Chapter 828

First Volume, Chapter 828: Internal War of the Jingji ZhuZhen

Each of the Eastern and Western Camps assembled three thousand vanguard troops—not because they could muster no more, but because their commanding officers' command limits could only cover three thousand men.

As the two vanguard forces advanced toward the Longhu Army's garrison, subsequent troops were also being mobilized and prepared.

All of this occurred outside the city, so almost no one noticed.

But when the Eastern Camp's vanguard arrived first, no battle erupted immediately; instead, everyone was confused, for the Longhu Army's garrison was brightly lit, yet not a single guard stood at the camp gate.

"Bad!"

The commanding general muttered sharply and immediately realized the Longhu Army was already on guard—likely having laid a perfect trap, inviting them to walk into it.

Almost the instant the Eastern Camp's vanguard general grasped the danger, shouts of battle erupted from all directions.

Dense arrows fell like a torrential downpour.

After several waves of ArrowRain, the Eastern Camp's vanguard formation was thrown into chaos; the most elite cavalry of the Jingji ZhuZhen—the Longhu Army—charged straight at them.

The Eastern Camp's vanguard scrambled to respond, but their infantry lines were already shattered; unable to form any effective defense against the elite heavy cavalry's ChargeOrder, they were torn apart in moments.

In desperation, the Eastern Camp's vanguard could only retreat, risking massive losses from cavalry pursuit, trying to preserve as much tactical advantage as possible—but before they could even exit the Longhu Army's garrison, the sight before them plunged them into utter despair.

The only escape route was blocked by a dark mass of cavalry—Tianji Camp's Black Cavalry!

The man standing proudly at the front was none other than Zhao Yuxiong, clad entirely in black armor.

He held a horse spear, his gaze sharp as a blade, roaring: "Surrender now, and keep your corpses whole; those who resist will be slain without mercy!"

This roar shattered the Eastern Camp's vanguard's last psychological defense.

With the supervising officers either dead or missing, even if the commanding officers screamed until their throats bled, they could not stop the soldiers from surrendering.

Zhao Yu, deputy general of the Eastern Camp, had never felt so humiliated since joining the army.

Yet watching the so-called Capital Elite of the Eastern Camp collapse and flee in panic, he had no power to stop it.

Since the powerful clans of Nan Jing began challenging the capital's authority, the Jingji ZhuZhen—supposed to rotate in batches to the Northern Border for training—had been forced to remain in place, fearing any mishap. Then the Northern Border fell to Qin Feng, and their final chance at training was utterly cut off.

Though the Jingji ZhuZhen's weapons and equipment were top-tier, their morale had steadily declined.

Now, faced with the Longhu Army's ambush and the Black Cavalry's pincer attack, they collapsed at the first strike…

Is this the Jingji ZhuZhen? If word spread, every nation would laugh.

As Zhao Yu sighed in despair, he suddenly felt himself yanked violently—his balance gone, he tumbled from his horse.

Before he could react, his neck turned cold, and his head fell to the ground.

A soldier of the Eastern Camp's infantry ran up to Zhao Yuxiong, left hand gripping a sword, right hand clutching Zhao Yu's severed head, panting heavily.

"General, here is the head of Zhao Yu, deputy general of the Eastern Camp."

Zhao Yuxiong poked Zhao Yu's head with his horse spear, studied it for two glances, confirmed its identity, then tossed it to his men and said coldly: "Display the rebel leader's head to all units for inspection."

The messenger carried Zhao Yu's head straight to the rear, and soon met the advancing Eastern Camp vanguard.

The messenger raised the head high and roared: "The traitorous Eastern Camp general Zhao Yu has been executed! If you persist in your folly, this will be your fate!"

"General Zhao Yuxiong of the Black Cavalry orders: if you return to your camp, punishment will be light. If not, the Jingji will run red with blood—all rebels will be killed!"

The officers and soldiers of the Eastern Camp's vanguard stared at Zhao Yu's head, caught in agonizing indecision.

These soldiers were merely following orders—they had no intention of rebellion. Put bluntly, even if the dynasty changed hands, it would bring them no benefit; they would still be soldiers.

Seeing the Eastern Camp troops hesitate, the messenger roared again: "How dare you, with such audacity, rise in rebellion while His Majesty is on his eastern hunt!"

"Even if every soldier of the Jingji ZhuZhen is equally corrupt, your attempt to seize power is pure fantasy!"

"Close at hand: the Longhu Army and Tianji Camp's Black Cavalry; far away: the mighty armies of the Northern Border!"

"When Lord Qin hears of this, he will march his forces here and exterminate your Nine Clans."

"This is your final chance—do not waste it."

Though only a single messenger stood before the Eastern Camp's vanguard, he spoke with absolute confidence—as if Qin Feng himself stood behind him.

The Eastern Camp had collapsed so quickly; even if they charged forward, it would only mean death.

Moreover, the Liang Emperor was not in Beijing; even if they captured Jingdu, Qin Feng could reclaim it in one-strike victory.

Whether the Liang Emperor or Qin Feng, both were ruthless, decisive killers.

At that point, all who participated in the rebellion would face Nine Clans Extermination.

"Return to camp!"

The main general of the Eastern Camp's vanguard made his choice—even if he returned and was beheaded by his superiors, it was better than Nine Clans Extermination.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Camp, Western Camp, and Zhu Chengjun Camp each received a visitor.

Minister of Revenue Li Xu rode in a carriage, openly entering the Eastern Camp's garrison, standing atop the vehicle, shouting toward the Shuaizhang: "General, I've come to save you!"

After much hesitation, the Eastern Camp General finally stepped out, pulling aside the tent flap.

"Save me? What do you mean, Minister Li?"

Li Xu's face was earnest: "General, your rebellion is doomed! You're about to face Nine Clans Extermination—I cannot bear to see Shedynasty lose such a capable general, so I risked my life to dissuade you. If you withdraw your troops and sever ties with Li Yong, tonight can be erased as if nothing happened."

Hearing this, the Eastern Camp General burst into loud laughter.

"Hahahaha, Li Xu, do you take me for a three-year-old?!"

"Tonight's uprising has shaken heaven and earth—success means supreme power, failure means ruin and death. There is no third path."

"I don't believe you—and I don't believe His Majesty either!"

Li Xu remained calm, raising his voice: "Then do you believe Grand Commandant Qin?!"

Grand Commandant Qin—Qin Tianhu…

Qin Tianhu represented not only the entire Taolin Party, but also the stance of Tianlu Marquis Qin Feng; indeed, Qin Tianhu's word carried more weight than the Liang Emperor's.

The Qin Family had even protected the Liang Emperor—how much more so these Eastern Camp generals?

While the Eastern Camp General remained silent, Li Xu pressed on: "Li Yong is too young—he underestimated Lord Qin, and even more so, His Majesty!"

"In his greed, he rushed to force a palace coup, unaware that all of this was already foreseen by Lord Qin."

"On Taishan, the Beixi County cavalry officer Xu Zhangqing leads five thousand Northern Border Generals to Reinforce the King."

"As for Jingdu, the Longhu Army and the Black Riders have already made Preparation."

"The Brocade Uniform Envoy's messengers lie in wait covertly; if the Grand General remains obstinate, the messengers shall immediately rush to the Northern Border!"