Outside the west gate of Kyoto, Duan Lang and the others waited silently. Regardless of whether the opponent fights or gets out of the way, he believes that there will be a result in the end. Duan Lang estimated that even if the city gate behind him was wide open and attacked from both sides, it would not be a problem for them to rush out with the soldiers and horses of the capital city to protect Delong and Zhang Ruming and others.

On the opposite side of the battle array of soldiers and horses in Lidu City, a fast horse galloped to the center of both sides. The man on the horse shouted loudly, "General Duan is invited to come and talk." ”

Everyone looked at this person suspiciously, and Duan Lang said, "I'll go over and take a look, you don't have to come along." ”

"Lang, be careful." Yutai Mingyue said with concern.

Duan Lang smiled confidently and walked forward. The two of them stood opposite each other in the center of the battle formation between the two sides, and Duan Lang looked at this person suspiciously.

"Who are you? What about General Lu? ”

"General Duan, in the new army camp ranger general Geng Zhishan, my family Fu Shuai has important arrangements, and it is inconvenient to come. General Duan, here is a handwritten letter from the Prince Regent. The prince explained, and he must hand it over to you personally. ”

Geng Zhishan said, took out a letter from his arms and handed it over. Duan Lang was stunned, stepped forward, and reached out to take the letter. The fire paint seal on the letter indicates that it has not been opened. After reading Prince Hong's letter, Duan Lang's face changed slightly, and his eyes looked at Geng Zhishan cautiously.

Duan Lang asked, "But you met the old prince in person?" ”

Geng Zhishan nodded, "Yes, I just returned from the Prince's Mansion." The Prince's Mansion is now crowded with many adults, including the old Hanlin Imperial History and the Criminal Department Servant Dali Siqing. But when the prince wrote this letter, I was the only one present. Of course, I haven't read this letter below. ”

Duan Lang nodded, "Which battalion did General Geng serve in before?" ”

"I used to follow Lord Zhu Wenjun in the Kyoto camp, but before following Lord Zhu, Brother Lu and I were both born in the palace guards. That was a few years ago, and His Majesty specially arranged for us to go to the camp in Kyoto. Geng Zhishan looked at Duan Lang calmly.

Duan Lang's heart moved, nodded and said, "Okay, just wait for the news according to the prince's orders." ”

Duan Lang said, took out the fire sickle from the horse bag, and lit the letter on the spot. At the back of this letter, there was a message from Prince Hong, which asked Duan Lang to burn it immediately after reading it. Prince Hong did this because he didn't want to leave any evidence.

Geng Zhishan hugged his fists, "General Duan, I hope that he will have the opportunity to fight side by side with the brothers in Lidu City." ”

Duan Lang smiled, "If you and I don't meet each other today, General Geng will always be welcomed in Lidu City." ”

"Farewell!"

"Goodbye!"

After the two finished speaking, they each beat their horses and returned to their camps. As soon as Duan Lang arrived, Zhang Ruming and others immediately surrounded him.

"Duan Lang, what did he show you just now, who is that kid?" Zhang Ruming asked anxiously.

Duan Lang looked around, they were all his own people here, and there was no need to hide anything. In the expectant eyes of everyone, Duan Lang said.

"That man's name just now is Geng Zhishan, and Prince Hong asked him to send us a letter. Maybe you can't imagine that Fu Shuai Lu Zhengshan and this Geng Zhishan are both people who Emperor Yuning planted in the camp of the new army. It seems that Emperor Yuning left a hand everywhere and did not hand over the entire new army camp to Yu Ban. ”

"What, Emperor Yuning's people? Isn't that why they're going to be on our side? Zhang Ruming said happily.

