While Prince Ning's Mansion was under siege, at the request of the Chief Envoy Lu Jingkai, the heads of the city's wealthy families also went to the governor's Yamen under the escort of their servants.
The tense situation in the city made the heads of these wealthy families distrust the government, so they chose to protect themselves.
When Zhao Yanxun first arrived in Longyou, the Longyou government was hijacked by local powerful families. This situation was even more serious in the south.
About half an hour later, all the invited heads of the family arrived. At this time, the number of servants gathered outside the governor's Yamen to protect the courtyard was close to a thousand.
When the discussion in the governor's office began, several eunuchs who had been sent by Zhao Yanjue to the governor's office to ask for their explanations quietly escaped to the palace.
The situation in the city suddenly changed, and they managed to avoid arrest due to their cleverness. At the same time, they also learned some of the truth about the matter from the officials' chats.
When the palace was in critical condition, when a few of them came to the gate of the palace and found that the place had been blocked, they knew better that they should send the news back as soon as possible.
It must be said that the eunuchs who remained loyal to Prince Ning's Mansion even when the disaster was approaching were admirable.
Since the gate could not be entered, they divided their labors and cooperated, using the method of attacking in the east and attacking in the west, and diverting the tiger away from the mountain. Finally, they were able to touch the outer wall of the palace.
Then, by using a ladder, one of the eunuchs climbed up the wall.
Looking at the people outside the wall, Zeng An said with a serious expression: "Brothers, it seems that the palace is going to be lost, so you should all run away for your lives!"
After being able to achieve this step, these eunuchs outside are really benevolent and there is no need to risk their lives again.
But Zeng An was different. He and Zhao Yanjue grew up together and received great favor from the palace. Naturally, they had to share the honor and disgrace with the palace.
After getting off the wall, Zeng An didn't stop for a moment and ran quickly inside the palace. When he found out that Zhao Yanjue was in the study, he hurried over.
"Your Majesty, it's not good!"
Zeng An suddenly appeared and said something like this. Zhao Yanjue, who was meditating alone, immediately stood up, then quickly walked forward and asked, "What did you hear?"
"I was ordered to go to the governor's office. As soon as I left the house, I encountered someone who was in charge of the inspection and sealed the door. I overheard..."
"What did you overhear?" Zhao Yanjue became more and more angry and stepped forward to grab Zeng An's collar.
"In the north of Nanhai Mountains in Jiangxi Province, the three governors have rebelled and surrendered to the imperial court... and even detained the prince!"
"What!"
Zhao Yanjue already had a premonition that the situation was serious, but he did not expect that it would be this situation, and the consequences would be more serious than he imagined.
"My servant also heard that the prince has been escorted to Shu County and handed over to the Yong Army!"
Staggering back two steps, Zhao Yanjue cursed angrily: "These bastards are as cowardly as rats, bastards who only seek glory!"
"Master, are you okay?"
Zeng An immediately stepped forward and tried to help Zhao Yanjue back, but was pushed away by the latter.
"Get out, get out...get out!"
Zhao Yanjue became furious and kicked out all the eunuchs, including Zeng An.
The next moment, Zhao Yanjue collapsed on the ground and then lay down.
He was desperate and felt even more helpless. He didn't know what to do to save the lives of the palace and his relatives.
After lying down for a while, Zhao Yanjue gradually suppressed his panic and became calmer.
"Give it a go and lead the guards out!"
Just now, in his mind, he still had extravagant hopes for the rich people, thinking that these people would stop the government. After all, they were one body.
But then he thought more and realized how fragile the whole thing was, so he finally decided to put hope on himself.
Zhao Yanjue believed that breaking out of the tight siege and taking a risk was the only opportunity.
"Here, ask Wang Baihu to wait in the front hall!"
"yes!"
Zhao Yanjue took off the sword from the wall, drew out a cold light, and murmured: "I didn't expect that I would be of use to you!"
He took the sword and walked out of the study. Before Zhao Yanjue could walk out of the inner house, he heard shouts.
"Your Majesty, the princess has fainted, and now we can't find a doctor..."
The palace is equipped with doctors, but they live outside the wall. Now that there is no contact between the inside and outside, there is no way to hire anyone.
