There was a faint smoke all around, a thick stench of blood, and a faint, terrifying smell of something burnt. The entire capital was in chaos. Other than the left and right of the Royal Palace, no one knew where else there was killing and strangling. The faint sounds of killing did not stop for a moment.
The Second Prince furrowed his brows and stared in a daze at the blurry scene on the palace walls. Lowering his voice, he said, "They won't be able to hold it. It's just a matter of how long they can last. All of the messengers my aunt arranged around Jingdou have been killed. It is impossible for reinforcements to come. Given Fan Xian's personality, he knows it's a dead end. Why would he fight so bravely? If it were any other time, he would have run a long time ago. "
Ye Zhong's armor was heavy and old and suffused with a dim light. This important figure in the Qing military glanced at his son-in-law. His eyes flashed slightly. Slowly, he said, "There are so many people in the Palace. How can he run?"
Everyone admitted that if Fan Xian led the Overwatch Council people and ran as soon as he saw the situation was not right, it would be difficult to dig him out in Jingdou, where hundreds of thousands of people lived, even if the Eldest Princess had many soldiers under her command. Everyone acknowledged Fan Xian's tyrannical strength and ability to escape.
Ye Zhong was silent for a moment and then said, "Since Fan Xian isn't running, then he must have something to rely on."
The Second Prince's expression calmed. This noble had listened to his aunt's suggestion and temporarily suppressed his ambitions to stand behind the Crown Prince, waving flags and shouting war cries. However, the string in his heart had long been plucked countless times. However, the situation was not set in stone. He would not do anything too crazy. Particularly compared to the Crown Prince, he was more afraid of Fan Xian's existence.
Fan Xian's attack on the Second Prince was not only a blow to his strength, but also a great blow to his spirit. The Second Prince took a deep breath and said, "Fan Xian will always pull out his trump card at unexpected times. I have never underestimated him …"
Ye Zhong suddenly coldly cut him off. "However, we can no longer preserve our strength. The Great Prince is leading thousands of imperial soldiers to defend the Royal Palace to the death. He also has the Overwatch Council's secret support. His strength is much more tyrannical than we originally thought. As for Taiping District, if we don't go all out to attack, I'm afraid there will be variables if we drag on. "
The Second Prince slowly lowered his head and thought about something in his heart. This time, the Qin and Ye families had formed a rebel army to surround the Palace. Nominally, they both supported the Crown Prince's succession. Everyone knew, at least for now, that the Dingzhou Ye family belonged to the Second Prince. Thus, in the numerous attacks since the morning, the Ye family had not used their full strength. In the direction of Taiping Square, they were particularly careful because they were worried that they would lose too much of their strength.
It was precisely because of this that the rebel army's attacks were not continuous. And all of this was something that the Second Prince had tacitly agreed to.
Ye Zhong glanced at his son-in-law and said in a deep voice, "I trust that Fan Xian has already seen this. I think he will immediately use this to drive a wedge between you and the Crown Prince. At this juncture, please put aside your past thoughts and first help the Crown Prince enter the Palace."
The Second Prince took a deep breath. A warm smile rose to his face as he nodded. "Father-in-law is right. We cannot give Fan Xian any opportunity to use. If the Crown Prince and I continue to be suspicious of each other, it will only make the three brothers in the Palace happy."
He turned his head to glance at Ye Zhong and solemnly said, "Have the Crown Prince and old Qin Master attack without worry. I'll go to the central camp and ask for the Crown Prince's instructions."
Ye Zhong furrowed his brows slightly. He knew that the Second Prince was going to use him as a hostage and use his safety to ensure the unity and will of the tens of thousands of rebel soldiers. He was not going to give Fan Xian any opportunity to use them.
"It's too dangerous." The Commander of the Dingzhou army slowly closed his eyes. "As the deputy general, I should go to the central camp to give orders. I'll just take a few trusted soldiers there. The Dingzhou army will be handed over to Your Highness to deal with. As for all matters regarding the attack on the city, the central camp will send out military orders. There won't be a situation where it is difficult to deliver military orders."
