Xie Ming

Liu Er, along with more than twenty daredevils, risked their lives to fight to the death. With a deafening explosion, the North Gate Cave Gate was wide open!

Xiao Jingchuan then led three thousand cavalrymen into the city in single file.

With overwhelming force, the defenses of the city walls had no chance of turning the tide.

After entering Hangzhou, without resting or stopping, Xiao led the way with unstoppable momentum, heading straight for the temporary palace in the city.

To be honest, the reason why the North Pass was breached was not entirely due to Liu Erqi's ingenious plan.

In reality, the Imperial Guards had been out of practice for a long time, and their command and control were ineffective.

Although Liu Wenbing and Gong Yonggu had followed Xiao Jingchuan south from the capital, they were quite experienced in social situations.

However, his ability to command troops was limited, and he was not a particularly capable person.

Moreover, Liu and Gong were completely unprepared for Xiao Jingchuan's elusive nature. Even if they were on guard, they never expected him to be able to bring his troops and attack so swiftly.

If it cannot be resisted, then this explanation makes sense.

Let's not go into too much detail.

We'll discuss what happens next.

Meanwhile, as Xiao Lang led his troops straight towards the palace, there were also scattered patrol teams in the cities along the way to block their path.

Unfortunately, Xiao Jiang was already leading the charge, and those with bloodshot eyes, filled with indignation, were already bloodthirsty.

Including Yuan Ping's elite cavalry, they were all absolutely elite and valiant soldiers.

This group possesses the might of gods; wherever they go, they are utterly devastating and show no mercy.

No matter what kind of petty villains or guards they are, they cannot stop it for even a moment.

Therefore, Xiao led Changting and two thousand elite soldiers, easily advancing to the vicinity of the palace, breaking down the gates and entering with unstoppable momentum.

In addition, following the original plan, Yuan Ping took over the defense at Beiguan.

According to Xiao's plan, they should immediately put on a show, making a big fuss and shouting loudly to create the illusion that a large army was attacking the city, in order to confuse the city's defenders.

Before long, it was clear that this method was remarkably effective.

The city of Hangzhou was suddenly shaken. The remaining soldiers guarding the three passes, as well as those leading the patrol teams in the city, were all in a state of panic.

I want to go, even if it means enduring the torment until dawn, it should be manageable in the short term.

The proclamation was sent with the force of wind and thunder, and all the feudal lords turned against their lords.

With mountains and rivers at our fingertips, war will cease without a fight.

Meanwhile, at the very edge of the Great Wall at Beiguan, at this late hour, the council hall of the imperial palace within the city was brightly lit with candles.

The leaders of the Southern Party, including Grand Secretary Qiu Weizhen, Minister of Works Ma Shiying, Minister of Justice Gao Hongtu, Minister of Rites Li Shichun, and Minister of War Zeng Ji, along with Liu Wenbing, who also served as the assistant to the military administration of the Beijing Garrison, all discussed matters in the palace.

Upon closer inspection, two empresses from the inner court were also seated on the steps.

Empress Chen Wanxuan and Consort Hui Shen Yuzhen were both present. In particular, Crown Prince Zhu Shaotan, who had just turned one month old, was wrapped in a brocade quilt and was making impatient, whimpering noises.

boom--

Suddenly, a loud explosion came from afar, the sound waves gradually expanding and spreading, the aftershocks carried by the wind into the palace walls.

Upon hearing this sound, all the cabinet members gathered in the hall fell silent and looked at each other in alarm, their hearts filled with fear.

"what happened?"

"What's the noise?"

"Could it be Xiao?"

The head was impatient, and Gao Hongtu was filled with apprehension. He began to mutter, his face showing great surprise.

Upon hearing this, Ma Shiying's expression changed. He was anxious and felt that such a loud outburst was inappropriate and would hinder the continuation of the stability maintenance efforts, especially since the two empresses of the inner court were still present.

Fearing that the palace women might be too timid and ruin his plans, he quickly interrupted to fill in the gaps.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat and strode closer to Gao Hongtu's eyes.

