After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 224 Suppressing the Rebellion in the Capital

On the city wall, Tian Kang and the soldiers fell into silence.

Previously, the Northern Barbarian generals below kept shouting that they could not go out of the city to fight, which made their morale low. Now, seeing the young supervisor holding a bow and arrow and shooting an arrow, Huyan fell to the ground and died instantly, the soldiers on the city wall shouted.

"Lord Zheng is a master archer!"

"Lord Zheng can hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces!"

Tian Kang was also awestruck by the young military supervisor's archery skills: "Who is Lord Zheng's archery teacher? How could he be so skilled?"

He had served in the army for many years and had seen many generals who were famous for their archery skills, but none of them could kill an enemy general with a single arrow from hundreds of paces away. How terrifying!

Unfazed by the praise from Tian Kang and the soldiers, Zheng Hao lowered his gaze to the neatly arranged enemy troops outside the city. The enemy had already quickly recovered from the shock of Hu Yan's death.

The Northern Barbarian general watched the soldiers carrying Huyan's body away, and felt annoyed. Before the battle had even officially begun, they had already lost one of their generals.

He sternly ordered, "By my command, attack the city immediately. Whoever scales the city walls first will be rewarded with a hundred taels of gold and granted the official rank of a thousand households."

Upon receiving the order, the Northern Barbarian army surged towards Jingcheng.

Looking down at the densely packed enemy troops attacking the city gates and walls, Zheng Hao, without changing his expression, ordered the soldiers behind him: "Fire arrows!"

The Zhenbei Army soldiers lined up in three rows on the city wall, each holding a bow and arrow. When the young supervising officer gave the order, they immediately drew their bows and released their arrows. After the soldiers in the front row finished shooting, the soldiers in the back immediately took their place. A rain of arrows swept across the enemy army, and the northern barbarian soldiers attacking the city fell one by one.

Even so, facing a hail of arrows that could take their lives, the Northern Barbarian soldiers still resolutely advanced. They did not retreat and dared not retreat, because on the battlefield, if you do not move forward and dare to take a step back, what awaits you is not the enemy's swords, but being trampled to death by your own soldiers.

Most importantly, military orders are absolute. Anyone who dares to retreat on the battlefield will be treated as a deserter. If a deserter is suspected of disrupting the morale of the army, he can be executed on the spot. Under such military regulations, there is no way to escape. It is better to be ruthless and charge forward. If they can climb the city wall and achieve the merit of being the first to scale it, they can receive a generous reward and rise from an ordinary soldier to a commander of a thousand.

The northern barbarians' offensive grew stronger and stronger, but the Zhenbei Army remained steadfast on the city walls, their bravery unwavering.

Their gazes were resolute as they relentlessly fired arrows and hurled stones downwards. When the first Northern Barbarian soldier scaled the city wall, the Zhenbei Army soldiers rushed forward with swords to cut his ropes. As more and more Northern Barbarian soldiers climbed the wall, the Zhenbei Army soldiers hacked and slashed with increasing ferocity, their faces streaked with blood and flesh, yet they remained undeterred.

They had no eyes for the enemy and constantly warned themselves not to let their guard down, lest the northern barbarians breach the city walls and slaughter the city's inhabitants.

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The Zhenbei Army traveled without stopping, rushing from Youzhou Prefecture to the capital, managing to compress a half-month journey into five days.

After the Third Prince seized control of the capital, the Crown Prince fled to the neighboring Jin'an Prefecture under the protection of his subordinates. The general of Jin'an Prefecture was the Crown Princess's brother-in-law. Faced with the Third Prince's coercion to hand over the Crown Prince, the general of Jin'an Prefecture gritted his teeth and refused.

After enduring many days of hardship, the General of Jin'an Prefecture and the Crown Prince finally witnessed the arrival of the Zhenbei Army.

Upon hearing his attendant announce that the Marquis of Zhenbei was requesting an audience, the Crown Prince quickly said, "Please invite the Marquis of Zhenbei in immediately."

As the Marquis of Zhenbei entered the General's Mansion, the Crown Prince excitedly rose to greet him. The Marquis of Zhenbei, not forgetting etiquette, decisively knelt on one knee: "Your subject, Marquis Rongwu of Zhenbei, pays respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Upon receiving the Crown Prince's secret letter, I immediately led my troops back to the capital to quell the rebellion. It was my fault that Your Highness was frightened for so many days!"

