Chapter 251: No Body Left
Under Xi Kangsheng's tough attitude, the little emperor remained in the Wanshou Palace after the Wanshou Festival celebration ended.
Things had come to this point, and Xi Kangsheng simply stopped pretending. He asked his son Xi Nandang to guard the entrance of Xuanguang Hall with a Qianniu knife, then knelt on the ground and said to Empress Dowager Hu and the little emperor:
"There are traitors in the country. Please ask Your Majesty and the Queen Mother to ascend the throne and issue an edict to eliminate them!"
Xi Kangsheng had torn his face off. The court officials who attended the Wanshou Festival banquet were trembling with fear. They were just attending a banquet, how could they have thought that they would be involved in such a storm?
This is a coup!
Some of the ministers present also became more active.
It seems that the Emperor and the Empress Dowager have the support of General Xi Kangsheng of the Right Guard Army. Maybe this coup will succeed?
If you jump to the side of the emperor and the empress dowager at this time, it will be an opportunity to rise to the top in one step.
The ministers in the court all wanted to make progress too much, which many people saw as a crisis, but some also saw it as an opportunity.
Then several brave ministers knelt before the emperor and the empress dowager and shouted:
"Your Majesty and the Queen Mother, please ascend the throne and issue an edict to exterminate the traitors!"
At this time the little emperor was at a loss as to what to do. He had never encountered such a thing before and could only glance secretly at his mother out of the corner of his eyes.
Empress Dowager Hu was also stunned. She didn't expect Xi Kangsheng to do this and directly carry out her and the emperor to launch a coup.
But Empress Dowager Hu still didn't want to issue an edict.
If she issued an edict in public, it would mean that she would completely break off relations with Yuan Yi. After the coup failed, she, the empress dowager, would be dead.
Empress Dowager Hu looked at her son. She thought that the decree should be issued by the little emperor.
In this way, the mother and son each had their own thoughts, but they kept silent on the throne and did not respond to the advice of Xi Kangsheng and the ministers at all.
This time Xi Kangsheng was really angry!
Isn't this just kidding me? I risked my life to launch a coup, and you two, mother and son, kept silent. You really don't want to take any risk!
However, without the imperial edict from the emperor and the empress dowager, the imperial guards simply did not recognize him as the Right Guard General, and Xi Kangsheng had no way to mobilize the imperial guards to search for Jiangyang Prince Yuan Yi.
Things just got awkward.
Xi Kangsheng simply tore off his court robes, revealing the soft armor underneath. He walked up to the imperial steps and said to the emperor and the empress dowager:
"Your Majesty and the Queen Mother, please issue an edict to exterminate the traitors!"
The little emperor and Empress Dowager Hu on the throne still had no reaction. The mother and son continued to look at each other silently, waiting for the other to step forward.
Seeing that the emperor and the empress dowager still did not take any action, at this time, noise was heard outside the Xuanguang Hall.
At this time, Yuan Sifu, the general of Zhige arranged by Yuan Yi, had already led the Zhihou to rush towards Xuanguang Hall.
Zhihou was an attendant serving as the emperor and the empress dowager's personal guard. This was an official position established by Jiangyang King Yuan Yi with the intention of replacing the "Langwei" system and using personal guards to control the emperor and the empress dowager.
This is another armed force in the palace besides the imperial guards.
Yuan Sifu was originally on guard outside the Xuanguang Hall. After hearing the noise inside the Hall, he immediately led a dozen of his guards and rushed towards the Hall.
When Xi Kangsheng was serving as the General of the Right Guard, he also won over a group of imperial guards and eunuchs. After Xi Kangsheng launched the attack, this group of people also rushed towards the Xuanguang Hall.
Yuan Sifu collided with the soldiers under Xi Kangsheng's command.
When Xi Nan, who was guarding the Xuanguang Hall, saw the troops led by Yuan Sifu rushing towards him, he simply drew out the Qianniu Sword given by the emperor and rushed out of the gate of the Xuanguang Hall.
