The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 581 Set things right
On the tenth day of August, Wu Yanzuo led more than ten Forbidden Army generals including Wang Zhengzhong, Yang Guangyi, Zhang Guanghan, Zhao Yanhui, and [-] troops to march north to fight against the Khitans.

Zhu Xiu, the king of Zhaojun, served as the military supervisor and accompanied the army on the expedition.

He was named Dujian, but in reality it was just to keep Zhu Xiu in the army and monitor him closely.

On the evening of the [-]th, Wu Yanzuo led the Chinese army to stay overnight at Chenqiao Station on the north bank of the Wuzhang River.

The former army, led by Yang Guangyi, set off a few days early and arrived in Chanzhou two days ago.

The rear army superintendent was responsible for transporting grain, grass and baggage, led by Wang Zhengzhong, and it would take two days to completely transport it across the Wuzhang River.

The Wuzhang River is a waterway for water transportation in and out of Kaifeng City. It is impossible to build fixed bridges and can only rely on a few pontoon bridges to transport soldiers and horses that need to cross the river on the north and south sides. There are also some awning boats parked on the river bank, which are usually used to transport merchants to and from the two sides. .

After nightfall, Wu Yanzuo was just about to lie down and rest when suddenly a bodyguard came to report:
"Report ~ General Wang Zhengzhong sent people to report that two cargo ships came from Kaifeng and crashed into the pontoon erected on the river. General Wang sent a small boat to stop them and docked them on the shore. The other party seemed to have a good background. General Wang did not If you dare to make decisions without authorization, I’m here to report it to the commander-in-chief!”

Wu Yanzuo sat on the edge of the bed and said angrily: "It's a joke. I was ordered by the Queen Mother and Her Majesty to lead the army north to deal with the Khitans. Who is so short-sighted as to dare to break through the Caohe blockade and delay my army's schedule?"

The guard said honestly: "General Wang said that the owner of the cargo ship claims to be a relative of the emperor, and his attitude is arrogant. He also holds a document that can be used in all prefectures and counties in the world, with a seal on it!"

"What?!" Wu Yanzuo raised his voice. He had never heard of any merchant doing business in the name of a relative of the emperor, and holding a customs clearance document stamped with the emperor's seal.

Wu Yanzuo took a few steps and said, "Change your clothes, prepare your horse, and go see the real situation for yourself!"

As soon as he put on his robe, Wu Yanzuo thought of something else and ordered: "Go and invite Prince Zhao and ask him to follow me!"

After a while, Zhu Xiu, who was in disheveled robes, followed the bodyguard with sleepy eyes.

Wu Yanzuo smiled hypocritically and said, "I'm sorry to disturb King Zhao. There was some trouble when the rear army was crossing the river. Please ask King Zhao to go with me."

Zhu Xiu yawned, nodded without saying anything, and climbed on the horse listlessly.

The group of people left through the front door of the hotel.

At the same time, five miles west of Chenqiaoyi, an infantry of more than [-] people was marching quickly under the cover of night.
Half an hour later, Wu Yanzuo took Zhu Xiu to the Wuzhang River.

I saw two common flat-bottomed trough boats moored on the shore, with men dressed as boatmen holding torches and weapons patrolling the boats.

The pontoon bridge originally built on the river has been washed to pieces.

Wu Yanzuo said angrily: "You dare to destroy the pontoon bridge and block our army from crossing the river. Why don't you send troops to seize the two ships? Where is the person in charge on the ship? Bring him to see me!"

Wang Zhengzhong smiled bitterly and said: "Mr. Wu, calm down and please take a look at this first!"

Wang Zhengzhong took out a piece of white soft satin, Wu Yanzuo snorted and grabbed it, unfolded it and looked closely at it by the light of a torch.

I saw a bright red seal on the white soft satin, with several large seal characters prominently visible.

Before Wu Yanzuo joined the army, he had studied and passed the imperial examination. After careful identification, he immediately recognized the seal script. His eyes widened in shock and he took a breath.

Wang Zhengzhong swallowed his saliva: "May I ask Mr. Wu, what does this big seal mean?"

