The imperial court is ceding territory from our northern border? Then we'll rebel!

"The merits far outweigh the demerits."

Xiao Jingchen's voice echoed clearly inside and outside Zhengyang Gate.

Zhao Kuo suddenly raised his head and looked at him in disbelief.

The surrounding civilians and the newly surrendered imperial guards were all stunned.

They all thought that Zhao Kuo, who "led troops to force the emperor to abdicate," would at least be executed later in the autumn, even if he wasn't killed on the spot.

But Xiao Jingchen actually gave him such a high evaluation.

"My lord..." Zhao Kuo's voice was choked with emotion.

He had spent his life in the military, and prided himself on his unyielding spirit, but at this moment, his eyes were a little hot.

A scholar will die for one who understands him.

Xiao Jingchen's words touched his heart more than any reward.

"Your merit lies in saving millions of lives in the capital from the ravages of war. Your merit lies in preventing that madwoman from burning the city, preserving the last vestiges of vitality for the Great Yan Dynasty." Xiao Jingchen looked at him and said, word by word, "These two points alone are enough to offset all your 'sins'."

"From this day forward, you will remain the Grand General of the Imperial Guards of the Capital. The defense of the capital is still entrusted to you."

"I have only one request."

"Please speak, my lord! I will die ten thousand times over!" Zhao Kuo knelt on one knee, this time without the slightest hesitation.

"I need you to cooperate with General Chen Jing to quell all the chaos in the city. Anyone who takes advantage of the chaos to loot or oppress the people will be severely punished! Anyone who spreads rumors and sows discord among the people will be severely punished!"

"I want order to be restored to this capital city in the shortest possible time!"

"Your humble servant obeys!" Zhao Kuo kowtowed heavily.

Xiao Jingchen helped him up, then turned his gaze to the other side, to the figure who was being supported by several old ministers and was walking unsteadily.

Former Prime Minister, Zhou Wenyuan.

"This old minister, Zhou Wenyuan, pays his respects to Your Majesty." Zhou Wenyuan walked up to Xiao Jingchen and was about to kneel down.

"Your Excellency, this is unacceptable." Xiao Jingchen quickly stepped forward and supported him.

Xiao Jingchen held respect for this old minister who had devoted himself to the country but was dismissed and imprisoned by the Empress.

"My lord..." Zhou Wenyuan looked at the young commander before him, his old eyes filled with complex emotions. "This old minister is guilty. This old minister has failed the Great Yan and the late Emperor..."

"What crime has the Prime Minister committed?" Xiao Jingchen said. "The guilty ones are that woman who sits on the dragon throne but disregards the fate of the country. The guilty ones are those treacherous villains who flatter and bewitch the monarch."

"Now that I have entered the capital, I will settle accounts with these criminals one by one."

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"Lei Lie!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Lei Lie excitedly stepped forward.

"You shall immediately lead your cavalry, in coordination with the Imperial City Guard, to seal off the entire city! Arrest every single official who rose to power after the Empress's ascension by flattering her and persecuting loyal officials, and imprison them in the Heavenly Prison to await their fate!"

"Especially those pro-peace faction members who advocate ceding territory for peace and framed General Wei Yong—not a single one of them should be let off!"

"Yes, sir!" Lei Lie accepted the order and left, his face filled with bloodthirsty excitement.

He had been waiting for this day for far too long.

"Chen Jing!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"You will lead the Eastern Frontier Army to take over the defense of the Imperial Palace. Inventory the treasury and appease the palace staff. Furthermore, send men to the highest-ranking prison to properly collect the remains of Black Crow and his ten brothers, and give them a grand burial as heroes!"

"Yes, sir!" Chen Jing, his eyes red, accepted the order and left.

"Sun Xiang!"

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Take your men and search the mansions of all the arrested traitors! Confiscate all their property! I will return every last bit of this hard-earned money to the people of the land!"

"Yes, sir!"

One command after another was issued from Xiao Jingchen's mouth in an orderly manner.

The entire capital city, this vast center of power, began to operate efficiently under his control.

Zhou Wenyuan and his fellow veteran officials were filled with emotion as they watched this scene unfold.

