Under Zhao Kuangyin's confused gaze, a porcelain bottle appeared in Yao Chen's hand, and a vermilion pill poured out from it.

The strong aroma of medicine wafted out, causing several people to sniff subconsciously.

Hua Tuo, who was reading a medical book not far away, couldn't help but turn his head to look at him, with envy in his eyes.

Compared with the magical alchemy, my medical skills are simply not worth mentioning.

But he was not discouraged, knowing that he would always have the opportunity to learn, and the important thing now was to lay a solid foundation.

"I made this pill casually. It can slightly enhance physical fitness and soul power, but it has a special effect," Yao Chen said with a smile, "It can separate the human body and soul, which can last for up to one day."

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin's eager expression, he handed the pill forward and said, "This pill should be suitable for you."

"Thank you, Yao Lao!" Zhao Kuangyin said gratefully.

Yao Chen explained the usage of the elixir.

After taking the elixir, the soul can leave the body at any time and return at any time, but once the soul returns to the body, the effect of the elixir will disappear.

The soul can only leave the body for one day at most. Otherwise, without the protection of the medicine, the soul power of a mortal is likely to be harmed, and in severe cases, the soul may even be destroyed.

Zhao Kuangyin thanked him repeatedly.

He originally just had this idea and hadn't made a decision yet.

After all, he already had this great opportunity. If the fake death turned into real death, it would be a complete loss.

But this pill strengthened his chances.

It fits my thinking very well and keeps things from getting out of control.

This is a good opportunity to see how the people around you behave.

Zhao Kuangyin ruled the country with benevolence and righteousness, but not everyone was grateful for his benevolence and righteousness.

Today he wanted to test people's hearts.

After chatting with everyone for a while, receiving small gifts from Ying Zheng and others, and taking a close look at the wine list and the collections in the treasure house, he said goodbye and left with a surging heart.

The heavy snow outside the window started fluttering again.

Zhao Kuangyin half-lying on the bed, stared blankly for a moment, and then swallowed the pill.

After the effect of the medicine spread throughout his body, he suddenly felt light and airy, as if he could fly at will.

He raised his hand and knocked over the wooden table beside the bed. With a loud bang, a sound soon came from outside the door.

Zhao Kuangyin jumped up.

A moment later, he felt his whole body floating in the air.

Looking at the familiar figure lying on the bed, he felt a strange feeling in his heart.

So this is what it means for the soul to leave the body!

He began to look around.

The palace in front of me is completely different from what I usually see, and there is a sense of novelty everywhere.

He saw the eunuch knock on the door for a long time, then pushed the door open cautiously and walked to the bed.

Soon, the eunuch began to scream in panic.

The palace soon became noisy in the middle of the night.

Queen Song came first.

She was Zhao Kuangyin's third empress. She was now in her twenties, with a beautiful appearance and graceful manners.

Even though she was panicking, she still remained rational.

When she heard the imperial physician say that Zhao Kuangyin had stopped breathing and was completely dead, her eyes turned red and tears fell.

Queen Song shared the same honor and disgrace with Zhao Kuangyin, so her reaction did not surprise Zhao Kuangyin.

Seeing her wipe away her tears, he calmly ordered the news to be blocked and called the eunuch to inform Zhao Defang. Zhao Kuangyin nodded secretly in mid-air.

He now has two sons, Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang.

Zhao Dezhao was over twenty-six years old, about the same age as Queen Song, and had a strong temper.

Zhao Defang had just turned eighteen. He was close to Queen Song and had a quick mind, which made him very popular with Zhao Kuangyin.

He had always trained Zhao Defang as the crown prince. Although he had not made him a king, he had allowed him to participate in government affairs.

When the Wu Yue Kingdom surrendered some time ago, he sent Zhao Defang to take over, instead of following the usual practice of sending his younger brother Zhao Guangyi.

Seeing the eunuch Wang Jie'en, who was quite trusted by himself and the queen, hurried out of the palace after receiving the order, Zhao Kuangyin flashed and followed him.

After Wang Jie'en walked out of the palace, he did not go towards Zhao Defang's residence.

As the road he was traveling became more and more familiar, Zhao Kuangyin's mood became gloomy.

Even though he had expected it, he was still very unhappy.

When he saw that there were people waiting outside the Prince of Jin's mansion and Wang Jie'en said to that person, "The big thing has been done, quickly inform the Prince of Jin," Zhao Kuangyin was already thinking about how to cut the two men into pieces.

Even if I were cut into pieces, I still wouldn't be able to satisfy my hatred!

Zhao Guangyi was obviously well prepared.

As soon as the voice came out, he rushed out with a team of guards.

Even though he had just had a drink with me not long ago, he didn't seem drunk at all.

Zhao Kuangyin sneered in his heart and said secretly, "Good brother", and had already made a decision in his heart.

He had promised his mother that his brothers would not kill each other, so he would not break his promise.

Sending this good brother to the moon might be a good choice.

Zhao Guangyi took the lead and led everyone quickly towards the palace.