Xi Nan first raised the Qianniu Knife and shouted to the back:
"This is your majesty's royal sword. General Yuan Sifu, why don't you come and pay your respects?"
Yuan Sifu originally wanted to order his men to rush forward and kill Xi Nandang, but when Xi Nandang raised the Qianniu Sword, many of them retreated.
Xi Nandang was anxious. If the emperor and the empress dowager issued an edict quickly, then with the loyalty of the imperial guards to the royal family, they would surely be able to get rid of the evildoers.
It’s a pity that I still haven’t received orders from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
Xi Nandang was also a martial arts expert. He saw the hesitation and rushed over with the Qianniu Sword in hand.
Yuan Sifu rose to power through flattery, and without much martial arts skills, was suddenly rushed in front of by Xi Nandang.
Xi Nandang swung his sword, and Yuan Sifu's head flew into the air, then fell to the ground and rolled for a few times before Xi Nandang picked him up and said:
"The traitor Yuan Sifu has been beheaded, why don't you follow me to protect His Majesty!"
These queens hesitated for a moment, and finally, seeing the imperial guards gathering together, they followed Xi Nandang into the Xuanguang Hall.
Seeing that his father was still trying to persuade the emperor and the empress dowager, Xi Nandang threw the head down the steps and said to the emperor and the empress dowager:
"The fake General Yuan Sifu appointed by the traitor Yuan Yi has been beheaded. Your Majesty and the Queen Mother are invited to follow me to the Sima Gate and call on the imperial guards to come to the king's defense!"
Xi Nandang had already thought it through. Since the emperor and the empress dowager were unwilling to issue an edict, he would just let them stand on the city gate and call on the imperial guards.
This might be more effective than the secret decree.
Xi Kangsheng thought it made sense and went up the imperial steps to capture the little emperor.
Yuan Xu was so scared that he hid behind Empress Dowager Hu, who then retreated with the little emperor. Just when the coup d'état in Xuanguang Hall was being handled like a child's play, a group of elite warriors in armor had already surrounded the Xuanguang Hall.
Xi Nandang hurriedly led his men to the outside of the hall, only to see these warriors lined up in neat rows, not only wearing armor but also holding strong bows, aiming at the gate of Xuanguang Hall.
Whose army is this?
Xi Nandang never expected that such an army would suddenly appear in the palace. He quickly realized that such an army was definitely not something that the weak imperial guards could resist.
Where on earth did this army come from?
Just when Xi Nandang was puzzled, the vanguard of the army made way, and an old man sat on the sedan chair, looking at Xi Nandang with sharp eyes.
Liu Teng!
Xi Nandang was so frightened that he almost dropped his Qianniu Sword. He only heard Liu Teng commanding this elite army to calmly surround the Xuanguang Hall, and then he had someone say to the people in the Xuanguang Hall:
"Xi Kangsheng and his son have held the Emperor and Empress Dowager hostage in rebellion, and are now surrounded by the palace guards!"
-
At the same time, in the Menxia Province, King Yuanyi of Jiangyang was holding an emergency meeting with the prime ministers.
It turned out that the prime ministers collectively did not attend the Wanshou Festival banquet today because they were detained by Yuan Yi in the Menxia Province for a meeting.
When the news came that Xi Kangsheng and his son had taken control of the Xuanguang Hall and "held hostage" the emperor and the empress dowager in rebellion, Yuan Yi said to the prime ministers:
"I have already said that although the Prince of Qinghe has been defeated, there are still traitors in the court. Now, the traitors have jumped out on their own. Xi Kangsheng is one of them. I wonder if there are any more."
When Jiangyang Prince Yuanyi's gaze swept over them, all the prime ministers sat up straight.
Yuan Yi said again:
"Grand Chamberlain Liu Teng has led elite troops to the palace to quell the rebellion. The Xi family father and son will soon be escorted to the Ministry of Personnel. Please discuss his crimes, ministers."
After hearing what Yuan Yi said, the prime ministers, who were all smart men, immediately realized that this was probably a trap set by Yuan Yi and Liu Teng.
Fortunately, I have nothing to do with Xi Kangsheng.
