Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 844: Revised - 841: Setting the Stage

The Eldest Princess stated clearly, due to her old age and weakness, she could not discern whether it was the Crown Prince conspiring or King Liang rebelling.

Regardless, both the Crown Prince and King Liang were of royal blood, the Eldest Princess would not intervene this time and let the Emperor decide.

King Liang, rejected, then sent Fan Yuhuai to surround the Princess of Zhen’s mansion, ordering that no one be allowed to enter or exit.

On March 29, the eighteenth year of Xuanjia, the Great General of Yan, Xie Xun, breached Weishu City. The Empress Dowager of Wei perished in the fire, and the fate of the Emperor of Wei remained unknown.

On April 1, the eighteenth year of Xuanjia, under the strong advice of the old Prime Minister of Liangting, the Emperor of Liang finally ordered the capital to be moved to Xiangliang. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com

In no time, officials and nobles started packing their belongings, the citizens of Hancheng were panicking and imitating their actions. The chaos of war was evident even before the Jin army arrived.

Inside the Imperial Palace, it was equally chaotic, with the Emperor, concubines, princes, palace maids, and eunuchs all hurriedly packing their belongings, fearing to be left behind.

However, relocating the capital was a major affair. A large number of palace maids and eunuchs had to be sent to the palace in Xiangliang first, followed by the Emperor and the concubine’s carriages.

In the harem, even the luggage of the lower-ranked concubines required more than a dozen carriages, not to mention the Emperor’s own belongings.

Only the Third Prince decided to stay in Hancheng, waiting for the Rong Ghost-Face Prince to bring reinforcements. He merely arranged for his wife, children, and concubines to follow the Emperor to Xiangliang.

On April 11, the eighteenth year of Xuanjia, just as the Emperor’s carriage was preparing to leave the city, while the people of Hancheng were in a panic and chaos, the Jin army appeared like a bolt from the blue, with Zhao Sheng leading his troops to blockade the east, west, and north gates of Hancheng, the capital of Liang.

Meanwhile, the Emperor of Liang received news that Lin Pengfei, the guard of Yuegu City, had surrendered after resisting the forces of the Princess of Zhen for three days. Now, the Princess of Zhen was leading her troops towards Hancheng.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor of Liang vomited blood and fainted, being carried back to his bedchamber, plunging Hancheng into chaos.

The Third Prince acted decisively, ordering the capital relocation army to travel light and escape Hancheng immediately, escorting the Emperor to Xiangliang.

However, before the Emperor of Liang regained consciousness and could leave Hancheng, news arrived that Commandery Princess Gaoyi was leading her troops in a surprise attack from the direction of Daquan, assaulting the east gate of Hancheng.

Less than an hour later, more news came that the Great General of Jin, Liu Hong, had already captured Zhongxing and was leading his army towards the south gate of Hancheng.

With Lin Pengfei having surrendered and the Princess of Zhen, Bai Qingyan, leading her troops to Hancheng...

The Jin army’s three-pronged attack had besieged Hancheng; Liang’s great momentum was fading.

And the royal family of Liang, trapped in Hancheng, due to the Emperor’s earlier hesitation to move the capital, were now beseeching the Emperor, with the old Prime Minister of Liang pressing for a territorial concession and peace treaty with Jin, to maintain the kingdom and pay tribute as a vassal.

The Emperor of Liang knew the old Prime Minister was right, yet, looking at the ministers kneeling before him, he was unwilling, scolding loudly: "The Ghost-Face Prince of Rong is on his way! If we can hold Hancheng for a few more days, his arrival will surely lift the siege!"

At this moment, Bai Qingyan, riding a pure white steed, led her troops at the forefront, already within sight of the walls of Hancheng, hearing the sounds of battle from within the city.

"Report..."

Seeing the scout return on a fast horse, Bai Qingyan raised her hand; the vast army halted uniformly.

