Chapter 682

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“Are these troops outside the city really Xiao Ming’s?”

In the Ge Residence in Chang’an City, Ge Yiren eagerly asked his butler.

“Master, it’s absolutely true. Your humble servant heard it firsthand from the commanding general. This cavalry unit, upon reaching the outskirts of Chang’an, declared themselves from Qingzhou and delivered General Niu’s calling cards to many prominent families outside the city,” the butler said.

Ge Yiren’s expression was complex upon hearing this. He said, “So, Tong Pass has fallen then.”

Beside Ge Yiren were two other people, Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang. Upon learning that cavalry had appeared outside Chang’an, the two had come to Ge Yiren’s home to discuss countermeasures.

“Lord Ge, Prince Zhao suffered a great defeat in the Battle of Juyong Pass. The elite forces Prince Zhao lost in that battle are gone. Prince Zhao is now at the end of his rope. Now that Xiao Ming’s troops have arrived, it means Niu Ben has successively captured Hulao Pass and Tong Pass. If we still remain on the sidelines at this moment, by the time Niu Ben takes Chang’an, we will all be traitors who have sided with the enemy,” Yu Zhiyong said, somewhat anxious.

Ni Kuang said, “That’s right. Besides, Prince Zhao has gone mad. He plundered Luoyang and drove the common people into the Zhao territory, and now he has similar intentions for Chang’an. Lord Ge, Chang’an is the foundation of our powerful families. If it falls, you and I will be like homeless dogs.”

Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang were anxious, but Ge Yiren was not at all, because he had already sent a secret letter to Niu Ben during the Battle of Juyong Pass.

However, this was not enough for him. To integrate into Xiao Ming’s imperial court in the future, he had to come with merits. So he said, “I understand your intentions. Prince Zhao is wicked and has incurred the wrath of heaven and the resentment of the people. How can we continue to serve such a tyrant? We should join forces with the current Emperor to justly punish him.”

Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang immediately became excited. This was the first time Ge Yiren had directly stated his intention to oppose Prince Zhao.

Ge Yiren glanced at the two and continued, “There’s no time to lose. Let’s each gather our family’s private armies and at the same time contact our clan members in the Imperial Guards to instigate an uprising.”

“Lord Ge, if that’s the case, we will go back and make preparations.” The two cupped their hands and turned to leave.

Watching the two depart, Ge Yiren said to the butler, “Immediately gather the private armies that have infiltrated the city and have them await my command to open the city gates at any time.”

“Yes, Master.” The butler’s expression was solemn. These private armies were arranged by their Ge family to be in the city. If exposed, their Ge family would have no way out.

While the officials each sought a way out for themselves, news of the cavalry also reached Prince Zhao, startling him greatly.

“Tong Pass has fallen! Why didn’t Sun Lirong send anyone to deliver news?” Prince Zhao paced back and forth. The sudden appearance of this cavalry completely disrupted his plans.

Zhao Yuanliang said, “Father King, I’m afraid Sun Lirong has either surrendered or died.”

“At crucial moments, not a single one of them is useful.”

Prince Zhao furiously knocked over the memorial in front of him. In the past two years, he had truly experienced the feeling of holding great power.

But now, all of it was about to leave him. He was truly unwilling.

Xiao Ming’s cavalry was already outside the city, and the musketeers would arrive sequentially. He simply could not win against an allied army of over two hundred thousand.

But it was too late for him to withdraw from Chang’an now. There were no more than thirty thousand trustworthy soldiers in Chang’an City.

This number of soldiers was clearly no match for this cavalry unit.

Zhao Yuanliang was also thinking about this problem. He said, “Father King, let’s retreat. It’s too late if we don’t leave now.”

Prince Zhao, having long experience on the battlefield, was much calmer than Zhao Yuanliang. In this situation, there was only one path left: desperate resistance. They simply could not escape.

He believed that those who had once humbly bowed to him were now sharpening their knives, ready to act against him. A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He said to Zhao Yuanliang, “There’s no escaping. But I will not leave a prosperous Chang’an for Xiao Ming. Immediately gather the army and massacre the city.”

“Massacre the city!” Zhao Yuanliang was horrified. He said in disbelief, “Father King, this…”

“Yuanliang, Xiao Ming will not spare us. Our State of Zhao is about to be annihilated,” Prince Zhao’s voice contained a hint of desolation.

Zhao Yuanliang felt a pang of sadness. How glorious he had been in the past two years, with countless gold and silver treasures, and endless beautiful women. Now, all of this was about to be stripped away.

Like Prince Zhao, in his despair, a surge of madness abruptly welled up in Zhao Yuanliang’s heart. “Xiao Ming, all you will get is scorched earth.”

He nodded heavily, and Zhao Yuanliang turned to leave. Immediately after, desperate screams suddenly echoed from within the imperial palace.

