Li Yanjing was very depressed.

Before coming to Qingping Tower, he was not depressed; in fact, he was happy.

Because they heard that the dog emperor was coming to Jingzhao Prefecture, the Yinyuan Society had a chance.

Just then, the Tanguts reached an agreement, and the Tibetans in the Longyou Protectorate also reached a consensus. If the dog emperor were killed at this time, the situation in the Northwest would inevitably change drastically.

Their plans will be brought forward significantly, and everything is developing in a direction that benefits them.

But to Li Yanjing's surprise, Zhao Huan arrived so quickly!

The official announcement from the capital was issued at breakneck speed, but it was still slower than Zhao Huan's arrival.

In other words, the emperor rushed to Chang'an at top speed!

Holy crap!

There is no historical record of an emperor traveling with only thirty-odd guards, rushing on his journey in a great hurry!

Your reign as emperor is far too irregular!

That's so unconventional!

Li Yanjing was so frustrated she felt like vomiting blood. The fact that the emperor had arrived in Chang'an ahead of time meant that the assassination plan had been completely disrupted.

Although the headquarters of the Yinyuan Society is in the northwest, it is not in Chang'an!

Chang'an was the most important military town in the northwest of the Song Dynasty, the command center of the front-line army, and the location of the military governor's office.

Once the emperor arrived in Chang'an, his safety would be guaranteed.

At the very least, Sun Bangyuan was definitely the emperor's man. He controlled both military and civil affairs and was the true boss of Yongxing Military Circuit.

Sun Bangyuan, who had just returned from a trip to the capital, had a long talk with the emperor all night. The emperor described to Sun Bangyuan the grand plan for Chang'an. As the western capital of the empire, Chang'an would bear the heavy responsibility of the empire's future development in the west.

Ma Yuanhao, the Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture, was also involved.

These two men were deeply attracted by the emperor's future strategy and were undoubtedly his absolute supporters.

Therefore, the plan to assassinate the emperor has changed.

The assassination attempt changed from being carried out midway to being carried out in Chang'an.

Moreover, Li Yanjing now faces this troubling problem.

What's the problem?

Explain properly why the Xiang Army besieged the emperor.

There's something Li Yanjing can't understand right now: according to the intelligence from the capital, the emperor is a very short-tempered person.

Based on this intelligence, the current situation must be one of utter carnage.

But Li Jingxian remained kneeling there, and the emperor did not make a move.

This is a bit unusual.

Zhao Huan said kindly, "Ignorance is no excuse."

Is ignorance absolved of guilt?

Is it not a crime to besiege and kill the emperor?

The thought only flashed through Li Yanjing's mind for a moment before she heard the emperor say, "Don't announce my visit to the capital."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Don't make a fuss?

You've killed over a hundred people here, and now people are watching from outside. Do we really need to make a fuss about it?

After the people saw a group of people come out of Qingping Tower, the young man left the place surrounded by the crowd.

The outer three layers of the imperial palace where the emperor resided were guarded by a contingent of imperial guards dispatched by Sun Bangyuan, while the inner three layers were guarded by men personally brought by Zhao Huan.

It's safe to say that not even a fly could get in here.

At the same time, the defenses of Chang'an were completely adjusted, with Xiangjun soldiers patrolling day and night.

After escorting the emperor into the palace, Li Yanjing was still uneasy and knelt on the ground again, saying, "Your Majesty, please grant me death."

Sun Bangyuan and Shangguan Qing were also present. They also felt that this matter was not so simple and could not be let go so easily, so they knelt on the ground as well, waiting for the emperor's punishment.

"Minister Li, are you so eager to die? I would feel guilty if I didn't grant your wish!"

Holy crap! Your Majesty, you just said ignorance is no excuse, how come you're so easily tested? I was just testing you, don't take it seriously!

Li Yanjing froze, wishing she could tear her own mouth apart.

"Your Majesty, please have mercy!"

"Get up, all of you. I was just joking with Minister Li. I've already said that ignorance is no excuse."

Li Yanjing's eyes twitched violently a few times: Emperor, you son of a bitch! I'll kill you sooner or later! Don't you understand that a monarch's word is law?!

Sun Bangyuan said, "Your Majesty, we are surprised to learn of the reason for your arrival in Jingzhao Prefecture. We humbly request Your Majesty's clarification, for we will all follow Your Majesty's lead."

"I have heard that the soldiers on the Northwest front are fighting bravely, so I have come to express my condolences. You need not worry."

"Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty."

How many troops are currently stationed in Chang'an?

"Your Majesty, there are currently 80,000 garrison troops and 3,000 imperial guards in Chang'an."

"Li Yanjing".

"Your subject is present."

"Autumn is just around the corner, and we must ensure that the frontline troops have enough food!"

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, even if I starve to death, I will ensure the soldiers' rations."

"And what about the common people? You, as the transport commissioner, must bring down the grain price in the capital prefecture! You must reduce it to one guan and one yi. How can you do that? You must find a way for me!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Li Yanjing was extremely annoyed. She had long heard that the current emperor was domineering and tyrannical, and now that she saw it, it was indeed true.

When the retired emperor was still in power, he treated his subjects very kindly and was very understanding of them.

"You may all leave now; I need to rest."

"We take our leave."

The three of them left with their entourage. Li Yanjing began arranging palace maids for the emperor's palace and even specially found beautiful women to send in to serve the emperor.

Sun Bangyuan and Shangguan Qing had met these women before, and they had agreed.

In this way, if the emperor is killed in the palace, everyone will share the responsibility.

By then, Li Yanjing had already run away, and all the conflicts naturally pointed to Sun Bangyuan and Shangguan Qing.

but……

When these palace maids were sent there, they were returned untouched!

Li Yanjing was somewhat bewildered as she looked at the women who had been returned.

Did the emperor not like women?

Holy crap! Using women for assassination is the most effective method.

Men in a gentle embrace are weak and listless, lacking willpower, and completely relaxed.

But this tactic failed!

Looks like we'll have to deploy the military!

In any case, we must immediately do everything we can to kill the emperor.

Li Yanjing sat at his desk, his whole body tense, a strong sense of danger surging from all directions.

Today's Qingpinglou incident was glossed over by the emperor with the simple statement "ignorance is no excuse," which is absolutely abnormal.

This contradicts every single piece of intelligence Li Yanjing received.

Is the current emperor truly a kind-hearted and soft-hearted sage ruler?

That's impossible!

The screams of agony still echoed over the Central Plains!

The Confucian scholars in the Longyou Protectorate are now being oppressed like grandsons!

The blood in the southern fields still smells of blood!

These were all done by the emperor. How could he possibly let the matter drop with a simple "ignorance is no excuse"?

That's absolutely impossible!

Li Yanjing didn't sleep that night. His confidants left the palace overnight. Tonight, he would mobilize all his forces in Chang'an to kill the emperor!

At all costs!