Section 82

The chessboard shattered into pieces, and the chess pieces scattered all over the floor.

The black pieces had surrounded the white pieces, leaving no way out.

Just like the current situation, Li Chengping had completely seized the initiative, while Emperor Qing could only passively take the hits, without any power to fight back!

"Pfft—!"

Emperor Qing was overcome with rage, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face instantly turning as pale as paper.

"A large army?!" Upon hearing this, Qin Ye stood frozen on the spot, as if struck by lightning.

His head was buzzing.

An army suddenly appearing outside the capital?

And it's the First Prince's men?

This... this is going to turn the world upside down!

Qin Ye snapped back to reality, ignoring everything else, and urgently questioned, "How many people?! Who is leading the army?! What about the banner?! Did you see the banner clearly?!"

A series of questions bombarded the Imperial Guard like a rapid-fire cannon.

The Imperial Guard was terrified, his voice trembling with a hint of a sob, "...Many, so many people! A vast black mass, stretching as far as the eye can see! The banner... the banner... it seems... it seems to be the First Prince's banner!"

"Seems?!" Qin Ye roared, wishing he could kick this useless fool to death, "Look clearly before you speak! This is a matter of losing one's head!"

The Imperial Guard shuddered in fear, almost kneeling down, "This... this one really couldn't see clearly, the sky was too dark, there were too many people, the torches were chaotic, I just... just took a look from afar, it seems... it really is the First Prince's banner..."

On the other side, Qin Ye's temples were throbbing, and a chill shot from the soles of his feet straight to his brain.

Just a moment ago, he received news that an army from the frontier had been mobilized, heading straight for the capital!

And the person who mobilized the troops was actually the First Prince, Li Chengru!

This matter... is practically treason?! And at such a critical moment!

Qin Ye forced himself to calm down and began to think rapidly.

The capital's defensive forces...

It's over!

It's all over!

As the heartland of Qing State, the capital had enjoyed long periods of peace, so where would there be any heavy troops guarding it?

The city defense troops were all old, weak, sick, or disabled; they were fine for bullying ordinary commoners, but if a real war broke out, they would be nothing but a mob.

As for the Imperial Guards...

The Imperial Guards were indeed elite, but their numbers were too small, and they had to be dispersed throughout the imperial palace to guard its safety.

As for the garrisons around the capital...

The nearest ones were at least a hundred miles away; water from afar cannot quench a near thirst!

Moreover, even if they could be mobilized, it would take time!

Since the First Prince, Li Chengru, dared to make a move, he must have made full preparations and would never give any chance to catch one's breath!

Thinking of this, Qin Ye felt his back go cold and his hands and feet turn icy.

Damn it!

This time it's truly over!

Whether Li Chengping or Li Chengru gained power, he would not have a good ending!

"Your Majesty, it's bad!"

Qin Ye rushed into the Imperial Study, his face full of panic.

"What is the reason for such panic?!" Emperor Qing roared, his mood already at its worst.

"Your Majesty, outside the capital... a large army has been mobilized from the frontier and is heading towards the capital!"

"An army?!"

Emperor Qing was suddenly shocked, his expression changing drastically, "Where did this army come from?!"

"Judging by the banner... it seems to be... the First Prince's men!"

Chapter 73: Completely Tearing Off the Mask! Black Knights and Jinwu Guard!

"Chengru?!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Qing was stunned for a moment, then a cold smile appeared on his face.

"Heh heh, very well, very well."

"Chengru, oh Chengru, you truly are my good eldest son!"

Cold light flickered in Emperor Qing's eyes, and Killing Intent lurked everywhere.

Seeing Qin Ye's useless appearance, Emperor Qing became even more furious and kicked him to the ground, "Useless! Useless! What use is there in me raising you useless fools?"

He stumbled to the imperial desk, grabbed the wolf-hair brush on the table, but his hand was shaking so violently that he couldn't write a single word for a long time.

