Huangming

Chapter 459 The Northern Gate is Desperately Defended, and the Greedy Prince

The night was as black as ink that couldn't be dissolved.

In the valley northwest of Datong City, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the silence, startling the birds roosting in the woods into flight.

Shen Lian lay on the horse's back, his dusty, torn refugee's pajamas soaked with sweat and clinging tightly to his back.

He had originally mingled with Zhang Tianlin's army of refugees, trying to find out the movements of the rebels, but he never expected to learn of Wang Wei's rebellion.

He suppressed his panic, took advantage of the chaos in the refugee camp, stole a horse, and rushed to the secret stronghold of the Embroidered Uniform Guard overnight.

He has to speed things up!

The longer this news reached Datong Prefecture, the greater the danger.

Finally, the outline of a dense forest began to appear in the distance.

Shen Lian reined in his horse, jumped off, and staggered into the woods.

Hidden here are secret agents of the Imperial Guard in Datong, in a wooden cabin disguised as a hunter's hut.

He pushed open the door, and the Imperial Guard captain inside, seeing his appearance, was about to draw his sword when Shen Lian stopped him.
"It's me! Shen Lian! Urgent report! Quickly bring the flying fish robe!"

Seeing the urgency in his eyes, the captain dared not delay and quickly pulled out a neatly folded flying fish robe from a hidden compartment under the bed.

Shen Lian didn't bother with pleasantries. He quickly took off his refugee clothes and put on a black brocade flying fish robe. He tied the Jinyiwei token around his waist and grabbed a brocade spring knife, which he then tucked behind his back.

"Prepare the fastest post horse! I need to go to Datong Prefecture immediately!"

Before he finished speaking, the captain had already led over a jet-black warhorse, with two bags of dry rations and a water bag hanging on the saddle.

Shen Lian mounted his horse and, almost without pausing, flicked his whip, causing the warhorse to neigh and gallop towards the city of Datong.

In the darkness, the gold thread of the flying fish robe occasionally flashed a cold light under the moonlight, like a lightning bolt piercing the darkness.

Half past the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the north gate of Datong Prefecture finally came into view.

The torches on the city wall flickered, and the soldiers moved back and forth between the crenellations. The air was filled with the tense atmosphere of defending the city, but things had not yet descended into chaos.

Shen Lian breathed a sigh of relief, spurred his horse to the city walls, reined in it, and shouted loudly towards the city walls:

"Listen up on the city wall!"

I am Shen Lian, the deputy commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard!

Urgent report regarding the safety of Datong!

"Open the city gates immediately and let me in!"

The soldiers guarding the city walls immediately became alert upon hearing "Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard".

A junior officer peeked out and looked down by the dim torchlight. He saw that the man below the city was wearing a flying fish robe and had the Embroidered Uniform Guard token hanging at his waist. Although his face was covered in dust, his eyes were sharp as knives, and he did not seem to be an imposter.

"You wait! I'll go report to Zuxie Town!"

The junior officer dared not delay and turned to run into the city gate tower.

At this moment, Zu Dashou was sitting at his desk in the city tower, looking at a map of the city's defenses, with a piece of dry rations in his hand.

He had been guarding the north gate for two nights and dared not relax his vigilance in the slightest.

Upon hearing the junior officer's report, he immediately stood up, strode to the edge of the battlements, and looked down in the direction the junior officer pointed.

Under the moonlight, Shen Lian's figure, though weary, exuded the composure unique to the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Zu Dashou recognized him at a glance as the Deputy Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard who was investigating the civil unrest outside the city.

"It's Commander Shen!"

Zu Dashou immediately gave the order.

"Lower the basket! Hoist him up!"

The guards on the city wall quickly lowered a wooden basket. Shen Lian dismounted and jumped into the basket.

As the ropes were pulled, the basket slowly rose.

He had barely stepped onto the city wall, and before he could even stand firmly, Zu Dashou strode forward, grabbed his arm, and said urgently:

"Commander Shen! What urgent report do you have that you've rushed here so late at night?"

Shen Lian was panting heavily, his tone still showing signs of shock.

"Xiezhen, disaster has struck!"
Wang Wei... Wang Wei is going to rebel!

He also colluded with Zhang Tianlin's army of refugees!

"what?!"

