The Bad Guys: Everyone, let’s revive the Tang Dynasty together!

Chapter 340 The World is Watching Me (Part )

When the two sides of the Yellow River were controlled by countless cavalry and all the ferry crossings, docks, and ferries were gathered together by the Guide Army, Bianjing, the capital of Daliang State, remained as quiet as water.

Emperor Zhu Wen was dreaming of immortality and unifying the world by breaking through Yanmen Pass.

The Bianliang Imperial Guards are undercurrents, sharpening their swords, ready to launch a large-scale military uprising, a traditional bottom-up mutiny, and replace the country's emperor.

The Hades Emperor, the Ghost King, and even many more people are harboring all sorts of emotions and private plans, suppressing different purposes, and quietly waiting for that day to come.

What they still didn't realize was that, to the north of this central part of Daliang, on the south bank of the Yellow River, countless armies had gathered, holding high their banners, ready to march south with iron hooves that could crush the entire world, to tell the whole world with a magnificent voice and a devastating momentum -

There can only be one winner in this battle over Bianliang, the center of Daliang. And there is only one person who will lead them to cleanse the world that has been emitting a foul smell for nearly a hundred years!

------

On April 15th, Zhu Wen, who had been persuaded by Zhang Zhenniang some time ago, finally decided to take out half a day to go out of the palace and have some fun.

In the Fu Ning Hall of the Imperial Palace, Zhu Wen was holding his belly while being helped to change clothes by several palace servants. Zhang Zhenniang was sitting in the distance with a sweet smile, saying coquettishly, "Your Majesty really treats me the best. For the past six months, Your Majesty has been spending every day in the alchemy room. It's really boring."

Zhu Wen laughed heartily, stroked his long beard, looked in the bronze mirror, and saw the big man inside with a broad body and a round waist, and he was quite proud of himself.

"Your Majesty is leaving the palace today. I'm afraid the citizens outside will think that Your Majesty is a noble of the imperial guards in his twenties or thirties." Zhang Zhenniang gently pinched Zhu Wen's shoulder and whispered, "I heard from those bitches that Your Majesty has been full of energy in the past few months. I haven't been favored by Your Majesty for a long time..."

Zhu Wen was touched by what he said. He really felt that Zhang Zhenniang, whom he had not favored for a long time, had a charm that other women could not match. So he pinched her hand and laughed, "What's the difficulty? I will take you back to the palace tonight and favor you alone."

Zhang Zhenniang deftly pulled her hand back and rolled her eyes at Zhu Wen: "Your Majesty must make me happy today. Otherwise, I won't agree with you."

Zhu Wen liked Zhang Zhenniang's romantic style that always made him happy, so he would never blame her. He held his belly, flirted with Zhang Zhenniang for a few words, and asked people to prepare to set off.

In fact, Zhu Wen had never been willing to accompany Zhang Zhenniang out of the palace in the past. She was just a woman who had always been there to make him happy. To Zhu Wen, she was just an object that he could kill or take at will. What's more, Zhang Zhenniang was the princess consort of the Hades Emperor Zhu Yougui, so Zhu Wen didn't want to bring her out to bring disgrace.

But things are different now. After taking the so-called elixir on time and in the right amount every day, Zhu Wen feels stronger and stronger. In addition, there is a civil strife in Qi and Jin, and Yanmen has a chance to be taken. He is one step closer to unifying the world. As the emperor, he needs to let his ministers know who is the master of this empire.

What a bullshit Hades Emperor! As long as I am alive, you can only lie in Xuanming Sect for the rest of your life and watch me favor your woman.

Zhu Wen was not a fool. He could sense that the ministers in the court had begun to rely on the Ghost King and the Underworld Emperor as he grew older. How could he not be angry? He just took this opportunity to let the ministers see that the Underworld Emperor was just someone who could be deposed by him at will. Zhu Wen could still control Daliang!
Moreover, Zhu Wen knew that this trip to Anle Pavilion was because Xiao Yan used his connections with Zhang Zhenniang to find an opportunity to please him.

Since Xiao Yan has such a good intention, why not let Zhu Wen give him a chance?

Moreover, Zhu Wen had long heard that Anle Pavilion was full of beautiful women, and he didn't know what surprise Xiao Yan would prepare for him.

