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Seeing the murderous intent in Han Lie's eyes, Liu Ruoyu's forehead was covered with cold sweat, but he still said stubbornly: "My family... My family is acting on the emperor's orders..."

"boom!"

Without waiting for Liu Ruoyu to argue, Han Lie pulled the trigger without hesitation. Blood splattered all over Liu Ruoyu's right shoulder. He fell to the ground screaming, and dared not move again.

"Take it down."

Han Lie turned to the crowd and said, "You all have seen that these eunuchs set up the prison privately. They were executed today. It is the justice of heaven."

Master Fangsheng stepped forward and said, "Amitabha. This matter is of great importance to this donor. I wonder…"

Han Lie clasped his fists and saluted: "Master, rest assured, the Tiandao League acts in an upright manner. This manifesto is true in every word. Wanli is incompetent, and the world knows it."

As he spoke, he took out another stack of documents from his bosom: "This is the evidence of the crimes committed by the East Factory over the years, including the detailed records of privately setting up prisons, killing innocent people, and corruption and bribery."

Taoist Qingxu took it and flipped through it. The more he read, the more serious his expression became: "This... if these are true, they are indeed horrifying."

Linghu Chong leaned forward to read it, and saw that the document recorded in detail how the East Factory used the name of mining tax to rob people in various places. Some wealthy families were accused of being "mine owners" and their property was confiscated; some merchants were falsely accused of "smuggling ore" and their entire families were imprisoned; some local officials were beaten to death in the street by the East Factory's men because they opposed the mining tax...

Ning Zhongze pursed his dry lips and said, "Sir...what is Wei'er's intention in doing this?"

Han Lie was silent for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "I am Han Lie, the Left Envoy of the Heavenly Dao Alliance. I am here on the orders of the young master to purge the treacherous villains."

Looking around at everyone, he said in a sonorous voice: "The manifesto has been issued, and the world has responded. The Tiandao League does not seek to change the dynasty, but only to restore peace and order to the world!"

Tiandao League? ?

Ning Zhongze was a little numb. What on earth had Weier been doing all these years? It was Yunyan Pavilion, Fuwei Escort Agency, and now there was the Tiandao League.

When did this young man, who once learned martial arts under her lap, become so powerful?
Without waiting for her to ask, Lin Zhennan stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, things have come to this point, we should leave here as soon as possible."

Han Lie nodded: "Captain Lin is right. Master Lei, take your men to escort the heroes from all factions away."

Lei Zhentian clasped his fists and accepted the order, and immediately ordered the disciples of the Thunderbolt Hall to form a team. Although the people from various factions were full of questions, they also knew that it was not advisable to stay here for long, and they all prepared to evacuate.

At this moment, Linghu Chong suddenly said, "Wait a minute."

Everyone turned around and saw him slowly walking towards Han Lie: "Han Zuo Shi, there is something I don't understand."

Han Lie raised his eyebrows: "Young Master Linghu, please speak."

"This manifesto..."

Linghu Chong's eyes were sharp: "Tiandao League... or Junior Brother Yue, do you want to purge the emperor's side, or... change the world?"

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly froze. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Han Lie's answer.

Han Lie took a deep look at Linghu Chong and suddenly smiled: "Young Master Linghu is indeed perceptive."

He took out a token from his bosom, on which were engraved four large characters: "Carry out justice on behalf of heaven".

"The Heavenly Dao League only punishes treacherous officials and does not harm the Ming Dynasty. But if the emperor persists in his wrongdoings... this world will eventually belong to everyone in the world."

………………

The twenty-sixth year of Wanli.

The first day of the first lunar month, 3:30 pm on the yin hour.

The Forbidden City was still shrouded in the darkness of the winter night, but the halls were brightly lit.

The cold wind whistled over the palace walls, swirling the fine snow in the empty courtyard. On the Wufeng Tower of the Meridian Gate, the night watchman struck four drums, the sound echoing in the cold air, breaking the tranquility of the night.