They seemed to see a new star rising.

Perhaps, the Great Yan Dynasty really can be saved.

……

The next three days.

The entire capital city underwent an unprecedented purge.

Lei Lie led his Northern Frontier cavalry, like ferocious demons, into the mansions of one high-ranking official after another.

The emperor's brother-in-law, ministers, and vice ministers who used to lord it over the emperor were dragged from their warm beds and the embrace of their beauties, shackled, and taken to the imperial prison.

The people of the capital stood on both sides of the street, watching these once high and mighty figures now become prisoners, and they all clapped and cheered.

"Well done! This Minister Wang beat my father to death last year in an attempt to seize my family's land! He's finally getting his comeuppance!"

"And that Vice Minister Li! His son rode his horse recklessly in the street, killing someone, and got away scot-free! Now, let's see how arrogant they can be!"

At this moment, public grievances found their greatest release.

The gold and silver treasures confiscated by Sun Xiang were piled up like mountains, a sight that was shocking to behold.

Xiao Jingchen ordered that soup kitchens be set up in front of the palace and that grain be distributed from the granaries.

At the same time, some of the confiscated money was distributed to those whose families had been destroyed and whose lives were ruined under the oppressive government.

For a time, the entire capital was filled with praise and admiration for Xiao Jingchen.

"Lord Xiao is truly a just and upright official!"

"Yes! If it weren't for him, we don't know how long we would have been bullied by those corrupt officials!"

The hearts and minds of the people are converging on Xiao Jingchen at an astonishing speed.

Three days later, at the Zichen Palace.

This place has been cleaned up again.

But there seemed to be a lingering smell of sulfur in the air.

Xiao Jingchen sat on the dragon throne, which represented supreme power.

Below, Zhou Wenyuan, Zhao Kuo, Chen Jing, and all officials of the fourth rank or above in the capital stood on both sides.

The atmosphere was solemn and respectful.

"Gentlemen," Xiao Jingchen began, his voice echoing throughout the hall, "the chaos in the capital has been largely quelled in the past few days. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day."

Everyone's heart was in their throat.

They knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.

How will Xiao Jingchen deal with the Empress? And will he himself take her place?

Xiao Jingchen stood up and slowly walked down the steps.

"Bring Li Fengyi and Li Qingluan here."

Soon, the two princesses, who were once extremely noble, were brought to the main hall.

Li Fengyi's hair was disheveled, her eyes were dull, and she had long lost her former radiance, looking like a puppet.

Li Qingluan, on the other hand, looked terrified and uneasy. Looking at the assembled officials and the man seated on the dragon throne, she felt as if she were dreaming.

"Li Fengyi," Xiao Jingchen said, his voice icy, looking at her, "Do you know your crime?"

Li Fengyi's body trembled slightly, and her empty eyes seemed to regain a sliver of focus.

She looked at Xiao Jingchen, and suddenly, she laughed bitterly.

"A crime? Hahaha! What crime have I committed!"

"My only sin was not killing you sooner! I underestimated you, a mere border guard!"

"The victor is king, the loser is villain! You've won! Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you! I will never beg for mercy!"

At this point, she revealed a trace of the last bit of royal resolve.

"Kill you?" Xiao Jingchen shook his head. "That would be too easy on you."

He looked at Zhou Wenyuan: "Prime Minister, according to the laws of our Great Yan, what should be done with a deposed emperor?"

Zhou Wenyuan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Excellency, the deposed emperor should be demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the imperial mausoleum for life, to guard the tomb and atone for his sins as a result of his ancestors' actions."

"Okay." Xiao Jingchen nodded.

"Pass on my orders!"

"The deposed Emperor Li Fengyi is unworthy of his position, has acted perversely, and nearly caused the destruction of the city, arousing the wrath of both gods and men! Effective immediately, his imperial title is revoked, he is demoted to a commoner, and he is to be taken to the imperial mausoleum and imprisoned for life!"

"His crimes are proclaimed to the world as a warning to future rulers!"

This decision brought a sigh of relief to everyone.

Not killing is an act of mercy.

Confinement is the rule.

It is reasonable and impeccable.