Chapter 006: Is it to be for Li Shimin?

Just when Zhao Ji was at his wit's end, nearly brought to tears, someone suddenly rushed in from outside the Chongzheng Hall, shouting as he ran: "Not good, not good... Prince Yun has entered the palace!"

Thus, the officials of both courts, whether loyal ministers or treacherous ones, unanimously decided to abandon any treatment for Zhao Ji. However, when this cowardly ruler truly faced the prospect of abdicating and fleeing, he was reluctant to part with the power of the Nine-Five Supreme. It was agreed that he would cede the throne to the Crown Prince, but during the grand edict issued the day before yesterday, he changed his mind, appointing the Crown Prince to govern Kaifeng as regent instead. The officials of both courts certainly understood that this was untenable; a regent Crown Prince could not maintain order.

Now, with great enemies at the gates of the Song Dynasty, there has emerged a figure akin to Li Shimin from within. What are we to do? Should we support the fierce Prince of Yun, who is just as formidable as Li Shimin, to take the throne? It remains uncertain whether this Song version of Li Shimin can defeat the Jin bandits and preserve the wealth and prosperity of the people

As he was contemplating how to compel "Hui" to resist the Japanese, no, it was during the resistance against the Jin dynasty, Zhao Ji suddenly heard Emperor Huizong of Song ask him if he wished to be like Li Shimin.

Moreover, everyone knows that the cowardice of the Zhao family is hereditary! Therefore, that prince is actually a coward as well. If we encourage the emperor a bit, perhaps he can hold on for a while in the capital of Dongjing. If we only appoint him as regent, he will surely flee right after the emperor, and then what will become of the Song dynasty?

What do the Duke of Yun and He Guan intend to achieve

What is this ...? ... that has frightened King Yun to such an extent? Isn't Liu Qi's courage rather small?

The ministers inside the grand hall found it hard to believe upon hearing this. There were three hundred and thirty guards blocking the six gates of the palace; how could Prince Yun have entered? Did he force his way in? That would be too bold, wouldn't it? Impossible! Could it be that he climbed over the wall? Yes, it must be that he climbed over the wall. Prince Yun is indeed well-rounded, excelling in both literature and martial arts, capable of achieving the highest honors in the civil examinations and scaling walls with ease.

Thus, he nodded emphatically: "Kai Zheng wishes to emulate Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty"

Therefore, the officials of the two courts had no choice but to confine Zhao Ji within the Chongzheng Hall and engage in earnest persuasion, continuing from yesterday afternoon until now. In order to prevent any complications—specifically, to guard against Zhao Kai, the prince who coveted the position of crown prince, intervening and disrupting the imperial abdication process—the officials of the two courts deliberated and issued orders to the commanders of the three military divisions, Grand Marshal Gao and Grand Marshal He, instructing them to deploy troops to block the six main gates of the imperial city. Oh, it was not about seizing control of these six gates and closing them, but rather to station a contingent of the imperial guards outside the gates to intimidate anyone approaching. Thus, the officials of the two courts once again conferred and commanded the three military division commanders, Grand Marshal Gao and Grand Marshal He, to deploy troops to block the six main gates of the imperial city. Oh, it was not about seizing control of these six gates and closing them, but rather to station a contingent of the imperial guards outside the gates to intimidate anyone approaching

Zhao Kai thought seriously for a moment, how good it would be to be like Li Shimin. Li Shimin specialized in dealing with all forms of disobedience and had never lost a fight. If one possessed such abilities, resisting the Jin would be a piece of cake

Fortunately, the officials of both courts are aware that Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, is also a coward. Although he holds the position of Chief of the Imperial City Division and has the authority to summon both civil and military officials to guard the Imperial City, he would never dare to lead troops to forcefully invade the Imperial City

Liu Qi has a very spirited appearance, with a tiger's back and a bear's waist, complemented by thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a square face, which gives him a formidable presence. However, on that square face, there is now an expression filled with fear.

At this moment, Zhao Ji was actually filled with regret, staring intently at the succession edict held by the Deputy Minister of the Interior, Wu Min, pondering how he could retrieve this edict... However, the treacherous Wu Min clutched the edict tightly in his hands

"Uncle Xin," Gao Qiu, the Grand Marshal Gao, was also in the Chongzheng Hall. He was a close friend of Liu Qi's father and could be considered an elder to Liu Qi, so he addressed Liu Qi by his courtesy name and asked, "What has caused you to be in such a panic?"

Liu Qi replied, "Taiwei, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yun has entered the palace from the Donghua Gate! He is heading towards the Chongzheng Hall!"

Did the Prince of Yun wish to carry out the affairs of martial virtue on the 4th day of the 6th month in the 9th year of the reign?

At this moment, within the imperial city, in the Chongzheng Hall, there sat a man in his forties, with clear brows and bright eyes, wearing a straight-topped black cap and a red robe with flowing sleeves. He had a beautiful beard and long whiskers, and he appeared as if he were a celestial being. He was lazily slumped on the imperial throne, continuously sighing.

At that moment, the sound of heavy footsteps was heard coming from outside the Chongzheng Hall, and all eyes turned in that direction. A burly man clad in linked armor and wearing a phoenix-winged helmet strode in, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. Following him were He Guan, Huang Wuji, Chen Ji, and others, among whom He Guan and Chen Ji were dressed in formal attire, while Huang Wuji was wearing armor beneath his clothing.

