The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 91 The Emperor's Escape to the West

The hall was empty and the longer you stayed, the colder it felt.

Soon, the old eunuch brought a gilded tray into the hall and served hot tea, but there was only one cup.

The teacup steamed with heat, as if it were some kind of privilege, inexplicably making one want to drink.

Empress Dowager Li personally accepted the tea, took a small sip, and said in a casual tone, "It's late tonight, so I won't keep you all any longer. If you have some free time, I'll invite General Xiao to have some tea with you later."

"Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager."

Xiao Yi felt that this woman was very good at winning people's hearts. She first gave a big reward, then threw out a small hook, deliberately creating a psychological suggestion that doing things for her would bring endless benefits.

But that's just a minor tactic; Guo Wei's true strength lies elsewhere.

Empress Dowager Li glanced at him, seemingly disappointed by his indifferent reaction, and slowly spoke as she rubbed the rim of the cup with her fingertips.

"Li Ye, Su Fengji, and others have deceived the emperor and wreaked havoc on the court. I hereby summon Guo Wei, the military governor of Tianxiong Army, to lead his troops to purge the emperor's inner circle. I also order all civil and military officials to remain in their positions and for the people and soldiers in the capital region not to be disturbed, but to wait for Guo Wei to rectify the situation... Let's draft the decree."

After the Battle of Liu Zibei, she was more able to represent the court than Liu Chengyou, and regardless of the effectiveness of this imperial edict, it was the court's attitude.

After saying this, Empress Dowager Li seemed to have lost her strength, and the teacup made a soft "clinking" sound.

Feng Dao and Li Tao offered their praise.

"Your Majesty is wise. This old minister will immediately send someone to inform Guo Wei and arrange for ceremonial guards to welcome him into the city."

"Your Majesty is wise. This old minister will immediately send someone to persuade Your Majesty... to come to your senses."

Empress Dowager Li nodded and said, "Go, my ministers."

"Old minister, please retire."

"I will retire at the end."

Xiao Yi had thought he would have to give a long speech to Empress Dowager Li tonight, but to his surprise, it was so simple and he was granted an official position.

Perhaps this is the essence of Feng Dao's political wisdom: all parties benefit, and things fall into place naturally.

As I left the Zichen Palace, I could hear the sound of the water clock from the palace in the distance. It was late at night, not too late.

The snow was still falling. Standing on the high white jade steps, I looked out and saw that although the lights of Kaifeng were sparse, the city wall in the distance looked like a fiery dragon.

This palace is more magnificent and imposing than the Imperial Guard's headquarters.

"Let's go."

He left the palace silently, while Li Fang waited outside Chengtian Gate.

The carriage moved slowly.

Li Fang must have known the outcome by observing their expressions, and said, "We have prevented the spread of war and the suffering of the people. Lord Xinchen and Lord Feng have done their best, and congratulations to Xiao Lang for his new achievement."

Li Tao remarked with emotion, "The Empress Dowager truly considered the bigger picture."

Feng Dao was clearly tired and closed his eyes to rest.

Xiao Yi asked, "Why does Li Youniang have a relationship with the Empress?"

Just as Li Fang was about to reply, Li Tao waved his hand and said, "The Empress Dowager did not lie to you. In the second year of the Kaiyun era of the Jin Dynasty, Li Song and An Shenqi were both appointed as co-prime ministers and jointly presided over the Battle of Anyang River. The women of the two families had contact at that time. Later, Li Song was unjustly killed and An Shenqi was appointed as the military governor of Xiangzhou. Recently, Empress An heard about the whereabouts of her former close friend and invited her to reminisce. She did not have any ulterior motives."

"I see."

Li Fang smiled and said, "Are you relieved?"

"I'm not worried, just doubtful."

"I see." Li Fang smiled faintly, remaining noncommittal, and said seriously, "I'm still busy tonight. Lord Feng needs to go to the provincial capital to arrange the welcoming of Marshal Guo. Would you like to come along?"