Zhu Wen had thought about it carefully. After all, Xiao Yan had made some achievements. If this trip could please him, he would allow Xiao Yan to retain some wealth after breaking through Yanmen. For example, Anle Pavilion would be left to Xiao Yan as a gift from Zhu Wen out of consideration for their relationship as a monarch and subject.

After leaving Funing Hall, a group of people were already waiting outside the palace.

Due to Zhang Zhenniang's suggestion, Zhu Wen did not think of mobilizing a large army this time. The accompanying Jinwu Guards were not wearing armor, and each of them wore cloth and carried a sword. They looked like ordinary guards, which Zhu Wen found quite interesting.

There were two people beside the carriage, one with blue hair and the other with red hair. After Zhu Wen left the palace holding his belly, they both knelt on one knee and bowed: "Yang Yan, Yang Miao, pay your respects to His Majesty and the Princess."

Zhang Zhenniang looked at the funny appearance of these two people and couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh: "Your Majesty, who are these two people? How come I have never seen them before?"

"It's okay to tell you." Zhu Wen boarded the luxurious carriage with the help of two eunuchs and said calmly, "These two are the Water and Fire Judges of the Xuanming Sect. They are the people I cultivated to be with that evil boy in my early years."

Zhang Zhenniang's face turned pale, she had never known the true identity of the Judge of Water and Fire.

You should know that the status of these two in Xuanming Sect is second only to Meng Po. It is said that they both possess the strength of Zhongtian level. They are first-class masters of Xuanming Sect and are notorious in the martial arts world.

It was clear that Zhu Wen was willing to visit Anle Pavilion in disguise. After all, with these two masters protecting him, nothing could go wrong in the city of Bianjing.

"Eh." As the carriage slowly started to move, Zhang Zhenniang expressed her doubts: "Why is Eunuch Ding not with His Majesty today?"

She knew that Ding Zhaopu was a high-ranking eunuch in the palace who was close to Xiao Yan. In this world, it was difficult for a eunuch to survive in the palace without connections with generals and ministers. She had doubts before she even saw Ding Zhaopu, and she asked casually at this moment.

An eunuch outside the carriage replied, "Princess, it is said that Ding Dajian has caught a cold recently. I am afraid that it has harmed your majesty's health, so he is being told to recuperate."

"This servant is a considerate person." Zhu Wen said casually: "Issue an order to reward Ding Zhaopu with ten pieces of Shu brocade."

Seeing that Ding Zhaopu had not fallen out of favor, Zhang Zhenniang felt relieved and left the palace in a carriage accompanied by only a dozen riders.

Of course, the number of people secretly protecting Zhu Wen could not be limited. Zhang Zhenniang noticed that the corvées who were supposed to be doing construction work in the imperial city were nowhere to be seen. It was said that Zhu Wen had specially shown mercy today and awarded these corvées a day off.

------

"Your Majesty has left the palace?"

In Prince Bo's mansion, Zhu Youwen was a little surprised. He looked back at the figures in the hall and frowned at the eunuch who came to report the news: "Why didn't the prince know about this in advance?"

"Your Highness, I just found out today that your Majesty decided to accompany Princess Ying out of the palace to visit Anle Pavilion. It is said that this is a private visit in disguise, and the Water and Fire Judges Yang Yan and Yang Miao are accompanying him for protection."

Zhu Youwen frowned, waved his hand to let the eunuch retreat, and then cursed inwardly as he walked back, "What is this old man doing?"

A close confidant beside him said, "Your Highness, this is just right. His Majesty is still thinking about going out of the palace to have fun at this time, which means he hasn't noticed our actions yet..."

Zhu Youwen felt a little relieved. He was just a little flustered when he heard that Zhu Wen was going to Anle Pavilion.

Xiao Yan is such a scheming person that he has to take him seriously.

But Zhu Youwen changed his mind and realized that all armies were secretly carrying out personnel changes in an orderly manner. In two days, even the city defense would be taken over by the Guangsheng Army, which he trusted the most.

At this time, no matter what Xiao Yan thought, it would be of no avail, so he was given another chance to play the role of monarch and minister with Zhu Wen.

Thinking of this, Zhu Youwen sneered, walked into the front hall, smiled and bowed to the people in the hall: "It's a little bit of trivia, I hope you don't mind."

The people at the banquet were Liu Xun, the commander-in-chief of the imperial guards, Yuan Xiangxian, the deputy commander-in-chief of the infantry, Niu Cunjie, the commander-in-chief of the cavalry and infantry of the six armies, and He Gui, the general of the left guard and the chief military officer of the cavalry and infantry of the six armies.

