Chapter 124:
Changle Gate suddenly opened.
The dynasties have always changed. As long as there is a military dispute, the people will inevitably suffer. Even a few days ago, Chang'an was only besieged by heavy troops, and the city was almost surrounded by a dead city.
Not only do you have to search your body carefully, but you also have to check up and down the guards outside the city gate. Even so, it is a fortune to pass.
Many caravans were trapped inside and outside the city, unable to get in and out, and many people from other places could not return home. There are also some families who have had major or minor accidents, and are also trapped in the city and cannot enter or leave.
But no one dared to speak.
Nowadays, the imperial city is a mess, and even the emperor has a strange illness and is unconscious, what else do they dare to ask for?
I just hope that the last battle will not start, and it will come to the city.
But this morning, there was still a fight outside the city.
Just after noon, the city gates from north to south were closed one after another. The entire Chang'an was imprisoned, and only the faint sounds of fighting outside the city and the sound of swords and flames could be heard.
Until afternoon, Changle Gate opened.
Changle Gate leads directly to Changle Street, go straight north, and you can reach Xuanwu Gate outside the Imperial City.
At this time, Changle Street, which could run parallel to eight carriages, was empty and no pedestrians could be seen. The people in the city who had received the news long ago hid in their homes with their doors and windows closed.
They know that no matter which side wins, the army will rush into the city.
When the army enters the city, there will be some turmoil, and it is unknown if there will even be street fighting in the city. What's more, soldiers enter the city, but there is no reason to return empty-handed. Eighty percent of the time, there will be some looting. Even if the doors and windows are locked, it is useless.
After all, a few days ago, Chang'an was just besieged by the army, and it was already a mess. Now that the army has entered the city, how can it be possible to let it go?
The people in the city hid in their houses, and the residents facing the street looked out carefully through the gaps in the windows.
The city gate was wide open, and the sound of horse hooves and the collision of armor could be heard in the distance. Like a roar of thunder, it spread into the city from far and near.
The whole army was quiet and tidy, lined up all the way, and entered the city from Changle Gate. The people looked through the windows and saw an army in black armor going north along Changle Street.
The queue is very long, and there can be thousands of people entering the city. But when the army passed by, the whole street was quiet and peaceful, and it was not affected at all.
The people in the city knew at a glance that they had escaped this time.
The coach who entered the city must be a strict and upright general.
The people in the city couldn't help but sigh, fortunately they were the ones who won the battle.
Gradually, when the army left, some people dared to take to the streets. After a while, officers and men came to inform each household that the eight city gates could resume normal traffic today. Those who want to pass can prepare their documents in advance and can enter and leave today.
It didn't take long for Changle Street to return to its former peace and prosperity.
However, after breathing a sigh of relief, they became curious.
"Where did the army that entered the city come from?" Someone began to ask in a restaurant.
Everyone is naturally unclear. But someone said: "Wearing in black armor, I heard that it was the Yanyun Iron Cavalry of Yan County."
Others asked: "Yan County? Didn't Yan County fall two years ago?"
The man shook his head and said, "Although Yan County is gone, there is still a part of Yanyun Iron Cavalry. I heard that it was merged into another army, I don't know why it came today."
Someone suddenly asked: "Yanyun Iron Cavalry? Could it be that the one who can command the Yanjun army is the King of Guangling?"
The name of King Guangling is like thunder in Chang'an.
At that time, everyone knew that he was a born evil star, and he was sent to Yan County as soon as he was born. The fall of Yanjun two years ago was also related to his fate.
However, since the beginning of last year, when the king was conferred and established, the King of Guangling became more and more powerful in the court, and even Xu Xiang did not dare to provoke him.
The people of Chang'an City don't know the situation of the temple, but they also know that Xu Xiang is a powerful character under one person and above ten thousand people. Since he is more powerful than Xu Xiang, wouldn't he be the emperor sooner or later?
Everyone has this kind of guess, just dare not say it.
At this time, when King Guangling was mentioned, everyone felt it made sense.
Who will be the prince and the ruler now? It is the fourth prince. The King of Guangling is the fifth prince. Now that the emperor has a strange disease, isn't it the two of them who are the king and the loser?
At this moment, everyone has a number in their hearts.
Someone said: "Didn't they all say that King Guangling is a evil star? I think it's pretty good..."
Everyone naturally has this idea in their hearts, but no one is the first to speak. Now that the army surrounded by the city has been subdued, everyone has become more courageous.
Hearing this, they all echoed.
"The army outside the city said that it was an order, but these days, what are they doing?"
"Yeah, they said they were not allowed to return to Beijing, but what would they do with us locked up?"
"The shop pays rent, and it needs to buy goods to do business. In the past few days, we have been disturbed by a lot of trouble, and we lost a lot of money to go in."
"In my opinion, this King of Guangling is better than the Fourth Highness."
"What is the fate, I think it is wrong? After all, there are times when the fortune-teller is wrong..."
Everyone in the restaurant started to praise Xue Yan gradually.
Suddenly, someone said: "I just looked carefully, the one at the beginning of the team might be King Guangling."
Someone asked: "What does it look like?"
The man was very serious: "He is very heroic, tall and mighty, and looks like a man! It's just..."
"Just what?"
The man thought for a while, then shook his head and said nothing.