Zu Dashou suddenly released his grip, took a step back, his face full of disbelief, and his hand unconsciously pressed on the sword at his waist.

"Say it again?"
Wang Wei rebelled?

This is impossible!

He is the deputy commander-in-chief of Datong, receiving a salary from the imperial court. Has he forgotten the fate of Wang Guoliang's rebellion?
His head was chopped off and displayed on a pole; his entire family was executed!

Is he crazy?

"Commander Xie, this is absolutely true!"

Shen Lian quickly explained:
“These days I’ve been mingling with Zhang Tianlin’s refugee army. I’ve personally witnessed Wang Wei’s advisor Zhou Jingzhi going to Leigong Mountain to secretly meet with Zhang Tianlin. I’ve personally heard them say that they want to ‘rebel against the Ming’ and that they want to trick the city of Datong into opening up and seize the granaries and armories!”
Wang Wei, fearing punishment from Commander Xiong, had no other choice but to take this desperate gamble!

Zu Dashou's face instantly darkened.

He recalled Wang Wei's unusual behavior these days.

This old fellow delayed entering the city, set up camp outside the city, and allowed Sun Zhen and Ma Rong to amass their own troops. It turns out that he was not trying to quell the rebellion, but was secretly plotting a rebellion!

He clenched his fist tightly.

"That Wang Wei! How dare he do such a treasonous thing!"
If it weren't for Commander Shen's timely report, Datong Prefecture would likely have fallen into the hands of the rebels!

He immediately turned around and gave orders to his personal guards:
"Take two men immediately and ride at full speed to the residence of the eunuch Zhang Wei, and report the news of Wang Wei's rebellion to Zhang Wei. Tell him to immediately order the closure of all granaries and armories in the prefectural city, and then send more people to protect the Prince Dai's residence."

We must not allow the traitors to have any opportunity to exploit this situation!

The guards received the order and turned to run down the city wall, their footsteps echoing rapidly on the wall.

Zu Dashou then looked at another guard:
"Go and order the commanders guarding the other three gates to close the city gates immediately and strengthen their defenses!"
Without my authorization, no one, not even Wang Wei himself, is allowed to enter!
Anyone who dares to open the city gates without authorization will be punished for treason and executed on the spot!

"Yes!"

The guards clasped their hands in salute and quickly left.

When the soldiers on the city wall heard that "Wang Wei has rebelled," they were shocked, but they quickly calmed down because of Zu Dashou's decisive order. They gripped their weapons tightly and looked warily at the night outside the city.

Shen Lian watched as Zu Dashou methodically arranged the defenses, feeling slightly relieved, but still reminded him:
"General Zu, Wang Wei has 20,000 elite troops under his command, as well as Zhang Tianlin's army of refugees. They should not be underestimated."

We must contact Commander Xiong as soon as possible and have him lead troops to our aid!

Zu Dashou nodded, his eyes serious.

"Don't worry, Commander Shen. I have already sent someone to report to Commander Zhang, and he will definitely send a message to Commander Xiong immediately."

The most important thing right now is to defend Datong Prefecture.

As long as the city stands, Wang Wei's rebellion will never succeed!

Shen Lian nodded and didn't linger there.

He wanted to inform the garrison eunuch of the firsthand information.

Zu Dashou watched Shen Lian's retreating figure, his brows furrowed slightly, but he remained calm.

Although his force only numbered three thousand, they should be able to hold the city for several days without any problem.

but
Things quickly progressed in a way that exceeded Zu Dashou's expectations.

He had barely finished setting up the defenses when the night wind on the city wall suddenly took on a different character.

It was no longer just a simple chill; instead, it carried a faint, pungent smell of blood, drifting in from the southeast.

He frowned as he walked to the edge of the battlements and looked towards the east gate. The city wall, which should have been silent in the night, was faintly flashing with a few glints of sword light, like will-o'-the-wisps in the dark, giving off an ominous premonition.

"Something's wrong."

Zu Dashou's heart skipped a beat. Just as he was about to order his personal guards to investigate, he saw a scout tumbling and crawling up the city wall, his armor stained with blood, his voice trembling:
"Xiezhen!"
Something's happened at the East Gate!

