Zhutian: Starting from the Space-Time Merchant

Chapter 395

"I am finished."

They fled all the way to the banks of the Huai River.

Chai Rong, his body riddled with arrows, breathed heavily and said, "You need not guard me. Go and escape for your lives."

Chai Rong, who had originally fled to the main camp, only understood what was happening when he saw the fire and fighting inside.

This wasn't just one person betraying him; it was a collective rebellion by a group of generals from the Imperial Guard!

We can't go to the main camp, and we don't know who's loyal and who's treacherous in the other camps.

Left with no other choice, they had to flee.

The elite troops of the Southern Tang Dynasty pursued them relentlessly, as if they were madmen.

After a fierce battle, Chai Rong was wounded in many places and bled profusely.

Looking at the shimmering Huai River under the moonlight, Chai Rong knew he couldn't make it across.

Given my current physical condition, I can't swim at all without a boat.

"His Majesty!"

Zhao Er and the other surviving members of the imperial guards were all in tears. "We are willing to live and die with Your Majesty!"

"Good brothers! You are all my good brothers!"

Looking at the last few dozen imperial guards before him, Chai Rong took two heavy breaths.

He pointed at Zhao Er and then continued, "You have important things to do."

"You shall return to Bianliang City immediately and inform the Imperial Guards of the rebellion."

"Issuance: Feng Dao is hereby appointed as the Grand Councilor of Military and State Affairs, overseeing all government affairs."

"Zhang Yongde was appointed as the Privy Councilor, in charge of all military affairs."

"Lin Dao was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, and the Imperial Guard Command was re-established."

"Zhao Kuangyin was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guards (Cavalleria Malpractice and Infantry)."

"All of the above-mentioned individuals are important ministers who assist in governing the country."

Taking a breath, Chai Rong looked towards the north with reluctance in his eyes.

"He commands his ministers to assist Zongxun in ascending the throne."

Chai Rong's family members had all been killed, and now only the young Chai Zongxun remained.

He knew he could never go back, and now all he could do was hope that his youngest son could successfully ascend the throne and avenge him when he grew up.

The Tang soldiers, carrying torches, caught up with them from a distance.

Knowing that time was running out, Chai Rong took out his seal and the Bright Moon Pearl and handed them to Zhao Er, whose face was grim.

"The seal will be handed over to Zongxun, as for the Bright Moon Pearl."

"Knowing that you like this item, I am giving it to you as a reward for delivering the message."

Having said that, he gave Zhao Er a hard shove and shouted, "Hurry up and go!"

Holding the items, Zhao Er staggered and rushed into the Huai River.

After splashing around in the water for a while, Zhao Er turned his head to look at the shore.

Chai Rong led the last few dozen imperial guards and charged into the main force of the Tang army.

He looked away and struggled to stay afloat.

After a while, the sounds of fighting on the shore gradually subsided.

A moment later, the sound of arrows whistling through the air came from behind.

With the imperial seal and the Bright Moon Pearl in his arms, Zhao Er dared not look back and gritted his teeth as he swam forward with all his might.

Perhaps it was the Bright Moon Pearl that gave him power.

At the critical moment of life and death, Zhao Er desperately pushed his body's potential and actually managed to swim all the way to the other side!

When he staggered ashore, he was exhausted and collapsed onto the bank, falling into a deep sleep.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but when he opened his eyes again, it was already dawn.

Having regained some strength, Zhao Er turned and sat on the shore, gazing at the opposite bank.

His eyes reddened, and he gritted his teeth, "How hateful!"

Did they think he was loyal to Chai Rong and deeply hated the rebellious Imperial Guards and the Southern Tang?
it's not true.

"How hateful! How hateful!!"

Zhao Er clenched his fist and smashed it against the rocks on the shore, breaking his fist and drawing blood.

He gasped for breath, then growled in a low voice, "I've risked my life for you, and all you gave me was a single bead?!"

