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

Chapter 517 Leading a Million Troops to West Lake (Part 3)
Early spring has arrived, and the chill has faded, but Yangzhou is still damp and cold due to days of drizzle.

The number of soldiers moving back and forth in the streets and alleys has increased significantly. At the canal wharves, ships loaded with grain, fodder and military equipment are jammed with traffic, and the laborers' shouts are constant. All the supplies are being transported north along the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, adding a touch of bleakness to the damp and cold weather.

The ink on the government's notice of increased taxes was barely dry when a corner was blown up by the cold wind, revealing what were likely layers of old notices underneath. This attracted a few people to stop and look at the words, but most of them let out a heavy sigh and hurried away.

As February approached, although there was no concrete intelligence of a large army pressing in from the north, the Southern Tang court, based on historical experience and the judgment that Xiao Yan would inevitably conquer the south and unify the country, was already on high alert. Banners fluttered and bugles sounded in military camps everywhere. Soldiers reinforced city defenses and practiced naval warfare, while laborers were conscripted to transport grain and supplies, creating an atmosphere of desperate measures.

In addition, the sons of powerful and influential figures in Jiangnan, represented by Wang Yanhan, the eldest son of King Min Wang Shenzhi, and Qian Yuanqiu, the ninth son and twelfth son of King Wuyue Qian Liu, also traveled around calling for action and connecting with various parties.

These people would speak passionately at banquets, poetry gatherings, and even military camps, shouting things like "Jiangnan is a land of culture and wealth," "The Northern Dynasty is brutal and wants to destroy our culture," "The legitimate Tang Dynasty is in Jiangnan," and "Only by uniting as one and defending the river can we preserve our ancestral temples and maintain our wealth and status," as if this would allow them to continue their peaceful existence in a corner of the country.

If this group could at least be considered somewhat inspiring, then those who proposed sending envoys north to Bianjing (Kaifeng) in an attempt to maintain the division of power along the Yangtze River by ceding Huainan were truly naive to the point of absurdity.

As for the officers and soldiers on the Yangtze River front, their faces naturally showed little of the relaxation that comes with the holidays; instead, they displayed a sense of bewilderment at the unknown battle and a hidden fear of the behemoth to the north.

Due to the separation between the north and south, and the deliberate suppression of news by the Southern Tang court, most ordinary officers and soldiers were unaware of the overall strategy, only knowing that the Northern emperor had already ascended the throne in Bianliang and that the next step would inevitably be a southern expedition.

Even with the formidable Yangtze River as a natural barrier, no one could be certain how long this barrier could hold out against that young and powerful ruler who commanded the respect of all foreign tribes and made him Khan.

Yangzhou Imperial Palace.

Inside the hall where the small court assembly was being held, civil and military officials who had not yet left the Zhenjiang defense area gathered together. They looked around and whispered among themselves, discussing nothing more than strategies to repel the enemy or the matter of the northern army marching south. Opinions varied and no consensus was reached.

Li Xingyun sat on the throne, watching the ministers discuss amongst themselves, but he didn't react much. He just glanced at Xu Wen, Zhang Hao, and the others below from time to time, his expression unreadable, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Soon, the topic finally shifted to the urgent defense of Jiangbei.

Yan Keqiu, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, was the first to offer his advice:

"Your Majesty, the treacherous Emperor Xiao Yan's wolfish ambitions are common knowledge. Although there are no concrete military reports of a large-scale southward invasion yet, once he has pacified the Central Plains, his next step will inevitably be to invade Jiangnan. Our dynasty possesses the natural defenses of the Jianghuai region, the wealth of Wu and Chu, and is the legitimate successor of the Tang dynasty, making us the focus of the world's attention. In this perilous situation, only by uniting as one and actively preparing for war can we defend our empire by holding the natural barrier when the iron cavalry from Jiangbei marches south."

As a staff member under Xu Wen, the meaning behind his words was self-evident.