A large number of government troops entered the city, claiming to be "on the orders of General Wang to assist in the defense," but they started fighting as soon as they entered the city!
Guerrilla General Li Xin tried to close the city gates, but he has already been...killed by them!

"what?!"

Zu Dashou was startled.

Wang Wei acted much faster than he had anticipated.

It seems that while trying to persuade Zhang Tianlin to surrender, they sent people to visit the city gates and sneak in under the pretext of "assisting in the defense and quelling the rebellion"!

The little time Shen Lian bought was simply not enough for him to get the message to every line of defense.

Just then, the guard who had gone to the west gate to deliver the order stumbled back, half his body stained red with blood.

"Xiezhen!"
The west gate is also breached!
They used a forged eunuch's token to trick their way into opening the city gate and are now rushing towards the government office!
"Of the brothers we left at the West Gate, only a dozen or so remain!"

Shouts of battle, like rolling thunder, erupted simultaneously from the east, west, and south gates, instantly shattering the night in Datong Prefecture.

Zu Dashou stood on the north gate tower, watching the fire in the southeast grow brighter and brighter. The rebel army was burning houses and looting shops. Occasionally, he could hear the cries of the people and the angry curses of the soldiers. His heart sank little by little.

He didn't have many troops under his command to begin with.

Three thousand men were assigned to guard the four gates, with one thousand two hundred men left at the north gate and over six hundred men at each of the other three gates.

Now that the three gates have fallen, those brothers have probably already died on the battlefield.

"General! Rebel troops are charging from the east gate!"

The guards' shouts brought Zu Dashou back to reality.

He looked up and saw a group of soldiers dressed in government armor, carrying torches, rushing towards the north gate. The leader was Liu Zhenbang, Wang Wei's son-in-law.

He held a severed head in his hand, the head of Li Xin, the guerrilla general of the Eastern Gate, and his face was full of a ferocious smile.

"Liu Zhenbang! How dare you collude with the enemy and betray your country!"

Zu Dashou roared, his voice so loud that the torches on the city wall shook.

He drew his sword sharply and pointed it at the charging rebels: "Cannons ready! Musketeers, line up! Anyone who dares to approach the city gate, kill them on sight!"

The ten breech-loading cannons on the city wall were already loaded, and the gunners lit the fuses immediately upon hearing the order.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The deafening roar of cannons filled the air as iron balls struck the rebel ranks, exploding into sprays of blood. Dozens of rebels at the forefront fell instantly, while the rest retreated in terror, hiding behind houses on both sides of the street.

"Fire arrows!"

Zu Dashou then issued another order.

The archers released their bows, and arrows rained down on the rebels, their screams echoing throughout the battlefield.

Liu Zhenbang hid behind a stone pillar, watching the heavily armed defenders on the city wall, and gritted his teeth in anger:
"Zu Dashou! If you know what's good for you, surrender now, or when the commander-in-chief arrives, he'll tear you to pieces!"

Zu Dashou sneered and completely ignored him.

The North Gate was the last line of defense for Datong Prefecture. If it fell, the people in the city, the royal family of the Prince of Dai, and the officials who did not have time to escape would all fall into the hands of the rebels.

More importantly, just outside the north gate lies Xujiazhuang Fortress, where Xiong Tingbi's army could arrive at any moment.

As long as we hold the North Gate, there is still hope.

"Commander! The rebels are charging again! This time they've brought siege ladders!"

The guards shouted again.

Zu Dashou peeked out and saw the rebels pushing more than a dozen ladders toward the city wall, followed by hundreds of refugee soldiers, armed with knives, spears and clubs. Although they were disorganized, they exuded a fierce and fearless spirit.

"Oil!"

Zu Dashou shouted.

The guards immediately pushed the prepared barrels of kerosene to the edge of the battlements and poured them onto the ladders.

"ignition!"

With a command, torches were thrown down, and the oil ignited instantly into a raging fire. The rebels on the siege ladder screamed in agony as they were burned, falling off the ladders one after another. Some fell directly into the fire and became fireballs.

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the north gate.

It was three thousand reinforcements sent by Wang Wei. Seeing that the city gates were tightly closed, they attempted to launch a strong attack from outside the city.

Zu Dashou felt a pang of anxiety. If they were attacked from both sides, the north gate would fall sooner or later.