These people were all powerful generals of the Imperial Guards, holding half of the military power of the Imperial Guards and were highly trusted by Zhu Wen. Among them, Yuan Xiangxian was Zhu Wen's nephew.

Logically speaking, these people should not gather together. No matter what, if the news gets out, it will arouse Zhu Wen's suspicion.

But Zhu Youwen had no idea what means he used to secretly invite a few people here, and he had not announced it to the outside world. Only these few people were at the banquet. As for what Zhu Youwen said to them, perhaps only these few people knew it.

After the banquet, Liu Xun secretly left Prince Bo's mansion. After returning to his house, he kept frowning and asked someone to call his third son Liu Suiyong.

Liu Suiyong enjoyed a period of fame half a year ago for his investment in the football market, but Liu Xun did not pay attention to this matter. After all, the interference between Liu Suiyong and Xiao Yan was Liu Suiyong's personal matter. But after calling him today and exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Xun went straight to the point.

"From now on, you should not have anything to do with that ball market and champion Hou Xiaoyan."

Liu Suiyong was excitedly describing how much dividends he had earned in the football market. He was stunned when he heard this and said in astonishment, "Father, why is this? The Champion Marquis treated me very well. I just set up a team, but I have earned at least 100,000 strings of cash in the football market in the past six months..."

Liu Xun was too lazy to explain to him, and his face darkened as he said, "Don't say that, I'll break it off if I tell you to."

Liu Suiyong's face changed in shock, and then he whispered: "Father, is there any news? Is the Marquis of Guanjun going to be..."

Liu Xun waved his hands, but his expression could not deceive anyone. He then ordered people to arrest Liu Suiyong and said, "Stay in the mansion for the next two days. Don't even think about going out. I will release you after a few days."

After saying this, he ignored the three men's surprised calls from behind and walked straight back to his study with mixed feelings.

On the other side, after General He Gui of the Left Guard returned home, he also summoned his eldest son He Guangtu.

He Guangtu was a kind person, and He Gui was willing to have some intimate conversations with his eldest son. After a few words, he pondered and said, "Which kids bought shares in the football market with you last year?"

"Father, I have been married for many years." He Guangtu smiled, as if he thought the word "boy" was not suitable for him, but he still said respectfully: "Besides me, there are Niu Zhiqian from General Niu's family, Liu Suiyong from General Liu's family, Zhang Hanlun from the old Taifu's family... What's wrong, didn't father not talk about these with me before?"

He Gui hesitated for a moment, walked around in the study, and asked, "Father has not had much contact with Xiao Yan. In your opinion, what kind of person is this Champion Marquis?"

"He is a man that all men of my generation admire." He Guangtu said with a smile, "The great achievements of the Champion Marquis, shouldn't all men in the world admire him? I told my father before that if I had the chance, I would also like to fight for fame and honor. I was inspired by the Champion Marquis."

Hearing this, He Gui sighed.

He Guangtu frowned, stood up and asked, "Father, do you have anything to say?"

He Gui smiled bitterly: "Father will not hide it from you. You should cut off your connection with Xiao Yan recently. His courage and achievements are indeed admirable to me, but his mistake is that he is a member of the Jun Wang faction..."

He Guangtu was shocked and hurriedly whispered, "Could it be that the court wants to take action against the Marquis of Guanjun? How could this be possible? The Marquis of Guanjun conquered Hebei, and then was expelled to Raojiang. He just returned after making a contribution. How dare the court let him down?"

"This cannot be explained in a few words..." He Gui said, "Party disputes have always been like this, not to mention that it concerns the position of the crown prince. Who asked Xiao Yan to be marked as Jun Wang since he entered the court, and also hold military power? These two things are in his hands, so it is normal for people to be afraid of him."

"Is it the Ghost King or the Underworld Emperor?" He Guangtu was surprised and said, "It can't be His Majesty, right?"

"It's hard to explain." He Gui shook his head. "In short, you should not go out recently. The situation in Hebei has changed several times. The Guide Army has gone to war, but Xiao Yan is still in Bian Jing. This is enough to explain too many problems. I'm afraid there will be changes in the court recently. You should not get involved."

He Guangtu smiled bitterly, "If it weren't for the Champion Marquis, I would have to live in mediocrity for many more years. My ambitions have just been extinguished, and now they are gone? Father, think about it carefully. If the Champion Marquis fell into the hands of one of our own people, how many people in the world would be disappointed for him?"

