paranoianovel Chapter 567 The Emperor of This Realm
Chapter 567 The Emperor of This Realm
I don't know.
In fact, besides Cao Zhengchun uniting with many Ming Dynasty masters, many masters within the Dragon Guard Manor also joined Cao Zhengchun's camp.
This is the story of Tianya!
Duan Tianya had long since lost trust in Zhu Wushi. In Duan Tianya's view, Zhu Wushi had always been passively resisting the enemy. Moreover, as the number one expert in the Ming Kingdom, Zhu Wushi had never gone to assassinate Zhu Ying.
Furthermore, after Cheng Shifei was killed by Zhu Ying, Zhu Ying did not express any opinion and even ordered all martial arts practitioners in the Dragon Guard Manor not to avenge Cheng Shifei.
Over time, Zhu Wushi lost the support of the people.
When Duan Tianya learned that Cao Zhengchun had gathered all the martial arts masters to resist the Ming Empire, he naturally felt a strong desire to join them.
Afterwards, Duan Tianya told Gui Haiyidao and Shangguan Haitang about this matter. In the end, the three of them unanimously decided to join Cao Zhengchun's camp as well!
……
A few days later.
Under the leadership of Lan Yu, Guo Zhen, and Mu Ying, the Ming Empire's army swiftly crushed the Ming army with the force of an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves!
On all fronts, the Ming army suffered repeated defeats!
In particular, Wu Longhui, the first general of the Ming Dynasty, was completely defeated by the army of the Ming Empire in the Battle of Shanhai Pass!
After this battle, Wu Longhui's 300,000 Ming troops were completely wiped out!
With the fall of Shanhaiguan, the Ming Empire's army advanced swiftly towards the capital of the Ming Dynasty on the northern front.
at the same time.
Within the capital and palace of the Ming Dynasty.
The Ming emperor could hardly sleep at night, even though Cao Zhengchun had summoned all the martial arts masters in the Ming Dynasty to protect him.
However, the Ming emperor was also well aware that although these martial arts masters appeared numerous and powerful, they might not necessarily be a match for Zhu Ying.
Inside the Imperial Study, Zhu Houzhao was reviewing military reports from various regions when Cao Zhengchun suddenly burst into the room!
This really gave Zhu Houzhao a big fright!
Zhu Houzhao hurriedly said, "What's wrong! You didn't have my decree, how did you suddenly come in!"
"Could it be... that the Ming Dynasty's army has already stormed the capital?"
Zhu Houzhao pressed on, his voice filled with panic.
Upon seeing this, Cao Zhengchun quickly explained, "Your Majesty, the army of the Ming Empire has not yet entered the capital. Please do not be alarmed!"
To be fair, when the Ming emperor heard Cao Zhengchun's words, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then, the Ming emperor said with some dissatisfaction, "Since the Ming army has not yet entered the capital, why are you so flustered?"
just.
What Cao Zhengchun said next completely broke the Ming emperor's composure.
Cao Zhengchun immediately reported, "Your Majesty, although the Ming Empire's army has not yet breached the city walls, they are close. According to the frontline battle report, Wu Longhui has been defeated!"
"The entire army of 300,000 was wiped out at Shanhaiguan!"
"If nothing unexpected happens, in three days, the army of the Ming Empire will storm into the capital!"
no doubt.
As soon as Cao Zhengchun finished speaking, the Ming emperor was completely dumbfounded. He said in a trembling voice, "What!"
"An army of 300,000 men was completely wiped out!"
"What on earth is Wu Longhui doing?!"
"idiot!"
Zhu Houzhao was well aware that the 300,000 troops were almost all the elite forces of the Ming Dynasty. If all 300,000 troops were wiped out, then the Ming Dynasty would have completely lost the initiative in military matters!
"Your Majesty, things have come to this point, we have no choice but to move the capital immediately!"
"Your Majesty, we urge you to move the capital to Southern Zhili as soon as possible!"
"Only in this way can my Ming Kingdom have a chance to catch its breath!" In Cao Zhengchun's view, since the main force of the Ming Kingdom has been destroyed, the Great Ming Empire will surely break through its capital in a short period of time!
Although the capital city has many martial arts masters, no matter how many martial arts masters there are, they cannot withstand the army of the Ming Empire, which numbers over 100,000!
Therefore... in Cao Zhengchun's view, the best course of action at present is to move the capital as soon as possible!
Only in this way can the Ming Dynasty have some way out!
However, Zhu Houzhao did not want to move the capital.
