With the Imperial Palace fallen, Heaven Dou City had effectively been completely occupied by Xue Yu. Coupled with the emperor remaining unconscious, this gave him enormous room to maneuver.
He began spreading word everywhere that Xue Ye had kidnapped the emperor and that the emperor's life hung in the balance. At the same time, he gathered the families of the city's nobles, along with the officials who had remained behind, into the Imperial Palace. They were now all hostages in his hands.
Afterward, he sent orders to the armies stationed across the land, commanding them to mount a Royal Rescue.
As long as he could keep the regional armies steady and prevent them from acting rashly, his objective would be achieved.
The local armies were poorly informed. Even if they doubted the orders issued by Xue Yu, they would not obey Xue Ye either. One was a prince, the other the crown prince—under such circumstances, who would they dare listen to unless there was an imperial decree?
Xue Yu had seized upon precisely this point. The emperor was unconscious and could not issue an edict. Even if Xue Ye issued one in his place, the local armies would not obey it.
What Xue Yu feared most now was the emperor suddenly waking up.
What Xue Yu needed to do now was not wage war against Xue Ye, but negotiate with him. He had to seize control of the emperor to truly put his mind at ease.
After capturing the families of the nobles, the officials who had remained behind, and the officials' families and bringing them all into the Imperial Palace, Xue Yu sent an envoy to the hunting grounds the following day to negotiate with Xue Ye.
Xue Ye might not agree, but the people under his command were