He glanced at the five hundred cavalrymen beside him, his eyes hardening with resolve: "Brothers! Follow me out of the city and drive back the rebels outside!"

"Commander! No, you mustn't!"
"There are several thousand rebels outside the city, while we only have five hundred cavalry. If we leave the city, the garrison inside will be even smaller!"

The guards quickly tried to dissuade him.

"We can't leave the city!"

Zu Dashou shook his head, his tone firm.

"If we don't eliminate the rebels outside the city, we'll be attacked from both sides! You hold the city walls, I'll be right back!"

He mounted his horse, drew his sword, and shouted to the five hundred cavalrymen:

"Brothers! For the sake of Great Harmony, for the sake of His Majesty, follow me and fight!"

"kill!"

Five hundred cavalrymen shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the night sky.

The city gates slowly opened, and the cavalry charged towards the rebel army outside the city like a sharp dagger.

Zu Dashou took the lead, brandishing his sword and instantly cutting down two rebel soldiers. The cavalry behind him followed closely, tearing a gap in the rebel ranks.

The rebels outside the city thought the garrison at the north gate wouldn't dare to leave the city, so they were caught off guard and their formation was thrown into chaos by the cavalry charge.

Some of the rebels didn't even have time to resist before being trampled to the ground by horses' hooves.

Zu Dashou led his troops in a fierce charge through the rebel ranks. His sword was stained with blood, and his warhorse was covered in gore, but he did not slow down at all.

He knew in his heart that he had to act quickly, otherwise the city's defenses would be compromised.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the three thousand rebels were scattered and scattered. Some fled westward, while others simply knelt down and surrendered.

Zu Dashou did not pursue, but led his troops back into the city and ordered the city gates to be closed immediately and the defenses to be reinforced.

He looked at the remaining cavalry, numbering only a little over three hundred, and felt a pang of pain in his heart.

These five hundred brothers were his most elite force, but now nearly half of them have been lost.

"Commander, the rebels in the city are still rushing towards the north gate, and we're almost out of oil and arrows!"

The guard's voice carried a hint of despair.

Zu Dashou walked to the edge of the city wall, watching the rebel army getting closer and closer into the city, and then glanced at the pitch-black night outside the city.

Xiong Tingbi's army had not yet arrived, and their ammunition was running low.

"Brothers!" Zu Dashou turned around and shouted to the remaining defenders:
"The North Gate is our last hope, and the last lifeline for the people of the city! Even if it means fighting to the last man, we must hold this place!"

"As long as we hold the North Gate, Xiong Jinglue's army will come to our aid, and we will be able to defeat the rebels and protect Datong!"

Inside the city.

A quarter of an hour ago.

The sound of horses' hooves suddenly stopped outside the vermilion gates of the Datong Town Prefectural Government.

Shen Lian dismounted and, without even having time to brush off his flying fish robe, galloped wildly into the mansion.

Passing through the courtyard planted with pomegranate trees and around the corridor with the plaque "Su Zheng" hanging on it, Shen Lian went straight to the main hall.

At this moment, Zhang Wei was reclining in a grand chair covered with brocade cushions, playing with a mutton-fat jade ruyi in his hand. On the table was a freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea, the rising steam carrying the aroma of tea, which was completely out of place with the tense atmosphere outside.

Hearing footsteps, Zhang Wei didn't even lift his eyelids, and slowly said:

"Commander Shen's late-night visit, could it be that Commander Xiong has some new information?"

"Township Supervisor! Something terrible has happened!"

Shen Lian rushed to the desk, his breath quick and his voice hoarse.

"Wang Wei has rebelled! He's colluding with Zhang Tianlin's refugee army, and his intentions are probably sinister. If we don't make a plan soon, Datong Prefecture will be finished!"

Zhang Wei's fingers, which were holding the jade ruyi, suddenly paused, and he finally looked up at Shen Lian.

He saw that Shen Lian was covered in sweat, and there were a few drops of dark red bloodstains on the cuffs of his flying fish robe. He didn't seem to be lying, but he still had some doubts.

"Wang Wei has rebelled?"
He's eating the imperial court's salary and holding military power in Datong. Has he gone mad?

Has he forgotten the consequences of Wang Guoliang's rebellion?

"it is true!"

Shen Lian hurriedly took a step forward.

"I'm afraid the mutinous troops will arrive by now!"

