Chapter 581: Dead chess piece revived, the offensive and defensive situation is different
Chapter 581: Dead chess piece revived, the offensive and defensive situation is different
Xu Jingtang died... just now...
In the corridor of the old building, Zhao Duan reported the latest battle results in a deep voice. At the same time, he looked up and, as expected, saw the empress's dazed expression.
Xu Zhenguan's mind went blank for a moment, and the few chaotic thoughts he had just had disappeared in the blink of an eye.
She subconsciously leaned forward, almost leaning against him, and said anxiously with uncertainty in her tone: "Prince Mu... is dead?!"
This result was beyond her expectations to a certain extent.
Even though she had speculated about this possibility in the past few days, considering Zhang Yanyi's mysterious disappearance, this possibility undoubtedly exists.
But she didn't dare to expect anything without permission, for fear of disappointment. After all, if the Tianshi Mansion was willing to help her, why wait until now?
The vassal king who was stationed in Yunfu was the one she was most wary of, except for Prince Jing Xu Wen.
The best outcome originally expected was to drive him back to Yunfu, but before winter came, Zhao Duan brought back the result that he was dead.
"It couldn't be more true, it was Master Zhang who took action." Zhao Duan explained earnestly.
Then, under Xu Zhenguan's confused gaze, Zhao Du'an started talking about that night when he led the team to sneak into Jingchuan County, first entered the Huai'an Palace, and was blocked by two powerful monks from the Shenlong Temple, and finally a fierce battle broke out in the Baishi Garden.
It tells the story of how he fled all the way to Zhengyang Mountain, how Zhang Yanyi killed the God of Death, causing Xu Jingtang's "accidental" death, and the old Taoist's entire plan afterwards.
Because so many things happened, even though Zhao Duan had refined his words a lot, it still took a lot of talking.
"So, Zhang Yanyi took advantage of the situation and used you as bait to arrange all this?"
Xu Zhenguan's expression changed, and he finally understood what the two fluctuations of heaven and earth that he sensed corresponded to.
Zhao Duan said, "Yes,"
"It's also a matter of mutual benefit to some extent. Speaking of which, Xu Jingtang has brought this upon himself. If he had been less ambitious and honestly withdrawn to Yunfu without the possession of the Sang Shen, Zhang Tianshi would not have intervened. Well, can this also be considered as skirting the Heavenly Agreement?"
Xu Zhenguan didn't care about these things, but felt as if a heavy stone in his heart suddenly lightened!
There was not much joy, but more of a sense of relief, just like a bucket of water hanging in a well that was finally pulled out. The arms that were carrying the water relaxed, and there was only fatigue after the soreness.
With Xu Jingtang dead, the Yunfu rebels were no longer a force to be reckoned with, and they were completely defeated, leaving almost no obstacles to retaking Yunfu.
The only one left was a young master who stayed in Yunfu. It was said that he was also a pervert who was consumed by alcohol and sex...
By taking over half of the Huai River, Yunfu was stabilized. It can be said that the biggest crisis plaguing the court had been half resolved.
even……
When the news of Xu Jingtang's death and Prince Huai'an's surrender spread, the Eight Kings Alliance was likely to be shaken.
Just like a game of chess, when it reaches the middle stage, a winning move can completely reverse the situation and change the momentum of offense and defense.
"Good, very good, extremely good." The empress said the three good words with a look of excitement.
Zhao Duan did not forget to report another key piece of intelligence:
"Oh, right, Master Zhang seems to know that the dragon soul is in my body..."
He also recounted the conversation in the academy.
The empress was stunned for a moment after hearing this, and frowned: "I never revealed it, so he must have seen it."
Zhao Duan said: "What I care about is his last reminder, which is obviously hinting to me that the dragon soul can be controlled."
Zhang Yan said that Long Po was the prototype of the "God of War", not much different from a god. Combined with Xu Jingtang's control of the God of Death, Zhao Duan could naturally hear the hidden meaning.
Control the dragon soul?
