Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

Chapter 722 The Carnage Begins.

After Tian Qu finished speaking, everyone present, including the imperial family members and civil and military officials who had just arrived, was stunned. They all looked at Emperor Ningkang and the retired emperor.

Emperor Ningkang remained expressionless, but the retired emperor's face turned gloomy, and his aged body on the dragon throne involuntarily shifted from leaning to leaning to the right.

He looked coldly at Emperor Ningkang, "So, it seems I was the mastermind behind today's rebellion."

The retired emperor's voice carried his usual authority, but also an endless mockery.

Everyone present was terrified. This was their instinctive fear of an emperor who had ruled the world and held the power of life and death over hundreds of millions of people for decades.

The vast majority of them lived under the rule of the retired emperor from birth.

Faced with the cold-faced and furious Emperor Emeritus, only Emperor Ningkang remained calm.

He stood straight in front of the seated Emperor Emeritus, looking down at his father with a truly condescending gaze for the first time.

Once the commotion subsided, he calmly said, "Father, there is no need to be angry. This is merely him using your name to incite the rebels."

Although I have some differences with Father Emperor in the way of governing the country, both of us are doing our best to protect the country that our ancestors worked so hard to build.

Therefore, how could I possibly harbor resentment towards Father Emperor, much less commit such a treasonous act as forcing the emperor to abdicate and seize power?

Emperor Ningkang's words garnered approval and agreement from some people, who advised the retired emperor not to believe the rumors.

However, many more astute individuals, judging from the current situation and the conversation between the two sages, realized that something was amiss. Therefore, they remained silent, observing the unfolding events and refraining from making any rash statements until the situation became clear.

The retired emperor ignored those who spoke out. He continued to stare coldly at Emperor Ningkang, and after a long while said, "According to you, today's events were indeed all the work of the Crown Prince."

"I am actually quite curious. He was doing a good job as your crown prince, so why go to such lengths to raise an army and rebel in my name... What is his purpose?"

Emperor Ningkang said, "I do not know what my unfilial son is thinking. Perhaps he sees that I have been in this position for too long and he can't wait any longer, so he does this."

The Emperor Emeritus's expression faltered slightly.

This year marks only the seventh year of the Ningkang era. But according to his own reign title, it has been more than fifty years, though he can't remember exactly how many.

Looking at Emperor Ningkang, who remained calm throughout, he began to take his son seriously for the first time.

He knew that the other person ultimately hated him.

He knew that no matter how things turned out, no matter who won or lost, their father-son relationship was over.

He felt an immense surge of anger!

He valued him so much, entrusting the whole world to him, and this is how he repaid him.

Thinking of this, he no longer cared about maintaining the imperial dignity between the two of them. He looked at Emperor Ningkang with a mocking expression: "No wonder you deliberately distanced yourself from him and isolated him after my birthday banquet, forcing him to keep coming to Chonghua Palace to complain to me."

I'm afraid that from that time on, you planned to make him, the crown prince, bear the name of disloyalty and unfilial piety on your behalf.

It's impressive how well you acted.

I've been thinking about it. Hmm, I suppose you promised him that after this is all over, you'll clear his name and say that he was bewitched by me?

Hehehe...

Don't you know that once you accept a stigma, it's not so easy to clear your name?

Aren't you afraid that your son will treat you the same way you treat me in the future?

Everyone around was confused.

Judging from the current situation, it is clear that the Crown Prince is plotting a rebellion, so why does the Emperor Emeritus sound like he is pointing the finger at Emperor Ningkang?

Unfortunately, no one could answer their questions.

Emperor Ningkang glanced at the somewhat dazzling sunlight overhead and said anxiously, "Father, what dissatisfaction do you have with me? Let's discuss it later."

The situation is critical. Your Majesty, I have already arranged for men to escort you safely back to the capital.

After Emperor Ningkang finished speaking, he did not make any move. Instead, the soldiers of his personal guards stepped forward one after another, as if they were going to escort the retired emperor away.

"Clang!"

The elite cavalry, who had been positioned on the sidelines, surged forward. Wielding weapons, their imposing presence caused the Imperial Guard to retreat involuntarily.

Seeing that the elite cavalry had completely suppressed the imperial guards, the retired emperor smiled and gestured to the eunuch to push the dragon throne forward until he could see Emperor Ningkang again.

"Since the situation is critical, you should take care of yourself first."

With the elite cavalry by my side, my safety is assured.

Have you forgotten that the Valiant Cavalry Battalion is the most valiant and skilled in battle among the six battalions of the Imperial Guard?

"These mere rebel soldiers pose no threat to me."

Emperor Ningkang's expression finally darkened. Looking at the retired emperor's smug look, he ultimately said nothing, turned and left without saying a word.

A large number of his personal guards followed him in single file.

Soon only the elite cavalry soldiers and a large number of bewildered nobles remained on the spot.

……

Before Emperor Ningkang had even returned to his palace, he ordered, "Inform Chen Zhao to proceed with the plan to attack the mountain with all our might and eliminate any forces that may obstruct our path."

