Chapter 251: Besieged Inside and Out

The news that the prison in Chan Prefecture had been raided and Zhao Kuangyin's whereabouts were unknown, like a dull funeral bell, was transmitted to the Bian Liang Imperial Palace a few days later one morning.

At that moment, Chen Wen had just finished listening to Zhang Cheng's latest progress report on the restoration of grain transport and the allocation of provisions, while Wang Pu was analyzing the increasingly ambiguous attitude of the Southern Tang envoy Zhong Mo in recent days.

This six-hundred-li urgent military report from Chan Prefecture instantly caused the atmosphere inside the Zichen Hall to plummet to freezing point.

Bang!

Chen Wen slammed his fist onto the imperial desk, and the hard rosewood surface let out a groan unable to bear the weight.

His face turned ashen, his eyes surging with repressed fury.

It was not because of Zhao Kuangyin himself—a defeated captive whose weight in his heart had long since become light.

He was furious that the Iron Crow Army dared to act so brazenly, raiding the prison and slaughtering the garrison in the very heart of his new dynasty!

He was furious that these successive calamities, like a bone-eating maggot, kept draining the new dynasty's already meager resources and prestige!

"Nearly a hundred elite guards, none survived..."

Chen Wen's voice sounded as if squeezed from between his teeth, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

"What an Iron Crow Army! What a 'purge plan'!"

Zhang Cheng and Wang Pu exchanged a glance, both seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

The Chan Prefecture affair undoubtedly poured salt into the new dynasty's unhealed wound.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."

Zhang Cheng said in a deep voice.

"The urgent task is to clarify the situation and respond to the present predicament."

Wang Pu also cupped his hands and said:

"Your Majesty, viewed together with the recent assassination in Bian Liang, the stalemate in Hebei, the crisis in Jin Prefecture, and the movements of the Southern Tang, the Chan Prefecture incident is certainly not isolated."

"This time, the Iron Crow Army has truly bared its fangs and launched an all-out offensive."

"Its purpose is to besiege our new dynasty inside and out, exhaust it, and ultimately cause it to collapse!"

Chen Wen drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging qi and blood.

How could he not know?

His internal "Fortune Momentum" qi vortex was now violently churning due to the bad news pouring in from all sides; although still thick and massive, it had lost some of its earlier vigorous exuberance and gained a hint of heaviness and stagnation.

This qi vortex is closely tied to the nation's fortunes.

When the nation's fortunes are smooth, the qi vortex is lively;

when the nation's fortunes are adverse, the qi vortex sinks.

The Growth Progress Bar still lingered at the 70% mark, as if bound by an invisible shackle, making any advance difficult.

He walked up to the huge map, his gaze sweeping over the various marked focal points.

Bian Liang, Chan Prefecture, Hebei's Wild Wolf Hollow, Jin Prefecture, the Southern Tang border...

Each point seemed to have become a burning fire source, scorching his nerves.

"What about Qian Gui?"

Chen Wen asked without turning his head.

"Have him come see me at once!"

Moments later, Qian Gui, covered in dust and with bloodshot eyes, hurried into the hall.

Obviously, he had also rushed over upon receiving the news from Chan Prefecture at the first moment.

"Your Majesty."

Qian Gui knelt on one knee, his voice hoarse.

"I have failed Your Majesty's grace! Unable to discern the Iron Crow Army's prison‑raid plot in advance, leading to the Chan Prefecture……"

"Now is not the time to plead guilty!"

Chen Wen interrupted him, turned around, his eyes sharp.

"I need to know how many reserves the Iron Crow Army still has."

"Who exactly is that 'Cold Crow'?"

"Where was Zhao Kuangyin taken after being abducted?"

"What else do they plan to do next?"

A rapid-fire series of questions bombarded Qian Gui like a string of cannon shots.

Qian Gui took a deep breath, organized his thoughts, and reported quickly:

"Your Majesty, based on the scattered descriptions of survivors from Chan Prefecture (the outer patrol squad) and my multiple verifications within Bianliangcheng, it can basically be confirmed that the prison raiders were remnants of the Iron Crow Army's core 'Yin Shadow' unit, employing a device similar to an 'Annihilation Thunder' to interfere with the perimeter, and then using death‑soldiers to storm the inner courtyard."