This possibility was tried when the king and his minister had their first "honest communication", but it ended in failure.
Up to now, the two have not yet discovered how to control the dragon soul, so that the inheritance left by Emperor Taizu is dormant as if dead.
"From what he said, Dragon Soul can only be awakened if I am in danger of death." Zhao Duan smiled bitterly and shook his head.
He can't really be doing an experiment, can he?
Even if Zhen Bao were to take action, if something went wrong, the dragon soul would not be revived before death, and the person would not be saved, which would be a big joke...
"Perhaps the time has not come yet," Xu Zhenguan pondered for a moment and said with reason:
"The dragon soul was left by our ancestors, and the human world was also left by our ancestors. Perhaps the method to control the dragon soul is hidden in it. How about this, you go with me to tell the ministers about this news, and then I will go to the human world, find that chapter, and ask for clarification."
"..." Zhao Duan hesitated and said, "Today?"
Xu Zhenguan glanced at him and asked, "Any questions?"
"...No." Zhao Duan agreed reluctantly and began to think about how to fool her after he entered the human world.
But before that, the empress had to hold a court meeting.
……
……
The sunlight shines on the crimson palace walls, and the white jade railings also shine with a soft light in the sunlight.
Outside the Meridian Gate, following the orders from the empress, prominent officials in the imperial court of the capital hurried over from various government offices.
A large group of officials arrived almost one after another, feeling nervous and talking a lot.
"My Lord, do you know what happened? Why did His Majesty summon you so suddenly? And why did he summon so many court officials?"
"Master Zhou, you asked the wrong person. I am also confused. However, I am afraid that it is most likely related to the Huai River War."
"That may not be the case. Isn't the fighting situation on Xiping Road and Tieguan Road also intense? Alas, this is a time of trouble."
"Look at it in a positive light. With Governor Zhao leading his army south, even if things don't work out, we should be able to take back half of the Huai River, right?"
The ministers in official robes gathered in twos and threes, talking in low voices, feeling as if a heavy stone was weighing on their hearts.
Afraid of bad news coming from outside Beijing.
"Mr. Yuan? Do you know what happened?" At this moment, a sharp-eyed person saw Yuan Li coming and asked hurriedly.
The man in blue shook his head; he also didn't know.
However, the Deputy Privy Councilor who followed closely behind him seemed to know something, but kept silent.
"The Grand Master is here too!"
After a while, in the direction of Xiuwenguan, the octogenarian Grand Tutor Dong Xuan also got out of the car with the help of Han Zhou and walked over.
This caused all the officials to bow and salute.
"Let's go, everyone should be safe. Don't make any noise. If you have any questions, you will know when you see His Majesty later." Grand Tutor Dong's words were powerful and the officials stopped discussing.
They walked towards the Golden Palace together.
If it was an ordinary summons, it could be held in the side hall. But this time they chose to hold the meeting in the afternoon in the Golden Palace, which showed that it was no small matter.
All the ministers entered the hall, and the old eunuch Sun Lianying maintained order with a whisk in his hand.
The ministers waited quietly for a while before a shrill voice came from outside: "Your Majesty has arrived!"
The ministers formed two teams on the left and right. They turned around and looked. They saw the afternoon sun passing by the threshold in the center of the Golden Throne Hall and shining on the floor of the hall.
Shake out a large halo of light.
Guards stood outside the hall, and two figures walked in, one in front and one behind.
Leading the group was the Empress of the Yu Kingdom, who was dressed in casual clothes with her skirt trailing on the ground, exuding the majesty of a royal family.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!" All the ministers saluted, and then many of them were surprised to see a man wearing a white mask following the empress and entering the hall.
The white-faced detective of Lihuatang?
Commander Zhao’s subordinates?
Many people were moved, and they all remembered that it was this mysterious police officer who brought back news from the front line during the last Mid-Autumn Festival climb.
In the following days, the White-Faced Police Officer disappeared for the second time, and now he suddenly reappeared, which undoubtedly confirmed some speculations.
