Ming Dynasty: The Jingnan Rebellion has just been successful, and Zhu Yuanzhang has been resurrected

Chapter 83 Li Jinglong's Attack
"A gamble?"

Yao Guangxiao's expression changed. He looked at Zhu Di with a somewhat anxious look and said, "Your Highness, you..."

Zhu Di waved his hand, interrupting Yao Guangxiao's words, and said, "Master, please stop trying to persuade me. I have made up my mind. I missed an opportunity last time, and I don't want to miss it again this time."

Going to the capital to rescue the emperor is the safest way, and there will be no risk of reducing the power of the vassal states from then on.

However, he had been preparing for such a long time, not just to be a vassal king, but now, he wanted the throne.

Yao Guangxiao was silent for a moment, then said quietly, "Your Highness, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more. However, aren't you too optimistic about Zhu Yunhuan?"

Zhu Yunhuan's move to advance into Jiangning City is bound to anger a number of vassal kings. Perhaps, Zhu Yunhuan will eventually enter Yingtian Prefecture, but will eventually have to face the joint attack of the kings in Yingtian Prefecture.

Can Zhu Yunhuan withstand it?
"I'll do my best and leave the rest to fate. I'm not optimistic about Yun Hun, but I want to give it a try. If Yun Hun is finally wiped out by the vassal kings, then I can only say that I don't have that fate. Then I'll just be a vassal king. It's impossible for the other vassal kings to join forces to fight me, right?"

"As for not going to Yingtian Prefecture, I won't be able to integrate into the circle of the Prince Alliance. If I can't integrate, then I can't integrate. You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you choose one path, you can only give up the other."

Zhu Di shrugged, his expression calm.

After hearing what Zhu Di said, Yao Guangxiao pondered for a moment and said seriously, "Your Highness, in this case, we must grasp every move of Yingtian Prefecture and take action at the most appropriate time."

Zhu Di was very thoughtful.

However, this requires information to support it.

Gambling blindly will only lead to failure in the end.

Opportunities are fleeting, only a moment, if you don't grab it, it will be gone.

"I know!" Zhu Di nodded.

Yingtian Prefecture, the Mansion of Duke Cao.

After leaving the palace, Li Jinglong went straight back to his residence, locked himself in the study, and began to frown and ponder.

The impact of the Fengyang Battle was too great. Although he made many gestures, Zhu Yunwen still did not believe him.

"No, I can't just sit there and wait. I must take the initiative." Li Jinglong's eyes flashed.

The road ahead is now shrouded in fog, and everyone is shrouded in it.

Zhu Yunhuan was advancing with great force, and Zhu Yunwen reached a cooperation with the vassal kings. No one knew who would become the final true dragon.

However, what is a fog to others is a godsend opportunity for redemption to him, but the prerequisite is that he must seize the initiative.

As long as he can seize the initiative, he will be invincible. No matter who is the final true dragon, he will definitely win!
"What should I do?" Li Jinglong's brain was working quickly.

He didn't have much time left, maybe only three or five days. Once Zhu Yunhuan attacked Yingtian Prefecture, the opportunity would be gone.

He went to the palace, but because he fought the battle of Fengyang too ugly, Zhu Yunwen lost his trust in him.

The problem is that if he wants to take the initiative, he must gain Zhu Yunwen's trust.

Things seem to have reached a dead end.

After a while.

Li Jinglong took a deep breath and shouted to the outside of the door, "Someone come!"

"Squeak!"

The servant opened the door, walked in, and said respectfully, "Master, what are your instructions?"

"Go and invite the three gentlemen, Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai, and tell them that I have something very important to discuss with them." Li Jinglong said.

"Yes, sir!" The servant nodded, turned around and walked away.

"Huh" Li Jinglong let out a long breath, his expression relaxed, and he thought about what to do next.

He changed his mindset and decided to ask others for help since he couldn't do it himself.

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were all deeply trusted by Zhu Yunwen. Perhaps if they spoke up, Zhu Yunwen might give in and give him the opportunity.

It didn't take long.

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai came to the mansion of Duke Cao.

"My three lords, my master is waiting for you in the study. Please come in!" The servant led the way with a smile on his face.