Before he could finish speaking, a deafening battle cry suddenly erupted from afar.

Zhang Wei's expression changed drastically. He stood up abruptly, walked quickly to the window, and lifted the curtain to look outside.

The night sky to the southeast was dyed red by the firelight, thick smoke billowed, and the cries of the people could even be heard carried by the wind.

"That damned Wang Wei! He's got some nerve!"

Zhang Wei cursed angrily, his previous laziness vanishing instantly, replaced by a look of panic on his face.

But he quickly calmed down.

Having served as a garrison eunuch in Datong for many years, he understood the principle of "preserving the green hills" best.

The city has fallen; continuing to defend it will only lead to certain death. Only by breaking through the siege can we save our lives and report back to the imperial court.

"Xiao Luzi!"

Zhang Wei shouted towards the door, and a personal eunuch rushed in.

"Quickly! Pass on my order: have all officials in office in Datong Prefecture assemble at the town's headquarters within half an hour!"

Just as the young eunuch was about to leave, Zhang Wei called him back:
"Wait! Send another team to the armory in the prefectural city, with our family's seal, to immediately open the armory and transport all the armor, muskets, and sabers inside to the garrison headquarters!"
Tell the captain guarding the armory that if he delays even a moment, we'll chop off his head!

The armory was a vital weapons depot in Datong Prefecture, normally jointly managed by the military commissioner and the garrison commander. In this urgent situation, Zhang Wei directly invoked the privileges of the garrison eunuch.

Having weapons would allow them to equip the assembled officials and increase their chances of breaking through the encirclement.

"Township Supervisor".

Lu Jianxing, a commander of the Imperial Guards standing nearby, stepped forward and bowed, saying:
"Should we send someone to inform the Prince of Dai's residence?"
His Highness the Prince of Dai is surrounded by hundreds of guards; if we could join forces with them, our chances of breaking through would be much greater.

Zhang Wei's eyes lit up, and he patted his forehead:
"I almost forgot about that!"

The guards of the Prince of Dai's residence are all elite; having their assistance would be ideal!

"I will personally go to the Prince Dai's residence!"
"Commander Shen, you stay here and supervise the officials to assemble and inventory the weapons brought from the armory. We'll meet at the main gate of the town government office in half an hour!"

After saying this, Zhang Wei, escorted by dozens of Imperial Guards, quickly walked out of the town's residence.

At this moment, Datong Prefecture was in complete chaos.

People on the street, young and old, fled in all directions.

Every now and then, people's doors were smashed open with a "bang," and a group of thugs with sticks rushed in, followed by women's screams and the sound of things breaking.

These scoundrels, who were usually suppressed by the government, took advantage of the war to openly plunder and even rape women.

Zhang Wei watched this unfold, his face turning ashen with anger, but he was powerless to do anything about it.

He only had a few dozen Imperial Guards with him; if they stopped to stop him, they probably wouldn't even reach the Prince of Dai's residence.

He gritted his teeth and urged, "Let's go! Don't meddle in other people's business!"

The Imperial Guards protected Zhang Wei, weaving through the chaotic crowd and occasionally pushing aside civilians blocking their way.

Several thugs, seeing Zhang Wei dressed in a eunuch's robe with python patterns, mistook him for a fat sheep and surrounded him with knives. However, the Imperial Guards drew their embroidered spring knives and cut down two of them on the spot. The rest were so frightened that they dared not approach again.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Prince Dai's mansion finally came into view.

At this moment, the vermilion gates of the Prince of Dai's mansion were tightly closed, and the gate tower was filled with guards holding spears, arrows nocked, their eyes warily watching the chaotic crowd below.

Ten guards stood beside the stone lions on either side of the gate, their swords drawn, creating a tense atmosphere that seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

“Open the door!
My family is Zhang Wei, the eunuch in charge of the Datong Garrison!
"I have urgent business to discuss with His Highness the Prince of Dai!"

Zhang Wei shouted at the gate tower, while simultaneously pulling out a gilded seal from his pocket and raising it high.

The guard leader on the gate tower squinted at the seal, then at the Imperial Guards behind Zhang Wei. Not daring to be negligent, he quickly ordered someone to lower the basket and hoist the seal up for inspection.

