"This is rebellion!"
Lu Xiao, the Minister of the Ministry of War, looked furious. Facing the old Minister of Rites Yuan, he sternly said: "Without the order from the Ministry of War, and even I, the Minister of the Ministry of War, don't know anything about it, the Xuanwu Camp and the Black Blade Camp dared to enter the capital. The Tiger God Camp... Not only did the Tiger God Camp not stop them, but they opened the city gates because they wanted to rebel."
The fists clenched with rage were shaking.
Yuan Moxian also had a solemn look on his face and asked: "Mr. Lu, didn't you have any rumors beforehand?"
"In the middle of the night, I was woken up and learned that the troops had entered the city." Lu Xiao said: "Since the founding of the country, no troops have entered the capital without the knowledge of the Ministry of War. Even when the late emperor was critically ill, When the Black Knife Battalion entered the city to change defenses, Sima Lan also informed the Ministry of War, and there was a transfer order issued by the Ministry of War."
Mr. Yuan Lao Shangshu leaned on his chair: "How could Xuanwu Camp enter the city without the order from the Ministry of War? There is only one reason, that is, the emperor directly issued the decree."
"But there is always a reason why the emperor ordered to mobilize troops into the city." Lu Xiao said: "Why do they want to enter the city? There are tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and the military power is controlled by Qin Chong. If... if there is another reason , the capital is in danger."
Yuan Moxian's eyes also showed a look of horror: "If the Tiger God Camp can open the door and let people go, it is naturally on par with the Xuanwu Camp. If... if they really want to rebel, there are only a thousand Yulin Camp in the Imperial City and they will definitely not be able to stop them. "
"There is a conspiracy!" Lu Xiao stood up suddenly and said in a deep voice: "Xue Lingfeng, the leader of the Tiger God Camp, was assassinated, and Lu Xiaochao took control of the Tiger God Camp. Now it seems that maybe it was just for today."
Yuan Laoshangshu's face was not good-looking, but his mood was still calm. He suddenly stood up and said: "Let's enter the palace!"
"Entering the palace?" Yuan Moxian was startled: "Father, how can I enter the palace at this time?"
Yuan Laoshangshu sneered and said, "I want to enter the palace at this time. I want to see what is going on this time."
"Xuanwu Camp has entered the city." Yuan Moxian said immediately: "No one knows whether Xuanwu Camp is plotting rebellion. At this time...!"
"Are you worried that the rebels will kill me with one sword?" Yuan Laoshangshu snorted coldly: "I just want to see whose sword is going to be cut off this time."
Lu Xiao also said: "I will go to the palace with the old minister. No matter what, I have to meet the emperor."
At the foot of the Imperial City, a group of cavalry first appeared at the street entrance on the edge of the square. The square under the Imperial City was wide and empty. In the past, unless there was a court meeting, the civil and military ministers would appear in the square outside the city gate to wait, otherwise there would be no one. Dare to approach this square easily.
The crossbow machine at the head of the imperial city is not a decoration. Its farthest distance can reach the edge of the square, so the entire square is actually within the range of the crossbow machine.
There are not many guards at the top of the city, less than 300 people, but they are all ready.
The walls of the imperial city are no thinner than those of the outer city, they are very thick, and they were built using solid boulders transported from afar. You can ride a horse on top of the city, and supplies can also be stored in the walls, the most common of which are arrows. Arrows, all the soldiers in the Yulin camp can not only ride horses, but also shoot arrows, so everyone wears sharp blades on their waists and carries long bows on their backs. The arrows stored in the city walls are enough for the soldiers to spend as much as they want.
When the fire appeared in the distance, the defenders had already carried boxes of arrows to the top of the city, and the eight crossbow machines lined up were also loaded with crossbow arrows. The crossbow machine was a special weapon used to guard the imperial city, unlike ordinary arrows. The crossbow is different. It is very huge. Its arrows are also specially made and are extremely lethal. One arrow can easily kill a tall horse.
Amidst the sound of horse hooves, the group of cavalry entered the square first, followed by groups of cavalry.
"It's Xuanwu Camp!" Someone at the top of the city saw the flags fluttering in the wind and shouted: "Everyone, be on guard."
Yu Biegu pressed his hands on the wall stacks and stared at the cavalry entering the square. After hundreds of cavalry entered, the following large group of infantrymen holding spears also stepped onto the square without any scruples, and soon it was as if the sky was sweeping across the sky. The dark clouds came and occupied a large area of the square.
"Lord Captain!" The soldier controlling the crossbow looked at Yu Biegu.
The important place in the imperial city is unusual. It is the duty of Yulin Camp to shoot any suspected rebels who enter the square.
At this time, the soldiers of Xuanwu Camp had no scruples in entering what was regarded as a restricted area by Yulin Camp. Of course, Yulin Camp could shoot and kill them at any time.
Yu Biegu looked solemn and did not give the order immediately.
The densely packed Xuanwu Battalion soldiers continued to approach the imperial city like cold underworld soldiers. The sound of war horses neighing and armors rubbing against each other instantly filled the originally peaceful square with a sense of killing. The opponent's unscrupulous and even domineering momentum made the defenders at the top of the city... My heart tightened for no reason.
"Give them a warning, don't kill anyone yet!" Yu Biegu finally said.
The crossbow machine quickly made adjustments. Soon, with an order, several thick crossbow arrows burst out from the city top. The sound of "bang bang bang" immediately sounded in the square. Those crossbow arrows were all shot on the first A few steps in front of a row of cavalry, the powerful impact did not completely shatter the bluestone, but it still caused cracks in the bluestone.
This is a warning!
