Chapter 473: The Two Prefects

"General, the Northern Di main army is moving."

On the ramparts of Xian City, the Northern Di main army broke camp and headed south.

This movement was immediately noticed by the soldiers, who reported it to Yang Feng.

"What has happened? It seems to be in the direction of Wuguan." Yang Feng frowned.

He was suspicious in his heart, but he could not fathom the intentions of the Northern Di, so he continued to observe.

After the Northern Di main army broke camp, the armies of Xiliang and Ma Jin did not seem to have any intention of retreating.

They immediately filled the gap left by the Northern Di soldiers and continued to besiege them.

During the period when the Northern Di besieged Xian City, the troops Xiliang had stationed in Xiangcheng and Baocheng had all arrived.

Combined, they now numbered over three hundred thousand.

Although they were not as formidable as the Northern Di troops.

But during this time of defending the city, the troops under his command had fallen to fewer than one hundred and fifty thousand.

Especially since nearly half of them were soldiers from noble clans whose morale had dropped to the lowest point.

It was almost impossible to break out of the encirclement.

Perhaps this was also the reason the Northern Di main army left.

"After the Emperor escaped, I wonder if he returned to Jinling or went to Yanzhou? And how does he intend to lift the siege of Xian City?" Yang Feng muttered, his eyes full of worry.

He was not worried about himself, but he did not want the soldiers and generals of Xian City to be buried here.

After all, the New Army of the Imperial Guards that Zhao Heng had built cost a massive amount; if they all died here, it would undoubtedly be a huge loss for the Imperial Clan.

……

Yanguan.

After accompanying Zhao Heng for a few days of sightseeing, at Zhao Heng's request, Zhao Xu escorted this monarch to this place.

"It is worthy of being the number one strategic pass of the Great Song; if this place were taken by the Northern Di, it would be difficult to retake." On the ramparts of Yanguan City, Zhao Heng gazed ahead and sighed with emotion.

Since childhood, the name of Yanguan had often reached his ears.

But since he ascended the throne until now, he had not yet come to Yanguan in person.

Thinking of it by chance, he came for a visit himself.

In any case, during this time, he also had to wait for the next move of the Northern Di before making a decision.

The Second Prince also shamelessly followed along, as if he feared that if he were not by Zhao Heng's side, Zhao Xu would have his men beat him to death.

Despite his dissatisfaction with Zhao Xu taking advantage of the banquet to have his Imperial Father grant him the Southern Three Commanderies.

And being even more shocked by Zhao Heng's remark that the throne could also be given away.

But he knew very well that it was best to behave himself on the territory of Yan Wang.

Therefore, though displeased in his heart, he did not dare to offend Zhao Xu at all these past few days, putting on a harmonious appearance.

"Father is absolutely right; this Yanguan is the gateway of the Great Song. Now that Ninth Brother is guarding it, it must be safe and secure." The Second Prince gave Zhao Xu a smile.

As the group was talking, a Cavalry suddenly climbed the city wall and said to Zhao Xu, "Your Highness, the Han Prefecture Governor has arrived at the border of Yanzhou with his troops and requests an audience with the Emperor."

"Oh?" Zhao Xu's eyes rolled, "Then let him in."

Ever since the day Zhao Heng issued the decree in public,

Granting him the Southern Three Commanderies.

He had immediately dispatched soldiers and officials to take over the Southern Three Commanderies.

At the same time, some of the people from the three commanderies who had followed Chang Wei to the North Four Commanderies learned the news and were returning to the Southern Three Commanderies one after another.

Next, they would be like the people of the North Four Commanderies and be allocated farmland.

Therefore, since the Southern Three Commanderies were his fief, he naturally could not let Han Qi come and go as he pleased.

However, now that Han Qi knew the Southern Three Commanderies had become his fief, he would likely be furious to death.

Acknowledging the order, the Cavalry turned and left.

Zhao Heng and the Second Prince looked at each other, their expressions both relaxing.

At present, they were in the fief of Yan Wang; the officials were all officials of Yan Wang, and the generals were all generals of Yan Wang.

This gave them not a shred of a sense of security.

Now that Han Qi had arrived at the Yanzhou border with troops, they felt much more at ease.

Facing Yan Wang, they also had more confidence.

Just as the Cavalry left, another Cavalry arrived.

