Chapter 261 Go back, go back!
Fu Mingyi reached out and stroked the white jade, his eyes filled with a deep twilight.
Fu Shan, standing outside the door, said, "Master, Prince Yan has arrived."
Fu Mingyi put the white jade into his arms, and when he turned around again, he had returned to normal.
Xiao Yan walked in and respectfully performed the disciple's salute.
"Grand Tutor, the Emperor has ordered Yan to stay by your side."
Fu Mingyi nodded, "That's fine then."
For some reason, Xiao Yan sensed a tense sense of crisis from the Grand Tutor's calm face.
This is extremely rare for the Grand Tutor, who is usually so calm and collected.
Wanting to take a closer look, Fu Mingyi had already reached the door and asked Fu Shan, "What's all the noise outside?"
Fu Shan leaned closer. "His Majesty has ordered the arrests, and Lord Zheng and Commander Zhao have already arrested several officials."
Fu Mingyi looked up at the night sky.
here we go.
"I need to go out for a while. You stay here and guard Prince Yan."
Xiao Yan quickly replied, "Grand Tutor, my brother instructed me to stay with you."
Fu Mingyi turned around, his expression gentle. "It's safe here, Your Highness, you don't need to worry."
Xiao Yan knew he couldn't go against the Grand Tutor's wishes.
He had long since discovered that his elder brother, the Emperor, was actually more likely to compromise than the Grand Tutor.
Zhao Youchen led his men to seal off Mengshan Villa, forbidding all ministers from moving around freely. Then, together with Zheng Fangxiu and Jin Suan, they arrested people according to the list.
Inside Wang Xiang's room, a man dressed in imperial guard uniform gripped the sword at his waist urgently, his voice unconsciously rising.
"Prime Minister, as you've seen, as long as those account books exist, no one can escape. They've already started arresting people; can't the Prime Minister make a decision yet?!"
Wang Xiang was panicked.
"How many people are involved in those ledgers? Are all six ministries involved?"
The man chuckled sarcastically, “The Prime Minister is a sensible man; some things don’t need to be said in such detail. You’re determined to become the Imperial Tutor, but do you think that’s enough? Everyone’s helping each other out, and there are bound to be benefits to that!”
Wang Xiang's expression changed; he wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a word.
"Prime Minister, your relationship with that man surnamed Fu is a zero-sum game. If you can't control him, the young emperor won't take you seriously. You must have seen what that man has been doing all these years. If he isn't eliminated, not only will Nanhua be in turmoil, but the entire Great Xiao will be in danger!"
Wang Xiang's heart skipped a beat.
"Now we are at their mercy! The young emperor has already started arresting people, and you've heard the commotion outside. Our Sun family can't escape, and neither can you! The young emperor dares to arrest people like this; he certainly won't let anyone go! Besides, the young emperor has the Fu family behind him! Prime Minister! If you don't make a decision soon, the Wang family is in danger, and the Prime Minister is in danger!"
Wang Xiang unconsciously stepped back, his heart beating even faster.
"What decision? What decision do you want? His Majesty's decision is not for your subjects to decide!"
"Either eliminate the Fu family, leaving His Majesty with no one to rely on, and he will naturally show mercy! Or..."
He took a step closer, a hint of ferocity flashing in his eyes.
"The Great Xiao Dynasty is long gone! What difference does it make who sits on the throne? Isn't Prince Yan also of royal blood?"
Wang Xiang's legs trembled uncontrollably, and he could no longer support himself. He stumbled backward and slumped into a chair, but his hands could not grip the armrests.
"You...you..."
"Prime Minister! Great things are not bound by trifles. When the time comes, you will be the sole Imperial Tutor, and Prince Yan will have no relatives or support but you as his only reliance!"
"You...you're rebelling!"
The man sneered. "Prime Minister, listen to what's going on outside?"
He suddenly tossed him a sachet.
"The Prime Minister has two fine children, he couldn't possibly want..."
Wang Xiang's expression changed repeatedly, and his voice trembled. "What did you do to Yu'er?"
The man approached and whispered, "The empress is just a position; what does it have to do with who sits on the throne?"
He grabbed Wang Xiang's arm. "Please come with me, Prime Minister!"
He knocked Wang Xiang unconscious without any effort, then carried him away like a sack of burlap on his shoulder.
Zhao Ziyuan personally led his men to keep an eye on the area. Upon seeing this spot, he gestured, and a group of people quietly followed.
Zhao Youchen and Zheng Fangxiu were very strategic in their arrests. They started by catching the small fry and making a big fuss, but they only circled the Wang, Sun, and Li families without arresting them, leaving them for last.
This was also Xiao Qing's instruction.
The defenses of Mengshan Villa were all in Zhao Ziyuan's mind.
He was a general who had been on the battlefield, and at this time he had already foreseen some bad signs, but he was not flustered at all.
Soon someone reported that elite soldiers from the city defense battalion had secretly infiltrated Mengshan Villa.
How many people?
"There are about five thousand soldiers on the forced march, and there should be more behind them."
Zhao Ziyuan snorted coldly. "These people are nothing but frogs in a well. Five thousand elite city defense soldiers are elite soldiers in their hands, but once they are released, it's a different story."
Besides, what if the entire city defense battalion came?
As he walked, he issued orders. "According to the original plan, notify Commander Zhao to guard the east, west, and north gates of Mengshan Villa, and let the people in through the south gate."
"Yes." Someone quickly left.
Zhao Ziyuan then asked, "Has His Majesty made all the arrangements?"
"According to Commander Zhao, His Majesty has ordered the removal of everyone around him, and now only Steward Ma is by his side."
Zhao Ziyuan stopped in her tracks, her face immediately darkening. "Nonsense!"
Others may not know, but he knows perfectly well that the young emperor now relies solely on Zhao Youchen's people and his own.
Once those demons and monsters break in, there might not be enough manpower.
He cursed Zhao Youchen in his heart.
"Send a team to provide close protection for His Majesty. Vice General Tian, you will go personally!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than someone rushed up to him: "The South Gate has fallen! Some of them are heading straight for the Emperor, while others have gone to Prince Yan's residence."
Zhao Ziyuan said with a grim face, "The men in the shadows will attack from behind. Take it one step at a time, and do it cleanly. Replace them with our own men before following up. Deputy General Tian, you're in charge of that side. Team one, come with me."
Zhao Ziyuan quickly led his men into the night.
Zhao Youchen arrested more than a dozen ministers, tied them all up, and threw them in one place. Currently, only Wang Xiang, Lord Sun, and Lord Li are not among them.
He heard shouts of killing and fighting coming closer and closer.
He was eager to get back to Xiao Qing's side.
"Lord Zheng, Lord Jin, I'll leave a team here to guard the place; you all stay here." He then turned to leave.
Zheng Fangxiu grabbed his arm. "I'll go with you!"
Zhao Youchen twitched his lips. "Lord Zheng is a cultured man; he should avoid seeing such bloodshed."
Don't hold others back!
Zheng Fangxiu insisted. "Take me with you, I have a use!"
What good are you?!
Zhao Youchen didn't dare waste any more time arguing with him; he just wanted to drag him away as quickly as possible.
He walked very quickly.
Zheng Fangxiu nearly fell several times, almost being lifted off the ground by Zhao Youchen.
He wants to go back!
Return to His Majesty's side!
His Majesty needs him!
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