Upon hearing this, the crown prince showed a look of gratitude.

He reached out and helped the Marquis of Zhenbei up: "Your Excellency is a loyal minister and general of the Great Qian Dynasty. After receiving my secret letter, you immediately returned to the capital to help me eliminate the rebel king. What wrong have you done?"

Looking up, the Crown Prince saw that the other man's eyes were bloodshot. He said, "You've been traveling for many days. Your Excellency should go and rest."

Marquis Zhenbei raised his hand to politely decline. Seeing that His Highness the Crown Prince was looking at him, he explained, "The rebel king has falsely claimed to have received His Majesty's last edict and has taken control of the Imperial Guards in the capital. It is not advisable to let him continue to run rampant. I implore Your Highness to issue an order for me to go to the capital and suppress the rebel king."

Seeing the Marquis of Zhenbei's righteous indignation and his wholehearted concern for him, the Crown Prince was deeply moved. He sincerely grasped the Marquis of Zhenbei's hands and said, "No wonder the late Emperor often told me that the Marquis of Zhenbei was a rare and invaluable minister. Now I see that the Marquis's loyalty to the Great Qian is truly as clear as the sun and moon."

"In that case, I will not fail the Marquis's loyalty and courage."

"Marquis Zhenbei, heed my command!"

The Marquis of Zhenbei clasped his hands in a fist salute, while the Crown Prince solemnly declared: "The Third Prince has usurped the throne by forging an imperial edict, betrayed human ethics, imprisoned and slaughtered loyal officials, ravaged the capital region, violated ancestral rules, and shaken the foundation of the nation. I hereby order you to lead your troops back to the capital and eliminate the rebellious prince!"

The Marquis of Zhenbei said in a deep voice, "Your subject obeys!"

At dawn, the Marquis of Zhenbei led his troops to the capital, while the General of Jin'an Prefecture was stationed in his residence to protect the Crown Prince.

Fifty thousand troops marched north. The capital originally had one hundred thousand imperial guards, but on the night of the coup at the Third Prince's palace, the other half of the imperial guards who refused to surrender were all killed.

Now, only 50,000 imperial guards remain in the capital, including the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the disabled.

When the Third Prince heard the letter from the general guarding the city that the Marquis of Zhenbei had led his troops to the city, his face turned grim.

The advisor quickly advised, "Your Highness, the Zhenbei Army is a fierce and ruthless force. We have just fought a fierce battle and it is not advisable for us to start another war. Your Highness should swallow this anger and wait until you ascend the throne to settle scores with the Marquis of Zhenbei."

Knowing that the Imperial Guards were weak, the Third Prince swallowed his anger and said, "Send an envoy out of the city to meet with the Marquis of Zhenbei and explain to him that if he is willing to submit to this palace, this palace will forgive his past mistakes and, after ascending the throne, will appoint him as the Duke of Zhenbei and Grand General, leading all the troops in the land!"

With just a few words, he promised immense power, yet the Third Prince's expression remained unchanged. Whether he would actually keep his promise was anyone's guess.

The aide raised his hand in a gesture of respect: "Your Highness is wise!"

The envoy, carrying the Third Prince's edict, entered the Zhenbei Army and explained his purpose. Unexpectedly, the Marquis of Zhenbei remained unmoved and immediately ordered the envoy to be taken away. Then, in front of the envoy, he said, "I am loyal to the Great Qian Dynasty and trusted by the late Emperor. His Highness the Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the Great Qian Dynasty. Today, I am ordered by the Crown Prince to suppress the rebel king. How can I allow you traitors to insult me? Guards, take him away and attack the city immediately!"

Capital City, Imperial Palace.

The hall was illuminated by candlelight, and the court officials stood in the hall. Because they had not moved for a long time, some of the older officials had pale faces, but they dared not show any abnormality.

The Third Prince, sitting at the head of the table, had a gloomy expression.

On the night of the coup, after seizing power, he immediately moved into the palace with his wives, concubines and children. He thought that since the Crown Prince was praying alone outside without any troops by his side, he could easily eliminate him. However, another commander in the Imperial Guard was the Crown Prince's man. The other man ordered his subordinates to take the Crown Prince to Jin'an Prefecture, causing him to miss the opportunity to eliminate the Crown Prince in one fell swoop.