A moment later, the basket was lowered. Inside, besides the seal, there was also a note that read, "Verify the seal and you are permitted to enter."

Zhang Wei wasted no time and immediately boarded the gondola to enter the Prince of Dai's residence.

Upon entering, one sees Prince Zhu Naijun of Dai standing in the courtyard, his face deathly pale, surrounded by several officials from the Prince's residence, all of whom look flustered.

Upon seeing Zhang Wei, Zhu Naijun grasped at a straw and quickly stepped forward:

"Zhang Zhenjian! What's going on outside? Why is it so chaotic?"

Zhang Wei bent over and gasped for breath, cold sweat streaming down his face.

He raised his head, looked into Zhu Naijun's anxious eyes, and then glanced at the nervous expressions of the surrounding officials. His voice was somewhat hoarse:

"Your Majesty, Wang Wei has colluded with Zhang Tianlin's rebel army and has tricked open the east, west, and south gates. The rebels are burning, killing, and looting in the city, and they have even occupied the government office!"

"If we don't leave now, once the rebels surround the Prince of Dai's residence, we'll be trapped like turtles in a jar, and we won't even be able to save our lives!"

He took a step forward, his tone more urgent:
"The reason I've come here is to ask Your Majesty to bring the guards of the palace and help me break through the siege from the north gate."

General Zu Dashou is leading his men in a desperate defense of the North Gate. Commander Xiong's army is only a day's journey from Datong City. If we can break through and join General Zu, once Commander Xiong arrives, we can wipe out the rebels and save our lives!

"What? All three gates are breached?"

Zhu Naijun took a step back, swaying slightly, but fortunately, he was supported by the chief secretary beside him.

He looked down at the warm jade in his hand, then looked up at the silver vault deep inside the palace, its doors tightly shut, and his expression suddenly changed.

A mix of panic and hesitation crept in.

"But...but my money is still in the manor."

Zhu Naijun's voice lowered.

"There are hundreds of thousands of taels of silver inside, as well as calligraphy, paintings and jade artifacts transported from Jiangnan. If we just leave like this, won't the rebels rob them all?"
"Could...could someone be sent out of here first?"

Zhang Wei nearly fainted when he heard this.

He stared wide-eyed at the Prince of Dai before him in disbelief.

What kind of time is this? The whole city is full of rebels, and people's lives are in danger. Yet this prince is still thinking about his money!

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, his tone tinged with helplessness:

"Your Majesty! The situation is extremely urgent!"

The rebels might be at the gates of the Prince's mansion any moment now, so how could they possibly have time to transport the silver?
Once the traitor enters the mansion, you won't be able to save your life, let alone your money!

Money is gone, but you can earn it back later.

"If you lose your life, you lose everything!"

"no!"

Zhu Naijun abruptly waved his hand and said sternly:
"The walls of the Prince's Palace are thicker than those of the city, and there are hundreds of guards. The rebels won't be able to break through for a while."

I will wait here until Xiong Tingbi arrives, then have him quell the rebels and protect my silver.

"If Zhang Zhenjian wants to leave, then leave on your own. I'm not leaving!"

He said that "the Prince's mansion is well-defended," but he had another plan in mind.

Wang Wei was able to become the deputy commander of Datong because of the connections he made in the Prince of Dai's mansion. He never stopped sending tributes to Wang Wei during festivals.

In his view, even if Wang Wei rebelled, he wouldn't dare to touch him, the "King of Dai".

After all, if the rebels wanted to stabilize the situation in Datong, they still needed the title of the imperial clan.

As long as he stays in the palace and "talks" with Wang Wei, he can not only save his life but also protect the wealth he has accumulated over the decades.

"Your Majesty! You are confused!"

Zhang Wei was so anxious that he kept stamping his feet.

“Wang Wei dares to rebel against even the imperial army, so why would he be afraid of you, the Prince of Dai?”

If he really storms the Prince's mansion, your hundreds of thousands of taels of silver will only make him want to kill you to silence you!
Your Majesty, please reconsider!

"My mind is made up!"

Zhu Naijun turned around, his back to Zhang Wei, his tone resolute.

"Please leave, Eunuch Zhang. There's no need to persuade him any further."

Zhang Wei watched the Prince of Dai's retreating figure, feeling somewhat speechless.

Good advice is useless against a damned devil!