The Second Prince paused. A moment later, he was moved and said with concern, "Father-in-law, be careful."
…
…
Just as the Second Prince and Ye Zhong expected, seeing that the Dingzhou army was preserving their strength, Fan Xian would not let go of this opportunity to sow discord. Standing on the top of the city walls and gazing at the rebel army's central camp, he once again began to call out to the Crown Prince.
At this moment, the attack below the city walls was particularly urgent. The sound of drums was like thunder. Cries for killing rose from all directions. There were rebel soldiers climbing up ladders and beginning to brave arrows and rolling stones as they climbed toward the top of the city walls. It was at such a tense moment and in such a noisy and dangerous environment that Fan Xian's every word was branded into the ears of all of the rebel soldiers and Qin family generals.
He only called out one thing toward the bottom of the Palace walls, "Old thief Qin, so many of your people have died. Does it not hurt?"
There was not a single word that mentioned the Ye family or the Dingzhou army. However, bodies were scattered across the square. The charred remains of the terrifying rebel soldiers still gave off a nauseating smell. As long as one was not blind, one would notice that the people who had died in these waves of attacks were mostly Qin family soldiers and two subordinates of the Jingdou Garrison. Dingzhou had not suffered many losses.
After these words were said, the leaders of the rebel army's central camp were all surprised. The Crown Prince smiled slightly and said to the generals beside him, "Only an idiot would believe such childish sowing discord."
Even a blind person could hear Fan Xian's intentions in such an open provocation. Only an idiot would foolishly fall for his trap and begin to suspect each other's intentions. Although the Crown Prince and Second Prince had once fought to the death in court, after experiencing the Dong Mountain incident and under the Eldest Princess' gentle and powerful suppression, they had no choice but to work closely together. The two Li princes were not idiots. They knew that they had to maintain a semblance of unity and cooperation.
However, no matter how simple a plan was, when it was turned into direct words and landed in everyone's ears, it would have some effect on people's emotions, particularly the generals of the Qin family. Although they knew what Fan Xian wanted to achieve, they still couldn't help but feel a glimmer of anger. Since the beginning of the attack, it had always been the Qin family fighting the main force. The Dingzhou army had basically stood to the side and watched coldly. How could the Qin generals feel comfortable?
After taking the flag and returning, Gong Dian, who had been standing two riders away from the Crown Prince, began to have an unnatural expression. It was as if he felt a glimmer of shame. Everyone had seen the Dingzhou army's behavior and knew that Ye Zhong and the Second Prince were certainly planning something in their hearts. Although it would not have much of an impact on the major event, the Qin family would certainly be furious.
The Crown Prince glanced warmly at Gong Dian and said, "Fan Xian knows that he has already entered a dead end, which is why he would do such senseless actions. As the saying goes, one should not be surprised by strange things. There are only so many people in the Palace. I will use the army to suppress them. As long as we do not fall into chaos ourselves, the major event will eventually succeed. I hope everyone will work hard."
"Yes, Your Highness." The generals by his side all bowed. They knew that what the Crown Prince said was the correct path. Using the proper path to win through unusual means. If the correct path was magnanimous and powerful, why care about unusual means?
With just a slight mention, the Crown Prince crushed Fan Xian's words and tossed them away. The generals began to get busy again. The Crown Prince and the old Qin Master said something in a low voice. At the same time, they turned their gaze toward the top of the palace walls.
At this moment, a soldier holding a flag arrived on a fast horse. Under everyone's slightly strange gaze, he reported in a loud voice, "Deputy Commander Ye Zhong is here to ask for the Crown Prince's order."
The Crown Prince was slightly startled, but his eyes lit up. To the side, the old Qin Master suddenly opened his eyes. A cold light shone out but immediately calmed down. The situation was already set. The old Qin Master couldn't help but begin to think about his only son, Qin Heng. He wondered what kind of blow he had suffered at Zhengyang Gate and why he had not returned to his troops yet. Although Ye Zhong's arrival was sudden, the old Qin Master's heart only jumped slightly before he let it go.
