The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 343 Regent (I)

Control the troops of the world.

Just six words, placed in this small building, carry more weight than any words and more power than any ambition.

This is Xiao Yan's naked ambition, and it is his only purpose for coming here tonight.

Not to mention Liu Xun, the commander of the cavalry and infantry of all the armies, who had a knife at his neck, even Jing Xiang was terrified and almost couldn't stand still while holding onto the door railing.

As for Zhu Wen, even his crying stopped instantly. The tiger eyes on his fat face widened and he stared at Xiao Yan's warm smiling face in disbelief. He felt a chill all over his body and his legs became weak.

"Be bold!"

Liu Xun, who was standing beside him, ignored the bloody knife on his neck and pointed at Xiao Yan and yelled at the top of his lungs, "How dare you, a traitor, threaten the emperor and father! The world depends on your majesty. There are tens of thousands of imperial guards in Bianjing. Don't think that you can threaten your majesty by stirring up this chaos! Even if I bleed here, it doesn't matter. You are a traitor. Once the imperial guards arrive, you will be killed immediately!"

As he spoke, he tightly grasped the long knife in front of his neck, his hands were covered in blood, and he shouted loudly to Zhu Wen: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Do not compromise with this villain! The country of Daliang cannot be destroyed by the hands of a traitor..."

Xiao Yan could clearly feel the fleeting anger and murderous intent in Zhu Wen, so he laughed and waved at the knife and Liu Xun's soldiers.

"Xiao Shuai!" Jing Xiang's eyes narrowed behind him, and he quickly stretched out his hand and shouted loudly.

The soldier, who had raised his sword, ignored him and was about to chop off Liu Xun's head, whose face turned pale instantly.

Xiao Yan seemed to be waiting for Jing Xiang to say this, and smiled: "Forget it."

A bloody wind blew in his face, but it stopped abruptly at this moment. Liu Xun's eyes were already wide open, staring at the bloody blade that stopped less than half an inch away from him. Cold sweat broke out all over his body, his Adam's apple moved, and he looked up at the soldier, but he saw that the eyes behind the soldier's mask were just staring at him coldly.

This soldier really wants to kill him.

Liu Xun froze. He was a veteran general and a man who had fought his way out of a sea of ​​blood and corpses. He was not afraid of death, but at that moment, he still felt regretful.

Dying for Zhu Wen doesn't seem to be worth it.

Beside the door, Jing Xiang could no longer bear to see the bloody scene, but when he saw the raised long knife stop as soon as it was told to, he finally breathed a sigh of relief, took a step back, leaned against the door railing, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and a wry smile appeared on the corners of his mouth.

Xiao Yan never looked at Liu Xun from beginning to end. He seemed to know that the soldier could strictly follow his orders like a machine. He just smiled and looked at Zhu Wen in front of him.

Zhu Wen no longer had any anger on his face and was frozen. He was right in front of Xiao Yan just now and saw clearly the cold expression on Xiao Yan's face at that moment.

Zhu Wen had no doubt about it.

Xiao Yan really killed Liu Xun, and he really killed Zhu Wen.

He forced a smile as if he was crying.

"Xiao, Xiao Qing..."

Xiao Yan smiled indifferently, held Zhu Wen's shoulders with both hands, and pushed the latter to the edge of the bed and pressed him down.

Zhu Wen didn't want to be manipulated by Xiao Yan, but his 300-pound body was weak inside, and when Xiao Yan squinted his eyes, he couldn't stand still. He lay on the bed, half sitting and half paralyzed. The anger he had before seemed to be washed away by a splash of cold water. Although he caught a glimpse of Liu Xun looking at him from the corner of his eye, Zhu Wen didn't dare to cast his gaze on Liu Xun.

Then everyone's eyes in the room followed Xiao Yan's figure. They saw the champion marquis, who was already showing his domineering attitude, untied his big red cloak, walked to the corner, leaned over, and draped it on Zhang Zhenniang, who was still covering her face and staring at him in a daze.

Xiao Yan smiled at her warmly and helped Zhang Zhenniang up, completely ignoring Zhu Wen's face that suddenly turned pale and blue behind him. Yu Youshu also walked in from outside the door and wanted to take Zhang Zhenniang out.

"Xiao Lang..." Zhang Zhenniang seemed to finally be angry. She looked at Xiao Yan, who had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and couldn't help crying. She held his hand tightly and sobbed: "Concubine, concubine..."

