Chapter 114: Bloodshed for Imperial Power (Part 5)

With a poof, the long sword sliced through the air, repelling the attack from the royal army outside the main hall. The woman then turned around and clasped her fists towards Li Chang: "Regent Wang, forgive me; I am merely tasked with protecting the important ministers of the court." Seeing the woman cease her attack, Li Chang also gestured for the troops outside to stand down and asked, "Are you from the Silver Dragon Guard?" The woman, still with her fists clasped, raised her eyebrows as she replied, "In response to Regent Wang, I act under the holy command." With narrowed eyes, Li Chang flicked his dragon robe and coldly stated, "I'll ask again: Are you from the Silver Dragon Guard?" When the woman remained silent, Li Chang ordered, "Kill without mercy!" The soldiers outside all agreed and readied their weapons. Dong! A white smoke bomb exploded in the main hall, and within the smoke, a man in a gold dragon robe spoke coldly, "Retreat!" Nodding, the woman in the silver dragon robe followed behind the man, lightly stepping on the ground and vanishing into the air. As Li Chang dispersed the smoke, he frowned at the two who disappeared into the night.
Morning
In the imperial court, Li Chang led the ministers into the great hall with his sword. Tang Ziyan, sitting on the dragon throne, coldly gazed at Li Chang, while Li Yan, frightened by Li Chang's imposing aura, had already hidden behind the dragon throne. “What urgent matter brings the Regent and the ministers here? The morning court hasn’t been summoned yet.” Hearing Tang Ziyan's icy words, Li Chang pretended to say, “We are here to pay our respects to the Empress as usual.” “Oh?” Tang Ziyan narrowed her eyes, looking down at Li Chang, “Furthermore...” Li Chang met Tang Ziyan’s murderous gaze and, with his own killing intent, replied, “Last night, there were assassins who infiltrated the Regent’s manor… We are here to inform the Empress to take care of herself.” “Hmph…” With a flick of her phoenix robe, Tang Ziyan said, “If there’s nothing else, dismiss the court.” Seeing the ministers standing still, Tang Ziyan exclaimed, “Didn’t this Empress say? No business… dismiss the court!” With his left hand resting on the hilt of his sword, Li Chang did not turn around and said, “Dismiss the court!” Watching the ministers bow and retreat, Tang Ziyan, barely suppressing her anger, forced a smile and asked, “Does the Regent have any other matters?” Observing the concealed fury in Tang Ziyan, Li Chang stepped up the stairs until he was level with her and said, “Last night, assassins attacked the manor. I believe the palace's defenses are too weak, so… I have arranged for soldiers to guard the palace.” Hearing Li Chang's words, Tang Ziyan was furious and reached out her right hand to slap Li Chang. Li Chang, however, smiled faintly and did not flinch. Seeing that he didn’t dodge, Tang Ziyan quickly withdrew her hand, stopping just inches from Li Chang's face. With a beaming smile, Li Chang calmly stated, “What wrong has this king done to make the Empress so angry?” Taking a deep breath, Tang Ziyan replied, “This Empress is tired… you may leave.” Observing Tang Ziyan suppress her anger, Li Chang snorted lightly, flicked his dragon robe, and left directly.
Looking at the departing Li Shuang, Tang Ziyan turned her head to look at the boy cowering behind the dragon throne, trembling. She noticed that the jade beads on the boy's balance crown had long since fallen to the ground. Taking a deep breath, Tang Ziyan supported her forehead and collapsed onto the dragon throne.
Maicheng
Looking at the officials welcoming them at the city gate, Bai Qin also dismounted and bowed, saying, “Esteemed officials, I am truly surprised by your warm reception for us warriors.” Several men in Confucian robes also respectfully returned the greeting, saying, “The loyalty and righteousness of the Bai family is evident across the land. Our governance of this region cannot compare to the sacrifices made by the Bai family in safeguarding the frontier.” “Hahaha...” Bai Qin, stroking his beard, replied, “Esteemed officials, it is your dedication to ensuring the well-being of the common people that is the true labor.” After exchanging pleasantries, the group entered the city, where carts filled with golden grains of rice streamed in. Bai Qin exclaimed with great joy, “This year’s Jingzhou is truly a bumper harvest!” The officials of Maicheng nodded in agreement, saying, “The court has also issued a decree to reduce taxes.” Hearing their words, Bai Qin laughed heartily and continued walking along the dirt street.
