He rose in times of chaos, quelled the mutinies of the Six Garrisons and the Heyin incident, enthroned a new emperor, controlled the nation's politics, annihilated Ge Rong, pacified Hebei, defeated the Southern Liang army led by Chen Qingzhi, and later subdued Guanzhong.
His martial achievements throughout his life were outstanding!
"View Peerless Famous General - Erzhu Rong's data!"
"Name: Erzhu Rong"
"Courtesy name: Tian Bao"
"Dynasty: Late Northern Wei"
"Cultivation: Supreme level five!"
"Cultivation technique: Dragon Slaying Saber Immortal Canon"
"Attached troop type: Peerless troop type - Seven Thousand Heavy Cavalry!"
Experience: Erzhu Rong initially inherited his father's title and served as the Chieftain of the First Tribe, becoming a noble of significant status at the time.
After becoming chieftain, Erzhu Rong immediately recruited soldiers and strengthened his forces. For better development, he also married his daughter to Emperor Xiaoming, Yuan Xu.
He led troops and suppressed the peasant uprisings of the Six Garrisons.
By August of the second year of Xiaochang, Erzhu Rong raised an army, seized Sizhou, appointed his own officials, and his military strength and influence gradually grew.
In the first year of Wutai, Erzhu Rong learned that Emperor Xiaoming, Yuan Xu, had been poisoned by Empress Dowager Hu. Enraged, he led a large army south, welcomed Yuan Ziyou to the throne as Emperor Xiaozhuang, and took on numerous positions such as King of Taiyuan, monopolizing state affairs.
Erzhu Rong, under the pretext of the Prime Minister's rebellion, launched the Heyin incident and led his army back to Jinyang.
Although Erzhu Rong was away, he still placed confidantes in the imperial court to control state affairs remotely.
After the Heyin incident, Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, wanted to help Yuan Hao become the Emperor of Northern Wei.
He appointed Chen Qingzhi as General of Fierce Courage and sent Yuan Hao north to Luoyang. Chen Qingzhi marched north, capturing 32 cities and winning 47 battles without defeat.
Erzhu Rong quickly led his troops to confront Chen Qingzhi on the banks of the Yellow River. Chen Qingzhi fought eleven battles in three days, inflicting heavy casualties.
Seeing that he could not defeat Chen Qingzhi, Erzhu Rong immediately changed his strategy, ambushed Yuan Hao's main camp, and routed them in one battle. Luoyang subsequently fell.
Chen Qingzhi, seeing that the situation was dire, led his troops to retreat. Erzhu Rong immediately pursued Chen Qingzhi.
Coincidentally, the Songgao River suddenly rose, and Chen Qingzhi's army was scattered and decimated under the combined impact of the pursuing troops and the floodwaters.
Only Chen Qingzhi, disguised as a monk after shaving his head, managed to escape back to the Liang Dynasty.
In September of that year, Erzhu Rong crushed Ge Rong's rebellion, gaining immense prestige and being promoted to Grand Chancellor.
He was later killed by Emperor Xiaozhuang, Yuan Ziyou.
...
"Alas!"
At the Kuai Tong Mansion of the Qing Xuan Immortal Dynasty.
Chancellor Cui Yangwen sighed, "Yesterday, I received a secret letter from the palace. The Immortal Emperor has finalized the candidate for the next imperial throne; it is His Royal Highness Zunye, Qing Ji. The moment I saw this secret letter, I knew disaster was imminent. However, apart from the Immortal Emperor and His Royal Highness Shengxiao, only you and I know of this matter!"
"Has the Immortal Emperor issued an imperial decree?"
Qing Hao Cang asked coldly.
"Not yet! It is estimated that it will be announced by His Royal Highness Shengxiao himself on the day of the approaching end of his life!"
Cui Yangwen's expression was tense.
Lan Yu put down the secret letter and said, "Disaster is approaching, but do not blame the Immortal Emperor. His Royal Highness Zunye is indeed a suitable candidate. However, the three of us are loyal to His Royal Highness, which is bestowed by heaven. We must strive and fight for it with all our might. The day the imperial decree is read will be the time for you and me to ascend. Instead of this, it is better to strike first!"
