Zhou Zhao's years of autocratic rule had already sown the seeds of disaster.
He treated his old subordinates too cruelly, failing to reward those who had rendered meritorious service and severely punishing those who had committed offenses. Many of his long-serving but mediocre officials had long harbored resentment towards him.
Zhou Yun'an keenly grasped this point and began to secretly contact these forces that harbored resentment towards Zhou Zhao.
"General Zhao," Zhou Yun'an poured tea for a white-haired old general in the secret room, "Father's actions have become increasingly radical in recent years. If this continues, I fear all our years of hard work will be destroyed in an instant."
General Zhao remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "What the young master says is absolutely right... Our master has indeed changed."
----
On the night the time was right, Zhou Yun'an lured Zhou Zhao to the courtyard under the pretext of discussing important matters.
By the time Zhou Zhao realized something was wrong, General Zhao had already led his men to seal off all the exits.
As the night rain poured down, Zhou Yun'an stood atop the high pavilion of the Zhou family ancestral home, coldly watching Zhou Zhao being forced to kneel on the ground by the iron guards in the courtyard.
The once arrogant head of the Zhou family now had disheveled hair, his luxurious robes stained with mud, and his eyes still burned with resentment.
"You unfilial son! Do you think you can control me like this?" Zhou Zhao roared, only to see that his former subordinates, who used to obey him without question, were now standing behind Zhou Yun'an.
Zhou Yun'an slowly walked down the steps, his black cloak remaining motionless in the rain.
He crouched down, meeting Zhou Zhao's gaze: "You taught me that the victor is king, the loser is villain. Today you have lost, so you should accept your fate."
This coup came suddenly, yet it was also perfectly logical.
Over the years, Zhou Zhao's ruthless methods in achieving his goals have long aroused dissatisfaction among the old subordinates of Dayong.
The spoiled and incompetent son of the Cheng family is arrogant and incompetent, while Zhou Yun'an, as the "young master," has taken the lead in the anti-corruption campaign over the years.
These life-and-death experiences earned him immense prestige among his former subordinates in Dayong.
"Compared to that pleasure-seeking Cheng family son, Young Master Zhou is the one who can truly lead us." Such discussions began to circulate among the crowd.
Even in such a situation, there were still loyal ministers who stood in front of Zhou Zhao, attempting to fight Zhou Yun'an's men to the death.
"Do you all still remember the massacre in Jiangzhou three years ago?" Zhou Yun'an said softly at the secret gathering. "To cover their tracks, Father ordered the slaughter of an entire village, including some of General Chen's old acquaintances."
"And last year, in order to obtain iron ore, Mr. Lin's only son was sent to the enemy camp as a hostage," Zhou Yun'an continued. "Where are that child's remains now?"
The faces of the veteran officials grew increasingly grim.
Every accusation made by Zhou Yun'an hits the nail on the head.
More importantly, he promised that once the matter was accomplished, everyone would be given the status and wealth they deserved.
---
Zhou Zhao was imprisoned, and Zhou Yun'an personally led people to surround the courtyard of the Cheng mother and son.
The spoiled boy was dragged into the courtyard while he was still asleep. Madam Cheng cried and rushed towards Zhou Yun'an, but was held down by the guards.
When Madam Cheng and her beloved youngest son were brought before Zhou Zhao, this usually cold-hearted man finally showed a look of fear.
"Yun'an! They are innocent!" Zhou Zhao bowed his head to his son for the first time.
Zhou Yun'an rubbed a bronze token between his fingertips.
This is a token used by Zhou Zhao to control the old subordinates of Dayong, and it is engraved with the eight characters "I would rather overturn the world than betray my blood feud".
He chuckled softly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"Father, you taught me that those who achieve great things must first learn to be patient," he murmured to himself. "Over the years, I've learned that well."
A flash of light, and blood stained Zhou Yun'an's robes.
"That's what my mother said when she begged you."
After being forced to watch the entire process, Zhou Zhao finally broke down and screamed.
----
Now that he holds great power, Zhou Yun'an feels an unprecedented emptiness.
He stood in the study, his fingers tracing over the secret letters and maps.
The night wind blew his long hair, which was tied up, away, but it couldn't dispel the confusion in his heart.
Restoring the kingdom? He didn't care at all.
Power? It seems rather tasteless as well.
Xiao Cheng brought in tea and saw his master standing by the window, lost in thought.
"Master, people have been sent to take over at each branch headquarters. Those who are wavering..."
"Kill them all," Zhou Yun'an said without turning his head.
Xiao Cheng was taken aback.
Zhou Yun'an gazed at the lights of the distant imperial city and said softly, "Tell me, what's left of my life besides revenge?"
He suddenly thought of his mortal enemy Lu Jingze, the powerful emperor who strategized in the court, and even the woman who always had a calm expression—they all had something they were fighting for.
After he had completed his revenge, he was like an empty shell, no longer even possessing hatred.
"Perhaps..." He stroked the token in his hand, then suddenly chuckled, "It's time to find some new fun."
A sudden night wind arose, stirring his blood-stained robes and scattering his whispered words.
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