Chapter 567: The Bright Emperor of This Realm

Little did they know.

In truth, besides Cao Zhengchun uniting many Ming Country experts, many masters within the Dragon Protection Villa had also joined Cao Zhengchun's camp.

Among them was this Duan Tianya!

Duan Tianya had long since lost trust in Zhu Wushi. In Duan Tianya's view, Zhu Wushi had always been passive in resisting the enemy; furthermore, despite being the greatest expert of the Ming Country, Zhu Wushi had never once attempted to assassinate Zhu Ying.

Additionally, after Cheng Shifei was killed by Zhu Ying previously, Zhu Wushi had made no representation at all, even ordering all martial artists of the Dragon Protection Villa that they were not allowed to seek revenge for Cheng Shifei.

Over time, Zhu Wushi no longer held the hearts of the people.

When Duan Tianya learned that Cao Zhengchun had gathered all the martial arts experts to prepare to resist the Great Ming Empire together, Duan Tianya naturally felt a sense of longing.

Afterward, Duan Tianya informed Guihai Yidao and Shangguan Haitang of this matter. Ultimately, the three of them unanimously decided to join Cao Zhengchun's camp!

...

A few days later.

Under the leadership of Lan Yu, Guo Zhen, and Mu Ying, the armies of the Great Ming Empire crushed the Ming Country's forces with the swiftness of autumn winds sweeping away fallen leaves!

On every front, the Ming Country army suffered continuous retreats!

In particular, the Ming Country's greatest general, Wu Longhui, was utterly defeated by the Great Ming Empire's army in the battle at Shanhai Pass!

The three hundred thousand Ming Country troops in Wu Longhui's hands were virtually wiped out after this battle; the entire army was annihilated!

With the fall of Shanhai Pass, the Great Ming Empire's army surged forward like an unstoppable force along the northern front, heading straight for the Ming Country's capital!

At the same time.

Within the imperial palace of the Ming Country's capital.

The Ming Country Emperor could hardly sleep almost every day. Although Cao Zhengchun had already gathered all the martial arts experts within the Ming Country to come and provide protection, the Ming Country Emperor knew very well that while these experts appeared numerous and powerful, they were not necessarily a match for Zhu Ying.

In the imperial study, Zhu Houzhao was reviewing military reports from various regions when, suddenly, Cao Zhengchun burst into the room!

This gave Zhu Houzhao quite a fright!

Zhu Houzhao hurriedly said, "What is it! You do not have my decree, how dare you enter so suddenly!"

"Could it be... that the Great Ming Empire's army has already attacked the capital?" Zhu Houzhao pressed, his tone panicked.

Seeing this, Cao Zhengchun quickly explained, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Great Ming Empire's army has not yet attacked the capital. Please do not be nervous, Your Majesty!"

To be fair, upon hearing Cao Zhengchun's words, the Ming Country Emperor breathed a long sigh of relief. Immediately after, the Emperor said with some dissatisfaction, "Since the Ming Country army has not yet entered the capital, why are you so flustered?"

However.

Cao Zhengchun's next words caused the Ming Country Emperor to completely lose his composure.

Cao Zhengchun immediately said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, although the Great Ming Empire's army has not entered the city walls, they are nearly there. According to the frontline battle reports, Wu Longhui has been defeated!"

"Three hundred thousand troops were completely annihilated at Shanhai Pass!"

"If nothing unexpected happens, in three days, the Great Ming Empire's army will invade the capital!"

Without a doubt.

As Cao Zhengchun's voice fell, the Ming Country Emperor was utterly stunned. He said in a trembling voice, "What!"

"Three hundred thousand troops, actually completely annihilated!"

"What on earth was Wu Longhui doing!"

"Fool!"

Zhu Houzhao knew very well that currently, those three hundred thousand troops were almost entirely the elite forces of the Ming Country. Now that they were wiped out, the Ming Country had completely lost the initiative in military matters!

"Your Majesty, at this point, we can only hasten the relocation of the capital!"

"I implore Your Majesty to quickly move the capital to Southern Zhili!"

"Only in this way can our Ming Country have a moment to catch its breath!" In Cao Zhengchun's view, since the Ming Country's main force had been destroyed, the Great Ming Empire would surely break through the capital in a short time!

Even though the capital possessed many martial arts experts, no matter how many there were, they could not possibly withstand the hundreds of thousands of the Great Ming Empire's army!

Therefore... in Cao Zhengchun's view, the best course of action at present was to move the capital immediately!

Only then could the Ming Country have a slight chance of retreat!

However, for Zhu Houzhao, he did not want to move the capital.

After all, once the capital was moved, military morale would waver. Moreover, once he left the center of power, even if he returned to Southern Zhili, Zhu Houzhao would not be able to sit securely upon the throne.