Zhu Wen's face turned ashen, he could see the adultery between them, he almost passed out at that moment, he didn't even bother to look at the beautiful Yu Youshu, he just regretted not killing that bitch Zhang Zhenniang directly!

And there is Xiao Yan, this traitor!

When I am free from this predicament, I will cut this adulterous couple into pieces and torture them to death with the punishment of burning and burning! !

After the frightened Zhang Zhenniang was helped out by Yu Youshu, Xiao Yan took two steps inside the room holding the knife.

Zhu Wen's expression changed again, and he became humble again in an instant. He looked at Xiao Yan with an apologetic smile and never mentioned any nonsense about adultery.

Liu Xun saw all the changes in Zhu Wen's expression from beginning to end, and he couldn't help feeling a chill in his heart and even laughed at himself.

Before, he still thought that this emperor was the wise and brave Prince of Liang Zhu Wen who had fought his way out of the pile of dead bodies step by step. He also thought that this emperor was still the aggressive and powerful Zhu emperor who controlled half of the world and decided the life and death of half of the people in the world.

It turns out that he is just a coward who only knows how to be lustful, tyrannical, and afraid of death!
It was not until this moment that Liu Xun understood the emperor in front of him.

He raised his head and glanced at Jing Xiang, but saw that this figure who was like the prime minister of Daliang had already been silent. It was obvious that he had always known what kind of person Zhu Wen was.

"Your Majesty, do you think what General Liu Jie just said is true?"

Xiao Yan finally stood still at this time, looking at Zhu Wen with a half-smile: "Your Majesty, do you also think that I was the one who planned the chaos in the city tonight?"

Zhu Wen's Adam's apple rolled, and he smiled apologetically, "How could it be Xiao Qing? This is Liu Xun's wild speculation. I don't believe a word of it. Xiao Qing, please don't take it to heart... And even if it is Xiao Qing, I believe that Xiao Qing would not do such an immoral thing. Xiao Qing is loyal and brave, who doesn't know it?"

Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh, shook his head and said, "It seems that Your Majesty still doesn't believe me, then let others prove my innocence."

Zhu Wen, Jing Xiang and the other two were all in confusion. Then they heard the sound of someone climbing the stairs again from outside, but it was different from the time when Xiao Yan came just now. The footsteps were weak and frail, and seemed quite panicked.

However, a thin, fair-skinned man with a somewhat gloomy face was staggering in by a soldier. After seeing Jing Xiang and others, the man paused, and then subconsciously glanced at Xiao Yan, who was standing with a knife in his hand and looked heroic, and then his eyes fell on Zhu Wen.

In just a moment, the man burst into tears and rushed towards Zhu Wen in two steps. In the blink of an eye, he knelt on the ground and cried loudly: "Father, Father! I am so late to save you, and you have suffered!"

As he spoke, he beat his chest and stamped his feet, looking as if he was dying, and cried loudly, "My brother suddenly caused chaos and almost killed me and Marquis Guanjun. If it weren't for Marquis Guanjun's bravery, who led me through the millions of chaotic troops and fought his way out, I would have been persecuted by my brother! Marquis Guanjun was loyal and as soon as he rescued me, he brought me here to protect my father. Seeing my father so frightened, I deserve to die..."

Jing Xiang and Liu Xun were both stunned, especially the latter, who stared at Zhu Youzhen in amazement. He had never seen Prince Jun in such a state before.

Zhu Wen, who was paralyzed on the Hu bed, had been frightened several times. As an old man, he had already lost control of his tears. When he saw Zhu Youzhen's life-and-death performance, he was immediately infected and burst into tears even though he knew it was fake. Holding Zhu Youzhen's hand, the father and son hugged each other and cried bitterly. It was truly a story of loving father and filial son, and the royal family affection was touching.

Xiao Yan knocked on the handle of the knife, neither impatient nor anxious, just watching the realistic acting of this pair of funny people, and turned back to look at Jing Xiang.

Jing Xiang didn't look at him, but frowned and pulled his beard.

"okay."

Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel annoyed when he heard the two crying more and more. He said calmly, "Your Majesty, do you know my loyalty, since Your Highness Jun has the evidence?"

