It was the fourth day of July in the twenty-sixth year of Tai'an. This was a very extraordinary day.
Li Jinglong, the guard of Zijin Gate, surrendered to the enemy and opened the city gate to introduce Yong's army, causing the capital's defense to collapse.
Even though Wang Cunzhang, the Minister of War, mobilized all his troops to stop the attack, the fall of the capital was still inevitable.
As the capital, a large number of people gathered in the capital. When the Yong army broke through the city, these people were extremely panicked and feared that they would die in a rebellion.
That is to say, when people are in panic, some criminals take advantage of the chaos to rob and kill people, causing further chaos.
Both the imperial army and the Yong army regarded defeating the other side as their first goal and had no time to stop the chaos in the city.
It’s really hard for the people to prosper and it’s hard for the people to die!
The streets and alleys were full of people fleeing in panic, as well as soldiers running for their lives with knives in hand.
"Yong Ni has entered the city and is about to massacre it. Everyone, run away..."
"If you don't want to die, just run away quickly..."
In the streets, some officers and soldiers spread the news that Yong's army was going to massacre the city, which made the panicked people even more frightened.
"Escape..."
The capital became increasingly chaotic, shouts could be heard everywhere, and even screams could be heard from time to time.
At this time when life is like duckweed, Wei Zhenzhang is explaining things to his family in the Wei family compound located in the northwest corner of the capital.
"Third brother, when the war is over, take your sister-in-law and nephew out of the city and find a place to live anonymously!"
Looking at the young man in front of him, Wei Zhenzhang said with a serious expression: "Can you protect them?"
At this moment, his eyes were bloodshot and his face was even more dirty. He had been guarding the city with the army for the past two days.
Wiping away his tears, the young man nodded firmly and said: "Second brother, I... can do it!"
Wei Zhenzhang forced a smile, patted his younger brother on the shoulder and said: "Second brother believes in you... You must keep this matter secret and don't let your sister-in-law know!"
Nodding, the young man immediately asked: "Second brother, why don't you come with us?"
Normal people would have this idea of taking their family away from the disaster of war. The problem of teenagers made Wei Zhenzhang think about it.
In a daze, Wei Zhenzhang's expression became firm, and then he said: "Now that Yong's thieves have broken through the city, your father is in danger. As a minister, you must fulfill your duties faithfully, so that you can live up to the teachings of the sages!"
"The emperor is a sage, virtuous and virtuous, and he is the orthodoxy of the Jin Dynasty. My second brother has received so much favor from the country, how can he not be loyal to the country?"
However, at this moment, a voice was heard from outside the door: "You have to be loyal to the country and you are going to abandon us, mother and son?"
Wei Zhenzhang could speak generously to anyone, but at this time he was speechless.
To explain the "future affairs" to his third brother, he specially found a place where no one was and closed the door to talk, but he didn't expect to be overheard.
When his wife appeared at the door, Wei Zhenzhang seemed at a loss. He still had to face it all.
"Lingyu, I..."
"You have been working hard on the city wall for several days. You have surpassed most officials in the court. You have repaid the emperor's kindness!"
"Now that the situation has been decided, why do you want to use your arms to control the situation and risk your life in vain?"
When she pushed the door open and entered, Mrs. Wei Chen looked sad, and she wanted to persuade her husband.
"Lingyu, it is the duty of a minister to be loyal to the court. If you shrink back due to difficulties, it is not the behavior of a gentleman..."
"The government's policy is not upright, the world is in chaos, and thieves are everywhere. This is because there are few loyal people and there are many people who forget their loyalty for profit!"
Slowly walking towards his wife, Wei Zhenzhang was determined now. He solemnly said: "In this case, as a husband, I will do my best to inform the world that I still have loyal ministers in the Jin Dynasty!"
To be honest, Wei Chen certainly cannot beat Wei Zhenzhang.
I saw her holding Wei Zhenzhang's sleeve and begging with a face on her face: "Stay, the child and I need you!"
Wei Zhenzhang felt sad in his heart. Although he couldn't bear it, he still pulled back his sleeves and took two steps back.
"Lingyu, Zhenzhang will never be able to help you again in this life!"
