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Eighteenth year of Hongchang.

The year of Renyin.

The twenty-third day of the fifth month.

Dark clouds obscured the moon, and all was silent.

A carriage draped in black cloth stopped at the back door of Prince Qin’s residence.

The guards on duty, upon seeing the elder alight from the carriage, dared not impede him and hurried to report inside the residence.

Upon hearing of Zhang Zhengyang’s late-night visit, Zhao Yuan speculated that something momentous was afoot and promptly invited the visitor to his study, ordering the guards to dismiss all servants and forbidding anyone from approaching!

Zhang Zhengyang, alone, uttered his first sentence upon entering the study, which turned Zhao Yuan pale.

“His Majesty has passed away, two hours ago!”

“Ah! Father Emperor…”

Zhao Yuan exclaimed in shock, rising to his feet suddenly, then slumped back down and said, “Father Emperor kept even the news of his death secret, there must have been arrangements.”

“Yes.”

Zhang Zhengyang nodded and said, “The late Emperor left a decree appointing the four of us as regents to assist the sixth prince in governing the nation.”

“Then why are you…?”

Zhao Yuan’s eyes flashed with hope, the bells of Shangyang Palace had not rung, and Emperor Hongchang’s death was not yet public knowledge; there might be a chance for things to change.

Zhang Zhengyang said, “A sovereign should not be doubted, yet the sixth prince is naturally unruly, and does not seem fit for the throne!”

Zhao Yuan nodded slightly, waiting quietly for what was to come. The so-called ‘not fit for the throne’ was just a pretense; there must be other reasons compelling Chancellor Zhang to risk defying the late Emperor’s decree.

“The other three regents: one a eunuch scoundrel, one an ignorant woman, and one a crude noble!”

Zhang Zhengyang declared, “The great affairs of the National Dynasty cannot be decided by such people! It was only with the late Emperor’s tireless efforts that the dynasty had its revival. I absolutely cannot stand by and watch it be ruined by an unworthy child!”

“Chancellor Zhang speaks with reason!”

Zhao Yuan guessed the identities of the other three and held immense respect for his father’s arrangements in the imperial decree.

The eunuch scoundrel, steward of Jinyiwei and controller of the internal secretariat. The sixth prince’s birth mother, Imperial Consort Sun, had her father and brothers in charge of the Capital Garrison. The senior noble, older than eighty, held the greatest prestige and status among the nobility.

Chancellor Zhang, who had controlled court politics for nearly twenty years, had supporters throughout the Capital’s court and the provincial governments—a presence remnant of Long Ni’s days.

Only these three powerful figures, who were not part of the Officials of the court, could check and balance Chancellor Zhang, offering the sixth prince enough time to mature and seize power.

Beyond his reverence, Zhao Yuan also felt jealous.

The current Empress had only one son, and after the Crown Prince was deposed for his conspiracy, Zhao Yuan became the eldest son.

So why should the throne fall to the sixth brother?

Zhao Yuan could understand his father’s good intentions in limiting Chancellor Zhang’s power through the decree, but that did not mean he would comply!

Zhang Zhengyang continued, “Those three are now in the imperial palace, and the decree has not yet been issued to the six ministries. If Your Highness is inclined, I am willing to offer my full support!”

“Has Chancellor Zhang forgotten the urgent report from the Northern Border?”

Zhao Yuan changed his tone, reminding him, “At this critical time, squabbling for power might delay matters on the front, and if the Northern Border is defeated…”

“What of a defeat at the Northern Border? At worst, we cede land and pay compensation, which can later be recaptured. There’s only one throne, miss it now and you’ll never have another chance!”

Chancellor Zhang, the cunning old fox of decades, knew Zhao Yuan was already tempted and added fuel to the fire, “A defeat at the Northern Border may not necessarily be a bad thing. After Your Highness ascends the throne, you can use the war to divert conflicts within the court, thus easily securing your position.”

“Father Emperor assumed the throne as Prince Qin, and now as Prince Qin, I am the rightful successor!”

Zhao Yuan no longer concealed his intentions and promised, “Once I ascend to the throne, Chancellor Zhang will remain as Grand Secretary, managing all affairs within and outside of the court.”

Zhang Zhengyang bowed deeply in gratitude, “Your servant thanks Your Majesty for his great favor!”

“Chancellor Zhang, no need for such formality.”