"What's going on? What is Duke Cao up to?"

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were all stunned at the same time.

They put down their busy work and came to see Li Jinglong, but Li Jinglong put on airs?
If it were the previous Li Jinglong, he would have put on airs, but the Battle of Fengyang directly plunged Li Jinglong into the abyss and caused him to be abandoned by Zhu Yunwen. It was really a bit shameful for him to still put on airs under such circumstances.

"Duke Cao may have some hidden secrets. Let's go." Huang Zicheng spoke up to defend Li Jinglong.

Fang Xiaoru and Qi Tai looked at each other and suppressed their unhappiness.

Led by the servants, the three of them walked towards the study.

After a while, he arrived in front of the study.

"Please wait a moment, my lords." The servant stepped forward and knocked on the door, saying, "Master, the lords are here."

"Squeak!" The door was opened from the inside.

Li Jinglong came out with a smile on his face and greeted Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai warmly, "Master Fang, Master Huang, Master Qi, please come in!"

"Sure enough, there must be another reason why Duke Cao didn't come to greet us!" Huang Zicheng thought to himself.

Immediately, he looked at Fang Xiaoru and Qi Tai, and walked into the study.

"Okay, you can go down." Li Jinglong waved to the servant.

"Yes, sir!" The servant nodded and turned to leave.

Li Jinglong took a deep breath and walked into the study.

Fang Xiaoru saw Li Jinglong coming in and said, "Duke Cao, you..."

"thump!"

Li Jinglong bent his knees and knelt down in front of Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai.

"What's going on?"

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were confused by Li Jinglong's actions and looked at a loss.

Although they were very dissatisfied with Li Jinglong's arrogant behavior before, Li Jinglong didn't have to kneel down and apologize to them directly.

This is a bit too much!

Li Jinglong's face was filled with bitterness as he said, "My three lords, please help me!"

"Duke Cao, what are you doing? Get up!"

"Duke Cao, let's talk about it. What are you doing? Get up quickly."

"Duke Cao, please get up first. If you have any questions, please tell us. We are so close that we will definitely help you if we can."

"."

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai came to their senses and hurriedly stood up and went forward to help Li Jinglong.

Li Jinglong was a duke. Although the three of them were deeply trusted by Zhu Yunwen, they were not qualified to accept the kneeling of a duke.

"My three lords, I really have no other choice. Only you can save me now." Li Jinglong didn't intend to kneel all the time. He just wanted to show his attitude. Therefore, he was helped by Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai and stood up.

"Duke Cao, tell me, what exactly is going on?" Huang Zicheng asked.

He didn't dare to say anything definite.

No one is a fool. Just think about it and you will know that something that can make Li Jinglong kneel down and beg for mercy must be no small matter.

You can't agree to this kind of thing directly, otherwise you will probably end up embarrassing yourself.

"Yes, Duke Cao, please tell us what the matter is. I will definitely help us if I can."

"That's right, Duke Cao, just tell me what's going on."

Fang Xiaoru and Qi Tai also said so.

Li Jinglong took a deep breath and said, "My Lords, the situation is this: Zhu Yunhuan is now advancing on Jiangning. I suspect he will attack Yingtian Prefecture next. I made a serious mistake in Fengyang, so I planned to redeem myself by guarding the gates of Yingtian Prefecture, but Your Majesty refused."

"Duke Cao still wants to lead the troops? What is he thinking? It would be strange if His Majesty agreed!"

"Guarding the city gate? Duke Cao, you're really audacious!"

When Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai heard what Li Jinglong said, they were stunned at first, and then they all looked strange.

Not to mention that Zhu Yunwen would not agree, even if it were them, they would not agree either!
The Battle of Fengyang gave everyone a clear understanding of Li Jinglong's fighting ability, two words: crap!
Yingtian Prefecture was the last barrier of the imperial court.

Let Li Jinglong defend? What's the difference between this and just surrendering?
"My three lords, I also know that I am not capable of fighting in the wild encounters, but I will have no problem defending the city. Moreover, I can issue a military order: as long as the city is saved, the people are alive; if the city is destroyed, the people will die!" Li Jinglong looked resolute.

