The Prince of Yu addressed the crowd, "If you know you have erred, then quickly withdraw... If you insist on rebellion, then come and attack this Prince!"
A gasp!
A hiss!
A chill ran down the spines of the assembled officials, and a large portion of them dispersed once more. Fu Jiong attempted to hold them back, but who would listen to him? Helpless and terrified, he too had no choice but to retreat ignominiously.
Outside the grand palace gates, silence quickly descended once more.
Gazing at the receding figures of the ministers, the Prince of Yu murmured, "This Prince has been misled by scholars. It should have been this way from the start."
Upon returning to Jianji Hall, the Prince of Yu found that the open space soon filled with people, both officials and commoners alike, who had come to observe.
Before long, the entire capital, in every corner, buzzed with hushed whispers. Citizens, young and old, felt that an unprecedented crisis had unfolded.
From midday until the hour of Xu (7-9 PM), the thousands of civil and military officials in the capital were consumed by fear and unease. The families and friends of Ge Shouli and the other two, naturally indignant, were slightly incited by Yan's faction and surrounded the homes of several high-ranking officials in the Censorate. Disciples of Feng En and Ge Shouli knelt below the Meridian Gate, only to be brutally beaten by the palace guards under Wang Tingxiu's command. The leading few were even arrested and thrown into the Ministry of Justice's prison.
Thus, within a mere few hours, the vast capital fell into a deafening silence, devoid of any further clamor. The curfew had been in effect for over ten days, yet it seemed to truly begin today.
In the secret residence, the Prince of Yu tasted the flavor of power for the first time. He found that the Yan faction, once so terrifying, was merely so-so. The officials, who seemed like a disorganized rabble and frequently attempted to force the court's hand, became obedient after a few firm blows. It turned out that everything was not as difficult as he had previously imagined.
Observing the pleased expression on the Prince of Yu's face, Mu Chaobi said, "Your Highness, the capital is now under our control. With the nine gates sealed, external aid is cut off. Even if the Yan family possesses immense influence, it is but a reflection in the water. While the officials in the capital may be defiant, without leaders, no one dares to stir trouble. Your Highness, this minister believes that some matters must be decided decisively. Now that we have the upper hand, we should strike while the iron is hot and arrest all the ringleaders of the Yan family to prevent future trouble!"
A hiss!
Everyone felt a chill run down their backs.
Was arresting these people not going too far?
What if His Majesty was displeased?
But since Mu Chaobi had said this, he must have given it considerable thought. He continued, "Your Highness, everyone, if Duke Qing is not removed, the troubles of Lu will not cease! For now, we have merely suppressed them temporarily. Once the situation changes, they will undoubtedly resurface. At that time, His Majesty, under pressure, might issue an imperial edict, and Your Highness will still be in grave danger. His Majesty?
The thought occupied everyone's minds for a moment—Why has His Majesty been hiding all along?
Killing the censors naturally displeased His Majesty, but why does he still remain inactive?
Zhang Rong worriedly said, "My Lord, His Majesty might tolerate the killing of three censors, but he may not tolerate the arrest of the Yan faction. Moreover, what crime can be used to convince the world? This matter is difficult to handle."
It must be known that the Yan family's influence spread throughout the empire. For many years, they had stolen the name of the sage, and most officials and scholars viewed Yan Song as a deity. Without a sufficiently strong justification, how could they be brought down?
At this moment, the Prince of Yu suddenly said calmly, "Treason..."
A嘩!
A嘶!
Several individuals doubted if they had heard correctly. Yet, the Prince of Yu did not seem to be joking.
Mu Chaobi paced a few steps, pondered for a moment, and then blurted out, "Yes! Your Highness! This is an excellent strategy!"
An excellent strategy?
Arresting Yan Song for treason?
Even Zhang Rong, who was approaching seventy, was bewildered at this moment.
Mu Chaobi sneered, "Your Highness, since Yan Song has retaliated against us in Jiangxi, his intentions are as obvious as Sima Zhao's! Who can hide this from anyone? If it is not treason, then what is it? Besides, do the officials and commoners in the capital not see this? In the past, it was indeed difficult to move against them. But now that the arrow is on the string, we can only see it through to the end!"
He paused, looked at everyone again, and lowered his voice, "Are those pamphlets they circulated not tangible evidence of treason? The Jiangxi case has been finalized, yet they inexplicably seek to overturn it, and their accusations are directed at the current Regent Crown Prince. If this is not treason, then what is? In the past, officials and scholars throughout the capital joined in the clamor, creating public opinion that we could not counter. But now, the officials are intimidated, and their supporters dare not act rashly. If we do not act now, there will be no opportunity!"
Having said this, he looked intently at the Prince of Yu.
