Chapter 1057: Three Thousand Axe Hands

nce fainted from fright, this scare wasn't light. After waking up, he's likely to have nightmares and night terrors, but it's not a big problem. As long as he takes good care of himself, he'll be fine...Chapter 1057: Three Thousand Axe Hands

Li Chen turned abruptly, standing face to face with Zhao Xuanji, his eyes cold.

Zhao Xuanji raised his head, stood up straight, and the previous humble posture disappeared. He was now facing off with a resolute air.

Li Chen said indifferently, "The first time I discovered that the elder's height wasn't bad either."

Zhaoxuanji said: "The old minister is just accustomed to bending over, but this time, the old minister does not want to bend over."

With his fingers gesturing towards the outside of the Taihe Palace, Zhao Xuanji said: "Three thousand elite soldiers with swords and axes are waiting just outside the Taihe Palace."

"The old minister knows that Your Highness possesses firearms and a weapon called the Great Qin Thunder, indeed powerful, given time it will surely be a devastating weapon, however, Your Highness's supply is too small, and in this rainy night, the power of firearms would be reduced to a minimum."

"Most importantly, my lord, those three thousand swordsmen are all top-tier martial artists from the Jianghu. They could easily overwhelm a regular army of over ten thousand in the shortest time."

With a flash of a smile, Zhao Xuanji felt the exhilarating rush of revealing his trump card and shocking his opponent. He declared, “Most importantly, these three thousand men were not prepared by this old minister for Your Highness. They are to deal with the Dongchang and the Yulinwei.”

"And the aged minister had prepared for Your Highness, sixteen crimson-clad cannons."

"These sixteen crimson cannons are deployed at the Shenwu Gate."

Li Chen narrowed his eyes abruptly.

The straight-line distance between Shenwumen and Taihe Hall is one and a half miles, which happens to be the optimal attack range for the red cannon.

Most importantly, Shenwu Gate was guarded by Su Pingbei.

"You're quite the shrewd one, Elder Li," said Li Chen.

Zhao Xuanji smiled faintly and said, "Su Pingbei is young and impetuous, but he also has some intelligence. Therefore, only Li Yinhou going would be enough to lure Su Pingbei out."

"So Li Yinhǔ went around Shénwǔmén during the day, feigning an attack on it, and then rushed straight to Tàimiào. In reality, these were all schemes concocted by the senior officials."

Li Chen was becoming increasingly alarmed.

This was something he had not expected at all.

The brilliant aspect of this plan lies in Zhao Xuanji's understanding that Shenwu Gate was a key defensive point and a must-contested location. However, he expertly manipulated the hearts and minds of Li Yinhui and Su Pingbei, ensuring they acted entirely according to his wishes.

Even, he may have calculated himself in as well.

He was certain he would send Su Ping north to defend the most important Shenwu Gate.

Ironically, not a single person noticed anything amiss until Su Pingbei left Shenwu Gate to aid the Imperial Temple, wrapping himself up within its protective bounds.

Had Zhao Xuanji not spoken up proactively, perhaps no one would have realized that his move was a deliberate plan.

Li Chen suddenly remembered what Li Yinhu had said to him.

You don't know how terrifying Zhao Xuanji is.

Perhaps Li Yinhu had figured things out before he died.

And now, only now, does he understand.

"That's impressive." Li Chen said sincerely.

There has been no news from Shenwumen so far. Although the situation is chaotic today, when you think about it, such an important place having no news at all is itself abnormal.

Then it can only be there...there are no survivors left.

"The simultaneous firing of sixteen red-cloaked cannons could reduce the entire Taihe Palace to rubble. This is thanks to His Highness having the Ministry of Works research a special type of gunpowder, its power is truly formidable."

Zhaoxuanji's smile held a triumphant air, as if victory was already in his grasp.

"By then, it won't just be Your Highness. The Crown Princess and Su Zhen Ting outside, everyone will die."

“So you've arranged three thousand swordsmen as an ambush. With these three thousand men, whether it's someone I've appointed or anyone else trying to rescue me, they'll be enough to buy time. As long as we can delay for a cup of tea, you can bury the entire Taihe Palace. For this, you're willing to sacrifice everyone.”Your Highness, you can go back now.The snowman, which had been perfectly still, trembled. A chunk of snow fell away, revealing Li Yinhu's complete form.He propped himself up with his hands and slowly...