vrcanaries Chapter 1891 Persuasion
Chapter 1891 Persuasion
Chu Ning turned around and looked at Ran Ming with burning eyes:
"Based on the intelligence from the Imperial Guards and the plans of Li Bi and the others, they were not completely unprepared. Instead, they had a thorough plan, taking advantage of the defenders' habitual thinking and institutional loopholes."
"As long as it is operated properly, the hope of success is not small!"
He patted Ran Ming's shoulder, his tone full of unquestionable determination: "So, no matter whether this matter can be accomplished in the end, this is at least a great opportunity!"
"An opportunity that may allow us to capture Chang'an without bloodshed, or at a very low cost!"
"We must not shrink back just because there may be risks!"
"Send the order!"
Chu Ning's voice suddenly rose: "From now on, the entire army will enter the highest state of combat readiness! But on the surface, we will still maintain the siege. No one in the city can detect any unusual movements!"
"Ran Ming, you will personally select five thousand of the most elite soldiers and lead them personally. They will secretly assemble at the designated area outside the east gate!"
"Equip your sharpest weapons, keep your torches ready, and be on standby at all times!"
His eyes flashed with a sharp light. "Three days later, once we see the agreed signal from within the city, such as three rockets launching into the sky, or the agreed horn sounding at the city gate."
"You will immediately lead these five thousand elite troops and charge straight towards the East Gate with a thunderous force!"
"Whether the gates are wide open or just a crack, charge in!"
"Seize the city gate tower, control the key roads, and welcome the subsequent troops into the city!"
"I will obey your orders!"
Ran Ming was infected by Chu Ning's confidence and decisiveness, and all his doubts were instantly thrown away. He clasped his fists together, his voice as loud as a bell.
"Your Majesty, rest assured! Even if it costs me my life, I will be the first to break into Chang'an City!"
"If the city gate won't open, I'll bring some men to knock it open with battering rams!"
"Go!" Chu Ning waved his hand: "Prepare well and wait for the opportunity."
"Yes!"
Ran Ming took the order, turned around and strode out of the imperial tent, immediately going to mobilize troops and generals to prepare for the moment that might decide his fate three days later.
Inside the imperial tent, Chu Ning sat back down at the desk, his gaze once again fixed on the secret letter, the smile on his lips lingering for a long time.
He knew that a good show was about to be staged in Chang'an City.
And he has made all preparations to reap the fruits of victory.
Three days later, outside the city of Chang'an, was it a shocking change or just a false alarm?
The answer will be revealed soon.
At the same time, in Chang'an City, the Imperial Palace, and Weiyang Palace.
The night was as dark as ink, and the palace lanterns swayed in the cold wind, illuminating the palace in a dim light.
Although the Chu army besieged the city, an almost rigid order and majesty was still maintained within the deep palace.
Dugu Jia did not sleep. She sat upright on the phoenix couch with memorials sent from various places, most of which contained bad news, spread out in front of her. There was a layer of unmeltable frost and fatigue between her brows.
At this moment, a steady and slightly hurried sound of footsteps was heard outside the hall.
Shen Congwen, the commander of the imperial guards, wearing black armor and a long sword at his waist, walked quickly into the hall under the guidance of the eunuchs.
His face was solemn, his eyes were sharp, he knelt on one knee in front of Dugu Jia on the Phoenix Throne, clasped his fists and saluted:
"Your Majesty, Shen Congwen, Commander of the Imperial Guards, pays homage to the Empress Dowager!"
Dugu Jia raised his eyelids from the memorial and glanced at him coldly: "Commander Shen, what urgent military information brought you into the palace so late at night?"
Her voice was slightly hoarse, and the continuous pressure made her a little exhausted.
Shen Congwen did not stand up, but remained kneeling. He raised his head and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I have just received a secret report from the sentry stationed outside the residence of Li Bi, the Grand Master of Imperial Household!"
"Just over an hour ago, Taicang Magistrate Zhao Ming, Imperial Guard Zhang Tao, Assistant Minister Wang Yu, and five or six other officials secretly entered Li Bi's residence!"
"They moved extremely covertly, entering through the back door and staying for nearly an hour before gradually leaving!"
He reported this discovery, with obvious worry in his tone:
"Empress Dowager, Li Bi was severely punished for his poor performance during the day, and now so many officials have secretly gathered at his residence at night. This matter... is probably no small matter!"
"I'm worried that they might be secretly colluding and plotting something bad because they're dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's punishment."
As the commander of the imperial guards, Shen Congwen was responsible for the defense and security of the imperial palace and part of the capital, so naturally he had spies stationed outside the residences of various ministers.
Especially officials like Li Bi, who had just been severely punished, were the focus of surveillance.
However, after listening to Shen Congwen's report, Dugu Jia's face did not show any surprise, but instead a very disdainful sneer appeared on his face.
She casually threw the memorial in her hand onto the table and leaned back, as if she had heard an insignificant joke.
"Hmph! Commander Shen, you're really making a big deal out of nothing."
Dugu Jia's voice was filled with condescending sarcasm: "Li Bi? Just a piece of trash whose spine I broke!"
"He's lying on the bed right now, struggling to even move. How can he possibly stir up any trouble?"
She stretched out her well-maintained fingers and gently tapped the armrest of the Phoenix Couch, her tone firm:
"As for Wang Yu, Zhao Ming, Zhang Tao, and the others, they were simply mourning Li Bi's death, and went to visit him, venting their frustrations and complaints."
"A bunch of intellectuals who only know how to wield their pens and are afraid of death, what else can they do besides complaining behind people's backs?"
She was extremely confident in her control, especially over the military: "Now, within Chang'an City, all the troops in key positions are directly commanded by my trusted generals!"
"The four gatekeepers have been carefully selected and are loyal to me!"
"With Li Bi's limited connections and a few powerless civil servants, is it possible that he can seize military power from me? This is simply a fantasy!"
Shen Congwen frowned, he always felt that this matter was not that simple.
After all, Li Bi was an old minister who had been in the court for many years and had a complex network of contacts.
Now that he has suffered such great humiliation and torture, there is no guarantee that he will not take risks.
He couldn't help but advise again: "Queen Dowager, although that's true, you must always be on guard against others!"
"Li Bi and others hold important positions after all. If they really harbor resentment, they might collude secretly."
"Even if we can't directly mobilize the army, creating chaos within the city, or... secretly colluding with the Chu army outside the city, would also be a huge hidden danger!"
"The Chu army is now besieging the city. The situation is extremely precarious. We must be cautious of any disturbance!"
"I suggest that we strengthen the surveillance of these people's residences, or find a reason to temporarily detain them, just in case."
"Now that the Chu army is watching covetously outside the city, we must not allow any accidents to happen inside the city."
"Even if there is a one in ten thousand chance, it won't work!"