In front of the palace gate, Fang Qian's head rolled to the ground, blood staining the stone slabs red, and a bloody smell permeated the air.
The soldiers and officers around them stood frozen in fear, their eyes filled with terror and disbelief.
Chen Zhennan dismounted, his figure appearing exceptionally tall amidst the blood-red backdrop. His eyes held no emotion, only cold decisiveness.
Scanning the crowd from side to side, Chen Zhennan's gaze was sharp as a sword as he asked calmly, "Anyone else who disagrees? If not, I'm about to enter the palace."
The officials at the city gate looked at each other, their eyes filled with fear and hesitation. No one dared to answer Chen Zhennan's question; they all remained silent.
They knew that Fang Qian's death meant a change of power, and their fate was now in Chen Zhennan's hands.
Seeing no response, Chen Zhennan turned to look at the battlefield and shouted with all his might, "Stop it, all of you!"
Chen Zhennan shouted, ending the bloody battle that should never have happened. The soldiers stopped what they were doing and retreated to the side.
With the death of Minister of War Fang Qiandu, his subordinates naturally dared not do anything reckless.
Chen Zhennan looked at the remaining ministers and called out their names one by one.
"Among you, is there anyone who conspired with Fang Qian?"
Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's question, all the officials knelt down, their bodies trembling slightly, their eyes filled with fear and despair. Xiang Hao was the first to shift the blame onto Fang Qian alone, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, it was all Fang Qian's willful act. Apart from Fang Qian, no other officials in the capital have military power."
Other officials echoed this sentiment, repeatedly proclaiming their innocence and wishes.
Chen Zhennan sneered, his face full of disdain. He knew without a doubt that they were all opportunists. With Fang Qian dead, it would be best if these officials threw all the blame on him.
Chen Zhennan had no interest in paying attention to them. He waved to someone behind him, and Song Yunyang immediately rode up to Chen Zhennan's side and then swaggered into the palace.
As for the officials, they spontaneously followed Chen Zhennan all the way to Yanming Hall.
Chen Zhennan took Song Yunyang's hand, and the two walked side by side up the steps to the throne.
Song Yunyang frowned slightly. She wanted to get up, after all, she was not the emperor, and it was against the rules to sit on the dragon throne.
But Chen Zhennan held onto her hand tightly, just like he had done in Dawu Capital City before.
“Yunyang, today, you and I are sitting here together to help me share some of the pressure. They will never submit to me.”
Song Yunyang pursed her lips and nodded slightly: "Okay, but you should do it yourself. Whatever I say might become a topic of their gossip."
Chen Zhennan hummed in agreement. If Song Yunyang were to say anything, she could easily be labeled as a traitor to the Great Yan Dynasty.
"Okay, you can just sit here."
Civil and military officials stood on both sides, the atmosphere oppressive and tense, but no one knelt before Chen Zhennan. Chen Zhennan didn't care, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.
"Whether they kneel or not, they will know."
Looking at the officials below, Chen Zhennan had never seen any of them before, but he acted as if he knew them well.
His eyes held a scrutinizing light, as if trying to penetrate the heart of everyone.
"How did you know my whereabouts? Why was I ambushed when I took the route to the northern desert without venturing deep into the Great Yan? It's clear that some of you were already watching me before I even left Qingzhou."
The atmosphere in the hall became even more oppressive because of his questioning, and the heartbeats of every official involuntarily quickened.
Many of them participated in the ambush of Chen Zhennan, but now they dare not admit it.
Chen Zhennan's gaze finally fell on an elderly official whose hands trembled slightly and whose eyes revealed a hint of fear.
"This gentleman is Li Daren, isn't he? I've seen your file. You're a senior official in the Ministry of War, so you should be very familiar with the movements of the Imperial Guards. Tell me, what's going on here?"
Chen Zhennan's voice was calm, but every word struck Lord Li's heart like a heavy hammer.
Lord Li's face was pale, his lips trembled slightly, and his voice trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, this...this, this old minister really cannot..."
Before he could finish speaking, Chen Zhennan interrupted him.
"You want to say you don't know, huh? As an official in the Ministry of War for over ten years, do you think I'd believe you?"
Lord Li was startled upon hearing this and hurriedly explained, "This old minister is merely an official of the Ministry of War. As for the mobilization of the Imperial Guards in the capital, this old minister truly knows nothing about it!"
"Since none of you knew, then you all must bear the responsibility, and all officials in the Ministry of War must be beheaded!"
Upon hearing Chen Zhennan's words, Song Yunyang was suddenly startled. She knew Chen Zhennan's methods, but she also knew his character.
Her gaze was fixed on Chen Zhennan's face, trying to find the answer in his expression.
Upon closer inspection, she noticed a barely perceptible sneer on Chen Zhennan's lips, and she immediately realized that he was saying that on purpose.
As Chen Zhennan spoke, the officials from the Ministry of War knelt on the ground, their voices trembling, their faces filled with fear and despair.
"Your Majesty, we truly know nothing! Please investigate thoroughly! We beg Your Majesty for mercy!"
Their voices echoed throughout the hall, filled with sobs and pleas.
Just as the Ministry of War officials were beginning to back down, a middle-aged man in a python robe stepped out from the crowd. His steps were firm, and his eyes held a hint of defiance.
After this person walked out, he pointed directly at Chen Zhennan.
"Chen Zhennan, you are indiscriminately killing innocent people. When did it become your place to kill officials of my Great Yan?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan glanced at the person who had spoken, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Who are you? How dare you criticize me here?"
The man gave a cold laugh, his eyes filled with contempt.
"My name is Jiang Bo. I am the only remaining member of the royal family of the Great Yan Dynasty and the only surviving member of the Jiang family."
His voice carried a hint of pride, as if this identity could bring him endless glory.
But Chen Zhennan couldn't help but laugh when he heard this. He pointed at Jiang Bo and gave a mocking snort.
"Nobility? Royal relatives? What a load of rubbish! The Jiang family is nothing but remnants of the previous dynasty!"
Jiang Bo's face turned ashen instantly. He hadn't expected Chen Zhennan to be so disrespectful to him.
His hand gripped the hilt of the sword at his waist tightly, and a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.
"Chen Zhennan, you're courting death! Don't forget where you are. Even if your special forces are invincible, with just one word from me, you'll be dead without a burial place! Men!"
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