in2ebook Chapter 288 Jade Fall 25 Stalemate and Betrayal
Chapter 288 Jade Fall 25 Stalemate and Betrayal
The Qin family army of one hundred thousand soldiers, as dark as a cloud covering the sun, was approaching the capital, and the murderous atmosphere reached the sky.
Under the banner of the central army, General Wei Yu, Qin Shuangyu, was dressed in black armor. His face beneath the helmet was like a rock carved by wind, frost, and despair. Only his eyes burned with an almost nihilistic fire that wanted to burn the imperial city before him along with himself.
His home had been reduced to charred wood, his flesh and blood to dry bones. All the hopes that had kept him alive had vanished into thin air. Conquering the capital was his final, cherished wish! A sacrifice to his ancestors! A sacrifice to his father!
However, the city gates were tightly shut, and the defenders were on high alert. Even more infuriating was the fact that his trump card—the Fifth Prince, Chu Shihuan—didn't seem to be working as expected.
Chu Shihuan's face turned pale at this moment. He was "guarded" by two of Qin Shuangyu's personal guards and stood at a position behind the front of the formation. He didn't want to stand here. This was a dead end that could not succeed!
But the life of his biological brother, the Ninth Prince Chu Shixuan, is in Qin Shuangyu's hands!
Qin Shuangyu generously asked him to write a letter to inquire about his brother's situation, and asked him to ask whether there were those people who Qin Shuangyu mentioned who were monitoring him around the secluded Bieye.
He didn't want his brother to be frightened, so he didn't tell him that those people were going to imprison him. However, the letter his brother sent back, thanking him for sending someone to guard him, told him that the threats were real.
Chu Shihuan couldn't gamble. If he went against Qin Shuangyu's request, would Chu Shixuan be harmed?
"Kaicheng!"
Chu Shihuan suppressed his humiliation and fear, and shouted at the Minister of War and others who stayed on the city wall: "This prince has returned... on the orders of the king! Open the city gates immediately!"
The Minister of War on the city wall swept his gaze like lightning across the 100,000 murderous troops below the city, and then fell on the obviously lacking confidence of Chu Shihuan. He responded in a loud voice: "Your Highness the Fifth Prince! Your Highness wishes to enter the city, and we will certainly welcome you respectfully! General Qin and generals above the rank of deputy general may also bring a small number of personal followers into the city according to the law! However, the entry of 100,000 troops will surely disturb the people and shake the foundation of the capital! Forgive us for our inability to obey your order! Your Highness, please be considerate, and General Qin, please understand!"
These words were flawless, giving Chu Shihuan a way out while sternly refusing the Qin army from entering the city.
However, this wasn't what Qin Shuangyu wanted! He wanted a large army to enter the city and control the imperial city with lightning speed! Without a large army, he and the Fifth Prince and a small number of others would be like fish on the chopping board! Nothing could be accomplished!
"Serve the king? Your Highness the Fifth Prince, what kind of king are you serving? His Highness Prince Kang has gone to the south of the Yangtze River to fight against the rebels and will soon return victorious! What is your intention in bringing an army of 100,000 to the capital?!" Another minister asked harshly, directly tearing apart Chu Shihuan's forced excuse.
Chu Shihuan originally thought that Qin Shuangyu's plan was a poor one, and when he heard the response from the Ministry of War, he was speechless. He just had cold sweat on his forehead and looked at Qin Shuangyu quietly.
Qin Shuangyu couldn't help but pause for a moment, signaling Chu Shihuan to retreat with his personal soldiers, and whispered an order: "Pass the order! Besiege the city and set up camp! All units prepare siege equipment!"
He knew that a frontal attack on the city would be extremely costly, would inevitably result in rivers of blood, and would severely damage the Qin army. This was the foundation he had painstakingly built for twenty years... But at this moment, it seemed that there was no other choice.
Anxiety and the urge to destroy surged in Qin Shuangyu's heart.
The Qin army followed orders, surrounding the four gates of the capital and setting up camp. Heavy siege equipment—ladders, battering rams, and heavy crossbows—began to be assembled behind the army, and the looming threat of war grew ever thicker.
Dark clouds were gathering over the city, and the officials looking out from the city walls were all anxious. Reports flew like snowflakes to the Princess's Mansion, begging Princess Chu Wei to come forward and persuade her husband Qin Shuangyu to stop.
As night fell, the suffocating darkness enveloped the capital city.
At this suffocating moment of stalemate, an unexpected figure sneaked into the heavily guarded Qin family army camp like a ghost, and quietly entered the tightly "guarded" tent of the fifth prince.
The man, dressed in night clothes and with a reserved aura, spoke as the Fifth Prince's eyes widened and hesitantly asked, "My name is Tianyi. I am following the Master's will to rescue His Highness the Fifth Prince."
Chu Shihuan didn't know who Tianyi was, but he quickly grasped the key point and asked in surprise, "Are you a subordinate of my father? I have never seen you before..."
