Volume One, Chapter 13: Keep Your Eyes Fixed!
“What?” Zhu Youjian suddenly stood up.
“They... they kidnapped several agents of the Eastern Depot, and...”
“And what?”
“They also seized the Eastern Depot’s gunpowder storehouse!”
A cold gleam flashed in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. “How audacious!”
He strode quickly to the map, pointing to several locations. “Here, here, and here. Station people to keep watch.”
“Yes!” Wei Zhiren responded.
“Also,” Zhu Youjian continued, “investigate the families of the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Not a single one is to be spared!”
Suddenly, a commotion arose outside the hall.
“Your Majesty!” Wang Cheng’en rushed in. “Suspicious forces spotted at the North City Gate!”
“How many?”
“About a hundred horsemen, rushing northward.”
Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. “Order the Five City Garrison Command to intercept them immediately!”
“Yes!”
At that moment, the system issued an alert:
[Emergency Intelligence Report:
Huang Daozhou’s confidants are coordinating with various factions.
Recommendation: Immediate action required.]
Zhu Youjian sneered. “These old foxes were clearly prepared.”
He turned to Wei Zhiren. “Arrest all members of the Donglin faction immediately!”
“B-but, Your Majesty,” Wei Zhiren hesitated, “they are numerous, it might be difficult...”
“Difficult?” Zhu Youjian’s voice grew fierce. “I want to see what waves they can stir up!”
Just then, another eunuch hurried in. “Your Majesty, bad news!”
“What now?”
“A fire has broken out in the southern part of the city!”
Zhu Youjian’s expression darkened. “Where exactly?”
“At a certain residence!”
Zhu Youjian gritted his teeth. “They intend to destroy the evidence!”
He quickly moved to the window; the fire’s glow painted half the sky red in the distance.
“Give orders,” he said gravely, “alive or dead, we want proof!”
Outside, the sound of galloping horses grew urgent as troops gathered.
“Your Majesty!”
Wang Cheng’en dashed in again.
“Message from Cao Huachun.”
“Speak.”
“He reported seeing Wen Tiren at a teahouse south of the city.”
Zhu Youjian’s eyes lit up. “Where exactly?”
“Right at...” Before Wang Cheng’en could finish, a thunderous explosion shook the entire Imperial City.
“What’s happening?!” Zhu Youjian demanded harshly.
“Your Majesty,” a eunuch came running frantically, “it’s... the gunpowder storehouse!”
“What?!”
“The Embroidered Uniform Guards’ gunpowder storehouse has exploded!”
Zhu Youjian’s face turned ashen. “So, they’re declaring rebellion!”
He hurried to the palace doors. “Order the capital garrison to enter the city immediately!”
“Your Majesty!” Wei Zhiren urged anxiously. “Commander Sun Chuanting of the capital garrison...”
“What about him?”
“He’s... missing!”
Zhu Youjian spun around sharply. “Since when?”
“Just tonight...”
Zhu Youjian sneered. “Looks like they’re going all out.”
He scanned the room. “Who else is missing?”
Wei Zhiren swallowed nervously. “Minister of War Lu Xiangsheng as well...”
“That’s enough!” Zhu Youjian slammed his palm on the table. “They are rebelling!”
At that moment, the system alerted again:
[Urgent Intelligence:
A large number of cavalry are gathering near the capital city.
Suspected loyalist forces.]
Zhu Youjian squinted. “Loyalists? Hah, let’s see who claims loyalty!”
He walked briskly to the map, scrutinizing it carefully.
“Here, here, and here,” he pointed, “these are their strongholds.”
Wei Zhiren leaned closer. “These places...”
“Exactly,” Zhu Youjian sneered, “all Donglin faction dens.”
Suddenly, more commotion outside.
“Your Majesty!” a eunuch reported, “the North City Gate...”
“What now?”
“The guards... they have turned traitor!”
Zhu Youjian’s expression darkened further. “What?!”
“They... they released Luo Yangxing!”
A cold light flickered in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. “Even the guards dare betray us!”
He turned to Wei Zhiren. “Arrest the families of these traitors as well!”
“As you command.” Wei Zhiren bowed and left.
Zhu Youjian stood by the window, watching the distant flames. Chaos engulfed the capital city.
Shouts and horse hooves echoed everywhere.
Even the flickering torchlight pierced the night.
“Your Majesty!” Wang Cheng’en arrived again. “Message from Cao Huachun.”
“Speak.”
“He reports that Wen Tiren is moving westward.”
Zhu Youjian’s eyes brightened. “West side of the city?”
“Yes. And...” Wang Cheng’en lowered his voice, “he also saw Huang Daozhou’s carriage.”
Zhu Youjian sneered. “Those crafty old foxes, truly in cahoots.”
He called out to the hall. “Someone!”
“Yes, mistress.”
“Summon the commanding officer of the Five City Garrison!”
“Well...” the eunuch hesitated, “the commander...”
“What?” Zhu Youjian narrowed his eyes. “Has he also rebelled?”
“No...” the eunuch swallowed hard, “he was killed.”
“What?!”
“Just now, at his residence...”
Zhu Youjian’s face darkened. “It seems they intend to eliminate all my loyalists.”
He returned to the map, studying it closely.
“The west side...” he murmured, “there lies...”
Suddenly, his eyes gleamed. “I know where they’re heading!”
“Your Majesty?” Wang Cheng’en asked, puzzled.
“The arsenal in the west!” Zhu Youjian said sternly. “They’re after the weapons!”
“This...”
“Quick!” Zhu Youjian shouted. “Order the capital garrison to seal off the arsenal immediately!”
“Yes!”
At that moment, another explosion thundered in the distance.
“Boom!”
The entire capital shook again.
“Your Majesty!” a eunuch rushed in. “The East City Gate...”
“What now?”
“The rebels... have broken through the East City Gate!”
Zhu Youjian’s face turned ashen. “They’re courting death!”
He hurried to the doors. “Issue my decree: the imperial guards are to sally forth and meet the enemy!”
“Your Majesty!” Wei Zhiren burst in. “Bad news!”
“What now?”
“The imperial guards... have also rebelled!”
Zhu Youjian spun around sharply. “What?!”
“They... they are advancing on the Imperial City!”
Zhu Youjian sneered. “Excellent. Just fine!”
He scanned the room. “Who remains loyal?”
Wei Zhiren knelt. “I am willing to die for Your Majesty!”
“Rise,” Zhu Youjian said calmly. “I know your heart.”
At that moment, the system alerted once more:
[Urgent Intelligence:
Wen Tiren has joined forces with Huang Daozhou and is mobilizing troops.]
A cold light flickered in Zhu Youjian’s eyes. “Order the city into full martial law!”
“Yes!”
He walked to the window, staring at the distant flames. Chaos engulfed the capital.
Shouts, hoofbeats, and torchlight flickered through the night.
“Your Majesty!” Wang Cheng’en arrived again. “Cao Huachun...”
“What?”
“He reports that the main rebel force is moving toward the Imperial City!”
Zhu Youjian sneered. “Just in time!”
He turned to Wei Zhiren. “Bring all Eastern Depot forces here. Defend the Imperial City!”
“Yes!” Wei Zhiren turned to leave.
“Wait.” Zhu Youjian suddenly called out.
“Does Your Majesty have further orders?”
Zhu Youjian stared at the distant flames. “Tell Cao Huachun to keep watching. I want to know their every move!”