He then ordered Tian Qu: "Go back and tell Feng Sheng to have the Imperial Guards clear all passes and defenses. If necessary, coordinate with the Infantry and the Imperial Guards to wipe out the Valiant Cavalry."

"Your servant obeys, and is willing to go through fire and water for your master's great cause."

Tian Qu was a trusted follower of Emperor Ningkang when he was still a prince. After Emperor Ningkang gained power, he gradually rose to become the commander of a part of the Imperial Guard and was deeply trusted by Emperor Ningkang.

His heart was surging with excitement at that moment.

If Emperor Ningkang succeeds this time, these people will be credited for their service to the emperor, and they will naturally enjoy immense wealth and honor in the future!

Moreover, as people of Emperor Ningkang, they had always been unjustly treated as inferior within the Imperial Guard system. Having suffered oppression from the retired emperor and his officials for many years, they harbored deep resentment.

They will naturally not be polite when they take action against these people.

The elite cavalry is strong and has the largest number of men, but so what?

Having fallen into their trap, they are nothing more than fish in a barrel.

……

Besides the troops stationed in the city, the main military forces stationed in the capital region were the North and South Camps.

Although they were called the North and South Camps, they were actually stationed west of the capital.

Both units, numbering tens of thousands of soldiers, were under the command of the Beijing Garrison.

Inside the main tent of the Southern Camp, several high-ranking generals were drinking heartily.

"I heard that during the two emperors' hunt at Iron Net Mountain, those bastards from the Northern Camp have all been transferred to guard the emperor?"

"That's right, but not all of it; they said they adjusted half of it."

"Damn it! Our South Camp has really become the stepmother's pet! How come they get all the good things first, while we're left trailing behind, not even getting a fart!"

"That's right, that's right. Right now, our Southern Camp is only fit to fight bandits."

Ah, I really miss the days when Commander Wang was in charge. Back then, when did our Southern Camp ever suffer the humiliation of the Northern Camp?

"Shh..."

"Keep it down. Who told our current military governor to come from the Northern Camp? We're basically treated like stepmothers. If we don't behave ourselves, the military governor might take a liking to us, and then life will be even harder, hehehehe..."

Amidst a burst of laughter, a voice mocked, "In my opinion, why don't you, Commander, soften your stance and try to curry favor with Commander Chen from now on? After all, he's a favorite of the current emperor."

As the saying goes, "A new emperor brings a new court," so you, Commander, aren't at a disadvantage. You might even get promoted in the future.

Xu Da, the commander of the Southern Camp, who was sitting at the head of the table and had drunk quite a bit of wine, shook his head.

It's impossible for him to back down to a junior. Anyway, even if he doesn't back down, the other party can't do anything to him. So what if he's sidelined? He'll be happy to have some peace and quiet. He can retire in a few years anyway.

So, taking advantage of his drunkenness, he cursed: "What a load of bull! What is Chen Zhao? Does he think he can make me submit?"

"If any of you are spineless and want to curry favor with him for a better life, feel free to do so; I will not stop you."

"That's right! He's a half-baked monk who actually took over Wang Jiedu's position and is now bullying us brothers?"

I don't know about others, but my brother is the first to disagree!

A rough, uncouth man staggered to the top to offer a toast, but lost his balance and fell onto the table, drawing countless jeers.

He didn't care, and after struggling to get up, he continued, "I don't believe that Chen Zhao can control everything for long! Hehehe, I'd be ashamed for him to call himself a military governor."

Our Beijing Garrison has a total of five military units. Apart from the Beida Camp, who else listens to him?

I heard that even in the northern camp, many brothers don't give him the time of day. If it weren't for His Majesty backing him up, he'd be nothing!

These words caused the group of generals, who were treated like stepmothers, to burst into laughter, shouting, "Guerrilla General Xie is right!!"

Xu Da also raised his wine glass with a smile, accepting the toast from his old subordinate.

Suddenly alert, he removed his arm from his view and saw Xie Jing, who had fallen to the ground in front of him, suddenly holding a gleaming dagger and swiftly thrusting it towards him.

Although he tried his best to dodge, he had been sitting for a long time and had drunk too much alcohol, so his body was completely out of his control. He could only watch helplessly as the sharp dagger easily pierced his chest.

"ah!!"

He let out a scream, and his body, writhing in agony, fell backward...

The generals drinking in the hall were all stunned.

For a moment, they all seemed to have been paralyzed, frozen in place, unable to move.

He was awakened by Xu Da's continuous screams.

"Xie Jing, what are you doing!"

"You're insane!!"

Faced with a group of aggressive colleagues, Xie Jing remained calm and composed.

He picked up the dagger in his hand, glanced at the depth of the blood on it, and knew that Xu Da was beyond saving.

At this moment, Xu Da's two guards finally reacted, drew their swords, and rushed forward, howling, eager to avenge their lord.

"Clang!"

A tremendous sound rang out.

