strictlysupreme Chapter 267 Victory or defeat hinges on this one move!
Chapter 267 Victory or defeat hinges on this one move!
News of the rebellion led by the former faction of Crown Prince Zhangxian quickly spread throughout the capital.
The people went from being indifferent at first to becoming anxious and uneasy when the enemy was at the gates. However, the thought that the emperor was still sitting high in the Mingtang Hall reassured them.
Little did they know that Lu Zhiheng had been secretly preparing for years, and his men had already been secretly planted in the army in the capital.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. After several battles of stalemate, on a dark night, Lu Zhiheng decided to fight a desperate battle, personally leading his elite troops silently toward the capital.
Victory or defeat hinges on this one battle!
When the army surged into the capital like a tidal wave, the people in the city were still sound asleep.
However, the sudden shouts of battle and the booming of war drums instantly roused the entire city from its tranquility.
In an instant, chaos erupted, with chickens flying and dogs barking.
"What's going on? What happened?"
An old man with gray hair, dressed in disheveled clothes, rushed out of his house and grabbed a young man running past, his voice trembling slightly with fear.
The young man, his face filled with terror, struggled to break free from the old man's grasp while shouting, "Old man, run! The enemy is attacking! The city gates are about to be breached!"
Having said that, he broke free from the old man and ran desperately toward the north of the city.
Upon hearing this, the old man's face turned deathly pale. He stood frozen in place, muttering to himself, "What should we do? What should we do?"
Before long, candles were lit in the surrounding houses, and the people were awakened from their sleep. They hurriedly packed their clothes and valuables and rushed out of their homes with their families.
The once quiet streets and alleys were now filled with cries, shouts, and curses.
A woman carrying a young child stumbled along, nearly falling over as she lost her footing.
"Mother, I'm scared..." the child cried in the woman's arms.
The woman quickly hugged the child tightly and comforted him, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, Mom is here."
However, her eyes were also filled with helplessness and confusion, not knowing where to go.
Just then, a young and strong neighborhood head stood at the alley entrance and shouted loudly, "The enemy is attacking from the east gate! Everyone, run to the north gate quickly! Don't stay in the city, it's dangerous!"
Unfortunately, the noise was too loud, and his commands were drowned out. The people continued to flee in panic, like headless flies.
In the utter chaos, some were pushed to the ground, groaning in pain. Others fought each other over money. Some were separated from their families in the confusion, anxiously calling out their names.
The entire capital city was plunged into an unprecedented state of panic.
Meanwhile, Pei Yuanling, inside the palace, also received news of the enemy's attack.
"What a capable man, Lu Zhiheng! I underestimated his abilities!"
His face was grim, his eyes filled with rage. "Once I capture him, I will tear him to pieces to vent my hatred!"
Chen Zhongliang knew that His Majesty was young and impetuous, but he still couldn't help but advise, "Your Majesty, the enemy is coming in strong, should we...?"
Before he could finish speaking, he shot a cold glare at the young emperor before his throne. "I am the ruler of a nation, how can I possibly retreat in the face of battle? Issue the order to gather all troops and follow me out of the city to meet the enemy!"
Chen Zhongliang was stunned for a moment, and when he came to his senses, he exclaimed in astonishment, "Your Majesty wants to personally lead the expedition? This...this is impossible!"
"Emperor Gaozu seized the empire on horseback, and I am his descendant. What's wrong with me guarding the country on horseback?"
Pei Yuanling's face was resolute as he coldly ordered to the side, "Someone, bring me my armor!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a eunuch immediately went to fetch the armor.
He rushed over again shortly afterward, carrying a suit of golden armor that gleamed with a cold light, and a precious sword forged from millennia-old black iron.
Pei Yuanling stood up and opened his arms.
Two eunuchs, one on each side, stepped forward and carefully dressed him.
Chen Zhongliang stood aside, wanting to persuade him again, but seeing that His Majesty was already fully prepared to depart, he knew that His Majesty was determined to go. He could only silently pray in his heart that His Majesty would return in triumph.
As the first rays of sunlight appeared on the horizon, Pei Yuanling donned his armor, mounted his warhorse, and led his army out of the city in a grand procession.
Upon seeing this, the people in the capital quickly made way for them.
They looked at the high and mighty young emperor with both awe and expectation in their eyes.
Although Pei Yuanling reigned for only six years, he was diligent and cared for the people during his reign, which earned him a lot of popular support.
Seeing the emperor personally leading the troops to meet the enemy, the people were filled with emotion. They knelt by the roadside and shouted, "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor!"
"May Heaven bless Daqing, may Heaven bless our Emperor—"
"Your Majesty must return victorious!!"
