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

Chu Ning waved his hand fiercely, and his voice was resolute and resolute, spreading all around:

"Pass on my military orders! The entire army is to abandon unnecessary baggage and only take ten days' rations and necessary weapons!"

"Speed ​​up the march! We must reach the city of Chang'an within five days!"

"I will stand on the top of Chang'an City and watch Li Jing return empty-handed!"

"Reach Chang'an within five days!"

"Boost!"

The order spread quickly throughout the army like ripples.

The already high morale was now ignited even more!

The soldiers responded with thunderous cheers, their pace quickened noticeably, and the speed of the entire marching team increased sharply.

They were like a speeding torrent of steel, with unstoppable momentum, rolling towards the capital city in the west that symbolized the final victory!

Chu Ning took the lead, his golden cloak fluttering in the cold wind.

Time has now become his most critical enemy and the weapon he must defeat.

He had to strangle the big man's throat before the eastern defense line was torn apart!

Two days later, in Chang'an City, in the front hall of Weiyang Palace.

Although it was the coldest time of the year outside, the hall seemed a bit stuffy because it was packed with civil and military officials. However, this "heat" did not come from the temperature, but from the panic and anxiety that was almost boiling in everyone's heart.

There was a depressing feeling in the air, as if a storm was about to come.

Above the dragon throne, it was hanging in the air.

Empress Dowager Cixi Dugu Jia sat upright on the phoenix throne specially set up next to the dragon throne. She was dressed in white mourning clothes, but it could not hide the sharpness and murderous look between her brows.

Liu Xiang, who was only twenty-one years old, was wearing an ill-fitting prince's robe and sat trembling below her. His face was pale and his eyes were evasive, like a frightened quail.

The hall was filled with officials.

From important officials among the Three Dukes to ordinary bureaucrats from various government offices, almost everyone who could come came.

Many people lowered their heads, secretly glancing at the expressions of the Queen Mother on the Phoenix Throne and her colleagues around them from the corner of their eyes, and their whispers were as buzzing as mosquitoes.

The content was nothing more than the terrible news that had spread throughout the city - Chu Ning personally led the army and was less than three days away from Chang'an!

"quiet!"

Following the eunuch's sharp announcement, the hall instantly became quiet, and everyone's eyes were focused on the Phoenix Throne.

Dugu Jia slowly raised his eyelids, and his cold gaze swept across every face below as if it were real, taking in all the expressions of panic, anxiety, and even despair.

She sneered in her heart. These ministers who usually talked big and claimed to be loyal and righteous were nothing but a group of cowardly rabble when faced with a real crisis.

She spoke directly without beating around the bush. Her voice was clear and cold, like the chill wind outside the palace, instantly piercing everyone's eardrums:

"I'm sure you all already know. The rebel Chu Chuning has personally led an army of tens of thousands of fierce warriors across the Hangu Pass and will soon be at the gates of the city."

In one sentence, it was like pouring cold water into boiling oil, making the already tense atmosphere almost explode!

Although they were mentally prepared, many officials still trembled and looked even uglier when the Empress Dowager confirmed it herself.

Some people even felt weak in the legs and could hardly stand.

Dugu Jia saw everyone's reactions, but instead of worrying, he had a cold smile on his face, as if he was in control of everything.

This is exactly the kind of fear she needs. Only fear can make these people temporarily put aside their thoughts and obey orders.

"Look at you!"

Dugu Jia's voice suddenly rose, filled with undisguised contempt: "The enemy hasn't even been seen yet, and you're already in such a state of panic. How can this be tolerated?"

"Is the four hundred year foundation of the Han Dynasty going to perish at the hands of a bunch of cowards like you?"

The reprimand made many officials lower their heads in shame, but more people were angry but dared not speak out.

After the reprimand, Dugu Jia changed the subject and threw out what she considered a "lifeline," which was also her biggest bargaining chip to stabilize people's hearts:

"There's no need to panic! Although Chu Ning is coming with great momentum, the situation behind him is not safe either!"

"I have reached an alliance with the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty! Li Jing, the military god of the Tang Dynasty, has personally led 300,000 elite troops and, in alliance with the Scorpion Tribe, launched an all-out offensive against the Chu army on the eastern front!"

"The Chu army's eastern defense is in jeopardy. Chu Ning coming west at this time is nothing but a tree without roots and water without a source!"

She deliberately exaggerated the intensity of the battle on the eastern front and Li Jing's military strength, her voice full of persuasiveness:

"As long as I can unite the people and defend the city, I can crush their will!"

"Once news of the Chu army's defeat on the eastern front arrives, Chu Ning's army will be in chaos and will collapse without a fight!"

"By then, the crisis will be resolved, and you will all be the heroes of the revival of the Han Dynasty!"

These words did have a certain effect.

A glimmer of hope rekindled in the eyes of some officials who were unaware of the truth, and they felt that perhaps they could really rely on the Tang Dynasty's containment to overcome the difficulties.

However, those important officials who knew some of the inside story or had a clear understanding of the situation felt differently.

They knew that pinning all their hopes on distant allies was undoubtedly an extremely dangerous gamble.

But at this moment, no one dared to stand up and question it.

Because of Dugu Jia's next move, all escape routes of compromise or surrender were completely blocked.

She suddenly stood up from the throne and took a roll of imperial edict written on bright yellow silk from the tray held by the eunuch beside her. She said in a loud voice:

"In this time of national crisis, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

"To rally the people, enforce the law, and ensure lasting peace and security, I, acting as regent, hereby issue these ten ironclad laws!"

"From now on, the whole city will be safe. Anyone who disobeys my order, regardless of whether they are military or civilian, will be executed!"

The word "behead" was uttered with a chilling murderous intent, causing the temperature of the entire hall to drop sharply.

Dugu Jia unfolded the imperial edict and read it out one by one, his voice cold and ruthless:

"First, anyone who dares to discuss peace, surrender, or undermine the morale of the army will be executed immediately, regardless of their rank, and their entire clan will be implicated!"

"Second, any of the soldiers defending the city who dare to desert or shrink from the battle will have their rear guard slayed, and their commander will die with them!"

"Third, any civilians in the city who dare to spread rumors, collude with foreign enemies, or hoard goods will be killed without mercy!"

"Fourth, all government officials must fulfill their duties conscientiously and ensure the supply of food, fodder, and military equipment. If there are any delays or omissions, the responsible officials will be executed!"

"Fifth, any recruited young men who dare to escape or resist will be executed!"

"Sixth, a curfew is imposed in the city. Anyone who goes out on the streets without reason after the twilight hour will be executed!"

"Seventh, all city gates are closed. Anyone who opens a city gate without my permission will be executed!"

"Eighth, all wartime resources will be centrally allocated. Anyone who dares to hoard or obstruct will be executed!"

"Nine, anyone who knows the truth but doesn't report it will be executed!"

"Ten, those who secretly collaborate with the enemy will be punished along with their entire clan!"

Ten orders, each one stained with blood, each word piercing the heart!