Amidst them, only Zhang Er hesitated. For if this matter failed, it would immediately be an act of treason, and none of the participants would escape. The Emperor was known to be profoundly cunning, his depths recognized by all. How could it be so easy? Yet, if they did not act, the matter had already reached this point. After all, they had already killed an imperial censor, apprehended the sons and grandsons of the Yan family, and declared open war against the entire Yan faction. If the Yan faction were to rise again and Prince Jing ascend the throne, the Crown Prince would undoubtedly be deposed. And once the Crown Prince was deposed, how could his followers fare any better? Every man present, facing utter ruin, wavered. Prince Yu suddenly spoke, "Zhang Er, you must surely know about the matter of the Prince of Raoyang?"
This?
Zhang Er was instantly struck with terror. That was his secret conspiracy with Yan Shifan. The audacity to act then was only because the arrow was already on the bowstring. Once the Prince of Raoyang was forced to confess, revealing all sorts of wrongdoings, he himself would also face a death sentence.
He had believed that no one else knew of this, yet the Crown Prince was fully aware!
"Your... Your Highness, this minister, this minister has sinned..."
With those words, his mind became crystal clear. The Crown Prince had said he would not force them, but with events having reached this juncture, how could he possibly remain on the sidelines?
Unexpectedly, Prince Yu merely patted his shoulder with a smile and spoke kindly, "Zhang Er, who among us can escape all sorts of snares? This King knows you have some old acquaintances in the palace... If this matter is to be carried out, there are still some within the Eastern Depot whom we cannot control... Zhang Er, this King will provide you with some men. At that time, you will go and pacify the people in the Eastern Depot."
This?
Alas. "Your subordinate obeys."
Zhang Er could only agree.
Prince Yu then said, "Chongji, you go to Zhihua Temple and bring everyone out... As for the matter of entering the palace to protect the Emperor, Wang Tingxiu cannot handle it. This King can only trouble you with it? The remaining manpower, hand it over to Duke Mu, Duke Ying, and Marquis Wu!"
Yin Tai had already cast all caution to the wind and immediately knelt, saying, "This humble minister would rather die a thousand deaths!"
Mu Chaobi, Wu Jijue, and Zhang Rong, though their hearts trembled, realized that since matters had reached this point, without decisive action, there was no turning back.
Mu Chaobi said gravely, "Good! Your Highness, Duke Ying and Marquis, we shall go and apprehend the Yan family's followers! Let both sides act simultaneously! Declare that the Yan family has rebelled and arrest over a hundred people of all ranks, imprisoning them all in the Ministry of Justice. Once the Emperor is rescued, with a single imperial decree, all will be beheaded at Meridian Gate!"
Excellent!
This is precisely what should be done!
Wu Jijue, always possessed of extraordinary courage, declared generously, "Since we are ministers of the Crown Prince, if our lord is insulted, his ministers shall die. The Crown Prince has suffered such humiliation from the Yan family; we ought to have fought back long ago! Crown Prince, rest assured! Wu Jijue has only death to offer!"
Zhang Rong was stirred. Reflecting, he felt there was no alternative. Even if they retreated, where would they go? If the Yan family truly managed to install Prince Jing, what fate would befall the meritorious officials? In these past years, no less than eighty, if not a hundred, meritorious officials had been persecuted to death by the Yan family. The situation was already irreconcilable. With this thought, his white beard trembled slightly, and he too declared with determination, "Your Highness, this old minister has no other choice!"
Indeed, indeed. Prince Yu let out a long sigh and said sternly, "Let us proceed..."
The few men immediately departed, no longer glancing at each other. In the blink of an eye, the vast residence was left with only Prince Yu.
At this moment, he suddenly felt an immense loneliness. It was a loneliness and helplessness that had existed for eons, perceivable only from his position. Common people often spoke of suffering in life as great hardship, but only royalty could truly understand. What were the hardships of common people in comparison?
True great hardship lay in being unable to control one's own destiny at every step. That night, the entire capital was enveloped in a strange and terrifying atmosphere.
Although many citizens kept their doors shut tight, they could all hear the hurried sound of marching footsteps. The elite guards from Zhihua Temple, disguised as imperial troops, moved swiftly through the streets and alleys of the capital. From time to time, the cries of women and children could be heard. In several alleyways where imperial officials preferred to reside, silhouettes could be seen for a long time. Many officials were dragged from their beds in the middle of the night and, before they could even comprehend what was happening, were thrown into prison. An hour later, at the Yan residence, Mu Chaobi and Wu Jijue personally led a team. They first surrounded the entire compound, then had soldiers patrol the perimeter, before leading a contingent of three hundred men to break through the gate.
With resounding booms!
The residence gate fell inward.
"Yan Song and Yan Shifan have rebelled! Unauthorized personnel, do not move!"
"This is a major case of rebellion; unrelated individuals, please withdraw!"