The Prince of Yu's expression suddenly relaxed. His previous tense and worried mood vanished. He paced a few steps with his hands behind his back, gazing leisurely at the night sky, as if discussing a very ordinary matter.
"Treason, naturally, is true. As Regent, this Prince has the right to handle the overall situation. The Yan family stirred up rebellion and repeatedly humiliated the imperial family, which is evident to all. The Yan family framed the Jiangxi case, even slandering this Prince, revealing their malicious intent. Furthermore, the Yan family has monopolized court affairs for twenty years, persecuted upright officials, and their corruption is unprecedented in history... Since this Prince is Regent, he must act justly. His Majesty's sagacity and illumination will surely understand this Prince's intentions..."
At this point, he suddenly stopped, seeming to hesitate, or perhaps he had finished speaking.
Mu Chaobi heard him mention His Majesty, but then suddenly stopped. He understood immediately—did the Prince of Yu intend to force His Majesty to abdicate?
This matter, although these few individuals had considered it and discussed it privately several times, was ultimately an extremely perilous undertaking, and no conclusion had been reached. The primary reason was the lack of a sufficiently strong justification. After all, although His Majesty had made some mistakes, his prestige was immense. He had pacified the realm for forty years, and if forced, it would surely cause widespread doubt. But now, the Prince of Yu suddenly mentioned His Majesty, and said that His Majesty knew of his efforts. What did this mean? Did he truly intend to go through with it?
He pondered for a while, and then a flash of insight struck him—Treason?
It would be said that the Yan family committed treason and had coerced His Majesty, intending to have the Prince of Jing ascend the throne!
And the Crown Prince, for the sake of the empire's survival, had no choice but to resort to this stratagem?
With a snap!
He clapped his hands and blurted out, "Indeed! Zhang Er, have you also heard? The Yan family's faction has infiltrated the palace, and the eunuch Li Bin and others have already seized Yuxi Palace, intending to have the Prince of Jing ascend the throne?"
As he spoke, his expression became extremely solemn and worried.
What?
Yuxi Palace was controlled by Li Bin?
Zhang Er was immediately bewildered.
But as a veteran of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he quickly understood—this was an attempt to frame the Yan family for treason!
Upon this realization, he also felt a sudden fear, for such a matter was truly terrifying. At this moment, seeing that the others were still hesitating, Wu Jijue snorted, "The Yan family attacked the Regent Crown Prince and plotted to harm the Prince of Jing years ago. Can these things be false? Moreover, are not Li Bin, Du Tai, and Chen Hong Yan's faction? Saying they seized Yuxi Palace is essentially true! Otherwise, with such major events occurring in the court, why has His Majesty remained silent? It is evident that Yuxi Palace has already been seized!"
A hiss!
At this moment, everyone felt as if the sky had changed before their eyes!
Yin Tai, who had been a decent official, was unjustly framed by the Yan family, leading to a miserable existence over the years. His accumulated resentment now made him declare resolutely, "My Lord and Marquis speak the truth! The Yan family's plot to usurp the throne is not a new one! Who in the world does not know this? Now the Crown Prince is wise; he has killed three rebellious officials, intimidating the lesser figures, and the common people celebrate, which shows the people's will! Your Highness, this minister believes that in the difficulty of supporting the realm, one should not be bound by minor details! Not to speak of the distant past, the incident of Emperor Yingzong's restoration at Tianshun Gate had a situation exactly like today! Your Highness entering the palace to quell the rebellion is the same as Emperor Yingzong's restoration to save the nation!"
Mu Chaobi nodded. He realized that the situation had reached this point, and there was indeed no turning back, especially since the heads of the three censors still hung outside the Meridian Gate.
He immediately declared with fervor, "Your Highness, he who strikes first controls; he who strikes later is controlled! This minister has heard rumors that there have been changes in Liaodong. In a few more days, if military reports arrive, or if the Tumu people invade, the Yan family will then raise their banners, and Your Highness will be in danger!"
A long sigh escaped everyone's lips. They deeply felt that if the Crown Prince decided today, they present would be risking everything. If they failed, His Majesty might not exterminate their entire families, but their own lives would certainly be forfeit. Thinking of this, how could they remain calm?
However, the Prince of Yu appeared very calm. He said composedly, "This Prince has stated beforehand that this matter is of great importance, and this Prince will not force anyone. But if Heaven's will is with us, this Prince will not fail to live up to it." Saying this, he gazed leisurely at the starry sky outside the courtyard, as if discussing a very ordinary matter.
Only at this moment did they realize that they suddenly could not fathom this Prince of Yu. How could someone who was once so timid suddenly possess such decisive and commanding bearing? Was it truly a matter of destiny?