Chapter 450: Xiao Yanlin is desperate
The Saker Falcon transmitted messages quickly, so Xiao Baozhu and Lu Zhiran were able to receive news from southern Yunnan first.
Lu Zhiran wrote another letter in her own handwriting, informing them of the situation in the capital and reminding them to be careful on their way back.
After the message was delivered, their hearts did not calm down, but became more tense than before.
As December approaches, the weather is getting colder day by day.
When the princes in their fiefdoms learned that Emperor Defeng was seriously ill, they all expressed their condolences and requested to return to the capital. The crown prince, who was in charge of the government, approved their requests one by one.
The emperor won't last long. When they come back, they can attend his funeral and also attend their own coronation ceremony.
Thinking of his brothers kneeling in front of him, a happy smile appeared on Xiao Yanlin's face.
The taste of power is truly fascinating.
However, it didn't take long for Xiao Yanlin's good mood to disappear.
He received news from his confidant in southern Yunnan that the army from southern Yunnan had conquered the Kingdom of Nanyue and incorporated it into the territory of the Great Qi, using this as ironclad evidence to prove his innocence.
Sun Muzhi had unexpectedly been ordered by his father to go to southern Yunnan. It was his army's timely arrival and the combined efforts of internal and external forces that allowed the southern Yunnan army to successfully capture the Kingdom of Nanyue.
Even Zhou Weihai was persuaded to change sides by Xiao Yanci with just a few words.
Xiao Yanlin's expression suddenly turned extremely ugly, and his fists clenched so tightly that they started to creak.
hateful!
It was clearly a foolproof plan, but Xiao Yanci actually turned things around.
I really underestimated him!
The Nanyue Kingdom was such a waste that it was destroyed so easily.
Xiao Yanlin summoned his staff to discuss the matter.
The expressions of the staff were also gloomy. Xiao Yanlin said gloomily, "How do you think we should deal with this matter?"
Everyone was talking to each other.
Someone spoke up, "Prince Jin and the Diannan Prefecture have long been plotting rebellion. This news is most likely false. They are just trying to find a legitimate reason to march into the capital. The Crown Prince should immediately dispatch troops to encircle and suppress them and put an end to this threat once and for all."
The others also echoed.
Now that this news has not yet reached the capital, they can take the initiative and dominate public opinion.
Regardless of whether the Yunnan-Southern Army's conquest of the Kingdom of Nanyue was true or false, the right to speak is now in their hands, so they can say it was false.
Xiao Yanlin's expression eased slightly.
Obviously, this idea touched his heart.
Southern Yunnan and Da Qi are far apart, making it difficult to transmit information. He is currently in charge of government affairs, so it is easy for him to suppress the news that Southern Yunnan Prefecture has destroyed the Kingdom of Nanyue and achieved a great victory.
Xiao Yanci must not come back alive.
The Zhao family had frequent dealings with the Kingdom of Nanyue, and he couldn't allow the people of Nanyue to speak carelessly.
"Everyone, do you have anything else to say?"
Another aide said hesitantly, "I believe that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should ascend the throne as soon as possible."
These words made everyone's heart skip a beat.
The Emperor is still alive, how can the Crown Prince ascend the throne? This is simply treasonous.
Someone had thought of this just now, but didn't say it out loud for fear of being accused of making bold and reckless remarks.
But when Xiao Yanlin heard this, instead of being angry, a faint smile appeared on his face.
A clever person saw this and immediately understood the Crown Prince's attitude. He immediately took the lead and echoed, saying loudly: "Your Highness is the True Dragon Emperor whom everyone has been waiting for. He will ascend the throne sooner or later. Naturally, it is better to do it sooner rather than later!"
Xiao Yanlin's smile deepened. "You are all right. I'm afraid my father's health won't last much longer. I should prepare to ascend the throne."
Originally, he was planning to let him live a little longer, and wait until his brothers came back before he would ascend the throne. But now, the situation was beyond his control, and he could not wait any longer. His father could not blame him for being ruthless.
If you want to blame someone, blame Xiao Yan for being too stubborn.
If he had simply died in Diannan Prefecture, why would I have to do this?
Once he ascended the throne, even if Xiao Yanci returned, he would be powerless to save the situation.
If he really dares to do something, it would be a real act of treason, and he would definitely be recorded in history books in the future.
In order to prevent the situation from getting worse, Xiao Yanlin immediately ordered someone to forge Zhou Weihai's memorial, saying that the court's reinforcements were ambushed by the Southern Yunnan Army, resulting in heavy casualties. The two sides engaged in battle, and the King of Southern Yunnan and the King of Jin openly rebelled.
The next day, the memorial was urgently presented to the Dragon Case. After reading the contents of the memorial, Xiao Yanlin became furious.
He immediately summoned all his ministers to discuss the matter.
The final decision was to send 30,000 elite troops to southern Yunnan to quell the rebellion and kill all the rebels without mercy.
The news quickly spread among the people, causing another uproar.
The people had no objection to who became emperor; they just hoped there would be no more war in the world.
In a war, the people suffer.
Xiao Baozhu brought the news back to the princess's mansion, her face full of anger.
"Our guess was right. He's desperate and wants to get rid of the Seventh Brother."
Lu Zhiran felt extremely uneasy.
I wonder if Xiao Yanci received the letter they sent? Have they responded?
The army in southern Yunnan had just experienced a fierce battle with the Kingdom of Nanyue and was afraid that it would be unable to withstand the attack of 30,000 elite troops from the imperial court.
Even though they are full of worries, they are out of reach and can only do what they can do now.
Lu Zhiran said, "Next, the Crown Prince will definitely take action against the Emperor. Once the Emperor passes away, he will immediately ascend the throne, claiming that the country cannot be without a ruler for a day."
Xiao Baozhu's face tensed instantly.
"Even if he ascends the throne, he won't be able to hold it steady! My Seventh Brother will definitely fight back and expose his true face!"
Their prediction turned out to be correct.
On the third day of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Baozhu went to the palace to visit Emperor Defeng and saw that all the imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau had come out and gathered in front of the dragon bed, looking terrified and trembling with fear.
Xiao Baozhu's face changed drastically and she hurried forward to ask what was going on.
Xiao Yanlin's face was tense, with a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Father's condition has suddenly worsened. I'm afraid..."
Xiao Baozhu staggered and her face turned pale instantly.
"Impossible! He was fine yesterday! Are you all just here to eat and do nothing? Hurry up and give the emperor acupuncture! What's the point of the court keeping you around?"
Xiao Baozhu yelled out of control and scolded the doctors in the Imperial Medical Bureau.
At the end of the scolding, she threw herself on the bed and burst into tears.
She stayed by the bedside, never leaving.
Xiao Yanlin also put aside his official duties and stood guard by the dragon bed.
After enduring for more than two hours, Emperor Defeng's hands suddenly dropped weakly.
The imperial physician hurried forward to take the patient's pulse, then knelt on the ground and let out a mournful cry.
"The Emperor has passed away!"
When this cry was heard, the rest of the people in the hall immediately knelt down and cried out in pain.
Xiao Yanlin also knelt in front of the dragon bed, his face full of grief.
Xiao Baozhu, on the other hand, was stunned and didn't react for a long time.
She seemed unable to accept this fact, and kept shaking her head, muttering, "Impossible, my father is not dead. He hasn't even opened his eyes to look at me. How could he be dead? This is all fake!"
Xiao Yanlin said sadly, "Baozhu, I know you can't accept it, but this is the truth. You should let your father go in peace."
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