Chapter 123: Hu Weiyong Rebels (3)

No, I must send a message to Lao Zhu.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu walked out.

Outside, Mao Xiang had already gathered everyone together.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu said nothing more and waved his hand to order the entire army to set out.

Of course, in the midst of his busy schedule, Zhu Gaoxu did not forget to dispatch one hundred men to the glass factory.

It is better to be safe than sorry.

If, by any chance, Hu Weiyong had nothing better to do and decided to cause trouble for his glass factory, that would be disastrous.

After all, the glass factory could be said to have basically no defensive capabilities at all.

After splitting off one hundred men, all the remaining people headed toward Jingcheng.

By this time, the sky was completely dark; the army carried torches, and the two thousand-plus men looked like a small fire dragon.

Unfortunately, Zhu Gaoxu's mind was full of worries at this moment, and he was in no mood to appreciate this scene.

Just like that, the group marched majestically from the Military Camp and finally arrived outside Jingcheng shortly after.

The garrison inside the city had long since discovered Zhu Gaoxu's army; the city gates were already closed, and the general guarding the city stood on the wall, looking down at Zhu Gaoxu and his men with a grave expression.

When Zhu Gaoxu approached and saw the city gates closed, he raised his hand, and the soldiers, disciplined and obedient, immediately stood still.

By now, Zhu Gaoxu had mounted his warhorse, and escorted by Mao Xiang and several Imperial Secret Police, he rode to the city gate and said, "I am the Nanyang Commandery Prince, Zhu Gaoxu, son of the Yan Prince Zhu Di. I have urgent matters to attend to in the capital; open the city gates at once!"

Zhu Gaoxu did not expect the city-guarding general to be so obedient and open the gates; he just wanted to make a scene, let the people inside know what was happening, and at the very least, sound an alarm for Lao Zhu.

The general guarding the city was indeed as Zhu Gaoxu had anticipated; he did not open the gates, but instead shouted from above, "Greetings, Your Highness. It is late now. If you wish to enter the city, you may enter alone, but your brothers outside certainly cannot come in. Otherwise, you will have to wait until tomorrow."

After hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu said nothing more, but instead turned his horse around and returned to the main force.

He definitely had to enter the city, but before doing so, he still had to give some instructions.

"Mao Xiang, don't follow me into the city for a moment; stay behind and command the brothers."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu say this, Mao Xiang immediately shook his head and refused, "Your Highness, if it is truly as you say and Hu Weiyong intends to rebel, he certainly wouldn't rely on such meager means. Right now, the capital is no less than a dragon's pool or a tiger's den; it would be better for you to stay outside, and I will enter the city to handle things for you."

How could Zhu Gaoxu not know the current situation? There was no news from inside the city, but the more that was the case, the more he had to enter.

Hu Weiyong's rebellion was certainly inevitable, but no one knew exactly how he would do it or how far he would go.

After all, because of him, things had completely spiraled out of control, so he could only feel at ease if he went into the city himself to make arrangements.

Thinking this, Zhu Gaoxu said directly, "Do not say any more about this. I must enter the city myself. In a moment, just pick a few Imperial Secret Police to follow me; don't take too many, seven or eight will do."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu say this, Mao Xiang became a bit anxious.

"Your Highness, it is one thing for you to enter the city, but I must go with you."

Looking at the anxious expression on Mao Xiang's face, Zhu Gaoxu immediately explained, "You stay outside the city; I feel at ease with you outside. Besides, I still have a few things to entrust to you, and you are the most suitable person to do them."

Hearing Zhu Gaoxu put it that way, Mao Xiang said no more, stepped forward, and waited for Zhu Gaoxu's instructions.

Zhu Gaoxu pulled Mao Xiang over, bent down, and began to whisper in his ear...

Before long, Zhu Gaoxu finished speaking, then took a few Imperial Secret Police and walked toward the city gate, while Mao Xiang led the remaining soldiers to retreat.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu had only brought a few men and that the main force had withdrawn, the city-guarding general ordered the city gate to be opened just a crack.

Zhu Gaoxu said nothing more, flicked his horse whip, and led the way into the city.

The remaining few Imperial Secret Police followed closely behind.

Ignoring the military officer guarding the gate, there was little time left, and he could not afford to waste any more; after entering the city, Zhu Gaoxu headed straight for the Divine Weapon Battalion.

It was already dark, and there were basically no pedestrians on the road; Zhu Gaoxu whipped his horse the entire way and arrived at the office of the Divine Weapon Battalion at top speed.

After dismounting, seeing the two yamen runners standing guard at the entrance safe and sound, Zhu Gaoxu felt a secret sense of relief.

Taking two quick steps forward, Zhu Gaoxu immediately asked, "Has anything unusual happened?"

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's formation, the two yamen runners were a bit nervous, but they still cupped their hands and said, "Reporting to Your Highness, everything is fine; nothing has happened."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded after hearing this, then led the group of Imperial Secret Police inside.

At this hour, except for a few remaining yamen runners, everyone else who should have gone home had already left.

Zhu Gaoxu arrived at the door of a storage room inside, which was also guarded by two yamen runners.

There was nothing to say; Zhu Gaoxu directly ordered the two to open the storage room.

As the storage room opened, it was filled with rows of brand-new Daming Guns, and underneath the Daming Guns were gunpowder and lead bullets.

Zhu Gaoxu drew the Embroidered Spring Saber from the waist of an Imperial Secret Police beside him and stabbed it into a bag containing gunpowder.