Chapter 1453 - 1361: Uprising

Li Qi, although uneasy, thought about the hopeless future and was unwilling to just surrender.

The two princes were already like this, let alone Li Huan, who saved Li Xiong’s life twice, held military power, and intended to place his two sons in the court for training.

However, due to some conflicts with He Shou and Li Xiang, he was hindered in various ways.

He had already asked Wang Gui to speak for him before the Great King. Before coming, the Great King had already loosened up, and if he tried harder, his two children could have taken office upon his return. But now, Zhao Hanzhang intervened, Cheng Country no longer existed, and how could they enter the court as officials?

Not only them, but in the future, his remaining sons would also find it difficult to enter officialdom.

He was maintaining a large family, the daily consumption of money and grain was innumerable. It was heard that Zhao Hanzhang was strict with laws; even if her elders made mistakes, she would not be lenient. Besides punishing as required by the court, she would also reprimand them.

If she was like this to her relatives, how could she be lenient to outsiders?

Li Huan was very unwilling to work under Zhao Hanzhang.

Therefore, he decided to take a gamble with Li Yue. If successful, he might lead his lord, Li Xiong, to a higher position. If not, at worst, death.

He had survived so many times, this was just one more time.

Thinking this way, but his pride told him, he would not die.

Li Huan was willing to be the intermediary, and then invited a few good officials to join. They were the old comrades who followed Li Xiong.

Everyone had risen from young soldiers to their current positions, and those who were still alive had not too low positions.

He also knew the kind of evidence and concerns in their hands.

Under Li Xiong’s governance, they could live decently. Under Zhao Hanzhang, they would be like meat on the chopping board.

No one wanted to be dead meat; if they acted, they would do so decisively and seize the knife.

Li Huan went confidently.

Then he only brought back two people, the rest declined him for various reasons, but hinted they wouldn’t leak the matter. He whispered to Li Yue: "Although they refused, they indicated they wouldn’t reveal the matter. If we move troops, they will pretend not to know."

The two who stayed were responsible for camp protection, and their position was not far from Zhao Hanzhang’s main tent. If they were willing to turn a blind eye, it would be much smoother.

A current of tension surged in the camp.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed completely unaware, and after the banquet left Fan Ying and Xun Fan to handle some matters in the tent, only letting them leave late at night.

Li Xiong also did not sleep.

As Zhao Hanzhang said, he was in his prime. Although his abilities were limited and he was too loyal, he still possessed vigilance and insight.

Why did he bring so many ministers and generals from Cheng Country, even landlords and gentry, on this trip?

First, to let them serve as witnesses; second, to prevent them from rebelling upon hearing the news if they stayed in Chengdu; third... Li Xiong, always resolute and loyal, finally decided to take advantage of Zhao Hanzhang’s hand to organize Ba Shu’s forces this time.

Since it was for the people of Ba Shu, he decided to completely close his left eye and only open his right eye to look after the people.

Thus he allowed the tensions to surge in the camp, waiting for the night to completely darken, and when even the wind outside calmed down, he opened his other eye and softly ordered: "Have our people quietly advance and protect the main tent from the outside."

Li Xiang obeyed, going personally.

But within less than two quarters of an hour, Li Xiang’s confidant stumbled back, face pale, saying: "Great King, the general has been captured, and our people are restrained by the Court’s imperial guard, unable to move an inch."

He added: "Something seems to have happened at the main tent as well."

King Cheng was aghast. Suddenly, a huge "bang" sounded outside, his heart leaped fiercely, and then two more identical loud bangs followed, causing the ground to shake. King Cheng felt his feet tremble multiple times.

He rose and staggered outside. On exiting the tent, he saw the main tent not far away ablaze, quickly falling, but the falling fire was still dazzling, illuminating the surrounding world...

In the silent mountain, a brilliant light suddenly appeared, beams of white light shot out, spotlighting the Cheng Country soldiers hidden in tent shadows and woods.

Through these beams, they could see their companions’ frightened faces in the night... and the terrified expression in each other’s eyes, clearly...

There were spirit beings!

Swords clattered and fell, and the blood-heated soldiers obeying orders from officers lost their morale completely, thinking not one bit about military orders or future, kneeling down to beg for mercy.

Li Yue, Li Qi, and Li Huan, leading at the front, turned pale instantly, clutching their swords fearfully as they were encircled by flames.

Just now, the explosion unfolded behind them, not far away; three pits formed on the ground, flames shot up, and most of the companions and attendants brought along were now wailing, bodies cut by shrapnel.

The three bombs were specially made, quite moderate in power, the pits formed not too large, but the sound was loud, the flames high. Zhao Hanzhang had specifically chosen them before coming to serve as deterrents.

Before arriving, she planned to use them as celebratory fireworks if they weren’t needed tonight before leaving Cheng Country.

Still being in the first month of the lunar year, setting off fireworks symbolizes driving away evils and wild beasts, implying a smooth start for the new year.

Such a loud noise, doesn’t it signify more than firecrackers?

Fan Ying, with a sword in hand, emerged from behind the curtain under the protection of a team of Imperial Guard.

Li Yue, holding his sword, prepared to confront Zhao Hanzhang, looked in stunned surprise upon seeing her, and then his face changed drastically upon realizing no one behind her, "Where is Zhao Hanzhang?"

Fan Ying sneered, "Who are you to mention Her Majesty’s name? Traitorous villain, circus clown!"

She ordered, "Seize them all; those who resist, kill without mercy!"

"Yes!" The soldiers responded, suddenly erupting in intense battle spirit.

Not only did Li Yue and others in the center feel the overwhelming killing intent, even Li Xiong and others standing further away felt it.

In battle, it’s all about momentum; before battle, it’s about logistics and strategy. But on the battlefield, with weapons clashing, whoever has greater fighting spirit has an additional chance for survival.

And now, victory was decided.

Li Xiong’s expression flickered in the flames, with untold relief and fear, sadness and anger in his eyes, so complex that his heart was in turmoil.

Li Yue and others were suppressed by the imperial guard, kneeling before Fan Ying, who then turned sideways towards the distance and saluted, "Your Majesty!"

Zhao Hanzhang walked out from the darkness, with Zeng Yue and Xun Fan accompanying her on either side.

Li Yue, under the soldiers’ restraint, struggled to turn his head to see, realizing it was Xun Fan’s tent. He knew that was the former emperor’s uncle, old but not dead, very particular about etiquette, powerless against even a chicken. He guarded against Zeng Yue, even had people watch over Fan Ying, yet hadn’t considered him.

A former court relative destined to perish, who he could even keep alive after killing Zhao Hanzhang to exploit the former emperor’s title, plunging the world into a whirlpool of succession battles.

He hadn’t expected Zhao Hanzhang to be in his tent, the only one not lit up in the night, with no beam of light falling on it, allowing everyone to ignore it.