81: Capture the false King of Yan alive

Chapter 81: Capturing the Pseudo Prince Yan Alive

Outside Yan City, an army of fifty thousand stood in strict formation.

In the distance, the gates of Yan City were tightly shut, and the city walls were packed with defending soldiers.

A bizarre thing happened; the total number of troops in the Shenji Camp and the Imperial Guard combined was at most fifty thousand.

Conversely, the Pseudo-Yan, even after losing twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry, still had eighty thousand infantry remaining.

Coupled with the original defending soldiers guarding Yan City, the commandery troops within the city, the baggage troops, and so on, they could easily piece together at least one hundred and fifty thousand men!

Even so, these Pseudo-Yan soldiers had surprisingly been given orders from the higher-ups that no one was allowed to leave the city to engage in battle, and they were to defend Yan City to the death.

Ordinary soldiers simply could not figure out why the Pseudo Prince Yan would do this, while the Pseudo Prince Yan and his staff, who had obtained the intelligence, were currently in a state of confusion and shock.

Even a trace of fear was mixed in.

The more than twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry under his command were, after all, his strongest force.

How could they be wiped out by Great Yu in less than half a day?

Not only were they wiped out, but more than half of the Dragon Cavalry actually surrendered without a fight on the battlefield, and fewer than a hundred people managed to escape back.

According to what they said, the Dragon Cavalry were rapidly heading towards the capital and had already crossed Tiger Mountain Pass.

But who would have thought that divine thunder would suddenly descend from the heavens, continuously bombarding their military formation.

Countless soldiers and dragon-blood horses were blown to pieces, and the violent shockwave could even blow away dragon-blood horses weighing as much as three hundred catties.

Countless dragon-blood horses were startled, running around in a panic.

The soldiers were also incomparably terrified, and swept along by the dragon-blood horses, they turned and ran.

Even the Dragon Cavalry commander, General Cheng De, was deeply struck by the flying heavenly thunder and suffered heavy injuries.

In just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the entire Dragon Cavalry had already collapsed and fled in a panic.

Along the way, they were ambushed and surrounded by countless Great Yu Imperial Guards.

In the end, the Dragon Cavalry was completely wiped out, with only a little over a hundred men fleeing back in panic.

But even after fleeing back, they were out of their minds, talking nonsense, and their eyes were filled with terror.

What they faced were simply not ordinary soldiers, but celestial soldiers and generals!

Only celestial soldiers and generals could master heavenly thunder!

"Tell Us, who on earth are the people that wiped out the twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry under Our command?!"

Inside the Pseudo-Yan Prince's Estate, the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao looked at the staff under his command and said angrily, "Twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry! They vanished into thin air in just half a day. How is this possible! This is simply the height of absurdity!"

"Where is Cheng De! He even swore with certainty that he would break through the Desolate City for Us. What a... piece of trash!"

"What celestial soldiers and generals, We absolutely do not believe it!"

Hearing Zheng Yuantao say this, the expressions of the staff and officials present changed slightly.

Suddenly, a person said, "Your Highness, could those so-called celestial soldiers and generals be related to the so-called 'Immortal Summoning Order' issued by Emperor Zhengyong two years ago?"

"Emperor Zhengyong may have truly found immortals, or rather, people who cultivate the Dao."

"Only the so-called 'Magical Artifact' refined by cultivators can slaughter Mortals so easily!"

"Oh? A Magical Artifact?"

Zheng Yuantao's eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Are there any cultivators in Yan? If so, summon them immediately! This Prince is willing to..."

"Boom!"

A violent roar suddenly came from the south of the city.

"Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom...!"

Immediately afterward, continuous roars exploded one after another, as if even the entire Yan City began to shake.

The entire Prince's Estate was filled with floating dust and smoke, resembling an earthquake.

"Att—Attacking the city!"

"Is this the heavenly thunder? Is this the heavenly thunder!"

"Th—The earth is shaking, w—we..."

"Rumble!"

Another series of massive tremors came, and everyone's expressions inside the Prince's Estate turned incomparably pale, filled with fear.

How long could Mortals hold out beneath the heavenly thunder?

"Quick! Pass the order! Everyone defend the city walls to the death. Without Our command, no one is allowed to leave the city walls!"

"Y—Yes!"

The messenger ran out in a panic, and chaos erupted inside the entire Prince's Estate.

Seeing this, many servants and maids stealthily stole some valuables from their rooms and sneaked away.

Some staff members and officials who had originally stayed in the discussion hall, being clever and seeing that the situation was turning bad, also quietly slipped out of the main hall and ran for their lives.

In just the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, a commotion and shouting suddenly came from inside the Prince's Estate.