After saying this, Wei Zhenzhang bowed deeply to his wife, then turned around and strode out.
He left in a hurry because he was afraid that if he stayed for a moment longer, he might not be so determined.
"Husband..."
Mrs. Wei Chen chased her out of the house, but Wei Zhenzhang's steps were faster.
"Mother, mother..."
Mrs. Wei Chen wanted to chase her out, but the sound of the child crying made her stop.
Looking at the disappearing figure outside the door, Mrs. Wei Chen roared: "Wei Zhenzhang, I hate you..."
Although he had escaped from the door, Wei Zhenzhang still heard his wife's voice, which made him feel like a knife.
"What I owe you in this life can only be repaid in the next life!"
Quickening his pace and exiting the alley, Wei Zhenzhang abandoned his love for his children and his eyes became firm again.
People were running around on the long street, and there were soldiers coming and going from time to time, but all of these people looked panicked.
"How's the situation?" Wei Zhenzhang grabbed a member of the household.
If he hadn't been wearing official uniform, these hundreds of households would have glanced at him.
"Sir, Yong's army has entered the city, their troops have reached Zhuque Middle Street, and the prison guard line is about to collapse!"
Yong's army has arrived at Zhuque Middle Street. According to the speed of their advance, they will probably be able to reach the imperial city in an hour at most.
In fact, Yong's army would have entered the city even faster if rumors of a massacre hadn't spread all over the place, causing the soldiers and civilians to resist desperately.
The officers and soldiers failed to drive Yong's army out of the city, but instead allowed them to occupy half of the city. This made Wei Zhenzhang very clear that the situation of the imperial court was really over.
While Wei Zhenzhang was stunned, Baihu retreated with his remaining soldiers until someone passed by and knocked him awake.
"The court is gone, but the emperor is still there... Yes, the emperor is still there. I will go to the palace to protect the emperor!"
As he muttered, Wei Zhenzhang had a direction, so he walked towards the palace again.
The closer you get to the palace, the better the street order is, which is why there are still guards here.
Of course, the so-called good order is relative, but there is no beating, smashing, looting, burning, murder, or arson.
It took more than ten minutes. When Wei Zhenzhang stumbled to Da'anmen, he happened to meet Wang Cunzhang, the Minister of War, coming out to fight.
Wei Zhenzhang hurriedly greeted him and asked: "Master Wang, where is the emperor and where are you going?"
Slowing down, Wang Cunzhang replied: "I'm going to defend the city, why don't you run for your life?"
There are only more than thirty personal guards following him at this moment, and he can only defend the city with loyalty to the death.
"I'll go with you!" Wei Zhenzhang followed closely.
"Aren't you afraid of death?" Wang Cunzhang asked.
Wei Zhenzhang said solemnly: "Everyone is destined to die. It may be heavier than Mount Tai, or lighter than a feather... Now that the Yong thieves are usurping the throne, it is the day when we die for justice and serve the imperial court. What should we fear?"
Hearing this, Wang Cunzhang pulled the reins to stop, then clasped his fists and said: "Wei Yushi is loyal and upright, I admire him!"
"It's an honor for me to die for my country together with Mr. Wang!" Wei Zhenzhang returned the greeting.
Wang Cunzhang smiled, and then waved to Wei Zhenzhang, who quickly approached after understanding.
"I have advised the emperor to leave the capital, and you can accompany him to protect the emperor. As long as you go to the southern princes, the imperial court may not have a chance to make a comeback!" Wang Cunzhang said in a low voice.
Staring into Wei Zhenzhang's eyes, Wang Cunzhang asked solemnly: "Guarding the emperor's holy cavalry on its southern tour is more arduous than fighting for justice and death. Are you willing to do it?"
This is indeed very arduous, but Wei Zhenzhang is not even afraid of death, so he is naturally willing to take on this task.
"If you are willing to take up this humble position, you will definitely live up to your great trust!" Wei Zhenzhang's eyes were firm.
Nodding, Wang Cunzhang said softly: "Go quickly, the emperor must be changing clothes already, you have to rush there as soon as possible to avoid missing it!"
Nowadays, the war is in chaos. If you miss it in the city, the possibility of encountering it again is almost zero.
