Chapter 6: Turbulent Night

  At this time, the defenders inside the city had already swarmed in, although their combat strength was sparse, but they all knew that once the city gate fell, what awaited them would be a fate of being slaughtered, so they also went all out to make a last-ditch effort. More than 200 rioters who participated in the capture of the city were mixed among the refugees, seeing no hope of capturing the gate, and their leader had already been killed, at this time they could only make a desperate gamble.

  These more than 200 rioters were extremely fierce and brave. Although they had lost their leader, they killed the relief troops who came to rescue them, forcing them to retreat repeatedly. The remaining dozens of people relied on the narrow path at the city gate, desperately resisting Zhu Ping'an's attack.

  Zhu Ping'an took a deep breath, put the crossbow back on the saddle, and pressed his right hand tightly with his left hand. The arrow just now, Zhu Ping'an did not hesitate at all, but even in the chaos of the battlefield, Zhu Ping'an seemed to still clearly hear the sound of the arrow piercing flesh, followed by the scene of the bearded man struggling to press the wound with his hand, and blood gushing out like a fountain. This picture was like a freeze frame, deeply etched into Zhu Ping'an's mind.

  For the first time, he had killed someone, seen blood, and taken a life with his own hands. He had imagined such scenes many times since arriving in this era, but nothing compared to the real thing - the blood, the gore, and the shock. Cao Wujin and Yue Jinfeng stood guard on either side of Zhu Pingan, their eyes fixed intently on him. Cao Wujin sensed the subtle change in Zhu Pingan's mood and gave his shoulder a gentle pat with the back of his hand after the battle.

  Zhu Ping'an's mind finally cleared up. On both sides, in front and behind him, blood splattered onto his armor and cheeks without stopping. At first, he felt a bit uncomfortable, even feeling like vomiting. But gradually, as enemies charged forward, he mechanically swung his long knife, watching them fall before him, feeling the strange sensation of the blade entering flesh, Zhu Ping'an's heart slowly calmed down.

  Cao Wushang was somewhat surprised. He and Zhu Ping'an had been studying martial arts with the old eunuch Yao Shaoqin since they were young. As an inner official, he mainly learned soft and gentle fighting skills as well as assassination techniques. In fact, Cao Wushang did not tell Zhu Ping'an that at the age of ten, he had already killed his first person. On the other hand, Zhu Ping'an followed Yao Shaoqin to learn open and expansive battle array tactics. Although he was not a fierce general who could withstand ten thousand enemies, under Yao Shaoqin's careful guidance, he made rapid progress.

  Today, Cao Wushang never expected that Zhu Pingan, who had killed for the first time, would adapt to the atmosphere of the battlefield in just a few ups and downs. Even Yue Jinfeng beside him showed a look of surprise. The two looked at Zhu Pingan's increasingly skilled and ruthless moves, and they couldn't help but gasp in amazement.

  More than 200 bandits were quickly annihilated, and the two remaining survivors surrendered without a fight. It turned out that these bandits were just one of the many mountain stronghold factions under a certain wind banner. These people weren't stupid, they had a sense of seeking victory in danger. Having fought against government troops for years, they knew the government's strengths and weaknesses all too well. They originally planned to take advantage of the chaos to seize the city gate, thinking that the government troops would scatter in disarray. But unexpectedly, they encountered the soldiers under Zhu Ping'an's command.

  But this also reveals two problems. Although the rebels are a motley crew, they are absolutely not without combat effectiveness. Another thing it reveals is that the main force of the rebels is already very close to Fengyang.

  After the battle, Zhu Ping'an and others didn't have time to rest, they hurriedly organized the refugees to enter the imperial city. At first, the soldiers from the Ministry of War and the Yamen were unwilling to let these refugees into the city, reasoning that just now they had been coerced by the rebels, almost causing a great disaster, and it was uncertain whether there were still rebel spies among them.

  But under Zhu Ping'an's fists and kicks, the city gate was opened again. Zhu Ping'an was not an irresponsible person, so he immediately let the soldiers of the Ministry of War escort these refugees to the empty streets, clear the area, and assign soldiers to guard them separately, ensuring that even if there were spies among them, they would not cause any major chaos.

  Just as the refugees had finished entering the city, Zhu Ping'an and others were about to form up and enter the city. Along the main road came the clear sound of horseshoes. Turning back to look, in the heavy dusk, a black stallion galloped over, and in the blink of an eye it was already at a not-too-distant place.

  "Who comes here? Dismount at once!" Yue Jinfeng jerked the reins, already leading several men to welcome them, their crossbows cocked and ready.

  The knight on horseback was tottering, and finally, within a few dozen steps of Zhu Pingan and the others, he fell off his horse.

  Yue Jinfeng and others rushed over, got off their horses, and checked the person's breath, and found that he was still alive.

  Zhu Ping'an rushed over on horseback. His subordinates lit torches, and in the firelight, they saw that the person was a middle-aged man of about forty years old, with a stout build similar to Hong Zhong's, but wearing a light and elegant silk robe and a small hat. He looked like a wealthy or noble person. At this time, he had already fainted.

  "Wait, it's no good! The city gate has already been closed!" Yue Jinfeng suddenly shouted.

  As everyone turned around to look, a dull rubbing sound came from the darkness, and the two large gates were slowly closing.

  "Bad! It's already the hour of You!" Zhu Ping'an secretly thought it was not good, and hastily summoned his subordinates to mount their horses, bringing that fat knight rushing towards the city gate.