Cold sweat broke out on Wu Yanzuo's forehead unconsciously, he raised his sleeves to wipe it, and said in shock: "'Ordered by Tianming, Wei Deyunchang'! This is the emperor's mandated treasure! Why does it appear in this wilderness?"

"What!?" Wang Zhengzhong also opened his mouth in surprise.

Wu Yanzuo looked around in disbelief. In front of him was the wide and calm Wuzhang River, not far behind was Chenqiaoyi Station, and all around were the tidal flats and woodland beside the river.

How could the Emperor's Mandate Treasure, which was supposed to be placed deep inside the Kaifeng Palace, appear here strangely?
Wu Yanzuo held the white soft satin and turned it over and over to make sure that he was not dazzled. This seal was indeed the emperor's treasure.

He also knew that this seal was engraved by Shi Jingtang. When Shi Chonggui, the emperor of Jin Dynasty, was moved to Liaodong by the Khitans, he left it behind and fell into the hands of Liu Zhiyuan, becoming the founding talisman of the Later Han Dynasty.

In the third year of Qianyou's reign, Taizu Guo Wei conquered Kaifeng, and this seal became the founding talisman of the Zhou Dynasty.

Guo Wei and Chai Rong did not like using the things left by Shi Jingtang, so they ordered several seals to be carved and kept in a high cabinet. They would only use them when issuing edicts during major sacrificial ceremonies and never see them at ordinary times.

Wu Yanzuo looked at the two canal boats blankly, wondering who on earth would carry a token stamped with the emperor's imperial seal.

Zhu Xiu stood not far away and looked around, looking like he was doing nothing.

Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong trotted to the shore, saluted the big man with a knife standing by the bridge and said, "May I ask who the owner of your ship is?"

The big man glanced sideways at Wu Yanzuo and said proudly: "If Mr. Wu wants to know, you can get on the boat and take a look."

Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong looked at each other in shock. These people with unknown origins knew that he was the prime minister of the dynasty and was leading an army on an expedition, yet they dared to be so arrogant. Could it be that they were relying on something behind them?

Wu Yanzuo wanted to take people aboard the ship, but the big man stopped him and said, "Xianggong Wu and General Wang can just invite themselves on board."

Wu Yanzuo hesitated for a moment, pointed at Zhu Xiu and said, "This is the current King of Zhao County, who serves as the Supervisor of the Army and Horses. Can you let me board the ship with you to pay homage to your master?"

The big man thought for a while and stepped aside.

"Ms. Wu, I won't go. It's very cold. I want to go back to the hotel to sleep~" Zhu Xiu yawned.

How could Wu Yanzuo leave Zhu Xiu behind? Zhu Xiu had no choice but to follow them on board the ship.

When he got down to the cabin, Wu Yanzuo discovered that the tanker was not carrying any cargo at all, and the cabin was empty.

The candles lit around were a bit dazzling. Wu Yanzuo covered his eyes and saw clearly that there was an incense table placed in the middle of the cabin. On the incense table were enshrined two shrines. One was written "Emperor Taizu Xiao" and the other was written "Emperor Sejongwen". ".

"This~" Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong were dumbfounded. How could the emperors of Taizu and Shizong of the Zhou Dynasty appear here?
A hooded figure wearing a black cloak walked out of the cabin and stood in front of the incense table with his hands behind his hands.

He lifted his hood, revealing a solemn and square face.

Wu Yanzuo looked at him in horror, "Yang Tingzhang? Why are you? Why are you here?"

The person who came was none other than Yang Tingzhang, the envoy of the Zhangxin Army who was supposed to be stationed in Jeju.

Yang Tingzhang also has another identity. He is Guo Wei's brother-in-law.

Yang Tingzhang's sister is Guo Wei's second wife, Mrs. Yang.

It's just that Yang Tingzhang was a low-key person and didn't like the intrigues and intrigues of official life in the capital. He invited himself out of town and rarely visited Beijing for many years.

Zhu Xiu had dealt with him several times and called him Uncle Yang in private.

