Time passed as the noise outside grew louder and louder. According to Lou Xiaoyi's judgment, there should be at least two, but no more than three, cultivators who came to Fenwei General's Mansion to urge them!
This was based on the judgment that the battle would begin within two hours. When they found that the garrison army did not arrive as scheduled, cultivators would come to check the situation. However, if the battle dragged on for too long and the general of the garrison army made a judgment of the situation, it would be basically impossible to mobilize the troops with the Tiger Tally!
However, his judgment was wrong. Except for the first unlucky guy who was tricked by him, no one else came!
Moreover, he could hear the rumbling of troops, but he did not hear the sound of battle! It should be known that in such a large-scale battle in the mortal world, thousands of people gathered together, and the roaring sound could be heard all over the city. But now, more than an hour had passed, and there was no sound of battle at all. Was it because they had gone to the ceremonial hall?
No one dared to rashly go out to gather information. Even the gangsters who liked to fish in troubled waters and take advantage of the chaos didn't dare to do so. The people of the Imperial Capital were all very politically aware. They knew when they could go out and when they couldn't. In a situation like today, if they went out and encountered a large army, they would be shot by arrows and spears. They wouldn't even be able to redress their grievances if they died!
Just as he was wondering, there was a loud cheer. Faintly, the word "Long Live" became clearer and closer …
Outside the Good Political Square, several yamen runners sounded gongs and rode horses, shouting in unison.
"By the will of Heaven, the Emperor of Heavenly Strategies decrees: The title of the country has been changed, and there are evildoers causing trouble. Peace shall be granted to the world with the power of thunder …"
The shouts were heard, and there were also cheers from the big houses in the Good Political Square!
Lou Xiaoyi immediately understood that all of this was actually a trap!
The Emperor of Heavenly Strategies was the old emperor. He faked his death and deceived those who were ready to make trouble. Then, before he died, he would catch them all and pave the way for the real successor!
This trick was not new, but every time it was used, it was very useful. After all, the position was too tempting.
Knowing that no more cultivators would come, the overall situation was set. Only a fool would go and make trouble now. Who would listen? The Heavenly Strategy Emperor had been on the throne for nearly 30 years. His prestige was so great that no one dared to go against his will!
When he passed by Second Uncle's courtyard, he saw that the door was wide open. The old man was sitting on a chair in the middle of the courtyard. He was clad in armor and his sword was placed across his knees. However, his eyes were lifeless and his face was devoid of color …
No matter how bored Lou Xiaoyi was, he didn't want to attack him now. He sighed and walked towards his own courtyard.
It was time to eat!
In the Imperial City, in the Golden Imperial Palace, there was a majestic old man in a dragon robe and a long sword on the ground. Under the white jade stairs, three middle-aged princes were kneeling on the ground, especially the one on the left. He was trembling as he lay there!
The dozens of ministers beside him were silent. These were all smart people. They would not rashly interfere in the affairs of the royal family. If it was not for the old emperor's personal decree, they would still be hiding at home and enjoying the scenery!
A head of the eunuchs trotted over and presented him with a scroll. The old Emperor didn't even look at it.
"Read!"
The head of the eunuchs knew that the Emperor wanted everyone present to know. Thus, he read aloud:
"The Minister of Internal Affairs, Huang Hui, committed suicide by swallowing gold at home. The Minister of Personnel, Duan Chong, was captured outside the Drum Gate. The Vice Minister of Personnel, Qian Zikai, was killed in the chaos. The Right General, Cheng Qian, was captured by his subordinates. The Bandit General, Zhou Wenyuan, surrendered at the last minute. The Yunyi General, Hua Mantian, is stubbornly resisting the purge.
The head of the eunuchs read out a long list of names. Everyone present was shocked and frightened. They had never thought that the Third Prince, who was usually laughing and joking, would actually have such great rallying power!
Or were these actually the forces that opposed the reform?
After a series of recitations, there were actually dozens of people scattered all over the place! The old Emperor glared at the ministers present.
"They are the ones who jumped out! The rest of you are just a bystander! There is no difference in the nature of it! "
His words frightened the ministers so much that they knelt down and admitted that they had committed a grave crime. The old Emperor did not accuse them wrongly. However, when it came to the royal family's affairs, there were some things that could not be said or done!
The old Emperor was just trying to scare them. No matter how old he was, he would not hold them accountable. They were just a group of monkeys that he wanted to punish to warn the monkeys.
He just stared at the eunuch and said, "In the past half a month, you must have found out the people who colluded with them. Is there anyone on the list who plotted this rebellion?"
The head of the eunuch kowtowed and said, "There are some discrepancies between the list and the actual situation. There are only three people on the list. The Marquis of Yizhou, Tian Fuchu, did not participate in the rebellion. He is suspected to have escaped from Zhaoye City and is being hunted by the police. Yang Fuma, the Marquis of Yang Fuchu, admitted that he plotted the rebellion by tying himself up in Daguang Temple before the coup. The Fenwei General, Yao Zhidong, did not mobilize the garrison as promised. He committed suicide in the court.
The Emperor of Heavenly Strategies sneered, "So they are the weaklings? The weaklings are just right! Third Prince, look at the people you found. Is there anyone who is useful? If we really hand the country over to you, will they be able to support us when we are in danger? "
Since they had the intention to rebel, they should be executed without mercy. However, considering that these people were not rebelling against him, but a fight between the princes, it did not seem appropriate to use treason as a punishment. Those who had truly taken this step, of course, should be executed. However, these few who had shrunk back at the last moment were a different matter altogether.
As an Emperor, he must understand people's hearts. He could not blindly rely on killing to solve problems. He must set an example. He could not be too tough on those who repented. Otherwise, if such things happened again in the future, everyone would know that there was no way out and would fight to the death. That would be the mistake of the Emperor!
"Fourth Prince, you deal with these people!" The old Emperor gave this problem to his son, the future Emperor. He wanted to test his son's character one last time.
The Fourth Prince kowtowed. Was there a need to think about such a simple problem? Of course, it was time to show his mercy. He had endured for decades. How could he make a mistake at the last step?
"Reporting to Father, the Marquis of Yizhou, Tian Fuchu, should be pursued. He escaped at night without any remorse. He should be detained and punished for plotting a rebellion!
Yang Fuma is a member of the Imperial Family. He knows how to rein in the horse at the edge of the cliff and abandon the darkness for the light. He can be ordered to study at home. Whether he will rise in the future depends on his performance!
Ferocious General Yao Zhidong can understand the disaster that war brings to the people. He can stay upright and not cross the line. Killing cultivators can show his intention. I think that it is enough to reprimand him in court and take away his Tiger Tally. He can keep his official position and see what happens in the future! "
Anyway, it was an idle position. He could use it to show his tolerance.
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