Guo Fu Center
In the room, Bai Qin, dressed in plain clothes, looked at the wooden tablet with a frown. "The Jiuzhou garrison is marching south with 150,000 troops!?" A soldier kneeling outside the door nodded and said, "The Jiuzhou garrison has only 200,000 men, and now 150,000 are heading south..." Bai Qin, putting down the wooden tablet, pinched his brow and said, "The concerns of Lord Cai have come to pass." "General... it is my humble opinion that we should directly march north to support Jiuzhou." Bai Qin, still pinching his brow, raised his head to look at the soldier and said, "Now the Northern Desert Patrol and the Jiuzhou army have already reached the Northern Capital. I don’t know why the court is mobilizing so many troops."
That Night
With a creak, the heavy iron tiger-headed door slowly opened. The local troops and family soldiers stationed outside the gate in Jizhou were momentarily stunned by the sight of the opened gate. "All troops on alert!" The three thousand defensive soldiers quickly raised their weapons and assembled. "What?!!" A roar echoed within the Yanfeng Pass, and suddenly, tens of thousands of Sashiduo soldiers, clad in black light armor, charged forward. The Jizhou defenders rushed to meet them, but at the moment of contact, the three thousand soldiers were practically overwhelmed. One Sashiduo soldier crouched down to dodge a horizontally swung long knife, his left hand wielding a curved blade that slashed toward the abdomen of a Jizhou soldier. Swoosh! The curved blade sliced through the cloth armor, and before the Jizhou soldier could retreat to defend himself, another Sashiduo soldier swung his blade from behind, Swoosh! The blade penetrated into the back of the Jizhou soldier. The pierced soldier spat blood, lifeless, as the Sashiduo soldier pulled out the blade and swung it toward the next Jizhou soldier. On the city wall of Yanfeng, a man in a golden silk robe watched coldly as the Jizhou soldiers were slaughtered like lambs and turned to leave.
Jizhou Ancheng
Everyone sat in their seats, listening to the soldier report, "You mean to say three thousand... three thousand soldiers were defeated in an instant!?" The astonished governor of Ancheng County suddenly realized, "Quick... quickly send a letter to the court! Urgent, a thousand miles!" Watching the soldier clasp his fists and retreat, the governor's heart sank; he had originally planned to use this situation to gain merit against foreign tribes and receive rewards, but now he saw that it would be good if he didn't get punished at all.
“The whole army, halt!” A man dressed in yellow and white, resembling a tiger, reined in his horse and stopped slowly, gazing at the distant splendid county city with coldness in his eyes.
A luxurious carriage pulled by six fine horses thundered out of the North Capital, startling the passing citizens who hurriedly dodged to the sides; behind the carriage, a squad of soldiers also rode after it on horseback.
“Your Majesty... The Northern Desert Patrol has already stationed near the Northern Capital.” Hearing the eunuch's words, Tang Ziyan clearly appeared flustered as she asked, “What about the troops from the Western Region Governor's Office?” “The Western Region Governor's Office has arrived at the Royal Palace and will reach the Northern Capital in three days.” Frowning, Tang Ziyan let out a deep breath, her trembling hands slowly calming down within her wide sleeves. It was impossible for her not to be anxious with the rebel forces at the city gates...