"How can I not trust Xiao Qing?" Zhu Wen wiped his tears. He was originally rough, but now he looked funny. He didn't care about the emperor's dignity at the moment, and hurriedly said, "Xiao Qing, you are here to protect the emperor. Do you have any good plan? Zhu Youwen, the rebellious son, has caused chaos. I'm afraid he can mobilize tens of thousands of rebel troops. How can Xiao Qing quell it?"

At this time, Xiao Yan was in control of the situation. Yang Yan and Yang Miao, two of his reliances, died in his hands as soon as they met. The life and death of Zhu Wen and others depended entirely on Xiao Yan's will.

Even though Zhu Wen knew that Zhu Youwen might be the one who was framed, at this critical moment he had no choice but to follow Xiao Yan's words and insist that it was Zhu Youwen who was causing the trouble.

The current situation made it impossible for Zhu Wen to not bow his head and behave himself.

Xiao Yan crossed his arms and saluted, saying, "Even though I have a thousand good plans, the Guide Army and Tianxing Army have both been transferred out of the capital by Prince Bo in advance. I can only rely on a few hundred family generals. If Your Majesty trusts me, you can give me an imperial edict and allow me to mobilize troops. Then I can summon loyal officials and patriots from all over the world to quell Prince Bo's rebellion."

Zhu Wen was trembling slightly. This traitor, this villain! In the end, he still wanted power, still wanted power!
And what a crap family general!
Zhu Wen looked inside and outside the door. Those soldiers were wearing chest guards, shoulder guards, arm guards, leg guards, helmets, visors, neck guards, iron gloves and iron shoes. Their entire bodies were covered like an iron crown. They had iron bones on their waists and everyone held a heavy sword. They were impervious to swords and spears, and not a single part of their bodies was exposed.

Is this your Xiao Yan’s family general?
Liu Xun's face also looked a little unhappy. Armor has always been an important weapon, more valuable than a military crossbow, not to mention this kind of genuine heavy armor. The entire Daliang Imperial Army could only barely gather two thousand sets.

And seeing the people Xiao Yan brought with him were all dressed like this, they were not family generals at all, they were clearly Xiao Yan's private army! Moreover, they were strong-backed, bow-legged northern men, who were best at fighting, and their spirit of breaking through the enemy lines was not only fierce, but also full of murderous aura as soon as they met. Even Liu Xun rarely saw such warriors in the imperial army, so how many did Xiao Yan have?
There is absolutely no way that there are only the hundred or so people that Xiao Yan mentioned.

I'm afraid Xiao Yan really has the confidence to fight with Zhu Youwen.

Liu Xun could think of this, and so could Zhu Wen and Jing Xiang. Zhu Wen stammered, looking at Xiao Yan who was pretending to salute and was reluctant to speak, while Zhu Youzhen next to him was already anxiously pulling Zhu Wen's arm.

"Father, who else can I trust besides the Marquis? If I hesitate any longer, my brother will send someone to kill me. Father, please send the imperial edict to the Marquis of Guanjun as soon as possible!"

Zhu Wen was furious, thinking that Zhu Youzhen was in cahoots with Xiao Yan. He wanted to fight to the death with Zhu Youzhen, or die together in Anle Pavilion. Anyway, Zhu Youwen also hated Xiao Yan to the core, and Zhu Wen didn't believe that if he died, Xiao Yan would have a good ending!

"His Majesty……"

At this time, Jing Xiang suddenly took two steps forward, bowed calmly, and said: "The rebel army is coming fiercely. No matter what the intentions of Prince Bo and his party are, the matter is already settled. If the rebellion is not quelled soon, I am afraid that before dawn, the country will be overturned."

"The Marquis of Guanjun has brave soldiers who can charge into the chaos, so it is most appropriate for him to call on the troops to come to the king's defense. Moreover, if the Marquis of Guanjun can contact the troops, such as Guide and Tianxing, who are loyal to your majesty, the chaotic army will be afraid to act rashly. All the armies in the world are your majesty's minions, so who dares to persecute your majesty?"

Zhu Wen was stunned for a moment, but then he immediately understood what Jing Xiang meant.

Military power is just an empty title. As long as Zhu Wen is still the emperor and as long as Zhu Wen can show up in front of the armies, the generals below will recognize him instead of Xiao Yan. Compromise at this time is just a stopgap measure!

