I, Kangxi, am here to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming!

"Rise!"

Hong Xiguan said expressionlessly.

The courtiers rose, and many secretly glanced up to look around, only to find that a familiar figure was missing from beside the dragon throne.

The arrogant and domineering Ao Zhongtang, who always stood in front of the emperor, was gone.

"If you have something to report, speak now; otherwise, the court may adjourn," the eunuch announced as usual.

The hall was deathly silent; who would dare to be the first to speak out at this moment?

Hong Xiguan curled his lips into a cold smile and winked at Suo'etu.

Songgotu understood immediately, strode forward, carrying a black cloth bundle in his hand.

"Your subject, Suo'etu, has a memorial to present!"

Songgotu's voice was loud and impassioned, echoing throughout the hall: "Regent Aobai, forming cliques for personal gain, deceiving the emperor, and plotting rebellion! Last night, His Majesty, in his wisdom and might, executed this traitor on the spot in the Imperial Garden!"

Although everyone was somewhat prepared, when the truth was finally revealed, a suppressed gasp still erupted from the crowd.

They really killed him!

The powerful and influential Ao Bai was actually killed by this thirteen-year-old emperor!

Of course, she doesn't look like she's thirteen...

"The traitor's head is here!"

Suo'etu suddenly untied the black cloth wrapping and flicked his wrist.

Glug glug!

A hideous human head rolled onto the gold bricks, eventually reaching the feet of the assembled officials.

The head with its eyes wide open, its face filled with terror and resentment, was none other than Ao Bai!

"what!"

Several timid civil officials turned pale with fright and retreated repeatedly, almost collapsing to the ground.

"Not only that!"

Soetu gave them no chance to catch their breath, continuing to announce loudly: "Minister of War Gachuha, Minister of Personnel Asiha, Vice Minister of Revenue Taibitu, Grand Secretary Banburshan... all of Aobai's cronies, who resisted arrest and plotted rebellion last night, have all been executed! The rest of his cronies have all been captured!"

As one illustrious name after another was announced, the air in the hall seemed to freeze.

This is not a cleansing, this is a massacre!

Overnight, almost all the bigwigs of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner were wiped out.

Hong Xiguan sat on the dragon throne, coldly observing the various reactions below: some were fearful, some were relieved, and some were confused.

But that's not enough!

Killing is merely a means to an end; establishing authority is the true objective.

Hong Xiguan's gaze searched through the crowd, finally landing on the trembling figure standing at the very front.

"Ebilong".

When Ebilun's name was called, he trembled and knelt on the ground with a thud, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

"This servant...this servant is here!"

As the only remaining regent, Ebilun's mood at this moment was even heavier than when he was visiting a grave.

Sony retired, Suksaha died, and now Aobai is also dead.

Of the four regents, he was the only one left.

Moreover, Ebilun was well aware that his own actions were not clean. When Aobai was in power, he always echoed him in order to protect himself, so it would not be an exaggeration to call him an accomplice.

"Ao Bai's treason is well-documented."

Hong Xiguan's voice was devoid of emotion: "You are a regent and a key minister of the state. I entrust this case to you."

"what?"

Ebilun was stunned for a moment, then suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Leave it to me?

Is this... a test? Or a death trap?

Hong Xiguan chuckled inwardly as he looked at his frightened expression.

Although this old fellow is mediocre and cowardly, he is obedient. With the current unstable political situation, a person of influence is needed to endorse the government, and Ebilun is the best tool for him.

"What? Is Grand Secretary E unwilling to share my burdens?" Hong Xiguan raised an eyebrow.

"No, no, no! This servant is willing! This servant would gladly die a thousand deaths!"

Ebilun kowtowed repeatedly, his head thumping loudly: "This servant will do it immediately! We will thoroughly investigate and punish all of Ao Bai's remaining followers, leaving no one unpunished!"

To survive, he's now more ruthless than anyone else when it comes to biting people.

