Chapter 42 After seizing power, my duty has already been fulfilled…
As Tianmu finished speaking, everyone held their breath, their hearts pounding wildly.
Ordinary people knelt on the ground, praying to the heavens: "Heavenly Maiden above, please do not cause any more chaos!"
"Let Emperor Zhongzong ascend the throne! Stop fighting!"
“This is a sign of chaos in the world…” Xiao Yichun murmured softly, with an indescribable sense of relief.
Fortunately, the unfortunate situation was only temporary and not the beginning of the country's demise.
"Zhou She." Emperor Hong'an seemed not to have heard the news of his own death. He gripped the armrest tightly and suddenly asked, "If it were you, what would you do?"
Zhou She had long since passed the point of being terrified. He even realized that the emperor was just a paper tiger, seemingly fierce but actually easily broken.
Faced with hostile questions, he reiterated his previous statement: "The situation is chaotic; the capable should take over."
The emperor then asked, "Who is the capable one?"
“If I were to speak for myself, it would seem too arrogant,” Zhou She replied sincerely. “If Your Majesty trusts me, why not let me give it a try?”
The emperor was taken aback, then burst into laughter, but at the end, his expression turned drastically, and he solemnly rebuked, "Absurd!"
Zhou She calmly knelt down.
Emperor Hong'an looked at his face, feeling agitated and his eyelids twitching. He waved his sleeve and said, "Get out of the way."
News of the emperor's death spread quickly. Initially, Emperor Zhongzong's plan was to rush to the capital, kill the crown prince and then his brothers before anyone could react, and seize power.
As it turned out, his old comrades—the Northern Di—were faster than him in no time. In reality, if he had been more ruthless, he could have marched on the capital first and then dealt with the Northern Di later, but he didn't do that.
With the sound of the sky, the world spun around, and when they reappeared, everyone was standing on the towering city wall.
The banners on the city wall of Mingyuan Pass fluttered fiercely in the wind.
In the distance, the dust kicked up by the Northern Di cavalry filled the sky.
Emperor Zhongzong stood silently atop the city wall, his expression somber. His personal guards stood with swords at their sides. In the heavy silence, only the sound of hurried footsteps could be heard as someone quickly ascended the wall.
Everyone turned to look. The newcomer walked behind Emperor Zhongzong and whispered, "My lord, I have something I would like to say to you."
This man was not wearing armor, but only a scholar's robe. When he saw Emperor Zhongzong looking over, he offered his advice at the opportune moment: "The Northern Barbarians are knocking on the gates now. If Your Majesty were to fight them, all your previous efforts would be in vain. In my opinion, it would be better to go to the capital first, then fight the foreign enemy, and gather the strength of the whole country. The Northern Barbarians are nothing more than that."
Emperor Zhongzong's expression changed slightly, revealing a thoughtful look.
Zhuang Shi, who had been standing behind him, immediately stepped forward upon hearing this, raised his hand sharply, and shoved the middle-aged strategist back several steps: "Where did you come from, you idiot! You know nothing about how important Mingyuan Pass is!"
The strategist was both shocked and furious. He was about to speak when Emperor Zhongzong ordered, "You may leave now."
After Zhuang Shi finished berating the Confucian scholars, seeing that Emperor Zhongzong remained silent, he turned and grabbed the emperor's shoulder, spitting as he spoke: "Zhou Xingyuan, don't tell me you've forgotten what you wanted to do! You said you didn't want to be emperor! You wanted to uphold the nation—"
Emperor Zhongzong looked at him quietly. Zhuang Shi suddenly took a step back, looking at him from all angles and finding something amiss, then angrily flung his sleeve and said, "...I'll just say I misjudged you!"
Emperor Zhongzong took a deep breath: "I'd like to ask you, do you think I'm that kind of person?"
Zhuang Shi stopped in his tracks, crossed his arms, and said suspiciously, "I think you are..."
"..." Emperor Zhongzong gazed into the distance and said quietly, "Of course I want to enter the capital. All this preparation has gone wrong at the last minute... I'm angry."
"Heh." Zhuang Shi said coldly, "I'm leaving. If you want to go, go ahead. I'm going to stay here and guard the city."
Emperor Zhongzong said expressionlessly, "If you keep talking nonsense, I'll slap you."
Zhuang Shi rolled up his sleeves: "You want to fight?"
