Purging the Emperor’s side.

Once this rallying cry was released, all parties were like cats that had caught scent of fish. They quickly raised the banner of “Eliminate the evil Daoist, pledge to purge the Emperor’s side to the death.”

Those feudal princes who had still been observing from the sidelines rolled up their sleeves one after another to enter the fray. Some cooperated with other feudal princes, while others acted independently.

The imperial court became increasingly stretched thin, almost unable to send out generals capable of handling situations independently. Recruiting soldiers also grew increasingly difficult.

Under these circumstances, Prince Jingbei led troops in a long drive straight in, breaking through Yan City and pressing directly toward the capital.

With rebel forces close at hand and Emperor Yong’an already overwhelmed, misfortunes never come singly—a mutiny broke out within the city.

A Jinlin Guard drew his blade and chopped off the head of Jinlin Guard Commander Li Jing. Leading a large number of Jinlin Guards, he surrounded the Princess’s estate, requesting that His Majesty rescind the decree harming young women in the city and severely punish Princess Changle.

No one had ever imagined that the dignified new Jinlin Guard Commander’s backside hadn’t even warmed his seat before his head moved to a new home.

Emperor Yong’an stood with his hands clasped behind his back in the empty hall, dark clouds gathering on his face.

The former Jinlin Guard Commander Luo Chi had rebelled. The new Jinlin Guard Commander Li Jing had been killed by his subordinates. Was the Jinlin Guard cursed?

Yet now Lei Ming, who commanded the Three Great Camps, was at war with Luo Chi—distant water couldn’t save a nearby fire. Outside there was Prince Jingbei’s great army watching like tigers eyeing their prey. If the Jinlin Guard fell into chaos as well, the Imperial City would be in danger.

What made Emperor Yong’an feel sorrowful was that at present he couldn’t find anyone capable of suppressing the Jinlin Guard.

“Your Majesty, this is news from the east.” Zhou Shan received a letter from a palace attendant and presented it to Emperor Yong’an.

Emperor Yong’an took it and read it. His gloomy expression eased slightly. “Prince Kaiyang will soon return.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shan quickly said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Emperor Yong’an made no sound.

Seeing the news in the letter that Prince Kaiyang was about to arrive, his first reaction had indeed been relief. But thinking of the Imperial Preceptor’s words, he couldn’t help worrying.

The general star shows changes…

Yet with the current crisis so severe, if he didn’t use Prince Kaiyang, things would only get worse.

After weighing matters for a long time, Emperor Yong’an instructed Zhou Shan, “Transmit Our decree to Prince Kaiyang, commanding him to mobilize part of the northern garrison troops to annihilate the rebel traitor Prince Jingbei.”

Zhou Shan quickly acknowledged, then carefully mentioned the troublemaking Jinlin Guard. “Your Majesty, regarding the Jinlin Guard—”

Thinking of the already out-of-control Jinlin Guard, Emperor Yong’an’s fury surged. However, now was not the time to settle accounts.

He closed his eyes and rubbed the space between his brows. When he opened them again, his eyes were utterly cold. “Transmit Our decree—grant Princess Changle three feet of white silk to appease the soldiers and common people…”

“Your Majesty—” Zhou Shan cried out in shock, fearing he had misheard.

Emperor Yong’an looked at him coolly. “What?”

Zhou Shan’s heart trembled. He quickly lowered his head in acknowledgment.

“Go handle it. Neither of these matters can be delayed.” Emperor Yong’an turned around, walking with hands clasped behind his back toward the window.

The peach blossoms outside the hall had already faded. The grass and trees were at their most lush.

This cold and unfathomable Emperor couldn’t help but sigh.

Having Prince Kaiyang lead troops to the capital was not his wish. Ordering his daughter’s death was also not his wish. Yet he had no choice but to do these things.

Just like that year when he adopted Prince Pingnan’s heir Wei Qiang as Crown Prince—where was there so much freedom to do as one pleased?

Emperor Yong’an’s footsteps were heavy as he went to Noble Consort Xiao’s quarters.

A secret decree was quietly sent out, carried by swift horses to Prince Kaiyang.

