The current army boasts a million troops, holding the emperor hostage to command the lords. This is truly a force unmatched!
To hold or control the emperor, using his name to issue commands to the lords—this subtle advantage, known to the Han people since ancient times, could the Xianbei not also grasp?
Murong Bole, in order to eliminate the Empress's faction and quell future calamities, and to prop up the Yan imperial power, planned to use today's hunt, when Emperor Murong Xi left the palace, to petition in his presence for the impeachment of Empress Murong Qing and the eradication of the Empress's faction. If anyone dared to resist, he would resort to arms.
Thus, Murong Bole contacted several ministers and brought over five thousand troops. This could also be considered an impeachment by force. Murong Bole might not have intended to hold Emperor Murong Xi hostage, but rather to restore power to him. Of course, Murong Bole also harbored ambitions for power and profit.
Power is a potent poison, yet is it not also a delightful and sweet wine?
Whether restoring power or holding hostage, the emperor must be kept in hand or within one's sight. Otherwise, all actions taken by Murong Bole and his ilk could be deemed treason by the Empress, using the emperor's name.
Murong Bole, Tang Qingci, and others had schemed for a long time. Yet, on this very day, Tang Qingci had vanished, and without him, Murong Bole was like a broken arm.
Though a broken arm could be endured, just as Murong Bole finally had an audience with Murong Xi, Murong Xi met with an "accident," suffering injuries from a wild beast, and his fate was now unknown. In truth, how could Murong Bole and his faction not know of this so-called accident? It was undoubtedly planned by Murong Qing and her faction. However, Murong Bole had never expected Empress Murong Qing to resort to such extreme measures! If successful, it would be one thing, but failure meant the crime of "regicide," an offense punishable by the extermination of three generations of kin.
As a result, all the plans of Murong Bole and his group had fallen through. How could Murong Bole possibly endure this?
The arrow had already left the bowstring; it could not be recalled. Having reached this point, both sides must fight to the death, a battle of mutual destruction.
"Where is His Majesty?" Murong Bole spurred his horse forward a step, shouting loudly at Murong Kang.
"Where is His Majesty?" The soldiers under Murong Bole also shouted in unison. Thousands of voices roared, piercing the heavens.
"Left Virtuous King, how dare you lead troops into the capital? Whose decree do you follow? Do you dare to rebel?" At this critical moment, though terrified to the bone, Murong Kang could not retreat an inch. He puffed out his chest and retorted, "How dare you conspire and rebel? Guards! We shall defend our sovereign to the death today!"
"To the death to defend our sovereign! To the death to defend our sovereign! To the death to defend our sovereign!"
"Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!"
"Those who do not retreat shall be killed without mercy!"
Upon receiving their orders, Murong Kang's troops advanced, spears leveled, facing off against Murong Bole's forces. Both sides were on the verge of conflict, their swords drawn, a battle imminent.
At this juncture, the Loyal and Virtuous Army present numbered over twenty thousand. Murong Kang and Xie Li Hu each commanded half. Xie Li Hu was a trusted general of Emperor Murong Xi. Coupled with Murong Bole's five thousand elite troops, Murong Bole believed he held an absolute advantage and could defeat Murong Kang's contingent to retrieve Murong Xi.
Murong Bole's only concern at present was that Murong Kang and his men might resort to desperate measures.
Crown Prince Murong Cheng had already turned deathly pale, his soul seemingly fled his body. He hurriedly pulled Murong Xiaoxiao into the midst of Murong Bole's soldiers.
"Rebel!" Murong Bole's beard bristled with rage as he pointed at Murong Kang and cursed, "I have a secret imperial decree! Today, I act on that decree to quell this rebellion!"
"A secret decree? Acting on a decree to quell rebellion? Hahahahaha!" With a large number of troops at his disposal, Murong Kang no longer feared Murong Bole. At this moment, he could not show any timidity. After a burst of laughter, he declared, "Left Virtuous King, I treated you with respect earlier out of consideration for our kinship. Yet, you, an elder, show no decorum! In broad daylight, you speak such preposterous and treasonous words! I ask you, where is this decree? Do you dare to present it before His Majesty?"
Murong Kang referred to Murong Bole as an elder and kinsman, yet at this moment, he stood as an equal to the Left Virtuous King of Great Yan.
"Swish!" Murong Bole unfurled a sheepskin scroll and said coldly, "The secret decree is here. Right Virtuous King, shall I read it aloud for all to hear?"
For Murong Bole and his ilk, forging an imperial edict was a simple matter. Moreover, once successful, Emperor Murong Xi would not pursue the matter.
"Hmph, you dare present a forged decree?" Murong Kang scoffed.
No matter what, today, Murong Bole absolutely could not be allowed to meet Murong Xi.
"Haha, a forged decree?" Murong Bole burst into laughter upon hearing this and said, "Right Virtuous King, did you not wish to argue before His Majesty? Lead the way then."
No matter what, today, Murong Bole had to see Murong Xi, whether alive or dead.
"I... this..." The older the ginger, the spicier. Murong Bole had seized upon the flaw in Murong Kang's words, leaving him stammering and unable to retort.
"Murong Kang, what are you afraid of? What have you done to my father?" At this moment, Murong Xiaoxiao tearfully asked Murong Kang.
Murong Cheng timidly tugged at Murong Xiaoxiao, but she shot him a fierce glare.
