Mid-sentence, Zhang Shaoyou suddenly stopped and looked at Li Gang again.
"You all go out for a moment!"
Hearing this, Li Gang immediately understood. It seemed Zhang Shaoyou had something private to say, so he promptly dismissed all his subordinates.
"Speak your mind!"
As the Shao Yin of Kaifeng Prefecture, Zhang Shaoyou was naturally better informed than most. Li Gang knew this well.
"My Lord, you have been busy reinforcing the city defenses recently. You might not know, but just half an hour ago, Zhang Bangchang and Wu Min went into the palace. It's said that His Majesty has ordered He Guan and his 5,000 imperial guards to prepare ten days' worth of dry rations!"
"What did you say? Is this news reliable?"
Li Gang shivered all over at this statement.
Just two days prior, Zhang Bangchang had replaced Yu Shen and was swiftly promoted by Zhao Huan to the position of Grand Chancellor. Li Ruoshui had also been promoted by the Emperor to Left Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat concurrently with Minister of Personnel.
Wu Min directly took over the vacant position of Deputy Minister of the Bureau of Military Affairs. Even Sun Fu, who had been severely reprimanded in court that day, was promoted to a signatory of the Bureau of Military Affairs amidst widespread opposition from the court officials.
Furthermore, there were reports that the Emperor was currently summoning Tang Ke and Geng Nanzhong by fast horse.
All of this made Li Gang feel a deep sense of unease.
It was no wonder he reacted the way he did upon hearing such news.
"The news is absolutely reliable. As for the source, I cannot tell you, My Lord. You should understand..."
Zhang Shaoyou trailed off, not saying any more.
"No, I must go to the palace to see His Majesty immediately!"
Li Gang was not a fool. He understood perfectly what it meant for He Guan to prepare ten days of dry rations!
The Jurchens were already outside the city. If the Emperor were to leave the city at this time, could Bianliang still be defended?
Setting aside whether they could escape, even if they did escape Bianliang, where would they go?
"My Lord, I don't think you should go to the palace right now. You should go to the驸马府 (Fùmǎ Fǔ - Princess Consort's Mansion)!"
As Li Gang was about to head for the door, Zhang Shaoyou quickly grabbed him.
"The 驸马府?"
"Precisely. I know that Li Daren, you are loyal to the nation and have no selfish motives. However, in this world, legitimacy dictates authority. Currently, it is the Grand Chancellors and His Majesty discussing state affairs. Do you think you can gain an audience at this moment?"
After listening to Zhang Shaoyou, Li Gang's face contorted with bitterness.
Only now did he truly realize that Han Mo's words had been insightful.
Things in this world were all the same; legitimacy dictated authority. If he had listened to Han Mo earlier and started participating in the power struggle, at the very least, he wouldn't be unable to even get through the door now.
"I'll leave things here to you. I'm going to the 驸马府 now!"
After taking a deep breath, Li Gang finally made up his mind.
If there was anyone in Bianliang who could help him, it had to be Han Jiayan.
Although he was merely a leisurely驸马 (Fùmǎ - Princess Consort's husband), the power he wielded made the Emperor wary!
Only he could help him secure a position as a Grand Chancellor in a short period.
Among the current Grand Chancellors, Li Ruoshui, while sympathetic to them, was a lone warrior.
If Zhang Bangchang and his faction were united, what could Li Ruoshui do even if he opposed them?
Threaten to die?
Don't be ridiculous. If he truly died, Zhang Bangchang and the others would be overjoyed!
"My Lord, please go. Nothing significant will happen here in the short term!"
Seeing that Li Gang had taken his advice, Zhang Shaoyou breathed a sigh of relief.
At this moment, he deeply missed Han Mo. Perhaps in such a critical situation, only that fellow could navigate the scene with ease.
Now, all he could hope for was that Han Mo would lead his troops back to the capital soon. Alas, as a mere Shao Yin of Kaifeng Prefecture, what say did he have in such matters?
"Your Majesty, we cannot delay any longer. If we delay further, we truly won't be able to leave!"
In the Fu Ning Hall, Zhang Bangchang said hoarsely, looking at the Emperor who was still hesitating.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. Li Gang is still busy reinforcing the moat and the city walls. However, when the former Emperor built the city walls, he did not consider the possibility of foreign invasion at all. The missing watchtowers on the walls cannot be completed in less than a month. The moat at Fanjia Port is only knee-deep. Bianliang cannot be defended!"
Seeing the Emperor's hesitation, Wu Min also spoke up.
"Both of you, be silent! The Jurchens are already outside the city gates. What are your intentions in trying to instigate His Majesty to leave the city at this time!"
Li Ruoshui trembled with anger as he saw Zhang Bangchang and Wu Min playing into each other's hands.
If it weren't for his lingering illness, leaving him weak and listless, he would have already rushed forward to fight Zhang Bangchang.
"What intentions? Prime Minister Li, your words are quite amusing. Li Gang is already the Prefect of Tokyo, responsible for coordinating the city's defenses. Is that not enough? If Bianliang falls, do you want His Majesty to become a monarch of a lost dynasty? As long as His Majesty is safe, even if Bianliang falls, he can deal with it calmly!"
Since three out of the four people in the hall were on his side, Zhang Bangchang spoke with utter confidence.
"You're spouting nonsense!"
Seeing Zhang Bangchang's shameless demeanor, even the usually good-tempered Li Ruoshui could not help but curse.
"You are vulgar!"
"Prime Minister Li, Grand Chancellor Zhang is, after all, the current Grand Chancellor. You are disrespecting your superior. Is this how a minister should behave?"
Seeing that Li Ruoshui was about to faint from anger, Sun Fu said with a forced smile.
"You, you all!"
"What about us? Prime Minister Li, are you not aware of the rules for addressing His Majesty in front of the court? The reason we have resorted to this drastic measure is out of sincere patriotism!"
"Reporting to Your Majesty,驸马 Han and His Highness Prince Yue, and Prefect Li request an audience outside the hall!"
As soon as Zhang Bangchang finished speaking, Shun Xi's voice was heard from outside the door.
Hearing this, Zhang Bangchang's face immediately darkened.
He had specifically instructed them before entering that no one was to be allowed to disturb them!
To ensure the Emperor was not swayed, he had specifically arranged for Wu Min to station his confidantes outside Fu Ning Hall!
"Go and see who it is!"
Before the Emperor could speak, Zhang Bangchang quickly signaled Wu Min.
It had come to a point of no return. If they didn't leave now, they would truly be unable to leave Bianliang!