Wang Yanhan stepped forward, his expression impassioned: "Your Majesty, gentlemen! The men of Fujian are willing to lend their utmost support. If the Northern army comes, we will surely make them suffer a crushing defeat! Jiangnan is not comparable to the Central Plains. It has a dense network of waterways, strong cities, and deep moats. As long as we work together, we can surely recreate the events of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Even if we cannot launch a northern expedition to recover the Central Plains, we can still divide the country along the Yangtze River and govern it!"

Qian Yuanqiu and Qian Yuanxiang exchanged a glance and also expressed their support, saying that although Wu and Yue were remote, they were willing to provide money, grain, and ships to jointly defend against foreign aggression. The hall was filled with fervent emotions, as if with enough determination, the threat from the north could be kept out of the Yangtze River.

Zhang Hao then said, "The Northern army is formidable, especially skilled in cavalry archery and land warfare. However, our Jiangnan region also possesses the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, and our navy can serve as a bulwark, sufficient to resist them. Nevertheless, the Northern army is powerful and has the advantage of being able to sail downstream from Shu. Although our soldiers are loyal and righteous, the pressure from a powerful enemy inevitably causes them to feel apprehensive. At this critical moment, we need extraordinary measures to stabilize morale and intimidate the enemy!"

At this moment, Xu Wen finally spoke: "Currently, the key river defense locations such as Shouzhou, Sizhou, Chuzhou, Chuzhou, Hezhou, and Runzhou are all under martial law. The soldiers of each garrison are on high alert, vowing to protect the country and its people south of the Yangtze River, however..."

He paused briefly, glanced at Li Xingyun, and sighed, "However, what Minister Zhang said is true. Given the current situation, it is inevitable that there will be many doubts in the army. I fear that the court is afraid of the north and will only cause the soldiers to bleed and block the river. We have been discussing this matter for days and we all believe that at this critical moment of life and death, if Your Majesty could follow the example of the sages and personally visit the important river defense town to encourage the troops and supervise the work, it would greatly boost morale, inspire the army, and reassure the people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Hao immediately chimed in, "Prime Minister Xu is absolutely right. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, the legitimate successor of the Tang Dynasty. I also earnestly request Your Majesty to choose a day to tour the front lines, personally visit strategic locations such as Shouzhou and Sizhou, reward the soldiers, and ascend the city walls to comfort them. Your Majesty's divine might will surely boost the morale of our army and force the Northern army to retreat in the face of adversity!"

"I second that it is more effective for Your Majesty to personally attend than for a hundred thousand soldiers..."

"The soldiers eagerly await Your Majesty's presence; Your Majesty must not let their loyalty and courage falter..."

"With the nation in peril, Your Majesty should prioritize the well-being of the people!"

With Xu Wen and Zhang Hao taking the lead, other officials, such as Yan Keqiu, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, and Luo Zhixiang, the Deputy Chief of the Privy Council, echoed their sentiments.

Wang Yanhan even stepped forward, excitedly saying, "Your Majesty! The Northern Dynasty's desires are insatiable and cannot be satisfied by paying tribute and becoming a vassal. If Your Majesty personally demonstrates your determination to resist the enemy, the men of Fujian will surely fight to the death, and money, provisions, and military supplies will be provided to the royal army in an uninterrupted manner!"

In the imperial court, the crowd was in an uproar, but their words clearly implied that they were all pressuring the emperor to go to war.

The small group of officials who had previously won over Li Xingyun were powerless to help him in this situation, as they couldn't openly oppose him. Given the circumstances, if Li Xingyun didn't agree, he would naturally be branded as a foolish ruler who disregarded his soldiers and the country.

Li Xingyun's face remained calm, but inwardly he was sneering.

How could he not know the true intentions of Xu Wen and Zhang Hao?

Once he leaves the Yangzhou palace, the palace guards he has painstakingly replaced will inevitably be largely replaced by Xu Zhang's cronies. At that point, he will be like a dragon out of water, trapped in shallow waters, and will find it difficult to control Yangzhou. Shangrao and the child in her womb will also be more easily manipulated by these people, making him hesitant to act against them.

