It was night, at the right time, in an alley adjacent to Yingchun Gate in the east of Kaifeng City, and a team of hundreds of people appeared quietly.

Everyone in this team wears black clothes, and their left arms are tied with green cloth with the word "Ye" embroidered on it.

Among the leading people, one of them pulled down his scarf, revealing a big face. When he grinned, his mouth was full of missing teeth and he walked with a slight limp. It was Ma Qing.

Several leaders gathered around, took off their headscarves and talked in low voices. Chen An and Cao Bin were also among them, and there were a few rough-faced ones who were descendants of the Fu family.

This is a "coalition force" led by the Zangfeng Battalion, with the Cao family and the Fu family actively participating.

The person in charge of the Fu family in Kaifeng was Fu Yanqing's third brother Fu Yantu. When Guo Wei raised troops in Yedu, Liu Cheng ordered Fu Yanqing to lead the Taining army to the capital.

He expressed his feelings and stated that he would never go against the imperial court and Guo Wei.

After the Ye army entered Chigang, Zhu Xiu suggested to Guo Wei that they could unite the Fu family and the Cao family as internal responders. When the army attacked the city, people from the two families would respond to the Ye army and help the Ye army enter the city.

After getting Guo Wei's approval, Zhu Xiu sent Hu Guangyue to contact Ma Qing and asked him to contact the Fu family and the Cao family.

The Fu family and the Cao family had helped rescue Ma Qing before, so they were old acquaintances. Ma Qing came to visit secretly, and naturally they hit it off.

Fu Yantu sent out the Fu family's descendants to assemble the Fu family tribe, and put them all under the leadership of Ma Qing.

The Cao family asked Cao Bin to serve as their representative, asking for money and people, and raised troops in response to Guo Wei.

Cao Bin's mother and Guo Wei's stepmother Zhang are sisters of the same clan, and Cao Bin can also be regarded as Guo Wei's nephew.

Mrs. Zhang had married Guo Wei a long time ago, and the Cao family had a close relationship with Guo Wei. Cao Bin often visited the Situ Mansion and had a close relationship with Chai Rong, Li Chongjin and the other nephews and nephews of Guo Wei.

The entire Situ family was murdered, and the Zhang family also suffered misfortune. As in-laws, the Cao family was naturally regarded by Li Ye's party as members of Guo Wei's party, and they vowed to kill them all.

Fortunately, the Cao family responded in time. After the Guangzhengdian incident spread, the Cao family all moved to their old house on Quyuan Street in Nancheng to take shelter. The imperial troops sent by Li Ye searched the Cao mansion but failed to capture any of the Cao family members.

.

Under Ma Qing's guidance, the forces of the Fu family and the Cao family were gathered together, and with the advance deployment of the Zangfeng Battalion, a plan to attack Yingchun Gate was made early.

In the dark night, in the narrow alley, the dark figures were as silent as ghosts.

Ma Qing, Cao Bin and others gathered together to discuss the final details of the action.

Suddenly, the brother who was watching the wind rushed back to report: "There is also a team in Yingchun Lane next door. The number is unknown. It should be no less than us. I don't know what the flag is!"

Everyone was shocked, and Cao Bin said in a deep voice: "Did Duke Guo also contact other forces in the city?"

Everyone looked at Ma Qing. After all, he was the one who had been in contact with the camp outside the city.

Ma Qing shook his head and said: "Guo Gong's side and contact with the city are handled by my junior officials. The junior officials did not say that there are other arrangements. If there are any, they will definitely inform us in advance."

"Could it be that the matter was leaked and the imperial court sent troops to deal with us?" A descendant of the Fu family exclaimed.

Ma Qing glanced at them. They were all young people. Cao Bin was calm and collected, but the children of the Fu family looked much more flustered. At first glance, it seemed that they had not experienced any major events.

Chen Andao: "You guys wait here, I'll go take a look."