The old Master guessed why Ye Zhong had come, but he was not worried that Ye Zhong would steal any of the Qin family's achievements. The Qin family's contribution in helping the Crown Prince to the throne was something no one could deny. As long as the Crown Prince ascended to the throne and became Emperor, the Qin family could at least enjoy decades of peace after the old Master died.
The Crown Prince's glimmer of surprise and joy was because he had other thoughts. He knew that Ye Zhong had come because he didn't want Fan Xian's words to affect today's grand plan. However, this respect for him and the importance he placed on the overall situation made the Crown Prince see a glimmer of light.
Fan Xian had placed the empress dowager and the Empress Dowager's medallions on the top of the palace walls. The Crown Prince and the old Qin Master had had a fierce conflict. Although the Crown Prince had forcefully suppressed the thoughts of the Qin family's generals, he had other thoughts in his heart — thoughts that Fan Xian wanted him to have.
A few days ago, the Crown Prince and the empress dowager had discussed deeply a number of times. They had never made up their minds to have the Qin family lead troops into the capital. They were afraid that the military would dominate in the future. Looking at the situation, the Crown Prince knew that, in the end, he was not his father. His influence on the military was still too small. He had to find some way to balance things out.
Ye Zhong's sudden arrival made the Crown Prince find a glimmer of a possibility. Ye Zhong was the Second Prince's father-in-law. Logically speaking, he should be the person the Crown Prince was most wary of. However, the Crown Prince did not think that the alliance in this world would last forever. Everything was related to profit and had nothing to do with feelings and family. He was the true Crown Prince and was about to ascend to the throne. The Ye family's support of him was much more beneficial than supporting the Second Prince.
Of course, he did not dare hope that the Ye family would suddenly turn to him. These things were problems to be considered a long time later. However, he had discovered this possibility.
Li Chengqian felt a slight bitterness in his heart. The group of people below the palace walls were all traitors and immoral. What wouldn't they do?
Ye Zhong entered the ranks and bowed solemnly to the Crown Prince. He reported the battle situation in Taiping Square. His trusted soldiers were far away outside the camp. Although the Qin family would not guard against him, they would not allow him to bring his trusted soldiers in.
The old Qin Master narrowed his eyes and nodded slightly toward Ye Zhong in greeting. Ye Zhong's expression was slightly dark. He was extremely calm.
…
…
The siege continued. Arrows flew past in all directions. The sound of killing did not stop. There were already clear casualties among the Imperial Army. However, the Royal Palace was tall. The palace gates were filled with mountain rocks and sand, so they could still hold.
Fan Xian narrowed his eyes as he watched the deaths happen in front of him. He didn't know what he was feeling. At this time, the Great Prince had already tidied up his light armor and removed the long sword at his waist. He took the long knife he had used to dominate the battlefield from his trusted soldier's hands and silently walked past behind him.
Fan Xian suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed his shoulder. In a low voice, he said, "It's better if I go."
"I admit that you are very powerful, but leading soldiers to charge is not an assassination by one person." The Great Prince furrowed his brows and said, "It's better if I do this kind of thing. Watch the top of the palace walls. My mother's life is in your hands."
Fan Xian was silent. He knew he would not be able to persuade this brother of his who was about to go into battle.
The Great Prince looked at him and suddenly said, "I wonder if I've gone crazy. To think that I'm going to take these hundreds of people to charge into the camp without knowing anything …" He laughed bitterly and spat on the ground. "After I die, if you can escape, remember to burn some paper money for me every year."
Fan Xian smiled bitterly. He knew that the custom of the Li family was to burn paper money. Hearing these words, he couldn't help but pat the Great Prince's shoulder. A moment later, he didn't say anything. He only squeezed out, "Big brother, be careful."
