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The news of Guo Wei's death spread throughout Bianliang City the next morning.

The death knell was still tolling, and the palace and its surroundings were already draped in white mourning.

Prince Guo Rong of Jin, as the crown prince, wore mourning clothes, kept vigil before the coffin, and received the homage of the officials.

His face was full of sorrow, but his eyes held an undisguised excitement...

In a few days, he will be the emperor of the Great Zhou.

He would keep the promise made by the Crown Prince, and he also agreed to the reorganization of the Palace Guard.

But at this moment, he couldn't care less about those things.

With the enthronement ceremony, the late emperor's funeral, and the need to appease the officials, Guo Rong was overwhelmed with countless matters to attend to, leaving him truly unable to manage everything.

As for the King of Qin...

Guo Rong thought to himself, "It shouldn't be that fast."

After all, the late emperor had just passed away, and he was the rightful heir, and he still held the three thousand elite guards of the Palace Guard in his hands.

But Guo Rong was wrong.

Just as Guo Rong was receiving wave after wave of ministers who came to offer their condolences before the coffin, the entire city of Bianliang was stirred up at the same time.

Zhao Kuangyin got up very early that day.

After all, he was the Commander of the Palace Guard and a trusted and beloved general of Prince Guo Rong of Jin, and he was responsible for ensuring the smooth ascension of Prince Guo Rong to the throne.

Over the years, he followed the Prince of Jin in his campaigns in the south and north, and made outstanding military achievements.

When news of the late emperor's death arrived last night, Zhao Kuangyin immediately realized that his opportunity had come.

When the new emperor ascends the throne, rewards are given based on merit, and Zhao Kuangyin must be promoted further.

During this period, he was on duty at the Palace Guard, guarding against the King of Qin and the National Defense Army from taking any risks.

Only when he felt the situation was settled did he return home to wash and change.

After all, rewards would be given soon, and the stench and wildness would be too unsightly.

At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin was having breakfast in his residence, feeling refreshed and planning his upcoming trip to the palace to offer condolences and receive the new emperor's investiture.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"General! General! Something terrible has happened!"

Zhao Kuangyin put down his chopsticks and frowned as he looked at the personal guards who rushed in.

"What's the panic?"

"Outside...outside...it's surrounded!"

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly stood up.

He strode out of the main hall, across the front courtyard, and arrived at the gate of the mansion.

The moment he pushed open the door, his pupils contracted sharply.

The area outside the gate was packed with soldiers.

These are not ordinary soldiers; they are members of the National Defense Force...

That kind of elite force, unique to the Qin King's troops, where everyone wore uniform short tunics and carried wooden tokens at their waists.

The leader was a young man in his early twenties, with a calm expression, standing at the very front of the line.

"General Zhao." The man bowed respectfully, his tone official. "By order of the Prince of Qin, Zhao Kuangyin, the Commander of the Palace Guard, is hereby dismissed from all his posts and placed under house arrest. No one in the household is permitted to leave the residence until further notice."

Zhao Kuangyin's expression changed.

His hand went to his waist—but found nothing.

Because he was wearing casual clothes and was not carrying a sword.

"You..." Zhao Kuangyin's voice was low, but filled with barely suppressed anger, "Is the King of Qin planning a rebellion?"

The young man did not respond.

He simply turned to the side, revealing the dark mass of soldiers behind him.

"General Zhao, please return to your residence. If there is any resistance or incoherent speech, kill without mercy."

Zhao Kuangyin stared at him, his hands trembling slightly.

He was the Commander of the Palace Guard, commanding three thousand elite troops, and had fought countless tough battles alongside the Prince of Jin.

But now, none of his soldiers are with him, his sword is still hanging in his bedroom, and he is all alone, facing an entire squad of fully armed National Defense troops.

“Good…” Zhao Kuangyin gritted his teeth and said, word by word, “Very good.”

He turned around and strode back into the mansion.

The gates of the mansion slammed shut behind him.

Because Zhao Kuangyin sensed the murderous intent in the young man's eyes, he might have been hoping he would rebel or continue to spout nonsense, so he would have an excuse to exterminate the entire Zhao family.

The young man stood there, watching the gates close, then said to his deputy:

"They're completely surrounded. Not even a fly is allowed to get out."