In recent years, too many meritorious officials have died due to Zhu Wen's suspicion, but Xiao Yan's young age, great achievements, and the three words "Marquis of Champion" tied to him have attracted the attention of the whole world. If you take a walk outside, you will know how many young men want to follow Xiao Yan's example and strive for merit in this chaotic world.

He Gui remained silent.

He Guangtu advised, "Father, the Marquis of Guanjun is a meritorious official who pacified Hebei. If you take him down, the court will lose the support of the people. If no one protects him, Daliang will not be unified... The Marquis of Guanjun has been kind to his son. After he returned to Beijing some time ago, his son has been avoiding him and not paying him a visit. This is already a shame. If you sit back and do nothing, what is your son?"

"Our He family is considered a family of meritorious generals in His Majesty's eyes. Can't we protect them?"

He Gui was also a little ashamed. Xiao Yan was willing to persuade He Guangtu to invest in the football market just for his sake. How much money had Xiao Yan given to the He family in the past six months?

"Forget it, let me see how things are going. Xiao Yan is a powerful general after all. As long as he can see the situation clearly and get out of this battle for the crown prince, I might say a few words for him in the court. You don't have to get involved. The Ghost King is powerful, and our He family needs to know the situation."

------

In Anle Pavilion, starting from the afternoon, music lingered in a small building shaded by peonies in the pavilion, and faint fragrance floated in the air inside and outside the building.

From time to time, pretty women walked in and out, and the jewelries on their bodies gently clinked against each other, and the silver bell-like sound reflected the women's vigor.

Such a scene, not only in the palace, but also in the entire Bianliang, is unique in elegance and tranquility, not like the human world.

This is where Zhu Wen rested and attended banquets after visiting Anle Pavilion. Outside the door were scattered Jinwu Guards for protection. Yang Yan and Yang Miao were in charge among them and did not disturb Zhu Wen's interest in the small building.

At this moment, Zhu Wen, with his chest exposed, was leaning on a Hu bed, just looking at the dancing girls in the field with satisfaction, his hands tapping the rhythm on his legs to the music, and he was in a very good mood.

On the table in front of him, there were all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Anle Pavilion. Lychees, grapes and other cross-season fruits and vegetables made Zhu Wen happy. Next to him, a pretty maid was feeding him one by one with her plain hands from time to time.

Zhang Zhenniang was mingling among the dancers, changing her dance moves lightly as she danced. On the right, Xiao Yan was playing the piano and composing music. Two rows of girls, all of whom were of superior appearance, were each doing their own job, playing the pipa, the dongxiao, the sheng, or the drum. The music was very novel, and the choreography gave Zhu Wen a refreshing feeling, with a unique sense of novelty.

Damn, this Xiao Yan is really capable.

Zhu Wen was delighted that Xiao Yan's half-day hospitality really made him feel that his trip was worthwhile. Even though the night was about to fall outside the window, he still felt so happy that he didn't want to go back to the palace. He really wanted to see what other tricks Xiao Yan had.

This Anle Pavilion is more fun than the imperial palace.

Zhu Wen was in a particularly good mood. He tapped his legs and looked at Xiao Yan, who was playing the piano, with satisfaction. If this guy wasn't too handsome for Zhu Wen's liking, Zhu Wen would have felt that the more he looked at Xiao Yan, the more satisfied he would be.

Zhu Wen thought that after conquering Yanmen Pass, it would be a good idea to let Xiao Yan concentrate on being a jester to take care of his enjoyment.

Although Zhang Zhenniang was dancing for Zhu Wen among a group of dancers, her attention was mostly on Xiao Yan. She had never thought that Xiao Yan could play the guqin. Although he seemed a bit unfamiliar with it, it was not abrupt at all. The way he played the guqin seriously was clearly very attractive to women.

The first time Zhang Zhenniang heard Xiao Lang playing the piano, it turned out that he was performing a dance for the old man Zhu Wen. She felt very unlucky and thought that she must ask Xiao Yan to play a song specially for her in the future.

After the dance, the dancers dispersed. While waiting for the next dance, someone walked into the room and whispered a few words to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan stood up and walked to the middle, crossed his arms and saluted: "Your Majesty, I have an important matter and need to go out. I hope Your Majesty will grant me permission."

"Oh?" Zhu Wen couldn't help but be curious: "Xiao Qing is not here to accompany me, what's the important matter?"

