The prince is very cruel

A large number of people are suffering from dire straits and starving!

This is the situation before the rebels attack. Once they attack... it will only be worse!

There were countless imperial edicts recruiting soldiers, and the treatment was generous, with military pay more than twice the normal amount, which once attracted many young people to join the army.

But anyone with an eye for the truth understood that these were nothing but empty talk. Given the state of the Wu Dynasty's treasury, it was already difficult to maintain its operation, let alone support a war, which was simply a pipe dream.

You have to be alive to get the military pay.

Same day.

The old emperor issued an imperial decree to mobilize four armies, including veterans from Guangdong and Guangxi, to form an army of 100,000 to quell the rebellion and rush to Jingzhou in a mighty force.

But soon after the troops set out, news came from Jingzhou that Jingzhou had fallen.

Half a month later, the two sides met outside Majia Town outside Jingzhou City and launched a decisive battle.

At the beginning, the old emperor's army relied on a large number of veterans and did hold on, and even showed signs of fighting back, but after only five days, something went wrong again!

The delay in the payment of military salaries, coupled with the open and covert struggles within the army, led to slow action, disunity between the top and the bottom, and ultimately defeat.

Of the 100,000-strong army, 30,000 were killed, and the remaining 70,000 all escaped.

The main general committed suicide to apologize, and the deputy general Anqing surrendered to the rebels with 20,000 remaining soldiers.

As soon as the news reached the capital, it caused a huge shock. An atmosphere of impending storm, the destruction of the country and the ruin of the family completely enveloped the entire capital!

Officials were in panic and people began to flee.

The ancient and majestic capital city turned into a place of dire straits overnight.

The old emperor was furious and ordered the killing of the three clans of the surrendered generals and soldiers, which further increased the internal chaos. Those defeated soldiers who had not had time to escape, upon hearing that all their family members had died, turned around and joined the rebels and began to counterattack the capital.

It can be said that the entire court entered a vicious circle.

On the tenth day of the twelfth lunar month, heavy snow fell, covering the entire capital city.

There were many people who froze to death in the streets and alleys. Many people were forced to gather at the gate of the government office because they had no food, hoping to get some food.

But the government officials ignored it and stockpiled all the edible food in the capital, and even drew a lot from the surrounding areas of the capital.

In other words, I would rather die than let my friend die.

In order to protect his position, the old emperor ignored all the people.

The deathly silence of the prison was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps, which seemed very urgent and there were quite a few people involved.

It was a month after Guan Ning was imprisoned. He looked very disheveled at the moment. He had not taken a shower and had a very long beard. However, his eyes under his messy hair still retained a kind of divine light, extremely sharp.

"Finally, are you here?"

There was a hint of calmness in the voice he murmured to himself. The imprisonment did not make him decadent, but made his mind stronger.

Immediately afterwards, a large number of palace guards rushed to the front of the prison, cleared a path, and Eunuch Green appeared.

"It's destiny, the emperor decreed!"

"Urgently summon Guan Ning to the palace!"

Click...

The cage door was opened in an instant, without any delay or courtesy, as if it was extremely urgent.

"Master Guan, please come in." Eunuch Lu stretched out his hand.

Guan Ning stretched his arms and legs, said nothing, and strode out.

When Guan Ning saw the sunlight outside again, he felt a little uncomfortable. He stretched out his hand to block it and looked at the light snow. He knew that it was the day for him to leave!

Royal study room.

The air was filled with sandalwood and the fire was burning brightly. Ministers and generals were coming and going in a hurry, accompanied by the old emperor's angry scolding in the imperial study, and some people were even dragged away on the spot.

Guan Ning became the most dazzling one, wearing a prison uniform and with messy hair, it was almost impossible to tell that it was Guan Ning.

According to the rules, even if prisoners were brought in, they still had to clean up, but perhaps because it was a turbulent time, these details were omitted.

Guan Ning was taken to the side door and was allowed to pass after Eunuch Lu gave him a notice.

As soon as you enter the imperial study, you can feel that it is no longer as peaceful as before. Although the person has left, you can still vaguely feel a sense of urgency.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant, pays homage. Long live Your Majesty!" Guan Ning bowed.