Zhu Wen was not a fool after all. He felt relieved when he thought of this. He laughed loudly, "Prime Minister Jing, Xiao Qing and Zhen'er are right. The rebel army is just a bunch of clowns. So what if there is a rebellious son behind them? Okay, I will send an imperial edict to Xiao Qing immediately!"

Jing Xiang breathed a sigh of relief. He had long ago advised Zhu Wen to pacify Xiao Yan and even the rebel troops below at all costs. It seemed that Zhu Wen listened to him.

Xiao Yan didn't show much expression. He just bowed and asked someone to bring him his calligraphy. At the same time, he took out a brocade embroidered with auspicious clouds and cranes from his arms and spread it on the table in front of Zhu Wen.

"I just happened to find a piece of silk cloth used for imperial edicts. I would like to ask Your Majesty to write it in your own hand and use the seal."

Liu Xun's eyelids twitched, and Zhu Wen's veins on his forehead were exposed.

This traitor doesn't even want to pretend, right?

Okay, okay, I will tolerate you for a while.

Zhu Wen picked up the pen and wrote with the help of Zhu Youzhen's grinding. At the same time, he took the small seal from Liu Xun. After stamping it, he was afraid that it would not reassure Xiao Yan, so he gritted his teeth and pressed a bloody handprint.

"According to my blood decree, the task of quelling the rebellion is now entirely in the hands of Xiao Qing."

As he spoke, he emphasized, "I conferred Xiao Qing the title of Grand Secretary of the Jinluan Palace, and promoted him to Commander of the Imperial Guards, Cavalry and Infantry, and concurrently Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. He was given the title of Duke of Song, with a fief of 3,000 households, and his son and wife were given titles!"

Obviously, Zhu Wen was being petty. Liu Xun was the current commander of the cavalry and infantry of the imperial guards, so he only gave Xiao Yan the title of acting commander. Although this position could command the Bianliang imperial guards, it was far from being an assignment to control the troops of the world. The other empty positions were even more bullshit, and were only used to appease Xiao Yan.

Jing Xiang was shocked, fearing that Xiao Yan would be dissatisfied. He was secretly annoyed that Zhu Wen was still being stingy at this time, so he wanted to step forward and give him some advice.

But what was unexpected was that Xiao Yan actually crossed his arms and saluted respectfully, saying: "I will do my best to fight to the death for Your Majesty to put down the rebellion."

Several people were stunned, and Zhu Wen was even more delighted. He pointed at Jing Xiang and Liu Xun, and gave each of them an additional title, and then patted Zhu Youzhen's arm.

"In addition, I appoint Zhen'er as the crown prince and appoint her as the governor of Kaifeng and the governor of Dongdu. After the rebellion is quelled, I will issue an imperial decree to the whole country!"

Zhu Youzhen was suddenly overjoyed. He bowed down desperately and said, "I will die to protect you, father!" Zhu Wen was very satisfied. He handed the drafted seal letters to several people, and then picked up the imperial edict. After hesitating for a while, he did not hand it directly to Xiao Yan. He first glanced hesitantly between Jing Xiang and Liu Xun, as if he had made a decision, and then solemnly handed the imperial edict to Jing Xiang.

"Prince Jing will assist Xiao Qing in suppressing the rebellion on my behalf. Prime Minister Jing must protect this imperial edict."

Jing Xiang knew that Zhu Wen was worried about Xiao Yan, and he could also see that Zhu Wen thought he could appease Xiao Yan, so he sighed in his heart, did not look at Xiao Yan, bowed and took the imperial edict, and said: "I will obey the imperial order..."

During this time, Zhu Wen glanced at Xiao Yan obscurely, and seeing that the latter was unmoved beside him, he thought that this traitor was finally appeased by the imperial army's military power and title. He breathed a sigh of relief and forced a smile: "After Xiao Qing succeeds in suppressing the rebellion, I will reward you handsomely..."

When I escape from this predicament, I will be the first to kill you, the traitor!

Xiao Yan smiled but did not respond. He just looked at Zhu Youzhen beside Zhu Wen and said, "I think that Your Highness Prince Jun...oh no, since the Crown Prince is already the heir, he can lead us to quell the rebellion on behalf of Your Majesty. In this way, with Prime Minister Jing and the Crown Prince acting together, I think it will be more convincing."

Zhu Wen didn't want to see Zhu Youzhen anymore, so he agreed directly: "Zhen'er, you are now the crown prince, and you have to take responsibility for the country."