Zheng Yuantao's expression became even uglier, and he shouted angrily, "Who is outside! Where are the guards! Where are Our guards!"

"Ah...!"

Suddenly, a miserable scream sounded, immediately followed by the clashing of swords and the sounds of battle cries.

The remaining few people inside the main hall seemed to have guessed something, their expressions panicked.

"Bang!"

The gates of the Prince's Estate were violently pushed open, and a line of fully armed soldiers whose armor was still stained with fresh blood surged in.

The leader was a tall, burly middle-aged man with a very fair complexion.

"Meng Guang! You were personally promoted by this Prince, what is the meaning of this!"

Meng Guang!

The deputy commander of the Yan City City Guard, who was originally just a horse bandit leader forced to join Liangshan, was discovered and subdued by Zheng Yuantao.

Unexpectedly, under this great disaster, the first person to betray him turned out to be Meng Guang!

Meng Guang bowed and said, "Your Highness, this subordinate truly thanks Your Highness for saving this subordinate from fire and water."

"However, Your Highness establishing yourself independently is an act of great disrespect. This subordinate has also given many exhortations in ordinary times, but Your Highness acted willfully, which caused the current situation."

"Though Meng Guang lacks talent and is merely a deputy city-defending general, he also deeply understands the righteousness of loyalty to the sovereign and patriotism."

"Furthermore, what this subordinate is doing is merely wanting to find a way out of survival for the brothers under his command."

"As for Your Highness, by doing this, this subordinate can also preserve Your Highness's life, which can be considered repaying Your Highness's kindness in promoting me."

"Audacious!"

Zheng Yuantao shouted angrily, "The current Emperor Zhengyong assassinated my father through despicable means. Such an unbenevolent and unfilial scoundrel, what face does he have to be the master of this world!"

"That We replace him is truly the will of heaven!"

Meng Guang looked at Zheng Yuantao as if looking at an idiot, shook his head, and said, "Your Highness, you have fallen ill with delusions."

"His Majesty is perfectly fine, why would he assassinate the old prince?"

"Stop talking nonsense. For the survival and future of us brothers, Your Highness, please capture yourself without a fight."

"Seeking death! This Prince is a prince, he is..."

Meng Guang grew impatient. The heavenly thunder outside the city was still bombarding the city and would sooner or later break through.

He wanted to take down the Pseudo Prince Yan first before the other soldiers could react.

At that time, taking the Pseudo Prince Yan as a hostage and defecting to the imperial court would inevitably lead to being heavily rewarded and trusted.

He immediately said, "Take him down!"

"Clang!"

"Clang, clang!"

The soldiers under his command drew their long sabers and rushed towards the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao, wanting to capture him.

"Court death!"

Zheng Yuantao shouted angrily, reached out to grab a long sword, and actually fought fiercely and evenly with these few soldiers.

After all, being a member of the imperial family, he had practiced martial arts since childhood. Although not proficient, ordinary soldiers were really no match for him.

"Useless trash!"

Meng Guang cursed angrily. Fearing that long nights would lead to many dreams, he immediately drew his saber and stepped forward, rushing towards Zheng Yuantao.

He was formerly a horse bandit leader, and his martial arts had long entered the First-Rank realm. Moreover, having experienced a hundred battles, he knocked Zheng Yuantao to the ground in just a few rounds, his face covered in blood.

"Find a rag to stuff in his mouth, don't let him commit suicide!"

Meng Guang said, "Brothers, capturing the Pseudo Prince Yan, being promoted, getting rich, and enjoying supreme glory and wealth are right before our eyes!"

"Let's go! Leave the city and surrender!"

"Yes!"

Outside the city.

Chen Wannian, Chen Hongxiu, Zhao Tieshan, and others were excitedly looking at the distant city walls.

Accompanied by the simultaneous bombardment of three rounds from the Red Barbarian Cannons, the southern wall of the Yan City city wall was already dilapidated.

Several large gaps were even blasted out.

On the city walls, not a single soldier showed their head, and it was unknown whether they were hiding beneath the battlements or had fled.

Chen Wannian said excitedly, "With this Sharp Weapon for attacking cities, why worry that the world will not be settled!"

"His Majesty... is truly a Divine Being!"

Chen Hongxiu suddenly said, "The accuracy of the Red Barbarian Cannons is still not very precise. If the three rounds of cannonballs could be concentrated on the city gates, the gates would have long been blasted down!"

Chen Wannian shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. The Pseudo-Yan has obviously made up their mind to defend to the death. The city gates have long been blocked with bricks, stones, and rolling logs, unless... Hmm?"

His expression suddenly changed, and he hurriedly looked towards the city gate tower.

"Look quickly, is that a white flag raised on the city gates?"

The two of them also hurriedly looked, their eyes filled with astonishment.

