Dawn is approaching, and the sky is already showing the color of fish belly.
No matter how difficult life is, people in Kyoto still try their best to cheer themselves up on New Year's Eve. Although all the shops in Kyoto have been closed at night, unlike usual days, only the circulation between the shops is blocked.
The interior is a little more relaxed than before.
Neighbors visit each other on New Year's Eve, which is also a common practice.
But soon, extremely shocking news began to spread in some circles. It seemed that a large number of soldiers and horses were passing through Suzaku Street in Kyoto. Some people even lay down by the high wall and saw the soldiers and horses heading down Suzaku Street towards the imperial city.
No one knew exactly what happened.
However, it was quiet after that, and nothing major seemed to happen, so some people thought that this was the troops in Kyoto redeploying troops to ensure safety on New Year's Eve.
Of course, military and national affairs are not something that ordinary people can think too much about.
After midnight, people in the capital ushered in the New Year and fell asleep one after another.
But before dawn, the sound of horse hooves awakened many civilians on Zhuque Street. Some of the bold ones immediately set up ladders and looked around, and saw the black soldiers and horses rushing towards the imperial city from Zhuque Street. The cavalry's iron cavalry trampled on the Zhuque.
The bluestone pavement on the main street made a rapid and crisp sound like raindrops.
The people were shocked.
Kyoto has been at peace for many years. The last time the sound of war broke out in Kyoto was more than ten years ago, when the current saint ascended the throne.
People didn't dare to look any further, and went back to their houses one after another, closing the door tightly, hoping that the fight between the big shots would end soon.
People living in Kyoto also know that as long as there is no invasion by foreign enemies, even if there is some disaster in Kyoto, ordinary people will not suffer much as long as they stay at home.
The Shence Army finally entered the city before dawn.
The horn gradually sounded, and three giant dragon-like armies entered the city from three sides, rumbled along the swords extending in all directions in Kyoto, and surrounded them towards the imperial city.
The Shence Army has enough troops to divide into three groups.
There are 26,000 soldiers and horses, with 8,000 soldiers and horses on each side of the east and west. The Shence Army to reinforce the south gate is personally commanded by Zhuang Zhaoyang, and 10,000 elite troops are approaching the city.
In an instant, Kyoto was in flames.
The dawn rises from the east, but the entire Kyoto does not wake up with the rising sun.
Millions of people in Kyoto huddled in their homes in fear, waiting for the outcome of the war.
The streets and alleys of Minfang and the avenues in front of various government offices were deserted and silent.
There was still a joyous atmosphere in Kyoto last night, but at dawn, it became unprecedentedly quiet and deserted. It even made people feel that the first day of the day still seemed to stay in the endless night, and the whole Kyoto was like a dead city.
The morning breeze blew on Tang Changgeng's cheeks. He rode through the military formation and came to Zhuang Zhaoyang. Seeing the tens of thousands of armored elite soldiers behind Zhuang Zhaoyang, his heart finally calmed down.
The Prime Minister did not let him down, and Zhuang Zhaoyang did not let him down either.
"General Zhuang!" Tang Changgeng saluted with his hands raised.
His rank is higher than Zhuang Zhaoyang, but in the current situation, Zhuang Zhaoyang has to play a vital role, and he doesn't mind giving this Shence Army
Some decency and respect for the lieutenant general.
Zhuang Zhaoyang also returned the gift with his hand.
"The smooth entry into the city is thanks to the arrangements made by General Tang." Zhuang Zhaoyang said politely: "In addition to the soldiers and horses left behind in the barracks, 26,000 soldiers and horses entered the city in three groups. The east and west groups were each commanded by two generals, Fang Hui and He Taiji.
, once the siege signal is sent here, the east and west routes will attack the imperial city at the same time."
Tang Changgeng smiled and said: "If the 30,000-strong army attacks with all its strength, we can almost capture it within a day."
"There is still a baggage train behind." Zhuang Zhaoyang said: "I led my troops to travel all night without stopping on the way. According to the plan, we entered the city before dawn. However, the speed of the baggage train was slower. They were escorting the siege ladders and city-breaking vehicles behind. At noon
I can definitely make it there before."
Tang Changgeng nodded and said: "I just hope that without those weapons, the rebels in the city can surrender."
"Have you seen Tantai Xuanye?" Zhuang Zhaoyang raised his head and looked at the top of the imperial city. When he saw the imperial guards at the top of the city, they were all ready, but they did not see Tantai Xuanye. However, there was a hanging hanging above the Danfeng Gate.
The corpse was still swaying slightly in the wind.
Tang Changgeng also looked back at the top of the city and said: "I talked with him and advised him to open the city and surrender, but he didn't show any expression." After a pause, he said with a stern look: "After he left, he never said anything.
When he showed up again, before leaving, he just said that he would come out to meet the minister when he arrived."
"Tantai Xuanye is not a good person." Zhuang Zhaoyang did not feel relaxed at all because he had an absolutely superior force. His eyebrows were solemn from beginning to end, and he asked in a low voice: "General Tang, is Tantai Xuanye involved?
Rebellion?”
Tang Changgeng actually didn't know how to answer this question.
Even now, he is not sure whether Tantai Xuanye participated in the rebellion, but now, as long as all the obstacles in the way are enemies, they can only be rebels.
"Tantai Xuanye led his troops to defend the city without any intention of protecting him. It can almost be concluded that the changes in the palace have something to do with him." Tang Changgeng said softly: "Three thousand dragon-scale forbidden troops will be divided to guard the emperor.
Among the four gates of the city, the number of guards on the Danfeng Gate side is only about a thousand at most. I have sent someone to report the situation to the Prime Minister and await his orders."
