Chapter 384

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

As for those ceremonies of worshipping heaven and ancestors that should have been held, there simply wasn't enough time, so they all had to be omitted. After Xin Tong returns, we'll find time to make up these important ceremonies.

When Eunuch Qiu shouted "Court Session," everyone walked neatly toward Jinluan Hall. After entering the hall, the ministers each stood at their own positions, quietly waiting for the Emperor's arrival.

Just then, Xin Tong, wearing a brand new Dragon Robe, walked out slowly. His steps were steady and solemn, each step appearing so confident and majestic.

Ordinarily, Xin Tong always wore a black long robe, giving people a gloomy feeling. But today, he changed into a Minghuang Dragon Robe, and his entire temperament instantly underwent an earth-shaking change.

The Minghuang Dragon Robe appeared exceptionally dazzling under the sunlight, the golden dragon patterns on it even more lifelike, as if they were swimming.

Xin Tong's figure was tall and straight; wearing the Dragon Robe made him appear even more majestic, yet for some reason this majesty made people feel a bone-chilling sense of oppression.

At this moment, the many ministers below began whispering to each other in unison; they seemed very surprised and puzzled by what was happening before their eyes.

However, when Xin Tong walked step by step to the Dragon Throne and unceremoniously plopped down onto it, the entire scene instantly fell dead silent.

In this suffocating silence, Eunuch Qiu walked out unhurriedly from the side, holding an imperial edict that had long been prepared.

He stood still, took a deep breath, then slowly unfurled the edict, and began to read in a solemn and serious tone: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

As Eunuch Qiu's recitation rang out, all the ministers' attention was drawn over. Although they had not yet heard the complete content, from Eunuch Qiu's expression and tone they could already guess the general content of this edict.

Sure enough, when Eunuch Qiu read halfway through, the ministers basically all understood the core meaning of the edict. By the time Eunuch Qiu finished the final "Thus it is commanded," the atmosphere in the entire Imperial Court did not become tense or excited as people imagined, but instead appeared unusually calm.

The ministers seemed to have been mentally prepared for this result; they immediately knelt and shouted: "Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long, long live the Emperor!" This neat and uniform shout echoed in the spacious hall, sounding exceptionally Resounding.

Xin Tong sat on the Dragon Throne, looking down from above at the mass of ministers kneeling in darkness below, and a difficult-to-describe sense of satisfaction and achievement welled up in his heart.

However, this elated feeling lasted only an instant; he soon came back to his senses, realizing his current identity and responsibility.

He steadied his mind, then smiled at the ministers and said: "Rise, Grand Councilors." Hearing this, the ministers all rose and stood straight again.

Xin Tong continued: "Huangdi is in poor health, therefore he passed the throne to Us. And as for Nan Liang's current situation, presumably all Grand Councilors understand."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached the entire Imperial Court, letting every minister hear clearly: "Today's Ascension Ceremony was indeed too simple, completely failing to reach the scale and solemnity everyone expected. However, there is a reason for all this — We are about to personally lead the expedition, to face a great battle concerning the nation's survival. When We return victorious, We will then make up the other ceremonies, to display national prestige."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ministers immediately chorused flattery: "Nan Liang has such a brave and decisive Emperor, truly Dachang's fortune!"

Listening to these sycophantic words, Xin Tong couldn't help but curl a trace of a complacent smile. However, just as he continued talking with the ministers, he suddenly heard a loud shout from outside the hall: "Report—"

Seeing this, Eunuch Qiu hurried forward to ask: "What matter causes such panic?" The reporting soldier replied breathlessly: "Dachang's Army is almost at the capital!"

Eunuch Qiu's face changed greatly upon hearing this; he dared not delay, and hurriedly ran in small steps to Xin Tong's side, whispering in his ear: "Your Majesty, Dachang's Army is almost at the capital!"

Hearing this, Xin Tong's Eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he did not show excessive panic. He calmly said: "Since that's the case, then dismiss Court. We will change clothes, and immediately have all remaining Soldiers gather at the Chengmen."

Eunuch Qiu hastily replied: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Although this was an Ascension Ceremony, today's Court Session ended exceptionally quickly. Xin Tong hurried back to the inner hall and quickly changed into a set of mighty armor.

Behind him closely followed the elites of the Royal Guard; the group rushed toward the Chengmen like a gale.

And at this time, the Chengmen had been tightly shut ever since Yiran City was taken, and a Large Amount of heavy troops had been dispatched to guard it, to prevent enemy surprise attacks.

Therefore, there is currently no need to worry excessively that the City will be breached. However, just at this moment, the Army led by Yan Wang had already arrived beneath the Cheng Lou, and began loudly challenging and provoking.

The belated Xin Tong hurriedly climbed the Cheng Lou, looked out, and saw below a dense mass of Dachang Soldiers surging forward like an ant colony; this spectacular sight made him involuntarily feel fear, his scalp tingling with numbness.

Facing such a vast enemy formation, Xin Tong began to doubt the battle plan previously formulated, secretly pondering: Can such a plan really still work?

However, before he could deliberate deeply, Yan Wang's side took advantage of the moment when everyone had not yet recovered their wits, and directly dispatched thirty thousand Soldiers to charge toward the Chengmen like hungry tigers pouncing on prey.

These Soldiers moved fiercely and swiftly, like a violent storm; in the Blink of an eye they had reached the Chengmen and began frantically battering it.

Seeing this, Xin Tong urgently shouted: "Quick! Hold the Chengmen! Men, hurry and Prepare fire attack!"

However, Yan Wang's side had numerous men, held every advantage, and his tactics were unexpected, catching people off guard.

Just when Xin Tong's order for fire attack had not yet been readied, Yan Wang had already taken the lead, Riding a warhorse, leading the rest of the main force like a black flood, overwhelmingly charging over.

Yan Wang's tactics were simple and direct — no tactics to speak of! His purpose was to strike while the other side was unprepared, catch them off guard, and directly launch a fierce assault. This desperate fighting style threw Xin Tong's Army completely into disorder.

And at this moment, the Chengmen, under the fierce impact of the Dachang Soldiers, was already tottering, as if it might be directly smashed open at any time.

Yan Wang's Army pressed on in one vigorous surge, their offensive like a tide; under their fierce assault the Chengmen was almost beaten down. Finally, with a dull boom, the Chengmen burst open with a crash, and the Dachang Soldiers, seeing this, surged into the City like a burst dam flood.