“What are they trying to do?!”
Inside the Imperial Study, the Emperor, who had ascended the throne less than two months ago, looked at the memorial just presented, his anger burning.
Prince Wu, Li Feng, with an army of 100,000 from the south, had appeared outside the Chaoyang Gate, demanding to enter the city and maintain order.
If not for Minister of War, Niu Jizong, leading 5,000 men to block Chaoyang Gate, Li Feng's request wouldn't be a request; he would have marched straight into the capital with his troops.
However, it was unclear how long Niu Jizong could hold out.
Perhaps with an order from the Retired Emperor, the Minister of War would be forced to retreat.
The Retired Emperor still controlled the Imperial Guard.
The Emperor couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sorrow.
He had been a carefree prince, and due to the Retired Emperor's miscalculations, the Mongol army had besieged the capital.
He was quickly promoted and ascended the throne within a few days.
Sitting on this throne, it wasn't a question of whether he wanted to strive for power; he had no choice.
Even if he wanted to step down, his brothers and cousins wouldn't let him. Even if he did, his fate wouldn't be much better.
All he could do was fight.
Sitting on this throne, he naturally possessed many advantages over others.
He held the moral high ground, a privilege no one else had.
After venting his anger, the Emperor took a deep breath: "What about the Five Army Camp and the Divine Machine Camp? Have we managed to secure any support?"
Xia Shouzhong shook his head: "The commanders of the Five Army Camp and the Divine Machine Camp remain silent. Perhaps they are tempted, but with the Retired Emperor still alive, they dare not make any statement."
The Retired Emperor was only gravely ill, not dead.
Currently, the Retired Emperor held the most power in the entire Great Zhou Dynasty.
"So, I don't have a single usable army?"
The Emperor chuckled in self-deprecation.
"Report!"
A sharp voice came from outside, growing louder. Liu Gonggong, disheveled, his face dripping with sweat, stumbled into the Imperial Study.
"Your Majesty," Liu Gonggong panted, "Your Majesty, this servant has brought back General Jia and 4,000 warriors from the Third Thousand Camp!"
The Emperor was stunned, a flicker of joy crossing his face: "Jia Yu is willing to follow me?!"
The court officials didn't hold much hope for him, and only Niu Jizong had extended a helping hand.
Jia Yu had left as the acting commander of the Third Thousand Camp, leading 3,500 cavalry.
This was a formidable force.
Cavalry had a natural advantage over infantry.
"Hearing about the situation in the capital, General Jia, without a moment's hesitation, left behind 1,000 men to transport supplies and the heads of the slain, and led 3,000 men on a rapid return journey," said Liu Gonggong excitedly. "General Jia led 4,000 cavalry to block the Mongols outside the Purple Thorn Pass, seeking a decisive battle with the Mongol main force."
Unexpectedly, the Mongol main force didn't approach the Purple Thorn Pass. They left from the Gubei Pass.
Jia Yu remained at the Purple Thorn Pass, killing 30,121 Mongols and capturing 47,549 horses, including 32,956 war horses.
In addition, he acquired a vast amount of weapons, leather armor, armor, silver, grain, and provisions.
He also captured 2,214 Mongol prisoners.
"The prisoners and supplies were too numerous to be transported quickly."
"General Jia is currently waiting outside the West Straight Gate with 3,000 iron cavalry, awaiting your orders, Your Majesty!"
Liu Gonggong rattled off Jia Yu's achievements in one breath.
He had personally inspected these supplies, and while there might be a slight discrepancy in the numbers, it wouldn't be significant.
When he first heard these figures, he was shocked.
He thought it was impossible.
But when he went to investigate, he discovered that Jia Yu wasn't exaggerating. He had actually reported slightly higher numbers than the actual count.
The Emperor was equally shocked. When he heard these figures, he didn't believe them at first.
"Little Liuzi, don't tell me these are lies," Xia Shouzhong said.
Liu Gonggong knelt down: "This servant guarantees with his life that there are no lies. If your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can send someone to investigate. The army is currently on its way back."
"Oh, and this servant also discovered that General Jia led his troops to a decisive victory against approximately 10,000 Mongols outside Laishui County. The county magistrate and the citizens of Laishui County can attest to this."
Liu Gonggong had found Jia Yu's whereabouts in Laishui County.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have found Jia Yu.
"Truly a courageous warrior!" The Emperor found these achievements unbelievable, but what if they were true?
He desperately needed a capable general!
"Take my imperial order and allow Jia Yu to enter the city!"
The Emperor glanced at the sky; it was getting dark. "Let Jia Yu lead his cavalry directly into the Imperial Palace."
Jia Yu was his only remaining card, his last lifeline.
Night fell.
The capital plunged into darkness, a silence enveloping the city.
The usually lively brothels and pleasure districts were unusually quiet.
Boom boom boom
The heavy thud of horse hooves resonated like a drumbeat, striking at the hearts of the families on both sides of the West City Avenue.
Many people curiously looked out from their second-floor balconies, from windows offering a view of the outside world.
In the dim street, a force, silent except for the clashing of iron armor, moved at high speed towards the Imperial Palace.
Their pace was swift.
You could see numerous horses flanking each cavalryman.
A strong stench of blood drifted on the air.
Imperial Palace.
Feng Tang, the commander of the Imperial Guard, furrowed his brow. Xia Shouzhong, the Emperor's chief eunuch, stood at the West Gate of the Imperial Palace, holding an imperial decree.
He dared not defy the Emperor's order and could only stand on the city gate tower, awaiting news from the Dragon Head Palace.
He didn't know much about what was happening outside.
The latest news was that the Eighth Prince, leading 100,000 troops from the south, was at the East Straight Gate, trying to enter the city. Niu Jizong, with 5,000 men, was blocking their way.
The capital was no safer than when the Mongols besieged it.
Boom boom boom…
The heavy sound of horse hooves echoed from afar, causing the earth to tremble.
"Heavy cavalry!"
Feng Tang's eyes narrowed slightly.
Only heavy cavalry could generate such a grand and imposing presence.
"General, should we close the city gate?"
Feng Tang's deputy, with a furrowed brow, asked.
"Xia Shouzhong is down there," Feng Tang glanced at his deputy. "If you want to close the gate, go down and deal with him."
As the commander of the Imperial Guard, he knew that his deputies each had connections to other factions.
But he didn't care. He only needed to firmly grasp the military power in his hands, obeying the Retired Emperor's orders.
If the Retired Emperor didn't have any orders, then he would obey the Emperor's orders.
This was why he was able to control the Imperial Guard.
He didn't involve himself in the power struggles within the royal family.
If the Retired Emperor passed away one day, then he would obey the Emperor's orders.
He was loyal to whoever held the position.
Soon, a large banner emblazoned with the character "Jia" appeared in the flickering firelight.
Following it were black armored cavalry.
One man, five horses.
A vast expanse of black, silent except for the sound of hooves.
A chilling killing intent gripped the Imperial Guard soldiers on the city wall, causing them to prepare for battle.
Jia Yu, at the front, reined in his horse, gazing at the Imperial Palace in front of him.
Once he stepped inside, everything would change.
Xia Shouzhong and Liu Gonggong stood before the palace gate, not daring to breathe.
The oppressive presence of the black-armored cavalry made them feel as if they were on a battlefield.
…