It's really hateful!

He chopped the commander into mincemeat to vent his anger!

The Marquis of Zhenbei was even more ungrateful. He was willing to forgive and reward him generously, but the other party was not grateful and insisted on opposing him. Even when he sent envoys, no word came back.

He lifted his eyelids, his gloomy eyes sweeping over the assembled court officials: "The Zhenbei Army has besieged the city and has been fighting the Imperial Guards for a day. What strategies do you gentlemen have to deal with this?"

"If anyone can devise a plan to defeat the Zhenbei Army and capture the Zhenbei Marquis, after this court achieves its goal, it will be appointed as one of the Three Dukes, rewarded with a thousand acres of fertile land, a thousand taels of gold, and countless mansions and slaves!"

Despite such a generous reward, not a single courtier dared to speak out.

Not only were they unable to repel the ferocious Zhenbei Army, but even if they had, they wouldn't offer any advice. The Third Prince's ruthless and cruel execution of the Crown Prince's supporters, including their entire families, terrified the other court officials. In recent days, he had been merciless in killing any court official who slightly displeased him, showing no signs of a benevolent or wise ruler. They wished they could immediately open the city gates to welcome the Marquis of Zhenbei into the city to kill the Third Prince.

Looking at the silent court officials below, the Third Prince sneered. They were truly a bunch of opportunists. When he was in power, these high-ranking officials attached themselves to him and pledged their loyalty. Now, before the Marquis of Zhenbei had even entered the city, these people were already preparing to side with him.

Unfortunately, he wasn't that fool, the Crown Prince!

He would never let anyone who dared to betray him go unpunished.

The Third Prince said coldly, "It doesn't matter if you can't think of a way to repel the enemy. I have already sent troops to your residences to protect your families. When you come up with a plan to repel the enemy, I will send you back to your residences to reunite with your families."

As soon as he finished speaking, the courtiers in the hall were thrown into a panic. Beads of sweat the size of soybeans fell incessantly onto the floor of the hall, making dull thuds.

When threatened with the threat of their families, some ministers lost their composure.

A courtier moved his lips and looked up at the Third Prince. He saw that the Third Prince, who was a prince, was not wearing the prince's robes, but was wearing an ill-fitting bright yellow dragon robe.

The court officials knew that this was Emperor Jian'an's usual attire. In the past, if a prince wore a dragon robe, all the civil officials in the hall would surely impeach him for usurping the throne and harboring treasonous intentions. But now that the Third Prince had become a rebel king, no one dared to speak out and risk their lives.

Looking at the civil official who came out, the Third Prince asked, "What brilliant plan do you have, my dear minister?"

Just as the civil official was about to speak, a sound accompanied by the clash of weapons rang out: "The Zhenbei Army has breached the city gate! Your Highness, run!"

The third prince immediately stood up, disbelief flashing across his face: "Impossible!"

The capital city is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and it has ample food supplies. It would take the Marquis of Zhenbei at least a month to conquer it, so how could he possibly take it in just one day and one night?

A messenger rushed in and said urgently, "While the Imperial Guards were locked in fierce fighting with the Zhenbei Army, the Imperial Guards commander suddenly opened the city gates to welcome the Zhenbei Army into the city. He also shouted that His Highness was a rebel king, and that his previous submission to His Highness was a last resort. Now he is willing to follow the Marquis of Zhenbei to kill the rebel king's faction and welcome the Crown Prince back to the capital to ascend the throne!"

"You despicable scoundrel! You despicable scoundrel!"

The Third Prince cursed angrily.

He should have eliminated the commander of the Imperial Guards long ago. The other party only agreed to help him launch a palace coup after he promised him great benefits. He had no sincerity towards him. Seeing that he was declining, he would naturally side with the Zhenbei Army.

Hearing the sounds of fighting outside, the guards and advisors shouted, "Your Highness, let's run! As long as we're alive, we can always fight again. Once the Zhenbei Army enters the palace, we really won't be able to escape!"

The third prince immediately stood up and ran out of the palace: "Go! Quickly take the gold, silver, valuables, and the remaining soldiers!"

An advisor reminded him, "Your Highness, the Princess and the Crown Prince are still in the palace. We must quickly send men to escort them out of the palace!"