“Pong!” Li Chen slammed the table in the station, completely ignoring the surrounding gazes, and angrily said, “The borderlands are the nation's gates. The Patrol Guard actually ignores the safety of our Shenghua citizens.” Looking at the furious Li Chen, Wang Zicheng calmly said, “Only the regent can mobilize the Patrol Guard...” The unintended remark stunned Li Chen, who sat down in thought. Suddenly, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking at the calmly sipping Wang Zicheng, “Is the regent planning to rebel?” Upon hearing Li Chen's words, Wang Zicheng put down his teacup and shook his head, saying, “If the regent were to raise an army first, then his rebellion would be confirmed. But if the empress were to raise an army first, then the regent could use this as an excuse to quell the chaos.” Listening to Wang Zicheng's words, Li Chen anxiously asked, “What about the safety of my citizens in Jizhou?” Wang Zicheng raised his eyebrows and looked at Li Chen, who was confused by his indifferent smile. After a long while, Wang Zicheng spoke, “Your Excellency... do not neglect the king, do not quell the chaos, aid the citizens, and ensure peace for the world.” Frowning, Li Chen began to ponder this statement. After a long time, he shook his head and said, “The Maritime Administration’s troops are stationed outside, and I currently have no soldiers under my command. How can I head north to resist foreign tribes?” Hearing Li Chen’s helpless words, Wang Zicheng smiled faintly and said, “No rush... the time has not yet come.” Looking at the completely unconcerned Wang Zicheng, Li Chen curiously asked, “No rush... the court is in chaos, and the borderlands are lost.” Refilling his teacup, Wang Zicheng leisurely said, “Only after the southern border and the East Sea have been pacified can the empress make the first move... Furthermore...” Wang Zicheng continued coldly, “Your Excellency... you must prepare for the worst possible scenario.” Hearing the cold tone of Wang Zicheng, Li Chen's expression also grew serious.
Morning
In the inner palace, Tang Ziyuan had been unable to sleep all night. She was too scared to rest, as the soldiers outside the city were all from the clan faction. Frowning, she sensed that the political winds in the court had shifted. Looking up, she saw Li Yan, wearing a golden dragon robe, playing with mud in the courtyard. For the first time, she considered the idea of abdication; living in constant fear was not as appealing as leading an ordinary life with her child.
Looking at Tang Ziyan, who was lost in thought sitting on the bed, the man in the silver dragon robe slowly entered the room and stood aside without disturbing her. After a long while, Tang Ziyan let out a deep sigh and asked, "What’s the matter?" The man in the silver dragon robe knelt on one knee and reported, "Your Highness, Yanzhou's Yanbei has fallen." Tang Ziyan was surprised by his calm words, "Impossible! How could Yanzhou, with two hundred thousand troops, possibly fall?" Shaking his head, the man replied plainly, "The regent mobilized one hundred fifty thousand troops southward; Yanbei fell ten days ago." Biting her lip, Tang Ziyan overturned the pastry table beside her in anger and reprimanded, "Such a person!! He cannot govern! Absolutely not!!" Originally having thoughts of retreat, Tang Ziyan's determination strengthened. She had previously sent one thousand patrol guards to test their loyalty, but the patrol guards had refused under the pretext of border warfare. Now, the regent could simply issue an order to disregard the northern border’s citizens and move southward. This clearly indicated collusion with the regent. "Immediately draft an imperial decree to hold the patrol accountable for their dereliction of duty." The man in the silver dragon robe nodded and stood up. Before he could turn, Tang Ziyan called to stop him, "Wait..." The man exchanged glances at the call to halt and continued kneeling, watching Tang Ziyan as she contemplated. 【If Yanzhou’s entire territory is lost, the people will surely denounce the regent for mobilizing troops privately...】 Looking at the overturned pastries, Tang Ziyan kept thinking, 【Earlier I had already assigned the Bai family to garrison Yanzhou; thus, if I pretend to be unaware, then... Li Chang will become the target of everyone's ire...】 After contemplating, Tang Ziyan raised her hand and stated: "This matter was unknown to me, as the regent commanded the troops to besiege the capital and seal off information, leaving His Majesty unaware of the border issues." The man, cupping his fist while kneeling, glanced at Tang Ziyan and said, "This subordinate understands."