"Yes!"

……

At almost the same time, at the residence of Shi Shouxin in the west of the city.

Shi Shouxin was much more astute than Zhao Kuangyin.

When the National Defense Army surrounded the mansion, he was already in armor and holding a sword, guarding the mansion gate with a dozen personal guards.

"Anyone who dares to come in will have to ask this sword of mine first!"

A calm voice came from outside the door:
"General Shi, by order of the King of Qin, you are hereby relieved of your post as Deputy Commander of the Palace Guard and placed under house arrest. Open the gates to receive orders and ensure the safety of your entire household. Refusal to comply will result in your execution without exception, leaving no one alive."

Shi Shouxin gritted his teeth, the veins on his hand gripping the sword bulging.

Behind him, a dozen or so guards looked at each other, some of them secretly swallowing.

"General..." someone whispered, trying to persuade us, "There are at least three hundred men outside, what should we do..."

Shi Shouxin closed his eyes.

He knew that resistance meant certain death.

The National Defense Forces are not to be trifled with.

Those men trained once a day, their pay was paid on time, and the supervising officer kept an eye on every centurion.

They only obey the orders of the King of Qin; they wouldn't even recognize the Heavenly King himself.

No matter how skilled Shi Shouxin was, charging out with a dozen or so men would only be suicide.

"Open the door."

Shi Shouxin's voice was hoarse, as if he had swallowed sand.

The mansion gates slowly opened.

Outside the gate, three hundred National Defense Army soldiers stood in formation, completely silent.

The leading supervisor glanced at Shi Shouxin, his gaze settling on the sword in his hand.

"General Shi, you can keep the sword. The guards in the manor need to temporarily surrender their weapons."

Shi Shouxin stared intently at him.

The supervising officer remained motionless, his gaze calm.

After a long while, Shi Shouxin released his grip.

The sword clattered to the ground.

Similar scenes were playing out simultaneously in seven or eight mansions in Bianliang City.

Zhao Kuangyin, Shi Shouxin, and five other high-ranking generals of the Palace Guard were all captured.

The speed, precision, and ruthlessness of the National Defense Forces' actions caught everyone off guard.

Some of the generals were eating breakfast, some had just gotten up, and some were still sleeping in with their concubines.

By the time they realized what was happening, the gates of the mansion were already completely surrounded.

Some tried to resist, but as soon as they reached the door, they were shot through the thigh by crossbow bolts from the National Defense Army and dragged back like dead dogs howling all the way.

Some people tried to sneak out through the back door, only to find that the back door was also heavily guarded.

Some people even tried to send their personal guards over the wall to deliver a message, but as soon as they climbed onto the top of the wall, they were knocked down by the soldiers guarding below with a stick.

By daybreak, all seven mansions were under control.

No casualties were reported among the National Defense Forces.

……

When the news reached the palace, Guo Rong was kneeling before the coffin, receiving another group of ministers who came to offer their condolences.

A eunuch hurried in and whispered a few words in his ear.

Guo Rong's expression changed instantly.

"what?"

His voice was low, but he couldn't suppress the chill that welled up from the bottom of his heart.

The eunuch said a few more words.

Guo Rong's hands were trembling slightly.

He suddenly stood up, intending to walk out, but then stopped.

In the mourning hall, dozens of eyes were looking at him.

He cannot leave.

As the successor, he had to remain before the spirit tablet of the late emperor until the ceremony was over.

But his heart had already flown outside the palace.

Zhao Kuangyin... Shi Shouxin... those seven men from the Palace Guard...

They were all his trusted confidants whom he had cultivated over many years, and they were all his pillars of support for securing his rule in the future.

Overnight, they were all cut off.

National Defense Forces.

King of Qin.

His taciturn and unassuming third brother, who never fought for anything, stabbed him in the most vital spot when he had just gained power and was filled with excitement.

Guo Rong closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened his eyes again, his face had returned to calm.

"It's nothing," Guo Rong said to the eunuch beside him. "Continue."

He then knelt down again and continued his vigil.

But his hands were trembling slightly.

Military camp outside the city.

Su Ning sat in the duty room, listening to Zhao Pu report one by one.

"Zhao Kuangyin's residence has been taken over, and he has been placed under house arrest without resistance."

