Call of the Heroes of Chaos in Another World

Chapter 2347 An Unexpected Guest, The Decline of the Building Is Inevitable
Upon hearing that Zhang Jun indeed had this idea, but was still somewhat hesitant, a glint of light immediately flashed in Wan Qixie's triangular eyes.

Zhang Jun is an extremely important figure to them.

After all, he and Shi Miyuan held high positions in the Song Dynasty, even important ones.

However, this did not change the fact that neither of them had a single soldier at their disposal. Only Zhang Jun had a certain number of troops at his disposal that he could mobilize.

Only by winning him over will their conversation tonight have any real meaning.

Wan Qixie said in a sinister tone, "The risk is great, but the reward will be even greater. If we can surrender the city and make a contribution, we may be able to make a future in the Han Dynasty."

"At that time, even if we enter the Han Dynasty, we will still be able to guarantee a life of wealth and honor."

"However, the key lies in how to gain the trust of Generals Xue and Li, and... how to ensure that there will be no mistakes when the city gates are opened."

Wan Qixie paused, then lowered his voice even further, saying, "I have managed to contact someone who can access the outside of the city, but I need a sufficiently substantial pledge of loyalty, as well as a reliable route to quickly control the city gates."

Just as the group was discussing their options, excited about finding a way out but also worried about the enormous risks involved, there was a gentle knock on the door of the secret room.

The steward, who was on lookout duty, whispered, "Master, it's...it's Zhao Pu, the young master, who insists on seeing you immediately."

“Zhao Pu?” Zhang Jun stood up abruptly, the color draining from his face instantly.

"Why would he come? Could it be..." His first thought was that things had been exposed and Zhao Kuangyin had sent this trusted minister to arrest him!

Wan Qixie's expression changed drastically, and his hand unconsciously reached for the short blade hidden at his waist.

Shi Miyuan was so frightened that he almost collapsed.

"Please let him in," Zhang Junqiang instructed the butler, maintaining his composure. At the same time, he gave Wan Qixie a wink, signaling him to act according to the situation.

The door to the secret room opened again, and Zhao Pu, dressed in casual clothes, walked in slowly. His expression seemed calm, but his brows betrayed a weariness and melancholy that he could not hide.

His gaze swept over the three people in the room who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy, and finally landed on Zhang Jun's face. He said calmly, "Everyone, there is no need to panic. If I were here to take someone away, I wouldn't be here alone, but with Imperial Guards."

If he were to actually arrest them, he wouldn't even need to get up himself; he could simply hand them over to his soldiers.

"What brings you here so late at night, Mr. Zhao?" Zhang Jun asked warily, his body still tense.

Zhao Pu found a chair and sat down, sighed, and said in a complicated tone, "I wouldn't call it giving advice; I just saw you all plotting your survival here, so I came to... join you."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jun, Wan Qixie, and Shi Miyuan were all shocked and could hardly believe their ears.

Zhao Pu was a member of the imperial Zhao clan, and he was a brother of their emperor, Zhao Kuangyin.

Most importantly, this person was Zhao Kuangyin's earliest confidant and strategist. According to rumors, he was an important participant in the plot to have the late Emperor Emeritus Zhao Changfeng don the yellow robe.

This man was arguably Zhao Kuangyin's most trusted confidant. Yet, this very same person was now telling them that they were plotting a rebellion together?
"Prime Minister Zhao, you...you must be joking, or are you here on His Majesty's orders to test us?" Wan Qixie's tone was sharp and full of distrust.

This is unbelievable, even more outrageous than the Han army outside the city retreating overnight.

Zhao Pu gave a bitter, even mocking smile, and said, "Testing? Now that things have come to this, what's the point of testing?"

"Your Majesty is a hero, a great ruler willing to share the fate of the nation, and I, Zhao Pu, admire him. But when he arranged for his own flesh and blood to flee to Da Wu, did he ever think of us old ministers who have followed him for so many years? Did he ever make any arrangements for our future?"

Zhao Pu's gaze swept over the three men, and he continued, "His Majesty has chosen his path and fulfilled his duty as a monarch. We, too, must find a way to survive for ourselves and our families."

"Kaifeng cannot be defended. Since a change of government is inevitable, it is better to plan ahead than to be at the mercy of others after the city falls."

Zhang Jun stared intently at Zhao Pu, trying to find a trace of pretense on his face, but he only saw a deep weariness and a calmness that came after making a major decision.

"Lord Zhao, is this really true? Do you know that if this matter is exposed, we will both die without a burial place!"

“Of course I know,” Zhao Pu said calmly, meeting his gaze.

"That's precisely why I need to join in. With you alone, it's difficult to mobilize enough forces to ensure the city gates open smoothly at critical moments, but with me here, everything will be different."

As he spoke, Zhao Pu leaned forward slightly, exuding an aura of confidence and strategic brilliance that came from long-held positions of power.

"Do you have the defense map of the troops guarding His Majesty's side, the daily rotation of the guards at the city gates, and even how to pass messages without His Majesty's notice...?"

A brief silence fell over the sealed room, the oil lamp crackling and illuminating several faces with shifting expressions.

Zhang Jun, Wan Qixie, and the others were still filled with shock and doubt, but Zhao Pu's words precisely opened up the predicament they had been unable to solve before.

If Zhao Pu is real... then the chances of success will greatly increase!
The risks and opportunities are magnified at this moment. Should we believe in this heavyweight's defection and gamble on a future in the new dynasty, or should we reject him and continue to wait in despair for an unknown outcome?

Finally, Zhang Jun took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "Brother Zeping, since that's the case... I'd like to hear the details!"

He chose to believe, or rather, he chose to grasp at this suddenly appearing straw that might save his life.

After all, as the other party said, their chances of success would be drastically different if they had their help.

"As long as we hand over the Kaifeng garrison deployment map to Xue Rengui and Li Jing, we can use it as a pledge of allegiance and convince them of our sincerity!"

"Furthermore, I can devise a plan to transfer General Zhang's men to guard the city gates. At that time, we will naturally have the opportunity to open the city gates and welcome the Han army from the outside into the city!" Zhao Pu said confidently.

As Zhao Kuangyin's most trusted confidant, he was always the first choice to stay behind and oversee things when Zhao Kuangyin was away on campaign.

Given his position within the entire Song Dynasty, it would be incredibly easy for him to use any underhanded tactics at this juncture.

What Zhang Jun and his team struggled with but were completely baffled by might not be a big problem for Zhao Pu.