Along the way, he discussed with his confidants how to deal with resistance, and vaguely mentioned the death of his brother, without realizing that Zhao Kuangyin was behind him.

Zhao Guangyi's arrangements had already been extremely appropriate.

In addition to leading the guards, he also sent people to notify the important court officials who were close to him.

With the eunuch Wang Jie'en leading the way, Zhao Guangyi entered the palace smoothly.

Originally, his followers were going to be stopped, but the deputy commander of the imperial guards appeared and after giving a few instructions, the group headed towards the emperor's bedroom in a mighty manner.

Ministers arrived one after another.

When Zhao Defang heard the news and hurried to the palace, what he saw were officials shouting "Long live the emperor" and Queen Song bowing to Zhao Guangyi.

"The lives of us, mother and son, are all in the hands of the government."

Queen Song looked sad. She glanced at Zhao Defang and saluted Zhao Guangyi.

She knew the situation was hopeless and was filled with fear for the future, so she could only try to remain calm.

Zhao Guangyi bowed his head to comfort her and dispelled Queen Song's concerns with the words "We will share wealth and honor together".

But the two of them knew tacitly that this was only superficial harmony.

Zhao Defang was in a daze and felt like the sky was falling.

Also worried was Zhao Tingmei, who arrived at dawn the next day.

When he heard the ministers' suggestion that Zhao Guangyi should ascend the throne as soon as possible, Zhao Guangyi agreed after several refusals. But when they mentioned that the younger brother should succeed the elder brother and made him the prefect of Kaifeng and the crown prince, he wanted to refuse on the spot.

The death of his second brother Zhao Kuangyin was so strange, how could he not see it.

He knew his third brother Zhao Guangyi's temperament even better.

If I became the crown prince, I might die without knowing why one day.

When Zhao Tingmei saw the minister who cursed Zhao Guangyi as a traitor being thrown into the Tianlao, he swallowed the words that were about to come out of his mouth.

He decided to find an opportunity to find his second brother and tell him that he had no intention of becoming emperor, or simply pass it to his nephew Zhao Dezhao and let them fight it out among themselves.

The palace was in order as usual, but there was also a hint of chaos.

Zhao Kuangyin floated in the air, watching the various lives of the world like an outsider.

He saw Zhao Guangyi putting on the dragon robe and laughing heartily in the room.

Queen Song and Zhao Defang hugged each other and cried.

Some ministers were filled with sorrow, lamenting the corruption of human relations and not knowing what to do.

Some ministers who were trusted by him talked a lot about the legitimacy of Zhao Guangyi's succession to the throne, and their flattery was evident in their words.

Some people were remembering him, including some who were usually treated coldly by him.

Some sought to find a new master, while others cried bitterly.

…

Zhao Kuangyin suddenly understood Li Shimin a little.

The ability to look at people and analyze problems beyond personal likes and dislikes is the most important quality a king should possess.

…

Zhao Guangyi knew that he had come to the throne by illegal means and was worried that things would get more complicated, so he prepared to announce his brother's death to the world that day and ascend the throne to become emperor.

Before that, he had to lead all the officials to worship his brother's soul.

He didn't want his throne to fall into the hands of others in the future.

His younger brother Zhao Tingmei was not to be feared. He could be deterred by a simple charge. But his elder brother's two sons...

Zhao Guangyi's eyes flickered slightly, and murderous intent emerged.

But it's too early to talk about this now.

It is important to worship the "previous emperor" first and then ascend the throne.

Few people knew about his brother's death, and even if others guessed that he was involved, they had no evidence.

In order to avoid criticism from the world, he decided to show his brotherhood.

Zhao Guangyi looked at the coffin placed in the front, and tears gradually welled up in his eyes.

His eyes were red, and he knelt on the ground with a clang, crying, "Brother..."

"Hmm." A voice suddenly came.

The sudden voice startled Zhao Guangyi.

He looked up and around.

Everyone had a bewildered expression, except for Queen Song, who was near the coffin and had a look of shock on her face.

"I must have heard it wrong!"

"Or some fool is trying to take advantage of me!"

Zhao Guangyi shook his head and decided not to think about it anymore.

"Brother..." He squeezed out tears.

"You still know that I'm your elder brother?!"

This time the sound was much clearer and almost scared Zhao Guangyi to jump up.

Everyone in the mourning hall was horrified.

The ministers looked at each other, and suddenly all looked at the coffin.

Queen Song and the princes and princesses stared at the coffin with irrepressible excitement on their faces.

Under the gaze of everyone, the heavy coffin board made of golden nanmu wood made a creaking sound.

"The emperor is not dead!" Queen Song stood up in ecstasy and shouted, "This is a blessing for the Song Dynasty and the people!"

Brothers Zhao Dezhao and Zhao Defang looked at each other and started shouting.

The officials followed suit sparsely.

"Hurry up and have someone open the coffin!" Queen Song shouted.

The coffin lid has been nailed shut and ordinary people cannot open it.