After all, if the capital were moved, the morale of the army would waver. Moreover, once Zhu Houzhao left the center of power, even if he returned to Southern Zhili, he would not be able to secure his rule.
Therefore, he still wanted to engage in a direct confrontation with the army of the Ming Empire.
In addition, the capital of the Ming Dynasty has now been repaired and is quite sturdy. He believes that if he fights personally, he may have a fighting chance.
So Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said to Cao Zhengchun in a resolute tone, "The capital must not be moved! The emperor must die for the country! I will protect the capital."
Afterwards, Zhu Houzhao ordered Cao Zhengchun: "Summon all officials for a meeting immediately. Now that things have come to this, I want everyone to understand that anyone who deserts in the face of battle will be executed without mercy!"
It must be said that Zhu Houzhao was quite decisive.
When Cao Zhengchun heard what Zhu Houzhao said, he was also very surprised.
He hurriedly asked, "Your Majesty, are you sure? If this matter is decided, it cannot be changed."
Zhu Houzhao said to Cao Zhengchun in an icy tone, "Things have come to this point, and I have no way out. I must defend the capital."
"This servant understands."
Cao Zhengchun immediately said, "This servant will immediately convene a meeting of all officials to discuss countermeasures."
……
Not long after, inside the Fengtian Hall of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Palace...
Civil and military officials gathered here, along with numerous martial arts masters.
On the dragon throne, Zhu Houzhao addressed the crowd with a solemn expression: "I have just received military intelligence. Wu Longhui's army of 300,000 men was defeated by the Ming Empire's army at Shanhaiguan."
Now, the entire army of 300,000 has been wiped out.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Ming Empire's army will storm the capital within three days with unstoppable momentum.
As soon as Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, all the officials in the Fengtian Hall showed expressions of panic.
The officials discussed the situation of the war with their colleagues.
"How could it be so fast? An army of 300,000 was completely wiped out. What on earth is Wu Longhui doing?"
"Yes, these 300,000 are the elite troops of our Ming Dynasty. I never thought they couldn't even defend Shanhaiguan."
"This is really the end. It seems that the Ming Dynasty is really going to follow in the footsteps of the Jin and Song Dynasties."
"Oh dear, what are we going to do? I never thought that my Ming Kingdom would end up like this."
"What else can we do? We'll just have to move the capital as soon as possible."
"Relocate the capital? Even if we relocate the capital, what good will it do? Our Ming Dynasty is no match for the Great Ming Empire. Relocating the capital would be meaningless."
On the dragon throne, Zhu Houzhao saw the civil and military officials arguing fiercely, and then he suddenly coughed.
He then shouted loudly, "Shut up, all of you!"
Immediately, the entire Fengtian Hall fell into complete silence.
All eyes turned to the Ming emperor seated on the dragon throne. At that moment, Zhu Houzhao glanced at Zhu Wushi, the Iron-Blooded Marquis.
Zhu Houzhao said in an icy tone, "Divine Marquis, things have come to this point, and the Dragon Guard Manor must exert its strength."
"Immediately dispatch all the experts from the Dragon Guard Manor to establish a defensive line around the capital. They must inflict heavy casualties on the Ming Empire's army."
just,
After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, Zhu Wushi did not make any response.
Cao Zhengchun, who was standing next to the Ming emperor, was also furious when he saw this scene.
He immediately raised his voice at Zhu Wushi and said, "Didn't you hear what the Emperor said? Divine Marquis, are you trying to disobey orders?"
Now that things had come to this, Zhu Wushi no longer wanted to pretend. He slowly walked up to the Ming emperor.
"Your Majesty, I would like to reiterate that with our current national strength, it is simply unrealistic to expect us to resist the Ming Empire."
It was all in vain.
Your humble servant believes that it would be better to surrender immediately, as this would offer at least one chance of survival.
Clearly, Zhu Wushi's words caught the Ming emperor completely off guard.
Although Zhu Houzhao had a premonition that Zhu Wushi might defect to the Ming Empire, it was only a premonition.
Now, after hearing Zhu Wushi's statement, he was even more certain.
Zhu Houzhao sighed helplessly, then turned to Zhu Wushi and said, "Uncle, I know what you're thinking."
But what I want to tell you is that the Great Ming Empire has not yet conquered the Ming Kingdom, nor has the Ming Kingdom perished.
I am still the Emperor of this Ming Dynasty, and as the Lord of the Dragon Guard Manor, you must naturally obey my orders.
Do you intend to defy the imperial decree?
As soon as the Ming emperor finished speaking, Cao Zhengchun and the other martial arts masters beside him began to channel their inner energy.
