Time Travel to 1859: The Iron-Blooded Soldier King

Finally, it was confirmed that Xingzai would return to Beijing.

It is impossible for such a large group to set out together. The team is too large and will put huge pressure on the local area.

After much deliberation, the Grand Council finally decided: All the imperial guards in Rehe would be divided into three groups and set out successively. The first group, accompanied by Grand Councillors Zaiyuan, Kuangyuan, Mu Meng, and Jingshou, would return to Beijing first to ensure uninterrupted government affairs. The concubines brought to Rehe by Emperor Xianfeng would also depart with this first group. The second group, led by Duanhua and Jiao Youying, would lead the left wing of the Beijing Camp and the Baoding Town to escort the two Empress Dowagers and the Emperor. They were scheduled to arrive in Beijing on March 29th, where they would be received by Prince Gong and the officials. The third group, led by Sushun, Prince Dun, and Prince Chun, would lead the Firearms Battalion and the right wing of the Beijing Camp to escort the late emperor's coffin. Because the coffin was carried on a large pole by 128 men, their movement was slower, and they were therefore the last in line.

Sushun had his reasons for making this arrangement. Kuang Yuan, Zaiyuan, and Mu Meng returned to the capital first, allowing them to essentially control the situation there. Zaiyuan was a prince, Mu Meng was the Minister of War, and Kuang Yuan was a scholar. Together with Jingshou, these three were more than enough to handle any unexpected situation. As for Duanhua escorting the two Empress Dowagers and the Emperor, that would depend on Jiao Youying. Jiao Youying was a very agile person, and he was also a loyal follower of his. If anything unexpected happened, Jiao Youying could very well help Duanhua stabilize the situation.

As for himself and Du Han, they were in control of the entire situation from behind.

The team finally set off, and the team moved very slowly along the way.

As Su Shun was on his horse, Du Han caught up with him from behind and whispered, "Zhongtang, I feel like something is not right..."

Su Shun was stunned and asked, "What's wrong?"

Du Han replied, "Mr. Su, I think the Empress Dowagers and the Emperor shouldn't be accompanying Prince Zheng and Jiao Youying like this. Although Jiao Youying is assisting Prince Zheng, I'm still a little worried. The seals of both parties are in the hands of the two Empresses. If they make any trouble, will Prince Zheng and Jiao Youying be able to control the situation? That guy in the west is no pushover, very troublesome..."

Sushun's heart trembled, he held the horse, and said thoughtfully: "There shouldn't be any problem, right? Hongju, now I can also tell you the truth. In fact, two days ago, Jiao Youying once suggested that when things are not going well, I should take action in advance, solve the little emperor, and then support my eldest brother to ascend the throne. This matter is of great importance, and I didn't think too much about it, but I always felt something was wrong these two days. That's why I put Jiao Youying next to my eldest brother. Once the situation changes, Jiao Youying will do his best to persuade my eldest brother to take action. No matter what, we can't let the two palaces and Gong Laoliu have the opportunity to join forces again, otherwise we will die without a burial place!"

Du Han was shocked and said urgently, "Mr. Su, we can't act rashly on this matter. How can Prince Zheng and Jiao Youying alone control the situation? You have to know that there is Baoding Town next to Prince Zheng! Although Baoding Town is nominally under the jurisdiction of Prince Zheng, after all, the time is still short, and the people below are not Prince Zheng's confidants. If we can't get the support of Baoding Town, this matter will probably fail!"

Sushun was horrified. He had completely forgotten about Baoding Town. This was treason, not a simple power grab! If he was simply vying for power with Gong Laoliu or the imperial concubines, he could maintain the upper hand with the late emperor's will. But if he were to commit treason, would Baoding Town still support him? This was simply unthinkable! Without the immense benefits, who would be willing to risk the annihilation of their entire family?

Du Han continued, "Also, now that the two palaces have the seals in hand, and there's also the Baoding Town, whose roots we haven't yet fully understood. If the two palaces mobilize the people of Baoding Town and do something unexpected, the two of them will definitely not be able to deal with it. You have to know that Baoding Town is just like the original Firearms Battalion, a bunch of ignorant fools! Jiao Youying is smart enough, but it's all just a small trick. Once greed and profit are blinding him, he will lose his mind!"

Sushun began to get anxious and asked, "Hongju, what do you think we should do now?"

Du Han gritted his teeth and said, "Let's go all out. Immediately send our trusted men to the front to stop the two concubines' troops from moving forward and make them wait for the coffin to return to the capital together! At worst, we can leave half of the Beijing troops behind to cover their retreat. We must keep a tight control on the two concubines and the emperor. Regardless of whether they are plotting rebellion or not, as long as they are in our hands and the seal is in our hands, Gong Laoliu will be powerless!"

Sushun nodded and replied, "Okay, I'll do as you say! Yuchang!"

When General Yu Chang of the Beijing Camp heard Su Shun calling him, he turned his horse around and ran over, asking, "Mr. Su, Mr. Du, what are your orders?"

Sushun shouted, "Immediately head to Miyun to pursue Prince Zheng. Tell them I'm going to stop the main force at all costs. Stay in Miyun for two days to await the arrival of the coffin, and then we'll go to the capital together. Remember, you must persuade the two palaces to stay!"

Yuchang quickly agreed, whipped his horse into action, and rushed forward.

Yuchang was a thoughtful man and a close confidant of Sushun. Sushun felt at ease when Yuchang went to do things. Moreover, since they were only asking the two palaces to stay for two days, there was no reason for them to be suspicious. They continued on their journey. With Big Brother and Jiao Youying on board, there shouldn't be any problems.

However, the problem occurred precisely in the place where it was least likely to go wrong!

A day and a half later, Sushun's troops arrived at Miyun. Where was the trace of the two palaces and the emperor?

Only Yuchang stood awkwardly at the city gate to welcome Sushun!

Sushun's heart sank, and he shouted, "Yuchang, what have you done? Where are the two palaces and the emperor? Where is my eldest brother?"

Yu Chang smiled bitterly and said, "Mr. Su, the emperor was young and crying and making a fuss. He was anxious to return to the capital, and we couldn't stop him. Later, the Queen Mother of the Western Palace lost her temper, and Prince Zheng and Lord Jiao had to make a decision and move forward. I then sent a fast horse to you to announce the news. Why are you still so slow?"

Sushun was shocked and shouted, "You think I sent a fast horse to report the news? How many people?"

Yu Chang was somewhat confused and replied, "Two people, one in front and one behind, scouting on fast horses. Didn't you encounter them?"

How could Sushun have even seen half a shadow?

Du Han stamped his foot fiercely and said anxiously, "It's bad, it's bad! Su Zhongtang, something must have happened, something must have happened. Otherwise, the Westerners would never have been so furious and used their power to suppress Prince Zheng and Jiao Youying! They are both a pair of good-for-nothings, why didn't they react?"