"You only gave me one bead?!"

Zhao Er's deepest hatred was actually for Chai Rong.

As for the reason, it was because Chai Rong did not promote him to any official position or title.

His official position within the Imperial Guard became a nominal one after the near-total annihilation of the Imperial Guard.

They risked their lives to break through the encirclement to deliver the message, but gained nothing in return.

What's a mere bead?
In fact, Zhao Er misunderstood Chai Rong.

After all, Chai Rong appointed his brother Zhao Kuangyin to take charge of the Palace Guard and made him a regent.

With this identity, Zhao Er would naturally receive his elder brother's support and rise through the ranks.

But Zhao Er was narrow-minded; he was unwilling to accept that he hadn't gotten any benefits.

They felt that their efforts were completely disproportionate to what they received.

As a result, filled with resentment, he had no desire to go back and convey his dying wish.

He took out the Moon Pearl from his bosom, and in his deep hatred, he threw it away.

"They won't let me lead troops, nor will they let me be a regent, and all they give me is a single pearl?"

"Being so stingy, you deserve to be betrayed!"

After venting his emotions, Zhao Er scooped up some river water and drank it.

He shook his head, got up to retrieve the Moon Pearl, tucked it into his pocket, and walked away.

Zhao Er found the city under the control of the Later Zhou Dynasty.

They demanded several horses and galloped back to Bianliang City day and night without stopping.

He didn't go to the palace, but went straight to his brother's residence.

"what?!"

After hearing his account, Zhao Kuangyin exclaimed in disbelief, "Your Majesty, he, he~"

"Yes."

Zhao Er, who was sitting at the table wolfing down his food, picked up the wine jug and took a few big gulps.

He took a breath and said, "When I jumped into the river, I only saw His Majesty rush into the Tang army's ranks. He was either dead or captured."

"As for the Empress, it must be the same."

After a hearty meal, Zhao Er raised his head and stared intently at Zhao Kuangyin. "Brother, only you and I know about this matter now."

"Quickly mobilize troops and eliminate Zhang Yongde and his men!"

"In this way, the world will belong to us brothers!"

These words also stirred Zhao Kuangyin's heart.

The emperor has suddenly met with a terrible calamity, and no one knows about it. If I can just get rid of those generals and seize military power, then the world will be mine.

The thought of it made him so excited that he could hardly breathe.

Taking a breath, Zhao Kuangyin paced back and forth, saying, "Let me think about this carefully."

He was considering how to proceed.

Having eaten and drunk his fill, Zhao Er, having learned his lesson, immediately asked, "Brother, what reward will you give me after this is done?"

"He was naturally granted the title of king."

Zhao Kuangyin, who was deep in thought, replied without looking up, "I appoint you as the Prefect of Kaifeng, and later as the Grand Secretary or Grand Tutor."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Er's eyes reddened.

His voice was hoarse as he cried out, "I want the Palace Guard! I want the Palace Guard!"

Zhao Kuangyin looked up, glancing at Zhao Er with a puzzled expression.

Seeing his contorted face and bloodshot eyes, I didn't pay any attention, assuming he was just tired from his long journey.

“You’re not up to the task.” Zhao Kuangyin shook his head repeatedly. “You have no prestige in the army. Forcing you to command troops will only provoke resentment among the soldiers.”

"Don't worry, you'll definitely enjoy wealth and prosperity."

"You must be tired from your journey, go back and rest first."

With a blank expression, Zhao Er stood up and left without even bowing or saying goodbye.

Zhao Kuangyin paid no attention to this; his mind was focused on how to seize the opportunity and gain momentum.

“Fu Yanqing has 30,000 Shu troops under his command and is also the emperor’s father-in-law. He must be eliminated first.”

As for Lin Dao~

"This man is very ambitious, capable, and highly respected in the army. He must be eliminated!"

"And there's Han Tong, who guards the palace."

