Chapter 162 Departure
Jiang Lingyin and his group had lunch at the farm, and everyone felt a little heavy.
They knew that they were about to embark on a journey full of unknowns and dangers.
After packing their luggage, they headed to the capital together to meet up with Ye Wenjing.
Along the way, everyone was silent and the atmosphere was depressing.
Jiang Lingyin's heart was filled with worries, but she also understood that this war was inevitable and they had to face it bravely.
Finally, they arrived in the capital.
Ye Wenjing had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw Jiang Lingyin and others, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
After a brief greeting, everyone prepared to set out with the army.
Just at this moment, Ye Nanzhao came galloping over on his horse.
His figure was like a flash of lightning, instantly attracting everyone's attention.
Ye Nanzhao came in front of Ye Wenjing, pulled the reins, and the horse let out a long neigh.
Ye Nanzhao looked at Ye Wenjing, his eyes full of concern and expectation.
"Wen Jing, you must be careful on this trip. Remember, come back alive and marry your daughter-in-law in style." Ye Nanzhao's voice was firm and powerful.
Ye Wenjing nodded slightly, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.
"Don't worry, father. I will definitely come back alive. I will also marry Lingyin and give her a happy future."
Ye Nanzhao patted Ye Wenjing on the shoulder and said, "Well, you are worthy of being my son. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must persevere. Men in our Ye family will never back down."
After giving his instructions, Ye Nanzhao rode away in a hurry.
He knew that he had a more important task, which was to guard the southwest and ensure the security of the country.
Jiang Lingyin looked at Ye Nanzhao's departing back, and a warm feeling surged in her heart.
She knew that Ye Nanzhao and Ye Wenjing had a deep father-son relationship, and they were both working hard for their country and their families.
Emperor Li Zhuo stood on the towering city wall with a solemn expression, looking down at the army that was ready to go, as well as Ye Wenjing, Jiang Lingyin and others below.
There was determination and courage in his eyes, and he had already made that difficult but crucial decision in his heart.
Li Zhuo raised his chin slightly and said in a steady and powerful voice: "Ye Wenjing, the country is in crisis, foreign enemies are raging, and the country is in danger.
I will give you all the 50,000 imperial guards. You must defend the country. If the country is lost, it will be meaningless to guard me as the emperor."
Ye Wenjing knelt on one knee with a solemn expression, cupped his hands and said loudly: "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will do my best to live up to your trust. Even if it costs my life, I will defend the country to the death."
Li Zhuo slowly turned his gaze to Jiang Lingyin and said earnestly, "Ayin, I know very well that you are as capable as any man.
In this expedition, I hope you and Ye Wenjing will work hand in hand to serve the country and protect our country."
Jiang Lingyin saluted respectfully and said firmly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best and will never back down."
Li Zhuo's health has been deteriorating since he learned the truth about He Ruoyunsheng's death.
The truth was like a heavy rock, weighing on his heart and making him restless day and night.
He often fell into deep self-blame and grief, and became more and more haggard.
At this moment, after sending Jiang Lingyin and Ye Wenjing's army off, Li Zhuo felt an indescribable grief surging in his heart, as if it was going to devour his soul.
The grief rushed through his body, and his blood surged instantly.
Suddenly, Li Zhuo covered his mouth and a mouthful of blood spurted out.
Eunuch An, who was standing by, was horrified and his face turned pale in an instant.
He hurriedly supported Li Zhuo and shouted in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"
Li Zhuo's face was as pale as paper, his body was trembling slightly, and he said weakly: "I'm fine..."
Eunuch An was extremely anxious, with beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
"Your Majesty, please don't be in any trouble. Hurry, return to the palace and ask the imperial physician to treat you immediately."
Eunuch An helped Li Zhuo back to the palace in a hurry, shouting all the way: "Quick, call the imperial physician! His Majesty is vomiting blood!"
The anxious voice echoed in the corridors of the palace, making people feel uneasy.
Back at the palace, the imperial doctors rushed in. Eunuch An paced anxiously, his hands tightly clasped, his eyes fixed on the imperial doctors' every move, waiting for their diagnosis.
