Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

In September, on the top of Xunyang City, the autumn wind whistled past, carrying with it the chill from outside the Great Wall.

Duke Protector of the Country Huo Quji was wearing a black cloak, and his iron armor shone coldly in the morning light.

His rough fingers gripped the battlements tightly, his knuckles turning white from the strain.

In the distance, the beautiful mountains and rivers of the Han Dynasty stretched out in the morning sun, but his mood was as cold as falling into an icy cave.

"Report——!"

A personal guard stepped forward quickly and knelt on one knee, "Duke, the Prince of Chenliu has sent another envoy."

Huo Quji's brows were twisted into a knot, and the blue veins on his forehead were faintly visible.

This is the third wave of messengers in the past three days.

He waved his hand to signal his guards to retreat, and his gaze turned back to the distance.

At the foot of the city, a group of merchants were slowly entering the city, and everyone had a look of panic on their face.

"Duke Protector of the Country." Deputy General Shen Congyun's voice came from behind: "Are you really not going to reply to the Prince of Chenliu's letter?"

Huo Quji turned abruptly, his sharp gaze piercing Shen Congyun like a knife: "Why, General Shen, do you think I should reply?"

Shen Congyun was forced to take a half step back by this look, but he still insisted: "I think... rather than letting the royal family fight for the throne and get hurt, it is better to settle it once and for all!"

He took a deep breath and said, "It will be beneficial for our dynasty to settle this matter sooner."

"If we keep delaying, it will definitely lead to disaster!"

Huo Quji's fist slammed heavily on the bricks, and blood seeped out of his knuckles.

Doesn't he understand this truth?

But whenever he thought of the years he fought side by side with the late emperor and the scene of the late emperor's last entrustment, his heart felt like it was being pierced by thousands of steel needles.

"Your Majesty!" Huo Quji murmured in a low voice, his voice almost torn apart by the autumn wind.

The scene when he received the bad news three days ago was still vivid in his mind - on that blood-stained military newspaper, he seemed to see the last remains of the late emperor.

While he was lost in thought, a burst of hurried horse hooves suddenly sounded in the city.

Huo Quji looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of light cavalry galloping towards them. The man leading them was wearing silver armor and a white robe. It was Gongsun Ao, who commanded a large number of troops.

"Please ask General Gongsun to come to the arrow tower!" Huo Quji didn't want others to hear his conversation with Gongsun Ao.

Inside the arrow tower, the charcoal fire crackled.

Huo Quji personally poured a cup of hot tea for Gongsun Ao, and the steaming heat blurred the solemn expressions of the two men.

"Why did General Gongsun come here in person?" Huo Quji asked straight to the point.

Gongsun Ao put down his teacup, his armor making a crisp clanging sound. "Duke Protector of the Country, the situation is critical."

He took out a secret letter from his bosom and said, "This is a personal letter from the Prince of Chenliu to me."

Huo Quji took the letter. Under the candlelight, the handwriting of Prince Chenliu was so strong that it could be seen through the paper.

The letter analyzes the current situation in detail, and the words are full of calmness and wisdom.

"General, what do you think of Prince Chenliu's suggestion?" Huo Quji placed the letter on the table, his fingers tapping on the table unconsciously.

Gongsun Ao sat upright and asked, "Does the Protector of the Country still remember the Yellow River bursting its banks three years ago?"

He didn't wait for an answer and continued, "At that time, the Prince of Chenliu personally went to the front line, worked without sleep for three days, and led the people to block the breach with sandbags."

Huo Quji nodded slightly, he had heard of this matter.

"Last year, during the severe drought, Chenliu County took the lead in implementing 'work-for-relief,' which not only repaired the water conservancy project but also provided livelihoods for the victims."

Gongsun Ao's eyes gleamed with approval. "Even more remarkable is that he used all of the royal family's savings to purchase grain and seeds for distribution to the people."

The flickering candlelight illuminated Huo Quji's thoughtful face.

"On the other hand, other princes..."

Gongsun Ao sneered, "Prince Qinghe Liu Cheng is levying heavy taxes and levying heavy taxes in his fiefdom, while Prince Guangling is indulging in wine and women all day long."

He lowered his voice and said, "The most important thing is that the Prince of Chenliu has always enjoyed prestige in the army, and many soldiers at the border have benefited from his kindness."

