Under Ding Yun's deliberate indulgence, Duke An steadily advanced to the entrance of the imperial court's main hall.
And he had to halt for the moment.
For even if he wanted to bring his entire army in, the main hall couldn't accommodate so many people.
Thus, he had to make a choice.
Would he lead a select few to probe inside?
Or would he simply raise the banner of rebellion?
Bringing a few people to test the waters was indeed a more subtle approach. If there was an ambush inside, it would make his rebellion even more justifiable and righteous.
However, he also worried that the ambush might involve too many people.
And pose a danger to him.
After all, as the saying goes, a wise person does not stand under a dangerous wall. He was unwilling to risk his life.
As for directly rebelling.
He felt a lack of righteousness.
It was precisely because of this internal struggle that Duke An, after stopping, immediately turned to look at the strategist beside him. Though he didn't ask directly, they both understood.
After a long while, Xu Qinghe sighed in resignation.
“Things have come to this point; safety is paramount.
Let's not concern ourselves with face. Let's focus on capturing the young emperor first. We can consider matters of face and legitimacy after we succeed.”
“As the saying goes, history is written by the victors. This entire journey has been suspiciously smooth, so we must not let our guard down. You must remember, even when a lion hunts a rabbit, it must exert its full strength.”
If possible, who wouldn't want to legitimately ascend to the throne? But it was clearly no longer possible now. Therefore, they could only resort to any means necessary to usurp the throne first, and then consider other matters.
At the same time, because he felt the entire journey had been too smooth, he specifically cautioned Duke An again.
Hoping he wouldn't let down his guard because of it.
“Good, raise the flag!”
After listening to the strategist and the explanations from several advisors, Duke An finally made up his mind and gave the order.
This was the signal they had agreed upon long ago.
Once their leading party changed the banner, replacing the original Southern Zhou national flag with the Duke An Army's flag, it would mean they had officially rebelled, and everyone must immediately obey and attack any resistance.
Following his command, the flag bearers outside immediately made the change. Simultaneously, the general on the left, following one of the pre-arranged plans – specifically, what to do upon reaching the palace – quickly led his troops straight towards the main hall, surging in, aiming to capture the leader first.
Other soldiers were either confronting the eunuchs and palace maids nearby or facing the civil and military officials who had come along, threatening them not to make any moves.
Otherwise, they would not be held responsible for their ruthlessness.
As for the remaining soldiers, they naturally surrounded the entire main hall, preventing anyone from escaping.
In order to witness the fruits of victory firsthand.
Duke An specifically emerged from his heavily armored carriage, most of which was lined with steel plates, and looked at the main hall with a smile. However, his face fell the next second. The soldiers who had just rushed into the main hall had all been sent flying out.
This was not an exaggerated rhetorical description.
But a literal flight, soaring through the air without their feet touching the ground.
“This…”
Before he could utter a word, the chief eunuch, who had led them into the palace earlier, pushed off the ground and, like a soaring dragon, shot towards Duke An.
And grabbed him by the neck.
He then quickly retreated, and before anyone else could react, he had Duke An's life firmly in his grasp, simultaneously retreating to the front of the army.
That is, at the entrance of the main hall.
While he was making his move, the young eunuchs and palace maids who had been standing beside him were not idle. Each chose a direction and charged towards the generals.
In just a few moments…
They had captured generals, one with each hand, and even one tucked under their crotch.
It likely took only a minute or two in total.
All the leaders were captured.
The remaining soldiers were all stunned. With their leaders captured, what was the point of their rebellion? Would they gain anything?
But they dared not surrender immediately.
After all, it was rebellion, an act punishable by death.
Fortunately, Ding Yun had anticipated this and had already instructed the chief eunuch beforehand. Therefore, in the next moment, the chief eunuch used the Lion's Roar technique, a part of the Indestructible Divine Skill, to loudly announce that the soldiers present had contributed to the country.
This rebellion was merely being misled by villains.
As long as they immediately disarmed and surrendered, their lives would be spared.
This was a form of disarmament without killing.
With these words, the soldiers, who had already lost all fighting spirit due to Duke An's capture, naturally disarmed one after another. Some even cried and begged for mercy. There was essentially no one who resisted stubbornly.
What followed, of course, was the cleanup.
After everyone disarmed, Ding Yun immediately emerged from the main hall, carrying the young emperor and the remaining eunuchs and palace maids who had not participated in the fight. The chief eunuch stepped forward, forcing Duke An to kneel, and declared:
“Your subject bows to the Empress Dowager!
Long live the Empress Dowager, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!
I have not disgraced my mission; I have apprehended the traitor!”
Following this, the eunuchs and palace maids who had captured many of Duke An's advisors and generals also forced them to kowtow, bowing to Ding Yun. They only bowed to her, not even mentioning the emperor in her arms.
However, no one paid attention to this at the time.
At this point, the officials and nobles on the sidelines, who had been unaware of what was happening, finally realized that this was the Empress Dowager's previous confidence, and they didn't need to worry.
Although most of them were still filled with confusion, not knowing where the Empress Dowager had found such powerful subordinates, they were mostly happy that the dynasty had not changed hands.
As for the minority who were unhappy.
These were naturally those who had harbored intentions of betraying the country and cooperating with Duke An, or even those who had informed Duke An in advance. They were fortunate not to have died of fright, let alone to be relieved and happy.
Their faces were generally pale.
Their eyes darted around.
Unsure of what to do!
“The Ministry of War will cooperate with Duke Ding Guo to register these soldiers. Also, although their lives are spared, they participated in the rebellion, so all previous rewards will be revoked. Furthermore, all of them will have their military service extended by three years.
If any perform meritorious service in the future, it may offset this.
As for Duke An and these ringleaders, the Ministry of Justice will take them back for strict interrogation. Question them separately to ascertain when they harbored these thoughts, who the mastermind was,
And if there are any subsequent plans!
Additionally, Duke An has contributed to the country. I hereby grant a special imperial decree to spare his life. You must not torture them during interrogation. As for the specific punishment, it will depend on Duke An's cooperation. Take them away.
Also, those of you who have arrived should not leave for now. We will convene another court session later. Although this matter has been resolved, the subsequent implications require all of you to work together.”
Although, in theory, Duke An’s rebellion would warrant the extermination of his entire clan, given that it did not cause significant negative repercussions, and there were still tens of thousands of Duke An's troops on the border, coupled with the fact that he had just conquered a country, these factors combined made it difficult for Ding Yun to directly execute Duke An's nine generations of relatives.
Since exterminating his clan was not feasible, she might as well go easy on him and spare his life. This could also create a good reputation for her, preventing future conspiracy theories of her discarding him once he was no longer useful.
Keeping him alive would demonstrate her compassion.
It would also appease the border troops.
And allow other military officials and nobles who held military power to feel truly at ease, knowing that even a rebel was not killed, let alone those who had not rebelled.
After speaking, Ding Yun turned and returned to the main hall.
The others quickly handed over the prisoners to the departments designated by the Empress Dowager for processing.
Officials qualified to attend court.
They all followed the Empress Dowager into the main hall.