Chapter 247 Rebellion

At the same time as the emperor issued the order to confiscate the property, officials in the court stood up and exposed these aristocratic families and their cronies for corruption, selling official positions, forming cliques for personal gain, having evil intentions, disrespecting the emperor, and privately building mansions. Ordinary people also formed groups to report officials to the mayor of the capital for corruption, seizing land and people, and bullying men and women. Naturally, the defendants were still the group of people from the old faction.

As a result, the Ministry of Justice followed the clues and investigated. Almost every day, either Zhang San was arrested or Li Si's entire family was imprisoned. There was no peace for a whole month. The Ministry of Justice's prison was overcrowded. In the end, all officials who were not above the third rank were imprisoned in the dungeon in the capital.

When Lu Haozhi had almost captured the people, these old ministers finally woke up from their dreams. It turned out that the emperor wanted to dig up their roots!

However, when they came to their senses, the situation was already hopeless.

This old-school aristocratic family has gone through several dynasties, and most of the children in the family are playboys. Few of them are willing to endure the hardship of joining the army and becoming generals by military merit. Most of those who enter officialdom are civil servants. Even if there are two or three military officers, they actually have no real talents and were transferred to idle positions by Lu Haozhi several months in advance. At that time, they thought they had got a good job and were very proud of it. But when the building collapsed, they found that there was not a single person available in such a huge force.

When Lu Haozhi was reviewing the memorials submitted by the Ministry of Justice and other three courts, he couldn't help but feel sad. These old-school families seemed huge, but they were already rotten inside. It was time to clean them up.

This month, the capital was in turmoil and everyone was in danger, but only two people were happy.

These two people were Prince Shen Lu Su and Lin Yanrong who escaped from the palace secretly.

When the two learned the news that Lu Hao had eliminated the old faction, they almost clapped their hands and celebrated, thinking that it was a good opportunity to start a rebellion while the royal family was weak and had no time to take care of other things during this chaotic period.

Lu Su believed that he had the defense map of the capital and the imperial palace stolen by Concubine Xuanhe, and the defense of the capital was under his control. He also had a private army, so changing the situation would be easy.

At that moment, Lu Su issued an order that on August 15th, taking advantage of the Mid-Autumn Festival when the palace's defenses were lax, he would personally lead his troops into the palace.

As expected, Lu Su led his troops into the Meridian Gate without encountering any resistance. He passed through as if he was in an empty place.

The rebels rushed straight to the Qianqing Gate, and Lu Su realized something was wrong. He said to himself, "Oh no, maybe we've fallen into a trap."

Just as he was about to turn around, he heard thunderous cries of killing all around. Countless personal soldiers poured out from the left and right wing rooms like a tide, surrounding the rebels. Even countless archers were lying in ambush on the rooftops of the left and right palaces.

Lu Su's face was pale, cold sweat dripping down his face. He held the steel knife in his hand. Just when he was at a loss, he heard a furious shout -

"Lu Su! You traitor! I have treated you well since I ascended the throne. Even though we are not born of the same mother, you are a descendant of the commoner Yang family, but I still treat you like a brother. Why did you commit such a heinous act today?!"

Lu Su looked in the direction of the voice and saw Lu Haozhi slowly walking out of the Ganqing Palace.

At this point, how could he lose his temper? He just opened his mouth and cursed, "Lu Haozhi, you think that since you are the Queen's son, a natural son, you should be the ruler of the world and enjoy supreme wealth?! You even want the best for women! If it weren't for that old hag Jiang's conspiracy and framing, my brother would be the emperor now! Bah, I just don't agree with this! The throne should be occupied by the capable. You tyrant, today I will take your head and that old bitch's head to comfort my mother's spirit in heaven!"

Lu Haozhi looked down upon His Highness as if he were an ant, his heart remaining calm, and he did not take His Highness's arrogant words to heart at all.

At that moment, he waved his hand and said, "Changyuan, start now. There's no need to leave anyone alive."

Meng Changyuan jumped out from among his personal soldiers, held his steel knife horizontally, and shouted, "I obey your order!" Then he chopped with his knife and led his troops to meet the enemy.