It turned out to be the general who had been sitting next to Xie Jing at the banquet. He first threw the wine cup he had been holding to the ground. Then he grabbed the sword beside him, stepped onto the low table, and leaped in front of Xie Jing to provide cover.

Who knew that Xu Da's guards were no ordinary men, and he was unable to withstand them alone, leading to a series of perilous situations.

Fortunately, the earlier signals worked.

Just as he was struck by two knives, Xie Jing rolled and crawled several times before dozens of menacing, armored soldiers rushed in and, together with them, killed and captured the two guards.

The battle began suddenly and ended just as abruptly.

The generals, now sober, had just picked up their swords and were still deciding which side to help when they were surrounded.

They were furious: "Xie Jing, are you trying to rebel?!"

Xie Jing looked a little embarrassed, but his smile was genuine.

He stood up from the ground, and even had the leisure to wipe the blood-stained dagger in his hand.

"rebel?"

"I'm afraid it won't be me who rebels, but you."

How could anyone possibly understand Xie Jing's crazy statement?

Xie Jing didn't rush to explain to them. He walked up to Xu Da, who was clutching his bright red chest, looking both pained and angry, and said apologetically, "Old buddy, don't blame me."

You've reached the top where you are now, and you can now rest easy and enjoy your retirement.

But I can't.

I want to rise even higher, and also elevate the title left to me by my ancestors.

Second-class man? That's too low, so low that I'm embarrassed to hear others introduce me like that.

Now that I finally have this opportunity, I can't let it slip away. If anyone's to blame, it's your stubbornness and inflexibility. I tried to test you, but you showed no interest whatsoever…

"Sigh, you should understand, in your position, how can you avoid the storm?"

Upon hearing Xie Jing's words, Xu Da's expression shifted slightly, and the resentment on his face eased somewhat. The question that he had been unable to voice due to the pain remained in his heart.

He said tremblingly, "Yes, Your Majesty...? Aren't you... afraid...?"

Xie Jing knew what Xu Da wanted to ask.

"From today onwards, perhaps the court will truly be unified!"

After speaking, Xie Jing ignored the dying Xu Da and faced the generals again.

Seeing the shifty expressions on the faces of some generals, and knowing what they were thinking, he spoke up and shattered their illusions.

"Don't try to resist, my men are guarding the outside."

If you are wise enough to know what's good for you, I can spare your lives. We can all stay here peacefully and wait for things to calm down.

If you don't behave, I wouldn't mind sending you on your way right now.

Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe that Xie Jing had such audacity.

You should know that almost all the senior generals of the entire South Camp are in the hall!

But looking at Xu Da, who was almost lifeless in the corner, they dared not disbelieve.

Xie Jing even killed the Grand Commander!

Then someone stammered, "Xie Jing, you...you have such audacity, you..."

In the end, he couldn't bring himself to say anything harsh.

Although they were all military commanders, they were still in a daze and didn't understand the situation, so they naturally didn't have the courage to act rashly and cause bloodshed.

Seeing that they were behaving themselves, Xie Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to adopt a conciliatory policy, confiscating their weapons.

Although he was given orders that he could kill all of them if necessary.

But putting aside the fact that these people are his colleagues after all, and they have worked together for so many years, there is bound to be some feelings involved. Just considering how many relatives and friends this group of people in high positions have, it is impossible to keep track of them all.

He wouldn't want to make too many enemies unless he was forced to.

It would be best to keep them and await Emperor Ningkang's final decision.

Now that Xu Da is dead and high-ranking military officers are under his control, the 30,000 troops in the Southern Camp will no longer pose a threat to Emperor Ningkang's grand plan.

At the same time.

Similar situations occurred at Beidaying and Simaying, which was also stationed outside the city but had fewer troops.

But there's no "soft-hearted" Xie Jing in these places.

Every event is paved with bright red blood.

The same applies within the capital city.

The transfer of supreme power has always come at the cost of human lives.

The entire capital city was under lockdown, with all nine gates closed and martial law imposed both inside and outside.

(The capital of the Great Wei Dynasty did not have an inner and outer city; it only had the capital city, the imperial city, and the Forbidden City.)

Imperial Guards were constantly patrolling the streets of the capital, sealing off various locations.

There were even rumors that the tyrannical and unreasonable Imperial Guards stormed into the homes of high-ranking officials who were usually high and mighty, arresting and even killing them without explanation.

Inside the imperial city, the soldiers of the various units of the Imperial Guard were also filled with apprehension.

They discovered that none of them could contact their superiors. Even those officers they could reach all looked grave and ordered their men to remain in their barracks, daring not to make any rash moves.

With such a large commotion caused by the Imperial Guard, the Bodyguards, the Imperial Infantry, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, it was impossible to keep it a secret.

They probably never intended to hide it from anyone; they were simply carrying out their respective tasks according to the orders left by Emperor Ningkang before he left the capital.

All those who were loyal to the retired emperor were to be killed or controlled as much as possible.

This was a shocking coup. It was also a premeditated murder, a calculated attack on an unsuspecting victim.

……