Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 939: Chapter 668: The Capital City Besieged

Within the Imperial City, Emperor Jianxing sat despondently in Fengxian Hall.

Those who now commanded the Da Rong Court were no longer Emperor Jianxing, but Chen Wansong, the Prince Yu.

“Do we have any other options?” Emperor Jianxing looked at Chen Wansong.

Chen Wansong gazed at the ancestral tablets, “The great trend has passed, there is no way to reverse it!”

“Then~~” Emperor Jianxing wanted to ask what he should do, but he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

By this time, he had lost all ambition, no longer wishing to restore the court, no longer coveting the throne, no longer wanting to rule the world; he only wished to preserve his life.

Better to live poorly than to die well; he still did not want to die.

But as an emperor, he had no path to take.

Chen Wansong suddenly turned around, looking at him sharply, “Do not disgrace the ancestors!”

Emperor Jianxing’s expression paused, staring blankly at him for a long time before saying, “I understand!”

He slowly stood up and walked out of Fengxian Hall, standing at the entrance, he glanced back at the ancestral tablets before quickly leaving.

The enemy army was impending, the fall of Capital City was unavoidable.

Yet, he still wanted to struggle, to lead the last forces of Da Rong in a desperate defense of the Capital.

Chen Wansong looked at his departing figure and said solemnly, “Is Mingxi gone?”

“In reply to your question, my lord, His Royal Highness Mingxi left yesterday aboard a ship from Jin Hai Guard!” A figure stepped out from the corner of the hall, bowing slightly as he spoke.

That person was none other than Chen Zhongshu.

Chen Zhongshu was still the same as before, only now appearing a bit more world-weary.

Chen Wansong nodded slightly and then walked to the hall’s entrance, gazing at the clear sky.

“The bloodline of the royal family must continue, this is all I can do for now!”

Chen Zhongshu stood silently beside him, saying nothing.

At this point, words could not change anything.

In truth, Chen Zhongshu had not anticipated Da Rong would end up in its current situation.

These past years, he had been away from the Capital, having gone to the Imperial Mausoleum to guard the tomb of Emperor Chengping.

Yet, in just a few short years, Da Rong’s situation had deteriorated to such an extent.

“What are your plans?” Chen Wansong asked.

After a brief silence, Chen Zhongshu replied, “I will continue to guard the Imperial Mausoleum.”

“Very well!” Chen Wansong nodded in agreement.

He understood Chen Zhongshu’s intent. Chen Zhongshu didn’t wish to remain in the Capital for a last stand; he only wanted to stay by the Imperial Mausoleum of Emperor Chengping.

Perhaps someday, he would fight to protect it, or perhaps he would abandon it to live on by himself.

But regardless of his choice, Chen Wansong could not compel him.

Though Chen Zhongshu referred to himself as an old servant, no one could see him as merely a servant now.

“This old servant takes his leave!”

Chen Zhongshu departed, leaving the Capital alone.

At the same time, nobles, families, and clans within the Capital were also fleeing the city.

The state was a nation awaiting death, the people citizens awaiting death, but the nobility were not nobles awaiting death.

Ordinary folk had no means to escape, but the nobles had many options.

They could surrender, ally with other forces, or escape far away.

At this time, the city gates of the Capital were open, countless carts and horses forming a long line, seeking to flee the Capital.

No one could stop them, not even Chen Wansong.

There were still many martial artists and troops within the Capital; the Emperor’s personal army had already entered to prepare for the city’s defense. Nobles and clans had many martial artists, including experts in martial arts, even numerous Innate Martial Artists.

But with scattered hearts, aside from the ordinary soldiers with no control over their fates, the noble families sought their own paths.

Among them, most fled towards Jin Hai Guard, as it was the nearest port to the Capital, and it had enough merchant and warships available.

Duke Ning Mansion.

Zhou Mao and Zhou Xu sat opposite each other, showing no hint of urgency.

“Father, let us leave!” Zhou Xu whispered.

Zhou Mao, now a centenarian, nearing the end of his life, still appeared very spirited.

He was not an Innate Martial Artist, so reaching such an old age was quite remarkable.

Zhou Xu was also over eighty, with his white-haired look appearing older than Zhou Mao.

“Ah, I’m already this old, there’s no need to go through the trouble!” Zhou Mao sighed.

He was unwilling to leave the Capital, although he too had given up on Da Rong, he did not want to leave the Capital.

In truth, both Zhou Mao and Zhou Xu harbored resentment towards the court.

Their grievances began during the reigns of Emperor Chengping and Emperor Yanping.

How distinguished was Duke Ning in those days?

But now?

The grand Duke Ning Mansion was sustained by only Zhou Lan.

Was it because the descendants of the Zhou family were ineffective?

No, it was the Emperor suppressing the Zhou family.

Did Zhou Xu lack capability?

Impossible, right?

However lackluster Zhou Xu might be, could he be worse than Duke An, Anhuai Ren?

Yet in his lifetime, Zhou Xu held no official post, nor inherited any title.

Zhou Mao was deeply dissatisfied with this.

If it were Emperor Chengping suppressing the Zhou family, that might be understandable, as the Zhou family indeed shone too brightly then.

But even Emperor Yanping continued to suppress them, and in many instances, Emperor Yanping refused to allow Zhou Xu into the court to balance the political situation despite Zhou Mao’s numerous requests on Zhou Xu’s behalf.

Emperor Jianxing at last sought the help of the Zhou family, but at this stage, wasn’t it too late?

Zhou Xu looked helplessly at Zhou Mao, “Father, if you don’t leave, how can I leave? If I don’t go, can your grandchildren go?”

“My sister has written, betrothing Xian’er to Yang Mingzhao’s son, a marriage arranged between her and Yang Zhenshan. Our family might as well go to Divine Wood Island to establish this marriage with the Yang family!”