Wei Han’s movements traveling westward naturally couldn’t be concealed from the court. Soon he received the secret decree delivered by two highly skilled guards.

Along with the secret decree, he also received the military tally.

After reading the secret decree, he nodded slightly to the two guards. “This prince understands. You two may return to report.”

Watching the two guards ride away on horseback, Wei Han lowered his eyes to look at the military tally in his hand.

This military tally had been taken back long ago. Ordering Shi Yan to go north had been to prepare for certain situations, relying not on the military tally that could mobilize troops, but on his prestige and connections built over many years in the military.

He had the confidence to mobilize the Northern Army, especially in today’s turbulent and chaotic times.

He hadn’t expected that now it would be legitimate and proper.

“Shi Yan.”

“Your subordinate is here.”

Wei Han passed the military tally over. “Go join your elder brother and mobilize twenty thousand troops to hurry to the capital.”

“Your subordinate receives your command!” Shi Yan didn’t delay for a moment. Taking the military tally, he left.

Wei Han turned to look toward the south.

Eliminate the evil Daoist, purge the Emperor’s side—traveling westward all this way, he had already heard of the banners raised by all parties.

He had also heard that Grand Commander Luo, forced to flee the capital to protect his daughter, had now become the new master of Heyang City.

“Master.” A personal guard approached.

Wei Han suppressed his myriad thoughts and said blandly, “Continue our journey.”

In the capital, not only was the Princess’s estate surrounded by Jinlin Guards, but a large number of common people had also gathered.

Seeing that these past days the Jinlin Guards who had been viewed as nightmares now stood on their side, people could no longer hold back their curses directed at the Princess’s estate.

“Make way, make way.”

A team of Imperial Guards cleared the path. Several palace attendants emerged, led by Zhou Shan.

Zhou Shan, holding the imperial decree, walked before the Jinlin Guard who had led the disturbance and asked, “Was it you who killed Jinlin Guard Commander Li Jing?”

That Jinlin Guard couldn’t help gripping his scabbard tightly, his entire body tense as he asked in return, “What if it was?”

He truly couldn’t bear it anymore.

First it was killing women seventeen years old born on the seventh day of the seventh month. Later, as long as they were seventeen years old, women had to be killed. Because of this he had lost his sister and couldn’t return home.

Later still they began arresting sixteen-year-olds, eighteen-year-olds… Finally even fourteen-year-olds had to be taken away and killed.

His other sister was exactly fourteen years old.

What made it worse was that he had been the one to start this, along with those companions he knew well.

This made him feel even more guilty, more regretful. Every moment he was gnawed at inside by these emotions.

One sister had gotten him promoted to squad leader—should he use another sister to become company commander?

He was still human, not an evil demon!

Die then—better to just all die together!

When he had swung his blade with reddened eyes to chop off the new Jinlin Guard Commander’s head, letting the man’s hot blood spray onto his body, all he felt was satisfaction. What happened after that, how they had surrounded the Princess’s estate—he could barely remember clearly.

“Well done.”

“What?” The Jinlin Guard was stunned.

Zhou Shan proclaimed loudly, “His Majesty never issued a decree to massacre young women in the city. It was Li Jing who distorted the sacred intent, relying on his position to slaughter innocents for personal desires. Your elimination of this treacherous subject is a great merit. His Majesty has decreed to appoint you as the new Jinlin Guard Commander.”

The Jinlin Guard was completely dumbfounded.

“Receive the decree.” Zhou Shan reminded with a smile.

The Jinlin Guard came to his senses as if from a dream and knelt to receive the decree.

The onlooking common people watched all this, both angry and afraid.

Was the imperial family taking them for fools? Even if His Majesty hadn’t ordered the killing of all young women in the city, even if it was that dog official Li Jing who had expanded the scope, surely arresting women born on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year Wuchen at the beginning couldn’t be fake!

Perhaps the Prince Jingbei’s army at the city gates had changed the mentality of the people in the city. Finally someone shouted it out.

At this moment, Zhou Shan brought out another imperial decree and sighed inwardly.

His Majesty had not miscalculated. If he wanted to pacify popular anger and completely resolve this upheaval, ordering Princess Changle’s death was the best choice.