The Great Zhou’s imperial palace was renovated on the foundation of the Northern Ji Kingdom’s palace. The imperial palace was the emperor’s home, and much effort had been spent on its construction in earlier years. Not only was the entire palace built very sturdily, but the terrain was also easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Currently defending the imperial palace were, apart from the Jinghu Guards who had charged in first last night and Ji Zeyu’s household troops, the remaining guards, attendants, and eunuchs originally left in the palace.

The Five Cities’ Military Commission attacking the imperial palace had brought over eight thousand men. Even when divided into several routes, they still outnumbered those defending the palace. Relying on the advantage of geographical position, the one thousand defending the palace could barely hold on.

However, the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces were currently filled with righteous indignation, determined to retake the imperial palace and cut the thieves into a thousand pieces. In their fury, their combat effectiveness rose several levels above normal. Although in single combat they would definitely be no match for the Jinghu Guards with their frontier military background, that fierce and brave energy was still formidable.

The disparity in military strength was significant, and behind the Five Cities’ Military Commission, there might also be the Huben Army mobilized by the Marquis of Qingyang.

Standing on the city wall looking down, Huzi had seen plenty of scenes with nearly ten thousand people shouting and killing when following Pang Xiao in border battles, but this was the first time he’d witnessed nearly ten thousand people gathered in the capital city shouting and killing at the imperial palace, creating such a commotion.

Such a great incident occurring at the feet of the Son of Heaven had long since alarmed the common people in the city. The people all hid in their homes with doors and windows tightly shut, and those living closer were scared out of their wits by the deafening sounds of shouting and killing.

The common people didn’t understand what was happening. The only thing they could be certain of was that the capital city, which had been peaceful for less than five years, was in chaos again.

There was fighting again!

Last time when Pang Xiao led troops to break through the Northern Ji Kingdom’s capital city, he didn’t allow the Huben Army to disturb the people, but those former Northern Ji Kingdom civilians had still spent time in constant fear.

This time, no one knew who was fighting whom. Even less could anyone be certain whether riots would break out in the city.

Even the imperial palace was being attacked. If lawless elements in the city took advantage of the chaos to burn, kill, and plunder, their crimes could easily be covered up.

And the Five Cities’ Military Commission responsible for maintaining order was now the main force attacking the imperial palace.

The common people hid away trembling, silently praying that such tragic circumstances would not occur.

Prince Li, who was leading troops to attack the palace gates, felt no less fear in his heart than the common people in the city.

He hadn’t expected that so many people still couldn’t take down a single imperial palace!

If this continued to be a war of attrition, with casualties among the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces, wouldn’t it be even harder to fight in the future?

“Go, quickly go urge the Marquis of Qingyang – why hasn’t the Huben Army arrived yet!” Prince Li urged his trusted aide beside him to meet the Marquis of Qingyang.

On the other side, he encouraged the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces: “Everyone put in more effort, the movements must be fast! The Empress Dowager ordered this Prince to oversee the state. Today this Prince didn’t announce court would be held, yet all the court ministers entered the palace – they must have fallen into the Tatars’ trap. All you brothers have elders serving as officials in your families. If we take down the imperial palace and capture the spies at the fastest speed, we might still be able to ensure the safety of all the lords!”

Prince Li’s words were spread by the message soldiers.

However, contrary to Prince Li’s expectations, after persisting for less than half an hour, not only did the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces attacking the city not intensify their assault, but everyone began to feel somewhat weary.

Prince Li was greatly disappointed and angrily said, “Don’t you want to rescue the elders in your families!”

Those who could hold official positions in the Five Cities’ Military Commission of the capital all had distinguished backgrounds, basically all being sons of officials.

And the officials who could show their faces at court assemblies were basically the heads of their families, or at least figures who counted in their respective families.

Therefore, the uncles, elders, or family heads of these Five Cities’ Military Commission soldiers attacking the imperial palace were all currently in the imperial palace attending court.

Who knew which stray arrow might injure the family head.

Who knew which family head might become a hostage threatened by Tatar spies.

A family’s prosperity naturally couldn’t be separated from the clan leader. If the clan leader met with misfortune here, the clan would fall into great chaos, and they themselves would be hard-pressed to escape blame.

Therefore, at this moment, the Five Cities’ Military Commission soldiers attacking the city began to feel somewhat restrained.

In Fengtian Hall, the shouting and charging sounds outside grew increasingly intense.

Seeing the timing was about right, Li Qitian immediately rose angrily to his feet and said with rage, “Ministers! Now there are unscrupulous elements besieging the imperial palace, attempting to harm the Great Zhou’s empire and people. I truly never imagined such a situation could occur in the capital city! This truly disappoints me greatly!”

“Your subjects are terrified!” The ministers knelt in waves across the floor.

Li Qitian raised his arm and declared, “Ministers need not be terrified. At this time we don’t know what the situation in the capital city is like, whether the common people are safe, and with such people coming to attack the imperial palace – truly, it’s been five years since I’ve touched weapons, and they’ve taken me for a soft persimmon they can bully!

“Ministers, follow me to kill the enemy together!”

Li Qitian’s voice was full of confidence. After speaking loudly, he descended from the imperial dais and strode quickly outside.

Ji Zeyu followed closely behind Li Qitian.

Pang Xiao supported Qin Yining as they walked behind.

The ministers looked at each other, each person very worried in their hearts, but with His Majesty having spoken first and walking at the very front, the court officials naturally didn’t dare appear too frightened before His Majesty, lest it become an excuse for political enemies to attack them.

Therefore, the civil and military officials were unprecedentedly united, each one with eyes wide with anger, planning to follow Li Qitian to see exactly what the situation was.

All the way to the city wall near the palace gate, listening to the roars so close at hand, watching the palace gate being rammed with thunderous crashes by sturdy logs from outside, the defending soldiers using their bodies to brace the city gate from inside, with falling dust covering people’s heads and faces while no one had time to pay attention to it.

Some of the more timid began to tremble in their legs.

Li Qitian declared righteously, “Ministers, follow me up to the tower to observe the truth of the matter!”

Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu exchanged glances and immediately blocked the way, advising, “Your Majesty, it’s too dangerous on the tower. What if stray arrows cause injury?”

But Li Qitian had already righteously flung his sleeve: “No matter! I want to see exactly what people dare to rebel!”

Speaking thus, he turned and stepped up the stairs.

Seeing Li Qitian so filled with righteous indignation, the ministers were also stirred to passionate feelings. For a moment, everyone had an instant where they cast their own life and death aside, all following behind Li Qitian to ascend the city wall together.

Qin Yining moved more slowly, being half-supported and half-carried up by Pang Xiao.

From the high wall, the architectural layout of the entire capital city could be seen very clearly. There wasn’t even a single pedestrian on the main streets – the capital city almost looked like one of those dead cities at the frontier.

And attacking vigorously below the city were the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces.

Li Qitian’s face showed surprise and grief.

“It’s actually the Five Cities’ Military Commission forces? Then that would be… Prince Li? I never imagined he would actually lead my people to besiege the imperial palace! Could it be he truly intends to rebel?”

“Whether or not that’s the case, his actions are improper!” Just as Pang Xiao finished speaking, an arrow suddenly shot toward Li Qitian from the direction where Prince Li’s large banner hung high.