"No."

Xiao Yili has made many contributions and learned a lot from Feng Dao, so he plans to digest them slowly. He said, "It would be better if I returned to the Imperial Guard Headquarters to take charge."

"what ever."

Li Fang was familiar with him and spoke to him without any formality, saying, "Then I won't see you off. Go on your way. Your official document will be sent to you later."

"Good work."

The carriage slowly stopped.

Xiao Yi bowed and said, "Lord Xinchen, Lord Feng, this junior takes his leave."

Just as he was about to lift the curtain, he saw Feng Dao suddenly open his eyes and murmur a sentence as if in a dream.

"Dong Zhuo murdered the emperor and usurped the throne, and the whole world is against him. It would be better for Emperor Xian to live in Xu, so that the Han dynasty can still be worshipped."

Xiao Yi paused, understanding the meaning of the sentence, which was simply a subtle way of asking him to persuade Guo Wei not to kill Liu Chengyou.

Unfortunately, this Han dynasty is not the same as that Han dynasty.

After getting off the carriage, Xiao Yi walked back to the Imperial Guard's headquarters in the wind and snow. Upon entering, he was stunned by the scene in the ceremonial hall.

The chests filled with gold were already stacked, and four rows of imperial guards stood with their backs to each other.

A wooden frame was inserted on top of the pile of boxes, and a... carcass with meat on it was tied to the frame.

Like the flesh and blood hanging in the butcher's shop, the difference is that Liu Zhu seems to still be alive. His scalp has been peeled off, but his eyeballs can still move.

Tang Jin was sharpening his knife by the campfire when he saw Xiao Yi return. He stood up and said, "Commander Xiao, look, hang it here. Let's see who dares to steal the gold."

Xiao Yi felt a chill run down his spine, but remained calm as he said, "Not bad."

"hey-hey."

"Where is Sanlang?"

"He's tired and sleeping in the council chamber."

Xiao Yi walked through the long corridor behind the main hall and saw that the door to the council chamber was open and candles were lit inside.

Guo Xin was not asleep. He lay on his back with his arms as a pillow, staring blankly at the beam.

"You're finally back."

"Why don't you sleep?"

"I can't sleep. I'm thinking about my future plans. Mother always tells me to study more and is planning to find me a marriage partner. My second brother said he wants to travel to Yanyun, Jiangnan, and Xishu. I'm thinking of doing this: I'll travel around in his place, come back, get married, have children, and then study. What do you think?" "According to custom, shouldn't you observe mourning?"

"I don't know, we'll ask Mr. Wei later. Come here, let's discuss how to travel."

Xiao Yi was not interested in this, and did not believe that Guo Xin could do whatever he wanted. He said, "It's good that you're not trapped. Feng Dao will send people to announce the imperial edict and deliver the letter in a while. Let them leave the city."

"Hehe, they've behaved themselves now, haven't they? Don't worry, I can handle this little thing."

"I'm going to sleep in the back room of the government office. Call me if there's anything important."

"You just sleep side by side with me..."

The old room where I stayed last time is still there, the bedding has been changed, Meng Ye's bloodstains have been washed away, and the air is filled with the fragrance of mugwort.

After removing his armor, Xiao Yi filled a basin with water, washed himself, went back to his room to dry off, examined his increasingly firm muscles, and massaged the accumulated lactic acid with his fingers.

Footsteps came from the corridor, steady and steady, followed by the sound of a door being pushed open; it must be Guo Xin arriving.

Without turning his head, he said, "If you're tired, don't sleep side by side. Get some rest."

There was no sound behind him.

Xiao Yi put on his inner robe, turned around and looked. The door was still open, but there was no one in sight.

There were new official documents and tokens on the ground, which must have been delivered by someone. Seeing him changing clothes, they didn't make a sound to disturb him, which was rather awkward.

