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The dust raised by the warhorses flew.
The sound of galloping cavalry was clearly audible even within the city. The people of Chang’an at this moment hid in their homes like startled rabbits. Only a few daring individuals peeked out, watching the Black Armored Iron Cavalry run rampant through Chang’an City.
“Barbarian soldiers, they are barbarian soldiers.” Sharp-eyed citizens who saw the barbarian cavalry mixed in the ranks immediately cried out in alarm and fled back, while some citizens looked ashen.
Having lived in Chang’an for a long time, they were always exceptionally sensitive to power struggles and wars. This time, the Prince of Zhao led the Black Armored Iron Cavalry and barbarian soldiers with such intimidating force that they basically understood what was about to happen.
Combined with the rumors circulating in the streets during this period, this made them even more certain of it.
News of the Prince of Zhao’s troops entering the city reached Luo Quan and Fiji immediately. Li San, upon receiving the news, immediately sent someone to inform the two.
“General Luo Quan, Councillor Fei, Commander Li wants you to lead the soldiers towards the Royal Garden. Now the Prince of Zhao’s troops are encircling from both sides, and the only way to escape is from the Royal Garden.”
“What had to come, has finally come.” Luo Quan and Fiji exchanged glances, sighed deeply, and then he asked the secret guard, “How are the Emperor and Her Highness?”
“Her Highness has been sent to the Royal Garden, but the Emperor refuses to leave.” the secret guard said.
Luo Quan was shocked when he heard this, “Why!” Fiji also looked surprised.
“The Emperor said that his body cannot hold on, and even if he escapes, he would not be able to reach Qingzhou alive. Instead, he would drag down King Qi’s carefully prepared rescue plan.” the secret guard said.
“Alas, the Emperor’s temper hasn’t changed at all. Back then, for Empress Zhao, he refused to retreat in the face of a large barbarian army, and now it’s for Concubine Zhen again.” Fiji sighed deeply.
Luo Quan nodded, “Perhaps Empress Zhao disappointed the Emperor too much. The Crown Prince’s current heinous actions are not unrelated to Empress Zhao’s indulgence.”
With that, Luo Quan said to Luo Hong, “You immediately take Councillor Fei and all the officials and their families towards the Royal Garden. There’s a small path in the garden that leads to the Chang’an pier. You can only escape by water.”
“Father, you and Councillor Fei should go. Let me cover the rear.” Luo Hong’s gaze was firm.
Luo Quan shook his head and said, “No, the future world will be a world of firearms. Now you have learned how to command firearm troops, which is very useful to King Qi. And I can no longer keep up with the current battlefield situation.”
While the two were arguing, the Third Prince and Fourth Prince said, “At a time like this, you’re still pushing each other away. If you don’t leave soon, no one will be able to leave. We’re leaving, you take care of yourselves.”
With that, the Third Prince and Fourth Prince led several thousand troops towards the Royal Garden.
Luo Hong still wanted to speak, but Luo Quan suddenly said angrily, “Don’t say anymore, this is a military order! At this critical juncture for Great Yu Empire, how can there be so much sentimentality! Someone must stay here to stop the Prince of Zhao’s troops.”
Fiji sighed and said to Luo Hong, “Your father is right. You must now protect the others and ensure their safe arrival in Qingzhou.”
Luo Hong bit his lip and nodded, with a hint of tears in his eyes. Then, he led over a thousand musketeers and retreated towards the Royal Garden.
Watching Luo Hong and Fiji leave, Luo Quan then looked at the imperial city again and shouted to the artillerymen beside him, “Open fire!”
“Boom, boom, boom…”
Amidst the booming of cannons, the imperial palace gate finally shattered.
Luo Quan raised the long saber in his hand and shouted loudly, “The Crown Prince has rebelled and assassinated the Emperor! Kill!”
The remaining soldiers had initially fallen into a panic, but after seeing Luo Quan’s figure, they calmed down again. Since the God of War Luo Quan was still there, what else did they have to fear?
Leading the charge, Luo Quan was the first to rush into the imperial palace. At this moment, he recalled the times when he fought to conquer the world with Xiao Wenxuan. He understood that over the years, Xiao Wenxuan had gradually become wary of him, but he still cherished his patronage back then.
Without him, there would be no Luo Quan. He refused to leave, just as he refused to abandon his commander and flee back then.
He refused to leave because Luo Quan would not abandon his soldiers and flee for his own life. His refusal to leave was also to preserve the lives of most people, hoping that one day King Qi would revitalize Great Yu Empire.
Inspired by Luo Quan, the soldiers’ morale soared again. They madly rushed into the imperial city, for the last glory and dignity of the royal family.
Meanwhile, in front of Bīshuǐ Pavilion, the bodies of the inner palace guards lay across the entire stone bridge.
After the last imperial guard fell, the outer palace guards frantically rushed onto the stone bridge. Concubine Zhen and her group had not gone far yet, and there was still hope to catch up.
But as they charged forward, a figure blocked the center of the stone bridge.
Seeing this figure, all the outer palace guards stopped. They exchanged glances, but no one dared to lay a hand on this person, as the person before them was the Emperor of Great Yu Empire.
“Chase! Chase!”
The Crown Prince’s voice continued to come, still filled with frenzy. Seeing his leverage, Concubine Zhen, about to escape, made him extremely anxious.
As he shouted, he saw Xiao Wenxuan standing alone in the middle, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes. He walked straight forward.
“Father Emperor, why aren’t you fleeing? Could it be that you already know you won’t live past today?” The Crown Prince’s face was twisted, his smile sinister and eerie.
Xiao Wenxuan felt a wave of nausea and suddenly spat out a large mouthful of blood. At the same time, almost all the strength left his body. He stabbed the sharp sword he held into the ground to support himself.
“Flee? How can I flee without personally seeing you, this rebellious son, die before me?” Xiao Wenxuan said sternly.
The Crown Prince sneered, “Father Emperor, you know you can’t escape, don’t you? Imperial Physician Wu probably told you everything. But luckily I found out in time, otherwise he might have let you live a few more days.”
“You rebellious son.” Xiao Wenxuan coughed violently again. Imperial Physician Wu, risking his life, told him about the poisoning after he was poisoned, and also told him the time the poison would take effect.
Because of this, he decided to stay today, because estimating the days, his life would only last one or two more days, and the increased frequency of his blood vomiting today further proved this point.
“Father Emperor, you can’t blame me. I’ve waited too long for this throne. Now I’m over thirty, but Mother has given birth to the Thirteenth Prince. If you changed your mind and made him the Crown Prince, my hope for the throne would be gone forever. You can’t blame me, you forced me to do this!” The Crown Prince shouted, like a madman.
“Indeed, indeed.” Xiao Wenxuan muttered to himself mournfully. The Crown Prince ultimately walked this path because of the Thirteenth Prince.
Taking a deep breath, he said, “But do you really think you can ascend to the throne and become Emperor?”