"General Lan's words indeed hold some truth!"
Kuai Tong looked at the three of them and said, "His Royal Highness is hesitant due to his fraternal affection. In my opinion, this matter cannot be delayed. We must make a decision today and act swiftly!"
"Does the strategist have any good plans?"
Cui Yangwen stood up, walked to Kuai Tong, and refilled his cup with spiritual wine.
Kuai Tong swept his gaze over the three of them. "We are arguably the only force His Royal Highness can rely on. I will devise strategies, and the Chancellor will win over officials and nobles. The court is already stable. In the military, we have General Lan Yu and Qing Hao Cang, both first-rank generals, commanding millions of elite troops of the Immortal Dynasty. The situation is already formed; it is not something the Immortal Emperor can sever His Royal Highness's path with a single word!"
Qing Hao Cang stood up and bowed. "We previously followed His Royal Highness Yuxian and suffered a setback. Fortunately, with the guidance of the strategist and the efforts of all of you, we have been fortunate enough to stand in this hall intact."
"Strategist, please speak your mind. As long as it is something that requires Hao Cang's assistance, I will risk my life to complete the task assigned by the strategist!"
"Good!"
"With your words, the great undertaking can be accomplished!"
Kuai Tong stood up, scanning Lan Yu, Qing Hao Cang, and Cui Yangwen. "In three days, it will be the court assembly. At that time, all civil and military officials and other princes will enter the palace to meet the Emperor."
"This will be our only opportunity. We will strike first and kill His Royal Highness Zunye, Qing Ji!"
"The Immortal Emperor's health is frail. I estimate he has only a few days left. General Qing, you have considerable influence and prestige within the Imperial Lineage clan. I will give you two days to gain control of the imperial palace's gate guards. Can you do it?"
"Two days?"
"One day will suffice!"
Qing Hao Cang stood up, full of confidence.
"Good!"
Kuai Tong laughed. "Chancellor, you are familiar with the officials who manage the imperial palace's airspace array. Find an excuse to reinforce the array as much as possible these two days, preferably to a point where even a peak Heavenly Sovereign cannot break it."
"Also, when the officials enter the palace in three days, you must delay them as much as possible. After the deed is done, let them enter one by one, as a deterrent!"
"General Lan Yu, how are the men you were asked to bring?"
"Rest assured, the three main generals at the Minor Heavenly Sovereign realm are all in place. Please do not worry, sir!"
Lan Yu said, cupping his fist.
"Good!"
"In three days, I, along with General Lan Yu, will accompany His Royal Highness into the palace. General Qing will lead the guards and seal the palace gates tightly. Conceal everything both inside and out. If His Royal Highness Zunye, Qing Ji, enters the palace gate, immediately seal off all four directions. General Lan and General Qing will attack simultaneously, and we will finish it quickly!"
"If this succeeds, we can eliminate His Royal Highness Zunye, Qing Ji, and His Royal Highness will be the best candidate for the throne. Even if the Immortal Emperor does not die, given his current physical condition, he will likely not even be able to stand. What can he do to us?"
"Have you all understood clearly?"
Kuai Tong explained in detail.
"Strategist, rest assured, with me here, the old ancestors of the Imperial Lineage clan will not forcefully suppress His Royal Highness!"
Qing Hao Cang said solemnly. He had significant influence within the Imperial Lineage clan, and several old ancestors trusted and valued him greatly.
"Time is pressing. Everyone, act now. Be swift, precise, and ruthless. Remember what I have said and carry it out perfectly!"
"Yes, sir!"
Qing Hao Cang and Cui Yangwen left Kuai Tong's mansion first.
"Sir, are these two trustworthy?"
Lan Yu's expression was serious.
"General Lan, rest assured, these two have long been allies of His Royal Highness Zunshuo. Given Qing Ji's methods, do you think he would heavily rely on these two? Therefore, they have no other way out and can only fight desperately to protect His Royal Highness Zunshuo, Qing Yu, in his bid for the throne!"