Jiuxi

Chapter 425 Chapter 423 [The Storm Rises]

The capital's defense force is divided into three parts. One is the eight thousand imperial troops who protect the palace, the other is the Sixth Army of Bei Ya stationed in the West City and Beicheng, and the third is the three capital camps in the Gyeonggi area that defend the capital.

As for the imperial guards in the palace, Yongjia government officials and patrol battalions in the city, they can only be regarded as certain supplements and cannot play a decisive role in determining the overall situation.

When a rebellion breaks out, the first to react is naturally the nearest Yongjia government office.

The governor, Jing Qingshan, had just laid down when he was called out by panicked shouts from outside. Regardless of the coquettish words of the concubine beside him, he quickly put on his clothes and walked to the front yard. He saw an aide saying with a pale face: "Master, something is going wrong. , something happened at the palace!"

Jing Qingshan was startled and asked in a trembling voice: "What happened to the palace?"

The aide said: "Countless armored men are attacking the palace!"

Jing Qingshan felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and his body staggered involuntarily.

"Fu Zun! Fu Zun!"

The staff hurriedly stepped forward to help, and added: "Right now, the rebels are only targeting the palace, and there is not yet a big chaos in the city. I hope the palace minister will be a little more at ease."

The staff looked at Jing Qingshan anxiously. The governor was from an ordinary family and had an average appearance. Moreover, because the governor of the capital had always been an embarrassing official position that was subject to criticism, his presence in the Da Qi court was very weak, and he rarely accepted the invitation. People pay attention.

Jing Qingshan was not sloppy at all, and ran towards the northwest to the Duke of Jing's Mansion with a long attendant.

I saw that the gate of the Duke's Mansion was closed, and there were people on the outer wall holding torches, and some holding knives and bows, showing a heavily guarded posture.

Jing Qingshan responded quickly: "I, Yin Jingqingshan of Yongjia Prefecture, would like to see the Duke!"

When he arrived at the gate of Duke Jing's Mansion, Jing Qingshan clasped his hands on his waist and looked at this mansion far away from the disputes between the government and the opposition, with a strange look in his eyes.

"I'll go to Duke Jing's mansion right away!"

"what?"

There was no response from the wall.

Jing Qingshan motioned to the long attendant to stay where he was, then took a deep breath and walked in without hesitation.

A sharp voice sounded on the outer wall.

At such a critical moment, any decision may lead to irreversible consequences.

Jing Qingshan was silent for only a moment, then gritted his teeth and said: "Immediately summon all the officials and scribes in the government office and ask them to go to the houses of your Lords. You also need to inform the Beijing Army and the government office in Beijing and tell them that there are people who are plotting rebellion and endangering their lives." Your Majesty, let everyone find a way to save King Qin immediately!"

The staff member nodded heavily and said, "I'll go and do it now. How about you?"

Where the Southern Palace is located, the fire illuminates the night, and the tragic sounds of killing can be faintly heard.

Jing Qingshan felt that his heart was about to jump out of his throat, but his movements did not slow down at all. It was hard for him, a pampered middle-aged man, to run out of breath.

Jing Qingshan knew that his staff was thinking about himself, but he said without any hesitation: "Of course I have to be cautious in normal times, but now it is a matter of life and death. How can I hesitate to move forward when I am so tired of His Majesty's grace? Go quickly! Go quickly!"

Of course Jing Qingshan understood the profound meaning of this sentence. In fact, he knew that the situation in the capital had been extremely tense recently, but he didn't expect those people to have the courage to take such a step.

The staff was stunned. He never expected that the master of the palace, who was usually submissive and always had a flattering smile in front of the powerful, would actually burst out with such decisive courage at this moment. Wasn't he worried that the rebels would succeed and finally liquidate him? A Yongjia governor?
Jing Qingshan's eyes widened, and a murderous look appeared on his ordinary face: "What are you doing standing still?"

The staff swallowed a gulp of saliva and said sincerely: "Master, the situation is unclear at the moment. Do you want to wait and see for a while? I am not trying to deceive the master, but this matter is related to the lives and fortunes of countless people. One wrong step can lead to great consequences." cliff!"

After a while, the side door of the Duke's Mansion opened a crack, and the person inside said, "Jingfu Yin, please come in."

"Who is coming?"

The prepared posture of the Duke's Mansion did make him a little nervous, but he firmly believed that anyone in this capital could rebel, but Mr. Han would never do so.

When he walked into the mansion, he was greeted by Han Zhongjie, the eldest son of Jing Guogong Han Lingfu. This man led the way with a solemn expression and led Jing Qingshan to the main hall of the back house.

"I'm here to see you, Lord Duke!"

Jing Qingshan looked at the old man leaning on the couch and saluted respectfully.

The old man said slowly: "Master Jing, there is no need to be polite, please sit down."

The servant brought a round stool and placed it next to the couch. Jing Qingshan thanked him and took a seat under the gaze of a group of Han family disciples.

When he came closer and saw the old man's face clearly, Jing Qingshan couldn't help but feel his heart sink.

Compared with what he saw in the court a few months ago, Han Lingfu was getting older, almost in his twilight years. In this state, it would be difficult for him to even stand up, let alone go out to fight the rebellion.

The reason why Jing Qingshan rushed to the Duke of Jing's mansion immediately was because he knew Han Lingfu's prestige and status in the Beijing army. Only this old man could avoid bloodshed and fighting, and then suppress the situation.