This time Yang Tingzhang was willing to take the risk and come here for no other reason than because Wang Jien had stolen the emperor's mandate treasure early, and together with the edict written by Chai Rong himself, and the two items were sent to Jeju, Yang Tingzhang naturally knew what to do.

Yang Tingzhang was very loyal to Chai Rong. After knowing the inside story, he would never allow Zhang Mei, Wu Yanzuo and others who usurped power and disrupted the government to exist.

The 50-year-old Yang Tingzhang, with his gorgeous appearance and extraordinary bearing, glared at Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong: "You rebellious ministers and traitors, Taizu Shizong is in front of you, why don't you kill yourself to apologize?"

Wang Zhengzhong knew he had been duped, so he drew his sword and rushed forward to chop off Yang Tingzhang's head.

Suddenly, a huge figure staggered in front of Wang Zhengzhong, and the black shadow completely enveloped him. It was Shi Xiangwen who came with Yang Tingzhang.

Shi Xiangwen stretched out his palm to hold down Wang Zhengzhong's head, and twisted it slightly. There was a click, and Wang Zhengzhong's head turned back completely, his cervical vertebrae were completely twisted, and he fell to the ground dead on the spot!

Wu Yanzuo ran up the stairs, and when he ran past Zhu Xiu, Zhu Xiu stepped back and gave him a bright smile.

Soon, there was a sound of knives chopping on the cabin overhead, and blood seeped and dripped from the gaps in the wooden boards.

Yang Tingzhang's general carried Wu Yanzuo's head down to the cabin. Yang Tingzhang cut off Wang Zhengzhong's head with his own hands, and placed the two bloody heads on the incense table.

"Your Majesty, Yang Tingzhang, pay homage to the prince!" Yang Tingzhang bowed respectfully.

Zhu Xiu hurriedly leaned over to help: "Uncle Yang, please forgive me!"

Zhu Xiu held his hand tightly and said sincerely: "To eliminate the rebellious party, we also need Uncle Yang's efforts!"

Yang Tingzhang said: "Your Majesty, on the orders of the late Emperor, assists in government affairs and assumes total military and political power. Once the orders are issued, all parties are convinced!"

At the same time, Pan Mei and Shi Shouxin led Qianliuzhuang soldiers and horses to attack Chenqiaoyi, killing Zhang Guanghan, Zhao Yanhui and other rebel generals.

Yang Tingzhang and Shi Xiangwen guarded Zhu Xiu, and there were [-] Jeju soldiers in another tanker. They captured the heads of Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong, summoned the central and rear troops, and announced that the rebels were plotting rebellion. King Zhao used the emperor's order treasure as a token of honor. The first emperor ordered the Qing emperor to side.

Zhu Xiuben was the chief inspector in front of the palace, and under his command were two generals, Pan Mei and Shi Shouxin, who were familiar with the Forbidden Army officers. Now he took out the emperor's mandate treasure and the imperial edict to clear the emperor's side in the name of an auxiliary minister. Wu Yanzuo and Wang Zhengzhong had already been executed. Next, he successfully took over the military power.

At noon on the second day, the deafening sound of horse hooves came from the official road in the direction of Chanzhou. Zhang Yongde, the governor of Chanzhou and the king of Wujun, successfully killed Yang Guangyi, took his head, and led the remaining imperial troops and Chanzhou troops, totaling more than [-] people. A large number of people rushed to Chenqiaoyi and met Zhu Xiu.