He slept very comfortably, and even when he heard the sound of a clapper, he was too lazy to open his eyes until he was woken up.

“Commander… oh, I should call you General, General, Hu Deng is here.”

Xiao Yi sat up and saw a man standing in the room with his hands hanging down. He had chubby cheeks and was Shou Tao, the soldier from the South City.

“We should still call him ‘Commander.’ Even if the court appoints an official title, the Grand Marshal has to give his approval… Let Hu Deng come over.”

"Here, I brought hot water and soup noodles for the commander."

"Was it you who delivered the official document last night?"

"what?"

"It's okay, go ahead."

Xiao Yi quickly washed up, ate breakfast, and was putting on his armor when Hu Deng arrived. He hurriedly stepped forward to help him, speaking rapidly.

"Commander, Little Monkey is keeping a close eye on Chigang. The Southern Army camp hasn't stopped making moves. Hou Yi took the lead, and all the generals surrendered to the commander-in-chief. We can't even keep up with the surrender. Last night, an imperial edict was issued from Kaifeng. Everyone thought that the little emperor had honestly admitted defeat, but something seems wrong."

"What's wrong?"

"The imperial carriage set off before dawn, with Nie Wenjin's banner following. But it neither went north to see the commander-in-chief nor south back to Kaifeng. Instead, it turned west. Little Monkey is still keeping an eye on it."

"escape?"

"The country and its people are here; where can that little emperor run off to?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi glanced at Hu Deng and thought to himself that there was some insight in his words.

Hu Deng chuckled and said, "Don't look down on me, Commander. Hu Zhaogu is quite talented in literature too."

"Literacy?"

"I don't know, I love listening to military operas. I used to have a crush on an actor, and the conductor can only guess whether he was a man or a woman."

"female?"

"The commander is truly amazing; everyone else guessed wrong."

As they spoke, they continued their activities and left the side room.

Just then, a soldier arrived, looking travel-worn, and said, "Commander Xiao, Secretary Wei has a letter for you."

"What about the letter?"

"It's a message, please come closer...stop the official."

Xiao Yi was taken aback, thinking that Wei Renpu sent the message because only the 20th Battalion was behind Liu Chengyou.

But where are we going to find the manpower? We can only do our best.

He hurried to the council chamber and woke Guo Xin without saying a word.

"You will be stationed in the city. If the imperial procession enters the city, stop it and take the emperor to see the commander-in-chief."

Guo Xin was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyes open. He mumbled, "What's wrong?"

"I'll go to the city gate and check the situation..."

Passing through the main hall, in the ceremonial courtyard, Liu Zhu, who had been on the pile of boxes, was nowhere to be found. Only a dozen or so Guanzhong greyhounds were dozing by the campfire.

Tang Jin, with his giant-like body, fell asleep on the pile of crates, snoring loudly.

Xiao Yi did not select anyone from the Imperial Guards. He only took Shou Tao, Hu Deng, and his two scouts. He mounted his white horse, picked up his spear, and left the city through the northwest Suanzao Gate.

Upon reaching the city gate, they indeed did not see Liu Chengyou return to Kaifeng, indicating that he must have already received the news.

He obtained Jin Sanshui and Wang Jiu from Zhang Mantun's 20th Battalion.

"Let's go, in the direction where the monkey is."

Not long after leaving the city, a scout returned and reported, "Commander, Little Monkey is heading towards Moutuo Hill."

The riders then galloped off in that direction.

From afar, they saw Mutuo Ridge and heard a whistle. Looking in that direction, they saw Xihou leading a cavalryman, waving a flag and pointing to the other side of Mutuo Ridge.

"Report——"

"Song Yanwo and Nie Wenjin are fighting over there!"

The ten riders met up and galloped up a gentle slope.

Xiao Yi stopped his horse and looked around. Amidst the swirling snow and mist, both sides in the battle were cavalry, with banners waving and warhorses neighing.

(End of this chapter)