"Your Highness, the Wang Family troops have arrived at the Southwest border of Yanzhou, and the Prefect of Yuzhou, Wang Kang, requests an audience with the Emperor," the Cavalry said.

"Let him come to Yancheng," before Zhao Xu could speak, Zhao Heng suddenly spoke up, his tone much more confident.

Hearing this, the Second Prince beamed, his eyes full of excitement.

The feeling of living under someone else's roof vanished into thin air.

Having received this news, Zhao Heng seemed to have no interest in staying at Yanguan any longer.

Han Qi and Wang Kang had arrived one after another upon hearing the news; next, the news of his escape from Xian City would reach Jinling.

The Imperial Court would surely send people to welcome him back to Jinling.

Although his food, clothing, housing, and transportation in Yanzhou had been quite good these past few days.

He still could not stand the shabbiness of the northern border and wished to return immediately.

"After you, Father." Zhao Xu saw through Zhao Heng's thoughts, gestured for Zhao Heng to descend from the city wall, and ordered the carriage to Yancheng.

Zhao Heng wanted to leave, and he was truly eager for it.

With this Great Song monarch here, he had been accompanying him to eat, drink, and play—he had almost become a "triple companion."

Most importantly, Zhao Heng wanted only the best of everything.

If he is not allowed to leave, I fear he will soon be selecting palace maids in Yanzhou.

I certainly do not wish to continue serving this ancestor.

Furthermore, his goal in demanding the Southern Three Commanderies has already been achieved.

Zhao Heng also gifted him maritime trade rights; from now on, he can conduct maritime trade both above board and in the shadows.

Of course, he knows full well that Zhao Heng is doing this to kill him with kindness.

Under the circumstances where his strength is greatly diminished, this stirs up conflict between him and the powerful clans, relieving pressure on himself.

But he does not care.

The powerful clans have always been at odds with him, and this time he has performed such a great service.

Even without Zhao Heng's instigation, the powerful clans would likely suppress him further.

Moreover, he seized the Southern Three Commanderies from Yuan Li and drove the Yuan Family out of Yanzhou.

This time, the two Prefects, Han Qi and Wang Kang, have come leading troops.

In his view, besides the intention of welcoming the Emperor and seizing credit, they likely also intend to seek justice for Yuan Li.

After all, Yuan Li was a nail planted by the powerful clans in Yanzhou.

How could they allow him to pull it out so easily?

However, even if they have come, it is in vain; the Imperial Edict has already been issued, and they can only stare in frustration.

……

In Jinling, the news that Yan Wang had rescued the Emperor Zhao Heng was delivered here.

Imperial Palace.

Yanxi Palace.

Zhao Gang was blindfolded, playing hide-and-seek with three palace maids.

Laughter filled the air.

At this moment, Xie Huanghou walked in, glanced at Zhao Gang, and waved her hand to dismiss the three palace maids.

Just then, Zhao Gang suddenly grabbed Xie Huanghou, pulled the blindfold off his eyes, and was about to kiss her.

Seeing clearly that it was his own mother, he was startled.

"Mother, do you also like playing hide-and-seek?" Zhao Gang's expression was awkward.

Xie Huanghou's face turned red and then white, "Play my foot; you, oh you, you really don't look like anything."

Then she said, "Do you know that Yan Wang sent people to rescue the Emperor, and the Emperor is likely in Yancheng now?"

This news was sent from the Ma Family in Sizhou.

Therefore, it indicates that Zhao Heng has already headed toward Yancheng.

"Yan Wang rescued Father Emperor!" Zhao Gang was shocked and turned pale.

After thinking for a while, he picked up the teacup beside him and smashed it on the ground, "This Yan Wang is truly ruining my good fortune."

"Enough, things have reached this point, there is no use in saying more; you must immediately summon the ministers to discuss how to welcome the Emperor back," Xie Huanghou said. "It is said that the Northern Expedition suffered setbacks this time, and the Second Prince bears inescapable responsibility. Now that he is returning to the capital, the Emperor will surely hold him accountable. In this way, the Third Prince is ruined, and the Second Prince not only has no merit but is instead guilty; the throne will still be yours."

Hearing this, Zhao Gang felt a bit better.

However, thinking that he still had to continue waiting, he felt a wave of annoyance again.

It was just that he knew this was also a matter of helplessness.