Wang An, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, stood on the steps of the Qianqing Palace. He was wearing a crimson dragon robe, a jade belt around his waist, and a three-peaked hat on his head. His sharp eyes scanned the eunuchs and palace maids running back and forth.

"Faster! Faster!"

Wang An's voice was not loud but very penetrating: "The emperor had to get up at the hour of Mao, delaying the New Year's Day ceremony. How many of you have heads worth chopping off?"

"Yes!"

The palace maids wore brand new green bodices and moon-colored skirts, with silver plum blossom hairpins pinned in their hair to suit the occasion. They held gilded bronze basins, dragon-patterned handkerchiefs and other items in their hands, and walked hurriedly but orderly through the palace corridors.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Cheng was directing the young eunuchs to hang up big red lanterns. On the lanterns were painted golden characters that read "Long Live Your Mother", which sparkled brightly in the candlelight.

"Eunuch Zhang,"

Wang An walked over and pointed at the palace lantern and said, "This one is hanging three inches crooked. Hang it again."

"Yes!"

Zhang Cheng's forehead was covered with sweat. He nodded and climbed up the ladder to adjust it himself. He knew Wang An's character - the New Year's Day ceremony could not tolerate any mistakes. Last year, a eunuch in charge was demoted to the laundry department because he handed the wrong Ruyi during the court ceremony.

At the hour of Yin, the palace gates opened.

Seventy-two Jinyiwei warriors lined up neatly, wearing black flying fish uniforms, with embroidered spring swords hanging from their waists, and their faces were stern. With a low command, everyone exerted their strength at the same time and pushed open the heavy red lacquered palace door. The heavy door panel moved slowly, and the accumulated snow was scraped off by the gilded door nails, making a rustling sound, revealing the frozen scarlet carpet underneath.

Tian Yi stood in the center of the doorway. He was tall and thin, wearing a crimson purple python robe with intricate embroidery of the python pattern, highlighting his special status.

The seven-treasure key hanging from the jade belt around his waist shone coldly under the dim light of the lanterns on both sides. His eyes were like torches, scanning the officials who were about to enter the court with a hint of scrutiny.

"All officials come to the court in order—"

The shrill voice pierced through the morning mist and echoed inside and outside the palace gate.

The first in line, the Prime Minister Zhao Zhigao, was already in his seventies. He wore a seven-beam crown and a blue silk court robe. Although the crane patch on the court robe had faded a little, it was still dignified. His steps were slow and cautious, showing the composure of an old minister. However, time was not forgiving, and before he even reached the front of the hall, his body began to tremble slightly.

Behind Zhao Zhigao, Deputy Minister Zhang Wei was about to take a step when he suddenly stumbled. It turned out that Li Yi, the Minister of Rites, had accidentally caught his Qilin jade belt with his tablet.

"I'm sorry, Master Zhang!"

A hint of imperceptible pride flashed across Li Yi's face, while Zhang Wei's face was gloomy, and his eyes revealed a hint of dissatisfaction. After stabilizing his body, he looked at Li Yi coldly, but Li Yi pretended to be indifferent and adjusted his court clothes.

At the same time, officials had arrived outside the Meridian Gate one after another. As soon as the fifth watch drum sounded, civil and military officials lined up according to their ranks to wait. Zhao Zhigao, who was in his seventies, held an ivory tablet and stood at the front of the civil service line, surrounded by cabinet ministers.

"Cough cough cough~"

As the cold wind blew, Zhao Zhigao couldn't help but bend over and cough a few times. Zhang Wei beside him quickly handed him a heater.

"Master Zhao, take care of yourself!" Zhang Wei whispered, "Today's ceremony will be long, why don't you drink some ginseng tea first?"

Zhao Zhigao glanced at Zhang Wei, smiled and waved his hand: "How can I miss the New Year's Day greetings because of me?"

In front of the military officers' line, Minister of War Shi Xing, wearing a scarlet robe with a lion patch, was talking in a low voice with Li Rusong, the governor-general.

Shi Xing had a solemn expression on his face, with a dragon-patterned sword bestowed by the emperor on his waist; Li Rusong was dressed in military uniform, with his armor glowing coldly in the light of lanterns. He was the main general who quelled the rebellion of Haobai in Ningxia last year, and today he was specially allowed to wear armor and enter the court.

