jdhmnovel Chapter 377 Coup 1
Chapter 377 Coup 1
The two officials were dragged out of the main hall and beheaded.
The sound of the blade striking down, accompanied by the two adults' abruptly stopped screams, sent chills down everyone's spines.
At this moment, the ministers who were still pleading for the Tong family and supporting the crown prince were secretly wondering if they could leave the palace safely today.
It is clear that the emperor has made up his mind to depose the crown prince.
Some ministers also tried to persuade the emperor that the crown prince is the crown prince and the Tong family is the Tong family.
"Your Majesty, the Tong family is despicable and hateful, deceiving the world and stealing fame. They should be executed!"
But the Crown Prince was unaware of this; he is innocent. We beg Your Majesty to forgive him.
"Has Duke Wen forgotten why the Crown Prince was placed under house arrest?"
The emperor glanced at the expressions of his civil and military officials; at this moment, not many were still standing tall and proud.
It's tragic that after decades of dedicated governance, with his body barely half-buried, his courtiers were already plotting to serve the new ruler.
"By imperial decree, the Crown Prince is cruel and violent, unable to distinguish between good and evil, morally corrupt, and muddle-headed. He is unable to educate his wife and children at home, nor can he control his court officials. He cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and is therefore unfit to inherit the throne. From this day forward, he is hereby deposed as Crown Prince and confined to Faming Temple to practice Buddhism and pray for the people."
The Tong family's crimes are countless. They have betrayed the Emperor's trust and the people's respect. They have been corrupt, lawless, and even manipulated the imperial examinations, selling official positions and disheartening scholars across the land. Their crimes have caused widespread resentment among the people, and their removal is essential to appease public anger.
The emperor paused, then called upon several ministers to ask, "What should be done with the Tong family?"
Everyone knew that with such a crime, the extermination of the entire clan was inevitable; the only question was whether the Emperor still had any affection for the Tong family.
Furthermore, since the Empress is still bedridden, if the Emperor considers the past between husband and wife, perhaps he can preserve a lineage for the Tong family.
"Minister Xiao, what do you say?" The emperor looked at Xiao Zhengyang.
If the question is directed to Xiao Ji, Xiao Ji can certainly make a judgment according to the law.
But since the question was directed to Master Xiao, he should leave himself some room for maneuver.
"Your Majesty, I believe that the Tong family has committed heinous crimes and deceived the Emperor, and should be severely punished. However, the women and children are innocent. Could we show leniency and spare them the death penalty?"
The other ministers also expressed their views.
Some people, following the emperor's wishes, said that only the execution of nine generations of the Tong family would be enough to atone for the crimes committed by the Tong family.
Some people suggested confiscating the family's property and exiling the entire Tong family to Lingnan as a warning to others.
Everyone knew that the Emperor had already made his decision, and saying anything now would be useless and might even anger him.
"The Tong family has escaped from prison and their whereabouts are still unknown. What you all say is good, but if we can't catch them, no punishment will be of any use."
The emperor laughed sarcastically.
"Under the emperor's very nose, in the most secure prison, how could prisoners be rescued en masse? Do they really think I'm a fool?"
The emperor pointed to several people, and as soon as he pointed to one, the imperial guards rushed up and dragged him away.
No one begged for mercy.
Everyone knows that with such a big case, someone will inevitably have to pay the price.
The bloodstains outside the main hall had not yet dried. The ministers who had been dragged out knelt in a row, stripped of their official robes and hats, waiting to be executed.
The sun was blazing and the ground was scorching hot, but everyone's hearts were filled with despair.
"Execute!" At this shout, the Imperial Guards raised their swords.
But before they could bring down their swords, a hail of arrows rained down on them.
After a volley of arrows, the imperial guards who were not standing outside the main hall escaped the calamity and rose to run forward.
Under the scorching sun, a cavalry unit charged in, the leader carrying a severed head, which he forcefully hurled towards the Golden Palace.
