On November 29, the 17th year of Jiading, at the second watch, Lin'an City.
Outside Chaotianmen, in front of Xinyi Square, in a two-story wooden building on the east side of Royal Street, it was pitch black, with only the moonlight coming in through the gaps in the windows giving the room some light.
There was a man standing on each side of the window, looking out from the crack of the window cautiously.
At a square table in the middle of the room, Tian Yi and Zhang San sat opposite each other, both drinking tea slowly in the dark without saying a word.
Inside the room, outside the room, as well as in the corridors and courtyards, there were men dressed in black and well-dressed everywhere. Everyone was holding a sharp knife and standing solemnly. There were only ten or twenty of them.
In fact, they have been staying here for the past few days, hibernating and waiting in case of emergency.
This house is owned by Zhou Ping's uncle. Zhou Ping rented it a few months ago to prepare for a rainy day, and now it finally comes in handy.
As for these men in black clothes, in addition to the servants of the Zhou family, there are also Zhang San's brothers, both living and dead. They entered in batches, naturally just in case, ready to risk their lives at any time.
With a creak, the door was pushed open and a man came in. He came to the table and reported softly.
"Third brother, Cheng Jue, the Minister of Rites, has entered the palace in a hurry."
"I know, keep asking."
Zhang San nodded, waved his hand, and the man retreated.
"Cheng Ju is a direct bachelor and a minister of the Ministry of Rites. He is familiar with the rules of the palace. It seems that the official family has gone, and Cheng Ju has gone to draft the edict."
In the darkness, Tian Yi whispered.
Zhang San nodded without saying anything.
His eyelids were twitching all the time today, and he never expected that such an unexpected event would actually happen.
"Third brother, Empress Yang's two nephews, Yang Gu and Yang Shi, have also entered the palace."
Soon, another man came in to report.
"I'm here to persuade Queen Yang. The storm is about to come, and the storm is coming!"
In the darkness, Tian Yi said quietly and sighed softly.
Sure enough, everything was as Zhao Hong expected. When an official's family dies, all kinds of monsters and demons appear one after another, just for the emperor's throne, fame and wealth.
As expected, people's hearts are all selfish, and the emperor's unpredictability made him fall to the ground in admiration.
Zhang San remained silent, and the man quietly retreated.
In the room, silence returned.
Empress Yang's two nephews, Yang Gu and Yang Shi, entered the palace, proving that Shi Miyuan was already clearing up order in the palace. Once Queen Yang and Shi Miyuan colluded internally and externally, Zhao Hong's situation could be described as critical.
In the darkness, Tian Yi felt heavy and depressed.
I don’t know what Zhao Hong is doing now?
Also, over at Li's main entrance, Zhou Ping and others are hibernating. I wonder if anything happened?
"Third brother, Zheng Shichang, the son of Zheng Qingzhi, the scholar of the Imperial Academy, dressed up in disguise and took a green-covered carriage to Prince Yi's Mansion. He followed King Yi's heir Zhao Guicheng out of the mansion, got on the carriage, and was protected by a group of forbidden troops, and went straight to the palace. coming!"
Not long after, another man pushed the door open and came in, speaking softly to Zhang San and Tian Yi.
"What should I do? Should I kill Zhao Guicheng?"
Zhang San finally spoke and immediately sat up straight.
Sure enough, it was exactly as Zhao Hong expected. Shi Miyuan wanted to "swap the civet cat for the prince", and Li Daitao was stunned.
If Zhao Guicheng is killed, everything will be over. If Shi Miyuan wants to replace him, it may be too late.
"Zhao Guicheng enters the palace and is protected by heavy troops. We only have a dozen people. Regardless of whether we can succeed or not, Shi Miyuan is very likely to jump over the wall and send heavy troops into the city. By then, His Highness will have no chance to fight back."
Tian Yi said softly, his tone a little urgent in the darkness.
"Dalang, with these "hand grenades" in our hands, it shouldn't be difficult to attack and kill Zhao Guicheng. If the official family collapses and Zhao Guicheng is killed, Shi Miyuan will have no chance to establish a new king. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will successfully ascend the throne, and great things will happen!"