Zhu Xiu took himself as the commander, Zhang Yongde and Yang Tingzhang were his deputies, and Pan Mei and Shi Shouxin were the vanguards. They led the army to Kaifeng under the banner of following the late emperor's order to clear the emperor's side.

~~~
When all the imperial troops led by Zhu Xiu crossed the Wuzhang River, news of the mutiny at Chenqiaoyi spread back to Kaifeng City.

Han Tong, who was stationed in Waiguo City, climbed to the north gate and stared at the northern official road shrouded in darkness.

Seemingly hesitating for a long time, Han Tong said in a deep voice: "Go quickly to convey the order and mobilize the Shenyong Army and Guangyong Army to garrison Beiweng City."

Generals Liu Qingyi and Liu Shouzhong, who were standing behind Han Tong, looked at each other and did not follow the order. Instead, they held the sabers at their waists and stared at him closely.

"What?" Han Tong glanced at the two hands holding the sword.

Liu Qingyi clasped his fists and said, "Commander Han, please listen to what I have to say. Zhang Mei, Wu Yanzuo, Zhao Kuangyi and others dared to disobey the late emperor's wishes and usurp power, and they will not be punished!"
Prince Zhao was supposed to assist the government in accordance with the late emperor's wishes, but he was persecuted by traitorous officials. In order to prevent Kaifeng from falling into civil strife, he took the initiative to give in.

Unexpectedly, the puppet queen mother and the traitorous party continued to persecute her and wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to send troops to kill Prince Zhao.

Now, the Prince of Zhao County responded to the request and raised troops to eliminate the traitors, save the young master in danger, and support the country from falling. This is a very popular move!

I also hope that Han Shuai will assess the situation, comply with the people's will, and open the city to welcome the army of Prince Zhao back to the city! "Han Tong frowned and looked at the two generals, "Why did you two help him speak when Zhu Xiu was deposed in Chuzhou? "

Liu Shouzhong smiled and said: "Han Shuai misunderstood. We have been greatly favored by Prince Zhao, how can we dare to be such ungrateful villains?"

Han Tong suddenly realized that Er Liu had been Zhu Xiu's people for a long time, and Chuzhou's demotion was just a ploy to show others.

After a moment of silence, Han Tong said coldly: "What if I don't agree?"

The two men looked at each other, pulled out their sabers, and placed them on Han Tong's shoulders.

"If Han Shuai doesn't understand current affairs, don't blame us for being unkind!" Liu Shouzhong said sternly.

Liu Qingyi also advised: "Generals Han Lingkun, Wang Shenqi, Gao Huaide, An Shouzhong, Mi Xin, and Tian Chongjin have already made an appointment to rise up together today to respond to King Zhao. The people in front of the palace are already panicked, and several generals are palace officials." The old generals from the former department are now revolting together, and the puppets arranged by Zhang Mei, Wu Yanzuo and others in front of the palace are simply unable to resist."

Just as he was talking, rumbling explosions came from the Xincao Gate in the East Weng City, the Bianhe Shangshui Gate in the West Weng City, the North Jinshui Gate in the Inner City, and many places in the Inner City.

Under the night, earth-shattering explosions were heard one after another from the direction of the inner city, and firelight flashed from time to time, which was particularly conspicuous in the dark night.

Er Liu looked excited, and the roar of thunder was the signal for an uprising.

Hearing this movement, the inner city had already taken the lead.

"How about Han Shuai, I would like to advise you as soon as possible."

Before Liu Shouzhong finished speaking, Han Tong made a lightning-fast move, grabbed the two's wrists, and twisted them outwards. The two of them were in pain, and the knife in their hands fell to the ground with a clang.

The two covered their wrists and backed away in fear, glaring at Han Tong angrily.

"I hate being coerced the most in my life!" Han Tong swore coldly, picked up two knives and threw them to Er Liu.

Er Liu caught the knife and looked at him in confusion.

Han Tong said coldly: "Although I am a rough man, I can still tell the difference between loyalty and treachery. Prince Zhao may not be a good person, but I believe in his loyalty to the late emperor, and I believe that the late emperor will not misjudge the person."

Er Liu said happily: "Han Shuai agrees to join us in the uprising?"

Han Tong was silent for a while and said in a deep voice: "When Prince Zhao enters the city, take me to see him. Han has no other request, I just hope that he can save the life of the young emperor."

Er Liu clasped his fists and accepted the promise. Han Tong sighed, then cheered up and shouted to the imperial guards under the city: "Beat the drum, open the city, and welcome the army of Prince Zhao into the city!"

~~~
Prince Zhao's Mansion.

As soon as riots broke out in the inner city, Zhang Qiong decisively ordered an attack on the gate of the mansion.