He glanced slightly to his side and behind. Zhang Zifan stood in the line, his brows furrowed, and he shook his head almost imperceptibly at him.

Li Xingyun withdrew his gaze, a look of solemnity and hesitation appearing on his face, and slowly said, "The defense of Jianghuai is indeed of paramount importance. I am not a coward, so how can I not think of the soldiers on the front lines?"

“However…” He paused slightly, his tone hesitant, “The Empress is about to give birth, and I am truly uneasy. Leaving the capital at this time, I fear…”

"His Majesty!"

Xu Wen bowed again, his tone becoming increasingly earnest, even tinged with a hint of sorrow: "How could we, your subjects, not know the deep affection between Your Majesty and the Empress? However, matters of state are more important than family matters. Your Majesty is the ruler of the nation, and the safety of the entire country rests on your shoulders. The Empress is a woman of great understanding and will surely appreciate Your Majesty's good intentions. Moreover, the imperial physicians and midwives in the palace are already prepared, and they will certainly ensure the Empress's safety. When Your Majesty returns from inspecting the troops, you can joyfully welcome the imperial heir. Wouldn't that be a double celebration?"

Zhang Hao went even further, saying, "Your Majesty, have you not heard the saying, 'How can one have a home when the Xiongnu have not yet been destroyed?' If the iron cavalry of the Northern Dynasty crosses the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, how can any egg remain intact when the nest is overturned? At that time, let alone the joy of family life, Your Majesty and the Empress will also... I urge Your Majesty to make a decision quickly!"

Once again, a chorus of voices urging His Majesty to prioritize the well-being of the nation resounded within the hall.

Li Xingyun's fingers curled slightly inside his sleeve, his nails almost digging into his palm.

Without even thinking, if he refused directly at this moment, he would not only alert the enemy, but also give others grounds to criticize him for being unwilling to fight the enemy, making it easier for Xu and Zhang to take advantage of the situation.

So after a moment of contemplation, he finally sighed and said, "In that case... my beloved ministers, please allow me two days to consider this and discuss it with the Empress before making a decision. As for the troop deployment, provisions and supplies in the Jianghuai defense zones, Minister Xu and Minister Zhang should take the lead in making overall arrangements to ensure everything is in order."

Xu Wen and Zhang Hao exchanged a glance. Seeing that Li Xingyun did not directly refuse, they decided to stop pressing him and bowed in unison: "Your subjects obey the decree and will do their utmost to strengthen the river defenses!"

The court assembly continued for a while longer amidst various trivial matters before finally dispersing. As the officials left the hall, whispers and discussions continued, and a tense atmosphere, like the impending storm, filled the air.

After retreating into the inner hall, Li Xingyun dismissed his attendants, leaving only Zhang Zifan behind.

After everyone else had left and the door was closed, the calm on Li Xingyun's face vanished instantly. He slammed his fist on the table, making the brushes on the brush holder rattle.

"This is outrageous!" he spat out through gritted teeth, his chest heaving slightly. "They're pressing me relentlessly, determined to put me on the fire and tie me to their chariot!"

Zhang Zifan stood quietly to the side, his expression equally solemn: "This is an open conspiracy. They are forcing you to leave Yangzhou and completely sidelining you. The front line is far away, and the guards are all under their control. At that time, your life or death is uncertain. Even if you are safe, the Empress and the Prince of Wu's family are in the city, and you will be hesitant to act rashly."

Li Xingyun closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again, his eyes now filled with coldness: "We can't wait any longer. Zifan, the matter we discussed must be carried out as soon as possible. Otherwise, we will both die without a burial place, as will Shangrao, Lin Xuan, and the King of Wu..."

Zhang Zifan's gaze sharpened, and he lowered his voice: "Brother Li has made up his mind?"

"With a knife to my neck, how can I simply offer my neck for execution?" Li Xingyun sneered. "Since they won't tolerate me, I have no choice but to fight to the death. But..."

He looked at Zhang Zifan, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, "In the end, it's still somewhat rushed. If we fail, you..."