The scout dismounted nimbly, kneeled with a fist to chest, and reported: "To the Princess of Zhen, Commandery Princess Gaoyi is leading her troops to attack the east gate of Hancheng!"

"Report..."

Another scout returned at high speed, dust flying behind.

Dismounting and kneeling, the scout said: "To the Princess of Zhen, General Liu Hong has captured Zhongxing and is advancing towards the south gate of Hancheng."

"Report..."

Scouts continuously returned.

"To the Princess of Zhen, members of the Liang royal family trapped in Hancheng, with a few having escaped, being captured by Commandery Princess Gaoyi!"

Bai Qingyan nodded, gripping the reins tightly, gazing at the majestic Hancheng under the bright sun, feeling a surge of heroic spirit...

Once reliant on the wealth from the North Sea’s fishing and salt transport, the prosperous and strong Liang kingdom would soon be no more.

And this...was only the beginning of unifying the world.

After taking Liang, Bai Qingyan’s next goal would be to overthrow the decayed Lin dynasty in Jin, establishing a foundation for the common people, and govern Jin with a people-first approach, rather than serving the interest of the noble clans alone.

"To the Princess of Zhen, someone claiming to be a Hidden Guard under Bai Jinxiu’s orders seeks an audience with you!" Yang Wei, a subordinate of Yang Wuce, reported to the Princess of Zhen.

Bai Jinxiu dispatched the Hidden Guards; perhaps something had happened in Dadu City?

"Where is he? Take me to him!" Bai Qingyan turned her horse and followed Yang Wei quickly to the rear of the main army.

From the moment they left Dadu City, these Hidden Guards had been riding tirelessly day and night, covering almost six hundred li a day, changing horses at staging posts, eating quickly on horseback, and tying themselves securely to their steeds when too exhausted to stay awake, allowing the horses to follow their companions.

With such extreme efforts, they delivered the message to Bai Qingyan, who was about to reach Hancheng, in just nineteen days.

Upon completing their mission, the Hidden Guards collapsed, some even falling asleep immediately.

Seeing Bai Qingyan approaching the rear of the army on horseback, the Hidden Guard Xingchen, who had infiltrated the Bai Mansion in Dadu City multiple times to deliver messages to Bai Qingyan, stood up quickly.

Xingchen had not yet stepped forward when Jin soldiers pointed spears at him, forcing him to retreat.

Only when Bai Qingyan reined her horse did Xingchen wake the other six Hidden Guards, who kneeled with one knee to greet her.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Has something happened in Dadu City?" Bai Qingyan waved her whip, signaling the guards watching the Hidden Guards to withdraw.

"Reporting to Master, Miss Bai Jinxiu ordered us on March 24 to deliver this message: King Liang has conspired with Left Prime Minister Li Mao and Imperial Guard Commander Fan Yuhuai to rebel!" Xingchen reported swiftly.

Yang Wei, beside Bai Qingyan, was shocked. From Dadu City in Jin to here...these Hidden Guards had only taken nineteen days!

Bai Qingyan’s hand tensed.

Fan Yuhuai and King Liang...and Li Mao.

As expected, what Bai Qingyan predicted had come true.

But hadn’t she already sent a message to ask Bai Jinxiu and Qin Lang to go to Baiwo City? Why were they still in Dadu City?!

"Is Miss Bai Jinxiu still in Dadu City?" Bai Qingyan asked.

"Yes, Master!"

Tightly gripping the reins, Bai Qingyan thought, King Liang’s move was undoubtedly to accuse the Crown Prince of regicide, ascend the throne, and then proclaim dominion over the lands, thereby ensuring stability.

This time, without King Xin to cover him, King Liang had no retreat; he would either succeed or die trying...he would undoubtedly use all his forces, and even if she led troops back to aid immediately, it might be too late.

Moreover, only her Hidden Guards had reported; this alone might not convince Liu Hong to withdraw forces with her.

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