The resistance in the prince's palace was more intense than he expected. Hundreds of soldiers relied on the favorable terrain and took advantage of the shelter of the houses and pavilions to delay the more than a thousand forbidden troops led by Zhang Qiong for more than an hour.

No one surrendered until the last guard of the county palace was killed.

Zhang Qiong was covered in blood and looked around with a bloody knife. Bodies everywhere even blocked the corridor.

Zhang Qiong couldn't help but feel nervous. What kind of terrible group of dead soldiers were these? How many more people were there? How much effort did Zhu Xiu put in to train them?

"General, no women and children were found in the mansion! However, a tunnel was found in the northeast corner of the mansion, leading directly to a house outside Tianshui Lane near the Bianhe River. It is believed that the Zhu family members escaped from the tunnel and took a boat to escape by water."

After searching around and finding nothing, the soldiers rushed back to report.

Zhang Qiong was so angry that he cursed and fought for a long time, but he didn't catch any of the Zhu family members.

A sergeant rushed to report in a panic: "Mr. Zhao, please ask the general to return to the army quickly to rescue Erlangjun! Han Lingkun and Wang Shenqi have killed Zhang Lingduo and Zhang Guanghan, and most of the forbidden troops have defected. The two kings of Han are leading their troops to attack Zichen Door!"

Zhang Qiong was shocked and angry: "Where is Zhao Pu?"

"Mr. Zhao has fled to the outer city!"

"What? Bastard!" Zhang Qiong yelled. Zhao Pu led his men to escape, but asked him to rescue Zhao Kuangyi who was trapped in the inner palace.

But Zhao Kuangyi had to save him, otherwise how could he have the face to see Zhao Kuangyin.

"Order all your troops and follow me!" Zhang Qiong shouted, not caring about searching Zhu's family, and hurriedly led his people to the palace city.

~~~
In Funing Hall, Fu Jinwan, who was woken up just after falling asleep, ran out of the hall barefoot with her hair disheveled. She saw flames rising toward the sky from the direction of Zichen Gate, the main entrance of the palace, and the shouts of killing seemed to be getting closer and closer.

"Wang Jien! What happened?" Fu Jinwan screamed in panic.

Wang Jien stumbled and ran from the corridor: "To the Queen Mother, something bad happened. Zhu Xiu instigated a mutiny in Chenqiaoyi, killed Wu Yanzuo, Wang Zhengzhong, and Yang Guangyi, rebelled against the Imperial Army, and returned to Kaifeng!
Han Tong had already turned to Zhu Xiu and opened the city to welcome the army into the city.

Han Lingkun, Wang Shenqi and others raided the Forbidden Army camp, beheaded Zhang Lingduo and Zhang Guanghan, gathered their troops and horses, and were now leading the Forbidden Army remaining in Beijing to storm Zichenmen! "

Fu Jinwan's face turned pale with shock, her legs and feet went weak and she almost fell.

"Escape from the palace quickly!" Fu Jinwan stood up with Wang Jien's support and ran two steps before he remembered something: "Xun'er. Go and take Xun'er with you!"

Just as Wang Jien was about to speak, Zhao Kuangyi rushed to Funing Hall under the protection of a team of soldiers led by Zhao Yanhui.

Fu Jinwan jumped on him and said in panic: "Erlang, take me away quickly! If you are late, it will be too late!"

Zhao Kuangyi comforted him and said, "Don't panic, Queen Mother. It will take some time for the rebels to break through Zichen Gate. I can take the Queen Mother and retreat calmly from Xihua Gate."

Hearing this, Fu Jinwan calmed down a little.

Zhao Kuangyi said: "Where is Your Majesty? Please let the Queen Mother know as soon as possible."

"Xun'er. Your Majesty is here." Fu Jinwan was about to say it when he suddenly realized something and grabbed Zhao Kuangyi's arm, "Send me out of the palace first!"

Zhao Kuangyi forced out a smile: "The Queen Mother, please tell me where Your Majesty is first? I will escort Your Majesty and the Queen Mother out of the palace safely!"

Fu Jinwan screamed: "Send me out of the palace first! Otherwise, I will never see His Majesty!"

Zhao Kuangyi's eyes turned cold and he pushed her away violently, "I gave you a chance to live, but you didn't want it yourself! Wang Jien!"

"The slave is here!" Wang Jien knelt on the ground, glanced at Fu Jinwan, and said hey: "Your Majesty is in the Huangyi Palace, imprisoned with Zhu Xiu's wife and children!"

Fu Jinwan pointed at Wang Jien in disbelief and cursed sharply: "Dog slave! How dare you betray me!"

Zhao Kuangyi laughed and said: "Do you think you can make my people willingly surrender to you just because you are a queen mother?"

Wang Jien quickly stood up and stood respectfully behind Zhao Kuangyi.

Fu Jinwan fell to the ground, with disheveled hair and a dull face.

Zhao Kuangyi glanced at her with disgust and hurried towards the Huangyi Palace under the leadership of Wang Jien.

Fu Jinwan fell to the ground in panic, crying miserably: "Erlang! Take me away! Erlang~"