"I have specially prepared a gift for Your Majesty." Xiao Yan said with a smile, "I personally think that Your Majesty will like this gift, so I have been hiding it from others. It has taken many days to prepare it, and I need to go and get it myself."

Zhu Wen had no doubt about Xiao Yan's means of surprising people, and he was immediately tempted, but still hesitated for a while. Now that Xiao Yan was gone, who would play with him?

Zhang Zhenniang then leaned against Zhu Wen and said with a giggle, "Your Majesty, I also want to see the gift from the Champion Marquis. Besides, it's so fun here, is there still a lack of a Champion Marquis?"

Zhu Wen thought so too, so he waved his hand and said with a smile: "Go quickly, go quickly, I'll be waiting for you."

Xiao Yan smiled and bowed, "Your Majesty, please wait a moment."

He left the table. Zhang Zhenniang rolled her eyes and asked someone to take her to the toilet. Zhu Wen did not think much about it. He just watched the novel dance music happily, hugged the two women on his left and right, and was reluctant to leave.

"Xiao Lang." Zhang Zhenniang found Xiao Yan waiting for her outside. She quickly snuggled into his arms and looked at him infatuatedly: "You looked so charming just now..."

"I only regret that I couldn't play it for Zhenniang alone."

"It doesn't matter. There will always be opportunities later." Zhang Zhenniang covered her mouth, letting her skin get closer to Xiao Yan, and asked curiously, "What gift did you prepare?"

At this point, Xiao Yan smiled bitterly and said, "Zhenniang will know when she sees it later, but the trouble is that the people below made a mistake. I'm afraid it will take some time. I have to go and take a look myself."

"Is it so important?" Zhang Zhenniang asked in surprise, "Is it too late?"

"Maybe I need Zhenniang to buy me some time." Xiao Yan gently touched her face and said, "If you can find a way to get His Majesty drunk, that will buy enough time, and you and I can also..."

Zhang Zhenniang understood and felt a little shy, then she said boldly: "Okay, I'll help you."

"I'm sorry, Zhenniang."

"That's nothing. I'll just wait for you."

Zhang Zhenniang knew that she couldn't stay outside for too long, so she hurried back.

Xiao Yan's eyes dimmed, and he walked back out, taking another small path so as not to be seen by the Water and Fire Judge and others in the front building.

Gong Yangzuo had been waiting for a long time. He walked out from the corner, holding the Tang sword at his waist. A dozen people led horses and surrounded him from the alley. They were all silent and solemn, and surrounded him all the way out of the city.

After exiting the north gate, Xiao Yan and his companions stopped their horses on a dike and remained silent for a moment.

He knocked on the jade-inlaid belt that the empress had given him. There was a sachet hanging on it, and inside the sachet were two words embroidered by Ji Ruxue herself: "Peace".

Xiao Yan touched the sachet, turned around and looked at the huge city that stood on the plain, and then looked into the distance, as if he could penetrate layers of high walls and pavilions and overlook the entire capital city of Bianjing.

After a while, Xiao Yan took a bamboo hat, spread out his hands, put on a bronze mask on his face, and then suddenly spurred his horse north.

The sound of the Yellow River lapping against the shore was gradually drowned out by the rumbling of horses' hooves.

------

South of Bianjing City, the corvée station outside Nanxun Gate.

In a wine stall next to the garrison, a banquet had been going on for about two hours. There were a lot of people gathered, at least a thousand people, but compared to this corvée garrison with at least ten thousand people, the stall seemed so small that it was not worth mentioning.

More and more people gathered here. They were all poor men who were forced to do labor service. They had suffered for more than half a year in the capital. Today, they heard that a nobleman was inviting them to a dinner and they had a day off. How could they not come and join in the fun?
After two hours, most of the people were drunk and gathered together, making a lot of noise.

Although the nobles in the city had no time to care about the sufferings outside the city, there were imperial guards and yamen runners surrounding the garrison. At first, the laborers were cautious and did not dare to act recklessly. However, it seemed that the imperial guards who were responsible for guarding them were also being rewarded, and no one came to pay attention to them for two hours. As a result, the banquet did not end until dark.

In recent days, a Zhengzhou man named Shi Hongzhao has become very popular. It is said that he has been appreciated by a nobleman. He has been taking his fellow villagers to the football market for fun for several days in a row and has not been working much. Unexpectedly, no one cares about him, which makes the corvées envious.