"It really is a white flag!"

"What is the Pseudo-Yan doing? Have they surrendered?"

"So fast! Our Thunderbolt Mine hasn't even been used yet..."

Chen Wannian frowned and said, "Stop the bombardment first and see what trick they are playing."

"Okay!"

Under Chen Hongxiu's command, the bombardment stopped, and the entire battlefield fell into silence.

Soon, a figure leaped down from the Pseudo-Yan city wall and rapidly darted towards them.

When he was still two hundred meters away from the military formation, he sensibly stopped and shouted loudly:

"This General is Meng Guang, the deputy city commander of Yan City. Mindful of Your Majesty's great kindness, to prevent the people of Yan from suffering devastation, I have specially turned over a new leaf, captured the Pseudo Prince Yan alive, and present him to the celestial army!"

"We hope that Your Majesty and the celestial army are benevolent, and can spare the common people of Yan from the slaughter of the battlefield!"

"Hmm?"

Chen Wannian muttered, "Captured the Pseudo Prince Yan? Meng Guang? He is also a person who understands the current times!"

He immediately shouted loudly, "Where is the Pseudo Prince Yan?"

"General, please look!"

Everyone looked, and standing imposingly on the Yan City city wall was a figure tied up like a dumpling. Who else could it be if not the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao?

The three looked at each other and discussed privately for a few moments before Chen Wannian loudly said, "General Meng, that you and others can understand the bigger picture and surrender by offering the city is a blessing for Yan and a blessing for His Majesty!"

"Pass the order: all Yan City soldiers drop your weapons and surrender in the south of the city!"

"This General raises his reputation to swear that he will definitely guarantee the safety of everyone's lives and ensure the safety of the lives of the people of Yan!"

Meng Guang said with great joy, "Many thanks, General! We surrender!"

With an order, before long, the southern gate of Yan City slowly opened, and team after team of Pseudo-Yan soldiers, under the guard of the Imperial Guards, threw away the swords in their hands and helplessly came outside the city to squat together, waiting for the arrangement of the Imperial Guards.

At this time, Meng Guang also escorted Zheng Yuantao to the Imperial Guard camp and personally handed him over to Chen Wannian.

After verifying his identity, disregarding Zheng Yuantao's struggle and whimpering, he casually waved his hand to signal for him to be taken down.

"General Meng, you understand great righteousness and have the merits of initiating righteousness, offering the city, and capturing the rebel leader alive. This General will naturally report this truthfully to His Majesty."

Meng Guang also sighed inwardly and said, "General Chen, the Pseudo Prince Yan Zheng Yuantao once showed kindness to this subordinate. When he rebelled, this subordinate tried to dissuade him three times, but unfortunately, they were all turned a deaf ear to by the Pseudo-Yan."

"If it weren't for that kindness, this subordinate would have long led troops to surrender."

"Yet now, having personally captured the Pseudo Prince Yan, this subordinate truly feels distressed in his heart."

Chen Wannian shook his head and said, "Sigh, what kind of words is General Meng saying? Minor favors and petty kindness, how can they compare to the grand righteousness of the world?"

"Now Great Yu is in turmoil, and what the court needs are loyal and righteous people like you who understand gratitude."

"If the Pseudo-Yan succeeds in establishing itself independently, then not only the northern region and Yan, but even the entire world will fall into chaos."

"Speaking broadly, General Meng's action has saved the common people of Great Yu from fire and water."

"Even speaking narrowly, it has saved the hundreds of thousands of ordinary people in the entire Yan City!"

"This General will definitely report this action truthfully to His Majesty. General Meng is righteous!"

Meng Guang's face blushed a little from what Chen Wannian said, but he still respectfully said, "This subordinate does not dare to accept such praise!"

"That's right, General Chen, this subordinate once discovered that the Pseudo Prince Yan has a stronghold outside the city, hiding a large amount of troops, equipment, and rations, which was originally prepared for the rebel army of Bin Province."

"Now that the imperial court's army has captured Yan City, this subordinate is willing to personally make a trip and take down that stronghold!"

"Good!"

Chen Wannian said, "This General wishes General Meng success upon arrival!"

After Meng Guang left, Chen Wannian pondered for a few breaths, his eyes flickering, and then said, "Messenger!"

Soon, a messenger walked in, and Chen Wannian handed him the military order he had written long ago.

"Eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch, quickly transmit it back to the capital."

"Yes!"

Looking at the retreating figure of the messenger, Chen Wannian muttered, "Meng Guang?"

"Utmost loyalty and righteousness, or... grass-roots outlaws of troubled times? A peerless hero?"

Seeking monthly tickets~

Seeking monthly tickets~

Seeking monthly tickets~

Seeking monthly tickets~

Seeking monthly tickets~