The atmosphere in the Southern Zhou imperial palace has been exceptionally tense these past few days.

Everyone living in the palace seemed to hear the emperor coughing every night.

Of course, ordinary people can't hear it, but it's already an imprint deeply ingrained in their hearts.

It was no secret in the palace that Emperor Zhou Jingyan's condition had worsened.

Zhou Jingyan never served as crown prince. His ascension to the throne was achieved through a coup d'état against his father and brother. His brother, the crown prince, died, and his father, now the retired emperor, was imprisoned and died less than two years later. Zhou Jingyan then began his reign, creating a decade-long golden age.

At that time, the Southern Zhou Dynasty was powerful, its poetry and songs spread throughout the eastern lands, its people lived prosperous lives, and the empire had the confidence to launch wars against the Great Jing Dynasty repeatedly.

However, Zhou Jingyan's health declined day by day, and he remained sickly for the last ten years after ascending the throne. The empire also became sluggish along with this emperor.

There were even rumors among the people that they hoped this once mighty ruler would die so that a healthy and wise monarch could rule the empire and create a new golden age for it.

"Rumors circulating among the people are not unfounded."

In the dimly lit room, Su Sheng held a tattered book in her hand and said to Zhou Jinghuan in front of her, "Southern Zhou has reached its most critical moment and needs a wise ruler to step forward."

Zhou Jinghuan looked solemnly at the dim lamplight and said earnestly, "My imperial brother is still alive."

Su Sheng asked, "If we don't act on this matter beforehand, Your Highness, how confident are you in your ability to succeed?"

Zhou Jinghuan said, "You know that I am well prepared."

Su Sheng said, "I'm asking what percentage of certainty I have."

Zhou Jinghuan thought for a moment and said, "Absolutely."

Su Sheng shook her head and said, "There's still a 20% chance of something changing. I don't understand why Your Highness is so confident about something that isn't 100% certain."

Su Sheng glanced at Zhou Jinghuan.

"Or is it that His Highness doesn't take the Second Prince seriously at all?"

Zhou Jinghuan said, "He is indeed still a bit green."

Su Sheng said, "Your Highness, don't forget that the late Emperor and the late Crown Prince also thought that His Majesty was a bit too young, and His Majesty was also the Second Prince."

Zhou Jinghuan's gaze froze as he watched the flickering flames.

“Your Highness understands the affairs of the imperial family better than I do. If the Second Prince were mediocre, he wouldn’t have the ability to overpower the other princes and thus be qualified to challenge you,” Su Sheng added.

Zhou Jinghuan said softly, "My brother has been ill for so many years but has not established a crown prince. Ultimately, he is not satisfied with him."

Su Sheng said with a hint of a smile, "Is establishing a crown prince such a difficult thing? His Majesty is not so ill that he cannot speak."

Zhou Jinghuan's pupils contracted, and he felt the hairs on his entire body stand on end.

He knew that Su Sheng was right.

Although both the younger brother and the son are blood relatives, the son is ultimately closer to the younger brother.

Especially when a person is about to die, they will be more concerned about their descendants. If the emperor makes Zhou Mobai the crown prince before he dies, then he will be in a passive position.

"I thank Mr. Su." Zhou Jinghuan bowed to Su Sheng.

Su Sheng asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do?"

Zhou Jinghuan thought for a moment and said, "Seal off the palace and prevent Zhou Mobai from meeting with my brother. Arrange for people to keep an eye on Zhou Mobai's men. The three major camps of Kangye, the Red Eagle Camp, and the Black Bear Camp are my men, while the Gray Snake Camp is Zhou Mobai's men. Immediately have the Red Eagle Camp and the Black Bear Camp take control of the Gray Snake Camp. Zhou Mobai has no army in Kangye, so he can't command the Gray Snake Camp. He's just a fish to be slaughtered."

"Not enough."

Su Sheng put down the book, looked up and said, "Even the Prince knows that the Gray Serpent Camp is loyal to the Second Prince. So the Gray Serpent Camp can't be considered the Second Prince's real trump card. His trump card must be something you can't see, Your Highness. I think sealing off the palace and the imperial palace is not enough. If we're going to do this, we must be absolutely sure of success. I suggest sealing off Kangye City!"