"When I was at Prince Ning's mansion, I was the commander of the master's guards. Twenty years ago... I was defeated by Qin Shuangyu in a fight outside the gates of the capital..."
Even though Tianyi was masked, Chu Shihuan could still see the sudden rage in his eyes and hear the gnashing of teeth in his voice: "I have disgraced my master! I resign from my position as commander of the guards so that I can devote myself to martial arts training and avenge my grievances!"
Twenty years ago? Chu Shihuan wasn't even born then, but he remembered what he had heard. Back then, there were two generals who made Qin Shuangyu invincible. One was known to everyone as Fang Kui, while the other was known only as the number one expert under his father, though no one had ever seen him again.
Chu Shihuan couldn't help but believe it 80%, but then he half-tentatively expressed his concern: "But, if I escape now, I'm afraid Qin Shuangyu will..."
"The master has already instructed you, Your Highness, not to worry. A secret report has arrived that the threat to His Highness the Ninth Prince has been eliminated, and he is currently under the careful protection of the Dark Emperor Palace."
The huge rock of worry in Chu Shihuan's heart fell to the ground with a bang! To be able to know his situation with this ability, it must be someone of his father! Chu Shixuan is safe and sound!
After the lighthearted joy, the repressed anger and humiliation followed! He, Chu Shihuan, was the current emperor's prince! Chu Shiqi and Chu Shikun could look down on him, but why did Qin Shuangyu?! This traitor actually tried to use him as a puppet, forcing him to this point!
More realistically, he knew that no matter what the outcome of today was, if he didn't change his appearance of collusion with the Qin army and their simultaneous attack on the capital, he would inevitably be charged with treason! When Prince Kang Chu Shikun ascended the throne, there would be a reckoning, and he, and even his brother, would suffer no good end!
A vicious and resolute idea took shape in Chu Shihuan's mind.
The next day, Qin Shuangyu decided to make one last attempt, trying to use Chu Shihuan's identity to put pressure on him, or at least create chaos.
He once again brought Chu Shihuan to the front of the battle and ordered him to order the defenders to open the gate. This time, only a few of them could enter the city, and as long as the gate opened a crack, he would immediately send elite troops to break in.
However, this time, as soon as Chu Shihuan reached the front of the battlement, he suddenly took a few steps forward, then used all his strength to roar at the tower:
"Qin Shuangyu! You traitor! Stop using my name to plot rebellion!"
This angry shout was like a thunderclap! Inside and outside the city, there was a dead silence! All eyes instantly focused on Chu Shihuan!
Qin Shuangyu's pupils suddenly shrank, and he immediately strode forward, trying to pull Chu Shihuan back and stop him from continuing to speak!
However, at this moment, several soldiers wearing Qin's army uniforms suddenly jumped out and slashed at Qin Shuangyu with their swords!
The Qin family soldiers around him were suddenly panicked and rushed forward, but it was too late!
However, Qin Shuangyu himself was an excellent martial artist. He slightly turned sideways and allowed the knife to chop towards his armor!
The sharp knife pierced the gap between the armored chest and abdomen with precision! However, the angle and location at this point weren't fatal, so Tianyi retracted the knife and gave up, turning to parry Qin Shuangyu's incoming broadsword!
Several of my father's subordinates are highly skilled in martial arts. As we said last night, they can temporarily block the attack! However, they can't last too long in the midst of thousands of troops!
Chu Shihuan lost no time in accusing Qin Shuangyu, his face filled with grief and indignation, "My fellow soldiers! My lords in the capital! You all see clearly! I was abducted by the traitor Qin Shuangyu! He threatened the life of my brother Chu Shixuan and forced me to issue an order to open the city!
"Qin Shuangyu intends to seize the throne and overthrow the country! His evil ambitions are obvious! Heaven will not tolerate this!"
He cried bitterly, accusing Qin Shuangyu of his "atrocities" and clearing himself of all responsibility: "This king has never had any rebellious intentions! This is all Qin Shuangyu's conspiracy! He, Qin Shuangyu, is the mastermind of the rebellion! He is the main culprit who has brought chaos to Daxia! You soldiers, do not be deceived by him again and follow him on this road of no return!"
Desperate was the keyword decided last night!
The Qin family army sent some men to form a formation and surround them, ready to join General Qin in eliminating these spies who had infiltrated without anyone noticing! Suddenly, dozens more men leaped out from the formation behind them! The former comrades attacked from behind, and some were caught off guard and fell to the ground!
Qin Shuangyu saw this and didn't care about Chu Shihuan for a moment, instead he turned around and attacked those who suddenly rebelled!
As he raised his sword, he suddenly remembered that twenty years ago, he was sent by Chu Tianming to expedition to the Northern Tribe. He fought out of one fatal battle after another, and in the end there was no way to win. Only 30,000 of the original 100,000 soldiers were left.