"Shi Shouxin attempted to resist, but was persuaded to surrender and has since disarmed."

"The other five residences have all been successfully brought under control."

"The other mid-level generals of the Palace Guard have been spoken to one by one by the military supervisor. Half of them have expressed their willingness to accept the reorganization, a third are still observing, and a very small number have a tough stance."

Suning nodded.

"Those who take a tough stance will be recorded, but no immediate action will be taken. They will be dealt with one by one after the reorganization officially begins."

"Yes."

Zhao Pu closed the booklet in his hand and hesitated for a moment.

"Your Highness, what about the Prince of Jin..."

“I know,” Su Ning said. “He’s still keeping vigil.”

"He won't turn on you now."

"why?"

“Because he’s lost his soldiers,” Su Ning said. “Those seven men from the Palace Guard were his biggest asset. Now that they’re in our hands, what can he use to turn against us?”

"Take over the officials? Those civil officials won't listen to him. Take over the regional military governors? Their troops are too far away to be of any use. Take over the Imperial Guard? Most of the Imperial Guard are our people, and the other half are being reorganized by us."

"His only bargaining chip now is the 'succession by younger brother' clause in the late emperor's will."

Suning picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"The Prince of Jin will acknowledge it."

"At least for now, they will acknowledge it."

Zhao Pu was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Your Highness is wise."

Suning shook his head.

"It's not that I'm clever."

He looked out the window.

Outside the window, soldiers of the National Defense Army were running drills on the parade ground, and Sun Wu's cursing could be faintly heard.

"It is Father Emperor's wisdom that is so great."

"He had planned this all along."

Zhao Pu did not respond.

He stood there quietly, looking at the King of Qin's profile.

There was no smugness or excitement on that face, only an indescribable calmness.

Just like five years ago when the King of Qin climbed out of the well.

Just like five years ago, when the King of Qin squatted in a refugee camp drinking thin porridge.

Just like four years ago when the King of Qin was checking the accounts in the accounting office.

It was so calm it was heartbreaking.

"Issue the order." Su Ning put down his teacup. "The treatment of those seven people remains unchanged for now. They shall be provided with food and drink daily, and they shall not be mistreated. Their fate will be discussed after the Prince of Jin ascends the throne."

"Yes."

"Furthermore, the reorganization of the Palace Guard shall begin now. By today, the list and resumes of all officers of the rank of centurion or above shall be delivered to my desk."

"Yes."

Zhao Pu turned and went out to relay the order.

Su Ning sat alone in the duty room, gazing at the gray sky outside the window.

He recalled his father's last words before he died:

"Yi-ge'er, I'm going to see your mother and brothers."

mother.

Second brother.

Those relatives he had never met, but who lived on in his memory.

Suning closed his eyes.

Outside the window, the bugle call of the National Defense Forces sounded, long and far-reaching.

……

The candlelight flickered in the mourning hall all night long.

Guo Rong knelt before Guo Weiling, his knees numb and without feeling, but his mind was clearer than ever.

Seven trusted generals of the Palace Guard were placed under house arrest overnight.

The Nine Gates Defense has been replaced by the National Defense Forces at some point.

This morning, the King of Qin urgently summoned veteran generals such as Han Tong and Li Chongjin, who commanded large armies, to the military camp for a meeting.

News kept pouring in, each one like a knife stabbing into his heart. The National Defense Army had taken control of the entire city of Bianliang.

He, the new emperor who was about to ascend the throne, was trapped in the palace with only a few hundred guards by his side.

With just a word from the King of Qin, the national defense army can storm in.

Kill him, kill his wife and children, kill everyone in this palace.

Just like when Liu Chengyou slaughtered the entire Guo and Chai families.

Guo Rong closed his eyes, his forehead beaded with cold sweat.

In the past, when the King of Qin incorporated the Crane Control Army, the Fengguo Army, and the Tianxiong Army, it was all done in a slow and hesitant manner...

First, they sent military supervisors, then checked the accounts, and then gradually reorganized the army. The whole process lasted for several months, and the generals who were reorganized didn't even feel the pain.

But this time is different.

This time, it happened overnight, with overwhelming force.

They surrounded the government building, placed the residents under house arrest, and disarmed them.