"This"

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai were stunned when they saw Li Jinglong's appearance.

When it comes to defending a city, you just have to defend it. There is no need for any fancy strategies. The only thing you need is probably the belief that you will die.

Li Jinglong's ability in fighting was indeed average, but defending the city did not require Li Jinglong to have extremely strong abilities. It was enough for him to be willing to sacrifice his life.

Huang Zicheng, Fang Xiaoru, and Qi Tai exchanged a glance and said, "Duke Cao, we will speak to His Majesty about this matter, but we cannot guarantee whether His Majesty agrees or not."

"Yes, Duke Cao, we can't influence your majesty's wishes, but we will do our best."

"Duke Cao, since you have this idea, we will do our best to help you, but whether it will succeed or not depends on what Your Majesty thinks."

Fang Xiaoru and Qi Tai also said so.

Li Jinglong's attitude made them feel that they could trust him. Of course, this was also because there were no trustworthy military generals in Yingtian Prefecture.

Although Li Jinglong was not very capable, he was still better than these civil officials.

"Thank you very much, my three lords!" Li Jinglong bent down and bowed deeply to Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai.

Although Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai said they were only doing their best and couldn't guarantee anything, he knew in his heart that as long as Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai all recommended him, the matter would basically be settled. "You are so polite, Duke Cao. I hope you can seize this opportunity!"

"Duke Cao, please don't let His Majesty down again this time."

"Duke Cao, His Majesty has reached a cooperation with the vassal kings. This time, Yingtian Prefecture may be the burial place of Zhu Yunhuan. Perhaps you can wipe out the shame you have suffered."

Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai all spoke up.

Li Jinglong said with a determined expression, "Don't worry, my Lords. I will never let your Majesty down again this time. I will personally capture Zhu Yunhuan!"

"Okay, we are waiting for good news from Duke Cao, and then we will celebrate for you together." Fang Xiaoru said.

"When the time comes, I will not forget the kindness of the three adults." Li Jinglong said in a deep voice.

Huang Zicheng waved his hand and said with a smile: "Duke Cao, you are too polite. There is no need for this between us."

"Yes, Duke Cao, it's not a favor or not. It's just a small favor. I think His Majesty still has high hopes for you." Fang Xiaoru said.

"Let's put things one way or another. Although I've said it before, I still want to say it again. If you three need me in the future, please don't be polite to me." Li Jinglong said.

"Haha, okay, if Duke Cao has nothing else to do, we will take our leave first." Huang Zicheng's face was full of smiles.

"I'll see you three off!" Li Jinglong stood up.

"Duke Cao, you are so polite."

After a while.

Li Jinglong sent Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng, and Qi Tai away, and heaved a long sigh of relief, his expression excited: "Finally, it's done."

He didn't think about what would happen if Zhu Yunwen didn't listen to Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai, because he knew that was simply impossible.

Unless Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai said otherwise, Zhu Yunwen would definitely let him guard the city gate in the end.

Fang Mansion!

After leaving Duke Cao's mansion, Fang Xiaoru, Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai did not go directly to the palace, but came to Fang Xiaoru's mansion.

"What do you two think? Should we help Li Jinglong?" Fang Xiaoru spoke first.

"I think we should. Although Li Jinglong is not very good at fighting, as he said, defending the city should be no problem. However, I don't really believe what he said about fighting to the death." Huang Zicheng shook his head and said softly.

"I also think we should lend a hand. It won't do us any harm. Li Jinglong is not good at fighting, but he is good at managing personal connections. Moreover, if we promote him, the military lineage will be completely suppressed by the civil officials in the future." Qi Tai said.

"Okay, since you all agree to help Li Jinglong, then let's give him a hand. After all, Li Jinglong has a good vision and knows that now is his only chance for redemption. If he can really stop Zhu Yunhuan, maybe Your Majesty can really forget the disastrous defeat in the Battle of Fengyang." A strange look flashed in Fang Xiaoru's eyes.

Yingtian Prefecture is the last barrier, and many things will be magnified. If Li Jinglong can really resist Zhu Yunhuan, he will definitely be accepted again by Zhu Yunwen.

