freenovelworld Chapter 288: Serving the King and Protecting the Emperor
Chapter 288: Serving the King and Protecting the Emperor
In the Golden Palace, Qin Wang Zhao Defang sat on a seat added next to the dragon throne, looking down at all the officials. Although he was not sitting on the dragon throne that symbolized the supreme imperial power, the emperor's domineering aura and gentle and calm expression did not reduce the sense of oppression at all.
The Privy Councilor Chu Zhaofu reported that Pan Mei and his men, the commander of the Western Shu army that was suppressing the rebellion, had actually raised the banner of defending the king and clearing the court of corrupt officials, and were marching straight to the capital. Several local armies were also eager to respond. He asked His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin to make a decision quickly and send troops to meet the enemy and suppress the rebellion.
There was a commotion among the ministers of His Highness, and Prince of Qin Zhao Defang was quite generous and passed the ornate and passionate manifesto to support the king around to all the ministers to read one by one.
After reading the manifesto, some of the ministers and officials frowned and cursed in low voices, while others were secretly delighted and jumped wildly with excitement. The emperor was unconscious but still alive, and the King of Qin did not take advantage of the chaos to seize the throne. The royalists' chance to turn the tables had finally come.
No matter what they were thinking, all the civil and military officials started discussing how to meet the enemy and quell the rebellion, which army to send out, and who would be the commander-in-chief.
King Qin Zhao Defang observed the reactions of each official silently, still adhering to the principle of listening more and talking less. He would make the final decision after brainstorming.
After much calculation, the number of troops that can be sent out to meet the enemy near the capital will not exceed 30,000. The remaining 30,000 imperial guards will be left to guard the capital, which is already the bottom line.
As for the selection of the chief general, there was endless debate and no one could find a suitable one to lead the troops.
The Left Counselor Jia Yan and Cheng Yu looked at each other and came out to make a request with ill intentions, "Your Highness, Prince of Qin, we have searched all the generals in the capital for a general who can defeat Pan Mei with a small force. Apart from Your Highness, Prince of Qin, the God of War of the Song Dynasty, there is really no one else who can do it.
I request that Your Highness the Prince of Qin personally lead the troops to meet the enemy and quell the rebellion. You will surely be able to kill the traitors Pan Mei and Wei Ji, protect the safety of the people in the capital, and ensure the stability of the Song Dynasty."
"I second the proposal! Apart from His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin, anyone else leading an army of 30,000 to fight against Pan Mei's army of 50,000 will undoubtedly be defeated." Cheng Yu hurried out to respond.
: "I second the motion!" "I second the motion!"
"I object!" Bohai County Prince Gao Huaide walked out of the train, "The emperor is in a coma and cannot rule the country. Your Highness the Prince of Qin, you are in charge of the capital and govern the country. This is the guarantee of the stability of the country. I am an old minister with no talent, but I am willing to lead the troops to meet the enemy and quell the rebellion!"
"I second the motion! Your Highness the Prince of Qin, you cannot lead the army to fight the enemy in person. Only when the court is not in chaos can the stability of the Song Dynasty be guaranteed." Duke Cao Bin of Lu followed suit and seconded the motion.
"I second your opinion! Your Highness the Prince of Qin must not lead the army to meet the enemy in person!"
"I second the motion!" "I second the motion!"
There was a commotion in the hall, and most officials remained silent, watching the two sides arguing.
The King of Qin raised his hand and pressed it down, and the hall suddenly became quiet, with only the sound of the minister who was angry and still panting.
The King of Qin swept his ministers with a deep gaze, and said calmly but without question, "I order Bohai County Prince Gao Huaide to lead the army, Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong to be the vanguard commanders, and lead 30,000 troops to fight Pan Mei!"
The officials were in an uproar again. Gao Huaide was fine as the commander of the army, but how could Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong be qualified to be the vanguard commander? There were many military commanders with more seniority than them in the capital, so how could these two little guys get the limelight?
Qin Wang Zhao Defang raised his hand again, and the noisy hall immediately fell silent. The ministers who were dissatisfied also shut their mouths tightly. They dared not try the majesty of Qin Wang again, lest they be like Wu Mian, the Chief Censor, who disrespected Qin Wang's supervision and made a noise in the court, and was dismissed from office by Qin Wang as an example to others.