  Torches were raised on the city wall, shining brightly over the city. Shi Yingzhou stood proudly at the top of the city gate, "Zhu Baihu, you're back so late!"

  Zhu Ping'an suppressed the anger in his heart, and bowed to Shi Yingzhou, "We pursued and defeated the remaining enemies, and just rescued another civilian. We were late because of this, I hope you can be magnanimous, sir, and open the gate to let us enter the city!"

  Shi Yinghao burst out laughing, "What can we do? Lord Lu ordered that the city gate be closed at exactly 5 pm, and no one is allowed to enter the imperial city again. This is a military order, I dare not disobey!"

  Hong Paozi came up and said, "Sir, let's try another city gate!"

  Shi Yingxiao coldly laughed and said, "There's no need for that anymore. Just a moment ago, our family advised Lord Luo to seal off the four city gates of the Imperial City. Even if you hurry to other places, the defending troops may not have the guts to open the door for you!"

  Zhu Ping'an's face turned iron-gray in an instant. At this time, the fat middle-aged man who was unconscious on the horseback suddenly made a move. "I, I am the general manager of the Jiading Marquis Mansion in the capital, want to see Lu Jiude Lu Gonggong, hurry! Hurry up and save people!"

  Zhu Ping's heart skipped a beat as he leaned forward to the horse's head, "You said you were who?"

  "Housekeeper of the Jadings' estate, Zhou Mian!" A stout middle-aged man reluctantly lifted his head.

  "He's not hurt, he's just badly frightened!"

  Zhu Ping'an nodded, "Unfortunately, you've come at a bad time, the city gate has already been closed!"

  Zhou Wen heard this and became furious, wanting to flip over and get up, but his body was paralyzed and fell limp. "My family's master is the emperor's father-in-law, who dares not let me enter Fengyang city!"

  Zhu Ping'an smiled and said, "Fengyang Huangling Town Guardian Eunuch Shi Yingzhao!"

  "Rubbish!", Zhou Mian, although weak, was still furious and tremblingly pulled out a name card from his bosom, "Even the eunuchs in the palace have to show respect when they see my master's name card, what kind of imperial guard are you, daring to be so arrogant!"

  Zhu Ping'an glanced at the famous poster, his eyes rolling around a few times before he let out a sigh. "The city gate is impossible to enter no matter what. However, I can help you contact Lu Gonggong, on one condition... you have to help me with something!"

  Zhou Wen's eyes widened suddenly, "Just look at your clothes, you're just a humble hundred households, how dare you haggle with me!"

  Zhu Ping'an spread his hands, "Since we can't come to an agreement, then there's nothing that can be done. Old Yue, Old Hong, return the horses of the Zhou family to him and let him seek a better opportunity elsewhere!" Zhu Ping'an changed his tone, "However, I must remind Zhou, the bandits' army is already just a stone's throw away from here. You want to escape? That's not a problem, but if you still want to save someone, then after this village, there won't be another chance!"

  Zhou Bian hesitated for a moment, looked at Zhu Ping'an with some trepidation, and could only nod in agreement.

  Zhu Ping'an secretly patted Cao Wushang's arm and asked, "Do you still remember the route we took to enter the imperial city?"

  Cao was not hurt at all.

  "You immediately find an opportunity to enter the city and report all these things to Lord Lu Zhenfei. Then, stay by the side of the prince and princess. Shi Yingjue has gone to great lengths to trap us outside the city and will definitely take action. Now, the only one we can rely on is Lord Lu, and the safety of the prince and others is entrusted to you!"

  Shi Yingzhao looked down from the city wall, trying to see Zhu Ping'an's expression with all his might, but only saw Zhu Ping'an seem to discuss with the people beside him for a few words, and then saw Zhu Ping'an and others turn their horses around, without looking back, galloping away into the distance.

  Shi Yingxu patted the wall bricks of the city gate with a gloomy expression, without any sense of excitement or pleasure after putting someone to death. A eunuch in green attire walked over at this moment and whispered, "Master Shi, since Zhu Ping'an can't enter the imperial city, what about...?" The eunuch glanced around and made a downward chopping motion with his hand.

  Zhu Ping'an and Cao Wushang's backgrounds have not been thoroughly investigated, but the Grand Secretary of the Imperial Household Department, Cao Huachun, and Tang King Zhu Youjian are urging again, sending over large amounts of gold, silver, and letters. In short, they want to put Zhu Youjian to death as soon as possible in order to secure Zhu Youjian's position as Tang King.

  Shi Yingzhao didn't want to look for trouble, but he thought that one day he could return to the Forbidden City or become a town officer elsewhere. Guarding the imperial mausoleum had its advantages, and besides, in today's Fengyang, Lu Jiude and Lu Zhenfei were the real masters, so how could he stand out by mixing with them?

  "Ah, Dry Father, it's actually a good thing that the bandits came this time!" The eunuch in green robes carefully observed Shi Yingjue's expression, and seeing the hint of inquiry on his face, he continued: "Just now, the bandit spies almost broke into the city, and many refugees also entered the imperial city. Among them, it's possible that some spies snuck in. If these spies make their way into the inner palace, won't Zhu Yujie...!"

  Shi Yingjiao's eyes lit up, this was a safe way to do it. The bandits wanting to take the city was something that many people had seen before, and with Zhu Yujian dead, in the future they would have an excellent scapegoat, after all, bandits were everywhere, and Zhu Yujian's death could be blamed on them.