He knew that further persuasion would be useless; the prince was blinded by money and wouldn't listen to anything.

But he can't just leave like that.

Zhu Dingwei, the heir apparent of the Prince of Dai, is still in the mansion. He is the successor of the Prince of Dai's mansion and a member of the imperial clan valued by the court. He must not be allowed to die with the Prince of Dai.

"If Your Majesty refuses to leave, we will not force you."

Zhang Wei's voice deepened, but his eyes remained resolute.

"But the Crown Prince of Dai must not stay in the mansion!"
He is the future of the Prince of Dai's mansion. If anything were to happen to him, the imperial court would be in no position to explain it!
"Your Majesty, please allow the Crown Prince to break through the siege with us!"

Zhu Naijun paused for a moment, then turned to look at Zhu Dingwei standing at the back of the crowd.

The prince, dressed in plain blue clothes, was much calmer than him, though his face was pale. He was looking at him with concern.

He pondered for a moment:
It's good that the heir is gone. If something really happens to me, at least the Prince of Dai's mansion will still have an heir.

If I'm alright, I can bring the prince back after the rebellion is quelled.

"it is good."

Zhu Naijun readily agreed and called out to Zhu Dingwei:
"Dingwei, you take one hundred guards from the Prince's Palace and go out of the city with Eunuch Zhang."

"Listen to Eunuch Zhang's advice on the way; wait for Xiong Tingbi to arrive, then come back to fetch me."

"Father!"

Zhu Dingwei quickly stepped forward, grabbed Zhu Naijun's hand, and pleaded with him.

"Please come with us!"
Even the most fortified palace couldn't withstand the rebels' fierce attack. What would happen to my son if something went wrong?

"Cut the nonsense!"

Zhu Naijun shook off his hand, his tone stern.

"As I said, I'll wait here!"
If you try to persuade me again, then you shouldn't acknowledge me as your father!

Seeing the resolute look in his father's eyes, Zhu Dingwei knew that further persuasion was useless. His eyes reddened, and he finally gritted his teeth and nodded.
"Your son understands. Father, please take care."

Looking at the father and son, Zhang Wei sighed inwardly.

Zhu Naijun's decision to stay meant he would likely never see his son again.

He said no more, and turned to Zhu Dingwei, "Your Highness, there's no time to lose, let's go quickly, or it will be too late!"

Zhu Dingwei nodded and turned to gather the guards.

soon.

One hundred royal guards, clad in armor and wielding spears, stood in formation in the courtyard, each with a solemn expression.

Zhang Wei glanced at Zhu Naijun, and seeing that he was still standing in front of the stone platform, staring in the direction of the silver treasury, he said no more and led Zhu Dingwei and the guards out of the gate of the Prince of Dai's mansion.

Seeing the gates of the Prince's mansion wide open, Zhu Naijun turned around and watched their departing figures, a sneer suddenly curling at the corner of his mouth.

He thought Zhang Wei and Zhu Dingwei were too foolish. There were no mercy on the way to break through the encirclement, and they might die before they even saw Xiong Tingbi.

If he stayed in the Prince's mansion, as long as he had a "good talk" with Wang Wei, he could not only save his life, but also his money and wealth.

He turned to the chief clerk and said, "Go, reinforce the doors of the treasury a few more times, and send someone to tell Wang Wei's men that I want to 'have a chat' with him."

The chief clerk bowed and agreed, but his heart was filled with worry.

He always felt that the prince's decision would probably push the entire Prince Dai's Mansion into an abyss of no return.

And this moment.

As Zhang Wei walked out of the Prince's Mansion, he glanced back at the majestic Prince Dai's Mansion and sighed inwardly.

Presumably, it won't be long.

This mansion, which had accumulated Zhu Naijun's wealth over decades, would fall into the hands of the rebels.

The greedy king of Dai will eventually pay a heavy price for his luck and avarice.

"Let's go."

Zhang Wei spoke to Zhu Dingwei beside him, his tone heavy.

"We need to hurry to the town's headquarters and meet up with Commander Shen. If we're any later, the north gate won't be able to hold."

Zhu Dingwei nodded and followed Zhang Wei, surrounded by guards, towards the town's administrative office.

PS:

A long chapter of 7800 words!
(End of this chapter)