In Hongwu, we started as rebels

Chapter 753 Thunderous Strike in the Capital: Is There Really a Rebel Army?
As evening approached, the sunlight poured down like a furnace.

The entire city of Yingtian was bathed in golden sunlight.

The Qinhuai River shimmered with light, a gentle breeze carrying its golden glow.
This is when the Qinhuai River begins to come alive.
This was also the happiest and most exciting time for the merchants along the Qinhuai River.

Many young masters in the city would ride in carriages, swaying and rattling, out of Yingtian City, ready to begin a night of entertainment.

But today, the Qinhuai River is deserted.

There were hardly any young masters, let alone groups of them; there weren't even many scattered individual travelers.

Many shopkeepers came out of their shops.

I looked at everything in front of me with a blank expression, at the empty road, my head full of questions.

Fang Hanheng, the manager of Zuixianlou, also stood at the door, craning his neck in anticipation, his eyes filled with doubt.

At this moment, someone next to me asked:
"Manager Fang, you have the best connections, has something happened?"

Fang Hanheng looked in the direction of the sound and saw the manager of the brothel not far away, someone he had some dealings with.
He didn't hide anything and gently shook his head:
"I don't know, quite a few distinguished guests have booked tables for today."
It's getting dark, and no one's showing up yet.

"Yes, some young masters in the city asked me to reserve a few good girls for them."

They said they came to have a drink today.
"We've already paid the money, and now the city gates are closing, but there's still no sign of them."

The brothel owner was filled with doubt.

The same sentiment spread throughout the Qinhuai River.

The pleasure boats on the ship were not brightly lit and bustling, but drifted quietly on the water.

The cause of all this is naturally the tense atmosphere in the city.

At this moment, the four gates of Yingtian City were filled with imperial guards clad in silver armor.

They wore visors and carried long spears.
The streets near the city gate were completely blocked, and enough weapons were mounted on the city gate.

Many smiling young men came here.
Upon seeing this display of force, his expression changed drastically.
He ran back without looking back, afraid of being implicated.

At the Hongwu Gate of the Imperial City, Marquis Guo Ying of Wuding, clad in armor,
Holding a long sword, he stood quietly.
Three thousand imperial guards awaited behind him, and an aura of power began to emanate from him.

At the Crown Prince's residence, General Lan Yu rode a warhorse.
He and his trusted soldiers filled the entire street.
His sharp eyes scanned everyone who passed by.

And in front of the Yingtian Prefectural Government Office, the Yingtian Trading Company, and the gates of various princely mansions,
They were also guarded by elite soldiers.
They showed no regard for the common people and appeared so brazenly.

The news spread rapidly, causing many distinguished individuals, or those who knew even a fraction of it, to change their expressions drastically.
Something happened, something big happened!

Inside the city of Puzikou, Marquis Zhang Quan of Yongding sat imposingly in his central command tent.
Dozens of heavily armed soldiers, wearing face shields and holding long swords, stood silently.
The atmosphere in the entire military tent was extremely tense.

Zhang Quan quietly looked at the four documents on the table.
My fingers kept rubbing together, and I felt a little unsettled.

When it was completely dark, a series of hurried footsteps could be heard outside the military tent.
Zhang Quan immediately turned his gaze over there.
A red-robed eunuch led several junior eunuchs in quickly, carrying an imperial edict in his hands.

His expression was solemn as he looked at Zhang Quan at the head of the table and gave a barely perceptible nod.
"Lord Yongding, please accept the imperial decree."

Zhang Quan's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, silently stood up, and walked to the eunuch.

The eunuch did not read the imperial edict aloud, but instead handed it over directly:

"My lord, His Majesty has given the order: anyone who resists will be executed without mercy."

Zhang Quan's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, and he nodded emphatically:
"I am aware of this."

"I'll take my leave."

The head eunuch nodded and quickly left.

The crimson official robes turned blood-red in the dim light, and an unusual solemnity permeated the air.

After the eunuch left, Zhang Quan quickly returned to the head of the table.

Pick up the four documents on the table,

The orders were distributed one by one to the waiting messengers, their voices solemn and resolute:

"Order the thirteen guards of Puzikou to carry out the order and seal off the capital region!"

"Anyone who rebels will be killed without mercy!"

"Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"

"Anyone who forges an imperial edict shall be executed without mercy!"

"Yes!"

The messenger's eyes were piercing, and his voice reverberated throughout the military tent.

At the Puzikou city camp, torches stood tall, illuminating the soldiers standing in neat rows.

They stood indifferently in the darkness, dressed in black armor and holding various weapons, like statues.

Until the central army's order came,

Only then did the figures begin to stir, as if sculptures were awakening.

"Open the gates and leave the camp in order!"

The general's voice was gentle and resonant, echoing in everyone's hearts.

The previously silent army began to stir.
Some mounted their horses, while others gathered their weapons.
Without exception, everyone left the camp immediately.

On the dark and spacious streets of Puzikou,

Rows of soldiers marched away in neat steps, jogging as they left.

Their face masks were hideous and terrifying, like demons from the darkest hell.

All activity was solemn and silent, with only faint footsteps and the clanging of armor echoing over Puzikou City.

The moon in the sky grew brighter and brighter, as if illuminating the path ahead for them.
The silvery moonlight poured down, adding to the chilly atmosphere.

In the northern suburbs of the capital, Lu Yunyi and Huang Yingzhi led two thousand soldiers to the scene, hurrying along the dark official road.

Behind them, on the chariot, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Gaoxu slumped in a corner, looking dejected and half asleep.
"Why is no one here to meet us?" Lu Yunyi's expression was somewhat grave.

Even before entering the capital region, he had already sent someone to the capital to inform them.

After a day's journey, we're almost at the capital, but no one has come to greet us yet?

This made Lu Yunyi keenly aware that something was amiss.
Huang Yingzhi knew little about what was happening in the capital.
But he knew a great deal about the power struggles in the imperial court. His expression was somewhat solemn as he said in a deep voice:
"Could something have happened in the capital?"

Something changed?

Lu Yunyi's expression changed slightly.

He didn't understand the power struggles at court, but he knew the outcome of them.

Ten dukes and marquises, including Duke Li Shanchang of Korea, perished in this turmoil.

Judging by the timeline, Li Zhigang also arrived in Beijing within the last two days.

Could it be that he started the attack as soon as he arrived in the capital?
So anxious?
After thinking for a long time, Lu Yunyi spoke in a deep voice:
"Speed ​​up the march and get to the capital as soon as possible."

Huang Yingzhi gripped the reins tightly, feeling a sudden headache coming on.
The capital city before us is a place where turmoil is brewing, and outsiders are trying to avoid it at all costs.
Lord Lu, who was standing beside him, took the initiative to approach him, which he couldn't quite understand.

However, now that we've come this far, having shared joys and sorrows along the way, there's no turning back.

Huang Yingzhi nodded firmly, her face resolute.

"it is good."

"drive!"

Lu Yunyi flicked the reins and charged off ahead.
Warhorses galloped along the dark official road, their hooves clattering!
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Two thousand men have already stormed into the eight counties surrounding the capital, and are now only a step away from the capital.

But at that moment, a group of over a hundred people suddenly sprang out from the wilderness.

The leader was dressed in armor, wielding a long sword; he was very young, appearing to be no more than twenty.
Beside him was a eunuch in red robes, holding a bright imperial edict in his hand.

"May I ask if you are Lord Lu, Commander of the Northern Pacification Commandery? Or Lord Huang, Commander of the Northern Pacification Commandery?" the man asked in a clear and resonant voice.

"Who are you!" Lu Yunyi's expression turned solemn.

"Your humble servant, Tang Li, Commander of the Right Guard of the Imperial Guard, and my father, Tang He, have come here on the orders of His Highness the Crown Prince to deliver this imperial edict!"

Tang Li's voice was young, still carrying a hint of immaturity.

But his expression remained calm, appearing poised and graceful.

Sweet soup?

Lu Yunyi frowned slightly.
He had heard of this youngest son of the Duke of Xin.

He looked at the red-robed eunuch holding the imperial edict. If he remembered correctly, this man was Steward Sun, who served the Crown Prince, and he had seen him many times.

