Chapter 244: The Capital Shakes (4000 Words Two in One Chapter)
"What, the northern monster is actually going south!"
In the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace, Emperor Xianlong was both surprised and angry.
He was surprised that the northern monster dared to overestimate its capabilities.
What made him angry was that Shuozhou did not report any warning at all.
What does Wang Zhongyi do for food?
In anger, Emperor Xianlong threw all the porcelain in the hall. Still feeling upset, he smashed the memorials on the imperial desk and pushed them to the ground.
The maids and eunuchs all hid outside the main hall, and no one dared to touch His Majesty the Emperor's misfortune at this time.
"Your Majesty, calm down."
At this time, Zheng Jie, the chamberlain's eunuch, walked slowly to Emperor Xianlong's side and said in a deep voice: "There may be some hidden meaning in this matter. Your Majesty does not need to be so angry..."
"You told me not to be angry? Brother, tell me, how can I not be angry! He is an envoy of Shuozhou, and he can let the monsters slip away under his nose without knowing it. Tell me what I want from him.
.”
Emperor Xianlong's chest rose sharply with anger, and it took a long time before he managed to calm down: "Daban, tell me, is he deliberately taking revenge on me for wrongly blaming him for putting him in prison in Chang'an City?"
"Your Majesty is overly concerned. Wang Jiedushi is loyal and devoted to the country. How could he do such a thing without a king or a father?"
Zheng Jie sighed and said: "In my humble opinion, this must be the monster that used magic to avoid the search of Shuozhou Army."
Emperor Xianlong snorted coldly and said: "No matter what, this is his dereliction of duty. What should I do now? Many of the troops defending the capital were transferred to the Western Regions by Feng Hao. Chang'an's troops are now empty, even if it is surrendered now
It’s too late to order everyone to come to the capital to serve the king. Also, don’t I want to lose face?”
"Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, this may be the case."
Zheng Jie lowered his voice and said: "First, order the soldiers from Gyeonggi Province to gather to support the attack, and then order Wang Zhongyi to rush to the capital to help. This way, the risk can be controlled to a minimum, and the number of people who know about it can also be controlled to a minimum."
It can be said that Zheng Jie's words spoke to the heart of Emperor Xianlong.
As an emperor who had a high self-esteem and believed himself to be a wise and powerful emperor, Emperor Xianlong cared very much about his own face.
If the whole world knew that Chang'an was empty of troops and the monsters were raging, it would be like entering a deserted land, which would make Emperor Xianlong feel even more uncomfortable than killing him.
The plan proposed by Zheng Jie is much easier to accept.
Although after hundreds of years of development, the Fubing system has become extinct in name only, it still exists after all.
Now that we can't recruit an army in a short period of time, we can only rely on government soldiers to support us.
After this urgent need is solved, consider the next thing.
"Just do as you say. In addition, ask Qintian Supervisor Yuan Tiangang to come into the palace to meet the Holy Spirit."
After Emperor Xianlong said this, Zheng Jie hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, Master Yuan Tianshi has been in seclusion these days for cultivation."
Emperor Xianlong was stunned when he heard this, and a sullen look flashed across his face. Then he waved his hand and said, "That's all, I'll go see him in person and show him to the Qintian Prison."
Although Qintian Prison is also in the palace, it is quite far away from Zichen Palace where Emperor Xianlong lived.
Emperor Xianlong was eager to see Yuan Tiangang because he actually wanted the Taoist sect to express its attitude.
He could not invite the mountain chief, but after all, the Taoist sect had a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship with the imperial court. Yuan Tiangang himself also served as the imperial supervisor in the imperial court, and enjoyed the name of Tianshi.
Therefore, Emperor Xianlong felt that as long as he opened his mouth, Yuan Tiangang would still be willing to help him guard Chang'an.
Zheng Jie was by his side, which made Emperor Xianlong feel very safe.
After all, he was going to bargain face to face with a super-level expert. With another super-level practitioner by his side, he would be more confident.
As for who was better at fighting between Yuan Tiangang and Zheng Jie, Emperor Xianlong actually never considered it at all.
In his opinion, the two of them couldn't fight.
About a stick of incense later, Emperor Xianlong's chariot arrived at Qintian Prison.
Li Chunfeng went downstairs to greet him personally.
"Greetings to Your Majesty."
"Taoist Master Li is excused, where is Master Yuan?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, my teacher is doing some repair work upstairs."
"That's all, I'll go upstairs to visit you personally."
Emperor Xianlong was in a hurry and didn't care much. He threw away the guards and went straight up the stairs.
The Huntian Tower was very high. Emperor Xianlong climbed up quickly at first, but the more he climbed, the more tired he became. In the end, he was out of breath and had to be helped by Zheng Jie before he could continue to climb the stairs.
