The Great Escape
Chen and the 2 boys made their way to the Forbidden Palace. After about 20 minutes of travel, they came to a chaotic scene. People were running in panic. Stores were being kept, and the streets were being emptied people ran for the safety of their houses.
“What the hell is happening? On this scene alone, I would be thinking that the Manchus are invading again.” Said a puzzled SanGui.
Chen grabbed one of the running people and asked him what is happening. “I don’t know. All we know is that something has gone wrong at the coronation ceremony and that soldiers are fighting fellow soldiers all around the city.”
The 3 of them stared at each other for a moment and then increased their pace as they headed to the Palace to find out what went wrong. They did not take long to find out. They ran into large group of Imperial Guards a couple of streets later.
The Guards commander sighed with relief when he saw Marshal Chen,” Marshal, Emperor TaiChang is dead and Prince Tianqi has seized the Dragon Throne for himself. Even now, his men are busy securing the Capital city. Many believe that Tianqi had murdered Emperor TaiChang and then put the blame on the Military Council.”
Chen gasped at the news,” What about the Military Council? Didn’t they do anything to stop him?”
“Marshal, Tianqi has declared the Military Council traitors of the Empire and arrested them and whatever people who oppose him are now being taken care of by his own men.”
“Damn that man! When I came in, the Western gate is still open. How about the rest of the gates?” Chen asked the Guards Commander.
“Marshal, last I heard is that the North and South gates have been secured by Tianqi’s men. The East gate is still being fought for by both Tianqi and Loyalists troops but we think it won’t hold for long. For now only the West Gate is still being held by Loyalist troops.”
Chen nodded and then replied,” Very well, this is what we will do. I will take half the men and rescue the Military Council members. You will take the other half and reinforce the West Gate. At all cost, hold the Gate until the Military Council has escaped. We will then head south, rally the Empire’s Southern troops and then return to take care of Tianqi.”
The Commander inclined his head in agreement and quickly led half the detachment off to reinforce the West Gate. Chen then turned to SanGui and ZiCheng,” The two of you, quickly get back to your homes and mine, gather everyone and then wait for me outside the West Gate. I will go rescue your fathers and then we will come and meet the rest of you.”
The two boys quickly rode off. Chen turned to the rest of the Guards and shouted, “To the Dungeons!”
Loyal Imperial Guards heading to the Dungeons
Chen and his men encountered a couple groups of Tianqi’s men on their way to the prison but they were quickly dealt with. They quickly arrived at the Dungeons where a battle broke out as the Dungeon Guards tried to prevent the Imperial Guards from breaking in.
However, Dungeon guards are not the best troops in the Empire and they were no match for the highly skilled Imperial Guards and they were quickly overwhelmed. Chen and his men rushed into the cells and saw a horrific sight.
The members of the Military Council are being hanged in the Dungeons. Already most of the Council Members are hanging from the ceiling beam. Only 3 members remain alive, Vice Marshal Li, Vice Marshal Wu and Admiral Zheng. Even now they were being forcibly dragged to for their turn to get hanged.
Chen roared in fury and charged the remaining dungeon guards. After a brief skirmish, the guards were killed and the surviving Council members free. “Chen, Tianqi he…” Wu started to say but Chen cut him off.
“I know what has happen. We must escape now. Loyalist troops still hold the West Gate and we must get there quickly. We will then head south and bring up the Southern Troops to engage Tianqi and his men.”
Li shook his head,” No use Chen. All the sub commanders in all the Armies have been replaced by Tianqi’s lackeys. We will have no support from any of the Armies.”
Chen was silent for a moment before he replied,” The Armies are not the only fighting force in the Empire.”
“The martial arts sects?” asked Wu.
“Yes. If all the sects unite, we will have a significant fighting force.”
“And how do intend to get the support of the various sects? The sects have not fought as a united force since the overthrow of the Yuan Dynasty.”
Chen smiled,” Wu, didn’t you learn your fighting skills from the Bai Lian Jiao (White Lotus Sect)? And if I recall correctly, your younger brother still serves in the sect.”
“Yes, that’s right. My younger brother is a Elder in the sect.” replied Wu.
“The martial arts sects are dominated by the 5 Major Sects of which the White Lotus Sect is predominant. Should the White Lotus Sect issue the call to arms, and if the other 4 Major Sects support the White Lotus Sect as well, the other sects will fall in line behind them. Then we have our army.”
Li and Wu looked at each other. Wu commented,” This might just work.”
“We can discuss our plans later. For now we must get out of the City.”
The 3 of them quickly made their way to the West Gate and they could hear the sounds of fighting as they neared the West Gate.
The West Gate came into view and indeed Tianqi’s men were locked in fierce combat with loyal Imperial Guards. The senior Imperial Guard with Chen said to Chen,” Marshals, we will go in and reinforce our comrades while the 3 of you make a run for it. Don’t bother about us. If the Empire is to be saved, then the 3 of you must survive.”
Chen could not say anything. In the end, he could only gasped the man’s hand. The Guard nodded in understanding and then he and his men charged into the battle.
“Here’s our chance, let’s go!” Chen and his brothers dashed out and made for the gate. Loyalist Guards doubled their efforts as they opened a way for the 3 Marshals to get through.
They quickly got through the gate and the gates slammed shut behind them. The Loyalist Guards intend to die in the City to buy more time for the 3 Marshals.
Chen turned back to face the city, tears in his eyes,” Those are brave men. I swear before heaven that I will avenge these brave men!” before he continued on his way.
The 3 of them met up with their families and family guards a short distance away and there was an emotional scene as the families were reunited before continuing on their way.
They had barely ridden for a couple of hours when behind them, they could hear galloping horses behind them. Tianqi has sent his men after the Marshals!
Chen looked around. There was no way that they could outrun Tianqi’s men. Wang, commander of Chen’s family guards came up to Chen,” Master, you and the other marshals go first. We will buy you the time to escape.” Chen could feel the tears coming down his face. For the second time in a day, men are prepared to sacrifice their lives to save him and his family members. One day, Chen swear, he will avenge these men.
“Master stop wasting time. You must leave now! GO!” Wang urged Chen.
Chen nodded and the 3 families quickly continued their escape south.
Wang turned back with the rest of his men as they awaited Tianqi’s men. They arrived shortly later and a brief battle was fought as Wang and his men sought to buy enough time for their masters with their lives.
Wang buy time for the 3 families with his life
As Wang lay dying on the ground later, he smiled. He died with no regrets because he knew with his death, he buys the life of his master and that was enough for him.
Back in the Forbidden Palace, the newly crowned Tianqi proclaimed to the Empire,” Let it be known to the world that Tianqi, brother of the late Emperor Wanli is now the new Emperor of the Ming Empire. Anyone who refuses to accept my authority will be declared traitor and his punishment will be death!”
A couple of months later, the first rebellions broke out…..
