Chapter 1 Deep Night

Zi time, the night was deep.

On the quiet and solemn imperial road, a thunderous roar suddenly erupted, like a clap of thunder, exploding in the ears of the imperial guards.

They heard it clearly; it was the sound of horses' hooves striking the ground!

But this was the heart of the imperial city, and during curfew hours. How could anyone be riding horses in the street?!

The guard captain in charge of the night watch grew increasingly alarmed. Daring not delay, he immediately sent someone to report the anomaly outside the palace to his superiors.

"Men, wake up the relieving soldiers and have them guard the palace gates together!"

"Also, take the seal and request assistance from the military camps stationed outside the city!"

He had just finished giving his orders.

In the darkness not far away, countless torches lit up, and the echoing sound of hooves ceased at that moment.

By the light of the torches, the guard captain looked around.

He was horrified to discover that the palace gates were surrounded by a dense mass of fully armed soldiers.

Zhang Kang, the censor-in-chief who had appeared in the daytime, was now riding a warhorse, standing tall and proud in front of the crowd, his face grim.

He shouted sharply, "Open the gate! This official must see His Majesty!"

The guard captain on duty felt flustered, but remained calm on the surface, deliberately stalling for time.

"Lord Zhang, what are you doing?"

"Bringing troops to the palace gates in the middle of the night... are you trying to rebel?!"

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhang Kang's eyes.

A mere guard captain was not worthy of his words!

He snorted coldly and said, "I don't have time to waste words with you. Open the palace gate!"

"His Majesty has not appeared for many days. This official must go in to ensure His Majesty's safety!"

The guard captain didn't believe Zhang Kang's nonsense.

This man was armed and armored, leading troops to block the palace gates. Anyone with eyes could see that he had ill intentions, and he must not be allowed in!

And so, the two sides remained deadlocked for half an hour.

Just as Zhang Kang couldn't bear it any longer and was about to make a move,

the commander of the Imperial Guards within the palace finally arrived at the main gate of the palace, accompanied by the dark guards.

They went up the city wall under cover of darkness and signaled to the guard captain, who was confronting Zhang Kang, to compromise and open the palace gate.

The guard captain was stunned.

Although he didn't understand, he hesitated for a few seconds before following the commander's instructions and let Zhang Kang and his party in.

Inside the palace,

all was silent.

The palace maids and eunuchs who were supposed to be on duty everywhere had all disappeared. Not a single figure could be found.

The winding palace road was occupied by strong and grim figures.

They were clad in scale armor, wielding ring-pommel swords, and carrying crossbows on their backs, fully armed and well-trained.

Zhang Kang walked alone at the very front, full of vigor, his eyes burning with ambition.

The Hall of Diligent Governance!

His Majesty!

I, Zhang Kang, am coming!

Kicking open the doors of the Hall of Diligent Governance, Zhang Kang was the first to rush in, shouting,

"Your Majesty, your subject, Censor-in-Chief Zhang Kang, is here to see you!"

Although his words were respectful and in accordance with etiquette,

Zhang Kang's actions at this moment could be described as presumptuous!

Not only did he not kneel in obeisance, but he even strode to the imperial desk where Jiang Chen worked, and began toying with the ornaments and seals on it!

Such an act of transgression was enough to warrant the extermination of nine generations of his family.

But he didn't care at all, as if he was certain that Jiang Chen could not resist.

Feng Jin came out of the side hall just in time to witness this scene.

He immediately roared in anger, "How dare you! You dare desecrate His Majesty's dignity!"

"This Chief Steward will certainly report this to His Majesty and slaughter your entire Zhang clan to serve as a warning…"

Before Feng Jin could finish speaking, he was kicked away by a soldier behind Zhang Kang, as a tool of flattery.

"Lord, this eunuch was being too noisy. This subordinate has already dealt with him for you, so as not to disturb your mood!"

Zhang Kang held the white jade paperweight from Jiang Chen's imperial desk, looked at the soldier in front of him with a flattering expression, and burst out laughing.

"Hahaha, well done... Feng Jin, ah, Feng Jin, as the Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, you failed to take good care of His Majesty, causing His Majesty to fall ill. This kick is this official's punishment on behalf of His Majesty!"

As he spoke, he ignored the pleas of the palace eunuchs and maids in the hall and walked towards the side hall where Jiang Chen was.

Zhang Kang was not an impulsive person.

But tonight's operation was so smooth, almost like divine assistance, that he unknowingly lost his vigilance.

In addition, Jiang Chen had frequently humiliated him during this period, causing him to lose face in public, and the resentment had run deep... Adding the two together, he exploded, forgetting Mei Wenshi's advice and his usual caution.

"Lord Zhang, you can't do this! Trespassing in the Hall of Diligent Governance is a taboo!"

"Lord Zhang, His Majesty is resting. Even if there is a major matter, you must not disturb him!"

Several imperial female officials guarding the door of the side hall were still trying to stop him.

But Zhang Kang was no longer in the mood to pay attention to them and signaled to the soldiers beside him to deal with them immediately.

After tonight, the Great Wei would be completely overturned!

Pushing open the door,

Zhang Kang led a team of soldiers in, while the remaining people surrounded the entire Hall of Diligent Governance.

Jiang Chen was lying on the bed, covered by a brocade curtain, making it difficult to see clearly.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject has come to see you."

Zhang Kang's voice unconsciously softened, lacking the arrogance he had in the main hall, and tinged with a hint of fear.

"Your Majesty, it is impolite for this subject to pay a visit late at night, but the matter is urgent, and I hope you will understand."

Jiang Chen seemed extremely weak, and remained silent for a long time, with only heavy breathing audible.

After a long while, he finally said hoarsely, "Zhang Kang, you are leading troops to break into the palace in the middle of the night. What are you trying to do? Are you rebelling?"

Zhang Kang heard his weak breathing, felt ecstatic in his heart, and boldly said, "Your Majesty, this subject dare not."

"This subject brought troops into the palace tonight because I was forced to. You have not appeared for many days, and the court is in a state of panic. For the sake of the stability of the Great Wei, I had no choice but to resort to this tactic, paying a late-night visit to ensure your safety."

Jiang Chen struggled to sit up within the brocade curtain and rebuked, "Now that you have seen me, why don't you retreat?!"

Zhang Kang knelt on the ground, raised his head upon hearing this, stared deeply at Jiang Chen, and slowly said,

"Your Majesty, for the sake of the Great Wei, please forgive this subject for being unable to obey!"

Having come this far, he had no way to retreat!

Regardless of whether the Emperor was ill or not, he must be ill at this point!

Jiang Chen seemed to be provoked by him, and said loudly, "You scoundrel! You, cough cough…"

He coughed violently, as if he was about to cough up his lungs.

Hearing this sound, Zhang Kang completely confirmed Jiang Chen's condition, and without hesitation, said coldly,

"Your Majesty, since you are seriously ill, you should rest well. It is better to leave matters of the court to us, your loyal and meritorious officials!"

"This subject has an imperial decree here. The content is that you have bestowed upon this subject and two other colleagues the title of Regent Ministers, with full authority to handle state affairs. This subject vows that as long as you are willing to affix your seal and acknowledge this matter... this subject will wholeheartedly stabilize the Great Wei!"

His voice was trembling.

With excitement, and with anticipation!

Soon, he would obtain the most supreme power in all of Great Wei!

But Jiang Chen burst into laughter, his voice full of ridicule and disdain, like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing Zhang Kang's burning ambition.

"You have prepared quite thoroughly... But what if I refuse!"