Duan Lang shook his head, "It's hard to say at the moment, and Prince Hong doesn't dare to guarantee their loyalty." But Prince Hong has decided to talk to Yu Ban clearly, and if it doesn't work, the whole of Kyoto will be ignited with monstrous war today. Prince Hong ordered us to be stationed outside the city, and once the city was incompatible, he would send a forbidden army camp to storm the west gate and open the door for us to enter the city. ”

Everyone was shocked when they heard this, and the Seventh Prince Delong said, "What, Yu Ban is really going to rebel?" ”

The beautiful eyes of the bright moon of Tantai were circulating, and she smiled bitterly, "Your Highness the Seventh, it's not up to you to decide whether it's against you or not." Since ancient times, the king has been defeated, and the edict of Emperor Yuning has not yet been announced to the world, once they win the ban, it is logical for the prince to ascend the throne, and he will be recognized as the main lord in the summer. On the contrary, it is your Highness Delong who will become a rebel in the world. ”

The Seventh Prince's face changed slightly, he understood the meaning of the Ming Moon of the Mountains, the thief will always belong to the losing side, and in the annals of Great Xia, there will not even be a record of the edict of Emperor Yuning.

Tantai Mingyue looked at Duan Lang and asked, "Lang, are these soldiers and horses on the other side also going to enter the city gate?" ”

"No, Prince Hong ordered them to intercept the other new army. And, let us guard against them. It seems that Prince Hong does not fully believe in Lu Zhengshan. ”

Zhou Guangji sighed, "Prince Hong did the right thing, if it were me, I wouldn't dare to fully trust them." Accidentally lost everything, and even the always loyal Investigation Division betrayed Emperor Yuning, let alone someone who had been away for a few years. As soon as Emperor Yuning left, no one dared to guarantee that they would choose their future again. ”

"If you want me to say, they will only choose the strong side, not the weak side." Zhang Ruming said.

Duan Lang looked at everyone, "Since Prince Hong has already made a move, we can only wait for the movement in the city." Now I'll rearrange it, Uncle Zhou, Seventh Uncle, you two lead three hundred people, and you must protect the safety of the Seventh Prince, Mingyue Shangguan and others. Especially Azhu, she is not awake after her serious injury, and you people don't have to go into the city when they get together. If the army on the opposite side retreats to the new army camp in the direction of the North Gate, you should leave this place at once and find a safe place to wait. ”

Zhou Guangji looked at Han Feng, and the two nodded, they knew that this was not the time to be hypocritical, and the responsibility of protecting the safety of Delong and Mingyue was no lighter than going into the city to fight.

Duan Lang looked at Brother Zhou Long again, "Zhou Long and Zhou Hu, after entering the city gate, your two brothers divided their troops into two ways and killed Xiangguo Mansion and Prince Mansion respectively. Capture the thief and capture the king, no matter how chaotic the other places are, take these two places first. When the time comes, I will be responsible for the strategy with Xiang Tian and the others, as long as Yu is in a forbidden position, we will kill wherever we go. ”

"Honorable Order!" The two Zhou Long brothers agreed.

Duan Lang and the others rearranged outside the city, waiting for the moment when earth-shattering things happened in the city. In Kyoto City, the courtiers were all notified, and many people rushed to the Jinluan Hall in advance.

The army in the palace city was frequently mobilized, and whether it was the forbidden military camp or the palace guards, they were all ready for battle. When Wu Guangguang Pang Gang and others saw this scene, they also showed their family backgrounds to support and prepare for the final decisive battle. In the Heart Cultivation Palace, Prince Hong closed his eyes like an old monk and sat on the Taishi chair. Wu Guangguang, Wang Shidu and the others were also silent, and the entire Heart Cultivation Hall was unusually quiet. At such a moment, they no longer have to ask why Prince Hong went to Xiangguofu. If the regent does not come to the court, he will be regarded as an accomplice. Next, everyone understands what is going to happen.

In the Xiangguo Mansion, Yu Ban's face was gloomy as water, and he was also in a dilemma. An hour ago, Yu Ban and Prince Hong started a war of words, and neither of them bowed their heads. Yu Ban wanted to order the regent to be killed, but Prince Hong had already prepared, and even told Yu Ban that if he didn't leave the Xiangguo Mansion within an hour, the palace guards and the forbidden military camp would immediately go on a killing spree.

Yu Ban was not afraid of these, but the last hole card shown by Prince Hong made him hesitate. Yu Ban didn't expect that the 200,000 new troops outside the city would actually be loyal to Prince Hong. In his impression, Lu Zhengshan should be Zhu Wenjun's person, but he neglected his identity as a palace guard. Thinking of the various backhands left behind by Emperor Yuning after his death, Yu Ban couldn't rush into the palace and drag him out to expose him.