The cavalry at the front finally stopped. The cavalry raised their heads and looked at the defenders at the top of the city. After the crossbow machine fired the first round of crossbows, the defenders quickly reloaded the crossbows, and the other defenders had already bent their bows. He nocked an arrow and aimed it at the menacing soldiers and horses.
Xuanwu Camp troops approached the city, and Qining quickly received the report.
He Qing's face was cold and he said: "It is indeed a premeditated plan. Xiao Shaozong has already prepared to deploy troops to besiege the city."
"So the imperial city is a trap." Qi Ning sneered: "If the puppet is killed, the blame will naturally be put on my head. In this way, it will become a fact that I entered the palace to assassinate him, and he will become famous for leading troops to suppress thieves. ”
Suddenly I heard a shout from not far away: "There is an assassin!"
A group of Yu Lin Guards immediately rushed over with spears. Qin Ning saw a group of figures coming this way. Seeing that the group of people were all wearing night clothes, they were about to fight with the Yu Lin Guards. Qin Ning shouted in a deep voice: " Don't move, we are one of our own." He walked over quickly and saw many people coming, all dressed in night clothes. The first person saw Qi Ning and immediately said: "Master Guo!" The voice turned out to be that of the shadow. Mouse gray crow.
Qi Ning took action tonight. The troops were divided into three groups. Gray Crow and Feichan Xiaotaro each led a group of men. They agreed in advance that no matter whether the mission was successful or not, they would return to the Snow Python Pond. Seeing Gray Crow appearing here, he frowned and said: "What's the situation? ?Why are you here?"
Gray Crow said: "When we were preparing to take action, we suddenly found a large number of palace maids and eunuchs running around. We caught one of them and asked, and found out that the Yulin Guards came in and killed them. The palace was in chaos. Some people said that the Yulin Guards entered the palace to arrest them. The arrest of the Duke of Guo, thinking that the traces of the Duke of Guo have been exposed, went back...!" He glanced at He Qing beside Qi Ning, and then said: "Return to the agreed place, Miss Chi was afraid that the Duke of Guo would make a mistake, so she assigned us in the palace. Looking for Duke Guo. I just found Duke Guo here. I thought he was captured by the Yulin Camp, so... I want to come and rescue him."
Qi Ning sighed. It had been agreed in advance that no matter which road had an accident, the other two roads did not have to pay attention. However, Chi Danmei obviously still did not follow his instructions. After learning that the Yulin camp was going to arrest him, he still sent people to rescue him. .
"Where are they?"
"Still in the palace." Gray Crow said: "We dispersed to look for the Duke."
Qi Ning nodded, and then said to He Qing: "I expected that the emperor was imprisoned by Xiao Shaozong, so I brought people into the palace tonight with the intention of rescuing the emperor, but fell into Xiao Shaozong's trap."
He Qing actually guessed that Qining had no doubts about leading people to rescue the emperor, but he was surprised that the imperial city was heavily guarded, but how could Qining lead people to sneak into the palace? Naturally, he didn't know the existence of that secret passage. Although he was suspicious in his heart, he still said: "My lord, the Xuanwu camp has rebelled and besieged the imperial city on all sides. The general will go to the city head first."
At that moment, He Qing led people to rush to the city. Qi Ning ordered the gray crow to release a signal. It was a sounding bamboo. As long as it was ejected into the air, it would make a piercing sound. It was also the signal Qi Ning had agreed to use to gather in advance.
After the signal was sent, he didn't wait too long when he saw Feichan Kotaro coming over quickly with a group of people, and then Chi Danmei also hurried over. Seeing that Qining was safe and sound, Chi Danmei was relieved and her pretty face was solemn. : "The palace is in chaos, and the Yu Lin army has come in."
Qi Ning gave a brief explanation at the moment, and Chi Danmei frowned and said: "Xiao Shaozong has deployed troops to besiege the imperial city. Naturally, he is coming towards you. He wants to kill you."
"It's impossible for him to let me live." Qi Ning sneered: "But the big fight is not just to kill me, there must be other purposes."
"There are too few defenders in the Imperial City." Chi Danmei said: "There is no need to attack the Imperial City. As long as the Imperial City is besieged, the people inside will starve to death before long." She turned her beautiful eyes and whispered. Said: "We withdraw from the secret passage, there is no need to sit here and wait for death."
"The secret passage must be sealed." Qi Ning said: "Xiao Shaozong knew that we had found the secret passage a long time ago. He deliberately pretended not to know, just to let me enter the palace through the secret passage. If I walked in with my front feet, I was afraid that he would come with his back feet. Let people block the secret passage, and it will be impossible to get out through the secret passage."
Chi Danmei frowned even more: "Then... what should we do?" She gritted her silver teeth and said, "While it's dark, I will protect you and rush out. You and I will join hands, even if we have thousands of troops, we can't help you." It may not be possible to stop it.”
Qi Ning shook his head and said: "The imperial city has been surrounded. As long as we leave the city, we will immediately fall into a siege. Not to mention whether you and I can really break out of the siege, even if we really have the ability, we will definitely kill Countless people died. Most of the Xuanwu Camp soldiers were deceived by Xiao Shaozong. They are all soldiers of the Chu State. It is best not to hurt them unless it is absolutely necessary." He sneered and said, "Xiao Shaozong gave me the name of rebellion. If I really kill him in front of everyone, my reputation as a traitor will no longer be cleansed, and Xiao Shaozong's conspiracy will succeed."
"Then... what should we do?"
At this moment, he heard the sound of horns. The horns sounded one after another in one continuous sound. Qi Ning's face tightened and he didn't say much. He turned around and rushed towards the outer city. Chi Danmei and others did not hesitate and followed closely. Behind Qi Ning.