Chen An led several brothers to rush there and came back a short while later, followed by a tall man in black.

"Old Ma, look who this is!" Chen An laughed in a low voice.

The man in black wears a mask, and his exposed eyes are bright and bright.

"Commander Ma!"

Ma Qing heard that the voice was familiar, he was stunned, and said happily: "It turns out to be General Zhao!"

Zhao Kuangyin pulled down his mask and said with a smile: "It's Zhao!"

Ma Qing's head was wrapped in a scarf, and frightening scars could be seen on the exposed temples. When he grinned, his mouth was full of missing teeth, which were completely black. His right hand, which he cupped his fists in salute, was also missing a thumb.

Zhao Kuangyin was shocked and couldn't help but sigh, thinking that these were the injuries suffered by Ma Qing after he fell into Li Ye's hands and was tortured in various ways.

Looking at the injuries on his body, one can imagine the terrible torture he endured.

Although Ma Qing was only a lowly official and his status was very different from that of Zhao Kuangyin, it did not prevent Zhao Kuangyin from admiring him.

"Who is this?" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile when he saw a young man next to Ma Qing staring at him with burning eyes.

Ma Qing hurriedly said: "Let me introduce you. This is Young Master Cao Bin. He previously served as the infantry commander of the Xiaodi Army! This is..."

Cao Bin smiled slightly, clasped his fists and said: "Your honor must be Zhao Yuanlang, the eldest son of General Zhao, who is the direct descendant of the Inner Palace, Zhao Yuanlang! I have heard about Brother Yuanlang for a long time, and I am finally lucky enough to meet him today!"

Zhao Kuangyin hurriedly returned the courtesy and said: "Brother Cao Xian is so polite! Considering that brother Xian's official position is higher than mine, and he used to serve under the Imperial Guards in the Inner Palace, brother Cao Xian can be regarded as Zhao's superior."

Cao Bin smiled calmly and said: "The Cao family has been designated as a traitor to the party by the imperial court, and all of my subordinates have been dismissed from their official positions. Today, you and I should discuss it in terms of elder and younger. There is no need to mention the old positions in the past."

"Zhao also resigned from his position early and has been idle at home for many days!" Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile.

The two looked at each other and smiled knowingly.

The destruction of the old dynasty and the establishment of a new dynasty is the general trend. Smart people will not care about the official status of the old dynasty in the past. Being able to make contributions in the new dynasty is the most important thing. It is related to the future of the family and oneself.

.

The Cao family, Zhao family, and Fu family all have the same idea.

Chen An smiled and said: "General Zhao led more than a hundred people from the Zhao family to ambush in Yingchun Lane next door. By coincidence, we agreed to attack at the right time."

Ma Qing said happily: "It's just right. The two families are united in one place. At the three moments of ugly and right, three rockets hanging directly in the southeast night sky are used as signals, and we start action in and outside the city together!"

Zhao Kuangyin also smiled and said: "My father and Zhao have the same idea. The two forces are stronger and stronger, so they can deal with it more calmly. We should seize the Yingchun Gate as soon as possible and welcome Duke Guo and the soldiers of the Ye army into the city!"

"Oh? General Zhao is also here in person?"

Zhao Kuangyin smiled unnaturally: "My father and Mr. Guo have a close relationship. At this critical moment, my father said that he would have to fight in person to feel at ease..."

"Old General Zhao is really getting stronger with age, and his sword is still young!" Everyone praised.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly. Originally, the old father planned to hold Mr. Geng and have a peaceful sleep, and then go to meet Mr. Guo at dawn.

However, he was stimulated by Zhao Kuangyi's words during the day, and the old man resolutely decided to go into battle to kill the enemy in person, using his remaining energy as a veteran to strive to improve the Zhao family's status in the new dynasty in the future.

Zhao Kuangyin was too embarrassed to say what his old man was thinking to his face, lest others think that the Zhao family was too utilitarian.