It's just that he seemed to see at the time that there were not one person, but two people who didn't wear black armor.
I just don't know which of them is the King of Guangling?
—
Suzaku Street is located outside the First Street of the Imperial City, and on both sides of the street are the residences of dignitaries.
The army stopped here.
Xue Yan pulled back his horse and turned to look at Jun Huailang.
"You go home first," he said.
Jun Huailang nodded.
Now that the situation in the palace is unstable, Xue Yan and Xue Yunhong, naturally, they have to separate a life and death. As Jun Huailang, he is not suitable to be involved, and he also knows that there is nothing for him to do.
He looked at Xue Yan, nodded, and saw Xue Yan turned back and looked at him fixedly.
"Be careful." Jun Huailang urged.
Xue Yan nodded.
"Don't worry," he said. "I don't dare to die now."
Jun Huailang laughed softly.
"Then I'm relieved," he said.
Speaking, he turned his horse's head, walked out of the team of Yanyun Iron Cavalry alone, turned and walked towards Suzaku Street.
After walking a few steps, he turned around and saw Xue Yan looking at him.
Xue Yan did not speak again, but those eyes were unusually deep.
Jun Huailang suddenly felt that he is not without things to do now.
He now has a very strong urge.
He wants to go home and tell his family frankly about himself and Xue Yan.
—
There is no secret passage in the palace.
After Xue Yunhong and Xu Xiang agreed, Xu Xiang planned to let him escape first from the secret passage in the palace. Although this secret passage can only lead to the imperial city, but the city of Chang'an is so big, if you want to find a person, it is also a needle in a haystack.
They brought the materials and put on the imperial seal of the Qingping Emperor. They planned to forge an imperial decree of Emperor Qingping, pretending to be a secret decree written by Emperor Qingping before his illness, and to make the fourth prince the crown prince.
The battle for the throne depends not only on who has the most powerful forces behind and who is strong in army and horses, but also depends on who is justified.
At that time, they tried every means to send Xue Yunhong out of Chang'an to Qinmenguan. Qinmenguan still has a part of the defenders, which can be used by them. At that time, they announced the imperial decree, Xue Yunhong was the one who should inherit the throne, and even if Xue Yan sat on the throne, he would be a traitor who usurped power and seized the throne.
By then, they will not be without a chance to fight back.
Xue Yunhong entered the secret passage.
The secret passage is in the imperial study, all the way out, you can go out from the east of the imperial city. They didn't know this at first, but Xue Yunhong had a Ling Fu by his side. He followed Emperor Qingping all the year round, and he also knew this hiding place.
Lingfu opened the trap for them, and let them escape with him.
A group of people held up the lights and entered the secret passage.
The secret passage is dark and narrow. This secret passage was built when the palace was built in the previous dynasty. It has not been used for many years and has long been abandoned. There is no one to take care of the road all the year round. Not only is there no light, but it also exudes a musty smell of decay.
Xue Yunhong stumbled, never been so embarrassed.
He gritted his teeth.
"Today's humiliation will be repaid a hundredfold in the future!" he said.
Xu Xiang followed behind him. Hearing his words, although he was still worried, he was somewhat relieved.
He was afraid that Xue Yunhong would be afraid, and since then, if they survived, the century-old foundation of their Xu family will also be destroyed.
"Your Highness has this ambition, and I feel more at ease," he said. "Although the Xu family is not as good as in the past, there are still some soldiers and horses, and there is gold and silver for emergency rescue. Your Highness just let it go, and the family will definitely help your Highness to return to Chang'an."
Xue Yunhong gritted his teeth and said, "And Xue Yan, I will make him die."
Xu Xiang nodded.
"According to the estimated time, Xue Yan should not have entered the city at this time, and we can escape safely." He said. "It's just that Your Highness still needs to be cautious, and don't be impatient. We can make plans for these things when we make the imperial decree and return to Qinmen Pass."
Xue Yunhong responded.
Several people moved forward.
The imperial city is huge, and the imperial study is still in the middle of the imperial city. Xue Yunhong walked all the way until his legs and feet became weak, his robe was covered with dirt and moss, and the hem of his clothes was trampled into mud. Only then did he hear Lingfu's voice.
"It's here!" said Lifu. "Don't worry, Your Highness, the exit is right in front of you!"
Xue Yunhong only felt that he was about to vomit from the musty smell in the tunnel. Hearing this, he quickly looked forward.
It was still dark, but Lingfu reached out and touched the secret door.
"Going out is a small corner outside the city wall." Lingfu said while pushing the door. "In the direction of Your Highness, this place is secluded and no one ever comes."
Speaking, the door was pushed open, and bright light poured in instantly.
However, before he could take his first breath of fresh air, he was stunned.
A chair was placed at the entrance of the tunnel, and it was Xue Yan who sat on top.
He folded his legs, rested one hand on the armrest, and pointed his chin with his fingers. On both sides of him, a large group of black armor soldiers were displayed, like an indestructible wall.
Xue Yunhong stared blankly at those amber eyes.
The eyes were full of impatience, cold as ice.
"Xue Yunhong, when you are smart, you didn't expect to be so stupid." The corners of his lips twitched into a cold arc, revealing a mocking smile.
"The only tunnel up and down the entire palace, right next to the East Factory, where do you think you can go?"