Murong Xiaoxiao felt both frustrated and helpless towards her cowardly elder brother.
"What... afraid? What am I afraid of...?" Murong Kang stammered.
"Murong Kang, make way quickly, or blame me for showing no mercy!" Murong Bole roared, his eyes wide with anger.
"Traitor! Make way quickly!" Murong Ya, Murong Bole's second son, drew his long saber and glared at Murong Kang, shouting forcefully.
After speaking, Murong Ya waved his hand.
"Retreat! Retreat! Retreat!"
Murong Bole's soldiers advanced in unison, brandishing their weapons, shouting loudly, forcing Murong Kang's troops to fall back.
Although Murong Kang's troops were numerous, their morale was inferior to Murong Bole's.
"Coward!" Murong Kang, enraged, galloped back to his formation, drew his long saber from his waist, brandished it in the air, and roared, "We shall defend our sovereign to the death today! Anyone who retreats a single step shall be beheaded! Archers, prepare! Anyone who dares to step forward shall be shot immediately!"
"Brave warriors! His Majesty is held by rebels! As ministers of Great Yan, how can we stand idly by? Warriors, slay the rebels and protect our sovereign!" Murong Bole also rode his horse, brandishing his weapon, and shouted loudly.
"Slay the rebels and protect the sovereign! Slay the rebels and protect the sovereign! Slay the rebels and protect the sovereign!"
Murong Bole ordered his men to seize the emperor, and Murong Kang naturally refused to yield. Thus, the two armies pressed against each other, people jostling people, horses bumping horses, weapons clashing, emitting a series of harsh sounds.
With swords drawn and bows strung, a brutal battle seemed unavoidable. Some men had already been injured and fallen from their horses. Once the fighting began, it would not be easy to end.
"Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!"
Just then, Xie Li Hu, who had been lingering at a distance, having remained uninvolved, finally arrived with his army. Ten thousand horses galloped, their hooves striking the ground like thunder.
Xie Li Hu waved his hand, ordering his troops to surround both armies.
"General Xie Li Hu, your arrival is most opportune!" Murong Bole exclaimed with delight. "The rebel holds His Majesty captive! You are the person His Majesty trusts the most, yet you idly stand by? Quickly join forces with me, apprehend the rebels, purge the court, and restore order to the realm!"
Murong Bole's displeasure was evident.
As the commander of the Emperor's personal guard, not only had he failed to protect Murong Xi, but after Murong Xi's "accident," he had vanished, allowing Murong Kang and his ilk to act recklessly. He was utterly derelict in his duty.
However, it was not too late to mend the fence after the sheep had escaped, Murong Bole mused to himself.
Regarding Xie Li Hu, Murong Bole had considered all possibilities, except that Xie Li Hu would collude with Murong Qing and her faction.
Xie Li Hu was a veteran general with outstanding achievements and had always been a trusted favorite of Emperor Murong Xi. When Murong Xi vied for the throne, Xie Li Hu had steadfastly supported him, contributing to his accession. Because of this, Xie Li Hu had earned Murong Xi's deep trust, thus becoming the commander of the Emperor's personal guard.
Could such a person collude with the Empress's faction and endanger the Emperor? At the very least, Murong Bole did not believe so.
Yet, the affairs of the world were unpredictable, and so were its people.
"Rebels?" Xie Li Hu sneered. "I see you, the Left Virtuous King, as the rebel! The Great Chanyu has met with an accident, and you, the Left Virtuous King, dare to lead troops to force your way into the palace. What do you intend to do? Do you wish to usurp the throne? The Right Virtuous King, like myself, bears the responsibility for the Great Chanyu's safety. This is entirely justifiable! Left Virtuous King Murong Bole, withdraw your troops immediately, or this general, along with the Right Virtuous King, will jointly attack the rebellious army!"
"General Xie Li Hu speaks wisely! Brothers, capture the traitor Murong Bole!" Murong Kang, overjoyed, brandished his saber and shouted loudly.
Xie Li Hu and Murong Kang joined forces, their combined strength exceeding twenty thousand men, far outnumbering Murong Bole's five thousand-plus troops. The situation had instantly reversed.
Murong Bole's troops were extremely elite. On the battlefield, if engaged in a strategic engagement, Murong Bole would not fear Xie Li Hu and Murong Kang. He would at least have a chance to retreat.
However, at this moment, both armies were tightly packed together, and Xie Li Hu's men had surrounded Murong Bole and his five thousand-plus soldiers. Thus, Murong Bole and his forces were in a perilous situation.
"Ungrateful, despicable, scoundrels!"
At this critical juncture, how could Murong Bole not understand what had happened? Cursing vehemently, he slowly drew the saber from his waist and asked his second son, Murong Ya, "Ya'er, are you afraid?"
"Father King, they are merely base rebels. What is there to fear?" Murong Ya replied contemptuously.
Murong Bole nodded. Just as he was about to order a desperate fight, King Murong Jue of Changli arrived on horseback.
"Cease fighting! Please listen to this old man's words!" Murong Jue shouted loudly.
"Esteemed Elder Uncle!" Everyone present bowed in greeting.
Murong Jue was an evergreen figure in the Great Yan court and the oldest prince in the kingdom. He was considered highly respected. Regardless of the circumstances, everyone had to show him deference.
Murong Jue, arriving breathlessly on horseback, spoke a few words that actually caused the tense sides to temporarily suspend hostilities, achieving a superficial reconciliation.