The Red Mansion Big Liar.

Chapter 770 Seizing the Palace
Thanks to the death of the emperor, entertainment venues such as brothels and theaters, which had been open as usual despite the curfew, also stopped operating.

The street was dark and silent.

Zhang Yun also changed the soldiers' shoes into soft-soled boots in advance, and the army of thousands of people arrived near the imperial city quietly.

According to the task arranged in advance, Yunshan led a team of assault soldiers and ambushed in the nearest street market, while Yunhai led a large team and hid farther away.

Zhang Yun逸 rode on a horse, accompanied by several personal guards, and with the cover of Zhou Xianzu's carriage, he arrived in front of Chengtian Gate, either openly or secretly.

He got off the horse and put his arm around Zhou Xianzu, who had just gotten off the carriage. He leaned over to his ear and said, "I forgot to tell you, Brother Zhou, that this secret decree was sent by Concubine Wu yesterday. I can't guarantee that there is only this one copy."

After that, he patted Zhou Xianzu on the shoulder and urged, "Hurry up and call the door!"

Zhou Xianzu was shocked. Although he didn't know much about military affairs, he could still do simple conversions.

Although these two or three thousand imperial guards can defend the imperial city, the imperial palace has more than one Chengtian Gate.

However, the team led by Zhang Yun逸 was the one that defeated the Red-Haired Army that captured Guangzhou City.

In front of Dongzhimen, he was taught another lesson. Now he was in a difficult situation and dared not play any tricks.

It had to be said that his identity as the Queen's brother was indeed useful, and it was no secret that he had gone to invite Zhang Yunyi. The palace guards opened the city gate without even asking for permission.

As soon as the city gate was opened, the guards hiding in the carriage and sticking to the outside of the carriage immediately rushed out and rushed into the palace gate.

The guards were caught off guard, but Zhang Yunyi took the initiative and raised the bright secret decree in his hand, saying: "I am ordered by the late emperor to take over the imperial guards. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed!"

Seeing the palace gate open and a group of people rushing out from the dark not far away, the guards were already in a state of panic.

Zhou Xianzu's wooden reaction became the last straw that broke the camel's back.

After all, Zhou Xianzu was the queen's brother, and even he was indifferent and even cooperated.

If we resist, even if we can stop the attacking team, it will not only be futile, but we will also be suspected of disobeying the order.

Hearing the noise, Qiu Duo, who came out from the duty room not far away, was stunned.

However, Zhang Yun逸 stepped into the imperial city under the protection of his personal guards and the vanguard that rushed into the city.

Without waiting for Qiu Duo to speak, he raised the secret edict again and said loudly: "Minister Zhou has reviewed the edict and found it correct. Yijun has also received the order and taken control of the gates of the capital. Commander Qiu, don't make a mistake!"

Zhang Yun逸 was not sure whether Qiu Duo was instructed by the emperor, and he had no intention of using the imperial edict in his hand to dispel Qiu Duo's doubts. He only needed to make the lower-level imperial guards lose their fighting spirit.

Even if the emperor really faked his death and gave instructions to Qiu Duo in person, these lower-level imperial guards would not be able to know.

Even though his loyalty was commendable and he ignored the fact that his son had already been dragged onto the pirate ship and continued to fight stubbornly, he was too late to rally the morale of the troops.

Of course, it is even less likely that Zhang Yunyi would give him this opportunity.

It happened in a flash. He saw that the morale of his imperial guards was low.

Qiu Duo's mouth twitched twice, and then he smiled and said, "Since it is the will of His Majesty, and Minister Zhou has verified its authenticity, how dare I disobey your order?"

Zhang Yun逸 did not relax his guard. He raised his hand and waved it. The soldiers who had experience in siege cities had already occupied the commanding heights at various city gates, disarmed the imperial guards, and were ready to fight.

At this time, the imperial guards who were patrolling in the distance finally arrived after hearing the news, and looked at the scene in surprise and doubt.

Zhang Yunyi said to Qiu Duo, "I am also following orders. Since Commander Qiu has received the order, then follow the will of His Majesty and hand over the defense of the palace gates! I have to go and pay my respects to His Majesty first!"

As he spoke, he waved his hand and issued an order: "Leave a thousand men to guard Chengtian Gate, Yunshan and five hundred men will follow me to pay tribute to His Majesty, Yunhai and the rest of the soldiers will accompany Commandant Qiu to change guard at the various gates!"

After a pause, he emphasized his tone and said, "Don't disturb the Empress and the others in the palace. Anyone who dares to cause trouble in the palace will be punished by military law!"

After saying that, he took Yunshan, led five hundred vanguards, and Zhou Xianzu, and headed straight for the Yangxin Palace.

Looking at the white-haired people standing along the road, Zhang Yunyi sneered inwardly.

When they reached the avenue in front of the Yangxin Palace, Zhang Yunyi said to Zhou Xianzu, who was following him closely, "I will only give you half an hour. If you exceed the time limit, I will not wait for you..."

After saying that, he nodded at Yunshan beside him and threw the secret decree to him.

The latter immediately took a hundred soldiers, half escorting and half escorting Zhou Xianzu, and headed straight to the depths of the harem.