After an intense diagnosis and treatment, the imperial doctors all shook their heads and sighed.
Eunuch An hurriedly asked, "Imperial Physician, how is His Majesty?"
An imperial physician replied solemnly, "Eunuch, your majesty's body is already weak, and now his old illness has been triggered by the grief in his heart, and his qi and blood are attacking his heart. The situation is really not optimistic."
After hearing this, Eunuch An felt a sinking feeling in his heart and looked worriedly at Li Zhuo, who was lying on the bed with a weak breath.
He knew very well that the country was in danger and His Majesty was in such a weak health. What should he do... Where should the country go?
At the same time, in the residence of the Tenth Prince Li Xu, a strange atmosphere was faintly permeated in the silence.
Li Xu was leaning leisurely on the armchair, gently waving a folding fan in his hand. He looked nonchalant, but in fact, there was calculation in his eyes.
He tilted his head slightly, looked at Jiang Yeqiu beside him, and asked casually: "Jiang Yeqiu, I want to ask you, has Ye Wenjing set out yet?"
Jiang Yeqiu bowed respectfully and replied, "Your Highness, at 5 p.m. Ye Wenjing has already led the army to march out."
After hearing this, Li Xu's mouth corners slowly rose up, revealing a smug smile.
Then, he suddenly raised his head and laughed wildly. The laughter echoed throughout the mansion, making people shudder.
"Hahahaha, good! That's great! Once Ye Wenjing takes the imperial guards away, this capital city will belong to me!" Li Xu's eyes flashed with greed and ambition.
Jiang Yeqiu frowned slightly, hesitated for a moment and said: "Your Majesty, is this too risky? Ye Wenjing is not an easy character to deal with. What if he..."
Li Xu swung his folding fan fiercely, interrupting Jiang Yeqiu's words: "Humph, what are you afraid of? Although Ye Wenjing is brave and resourceful, he has been sent to the frontier by the emperor, and distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.
No matter how powerful he is, he cannot get back to the capital in a short time.
Moreover, this king has been planning for a long time, and now is the perfect time."
Jiang Yeqiu said worriedly: "But Your Majesty, His Majesty..."
Li Xu snorted disdainfully: "That sickly emperor? He can barely protect himself now, how can he have the energy to care about me? Once I take over the capital, the world will be mine."
Li Xu stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the room, as if he had already seen the moment when he ascended the throne.
"Jiang Yeqiu, pass the order down and have our people get ready. Once the time is right, act immediately."
Jiang Yeqiu hesitated for a moment, but still responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
At this time, Li Xu's heart was filled with desire for power and longing for the future.
He firmly believed that he would soon become the master of the world, and Ye Wenjing and Emperor Li Zhuo would both become stepping stones for him to ascend the throne.
Li Xu stopped pacing, looked at Jiang Yeqiu again, and continued to analyze: "Although Ye Wenjing had great military achievements and high prestige in the army, he has now taken away 50,000 imperial guards, and the defense of the capital must be empty.
This king can take advantage of this opportunity to take him down in one fell swoop. Even if Ye Wenjing has great abilities, by the time he gets the news, this king will have already taken control of the situation.”
Jiang Yeqiu still had some concerns and said, "Your Highness, Ye Wenjing has Jiang Lingyin and others to help him. If they learn of changes in the capital on the battlefield, there is no guarantee that they will not quickly come back to help."
Li Xu sneered and said, "They are fighting the enemy at the border, how can they get away easily?
Even if they want to come back for help, after the long journey, I have enough time to arrange everything and wait for them to fall into the trap.
Humph, I want to see what they can do to me."
Li Xu waved his folding fan again, his eyes full of confidence and arrogance. "Jiang Yeqiu, you go and make arrangements immediately. Make sure our plan is foolproof. This capital city will soon be in my hands."
Although Jiang Yeqiu was worried, he could only obey orders. "Yes, Your Majesty. I will arrange it right away."
Li Xu sat back in the armchair and closed his eyes.
There was always a determined smile on his face, and his desire for power grew stronger.