Zhu Youzhen's face turned pale. He couldn't see what Xiao Yan was thinking. He wanted to refuse, but when he saw Xiao Yan's indifferent gaze, he was frightened and said hesitantly, "Then I will do as my father and Duke Song say..."

No one paid attention to Liu Xun nearby. Zhu Wen also knew that this fellow had offended Xiao Yan, so he did not mention this loyal general whom he had just recognized. He stood up and shook Jing Xiang's hand, his tiger eyes that had lost their majesty were full of expectation: "I am here, waiting for good news from Prime Minister Jing and Xiao Qing. Prime Minister Jing, Prime Minister Jing, please come to Anle Pavilion to take me back to the palace..."

Then he pretended to give Xiao Yan some instructions, but Xiao Yan just looked at him coldly from the side, ignored him at all, and walked away with his knife in his hand.

Two soldiers came in and took Zhu Youzhen out. Zhu Youzhen was reluctant to leave, but Zhu Wen would not try to keep him.

Zhu Wen's rather angry face trembled, and he tightly grasped Jing Xiang's hand. Before several soldiers strode in, he quickly whispered: "Prime Minister Jing, Prime Minister Jing, remember to intimidate these officials on my behalf. After the chaos is settled, I will grant you anything..."

Jing Xiang nodded without saying anything, just crossed his arms and bowed, then was invited out by a soldier.

After the few people left one after another, the small building was guarded by dozens of armored soldiers from top to bottom. Zhu Wen was not allowed to close the door. There were two armored soldiers inside and two armored soldiers at the door, guarding it tightly.

Zhu Wen's face turned pale. He looked around. Zhang Zhenniang was gone. Only Liu Xun was slumped on the ground. The two looked at each other. Zhu Wen sneered and whispered, "Let him be proud for a while..."

Liu Xun remained silent. He was just wondering, after the rebellion was put down, could the court still manipulate Xiao Yan at will?

------

Xiao Yan went downstairs from the small building, and Yu Youshu came with the big red cloak to tie it on him. Xiao Yan's face was calm, but Yu Youshu was very silent.

Xiao Yan glanced at her, then shook Yu Youshu's slightly cold hand, turned around and looked at Miao Chengtian and Xuan Jingtian walking out of a side room, and just smiled at the women who were obviously a little nervous.

Miao Chengtian and Xuan Jingtian just bowed to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan looked up at the sky which had gradually turned gray and white. He didn't think of anything else in his mind but Ji Ruxue first. If she were here, her face would probably turn pale with worry.

Unable to help but laugh, Xiao Yan patted the back of Yu Youshu's hand, as if he was talking to her, or to Ji Ruxuenai or the empress who was far away in Qi country, or to the surrendered ministers who were unknown where, or to more women, saying: "Don't worry."

"I believe in you, my Lord."

Xiao Yan nodded, pressed the hilt of the knife at his waist, strode out, and said to Duan Chengtian who came in, "I'll leave this place to you first."

Duan Chengtian tightly held the extremely excited Luo Xiaobei beside him, his face solemn, and led a group of bad guys to kneel on one knee.

"Die for the Lord!"

Jing Xiang and Zhu Youzhen, who were walking behind him, were both silent. The former was naturally more thoughtful, while the latter's mind was already blank.

Xiao Yan's figure disappeared in the corridor. The people in front of the small building stared at him for a long time in silence.

The door of a nearby wing opened slightly, and Zhang Zhenniang poked her head out timidly, whispering, "Is Xiao Lang okay?"

No one wanted to pay attention to her, but after a while, the short Luo Xiaobei raised his chin high and said loudly: "Who in the world can make you suffer? Even the emperor has to obey you in front of you!"

Zhang Zhenniang was so frightened that her face turned pale. She knew that Zhu Wen was still upstairs, but she saw that no one in front and behind the small building showed any change of expression.

------

After leaving Anle Pavilion, Xiao Yan climbed onto the mount he had ridden when he came up, surrounded by soldiers on both sides. Together with Jing Xiang and Zhu Youzhen, they all headed out.

"Your Highness has received the imperial edict. You will wait here to protect the Emperor."

Xiao Yan did not wear the visor anymore. He just said coldly to the thousands of rebels outside Anle Pavilion: "I have defeated the rebels of the Ghost King and his party. The matter tonight will be settled. You will all be rewarded. You may be incorporated into the Imperial Guards or receive rewards and return home. The court will do whatever you wish. The matter of corvée will be stopped after tonight!"

