Da Li Temple - chapter 78.1

Chapter 78.1
Surprise Attack

“How’s it going?”

Inside the Heir Residence, Lin Wanqing had already changed into a narrow-sleeved suit and tied her long hair into a high ponytail.
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Ye Qing had just returned from outside, covered in snow. He casually patted the snow off his shoulders and replied, “The fire beacons have been lit on the city walls. The garrison outside the city will quickly rush to help when they see it. There aren’t many rebels attacking the city, so when the garrison arrives, they will soon be wiped out.”
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“That’s not what I’m worried about.” She said, the worries between her brows not diminishing by half.
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A moment later, Lin Wanqing asked again, “Is there any news from the palace?”
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Ye Qing shook his head. Looking out from the attic window, the Daming Palace’s lanterns remained the same. The black night was as thick as ink, covering down heavily and weighing people down.
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More than 50,000 elite troops were stationed outside of Sheng City, and they would arrive within 30 minutes. At that time, annihilating this rebel army that mixed in with the civilians was naturally not a problem. However, if she could think of this point, how could King Liang not? The reason why he did this was obviously not to attack the city but to delay the time—30 minutes. So, what did he need those 30 minutes for?

With her thoughts in turmoil, Lin Wanqing becomes clueless. She casually picked up the cloak on one side, turned around, and rushed from the attic. She didn’t know whether it was fog or smoke, but the air was white and filled with a choking smell that hurt her mouth and nose.
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Ye Qing and Lailuo followed behind until Lin Wanqing pushed open the vermillion-painted door of the Heir Residence with one hand.
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“Recorder Lin!” Ye Qing was stunned and hurriedly pulled her back, “Where are you going?”
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Lin Wanqing ignored it and shook off his hand, one foot already stepping out the door.
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“Recorder Lin!” Ye Qing rushed up hurriedly, clasping the door with his hands and blocking her. “It’s too dangerous to go out now! Don’t you worry! The rebels can’t break through Sheng City. Wait for the garrison to come ……”
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“But I’m afraid he can’t wait for them!” A sharp cry interrupted Ye Qing’s words, and Lin Wanqing was stunned, realizing her face was freezing cold. How could she not have thought that Su Moyi had told her to stay in the residence and not run around because he would do something dangerous? He was a person who had always viewed himself highly; if it wasn’t something difficult, why would he leave Ye Qing behind to protect her? However, it was clear that he was the one who needed protection more! With a heart gripped tightly, Lin Wanqing stood for a while, unable to catch her breath.
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Lailuo listened to her in everything. With her blocking, Ye Qing could not stop Lin Wanqing, and they went to the street while pulling each other. Wind and snow mixed with hissing and horses’ hooves pouncing. The scattered forbidden soldiers hurriedly past them. Every house in Sheng City closed its doors, and the always prosperous streets seemed empty and cluttered.
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Lin Wanqing wiped her wet face, stifled her head, and ran towards Daming Palace.
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“Recorder Lin!” Ye Qing once again pulled her back. “The Daming Palace has closed; even if it not, you couldn’t enter. Besides, there are still Thousand Bull Guards inside the palace; even if there are rebels mixing in, it won’t become a big deal.”

“You let go of me!” Lin Wanqing snapped back, shaking off Ye Qing’s hand, her voice choked with sobs.
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Ye Qing froze, released her, and followed her to Daming Palace, running wildly. The palace door was really closed, so those standing below could not see the situation clearly. When they were about to run near it, a rocket struck through the darkness of the night, rooted into the ground in front of them. Someone from above shouted for them to stay away.
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“Recorder Lin,” Ye Qing kindly advised, “They won’t let anyone in. Why don’t we trust the Lord for once and wait for the ……” A shocking bang came from the inner palace, and the unfinished words broke off in his throat.

The three of them were stunned at the same time, looking up at the lofty palace building. Then, a corner of the inner palace suddenly burst into flames, almost lighting up half of the palace.
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Lin Wanqing felt her ears explode with a buzzing sound. She was right. The imperial court outmatched the rebels in strength, and a brutal attack had no chance of victory. If it was fighting with the last ditch (*), they should take it by surprise and concentrate all their strength to do an ambush; they would not intentionally stall for a time like this. At this rate, their chances of winning will only get slimmer.

T/N: Fighting with the last ditch is a Chinese idiom from Sima Qian’s “Historical Records: Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin” of the Western Han Dynasty.

Therefore, the attack on the city was a diversion. First, they tried to hold back the city’s 30,000 forbidden soldiers and then attacked their vital points, striving to kill them with one blow. Only when Emperor Yonghui dies will King Liang have a chance to win over this mess.
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So —

Her heart was suddenly empty, as if she had stepped on the empty stair. Will Emperor Yonghui die? What about Su Moyi? The cold wind whistled past, scraping at her face like a knife, piercing her skin.

Lin Wanqing embedded her fingernails deeply in the flesh and inhaled deeply, forcing himself to calm down. If Su Moyi and Emperor Yonghui are trapped, she is now their only hope.
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Su Moyi only had her.

Lin Wanqing quickly wiped her tears, stabilized her mind, moved to a place with less snow, casually picked up a broken branch, and began to draw on it. The rebels were few; less than 10,000 were attacking the city now, and even fewer could blend into the palace. Even if they have explosives, they still need someone to place and ignite them, so they must first control the Thousand Bull Guards in the inner palace. But how to do that?