Chapter 1 Assassins

The imperial palace, the Hall of Diligent Administration.

"Your Majesty, a letter from the Fifth Army Barracks reports unusual movements within the Imperial Guards!"

"Your Majesty, a message from the Dark Watchers states that the frontier troops are gathering late at night, showing signs of unrest!"

"Your Majesty, the Grand General of the Tiger Brave Army has been assassinated..."

One piece of intelligence after another arrived at the desk in the Hall of Diligent Administration through various channels.

Jiang Chen’s expression grew increasingly gloomy as he read the alarming words in the secret reports.

To assassinate a commander so easily, Mei Wen Shi's rebellious faction truly had guts!

Xu Changqing had not yet returned, likely part of their scheme to seize the palace while it was vulnerable!

Jiang Chen had anticipated this and coldly laughed, "Someone, take my decree and summon the four battalions of the imperial capital into the city to protect me."

"Also, send a message to Meng Qi, telling him to wait for the opportune moment and not to act rashly without clear instructions."

"Your subject obeys!"

After arranging everything methodically, Jiang Chen donned the bright armor he had prepared in advance, looking majestic and exceptionally handsome.

In the council hall, generals who had arrived one after another filled the room.

The clatter of armor and the hum of weapons filled the air, creating a tense atmosphere.

"Minister Shi, you will temporarily command the Imperial Guards and ensure the safety of the palace!"

At that moment, Shi Ping was also in full battle armor, completely devoid of his usual refined demeanor.

Upon receiving the order, he knelt and vowed, "Your Majesty, your subject will not fail your trust!"

Jiang Chen nodded slightly and looked at the Minister of War. "You will mobilize the Imperial Guards and archers, and have them lie in ambush around the Hall of Diligent Administration."

"If that old fox, Mei Wen Shi, starts a rebellion, he will undoubtedly head straight here in search of the imperial jade seal; that will be your chance to strike."

The Minister of War understood the importance of the matter and solemnly accepted the order.

Next, Jiang Chen appointed several other generals, deploying them around the imperial city to guard against unforeseen events.

Distant outskirts of the imperial capital, several dozen *li*.

Led by Xu Changqing, over two thousand silver-armored cavalrymen had successfully broken through the encirclement, while Xie Jin and the others covered their retreat.

At this time, the Imperial Guard squad sent by Jiang Chen also found them, and the two sides successfully made contact.

"General Xu, this humble officer has finally found you!" The captain of the Imperial Guards revealed a look of joy.

Although the night was dark, he had spotted the distinctive silver armor from afar, confirming the identity of the army's commander.

Xu Changqing felt a slight relief upon seeing the reinforcements but remained cautious.

He had been pursued all the way, and only had two thousand soldiers left. If these Imperial Guards were assassins in disguise, he might suffer a complete defeat if he was careless!

However, the Imperial Guard commander quickly dispelled Xu Changqing's doubts.

He stepped forward and solemnly said, "General Xu, Mei Wen Shi has rebelled, the imperial capital is in danger, you must return quickly to provide support!"

Several hours later, late at night.

Several residences within the imperial capital simultaneously burst into flames.

The soaring flames illuminated half the sky, like a beacon guiding certain individuals.

Outside the imperial capital, at the Mei family estate,

Thousands of iron-clad guards gathered, their eyes fervent, raising their arms and shouting in unison, "Clear the emperor's side, eliminate the evil concubine!"

The thunderous roar seemed to shake the surrounding earth.

"Storm the palace!"

"Storm the palace!"

The flames ignited, signaling the official launch of the rebellion!

From the military camps on the outskirts of the imperial capital, to the inner city where officials and nobles resided, and then to the imperial palace, the center of power!

The fifteen thousand soldiers of the four battalions of the imperial capital stationed in the suburbs, under the command of Commandant Song Zhiming, were surrounded by heavily armored guards.