The Third Prince continued walking, his back to his advisors, his voice cold: "The situation is urgent. The Princess and the Crown Prince understand my difficulties and are concerned for my safety. You will take your personal guards and come with me!"

Hearing the Third Prince's cold and ruthless words, the advisors felt a chill in their hearts.

If one can abandon their wife, with whom they share a bed, and their legitimate son, with whom they share a blood tie, without any hesitation, how long can these shady advisors live?

Marquis Zhenbei understood that delay would lead to trouble. After the commander of the Imperial Guards surrendered, he did not fully trust him. He left his deputy to keep an eye on the commander and then led his troops toward the palace.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, the Marquis of Zhenbei encountered the Third Prince and his entourage, who were running out of the palace.

Seeing that his escape route was blocked by the Marquis of Zhenbei, the Third Prince looked up at the Marquis of Zhenbei with a ferocious expression, showing no trace of the wise and virtuous king who was once praised by everyone.

Even though he was at a disadvantage, he still spoke with a threat: "Marquis of Zhenbei, you should think carefully. I am a prince personally appointed by the late emperor. Are you sure you want to touch me?"

The Marquis of Zhenbei replied indifferently, "Your Highness need not trouble yourself. I can distinguish between a prince and a rebel king."

In the darkness, the Third Prince's face turned ugly upon hearing these words. The Marquis of Zhenbei ignored him and ordered, "Men, take the Third Prince to the Imperial Prison and keep him under strict guard. We will deal with him after the Crown Prince returns to the capital!"

The generals around the Marquis of Zhenbei should be present, and they personally led the soldiers to escort the Third Prince and his entourage to the imperial prison.

Jin'an Prefecture is very close to the capital. News of the Marquis of Zhenbei's successful attack on the capital and capture of the Third Prince quickly spread. The General of Jin'an Prefecture immediately led his troops to escort the Crown Prince back to the capital.

Upon returning to the capital, the Crown Prince repeatedly expressed his gratitude to the Marquis of Zhenbei. The Marquis of Zhenbei, as a subject, expressed his trepidation and advised the Crown Prince to first appease the court officials before ascending the throne.

The commander-in-chief of Jin'an Prefecture also advised, "What the Marquis of Zhenbei said makes sense. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The rebel king has been causing chaos for many days, and the people of the capital are in a state of panic. Your Highness should ascend the throne as soon as possible to put the minds of the court officials at ease. This is the most important thing."

Upon hearing this, the Crown Prince immediately began to reorganize his faction, which consisted of members from aristocratic families whom the Third Prince hesitated to kill due to his own concerns. He released them from the imperial prison and then dealt with the Third Prince's faction.

It took three whole days for the Crown Prince to finally breathe a sigh of relief after everything had settled down.

At this moment, a close attendant announced that the Marquis of Zhenbei was requesting an audience. Although the Crown Prince was exhausted from not sleeping for three consecutive days, he quickly ordered someone to invite the meritorious official of this event in.

The Marquis of Zhenbei stepped into the main hall, and the Crown Prince saw that his face was solemn.

The Marquis of Zhenbei clasped his hands in a salute, but the Crown Prince quickly said, "No need for formalities," as the other man was halfway down.

The Marquis of Zhenbei rose, and the Crown Prince asked, "What brings you here, Your Excellency?"

The Marquis of Zhenbei spoke in a slightly somber tone, his expression solemn: "Your Highness, the Northern Barbarian army has marched south, and Fucheng and Jingcheng are besieged. I must immediately lead troops back to Youzhou Prefecture to provide relief!"

Upon hearing the words "Northern Barbarians," the Crown Prince's heart skipped a beat: "How could this be?"

Marquis Zhenbei explained succinctly that even he had not expected the Northern Barbarians to be so cunning as to conceal their military strength and then launch a two-pronged attack on Fucheng and Jingcheng simultaneously. Fucheng was not a problem as Ping Jin and his 200,000-strong army were there, but Jingcheng was waiting for him to return and provide relief.

The Crown Prince made a decisive decision: "Military matters are of utmost importance. I am protected by the General of Jin'an Prefecture. Your Excellency should return to Youzhou Prefecture first to repel the enemy."

Marquis Zhenbei bowed and took his leave. He did not linger in the capital and immediately led his troops back to Youzhou Prefecture.