The news of Emperor Tongxu's death was secretly sent by spies in the capital.

Li Xin did not publicize it, so the news did not spread.

Upon receiving this news, Li Xin instructed all units of the Prince's Guard to strengthen their training, increase their vigilance, and make thorough preparations.

Although Dongning's strength is still too weak, if Li Ming still wants to target him, he will not surrender without a fight!

While preparations for war were in full swing, news from the capital finally reached Dongning City.

Emperor Tongxu passed away.

When the news arrived, the entire city of Dongning was only slightly surprised for a moment before the people went about their business.

It's understandable that the people weren't so grief-stricken.

However, the Prince Xin's Mansion could not remain silent.

On that day, the red lanterns and red curtains at the Prince Xin's Mansion were replaced with white lanterns and white curtains.

Even the entrance was covered with a white cloth.

In the center of the main hall of the Prince Xin's Mansion, the memorial tablet of Emperor Tongxu was placed, with Prince Xin Li Xin, Princess Ning Xiaoqian, and others keeping vigil in the hall.

After all, Emperor Tongxu was Prince Xin's own father.

In this traditional era, the rules of etiquette were still very strict.

If someone with ulterior motives discovers something bad, Li Xin's carefully cultivated public image will completely collapse.

Not only the Prince Xin's Mansion, but also all the government offices, large and small, throughout Dongning Province hung white mourning clothes to mourn the late emperor.

"Your Highness,"

Liu Jingxuan, the prefect of Dongning, came to Li Xin's side and asked, "According to etiquette, all commercial activities in the city should be suspended."

This includes factory production.

"Stop everything?"

Li Xin narrowed his eyes and turned to look at Liu Jingxuan. "Are these all stipulated by the rules of etiquette?"

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Liu Jingxuan nodded and explained, "Your Highness, these are extraordinary times, and we cannot give others a handle to use against us!"

"hehe!"

Li Xin sneered and said, "When did the system of rites begin to include steel mills, musket bureaus, and artillery bureaus?"

If you make me stop all of this, wouldn't that be like surrendering to the enemy?

Mr. Liu, don't be confused!

So you're saying that if we stop talking about these things, no one will criticize us anymore?

Even if you try to find a bone in the crack of an egg, you can still find it if you want!

Factories cannot stop, and neither can commerce and agriculture!

Dongning City should remain as it is!

This is Dongning, and I'm in charge here!

"Your Highness,"

Just as the cautious Liu Jingxuan was about to say something, she saw Li Xin's cold expression and immediately swallowed her words back.

Liu Jingxuan shook her head slightly, thinking of Li Xin who was used to doing things his own way, and decided not to say anything more.

Apart from the fact that some people in the streets, alleys, and government offices were dressed in white mourning clothes, there was nothing different about the entire city of Dongning.

Places such as steel mills, ordnance bureaus, and Dongning Manufacturing Bureau continued to produce products.

Seven days after the late emperor was put in mourning, news came from the capital again—Crown Prince Li Ming ascended the throne before the coffin and announced that the reign title would be changed to the first year of Longxiang.

The edict of accession was also sent to all parts of the country.

Li Xin wasn't particularly surprised by this news.

After all, it was normal for the crown prince to ascend the throne after the emperor's death.

However, another piece of news from the capital puzzled Li Xin.

Throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, rumors spread that Crown Prince Li Ming had poisoned Emperor Tongxu.

The rumors circulating on the streets of Beijing naturally caught Li Ming's attention.

The Prefect of the Capital, together with the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Justice, arrested those who spread rumors in the capital.

However, how can rumors be completely stopped simply by arresting people?

After the mass arrest of more than a dozen people, the rumors spread even further and became increasingly bizarre.

He recounted his observations on the street in great detail.

It is said that someone in the Eastern Palace bribed a eunuch to poison Emperor Tongxu with poison from Southeast Asia, and then bribed the imperial physician to diagnose him as dying suddenly from an illness.

Afterwards, the eunuch was killed.

Some details are also arranged very reasonably.

It felt as if I had experienced it myself!

Such rumors naturally aroused the curiosity of the people in the capital, who discussed the matter extensively.

There were even imperial physicians claiming to be in charge of the diagnosis who said that they had taken Emperor Tongxu's pulse a few days ago and found that his body was perfectly normal.

This news further fueled the discussions among the people of the capital.

The topic is being hotly debated everywhere.

However, the heated discussion disappeared within a few days.

The Prefect of the Capital, the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Justice, and even the Imperial Guard were all mobilized. Anyone who discussed the matter of Emperor Tongxu was arrested and imprisoned.

With swift and decisive action, over a thousand people were arrested.

For a time, the entire capital was filled with fear and unease, and everyone was on edge.

From then on, no one talked about it anymore.

However, when this news reached Dongning City, it caught Li Xin's attention.

"hehe!"

Li Xin smiled faintly and said, "There are indeed many rumors in the capital!"

Mr. Zhao, do you think this matter is credible?

"Is that even a question?"

Zhao Bingzhang couldn't help but laugh and said, "If we say it's a rumor before the arrest, as time goes by, many people might believe it is a rumor."

However, now, Li Ming has started arresting people!

What kind of behavior is this?

Trying to cover it up only makes it more obvious!

The fact that he arrested people just proves that the rumors circulating in the streets are probably true.

Even at its worst, it's still pretty close.

That's exactly why Li Ming got so angry.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!