Zhou Jinghuan exclaimed in surprise, "Blockade Kangye? Are we going to call back the border troops?"

Su Sheng waved his hand and said, "There's no need for such a grand display, and the border troops are too far away; they might not be able to arrive in time."

Zhou Jinghuan asked doubtfully, "Then where will the troops be transferred from?"

Su Sheng said, "I have traveled around the counties and prefectures around Kangye over the past few months and found that the standing armies in these places have nothing to do all year round. Apart from daily drills, they are practically just for show. They are close to Kangye. If we can summon them over, they will surely help Your Highness achieve great things."

Zhou Jinghuan frowned and said, "But these people are not my people."

Su Sheng said, "Your Highness need not worry about that. I have spoken with the local military commanders wherever I go. They admire Your Highness greatly and look down on the immature Second Prince. At this time, as long as Your Highness promises them great benefits, it will not be difficult for me to summon them to Kangye."

"Brilliant!"

Zhou Jinghuan clapped his hands and said excitedly, "Sir, you have planned ahead for me and laid out a plan for me long ago. It is indeed my greatest fortune to have you!"

Su Sheng said, "Your Highness flatters me. I have no other requests than that Your Highness remembers your promise to me and that you will make the Northern Expedition a national policy after you come to power."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Zhou Jinghuan's eyes, but he immediately said, "Rest assured, sir. If I were to take power, the national policies would naturally be decided by me."

Su Sheng, seemingly oblivious to Zhou Jinghuan's gaze, rose and bowed respectfully, saying, "I will take care of it immediately, Your Highness, I will certainly succeed!"

Seven days later.

Su Sheng led 100,000 troops into Kangye City for garrison duty. At the same time, Zhou Jinghuan ordered the Red Eagle Camp and Black Bear Camp to control the Gray Serpent Camp, and transferred most of the Red Eagle Camp to blockade the palace and Zhou Jingyan's bedroom.

The situation changed drastically, and people in Kangye City were filled with fear and panic. All the residents kept their doors and windows closed and dared not go out.

Just as Su Sheng had predicted, Zhou Mobai had a backup plan. After failing to find Zhou Jingyan, he used the excuse that the emperor was imprisoned to lead two thousand assassins who had already infiltrated Kangye City into the palace to rescue Zhou Jingyan.

Each of Kangye's three major camps was equipped with 5,000 elite troops. In order to control the Gray Serpent Camp, Zhou Jinghuan did not transfer all of the Red Eagle Camp to the palace. At this time, the Red Eagle Camp, which was blocking the palace, only had 3,000 elite troops, which were evenly matched with Zhou Mobai's 2,000 death warriors. They fought a bloody battle in the palace.

Zhou Jinghuan remained calm, guarding the emperor's palace with Hao Qing and Tang Rong. Kangye City was already under Su Sheng's control, and Zhou Mobai was like a turtle in a jar. He was not afraid of what trouble Zhou Mobai could cause.

What Zhou Jinghuan didn't know was that while the Southern Zhou imperial palace was awash in blood, Su Sheng divided his forces into five routes and, with lightning speed, four of them captured the government offices of the four surrounding prefectures of Kangye, using them as bases to surround Kangye City.

Su Sheng was right when he told Zhou Jinghuan that the standing armies of these counties had nothing to do all year round and were just for show, making them no match for Su Sheng's army.

The fifth force stormed directly into Kangye City and stormed into the palace!

Seeing the commotion at the palace gate, Zhou Jinghuan and Zhou Mobai were both stunned.

"What happened?"

Zhou Jinghuan grabbed a soldier who ran over and asked, "Have our men come to reinforce us?"

"Your Highness, they are not our people."

The soldier said with a mournful face, "These people have been killing anyone they see since they entered the palace. Their leader even shouted that he would kill the entire Zhou family!"

Zhou Jinghuan angrily asked, "Do you know who's in charge?"

"Know!"

The soldier nodded vigorously and said, "That man called himself... he called himself the Great General Who Annihilates the Zhou Universe, Feng Jing!"