Now that things have come to this, Su Wan'er, who has already entrusted her and the young emperor's lives to the Imperial Guards, what other opinions could she possibly have?
He simply nodded mechanically and said, "Quickly, go and bring the Emperor along, and listen to General He's instructions!"
The next moment, Su Wan'er thought for a moment and said urgently, "General He, the capital city is now full of rebel troops. Where can the Emperor and I go after leaving the palace?"
Without hesitation, He Changdong replied, "Your Majesty, the only option now is to go to Admiral Fang Tianyao, who is stationed at the Stone City Wharf, and seek the protection of the naval officers and soldiers!"
Upon hearing this, Su Wan'er hesitated for a moment.
Finally, biting her lip hard, she said with a heart full of despair, "Fine!"
"Imperial Guards, protect the Emperor!"
After persuading the Emperor and Empress Dowager to leave the palace for refuge, He Changdong immediately ordered the Imperial Guards accompanying him: "Everyone, protect the Emperor and Empress Dowager as they leave the city through the west gate!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
As they spoke, the palace maids and eunuchs in Kunning Palace hurriedly surrounded Empress Dowager Su Wan'er and the young Emperor Zhao Lingwu, and under the protection of He Changdong, the commander of the Imperial Guards, they fled in panic towards the west gate of the imperial city.
The hour of You (5-7 PM).
After two hours of fierce fighting, the Liangjiang New Army, led by Governor-General Su Chen, finally broke through the east gate of the imperial city. Tens of thousands of rebel troops poured in and quickly occupied key locations throughout the imperial city.
Immediately afterwards, Liu Feng, the commander of the Red-Clad Guards who was accompanying the rebels of Liangjiang, personally led several hundred Red-Clad Guards straight to the Empress Dowager's palace, Kunning Palace.
However, when Liu Feng led the Red-Clad Guards to Kunning Palace, the palace was already deserted and in a state of chaos.
Liu Feng barged into Su Wan'er's bedroom and reached directly into the messy blankets on the dragon bed, feeling that the blankets were still warm.
He immediately said, "The blankets are still warm, so the Empress Dowager and the young emperor must not have gone far!"
"Red-Clad Guards, search every corner inside and outside Kunning Palace thoroughly for this commander. Even if you have to dig three feet into the ground, you must dig out the Empress Dowager and the young emperor for this commander!"
"Yes, sir!"
......
Outside Jinling City, at the Stone City Wharf, the garrison of the Daxin Navy.
On the shimmering river, hundreds of various naval warships were neatly moored, and scarlet five-clawed naval dragon flags fluttered in the wind.
By this time, news of the Liangjiang New Army's siege of the imperial city had already reached the ears of the naval officers and soldiers.
As the naval commander, Fang Tianyao immediately ordered his naval officers and soldiers to don armor and prepare for battle, and all naval forces to set sail and weigh anchor, ready to leave Jinling City, this place of trouble, at any time.
Although the navy of the Great Xin Dynasty has been established for less than ten years, it is by no means small.
The navy had more than 300 warships of various types and more than 100,000 naval officers and soldiers. Only a part of the Daxin navy was stationed in Nanjing Stone City.
Admiral Fang Tianyao was a former official of Emperor Gaozu of the Great Xin Dynasty, Zhao Mang.
His former affiliation with the "Crown Prince's faction" allowed him to remain in his position as Admiral of the Navy even as Emperor Jian'an, Zhao Gan, was purging former civil and military officials.
Furthermore, Fang Tianyao was the main person in charge of the Daxin Navy's voyages to Southeast Asia during Zhao Gan's tenure.
Fang Tianyao and Qin Ruhui, the current prime minister, were both former members of the Crown Prince's faction, and the two had a long-standing friendship.
Before Qin Ruhui orchestrated the "Lingwu Coup," he had taken the initiative to win over Fang Tianyao and promised him that once the coup was successful, he would allocate funds in the name of the new emperor to support Fang Tianyao's next voyage to the Western Ocean.
However, Fang Tianyao has not responded to the price offered by Qin Ruhui.
What Fang Tianyao wanted was not some empty title of "further voyages to the West".
What he wanted was actual control over all the sea areas belonging to the Great Xin Dynasty!
"Report—"
"Reporting to the Admiral, Prime Minister Qin Ruhui requests an audience!"
