At this moment, Yan Shifan was frenzied by the killing. Staring at the dense smoke and raging fires filling the city, with wails and lamentations, he suddenly seemed to not know where he was. Had things reached this point due to human will or heavenly design? Was it worth it? Did it have to come to this? To be honest, he didn't know!
As for why he hadn't gone back to inform his father, he couldn't quite explain it. It was just a feeling deep in his heart—
The only way out lay in his own fighting spirit…
If he held his ground, everyone else would have a chance to live… If he retreated even slightly, the imperial family would capture everyone!
This feeling was so strong that it overwhelmed all other thoughts, leaving him with no doubt, only the conviction that what he was doing was the only right thing!
Lu Bing was by his side. Although he had been a Commander of the Imperial Guard, he was deeply shaken by the current slaughter. Having fought since last night, he estimated that over a thousand innocent people had been killed, and hundreds of houses burned, most of which belonged to the families of upright officials. Neither side consisted of soldiers; every confrontation was like a brawl between ruffians. The techniques of the battlefield were of no use at all, only loudness, strength, and courage mattered. A hint of cowardice would immediately lead to being chased through the streets.
Moreover, as it always happened in chaos, as soon as someone started burning houses, the local hooligans would not be idle. These people, disguised as members of the Yan faction, looted many shops. Such lawlessness was even more frightening than a military disaster…
"Donglou, this… this won't do… When will this fighting end? King Jing will be returning victorious from his campaign within these two days…"
Hmph,
Alas,
Although Lu Bing came from a military background, his scalp was numb. He wanted to argue, but had no words to offer.
Just then,
Yan Shou, leading twenty to thirty men, ran over from the end of the street, shouting:
"Young Senior Secretary! Young Senior Secretary…"
"To Meridian Gate!"
"The Senior Secretary wants everyone to go to Meridian Gate!"
Ah?
What?
Lu Bing's heart pounded—
How could father and son be thinking the same thing?
Were they really planning to rebel?
One must know,
Lu Bing's mother was Jiajing's wet nurse. It was precisely because of this connection that Lu Bing knew that even if he committed a capital offense, he could still save his life. The great chaos that began last night, according to the laws of the Great Ming, could at most be considered "inciting riot," because the spearhead was not directly aimed at the imperial family. But if they truly stormed the palace, it would be an undeniable "treason," and even with a imperial decree of immunity, he would not survive!
Based on his understanding of Jiajing, the emperor would likely let him go initially, but once things settled, he would suddenly send someone to bestow poisoned wine…
Thinking of this, fear surged through him. He wanted to advise caution, but seeing the sinister and terrifying expression on Yan Shifan's face, another thought flashed through his mind—
If I want to back down,
Yan Donglou won't let me…
"Good!"
"This is it!"
Lu Bing actually responded loudly and said:
"Ashou! Go and report to the Senior Secretary that we are on our way!"
Yan Shifan then broke into a smile, patted his shoulder, and sighed:
"Old Lu, this is the way it should be!"
With a clatter, he picked up a saber from the ground and, facing the dense ranks of his household guards, shouted:
"Move!"
"To Meridian Gate!"
…
At the same time,
King Jing, alone on horseback, followed by a thousand personal guards selected by Hu Zhen, plus Han Chong's two thousand elite soldiers, galloped towards the Forbidden City.
It was already the hour of the snake (9-11 AM). The capital, usually bustling, was like an empty city today, with no ordinary civilians in sight. Every person they encountered was a household guard or a ruffian engaged in looting, beating, or arson… Even Han Chong, accustomed to battles, was filled with desolation and unease.
Just as they reached the area of the Censorate, Hu Zhen caught up with a squadron of cavalry.
"Your Highness! The Yan mansion is empty!"
He rode up, glared at Han Chong, and then whispered into King Jing's ear:
"Your Highness, the Yan family mansion is deserted. I interrogated a few people, and they said everyone went to Meridian Gate… They also released the prisoners from Zhihua Temple…"
He looked around, and in a voice like a mosquito's, he said:
"They said Yan Song intends to lead everyone into the palace to protect His Majesty… They said—"
Heh,
King Jing naturally guessed the Yan family's style. He said loudly:
"Don't hold back! What are you afraid of? Speak up!"
Cough, cough,
Hu Zhen replied loudly:
"The people from the Yan mansion said that King Jing is returning to usurp the throne, and Senior Secretary Yan is leading the household guards of all officials to the palace to protect His Majesty!"
Ah?
Damn it!
Han Chong was instantly stunned—
Thank goodness for my good fortune…
If I had been caught up in this, it would have been a crime punishable by extermination of the entire clan.
These father and son are truly willing to go all out…
He expected King Jing to be furious, but upon closer observation, he saw that King Jing instead displayed a strange hint of excitement. Although it flashed by quickly, it made Han Chong feel a sense of inexplicable panic—
Why is he smiling?
What is he planning to do?
While he was wondering, King Jing had already said in a deep voice:
"Hu Zhen, take three squads of men to the vicinity of Meridian Gate. Do not act for now!"
"Han Chong, deploy more men to confiscate the homes of these individuals… Arrest everyone who is at home and detain them at Zhihua Temple first…"
As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his怀, densely filled with names, and continued:
"These are all Yan family faction members. You must not let any of them go… Take this!"
Han Chong knew his only path to survival was to turn against the Yan family. He took the paper decisively and glanced at it. "Your Highness, I recognize most of these people! But, but should we also arrest old men like Wu Peng and Lü Ben?"
"Naturally, we must arrest them…"
King Jing finished speaking, then suddenly turned his horse, bent down, and whispered sinisterly into Han Chong's ear:
"What are you afraid of? Do you still have old sentiments?"
Han Chong shivered and stammered:
"Your subordinate… your subordinate is worried that these are all high-ranking officials and have always been the leaders of the Yan family. Your subordinate and the soldiers under his command are, after all, their subordinates. The soldiers have always feared them. Now, I worry they won't dare…"
Heh,
King Jing smiled calmly and said:
"Didn't I say we should confiscate their homes… These are all criminals, and their property is also illicit property. The laws of the Great Ming do not protect illicit property…"
This?
Hu Zhen was taken aback: This is not adding to the chaos? Letting soldiers confiscate homes, and then saying their property is not protected, wouldn't they go mad with greed?
Han Chong also knew the consequences, but thinking of the current situation, if they didn't die, then he would die. There was no other choice.
"Your Highness, your subordinate understands!"
Mm-hmm,
"Go and handle it now. You must complete it by the hour of the monkey at the latest…"
"Your subordinate accepts the decree!"
Han Chong, who often mingled with these people and was familiar with the capital, immediately dispatched his men according to the list. Considering that the household guards of these individuals were all out, their residences were likely unattended. Each small team only needed twenty men. Divided into a hundred small teams, they could complete the arrests within two or three trips at most. As soon as he gave instructions to his subordinate officers, they immediately understood the implied meaning, and their faces lit up with excitement.
Soon,
The two men parted ways. King Jing, with his personal guards, did not proceed further but instead directly took up residence at the Censorate.