Food bloggers made fortunes in ancient times

Autumn of the tenth year of Kangrui.

Prince Chen's army has been besieging the capital for more than two months, and the city's defenses are becoming increasingly strained.

The food and grass in the city were running out, and the people had to exchange their children for food. It was a horrific sight.

The soldiers defending the city were exhausted and their morale was low.

The new emperor was young, and the ministers in the court had their own thoughts. People inside and outside the capital were in panic.

Even the once prosperous Yanchun Tower is now deserted, and the singing and dancing of the past have long disappeared.

An San, dressed in plain clothes, was leaning against the railing, humming a tuneless little song: "...Inside the red wall, white flags are fluttering, the dragon throne is hanging in the air, swaying in the wind and rain. There are wolves outside the city, tigers in front of the door, the poor child does not know the sorrow..."

"What a mess you're singing."

A lazy voice sounded from behind.

Upon hearing this voice, An San's scalp went numb. He quickly stopped smiling and turned around to salute respectfully: "Master."

Shu Changyu walked slowly to the railing and cast his eyes towards the towering palace walls in the distance, where white flags were fluttering and faint sounds of mournful music could be heard, revealing a dead and depressing atmosphere.

"Is there any movement from Li Chenghui's side?" he asked indifferently.

"My lord, Li Chenghui had a secret meeting with King Chen's envoy yesterday, and seemed to be discussing the matter of surrendering the city." An San reported.

"But the conditions he proposed were quite harsh. He wanted him to continue to serve as prime minister after King Chen ascended the throne, and he also wanted to preserve his family's power."

Shu Changyu pulled the corners of his lips slightly, and his smile was a little cold: "You have a good plan. Even at this time, you still want to dominate the government."

An San lowered his head: "King Chen did not seem to agree immediately, and the two sides are still in a stalemate."

"The stalemate won't last long." Shu Changyu leaned against the railing and said indifferently, "It's only a matter of time before the city falls. If Li Chenghui wants to protect himself, he will give in."

He paused, then added: "Keep an eye on him, don't let him run away."

At the same time, outside the city, inside King Chen’s camp.

"Report——"

A messenger stumbled into the tent, knelt on one knee, and said in an anxious voice: "Your Majesty, urgent news from the south!"

Li Jingyan was staring at the map of the capital on the sand table. Hearing this, he did not even raise his head: "Tell me."

"Prince Hui has personally led 80,000 soldiers and horses, and has passed Jizhou and is heading towards the capital!"

"What?" Li Jingyan turned around abruptly, his eyes full of surprise, followed by a raging rage, "He dares?!"

The generals in the tent were also horrified. The deputy general couldn't help but ask, "My lord, is King Hui trying to reap the benefits?"

"A young boy dares to snatch food from me?" Li Jingyan sneered, murderous intent surging in his eyes.

Don’t think he doesn’t know what that little bastard Li Yanche is doing behind his back!

Taking advantage of his siege on the capital, he quietly annexed several cities in Jizhou. Now that he has grown stronger, he even dares to lead his troops north in an attempt to get a piece of the pie!

"Your Highness, calm down," the counselor stepped forward and advised, "The capital has not yet been conquered. If we confront King Hui's army head-on, we will be attacked from both sides, and the gain will outweigh the loss."

Li Jingyan's face was gloomy. The counselor's words made sense, but Li Yanche's attitude of taking advantage of the situation really made him furious.

He hated the feeling of being schemed against, especially by a young boy who was nearly decades younger than him.

"How far is that little beast's troops from the capital?" he asked in a deep voice.

"Based on their marching speed, they will reach the outskirts of the capital within five days." The messenger replied.

Five days is neither long nor short. If we fail to capture the capital before Li Yanche arrives, we will be attacked from all sides and the situation will become even more difficult.

No.

He would never allow anyone to snatch the victory that was within his grasp!

Li Jingyan punched the edge of the sand table, and the wooden frame cracked.

"Pass on my order," he said with a fierce look in his eyes, "Tonight at three o'clock, attack the city with all your strength!"

"Yes!"

"No news from Li Chenghui yet?" Li Jingyan looked suddenly at his confidant who was in charge of the contact.

"Your Highness, Prime Minister Li is still delaying and says he needs to think about it again." The confidant lowered his head and replied, with sweat on his forehead.