"Bastards! What are you doing? Are you rebelling?!" Song Zhiming roared, his eyes bloodshot.

Before him, soldiers fell in rows like wheat being harvested.

The location of their encampment was a secret, but they had been ambushed. This was not normal!

The commander of the iron-clad guards, wearing a hood, coldly looked at the earth soaked in blood and said frigidly, "Commandant Song Zhiming, negligent in his duties, unauthorized deployment, this crime is punishable by death! Kill everyone, leave no one alive!"

Song Zhiming was not the only one to suffer.

The garrisons in the southeast and southwest of the imperial capital were also ambushed by iron-clad guards, resulting in a stalemate, unable to provide support to the palace!

And the most intense start to the conflict was in the central imperial city!

Twenty thousand Imperial Guards launched an uprising, engaging the Fifth Army Barracks in the inner city of the imperial capital. Close combat resulted in limbs scattered everywhere.

The entire inner city had turned into a slaughterhouse.

Civil and military officials, noble families, and wealthy merchants on the edge of the inner city all closed their doors and windows, afraid to make the slightest sound.

The magnificent and dignified gates of the imperial palace had now become a meat grinder.

With every breath, hundreds of soldiers fell.

Battering rams, siege ladders, ballistae...all kinds of siege equipment were brought to the base of the palace walls.

The sounds of fighting, clashing, and the cocking of ballistae invaded the Golden Luan Hall, the closest to the palace gates, causing everyone to break out in a cold sweat.

Everyone except Jiang Chen!

At that moment, he sat high on the dragon throne, calm and collected.

His peaceful and composed demeanor made the officials secretly ashamed.

"Your...Your Majesty, the imperial capital is in danger!"

"The Imperial Guards, the frontier troops, and a large number of officers from the four battalions of the imperial capital have all rebelled!"

"Now, those rebels have reached Yingtian Gate. Lord Shi is fighting them to the death, holding them back."

The Minister of War's face was ashen. So many rebels had emerged under his command, he could not shirk his responsibility.

Once His Majesty quelled this rebellion, he feared he would be held accountable!

Thinking of this, he became anxious and jumped out to pass the blame, "How did these bastards enter the imperial capital? Where are the men from the Fifth Army Barracks?"

The messenger from the Imperial Guards was disheveled and covered in blood, and said shamefully, "Vice Minister Mei Kang of the Ministry of Revenue bribed a team of Imperial Guards...and opened the city gates late at night. Lord Meng is fighting fiercely with the rebels within the city."

"Many noble families have also sent their guards to help, but it's dark and the situation is chaotic...this humble officer...this humble officer can't tell friend from foe, and can't even tell which side is rebelling!"

Jiang Chen calmly listened and stated, "I believe in the loyalty of Minister Meng, and I also believe in the loyalty of those marquises who sent men to help."

"A mere Imperial Guard is no match for Minister Meng and the others!"

After speaking, Jiang Chen's expression became stern as he ordered, "Go back and tell Shi Ping to defend the palace entrance to the death! Not even a fly or mosquito can get in!"

"As Your Majesty commands!" The Imperial Guard accepted the order and quickly left.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

A buzzing sound echoed around the Golden Luan Hall.

The sound of sharp objects flying through the air made everyone in the hall's hair stand on end.

That was the sound of crossbow bolts!

Had those rebels...had those rebels broken into the palace?

Zhao Cheng You, Su Wen, and the others were all in the Golden Luan Hall, and although they could barely maintain their composure, their eyes revealed a hint of panic.

Jiang Chen also frowned. According to his plans, Mei Wen Shi's faction should not have been able to break into the palace so quickly!

He stood up and said in a cold voice, "What's the situation outside?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a palace guard stumbled in to report, "Your Majesty, it's not rebels, it's assassins!"

"Those assassins acquired a map of the palace from some unknown source, and spent years digging tunnels to enter from the outside!"

"The soldiers attacking the city gates are just a diversion. These assassins are their real trump card..."