"Ziyou (Gao Hongtu, courtesy name Ziyou), what are you panicking about?" He said this in a teasing tone, trying to sound relaxed.

"The messenger on the way north will only set off today or tomorrow. Even if it is fast, even if Xiao Jingchuan is deliberately plotting a rebellion and has been planning it for a long time, Nanjing is still five hundred miles away from here."

"Hmph, just swallow your anger back down."

"What's all the fuss about?" "Her Majesty is still here, so stop making such a fuss in front of the palace."

After speaking, Ma Shiying gave Gao Hongtu a very subtle glare.

Without even glancing at his partner, Minister Ma, maintaining his composure, suddenly turned his head and went to find Liu Wenbing again.

“Uh, that… Liu Hou?” Ma Shiying called out.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenbing, the commander of the Imperial Guards, who had been standing still, paused to listen to the sound and pondered deeply. He was startled, quickly regained his composure, took a deep breath, turned around, and respectfully bowed.

“Uh, oh, Minister Ma,” Liu Yan said.

"Heh, Lord Liu, this commotion... could it be that someone in your personal guard is involved?"

"At this critical juncture, we can't afford to let our own people in the city lose their composure first."

"I think it's still necessary for you to make the trip yourself. In these extraordinary times, it's best to nip problems in the bud."

"What exactly is this matter? Report it directly to the palace later, so everyone can have peace of mind, okay?!"

Ma Shiying has recently become quite successful, putting on a show of arrogance everywhere he goes.

These words, though spoken with three parts politeness, conveyed seven parts overwhelming power and authority.

Liu Wenbing gritted his teeth and suppressed his unease and agitation. There was no point in arguing in court, so he simply endured the forced confession.

"Yes Yes."

"Following the direction of the sound, it should be in the north of the city."

"Ah, everyone, please be patient. I, Liu, will go and inspect it myself."

"Take the lead, take the lead."

After speaking, Liu Hou bowed and stepped back, the sound of his riding boots gradually echoing as he strode out of the palace gate.

creak-

As this person walked out, sometimes retreating and sometimes advancing, a young eunuch suddenly bowed and carried a tray with a bowl of soup on it outside the hall. He tiptoed closer.

The hall was unusually quiet at this moment, with each person lost in their own thoughts and displaying a different expression.

As the young eunuch subtly approached the king's heart beside the couch, everyone's gaze involuntarily turned elsewhere.

Of course, Wang Zhixin did not say anything more in this situation. He simply took the soup from the eunuch, and silently waved his hand to dismiss the person.

He then bowed again to serve the soup, presenting it to the Empress.

At this moment, Chen Wanxuan slowly raised her slender fingers, touched the bowl, and seeing that it was not too hot, ordered it to be sent closer to Consort Hui, Yuzhen.

After Yuzhen accepted the gift, he warmed his mouth and opened his mouth.

"Sister, drink your soup first," the Empress said.

Upon hearing this, Yuzhen seemed quite absent-minded, unsure whether it was due to the exhaustion from being disturbed late at night or because she was simply overthinking.

"I, I'm not hungry."

He only gave a weak, low reply before pushing the soup away.

Seeing this, the Empress beside him frowned and tried to comfort him with words of comfort.

"Drink up. You've just finished your postpartum period, and your health hasn't been very good."

"They all look much more haggard."

"Your Majesty," he lamented, "I could only say a few words before I myself felt a pang of sorrow and choked up, the orphan and widow deeply grieving."

"I know you're too heartbroken, but life goes on."

"The Crown Prince has just celebrated his one-month birthday. If you were to fall ill again, how would I, as his elder sister, live?"

"Quickly, be good."

"We still need to eat."

Empress Chen Wanxuan looked at him with heartache and compassion, unaware that she herself was also looking exhausted and weary.

After hearing all this, and considering the many people in the hall, Yuzhen seemed to think it best not to be coy anymore.

He reluctantly took the bowl of soup again, covered his mouth with his sleeve, and swallowed a couple of mouthfuls to finish. (End of Chapter)