Time is not forgiving.
Emperor Xianlong laughed at himself.
If it had been more than ten years ago, it would not have been so difficult for him to climb the stairs.
But now
In the end, after much effort, Emperor Xianlong climbed to the top of the Huntian Tower.
He immediately saw Yuan Tiangang sitting on the lotus seat, slowly stepped forward, cleared his throat and said: "Master Yuan, I'm sorry to bother you."
Throughout the Zhou Dynasty, there were only a few people who could make Emperor Xianlong so polite.
Yuan Tiangang certainly occupies a place.
The Taoist Heavenly Master slowly opened his eyes, smiled slightly and said, "I have met Your Majesty, a poor Taoist."
Although he said this, he had no intention of getting up.
However, Emperor Xianlong was not angry at all, but smiled and nodded.
"I heard that Master Yuan Tianshi is retreating to practice Taoism, so I disturbed him. However, the matter is important, and I must come."
"Why is your Majesty here?"
People in the Ming Dynasty do not speak secretly. Yuan Tiangang knew that Emperor Xianlong was a master who would not go to the Three Treasures Hall for any reason.
For the Emperor of Zhou to come in such a hurry, there must have been a big change in the capital.
"To be honest, it's for the sake of the northern barbarians and monsters moving south."
Emperor Xianlong said in a serious tone: "Wang Zhongyi, the governor of Shuozhou, did not do his job well and actually watched the monster go south. I have no other way now. The capital's troops are empty, so I can only mobilize the soldiers from Gyeonggi Province to fight first."
I’d like to issue an imperial decree and order Wang Zhongyi to quickly lead troops to Beijing to rescue him. But the army alone is definitely not enough. The reason why the northern barbarians are so rampant is that they rely on monsters."
Emperor Xianlong said this, and Yuan Tiangang naturally understood it.
"Actually, I just predicted this hexagram, but I didn't expect it to come so quickly."
Yuan Tiangang counted with his fingers and said: "It should be five days at the earliest and seven days at the latest. The monsters will come to the city."
hiss.
Emperor Xianlong took a deep breath when he heard this.
So fast?
Is there wind under the monster's feet?
"So how does Yuan Tianshi think I should arrange it?"
"Your Majesty, there is no need to panic."
Yuan Tiangang said: "When Meng Sheng was first building Chang'an City, he set up three large formations in the city, which were responsible for guarding the outer city, the imperial city, and the palace city. Even if the monsters attacked in large numbers, it was unlikely that they could break through Meng Sheng.
The prohibition array we have set up will only bring humiliation to ourselves."
Emperor Xianlong frowned, feeling very complicated.
This was not the answer he wanted to hear.
As an emperor, he certainly knew that there were three large formations in Chang'an City.
But the problem is that relying solely on three large formations for defense is a bit too passive and frustrating.
After all, he was also the Emperor of the Zhou Dynasty, and he claimed to be the only emperor of the ages. How could he be willing to be a coward and be beaten passively?
"Are we just going to have to go on the defensive?"
Emperor Xianlong hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively.
"That's not necessarily the case."
Yuan Tiangang saw through Emperor Xianlong's thoughts at a glance and said calmly: "If necessary, the Taoist sect will take action to punish the monsters."
After hearing these words, the stone hanging in Emperor Xianlong's heart finally fell to the ground.
"It's so good, it's so good. After hearing these words from Master Yuan, I feel at ease."
After saying this, Emperor Xianlong stood up and said in a harmonious voice: "I won't disturb Master Yuan Tianshi anymore. I will drive back to the palace."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
After Emperor Xianlong left, Yuan Tiangang asked Li Chunfeng who was standing aside: "Chunfeng, have you brought all the things I asked you to bring to Zhao Mingyun before I became my master?"
"Reply to my mentor, word for word."
Li Chunfeng said respectfully.
"That's good, that's good."
Yuan Tiangang nodded and said with great satisfaction: "It seems that Zhao Mingyun has really grown up. This time is the best test for him. You will know the quality once you try it."
In recent days, the atmosphere in Chang'an, the capital, has suddenly become tense.
Only people are allowed in but not allowed out, and the entire city is under martial law.
The walls between major cities and towns are normally closed, with only two hours a day for people to enter and exit.
For a time, rumors spread all over the city.
Some say that the northern barbarians are going to attack southward in a large scale, and some say that there is a war in the Western Regions and the war has spread to Guanzhong.
It is also said that the barbarians from Jiannan Road resurrected, rebelled and captured central Shu, and planned to attack Chang'an along the Shu Road.
There are all kinds of rumors. Some of them are true and some are false. If you hear them, it will come as no surprise to the ears of bad people.
"Brother Mingyun, tell me, are the northern monsters really about to attack the city?"