Moreover, at the beginning of the banquet, everyone was still hesitant and nervous, fearing that they would be whipped and dispersed by the yamen runners. It was Shi Hongzhao who patted his chest and encouraged everyone to drink bravely. Afterwards, no yamen runners came to interfere. The corvées who gathered here from all corners of the country secretly guessed that Shi Hongzhao had clung to the thigh of some nobleman in the capital.

At the beginning, Shi Hongzhao only invited his fellow townsmen and some workers who were familiar with him and had some friendship with him, about a few hundred people. Later, more and more people came after hearing the news, and Shi Hongzhao recruited them all. They were all poor people, and there was no distinction between high and low. When they drank together, they were just about to call each other brothers.

Even some low-level yamen runners joined in. God knows where Shi Hongzhao got so much wine and food. Dozens of tables were filled with wine and food, and many people sat on the ground. There were people everywhere.

Even the yamen runners who came to eat and drink for free had to praise Shi Langjun for his righteousness and his luck in having a noble husband.

When the wine was at its peak, Shi Hongzhao was pushed onto the table by a group of people. His face was red and he was stinking with alcohol. He said loudly, "Brothers, have I entertained you well today? Did you enjoy the food and wine?"

The corvées and some of the drunken yamen runners all laughed. Some raised their wine bowls and shouted, "Why aren't we happy? We thank Second Brother Shi for his hospitality!"

Shi Hongzhao laughed loudly while leaning on his waist, and then his face suddenly turned cold. He turned his head to look at Li Mang, who had a scar on his face, and suddenly said to everyone fiercely: "You are so happy today, but tomorrow you will be whipped and forced to work hard. What is the point of this momentary happiness!?"

The whole wine stall was stunned. The drunken corvées were dazed for a moment. Some yamen runners in the crowd were stunned. Some wanted to stand up and stop the fighting, but were suddenly pushed down by someone. Not even a splash was made in the mixed crowd.

The corvée laborers who came to the capital had been enduring hardship obediently until today, and most of them were honest people. How could they dare not have any other thoughts? But after drinking for two hours, their heads were a little stiff, and even though they were startled by the sound, few of them reacted for a while.

However, some people in the crowd shouted, "What does Brother Shi mean by this?"

Shi Hongzhao leaned on his waist and laughed wantonly on the table. His face looked a little ferocious. He patted his chest and said loudly, "Brothers, do you know which nobleman invited us to drink today?"

Someone asked in confusion: "We are indeed curious, which noble person appreciated Brother Shi? Brother Shi invited us to have a drink today. Could it be that this noble person wants us poor guys to do something?"

Shi Hongzhao laughed grimly, clasped his hands together, and raised them in the direction of Bianjing: "This wine is for all the brothers invited by Prince Bo of Daliang and the Ghost King Zhu Youwen of Xuanming Sect! It's nothing special, it's just that His Royal Highness Prince Bo couldn't bear to see the suffering of all the brothers, so he wanted to treat us poor guys to a good feast!"

For a moment, there was an uproar inside and outside the wine stall.

"King Bo, it's actually King Bo!"

"Who is King Bo? Why haven't I heard of him?"

"You fool, you don't even know Prince Bo. This is His Majesty's most trusted prince. Although he is His Majesty's adopted son, he is more favored than His Majesty's legitimate son. My god, Second Brother Shi actually caught the eye of such a nobleman!"

"Prince Bo is a famous and wise prince in Bianjing!" The yamen runners, who had been frightened and sobered up a little, breathed a sigh of relief and said to the corvée men around them, "Prince Bo is benevolent and righteous, and everyone in the court knows it."

Then someone in the crowd shouted, "Second Brother Shi, since it is His Royal Highness Prince Bo who is hosting the banquet, what did you mean by what you just said?"

"What else could it mean?"

Shi Hongzhao sneered, put his hands on his waist and walked around the table, and said loudly: "Brothers, do you know that we corvée laborers still have winter clothes?"

"Winter clothes? Where did you get the winter clothes?"

The crowd was shouting, some were puzzled, and some answered: "We don't know this, we heard a long time ago that the people above us embezzled money."

"Yes, he was corrupt!" Shi Hongzhao slapped his fist heavily, his face grim as he said, "This corrupt person is none other than Zhu Youzhen, the Prince of Jun, who regards His Highness Bowen as his mortal enemy in the court!"