"It's fine, why did mother faint?"
"Someone down there was chewing his tongue, and it reached the ears of the princess, so..."
With just this sentence, Zhao Yanjue understood the cause and effect.
"My lord, why don't you go see the princess?"
Although Zhao Yanjue wanted to go, it wouldn't be of much help, but time was very tight for him right now.
Only by gathering his subordinates as soon as possible and fighting out of the palace together can there be a possibility of breaking the situation.
"Let the Crown Princess go first, I'll be back in a moment!"
After saying these words, Zhao Yanjue walked away with his sword. He had to rush to the front hall as soon as possible.
When he was making arrangements in the palace, the governor's Yamen's deliberations were coming to an end.
Zhou Maosong explained the actual situation and left the choice in the hands of these wealthy families.
It's not a big deal if King Ning breaks down. After all, there are many vassal kings in the south, and they can support others to take over.
What really made them feel terrible was that Huan Yang Hongwen surrendered to King Yong.
Three of the five capitals have been surrendered. The so-called Southern Mutual Defense Line is now in name only. To continue to do so is tantamount to death.
It is actually obvious how to choose.
"Everyone, can't you see the beheadings in the capital and the confiscation of homes?"
"Now we have this great opportunity to let Prince Ning's Mansion take all the blame. We have successfully taken it down. Why are you still hesitating?"
These were Zhou Maosong's last two sentences. If these people still couldn't see clearly the formality, then he would have no choice but to do it alone. When the time comes, all the troops would come back and liquidate these people who were ignorant of current affairs.
"Prince Ning rebelled, and we have done our best to protect the country. Now that the government has failed to arrest the thief, it is time for us to serve the court!"
"Although our Li family is weak, we are still willing to listen to the governor's orders!"
The Li family is a wealthy family in Jing'an Prefecture and even in Jiangxi County. With his statement, others also confirmed the situation and expressed their willingness to support the government.
This made Zhou Maosong breathe a sigh of relief. As long as these people did not cause harm, the stability of the city could be guaranteed, and the government could arrest the "rebels".
"Everyone, Prince Ning's Mansion has a hundred guards, but the government is short of manpower to arrest him. Could you please recruit some from your guards to cooperate with the government in arresting him?"
Although the government had gathered about 300 people, in order to reduce casualties as much as possible and increase the certainty of getting the matter done, he would only send requests to these people.
"This is a simple matter. My Li family is willing to provide fifty servants!"
"There are thirty people from my Zhang family..."
"I will send out thirty people..."
For a time, everyone present expressed their opinions one after another, and their sincerity towards the imperial court was beyond words.
In this way, Zhou Maosong easily gathered 500 people and immediately sent them to Prince Ning's Mansion.
Suddenly, a crowd surged outside Prince Ning's Mansion, giving Zhao Yanjue a blow to the head after he had integrated his subordinates.
It doesn't matter if there are many people in the government, but when the guards of the big clans appear here, it means that he has been abandoned by the big clans.
At this point, even if you can break out of the palace, you can't escape from Jing'an City.
"The governor is here!"
A few breaths later, Zhou Maosong appeared outside the gate of Prince Ning's Mansion.
"Shout!" Zhou Maosong said to the thousands of households accompanying him.
"yes!"
Turning around, these thousands of households shouted in the direction of the palace: "People in Prince Ning's palace, listen, your rebellion has been exposed. As long as you put down your weapons, plead guilty and commit suicide... the court will give you a lighter sentence!"
Listening to the shouting outside, Zhao Yanjue was furious. It was these people who had instigated the palace and put it on a path of no return.
Now that things have failed, these people have completely removed themselves and instead used the name of the court to arrest him on behalf of justice.
"You hurt me, and I won't let you feel better!"
After saying this, Zhao Yanjue looked at the frightened people around him and said in a deep voice: "Put down your weapons and don't resist!"
There is no point in resisting. These people in the palace are innocent, and Zhao Yanjue does not want them to lose their lives.
I saw him holding his weapon and walking towards the gate of the palace.
Holding up the sword, Zhao Yanjue shouted loudly: "We are willing to plead guilty and obey the law!"