She suddenly felt a little regretful. She should have been more resolute at the beginning and not put the body in the coffin first, but observed for two days. This way, the official would not have to suffer this punishment.

There was a sudden chaos in the mourning hall.

Zhao Guangyi suddenly stood up and shouted angrily: "Stop right there!"

Several eunuchs who were about to get tools stood there in a daze, looking at him in astonishment.

All the officials' eyes were focused on Zhao Guangyi.

"The dead cannot be resurrected. The Queen must have heard it wrong!" Zhao Guangyi's face was as gloomy as water, and he said every word.

He has given it all now.

My brother must die! As he finished speaking, a loud laugh suddenly came from the coffin: "Hallucination, haha, what a hallucination! My good brother!"

"There must be a villain hiding in the house pretending to be a ghost, why don't you retreat quickly!" Zhao Guangyi said with a ferocious look, "Go and call the guards!"

All the ministers and eunuchs looked at each other in bewilderment.

Even Queen Song and the two princes were frightened by Zhao Guangyi's hysterical attitude.

The entire mourning hall suddenly became silent.

But someone soon broke the silence.

A burly old official shouted, "Everyone, follow me to rescue the emperor!"

"Yes, save the government!" someone shouted.

"You dare!" Zhao Guangyi was furious.

The old minister was named Song Wei. He was over fifty years old and held the position of Jiedushi of Jingnan Army. He held military power and had a very high prestige.

He has another identity, the father of Queen Song.

Although Zhao Guangyi had hinted at many promises to him when they met earlier, and Zhao Kuangyin was also restricting his rights, he knew what was more important.

As long as the eldest daughter remains the Queen of the Song Dynasty, the Song family's prominent status will remain secure.

On the contrary, all the wealth and promises are castles in the air.

The identity of father-in-law is not just a title.

Led by Song Wei, some other ministers and eunuchs who were already dissatisfied with Zhao Guangyi immediately took action and rushed towards the coffin.

Zhao Guangyi was furious and regretted not having a sword in his hand. He shouted to others to stop them.

There was chaos in the mourning hall, and even the two princes fought with Zhao Guangyi's men with their bare hands.

The guards came upon hearing the news.

Under the gleaming swords, the mourning hall suddenly became silent.

Zhao Guangyi strode out, stood beside the commander of the Imperial Guard, pointed at the people in the mourning hall and said, "Catch them all!"

The commander of the Royal Guards had already been replaced by his man.

This was also the reason why he had the confidence to turn against Zhao Kuangyin regardless of the consequences when he found out that Zhao Kuangyin had woken up.

The coffin was sealed and there was no movement for such a long time. He must have known that his brother, who had pretended to be a corpse, had died long ago.

Zhao Guangyi had a sinister look on his face and looked at everyone coldly.

Just as the guards were moving forward step by step, a loud bang was suddenly heard.

Everyone stopped moving.

Everyone's eyes stopped on the coffin lid that suddenly exploded.

They all knew how heavy the coffin was. It would take several strong men to lift it, and it was already sealed...

Looking at the figure who walked out slowly with his hands behind his back, everyone's eyes were filled with disbelief.

Could it be that Taizu had resurrected? At this moment, even Queen Song was somewhat suspicious.

"Why don't you kneel when you see me?" Zhao Kuangyin's tone was calm, but with an unquestionable majesty.

Song Wei was the first to come to his senses, and knelt down in joy: "Long live the emperor!"

The rest of the people came to their senses and started shouting sporadically.

Even if he pretends to be dead, he is still the emperor!

They don't care about that.

No matter whether the person on the throne is a human or a ghost, as long as he can bring them power and status, he is their monarch!

In the blink of an eye, the mourning hall was filled with people kneeling on the ground.

Even most of the guards outside the door dropped their weapons and knelt on the ground.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled at his brother, whose face was uncertain, and asked, "The King of Jin seems very surprised!"

"How dare you, you evildoer, pretend to be my brother!" Zhao Guangyi said sternly, waving his hand, "Kill this monster!"

"Kill!" The commander of the Imperial Guard drew his sword towards Zhao Kuangyin with an expressionless face.

The rest followed suit.

They were all Zhao Guangyi's absolute confidants.

If this plan fails, they will not survive either. It is better to take advantage of the fact that the other party is unarmed and kill him first!

Regicide!

Thinking of these two words, their expressions even became excited.

When Queen Song saw a group of armed guards rushing towards her, she was so frightened that her face turned pale: "My Lord, be careful!"

Several alert ministers and eunuchs subconsciously blocked it.

Zhao Kuangyin took a step forward, and suddenly a strangely shaped object appeared in his hand.

Submachine gun! This was a small gift that Ying Zheng gave Zhao Kuangyin before he left last night.

Looking at the guards who were as ferocious as wolves and tigers, Zhao Kuangyin raised his head indifferently and gently pulled the trigger.

Why is there no response? Zhao Kuangyin was stunned.

(End of this chapter)