They didn't even give us a chance to negotiate.

Guo Rong suddenly understood.

His third brother was not in charge of reorganizing the Palace Guard.

Suning is telling everyone...

The National Defense Forces' swords can be swift.

It's so fast you don't have time to react.

Before your three thousand elite troops could even assemble, they were already like birds in a cage.

Even if you, Guo Rong, become emperor, you must always remember that there are 20,000 national defense troops outside the city watching your every move.

"Your Highness."

A cautious voice came from behind.

"His Highness the King of Qin requests an audience."

Guo Rong's hand clenched tightly.

He took a deep breath and slowly stood up.

His knees were numb, and he staggered, only managing to steady himself by grabbing onto a nearby pillar.

"Let him in."

A moment later, Su Ning appeared at the entrance of the mourning hall.

He wasn't wearing armor, just a plain dark robe, and he didn't even have a sword at his waist.

He was alone, without any attendants behind him.

As Guo Rong watched the figure approach step by step, a complex and indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

This person is his third brother.

The boy who climbed out of the well five years ago, crying uncontrollably in his arms, has grown into this...

Without making a sound or showing any signs of weakness, he struck and killed him.

"Big Brother." Su Ning walked to the altar, first bowing deeply to Guo Wei's memorial tablet, and then turned to Guo Rong.

Guo Rong stared at him.

"Third brother, you have some good skills."

Suning did not respond.

He just stood there, looking at his older brother who was more than ten years his senior.

"Is Big Brother scared?"

Guo Rong was stunned for a moment.

"afraid of what?"

“I’m afraid I’ll kill you just like Liu Chengyou killed the entire Guo and Chai families.”

The funeral hall was so quiet that you could hear the candlelight crackling.

Guo Rong stared into Su Ning's eyes.

Those eyes were calm, without provocation or mockery, simply looking at him serenely.

Just like the way he's looked at everyone over the years.

"You want to kill me?" Guo Rong asked.

"I don't want to," Su Ning said. "If I wanted to kill, I would have done it last night."

"..."

"I didn't lay a finger on those seven people in the Palace Guard. As for the Nine Gates defense, I simply took over. As for Han Tong and Li Chongjin, I only invited them to discuss the reorganization; I didn't force them to express their opinions."

"..."

"Brother, your family, your confidants, and all the people in your palace are all safe."

Guo Rong remained silent.

He knew that what Su Ning said was true.

If the National Defense Forces really wanted to kill him, last night was the best opportunity.

One stroke, and it's all over.

If we just find some excuse like "rebellious soldiers," what can the people say?
But the National Defense Forces did not move.

Suning didn't make a move.

He merely placed those seven people under house arrest, merely took over the Nine Gates, and merely invited those veteran generals for tea.

Suning was telling Guo Rong...

I won't kill you.

But don't even think about moving.

Guo Rong suddenly smiled.

There was a hint of bitterness, a hint of relief, and something else in that smile.

"Third brother," Guo Rong said, his voice hoarse, "what exactly do you want?"

Su Ning looked at him.

“I already said what I wanted that day in front of Father’s bedside.”

"Reorganized by the Palace Guard".

"All the troops in the world are under my command."

"Apart from that, I won't interfere with how my elder brother wants to be the emperor."

Guo Rong stared at him.

"that's it?"

"that's it."

"You don't want the throne?"

"No."

"why?"

Suning remained silent for a moment.

"Because Father Emperor gave the throne to you, I will listen to Father Emperor."

His voice was calm, devoid of any emotion.

"Father believes in you and that you can govern the Great Zhou well."

"Then I will believe in my father."

Guo Rong was stunned.

He looked at Su Ning, at her calm face, and suddenly remembered the rumors he had heard over the years…

The King of Qin ate and lived with his companions in the military camp outside the city.

The King of Qin used his money to support wounded soldiers, disabled soldiers, and unwanted old soldiers.

The Qin King's trustworthy business expanded to the Khitan, Southern Tang, and Western Shu, and he poured all his profits into the national defense army.

This person has been doing one thing since he was fourteen years old...

Live your life like a nail, firmly anchored to this land.

He didn't reject the throne.

He didn't care about the throne at all.

