“Caw, caw…”
A baby’s cry suddenly sounded, and Empress Zhao, who was about to drop the infant, suddenly hesitated.
Motherly instinct made her heart flinch. Just then, the Prince of Zhao seized the opportunity and suddenly reached out to grab the Thirteenth Prince from Empress Zhao’s hands.
Empress Zhao was greatly shocked, but it was too late. The Prince of Zhao’s strength was immense, leaving her no chance to snatch the child back.
Holding the Thirteenth Prince in his arms, the Prince of Zhao’s expression suddenly turned cold. He said to the guards, “Watch the Empress. No one is to see her without my command.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The soldiers in black armor immediately closed the door of the side hall, leaving only Empress Zhao’s heartbroken sobs.
The Prince of Zhao walked outside the door and said to the general behind him, “You are to immediately go into the city and find a wet nurse for the Thirteenth Prince. There must be no delay.”
The general clasped his hands in acknowledgment and left with a detachment of men.
At this moment, another troop of cavalry stopped in front of him. A general dismounted and said, “Your Highness, Concubine Zhen and the others seem to have escaped in the flying things.”
The Prince of Zhao looked up at the sky. He saw two huge objects slowly floating across the sky, and in the baskets beneath the large spheres were some elegantly dressed women.
“This must be the hot air balloon that Yuanliang mentioned. Hmph, this King Qi is truly not a simple opponent. However, Yuanliang said that this hot air balloon cannot fly very far. You are to immediately lead a troop of men to pursue them.” The Prince of Zhao said, gazing at the balloons in the sky.
The general accepted the order and left. Before long, another general returned to report, saying, “Your Highness, Qingzhou merchant ships have departed from Chang’an pier. The people at the pier said that these merchant ships carried many soldiers and officials away.”
“Qingzhou merchant ships.” The Prince of Zhao frowned.
Currently, his attitude towards Xiao Ming was somewhat complex, as the firearms and cannons in Zhao territory were all purchased from Qingzhou. This time, King Qi sent people to help, and if he offended them too deeply, this arms business would naturally be impossible to continue.
However, thinking that they had now mastered the method of forging matchlock guns, and having captured many cannons from Chang’an City this time, he said, “You should also send a troop of men to pursue them along the riverbank.”
“Yes.” The general accepted the order and left.
At this time, the Prince of Zhao glanced at the hot air balloons, and then at the direction of the pier, feeling a bit hesitant. He was now unsure whether Concubine Zhen had gone with the ships or the hot air balloons.
However, this meant that his pursuing troops could only split into two groups.
After another glance at the hot air balloons, the Prince of Zhao walked towards the stone bridge. Xiao Wenxuan was dead, but a state funeral must be held for Xiao Wenxuan before the Thirteenth Prince ascended the throne. This was an unbreakable royal etiquette.
And after the state funeral, they could hold the enthronement ceremony. When the Thirteenth Prince was placed on the throne, his reign over Great Yu Empire would begin.
He was naturally disinclined to bother with these complicated rituals, but he had already sent people to gather the officials of Chang’an. With these people, Xiao Wenxuan’s funeral could be completed smoothly.
Thinking of being able to control Chang’an soon, the Prince of Zhao’s expression became increasingly pleasant.
Meanwhile, at this time, the Qingzhou merchant ships carrying those fleeing from Chang’an had already traveled a long distance downstream.
Gazing at the beacon fires in Chang’an City from afar, Luo Quan and Fiji felt complex emotions.
“This truly is a national calamity, a disgrace to Great Yu Empire.” Fiji’s expression was sad, his tone somewhat low.
Luo Quan was equally downhearted. He said to Fiji, “Now that this is the reality, further lamenting is useless. You should now think about how to discuss this last will with Xiao Ming once we reach Qingzhou.”
“Not only that, so many court officials have come along. It will also be a problem once we reach Qingzhou,” Fiji shook his head.
Luo Hong said at this point, “His Highness recently passed the government reform, and there are many vacant official positions in the vassal states. Perhaps His Highness will welcome them, but…”
“But what…” Luo Quan asked.
“While in Qingzhou, Luo Xin told me that His Highness is not against officials from outside Qingzhou, but to hold office in Qingzhou’s bureaucracy, one must study at Bowen Academy and pass the relevant examinations,” Luo Hong said.
Fiji nodded, “Yue’er did tell me about this. Since we have entered Qingzhou, we naturally have to adapt to local customs. Besides, His Highness is about to become His Majesty.”
At the mention of this, the three of them looked somewhat gloomy.
Luo Quan said, “Now that the Prince of Zhao has occupied Chang’an, he will certainly support the Thirteenth Prince’s ascension. If that is the case, will His Majesty’s last will be useless?”
“Not only that, the ‘pledge of allegiance’ that His Majesty made King Qi sign back then is still in the Imperial Study. The Prince of Zhao can even use this to proclaim to the world and not acknowledge the Emperor’s current last will.”
Luo Hong said, “Actually, whether there is a last will or not doesn’t really matter anymore. The world is in chaos now, with each acting independently. Even without a last will, King Qi is the legitimate bloodline of the royal family.”
“Yes, you’re right. In this situation, the last will is both real and fake.” Fiji said, “Once we reach Qingzhou, we’ll discuss this with King Qi.”
As the three spoke, news of the chaos in Chang’an rapidly spread throughout Great Yu Empire.
This time, the Third Prince and Fourth Prince both fled, and along their escape route, they spread the news of the Crown Prince’s rebellion, causing widespread panic among the people in the royal territories.
Li San’s message, sent by urgent courier, reached Qingzhou three days later.
When Xiao Ming opened the secret letter from Chang’an, his heart surged with emotion—Great Yu Empire was in chaos!
“Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
Pang Yukun, Zhan Xingchang, Niu Ben, and others were all in King Qi’s residence. They noticed the change in Xiao Ming’s expression.
Xiao Ming handed the secret letter to Pang Yukun, “See for yourselves.”
The three immediately gathered to read it. Upon learning that the Crown Prince had assassinated the Emperor, and the Prince of Zhao had entered Chang’an City with the Black Armored Iron Cavalry and barbarian cavalry, the three exchanged glances.
They not only didn’t panic, but Pang Yukun also said to Xiao Ming, “Your Highness, given the Prince of Zhao’s nature, he will certainly not allow the Crown Prince to ascend the throne. It is likely that the Thirteenth Prince will become the Prince of Zhao’s puppet. In that case, we have no need to obey the court’s orders.”
“That’s right. After this, I’m afraid not only us but also the Prince of Wei, the Prince of Yong, and other vassal kings will no longer obey the court’s commands. Before, he was outwardly compliant but inwardly disloyal to the court. Now, it’s probably only a matter of time before he declares independence.” Zhan Xingchang added.
Niu Ben, being a soldier, was always straightforward. He said, “Now is an opportunity for Your Highness. In times of great chaos, heroes are made by the circumstances.”
Pang Yukun and Zhan Xingchang’s words were more subtle, but Niu Ben’s words were very direct, openly suggesting that Xiao Ming should establish his own power and become a great king.
“The situation in Chang’an is not yet clear. We will discuss it again when Li San returns.”