However, Xi Kangsheng also came from a prominent family with extensive connections in Luoyang. The prime ministers and officials present were thinking about how to cut ties with the Xi family while also thinking about Yuan Yi's true intentions.
Did Yuan Yi want to kill Xi Kangsheng, or depose both the empress dowager and the emperor?
The results of these two treatments are completely different.
-
Outside the Xuanguang Hall, Xi Nandang's face turned pale. The imperial guards he had gathered were simply unable to stop this elite army!
Xi Nandang couldn't figure out where these elite troops came from? How could Luoyang have such an elite army? The imperial guards under Xi Nandang's command were simply unable to stop this elite force, and the gate of Xuanguang Hall was quickly conquered.
Xi Nandang shouted out the names of the emperor and the empress dowager, but the army ignored them and rushed into the Xuanguang Hall like a steel torrent.
Liu Teng watched the army rush into the Xuanguang Hall quickly. He had seen many armies, but this was the first time he had seen one as well trained as Erzhu Rong.
Yes, this is Erzhu Rong's army.
In order to control the Forbidden City, Jiangyang King Yuan Yi asked Erzhu Rong for a team of 100 men. The leader of this team was Erzhu Rong's nephew Erzhu Tianguang, who was standing beside Liu Teng in Ming Guang armor.
This army trained by Erzhu Rong himself did not care about the emperor or the empress dowager, or the ministers.
Any eunuchs and palace maids who blocked their way were killed directly, and they didn't care about damaging the Xuanguang Hall at all.
Erzhu Tianguang was always domineering. He said to Liu Teng:
"Mr. Liu, the father and son of the Xi family claim to be famous generals, but they are nothing more than that!"
"Look, I will personally capture Xi Kang alive!"
After saying this, Erzhu Tianguang personally broke into the Xuanguang Hall.
Liu Teng started coughing violently. He looked at the blood on the silk handkerchief and knew that he might not live long.
Liu Teng pretended to be dying of illness a while ago, which finally led to Xi Kangsheng.
After a while, Xi Kangsheng and Xi Nandang, who were covered in blood, were captured by the elite troops of the Erzhu family. They were escorted by Erzhu Tianguang to Liu Teng's chariot.
Xi Kangsheng held his head high and refused to kneel, but Erzhu Tianguang kicked him on the knee, causing him to stagger and kneel down.
Liu Teng wanted to vomit when he smelled the blood. He covered his nose and asked:
"Where are your Majesty and the Queen Mother?"
Erzhu Tianguang said proudly:
"Your Majesty and the Queen Mother were frightened and have been sent back to the back hall to rest."
Liu Teng looked at Erzhu Tianguang with dissatisfaction, and ordered his adopted sons to take over the emperor and the empress dowager, and then escorted Xi Kangsheng and his son to Menxia Province.
-
Within the Menxia Province, the prime minister and the ruling officials were arguing with each other.
The debate is naturally about whether to "punish by association".
The Xi family is also a prominent family with the surname Jia. If they are implicated, there will be a complete reshuffle of the entire Luoyang, and the Luoyang officialdom, which has just calmed down, will be turbulent again.
Yuan Yi was also hesitant in his heart. After Liu Teng escorted the Xi father and son to Menxia Province, Liu Teng called Yuan Yi to an empty government office and ordered his adopted son to protect the office.
Liu Teng coughed violently again, and said to Jiangyang Wang Yuanyi:
"My lord, I can't bear it anymore."
Yuan Yi immediately became anxious. He and Liu Teng were close political allies, one inside and one outside. He didn't expect that Liu Teng could not hold on.
Liu Teng looked at Yuan Yi and asked:
"How does Your Majesty intend to deal with the Emperor and the Queen Mother?"
Faced with the inquiries from his allies, Yuan Yi still hesitated.
Liu Teng said viciously: "Please depose the emperor and poison the queen mother!"
Faced with Liu Teng's fierce speech, Yuan Yi was also frightened. He said:
"Your Majesty has done nothing wrong, and your Majesty and the Queen Mother did not issue an edict to Xi Kangsheng during this coup. If you depose the emperor for no reason, I'm afraid the world will not accept it."