After experiencing the Battle of Fengyang, Li Jinglong must have realized the limitations of his own abilities. He would probably never go to the battlefield again, but would turn his attention to the court.

Li Jinglong was not good at fighting, but he was very good at scheming.

"That's true. Duke Cao does have some abilities."

Huang Zicheng and Qi Tai nodded, agreeing with Fang Xiaoru's words.

Beiping, Prince Yan's Mansion.

Zhu Quan came up to Zhu Di, his face full of resentment, and said, "Fourth brother, why did you remember to see me? It's really rare. I thought you had forgotten me!"

After Zhu Di abducted him to Beiping, he placed him under house arrest. Although he was provided with good food and drink every day, he was a powerful vassal king, but in an instant he became a prisoner, which made him very unhappy.

"Seventeenth brother, I'm doing this for your own good!" Zhu Di said.

"Hmph!" Zhu Quan snorted, found a seat and sat down, saying, "Fourth brother, there are no outsiders here. Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush."

Although he was very dissatisfied and aggrieved, he did not have the courage to confront Zhu Di directly.

Otherwise, he would not have been abducted to Peking by Zhu Di.

Zhu Di's face remained calm as he said, "Seventeenth Brother, I believe you have heard by now, right? Zhu Yunwen has bowed to the vassal kings and will not reduce their power any further."

Zhu Quan nodded, his face full of emotion, and said: "Who would have thought that Yun Hun would be so powerful and head directly towards Yingtian Prefecture. Zhu Yunwen is really helpless."

Immediately, Hua Feng changed his mind and shrugged, saying, "However, this is a good thing for the princes."

Zhu Di nodded and said, "Yes, Zhu Yunwen's compromise will make it difficult to reduce the power of the princes in the future. This is indeed a good thing for the princes."

Zhu Quan raised his head and looked at Zhu Di, hesitantly saying: "Fourth brother, now that Zhu Yunwen is no longer reducing the power of the feudal lords, what are you going to do?"

Zhu Yunwen's failure to reduce the power of the feudal lords resulted in a chain reaction.

For example, if Zhu Di wanted to rebel, the difficulty would instantly increase by many times.

Between Zhu Yunwen, who was arbitrarily controlled, and Zhu Di, who was powerful, the princes were not stupid and knew what to choose.

Perhaps after Zhu Di ascended the throne, he would treat the princes better.

However, the probability of this happening is very, very low.

Even if the probability is high, the princes will not take the gamble. Who would be willing to go through the trouble of living a stable and comfortable life?

This means that if Zhu Di raises an army, he will be targeted by all the vassal kings.

Does Zhu Di have the strength to fight against all the vassal kings?
"Seventeenth brother, do you think Yunhu can hold on?" Zhu Di not only did not answer Zhu Quan's question, but also asked a question in return.

"Ah?" Zhu Quan was stunned, his expression somewhat bewildered. He said, "Fourth brother, are you okay? I admit that Yun Hun is a very capable fighter, but asking him to compete with all the vassal kings, isn't that a joke?"

Zhu Yunhuan resisted the joint attack of a group of vassal kings? What kind of fantasy is this?
"What if? Now Yunhu is heading directly towards Jiangning City. He must be determined to attack Yingtian Prefecture." Zhu Di said.

Zhu Quan shook his head and said, "Fourth brother, you're overthinking it. There's no such thing as a one-time event. With the princes joining forces, Zhu Yunhuan still attacks Yingtian Prefecture. He's courting death."

Zhu Di was silent for a while.

Zhu Quan looked at Zhu Di, his expression startled. He said in astonishment, "Fourth brother, you don't think Zhu Yunhuan can defeat the combined forces of the princes, do you?"

Zhu Di looked up at Zhu Quan and said, "I think that in the current situation, since Yun Hun dared to attack Yingtian Prefecture, he must have something to rely on."

"Rely on? What kind of reliance could allow Zhu Yunhuan to compete with all the princes?" Zhu Quan shook his head and said, "Fourth brother, I think you are just as crazy as Zhu Yunhuan."

"Maybe, but if I don't take another gamble, I may really have no chance." Zhu Di said.