Thus, for him, he still wanted to go head-to-head with the Great Ming Empire's army.

Additionally, the current Ming Country capital had been repaired to be quite sturdy; he believed that if he fought personally, he might have the strength to hold his own in a battle.

Consequently, Zhu Houzhao shook his head and said to Cao Zhengchun in a decisive tone, "We shall absolutely not move the capital! The Son of Heaven dies with the state! I shall defend the capital."

Afterward, Zhu Houzhao ordered Cao Zhengchun, "Immediately summon the officials for a meeting. Since things have come to this, I want everyone to understand that anyone who deserts their post shall be executed without mercy!"

It must be said that Zhu Houzhao possessed considerable courage.

When Cao Zhengchun heard what Zhu Houzhao said, he was also very surprised.

He hurriedly inquired, "Your Majesty, are you certain? Once this matter is decided, it cannot be changed."

Zhu Houzhao said to Cao Zhengchun in a cold tone, "Things have come to this; I have no way back. I must defend the capital."

"This servant understands."

Cao Zhengchun immediately said, "This servant will immediately summon the officials to a meeting to discuss our response together."

...

Not long after, inside the Fengtian Hall of the Ming Country's imperial palace.

The civil and military officials had all gathered here, along with many martial arts experts.

Upon the dragon throne, Zhu Houzhao spoke to everyone with a solemn expression, "I have just received military intelligence. The three hundred thousand troops led by Wu Longhui were defeated by the Great Ming Empire's army at Shanhai Pass.

Now, the three hundred thousand troops have been completely annihilated.

If nothing unexpected happens, within three days, the Great Ming Empire's army will invade the capital with unstoppable force."

As Zhu Houzhao's voice fell, panic appeared on the faces of all the officials within the Fengtian Hall.

These officials began discussing the war situation with their colleagues one after another.

"How can it be so fast? Three hundred thousand troops were actually completely wiped out? What on earth was Wu Longhui doing?"

"Indeed, those three hundred thousand were the elite of our Ming Country. I didn't expect they couldn't even hold Shanhai Pass."

"It's truly over now. It seems the Ming Country is really going to follow in the footsteps of the Jin and Song Kingdoms."

"Sigh, what can we do? I never thought our Ming Country would end up in such a state."

"What else can be done? Quickly move the capital."

"Move the capital? Even if we move it, what difference will it make? Our Ming Country is simply no match for the Great Ming Empire; moving the capital is meaningless."

Upon the dragon throne, seeing the civil and military officials arguing quite fiercely, Zhu Houzhao suddenly coughed.

Then, he shouted loudly, "All of you, shut up!"

Immediately, the entire Fengtian Hall fell into dead silence.

Everyone's gaze simultaneously turned toward the Ming Country Emperor sitting on the dragon throne.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao glanced at Zhu Wushi, who was the Iron-Fisted Divine Marquis.

Zhu Houzhao said in a cold tone, "Marquis, since things have come to this, the Dragon Protection Villa must exert its strength.

Immediately dispatch all the experts of the Dragon Protection Villa to organize a defensive line on the outskirts of the capital. You must inflict casualties upon the Great Ming Empire's army."

However,

After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, Zhu Wushi did not show any reaction.

Seeing this, Cao Zhengchun, who was standing beside the Ming Country Emperor, was instantly enraged.

He immediately raised his voice toward Zhu Wushi, "Did you not hear what His Majesty said? Marquis, do you intend to defy orders?"

Since things had come to this, Zhu Wushi no longer wished to pretend. He slowly walked toward the Ming Country Emperor.

"Your Majesty, this official still maintains the same stance: with our country's current national strength, it is simply unrealistic to resist the Great Ming Empire.

Everything is in vain.

This official believes it would be better to surrender immediately; only then might a path to survival exist."

Clearly, Zhu Wushi's words caught the Ming Country Emperor completely off guard.

Although Zhu Houzhao had long had a premonition that Zhu Wushi might defect to the Great Ming Empire, it had only been a premonition.

Now, upon hearing Zhu Wushi's statement, he was naturally even more certain.

Zhu Houzhao let out a rather helpless sigh, then said to the Zhu Wushi before him, "Imperial Uncle, I know what is in your heart.

But what I want to tell you is that the Great Ming Empire has not yet broken through the Ming Country, and the Ming Country has not yet perished.

I am still the Emperor of this Ming Country. As the Master of the Dragon Protection Villa, you must naturally obey my commands.

Do you intend to defy an imperial decree?"

As the Ming Country Emperor's voice fell, Cao Zhengchun and the other martial arts experts beside him also began to circulate the true qi within their bodies.

Clearly, if Zhu Wushi truly dared to defy orders, this group of martial arts experts would attack him simultaneously.

Even though Zhu Wushi's realm had entered the peak of the Divine Ability Realm, with his current strength, resisting this group of martial arts experts would not be an easy task.

