Chapter 179 The capital is stabilized, and the emperor is welcomed back.

Upon hearing the news that Chang Yuchun's army had reached the gates of Jinan, Wu Sanjia's already gloomy face furrowed even deeper.

He was well aware of Chang Yuchun's military leadership abilities as the deputy marshal of Longcheng, and also knew the formidable fighting power of the Longcheng rebel soldiers.

It was absolutely impossible for Wu Qidong, the garrison commander of Jinan Prefecture, and his mere 50,000 remnant troops to withstand Chang Yuchun's 150,000 rebel troops in Longcheng for a year or two.

Wu Sanjia immediately made a decision: the coup in the capital must be quelled within two months.

He ordered, "Pass down the order to Wu Qidong, the garrison commander of Jinan Prefecture, instructing him to hold off Chang Yuchun's rebel army from Longcheng in Jinan Prefecture for three months."

"If Wu Qidong loses Jinan within three months, he will be a sinner for all time in the history of the Great Xin Dynasty!"

"If Wu Qidong can still hold Jinan Prefecture and prevent the city from falling three months later, then he will be the greatest contributor to this battle."

"This general will personally lead the army north to hold a victory banquet for the Jinan garrison at the rebel camp of Longcheng, and personally petition the Emperor and Empress Dowager for their commendation!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

The messenger hurriedly took the order and left.

On the river embankment, where the river wind was blowing, only Wu Sanjia and his two lieutenants remained.

Wu Sanjia spoke again: "General Zhao, General Tang, you've both heard it, haven't you? One of the rebel forces from Longcheng has already reached the gates of Jinan Prefecture."

"Presumably, the rebel army from Longcheng that attacked Kaifeng will soon be at the gates of Kaifeng."

"Gentlemen, the time left for our Tiger Warriors to quell the rebellion and defend the emperor is running out!"

As he spoke, Wu Sanjia's tone suddenly became sharp, and he shouted, "Deputy Generals Zhao Kui and Tang Ziyi, listen to my command—"

"Your subordinate is here!"

Zhao Kui and Tang Ziyi immediately straightened their backs, clasped their hands in a fist salute to Wu Sanjia, and awaited his orders.

Wu Sanjia said, "Vice General Zhao Kui, I hereby entrust you with full responsibility for the requisitioning and construction of warships, as well as the training of the Tiger Warriors in naval warfare and river crossing. There must be no mistakes!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Zhao Kui cupped his hands in greeting again and accepted the order.

After thinking for a moment, Wu Sanjia added, "Zhao Kui, I'm only giving you two months. Within two months, these 180,000 elite new troops must acquire naval warfare capabilities."

"If we miss the opportunity—"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Kui took the initiative to speak: "General, please rest assured, if we miss the opportunity, I will offer my head to you!"

Zhao Kui, who was already trying to atone for his crimes, steeled his heart and signed a military pledge.

Um!

Wu Sanjia nodded heavily, then turned his gaze to another deputy general, Tang Ziyi, and said, "Deputy General Tang Ziyi, I hereby entrust you with full responsibility for recruiting new troops from the Jiangnan region to come to the capital to defend the emperor."

"I refuse to believe that among so many military generals of the Great Xin Dynasty, there isn't a single loyal and capable minister. Are they all going to follow that treacherous minister Qin Ruhui in overthrowing the Great Xin Dynasty?"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

Tang Ziyi once again clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order.

At this moment, Wu Sanjia patted Tang Ziyi on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Ziyi, the journey to Jiangnan is extremely dangerous. You must be mentally prepared!"

Tang Ziyi replied with righteous indignation: "General, I am wholeheartedly devoted to serving my country and have long since disregarded life and death. Although I am not certain of success in my journey to Jiangnan, I am determined to die for my country!"

"Well done!"

Wu Sanjia praised them, then waved his hand at the two of them and ordered, "Alright, you can go and get ready!"

"On the sixth day of the eighth month of the second year of Lingwu in the Great Xin Dynasty, this general will personally lead 180,000 elite new troops across the Yangtze River!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

......

Jiangyin Fortress, the main base of the Daxin Navy.

Compared to the tense situation outside the capital city of Nanjing, where the two banks of the Yangtze River faced each other across the river, the situation inside the Daxin naval headquarters, a hundred miles away, appeared much more peaceful and tranquil.