Prince Dezhang and the others all looked at Yu Ban anxiously, there was less than a stick of incense before the regent came to the dynasty, whether to go to war or go to the dynasty, they had to make a choice.

"Lord Xiangguo, you shouldn't let Prince Hong leave. Kill him, and the initiative will be in our hands. Prince Dezhang said complainingly.

Yu Ban's eyes were cold, "Kill, kill, you know killing, this prime minister asks you, after killing Prince Hong, how sure are you that you can control Kyoto?" ”

Prince Dezhang was startled, but said stiffly, "Our soldiers and horses in Kyoto, those who are completely in the hands of Prince Hong, it is definitely not a problem to control Kyoto." ”

"What about outside Kyoto, there is chaos in the city, in case the city gate is opened, who can carry the soldiers and horses of the capital city."

"Aren't there still 200,000 troops outside the city?"

As soon as he heard this, Yu Banqi slapped the table, gasped a few times hurriedly, and forcibly suppressed his anger.

"The 200,000 army sounds good, but in the face of the soldiers and horses of Lidu City, those new troops who have not gone through the battle, a few dare to raise their weapons. What's more, they are no longer the ones they are. This prime minister worked hard for Daxia and devoted himself to the Zhao family, why did Emperor Yuning treat the old man like this~ The old man is not satisfied~! Yu Ban said, couldn't help but be angry, and threw the teacup to the ground.

Prince Dezhang and the others were so frightened that they didn't dare to speak. Especially Chu Baoxiong, since he met Yu Ban, he had never seen him so angry.

The silence in the hall was uncomfortably unpleasant, but no one dared to say anything. Chu Baoxiong's eyes looked at Zhu Wenjun, and only Zhu Wenjun could still talk.

Zhu Wenjun stiffened his head and stepped forward and asked, "Lord Xiangguo, do you mean ~ Lu Zhengshan took refuge in Prince Hong?" ”

Yu Ban gritted his teeth, nodded and said the matter again. Prince Hong showed him the warrant of Emperor Yuning back then, and it was with this secret warrant that Geng Zhishan dared to take refuge in Prince Hong. Otherwise, even if it is allegiance, Prince Hong will not dare to accept it for the time being.

"Lord Xiangguo, since Prince Hong has set up a position, how should I say something to you. Since you have come to this point, everyone listens to you whether you live or die. Zhu Wenjun said.

Yu Ban thought for a while, and said in a deep voice, "You wait here, and the prime minister will go to the Heart Cultivation Hall alone." ”

Everyone was stunned, and the prince hurriedly said, "Lord Xiangguo, don't do it, the spies have come to report that they are already waiting for the battle, and you must not go." ”

Yu Ban's eyes glared, "Prince Hehong dares to come to my mansion, why doesn't the old man dare to go to the Jinluan Palace." Master Zhu, I'll leave it to you here, and I also have to learn from Prince Hong, and if the old man doesn't leave the palace within an hour, let's go to war. ”

Zhu Wenjun's heart tightened, and he clenched his fists and asked, "Lord Xiangguo, haven't you already talked to Prince Hong, why do you still want to see him?" ”

"Just now, everyone just showed each other their hole cards, as for what kind of ending they wanted, he didn't say, and I didn't say either. Now, the old man is going to talk to him head-on. ”

Prince Dezhang's face changed, "Lord Xiangguo, do you ~ want to show weakness?" ”

Yu Ban's eyes narrowed into a slit, "It's not a sign of weakness, the killing of soldiers and horses is just a last resort." In fact, for the sake of my Great Xia, the old man has no choice but to take a step back and speak. Even if the new army in Kyoto has 200,000 anti-water, after all, there are still 400,000 in our hands. Once combat effectiveness is formed in the future, it will be more stable than the current situation. What's more, the Western Vietnamese army is not so easy to deal with, and it is difficult to say how many soldiers and horses are left in the capital city after this battle. Now the old man is worried about how we will resist if Duan Lang lets go of the road to the east, and even joins forces with the West Vietnam to fight back to Kyoto. If the skin is not hairy, we can only blame us for not killing Duan Lang and Delong in the city, and it is too late to say anything. ”

"Lord Xiangguo, you said to take a step back, so how far do you want to retreat? If you can't, just follow the edict. Chu Baoxiong said.

