The Imperial Guards arrived with overwhelming force, driving away the rioters along the way. Anyone who resisted was immediately cut down with their swords! Their actions were swift and decisive, giving no time to breathe, blocking all the rioters at the street corners, with rows of archers ready to fire.
The Imperial Guards shouted, "You dare to defy Heaven! You are truly overestimating yourselves! Anyone who dares to offend us again will suffer the consequences! Fire the arrows!"
The archers released their grip, and a rain of arrows gleamed in the air. The people stared in terror, and just as they were about to flee, an arrow pierced their heads, causing them to fall stiffly to the ground, their eyes wide open in death!
Screams rose and fell, and nearly a hundred civilians were reduced to corpses scattered on the ground in the blink of an eye.
Even the Imperial Guards who were about to take action felt somewhat reluctant.
"General, shall we dispose of the body?"
The general sheathed his sword: "No need. His Majesty has ordered that those people be intimidated."
The Imperial Guards rushed to the capital, clearing out those who had gathered to plot a rebellion. In just two days, they killed more than a thousand people! The once bustling streets were deserted, with only congealed blood remaining, its bright red stains stinging the hearts of all who saw it.
"Fine! I'm willing to join you!" Sun Nan, the leader of the uprising, stood in the Lu family pawnshop, gritting his teeth. "I won't rest until I kill that dog emperor!"
The lingering stench of blood on the street could be smelled everywhere, but Chang Lili remained steadfast in her resolve to bring them justice!
"Don't worry, the Three Pages Gate will not mistreat any of our partners!"
With the participation of the common people, the Three Pages Sect grew even stronger, enough to rival the emperor. Chu Moyu stood to one side, gazing intently at her: "Princess, it's time."
Chang Lili nodded and wrote a letter to contact Meng Yuxiu.
Aunt Lu allowed the rebellious people to attack officials of the court, throwing stones and smashing doors. On her way to the palace, Lu Ming was nearly pushed off her carriage, but fortunately, guards appeared in time.
"Kill the tyrant! This land will be ours to rule!" Sun Nan shouted from a high place, raising his broadsword directly at the most magnificent palace in the capital. "Follow me! Tear this palace down!"
The people gripped their knives, spears, and clubs tightly, their faces showing excitement.
Just one more step, just one more step, and I could avenge myself!
"Report—" The guard knelt on one knee, "A mob has gathered and is approaching the palace!"
The emperor swayed slightly: "Send an order to Meng Yuxiu to lead troops to resist!"
The guards complied.
The two sides clashed, the sounds of battle shaking the heavens and the earth. The general ordered his men to fire arrows, but the people, as if they were not afraid of death, charged forward one after another, their knives slashing heavily at the guards.
The general shouted at the top of his lungs, "Stop them! Stop them!"
The group included members of the Three Gates. The guards were no match for them and were forced to retreat. The palace gates behind them were tightly closed, showing no signs of being opened. One of the guards turned around and pounded heavily on the deep red gate.
"Open the door! Open the door quickly! Let us in!"
No matter how much the guards knocked, there was no response from inside, as if no one was there at all. The two heavy palace doors weighed heavily on their hearts, making it hard to breathe, and the guards cried out in despair.
"We've been abandoned—"
The general was shocked and turned his head in disbelief to stare at the tightly closed door, which was full of cowards who were afraid of death!
How many soldiers did he lose because of these people? The guards who stood in front, following his orders, died with their eyes wide open in disbelief!
"We are fighting bloody battles outside, while he hides inside, living a life of ignominy! He completely disregards our lives. What is the point of guarding the country? What is the point of guarding the emperor?!"
The emperor is unrighteous; there's no need to protect the empire for him!
The general laughed at his own foolish loyalty and poor judgment of character. He lowered his sword and said, "Soldiers, heed my command—"
In that instant, amidst the chaos, the man who had been watching the general for so long struck, beheading him with a look of relief on his face: "I've finally avenged myself!"
"General—"
The guards rushed forward to catch him, but only managed to catch his body. His head was trampled underfoot by the unsuspecting civilians and kicked away, like a football match. In the end, only a pile of mud remained on the ground!
The chaos ended at Shenshi (3-5 PM), and Meng Yuxiu arrived late with his men. The palace gates were in ruins. "Drag the corpses away and clear an open space."
Meng Yuxiu glanced back, and Chang Lili, who was hiding in the shadows, was startled. He saw Meng Yuxiu stride into the palace with two or three people by his side.
"Your Majesty, I am late in coming to your aid. Please forgive me."
There were many guards at the palace gate, but none of them returned to the palace. They were either killed or surrendered, and began to curse him as a tyrant. The emperor was so angry that he flung his sleeves.
"The palace is only a few streets away from the general's residence, yet you're late?! You couldn't even hold back the palace gates, Meng Yuxiu, what use are you to me? You don't need to hold onto military power anymore, hand it over to me immediately!"
Meng Yuxiu remained unmoved. The emperor raised his voice, and Meng Yuxiu laughed contemptuously: "If you hadn't indiscriminately killed innocent people, how could the people have risen up in rebellion?"
The emperor's face turned pale and then red: "How dare you disobey me?!"
Meng Yuxiu said, "I'm just stating the facts. If you hadn't been so ruthless in exterminating the people of Da Shun, they wouldn't hate you so much and try every means to kill you. Now that you're scared and want to expose them, you're taking it out on the common people. Everyone calls you a tyrant and a foolish ruler, and I think you truly deserve those titles!"
"You truly harbor treacherous intentions!" Meng Yuxiu's reply calmed the emperor, who looked down at him condescendingly. "Meng Yuxiu has colluded with a traitor, plotting to usurp the throne. Guards, seize him!"
At a command, the Imperial Guards, who had been waiting, surged in through the palace gates.
"You are indeed unworthy to be called emperor. You have occupied this dragon throne for more than a decade, which is long enough. From today onwards, it will belong to its true master. Step down!"
As soon as Meng Yuxiu finished speaking, the three men who had followed him into the hall drew their hidden short knives and broke out of the encirclement. Meng Yuxiu released a signal flare, drew his long sword, and led his men in a retreat while fighting their way out.
Meng Yuxiu's Mengli sword was exceptionally sharp, severing the sword in the hands of the Imperial Guards. The crowd dared not underestimate him, and even with more than a dozen men surrounding him, they were still unable to subdue Meng Yuxiu.
The emperor was immediately enraged: "If Meng Yuxiu escapes, none of you will live!"
The emperor had given a death order, so the Imperial Guards dared not hesitate any longer and rushed forward at the risk of their lives. Meng Yuxiu dodged, but the person behind him seized the opportunity and slashed at his arm. Meng Yuxiu was unable to dodge in time, and his arm was immediately injured!
A long cry rang out in the sky, an eagle circled overhead, and accompanied by the eunuch's screams, Chang Lili and her entourage appeared in the palace.
"Meng Yuxiu!"
Chang Lili's heart clenched, and she immediately released a hidden arrow to help him escape the encirclement.
Aunt Lu and her group also arrived, carrying all sorts of weapons—knives, spears, clubs, and so on. The iron balls they fired spun rapidly and exploded the moment they hit the ground, injuring any Imperial Guards who were nearby.
After escorting Chang Lili back, Chu Moyu arranged for two clansmen to protect her, saying worriedly, "If Meng Yuxiu is injured, he won't live up to the name of the God of War. Lili, step aside and don't get hurt."
"But……"
Chang Lili wanted to say something, but Chu Moyu didn't give her the chance. He gave his clansmen a look, and they flanked Chang Lili.
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