Zhu Quan was stunned, his eyes were complicated.

"The Three Guards of Doyan, don't contact them anymore." Zhu Di suddenly said.

Zhu Quan's expression changed, and he looked a little unnatural: "Fourth brother, I..."

"Seventeenth brother, don't force me." Zhu Di stood up and walked to Zhu Quan, patted Zhu Quan's shoulder, and then walked away.

Zhu Quan's face turned pale, his eyes were uncertain, and he finally sighed helplessly: "Alas"

He heard the threat in Zhu Di's words and was very angry, but there was nothing he could do.

Others are like maggots on the knife, and I am like meat.

Jiangning City!
After Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong arrived in Jiangning City, they sent a letter directly to Zhu Yunwen and then took over Jiangning City.

"I never thought that the rebellion of Emperor Yunhu's grandson would eventually lead to a peace agreement between Your Majesty and the vassal kings." Tie Xuan had a complicated expression.

"Yes, but Your Majesty has no choice. If you don't compromise, Emperor Yunhu's grandson will invade Yingtian Prefecture." Sheng Yong shook his head with a wry smile on his face.

He could understand Zhu Yunwen's behavior very well. Of course, understanding was one thing, but he was somewhat disappointed that Zhu Yunwen bowed to the vassal kings.

You can't lower your head casually. Once you lower it, you may never be able to lift it up again.

From now on, the imperial court will probably no longer have to think about controlling the vassal kings. Instead, the vassal kings may be able to control the imperial court.

The emperor is not the emperor, the king is not the king.

The system is broken.

There is no doubt that this is a very distorted situation.

If this goes on for a long time, I'm afraid a big chaos will break out.

However, since Zhu Yunwen has already bowed his head and the cooperation with the vassal kings has been finalized, what else can he, a minister, say?

Tie Xuan suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, took a deep breath, and said, "Now it seems that we made the right decision to come to Jiangning. The princes are now heading towards Yingtian Prefecture. The longer we delay, the safer Yingtian Prefecture will be."

"That's true. However, it's really crazy that Emperor Yunhu, knowing that Your Majesty has reached a cooperation with the vassal kings, still wants to attack Yingtian Prefecture." Sheng Yong said.

Tie Xuan thought for a moment and said, "I bet the grandson of the Emperor Yun Hun must be unwilling to give up. After all, he's already taken the most challenging city of Chuzhou, and Yingtian Prefecture is right before his eyes. Yet, now the princes are standing up and demanding he stop. How could he agree?"

Sheng Yong nodded and said, "Indeed, Yingtian Prefecture is only one step away. This temptation is not something that ordinary people can resist."

"In this chaos, both Your Majesty and the Emperor Yunhu lost. Instead, the princes who were watching the show became the final winners." Tie Xuan shook his head and was speechless for a while.

Sheng Yong asked, "Dingshi, do you think that Emperor Yunhuan might have some tricks up his sleeve?"

"What?" Tie Xuan was stunned when he heard that. He raised his head and looked at Sheng Yong with a puzzled look on his face.

Sheng Yong waved his hand and said, "Don't be nervous. I just said it casually. The main reason is that Emperor Yunhu's grandson is too mysterious. There are many things that are impossible to happen, but he has actually done them."

Tie Xuan was silent for a moment, then said, "Even if Emperor Yunhuan has some tricks up his sleeve, they're probably useless. He can't be a match for the vassal kings."

Even if there were some backup plans, what could they do? This time all the vassal kings had joined forces, and Zhu Yunhuan could not withstand it.

"Yeah, maybe I'm overthinking it." Sheng Yong shrugged with a slight smile on his face.

"Boom!"

At this moment, the ground suddenly shook violently.

"The Emperor's grandson Yunxun is here!"

Tie Xuan and Sheng Yong looked at each other and their expressions became serious.

Although they all felt that Zhu Yunhuan's rebellion would ultimately fail, there was no doubt that Jiangning City would not be able to stop Zhu Yunhuan.

In this way, the upcoming battle of Jiangning City will be an extremely severe test for both of them, and their lives may be in danger.

(End of this chapter)