"Your Majesty, although we have Zhao Chengyou as an inside man, Mei Wenshi has been operating in the court for many years and is inherently cautious. He must have hidden cards that are unknown to others. If we don't take them down in advance, I'm afraid accidents will happen and cause unnecessary losses!" Shi Ping hesitated.

Jiang Chen shook his head and said, "Shi Ping, you don't understand Mei Wenshi at all."

"This old fox is indeed cautious, but it is precisely because of this caution that he has lost the courage to burn his boats. Therefore, I dare say that he will never take action himself this time."

"According to Mei Wenshi's past style, he should still use the same old trick this time, pushing the puppets in his hands to the front and hiding behind the scenes himself, without using his trump cards."

Shi Ping frowned, "Behind the scenes, then what is he going to do?"

Jiang Chen was about to speak when the anxious voice of the imperial guard leader came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the court ministers are eager to see you!"

"The Shangshu (Ministers) are now holding memorials, blocking the palace gate, saying that there are important matters that urgently need your decision."

"The officials from the Censorate have also arrived... Among them, Grand Censor Zhang Kang even wants to force his way in, scolding us for harboring evil intentions and harming you."

Jiang Chen raised a mocking smile and looked at Shi Ping, "卿 (Qing) has heard it, right? Look, hasn't Mei Wenshi already made his move?"

"You go out now and say that I am unwell and need to continue to recuperate, and let those ministers go back."

Shi Ping pondered slightly, understanding the emperor's meaning, and got up to walk outside.

In a moment.

A team of imperial guards brought Shi Ping to the palace gate.

At this time, the wide imperial road in front of the palace gate was already occupied by court officials. They held their tablets and memorials, indignantly scolding the guarding soldiers.

Several officials who tried to force their way in saw Shi Ping's figure, their faces showing excitement, and they shouted:

"Lord Shi, have you seen His Majesty? What is the situation in the palace? Are there any rebellious officials holding His Majesty hostage, preventing us ministers from meeting?"

The one who spoke was an official from the Censorate.

His words were very skillful, directly labeling these imperial guards who were performing their duties as rebellious officials.

Shi Ping heard this, stopped, and said with a serious face: "Silence!"

"How dare you utter such rebellious words?!"

"This official has just met with His Majesty. His Majesty is well, but he is just tired and needs to rest. You are officials of the court. It is already a dereliction of duty if you do not solve His Majesty's worries. How dare you surround the palace and hinder the imperial guards from performing their duties!"

"Are you, trying to rebel?"

As soon as the words fell, everyone's face changed drastically.

The arrogant arrogance from a few moments ago disappeared instantly.

Rebellion, this crime was too heavy, and they couldn't bear it!

Seeing everyone silent, showing a look of retreat, Zhang Kang, who was in the middle of the crowd, stood out with a stern look in his eyes.

"Lord Shi, you are exaggerating!"

Zhang Kang said, striding to the front and cupping his hands: "We are also concerned about His Majesty that we gathered here. We really can't bear the word 'rebellion'!"

"Recently, rumors are spreading everywhere that His Majesty is seriously ill and unable to handle state affairs. Even the court meetings have been vacant several times. The entire imperial capital is in panic. Can you bear the consequences if you let the rumors ferment?!"

Shi Ping's expression was as usual, and he didn't respond to Zhang Kang's words at all. He turned to the crowd and said:

"Fellow colleagues, go back. This official has just met with His Majesty. His Majesty only has a minor illness and will recover after a few days of rest. There is no need to worry."

"Go back now, and because of your loyalty to the country, this official will plead for you in front of His Majesty for today's improper actions and forgive you. But if you don't retreat! You will all be treated as rebels!"

Hearing this, a cold light flashed in Zhang Kang's eyes, and he refused to give up: "Lord Shi, you said you met with His Majesty, who can testify?"

"His Majesty has been behind closed doors for several days, not seeing foreign ministers. Now you suddenly jump out and say that you have seen His Majesty's face, it is really suspicious! Maybe His Majesty is trapped in the palace by a traitor like you, that's why he hasn't shown his face for a long time!"

As Zhang Kang spoke, his face was filled with excitement, and he threatened: "Shi Ping, if you are really innocent, then take this official to meet His Majesty! Otherwise, this official can regard you as a traitor and convene a meeting of court officials to dismiss you!"

According to the laws of Great Wei, Zhang Kang, as the Grand Censor, held the power to supervise all officials.

Under certain special circumstances, he could initiate a meeting to decide the fate of officials below the first rank.

Shi Ping's eyes narrowed slightly.

He's going to fight to the death!

It seems that His Majesty's trick of luring the snake out of its hole has indeed had a miraculous effect. These treacherous officials who have been dormant in the past can't hold back now!

Just as Shi Ping was sighing, the ministers began to speak out in unison to support Zhang Kang.

"Lord Zhang is right!"

"If we don't see His Majesty, we can't believe what you said!"

"That's right! Shi Ping, if you want to prove your innocence, let us enter the palace, otherwise we will jointly report to the Emperor to remove you from your post!"

The noisy voices, accompanied by the officials' actions to force their way in, made the always quiet palace gate as chaotic as a vegetable market.

Seeing this, the commander of the imperial guards on the side frowned, and his hand couldn't help but placed on the hilt of his sword.

Shi Ping caught a glimpse of this detail, his eyelids jumped, and he quickly stood up and said:

"Silence!"

"His Majesty has ordered that no one is allowed to enter the palace, those who violate the order will be beheaded!"

"Think more about your family before you act! Of course, if you insist on seeking death, this official will not stop you. Where to go and what to do, you can weigh it yourself!"

After speaking, he waved his sleeves and retreated to the commander of the imperial guards.

Among these ministers surrounding the palace gate, not all of them are Mei Wenshi's people. A small part of them are really concerned about His Majesty, that's why they came here.

Shi Ping didn't want to accidentally injure these colleagues, so he reminded them.

He only hoped that his good intentions would not be in vain.

It seemed to confirm Shi Ping's words.

After he retreated, the imperial guards who had been silent all the time, drew out the swords from their waists with a "唰" sound.

The bright blades reflected the terrified faces of the ministers, and the air became silent.

Zhang Kang, who was standing at the front, was frightened and his face turned blue, but he was overjoyed in his heart.

The palace is so heavily guarded, I'm afraid the emperor is really dying!

Taking a deep look at Shi Ping and the murderous commander of the imperial guards, Zhang Kang did not continue to pester him and left with a flick of his sleeves.

He had achieved his purpose this time, and there was no need to waste any more time.

Through this tug-of-war at the palace gate, he can be sure that the emperor is seriously ill and unable to control the court. It's time to act!

Seeing the leader leave, the ministers no longer insisted and retreated in twos and threes.

Seeing this, Shi Ping instructed the commander of the imperial guards a few words, and went back to the Qin Zheng Palace to report his mission.

At this time, Jiang Chen was lying in the arms of the delicate little beauty Fu'er, while tasting the fresh fruits from Fuzhou, while listening to the dark guards reporting the conflict that had just occurred in front of the palace gate.

"Zhang Kang... As I expected, the old fox Mei Wenshi really didn't show up, and sent his subordinates to test the waters. Shi Ping must not leak any flaws, so as not to make that old thing suspicious."