Ming Dynasty: He was ordered to give lectures in prison, but Lao Zhu eavesdropped and made people nu

Chapter 719 Entering the Palace via the Secret Passage
Lin Che mounted his horse and left Xu Da's villa that very night. The cold moon shone like a hook, casting a pale white light on the official road, and the sound of hooves was particularly jarring in the silent night.

"Lord Lin, the ferry is ten miles ahead. After crossing the river, it will take another half a day to reach Yingtian Prefecture!" Chen Feng, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard accompanying them, said in a low voice.

Lin Che gripped the reins tightly, his brows furrowed. Xu Huizu's sudden appearance made him realize that the situation in the capital was far more dangerous than he had imagined—the commander of the Imperial Guards had abandoned his post, and he would never have risked heading south if there hadn't been a change in the capital!
"Faster!" Lin Che urged his horse on, his unease growing stronger.

Suddenly, a giant, felled tree lay across the road ahead, blocking their path.

"Whoa—!" Lin Che suddenly reined in his horse, and the horse reared up high.

"There's an ambush!" Chen Feng shouted sharply, his embroidered spring knife already drawn from its sheath at his waist!

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

In the darkness, arrows pierced the air! Lin Che dismounted, barely dodging a cold arrow aimed straight for his throat, but two Imperial Guards beside him had already fallen to the ground, struck by arrows.

"Kill! Leave no one alive!"

Dozens of men in black rushed out from the dense forest on both sides of the road, their blades flashing in the moonlight, cold and piercing.

Lin Che drew his sword to meet the attack. The blade sliced ​​across the throat of an assassin, blood splattering onto his face, warm and salty. He demanded sharply, "Who sent you? Guo Ying?"

The assassin did not answer, and his attack became even more ferocious. Lin Che fought and retreated, leaning against an ancient tree. Only Chen Feng remained of the Imperial Guards, his left arm had been slashed, and blood was dripping down his arm.

"Lord Lin... I'm afraid we can't get out..." Chen Feng said through gritted teeth.

Lin Che's eyes sharpened, and he suddenly pulled out a signal firework from his pocket and slammed it on—

"Whoosh—Bang!"

Crimson flames exploded in the night sky, illuminating half the horizon.

The assassin leader's expression changed drastically: "Not good! He's calling for reinforcements! Finish this quickly!"

Just then, the sound of thunderous hooves came from afar, and the ground trembled slightly.

"It's cavalry!" Chen Feng exclaimed in surprise.

The assassins turned around in panic, only to see billowing dust at the end of the official road, where a troop of black-armored cavalry swept in like a whirlwind. Leading them was a man on a white horse, wielding a silver spear—it was none other than—

"Xu Huizu?!" Lin Che exclaimed in astonishment.

Xu Da's eldest son took the lead, his spear piercing the chests of two assassins in an instant! The iron cavalry behind him swept through the sheep like tigers, quickly scattering the assassins to pieces.

"Lord Lin, mount your horse!" Xu Huizu pulled Lin Che onto the horse's back, his voice low and urgent. "Something's happened in the capital! Guo Ying's men have taken control of the Nine Gates!"

As dawn broke, Lin Che and Xu Huizu arrived outside Yingtian City.

The once bustling city gates were now tightly shut, with imperial guards standing guard on the city walls, and archers poised for battle. A brand-new proclamation was posted at the city gates:
"By order of the Duke of Protectorate, martial law is hereby declared throughout the city. Anyone who trespasses without authorization will be punished as a traitor!"

"Guo Ying has indeed rebelled!" Lin Che gritted his teeth.

Xu Huizu sneered: "He has long colluded with the Northern Yuan. This time, he feigned leading troops to 'reinforce' Juyong Pass, but in reality, he wanted to lure the Northern Yuan army south to coordinate with the rebels inside the city!"

"Where is His Majesty?" Lin Che asked anxiously.

"The situation in the palace is unclear," Xu Huizu said gravely. "Three days ago, Guo Ying, under the pretext of 'protecting the emperor,' transferred the Imperial Guards and replaced them with his trusted confidants. I sensed something was amiss, which is why I risked leaving the capital to find my father."

Lin Che's heart sank. If Zhu Yuanzhang were to be controlled, the Ming Dynasty would be in grave danger!
“We must get into the city!” he said in a deep voice.

Xu Huizu shook his head: "The nine gates are sealed; forcing your way in will result in certain death."

Lin Che's eyes flashed, and he suddenly remembered something: "Is there a secret passage?"

Xu Huizu narrowed his eyes: "Yes, but it requires taking risks."

At dusk, Lin Che and Xu Huizu disguised themselves as vegetable vendors and mingled with the food delivery team.

The entrance to the secret passage was hidden in a dry well outside the Xihua Gate of the Imperial City. The well walls were slippery, dark, and cramped. Lin Che slowly descended along the cold stone wall, with only the sound of dripping water and faint footsteps in the distance in his ears.