The head rolled a few times on the ground and came to rest at Xiao Ji's feet.
He looked down and met a pair of unseeing, lifeless eyes.
He recognized the man; he was the Imperial Guard Captain who had previously guarded the palace gates, and also the eldest grandson of Grand Secretary Ji.
Zhao Jinxiao immediately led his men to close the palace gates.
With a series of thuds, many arrows pierced through the windows and entered the main hall, causing a number of officials standing at the back to fall.
The officials scattered in a panic, each seeking cover.
On the dragon throne, the emperor's body was completely blocked by the guards. An official who tried to climb the steps was kicked down by a guard.
"What's going on?" the emperor demanded loudly.
Zhao Jinxiao looked out through the hole in the window and saw a large, dark mass of people standing in the square outside.
There were several hundred cavalrymen in front, and behind them were neatly arranged infantry, numbering approximately ten thousand.
Judging by their imposing presence, they are a regular army.
When did such a team appear in and around the capital?
When Zhao Jinxiao saw their uniforms clearly, he realized that they were actually the Northwest Imperial Guards.
They actually mobilized troops from the Northwest all the way to the Central Plains!
Did the Crown Prince have this planned all along?
"Your Majesty, outside the gate are the Northwest Imperial Guards, led by Yang Changlong, the Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards."
The Imperial Guards were too scattered. Some went to Vulture Peak Mountain, some followed the Secret Guards to track down fugitives, and most of the rest were scattered in the palace.
Fortunately, in order to escort Xiao Ji into the palace, Zhao Jinxiao led a thousand imperial guards to guard inside and outside the main hall.
"It seems that in addition to the crimes mentioned above, the Tong family will also be charged with treason," Xiao Ji said loudly.
Minister Zhao retorted, "What's the use of saying all this now? It's not even certain whether Lord Xiao will get out alive."
As if in response to Minister Zhao's words, someone outside shouted: "Listen up, you inside! The emperor is inhumane, and I am muddle-headed and confused, unable to distinguish right from wrong. He has wantonly killed important officials of the court, which is against the will of Heaven."
The Crown Prince has been taught by the Sage since childhood. He is calm and composed, and loves the people like his own children. We have come by the mandate of Heaven to support the Crown Prince in inheriting the throne, to reform the old and bring about the new, and to eliminate corruption..."
The people outside spoke at length about grand principles, while those inside listened quietly, unaware of what the others were thinking.
Anyone with eyes can see that in the current situation, who becomes emperor is not determined by words, but by who has the stronger fist.
Zhao Jinxiao shouted outside, "Yang Changlong, who gave you the audacity to lead troops in rebellion? The Northwest Imperial Guards are responsible for guarding the border. You left without permission. Have you considered the consequences?"
Yang Changlong laughed heartily and said arrogantly, "Once we have helped a wise ruler ascend the throne, we will leave!"
Xiao Ji calculated the time. If Marquis Pingyang could return from Vulture Peak Mountain smoothly, perhaps they could launch a coordinated attack from within and without.
This group of Northwest Army soldiers was not large in number and did not appear to be elite troops. The fact that they were able to come all the way from the Northwest was enough to show their loyalty to the Crown Prince.
But there won't be many soldiers willing to go through fire and water for the crown prince.
He walked up to Zhao Jinxiao and asked in a low voice, "How many guards are there in the palace now?"
"Besides these thousand people, there are probably two thousand more, but the fact that they were able to get here means that the thousand imperial guards stationed outside the palace gates are gone."
The other thousand Imperial Guards were like a disorganized mess, and even if they came to the rescue, they wouldn't be of much use.
"Now we can only wait for Marquis Pingyang." Zhao Jinxiao's thoughts coincided with Xiao Ji's.
However, neither of them was sure whether Marquis Pingyang would receive the news in time while he was in the mountains.
Furthermore, the traitorous Imperial Guards will undoubtedly become the biggest obstacle for Marquis Pingyang to enter the city.