Zhang Yun逸 led the remaining soldiers and headed straight for the Yangxin Palace in front of him, shouting, "His Majesty has just passed away. Anyone who dares to make a noise and disturb His Majesty's soul will be beheaded!"

Where had the eunuchs and palace maids along the way ever seen such a scene?
They were so scared that they squatted on the ground with their heads in their hands, terrified as a cicada.

Arriving in front of the Yangxin Palace, several guards rushed to open the gate first, knocking down the eunuchs and palace maids who were blocking the door. Zhang Yunyi stepped into the palace half a beat late, sobbing, "Your Majesty, I'm here!"

As he spoke, he went straight to the dragon bed in the hall.

The concubines, eunuchs and palace maids who were keeping vigil in the palace were so frightened that they ran away in panic.

"you you……"

Xia Shouzhong, who was knocked to the ground, raised his hand in confusion, pointed at Zhang Yunyi who had barged in, and shouted the word "you" twice.

Zhang Yun逸 pulled out a pistol from his arms and shot Xia Shouzhong in the head.

Qiu Duo is worth winning over and he knows when to advance and when to retreat, so Zhang Yun逸 naturally doesn't mind winning him over.

But it was impossible for Xia Shouzhong, a die-hard loyalist like him, to stay, as he had participated in the secret decree against him.

Just right for deterrence.

With a bang, Xia Shouzhong's head exploded and blood splattered all over the ground.

The noisy Yangxin Palace suddenly fell into deathly silence.

There was a faint smell of urine coming from the air, and I didn't know whether it was the eunuchs, palace maids, or concubines who had lost control of their bladder.

Zhang Yunyi came to the dragon bed, looked at the cold body of the emperor, knelt down in front of the dragon bed with a plop, shrugged his nose hard, and shouted like a ghost crying and howling: "Your Majesty, I am late to see you off!"

The emperor might be able to use a stand-in or put on makeup to conceal his identity, but after death, the smell of erysipelas could not be faked.

He and Zhen Shiyin had discussed the emperor's illness caused by the elixir many times, and he had already made a judgment about the smell.

Even if a person can pretend, the timing of taking the medicine cannot be perfect.

At this moment, Zhang Yun逸 finally confirmed that the emperor was really dead, and he handled the matter with greater ease.

After a while of crying, he slowly stood up from the dragon bed, ignoring Concubine Wu who was secretly flirting with him. He looked around the hall and said in a heavy voice: "Xia Shouzhong persuaded Your Majesty to take the elixir and harmed the dragon's body. He has been executed..."

At this point, he paused and said sternly: "Those who confess will be treated leniently, those who resist will be treated severely. If there are any of his followers, it's not too late to confess now!"

"Wei... Duke Wei, I know... I know..."

Just as he finished speaking, he saw a man crawling out from the corner on his knees.

Zhang Yunyi took a look and recognized Zhou Xiangui from the Jingshifang. He then said with a warm smile, "Then I'll trouble Eunuch Zhou to help me figure it out."

After a pause, he continued, "Also, in order to avoid disturbing the Queen and the other ladies, please ask Eunuch Zhou to pick some capable people to escort the ladies back to the palace first. After I have dealt with the matter, I will go and apologize to the ladies."

Zhang Yunyi turned his gaze to the woman standing in front of the concubines. She was dressed in plain clothes. Although she looked frightened, she could not hide her dignified demeanor and outstanding temperament. He asked meaningfully, "What do you think, Queen?"

Seeing Zhang Yun逸 staring at Empress Zhou, Concubine Wu beside her looked anxious, wanting to say something but stopping herself. She was still frightened and glanced at Xia Shouzhong, whose head was bleeding, but she did not dare to speak in the end.

Seeing Zhang Yunyi's arrogant attitude and respectful attitude, Empress Zhou suppressed her fear and calmed her heaving chest. She said in a trembling voice, "I hope the Duke will keep his word!"

After saying this, Fang walked slowly out of the Yangxin Palace with trembling legs, supported by the palace maids.

The sound was like the sound of a yellow oriole flying out of a valley. Although it was faintly revealing a strong sense of uneasiness, the trembling tone of the voice and the plain clothes made Zhang Yunyi's heart tremble.

He saluted deeply at Queen Zhou's trembling, more graceful back, and said, "Don't worry, Queen, after I have dealt with the traitors, I will go to your palace and apologize in person!"

After watching Queen Zhou leave, he gave Concubine Wu, who was flirting with him, a warning look.

Only then did he urge Zhou Xiangui to send palace servants to escort all the concubines back to their respective palaces.

The empress and concubines had just been sent away, and the ministers who had been discussing the funeral rites and keeping vigil in the palace also gathered outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation upon hearing the news.

Hearing the commotion outside, Zhang Yunyi came to the dragon bed, shrugged his nose again, and forced out a few tears. Then he dragged Xia Shouzhong's body and walked out of the hall.

After throwing Xia Shouzhong's body outside the palace, Fang Yu repeated what he had just said to the concubines, choking with sobs, "Please be patient, go to the side hall and wait for a while. I will send His Majesty off first, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation!"

After saying this, he turned around and went back into the hall and closed the door.

The ministers who had heard the news outside the palace rushed to the side hall to wait, escorted by a team of soldiers.

……

(End of this chapter)