No taboos in the world

Chapter 228 Empress
The palace city of the Southern Song Dynasty was located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain, southwest of Lin'an Prefecture.

The "temporary residence" was built during the Northern Song Dynasty, and was expanded after moving south and called "Da Nei".

Compared with other dynasties, the imperial palace of the Song Dynasty was the smallest, neither as magnificent as the Chang'an Palace of the Han and Tang Dynasties, nor as spacious as the Beijing Imperial City of the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

But no matter what, Oinei is the head of a dynasty and has his own majesty.

Hong Chen stepped into the palace as a spirit, and saw many guards in the palace, with strict security everywhere.

The Xiao family has not yet officially abolished the Zhao Song Dynasty, and the new emperor's coronation ceremony will be tomorrow.

The Xiao family today has grown into a large family after more than a hundred years of expansion, but the ones who truly hold power are still the direct descendants.

The head of the family, Xiao Xun, had three sons and two daughters.

Xiao Xun's father is dead. He has three uncles and three younger brothers.

It's considered a prosperous family.

However, the more people there are, the harder some things will be to do.

Hong Chen strolled around and came to the Taimiao.

The original tablet of Emperor Zhao had been cleared out long ago, but the Xiao family did not immediately invite all of their ancestors in.

In the spacious Taimiao, incense was burning all the time, and there were only two paintings hanging at the back.

In the middle, there is a man and a woman herding horses and sheep in a wilderness with lush grass and water.

Hong Chen couldn't help but smile when he saw this.

After Xiao Feng and Azhu went north, they never saw each other again.

The scene and artistic conception depicted in this painting fulfilled the dreams of Xiao Feng and Azhu.

Although the person had passed away long ago and he couldn't help feeling sad, but looking at the current Xiao family, Hong Chen also felt happy and proud of them.

Look left.

In the painting, a woman in red dress flutters in the wind, and her black hair and red rope seem to be dancing under the brushstrokes. A green jade gourd hangs around her waist. She stands tall on the top of the mountain, overlooking the world with a smile on her face.

Nice painting.

Judging from the signatures, both paintings were created by Azhu.

She is indeed a clever and talented girl.

Below his portrait, there is an exquisite stand carved from solid wood, on which the green jade gourd in the painting is placed at an angle.

Hong Chen was delighted when he saw it, and took a step forward before stopping again.

The spiritual body cannot touch physical objects.

"Baby, I'll come back to you later."

With a smile, Hong Chen turned around and was about to leave. Just as he reached the door, he saw it was pushed open.

A woman in luxurious clothes, with a frosty face and sharp eyes, walked towards Hong Chen.

Then, she walked straight through Hong Chen's soul body, strode to the front of the portrait, stood still, and raised her head slightly.

There was no movement for a long while.

Hong Chen's face was filled with curiosity, and he walked over to her.

Although many generations have passed, Hong Chen still sees some shadows of old friends in her facial features.

Moreover, if one is not a direct descendant, it would not be so easy to enter the Taimiao.

Just looking at her expression and the murderous look in her eyes, it was obvious that she was very angry.

After a while, when the incense in the censer went out, she suddenly came back to her senses.

"Ancestor, Xiao Jin is rude." As she said this, she started to light incense.

Xiao Jin is the eldest daughter of Xiao Xun, the current head of the Xiao family. She is the fourth of five children and is twenty-four years old this year.

Hong Chen observed and nodded.

Xiao Jin's martial arts have reached the first-rate level. Even if she is extremely talented, she would still have to undergo hard training to achieve such an accomplishment at this age.

After lighting the incense, Xiao Jin retreated behind the cushion and slowly knelt down.

"Ancestors, Xiao Jin pays respect to you. The plot to build the Song Dynasty started with my grandfather and continued with my father. Many of the elders in the family helped, and Xiao Jin dared not erase their contributions.

However, since eight years ago, I have been in charge of the planning, recruiting court officials, recruiting poor families, gathering food and grass, and raising soldiers. Which one of them was not ordered by me personally? If we follow the original plan of the Xiao family, I am afraid that before my family can take over the Song Dynasty, the Song Dynasty will die on its own! "

Hong Chen was stunned: This girl came here to complain, no, it should be said that she came here to confide.

However, what Xiao Jin said was correct. Even if the Xiao family did not take action, the Song Dynasty would not last long. The current and future emperors are nothing more than the Song Dynasty's last struggle before its death.

If it weren't for Lu Xiufu and the fact that the emperor at that time was a child, the Zhao royal family might not have been able to retain even the last bit of face.

Xiao Jin continued to speak, his tone becoming more powerful.

"The plot to conquer Song has been accomplished. Xiao Jin doesn't dare to claim all the credit for it, but he can also say that it would have been accomplished without me!"

Hong Chen: Reasonable.

"Xiao Jin never thought about becoming an emperor."

Hong Chen: Hmm?

"Unfortunately, my father is afraid of me, my elder brother and younger brother have also begun to distance themselves from me, and even my mother doesn't want to see me anymore today."

Hong Chen: I understand. Someone is getting itchy.