What he cared about was whether the country could be stable, whether those he had rescued from the wounded soldiers' camp could survive, and whether the 20,000-strong national defense army he had trained would become a second Palace Guard, a second Crane Control Army, or a second army that would be privately owned.

Guo Rong closed his eyes.

He suddenly understood his father's dying words.

"Your third brother is more ruthless than you."

It's not that I'm ruthless towards people.

It's about being ruthless to oneself.

Over the past five years, that person has turned himself into this...

They don't compete or fight, they don't speak, yet they take every step steadily and surely.

He waited three years to incorporate the Crane Control Army into his ranks.

He waited another year to incorporate the Fengguo Army and Tianxiong Army.

When everyone thought he was mild-mannered and posed no threat, he took down the Palace Guard in just one night.

If this isn't ruthless, what is it?
"Big brother." Su Ning's voice interrupted his thoughts.

Guo Rong opened his eyes.

“We are brothers, let’s make things clear today,” Su Ning said. “As long as you keep your promise, I will ensure your throne is as secure as Mount Tai!”

"The elite of the National Defense Forces are my soldiers who guard the country for my elder brother. They are not my private army, nor anyone else's private army."

"When the elder brother wants to repair the river embankment, the National Defense Army digs the soil. When the elder brother wants to attack the Southern Tang, the National Defense Army attacks the city. When the elder brother wants to provide disaster relief, the National Defense Army transports grain."

"With just one word from you, Big Brother, the National Defense Army will go through fire and water without hesitation."

Guo Rong stared at him.

What if I break my promise?

Suning did not answer immediately.

He simply looked at Guo Rong quietly, his gaze calm to the point of being indifferent.

“Big brother,” Su Ning finally spoke, “you wouldn’t do that.”

"why?"

"Because you are a smart person."

Guo Rong remained silent for a long time.

He looked at Su Ning, at that young face, at those emotionless eyes, and suddenly smiled.

There was a sense of resignation in that smile.

"it is good."

He spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Palace Guard, here's the rewrite for you."

"All the troops in the world are under your command."

"The regional military governor sent me here to offend him."

“I remember the promise of the Crown Prince.”

“I will uphold my father’s dying wish.”

Suning nodded.

He bowed deeply to Guo Rong with great solemnity.

"Don't worry, brother."

"Great Zhou, things will get better."

Without waiting for Guo Rong's response, he turned and walked out.

He suddenly stopped when he reached the entrance of the mourning hall.

"Big brother."

"Ok?"

“Our father and our family are watching over us from all over the world. If we fail to protect this country, we may really be letting them down.”

He didn't turn around, but pushed open the door and went out.

Guo Rong stood there, watching the figure disappear outside the door, motionless for a long time.

Inside the mourning hall, the candlelight still flickered.

Guo Wei's memorial tablet stood there quietly, as if it were watching all of this.

Guo Rong suddenly knelt down and kowtowed heavily to the memorial tablet.

"Father..."

His voice was choked with emotion.

"Your subject understands."

Outside the gate, a spring breeze caressed the palace walls.

As Su Ning walked out of the palace, Zhao Pu was already waiting outside the palace gate.

"Your Highness, Han Tong and Li Chongjin have reached an agreement. They are willing to accept the reorganization of the National Defense Army, but they request to retain the original personal guard structure."

Suning nodded.

“Tell them that the personal guard system can be retained, but they must accept supervision.”

"Yes."

The two boarded the vehicle and headed towards the military camp outside the city.

Inside the carriage, Zhao Pu couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, is the Prince of Jin... truly at ease?"

Suning did not answer immediately.

He stared at the street scene rushing past the car window and remained silent for a while.

"He will be at ease."

"why?"

"Because he is a smart man."

"Wise people know that there are some things that should not be done."

Zhao Pu did not ask any further questions.

The carriage continued forward, exiting the city gate and heading towards the military camp that the students called "home."

In the distance, the flag of the National Defense Forces fluttered in the wind.

It's not that I'm ruthless, but that I simply can't trust anyone; sometimes a promise is less valuable than a piece of toilet paper.

Therefore, he had to ensure that Guo Rong had no chance to back out.

If he cooperates with me, Guo Rong will be a great emperor in history; if he is not honest, I don't mind making him a short-lived emperor.

...(End of this chapter)