Prince Zhao’s Imperial Guards, at this moment, transformed from protectors of the imperial palace into destroyers. Receiving orders, the guards raised their butcher knives against the eunuchs and palace maids within the palace.

The once beautiful and peaceful imperial palace suddenly turned into a Shura hell, with soldiers burning, killing, and looting.

At the same time, another unit of the Imperial Guards entered the city. They raised their butcher knives against the common people, killing anyone they saw, including some officials and common people.

Whenever they massacred a civilian house, they would set it on fire, and for a time, beacons of smoke rose from all over Chang’an City.

The Zhao army’s atrocities quickly spread throughout the city. The common people and officials in Chang’an City fled in all directions in terror, but some officials remained very calm.

They immediately assembled their private armies in the city, distributed weapons and armor to them, and headed directly towards the city gates.

Now, the only force that could stop Prince Zhao was the army outside the city.

The abnormality in Chang’an City also attracted the attention of Qi Guangyi and Bai Mu. The rising plumes of smoke puzzled them greatly.

“What’s going on?” Qi Guangyi asked.

At this time, eight thousand powerful family private armies had already gathered around them. These private armies were supported by prominent families outside the city.

As Niu Ben had said, when they arrived outside Chang’an, these powerful families were quite sensible, completely accepting their demand to jointly suppress Prince Zhao.

Bai Mu said, “The smoke is rising one after another. I’m afraid there’s a big problem in Chang’an City.”

Qi Guangyi’s eyes darted around. He said, “Could it be that the powerful family’s private armies inside the city have started fighting Prince Zhao first?”

“That shouldn’t be the case. Fighting is fighting, but this looks like they’re burning houses. Could it be that Prince Zhao is massacring the city!” Bai Mu exclaimed in surprise.

Qi Guangyi had just thought of this. He said, “It’s highly possible. Prince Zhao has always been cruel. He’s capable of doing this.”

After a pause, he said, “We can’t wait any longer. If we wait, Chang’an City might become a ruin.”

Bai Mu looked at the army composed of powerful family members. At this moment, a powerful family member said, “Generals, don’t worry. My clan leader has already ambushed troops within the city. This time, they will surely open the city gates to meet us.”

No sooner had his voice fallen than a scout cavalryman rode up on horseback and said, “General Qi, Chang’an’s North Gate has opened.”

Qi Guangyi and Bai Mu were overjoyed. They immediately led the cavalry towards Chang’an City. This was a great opportunity to gain merit.

***

Flames and thick smoke obscured the sky over Chang’an.

Screams, wails, and desperate shouts of those on the verge of death converged to form the background music of Chang’an City at this moment.

The barbarity of human nature was utterly displayed by the Zhao army soldiers at this moment. In their eyes, the common people of Chang’an were no longer human, but pigs and sheep to be butchered at will.

“Kill!” Zhao army soldiers burst out of one civilian neighborhood and plunged into another. The streets were littered with bloody footprints left by Zhao army soldiers.

Old people and children on the streets, before they could escape, were hacked down by Zhao army soldiers. From dark corners, hysterical cries of women intermittently pierced the air.

A terrifying atmosphere enveloped Chang’an City. However, the wolf-like Zhao army, as they continued their massacre towards the South City, encountered resistance.

Some powerful family private armies suddenly appeared on the streets and engaged them in battle.

This situation curbed the Zhao army soldiers’ massacre. They continuously suffered casualties as they advanced.

“Prince Zhao conspired against the late Emperor, framed the former Crown Prince, and coerced Empress Zhao and the Thirteenth Prince. Such a rebel can be killed by anyone! Common people, Prince Zhao is now attempting to massacre the city! If you do not resist now, none of you will survive! Join us in killing the enemy!”

Ge Yiren was greatly alarmed upon learning that the Zhao army was massacring the city. He understood that Prince Zhao had completely gone mad.

Decisively, he immediately sent a portion of his private army to the North City to seize the city gate. At the same time, he, along with Ni Kuang and Yu Zhiyong, led another portion of the private army to organize the common people and prevent the Zhao army’s massacre of Chang’an.

“Kill this dog villain!”

With Ge Yiren leading, a portion of the leaderless common people were organized. Facing death, these common people were unwilling to simply surrender.

“Kill Prince Zhao! Uphold the imperial family!”

“Kill Prince Zhao! Uphold the imperial family!”

“…”

The common people were filled with righteous indignation. Amidst their shouts, they charged towards the Zhao army soldiers who had raised their butcher knives against them.

However, the powerful family private armies and common people, being less experienced than the seasoned Zhao army soldiers, were steadily pushed back after a round of fighting.

Ge Yiren and the other two observed this scene. This situation was within their expectations. However, if they did not resist, they would surely die.

Between waiting to be killed and being killed after resisting, the three chose the latter.