"So, the old man has to talk. I take a step back, they have to take a big step back. Otherwise, it's a dead fish. ”

"Sangkoku-sama, what do you mean~?" Prince Dezhang looked at Yu Ban worriedly.

Yu Ban didn't want to tell Dezhang, but seeing that Prince Dezhang was anxious, he sighed secretly in his heart, and it was better to stabilize him first.

"Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince, if they want Kyoto to be stable, they must give up the position of regent. The crown prince can not ascend the throne, and he can even compete fairly with the seven princes after the war. But the position of regent must be assumed by the crown prince. Otherwise, there would be no need to continue talking. ”

"What? That~ I'm afraid Prince Hong won't agree. Even if he agreed, Wu Guangguang and Wang Shidu would not agree. Chu Baoxiong looked at Yu Ban in surprise, and said in his heart what is the difference between this and starting a fight.

"Say yes or not, you'll find out until you go. Come on, prepare the car, and enter the palace in this way. Yu Ban said and stood up.

Zhu Wenjun said worriedly, "Lord Xiangguo, in case Prince Hong is angry, you can do it~." ”

"Hmph, at this age, life and death have long been downplayed. What's more, when the old man dies, tens of thousands of people are buried with him, and the death is worth it. ”

Yu Ban's gaze showed a hint of determination, even if the crown prince could not ascend the throne now, he could not let Prince Hong press on his head. He even said that he was gambling with his life, and Prince Gamble Hong did not dare to watch the century-old foundation of Great Xia be destroyed.

Yu Ban left Xiangguo Mansion, and as soon as he left, Zhu Wenjun immediately issued several orders. Zhu Wenjun didn't believe that Prince Hong would give up the title of regent, and it seemed that this battle was inevitable.

Yu Ban's car drove into the palace, and all the courtiers secretly watched in surprise, but Yu Ban did not stop outside the Jinluan Palace, but went straight to the Yangxin Palace. If it had been before, the chariots and horses of the courtiers would not have been allowed to enter at all. But today, whether it is the forbidden military camp or the palace guards, there is no obstruction of the forbidden car.

Quietly in the Heart Cultivation Palace, a guard walked in quickly, "Qiyu Regent, Lord Xiangguo drove into the palace in a car. Other courtiers, did not follow. ”

Prince Hong, who was closing his eyes and recuperating, suddenly opened his eyes, "It's good to come, all the ministers, please go to the side hall and sit down first, there are some things, this king has to talk to Yu Ban alone." ”

Wu Guangguang, Wang Shidu and others stood up one after another and arched their hands at Prince Hong. They knew that Yu was forbidden to enter the palace, and they must have come to negotiate conditions. Everyone walked to the side hall one after another, and the heart cultivation hall was suddenly empty.

Prince Hong's heart is a little settled, and Yu Ban can come, indicating that there is still room for maneuver. Prince Hong was very worried about going to war, he didn't want to watch the century-old foundation of Great Xia be destroyed in his own hands. Once the war starts, it is your life and my life, and the two sides have no way to retreat. Even if they win badly in the city, Yu Ban and Prince Dezhang will flee into the new army camp. At that time, internal and external troubles will make Great Xia fall apart, and even say that there is a danger of losing the country. Prince Hong sees this more clearly than anyone else.

Xiangguo Yu Ban's face was gloomy, and his footwork was steady. Prince Hong sat on the Taishi chair and said lightly.

"Lord Xiangguo, so daring."

Yu Ban snorted disdainfully, "Old prince, are you praising yourself?" Since the prince dared to go to my Xiangguo Mansion alone, why didn't Yu dare to come to the palace. What's more, Yu is the prime minister of a country, and he should be in charge of government affairs during the national funeral. Old prince, isn't it? ”

Prince Hong smiled unmindingly and pointed to the seat next to him, "Lord Xiangguo, please take a seat." ”

Yu Ban sat down unceremoniously, and Prince Hong asked calmly, "How is it, have you thought about it?" As a courtier, it is a matter of course to abide by the rules. You and I are both at this age, and I guess Lord Xiangguo doesn't want to see Kyoto ruined. ”

"Old prince, if there was no Great Xia Limin in his heart, the war would have been ignited a long time ago. Just because he cares about the people of the world, he came to talk to the prince. ”

"Okay, Lord Xiangguo can think like this, this king is very pleased. Say, if you have any requirements, as long as you don't touch the bottom line of this king, this king can agree. Prince Hong said happily.

