Chapter 256 Something Big Has Happened
"Your Majesty!" he reported hoarsely, "Those people... those people were originally just peddlers on the street, pedestrians strolling the market, tea drinkers in teahouses, and gamblers in gambling dens!"
"But... but just as we were about to begin the search as ordered, they suddenly appeared from all directions!"
"The peddler's carrying pole snapped open from the middle, revealing a sharp spear hidden inside! The pedestrian's boot suddenly yanked out a poisoned dagger! And the tea drinkers and gamblers drew gleaming long knives directly from under the table or from their sleeves!"
"They charged straight at us!"
Emperor Yongming clenched his teeth tightly. He could even imagine the bloody and chaotic scene from the fearful descriptions of the Imperial Guards!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and asked in an icy voice, "But... Chu Jichen's private army?"
The imperial guard slowly shook his head: "Your Majesty, you had already arranged for people to keep a close watch on the Regent's Palace day and night. They know exactly how many troops the Regent has and what their general situation is."
“These people,” his voice was heavy, “are not the Regent’s men. They are… complete strangers! A force whose origins are unknown, and whose presence in the capital has been a mystery for who knows how long!”
Emperor Yongming instantly remembered the things that had been burned out of Liu Wenyuan's villa in the fire!
His gaze instantly turned cold!
“Since he’s not Chu Jichen’s man,” he squeezed out through gritted teeth, “then he’s most likely Liu Wenyuan’s man!”
"That old scoundrel Liu Wenyuan!" His eyes were filled with utter violence and madness. "He had indeed harbored rebellious intentions all along!"
"These people must have been arranged by him beforehand, secretly sneaking into the city and disguising themselves as ordinary citizens!"
Emperor Yongming paced back and forth in the hall, then sternly ordered, "Every single one of these people... kill them without mercy!"
"Better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free!"
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Guard slowly shook his head, his face showing an unprecedented solemnity and helplessness.
"Your Majesty... these people are clearly highly trained assassins! And they know the streets and alleys of the capital very well! They are as cunning as eels, and we simply cannot catch them!"
"But every now and then, they'll suddenly appear out of nowhere and deliver a...fatal blow!"
"And...and they often gang up on us, surrounding our people! We've suffered heavy losses, but they haven't lost a single one! We still don't even know how many of them there are!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming flew into a rage and kicked over the incense burner beside him!
He cursed angrily, "Useless!"
"What about the people from the Regent's Palace?"
The Imperial Guard took a deep breath: "They seem to be somewhat afraid of the Regent's Palace. They only...only attack us, and they avoid the Regent's Palace's personal guards."
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming became even more certain that those people... must be Liu Wenyuan's men!
He frowned deeply and muttered to himself, "Liu Wenyuan, what is he trying to do..."
The thought had just crossed his mind when suddenly a shrill sound of fireworks piercing the night sky rang out outside the palace!
Emperor Yongming glanced instinctively towards the outside of the palace: "In the city...who's setting off fireworks?"
He had already realized what he meant after he finished speaking!
Why would anyone set off fireworks on a day that's neither a holiday nor a festival?!
These are clearly... signal fireworks!
Sure enough, not long after, more palace guards rushed in, looking hurried!
"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened!" The guard knelt on one knee, his voice filled with panic. "There... there seems to be a force that has surrounded the palace! Traces of troops have been found outside... outside several palace gates!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yongming flew into a rage and roared hysterically, "Liu Wenyuan! That old scoundrel! Does he still want to... force me to abdicate?"
He immediately ordered, "Men! Close all the palace gates!"
Emperor Yongming gritted his teeth, and only one thought flashed through his mind: to dispatch the secret guards!
However, the secret guards that his father left him were not in the palace.
Moreover, that secret guard wasn't very large; it was left to him by his father for his own survival! They could only help him keep his life, escort him out of the palace, and even leave the capital, giving him time to make a comeback!
He cannot use all of these troops against Liu Wenyuan!
That's not worth it!
He should...
Emperor Yongming clenched his teeth tightly!
Since Liu Wenyuan's men are so afraid of Chu Jichen's private army, then he should make use of Chu Jichen's private army!
Send Chu Jichen's men to rescue you!
Although he didn't believe Chu Jichen either, what Chu Jichen said before was true!
Chu Jichen, at least like him, was a member of the Chu family!
He would never stand idly by and watch his Chu family's empire fall into the hands of others!
He will definitely help!
Even if Chu Jichen really wanted to seize the throne, he wasn't afraid!
He still has the secret guards left by his father! At least they can save his life!
Thinking of this, Emperor Yongming did not hesitate any longer and immediately ordered the eunuch beside him in a stern voice, "Take a lantern! Come with me to see the Regent!"
Emperor Yongming led a large entourage to Tingzhuxuan, where Chu Jichen resided.
He went straight to the point as soon as he entered, his voice filled with panic: "Uncle! Something terrible has happened!"
"That traitor Liu Wenyuan! He actually wants to force the emperor to abdicate!"
Chu Jichen, however, seemed completely oblivious to the commotion outside the hall. He simply poured himself a cup of tea and asked in a calm voice, "Oh? What does this have to do with me?"
Emperor Yongming was so angry at his indifferent attitude that he almost vomited blood on the spot!
"Uncle!" His voice was filled with urgency. "Now, Liu Wenyuan's troops have surrounded the entire palace! I don't have enough troops at my disposal, and I'm powerless to fight against them!"
"I beg you, Imperial Uncle, for the sake of the late Emperor and for the sake of us being fellow members of the Chu family, to lend me a hand! Dispatch your private troops and relieve me of this predicament!"
Chu Jichen smiled upon hearing this.
"Your Majesty is joking." He looked at him, his eyes filled with endless mockery. "Didn't I already hand over my private army to Your Majesty? If Your Majesty wants to deploy them, just give the order to Ye Lan."
Emperor Yongming's face turned pale and then flushed, a truly fascinating sight!
Chu Jichen did indeed leave Ye Lan behind, saying that he could command his troops.
However, his so-called deployment only involved searching for Liu Wenyuan's whereabouts, and did not include taking action against the troops besieging the palace to relieve the siege.
He knew that Chu Jichen was negotiating with him!
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart, and his voice carried a barely perceptible plea: "Uncle, as long as you are willing to lend a helping hand, I promise you! From now on, I will never oppose you again in the court! We, uncle and nephew, will join hands to rule this Great Zhou Dynasty!"
"how?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Jichen slowly shook his head.
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