"Those uncles and elders did try to persuade me, but I know they just have no conflicts of interest with me. If it were something that was directly related to them, I'm afraid they wouldn't be so kind."

Hong Chen: That is true, but thinking this way is too hurtful to both others and yourself.

"I know what they are worried about, so I asked to leave the capital and practice in seclusion, but they didn't want to believe me. I guess, if possible, they would rather kill me. Haha, the reason why they haven't taken action yet is not because of family affection, but because the world is not settled yet, and they may still need me."

Hong Chen narrowed his eyes.

Xiao Jin turned to look at Hong Chen's portrait, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

Her voice could not help but become a little louder: "A few days ago, just as the ancestor's will wrote, Hong Zu really appeared again!"

Hong Chen smiled, Xiao Feng and Azhu were both very smart.

"Everyone in the Xiao family was very excited when they heard the news. However, my father and brothers soon became anxious. They also knew what kind of person Hong Zu was. They were afraid that Hong Zu would break their plan after coming to Lin'an. So, my father arranged a marriage for me yesterday and wanted to send me to Daming as a concubine.

Ridiculous. In the past, when I said I would not marry, my parents were anxious but did not interfere. Now that I think about it, they probably did not want me to leave the Xiao family and make suggestions for others.

Today they have achieved success, but they are eager to send me out, fearing that I will take their place. "

After a pause, Xiao Jin's eyes became more fierce and his fists clenched tighter. "In their eyes, what exactly am I, Xiao Jin?!"

The clear and powerful voice echoed in the Taimiao.

Hong Chen looked at the tears sliding down the corners of her eyes and couldn't help but sigh.

So, this is the real reason why the Xiao family has not ascended the throne yet?

Just now he said he was proud.

Now, that's extremely disappointing.

Fortunately, Xiao Jin is not bad.

"Now, my parents and brothers treat me like this. If I do nothing, I will have no choice but to go to the Daming Palace and become someone else's plaything. Even if I make another plan, it will only be to compete with those women in the harem for favor. Xiao Jin is deeply ashamed of this!"

Xiao Jin wiped away her tears, her eyes suddenly firm.

Hong Chen blinked and became more interested.

"Father thought that I had turned into a toothless tiger by handing over the list of court officials and the tiger talisman of the army. They thought too simply. Those court officials were not businessmen who could be won over by benefits, and those armies were not mindless gold and silver that belonged to whoever held them.

Xiao Jin doesn't want to hurt his blood relatives, but he also doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in exchange for a weak or even non-existent family relationship."

She looked at Hong Chen's portrait again: "Ancestor Hong, Xiao Jin has been listening to your stories since he was a child. When he grew up, he read through the books left by his ancestors. He has long regarded you as a role model.

Everyone in the world says that you are evil, but I have always believed that you are righteous!
Since they are afraid of me doing something, I might as well actually do something.

At least, when I'm done, they won't have to be scared anymore."

Hong Chen raised his eyebrows, and the light in his eyes became brighter.

It is no exaggeration to say that this girl looks exactly like him!

Especially what she said just now, it sounded exactly like what he said. She is indeed my fan.

Xiao Jin: "The coronation ceremony has been prepared for many days. My father will ascend the throne tomorrow. He looks really majestic in the dragon robe. But I can't let him sit on the throne. The throne of the emperor can be sat by men, and I, Xiao Jin, can sit on it too! Please forgive me, ancestors!"

Hong Chen applauded silently: Well said, I will definitely help you ascend the throne!
"His Majesty!"

There was a sudden sound outside the door.

Hong Chen was stunned.

Xiao Jin frowned slightly, wiped away his tears, his eyes instantly brightened, and his expression became dignified.

"Enter!"

Footsteps approached, and the door opened, revealing a middle-aged general in full armor with blood on his sword standing outside.

He walked into the Imperial Ancestral Temple with his head bowed, and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the rebels in Lin'an City and the palace have all been captured, and are now waiting for your Majesty's decision."

Hong Chen couldn't help but slap his forehead.

I thought you were here to make up your mind, but I didn't expect you were here to make a summary after finishing your work!
However, this seems more reasonable. After all, how could a man who could take over Lin'an City and half of the country so quickly be an indecisive person?

Even though she is a woman, she should act decisively.

"How many casualties?" Xiao Jin's voice became cold, but also carried an unconcealable majesty.

"Your Majesty, the losses in this battle were relatively small. Only a dozen of our men were injured. Except for some stubborn rebels, the rest have all surrendered. However..."

The general was a little hesitant, and Xiao Jin frowned immediately: "Speak!"

"Yes! The Emperor, the Empress Dowager and the kings want to see Your Majesty."

Xiao Jin's face turned cold.

"Where is the emperor, where is the queen mother, where are the kings?"

The general hurriedly bent his waist even lower and said, "I have overstepped my bounds. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me!"

"They want to see me, and I also want to hear what they have to say." After saying this, Xiao Jin took a step forward.

Hong Chen also followed.

As soon as he left the Taimiao, Xiao Jin stopped.

"I heard that Zhao Yun's health is not good?"

