Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 532 - 273 Trial Pass!_2

Chapter 532: Chapter 273 Trial Pass!_2

The courtiers remained silent, yet many sneered secretly in their hearts.

"So, you power-hungry traitor, you also have a day of panic and collapse?"

"Why could General Han Fuyue with merely thirty thousand Zhao Yi Army forces march straight in as if entering an unguarded land?"

"Isn’t it because you suppressed military men, persecuted capable generals until they were ousted from their posts and replaced with your useless cronies?"

"Isn’t it also because you were harsh on the lower-ranked soldiers, tolerated your favorites pocketing military pay without proper service, and abused the soldiers, leading to the breakdown of military discipline?"

"Isn’t it as well because you acted perversely and against the norm in the court? The people have seen that you are a spy for the Jin, who has long since destined yourself for eternal infamy in the history books?"

"You ask why hundreds of thousands of the Imperial Guards watched as General Han Fuyue marched straight in..."

"Rather than question them, you should ask yourself, why should these hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards lay down their lives for you?"

"You still have the nerve to call others a bunch of traitorous officials and thieves?"

"You are the biggest traitorous official and thief of all..."

"Originally, when General Han Fuyue fought his way to Zhuxian Town, it was a great opportunity for national revival, yet you completely squandered it. And you have the nerve to accuse others of being traitorous officials and thieves?"

Of course, these thoughts could only be mulled over in their minds and couldn’t possibly be voiced out loud.

Because these officials intent on preserving themselves knew that Qin Huizhi was already on the brink of madness.

He had harbored intentions of usurpation, and with success only a step away, he had now unexpectedly faced the prospect of his labors coming to naught. This made him, already lacking in deep schemes, become hysterical.

"What do we do now?" Qin Huizhi glared at the courtiers.

The throne was now vacant, for Emperor Yingzong of Qi had long been confined by Qin Huizhi under the pretext of illness and had not attended court for a long time. Meanwhile, Qin Huizhi himself had been handling all state affairs as the chief minister, just shy of wearing the Imperial garments and ascending the high seat of the emperor.

The officials looked at each other, all remaining speechless.

Finally, one of the officials said, "This time General Han Fuyue has brought the elite of the Zhao Yi Army, his personal troops. Even the Jin’s iron pagodas would not dare face them head-on.

"It’s unsustainable to hold out for long, better to surrender early. Otherwise, once the conflict begins, there’s fear it will result in rivers of blood..."

Another official immediately shook his head, "Such words are gravely mistaken! If we let General Han Fuyue take power, where is our way out? It’s better to have the emperor go on a southern tour or flee out to sea, and wait for the loyalist armies to arrive. General Han Fuyue’s thirty thousand men can then be wiped out in one fell swoop."

Yet another official suggested, "What if we have His Majesty issue a decree, ordering General Han Fuyue to withdraw his troops?"

Qin Huizhi bellowed in anger, "Fools, all of you are fools!"

Obviously, these were all merely disgraceful and misguided ideas.

Surrender?

Other officials might be spared if they surrendered, but not Qin Huizhi and his faction.

General Han Fuyue had previously pretended to negotiate, but with his true intentions now revealed, would he leave a way out for Qin Huizhi?

Everybody might live, but Qin Huizhi himself absolutely did not deserve to!

So, there was absolutely no way Qin Huizhi could surrender.

Flee?

That too was difficult.

General Han Fuyue’s current operation somewhat resembled Wanyan Sheng’s pursuit of Emperor Gaozong of Qi, a mountains-and-seas search starting from the border with a rapid cavalry raid aimed directly at the head.

And General Han Fuyue’s progress was even faster than Wanyan Sheng’s.

After all, Wanyan Sheng had to worry about supplies and support when venturing deep into Qi territory, and he had Qi troops trying to block his way. But wherever General Han Fuyue went, there were people offering him food, and the Qi troops had simply ignored him.

With these officials’ speed of escape, they probably hadn’t gone far from the capital before being caught by General Han Fuyue’s cavalry.

Furthermore, once they left the court, even if Qin Huizhi took Emperor Yingzong with him, whether or not he could still command the world was questionable.

As for issuing an imperial decree to order General Han Fuyue to retreat, that was even more preposterous.

Did he really think General Han Fuyue was still that same General Han who unconditionally loyally served the emperor?

Times had long changed!

He dared to aim directly for the capital, so he must have prepared for the worst.

Retreated by a mere piece of paper? Such wishful thinking didn’t even qualify as a daydream.

Qin Huizhi was seething with rage but had no solution.

Actually, one couldn’t blame these ministers under his command.

What could they do?

The best strategy would, of course, be to send troops immediately to annihilate Han Fuyue, then move north to wipe out the remnants of the Zhao Yi Army, and then destroy the Jin. Can you do it?

The next best strategy was to hold the city and wait for the loyalist armies to come from all directions, consume General Han Fuyue’s thirty thousand soldiers, and make him flee in panic, not daring to attack again. Can you do it?

The worst strategy would be to return governance to Emperor Yingzong, reuse capable ministers, and through the merit of assisting the emperor, regain trust and leave General Han Fuyue without a reason to deploy troops. Can you do it?

You’re incapable of any of these; you cannot win battles, and the people’s hearts are lost. What solution do you expect from us?

A skillful woman can’t cook without rice!

Qin Huizhi clenched his teeth in frustration, "We will hold the city to the death! I refuse to believe that his thirty thousand troops without rear supplies can breach the capital!"

However, before his words fell silent, someone rushed in to report hurriedly.

"Prime Minister Qin, Prime Minister Qin!

"Some, someone has opened the city gates, letting the Zhao Yi Army inside!"

Qin Huizhi’s face turned instantly pale, "What?!"

... _{free.w e bn.ov(e)l(.)com}

In the imperial palace.

Below the city walls, the Zhao Yi Army cavalry was neatly arrayed.

Upon entering the city, the Zhao Yi Army maintained strict discipline and did not violate the people in the slightest.

There were even many citizens who welcomed them with enthusiasm.

Several Imperial Guards loyal to Qin Huizhi had attempted to resist along the way, but upon clashing with the Zhao Yi Army, they were completely routed.

The Zhao Yi Army, which was honed through battle with the Jin, was composed of seasoned veterans. How could these pampered, battle-shy Imperial Guards within the capital stand a chance against them?