Zhao Yuan hurriedly stepped forward to lift him, his mind filled with wariness. Zhang Zhengyang, in his quest for power, had betrayed his own Emperor. Once he ascended the throne, his first act would be to purge Zhang’s faction.

“There’s no time to lose, we must secure the situation before the decree is promulgated!”

Zhang Zhengyang said, “I have gathered the servants of my residence and have also won over Commander Lin, who is stationed at the eastern gate of the imperial palace, to fully support Your Highness and quickly take control of the situation in the palace.”

“That’s excellent!”

Zhao Yuan ordered the guards’ commander to assemble the men, and he also called for the chief steward of his residence, handing him a waist token to dispatch orders to several martial arts schools in Divine Capital to hurry to the eastern gate of the imperial palace to regroup.

Each of these martial arts schools was controlled by Zhao Yuan from behind the scenes; when the Crown Prince was in power, they were only used as a means to make money, but now they had transformed into a force vying for power.

Or one could say that any prince would nurture a latent force, ready for unexpected needs!

Speed is of the essence in war, and opportunity cannot be lost.

From the moment Zhang Zhengyang entered the prince’s residence, not even a full hour had passed, and Zhao Yuan had already arrived at the eastern gate of the imperial palace with over a thousand men.

Armored and weaponed, brandishing swords and spears, their mass was quite imposing.

Upon seeing Chancellor Zhang accompanying him, Commander Lin ordered the city gates to be opened.

“Greetings, Your Highness. The officials are still in Shangyang Palace!”

“For your great service this time, Commander Lin, you will be granted a marquisate when I ascend the throne.”

Zhao Yuan’s generous rewards invigorated the morale of the men following him, all of whom believed that entering the imperial palace meant the situation was set.

…

Shangyang Palace.

The lights were bright.

The sixth prince lay on the dragon bed, sobbing quietly.

The Imperial Clan is not without family affection, especially a child of only ten who was the most beloved by Emperor Hongchang.

Eunuch Wang, Duke Chengguo, and Zhang Zhengyang stood before the bed, faces weary.

Imperial Consort Sun sat aside and summoned an inner servant to inquire, “What time is it now?”

“Answering Your Highness, it is the fourth watch of the Yin hour.”

The inner servant, knowing what Imperial Consort Sun wanted to ask, proactively answered, “There is less than half an hour until the officials attend court.”

Imperial Consort Sun glanced at the unfazed Chancellor Zhang, feeling a sense of relief in her heart, perhaps this man was truly indifferent to the gain or loss of power, a truly loyal and patriotic minister of his generation!

Not long ago.

Emperor Hongchang had passed away late at night, and before his death, he had issued a decree to appoint four individuals as regent ministers to assist the sixth prince.

Imperial Consort Sun and the others realized immediately that this was Emperor Hongchang’s way of dividing Zhang Zhengyang’s power to prevent the instability of the National Dynasty due to the youth of the monarch and the strength of the minister.

Therefore, when Zhang Zhengyang was preparing to leave Shangyang Palace to proclaim the decree, he was stopped by the other three regent ministers.

Having controlled the politics of the Capital for nearly twenty years, Zhang Zhengyang had many hidden forces within the Capital. If he took advantage of the night to conspire and cause trouble, the other three would have no power to resist.

After much back-and-forth negotiation, the four set the rule.

No one could leave Shangyang Palace before dawn, they would keep the death a secret for now, and wait for the officials to attend court before announcing the decree.

Imperial Consort Sun’s confidant left the city to inform the Capital Garrison, Eunuch Wang ordered the inner servants to gather the Jinyiwei, and after the decree was announced at the morning court, they would have enough strength to confront Zhang Zhengyang.

Only Duke Chengguo remained unperturbed, as if he had no concern for the major matters of the National Dynasty.

Suddenly.

Noise came from outside the palace gates, followed by a series of screams.

Imperial Consort Sun hastily sent someone to check what was happening outside.

Duke Chengguo cast a glance at Zhang Zhengyang, noticing that the latter still had an expressionless face as if he was not surprised by the disturbance outside.

The inner servant returned with a face full of terror, “Your Highness, His Highness Prince Qin and Chancellor Zhang have led troops in, killing anyone they see…”

While speaking, he suddenly stopped, and along with other people in the palace, they all turned to look at Zhang Zhengyang.

Zhang Zhengyang remained silent, slowly raising his hand to peel off the aged skin behind his ear, revealing his true face.