"This matter has been decided. I guarantee that the two young generals, Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong, will scare Pan Mei to death. Prince Gao, I will send you another thousand elite Moyun cavalry as the main attack vanguard. This battle will be won!"
The King of Qin's confident words were like the sound of a war drum beating out those who were dissatisfied and had guilty consciences. No one dared to question him again. After all, the King of Qin was the invincible war god of the Song Dynasty!
Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong, who were not qualified to attend the court, were excited to hear that His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin had chosen them as the vanguard commanders. They were eager to fight, and their belief in victory was as firm as Mount Tai!
Pan Mei led an army of 50,000 and was only 300 miles away from the capital. The 30,000 troops were dispatched to suppress the rebellion that day, with Gao Huaide as the commander-in-chief, Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong as the vanguard commanders. One thousand elite Moyun cavalry were led by Wu Xing and Mo Wen, and they were followed by four female generals: Gao Ruoying, Yang Yanqi, Hong Gu and Pang Ying.
A day later, the two armies met head-on and each formed their own battle formation to engage in battle.
Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong came to the two armies alone. Instead of challenging the opponent's commander, they took out a bright yellow imperial edict.
Gao Yingxiong's loud voice was put to good use. His resonant and high-pitched voice resounded through the sky, recounting the numerous crimes of the rebel leader Pan Mei, and advising the soldiers of the Song Dynasty not to be deceived by Pan Mei and become the sinners of the Song Dynasty civil war. He called on the soldiers who were loyal to the country to fight back and kill the traitor Pan Mei!
Pan Mei, who was commanding the central army, saw Gao Yingxiong take out the imperial edict and read it aloud, and he cried out inwardly, "Something bad is happening!" He quickly gave orders, ordering the archers of the front army to shoot Gao Yingxiong and Cao Wei.
When the command flag was waved, the archers in front did not move. The captain who commanded the archers was an admirer of His Royal Highness the King of Qin, the God of War of the Song Dynasty, and one of the cronies of Cao Wei and Gao Yingxiong. How could he obey orders and shoot the two of them?
Gao Yingxiong read out the imperial edict smoothly. These soldiers who had no intention of treason stood in a daze on the battlefield, unable to figure out whether they were the righteous army that was defending the king and purging the corrupt officials, or the rebels who were bewitched by their commander Pan Mei and others.
Gao Yingxiong was delighted. There were many brothers who had grown up together among the imperial guards who were standing in front of him. Pan Mei put them in the front because they were strong. Wasn't this just digging a hole for himself?
"Brothers of the Imperial Guards on the opposite side! The Emperor suddenly fell ill and ordered His Royal Highness the Prince of Qin to govern the country. However, the traitor Pan Mei took the opportunity to rebel, attempting to wear the imperial robe and split the Song Dynasty.
Brothers, you are all from the capital, and your families are waiting for you in the capital. Let us bring you a message. Do not follow the traitor Pan Mei and join the evildoers. Hurry up and pick up your weapons, fight back, and kill the traitor Pan Mei. Then you can redeem yourself for your crimes, and you can reward your wife and children with titles, and you can get a promotion..."
Before Gao Yingxiong had finished his loud words, he saw a commotion in the opposing army. Countless officers and soldiers turned around and rushed back shouting!
It worked! ... Gao Yingxiong slapped his thigh happily, "Your Highness the Prince of Qin, this is a brilliant plan!"
Pan Mei saw that the situation was not good, and he sighed to the sky! "I underestimated the prestige of Qin Wang Zhao Defang in the army, Cheng Wuya misled me!..." Under the protection of his personal soldiers, he turned his horse around and ran away!
The 50,000-strong army was in chaos. The generals who had no intention of opposing the imperial court ordered their subordinates to drop their weapons, squat on the spot, and surrender!
Pan Mei rode away with three thousand personal soldiers, and a thousand elite Mo Yun cavalrymen chased after him.
Mo Wen galloped on his horse and even took the time to flatter Hong Gu beside him, "Hong Gu, I will definitely help you capture Pan Mei and let you get revenge with your own hands!"
Hong Gu bit her lower lip tightly, and rode her horse in pursuit, her eyes fixed on the large gold-rimmed banner with the Chinese character "Pan" embroidered on it. The prince and princess gave her the opportunity to avenge her husband, and she couldn't let her enemy die in the hands of others.