My Antique Mirror Is A Portal To Another World-Chapter 608: Shocking News

Outside and inside the imperial capital city gate, two long lines had formed before dawn.

Walking down from the city wall, the gate captain ordered, "Open the city gate!"

The soldiers stationed by the gate responded at once, "Yes, Captain!"

As the soldiers removed the huge wooden plank blocking the gate and pushed the heavy gate open, the common people waiting outside noticed something approaching in the distance.

A thin old man squinted and asked doubtfully, "Look, what is that?"

Following his line of sight, his grandson, who was standing beside the old man, narrowed his eyes, trying to see clearly with his limited vision.

A few moments later, the young man’s eyes widened when he saw the flag carried by the man riding a strong black horse.

Pointing at the rider, he shouted in awe, "It’s the eight-hundred-li fast horse messenger!"

The second his words fell, the crowd turned around.

Before they could react, the messenger shouted urgently, "Urgent military report from the western border! Move out of the way!"

Afraid of being trampled, the crowd hurriedly moved to the side.

Seeing that the gate hadn’t opened wide enough for him to pass, the messenger shouted again, "Urgent military report from the western border! Open the gate!"

Hearing this, the soldiers pushed harder. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Creak~!

Accompanied by the creaking sounds, the messenger rode past them like a gust of wind.

After he disappeared into the distance, the crowd craned their necks curiously.

Noticing their curious behavior, the gate captain ordered sternly, "Form two lines! Anyone entering or leaving the city must show their travel permit and identity document! Whoever causes trouble will be executed on the spot!"

Startled by the warning, the crowd hurriedly obeyed. Although they didn’t dare cause trouble, they still discussed what had just happened in low voices.

While curiosity briefly distracted the common people from their bleak future, the messenger had already arrived outside the side gate of the imperial palace.

Being stopped by the imperial guards, the messenger raised the military report and announced, "Urgent military report from the western border! Open the gate!"

The second the imperial guards heard this, they quickly stepped to the side and let the messenger pass.

Without dismounting, the messenger rode directly into the imperial palace.

Ten minutes later, he arrived outside the Hall of Righteousness, just in time for the morning court.

"Report! Urgent military report from the western border!" he shouted as he rushed up the long stairs outside the Hall of Righteousness.

Just as he began climbing the stairs, the imperial guards outside had already heard his announcement and did not stop him.

Without anyone blocking his way, the messenger soon entered the Hall of Righteousness.

"Report! Urgent military report from the western border!" he announced while rushing into the main hall.

Interrupted by him, the ministers and generals, who had been discussing the current situation in low voices, stopped talking and turned toward the entrance. When they saw the messenger, their expressions sank.

Seeing that the emperor was not present and the morning court had not yet begun, the messenger searched for someone who could receive the military report. However, he could not find Wen Kang or Yu Zhao.

Noticing him scanning the crowd, Qu Zhihuang approached him and asked, "Who are you looking for?"

The messenger looked at Qu Zhihuang’s first-ranked official robe and recognized him.

He clasped his fists and said, "Replying to Grand Chancellor Qu. This is an urgent military report from the Western Region. This subordinate is looking for either Prime Minister Wen or the Prince Regent to submit the report."

The moment his words fell, the ministers and generals exchanged looks but said nothing.

Noticing that something was wrong, the messenger asked, "Grand Chancellor Qu, has this subordinate said something wrong?"

Knowing how important a military report delivered by an eight hundred li fast horse was, Qu Zhihuang stretched out his hand and said, "Give the military report to this old minister. This old minister will present it to His Majesty when the morning court begins."

Exhausted after riding nonstop for three days and having no better choice, the messenger could only agree.

Handing over the military report, the messenger clasped his fists once more and said, "Then this subordinate will trouble you, Grand Chancellor Qu."

Looking at his haggard face, Qu Zhihuang nodded. "Leave it to this old minister. You should return and rest now."

"Yes, Grand Chancellor Qu. This subordinate takes his leave."

After the messenger left, the old ministers and generals gathered around Qu Zhihuang.

"Grand Chancellor Qu, quick, let’s look at the military report," Chu Lai urged in a low voice.

Standing not far from them, the ministers and generals from the Wen Clan’s faction and the neutral faction stretched their necks and perked up their ears, trying to glimpse at the military report.

Nodding in agreement, Qu Zhihuang opened the bamboo tube and pulled out the military report. Surrounded by his colleagues, he read it in silence while the others gathered close and read along.

A few moments later, their expression changed after they finished reading.

Unable to see the contents, the other ministers and generals focused on their expressions. When they saw the old ministers and generals’ faces turn pale, they exchanged worried looks.

Chu Lai pointed at the report and said in disbelief, "This must be fake! How could—how could Great General Feng be defeated by the Jin Empire’s army? He was even captured and is now being escorted back to the Jin Empire?! This is fake!"

The instant his words echoed through the Hall of Righteousness, the other ministers and generals gasped in shock.

As the heavy atmosphere shrouded the Hall of Righteousness, the dread for the bleak future heavily pressed on their hearts.

Coming back to their senses, one of the generals from the neutral faction rushed forward and grabbed the report.

After reading it, he exclaimed, "Impossible! He shouldn’t have been defeated so easily! Isn’t he the famous undefeated general of my Great Yu Empire?!"