"Consider it?" Li Jingyan laughed in anger. He raised his hand and said impatiently, "Give him an ultimatum. If he doesn't open the city gate within three days, the day the city is broken, his entire Li family will be executed!"

After everyone left, Li Jingyan stood alone in front of the sand table, staring at the miniature model representing the capital city, his eyes becoming increasingly sinister.

He suddenly stretched out his hand and crushed the "capital" into pieces.

"Li Yanche..." He whispered the name as if he was chewing something poisonous.

This little bastard is more resourceful than his damn father.

Unfortunately, he is still a little immature after all.

Night, third watch.

Suddenly, there was a deafening roar outside the capital, and flames lit up half the sky red.

Inside Yongding Gate.

A dark figure stood in the shadow of the corner tower, watching the fire and fighting outside the city coldly.

"Prince Chen is anxious."

A cold voice sounded in the silence, with a hint of mockery.

"It looks like it won't last more than three days." Lin Yifeng came up, opened his folding fan and fanned gently.

The hot air that blew in my face was filled with the smell of blood, and it couldn't be dispelled even with a fan.

"By the way, where are my second brother and the others?" Lin Yifeng asked.

"We are already twenty miles outside the city. We are keeping our troops in place, waiting for the master's order." An Yi at the side replied in a low voice, looking around vigilantly.

Lin Yifeng covered half of his face with a folding fan and glanced at Shu Changyu: "Boss, what do you say?"

"Don't be in a hurry, let's wait until the city gate is breached." Shu Changyu said lightly, his eyes cast towards the city wall in the distance where flames were soaring into the sky, with bloodshot eyes.

Lin Yifeng nodded in understanding, closed his folding fan, and tapped his palm twice: "While the snipe and the clam quarrel, the fisherman benefits. This is a brilliant move, Boss."

"How is Li Chenghui doing?"

"That old fox is still waiting and watching." Lin Yifeng sneered, "He wants to preserve his family and continue to hold power in the new dynasty. He has made a very smart plan. It's a pity that he probably has no chance."

Within half a day, Li Chenghui hurriedly sent someone to deliver a secret letter, promising to surrender the city in three days, and only asking that King Chen would ensure the wealth and prosperity of his Li family after he ascended the throne.

As for how Prince Chen responded, no one knows, but seeing how relieved Li Chenghui looked after receiving the secret letter, we know that he believed Prince Chen's promise.

Three days later.

As daylight dawned, the gate axis of Yongding Gate made a creaking sound, and the heavy gate slowly opened in the morning light.

Li Chenghui stood inside the door in court robes, his gray beard trembling slightly. Behind him followed dozens of civil servants, all with solemn expressions.

Outside the city, Prince Chen's army had already lined up and was waiting. Li Jingyan reined in his horse and stood in front of the formation. When he saw the city gate open, a sneer of confidence of victory appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"Prime Minister Li really knows how to deal with current affairs." He said loudly, and his voice was carried into the door through the morning mist.

Li Chenghui bowed and saluted, his voice trembling slightly: "This old minister respectfully welcomes His Majesty into the city."

Li Jingyan snorted coldly, rode his horse and was the first to enter the city gate, and the army behind him poured in like a tide.

Li Chenghui led Li Jingyan across Zhuque Street. People along the way were either hiding or dodging, with occasional suppressed cries, which were soon drowned out by the friction of armor and the sound of horse hooves.

In front of the palace gate, the imperial guards were still resisting, arrows raining down.

King Chen's army charged several times, but was repelled each time.

Li Jingyan looked at the palace gate that had been under attack for a long time and felt a little anxious. If it dragged on any longer and Li Yanche's troops arrived, the situation would be unpredictable.

At this moment, he remembered the secret passage that Gu Qianfan had mentioned, and his heart moved.

"Someone," Li Jingyan shouted, "Go and bring Gu Qianfan over!"

Soon, the haggard Gu Qianfan was brought to the front. When he heard that the secret passage was going to be used, his eyes suddenly lit up, as if he had grasped the last straw: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely lead the army in!"

In the Huguo Temple in the west of the city, the morning bell had just rung and the air was filled with the smoke of incense.

An old monk in a gray robe was sweeping the courtyard, and the broom made a rustling sound as it swept through the fallen leaves.

Suddenly, a few dark shadows vaguely flashed by in the corner of my eye.

The old monk raised his eyelids slightly, paused his broom, looked over, but found nothing unusual.

He shook his head, his eyes were really blurry.

How could there be someone there?