In the past few days, people in the city have been in panic, making it difficult for Wangcai to eat and sleep well.
This is an extremely rare thing.
You know, Wangcai is famous for being very nervous.
Even if the sky falls, he probably won't react at all.
But because this time the northern barbarians and monsters moved south in large numbers, they were so panicked that they lost their minds.
In Zhao Xun's opinion, this was indeed very funny.
"I think it's very possible. If you think about it, the northern barbarians are good at riding horses, and with monster beasts as companions, they must be invincible when galloping. I guess we will have a big battle in a few days.
"
Zhao Xun is not too nervous, mainly because he has grown a lot with the experience in Ningzhou.
Nowadays, he is able to remain calm in every situation. After once being in charge of one aspect, he is now able to consider the situation holistically, rather than just starting from one side.
Besides, when he was in Ningzhou, the only people Zhao Xun could rely on were his mentor Qinglian Taoist Priest Wu Quanyi and several senior brothers and sisters from the academy. But now Zhao Xun has the entire academy, the entire Taoist sect, and the entire capital army behind him.
What else does he have to fear?
This guy Wangcai is really like mud that can't stand up to the wall.
"It seems to be different this time. The monster beasts seem to have been prepared for going south, otherwise we wouldn't have found dozens of monster beasts in the city. What should we do if they cooperate inside and outside?"
I have to say that the point of prospering wealth is to the point.
The best strategy for a military strategist is to surrender without fighting.
Whether it’s a monster or a human being, whoever can do this is the greatest success.
"Well, the people from the Jinwu Guards and the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division are conducting an all-night search. I believe these monsters won't be able to hide for long."
The manpower of the bad guys is limited, and not long ago, most of them were transferred by the bad guy Feng Hao and took them to the Western Regions.
Therefore, it is unrealistic to expect bad people to conduct full inspections.
"you mean"
Wangcai swallowed and said, "Can we just watch a show?"
"You can't say that."
Zhao Xun spread his hands and said: "But we must learn to allocate our physical strength reasonably and only take action when we are needed most."
The most important thing Zhao Xun has learned these days is that you cannot do everything by yourself.
Even gods can't stand to be created like this, let alone a human being of flesh and blood.
You have to learn to be willing and let go, only then can you gain a lot.
"Okay, if the monster really comes in, you have to protect me."
"must."
Zhao Xun said without hesitation. This was one of his few good brothers, and he was also the father of a financial sponsor. How could he be willing to watch Wangcai die?
"Mingyun, something bad happened to Mingyun."
At this moment, Zhao Xun saw Jia Xingwen rushing in with a sad look on his face.
He quickly stood up and greeted him: "Brother Jia, what happened? Don't be anxious. Take a sip of water first and speak slowly."
Zhao Xun picked up a tea cup and handed it over, saying with great concern.
Jia Xingwen took the tea cup and drank it in one gulp: "It's the people in the city, many of whom are rushing to the imperial city. They seem to be afraid of the monsters and northern barbarians going south, and want to hide in the imperial city. I see that some of them have already joined forces with
There is a conflict between the Jinwu Guards and the Five Cities Soldiers and Horses Division, please go and have a look."
Zhao Xun was really surprised when he heard this and rushed outside the government office.
Turn on the horse, whip the horse and whip in one go.
Zhao Xun's intuition told him that this matter was not simple.
When Zhao Xun and others arrived at the gate of the imperial city, they saw the dark crowd overwhelming Wuyang Wuyang.
These common people gathered outside the gate of the imperial city, raising their arms and shouting loudly.
"Let us in, we want to enter the imperial city."
"Yes, we don't want to stay in the outer city and wait to die. There are many monsters hidden there, and they may devour us at any time."
"We don't want to stay here to die. We want to take refuge in the imperial city. Let us go in."
The soldiers of the Jinwu Guards and the Wucheng Army and Horse Division held golden swords in their hands and stared at them intently.
"Don't act recklessly. The imperial city is not something that ordinary people like you can enter if you want. Get back quickly. If anyone dares to rush into the imperial gate without authorization, don't blame us for being rude."
A general of the Jinwu Guards said sternly.
"Bullshit, don't listen to him. We will die if we stay in the outer city. Only by rushing into the imperial city can we avoid disaster. Everyone fights with them. Only by rushing into the imperial city can we survive."
"Yes, everyone fights with them, fights with them!"
"We don't want to die, we want to live!"
"Stay alive, stay alive, everyone, charge forward. Fight with them."
The people's emotions were aroused, and they immediately rushed towards the Jinwu Guards soldiers who were waiting for them.
Seeing that something was not going well, Zhao Xun rushed to the front and shouted: "Everyone, wait a moment, please listen to me."