They had already received reports on the road—two armies facing off, battle about to break out at any moment, but aside from a few small-scale skirmishes at the beginning, there had been no life-and-death struggles.
Especially in recent days’ reports, Prince Zhongshan’s army had changed to a defensive posture, seemingly waiting for something.
Waiting for reinforcements?
Xiao Xun had killed three imperial envoys and used the excuse of wanting to come to the capital to see the Emperor to build momentum—stopping now and letting that momentum dissipate was not a wise move.
“The rebels heard that Your Majesty is personally leading the campaign and are too afraid to advance,” an official declared loudly.
This immediately drew a chorus of agreement. The surrounding citizens who were being held back from prostrating themselves couldn’t help shedding tears. Yes, otherwise they would have already become corpses by now.
“Your Majesty personally leads the campaign—invincible and unstoppable,” countless people knelt and shouted.
Xiao Yu couldn’t help looking up at Xie Yanfang: “Uncle, is this really so? Has the rebel Xiao Xun admitted defeat?”
Children might believe this talk of the Emperor’s might being invincible, but of course Xie Yanfang wouldn’t.
“The rebel’s fear is inevitable,” Xie Yanfang said quietly. “But if he truly admitted his crimes, he should have bound himself and come out of the city to kowtow in greeting to Your Majesty.”
Xiao Yu nodded: “I understand now. This rebel must be scheming something.” He gripped the reins tighter, his small face solemn. “No matter what he plans, I’m not afraid.”
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily: “Exactly. Your Majesty need not be afraid. Your Majesty will only make them afraid. Come, follow me—”
Having said this, Xie Yanfang spurred his horse forward at a gallop.
The generals and officials didn’t react in time.
“Your Majesty?”
“Minister Xie, where are you going?”
“The temporary palace has already been prepared in the city—”
……
……
On the streets and city walls, footsteps thundered like drums, yet still couldn’t drown out the shouting from outside the city.
Outside, it seemed like thousands of troops were shouting in unison.
“Your Majesty has arrived in person!”
“Xiao Xun, come out immediately to receive His Majesty!”
“Xiao Xun, you boldly claimed you wanted to see His Majesty. To spare you the hardship of traveling to offer your apology while bearing punishment rods, His Majesty has specially come in person!”
“Xiao Xun, His Majesty is at the front lines. If you have grievances to air, come air them. If you have resentments to voice, come voice them!”
“Xiao Xun, His Majesty is seven years old this year and dares to come see you. You dare to kill court officials and lead troops to force your way to the palace—don’t you dare to receive His Majesty at the front lines?”
On the city walls, generals and officers gazed into the distance, looking at the troops positioned far away. Dragon banners clustered like clouds around a single horseman. The man on the horse wore no armor—plain robes and black hair—holding a long blade, like a bright moon in the night sky. Before him sat a child. The small child wore dragon robes and also held a long blade—
Although they had never seen the young emperor and couldn’t make out his features clearly, there could be no mistake.
“That’s Xie Yanfang,” another general said quietly. “Only he could and would dare bring the young emperor here.”
“If we shot an arrow and killed this child—” another general couldn’t help raising his crossbow, then regretfully lowered it.
Xie Yanfang wouldn’t truly let the young emperor within their range.
“So what if the Emperor has come?” someone said coldly. “The Emperor can’t conjure soldiers from beans. Our troop strength is sufficient to fight them.”
At the mention of fighting, everyone’s gaze turned to the commanding general.
“Why hasn’t the heir given the order yet?” they asked.
By rights, they should have attacked long ago. Perhaps if they had charged forward days earlier, this young emperor would have turned back to the capital halfway and never made it here at all.
The commanding general withdrew his gaze and said: “The heir has his own plans.”
Hearing this, the generals didn’t dare ask more, but they exchanged glances privately. Something must have happened with the heir.
The commanding general, either too preoccupied with heavy concerns to notice their glances or simply too weary to continue pretending, summoned a personal guard and ordered: “Report to the Prince immediately.”