"I want to defend the city." Zhongzong replied with a calm gaze. "Zhuang Yuanchu, use your pig brain. If I wanted to leave, would I need you to waste your breath here? If I wanted to leave, you wouldn't be seeing me today."
Zhuang Yuanchu suddenly realized what he meant and was slightly embarrassed: "Next time, just say what you want to say."
Emperor Zhongzong said expressionlessly, "The power grab is behind us, but my duty is already before me."
Clad in armor, he turned and descended the city wall, his figure disappearing from the top, yet his voice remained resolute: "Even if it takes this long, I'm not worried. If there truly is a capable person who can conquer the world, then I'll let him guard it."
Zhuang Shi was drenched in sweat from watching.
I always felt like I was an idiot on the sky.
Damn you, Tianmu! Don't try to humiliate Zhou She just to highlight him!
Zhou She didn't find it particularly surprising; from any perspective, making this decision was wise.
As the foremost pass of the Ning Dynasty, Mingyuan Pass opened up a vast plain after one entered the pass, allowing the Northern Barbarians to directly invade the Central Plains.
Unless someone is an idiot, they wouldn't do something so short-sighted as to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
Even if we truly conquer the world, what if we immediately become prisoners of the Northern Barbarians, and our land falls into enemy hands...?
That was definitely not the scene he wanted to see.
Moreover, most of the patrol troops are soldiers from the northern frontier. Their parents and brothers live in the northern frontier, and once the pass is breached, their relatives will be the first to suffer.
Both morally and logically, we can only confront the Northern Barbarians first, and then make other plans.
Ren Heng smacked his lips: "You still have some of my charm."
During this precious period, heroes rose up, among whom the most powerful force was Chu Shan from Liangzhou.
This man was originally a farmer. Enraged by the deaths of his wife and daughters due to a sudden, impulsive policy implemented by the crown prince, he rebelled. Within a few months, he captured several cities, quickly becoming the most powerful force in the east.
The emperor remained silent; he did not speak.
In the flower hall, hundreds of flowers were vying for beauty, but everyone looked as if they had lost their parents, their faces pale and their legs trembling.
How could it not be a novel experience for the emperor to hear firsthand about the chaos that would ensue after his death?
The divine power of the heavens is nothing more than this.
The silence was broken by a soft laugh from Emperor Hong'an, which turned into a mocking tone: "It seems that letting the Fifth Prince live was also a grave sin for me."
The difference between people can sometimes be as vast as the difference between a human and a chimpanzee.
As fellow descendants of the Zhong family, Zhou She could remember his duties. However, the fifth son, who wasn't present at the moment, was a complete idiot who couldn't even remember his own name!
If he remembered even a fraction that his surname was Zhong, and that he was the future ruler of the world, he wouldn't be tormenting his people like this...
Thinking of this, the emperor's eyes sharpened, and he gently instructed, "Huaiqing, take men to seal off the Fifth Prince's residence. He won't need to come out anymore."
Just being alive is enough, that's all.
By the time Emperor Zhongzong defeated the Northern Di and forced their main camp into a retreat, causing their inflated confidence to wane, the initiative had been lost, and the situation in the Central Plains had changed several times. Liangzhou and Chushan occupied the east, while two other aristocratic families, the He family and the Zhao family, occupied the south and west respectively.
With Zhongzong added, we now have the four cardinal directions, enough for a mahjong game.
Everyone laughed awkwardly.
Tianmu still loves telling jokes.
It's still a joke that's not funny at all.
After finishing his busy work, the first thing Emperor Zhongzong did was to deal with domestic affairs. Before he could even catch his breath, someone had already set their sights on the Bai and Duan families, two long-established families in Yongzhou.
Opinions differed on whether or not to kill these two families. Just as the debate raged, the cunning strategist Zhuo Jia arrived, saying in a very sinister tone: "How about we find a pretext to set up a sting operation and kill both of them?"
This way, they can occupy the moral high ground and eliminate any future problems.
Zhou She: "..." This is too insidious. This track is indeed full of talented people. He can't be complacent.
That makes sense, I'll write it down for future reference.
Bai Jisong: ...
Great, he doesn't need to worry about it anymore.
Thinking back to the Zhuo family, just a few days ago everyone was gathered together, and Zhuo's father was such a kind old man, always smiling at everyone. These smiling tigers, they really aren't all good people!
Zhuo's father gave an awkward smile.