On a magnificent warship on the river, Admiral Fang Tianyao was enjoying the river breeze and sipping fine West Lake Longjing tea on the deck at the bow when he heard the messenger's announcement.
hehe!
Fang Tianyao chuckled to himself, then took another sip of the fragrant hot tea before waving his hand and saying, "Let Prime Minister Qin come aboard and talk!"
"Yes, sir!"
Soon, the messenger hurriedly withdrew.
A short while later, a messenger rushed in to report: "Your Excellency, Prime Minister Qin's entourage refused to lay down their weapons and board the ship, and a dispute broke out with our naval soldiers on the dock!"
oh?
Fang Tianyao raised an eyebrow, finally put down his teacup, and slowly stood up from the recliner, muttering to himself, "Very well, I'll go and see for myself."
After saying this, he led a large entourage toward the dock.
At the Stone City dock, the hundred Red-Clad Guards brought by the current Prime Minister Qin Ruhui indeed got into a dispute with the naval officers and soldiers stationed at the dock, and they pushed and shoved each other.
Fortunately, both sides exercised restraint and the conflict did not escalate into a physical fight.
"Naval Admiral Fang has arrived!"
Just then, a deep and loud announcement rang out, and it was Admiral Fang Tianyao of the Navy arriving with his men.
"Prime Minister Qin, what brings you to my naval base in person?"
Standing on the warship, Fang Tianyao looked down and said, "The sounds of battle are deafening in Jinling City. My navy has no intention of getting involved in this mess!"
On the dock, Qin Ruhui lowered himself, humbly bowing to Fang Tianyao on the warship, and said, "Lord Fang, I have come in person to pay my respects, precisely to see your attitude."
"Since Lord Fang and the naval officers and soldiers have no intention of getting involved in this mess, then I am relieved!"
As he spoke, Qin Ruhui raised his hand, extended five fingers, and waved them at Fang Tianyao, continuing, "As long as Lord Fang and the naval soldiers can quell the situation in Jinling City;"
"Stay here at Stone City Wharf with peace of mind. I hereby promise Lord Fang and all the officers and soldiers of the navy that I will allocate five million taels of silver in military pay to the navy officers and soldiers in the name of the Ministry of Revenue to reward them for their hard work!"
"Lord Fang, thank you for your trouble!"
Ha ha!
Upon hearing this, Admiral Fang Tianyao of the Navy laughed heartily and said, "It is rare for Prime Minister Qin to be so considerate of my naval officers and soldiers. On behalf of my naval officers and soldiers, I thank Prime Minister Qin!"
"Lord Fang, there's no need for thanks. I only hope that you will keep your promise!"
With that, Qin Ruhui bowed to Fang Tianyao again and said, "Lord Fang, farewell!"
After saying this, Qin Ruhui turned around and boarded the eight-bearer sedan chair. Escorted by a group of Red-Clad Guards, he hurriedly returned to Jinling City.
Qin Ruhui never intended to gain the support of Admiral Fang Tianyao for this naval expedition.
All he wanted was for Fang Tianyao and his navy to remain in control during this coup attempt.
snort!
No sooner had Qin Ruhui left than Fang Tianyao on the warship sneered, "A mere five million taels of silver, and you think you can get rid of me?"
"Qin Ruhui is just trying to fob off a beggar!"
The adjutant beside him asked, "Sir, what should we do with our naval forces now?"
"Or, how about I lead a large army ashore and into the city, stirring up the waters of Jinling even more?"
"Foolish!"
Fang Tianyao glared at his deputy and said irritably, "What are we going into the city for? To throw our lives away?"
"We don't need to do anything now. We just need to sit on the river in Stone City and wait for the people who can afford to pay higher prices to come to us during this palace coup!"
Um?
The lieutenant's expression froze, and he muttered to himself, "The one who offered a higher price?"
The next moment, the lieutenant slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing, "Sir, you mean the current court—"
"Report—"
Before the lieutenant could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a messenger who rushed over.
The messenger urgently reported, "Reporting to the Admiral, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, He Changdong, requests an audience!"
Hahaha!
Upon hearing this, Fang Tianyao laughed loudly again, looked at his deputy with a smug expression, and then ordered the messenger, "Quickly, invite him in!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
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