Zhuang Zhaoyang nodded, knowing that although morale was now strong, it was not the time to attack the city immediately, and everything had to be obeyed by the Prime Minister's orders.
"After entering the city, Commander Wen has gone directly to the Prime Minister's Mansion." Zhuang Zhaoyang said: "Commander Wen has told us not to act rashly before the Prime Minister's orders are sent." He got off his horse and held a whip in his hand, as did Tang Changgeng.
After getting off their horses, the two of them walked a few steps forward side by side, then stopped, looked at the heavy city gate, glanced at each other, and saw complicated expressions in each other's eyes.
If it wasn't absolutely necessary, the two of them would certainly not be willing to point their swords at the Tang Dynasty's palace.
"Tantai Xuanye seems to have guessed everything." Tang Changgeng pondered for a moment, and finally whispered: "He seemed to have guessed that the Prime Minister would definitely mobilize troops to besiege the city, and even guessed that the Shence Army would enter the city for reinforcements."
Looking at the corpse swaying in the wind at the top of the city, it was natural to already know that it was a master sent by the Prime Minister to the palace to spy on intelligence.
Zhuang Zhaoyang frowned and said: "Tantai Xuanye is an extremely shrewd person. If he had guessed all this, why would he still defend the imperial city?"
"I have been thinking about this issue." Tang Changgeng said with a solemn expression: "He should know that if the Wu-Gui Army and the Shence Army join forces, even if he has three thousand elite forbidden troops, there is no way he can withstand it.
." He lowered his voice and said: "If he stubbornly resists, once the city is breached, the Prime Minister will
Of course, it is impossible to spare him lightly, and his crime of participating in the rebellion cannot be washed away, and the separation of his body and head is an inevitable outcome."
Zhuang Zhaoyang said: "Yes. If he had not participated in the rebellion and saw the state's troops approaching the city, even if he was not sure of the saint's current situation, he would have definitely opened the city gate and entered the palace with us to escort him. But he did not do this, and it happened that
It proves that he did participate in the rebellion and could not turn back and could only fight to the end."
"With his wisdom, if he guessed that the Prime Minister would definitely take action, why would he dare to participate in the rebellion?" Tang Changgeng looked suspicious and said thoughtfully: "The most important question is his motivation for participating in the rebellion.
What is it? The saint treated him with great kindness, and even handed the Imperial City Guards into his hands. How much trust does he have in him? As long as he is loyal to the saint, he will have a smooth road in front of him, so why should he put himself to death? "
"All we have to do is break through the imperial city and interrogate him after he becomes a prisoner." Zhuang Zhaoyang sneered and looked up at the sky. The morning sun had already risen. It seemed that it would happen on New Year's Day.
Have nice weather.
Tang Changgeng lowered his head and pondered. Zhuang Zhaoyang glanced at it and chuckled: "General Tang, you don't think that Tantai Xuanye dared to rebel regardless of the consequences because he was confident that the rebellion could succeed, right?"
When Tang Changgeng heard Zhuang Zhaoyang's words, his body trembled. He once again stared at the corpse at the top of the city, his gaze was like a knife, and murmured: "Why hang that corpse at the top of the city? Is his purpose deliberate?
To anger the Prime Minister?"
At this moment, a commotion was heard from behind.
The two of them turned around and saw the sergeants arrayed behind them making way for a road to both sides. Under the morning sun, they saw Wen Xitai riding a tall horse at the front. Behind him, a carriage was slowly approaching.
Slowly approaching, the carriage was surrounded by many Prime Minister's guards on both sides. Behind the carriage, a group of officials followed, almost all on horseback, coming slowly.
The two generals looked at each other and stepped forward together without hesitation.
Wen Xitai pulled the reins of the horse and stepped to the side. The two generals walked up to the carriage and saluted together. Then the curtain of the carriage opened and the Prime Minister had stepped out of the carriage. He was wearing a brand new official robe and looked very solemn.
, looked around and saw that the square was densely packed with soldiers and horses, a faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, his eyes fell on the two generals, and he said with a smile: "Chang Geng, Zhao Yang, thank you for your hard work. Tell all the soldiers that they are the generals.
The loyal men of the Tang Dynasty during the crisis will be greatly rewarded after the rebellion is suppressed."
Being a soldier and eating food, being able to receive titles and rewards is naturally something you want. The Prime Minister of the country bluntly stated that he would be rewarded heavily after quelling the rebellion. Making such a promise as the chief minister of a country can certainly boost morale.
He didn't say much. He looked up at the top of the imperial city and said, "I want to see Tantai Xuanye!"
A group of people surrounded the carriage and moved forward slowly. When they arrived at the front of the military formation, Tang Changgeng had already ordered shield soldiers to guard the carriage, as if adding a layer of armor around the carriage. Wen Xitai was also guarding the side.
The Prime Minister once again came out of the carriage, stood at the head of the carriage, looked up at the city, and saw the corpse hanging around. The corners of his eyes twitched slightly, and the hands in his sleeves clenched into fists, facing the city above the imperial city.
The Imperial Guards shouted loudly: "You are all elite men of the Tang Dynasty and your allegiance is to the Tang Dynasty. How dare you help the rebel Tantai Xuanye to cause rebellion? Are you going to harm your wives, children, and family and make them accessible to everyone?"
Punish for rebellion?"
He was old and weak, but he shouted as loud as he could. Although the Imperial Guards on the city might not be able to hear him clearly, Tang Changgeng and others already understood that the words of the Prime Minister were indescribable.
Taixuan's reputation as a troublemaker can no longer be taken off.