Zhang Zifan interrupted him, shaking his head and smiling, "We're brothers, no need for further words. From the day I decided to come to Jiangnan, I knew the road ahead would be fraught with peril. In this situation, only by fighting with all our might can we find a glimmer of hope. Speak, I'll do anything, even die for you." Li Xingyun patted his shoulder, gave a bitter smile, then walked to the window, looked at the gloomy sky outside, and lowered his voice, "Xu Wen and Zhang Hao are cunning and suspicious. After what happened last time, they rarely enter the palace alone. Even when they do, they bring a large number of guards. Zhang Hao's martial arts skills are also considerable. Only during grand court assemblies or when the ministers are discussing matters can we make them lower their guard slightly and gather in the palace."

Zhang Zifan walked to his side and whispered, "Therefore, we must strike first before they make their next move."

"To catch the thief, first catch the king." Li Xingyun nodded, his eyes cold.

“Indeed,” Zhang Zifan pondered for a moment, then quickened his pace, “Xu Wen and Zhang Hao have a wide network of followers, but their core remains within themselves. If we can eliminate these two and their most die-hard followers in one fell swoop, their power will collapse without a leader. At that time, Brother Li can quickly take control of the military and political affairs of Yangzhou.”

"How should they proceed? They are heavily guarded whenever they go out, and their residences are also under tight security."

“A direct assault is not advisable; we should lure them into a trap,” Zhang Zifan said. “Brother Li can issue an edict, under the pretext of ‘finalizing the matters of the personal expedition and praying for the front lines,’ summoning all senior officials to the palace immediately for a meeting. Even if Xu and Zhang are suspicious, with all the officials present and Brother Li formally summoning them in the palace, they will most likely come to avoid appearing weak and to control the progress of the meeting. As soon as they step through the palace gates…”

Li Xingyun interjected, a flash of murderous intent in his eyes: "Once they step into the palace gates, we can isolate them from the outside world and trap them like dogs in a cage."

“Exactly.” Zhang Zifan nodded. “At that time, the Bad People who have infiltrated the palace can cooperate with the guards to quickly control the key passages of the palace. Then, Shi Yao, Li Sixiao, and even you and I can act together to kill Xu Wen, Zhang Hao, and their main henchmen on the spot with lightning speed. At the same time, we must also have Wang Geng and other Bad People outside the city, as well as the generals we have turned against us, quickly control the gates and military camps of Yangzhou, suppress any possible resistance, and take over the ‘guards’ outside the Wu Prince’s mansion as soon as possible to ensure the safety of the Wu Prince.”

A cold glint flashed in Li Xingyun's eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he exhaled heavily: "It's feasible. But the plan must be meticulous and the attack must be decisive. We must not give them any chance to react. Otherwise, Yangzhou will be thrown into chaos in an instant."

"Understood." Zhang Zifan said solemnly, "This matter should be handled as quickly as possible. The imperial edict can be issued no later than the day after tomorrow, announcing an emergency military meeting to be held in the side hall. We only have a day and a half left at most."

“Alright.” Li Xingyun made up his mind. “Go and make detailed arrangements with Shi Yao, Li Sixiao, and Sima Hui. Be sure to keep it secret and ensure there are no mistakes.”

"Yes!" Zhang Zifan accepted the order, but hesitated for a moment, then said, "Brother Li, this is like adding fuel to a fire. We must prepare for the worst, no matter what. The Empress..."

When Shangrao was mentioned, Li Xingyun's eyes dimmed, and after a moment's hesitation, he said:
"I was just about to tell you this. Shangrao's due date is in the next few days. My original intention was to delay until after the delivery, but Xu and Zhang won't let us wait any longer, so we absolutely cannot let her stay here and risk her life. Have Zhang Tianshi and Xu Zhenren prepare to secretly send Shangrao and Lin Xuan out of Yangzhou within the next two days to the Tianshi Mansion for temporary refuge."

Without a second thought, Zhang Zifan nodded in agreement.

