Chapter 2800 - 2799: Loyalty and Integrity Hard to Preserve

Chapter 2800: Chapter 2799: Loyalty and Integrity Hard to Preserve

A chill ran through Huizong’s heart; he never expected the Empress, always gentle and kind, to be so resolute and unyielding.

Thinking about past events with the Empress, he quickly shouted to his attendants, "Imperial Physician, summon the Imperial Physician quickly!"

The people around him hurried to call the physician, while Huizong supported the deposed Empress’s body, staring at her trembling and shouting, "Jiao’er, why did you act like this?"

Li Shishi smirked, a look of triumph on her face.

With the Empress dead, the harem would be her domain now.

Though Huizong ordered the news to be sealed, the matter of the Empress, Crown Prince, and Princess quickly spread to the Imperial Court.

The common people were shocked upon hearing this, and many voiced injustice for the Empress.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan rushed to the palace to meet with Huizong, proposing to execute Lin Chong immediately.

If not, Lin Chong would surely rebel.

Having just lost the Empress, Huizong felt remorseful towards the Lin Family.

But with national stability at stake, after much consideration, he agreed with Wang Fu and Li Bangyan.

The two immediately drafted the decree for the emperor, using the excuse to summon Lin Chong and his commanders to the palace for commendation, and ambush them on the way.

The decree was issued and quickly sent to the military camp.

At the same time, Lu Zhishen received the news and rushed to the camp to inform Lin Chong about the Empress.

Lin Chong was initially shocked, then sought confirmation from Lu Zhishen, "Big Brother, did you witness these events firsthand?"

Lu Zhishen said gloomily, "In the depths of the palace, how could I witness it firsthand?"

Lin Chong pondered and said, "Since you didn’t see it firsthand, this matter must be a rumor. Perhaps it’s the treacherous ministers’ scheme, deliberately trying to force me to rebel, thus fulfilling their desires. Even beasts do not devour their cubs; if His Majesty is blinded by traitors, how could he kill based on rumors?"

Lu Zhishen angrily shouted, "You! Shrouded in lard, unaware of impending doom. It’s precisely because of the treacherous ministers’ scheme that the Empress was caught in their trap and slit her own throat. If you do not rise up to defend yourself, you’re surely doomed!"

Lin Chong shook his head and said, "Big Brother, do not disturb our troops’ morale. Our Lin Family has been loyal for generations; how can we easily betray the Imperial Court? Even if I die, I cannot let the family be shamed!"

"You!"

Lu Zhishen shook his Zen Staff in annoyance, "Stubborn fool, don’t blame me for not warning you; our brotherhood ends here!"

He stormed out, seeing a large contingent of troops approaching from outside the camp.

Lu Zhishen realized that the palace intended to target Lin Chong.

He couldn’t fight alone, so he decided to head to Lu State to seek help from Song Gongming.

He already knew Song Gongming was released from prison and had raised an army in Lu State.

With Song Gongming’s help, Lin Chong would surely recognize his errors and return.

Palace messengers arrived, announcing a decree to Lin Chong, asking him to bring meritorious commanders to the capital to receive accolades.

Your Majesty intended to personally reward the generals and arranged a royal banquet for them.

Lin Chong kowtowed in gratitude, accepted the decree, and joyfully summoned the generals to dress and proceed to the palace.

This place was over a hundred miles from the Imperial Palace; Lin Chong mounted his decorated panther, leading over a hundred Iron Cavalry generals, raising the "Lin" Command Banner, and headed majestically towards the palace.

At the North City Victory Gate of the Northern Capital City, troops continually moved along the city walls, with as many as a hundred thousand scattered around the Weng City fortifications.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan personally supervised from the city wall, waved the Command Banner, and all troops crouched, hiding under the walls.

Lin Chong led over a hundred Iron Cavalry against the bandits, galloped with dust-clouded hooves.

Wang Fu looked at Lin Chong from afar, snorted, "The Duke of Wu must be exhilarated now."

Li Bangyan laughed, "Rushing to reincarnation, of course he feels thrilled. Later, when a hundred thousand archers unleash, they’ll ensure them a porcupine’s fate!"

Wang Fu lamented, "It’s unfortunate; our Great Songg will lose another tiger general."

Li Bangyan said, "It matters not that Great Songg loses a tiger general, what’s key is we lose one adversary!"

"You are indeed a treacherous minister!"

Wang Fu laughed with him.

"Aren’t you one too?"

Li Bangyan laughed, sly as a fox, watching Lin Chong’s party approach.

Outside the North City Gate, not a soul in sight.

One commander cautiously mentioned to Lin Chong, "Commander, during our last visit, the people joyously greeted us. But today, why is no one here? There might be something amiss?"

Lin Chong looked into the distance and said, "Your Majesty wants us in the palace for accolades, sending away these people surely prevents them from delaying our journey. In such an inner capital, what possible changes?"

The commander nodded, doubting no more.

The convoy reached Desheng Gate below, shouting to those above, "We are the bandit-pacifying heroes, ordered to enter the palace to receive Your Majesty’s honor; kindly open the gate and let us in!"

A commander atop the wall raised a hand, and the gate creaked open slowly.

Lin Chong crossed his panther, leading troops into the city; upon entering the Weng City, the rear gate slammed shut.

The battle-hardened commanders sensed something amiss.

A closing gate wasn’t necessary this time when entering.

Lin Chong also felt uneasy, immediately shouting to the soldiers on the tower, "Why not open the Weng City gate?"

From above the wall, bursts of laughter rang out.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan stood up, gazing down at Lin Chong, "Duke of Wu, long time no see!"

Lin Chong’s heart jolted, "It’s you?"

Wang Fu sneered, "Yes, today we’re here to bid you farewell!"

Li Bangyan brought out the decree, announcing to those below, "His Majesty commands: upon investigation, Duke of Wu Lin Chong holds power arrogantly, colludes with the harem, intending to depose the emperor and support the Crown Prince. His crimes are heinous and unforgivable. He is sentenced, along with his commanders, to execution without delay!"

Lin Chong’s brow furrowed, eyes glaring with fury, shouting, "Traitorous ministers, ruining the country, falsely accusing the loyal; we demand to see His Majesty!"

"Open the gate; we demand to see His Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, we are being wronged!"

"You are deliberately framing us!"

"..."

Over a hundred commanders quickly raised shields and spears, swiftly forming a military formation.

All around the Weng City, a hundred thousand archers stood up.

They formed a dense barrier on the city wall, surrounding it impenetrably.

Wang Fu sneered, "Duke of Wu, do you truly intend to rebel?"

Li Bangyan scolded, "A bunch of bandit soldiers, clearly harboring rebellious intent. Your Majesty’s wisdom unveiled your disloyalty early. If you grow powerful, doesn’t the Great Song Dynasty face peril?"

Lin Chong raised his spear and roared, "Treasonous ministers endanger the nation; I will kill you!"

Riding his panther, he charged directly at Wang Fu and Li Bangyan with his long spear.

Wang Fu and Li Bangyan turned pale with terror, quickly ordering their men, "Kill, kill them!"

A hundred thousand archers simultaneously released arrows, the dense barrage like a tornado, sweeping towards Lin Chong and his commanders below.

All these commanders possessed cultivation levels.

Raising shields, they formed a protective barrier, fending off the arrow storm.

Lin Chong twirled his spear overhead, deflecting countless arrows, shattering dozens with forceful Gang Qi.

Yet, due to the overwhelming arrow count, the power of ten thousand arrows was formidable.

He soon exhausted his strength, retreating into the military formation laid by the soldiers.