"Your Majesty," Gong Zhao came in with a stack of books and bowed to Yan Wen, "Sun Weigao has finished his trial. The words I asked him to explain are all written on it. Please ask Yan to participate in politics and transfer it to the Ministry of Punishment to finalize the case as soon as possible. "
"Well, you did a good job." Yan Wen took the booklet, looked at it a few times, and nodded.
"I want to boldly ask a treasonous question..." Gong Zhao said and looked at him from the corner of his eye.
Yan Wen smiled knowingly: "These rebellious ministers have caused chaos in the party and deserved to die, so there is no harm in talking about it."
"As soon as Sun Weigao is captured, the East Palace must be on guard. Should we urgently surround the prince's residence to prevent Zhang Han from holding the East Palace hostage and resisting at every turn?"
Yan Wen thought for a while, then raised his head and replied: "The prince is the crown prince of the country. If he is imprisoned without permission without the Holy Order, he may be suspected of committing rebellion. It is better to just station troops outside the palace gate and send people to comfort the prince at all times and order him to do so." Hand over Zhang Han, ease his guard, and let this matter pass peacefully. One more thing is worse than one less thing. But if he insists on using force, we will have an excuse."
When Gong Zhao heard this, he was afraid that Yan Wen would do it himself, so he quickly smiled and said: "Sir Yan, you must be thinking so much about the government and thinking so thoughtfully. Gong has to deal with the case of Sun Weigao, so I don't have time to accompany you anymore, so I take my leave. .”
Yan Wen only glanced at him, then nodded slowly and motioned for him to go out.
Zhang Han had been hiding in the side hall next to him. Even the meals were delivered by the cook himself and he never showed up. Although he had heard that Yan Wen only sent servants here repeatedly and did not send any troops, he still felt that it was the best policy to be careful and stayed in the house until night. I couldn't sleep, so I had to read by the light.
At about midnight, there was a sudden bang on the palace door, and more than a dozen armored soldiers came running outside, standing on both sides with open fires. One of the officers strode up to him, cupped his fists and said, "His Royal Highness, Mr. Zhang, has committed a serious crime of treason, and I have come here to arrest you." Take him to Dali Temple! If the censor still wants to be more dignified, just follow us; otherwise, we will not be polite!"
Zhang Han stood up resolutely, then opened his arms and said to the officer: "As a minister, how dare I disobey Prince Jun's order? If you are still afraid that I will run away, just tie me up tightly!"
The officer was filled with intolerance when he saw his demeanor, but the prince had no choice but to tie him up, intentionally leaving the rope loose, and escorted him directly to the main hall.
"Kneel down!" The soldiers in the palace kicked Zhang Han on the knee who had just walked over, causing Zhang Han to fall to the ground and scream. After a moment, he covered his legs and got up.
"Why is he an old minister of the country? How can you bully others? You are degrading the prince's face!" The officer walked up angrily and slapped the soldier, making him stagger. Then he turned around and helped Zhang Han up, making him kneel upright.
"Traitor! Rebel!"
The curtains in the back room were suddenly opened. The prince waved his sleeves and his face turned red with anger. He stepped into the hall and paced back and forth angrily, pointing at Zhang Han's face and yelling: "Traitor! Rebel! How can I support my father?" You and other traitors have come out! They must be handed over to the court and severely punished!"
"Do you still have someone to speak for him?" The prince looked at the officer and said in a stern tone, "Everyone, please get out. I want to accuse this guy of his crime first!"
"Your Highness..." The officer hesitated, so he coughed and led the troops out of the palace.
The prince lowered his head and said nothing, took a sword from the shelf, and dropped the scabbard. A cold white light shone on the sword's surface.
Zhang Han breathed a long sigh of relief, kowtowed and said: "I have been working for the country for several years, and I have devoted myself to killing Liu Dang without any complaints. Today, I have Si Yong's entire family beheaded, and I shall pay with my life!" After that, he raised his neck. , closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the knife to fall from his hand.
He only heard two rushing sounds, but there was no pain on his body. He gradually opened his eyes and saw that the rope had fallen off his body, and the prince dropped the sword in his hand and threw himself in front of him, crying like rain: "Zhang Yushi, Si Yong It is my fault for not noticing that your husband was harmed. But Yan Wen came to you again tonight, clearly wanting to take your life... I am the heir apparent, but I have been humiliated by Xiao Xiao in every possible way. I look at other people's faces all day long!"
Zhang Han supported the prince in fear and paused again: "Your Highness is deeply ambitious, and you are truly the holy heir of our dynasty! I am willing to follow Your Highness to the death and leave the palace to quell the traitor!"
The prince wiped his swollen eyes and stopped being sentimental. He raised his sword again and pointed it directly outside the palace: "Follow me and charge out. Even if I die, I will fight my way out!"
The palace door is wide open.
The prince walked out of the darkness, took a torch from the hands of the soldiers nearby, looked around, and shouted to the soldiers: "Fellow soldiers! You have assisted me for many years. Today there is a difficulty in the court. Are you willing to follow me?" "
When the officer heard this and saw Zhang Han standing behind him, he was greatly encouraged. He first led his soldiers to respond: "I am willing to follow you, Your Highness!"
As soon as these words came out, it was like a strong wind, setting off huge waves, and the entire East Palace was surrounded by the same voice.
"I am willing to obey Your Highness!"
"I would like to hear from Your Highness..."
Wave after wave of shouts seemed to unite everyone together.
"Everyone, the prince released me just to resist the old thieves in Liu Town to the end!" Zhang Han raised his arms and shouted, "But don't be afraid! There is King Xu's army behind us! He has already headed for the capital!" When we fight our way out of the palace, go straight to the prime minister's house, and capture Yan Wen's bandits alive, victory will be just around the corner!"
The crowd responded like a tsunami.
"Please give the prince an order!"
The prince walked down the stone steps step by step, and asked someone to fetch the horse. He immediately turned over and mounted it, waving his sword: "Everyone, open the palace gate and fight out!"
The guards outside heard the noise in the palace and all mounted their horses to take a look. Unexpectedly, the gate was suddenly pushed open, and before they could react, more than a dozen arrows flew out from inside, piercing the necks of four officers and soldiers.
Then there was a loud killing sound, and the officer jumped out of his horse and killed two more soldiers. The rest fled in a hurry, discarding their helmets and armor, and were trampled directly by the hoofs of horses. The prince then marched straight forward with his army and came to knock on him mightily. East gate.
There were soldiers guarding the east gate. When they saw the prince's rebel troops arriving, they quickly set up their crossbows and fired arrows like rain, killing a large number of people and horses. The prince was frightened, and he sent people to attack him, but he was still shot back, and he was still fighting hard. After going back and forth three or four times like this, they still couldn't reach the door, and the morale of the guards gradually declined.
The people in the city shouted: "Zhang Han kidnapped the prince to rebel. If you continue to work hard for him and remain stubborn, when the Holy Master returns, all nine tribes will be killed. If you surrender now, your followers will not be punished!"
After that, two groups of infantry were sent out, both with big banners and banners, to charge into the future. As soon as the soldiers took over, they dispersed and fled in all directions.
Zhang Han was about to return to his horse, but he was shot off his horse by a bow and arrow in the chaos and disappeared. However, the officer, with only a dozen soldiers left, covered the prince's escape from the battlefield.
