Southern Ming Rebel Army

Chapter 413: Palace Coup (Part )

Aobai's words almost made Leng Sengji laugh. Now, everyone in the court, whether civil or military, knew that their prince was ambitious. Since everyone knew it, why bother about Empress Xiaozhuang's will? He could just say that he had suddenly fallen ill and deal with it later.

Although Leng Sengji repeatedly advised him, Haoge still believed that Leng Sengji was worrying too much. Since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, there has never been a palace coup. How could Dorgon dare to do this?

However, Haoge still listened to some of Leng Sengji's words. Haoge wore dense armor under his clothes, and followed Aobai and Turg, as well as twelve elite soldiers. They entered the Forbidden City at 3 p.m.

Seeing that Haoge refused to listen to his advice, Leng Sengji repeatedly warned Aobai that he must protect the prince's safety and that someone must be left at the palace gate. He would also bring people to meet him at the palace gate.

That day was the third day of the fifth month of the seventh year of the Shunzhi reign, and it was a cloudy day.

Dorgon's face was stern and his hands were turning the teacup unconsciously. At this time, Luo Shi sent his confidant to report that Haoge had entered the palace. Hearing this, Dorgon showed joy on his face and felt relieved.

At the same time, Hauge and his entourage entered the Forbidden City, with Oboi and Turg following closely beside him. Although Hauge was alert, he still hoped that Dorgon would give up power.

When Haoge entered the palace, he was surprised to see Dorgon sitting on the main seat. Wasn't it said that Dorgon was bedridden? Why was he sitting there now?

Haoge's face was ugly, but he forced a smile and said, "It seems that Fourteenth Uncle is in good spirits. He is not as bad as the rumors spread. It is really gratifying."

Facing Hauge's words, Dorgon showed a meaningful smile, and his eyes flashed with a barely perceptible sharpness. He slowly said, "Prince Su, the Qing Dynasty is now in a critical moment. I want to reorganize the Eight Banners and fight a decisive battle with the Meng thieves. Therefore, I hope you can hand over the Zhenglan Banner and let the court manage it."

Upon hearing this, Haoge was furious and said, "I was appointed as the flag master by the late emperor. Why do you want to take it away?"

Dorgon narrowed his eyes slightly, his face was uncertain, and then he seemed to have made up his mind and said in a deep voice: "Haoge, you falsely claimed military merits, did not advance on patrol, and lightly abandoned Wuchang. You must be imprisoned and punished."

Haoge's face changed drastically, and he regretted it deeply. He didn't expect that Leng Sengji's words would come true. Dorgon really dared to take action in the palace. Haoge shouted: "Aobai!"

Aobai and Turg rushed in upon hearing the noise. Hauge angrily said to Dorgon, who was at the top of the group, "I am the eldest son of Emperor Taizong. Even if I have committed a thousand sins, I should be punished by the clan officials, not Dorgon."

Dorgon did not respond, but suddenly threw the cup to the ground and shouted, "Go!"

In an instant, a large number of Qing soldiers poured into the hall, and more than a hundred ambush troops rushed in like wolves and tigers, with swords and spears clashing. Hauge took the opportunity to grab a long sword and rushed out of the hall with Aobai Turge.

Hauge was wounded several times in the melee, but the exquisite armor inside him saved him from fatal damage. Dorgon saw from a high place that Hauge's outer clothes were torn, revealing his inner armor, and said urgently: "We must not let Hauge escape, regardless of life or death!"

Aobai shouted, "Get out of the palace! Leng Sengji is outside the palace!"

Oboi was extremely brave and fought hard, rushing all the way to the palace gate. He was like a ferocious lion, his blade flashing coldly. In the eyes of the ambushing troops, he looked like a Shura and no one could stop his edge.

"Protect the prince and fight your way out of the palace!" Turg's angry roar echoed in the Forbidden City. The palace maids and eunuchs in the distance were all trembling and hiding everywhere, fearing that they would be affected by the chaotic battle.

Turg and Aobai guarded Hauge closely, but the elite troops who followed him into the palace fell one after another on the way out of the palace. Hauge selected the elite troops, and Dorgon's ambush troops were also elite, but Dorgon's number was more than ten times that of Hauge.