After a while, both teams gathered in Yingchun Lane, and Ma Qing, Cao Bin and others followed Zhao Kuangyin to see Zhao Hongyin.

Under a wall, an old man in black robes was seen leaning against the wall with a long knife in his arms, snoring rhythmically.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled bitterly and stepped forward to shake him awake and whispered a few words.

After all, he was past the age of staying up late, so Mr. Zhao was a little mentally weak, and he woke up after being lost in the lake for a while.

After everyone had paid their respects and counted the time, it was almost time. Chen An took out three arrow clusters and specially made rockets with sulfur and saltpeter powder and handed them to Zhao Kuangyin.

"How about you and I each shoot one?" Zhao Kuangyin handed one to Cao Bin.

Cao Bin smiled, took the missing arrow, and ordered someone to bring a withered bow, stretched the bow and nocked the arrow to try.

Zhao Kuangyin's eyes lit up and he said with a smile: "My dear brother Guohua is a good bowman!"

Cao Bin said modestly: "In terms of martial arts, Brother Yuen Long is superior to me. Who in the inner palace doesn't know that Brother Yuen Long has outstanding martial arts."

"Haha~ Brother Guohua is overrated. In my opinion, you and I are equal." Zhao Kuangyin said.

The two of them each got an arrow, and there was one left. Zhao Hongyin took it directly and said, "I want to join in the fun and shoot!"

Immediately, Chen An lit a fire with a hair candle and ignited the arrow cluster. Zhao Kuangyin, Cao Bin, and Zhao Hongyin shot the arrows into the southeastern night sky in sequence.

The rocket pierced the night sky with a little bit of firelight, hanging directly outside the southeast city, drawing a beautiful curve.

Three rockets fell in succession, causing some commotion at the top of the city.

It is a pity that the Kaifeng city defense has long been divided, the command is chaotic, and the orders are unclear. The person guarding the Yingchun Gate is Kaifeng Prefect Liu Zhu, and Liu Zhu's whereabouts are unknown two days ago. However, the imperial court has not selected capable generals to garrison the city defense.

Three rockets passed over the city and fell to the southeast. Many soldiers on the city saw it, but they only exchanged a few words with each other.

It wasn't until a fire suddenly lit up outside the Yingchun Gate, horns blared, war drums beat, and a flood of Ye army soldiers carrying ladders rushed down to the city, that the numb city gate defenders reacted and rang the alarm bell in panic.

"kill!"

At the same moment, there was a sound of charging and killing inside the Yingchun Gate. Zhao Kuangyin charged forward with his sword raised, followed closely by Cao Bin. More than 200 private soldiers rushed towards the city gate, and a fierce fire broke out with the inner city defenders.

Half an hour later, Zhao Kuangyin and Cao Bin, who were covered in blood, seized the city gate, destroyed and locked it, and opened the city gate wide to let Ye's army enter the city.

General Shi Yanchao carried the flag of Guo Zishuai on his shoulders and rushed into the city gate first.

The silver spear general Wang Yanchao led the cavalry and followed closely behind. The Ye army rolled in like a river bursting through its embankments, and the imperial defenders were no longer able to resist.

~~~

"Hoof da~ hoof da~"

Just before dawn, a burst of rapid horse hooves awakened the silent imperial city.

A fast horse rushed into the Danleye Gate and galloped through the palace corridor.

Along the way, many eunuchs and palace guards stopped to watch, with anxious and uneasy expressions on their faces.

Everyone is talking about the war under Kaifeng City and when Guo Wei and Yedu's army will enter the city.

The sergeant who reported the news rushed to the front of the Long Live Hall, reined in the horse and kicked it, jumped off in a hurry before the horse could stand firm, ran up the steps with staggering steps, and rushed into the Long Live Hall in panic.

"There is an urgent military intelligence report!"

The sergeant's panicked roar echoed throughout the palace.

In the Long Live Hall, dozens of courtiers have been waiting here all night.
To be continued...