'Clang!'

Jing Yue struck, knocking away Zhang Kang's dagger in a flash of lightning, and then subdued him, pressing him to the ground.

At the same time, the surrounding imperial guards moved, swarming forward to firmly restrain Zhang Kang.

Seeing his hopes dashed, Zhang Kang let out a miserable laugh.

Immediately, he struggled to raise his head, his venomous gaze fixed on Jiang Chen: "You dog emperor, we underestimated you! This time, I, Zhang Kang, have lost without injustice!"

Jiang Chen's expression did not change; he looked at Zhang Kang as if he were an ant.

"You dare to oppose me? You are not worthy!"

"Seeing as you still have some use, I will give you one last chance. Who is behind all this?"

Jiang Chen knew that Zhang Kang was a subordinate of Mei Wenshi.

What he wanted to know was who else stood behind Mei Wenshi.

Being able to win over and instigate the soldiers of the Three Great Camps was not something a mere civil official could accomplish.

Zhang Kang's robes were disheveled, and his usually amiable face was twisted with venom, like a demon crawling out of hell: "Dog emperor, I know what you're thinking, but I won't tell you!"

"What I hate most is your aloof appearance, not putting anyone in your eyes! Even if you promise to let me go, I won't say it. Just give up on that idea!"

Jiang Chen frowned: "Aren't you thinking about your family?"

Zhang Kang laughed upon hearing this, a thick sense of satisfaction in his eyes, as if he felt he had finally won a round and overcome Jiang Chen.

"Haha, after I die, I don't care if the world is engulfed by floods!"

"Besides, those who accomplish great things don't bother with trivial matters. You want to threaten me with my family? You've made a mistake!"

Jiang Chen said calmly: "Is that so? What about Meng Huaishu, the top courtesan in the Jiaofang Division? You don't care about her either?"

Knowing that Zhang Kang was estranged from his wife, Jiang Chen simply skipped over her and directly named his favorite concubine.

Zhang Kang froze, a flicker of wavering in his eyes, which he quickly concealed: "You, what do you want to do?"

"Dog—no, Your Majesty, why involve women and children in the grievances between us? Aren't you afraid of damaging your reputation if word gets out?!"

Jiang Chen glanced at him, slowly and deliberately: "Of course I'm not afraid."

"As the ruler of Great Wei, no one can question the decisions I make!"

"Besides, didn't you just say that those who accomplish great things don't bother with trivial matters? What does it matter if I dispose of a family member of a criminal official? Those accomplices you're risking your life to protect won't offend me for her sake!"

Zhang Kang's lips moved a few times, but he ultimately remained silent, only a few hot tears dripping from the corners of his eyes.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen couldn't help but darken his expression.

It seemed that he was destined not to pry Zhang Kang's mouth open today.

But after laying out the plan for so long, he only managed to catch a puppet censor; he was truly unwilling!

He originally thought Meng Huaishu would be the key to breaking the situation, but he didn't expect this usually weak Zhang Kang to be so tough, not revealing even a shred of information.

Jiang Chen felt somewhat frustrated, but he understood that this matter couldn't be rushed.

"Jing Yue, you personally watch over him and escort this man to the imperial prison. Don't give him a chance to commit suicide."

"Feng Jin, bring all the best executioners in Great Wei. Give proper attention to Lord Zhang, and be sure to interrogate his accomplices and the mastermind. Whoever comes out on top will be heavily rewarded!"

"Also, take good care of this traitor. He cannot die before I nod."

"Yes!"

The two took their orders and immediately set about carrying them out, not daring to delay.

Seeing this, Zhao Chengyou also stepped forward to ask for instructions: "Your Majesty, what should be done with the rebel soldiers in the palace?"

Upon hearing this, a fierce light flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes, making people afraid to look directly at him, their breathing subconsciously lightening!

"Ordinary soldiers, lock them in prison, tattoo their faces, and exile them!"

"As for those officers with official positions, execute them on the spot and exterminate their three generations!"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen looked at the commander of the imperial guards: "You, go and summon the people from the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Justice. Tonight, deal with all the families of these guilty officials. During tomorrow's court session, I want the officials to see with their own eyes what the consequences of treason are!"

Zhao Chengyou was completely frozen at this moment, his wide official robe soaked with cold sweat.

He was only a little bit away from having his family destroyed!

He was able to escape this time thanks to Shi Ping… It seemed that after the storm passed, he would have to find an opportunity to thank him properly. Then, he would ask him to say a few good words in front of His Majesty to reverse his Zhao Chengyou's tarnished record of having joined the rebellion.

Regaining his wandering thoughts, Zhao Chengyou simply said: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will go and do it!"

Jiang Chen nodded.

Immediately afterward, a large number of cries for mercy and screams came from outside the palace, gradually weakening.

But Jiang Chen was not moved in the slightest.

A king's wrath brings millions of corpses.

Jiang Chen wanted to let those clan relatives, ministers, and military generals know what the consequences of angering him were!

"Shadow Guards!" Jiang Chen shouted again.

Several shadow guards in black armor immediately knelt at his feet.

"Take this roll of silk to the Five Cities Military Commission. Those whose names are circled by me are to be killed without exception! Their families are also to be sent to the Ministry of Justice!"

"The speed must be fast. It must be done before Mei Wenshi and the others can react. Before tomorrow's court session, I want to see their heads!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the most robust of the shadow guards raised his hand and respectfully took the roll of silk.

Afterward, the shadow guards saluted together and disappeared in a flash.

After arranging everything, Jiang Chen's mood was complex and difficult to calm down.

He stood at the highest point of Noble Consort Shu's palace, overlooking the dark imperial capital beneath his feet, and sighed:

"This time, I didn't catch Mei Wenshi. In the future, this old fox will definitely act more cautiously, which is really a headache."

In this operation, Mei Wenshi did not appear from beginning to end.

Even if Jiang Chen wanted to deal with him, he lacked evidence and was powerless.

Noble Consort Shu's beautiful eyes were full of concern as she comforted him: "Your Majesty, you have already done very well!"

"With just a random idea, you brought down the Censor-in-Chief, who was the Deputy Minister and had the power to supervise all officials… And those soldiers lurking in the army were also purged by you. You should be happy about such great achievements!"

"Moreover, in Yun'er's opinion, Your Majesty's great talent and strategy are unmatched by Mei Wenshi! Eliminating these treacherous officials is only a matter of time!"

"Yun'er will always be with Your Majesty, witnessing Your Majesty eliminating rebellious officials and rebuilding the universe of Great Wei!"

A trace of tenderness flashed in Jiang Chen's eyes upon hearing this.

He turned around, hugged Noble Consort Shu in his arms, and sighed: "Yun'er, things are not that simple!"

"This rebellion hides other things behind it. Being able to mobilize the Three Great Camps and instigate some officers completely exceeds the ability of civil officials… Therefore, I am sure that there is another black hand behind this, but I can't find any relevant clues, which is why I am so distressed."

Noble Consort Shu frowned, her beautiful eyes flowing with light: "Your Majesty, don't worry."

"Since the person behind this has made a move once, there will definitely be a second time. As long as we prepare ourselves, we will definitely be able to catch him red-handed! This kind of petty person is not worth your concern!"

Jiang Chen kissed Noble Consort Shu's forehead upon hearing this.

"Yun'er, you are truly my virtuous assistant. Tonight, I will reward you properly…"

As he spoke, Jiang Chen bent down and picked up Noble Consort Shu horizontally, walking towards the inner chamber…