Now that he has surrendered, how can he not do something? Of course, he should try his best to demonstrate his value.
It was because Tianmu read it out like that that he seemed like some kind of treacherous villain.
Looking at the astonished gazes of those around him, he couldn't help but sigh: This ship is one you have to board whether you want to or not.
[If this were a meeting of serious people, this proposal would definitely be rejected. But since the Zhuo family is in Zhongzong's office, who is Zhongzong?]
One of the labels attached to him is that he is very unserious.
The crowd was shocked and impressed, giving him a thumbs up and exclaiming, "You scholars are truly cunning!"
Of course, Emperor Zhongzong didn't need to use entrapment tactics at all. The Bai family had done far too many bad things; they didn't even need to find a moral high ground. They could just find an empty spot, squat down, and everyone would think they were Mount Everest.
Bai Jisong took a deep breath.
Although they were stationed on the frontier, they also maintained their own private armies, but their numbers were not large. They were just a handful of soldiers, not even close to the size of Zhou She's patrol army.
From his personal perspective, if he really couldn't win, sliding to his knees was an option, but this future emperor...
He doesn't seem to be as benevolent as the previous emperors. Forget about high-ranking officials and generous salaries, he seems more like a skinner.
Haha, Zhou Bapi (a notorious exploiter).
Zhou She felt somewhat innocent.
According to Tianmu, he and the Bai and Duan families had already broken off relations long ago, and everyone was maintaining a false sense of stability, but they hadn't gone all the way to the end.
But it has to be resolved sooner or later; we can't run away from it.
Emperor Zhongzong had long disliked the Bai family, but before he could even make a move, the Bai family had already fled at the mere sight of him.
After reviewing the current state of affairs, Bai Jisong realized that the He and Zhao families were old acquaintances, yet Chu Shan, a mere farmer, dared to rebel, seize a piece of land, and almost become a feudal lord.
Of the four great families from the east, west, south, and north, how come Zhou She, that bastard, is the leader in the north?! This is unbearable! Forget it, if I can't beat you, I can at least outrun you!
...You really can't outrun them.
Zhou She pursed his lips. This Bai family... is arrogant, yet quite pragmatic.
The only problem is the deeply entrenched power of the local aristocratic families, which is difficult to manage. If they try to stir things up from other angles, that will also be a troublesome matter.
Fortunately, Tianmu immediately explained:
The only way for a powerful clan to rival a general with a large army in a region is to exert control over the economy. However, this power is far too weak to suppress someone who doesn't follow the rules.
Ultimately, in chaotic times, the greatest power lies with the army. However, Emperor Zhongzong's logistics were excellent, and he was not afraid of them at all, whether economically or politically. The only possible reason he might treat the aristocratic families well was his need for talented individuals.
The massacre of that family served as a stark warning, and Bai Jisong dared not remain any longer. The moment word spread of the Zhuo family's disastrous plan, the Bai family was filled with dread—this was truly something Emperor Zhongzong was capable of!
It has to be said, the one who understands you best is always your enemy...
Bai Jisong organized his family, packed their bags, and prepared to flee. However, something seemed amiss. What happened to their supposedly prestigious, centuries-old family, respected by all? Why were they being questioned as suspects wherever they went?
"Zhou She, what do you think?" The emperor was determined to see the test through to the end, and asked again.
Zhou She listened attentively, already having his answer: "In my opinion, it is not because my power is so great."
He even chuckled, though only he knew how much sarcasm was in it: "It's just a matter of people's hearts turning against each other."
The Emperor: "..." This grandson is getting more and more arrogant, and what he says actually makes a lot of sense.
It's frustrating not being able to find fault.
At the same time, a secret joy also surfaced.
Not all of Zhong Shize's descendants were fools.
The whereabouts of the Bai family were quickly reported up the chain of command, so fast that even Emperor Zhongzong himself probably hadn't expected it—this wasn't just due to the soldiers he had arranged, but also to the ordinary people in the fields. The masses were full of talent; upon seeing the Bai family from afar, they immediately turned and headed towards the military camp.
Everyone knew each other well, so they weren't afraid of the soldiers. The news spread like wildfire, and everyone knew exactly how many different kinds of food they had eaten that day.
Zhou She thought to himself: I knew there was no need to train spies; the power of the masses is stronger than he imagined.
I treat the people with sincerity, and I will naturally receive sincerity in return.