Zhao Du'an walked straight ahead until he reached the foot of the dragon throne, then stopped. Under Sun Lianying's strange gaze, he stood with the old official and made eyes at him.
Xu Zhenguan took a step forward, sat on the dragon throne, looked down at the ministers, raised his hand to avoid greeting, and then his cold voice echoed:
"I summoned you all this afternoon for two reasons. First, the latest battle report from the front line: Jingchuan has returned to the court, Huai'an Palace has also surrendered, and Prince Mu Xu Jingtang is missing..."
There was no greeting, no nonsense. The empress opened her mouth with a royal bomb, which was like a huge rock dropped into a calm lake.
Suddenly, there was a commotion in the Golden Palace.
Everyone was shocked and showed joy!
Even though everyone had expected this outcome, now that the dust has settled, everyone can finally feel relieved.
Immediately, one minister after another began to congratulate and congratulate loudly.
The Minister of Revenue, who had been gloomy and losing hair every day since the war broke out, was almost crying for joy. As an official in charge of the purse, facing a treasury full of holes and endless military expenditures, how could he not be happy when he heard the good news?
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. With the recapture of the western line of the Huai River, the imperial court has resolved most of the crisis. As such, as long as we stabilize the situation and survive this winter, we will be able to breathe a sigh of relief next year."
Master Dong let out a long sigh and smiled.
"Not only that, if the news of Prince Huai'an's surrender spreads, it will inevitably cause a rift in the Eight Kings Alliance. It may also affect the situation in Anping and Tieguan." The Minister of Rites said hurriedly.
The Minister of War hesitated and said:
"We should be encouraged by the great victory, but I am afraid that Prince Jing's people will take some action after hearing the news. If they march westward, Xu Jingtang will attack from Yunfu again, and we may not be able to hold on."
After he spoke, the military officials in the hall began to speak up, saying that although it was a great victory, hidden worries still existed and they must be guarded against.
Only Yuan Li suddenly looked at the empress and said:
"Your Majesty just said that Xu Jingtang is missing? But did he escape back to Yunfu?"
Ministers including Ma Yan and others looked at him in surprise.
When everyone listened to the military intelligence just now, most of them subconsciously interpreted Xu Jingtang's disappearance as his escape from the Huai River.
But this is pointed out, and then one can appreciate the strangeness of the wording.
If you want to withdraw, just withdraw. Why say disappear?
Xu Zhenguan sat upright on the dragon throne, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, taking in the reactions of the court officials. At this moment, he opened his red lips slightly:
"Mr. Yuan is very perceptive. We are about to announce the second battle report."
Without her reminder, Zhao Duan, who was exchanging glances with Sun Lianying, took the initiative to step out.
Feeling the gazes focused on his white mask, Zhao Duan took a deep breath and patiently repeated what he had just reported:
"Secret report from the front line: the rebel king Xu Jingtang has been killed by Governor Zhao in Yunfu! The news of his death is certain, and his body will be sent to the capital soon."
Quiet.
The air in the Golden Throne Hall seemed to be sucked away, and it was like a vacuum, and there was a brief silence.
It seemed like a long time had passed, yet it seemed like only a moment had passed.
"Ah!" Someone's exclamation broke the silent atmosphere.
All the ministers showed shocked expressions.
Xu Jingtang is dead?!
Died in Yunfu?
Killed by Governor Zhao?!
Retaking Jingchuan was within their expectations, but the news of Xu Jingtang's death was completely beyond their expectations.
As everyone expected, even if Zhao Shixiong surrendered, with the foundation accumulated by Xu Jingtang over the years, he would still be a serious threat as long as he returned to the base camp in time.
Expectations are only repelled.
But you tell me, not only did they take back the territory, but they also killed people?!
Grand Tutor Dong was stunned, and Han Zhou beside him was also confused.
Yuan Li was distracted, as if she had not expected such a straightforward outcome.
Ma Yan looked at Zhao Duan, and besides being shocked, he also felt a strong sense of strangeness... How did this news get back?