Zhang San spoke first, fearing a long night and many dreams, so he refused to miss this opportunity.
"Zhang San, it's the second update now. Even if Zhao Guicheng can be killed, Shi Miyuan knows that when Tu Qiongdeng sees it, he will definitely send heavy troops into the city, and he will definitely pour this dirty water on His Highness. By then, the Forbidden Army Ring will Wait, under sword and gun, His Highness can't explain clearly even if he has the words to speak. What's more..."
Tian Yi pointed out the window and shook his head gently.
"Zhao Guicheng is protected by the Imperial Guards in front of the palace, and with the cover of the sky, he has a great chance of escaping. His Highness has said that unless a large group of Imperial Guards enters the city, he will have to deal with matters in the palace. We must not alert the enemy."
Tian Yi's words made Zhang San nodded.
Zhao Hong knew that the enemy was everywhere, and the palace must have already made a plan. At this time, it is better to follow Zhao Hong's plan and be cautious.
As long as there is no large group of forbidden troops entering the city, it is not within their scope of consideration. They just need to smoothly pass the news from outside the palace into the palace.
I don't know how long it took, but the sound of the clock was heard outside. It was already the fourth watch.
"Third brother, eunuchs have been sent out from the imperial city to deliver orders everywhere. They are all ministers of the court, governors of the two governments, ministers of various ministries, etc. It seems that something happened in the palace."
Another man came in to report, hurriedly and sweating profusely.
"Get down!"
Zhang San stood up, walked to the window, and looked out.
"Third brother, Shi Miyuan sent a message to Huang Qian to go out of the city and lead the troops to station outside the city. Gao Hu and the others had no choice but to silence the messenger and Huang Qian. Du San and Fang Hai are back, and Gao Hu is still squatting in place."
Another man came in to report, which surprised Zhang San and others.
As expected, Shi Miyuan saved a trick.
"How's it going over there in Xia Gui?"
"Xia Gui is outside the city. The city gate has not been opened. I guess there is no news from the city yet."
Zhang San nodded, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"Go back and tell Gao Hu and ask him to continue to stay. The result will be here soon, just let him wait for the news."
"Da Lang, the ministers are about to go to court, what should we do?"
The man went down to deliver the order. Zhang San turned around and looked at Tian Yi.
Although Zhao Hong is strategizing, he does not necessarily know everything that is happening outside.
"His Royal Highness must know the news outside the palace so that he can make decisions."
Tian Yi stood up and warned carefully.
"Zhang San, you continue to lie dormant here. I will wait for Zhen Dexiu, Wei Liaoweng and other ministers to come over at Yujie. If after daybreak, a large group of forbidden troops really enter the city, we will have to act according to the opportunity, and maybe we will have to risk our lives."
If this is really the case, they have no way to survive, and Zhao Hong is also doomed. Let's just end it like this.
"Da Lang, don't worry. His Highness has treated me with great kindness. If a large group of forbidden troops really enter the city, I will live up to His Highness."
Zhang San’s voice was calm and collected.
"Zhang San, you are not bad, His Highness did not misjudge you!"
Tian Yi nodded and was about to leave, but was stopped by Zhang San.
"Da Lang, if something happens to me, my second brother will be entrusted to you. Also, my name is Zhang Zhengsi. Please."
"If something happens, we brothers will lose our heads together. Your second brother, and my parents, please tell His Highness the Crown Prince! As for your name, you should tell His Highness the Crown Prince in person."
Tian Yi patted Zhang San on the shoulder, opened the door and left.
"Third brother, if a large army enters the city, do we really have to do this?"
Tian Yi left, and Wang Gui came up and asked in a low voice.
If he really fought with the Imperial Guards in front of the palace and caused blood in the streets, he would be an open enemy of Shi Miyuan.
"Wang Gui, brother, I have lived for so many years and I have never seen anyone's face. Only His Highness the Crown Prince thinks highly of me and treats me as a human being. He who dies for his confidant will have my life long ago."
Zhang San said softly, with a gentle tone.
"Wang Gui, Du Er, if you want to leave, my brother, I will never stop you. If my brother dies, you can just offer him a stick of incense during the Qingming Festival."