"I heard that the Japanese pirates are making moves in Korea again,"

Shi Xing frowned and said, "We must immediately report to the Emperor to increase the troops after New Year's Day."

Li Rusong nodded and said, "I am willing to go to Korea again and will not fail in my mission."

At this time, bells and drums rang on the Meridian Gate Tower, and the heavy palace gate slowly opened.

The officials of the Honglu Temple sang loudly: "All officials come to the court——"

Officials, civil officials in the east and military officials in the west, filed in according to their rank.

When crossing the Jinshui Bridge, the Minister of Rites Yu Jideng noticed that the ceremonial procession prepared by the Taichang Temple was neatly arranged in front of the Huangji Hall - weapons such as the golden gourd, the axe, and the stirrup were flashing coldly in the morning light, and ceremonial objects such as the dragon flag, the phoenix fan, and the sun and moon tablets were swaying gently in the breeze.

In the Huangji Hall, the Wanli Emperor Zhu Yijun was changing his clothes with the help of eunuchs. Four palace maids carefully put on the bright yellow twelve-chapter robe for him. The robe was embroidered with twelve patterns of sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and Chinese insects, symbolizing the supreme authority of the emperor. He was tied with a gold and jade belt around his waist, and hung with jade pendants and ribbons. He wore a crown with twelve tassels on his head. Each tassel was made of high-quality pearls strung together, making a crisp collision sound as his head moved.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Zheng sent someone to deliver a sachet she had sewn herself."

The personal eunuch Sun Dexiu held up a sachet embroidered with gold thread, on which the four characters "Long Live the Lord" were embroidered with pearls.

Emperor Wanli raised his lips slightly: "Your Highness is thoughtful."

He took the sachet and tied it around his waist, then asked, "How are the Queen's preparations going?"

"Your Majesty, the Empress has finished dressing up and is leading the concubines in Kunning Palace to wait for the congratulations."

Three whip cracks were heard outside the palace, followed by Wang An's shrill voice: "The auspicious time has arrived - Your Majesty, please get up -"

Emperor Wanli took a deep breath and walked out of the palace, escorted by sixteen eunuchs. Under the red steps, twenty-four Jinyiwei warriors dressed in flying fish costumes had lifted the golden chariot, and the golden dragon on the top of the chariot was shining brightly under the early morning sun.

Mao Shi.

In front of the Fengtian Gate, a bronze turtle-shaped incense burner was emitting ambergris mist, which rose up and filled the air. The Fengtian Hall stood majestically, with 36 golden nanmu pillars in the hall standing tall and sturdy, and the newly-painted red gold cloud patterns on the pillars sparkled in the candlelight.

The throne is located in the center of the hall and is magnificent.

There are twelve rosewood screens on both sides of the throne, inlaid with Hetian jade carvings of "Picture of Farming and Weaving". The carvings are intricate and the characters are lifelike.

The eunuch of the Sishejian held a peacock feather whisk and carefully swept the imperial desk. On the imperial desk, the jade seal with the inscription "The Emperor's Treasure of Heaven" was quietly placed, and under the seal was a bright yellow silk handkerchief embroidered by Concubine Zheng.

At this moment, the sound of jingling jewelry came from afar, and a female official from the Shangyi Bureau led twenty-four palace maids in one after another.

The female officials were solemn and graceful, showing the norms of court etiquette. Each of the palace maids held a gilded tray in her hand. The trays were filled with a variety of items, from the newly tributed mutton-fat jade chimes from Suzhou to the rhino horn cups presented by Siam. The trays were neatly placed one by one in the predetermined order. The whole process was quiet and orderly, without any unnecessary noise.

Chenshi.

Following three blasts of the whip, the Danbi music suddenly sounded, with drums and music blaring in unison, creating a magnificent atmosphere.

In the square in front of the Huangji Palace, civil and military officials have taken their places of service according to their shifts.