He knew that Chu Tianming wanted them to die, so he did not hold out hope for additional troops... However, after returning, Chu Tianming was unexpectedly "generous" and allowed the Qin family army to replenish its troops to the number at the time of departure!
Only then did Qin Shuangyu realize that this was actually useful! The spies that had popped up were all new recruits from behind the scenes! Some of them had been in the Qin Family Army for over a decade and had completely earned his trust!
Are these dozens of people who jumped out all of them? Qin Shuangyu swung his knife to kill, but his eyes could not help but turn suspiciously, looking at the Qin family army that he had almost poured all his energy into over the years!
It would be easy to kill a distracted opponent at this time! Tian Yi gave up after making his judgment. These dozens of people would not be the opponent of a 100,000-man army. If they killed the leader of the Qin family army at this time, they and the fifth prince would be besieged and killed by the Qin family army!
The master's orders are the most important, and the master's last wish is to save the fifth and ninth princes...
Tianyi took advantage of Qin Shuangyu's distraction, and under the cover of a wave of sword rain from the gate tower of the capital, dozens of people risked their lives to cover their retreat, protecting the fifth prince and quickly retreating!
The tightly closed city gate opened quickly and then closed immediately!
Only the Qin family army, which had wiped out the traitors and spies, was left there, falling into a deathly silence.
A moment later, there was a slight commotion and discussion among the Qin army! What should they do? The commander had actually been publicly accused by the Fifth Prince of kidnapping the prince and plotting a rebellion!
However, he was quickly suppressed by the officers and veterans! General Qin and them were like brothers, having walked through fire and water together! Even if the general wanted to rebel, so what?!
Moreover, if the general became the emperor, the people of the Qin family army would definitely be reused. Wouldn't they enjoy endless wealth and glory?
Anxiety and ambition intertwined among the 100,000 troops of the Qin Family Army! But all of them remained in place, awaiting the general's decision!
Qin Shuangyu was riding on the horse, his burly body stiff.
The muscles on his face twitched violently, and his initial shock and disbelief gradually turned into a self-deprecating smile...
Chu Shihuan, the prince he used as a cover and thought he controlled, actually dealt him a fatal blow at the most critical moment, turning him from a "supporter" into a naked "rebel"...
Having come this far, is there any way back? He doesn't need to retreat! He won't retreat again. The last time he retreated, he suffered the torment of being separated from his family for twenty years! What he left behind was a regret that can never be made up for in this life!
Qin Zhong is already in hell!
He only wanted to accomplish what he could still accomplish in this life! To charge into the capital! To avenge his father, Boerzhijin Bater, for his blood feud!
"Prepare to attack the city!!!"
Qin Shuangyu's roar was like that of a dying beast, filled with endless hatred! He raised his sword high, the blade pointing straight to the sky, and issued a hysterical order to the 100,000 troops behind him:
"Anyone who stands in the way of our Qin army will be killed without mercy!"
There is no turning back after this order!
The Qin army instantly entered attack mode! The heavy sound of horns ripped through the air! Siege equipment was pushed forward, and the soldiers let out a deafening roar! The wheel of war, propelled by Qin Shuangyu's desperate madness, crashed into the capital!
On the city wall, the solemn and murderous atmosphere reached its peak!
The Minister of War narrowed his eyes and looked at the surging army outside the capital, but there was no panic. His master had already anticipated the current situation. Since his master had anticipated it, how could the outcome be wrong?
While delivering military orders to the city defenders, he asked his attendants to hand over the "magic bag" that had been prepared long ago to activate the killing formation that might be used!
After the incident was resolved, the Minister of War looked at the ministers who were watching from the tower. They knew nothing and watched in horror as the army began to mobilize below the city walls, anticipating an imminent siege! Their faces paled as they pondered a strategy, and naturally, they would pin their hopes on Princess Chu Wei, who had been in the capital.
All of a sudden, the urgent documents, from a few scattered ones, became like a storm sweeping into the Princess's Mansion!
Those who came to ask for an audience in person almost broke down the threshold of the Princess's residence! They even seemed to be forcing their way in!
"Your Highness, Princess! Please come forward and stop General Qin!"
"Your Highness! The capital is in imminent danger! What guilt have the people inflicted?!"
"Your Highness! If you don't show up, we will...we will kneel and die in front of the mansion gate!"
"Open the door! Your Highness, please come out and give us an explanation! Are you going to sit back and watch the rebels slaughter the city?!"
Crying, begging, even scolding and cursing! Mixed with the loud banging of the mansion door being violently slammed and hit, it was like a surging tide, one wave higher than the other, crashing into the mansion!
Those officials and nobles who usually treated her with great respect were now like ants on a hot pot, completely losing their reason and decency! The eldest princess was Wei Yu's wife, so naturally she had to take on the responsibility of supporting her husband and raising her children!
Moreover, his daughter, Princess Changning, and his new grandson, the young prince, who is not even one year old, are also in the mansion! If Qin Shuangyu were to attack the city, they would definitely be of use!