Chapter 003: What to Do When the Court is Infested with Treacherous Officials and Traitors

Zhao Kai said sternly: "As a subject, is it permissible to advise the sovereign to abdicate in favor of another? Throughout history, those who have done so have invariably been labeled as rebels. Moreover, my father is only 44 years old this year; he is not yet at the age of senility and incapacity"

Unlike the other four commanders, this fifth commander does not usually serve in the palace, but instead remains at the gates of the Imperial City Office and the military camp of the officials. He is also responsible for the security of the Prince of Yun's residence

Upon hearing this, not only did Huang Wuji feel a surge of excitement, but even Wang Xiaode and Chen Ji, who were standing nearby, also felt a bit lightheaded.

Huang Wuji nodded slightly, "Your servant has indeed heard..."

Zhao Kai exclaimed: "Since there are treacherous ministers and traitors in the court, as the one in charge of the Imperial City Division, I naturally should lead troops to guard and restore order!"

Chen Ji remarked: "Regarding the matter of Xuanwu Gate, how can it be entrusted to others? If Your Majesty cannot take the lead, today's endeavor will surely not succeed"

"There is no need," Chen Ji interjected, "Your Majesty, it is imperative to act swiftly; there is no need to mobilize many troops. You should still appoint the officials of the Imperial City Division, as the guards at the six gates of the Imperial City are all your subordinates, and they cannot possibly prevent you from entering the palace. Moreover, the officials under the Fifth Commander are elite troops, and within the city of Kaifeng, only the Shengjie Army can contend with them! The Shengjie Army is under the command of the Prime Minister, who has always supported Your Majesty."

Zhao Kai nodded and said, "I will give you half an hour to select three hundred men from the camp and the royal residence, all fully armed, to gather outside the main gate of the royal residence!"

Is this how you tremble in fear, and then bow down, my younger brother? Zhao Kai looked at the now shorter Huang Wujie and nodded emphatically: "Good, quickly go and mobilize the troops"

Big, big, big... Is it you, the great king?

The Imperial City Division's direct subordinate, the Fifth Command, is a trusted faction of Zhao Kai, consisting of over 600 individuals. All of them are warriors recruited by Zhao Kai from the Western Army with the assistance of Tong Guan, each having experienced battle and seen blood.

He spoke and suddenly stood up, "This time, I shall lead by example!" He looked to his left and right, "Will the two of you accompany me?"

"Your Majesty," Wang Xiaode added, "we can withdraw 3,000 coins from the treasury of the Wang residence, distributing 10 coins to each person, which should suffice"

Huang Wuji thought to himself: Although your father is not old, he is undoubtedly incompetent! If he were not incompetent, how many of the past emperors could truly be considered incompetent?

Wang Xiaode felt a bit frightened after hearing Zhao Kai's words, "Your Majesty, there may very well be three guards blocking the palace gate, and you are of invaluable worth; how can you take such a risk? Why not let Huang Wuji go instead?"

Zhao Kai looked at him and added, "Huang Qing, you are my right-hand man. If I succeed, I will share wealth and honor with you!"

"Indeed!" Zhao Kai said, "The key now is to enter the palace... As long as I can enter the palace, my father, the emperor, should not think of abdicating and escaping!"

Zhao Kai has coveted the storage position for many years, and with the support of Zhao Ji from the imperial family, he certainly possesses some strength. In addition to firmly controlling the Imperial City Division, he also has his own forces within the Shengjie Army, which was established by Tong Guan. This commander was a trusted confidant that Zhao Kai had placed in the Shengjie Army, who had just escorted Tong Guan back from Taiyuan to Kaifeng.

Now, Zhao Kai has surprisingly removed his loose-sleeved scholar's attire and changed into a narrow-sleeved, round-collared long garment. He has also donned wrist guards at the cuffs, and over the long garment, he wears a chainmail. Additionally, he has covered his waist and abdomen with a robe, and a black rhinoceros leather belt is fastened over the robe, from which a long sword hangs. He is completely dressed as a warrior!

There are more than 220 people in the camp! Huang Wujie finally recognized Zhao Kai, so he immediately replied, "There are over 100 people on duty at the Wang residence, more than 100 people on duty at the Imperial City Division, and the rest have been given leave."

"Your Majesty," Chen Ji pondered, "Commander Huang will surely be able to bring the person here... After all, there are those in the palace urging the Emperor to abdicate, and it is the duty of the Imperial City Division to intervene."