Since receiving the title of the ninth king of the Great Xin Dynasty, the King of the Four Seas, from the Emperor of Lingwu, Fang Tianyao, the naval commander, has become increasingly arrogant.

First, under the pretext of protecting the Emperor and Empress Dowager, the entire naval force originally stationed outside Nanjing City, at Stone City on the banks of the Yangtze River, was transferred back to the Jiangyin headquarters.

Then, using the flimsy excuse that "Japanese pirates" frequently harassed the Jiangyin area, the young Emperor Zhao Lingwu and Empress Dowager Su Wan'er were placed under house arrest at the naval headquarters.

Memorials submitted to the Emperor and Empress Dowager from outside the capital must first be reviewed by Fang Tianyao before they can reach the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

Similarly, if the Lingwu Emperor's oral and written edicts were to leave Jiangyin, they would need Fang Tianyao's approval.

It is no exaggeration to say that Fang Tianyao, the current King of the Four Seas and Admiral of the Navy of the Great Xin Dynasty, has become the de facto Emperor Emeritus of the Great Xin Dynasty.

Its control over the imperial power of the Great Xin Dynasty far exceeded that of the former prime minister Qin Ruhui.

Fang Tianyao, who was originally from the Jiangzhe region and came from a pirate background, was, as Wu Sanjia commented, an out-and-out opportunist, a typical person who wouldn't act until he saw a clear benefit.

Therefore, even though Wu Sanjia, who had the power to control the military forces of the Great Xin Dynasty, sent three urgent messages a day, summoning Fang Tianyao and the navy back to the capital to participate in the war, he remained unmoved.

At this moment, Fang Tianyao was truly using the emperor to command the princes, sitting in the naval headquarters and acting at the slightest provocation.

His actions had already aroused the dissatisfaction of He Changdong, the commander of the Imperial Guards who was also under house arrest in the naval camp.

On this day, He Changdong, the commander of the Imperial Guards, finally met the young Emperor Lingwu and the Empress Dowager, who were trapped in the naval camp, under the pretext of delivering imperial meals for the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

Upon meeting, He Changdong knelt down and pleaded guilty in anguish: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, this humble general deserves to die!"

"If it weren't for my suggestion that His Majesty and the Empress Dowager seek refuge under Admiral Fang Tianyao, they wouldn't be in this predicament, trapped in this naval camp."

"This humble general never expected that Fang Tianyao would be such a treacherous villain, daring to commit such a heinous act!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, this humble general deserves to die!"

Faced with the tearful apology of He Changdong, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Empress Dowager Su Wan'er remained calm.

During her escape, the experiences along the way forced the young Empress Dowager Su to mature rapidly, and she was no longer as helpless as before when faced with predicaments.

She spoke first, pardoning He Changdong.

Then, with a calm expression, she said, "General He, what is the current situation in Jinling City? Tell me and the Emperor."

He Changdong reported, "Your Majesty, I overheard soldiers in the naval camp discussing that General Wu's elite Tiger-like army has already reached the north bank of the Yangtze River."

"Unfortunately, Fang Tianyao withdrew all the warships near Stone City, making it impossible for General Wu and the Tiger Army to cross the natural barrier of the Yangtze River!"

Eh—

As he spoke, He Changdong let out a long, helpless sigh.

Su Wan'er frowned slightly and said, "General He, Fang Tianyao is currently avoiding seeing me and the Emperor, always using being busy with military affairs as an excuse."

"I have already written a letter. I wonder if General He can find a way to deliver this letter to Fang Tianyao?"

As she spoke, Su Wan'er took out a letter and handed it to He Changdong.

This handwritten letter contained a new price list that Su Wan'er, in the name of the Lingwu Emperor, offered to Fang Tianyao, who had already been granted the title of king, and his naval forces.

"Your Majesty, even if it costs me my life, I will deliver Your Majesty's edict to Fang Tianyao!"

He Changdong immediately agreed and took the letter from Su Wan'er's hand.

Then, he left in a hurry.

Several hours later, Empress Dowager Su Wan'er received a reply from Naval Commander Fang Tianyao.

The letter contained only one line: "Once the situation in the capital is stabilized, I will personally welcome His Majesty back to the palace!"