Soldiers and civilians inside and outside the palace gates witnessed everything. They looked at each other, shocked and bewildered by this dramatic scene. It was an unexpected coup, and Qin Ze's actions were utterly incomprehensible.
Qin Ze led the young emperor to the city gate, where five hundred personal guards cheered and warmly welcomed the general. Zhao Yunfei and his fifty thousand border troops also eagerly greeted their leader.
Qin Ze successfully reunited with his army, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. However, they also realized that Qin Ze had been preparing for this moment for a long time, and they couldn't help but feel a secret hatred for his cunning.
Just as the atmosphere was tense, a minister stepped forward. He stood there with a solemn expression and said to Qin Ze, "General Qin, can we release His Majesty now? His Majesty has already reluctantly opened the palace gates under your threats. We don't need to continue this farce."
The minister's voice was calm and authoritative; he represented a segment of the ministers who believed Qin Ze should release the young emperor to prevent the situation from escalating further. However, Qin Ze looked at the minister coldly, seemingly indifferent to his suggestion. A hush fell over the room, everyone's eyes fixed on Qin Ze and the young emperor, awaiting their next move.
Qin Ze's gaze fell on the young emperor in his arms. He noticed that the young emperor had delicate features, red lips and white teeth, and seemed to be a young and promising monarch. He secretly thought that it might be a pity to let this young emperor go.
Finally, Qin Ze spoke, his voice steady and powerful: "His Majesty is preparing for a northern tour and will return to the capital within three months."
Qin Ze's conditions aroused dissatisfaction and concern among the crowd, who began to loudly express their disagreement. Ministers vied to speak, accusing Qin Ze of arrogance and rudeness, arguing that he should not interfere in state affairs, much less impose conditions on the young emperor. The clamor surged like a tidal wave, plunging the meeting hall into chaos.
A minister stepped forward. He was a veteran of the court, and his voice was strong and powerful: "General, isn't your action blatant treason? The imperial city is His Majesty's territory, and His Majesty is a sacred and inviolable monarch. How dare you coerce His Majesty to leave the imperial city? Isn't this a desecration of imperial authority?"
Another minister chimed in, "Yes, General, your actions are tantamount to rebellion. We cannot tolerate such a provocation against the nation and the imperial authority."
Many ministers expressed their anger and concern, with some even accusing Qin Ze of betraying the country and attempting to seize the throne. The intensity of their accusations was alarming.
Qin Ze listened to the criticisms and accusations from numerous ministers, but remained completely unmoved, only offering a cold smile. He knew that the situation was already so critical that there was no turning back. He decided to stand firm on his position, even if it meant facing numerous voices of opposition and incomprehension.
A cold laugh escaped his lips, like a chilling wind sweeping across the hall. Qin Ze raised his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice revealing firmness and unquestionable authority: "Rebellion? Do you really think that even if I release the young emperor, they will let me go? The current situation is beyond repair. I have become a traitor in their eyes, and no matter how I compromise, I cannot change this fact."
His words were filled with disdain and determination, as if he had seen through everything. Qin Ze knew that he had to stick to his conditions no matter what; only in this way would he have a glimmer of hope. As for the accusations and anger of the many ministers, he was already used to them and no longer cared about them.
Qin Ze glanced sideways at the young emperor he was holding hostage. The emperor's face was full of exhaustion and helplessness, as if he understood that he was in a desperate situation.
Without hesitation, Qin Ze picked up the young emperor and ordered the army to prepare to return to the border. His order was resolute and decisive, brooking no argument. Although the ministers were filled with dissatisfaction and anger, they were helpless and could only watch as Qin Ze led the young emperor away into the distance.
A profound silence fell, as if time had stood still. The ministers exchanged bewildered glances, unable to believe what they were witnessing. They had originally intended to unite to eliminate Qin Ze's power, but now they were forced to succumb to his pressure.
The young emperor, held in Qin Ze's arms, was pale, his eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow. He understood that he was now under Qin Ze's control, and the current situation was of no benefit to him.
Qin Ze smiled and explained to Zhao Yunfei, "If we release the young emperor, he will definitely turn against us. This would embolden the foreign tribes, prompting them to attempt to invade the northern border. The entire empire would then be devastated, and war would spread to every corner of the land, with unimaginable consequences. But if we keep the young emperor in our hands, the empire will not dare to act rashly. They must consolidate their internal affairs to maintain national stability. And we can use this time to concentrate our forces and completely annihilate the foreign tribes, protecting our homeland."
After listening to Qin Ze's explanation, Zhao Yunfei couldn't help but feel admiration. Although the plan was ruthless, it was for the sake of the nation's safety, a wise strategy. He knew that the current situation indeed required such decisive action; otherwise, the empire might face even greater disaster.
"General, your decision is truly wise. By keeping the young emperor in our hands, we can ensure the stability of the country and have more time to fight against the foreign tribes. However, how should we deal with the young emperor?" Zhao Yunfei asked.
Qin Ze pondered for a moment, then replied, "We will not harm the young emperor's life, but we will confine him to a certain area to ensure he can no longer interfere in state affairs. At the same time, we must continue to strengthen the defenses of the northern border and prepare for the confrontation with the foreign tribes. This period will also allow him to experience the hardships the country faces; perhaps then he will act more wisely."
Zhao Yunfei nodded in agreement. He knew there was no better choice now. The safety of the nation was at stake, and only resolute and decisive action could safeguard the peace and tranquility of the empire.
Qin Ze arrived at the young emperor's carriage, where the emperor had already sensed his arrival. At first, the young emperor was startled, but he quickly calmed down and put on a strong posture.
"I wonder what the General intends to do to me?" The young emperor's voice was calm, but the wariness in his eyes was unmistakable.
Qin Ze smiled faintly, not immediately responding to the young emperor's words. At this moment, his thoughts were somewhat complicated. He still knew nothing about the trials of the Investiture of the Gods, only that he had to obtain this divine artifact. The young emperor, however, was a troublesome factor, as he didn't yet know how to deal with this young monarch.
Nevertheless, when Qin Ze looked at the young emperor, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The young emperor was indeed a young and handsome man, with rosy lips and white teeth, and elegant manners.
In fact, he's so handsome he doesn't look like a man.
The young emperor felt uneasy under Qin Ze's deep gaze. Despite being the emperor of the empire, he felt an unprecedented helplessness and tension. This mysterious general, facing him with an unusual firmness and composure, exerted an unpredictable pressure on him.
Despite the young emperor's best efforts to remain calm, his expression began to show unease under Qin Ze's gaze.
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