The belief that if the other side didn't attack, there was no need for a counterattack. What was so frightening about the capital? If they simply laid siege for a month, he didn't believe the other party could hold out.
The Emperor also realized their objective and paced anxiously on the city walls. To be honest, although he didn't have to confront the Third Prince today and felt relieved, the thought that he couldn't avoid a major battle with him in the future filled him with despair. He knew he was no match for the Third Prince. After all, they had been rivals since childhood, and he was well aware of his own capabilities.
But having tasted the power of authority, who would willingly bow down to others?
The capital had many high-ranking officials and nobles. Although there were ample supplies within the city, they would undoubtedly be prioritized for the masters, leaving very little for the servants and soldiers. Being able to eat one's fill each day was already a luxury.
Initially, they didn't think much of it, as extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures. These people were all from impoverished backgrounds and didn't eat particularly well on a normal basis. However, sometimes, comparisons highlight suffering. The opposing side, from an unknown source, had so much money that they enjoyed lavish meals daily. The aroma wafted from their camp all the way to the city walls, and they couldn't help but swallow. Every mealtime for the enemy was a torment for them. The rice that could have filled their stomachs now seemed bland and unappetizing.
They thought their lives were already difficult enough, but they didn't realize the true test was yet to come. As the food supplies in the capital dwindled, the Emperor, in an effort to make everyone last longer, reduced the rations of rice distributed to the soldiers. Looking at the watery gruel in their bowls, and then at the enemy gnawing on meat bones every day, they were consumed by envy.
The Emperor summoned all his ministers to get a clearer understanding of the situation. "How long can the food supplies last?"
"Five days."
Upon hearing the answer, the Emperor felt a sense of inevitability. He then looked at them and said, "The Heavenly Dynasty is at its most dangerous moment. I know you noble families have stockpiled goods. Can you bring them out for emergency use? I promise to repay you doubly after the war ends." The Emperor was once again resorting to a delaying tactic.
Unfortunately, these ministers were shrewd. Some who had previously harmed the Third Prince knew that this time he would not spare them and intended to offer their family's food supplies wholeheartedly to help the Emperor overcome this crisis. However, there were also officials who were not close to the Third Prince and were devoted to the people and their families. Since the Emperor was not on the same level as them, they did not want to drain their family's resources dry. Even if they were implicated later, their clansmen could still live a life of comfort with what they had.
Furthermore, at such a time, if they openly supported the Emperor again, wouldn't it be an explicit declaration of opposition to the Third Prince? Wouldn't that be courting disaster?
"What did you say? You are only willing to donate five hundred dan? How dare you say that." The Emperor was furious, watching them feign poverty and play dumb before him.
"My family is poor and did not purchase many stored grains. We have many people in our household, and after a month of consumption, there is very little left. Even these five hundred dan of grain were saved from our own rations," said the Left Department Official with a distressed look, explaining his predicament.
Soon, many other ministers came forward, detailing their hardships. Listening to their sincere words, if the Emperor hadn't conducted a prior investigation, he would have almost believed them.
He was fuming inwardly but couldn't express it, as this was a crucial time for winning hearts and minds. If he exposed their true nature, he feared they would defect to the Third Prince, thus cutting off his own support.
In the end, the matter was left unresolved. The deficit had to be covered by further extorting the wealthy households in the city. Soon, the Imperial Guards acted like bandits, plundering various rich households. The Emperor wanted grain, but these Imperial Guards couldn't resist the lure of gold and silver. Each of them pocketed some, and when they left, very little remained. Only the diligent and hardworking wealthy merchants, who had done business honestly their entire lives, were left weeping bitterly.
When the quantity of grain was presented before the Emperor, he was shocked to discover that the capital was almost depleted. This much grain could only last about ten days. It was rumored that some poor households had already run out of food, and some had even starved to death. Resistance had already begun, but it was suppressed.
The Emperor stood on the city walls, looking at the endless tents outside the city, in utter despair.
Returning to his sleeping quarters, he summoned his dark guards, changed into civilian clothes, packed a significant amount of gold and jewelry, and with his chief eunuch, went to the rockery in the imperial garden.
As the Emperor produced the key from his neck and inserted it into an inconspicuous small hole, a miracle occurred. The floor beside the rockery began to move, revealing a large pit. Upon closer inspection, it revealed a series of steps leading downwards.
"What is this?" The chief eunuch, witnessing this scene, understood everything. He never imagined the Emperor would flee.
"What? Don't you want to go?" The Emperor looked at him with a somber gaze.
He quickly regained his composure and hastily explained, "This servant deserves death. This servant was not unwilling to go but was too shocked and lost his senses for a moment."
The Emperor snorted coldly and said in a deep voice, "I don't believe you would dare."
Then, he and the dark guards followed the Emperor walking through the tunnel, which was only wide enough for one person. After walking for an unknown duration, they emerged by a small river.
The Emperor led the way, taking them south. They walked from mid-morning until sunset and arrived at an inn. They booked ten rooms, intending to purchase some supplies here, rest well, and prepare for their escape.
The next morning, the group set off. Just as they left the small town and were traveling on a wide road, they saw the Third Prince and Wu Caiwei approaching. Seeing them, the Emperor's heart sank to the bottom.
His eyes involuntarily scanned the surroundings out of the corner of his eye, calculating which route would be best for escape.
"The Emperor spoke so forcefully at the front lines, I thought you would perish with the capital. I didn't expect you to abandon them and flee alone so quickly. Why bother? If you had abdicated and passed on the throne earlier, we could have let you live as a leisurely prince."
"You speak nicely, but I know you well. The moment I abdicate, my corpse will be found in my residence. Gao Zi Mu is a ruthless individual. Otherwise, how could his hands be stained with so much blood? How could he possibly let me go?"
"My wife and I never kill innocent people. We only kill those who deserve it. Why are you so certain we won't let you go? Have you done something you regret?"
The Emperor had no desire to waste words with them. He signaled the dark guards beside him to engage them, buying time for his own escape.
Wu Caiwei, who had initially been indifferent, suddenly widened her eyes. She never expected that the very thing she sought so hard to find would appear so easily.