Reinforcements!

Yes! Reinforcements!

Liyang!

Liyang was the closest to the capital; as long as Liyang was willing to send troops, perhaps... perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope!

Thinking of this, Emperor Qing, like a drowning man grabbing a straw, immediately began to write furiously.

"Pass the decree! You must immediately ride at full speed to Liyang to request reinforcements! You must ask the King of Liyang... you must ask King Xu Xiao of Liyang to send troops immediately! Tell him! As long as he comes, I will grant him what he requested back then!"

After Emperor Qing finished writing the decree, he immediately stamped it with the imperial seal and handed it to Qin Ye, "Go quickly! Go immediately!"

Qin Ye, as if granted amnesty, scrambled up, took the decree, and stumbled out of the Imperial Study.

Emperor Qing took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.

Requesting reinforcements from Liyang... was only a temporary measure; water from afar cannot quench a near thirst.

The most important thing now was to stabilize the situation in the capital first!

"Hong Siyang!" Emperor Qing shouted sternly again.

Hong Siyang's figure appeared in front of Emperor Qing like a ghost, bowing to await orders.

"Pass my decree! Immediately mobilize the Jinwu Guard! Assemble at the imperial palace! Guard the safety of the imperial palace!"

"This servant obeys!" Hong Siyang accepted the order, and his figure disappeared again.

Emperor Qing paced back and forth a few more times, his heart still uneasy.

Although the Jinwu Guard was elite, their numbers were limited, and they had to be dispersed throughout the imperial palace, so I fear... I fear they will be unable to withstand the First Prince's heavenly army!

No!

It's not enough!

It's far from enough!

He must... must do something else!

A trace of determination flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes, and he spoke again, "Pass the decree! Mobilize the Black Knights! Immediately mobilize the Black Knights to enter the palace to serve the King!"

"Your Majesty... this... the Black Knights... aren't they always under the command of Chen Pingping?" Eunuch Hou reminded cautiously, his voice trembling slightly.

The Black Knights!

That was Chen Pingping's pride and joy, the sharpest blade in his hand!

For Emperor Qing to mobilize the Black Knights at this moment was undoubtedly moving Chen Pingping's cheese, or even... depriving Chen Pingping of his military power!

Upon hearing this, a sinister light flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes, "Chen Pingping... Hmph! He holds the Black Knights, becoming too powerful to control; sooner or later, he will be a disaster!"

"Now that the capital is in danger, it is a time to use people; if Chen Pingping is sensible, he should obediently hand over the Black Knights to share my burdens! If he... is not sensible... Hmph! Then don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Emperor Qing's tone was grim, filled with Killing Intent.

Eunuch Hou shuddered in fear, not daring to say another word, and quickly accepted the order, "This servant obeys! This servant will go to pass the decree immediately!"

Eunuch Hou hurried away.

The Black Knights... were just a drop in the bucket, likely unable to turn the tide; Emperor Qing's face was ugly, his thoughts racing.

He still must... must find another helper!

One... who could truly turn the tide!

A complex light flashed in Emperor Qing's eyes, and he spoke again, "Pass the decree to Eunuch Hou! Summon... summon Fan Xian... to enter the palace for an audience immediately!"

"In addition... send someone to the Temple to pass my oral decree... tell them that I... have urgent matters to discuss and request the Temple Messenger to come down the mountain without fail..."

Emperor Qing's voice became lower and weaker, as if he had exhausted all his strength.

Inside the Imperial Study, the atmosphere was extremely heavy, oppressive enough to make one unable to breathe.

The entire imperial palace was shrouded in a haze of impending storm.

...Meanwhile, at the Inspectorate.

Chen Pingping was sitting in his wheelchair, eyes closed, resting.

Suddenly, a burst of hurried footsteps came, breaking the tranquility of the Inspectorate.

"My Lord! My Lord! Something terrible has happened!"

A man in black rushed in, looking flustered and panting for breath.