Pei Yuanling gripped the reins, watching the people who spontaneously knelt and kowtowed by the roadside, a surge of heroic spirit rising in his chest.
Looking up at the area outside the city gate, his gaze became even more resolute.
Outside the city, high walls stand tall and majestic.
Lu Zhiheng's army had already formed ranks in front of the city gate.
Today, he too is dressed in silver armor, riding a black steed, standing at the front of the formation, gazing steadily in the direction of the city gate.
When Lu Zhiheng saw Pei Yuanling leading his army out of the city, his dark eyes narrowed.
He had been lying low for many years, all for this moment.
He would personally reclaim the throne his father had lost.
Pei Yuanling rode his horse slowly to the front of the formation and met Lu Zhiheng's gaze.
Both men's eyes were filled with hostility, as if they wanted to devour each other alive.
"Lu Zhiheng, you traitorous villain, how dare you collude with outsiders and openly rebel!"
With his long, slender fingers tightening around the reins, Pei Yuanling said in a deep voice, "Today, I will tear you to pieces!"
After saying this, Lu Zhiheng sneered, "The late emperor was foolish and ruthless, framing his own elder brother and seizing the throne from my Zhangxian lineage. Today, I will set things right, reclaim the throne that belongs to my father, and restore peace and prosperity to the world!"
Both sides held their own views, and their bold pronouncements, like sparks, instantly ignited the fighting spirit of both armies.
In an instant, war drums thundered and shouts of battle shook the heavens.
With their commanders raising their arms in a rallying cry, both armies surged towards each other like a tidal wave, shouting, "Kill!"
As the sun gradually rises in early February, it envelops the vast and boundless land.
On the battlefield, swords flashed and blood splattered everywhere.
The soldiers fought bravely, their shouts and screams mingling together.
Pei Yuanling and Lu Zhiheng each commanded their troops, fighting back and forth, neither giving an inch, resulting in a fierce and evenly matched battle.
Meanwhile, inside the palace.
Upon learning that Pei Yuanling had left the city to meet the enemy, and that Lu Zhiheng had personally led his troops to attack the city, Empress Wang could no longer sit still.
She paced back and forth in the Phoenix Palace several times, and as she listened to the eunuchs from the front lines running back to report news from time to time, a thought suddenly popped into her mind.
"Lin Qing," Empress Wang called out coldly.
Lin Qing quickly stepped forward, "Master, this servant is here."
A sinister glint flashed in Empress Wang's eyes as she lowered her voice and said, "I don't care if you try to rob or seize it, just take some men to Zichen Palace and bring that vile woman here to me!"
Lin Qing was stunned for a moment, but when she saw the ruthless determination on Empress Wang's distorted face, she immediately understood what she meant.
His Majesty is currently engaged in military campaigns abroad and is likely unable to attend to matters concerning the Zichen Palace.
This is indeed their best chance.
"Rest assured, Master, this servant will certainly not fail in his mission!"
Lin Qing also took a deep breath, turned around and selected several strong and healthy eunuchs and nannies from Fengyi Palace, grabbed his weapons, and headed straight for Zichen Palace.
As the Empress was the head of the palace, when Lin Qing arrived at Zichen Palace with the Empress's decree in a grand manner, even Aunt Fang, who wanted to stop him, dared not confront Lin Qing head-on.
Moreover, Lin Qing brought not only eunuchs and palace maids, but also a group of imperial guards.
"Isn't Your Majesty afraid of His Majesty's wrath when you return to the palace?" Aunt Fang blocked the doorway, trying to struggle a little longer.
Lin Qing sneered, "Auntie is also an old hand in the palace. No matter what, the Empress is still His Majesty's first wife. Besides, Her Majesty's arrest this time is for the sake of the war ahead."
As he spoke, he stepped forward and said, “We are servants of the palace. I advise you, Aunt, not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Hand over the person honestly, or we will be impolite.”
Aunt Fang hesitated for a moment, but still refused to leave: "His Majesty's decree is that no one is allowed to enter, including the Empress."
"It seems that Aunt really intends to oppose the Phoenix Palace."
After saying that, Lin Qing stopped being polite and waved his hand.
The imperial guards behind him instantly drew their swords.
With a "whoosh," a flash of cold light appeared.
"Just knock them out; there's no need to kill them," Lin Qing instructed calmly.
After all, the Empress only wanted Consort Liang's life; there was no need to add to the bloodshed by killing these servants.
Once a person decides to go all in, many things become exceptionally efficient.
In less than half an hour, Chu Qingyin was brought before Empress Wang with her hands and feet bound and her mouth gagged with cloth.