Emperor Wanli's dragon chariot came slowly from the Qianqing Palace. The chariot was gorgeously decorated, and the golden phoenix on the top of the chariot was lifelike, with twelve strings of oriental pearls in its mouth. The phoenix sparkled in the reflection of the snow, creating a colorful halo.

Around the dragon chariot, thirty-six young eunuchs lined up neatly, wearing brand new sunflower-shaped collared shirts, holding golden pumpkins, gongs and other ceremonial objects, with solemn expressions and marching in unison. With every step, the decorations on the ceremonial objects made a slight collision sound, interweaving with the sound of drums and music.

The dragon chariot slowly stopped in front of the Fengtian Palace, and the eunuchs carefully helped Emperor Wanli get off the chariot.

Emperor Wanli, wearing a gorgeous dragon robe and a crown on his head, walked slowly up the steps. All the officials had already lined up in front of the hall, holding their breath and following the figure of Emperor Wanli.

Emperor Wanli walked up to the throne, sat down slowly, glanced down, and nodded slightly.

Tian Yi, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, shouted loudly:
"salute--"

Nearly a thousand officials knelt on the ground in unison, their scarlet official robes rising and falling like the tide. The golden chariot stopped in front of the altar, and Emperor Wanli slowly stepped onto the throne. The throne was nine feet and five inches high, painted in gold, with nine coiled dragons carved on the backrest and various gemstones inlaid on the armrests.

"prosper--"

As the officials from the Honglu Temple sang the salute, all the officials stood up.

"bye--"

All officials knelt down again.

"prosper--"

After three kneelings and nine kowtows, the congratulatory ceremony officially began. Yu Jideng, the Minister of Rites, stepped out of his position, knelt before the emperor, unfolded the ivory scroll of the congratulatory letter, and read in a loud voice: "Your Highness, we bow our heads in fear and trepidation and say: At the beginning of the new year, everything is new. We respectfully wish Your Majesty the Emperor..."

The congratulatory letter was written in parallel prose, with gorgeous rhetoric, praising the emperor's merits. Emperor Wanli sat on the throne and glanced at the ministers in the palace. He noticed that the chief minister Zhao Zhigao looked pale and coughed lightly with his sleeves from time to time; he also saw Li Rusong standing in the front row of military officers, wearing bright armor and looking heroic.

After reading the congratulatory message, Yu Jideng returned to the train. Then it was time for all officials to present gifts. According to convention, officials above the fourth rank could present gifts individually, while the rest of the officials presented gifts collectively according to their yamen.

The Prime Minister Zhao Zhigao was the first to step out, holding a red sandalwood box in both hands: "This old minister respectfully presents a scroll of "Longevity Picture" to wish the emperor good health and prosperity for the country."

Emperor Wanli nodded slightly. Wang An stepped forward to take the wooden box and unfolded the scroll in front of him. It was a detailed and colorful landscape painting with figures. The immortals, pine trees, cranes, auspicious clouds and other elements in the painting were lifelike, and in the corner there was a congratulatory message written by Zhao Zhigao himself.

"Lord Zhao is very thoughtful." Emperor Wanli said lightly, but his eyes had already turned to the next person to present a gift.

Shi Xing, the Minister of War, presented a gorgeously decorated Japanese sword: "This is the sword of the rebel general Haibai that we captured during the Ningxia campaign last year. I wish that our great Ming Dynasty will prosper in military power and be respected by all the people in the world."

Emperor Wanli then showed some interest and motioned Wang An to present the knife. He drew out the blade, and a cold light flashed across the throne, causing some of the ministers to unconsciously step back half a step.

"Good knife."

The emperor made a brief comment and then sheathed his sword.

The tribute lasted for nearly an hour, and the rare treasures from various places were displayed in front of the emperor: jade screens from Yunnan, embroidery from Suzhou and Hangzhou, night-shining pearls from the Western Regions...

Emperor Wanli usually just glanced at them and gestured to accept them, until Concubine Zheng's brother Zheng Guotai presented him with a three-foot-tall red coral tree, then he looked at it a few more times.

(End of this chapter)