Dapeng's Time Travel Life

The summer heat in the capital was stifling, and the willows along the streets drooped listlessly. Inside the Prince's mansion, Zhang Peng was discussing the next steps in the reform plan with his advisors; the atmosphere was both lively and tense.

"Your Highness," an advisor suggested, "in my opinion, the next step should focus on reforming the imperial examination system to select truly talented individuals and inject new vitality into the reform."

Zhang Peng nodded slightly, and was about to speak when the steward rushed in, looking flustered: "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! A group of unidentified soldiers has suddenly arrived outside the city and is approaching the capital. The city's garrison has gone to stop them, but the enemy is coming on strong, and the situation is critical!"

Everyone was shocked upon hearing this. Zhang Peng abruptly stood up: "Is that so? Let's go to the city gate and see!"

Zhang Peng, accompanied by his advisors and guards, rode swiftly to the city gate. Outside, dust billowed as a well-equipped army slowly approached, its banners fluttering, though their symbols were obscured. On the city walls, the defending soldiers stood ready, the atmosphere tense and fraught with danger.

"Who goes there? Why are you leading your troops to approach the capital without authorization?" Zhang Peng shouted from the city wall.

From the opposing army, a general rode out and shouted, "We are acting on a secret order to see the Emperor! Prince Zhang Peng, please open the city gates immediately, or don't blame us for attacking the city!"

Zhang Peng's heart skipped a beat. A secret edict? He had never heard of the Emperor making such an arrangement; there must be something fishy about it. "I need to verify the authenticity of the secret edict; otherwise, I will not open the city gates!" he declared resolutely.

The general sneered, "Zhang Peng, don't be so stubborn! Today, you have to open the city gate whether you like it or not!" With that, he waved his hand, and the army immediately assumed a siege stance.

Zhang Peng knew he couldn't panic at this moment. He ordered the soldiers guarding the city to prepare for defense while quickly sending someone to the palace to report to the emperor.

"Your Highness, these people are coming with ill intentions. They're probably after the reforms, and might even be foreign allies colluding with those conservative forces," the advisor said worriedly.

Zhang Peng's expression was stern: "No matter what their purpose is, it's absolutely impossible for them to sabotage the reforms!"

Just as the situation reached a stalemate, news came from the palace that the emperor had not issued any secret edict, suspecting it was forged. Zhang Peng felt reassured. He stood on the city wall again and shouted to the troops below, "You forged a secret edict, intending to rebel! Your crimes are heinous! Retreat immediately, and you may be treated leniently. Otherwise, you will not return alive!"

The general remained unmoved: "Hmph, Zhang Peng, don't try to scare us with those words! If we don't open the city gates today, this capital will be awash in blood!"

Seeing this, Zhang Peng knew that a peaceful resolution was no longer possible, so he decisively ordered: "Fire the arrows!"

A hail of arrows rained down from the city walls, striking the enemy. The enemy, not to be outdone, raised their shields to defend themselves and began advancing their siege equipment. In an instant, shouts of battle filled the air, and the city gates descended into chaos.

Zhang Peng personally commanded the defending soldiers in a tenacious resistance. He knew that if the city gates were breached, the consequences would be unimaginable. However, the enemy's offensive was fierce, and the defending soldiers gradually became overwhelmed.

"Your Highness, this can't go on, the enemy has too many troops!" a guard shouted anxiously.

Zhang Peng gazed anxiously at the densely packed enemy troops below the city. Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck him. He immediately summoned a messenger, whispered a few instructions, and the messenger departed.

It turned out that Zhang Peng remembered that there was an army loyal to the court stationed near the capital, so he sent someone to request reinforcements. Once the reinforcements arrived, they could launch a pincer attack on the enemy.

Time ticked by, and the situation on the battlefield grew increasingly critical. The enemy had breached the first line of defense at the city gate and was about to storm into the city. Just at this critical moment, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from afar.

"Your Highness, reinforcements have arrived!" a soldier shouted excitedly.

Looking around, Zhang Peng saw an army charging towards the enemy like tigers—the very reinforcements he had requested. Caught between two attacks, the enemy was thrown into chaos. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Peng led his troops out of the city to counterattack.

Under attack from both inside and outside, the enemy army finally suffered a complete defeat. Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the general tried to escape, but was stopped by Zhang Peng with a sword.

"You traitor, today is your death day!" Zhang Peng glared angrily, his long sword flashing coldly.

The general, pale-faced, still resisted fiercely. The two exchanged blows in a fierce battle. Ultimately, Zhang Peng, with his superior martial arts skills, killed the general.

After the battle, the capital was in ruins. Looking at the devastated streets, Zhang Peng felt a mix of emotions. Although the sudden crisis was temporarily averted, he knew that many more difficulties and obstacles awaited him on the road to reform.

Upon returning to the Prince's residence, Zhang Peng, without taking a break, immediately went to the palace to report to the Emperor. The Emperor greatly appreciated his performance but also expressed concern about the situation in the court.

"Zhang Peng, this incident shows that the reforms have affected the interests of many people, and they will certainly not let it go easily. You must be careful and continue to push forward with the reforms. I fully support you," the Emperor said earnestly.

Zhang Peng knelt down and accepted the order: "Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your trust. Even if there are many obstacles ahead, I will carry out the reform to the end for the sake of the country and the people!"

As Zhang Peng emerged from the palace, he gazed at the sky above the capital and secretly vowed that no matter how great the difficulties, he would never give up on reform. He was determined to lead the country to prosperity and strength, and to ensure that the people could live a peaceful and happy life.