On the dragon throne, Chen Huai'an, clad in golden armor, sat upright, smiling meaningfully at everyone.
In this situation, even a fool could see the clues.
Chen Huai'an is clearly planning to rebel!
Wu Fengxian's expression changed drastically. He drew his sword and pointed it directly at the main hall, his face contorted with rage as he roared, "Chen Huai'an, how dare you build a dragon throne for yourself! Are you planning a rebellion?!"
"Guards! Fire the Cloud Piercing Arrow to summon troops into the city and quell the rebellion!"
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