The resisting common people and powerful family private armies dwindled with each battle. Ge Yiren felt anxious. He kept looking towards the North Gate.

Just as their resistance was about to collapse, a sudden sound of horses’ hooves, like thunder, approached them.

When that sound resonated as if in his ear, Ge Yiren saw cavalry clad in silver-white cuirasses, riding warhorses.

Each of these cavalrymen and their horses were strong and robust. The sabers made of fine steel in their hands gleamed with a cold light. In an instant, these cavalrymen directly charged from Vermillion Bird Avenue into the Zhao army soldiers who were engaged in the massacre.

The Zhao army, engrossed in their slaughter, had no time to react. When they turned around, they only saw sabers cutting down upon them.

The sounds of battle erupted. The Zhao army, upon contact with the cavalry, was cut through the middle by the Qingzhou cavalry, like water encountering hard stone.

A portion of the Zhao army believed these were still the private armies of powerful families. With contempt in their hearts, they charged towards these cavalrymen.

However, in the instant of engagement, they realized this was a fiercer army than themselves. These cavalrymen were extremely skilled in handling horses, and even more skilled in killing enemies.

The cavalry, even when plunging into crowds, could still protect and coordinate with each other. What terrified them most was the ferocity of this cavalry.

Before them, they instantly became lambs to be slaughtered.

The most valuable thing on a battlefield was morale. Facing the cowardly common people, these Zhao army soldiers’ morale was high, and the pleasure brought by plunder made them exceptionally ferocious.

However, an army with a strong will was something they could not compare to.

More and more cavalry poured in from the North City. The Zhao army soldiers, who had been massacring common people, were driven by the cavalry and fled towards the South City.

After the cavalry had established a foothold, powerful family private armies from outside the city arrived, their numbers continuously increasing. They cooperated with the cavalry in the charge.

A weight lifted from Ge Yiren’s heart upon seeing these cavalry. He then found Qi Guangyi.

“General, I am Ge Yiren.” Upon reaching Qi Guangyi, Ge Yiren directly stated his name.

Qi Guangyi was just about to head to the imperial palace to capture Prince Zhao. Hearing this name, he stopped and said, “Are you the Ge Yiren who sent us the intelligence?”

Ge Yiren was overjoyed. He nodded vigorously, “Precisely.”

Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang exchanged glances. Only then did they realize that this Ge Yiren was a sly old fox, who had already secretly established contact with King Qi’s army.

Qi Guangyi’s expression softened. He said, “So it is Lord Ge. General Niu asked me to greet you when I saw you.”

“General Niu is truly too polite,” Ge Yiren laughed aloud.

After exchanging pleasantries, Qi Guangyi directly asked, “Lord Ge, how many of Prince Zhao’s troops are there in the city?”

“General, there are only sixty thousand of Prince Zhao’s troops in the city. Most of Prince Zhao’s troops have gone to Yuanzhou, but they have been defeated at Juyong Pass. Besides Prince Zhao’s troops, there are also fifty thousand Imperial Guards in the city. These Imperial Guards rebelled with Prince Zhao when the late Emperor was alive,” Ge Yiren said.

“One hundred and ten thousand people.”

Qi Guangyi frowned. They had brought a total of forty thousand men this time. If the Zhao army recovered and launched another attack, they might not be able to withstand it.

Seemingly discerning Qi Guangyi’s worry, Ge Yiren said, “General Qi, I am not without talent. I am willing to go to the Imperial Guards’ camp to persuade them to surrender, provided the General can spare their lives.”

Qi Guangyi was overjoyed upon hearing this. He said, “If that is the case, when the General arrives, I will surely ask for merit for Lord Ge.”

Ge Yiren grew even happier. He continued, “I, your old servant, hold considerable prestige among the powerful families in Chang’an. At this time, I can gather some more helpers for the General.”

Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang then said eagerly, “General, we too can gather our private armies to fight for the General.”

The smile in Qi Guangyi’s eyes deepened. He knew that these people, seeing Prince Zhao’s power waning, were eager to switch allegiance and gain merit.

Now that Prince Zhao was within reach, as long as Prince Zhao was eliminated, the north would be unified from then on. Granting these people some merit was no big deal.

He said, “Then I shall rely on the three of you to assist me in suppressing the rebellion.”

The three bowed. Ge Yiren went to the Imperial Guards’ camp, while Yu Zhiyong and Ni Kuang went to rally their private armies.

At this juncture, more and more powerful families learned that Xiao Ming’s army had arrived. They all brought their private armies to assist in the battle.

The fighting continued from noon until evening. By early morning the next day, the powerful family private armies who came to assist had reached twenty-five thousand men, and Ge Yiren also brought news of the Imperial Guards’ surrender.

Qi Guangyi was not in a hurry to attack now. He ordered his men to surround the city gate, waiting only for Niu Ben to arrive.