The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 722 The killing begins.

After Tian Qu finished speaking, everyone present, including the royal family members who had just arrived and the civil and military ministers, were stunned. They all looked at Emperor Ningkang and the retired emperor.

Emperor Ningkang's expression remained unchanged, but the retired emperor's face became gloomy, and the old dragon body on the dragon throne leaned from the left to the right.

He looked at Emperor Ning Kang coldly, "So, I am the mastermind behind today's rebellion."

The retired emperor's voice was filled with his usual majesty, but also with endless mockery.

Everyone present was trembling with fear. This was their instinctive fear of facing an emperor who dominated the world and had the power to kill and prey on hundreds of millions of people for decades.

The vast majority of them have lived in a world ruled by the retired emperor since they were born.

Facing the retired emperor with a cold expression and angry words, Emperor Ning Kang was the only one who remained calm.

He stood upright in front of the seated Emperor Retired, and for the first time, he looked down at his father.

When the commotion subsided, he said calmly, "Father, don't be angry. He just deliberately used your name to incite the rebels.

Although I have some differences with my father on the way of governing the country, both I and my father are committed to protecting the country and the people that our ancestors worked so hard to build.

Therefore, how could I possibly harbor resentment towards my father, let alone commit such a heinous act as forcing the emperor to abdicate and seize power? "

Emperor Ning Kang's words attracted the approval and agreement of some people, who advised the emperor not to believe in the rumors.

However, more scheming people have already seen from the current situation and the conversation between the two saints that there must be something fishy going on today. Therefore, they are waiting and watching, and dare not speak rashly before the situation is clear.

  The Emperor Emeritus ignored those who spoke up. He continued to stare coldly at Emperor Ning Kang, and after a while he said, "According to what you said, today's incident was really all caused by the Crown Prince?

I am actually very curious. He is doing a good job as your crown prince. Why is he going to such great lengths to raise an army and cause chaos in my name? What is his purpose?"

Emperor Ning Kang said: "I don't know what the rebellious son is thinking. Maybe he sees that I have been in this position for too long and he can't wait any longer, so he is like this."

The retired emperor's expression froze slightly.

This year was only the seventh year of Ningkang. But according to his own reign, it had been more than fifty years, but he couldn't remember exactly how many fifty years it was.

He looked at Emperor Ning Kang, who had a calm expression from beginning to end, and for the first time in his heart he began to take his son seriously.

He knew that the other party hated him in his heart after all.

He also knew that no matter how this matter developed in the end, no matter who won or lost, the father-son relationship between them was over.

  Great anger surged in his heart!

He valued him so much and put the whole world in his hands, and this is how he repays him?

Thinking of this, he no longer cared about maintaining the dignity of the emperor between the two of them. He looked at Emperor Ning Kang sarcastically and said, "No wonder you have been deliberately alienating and isolating him since my birthday banquet, forcing him to keep coming to Chonghua Palace to complain to me.

I'm afraid that from then on, you planned to let him, the prince, bear the brand of disloyalty and unfilial piety for you.

It's hard for you to do such a good job in acting.

Let me think about it, well, I guess you must have promised him that after the matter is over, you would clear his name by saying that he was bewitched by me?

Hehehe...

Don’t you know that once you accept the stigma, it’s not easy to wash it away?

Aren't you afraid that your son will treat you the same way you treat me in the future?"

Everyone around was confused.

  Judging from the current situation, it is clear that the crown prince is raising an army to rebel, but why is it that the retired emperor is pointing the finger at Emperor Ning Kang?

Unfortunately, no one will answer their questions.

Emperor Ning Kang glanced at the dazzling sunlight above his head and said anxiously, "Father, if you are dissatisfied with me, let's discuss it later.

The situation is critical. I have arranged for the troops to escort my father back to the capital safely."

Emperor Ning Kang did not move after he finished speaking. The soldiers from his personal army camp behind him stepped forward one after another, as if they were going to escort the retired emperor away.

"Clang~"

The soldiers of the Cavalry Battalion, which had been deployed on the side for a long time, rushed forward. Holding weapons and spears, they were so imposing that the imperial army camp could not help but retreat.

Seeing that the Cavalry Battalion had completely suppressed the Royal Guards Battalion, a smile appeared on the face of the retired emperor. He signaled the eunuch to push the throne forward until Emperor Ning Kang could be seen again.

“Since the situation is critical, you should take care of yourself first.

I have a cavalry battalion by my side, so my safety will not be in jeopardy.

Have you forgotten that the Cavalry Battalion is the most valiant and capable of fighting among the six battalions of the Imperial Guards?

A bunch of random soldiers cannot threaten me."

Emperor Ning Kang's expression finally became a little gloomy. Looking at the "smug" look of the retired emperor, he turned around and left without saying a word.

A large number of soldiers from his personal army camp also followed him in a line.

Soon, only the soldiers of the Cavalry Battalion and a large number of princes and nobles who looked at each other in confusion were left there.