When did this white-faced police officer leave the capital? How come I didn't notice it?
"quiet!"
Sun Lianying swung the whip and slammed it hard on the floor tiles, making a crisp sound, which stopped the noise.
The empress finally stopped suppressing her smile and said:
"Many details are still unclear, but the news of Xu Jingtang's death is clear."
Before coming here, the king and his ministers had discussed it and felt that it was not appropriate for the old Taoist priest to intervene in this matter.
Moreover, although Xu Jingtang was a rebel king, his association with evil sorcerers ultimately affected the reputation of the royal family.
The details of the incident were simply blurred. As for how Zhao Duan killed Xu Jingtang... it's none of your business? Can't he just send someone to kill him?
Only after the empress confirmed it did the ministers finally believe the result.
Along with this, there was numbness towards Zhao Duan's once again creating a miracle... Yes, all the officials were numb.
It is the surprise of this unexpected result and deeper thinking.
"The offensive and defensive momentum is different!"
Master Dong said this almost out of control, his majestic face of reddish brown becoming even more rosy with excitement.
A word to awaken the dreamer.
Now, all the ministers realized that the turning point of the war had come.
After Xu Jingtang's death, the Yunfu rebels were leaderless, and with the cooperation of local general Zhao Shixiong to clean up the aftermath, it can be said that this precarious dead chess game was suddenly revived by Zhao Duan.
Next, although on the surface there are still four rebel kings: Prince Jing, Prince Hejian, Prince Yanshan, and Prince Chen.
But the imperial court had already fought its way out of the "ambush from all sides" siege.
Just like on the Go board, a chess piece that was about to be surrounded and killed, with all its "energy" cut off, was taken away due to Zhao Duan's clever move, which was crucial to the opponent's chess piece.
Thus, the imperial court, which was about to die, tore open a road from the haze.
Yuan Li murmured:
"Now, all parties are watching the situation on the Huai River. The Hejian King of Xiping is already unstable, and the Yanshan King of Tieguan is stuck in Jubei City. It's hard to get off the tiger, and they can only hope that the court will be defeated.
But now that the Yunfu army was defeated, although the army of Prince Jing and Prince Chen divided the southeast, the imperial court has revived... As long as the news spreads, the forces of Prince Hejian and Prince Yanshan are likely to lose their will to fight and negotiate with the imperial court.
According to intelligence, Prince Chen has closed off the coastal road and has no intention of competing for hegemony. No matter how strong Prince Jing's army is or how big his ambition is, without the support of the Eight Princes Alliance, the threat to the court will be greatly reduced... A dead chess piece can be revived, a dead chess piece can be revived..."
Yuan Li suddenly stared at Zhao Duan and sighed meaningfully:
"The State of Yu has gained the governor of Zhao, and Your Majesty has gained the governor of Zhao. This is a blessing for the world!"
Zhao Duan's face turned red under the mask. He felt embarrassed to be praised in person by this old bastard.
The ministers who realized that the game had reached a turning point were also delighted.
If Yuan Li's judgment is followed, all we need to do next is wait for the situation to change, and perhaps the court will really be able to survive...
Thinking of this, many officials felt complicated. Although they had no choice but to support the empress, they were inevitably pessimistic and believed that the court would definitely fail. Many of them had already made their wills and arranged their funeral affairs.
But who could have thought that in just a few months, the imperial court would have survived from a desperate situation.
And this is all because of one person...
In the joyful atmosphere, Xu Zhenguan looked at Zhao Duan with gentle eyes.
Then, she immediately issued a series of orders, including arrangements to spread the news to all parties.
The ministers dispersed excitedly and busied themselves with the aftermath.
Zhao Du quietly waited until all the ministers had dispersed, then he looked at the empress who was walking down the throne room and opened his mouth:
"His Majesty……"
Xu Zhenguan smiled slightly and said, "Come on, accompany me to the Human World to practice for a while."
(End of this chapter)