Hearing the word "big brother," the Great Prince laughed brightly and said, "To suddenly have you admit that I am your big brother at the moment of death is not bad."
The Great Prince knew that Fan Xian didn't even want to acknowledge his father, yet he was willing to acknowledge him as his big brother. There were true emotions within.
Fan Xian turned his head and watched the Great Prince and the Imperial Army members who were ready and waiting to go into the distance. He watched as they gently stroked the remaining 200 or so warhorses in the Royal Palace. His gaze gradually grew gentle. He knew that if he lost this gamble, he might have a chance to turn things around. However, these people, as well as most of the people in the Palace, would pay with their lives for his gamble.
If you all die, I will use a few years to kill everyone in the Li family to avenge you, Fan Xian said to himself in his heart.
Fan Xian thought to himself. His gaze slowly swept past the top of the palace walls and the bottom of the palace walls. It swept past the imperial soldiers who were bravely resisting the rebel army. He looked at the Overwatch Council's trusted aides who held fast to the crossbows and were responsible for various communications. He looked at the scholars Hu and Shu, who stood with pale faces in front of the palace walls.
Shu Wu's white beard floated in the wind and was disheveled. Fan Xian's heart dimmed slightly. He didn't know if this was the last time he would see these people's lively faces.
He lowered his head and said a few words to the Third Prince, Li Chengping. With a clap of his hands, he flipped up and stood on the three coffins on the palace walls.
The autumn sun was nearing noon, but it suddenly burrowed into the dark clouds that had drifted over. The three coffins on the palace walls were painted completely black. Fan Xian was also completely black. He stood calmly on them, facing the slightly cold wind and looking at all of this vexing scene.
Everyone on the palace walls saw this scene. The blood-soaked soldiers didn't have the leisure to watch. However, the people in the rebel army camp couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts when they saw the black-clothed man standing against the wind on the palace walls.
… …
From the start of the battle until now, Fan Xian's little tricks had not had much effect. After Ye Zhong met with the Crown Prince, there were finally some small changes in the rebel army camp. The entire rebel army camp began to slowly and methodically change formations.
The Dingzhou army had to replace the old Qin family and take on a portion of the responsibility of the traitors. This was the scene Fan Xian wanted to see. He watched all of this and found that although the Qing army was well-trained, the Ye and Qin families rarely cooperated. When they changed formations, a few gaps finally appeared on the battle lines.
The Dingzhou army was still far from moving into position. The Qin family still occupied the center. It was only the spiderweb-like alleys on the upper left that revealed their openings.
Fan Xian did not have much military training, but he knew that he could not use those gaps. He could only silently pray in his heart that the good luck that had accompanied him for 20 years would shine brightly at this moment.
It was as if heaven had its own will in the dark, and the will of heaven had heard the prayer in Fan Xian's heart. Just as the rebel army's formation change was slightly chaotic, the urgent sound of horse hooves filled with murderous intent finally came from the long street near the gap.
Fan Xian's spirit rose. Focusing his gaze, his gaze became very cold.
It was not reinforcements. It was Qin Heng.
…
…
After experiencing the cruel attack at Zhengyang Gate, Qin Heng, who had personally experienced the Nanzhao war and was a general behind a family of generals, finally relied on his powerful 5,000 riders to break through the combined attack of the Overwatch Council and Imperial Army riders. After a delay of two hours, he finally arrived at the Royal Palace.
In an instant, it could be seen that Qin Heng's subordinates had already charged to the end of the street. It could be seen that the riders were covered in blood and wounds. Of the 5,000 riders, only 3,000 remained. One could imagine how tragic the attack at Zhengyang Gate had been.
The tip of Fan Xian's heart ached like it had been pierced by a needle. He knew that his most loyal Overwatch Council subordinates had probably suffered heavy losses at Zhengyang Gate. No one knew how many had died or been injured. As for the group of Imperial Army the Great Prince had sent out, presumably, they had been completely wiped out.