As he spoke, he ignored the roar of the crowd and pointed to the south again, saying loudly: "Brothers, do you know that football market? That is the property of Prince Jun Zhu Youzhen. Not only did he embezzle our winter clothes, but he also made countless profits from the football market every day. Even so, this insect still wants to squeeze us poor people dry!"

As soon as this was said, everyone was moved. Some drunken men stood up and shouted, "Second Brother Shi, tell me, why did His Royal Highness Prince Bo invite us to a banquet today?"

"What else?"

Shi Hongzhao glanced fiercely at everyone and patted his chest, saying, "Your Highness Prince Bo is a wise king, and he cannot stand these insects causing chaos in the court. Thank you for your highness's appreciation, and I will lead everyone to fight a turnaround battle!"

Those illiterate corvées had no idea what this meant, but the yamen runners who were among them all changed their expressions. Someone hurriedly asked, "Shi Hongzhao, what do you want to do? Are you planning to rebel?"

"Rebellion?" Shi Hongzhao smiled coldly, stared at the yamen runner and said, "It's to purge the emperor's entourage!"

As he spoke, he looked at the crowd and said, "I will not hide it from you brothers. His Highness Prince Bo asked me to treat you to a drink. All I have to do is to help His Highness clear the court of corrupt officials!"

The crowd suddenly roared.

But Shi Hongzhao didn't care and said, "The purpose is simple, just one thing, to rob the ball market of Prince Jun Zhu Youzhen for Your Highness, so that he can't use money to bribe the traitors in the court! And Your Highness will kill Prince Jun in the court, and from then on, Prince Bo will be the crown prince!"

He pointed at his nose and shouted, "We are the heir apparent. From now on, we will be rich and powerful. Is this called rebellion? This is a purge of the emperor's entourage!"

Not to mention the corvée laborers, even the yamen runners stayed still, and the scene of thousands of people suddenly became quiet.

The excitement here finally attracted the attention of the imperial guards in the distance. A general led a few riders and galloped over. They shouted from a distance: "What are you going to do? His Majesty has granted you a holiday, not for you to gather and cause trouble!"

When this person came, the crowd, which had been a little noisy, suddenly calmed down a little. A group of people retreated a few steps in fear, but heard a sharp voice scolding: "How dare you!"

Everyone turned around and saw that the crowd beside Shi Hongzhao had parted to form a path. A fair-faced, beardless, feminine man in a bright red robe showed a token and pointed at the imperial guard officer and said, "His Royal Highness Prince Bo wants to kill the traitors, and you dare to stop him. I think you must be a member of Prince Jun's traitorous gang!"

As he spoke, he looked coldly at the crowd and said in a sharp voice: "I am Ding Zhaopu, the eunuch in front of your majesty! Your majesty deceived the emperor for Prince Jun. I am entrusted by your majesty to summon you to help Prince Bo eliminate the traitor. All the officials of Daliang will be rewarded!"

The dazed officer of the imperial guards hadn't reacted yet, but his face changed drastically when he heard this. He was originally a man of the Ghost King Zhu Youwen, so there was no need for him to say more. He patted his horse and was about to leave, but he heard Shi Hongzhao suddenly shout.

"Support the country, support King Bo to the throne, and eradicate the traitors! Don't let this man go!"

Without further ado, Li Mang, who was next to Shi Hongzhao, raised his arm and shot out several sleeve arrows, hitting the unarmored general in the heart.

The remaining soldiers of the imperial guards saw several guards suddenly appear beside the so-called eunuch supervisor Ding Zhaopu. They dared not say anything more and bowed loudly: "Support Prince Bo to ascend the throne and eliminate the traitors!"

Seeing this, the corvées were no longer suspicious. They were all overjoyed. They took the swords, guns, sticks and clubs that Shi Hongzhao had brought out, and called their friends to help His Royal Highness Prince Bo eliminate the traitors.

Until the end, the imperial guards in charge of guarding the corvée station were also involved. Among them, the general was regarded as the general who suppressed the rebellion. He first swept the empty Qiushizi. Although he did not get much money, he found countless weapons.

The evil intentions of Prince Jun Zhu Youzhen were obvious, and everyone believed it without a doubt. Then, at the call of Shi Hongzhao and Ding Zhaopu, thousands of people took up weapons and rushed towards Bianliang again.

For a moment, the voice of "Prince Fu Bo ascends the throne" resounded throughout Bianliang.

(End of this chapter)