At this time, a sparse drizzle of rain began to fall from the sky. The rain mixed with blood washed the bricks of the Forbidden City. The drizzle continued, and the raindrops gently hit the stone steps, filling the air with a faint smell of blood.

When Hauge and his two companions rushed to the palace gate, they were already exhausted. However, the palace gate was close at hand, yet seemed out of reach. Aoba and Yu Turge tried their best to block the pursuers behind Hauge, but when Hauge arrived at the palace gate, he felt a little desperate.

It turned out that just in case, Luoshu had already forced the guards at the palace gate to lower the gate lock, and the two Goshaha left at the palace gate by Oboi had already been killed by Luoshu.

Seeing that most of the people guarding the palace gate were palace guards, Haoge hurriedly shouted, "I am the eldest son of Emperor Taizong, Prince Su of the Qing Dynasty. Open the door quickly!"

The guards were hesitant, and Roshi shouted, "The regent has ordered that Haoge is plotting a rebellion, regardless of life or death, anyone who participates in suppressing the rebellion today will be rewarded handsomely!"

Roche shouted, "Shoot!" Seeing that the guards hesitated and dared not move, Roche drew his sword and put it on the neck of an archer, shouting in a manic and crazy tone, "Shoot!"

The guard was so frightened that his hand shook and the arrow flew out. The other guards followed the crowd and immediately shot dozens of arrows at Aobai and his two companions.

Oboi roared and swung his sword to block. Hauge shouted, "Charge over and break the gate lock!"

No matter how skilled the three men were in martial arts, they could not completely avoid the arrows one after another. A flash of light flashed by and a sharp arrow pierced through Aobai's thigh. The severe pain made him pause, but he did not stop. Gritting his teeth and enduring the pain, Aobai continued to rush forward. He wanted to fight for a chance of survival for Hauge.

Hauge and Turg were also hit by several arrows, but they were protected by armor, so the arrows did not penetrate deeply into their flesh. Finally, Aobai rushed in front of the palace guards with a roar, hacking left and right, killing seven people in a row. At this time, he had many wounds on his body, and blood soaked his armor.

He thrust the broadsword in his hand into the ground, supported his shaky body, and slashed at the gate lock of the palace.

Luo Shi was so anxious that he kept jumping up and down, and he kept commanding his men to charge forward. A guard on the palace wall shouted, "There are soldiers outside the palace! They are knocking on the door!"

Rosh did not stop and led his men to charge forward. After being stabbed dozens of times, Turg's strength gradually ran out and the weapon in his hand was knocked down by Rosh. Several bodyguards rushed forward and cut off Turg's head.

After Turg's death, Hauge was also seriously injured and gradually lost his strength. More than ten subordinates of Luoshi rushed forward and pinned Hauge to the ground in one fell swoop. At this time, Oboi was still roaring and chopping the lock.

When Luo Shi saw that Oboi did not notice that Haoge had been captured, he was overjoyed. He wanted to gain the reputation of killing Baturu, so he approached Oboi quickly and chopped him hard on the back with his sword.

Aobai felt pain and turned around to see that Haoge had been captured. He opened his eyes wide, shouted loudly, and attacked Luoshu fiercely. Aobai had no intention of defending himself and was determined to attack.

Luo Shi soon couldn't hold on any longer and turned back to order his men to come forward for support. At this time, a long spear was pressed against Aobai's waist. Luo Shi was out of Aobai's attack range and he breathed a sigh of relief.

Tears of blood flowed from Abahai's eyes. He used up his last bit of strength and threw the long knife in his hand at Luoshi. Luoshi was caught off guard and his throat was cut.

Roche covered his neck with his hands, making “ho…ho…” sounds continuously. He collapsed to the ground and was dead in just a moment.

Oboi laughed loudly. Dorgon looked at this scene, his face turned pale, and he ordered his men to behead Oboi on the spot.

At this point, the bloody palace coup finally ended. Inside the Forbidden City, the smell of blood had not yet dissipated, and the ground was dyed red with blood. The power struggle has never changed from ancient times to the present, and it has always been cruel and ruthless.