The two held a long, secret discussion in the imperial study, repeatedly rehearsing the details of the operation, personnel deployment, signal transmission, and contingency plans, until dusk fell and the palace lanterns lit up one by one.

Deep within the inner palace.

Shangrao leaned back on the soft couch, her belly high and round, her fingers unconsciously stroking it, feeling the throbbing of the little life inside her. Outside the window, a light rain pattered on the banana leaves, adding to the melancholy.

"Your Majesty seems unusually busy lately?" she asked the maid beside her.

The maid bowed her head and replied, "Your Majesty, the affairs of the court are numerous, and His Majesty is indeed burdened with worries about the nation."

Shangrao gave a soft "hmm" and looked at the misty rain curtain outside the palace gate: "Father... has there been any news to the palace recently? I am quite pregnant and have not seen you for a long time. I miss you very much."

The maid's eyes flickered for a moment before she respectfully replied, "The Prince of Wu is well. However, there are many matters to attend to both inside and outside the city. His Majesty has instructed that Your Highness should rest and recuperate. Once the little prince is safely born, the Prince of Wu will naturally come to the palace to visit him."

She had heard this explanation many times in recent days. At first, she was at ease, but as time went on, the occasional chill in Li Xingyun's eyes and the evasive words of the palace servants made her increasingly uneasy.

However, Shangrao had no need to make things difficult for a maid. He simply pursed his lips, dismissed her, and gazed at the flickering candlelight in a daze.

After the Lantern Festival, whether it was because her due date was approaching or because pregnant women are generally more sensitive, she often felt a sense of unease, as if she were shrouded in an invisible net from which she did not know where it came from.

She was not an innocent and ignorant girl, especially since she was born into a royal family that was essentially powerless, she naturally had an instinctive sense of power struggles.

Footsteps sounded softly, and Lu Linxuan came in carrying a bowl of medicine to prevent miscarriage: "Sister-in-law, it's time to take your medicine."

Shangrao looked up at her, hesitated for a moment, and then suddenly reached out and grabbed Lu Linxuan's wrist: "Linxuan, tell me, has something happened outside? Xingyun... and my father, are you hiding something from me?"

Lu Linxuan was startled, knowing that Shangrao was unaware that the Wu Prince's Mansion had long been firmly controlled by Xu Wen and his group. If the soon-to-be-give-up Shangrao knew the truth, her emotional outburst could have unimaginable consequences. She smiled, handing the warm bowl of medicine to Shangrao, her tone light:
"Sister-in-law, don't worry too much. The north is preparing for war, and the court officials are arguing endlessly. As the emperor, I'm bound to be busy dealing with defenses and am quite overwhelmed. The Prince of Wu is also doing well. I was afraid these trivial matters would disturb your rest, and because of palace rules, the Prince of Wu can't visit the palace often, so I haven't bothered you with these things. I often send people to inquire about the Prince of Wu, and everything is fine. You don't need to worry. The most important thing for you now is to focus on your pregnancy and give me a healthy little prince or princess."

Looking into her clear, bright eyes, which seemed devoid of any deception, Shangrao finally breathed a sigh of relief, as if he had convinced himself, and silently took the medicine bowl, sipping it slowly.

After Shangrao fell asleep, Lu Linxuan quietly left the bedroom. She stood on the veranda, gazing at the hazy sky, the drizzle dampening her clothes. She, too, was restless.

She had noticed the recent unusual behavior of Li Xingyun and Zhang Zifan.

They often talked late into the night, their expressions solemn, but when they saw her, they would pretend to be relaxed.

She didn't believe that all of this was simply because Zhang Zifan and Zhang Xuanling had recognized each other. She was no longer the spoiled and willful junior sister from Qingcheng Mountain who only knew how to play and act out.

After a moment's hesitation, she made up her mind, turned around, and strode quickly toward the Imperial Study.

Inside the imperial study, Li Xingyun had just finalized the details with Zhang Zifan when he heard that Lu Linxuan was requesting an audience. He rubbed his temples and gestured for her to come in.