Hearing this, the general understood and said calmly, "Yes, Your Majesty, Zhao Yun suddenly fell ill yesterday. I'm afraid he won't survive tonight."

Xiao Jin said casually: "Let the imperial physician in the palace treat him. After all, he was once the emperor, so he should be treated with some respect."

"As ordered!"

Hong Chen, who was standing aside, felt like he was watching a drama starring a female lead.

Not long after.

They came to a palace that was tightly blocked by soldiers.

Xiao Jin walked straight in without any pause.

The palace was luxuriously decorated, but the people inside were in an extremely miserable state.

A silent middle-aged couple and three frustrated young people.

When he saw Xiao Jin, Xiao Xun stood up instantly, pointed at her and started cursing at her.

"You unfilial daughter, do you know what you are doing?!"

Xiao Jin's expression did not fluctuate at all. He glanced at him coldly and said, "What do you want to say?"

"What do I want to say? You locked me, your mother, and your brother up here. What do you want to do? Do you want to kill us and take the throne yourself?"

"Kill you?" Xiao Jin snorted coldly, "If I really want to kill you, do you still have a chance to see me now?"

Xiao Xun breathed a sigh of relief and his expression calmed down a little.

"Jin'er, there is no reason for a woman to ascend the throne. It's not too late for you to stop now. Don't you want to be a concubine in the Ming Dynasty? After I ascend the throne, I will cancel this engagement. How about that?"

"Oh? Then have you thought about how to tell the Emperor of Ming? And have you thought about what to do if the Emperor of Ming disagrees? What if the Ming army attacks?"

The series of questions made Xiao Xun's face twitch and he stammered and found it difficult to speak.

Xiao Jin shook his head slightly.

The next moment, her mother and brothers also came up and wanted to speak.

In an instant, loud thunder suddenly sounded in the cloudless sky.

The thunder rumbles endlessly.

Several people were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, their faces pale.

Only Xiao Jin stood steadily.

Seeing this, Xiao Jin frowned.

"You are all businessmen. You can do business in a good way, but you cannot govern a country.

Father, before you ascended the throne, you were determined to eliminate the martial arts forces, because our Xiao family also came from the martial arts world. What is the difference between your behavior and the one that gave up military power over a cup of wine?
It is true that there was cholera in the martial arts world, but have you forgotten Guo Jing from Xiangyang City, and that Hong Zu and your ancestors were all people from the martial arts world?
The underworld needs to be suppressed, but it will never disappear.

If the country is in your hands, it will sooner or later become like the Song Dynasty, or even worse than it was.

I won't kill you, but I won't ban you either. From now on, you just live well here. As for my brothers, I will also take in your families.

Don't leave without permission, it's... dangerous outside."

Before he finished speaking, Xiao Jin turned and left.

However, Xiao Xun, a master who had already broken through to the first-class level, suddenly attacked from behind, and dragon-shaped energy rushed forward and attacked Xiao Jin's back.

Xiao Jin did not dodge, but just closed his eyes quietly, with two lines of tears running down his face.

A master suddenly appeared and stood behind Xiao Jin.

But what was even faster was the thunder that fell from the sky.

The thunder tore the dragon-shaped energy into pieces, and then continued to flow into the bodies of Xiao Xun and his wife and the three young men.

Wrapped in electric light, their bodies fell straight to the ground while shaking violently.

His internal energy quickly dissipated.

When the lightning disappeared, several people all fainted, their dantians were destroyed, and their lifespans were greatly reduced.

Xiao Jin turned around in surprise.

The masters around him and all the palace guards quickly knelt down after being stunned for a few moments.

"The divine thunder from heaven has come to your aid. Your Majesty has been blessed by the destiny!"

Xiao Jin walked out of the hall and looked up at the clear sky.

"Hong Zu, is that you?"

Beside him, Hong Chen nodded: "It's me."

Xiao Jin seemed to sense something and turned his head suddenly.

Hong Chen looked at the sky and the palace reflected in her eyes, and for the first time there was a hint of kindness in his smile.

Xiao Jin stood there quietly for a long time before leaving with a look of disappointment.

I followed her to the Chuigong Hall and watched her order the ministers to be promoted or dragged out and beheaded outside the hall. The smell of blood filled the entire Chuigong Hall, breaking the custom of not killing scholars and officials.

When the monarch and his ministers discuss matters, the enthronement ceremony is the first priority, pacifying the world is the second, protecting the country and the people is the most important, and reforming policies is the most urgent.

Seeing that she was organized, intelligent, and had steady and ruthless tactics, Hong Chen felt much more at ease.

By the way, she also made Hongzu of the Xiao family, who had no blood relationship with her, a king, and therefore did not hesitate to kill a group of ministers who opposed her.

Hong Chen felt that she might have ulterior motives and was determined to kill all those ministers who appeared to be obedient but were not inwardly convinced.

In the evening, seeing her appearance wearing the imperial crown, Hong Chen left the palace contentedly, turned around and went to the mansion where the Zhao royal family was imprisoned, summoned thunder from the sky, and killed Zhao Yun on the spot.
-
[Side quest: Killing Emperor Song has been completed.]

[Reward: Dragon Qi]

(End of this chapter)