Shi Hongzhao, Li Mang and even Ding Zhaopu, who were at the front, were all shocked, but Shi Hongzhao and the rebel army, most of whom were corvée laborers, were just overjoyed and shouted excitedly.

Xiao Yan nodded to Shi Hongzhao, Li Mang and the others, without giving any more instructions. He pulled the reins and rode through the road made by the chaotic army. Countless pairs of eyes were just looking at him, either in admiration or respect... not even one of them.

Zhu Youzhen trembled a little and nearly fell off the horse. If Jing Xiang hadn't supported him, he would have lost face in front of thousands of people.

Several riders escorted Xiao Yan as they headed straight south. Jing Xiang looked at Xiao Yan's lone rider in front with a complicated look. After hesitating for a moment, he rode his horse to catch up with him.

The soldiers on both sides wanted to stop him, but Xiao Yan said without even turning his head: "Let the Prime Minister come over."

Jing Xiang rode his horse to Xiao Yan's side, hesitated for a while, and said in a deep voice: "It was you who held me hostage in Bian Jing three years ago, wasn't it you?"

Xiao Yan turned around, looked at Jing Xiang, smiled, and did not answer, but just said: "So, what does Jing Xiang think of me now?"

Jing Xiang shook his head, he couldn't answer.

Xiao Yan laughed, kicked his horse hard, and headed south, arriving directly at the Suzaku Gate of the Imperial City.

Seeing that he seemed to be about to leave the imperial city, Zhu Youzhen's face turned pale and he hurriedly said, "Duke, Duke! Outside the city are all Zhu Youwen's chaotic troops, why are we going out?"

Xiao Yan didn't even turn his head, and was too lazy to pay attention to Zhu Youzhen's nonsense. Although the Suzaku Gate was slowly opened, Xiao Yan did not ride out immediately. Instead, he rode his horse and took Zhu Youzhen and Jing Xiang along the horse path to the top of the city wall.

In fact, even before they went up to the city wall, Jing Xiang and the others had already seen the movement outside the Suzaku Gate.

In contrast to the chaotic shouting coming from the south of the city and everywhere else, another voice was heard coming from outside the Suzaku Gate.

The heavy and chaotic sound of horse hooves hit the stone slabs of Longjin Bridge steadily. This was the only sound in the wide street.

The rumbling of torches extended outward, reflecting the sparks between horse hooves and stone slabs. In this dazzling light, the figures of hundreds of riders were visible.

Xiao Yan jumped off his horse and walked to the center of the city wall. He stood with his hands behind his back and watched the approximately seven or eight hundred riders slowly approaching and stopping outside the Suzaku Gate.

These hundreds of riders were all heavily-armored knights. They rode extremely tall horses and were all covered in horse armor. The layers of armor plates were glowing with fire. Coupled with their muscular war horses, they looked like fortresses as they marched.

All the things Xiao Yan could collect in Hebei were equipped to Ding Badu. Among Ding Badu, the hundreds of cavalry were the most brave and sharp. They were the armored cavalry. At this moment, the knights on horseback had put down their armor, and only two murderous eyeballs could be seen from the holes. Every armored soldier was burly and strong, and was especially bloody.

The first two rows of knights were all holding 10-foot-long horse lances, which were held high with blood dripping from the tips. It was obvious that they had killed their way here from Nanxun Gate. Behind them were various weapons, such as spears, crescent-shaped swords, heavy iron rods, and maces, all of which stretched out in layers, emitting a murderous aura under the reflection of the firelight.

Not to mention Zhu Youzhen, even Jing Xiang was shocked. The two of them stood on either side of Xiao Yan, their Adam's apples throbbing, and they couldn't utter a word.

Xiao Yan just stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at the seven or eight hundred Tiger Guards under his command from afar, tapping the back of his hands with his fingers, as if waiting for something. Jing Xiang and the others did not dare to ask, and also just stood there in silence.

As for the brave knights outside the Suzaku Gate who trampled through any obstacles along the way, they remained silent.

An unknown amount of time had passed. As the sky brightened and the noise from the south of the city grew louder and louder, getting closer and closer to this place, the seven or eight hundred Tiger Guards threw the torches in their hands into the Bian River under the Longjin Bridge, and then slowly turned their horses around, the rear team became the front team, and the first two rows of knights picked up their lances, tucked them under their armpits, and remained silent.