Fang Jingruo sighed, "Emperor Zhongzong truly blessed the world. Back then, when my gold and silver were stolen, it was thanks to Lord Zhong... that I was helped. Otherwise, I would have slunk home long ago and wouldn't have dared to take the exam."
Shen Mingzhe had heard him lament countless times, from his initial vague understanding to his current splitting headache, and immediately stopped him: "He can help you by using a position in our Imperial Academy."
"Lord Shen is certainly also my benefactor." Fang Jingruo quickly flattered him, and then couldn't help but add, "I speak from the bottom of my heart... I think Lord Zhou's upright character is also thanks to your guidance!"
Shen Mingzhe: "..." Smooth-talking, truly shameful.
The Bai family was stationed on the border between Yongzhou and Qingzhou. Because the soldiers guarding the city refused to let them pass, the two sides almost came to blows. Emperor Zhongzong was so busy that he had just arrived when he encountered Bai Jisong drawing his sword.
Emperor Zhongzong remained calm and first advised him, "Brother, don't worry. It's not that we won't let you go, but given the current situation and the chaos outside, I'm really worried that you'll be killed as soon as you step out."
Bai Jisong had been in charge for many years, and although it was strange to call a young man in his twenties "brother," he had no choice but to endure the awkwardness and ask, "So you mean we can't go anywhere we want?"
Bai Jisong was surrounded by dozens of personal guards, all of whom had drawn their swords. The city's garrison soldiers were also armed and surrounded Emperor Zhongzong.
Bai Jisong's face twitched, and he asked with surprise and uncertainty, "Lord Zhou, why don't you name a price? How can you let us go?"
The crowd had long since dispersed, leaving only two opposing groups of soldiers standing in the distance. Emperor Zhongzong stood in the middle, giving Bai Jisong a slight smile, a smile far more genuine than Bai Jisong's: "I was indeed only worried about Brother Bai's safety. Why would you think that? At the banquet not long ago, we had a very pleasant conversation, and thinking about it now still brings me joy."
Bai Jisong's face turned green.
The last time I ate with this guy, wasn't it when he came to rob me with a suitcase? After robbing me, he even killed someone on the way out. He was utterly lawless and extremely rampant!
It's hateful that this person commands a large army, yet there's no one to check or restrain him in the three northern prefectures.
Looking at the sincere, smiling face opposite him, he felt like vomiting: "...I'm willing to pay that amount."
Bai Jisong held up three fingers.
Emperor Zhongzong shook his head.
Bai Jisong gritted his teeth, about to extend another finger, when he saw Emperor Zhongzong slowly step forward and say, "Actually, I have always wanted to do something, which has nothing to do with your money."
Under Bai Jisong's shocked gaze, he suddenly said, "When I first arrived in Yongzhou, I heard of the Bai family's great reputation. So many families were torn apart, and so many people were killed... When I looked through the files, I found that there were countless cases of bloodshed, and I had no choice but to take action."
Bai Jisong let out a heavy breath, his face flushed, already realizing what he was about to say: "Lord Zhou! You abducted my son two years ago, those matters are clearly settled! Why bring up old scores again?!"
In the end, he laughed in anger, letting out a sharp laugh from his throat: "Fine, fine, Zhou She, if you want to kill us, why bother with any grand reputation? Just come! I, Bai Jisong, will beg for mercy every time I cry out, and you can treat me like your grandson! Today you kill my Bai family, but one day no one will be left to kill you—Zhou She, you will die a horrible death—!"
“Killing Baek Jeong-bong is just one of the cases.” King Jungjong looked at him with pity. “You still don’t know why you lost. If you want revenge, I’ll be waiting for you right here.”
Amidst a barrage of curses, the Bai family soldiers were nearly crushed at the first touch. Bai Jisong, his hands bound, left with bloodshot eyes, sneering, "They're nothing but weeds. You wasted your time worrying about them. Zhou She, Zhou She, the aristocratic families will not submit to someone like you, so ignorant of the consequences. You may hold onto this empire, but you'll never truly hold onto it!"
"good!"
In the heart of the city's teahouse, all was silent. Suddenly, someone, overcome with emotion, stood up abruptly and cheered loudly.
However, no one spoke to him; everyone remained silent.
In contrast, cheers erupted in the fields; the deafening roar of voices and the chaotic cheers blended together into a single phrase.
"Well done!"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