"The cost is that this squad they infiltrated Chan Prefecture with has likely been wiped out entirely."

"As for Zhao Kuangyin's whereabouts, the trail currently ends outside Chan Prefecture City, heading roughly north, but whether he went to Hebei to meet Liu Yanju, or was sent to Northern Han or the Khitan, remains unknown."

He paused, a trace of fatigue and shame appearing on his face.

"Regarding the 'Cold Crow'…… I have intensified surveillance over all suspicious personnel these past few days, especially those few high‑ranking individuals who had already come into our view."

"From the fact that the assailant could precisely seize the moment and evade some of our secret posts when Chancellor Zhang and Mr. Wang were assassinated, it is clear that this person is extremely familiar with the imperial court's internal defensive arrangements, and even with the way my Inspection Bureau operates."

"The scope…… has already been narrowed down to within three people."

"But this person is extremely cunning, acts cautiously, and has left no direct evidence."

"I…… still need a little time."

Chen Wen listened silently, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the map.

Inside, there is an all‑penetrating, high‑ranking "Cold Crow";

Outside, there is the Iron Crow Army‑backed Liu Yanju of Hebei, the Northern Han fiercely attacking Jin Prefecture, and the restless Southern Tang;

Now added to this is an abducted Zhao Kuangyin, whose potential to stir up trouble is unknown……

It can truly be said to be surrounded by Chu songs on all sides, with ambushes on ten sides!

He slowly closed his eyes.

In his mind flashed the bonfire of Jiao Tu Zhen, flashed the side‑by‑side stance on the walls of Chan Prefecture City, flashed that snowy, windy morning at Chen Bridge Station, flashed the worship of the myriad masses at the enthronement ceremony……

All the way here, how arduous it has been.

Could it be that this just‑lit flame of hope is about to be extinguished by the cold, dark wind and rain coming from all directions?

No!

Absolutely not!

He suddenly opened his eyes; all hesitation and agitation in his pupils faded away, leaving only the steadfastness and coldness of a boulder.

"I know."

His voice returned to calm, yet carried an unquestionable power.

"Since they want my realm, want the people of Zhongyuan to return to that dark, chaotic age……"

"Then let them come charging!"

He looked toward Zhang Cheng.

"Minister Zhang, the people's hearts of Bian Liang, the grain transport and supplies—these are the lifelines of the state; I entrust them to you and Wang Ru."

"Be sure to ensure stability, allowing no mistake!"

Zhang Cheng bowed solemnly:

"Your servant, I will not shun ten thousand deaths!"

He looked toward Wang Po.

"Mr. Wang, regarding the Southern Tang, you shall handle it with full authority."

"If you can delay, do so; if you can stabilize, do so."

"If necessary, you may show force, but you must never be the first to open hostilities!"

Wang Po nodded solemnly:

"Your Majesty, rest assured; I understand."

Finally, he looked toward Qian Gui.

"Qian Gui!"

"I give you twelve double‑hours!"

"Within those twelve double‑hours, I want to see the head of the Cold Crow placed before me!"

"If the interior is not purified, I am like a thorn in my back; how can I face external enemies?"

Qian Gui's body shuddered; feeling the imperial aura and resolute killing intent sweeping over him, he slammed his head to the ground:

"Your servant! I receive the order! If within twelve double‑hours I cannot capture this scoundrel, I will come to see you with my head in hand!"

"Go."

Chen Wen waved his hand.

The three bowed and withdrew, hurrying off to their respective battlefields.

In the empty Purple Hall, only Chen Wen remained.

He walked to the window again, gazing upon this scar‑ridden yet stubbornly standing capital.

The lingering glow of the setting sun dyed the horizon a grim, blood‑red.

The Fortune Momentum vortex within his body seemed to sense his master's unyielding will; its former stagnation faded, and it began to turn slowly and firmly once more.

That 70% Growth Progress Bar seemed to loosen a bit.

He knew the most difficult moment had arrived.

But he knew even more clearly that he had no way to retreat.

This Bianliangcheng, this new dynasty's realm, this hope of countless commoners—he must defend it.

No matter the cost.

He lightly pressed the hilt of the sword at his waist; the cool sensation transmitted, yet it made his inner fervor burn ever hotter.

"Come……"

He silently whispered to that blood‑tinged setting sun.

"Let me see what other tricks you have."