Huo Quji stood up and walked to the window, looking at the mountains in the distance.

Gongsun Ao's words are indeed reasonable, and the political achievements of Prince Chenliu are obvious to all.

But the late emperor's voice, appearance and smile kept appearing before his eyes, making it difficult for him to make a decision.

"Duke Protector of the Country!"

Gongsun Ao suddenly knelt on one knee and said, "The country cannot be without a ruler for a single day! The Chu army is watching us covetously. If the chaos in the court continues, our dynasty will surely be in chaos!"

Huo Quji turned abruptly, a look of determination flashing in his eyes: "General Gongsun, are you so optimistic about the Prince of Chenliu?"

"I am willing to guarantee it with my own life!" Gongsun Ao said firmly.

In the early morning light, Huo Quji finally made a decision.

He stood at the city gate, with three hundred personal soldiers behind him ready to go.

"The Duke of Protectorate is going to..." Gongsun Ao hesitated to speak.

Huo Quji patted his shoulder and said, "I entrust the border control to you, General."

He looked towards Chang'an with a firm gaze: "Our guild will stabilize the political situation as soon as possible and send reinforcements when the time comes."

Gongsun Ao clasped his fists solemnly and said, "I will definitely live up to your trust!"

The sound of horse hooves rang out, and Huo Quji led his personal soldiers and galloped away.

The autumn wind blew up yellow leaves all over the sky, as if seeing off the Duke of Protector of the Country.

Shen Congyun stood on the top of the city wall, watching the troops gradually retreating, and sighed softly: "I hope the Duke of Protectorate's choice is right."

At the same time, undercurrents were surging in Chang'an City.

In the Prime Minister's Mansion, Chen Pin was playing with a jade pendant and listening to the report from the secret agent.

When he heard that Huo Quji had already set off, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:

"The show is about to begin."

On the official road outside the city, a team of black knights were setting up an ambush in the dense forest.

The leading man wiped the long sword in his hand and sneered, "Duke Protector of the Country? Today, I will make sure you never return!"

The autumn wind howls, as if foreshadowing the coming bloody storm.

At the same time, in the Chu army camp.

The autumn wind blew up the flags of the Chu army camp. Chu Ning sat upright in front of the central army tent, playing with a bronze command arrow in his hand.

Zhao Yu knelt on one knee, his silver armor still damp with the morning dew.

"Your Majesty, the latest military report."

Zhao Yu presented the secret letter with both hands: "Prince Liu Xiu of Chenliu has contacted officials from all over the country, and Prince Liu Cheng of Qinghe has secretly mobilized his own troops. Most importantly, Duke Protector Huo Quji has led his personal troops out of Xunyang and is heading straight for Chang'an."

Chu Ning paused his fingertips, and the command arrow spun in a circle in his palm.

He slowly unfolded the secret letter, and a cold smile gradually rose at the corner of his mouth: "Okay, let's get started."

The sound of war horses neighing came from outside the tent. Ran Ming strode in and said in a rough voice:

"Your Majesty, when will we march? My sword can't wait to drink blood!"

"Not urgent."

Chu Ning threw the secret letter into the charcoal brazier, and the flames instantly devoured the carefully woven conspiracies.

"Order the entire army to rest for five days."

Zhao Yu frowned slightly: "Your Majesty, now is a good time to pursue the victory."

"Let them kill first."

Chu Ning stood up and walked to the military sand table, and gently pushed down the fortress model representing Chang'an with his slender fingers.

"When Huo Quji leaves, he will either become a minister who supports the new emperor, or..."

He suddenly sneered: "Becoming a sacrifice in the power struggle."

Ran Ming scratched his bald head: "Then we just wait?"

Chu Ning picked up a black jade chess piece from the table and gently placed it on Chang An's position on the sand table:

"Send the Jinyiwei to add fuel to the fire. Remember, make sure people see that it was Prince Qinghe's work."

The chess pieces collided with the sandbox, making crisp sounds.

A gleam flashed in Zhao Yu's eyes: "Your Majesty, are you planning to reap the benefits?"

"Do not."

Chu Ning stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the darkening sky outside the tent: "I want to watch them hand over their kingdom to me."

The autumn wind blew into the tent, blowing out the flickering candlelight, and only his cold laughter echoed in the darkness.