Although he inwardly condemned himself, Zhao Ming still made his decision quickly. He was never an indecisive person.

Zhao Ming turned and walked to the Emperor’s side, pressing his shoulder reassuringly: “Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as I live, Your Majesty lives.”

If he truly died for the country, he would take the Emperor with him. Zhao Ming steeled his heart. Between the Emperor and the Zhao clan, between the Jin imperial house and the common people of the realm, he still chose the Zhao clan and the common people of the realm.

The young Emperor didn’t know Zhao Ming’s intentions. Hearing this, he only felt moved. He looked up at him with tear-filled eyes and nodded.

He was shaking so badly he couldn’t speak, only pressing tightly against Zhao Ming’s back.

Xun Fan stood to one side. Seeing the Emperor like this, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed. He looked no different from other Jin imperial descendants—utterly lacking in backbone.

He quickly glanced at Zhao Ming, his gaze falling on the sword gripped in his hand, somewhat worried. Did Zhao Ming intend to protect the Emperor, or kill him?

Xun Xiu wouldn’t kill the Emperor. His goal was to seize guardianship of the Emperor. He would only kill Zhao Ming.

With the Emperor alive, he would have capital to contend with Zhao Hanzhang. If the Emperor died, he would only have one path left—being eliminated by Zhao Hanzhang.

The Zhao Family Army’s main forces were scattered across various regions, and their reputation was high in Yuzhou. If Xun Xiu couldn’t obtain a living Emperor, he wouldn’t survive. So, would Zhao Ming allow the Emperor to be captured alive by Xun Xiu?

Xun Fan stirred, wanting to stand in front of the Emperor, but seeing the terror on his face and how he couldn’t even stand, he stopped again.

He felt somewhat hesitant, doubting the convictions he had always held. Could such an Emperor truly protect the realm?

Even if Zhao Hanzhang eventually returned power to him, could he really pacify the realm?

If not, why did he insist on making him Emperor?

The realm was already in such chaos, had been chaotic for so many years—must it continue in chaos?

Jin had never truly unified the realm. Only Han had, but before Han, China had been divided with feudal states for a thousand years, each governing itself. Before the First Emperor of Qin, who could have imagined that the realm could have only one state, no feudal lords, only commanderies and counties?

During Prince Donghai’s time, he had felt the state was collapsing, that the realm would be difficult to reunify, even feeling the crisis that the Han people might be exterminated. It wasn’t until Zhao Hanzhang went to Luoyang to rescue the Emperor that he gained some sense of reality.

Now, the Xiongnu had surrendered, but the rear had descended into chaos again, once more fighting over the Emperor. Must they return to the previous situation of mutual strife?

Xun Fan was already very old and couldn’t help but feel weary. He thought tiredly that if this was the case, it would be better to hand the realm directly to Zhao Hanzhang. Better than having the common people weather the storm along with the Jin imperial house.

Xun Fan felt this line of thinking betrayed Emperor Wu’s trust, and feeling heartbroken, he couldn’t help but shed tears.

While lost in confused thoughts, Xun Xiu led his men in breaking through the Zhao Family Army guards at the door and burst into the hall with his troops.

The soldiers inside immediately formed up at the entrance, protecting the officials and Emperor behind them.

But there were only a few dozen guards in the hall. How could Xun Xiu fear them?

Seeing Zhao Ming standing beside the Emperor, Xun Xiu couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “Zhao the Commandery Governor, General Zhao disappeared in the northern territories and has most likely met with misfortune. Now with so many rebel troops about, for His Majesty’s safety, please hand His Majesty over to this general for protection.”

With that, he pressed forward.

Ping Yi and Ping Zhong moved to block his path, glaring fiercely at him: “Fall back! Zhao the Commandery Governor serves as regent, entrusted by the General. Who dares act rashly?”

The Xun Family Army gripped their weapons without moving, though some hesitation showed in their eyes.

Xun Xiu sneered: “I dare!”

“Zhao Hanzhang monopolizes government affairs—how is she different from Prince Donghai?” Xun Xiu said coldly. “I am now rescuing His Majesty from peril.”

Zhao Ming sneered: “To speak of rebellion in such high-sounding terms is quite a skill. Be a bit more shameless, and you could proclaim yourself Emperor today and ascend to immortality tomorrow.”

Ping Yi interpreted: “Our Commandery Governor is saying you’re shameless and delusional!”

Xun Xiu fixed his sharp gaze on Ping Yi, smiling without warmth: “So you’re the one who killed Xun Sheng?”

Before Ping Yi could answer, Zhao Ming behind him said coldly: “Who is Xun Sheng? That one who disregarded military orders and led the Xun Family Army to flee in cowardice? I ordered his execution under military law. What, General Xun thinks he fled well, fled brilliantly? So this is the Xun Family Army tradition.”

Xun Xiu was infuriated by his sarcastic tone. He hated this type of person most—they left him speechless.

Xun Xiu ground his teeth. His soldiers behind him couldn’t quite understand what was frustrating their general. Weren’t they here to rebel? Why debate these points? Just charge in and fight.

Xun Xiu also came to his senses. Why should he care whether his reasons were legitimate? First seize the Emperor, then afterward, wouldn’t he control the narrative?

So Xun Xiu directly ordered them to seize the person!

The room instantly erupted into combat. Zhao Ming held his sword firmly, standing before the Emperor. As long as he died, he would definitely take the Emperor with him.

Ji Yuan currently gripped his dagger, standing beside the Prince of Yuzhang. His gaze fixed on Zhao Ming, seeing the death resolve in his eyes, but the sword point was aimed toward the Emperor’s feet—with just a slight lift…

He curved his lips into a smile, staying even closer to the Prince of Yuzhang. His eyes flashed with cold light. If they all died, that would be for the best. Then Miss could proceed openly and legitimately. Did Xun Xiu think that after killing them, he could survive?

A mere Xun Family Army was no match for the Zhao Family Army. Moreover, this was Yuzhou. The people of Yuzhou only recognized Miss. Where could he escape to?

Just as Xun Xiu was about to break through the guards and kill Zhao Ming, earth-shaking battle cries erupted outside the mansion. The Xun Family Army looked up to see “Zhao” character banners flying outside.

They trembled in shock and immediately sent scouts to investigate.

The scouts ran out to look and vaguely saw crowds of people rapidly moving from street corners toward this location, with “Zhao” character banners waving among them. Not only that, standing at a high point, the scouts could also vaguely see dense crowds atop the city walls. Their hearts immediately went cold as they cried out: “Reinforcements have arrived! Their reinforcements have arrived! The Zhao Family Army’s main force has returned to the city!”

Standing at a high point, these words carried far. The soldiers below couldn’t see the actual scene, but just imagining it made their hearts go cold with panic.

The Xun Family Army was, after all, just troops from one commandery and couldn’t compare to the Zhao Family Army. Especially after occasionally cooperating in battles these past two years, they had witnessed the Zhao Family Army’s prowess.

Just as they were panicking, Zhao Shen, who was fiercely fighting enemies outside the mansion, approached the wall. The enemy forces in front had been mostly cleared, so he immediately leaped up, stepping on people’s shoulders and heads to fly over the wall, calling out: “Wenda, He Lu, what are you dawdling for?”

Several people who had been killing enthusiastically in the enemy ranks turned to look, immediately beat back their Xun Family Army opponents, and also leaped up and flew over, laughing heartily as they landed inside the wall: “I say, Brother Wang, why the rush? Didn’t you always say your father is good at dodging and escaping is his specialty?”