"Huang Wuji, I am Zhao Kai! How could you not recognize me?" Zhao Kai stared at Huang Wuji and asked, "How many people are currently in the camp from the Fifth Command?"

May we achieve prosperity together

Secondly, Zhao Kai's appearance has also undergone some changes; his beard has not been trimmed for several days, becoming unkempt, his face has become a bit "puffy" (swollen), and it has a reddish hue. His eyes are bloodshot, giving him a fierce and menacing look, as if he is about to commit murder

"Enter the palace!" Zhao Kai gritted his teeth and uttered two words, "This king will lead the troops into the palace!"

Zhao Kai let out a breath and suddenly asked the two people beside him, "Chen Yishan, Wang Daguan... can Commander Huang bring those people here? Will they be willing to work with me?"

Due to the significant changes in Zhao Kai, Huang Wuji, his trusted aide, momentarily failed to recognize him

Huang Wuji responded with a sound, stood up, and walked away with large strides

This person is none other than the most trusted enforcer of Prince Yun, Zhao Kai, Wu Yilang, who carries imperial weapons, and Huang Wuji, the fifth commander of the Imperial City Division.

Huang Wuji was taken aback, "Your Majesty, are you planning to... rebel?"

What? Huang Wuji was taken aback, hardly believing his ears, "M-Master, what do you wish to do?"

"What do you mean by rebellion?" Zhao Kai shot a glance at Huang Wuji, "Haven't you heard that someone is persuading my father to abdicate?"

What is success? Zhao Kai is a prince, and he is also the second son among the living sons of the official Zhao Ji (ranked third, but his elder brother passed away early). His desire for success is nothing more than to become the crown prince or to become the official.

Here!

What the king said is absolutely correct, I understand what I need to do! Huang Wuji replied loudly

Upon thinking of this immense wealth and fortune, Huang Wuji immediately knelt before Zhao Kai, saying, "With this word from the king, I would brave boiling water and walk on fire, without hesitation!"

The questioner was a rather tall man, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, wearing a black hat and a green robe, with a long sword hanging at his waist. He had a square face, striking features, and a well-groomed beard that was trimmed very neatly. At first glance, it was clear that he was a formidable warrior with exceptional martial skills

However, Zhao Kai's argument is also reasonable. Throughout history, those who have advised emperors to abdicate have been considered treacherous ministers and rebels. Although the incident that occurred in the Great Song Dynasty is somewhat special, the matter of internal abdication may have originally been proposed by the emperor Zhao Ji himself. However, how could the officials of the two courts agree? They must resolutely dissuade such actions! If the officials do not dissuade but instead actively promote it, that is disloyalty and treachery! It seems that the entire court is filled with treacherous ministers and rebels! If the officials do not dissuade but instead actively promote it, that is disloyalty and treachery! It seems that the entire court is filled with treacherous ministers and rebels!

Double it! Offer 6,000 coins!" Zhao Kai added, "Moreover, isn't three hundred people a bit too few?

First of all, the dressing style has completely changed. People rely on their attire just as horses rely on their saddles! Zhao Kai bears a striking resemblance to Zhao Ji; both are tall, yet not slender, but rather of a robust build. However, he usually presents himself in a scholarly manner, with his beard neatly groomed, and his face always adorned with a smile that makes one feel as if they are basking in the spring breeze, clearly indicating that he is an elegant and refined scholar.

It must be said that the reasoning expressed by Zhao Kai in his dazed state is indeed very much in line with feudal etiquette and law

Zhao Kai's top confidant and enforcer surprisingly did not recognize his master, Zhao Kai! This is not because Huang Wuji, the great enforcer, has lost his sight, but rather because Zhao Kai's transformation has changed drastically compared to just a few days ago

Zhao Kai snorted: "Indeed, I am the chosen one, what is there to fear? Today, I shall be the first to advance and enter the palace to eliminate the traitors!"

This is an immense fortune!

"Your Majesty, shall we wait a little longer until all the members of the Fifth Command are gathered before we proceed together?" Wang Xiaode said, "If Your Majesty still feels it is insufficient, I can make another trip to the Shengjie Army's camp to bring over the 1,000 men under Commander Xiang. Commander Xiang has received great favor from Your Majesty and will surely be willing to follow Your Majesty..."