……

Emperor Ning Kang had not yet returned to his palace when he ordered: "Notify Chen Zhao to attack the mountain with all his strength as planned and eliminate all obstructing forces."

He also ordered Tian Qu: "Go back and tell Feng Sheng to have the Guard Battalion clear all the passes and defense lines. If necessary, cooperate with the Infantry Battalion and the Beijing Battalion to wipe out the Cavalry Battalion."

"I obey your command and am willing to go through fire and water for my master's great cause."

Tian Qu was a close follower of Emperor Ning Kang when he was in the palace. After Emperor Ning Kang came to power, he gradually became the commander of a part of the imperial guard and was deeply trusted by Emperor Ning Kang.

His heart was extremely excited at this moment.

  As long as Emperor Ningkang succeeds this time, they will be considered as his followers and will naturally become extremely wealthy in the future!

Moreover, as Ning Kangdi's men, they had always been inferior to others in the imperial guard system for no reason. They had been oppressed by the emperor's ministers for many years, which had caused them to feel resentful.

Naturally, they will not be polite when they take action against these people this time.

The Cavalry Battalion is strong and has the largest number of people, but so what?

Once you fall into their trap this time, you will be like a turtle in a jar.

……

The troops in the capital area, apart from those stationed in the city, are mainly stationed in the north and south camps.

Although they are called the North and South camps, they are actually both stationed to the west of the capital.

The two armies, numbering tens of thousands of soldiers, were all under the command of the Beijing Camp.

At this time, in the commander's tent of the South Camp, several senior generals were drinking happily.

"I heard that the two saints are hunting in Tiewang Mountain this time, and those grandsons from Beidaying have all been transferred to protect the emperor?"

"Yes, but not all of it. They said they only adjusted half of it."

"Damn it! Our Nan Daying has really been raised by a stepmother. Why do they always get all the good things first, while we have to follow behind and can't even get a fart!"

"That's right, now our South Camp is only qualified to fight bandits.

"Alas, I really miss the time when Wang Jiedu was here. At that time, when did our South Camp ever suffer from the bullying of the North Camp?"

"Shh..."

"Keep your voice down. Our current governor came from Beidaying. We were raised by our stepmother. If we don't behave ourselves, we might get noticed by the governor. Then our life will be even more difficult, hahahaha..."

  A voice mocked as the laughter rang out, "In my opinion, why don't you give in and try to curry favor with Chen Jiedu, since he is a popular figure around the emperor today?"

As the saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers. Commander, you are not at a disadvantage. You may even be promoted in the future."

Xu Da, the commander of the Southern Camp, who was sitting at the top and had drunk a lot of wine, shook his head.

It was impossible for him to yield to a junior. Anyway, even if he didn't yield, the other party couldn't do anything to him. He would just sit on the bench and enjoy his leisure time. Anyway, he would be able to retire in a few years.

So he cursed while drunk: "Bullshit, who the hell is Chen Zhao? How can he be worthy of me to surrender?

If any of you are spineless and want to curry favor with him to live a good life, go ahead, I will not stop you. "

  "That's right! He, a monk who just left the Buddhist sect, actually replaced Wang Jiedu's position and bullied us brothers?

I don't know about others, but I am the first one to be dissatisfied!"

A rough man staggered to the top to toast, but he lost his balance and fell on the table, causing countless laughs.

  He didn't care, and after struggling to get up, he continued, "I don't believe that Chen Zhao can keep his power for long! Hehe, I feel ashamed for him to be called a military governor. We have a total of five troops in the Beijing Camp. Apart from the Beidaying Camp, who else will listen to him?

I heard that even in the Beidaying, many brothers ignored him. If he didn't have His Majesty backing him up, he would be nothing!"

These words made the group of generals who were raised by their stepmothers burst into laughter, and they shouted loudly: "Xie Youji is right!!"

Xu Da also raised his glass with a smile, ready to accept the toast from his old subordinate.

Suddenly he became alert and took away his arm that was blocking his view. He saw that Xie Jing, who was sitting in front of him, somehow had a shiny dagger in his hand and was stabbing at him quickly.

Although he tried his best to dodge, his body was completely out of control due to sitting for too long and drinking too much. He just watched helplessly as the sharp dagger easily pierced his chest.

"what!!"

He let out a scream, and his body fell backwards in pain...

All the generals who were drinking in the hall were stunned.

For a moment, they all seemed to have their acupuncture points pressed, and stood there in a daze, unable to move.

Until he was awakened by Xu Da's continuous screams.

"Xie Jing, what are you doing!"

"You're crazy!!"

Facing his aggressive colleagues, Xie Jing seemed calm and unhurried.

He picked up the dagger in his hand, looked at the depth of blood on the dagger, and knew that Xu Da was beyond saving even by the gods.

At this time, Xu Da's two guards finally reacted. They drew their swords and rushed forward howling to avenge their master.

“Clang~!”