A bitter taste of blood rolled between his lips and tongue. After two coughs, Fan Xian stared with blood-red eyes. He knew that while the Tyrannical ephedra pill had forcefully raised his realm, it had also deeply injured his heart meridians.
He only stared at the opening and watched as the group of riders led by Qin Heng appeared in front of everyone's eyes through smoke and blood.
"Do it."
He covered his bleeding lips and spoke indistinctly. Although the order was unclear and his voice was very low, the member of the Qinian Unit, who had been waiting by his side the entire time, did not hesitate at all. He raised his right arm and pulled with all his might. The signal arrow in his hand shot into the sky. In the dark and gloomy sky, it exploded into a beautiful firework.
From last night until now, it was the second firework in Jingdou.
…
…
The moment the signal went out, waves of strange sounds rang out from the private residences behind the square in front of the Royal Palace, attracting the attention of many people. In the middle of the three streets to the front and left, a rush of horse hooves suddenly rang out.
Qin Heng's riders had already arrived, so where did the sound of horse hooves come from? Who were these determined and hurried riders, who were even faster and more murderous than the Qin family's blood-soaked riders?
Like two gusts of wind destined to meet, the riders charging toward the square along the two roads at the same time finally met at the intersection of the two streets and collided violently and suddenly.
There were not many riders hidden in the dark, but they carried with them an aura different from that of normal Qing soldiers. Not only was there a murderous aura, but there was also a sense of the cold underworld. Their entire bodies were covered in black armor. It was as if not even a glimmer of light would be reflected. It was as black as ink.
The Overwatch Council's Black Knights were rumored to be the riders with the greatest killing power in the Qing Kingdom. However, not many people had seen their method of battle or their great strength. Within the Qing military, many people expressed a disdainful attitude toward the Black Knights. They thought that Chen Pingping, that old dog, could not train iron-blooded riders.
Today, this mysterious Black Knight troop finally collided with the elite riders of the Qing Kingdom. Furthermore, they used blood-like facts to tell everyone that in terms of the quality of riders, the Black Knights would always be the most valiant.
…
…
The sudden appearance of the Black Knights was outside of everyone's expectations. A glimmer of excitement flashed through the old Qin Master's eyes. At the first moment, he discovered the problem. A cold light flashed through his eyes again.
No one knew how Fan Xian had hidden this group of riders among the private residences behind the rebel soldiers. No one knew how this all-black group of dark riders managed to do it without making a single sound.
Qin Heng led the riders and sped past the intersection of the street. He then saw the black, heart-palpitating figures of riders charging toward him from the other side of the road.
There were too few people in this group of Black Knights, only 200. If the Great Prince was still on top of the palace walls, he would certainly guess that this was the group Fan Xian had sent out of the Palace last night. It was the group led by the Deputy Commander of the Black Knights, Jing Ge, who had disappeared without a trace for a long time.
Although there were only two hundred people, this group of Shadow Knights seemed to have two thousand people … No, it was more like one person was fighting. The leader wore a silver mask and gripped his spear tightly. He was like the sharpest point on the edge of a blade, charging at the forefront at an incredible speed!
The 200 riders behind him were like a sharp blade and solid blade behind a dagger. They maintained a tight formation and used excellent riding skills to support themselves. They followed closely behind the silver-masked Jing Ge and stabbed viciously into the front of Qin Heng's 2,000 riders.
…
…
Only the Black Knights would have such determination and daring to fight with 200 against 2,000. Decades ago, the predecessors of the Black Knights had once, under Chen Pingping's lead, launched a surprise attack 3,000 li north and deep into the Wei Kingdom. They had captured the leader of the Wei Kingdom's Tiqi, Xiao En, alive and then escaped unscathed.
The Black Knights could launch a surprise attack 3,000 li, much less a mere 3,000 zhang. Only those who remembered history well would understand that the Black Knights were the most powerful riders in the world. Only those who remembered history would understand why the Qing Emperor always forcefully ordered Chen Pingping to limit the number of Black Knights to 1,000.
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