Clearly, if Zhu Wushi dared to disobey orders, then this group of martial arts masters would all fight against him simultaneously.
Although Zhu Wushi's cultivation level has reached the peak of the Divine Power Realm, it is not an easy task for him to resist this group of martial arts masters with his current strength.
Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Zhu Wushi finally obeyed the decree of the Ming emperor.
"Your humble servant obeys."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured, the Dragon Guard Manor will do everything in its power to resist the army of the Ming Empire."
And at this moment,
Wu Longhui suddenly barged into the Fengtian Hall.
However, Wu Longhui is now seriously injured and in a very sorry state.
As Wu Longhui ran, he shouted, "This humble general pays his respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"
On the dragon throne, the Ming emperor was greatly surprised to see Wu Longhui arrive.
Zhu Houzhao originally thought that Wu Longhui must have died on the battlefield, after all, the 300,000 troops he led had been completely wiped out.
Unexpectedly, Wu Longhui actually escaped and even came to the capital.
Zhu Houzhao then said to Wu Longhui in great anger: "You actually managed to survive by clinging to life."
How dare you come to this capital? I entrusted you with my 300,000-strong army, and you have annihilated it all in a single day.
"Guards! Drag this defeated general away and behead him!"
As soon as the Ming emperor finished speaking, a number of soldiers rushed out and immediately restrained Wu Longhui.
Upon seeing this, the latter hurriedly explained, "Please spare my life, Your Majesty! It is not that I am incompetent, but that the military power of the Ming Empire is simply too strong."
Every soldier in the Ming Empire was equipped with advanced muskets, as well as various cannons.
In addition, a legion of dinosaurs will also be joining the fray!
"This humble general has done his utmost to resist, but he is no match for the Great Ming Empire."
To be honest, after Wu Longhui finished reporting the battle situation, all the officials in the Fengtian Hall panicked again.
Even Zhu Houzhao, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was clearly panicked.
At this moment, Cao Zhengchun immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty, now is a time when our Ming Kingdom needs capable people. Why not give General Wu another chance and let him guard the capital?"
General Wu, after all, has experience fighting against the Ming Empire, so he is naturally the most suitable candidate to guard the capital.
After listening to Cao Zhengchun's speech, Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Cao Zhengchun's words.
Zhu Houzhao then glanced at Wu Longhui and said, "In that case, I will give you one last chance."
There are currently 10 troops remaining in the capital. I entrust all 10 troops to you; you must repel the attack of the Ming Empire.
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Just then, the officials outside the palace rushed to Zhu Houzhao's side.
"Your Majesty, there is a special envoy from the Dali Kingdom outside the palace requesting an audience."
"An envoy from the Dali Kingdom?" Zhu Houzhao pondered for a moment after hearing this.
He addressed the officials before him, saying, "Why has the Dali Kingdom come? Could it be that they wish to form an alliance with me?"
Zhu Houzhao was quite clever. He knew very well that if his Ming Dynasty was destroyed by the Ming Empire, the Dali Kingdom would naturally also be affected.
So when he heard that the Dali Kingdom's special envoy had arrived, he guessed that the Dali Kingdom might want to form an alliance with him.
Cao Zhengchun immediately said, "Your Majesty, since the special envoy from Dali Kingdom has arrived, why not let him in and see what he wants?"
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Alright, in that case, let this special envoy in."
Immediately afterwards, the Dali envoy arrived inside the Fengtian Hall.
This person was Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan of the Dali Kingdom.
Duan Zhengchun addressed the Ming emperor, saying, "Your Majesty, our country has come here to form an alliance with your country to jointly resist the Ming Empire. If Your Majesty agrees, the Dali Kingdom will send 10 troops to support the Ming Kingdom."
Duan Zhengchun didn't waste any words with the Ming emperor, but directly stated the purpose of his visit.
After all, Duan Zhengchun was well aware that the Ming Dynasty was now on the verge of collapse.
After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao did not hesitate and immediately said, "Very well, in that case, I will form an alliance with the Dali Kingdom. As long as the Dali Kingdom can help my Ming Kingdom resist foreign enemies, my Ming Dynasty will naturally reward your country handsomely after the matter is accomplished."
After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking...
Duan Zhengchun waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I have not come here to take advantage of the chaos. The Ming Empire has already destroyed the Jin and Song dynasties."
"Furthermore, this grandson of the Ming emperor even killed Bodhidharma, the Sweeper Monk, and many Shaolin masters. This man's crimes are heinous, and our Dali Kingdom cannot let him go no matter what!"
"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!"
...(End of this chapter)