Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 455 I'm Not Here to Destroy This Home
Jiankang.

Taicheng.

Xiao Yan summoned all the members of the imperial family and high-ranking officials to the Xianyang Palace to discuss countermeasures.

Li Shuang's army advanced at a speed that surpassed the reaction speed of the Southern Liang state apparatus.

The people in Xianyang Palace are now like ants on a hot pan.

Xiao Yan didn't need to give orders; his ministers would act on their own.

It takes time to mobilize troops, gather provisions and equipment, and organize defenses.

The Southern Liang Dynasty had enjoyed peace for a long time, and Jiankang had not heard the smoke of war for decades. All the long-forgotten contingency plans were now being put into action, but it was found that many aspects were missing.

The problem is either a shortage of people or a lack of supplies.

The urgent mobilization of personnel and supplies requires coordination among various government departments.

Emperor Xiao Yan's leniency towards the imperial clan and high-ranking officials allowed them to engage in rampant corruption and bribery. However, when it came time to truly have capable people, he found that most of these members of the imperial clan and high-ranking officials were unfit for their positions.

Veteran generals like Wei Rui, Pei Sui, and Cao Jingzong, who were skilled in battle, have long since passed away. Generals of the middle generation, such as Chen Qingzhi, Pei Zhigao, and Xiahou Kui, are now in their fifties or sixties.

The remaining young generals, who were capable of fighting and on whom Xiao Yan placed high hopes, were all engaged in campaigns in Bashu and were unable to return to provide reinforcements.

Since beginning his cultivation, Xiao Yan had been unwilling to engage in much killing. However, now, facing a tremendous crisis, he suddenly discovered a terrifying reality: the Southern Liang army was experiencing a talent shortage.

The veteran generals are either dead or seriously ill, and among the young generals, none are yet capable of taking on the responsibility.

When the country was at peace, Xiao Yan did not care about this, and was even somewhat proud, believing that a land without war was a paradise.

But when it came to actually fighting, looking back, we realized that this idea was absolutely foolish!

Xiao Yan sat on the dragon throne like a symbol.

Crown Prince Xiao Gang walked in fully armed, causing Xiao Yan to frown.

"Your Majesty, a scout reports that the Northern Barbarian Da Yeshuang is approaching the Huai River. Your Majesty should immediately order the deployment of troops to intercept Da Yeshuang."

The Huai River in Jiankang City is the Qinhuai River. The Southern Liang Dynasty built a pontoon bridge on the Qinhuai River, named Zhuque Bridge, to facilitate passage between the two banks.

Xiao Yan asked:

How many people did Ohno Sawa bring?

"The scouts report: eight hundred riders!"

Upon hearing this, the members of the royal family and nobles who had been busy for four or five hours finally breathed a sigh of relief, and their movements slowed down without them even realizing it.

"A mere eight hundred riders dare to head straight for Jiankang City?"

“If each of the million people in Jiankang City of my Great Liang City spat out a mouthful of toxins, we could wipe them out.”

"The bandits in the north are really too rampant."

"Your Majesty, give me three thousand armored soldiers, and I will surely capture this scoundrel in front of the palace."

……

Hearing the words of the imperial family and high-ranking officials, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Instead of immediately ordering the deployment of defenses, he wanted to settle accounts first.

“That beast Wang Zhi! I ordered him to guard Caishiji, and he actually led the way in running away.”

"Your Majesty, Wang Zhi knows his sins are grave and has gone into hiding."

Xiao Yan snorted coldly:
"Don't think that just because he is my nephew, he can be forgiven. This time, I will not let him off lightly."

“Your Majesty is right!” Xiao Gang cupped his hands and said, “Your subject believes that Da Ye Shuang’s eight hundred cavalry alone cannot even pass through the Vermilion Bird Gate. However, behind these eight hundred cavalry is a large force of Da Ye Shuang’s men. When they come to our aid, it will be a bitter battle.”

At this point, Xiao Yan could no longer care about anything else and said:

"Open the treasury, recruit the bravest men in the city, and order the large army that has been sent to conquer Bashu to return to the capital to defend the emperor."