However, according to the diagnosis of the imperial physicians, this official's health is completely sound, and it would not be an exaggeration to describe him as being as strong as an ox

Now, Zhao Ji has finally, under the coaxing and intimidation of the ministers, reluctantly issued the edict for the abdication of the throne. The edict has already been drafted by the Secretary of the Central Secretariat, sealed with the imperial seal, and is now a legitimate decree. It is just waiting for the Crown Prince Zhao Huan to arrive, so that this internal abdication can be completed

In this year, it was the eighth emperor of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Ji, who styled himself as the Daojun Emperor. At this time, he was only forty-four years old, in the prime of his life. Unlike the previous generations of frail emperors, Zhao Ji was born with a robust physique and had rarely been ill throughout his life. Zhao Kai remarked that it was not an exaggeration to say he could reign for another thirty years. However, this strong and vigorous emperor was now slumped in his chair, unable to even sit up. It was as if he had suffered a stroke.

How could a mere warrior dare to bring three guards into the palace

At this moment, Zhao Kai was also looking in the direction of the imperial throne. The light inside the Chongzheng Hall was dim, and Zhao Kai, who had just walked in from outside, was not quite accustomed to it, so he could not see clearly who was on the throne. However, it was obvious without looking that the person must be the Song Huizong, who wanted to escape in a disgraceful manner!

The court was thrown into chaos, with all the ministers in a state of panic. Then, someone unexpectedly shouted, "The matter of the fourth day of the sixth month in the ninth year of Wu De!" At this shout, the entire Chongzheng Hall fell silent, with everyone ceasing to speak and staring wide-eyed at the slumped figure of Emperor Zhao Ji on the throne. It was as if they were saying: Your son is about to become Li Shimin, and you are not going to do anything about it?

At this moment, Zhao Ji also recognized Zhao Kai, and he thought of Li Shimin as well, thus he trembled as he asked: "Does Sanlang wish to become Li Shimin?"

Liu Qi looked at the composed Wu Min and nodded in admiration: "Mr. Wu has guessed correctly, His Highness the Prince of Yun has indeed led troops into the palace"

Liu Qi shook his head and said, "Lord Wu, not only did Minister He not stop Prince Yun, but he also entered the palace with Prince Yun leading the troops!"

According to the judgment of the officials from the two courts currently in the Chongzheng Hall, the Emperor, the Daoist Master, is believed to be suffering from a "cowardice illness," which has reached its terminal stage and is essentially incurable

Outside the imperial city, the territory is governed by the officials of the two ministries, the three military offices, and the authority of the Kaifeng Prefecture. Now that the Jurchen troops have invaded, the people within the capital are in a state of unrest. It is reasonable to station a small contingent of troops at the palace gates to prevent the unruly populace from storming the palace. However, if the soldiers of the three military offices were to enter the gates of the imperial city, the situation would be entirely different! Even if the officials of the two ministries were willing to take responsibility, the three military offices would not dare to carry it out! If the soldiers of the three military offices were to enter the gates of the imperial city, the situation would be entirely different! Even if the officials of the two ministries were willing to take responsibility, the three military offices would not dare to carry it out! For the last military general who did something like this was seemingly named Zhao Kuangyin

Moreover, these individuals are all armed with swords

Your Highness, what has happened? Why are you so fierce? ... There is a murderous aura all around you ...? ... Could it be that, like Li Shimin, you have already killed His Highness the Crown Prince outside the Donghua Gate?

Zhao Ji also appeared dumbfounded, truly a case of a father knowing his son best! He understood what kind of person his third son was; it was true that he was exceptionally talented and proficient in both literature and martial arts, but his courage was indeed akin to that of a needle's eye. How could he possibly engage in leading troops to storm the palace? There must be some mistake somewhere

A group of ministers, with their vivid imaginations, could not help but associate the fierce Zhao Kai with the infamous Li Shimin, who had killed his brother and forced his father.

Upon realizing this, the ministers all turned their gazes towards the loud and boisterous individual, and upon closer inspection, they were all taken aback. This individual turned out to be a doorkeeper dressed in a black hat and long robe. Like He Guan's son, the doorkeeper Xuan Zansheren He Ji, he was also a member of the Western Army, and his name was Liu Qi

At that time, those who wish to escape can do so, while those who do not want to take the risk must endure in Tokyo's Kaifeng Prefecture.

The reason for this is that the officials are timid, the crown prince is timid, and the ministers are also timid; thus, the upper echelons set a poor example for the lower ranks

What? The Duke of Yun has entered the palace? How is this possible

What?

"What of the Duke of Yun's arrival?" The Deputy Minister Wu Min, who was the first to advocate for the dismissal of Zhao Ji, was currently in a position of strength. Thus, he maintained a composed expression, disdainfully stating, "Now that the major matter has been settled, does he still dare to lead troops into the palace?"

Wu Min's expression darkened: "Where is Grand Minister He? Why isn't he stopping Prince Yun?"

Looking again at the face of the burly man clad in linked armor...! ... Aside from being a bit red, a little plumper, and much more ferocious, it is evidently Zhao Kai, the Prince of Yun, the most favored son of the Song Dynasty's imperial family!

How dare you do this