Therefore, after hesitating for a moment, Zhu Wushi ultimately complied with the Ming Country Emperor's decree.

"This official obeys.

Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the Dragon Protection Villa will certainly do its utmost to resist the Great Ming Empire's army."

Just then,

Wu Longhui suddenly burst into the Fengtian Hall.

However, the current Wu Longhui was heavily wounded and in a state of great disarray.

As he ran, Wu Longhui shouted, "This general greets Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

On the dragon throne, the Ming Country Emperor was greatly surprised to see Wu Longhui arrive.

Originally, Zhu Houzhao thought that Wu Longhui must have died on the battlefield, since the three hundred thousand troops he led had been completely annihilated.

But he never expected that Wu Longhui would actually escape and even make it to the capital.

Thus, Zhu Houzhao said to Wu Longhui with great fury, "You actually managed to linger on in such a wretched state.

How do you have the face to come to the capital? I entrusted my three hundred thousand troops to you, and I did not expect you to let the entire army be wiped out in a single day.

Guards, drag this defeated general away and behead him!"

As the Ming Country Emperor's words fell, many soldiers immediately rushed out and directly restrained Wu Longhui.

Seeing this, the latter hurriedly explained, "Please, Your Majesty, spare my life! It is not that this general is incompetent, but the military power of the Great Ming Empire is simply too powerful.

Every single soldier of the Great Ming Empire is equipped with advanced firearms, and there are various types of artillery.

Furthermore, there is the Dinosaur Legion assisting them!

This general has done his utmost to resist, but we are truly no match for the Great Ming Empire!"

To tell the truth, after Wu Longhui finished describing the battle situation, the officials in the Fengtian Hall became panicked once again.

Even Zhu Houzhao, as the Ming Country Emperor, was visibly panicked.

At this time, Cao Zhengchun immediately spoke up, "Your Majesty, our Ming Country is currently in a time when men are needed. Why not give General Wu one more chance and let him defend the capital?

General Wu, after all, has experience fighting the Great Ming Empire. If we let General Wu defend the capital, he would naturally be the most suitable candidate."

After listening to Cao Zhengchun's speech, Zhu Houzhao nodded slightly; clearly, he also highly approved of Cao Zhengchun's words.

Then, Zhu Houzhao glanced at Wu Longhui and said, "In that case, I shall give you one last chance.

Currently, there are 100,000 garrison troops in the capital. I shall entrust all 100,000 of them to you. You must resist the Great Ming Empire's invasion."

"This general obeys!"

Just then, an official outside the hall rushed hurriedly to Zhu Houzhao's side.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, an envoy from the Dali Kingdom requests an audience outside the hall."

"An envoy from the Dali Kingdom?" After hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's face showed thought for a moment.

He said to the officials before him, "Why has the Dali Kingdom come? Could it be that they wish to form an alliance with me?"

Zhu Houzhao was quite intelligent; he knew very well that if his Ming Country were destroyed by the Great Ming Empire, the Dali Kingdom would certainly face an impact as well.

So when he heard that the Dali Kingdom's envoy had arrived, he guessed that perhaps the Dali Kingdom wanted to form an alliance with him.

Cao Zhengchun immediately spoke, "Your Majesty, since the Dali Kingdom's envoy has arrived, why not let him in to see what he wants."

Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "Fine, in that case, let the envoy in."

Soon, the Dali envoy entered the Fengtian Hall.

This person was the King of Zhennan from the Dali Kingdom, Duan Zhengchun.

Duan Zhengchun said to the Ming Country Emperor, "Reporting to the Emperor of the Ming Country. Our country has come this time wishing to form an alliance with your country to jointly resist the Great Ming Empire. If Your Majesty agrees, the Dali Kingdom will send 100,000 troops to support the Ming Country."

Duan Zhengchun did not engage in any idle talk with the Ming Country Emperor, but instead directly stated the purpose of his visit.

After all, Duan Zhengchun also knew very well that the Ming Country was currently in imminent danger.

After hearing these words, Zhu Houzhao did not hesitate, but immediately said, "Fine, in that case, I shall form an alliance with the Dali Kingdom. As long as the Dali Kingdom can help my Ming Country resist foreign enemies, once the matter is successful, my Great Ming will naturally reward your country heavily."

After Zhu Houzhao's voice fell.

Duan Zhengchun waved his hand and said, "Your Majesty, this King has not come this time to take advantage of your misfortune. Currently, the Great Ming Empire has already successively destroyed the Jin and Song Kingdoms.

Furthermore, the Great Ming Imperial Grandson has even killed Grandmaster Bodhidharma, the Sweeping Monk, and various Shaolin experts. This person is heinous in his crimes; no matter what, our Dali Kingdom cannot let him go!

When the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold!"

... (End of Chapter)