"And Li Chongjin too~"

"As for the rest, we should primarily try to bribe them."

Zhao Kuangyin, preoccupied with figuring out what to do, was unaware that Zhao Er had left the mansion directly after leaving and gone to Lin Dao's residence.

Zhao Er's health was very poor, and he was tormented by illness.

Having encountered a sudden change and having been speeding all the way, they were already exhausted, both physically and mentally.

First Chai Rong didn't give him a chance, and now even his brother isn't giving him a chance.

His recent experiences have gradually warped and distorted his psyche.

"Bullshit about being granted the title of King! Bullshit about being the Prefect of Kaifeng! Bullshit about being the Grand Secretary!"

"It's all utter bullshit!"

Zhao Erhong stared, gritting his teeth, "Without soldiers, we are like duckweed without roots!"

"With an army, you can have everything!"

"If you don't give it to me, then you're letting me down!"

"I'll take it myself!"

His mentality has collapsed; all he wants is power.

In this chaotic world, only the army holds true power; everything else is meaningless in the face of it.

Since his brother wouldn't give him troops, he would go find someone who was willing to give him troops.

Zhao Er had once accompanied Lin Dao to attack the Shu Kingdom and knew that he was a generous man.

I imagine they'll give him troops.

My thoughts were in disarray due to the physical breakdown; my mind was like a jumble of mush.

They don't think things through, they just want to achieve their goals, and they're willing to pay any price for it.

It was a coincidence that when he arrived at Lin Dao's residence, Lin Dao was just returning from checking in at another time and space.

Upon learning that Zhao Er, who should have been on the front lines, had come to see him, Lin Dao seemed to be deep in thought.

“Bring him to the study.”

In the study, Zhao Er recounted everything again and even took out the seal that Chai Rong had given him.

Afterwards, Zhao Er, full of anticipation, asked, "After this is accomplished, how will the King of Qin reward me?"

Lin Dao smiled.

His smile was sincere and warm.

He stepped forward and helped Zhao Er up.

He patted his shoulder and promised, "After this is done, I will appoint you as the Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guard! All the troops of the Palace Guard will be under your command!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Er let out a long sigh of relief.

The thing I've been longing for has finally come true.

His energy and spirit instantly relaxed.

His originally ferocious expression gradually softened.

Lin Dao asked him to sit down and pulled up a chair opposite him.

"There are a few things I need you to do."

"If you can accomplish this, you will be granted the title of King, appointed as the Privy Councilor, and given command of the Palace Guard."

These words stirred Zhao Er's blood, and he declared, "I am willing to go through fire and water for the King of Qin!"

"The first thing you must do is get Zhao Kuangyin to storm the palace! Make sure he understands the potential threat."

"The second thing is that you must persuade Zhao Kuangyin to eliminate Han Tong and Li Chongjin!"

"The third thing."

At this point, Lin Dao's gaze sharpened and his voice deepened.

"You must get rid of Zhao Kuangyin!"

Zhao Er was suddenly stunned.

He could understand the first two things, but the young emperor and the generals loyal to Chai Rong had to be eliminated.

Neither Zhao Kuangyin nor Lin Dao could keep them.

Letting Zhao Kuangyin handle it was a way of making him take the blame.

Could he really let me kill my brother?!

"What? Don't want to?"

Lin Dao raised an eyebrow slightly. "If you're unwilling, I'll find someone else to do it. In that case, you'll only be granted a title."

"I did it!"

Zhao Er gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, "Since he is ruthless, don't blame me for being unjust!"

Zhao Er has gone mad in his pursuit of power and status.

In this chaotic era, it is commonplace for fathers and sons to turn against each other and for brothers to kill each other.

After Zhao Er left, Lin Dao, who was standing with his hands behind his back, gave instructions to his personal guards.

"Immediately summon all the generals of the Iron Cavalry to discuss this important matter!"

(End of this chapter)