At that moment, in front of the Qianqing Palace, Lu Su led the rebel soldiers to fight with the personal soldiers led by Meng Changyuan. The sound of swords clashing was deafening.

Lu Su is a descendant of the royal family. He has been pampered since childhood, and the private soldiers he raised only know some martial arts. How can he be a match for Meng Changyuan, a veteran of the battlefield?

However, in a short while, most of the rebels were killed.

Lu Su's face was covered in blood, his body bruised and battered, and the jade crown holding his hair had been knocked off, leaving his hair disheveled and in a state of disarray. He stared intently at the figure perched high in the hall, his chest swelled with rage, and he felt a sweet, fishy urge rushing up, unable to contain himself, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

That was the person he hated most in his life. He wanted to eat Lu Haozhi's flesh and tear his skin into pieces!

He didn't know what this trap was all about. Logically, he should have already kept a close eye on the defensive forces in every part of the palace.

Yes, Concubine Xuanhe must have fallen into the trap of that old scoundrel named Jiang, and that defense map is fake!

Needless to say, the army he sent to disarm the defenders in the capital must have been completely wiped out.

Why?! Why?!

Will he never be able to defeat this mother and son in his entire life? !

Lu Su became more and more unwilling to give in. He gritted his teeth and rushed forward regardless of the countless swords and knives blocking his way, running towards the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.

"Protect the emperor!"

Shouts were like thunder everywhere, and sharp blades pierced through Lu Su's chest, but he seemed unaware and continued to rush forward.

Suddenly, Lu Su felt a flash before his eyes, and he seemed to be flying into the air, flying towards Lu Haozhi, but then fell heavily and landed at his feet.

Lu Su's head fell in front of the Qianqing Palace, his eyes wide open, reflecting the figure of the Emperor of the Great Zhou.

Until his death, he was never able to set foot in this palace that symbolizes the pinnacle of power. Only his head fell here.

Meng Changyuan, covered in blood, strode to the front of the Qianqing Palace. He knelt on one knee with his strong body and clasped his hands together. "Your Majesty, the rebels have all been exterminated and killed. I submit my order!"

Lu Haozhi stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the blood-stained throne of His Highness. The sun was shining brightly, as if covered with golden light, reflecting the colorful golden dragon on his black dragon robe, which was shining brightly, as if it was about to fly away, showing the spirit of a generation of emperors.

In Shoukang Palace, Empress Dowager Jiang and Meng Yan sat together.

Meng Yan was a little curious. Why didn't the Queen Mother worship Buddha when such an important event happened today?

Empress Dowager Jiang smiled and said, "Silly child, you only worship Buddha to calm your mind. For these important matters concerning yourself, you must strive forward on your own. Putting your hopes on those clay embryos is worse than hanging yourself."

A moment later, Zang Xiu came hurriedly, her face full of joy, saying, "Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, it's done!"

Meng Yan finally let go of her worries.

Although they had been planning for today's situation for a long time and her brother was leading the troops, she was still worried when the time came.

Originally, she also wanted to go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, but Lu Haozhi said that she was not allowed to do anything. He even acted like an emperor and issued a strict order, not allowing her to wander around.

Empress Dowager Jiang also said that she was afraid that the smell of blood would affect the baby in her womb, so she asked her to come to Shoukang Palace to accompany her, and that was it.

Back then, the Empress Dowager accompanied the late emperor in his campaigns, and the dangers she encountered were probably a hundred times greater than today. How did the Empress Dowager survive day after day?

Meng Yan thought about it and secretly glanced at Empress Dowager Jiang.

However, Empress Dowager Jiang looked indifferent, as if she didn't care at all. Only a slight smile in the corner of her eyes revealed her worries.

It seems that I still need to practice more.

She was looking down in thought when her hand was pinched by someone.

Looking up, it was Empress Dowager Jiang.

Empress Dowager Jiang looked at her and smiled slightly, "As a couple, you must not only care about him, but also trust him."

Meng Yan smiled and nodded after hearing this.

At this moment, a palace servant came in, looking terrified, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, Concubine Xuanhe... Concubine Xuanhe has committed suicide."