Seeing Lu Yunyi's gaze fall upon him, Steward Sun stepped forward, his voice soft yet solemn:
"Lord Lu, I have come on the orders of the Crown Prince to deliver an imperial decree. The Grand General and the Marquis of Wuding are stationed inside."
The Duke of Wei, the Duke of Kaiguo, the Marquis of Yongding, the Marquis of Quanning, and Governor Geng, among others, are stationed in various parts of the capital region, but they still lack an army that can roam freely.

His Highness the Crown Prince ordered me to tell General Lu to go to the south of Yingtian City.

Anyone who approaches Yingtian from the south will be killed without mercy!

Having said that, Steward Sun rode forward alone.
He handed over the imperial edict, gave Lu Yunyi a resolute look, and said softly:

"Lord Lu, please do your best."

Lu Yunyi's expression was extremely solemn as he accepted the imperial edict.

He opened it casually and glanced at it, and his brows furrowed even more:

Why the rush?

Manager Sun glanced at Huang Yingzhi and said calmly:
"Lord Huang, today's matter is a top secret of the imperial court. Please do not reveal it to outsiders."

Huang Yingzhi was already tense all over, and cold sweat was pouring down his face.

He realized that something truly important was happening today.
Moreover, he had experienced such things before.
The last time this happened was when Hu Weiyong fell from power; the entire Beijing area was in a similar state.
Huang Yingzhi felt her lips were dry and wanted to escape back to Tianjin to live a peaceful life.
But the eunuch before him had a sharp gaze that left him no choice but to nod helplessly.

"Please rest assured, my lord, all of my more than a thousand men are under Lord Lu's command."

Manager Sun nodded slightly.
He looked at Lu Yunyi, took out a token from his pocket, and handed it over:

"Lord Lu, any army that approaches without this token is a traitor!"

Lu Yunyi's gaze fell on the token.
He discovered that this token was almost identical to his own Crown Prince Guest token.

He took out a token from his waist and placed it in front of him. Steward Sun nodded slightly.

"Since Lord Lu has brought the token, then I can rest assured."

After speaking, he handed the token to Huang Yingzhi, who was standing to the side.
"Lord Huang, please accept this token!"

Huang Yingzhi pursed her lips and quickly reached out to take it:

"Thank you, father-in-law."

"Lord Lu, please hurry to the south of the city. Actions have already begun in the city, and this night will certainly not be peaceful."

Lu Yunyi nodded solemnly and pointed to the chariot behind him:

"The two princes of the Prince of Yan's residence are still on the chariot. Please have Steward Sun bring them into the capital."

Manager Sun froze, looking behind him in astonishment.
Two small heads popped out from the chariot, and two bright eyes were directed at them.

After greeting the two princes, Steward Sun's expression suddenly changed drastically.

He quickly dismounted, bowed, and hurried forward, his voice tinged with urgency:

"Your Highnesses, what are you doing here?"

Zhu Gaochi straightened up, his expression calm, and spoke in a composed manner, like an adult:
"Steward Sun, don't worry about us brothers. You go ahead and do your work. We will follow General Lu to quell the rebels!"

Zhu Gaoxu whispered a reminder:
"Don't tell your uncle."

"This this."

Manager Sun felt extremely nauseous, as if every hair on his body was standing on end.

The two young princes appeared outside the capital, amidst such chaos.
It's hard not to think of something bad in this situation.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Steward Sun, who looked troubled, and spoke softly:
"Manager Sun, it was Mother's instruction to let my brother and me broaden our horizons."

Therefore, I ask Steward Sun to help my brother and me keep this a secret and not tell Grandpa about it for the time being.

He slowly raised his head and saw the two people's determined eyes. His breathing quickened slightly, and he said softly:
"Your Highnesses must be extremely careful and must not leave Lord Lu's side."
"If anything happens to either of you, my head will be chopped off."

Zhu Gaochi breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:
"Don't worry, Steward Sun, as a member of the imperial family..."

Some are using this opportunity to stir up trouble and plot a rebellion. We must be the first to stand up and set an example for the world, otherwise we will be ashamed of the blood that flows in our veins!

Steward Sun was taken aback, looked at the two little children on the chariot, and bowed again:
"Then I'll take my leave!"

After Steward Sun returned and mounted his horse, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lu Yunyi:
"Lord Lu, the city is in even greater chaos now. Please protect the two princes."

"Do not worry."

Lu Yunyi nodded slightly, then waved his hand forcefully, making several hand gestures in the air.