"Junior sister, what's the matter so late?" Li Xingyun smiled, trying to make her tone sound relaxed.

Lu Linxuan stared directly at him, then glanced at Zhang Zifan, who was smirking beside him, and went straight to the point: "Senior brother, don't lie to me. Is the situation in Jiangnan already on the verge of collapse? Are Xu Wen, Zhang Hao, and the others no longer able to tolerate you? Are you and Zhang Zifan already plotting some risky move?"

After a barrage of questions, Li Xingyun, seeing his junior sister's serious expression, knew he couldn't hide it any longer. So he just sighed wearily and gestured for Zhang Zifan to leave first.

Only the two disciples remained in the study. Li Xingyun revealed the pressure she faced at court, Xu Wen and Zhang Hao's schemes, and her plan to launch a palace coup the next day, intending to have Shangrao and her accompany Zhang Xuanling and his wife to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

"...That's how it is." Li Xingyun's voice was low. "It's not that I intended to hide it from you and Shangrao, but this matter is far too dangerous. The more you know, the more disadvantageous it will be for you. Given the situation, I have no way out. The only option is to take a risky move, which may offer a glimmer of hope."

After hearing this, Lu Linxuan's face paled slightly, but he wasn't too surprised. Instead, he felt a sense of relief that his long-held suspicion had finally been resolved, along with a great deal of worry.

She simply looked up abruptly, her eyes resolute, and said without hesitation, "Since that's the case, I can't leave. Although my martial arts skills are inferior to yours and Zhang Zifan's, I can still help you fend off one or two enemies!"

"Confused!"

Li Xingyun was taken aback at first, then resolutely refused, speaking in a low voice with a particularly stern tone: "This is not a martial arts brawl, nor can the outcome be decided by adding a sword! This is a palace coup, a battle amidst thousands of troops, where individual bravery can play a very limited role! The situation is constantly changing and extremely dangerous! I myself am not even sure if I can escape unscathed, how can I allow you and Shangrao to be placed in such a perilous place?"

Lu Linxuan opened his mouth to argue.

Li Xingyun had already walked up to Lu Linxuan, placed his hands on her shoulders, and stared intently at her:
"Lin Xuan, listen to me! I understand your feelings better than anyone else! But you must follow my arrangements in this matter! The only thing I'm worried about right now is Shangrao and the child in her womb! Xu Wen and Zhang Hao are extremely ruthless. If things don't go well, their primary target will be Shangrao! If you stay here, it will not only be of no use, but it will also distract Zifan and me from protecting her and make us feel restricted! Do you understand?"

He looked into Lu Linxuan's eyes, at the struggle, the resentment that was gradually being suppressed by reason, and softened his voice, pleading:
“I’ve already made arrangements. Zhang Tianshi and Xu Zhenren will secretly provide support. You take Shangrao with you, and tomorrow you’ll use the excuse of leaving the palace to pray for blessings to go with them to the Tianshi Mansion for temporary refuge. Junior sister, please do me this favor. Protect her, and protect yourself too. This is my... only concern right now. Promise me, okay?”

Listening to Li Xingyun's almost pleading tone and seeing the undisguised exhaustion and determination between his brows, Lu Linxuan knew that her senior brother, with whom she had grown up since childhood, had made the most difficult decision, one that was absolutely unchangeable.

She was well aware that with her own abilities, she couldn't play a significant role in a power struggle of this scale, and staying might actually become a burden. Leaving, on the other hand, would allow Li Xingyun and Zhang Zifan to act without any worries and fight with full force.

Her nose tingled, and her eyes instantly reddened. In the end, she could only nod heavily, her voice choked with emotion: "...Okay. I promise you. I will protect my sister-in-law completely, not a single hair of hers will be lost. But you must also promise me that you will live! You must come to the Celestial Master's Mansion to pick them up!"

Seeing her struggling to hold back her tears, Li Xingyun let out a long sigh of relief, forced a relaxed smile, and patted her head: "Don't worry, your senior brother is very tough. I'm still waiting for my son to call me Dad."

(End of this chapter)