"Wait a minute."

Hong Xiguan raised his hand to interrupt him: "Do you intend to kill every single official in this court?"

Ebilun froze: "Then... what does His Majesty mean?"

"The ringleaders must be punished, while those who are coerced will not be questioned."

Hong Xiguan picked up a pre-prepared list from his desk and had a eunuch hand it to Ebilun.

"The twelve people on this list, including Nemo, the deputy commander of the Bordered Yellow Banner, and Tong Bao, the former commander of the Nine Gates, are the core members of Ao Bai's rebellion. Their crimes are unforgivable. They should be executed immediately for treason, and their homes should be confiscated!"

At this point, Hong Xiguan changed the subject, his tone softening somewhat:

"As for the others... most of them were forced to comply by Ao Bai's tyranny. Now that Ao Bai is dead, I am unwilling to commit further killings. As long as they are willing to repent and reform, I can give them a chance, punish them leniently, and reinstate them to their original positions."

This is called using both kindness and severity.

If all of Ao Bai's followers were killed, the court would be paralyzed and the army would mutini, as Ao Bai represented the interests of the Manchu nobles.

If only those twelve die-hards are killed, the rest will only become more devoted to the new emperor in order to save their own lives.

Holding the list, Ebilun saw that his name was not on it and was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is benevolent! You are a reincarnation of Yao and Shun!"

He was kowtowing sincerely, not only sparing the lives of others, but also sparing his own dog's life.

"Go and do it." Hong Xiguan waved his hand. "I want to see the closing statement before noon."

"Yes, sir!"

Ebilun felt as if he had been granted a pardon, and he ran out with the list in his arms.

This scene, witnessed by the assembled officials, only amplified their awe and reverence.

He is decisive in killing, yet knows how to control his power. This young emperor is unfathomable!

Especially when Ao Bai had eliminated Suksaha and was at the height of his power, this teenage emperor suddenly took action against Ao Bai and wiped out Ao Bai's faction. His courage and decisiveness were truly frightening!

Even Prince Yue Le, the Prince of Heshuo Anqin, felt a chill run down his spine.

Fortunately, I didn't get too close to Ao Bai.

……

After the court session, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Ebilun was extremely efficient, or rather, he had to be efficient in order to survive.

In less than two hours, the twelve heads had fallen to the ground.

The last person killed was Tong Bao, the former commander of the Nine Gates. This guy was on his way to Shengjing when he suddenly received a secret letter from Ao Bai. He rushed back, only to be arrested as soon as he entered the city and then dragged away and beheaded.

Tong Bao died without ever knowing what divine law he had broken.

After killing Ao Bai's core henchmen, the case file concerning Ao Bai's treason was neatly placed on Hong Xiguan's desk.

Ebilun knelt on the ground, cautiously watching the emperor review the memorials.

The matter is settled, the dirty and tiring work has been done, now it's time for him to judge his own fate.

"Ebilun, you did a good job on this task."

Hong Xiguan closed the memorial and offered a brief compliment.

"Serving His Majesty, this servant dares not take credit." Ebilun said with a forced smile, but his back was covered in cold sweat.

"Now that we've finished our business, let's talk about personal matters."

Hong Xiguan pulled one out from the pile of memorials and casually tossed it in front of Ebilun.

"Look, this is the memorial that Prince Kang, Jieshu, just handed over."

With trembling hands, Ebilun picked up the folding book, opened it, and immediately felt dizzy and his vision went black.

This is an impeachment memorial.

The above lists twelve major crimes committed by Ebilun! Each one is a capital offense!

The accusations of "favoring powerful and treacherous officials," "failing to report what was known," and "having malicious intentions" can all be summarized in one sentence: Ao Bai rebelled, and although Ebilun did not hand him the knife, he watched from the sidelines without intervening, making him an accomplice!

"I request that the emperor strip him of his post as Grand Tutor, confiscate his title, and sentence him to death."