The messenger waved the command flag immediately.
The entire army suddenly changed direction and headed south.

"They're gone."

Lu Yunyi waved to Tang Li and Steward Sun, then rode away and quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Watching their retreating figures, Tang Li's expression turned solemn:

"Manager Sun, this is too dangerous."

Steward Sun knew he was referring to the two princes, but he simply smiled slightly:
His Highness the Crown Prince has said this several times.

We wanted to show Prince Yunwen and Prince Yunwen the cruelty of the battlefield, but unfortunately, we never had the chance.

Now that His Highnesses Yan have the opportunity to experience the battlefield, how can we not take advantage of it?
Alright, the work is done. Let's head back quickly.

Now that the matter had come to this, Tang Li said no more, turned his horse around, and led more than a hundred men eastward!

Half an hour later, Lu Yunyi, who had been circling the city, led his soldiers to a resting place arranged in the south of Yingtian City, which was an abandoned village.

Although it looked dilapidated, the cellar contained military equipment and provisions, and all kinds of necessities.

Judging from the outer packaging, it still belongs to Yingtian Trading Company.
This greatly shocked Lu Yunyi.
The imperial court reacted extremely quickly.

Yingtian Trading Company's extensive supply network is ideally suited for military resupply missions.

I never expected that in less than a year, I would already be able to apply what I've learned so well.

Inside a secluded building, a hidden command post was set up.

All doors, windows, and the roof were covered with black cloth.
Even with a candle lit, nothing can be seen from the outside.

On the simple table, Lu Yunyi spread out a map of the southern part of Yingtian City.
The map shows villages, towns, and roads.

It even included the number of troops that could travel on each road, in incredibly detailed terms.

Huang Yingzhi, standing beside him, was deeply shocked after just one glance:
"Where did this come from? Such a detailed map is a rare find."

Lu Yunyi glanced at the annotation in the lower right corner and replied:

"It's a document sealed by the Crown Prince's residence, and this isn't even the most detailed one."
The document sealed by the Governor's Office also records many secret passages.

"Secret passages?"

Huang Yingzhi stared wide-eyed, somewhat incredulous.

However, he quickly regained his composure and looked at the map.
There are nearly ten roads leading to the south gate of Yingtian.
They would all eventually converge on the official road, but a question lingered in his mind:
Are there really rebels?

Lu Yunyi thought for a moment and nodded slightly:
"There will definitely be some. It just depends on how many the marquises patrolling the capital region can stop. As for the remaining ones that slip through the net, we'll leave that to them."

"I still find this somewhat unbelievable."

Do these people have such audacity? Daring to mobilize troops in the capital?

Huang Yingzhi's breathing became slightly rapid. The fact that the Henan Military Command had mobilized troops was already unbelievable enough.
Now even the capital region is included.
"We've already reached a life-or-death crisis."
"Whether we fight or not, we'll die anyway, so we might as well go all out."

Lu Yunyi spoke calmly, clearly well aware of the audacity of the founding nobles of the Ming Dynasty.
They were all ruthless warlords in chaotic times, and their greatest skill in life was rebellion.

If given the opportunity to mobilize troops, they would absolutely not hesitate.

When a new dynasty is established, the founding emperor is undoubtedly powerful and authoritative, with no absolute authority.

However, the group of meritorious generals who made outstanding contributions were also the strongest in the dynasty.
There were quite a few who dared to bang on the table and challenge the emperor.

Once the initial period of the nation's founding has passed...

The emperor's power will be continuously weakened and restricted.
The same applies to civil and military officials; a weaker balance will gradually form between them until neither side can accomplish anything.

The flickering candlelight inside illuminated the thoughtful faces of the people in the room.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded from outside.
Feng Yunfang rushed in, his face grave:

"My lord, a force of three thousand men has been spotted five miles to the south. Most are fully armored, a few are only partially armored, and their banners are..."

"What is it?" Huang Yingzhi stared wide-eyed in disbelief, eager to ask.

Feng Yunfang's expression was solemn, and he said in a deep voice:
"It is a banner with the character 'Deng' on it, so it should belong to Duke Deng Zhen of Shen."

"what?"

Huang Yingzhi stood there dumbfounded.
(End of this chapter)