A loud voice sounded.

It turned out to be the general who had sat next to Xie Jing at the banquet. He first threw the wine glass he had been holding to the ground. Then he took the saber beside him, stepped on the low table and jumped in front of Xie Jing to protect him.

Who knew that Xu Da's guards were no mediocre people, and he alone could not resist, which led to danger everywhere.

Fortunately, the previous signal worked.

Just as he was stabbed twice, Xie Jing rolled and crawled for a few rounds. Then dozens of aggressive soldiers in armor and weapons rushed in and cooperated with them to kill and capture the two guards.

The battle started suddenly and ended abruptly.

The sober generals had just picked up their swords and had not yet decided which side to support when they were surrounded.

They were furious: "Xie Jing, are you trying to rebel?!"

Xie Jing looked a little embarrassed, but his smile was very genuine.

He stood up from the ground and even had the time to wipe the bloody dagger in his hand.

"rebel?"

"I'm afraid it's not me who's rebelling, but you."

How could everyone understand Xie Jing's crazy words?

Xie Jing was in no hurry to explain to them, and walked up to Xu Da, who was holding his red chest with a painful and angry look on his face, and apologized: "Old buddy, don't blame me.

You have reached your current position, and that is the end of the road. You can rest assured and wait for retirement.

But I can't.

I also want to move up a level and get a higher title passed down by my ancestors.

Second-class man? It's too low, so low that I'm embarrassed to hear others introduce me like this.

Now that I finally have this opportunity, I can't let it go. If I have to blame someone, I blame you for being too stubborn and not knowing how to adapt. I tried to test you, but you had no intention...

Alas, you should understand that in your position, how can you avoid the vortex of the storm? "

Hearing Xie Jing say this, Xu Da's eyes changed slightly, and the resentment on his face eased a little. The questions that he couldn't ask out because of the pain also remained in his heart.

He said tremblingly: "Yes, Your Majesty... ? You... aren't afraid..."

Xie Jing knew what Xu Da wanted to ask.

"From today on, perhaps the dynasty will be truly unified!"

After saying this, Xie Jing no longer paid attention to the dying Xu Da and faced the generals again.

Seeing some generals' expressions flickering, he knew what they were thinking and shattered their fantasies with his words.

"Don't try to resist, my people are guarding outside now.

If you know what's happening, I can spare your lives, and you can all stay here in peace and wait for things to happen.

If you don't behave yourself, I don't mind sending you off right now."

Everyone was shocked and couldn't believe that Xie Jing was so brave.

You know, almost all the senior generals in the entire South Camp are in the hall!

But looking at Xu Da who was almost silent in the corner, they dared not disbelieve it.

  Xie Jing even killed the commander-in-chief!

Then someone trembled and said: "Xie Jing, you... you are so brave, you..."

After all, I couldn't say anything harsh.

Although they are all military commanders, they are still dizzy and confused about the situation. Naturally, they do not have the courage to get angry and cause blood to splatter within five steps.

Seeing that they were honest, Xie Jing finally breathed a sigh of relief and began to adopt a conciliatory policy and collect the weapons.

Although according to the orders he received, he could kill all these people if necessary.

But not to mention that these people are his colleagues after all, and they have some kind of relationship after working together for so many years. Just take this group of people in high positions, and it is impossible to figure out how many relatives and friends they have.

Unless he had to, he didn't want to make too many enemies.

It would be better to keep them and wait for Emperor Ning Kang's final decision.

Now that Xu Da is dead and the senior generals are under his control, the 30,000 troops in the Southern Camp will not pose a threat to Emperor Ning Kang's grand plan.

at the same time.

Similar situations occurred in Beidaying and Simaying, which was also stationed outside the city but had fewer soldiers and horses.

But there is no "soft-hearted" Xie Jing in these places.

All events are paved with bright red blood.

The same is true in the capital.

The change of supreme power has always come at the cost of human lives.

The nine gates of the entire capital were closed and martial law was imposed both inside and outside the city.

  (There was no inner and outer city in the Wei capital, only the capital, the imperial city and the Forbidden City)

Soldiers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard were constantly galloping through the streets of the capital, setting up blockades everywhere.

There are also rumors that the arrogant and unreasonable Jinyiwei rushed into the homes of bigwigs who were usually high and mighty, arrested people without any explanation, or even hacked them to death.

Inside the imperial city, the soldiers of the various divisions of the Imperial Guard were also in a panic.

They found that they could not contact their superiors. Even those who could be contacted were all solemn and ordered to stay in the barracks and not to move rashly.

It was impossible to conceal the huge commotion caused by the Royal Army Camp, the Guard Camp, the Imperial Guard Infantry Camp and the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

  They probably didn't even think about hiding it from anyone, they just followed the orders left by Emperor Ning Kang before leaving Beijing and carried out their respective tasks:

Kill and control as many of the emperor's loyal followers as possible.

This was a shocking coup d'état. It was also a premeditated murder.

……