Zhang San smiled slightly, walked to the window, and looked out, which was in the direction of the palace.
"Third brother, what do you think I am? If I leave you and escape, am I still a human being?"
Wang Gui blushed unconsciously and his voice became louder.
"That's right! Third brother, you underestimate our brothers too much! My head fell off, but the scar is as big as a bowl! Even if you drive me away today, I won't leave!"
Du Er also blushed and twisted his neck.
"It's best if the next two or three hours are calm. In this case, it heralds that His Highness the Crown Prince will successfully ascend the throne, and good days for you and my brother are coming!"
While talking, Zhang San looked out the window carefully. It was dark outside, that was the direction of the palace.
"Third brother, can His Royal Highness ascend the throne smoothly?"
Du Er couldn't help but asked cautiously while looking out the window.
Wang Gui also pricked up his ears.
"Everything that happened in the palace today was as expected by His Highness the Crown Prince."
Zhang San drank tea slowly and said thoughtfully.
"Shi Miyuan called people like Cheng Jue and Yang Gu into the palace, but did not call the two government officials and confidants like Liang Chengda and Zhao Rushu. Apparently he was afraid of leaks and wanted to create established facts and help Zhao Guicheng ascend to the throne. So..."
"Why?"
Wang Gui and Du Er turned around together and asked in unison.
"Gao Hu has killed Huang Yan. There should be no Forbidden Army entering the city before dawn. It is very likely that we will not risk our lives against the Forbidden Army."
Zhang San said slowly, Wang Gui and Du Er both breathed a sigh of relief.
"Third brother, it's best not to risk your life. Brothers haven't even got a wife, so they don't want to die early. It's not worth it!"
"Yes! Brother, I am still waiting to enjoy happiness with my third brother. If I die too early, I will suffer a big loss!"
Wang Gui and Du Er spoke out one after another.
"Don't lie! Watch carefully! You have to risk your life if you should!"
Zhang San's expression changed and he started to give instructions.
"Yes, third brother!"
Wang Gui and Wang Shu quickly shut up. Zhang San put down his teacup, stood up, and walked slowly in the room.
At this moment, he suddenly felt a little restless and time passed too slowly.
As the night wore on, Tian Yi waited anxiously on the street. It wasn't until his men hurried forward to report that he hurriedly rushed towards an approaching sedan.
"Tian Yi has met Minister Wei!"
Tian Yi bowed to Wei Liaoweng's sedan.
He didn't dare wait for Zhen Dexiu any longer. If you miss it, it will be a big deal.
"Tian Yi, why is it you? Why are you looking for me this early in the morning?"
Wei Liaoweng raised the sedan curtain and asked in surprise.
Tian Yi was once an official of the Ordnance Institute, and his relationship with Zhao Hong was well known to both the government and the public, and Wei Liaoweng was no exception. Tian Yi saw him in the dark, wondering what was going on?
"Xiangong Wei, this matter is of great importance. I have something to say to Xianggong Wei alone!"
Tian Yi said softly, Wei Liaoweng looked around, nodded slightly, got off the sedan and walked to the roadside with Tian Yi.
The emperor was seriously ill and the palace summoned ministers to discuss matters. He always felt that it was a bit sudden. Tian Yi intercepted him halfway, maybe there was a reason for it.
The key is that Tian Yi is Zhao Hong's best friend and he believes in Tian Yi.
"Xiangong Wei, it's like this..."
Tian Yi whispered softly, Wei Liaoweng was shocked, half-believing, and sweating unknowingly.
The emperor has made great achievements! The Yang brothers of Zhao Guicheng enter the palace!
This bastard Shi Miyuan must be making trouble again.
But although he is the Minister of War, he has no power to mobilize troops. If you act hastily, you may alert the enemy.
"Tian Yi, are all these things you said true?"
Wei Liaoweng was dubious and looked Tian Yi up and down.
"Xiangong Wei, you don't have to worry. After entering the palace, you only need to bring these words to His Highness the Crown Prince."
Tian Yi said goodbye and left. Wei Liaoweng stared at his back for a moment, then turned around and got into the sedan, hurrying up.
"Quick, enter the palace!"
Zhao Hong must know about such an earth-shattering event as soon as possible.
