Heroes of Troubled Times: Chronicles of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

It was late at night, the moonlight was like water, and the dark clouds of war were hanging over Fengxiang City. Not far away, Zhu Wen and others were waiting in the command tent, keeping a close eye on the movements inside and outside the city.

Suddenly, a loud noise broke the tranquility of the night, and chaotic shouts of killing came from the city gate.

"It's the enemy attack!" Zhu Wen immediately realized the urgency of the situation.

"Prepare to attack!" Zhu Quanyu raised his arms and shouted, and then led the elite troops to rush to the city gate.

At the city gate, a fierce fight broke out, the enemy and us fought back and forth, fighting for life and death, and the smoke was filled.

Zhang Taiyi and others also rushed out of the city gate with the army. They used the terrain and ambushes accurately to deal a fatal blow to the enemy. Luo Feilong waved his weapons and was extremely brave, while Zhu Dali led the troops to cooperate closely with the medical officer Bian Yong to treat the injured soldiers.

The battle was in full swing, and the enemy was losing ground.

Inside and outside Fengxiang City, a tense atmosphere enveloped everyone. The army led by Zhu Wen was like a sharp blade, stabbing at the vital points of Fengxiang City, demanding the emperor, and the situation was critical.

Li Maozhen stood on the city wall with a solemn face, looking at the battlefield in the distance with smoke and dust, and was very anxious. He knew that the defense of Fengxiang City was not strong, and Zhu Wen's offensive was unstoppable. If the emperor was lost, it would be a heavy blow to the Tang Dynasty regime.

"Quick, pass my order and send someone to invite Tang Zong." Li Maozhen gave an order, and immediately a confidant conveyed his order to the court.

However, Li Maozhen knew that the court's support would not come immediately, and during this period, he must do everything he can to stabilize the situation.

At the same time, Zhu Wen's messenger hurried to the city and conveyed Zhu Wen's request: "Lord of Fengxiang City, Zhu Wen is leading his troops to come. I hope you can hand over the emperor, otherwise you will bear the consequences."

Facing the messenger's message, Li Maozhen looked solemn: "Reply to General Zhu, I can't hand over the emperor. This is the fundamental plan of the Tang Dynasty."

The messenger silently accepted the order and left, and the atmosphere in Fengxiang City became more tense. Li Maozhen knew that the confrontation with Zhu Wen was inevitable, but he was unwilling to confront him because he knew that this would mean a more brutal war and more innocent people would be displaced.

Just then, a crisp voice sounded outside the city gate: "Please put down your weapons and obey General Zhu's orders."

Everyone looked sideways and saw a young man wearing gorgeous clothes, holding a folding fan, and walked into the city gate calmly. This young man who appeared on the battlefield surprised everyone.

"Who is this?" Li Maozhen frowned slightly, feeling a little puzzled by this sudden person.

"I am Cui Ying, the messenger of General Zhu." The young man introduced himself with confidence.

Li Maozhen's heart moved. He knew that Cui Ying and Zhu Wen had an extraordinary friendship. Perhaps this was a ray of hope.

"Cui Ying, what are you doing here?" Li Maozhen asked, staring at the young man in front of him sharply.

Cui Ying smiled and shook his head gently.He shook his folding fan: "I'm here to convey General Zhu's intention to the Lord of Fengxiang City. He is willing to reconcile with you. As long as you can hand over the emperor, we will withdraw our troops immediately."

Li Maozhen pondered for a moment. He knew that this might be a rare opportunity, but it also meant a compromise with the Tang Dynasty.

"Li Maozhen, don't trust him!" A general on the city wall hurriedly spoke to stop him.

Li Maozhen was silent. He knew Cui Ying's identity and knew that Zhu Wen was not a simple military general. He had a huge force behind him. If he formed an alliance with him, he might be able to find a ray of hope in this crisis.

"Okay, I'm willing to negotiate with General Zhu." Li Maozhen finally made a decision. He knew that this was a dangerous gamble, but he was willing to take everything for the future of the Tang Dynasty.

Cui Ying smiled slightly and pointed his folding fan at the city: "Then please get ready, we will start negotiations immediately."

Under Li Maozhen's order, the city quickly prepared, and Zhu Wen's envoys were waiting outside the city gate.

"Li Maozhen, you are gambling!" On the city wall, a counselor said to Li Maozhen anxiously.

Li Maozhen took a deep look at the battlefield in the distance, and his heart was calm: "Sometimes, a gamble may be the only way out."

Cui Ying and Li Maozhen walked out of the city gate together to welcome Zhu Wen's envoy. This negotiation will determine the fate of Fengxiang City and will also affect the future of the Tang Dynasty.

In Fengxiang City, Li Maozhen and Zhu Wen are negotiating, while at the same time, Tang Zhaozhong is escorted to Changdao by Zhu Wen's men.

Changdao, the sea breeze is gusting, and the bleak coolness is shrouded. Tang Zhaozhong was detained in a simple cell, dressed simply, with a pale face, but a firm light flashing in his eyes. He knew he was in danger, but his heart was not shaken, because he firmly believed that justice would eventually defeat evil.

"Tang Zhaozhong, do you think you can escape from my grasp?" Zhu Wen sneered as he walked into the cell, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Tang Zhaozhong raised his head with a resolute look in his eyes: "Zhu Wen, you, the usurper, will eventually be punished by heaven."

Zhu Wen snorted coldly, waved his hand and asked his men to take Tang Zhaozhong away, then he returned to his mansion, but Tang Zhaozhong's words lingered in his mind, making him feel uneasy.

"King Liang, the emperor is already under our control, why do we still want to arrest Tang Zhaozhong?" a confidant asked.

Zhu Wen frowned, thought for a moment, and decided to explain: "Although Tang Zhaozhong is just a eunuch, he has a certain influence in the court. If he is left alone, he may become a thorn in our side. Now is a critical moment, and we cannot let him leave behind troubles."

The confidant suddenly realized and agreed: "Prince Liang is wise!"

Zhu Wen nodded slightly, but his heart was full of worries about the future. He knew that he had mastered the emperor and achieved control over the court, but he could not get rid of the vague uneasiness in his heart, as if there was an invisible force hindering his steps.

A few days later, Zhu Wen was named Prince Liang and mastered the great power of the Tang Dynasty.He had power, but he did not get carried away by it. Instead, he became more vigilant and cautious. He knew that there were endless dangers behind power, and he had to be vigilant at all times to consolidate his position.

Inside and outside the palace, Zhu Wen sent loyal people to expel eunuchs, purge dissidents, and ensure that his authority was absolutely consolidated. In Chang'an City, with Zhu Wen's control, a massive massacre began. Officials inside and outside the palace were brutally purged, and the bloody storm enveloped the entire capital.

"King Liang is really cruel, and he slaughtered so many people!" Some people talked about it.

"This is the cruelty of power, and no one can escape it." Someone else said calmly.

Behind this massacre, Zhu Wen knew that the greater his power, the heavier his responsibility. He must remain calm and not be overwhelmed by power, otherwise once he loses control, he will fall into an abyss of no return.

However, just as Zhu Wen secretly controlled the power of the Tang Dynasty, a mysterious force quietly awakened, ready to launch a challenge at a critical moment...

In Chang'an City, the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Zhu Wen had already begun to prepare to force Emperor Zhaozong of Tang to abdicate, and the court and the people felt a sense of oppression, as if a storm was coming.

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