"This secret passage leads directly to a side hall of the Qianqing Palace. It was built by the Taizu Emperor to guard against unforeseen circumstances," Xu Huizu said in a low voice. "No one knows about it except His Majesty and my father."

Lin Che's heart skipped a beat: "Then Guo Ying..." "He doesn't know," Xu Huizu sneered, "otherwise, he would have sent troops to guard it long ago."

After crawling for about half an hour, a sliver of light finally appeared ahead. Xu Huizu gently pushed aside the stone slab above their heads, and the two of them silently emerged, finding themselves in a Buddhist temple.

The sound of guards talking could be heard outside the Buddhist hall:
"By order of the Duke, His Majesty is not to be disturbed during his 'rest' period!"

"Hmph, what do you mean by 'quiet recuperation'? It's clearly house arrest!" another person whispered.

Lin Che and Xu Huizu exchanged a glance, realizing that Zhu Yuanzhang had indeed been controlled!

Just as they were about to act, they suddenly heard a commotion outside, followed by a shrill voice shouting:

"The Duke of Protectorate has arrived!"

Guo Ying, dressed in military uniform, strode into the Qianqing Palace. Inside, candlelight flickered, and Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone before his dragon throne, his expression calm.

"Your Majesty, the Northern Yuan army has reached within a hundred li of Juyong Pass and will be at the city gates tomorrow." Guo Ying bowed, but there was no respect in his eyes. "To ensure Your Majesty's safety, I request that Your Majesty immediately move the capital to Fengyang!"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife: "Guo Ying, are you suggesting I 'move the capital'?"

Guo Ying smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise; Yingtian Prefecture is probably no longer safe."

"Unsafe?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "Is it because your 50,000 troops are waiting to open the city gates and welcome the enemy?"

Guo Ying's expression changed drastically, but he quickly regained his composure: "Your Majesty, why do you say such a thing? I am utterly loyal..."

"Your loyalty?" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his fist on the table, pulling a secret letter from beneath it. "Then what about this letter you wrote to Kökö Temür?"

Guo Ying's pupils contracted, and his right hand was already on the hilt of his sword: "Since Your Majesty already knows, then I need not pretend any longer."

He drew his sword abruptly and shouted, "Guards!"

The palace gates burst open with a roar, and dozens of armored soldiers rushed in!

Just then, two figures suddenly emerged from behind the screen on the side of the hall—

"Guo Ying! How dare you commit regicide?!"

Lin Che's longsword flashed like a rainbow, aiming straight for Guo Ying's throat! Xu Huizu stood protectively in front of Zhu Yuanzhang, his silver spear sweeping across, forcing back several armored soldiers!

Guo Ying hastily met the attack, their swords clashing, sparks flying! He sneered, "Lin Che! You actually managed to enter the palace? I underestimated you!"

"Guo Ying!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared, "What benefits did the Northern Yuan promise you that made you betray the Ming Dynasty?"

"Benefits?" Guo Ying laughed wildly. "Your Majesty, half of this empire should rightfully belong to my Guo family! If it weren't for my father's help back then, how could you have sat on this dragon throne? Now that you've used up your usefulness, you ask me why I rebelled?"

He suddenly blew a sharp whistle, and the sound of battle cries immediately filled the hall!
"Too late!" Guo Ying said smugly, "My troops have already taken control of the capital city; you have no chance of escape!"

Just when things were at their most critical, a deafening horn sounded outside the imperial city!
"Woo-woo-"

Guo Ying's expression changed drastically: "What happened?"

A blood-soaked guard stumbled in: "My lord! Something terrible has happened! Xu Da... Xu Da has led an army of 100,000 to attack the city! Three of the nine gates have already fallen!"

"What?!" Guo Ying was struck dumb. "Isn't Xu Da in the south...?"

"Guo Ying!" Zhu Yuanzhang roared in fury, "I knew long ago that you harbored treacherous intentions, and deliberately sent Lin Che south to seek help, luring you out! Today is your death day!"

Guo Ying's face turned ashen, then he suddenly went berserk, brandishing his sword and thrusting it straight at Zhu Yuanzhang: "Then you'll die with me!"

"Your Majesty, be careful!"

Lin Che leaped forward, his sword clashing with Guo Ying's! The two engaged in a fierce battle in the hall, their swords flashing like lightning, shattering tables, chairs, and screens!
Guo Ying was extremely skilled in martial arts. He knocked Lin Che back with a single sword strike and then swung his sword straight at Zhu Yuanzhang's heart!

"clang--!"

A silver spear suddenly appeared, blocking the fatal blow! Xu Huizu's spear moved like a dragon, and together with Lin Che, they finally cornered Guo Ying!

"Traitor, prepare to die!" Lin Che roared, his long sword flashing like a rainbow, piercing through Guo Ying's chest!
(End of this chapter)