"Yan Song, Yan Shifan, come out!"
Amidst the clamor, soldiers searched everywhere, and the sounds of weeping immediately filled the night sky. Mu Chaobi and Wu Jijue waited anxiously outside the courtyard, but the longer they waited, the more their hearts pounded with apprehension. Why had they not apprehended the culprits yet?
Did something go wrong?
Wu Jijue asked agitatedly, "Your Grace, has something gone awry?"
Mu Chaobi, having experienced battle, felt a shadow immediately cross his mind, and he blurted out, "Could they have already escaped? Did Zhang Er leak the news?"
Wu Jijue shook his head. "Yan Song is exceptionally cunning. Perhaps he guessed something? His Highness guided Zhang Er, so there should be no major issue."
Good heavens!
Mu Chaobi suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "Lu Bing!"
"It must be Lu Bing who is hiding him and his son!"
"Hurry to Lu Bing's mansion!"
Wu Jijue, however, asked, "Lu Bing is the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard! Are we truly going to seize someone from the Commander's residence?"
Mu Chaobi declared loudly, "Then what shall we do? Even if they hide in the heavens or burrow into the earth, we must apprehend them first! Let's go!"
With a rush!
Countless eyes, hidden around them, watched as soldiers hurried out again, heading west. Only the scene of utter disarray and cries of anguish remained within the courtyard. At Lu Bing's mansion, the lights were blazing.
Yan Song and Yan Shifan had just sat down, gasping for breath, still shaken. Luo Longwen, Yan Maoqing, Zhao Wenhua, Zhang Jing, and others also arrived successively, all with disheveled hair and untidy attire. Their escorts were eunuchs and palace officials personally summoned by Lu Bing from the Eastern Depot.
Not long ago, Lu Bing's informants had suddenly reported: the Imperial Guards had been mobilized on a large scale, divided into small teams heading to all corners of the city. Many of the Yan family's followers had already been arrested, the first to be targeted being Gao Hanwen, Xu Lun, Zhang Yu, Liu Boyue, and Xu Xueshi, who resided in official residences around the Censorate.
Such astonishing events. How could Lu Bing, who had served as the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard for thirty years, not guess? He immediately used his personal command to summon his subordinates from the Eastern Depot, sending them to discreetly escort Yan Song, Luo Longwen, Zhao Wenhua, Yan Maoqing, and others to his own residence. He was a hereditary commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and had served as the sixth-rank official for over twenty years. Jiajing also had an extraordinary familial relationship with him. His residence contained a golden scroll of exemption, and he believed he could hold them off for a while.
After all, Lu Bing and Yan Shifan were in-laws. If the Yan family were destroyed by the Crown Prince, Lu Bing, while not likely to die, would certainly be finished. His son's ability to continue the hereditary succession as Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard would be impossible.
Furthermore, the Crown Prince had suddenly launched this offensive, and the Emperor was likely unaware. And the informants said the Crown Prince's men were incessantly claiming that the Yan family had colluded with the internal official Li Bin to hijack the Jade Purity Palace and rebel. This indicated that the Crown Prince might even be contemplating a drastic change. Regarding his understanding of Jiajing, Lu Bing believed no one in the world could surpass him. If this Emperor were to be deposed without any backup plans, it would truly be a monstrous anomaly!
Therefore, he decided to temporarily preserve the lives of the Yan family. If the situation turned unfavorable, he would ultimately hand over the Yan father and son himself, which would then be considered a merit that offset his crimes. At this moment, he saw the Yan father and son were truly panicked. Even Luo Longwen, who was usually composed, was panting unevenly, clearly terrified. He immediately comforted them, "Esteemed Elder, Young Elder, for now, it should be alright... Alas, how could this have happened? Esteemed Elder, if things continue like this, it won't do!"
Yan Song chuckled, sighed, and said, "First they arrested my three grandsons, then they killed three imperial censors I recommended, and now they have arrested many of my disciples. Tonight, they even want to exterminate the entire Yan lineage... Heh heh, Wenfu, am I truly that wicked? Huh?"
Lu Bing shook his head, vexed, and said, "Esteemed Elder has governed for twenty years, and the world respects and fears you. Even if you have no merits, you have toiled diligently... This action by the Crown Prince, Lu Bing truly does not understand. Alas, Esteemed Elder, what do you think we should do now?"
Luo Longwen had now calmed down and asked, "Brother Wenfu, who is leading tonight's operation?"
Lu Bing blurted out, "Well, I heard it was Mu Chaobi. Hmph, so what if he's the Duke of Qian? Can he possibly come to my residence to arrest anyone?
Lord Luo can rest assured!"
Luo Longwen sneered and said, "Brother Wenfu, since this person is responsible, they will sooner or later find their way here... Esteemed Elder, Young Elder, your subordinate believes it is still best to leave the city."