Yu Ban looked up at Prince Hong, the two looked at each other, Yu Ban said lightly, "This prime minister is here on behalf of His Royal Highness the Prince, and His Royal Highness said that he can take a step back." ”

Prince Hong stroked his palms and praised, "It is really a blessing for my Zhao family that Emperor Dezhang's nephew can have such courage. ”

"However, His Royal Highness Dezhang has one condition."

"Tell me about it." Prince Hong squinted at Yu Ban.

"Prince Hong, it stands to reason that the first emperor died, and the crown prince supervised the country in accordance with the will of heaven and ascended to the throne, which is a matter of course. I don't know the old prince, can you recognize it? Yu Ban asked.

Prince Hong thought about it and didn't understand what Yu Banxiang was going to do, but he still nodded and said, "There is nothing wrong with this, but it should also be based on the edict of the first emperor." If there is no edict from the first emperor, it is natural for the crown prince to ascend the throne. ”

"Then I ask you, when the first emperor died, why did Emperor Yuning not call himself a minister according to the edict, but instead washed the Jinluan Palace in blood and admonished the soldiers."

When Prince Hong heard this, his face was slightly embarrassed, this is a dispute within the royal family, and he can't say who is right or wrong.

"There's no need to talk about the past, let's talk about the present. Lord Xiangguo, but I don't know what the nephew of Emperor Dezhang wants? ”

"Old prince, since Emperor Yuning left an edict and let the two princes discuss the matter of ascending the throne after the war, it is very unfair to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince now. But taking a step back, for the sake of the stability of the Great Xia country, Dezhang can not ascend the throne for the time being. However, it must be made known to the world that he is in charge of the government as regent. After Yu Ban finished speaking, he looked at Prince Hong's reaction.

Prince Hong was stunned for a long time, as if he didn't understand Yu Ban's meaning, "Yu Xiangguo, you just said ~ Let Dezhang be in charge of the government as the regent?" ”

"Yes, that's exactly what it means."

"Hehe~hahahaha~!" Prince Hong burst out laughing.

"Old prince, is it so ridiculous?"

"Yu Ban, what do you think?"

Prince Hong put away his smile and looked at Yu Ban with a cold gaze. He felt that Yu Ban was not here to talk about conditions at all, but to abuse him, the regent.

In the side hall, Wu Guangguang and the others were also waiting anxiously, not knowing what Yu Ban had talked to Prince Hong. No matter who they support, no one wants to see the chaos in Kyoto. This is the capital of Great Xia, and the chaos in Kyoto will inevitably affect all the capitals in the world. When the time comes, it is likely that the government decree disorder will be separated. It is even said that Yan Facheng, Ma Ruzheng and others will also evacuate one after another, occupying several capitals and establishing themselves as kings. If that scene really happens, the Great Xia Dynasty will completely collapse.

Pang Gang, the servant of the Criminal Department, was uneasy, and he suddenly remembered something, the Kyoto Rebellion, and so far he has not found any figure of the Investigation and Defense Division. This is beyond the ordinary. It was even said that the mysterious Lord Huai seemed to have been forgotten.

Outside Kyoto, Duan Lang and the others were also waiting anxiously. Especially the Seventh Prince, he knew that this time the battle for the throne was different from previous generations. In the past, the princes competed with each other, even if they were killed, they would be controlled within the imperial city. But this time, it will affect the entire Great Xia soldiers and horses.

Just as everyone was thinking wildly, they suddenly heard a chaotic noise from inside the city gate, and then the heavy city gate creaked open to both sides.

Duan Lang's eyes were cold, and he pulled out his war knife and commanded in a deep voice.

"Zhou Long Zhou Hu ~ Ready to go to war!"