Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 382 Who Killed (Part Two)

General Zhang remained unconscious.

Zhang Yun had to force himself to keep issuing orders despite his injury and weakened body.

However, Zhang Yun's prestige in the army was far less than that of his biological father, and since he could not be present in person, the military orders he issued were inevitably subject to some discounts before being implemented.

After receiving the military order, General Shen dragged Emperor Jian'an aside and had cold water forced down his throat. Emperor Jian'an was jolted awake by the cold water and then choked on a steamed bun forced into his mouth, turning red in the face and nearly choking to death on the spot.

The ordinary soldiers still held some reverence for him and dared not and were unwilling to approach. After Emperor Jian'an swallowed the steamed bun in his mouth, his mouth was gagged again, and he was thrown aside, whereupon no one paid him any attention.

General Shen led his men on patrol inside and outside the city gates, and after confirming that the Pei family army would not be sending troops today, he breathed a long sigh of relief. Then he returned to his tent and wantonly abused the beautiful young woman he had abducted two days ago. Later, finding it boring and tedious, he hacked the battered woman to death with a single blow, and then ordered his personal guards to find a fresh one.

General Shen was fond of beautiful women and enjoyed torturing them. His personal guards, upon receiving orders, went throughout the city to search for beautiful girls. Breaking down doors, kidnapping, and killing were commonplace for them.

Let alone Zhang Yun being too preoccupied with these matters now, even under normal circumstances, Zhang Yun wouldn't have intervened in such behavior. The dozen or so generals under General Zhang each have their own preferences. General Shen may be lacking in this area, but he certainly possesses genuine skill in warfare.

General Zhang didn't wake up until it got dark.

Zhang Jingwan, who had been crying for a day and a night, was brought over.

Looking exhausted, Zhang Yun said, "Sister, it's no use crying now that things have come to this. The Emperor struck first. If Father hadn't reacted quickly, he would have been dead yesterday."

"Our Zhang family has come this far, there's no turning back. The victor is king, the loser is a bandit! The Emperor is bound to die, but thankfully there's still the Crown Prince. Once things settle down, we'll help him ascend the throne. You'll be the Empress Dowager, and leave the mundane affairs of state to your father and brother. In a dozen or so years, when your son has grown up, we'll let him rule in his own right!"

This isn't a discussion, it's an notification!

Zhang Jingwan had no right or room to refuse.

Emperor Jian'an was destined to die sooner or later; the only question was when and by whom. Fortunately, she still had her son, still had hope…

Zhang Jingwan cried again, wiping away her tears with trembling hands.

“Father is too badly injured. From today onwards, you will stay by his side.” Zhang Yun said, “Bring the Crown Prince along as well.”

Zhang Jingwan still couldn't refuse.

Last night, the emperor's personal guards in the palace were massacred, and almost all the eunuchs and palace servants were killed. Now the palace is full of Bohai Navy soldiers, and Zhang Yun could take the crown prince's life with a single order.

The two-year-old prince was brought to the bedside. The prince, who could not yet speak properly, had no idea what was happening. He only instinctively sensed the heavy atmosphere, buried his head in his mother's arms, and refused to look at anyone.

Zhang Jingwan hugged her son, tears streaming down her face.

……

The next day, the vanguard of the Pei family army was dispatched, but upon seeing the familiar figures on the city gate, they all retreated.

General Shen laughed wildly from the city wall: "Look, everyone! The Pei family army has retreated again! With the Emperor in our hands, we can definitely defend Bohai County!"

The guards burst into laughter.

The ordinary soldiers had much more complicated feelings.

No more fighting to the death—that's certainly good news. But the one tied up there like a lamb to the slaughter is, after all, the emperor. Even if he's a puppet, he's still the Son of Heaven! Doesn't the general fear divine retribution for such humiliation and bullying of the emperor?
If that day ever comes, Heaven better open its eyes and make sure the lightning strikes accurately. Only strike General Zhang and his son! Those soldiers are all innocent!
For several days in a row, the same tactics were used to force the Pei family army to retreat. General Shen was in high spirits and took the initiative to visit General Zhang and his son. The former imperial palace was now like a Bohai Navy camp, with its gates wide open and soldiers from the Bohai Navy coming and going.

Upon seeing General Zhang for the first time, General Shen was shocked: "General, are you so badly injured?"

General Zhang suffered from recurring high fevers and had been in a state of delirium for several days. Hearing the voice of his trusted subordinate, he forced his eyes open and instructed, "You must hold the city gate!"

General Shen bowed respectfully and said, "General, rest assured, I will risk my life to defend the city gate!"

General Zhang mustered his spirits and promised: "On the day I ascend the throne, I will appoint you as a first-rank general and give you command of 20,000 troops."

A greedy and excited glint flashed in General Shen's eyes. He responded enthusiastically and expressed his loyalty.

General Zhang was too weak to speak, so he gestured to Zhang Yun with his eyes. Zhang Yun nodded slightly and said to General Shen, "Remember, don't let the Emperor die at our hands. Let the Pei family army take action!"

General Shen had served General Zhang for twenty years and had practically watched Zhang Yun grow up. He was extremely respectful to General Zhang, but when facing Zhang Yun, he couldn't help but show a slightly disrespectful attitude: "I have remembered everything you said, young master."

After General Shen left, Zhang Yun's face darkened, and he said to General Zhang, "General Shen is being a bit arrogant."

General Lin and several other capable fighters have been killed, leaving only General Shen. Both he and his son are either seriously injured or still recovering from their injuries, unable to command troops at the city gates. They have to rely on General Shen, so how could they not become arrogant?

General Zhang looked at Zhang Yun, whose eyes were filled with murderous intent, and said haltingly, "Bear with it, and deal with him after this battle is over."

Zhang Yun suppressed his murderous intent and nodded in agreement.

……

"They keep pushing out the emperor every day, are we just going to keep waiting like this?"

Bored and restless, Pei Yan's murderous intent surged: "I'll lead some men over and kill that eyesore with one arrow."

Pei Qinghe's face darkened for once: "What did I tell you before?"

Pei Yan immediately fell silent, not daring to utter a sound.

"No matter how he dies, he will die at the hands of the Zhang family." Pei Qinghe said coldly, "Keep waiting!"

She has a lot of patience.

Finally, troops from the north who came to the aid of the emperor arrived one after another. Some brought a few hundred soldiers as a show, while others brought two or three thousand soldiers, raising large banners high.

The army that came to the aid of the king naturally had to pay their respects to Pei Qinghe first.

Pei Qinghe didn't say much, but led them to the city gate so they could see Emperor Jian'an bound to the city wall.

Seeing is believing. After witnessing this scene firsthand, the generals had no further doubts and were extremely angry at the rebellious behavior of Zhang and his son.

This is even worse than when King Qiao stormed the capital. If you're going to rebel, do it openly and honestly; if you're going to kill the emperor, do it openly. That would make you a hero among rebels. What is this all about?
The emperor can be killed but not humiliated!
Based on this incident alone, the Zhang father and son are far inferior, not even worthy of being called heroes, so what qualifications do they have to contend for the throne?
General Ge of Changshan Army privately sought out General Lu and said angrily, "General Zhang, aren't you afraid of retribution for committing such a heinous act?"

(End of this chapter)