Soon, a rider galloped over from the south of Longjin Bridge and shouted from afar: "I am under the command of Prince Bo. The royal army is coming. Open the city gate quickly. Prince Bo is here to protect you. Open the gate quickly..."

The rider soon stopped talking and stood there in shock.

Behind him, tens of thousands of people came, with all kinds of flags, like a sea of ​​people. But it seemed that in an instant, the whole city was silent, and countless pairs of eyes were staring at the hundreds of cavalry on both sides of Longjin Bridge, and then they stopped abruptly.

Similarly, countless people saw the man on the city wall, looking at the man standing with his hands behind his back, and the two people on his left and right were like minions under his aura.

"I am Xiao Yan."

A voice suddenly resounded throughout the city, and this voice, which was carried by internal force, spread very far.

The crowd was in an uproar, but before anyone could react, they heard Xiao Yan speak calmly: "I have been ordered to quell the rebellion. The edict has arrived. Those of you who are rebelling or loyal to the king, kneel down and listen to the edict, and you will be spared from death later."

As soon as he finished speaking, a man on horseback rode out, pointing at the city wall and laughing loudly.

"Xiao Yan, you are a traitor, how dare you say you are obeying the imperial edict? Do you know that Prince Bo is here in person? You are just a rebel, so leave the city and surrender immediately. Prince Bo will still forgive you and your gang! But if you insist on not changing your ways, don't wait until the imperial guards enter the city to regret it!"

"Is that Cui Yu?" Jing Xiang murmured.

"It's that bitch Cui Yu!" Zhu Youzhen was furious. He pointed at the figure showing off his might in front of the chaotic army and said angrily, "Duke, this person has tried to murder you many times. Remember to cut him into pieces!"

Behind Cui Yu, there was a man on horseback wearing a dragon robe and armor outside. He looked very majestic and was holding the reins and looking into the distance. It was obviously Zhu Youwen.

After seeing that there was no response from the tower, Cui Yu sneered, looked around and said, "Your Majesty is being coerced by the treacherous party of Xiao Yan, Zhu Youzhen, etc. Anyone who enters the city to rescue Your Majesty will be rewarded handsomely by the King of Bo!"

But before he could finish, he heard Xiao Yan's laughter from the tower: "Who said I threatened Your Majesty? The imperial edict and the prime minister are here. You are the rebels."

He stretched out his hand, and Zhu Youzhen beside him said anxiously: "Respected Prime Minister, the imperial edict, the imperial edict!"

Jing Xiang's heart sank. He took out the bright imperial edict from his arms and was about to read it out solemnly when he heard Xiao Yan suddenly ask loudly: "Prime Minister Jing, was this imperial edict drafted by His Majesty himself?"

Among the chaotic troops under the city, some people had already recognized Jing Xiang's figure and immediately started whispering to each other. Many generals of the imperial guards who were among them were hesitant.

Zhu Youwen's face turned cold, and he saw Jing Xiang nodded.

Then, thousands of eyes saw Xiao Yan reach out and pull the imperial edict from Jing Xiang's hand, then unfold it directly, glance at it coldly, and then ignore Jing Xiang's stunned expression and read it out loud.

"The Emperor's minister Wen dares to use the black bull to announce this to the Empress and the Empress... I have a lack of virtue. I did not investigate the treacherous party of Prince Bo and Prince Ying, and I did not prevent the war between Qi and Jin. All the people are guilty, but I am responsible. My legitimate son Zhu Youzhen has a good character and is highly respected by me. Now I have the right to abdicate to you. I will still enjoy the eternal good fortune and the people's hope. May you enjoy the Liang Dynasty."

"It is said that the mandate of heaven cannot be refused, the sacred artifact cannot be left unattended for long, the ministers cannot be without a master, and all affairs cannot be without a leader. My son Zhu Youzhen will ascend the throne, and I will retreat to the palace, secretly practice immortal arts, and not care about state affairs."

"The matter of suppressing the rebellion and ensuring the stability of the country will be handed over to General Tiance, the commander of all cavalry and infantry, and the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World, Xiao Yan, to assist him."

Xiao Yan closed the imperial edict, and his sharp and cold eyes swept across thousands of people in an instant.

"Appreciate this!"

(End of this chapter)