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

His eyes were as cold as iron, penetrating the gaps in his shield and scanning the windows and battlements on both sides of the street that were constantly spewing out flames of death.

He clearly realized that this was a carefully planned ambush!

The target is him! Dugu Jia wants to ambush and kill him here!

"Humph, what a small trick!"

Chu Ning snorted coldly. His voice was not loud, but it carried a powerful force that stabilized the morale of the army and was clearly heard by every guard around him.

He suddenly drew the Emperor's Sword from his waist, the symbol of imperial power, and pointed the tip of the sword directly at the area with the most concentrated ambush troops ahead. His voice was firm and full of unquestionable murderous intent:

"Don't panic! Push the shield formation forward! The archers counterattack and suppress both sides!"

"Ran Ming! Keep charging forward and tear open the frontal defenses. No need to return for reinforcements!"

"The rest of you, follow me—charge forward! Crush these ambushes!"

"kill!!!"

The emperor personally gave the order and acted so calmly, which greatly encouraged the attacked Chu army.

The guards roared, held their shields, and advanced forward step by step with determination.

The Chu army archers in the formation also reacted quickly. Braving the rain of arrows, they fired back at the roofs and windows of the houses on both sides!

Ran Ming, who received clear instructions, put aside his worries and turned all his anger and fear into a desire to kill. He roared like a mad tiger and pounced even more fiercely on the Han army positions in front of him that were trying to block him!

Chu Ning's calmness and decisiveness were like a shot of adrenaline to the chaotic Chu army.

They quickly recovered from the panic of the ambush and endured the continuous cold arrows shot from both sides.

Like a huge, scarred but still violent war machine, it began to move unwaveringly along Qinglong Street, towards the ambushed Han army and towards the depths of Chang'an City, launching a more ferocious and brutal attack!

The street fighting instantly entered its most brutal stage!

Every inch of land and every house became a battlefield for battle and bloodshed between the two sides!

The ambush on Qinglong Street did not kill Chu Ning in one fell swoop as expected, which made Shen Congwen, the commander of the imperial guards who was in charge of commanding this fatal operation, break out in a cold sweat!

He was lying in ambush on the second floor of a tall restaurant on the street. Through the gaps in the window lattices, he could clearly see the impenetrable shield formation of Chu Ning's central army and the Chu soldiers after being attacked.

Instead of collapsing, the Chu army quickly stabilized its position under Chu Ning's calm command and began a fierce counterattack!

"How is it possible... this... this didn't kill him?"

Shen Congwen's face was pale, and the knuckles of his hand holding the hilt of the sword turned white from the force. A huge sense of frustration and cold fear surged in his heart.

He knew better than anyone that this ambush was a desperate killing tactic by Queen Mother Dugu Jia!

What is at stake is not only the safety of Chang'an City, but also the lives and property of her mother and son, as well as the final fortune of the entire Han Dynasty!

The Queen Mother placed all her hopes on this, hoping that he could kill Chu Ning, the biggest threat to her, with a cold arrow on this street!

However, he failed!

The carefully laid trap and the long-awaited fatal blow did not even touch the corner of Chu Ning's clothes!

The Chu army's tight protection and quick response exceeded his expectations.

Looking at the Chu army like a wounded beast, under the command of Chu Ning, they began to advance deeper into the street more violently.

The archers ambushing on both sides began to suffer increasing casualties due to the counterattack of the Chu army's crossbows and the infantry's house-by-house clearing. Shen Congwen knew that the game was over!

The best time for ambush has been missed, and the surprise has been lost. With only a few thousand ambush troops, it is impossible to stop the tens of thousands of wolf-like and ferocious main forces of the Chu army from entering the city!

A bone-chilling chill rushed from the soles of my feet to the top of my head!

Chang'an City...can't be defended!

If the Chu army were allowed to completely break through Qinglong Street and enter the palace, then Shen Congwen would not only be the culprit of the defeat in this battle, but would also become the eternal sinner who ruined the Han Dynasty's 400-year rule!

How will he be recorded in history books?

Incompetent? Idiot?

No! This cannot happen!

Shen Congwen gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart, and a hint of determination flashed in his eyes.

Now that things have come to this, there is no point in regretting. The only thing we can do is to fight to the death and delay time as much as possible. Maybe there will be a glimmer of hope!

He turned abruptly and sternly ordered a loyal and trusted lieutenant beside him:

"You! Ride your horse immediately and rush back to the palace as fast as possible, regardless of the cost!"

"Report to the Queen Mother and say...say that the ambush failed and Chu Ning was not killed!"

"The main force of the Chu army has entered the city. I am leading my troops to resist desperately, but... but I am afraid we cannot hold out for much longer! Queen Mother, please... make a decision soon!"

The captain also knew the situation was extremely critical and clasped his fists firmly: "I understand!"

After saying that, he turned around and rushed downstairs like an arrow, found a warhorse, whipped the horse hard, and galloped towards the palace for his life.

After sending the messenger away, Shen Congwen took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He drew his sword and roared to the messenger waiting downstairs, "Order! All ambush troops, abandon your hiding places and charge forward!"

"Rely on the streets and walls, and block the enemy at every step! Even if it costs lives, you must stop the Chu army for me! Buy time for the Queen Mother and His Highness!"

"Yes!"

As soon as the order was given, the Han army ambush troops who had been hiding in the dark rushed out from their hiding places.

Driven by the officers, they rushed into the streets like a tide and collided violently with the advancing vanguard of the Chu army!

In an instant, blood and flesh flew everywhere on Qinglong Street, and the sounds of fighting, roaring, and clashing weapons were deafening!

The battle has entered the most brutal and bloody close combat stage!

At the same time, the captain who reported the news galloped on his horse.

Ignoring the chaos and sporadic fighting that had already begun on the streets, they rushed back to the heavily guarded palace as quickly as possible, crawling and tumbling into the Weiyang Palace.

"Empress Dowager! Something bad has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

The captain fell to his knees, his voice distorted by extreme fear and running.

"Commander Shen... Commander Shen has asked me to report... the ambush... the ambush failed! Chu Ning was not harmed!"

"The main force of the Chu army has poured into the city. Our army... our army is engaged in a bloody battle on Qinglong Street, but... but I'm afraid we can't hold on!"

This news was like a bolt from the blue, hitting the Weiyang Palace hard!

Dugu Jia, who was sitting on the phoenix couch, had been trying to remain calm, but his face turned ashen in an instant, and then turned into an incredible rage!

She stood up suddenly, her body trembling slightly because of extreme anger!

"Waste! Incompetent waste!!"

Dugu Jia let out a sharp and piercing roar like a night owl.

She swept all the teacups and fruit plates on the table beside her to the ground, making crackling sounds!