Han Lingfu asked gently: "Master Jing's late-night visit, is it related to the commotion in the capital?" Jing Qingshan suppressed the messy thoughts in his heart, briefly explained the situation in the palace, and then hesitated: "Old Master, next time The official should not have taken advantage of your authority, but this turmoil came too suddenly. Now His Majesty is trapped in the palace, and only you can control the situation..."

The children of the Han family next to him did not say anything to stop him, but Jing Qingshan could not continue because the old man looked at him with a smile.

Han Lingfu shook his head and whispered: "Master Jing, I am not willing to serve the country, but even if I can get up from the bed tonight, Guo Congyi and Wang Yan will not listen."

Jing Qingshan said in confusion: "Why did my husband say this? At the meeting that day, you——"

"This is different."

Han Lingfu interrupted him and said slowly: "At that time, everyone was still acting within the rules. Plus, I came forward for the first time. They only gave in because they were concerned about the opinions of the people below. Now they even dare to kill His Majesty. How can you care about this dying person?"

Only then did Jing Qingshan remember what the old man had said before, and he immediately said with great anxiety: "Guo Congyi and Wang Yan are actually the leaders of the rebellion? What should we do? Your Majesty... His Majesty only has eight thousand forbidden troops by his side!"

Han Lingfu looked at his frightened and uneasy expression, and couldn't help but nod his head and said: "Master Jing is loyal, your Majesty will definitely be very pleased. However, you are a civil servant and have no troops in your hands. It is difficult to help at this time, so why not stay here?" Talk to me."

Jing Qingshan was puzzled at first, and then finally came to his senses.

In fact, he usually has an eye for all directions and an ear for all directions, and is a very astute person. However, tonight was a chaos that had never happened before in Daqi, and he was panicked for a moment.

"Sir, is it possible that Your Majesty has been prepared?"

Jing Qingshan asked tentatively.

Han Lingfu smiled slightly, shook his head and said: "I have already withdrawn from the court, and I have rarely seen His Majesty's face. Naturally, I don't know His Majesty's plans. However, I believe that Your Majesty can let that kid Lu Chen leave the capital at this time. I believe that Your Majesty has enough Confidence. Zhongjie.”

The eldest son Han Zhongjie, who was standing aside, solemnly responded: "Yes!"

Han Lingfu narrowed his eyes slightly, flashing back to those prosperous years in his mind, with a strong murderous tone in his voice: "Your Majesty and the imperial court have given the Han family supreme honor. At this time of crisis, the Han family How can you be so helpless? You take all your family members and personal guards, open the palace, hold armor and swords, and go to the palace to protect His Majesty."

Han Zhongjie said without hesitation: "Take the order!"

The other children of the Han family all held their heads high and regarded death as if they were dead.

When everyone bowed and retreated, Han Lingfu said word by word: "Remember, the Han family only has men who died in battle, and there are no cowards who retreat!"

What responded to him was a uniform voice: "I would rather die than retreat!"

Jing Qingshan stared at this scene blankly, watching the children of the Han family filing out under the leadership of Han Zhongjie, as if there was a blood burning in his heart.

Scenes similar to those in Duke Jing's mansion frequently appeared in many mansions.

After the initial panic, when the civil and military forces of the dynasty found out that the rebels were attacking the palace, many people took action spontaneously. No matter which force they originally belonged to, they had only one thought in their minds at this moment, and that was to protect the safety of the emperor.

In Xiudefang, the Prime Minister's Mansion.

Princess Ning looked at the second prince who was looking at him, and said with worry: "My lord, do you have to go?"

The second prince did not get angry because of these words. He simply comforted her briefly: "Don't worry, Princess, I will be fine."

Princess Ning wanted to say more, but the second prince had already walked out, leaving only one sentence: "Princess, just wait at ease in the palace, I will return safely."

Arriving at the vestibule, a young military general in full armor came forward and saluted, "Your Highness."

This person's name is Miao Yulin, and he is the guard commander of the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The second prince asked as he walked: "How is the situation?"

Miao Yulin replied: "The rebels are powerful, and it is currently unclear how many Beijing troops are involved. Eight hundred guards from the palace have gathered, and more than five hundred people from Moyuan are on their way."

The second prince nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Give me the order. The situation is chaotic late at night. There are few of us and there are many rebels. Don't be impulsive and fight head-on with the rebels. The right way is to find a way to enter the palace to assist the imperial army. After dawn at the latest, The Beijing camp will definitely be able to react. As long as the palace is not breached by the rebels, my father will be able to regain control of the situation."

Miao Yulin responded respectfully: "Yes, Your Highness."

The two of them arrived at the east crossing, where eight hundred guards had already assembled.

The second prince stood on a high place and said to everyone: "Everyone, there has been a sudden rebellion in the capital. The rebels are attacking the palace. I will lead you to escort them. I don't know who is planning this rebellion. Who are the rebels? The number is also unknown at the moment. This time is very likely to be a point of no return. The only guarantee I can make is that if we can survive, I will promise you a lifetime of wealth!

Under the clear moonlight, eight hundred guards responded in unison: "I am willing to die for Your Highness!"

"it is good!"

The second prince shouted loudly, then drew out his sword and said solemnly: "All officers and men, follow me forward!"

(End of this chapter)