"My son obeys the order!"

Just then, a report came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, Marquis Chen requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's expression changed. He immediately stood up, descended the steps, and looked at Chen Qingzhi, who was so ill he was practically carried into the hall. He felt a pang of heartache and said:
"Ziyun, why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Your Majesty, Li Shuang is leading his cavalry close to the capital. I fear his intentions are not good."

Xiao Yan comforted him:
"Don't worry, Ziyun. Da Ye Shuang's vanguard force is only eight hundred cavalrymen, and they can't even get past the Vermilion Bird Gate. His main army won't arrive outside Jiankang City for at least two or three days." Unlike Xiao Yan and his ministers, Chen Qingzhi coughed even more violently upon hearing this.

"Someone, summon the physician."

Chen Qingzhi grasped Xiao Yan's hand and said:

“Your Majesty, Li Shuang is by no means a reckless man. He dared to head straight for Jiankang with eight hundred cavalrymen, so he must have reinforcements.”

"Reinforcements?"

"Your Majesty, at this critical juncture, a prudent and experienced general should be chosen to guard the Vermilion Bird Gate."

Xiao Yan nodded, glanced at the generals beside him, and finally fixed his gaze on Xiahou Kui.

"Ji Long, I'd like to trouble you to go there."

"The minister obeys the order!"

Xiao Yan waited for the physician to enter the palace and examine Chen Qingzhi.

Just as the physician was examining him, Xiahou Kui returned, much to Xiao Yan's surprise.

"Ji Long, what's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

"Your Majesty, when I left Xuanyang Gate, I found the city in chaos. People and soldiers were rushing into the city, and the defeated soldiers said that Zhuque Gate had fallen and Li Shuang had led his army into the Imperial Street."

When Xiao Gang heard about it, he made an even bigger fuss than Xiao Yan.

"What is Xiao Zhengde doing? Why doesn't he disconnect the floating beam?"

"I am unaware of the specific situation. Your Majesty, I have come here specifically to request that the palace gates be closed, and that the enemy troops be prevented from storming into the capital."

In his panic, Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly as he said:

"Ji Long, I hereby issue an order, appointing you to be in charge of the defense of Taicheng."

……

In the darkness of the night, the firelight shone brightly.

Li Shuang led eight hundred cavalrymen, galloping along the main thoroughfare of Jiankang City, the Imperial Street.

"He Liuhun, Hei Ta, how does the Imperial Street in Jiankang compare to the Bronze Camel Street in Luoyang?"

Gao Huan and Yuwen Tai were trembling with excitement, every pore on their bodies was shaking.

They were like this, as were the eight hundred cavalrymen following behind them.

"Go well past them!"

Gao Huan shouted excitedly.

Crimson armor swift as the wind, feathered cavalry galloping on horseback.

The people in the city were in a panic, but not a single one dared to stop the eight hundred cavalrymen.

The ten-mile-long street was unobstructed.

Heading north from Zhuque Gate, they raced all the way to Xuanyang Gate.

The outer city of Jiankang had a bamboo fence gate, but the imperial city had three layers of palace walls, all of which were covered with bricks.

At the Xuanyang Gate, Xiao Zhengde was confronting the captain guarding the city.

Seeing Li Shuang arrive, Xiao Zhengde finally breathed a sigh of relief and killed the captain with a single stroke.

Blood gushed forth, and the imperial guards at the inner city gates laid down their weapons. Li Shuang slowed his horse, but then heard Xiao Zhengde say:

"King Qin, you've finally arrived. Xiahou Kui has taken over the defense of the capital and has closed the Grand Marshal's Gate. If you had arrived any later, I really wouldn't have been able to hold on any longer."

Li Shuang smiled and said:
"Thank you for your trouble, Prince Linhe. But I would also like to trouble you to send someone to the palace."

Xiao Zhengde was somewhat puzzled and asked:

What does the King of Qin mean?

Li Shuang said:
"Inform everyone in the city that Prince Li Shuang of Qin wishes to pay homage to the Emperor of Great Liang!"

……

(End of this chapter)