~~~~
The door of Huangyi Palace opened with a bang, and soldiers poured in. Zhao Kuangyi walked into the hall and looked around, but there was no one.

"Where's the person?" Zhao Kuangyi glared at Wang Jien.

Wang Jien said hurriedly: "It's unexpected. I hid the three of them in a side pavilion of the inner hall. Mr. Erlang, please come with me!"

Wang Jien held a lantern and led the way forward. Zhao Kuangyi did not think otherwise and ordered Zhao Yanhui to be on guard in the palace. He followed Wang Jien to the side pavilion of the inner palace.

After bypassing the screen and passing through the curtain door, we found ourselves in a slightly cramped side pavilion. The desks and chairs were covered with dust, and the beams were covered with spider webs. It looked like no one had been there for many years.

"Where is it?" Zhao Kuangyi looked around, becoming more and more suspicious.

As soon as he stepped into the side pavilion, Wang Jien, who was walking in front, suddenly picked up a lantern and threw it at Zhao Kuangyi.

Zhao Kuangyi was shocked and subconsciously took a step back. Hot wax water splashed out of the lantern and fell on his face. He covered his face and screamed in pain.

With a flash of light, Wang Jien shook the dagger from his sleeve and stabbed him fiercely in the chest.

Zhao Kuangyi has been practicing martial arts for many years, and finally came in handy at a critical moment. The moment the dagger was stabbed, his body fell over, he stretched his legs and tried his best to kick Wang Jien in the waist and abdomen.

With a scream, Wang Jien retreated a few steps, covered his stomach and bent down for a while, retching, sweating all over his face in pain.

Zhao Yanhui, who came over after hearing the noise, drew his knife and rushed forward. Wang Jien quickly pushed open a wooden cabinet placed against the wall. Under the wooden cabinet, there was a hole in the wall that could be drilled out by one person.

Wang Jien squatted down and quickly drilled a hole to escape from the Imperial Palace.

"Don't chase!" Zhao Kuangyi shouted hurriedly. He listened carefully and heard the footsteps of a large number of soldiers running outside the hall.

"Let's go! Leave the palace first!" Zhao Kuangyi suppressed his anger and fled to Xihua Gate in panic under the cover of Zhao Yanhui.

Xihua Gate was an escape route that Zhao Kuangyi had prepared long ago, and the guards were all private soldiers of the Zhao family. After the two parties met, they hurriedly escaped from the palace.

~~~
Deep in the inner palace, in an abandoned house near the Forbidden Garden, Fu Jinhuan and his two children, Zhu Yuanjian and Chai Zongxun, hid in a corner of a room where debris was piled.

Fu Jinhuan hugged the two children tightly, comforting them softly from time to time.

The two children cuddled up to her obediently.

There were faint cries and shouts of killing in the palace city, and there was a sky-high firelight that illuminated the black sky. Through the crack in the door, Fu Jinhuan saw a blazing red fire in the direction of the palace city.

She suppressed her fear, hugged her two children tightly, and prayed silently in her heart
(End of this chapter)