"Moreover, Your Majesty is the only heir of the late emperor. If you depose the emperor and then establish a new one, I'm afraid that he won't be able to convince the people."
"As for the Queen Mother, if she is poisoned, it will probably cause criticism from the ministers."
Liu Teng wanted to persuade him again, but he suddenly started coughing violently again. After waiting for a long time, he said with a weak breath:
"The new emperor only needs to choose one from among the descendants of Emperor Xiaowen. The previous emperor had few descendants, but Emperor Xiaowen had many. If you find a young one to ascend the throne, Your Majesty can assist in governing the country as a regent."
"Although your majesty and the queen mother did not issue an edict this time, after the Xuanguang coup, the emperor and the queen mother have no room for maneuver. If your majesty and the queen mother take back power, will they still be kind to the king and his descendants?"
Yuan Yi remained silent, he also had his own plans.
Emperor Xiaowen did have many descendants, but that was also why he was not allowed to appoint any close relatives of the royal family as heirs.
The lineage of King Jiangyang is a distant relative of the royal family, and he lacks prestige, so he has to join forces with Yuan Yong to govern.
If a little emperor is established, a bunch of close relatives of the royal family will jump out to compete with him for power.
His wife, Hu, was the sister of Empress Dowager Hu. Hu also pleaded with Yuan Yi many times, saying that Empress Dowager Hu no longer resented Yuan Yi. She had been very well-behaved in the palace and helped Yuan Yi suppress the Menxia Province.
All in all, the uncertainty after the deposed emperor is killed is too great, it is not as useful as it is now.
Liu Teng sighed deeply. He was just a eunuch. Now that the Northern Wei royal family was powerful, he still couldn't depose or enthrone the emperor as a eunuch.
If King Yuanyi of Jiangyang disagrees, this matter cannot be carried out.
Liu Teng added:
"Erzhu Rong privately trained such elite soldiers. In the eyes of the soldiers, there is only the Erzhu family and not the emperor and the empress dowager. They must have long been rebellious. Please transfer the Erzhu family away from Xiurongchuan as soon as possible. We can't let them continue to grow stronger."
King Yuanyi of Jiangyang said:
"Mr. Liu, you are worrying too much. The Erzhu clan is loyal and devoted. If Erzhu Rong had not sent troops to help, how could we have put down Xi Kangsheng's rebellion so quickly?"
"The Erzhu family has presented precious horses to the court and has always been respectful to the court. How could they have the intention of being disloyal?"
"It's just that the North is in turmoil, so the Erzhu family wants to train such elite soldiers."
Seeing that Yuan Yi still looked unimpressed, Liu Teng coughed violently again, and after a long while he said:
"Xiao Baoyin from Guanzhong is a member of the royal family of the Southern Dynasty. He may not be loyal to the Wei Dynasty. It is better to transfer him back to Luoyang and imprison him as soon as possible while he fails to suppress the rebellion."
Thinking of the precious treasures and beauties Xiao Baoyin presented to him, Yuan Yi said nonchalantly:
"Xiao Baoyin and Xiao Yan have a feud that destroyed their families. They are both loyal to our Great Wei. Changing the commander in the middle of a battle will be detrimental to the war situation."
"Heliang Su Ze has grown stronger with the rebels. Like Erzhu Rong, he is a warrior who is good at training soldiers. If he is placed in the frontier, he may become a figure like Dong Zhuo. Your Highness, please recall the imperial guards and control him."
Yuan Yi thought of the treasures from the Western Regions sent by Su Ze's subordinates, and said indifferently:
"Su Ze is loyal to the court, and the lands he governs are all poor and barren, and the court still relies on him to contain the rebels."
Liu Teng said so much in one breath. He was already very weak at this time, so he had to ask Yuan Yi to deal with Xi Kangsheng and his son, while he returned to the palace surrounded by his adopted sons.
Liu Teng glanced at the Ministry of Personnel from his carriage and said to himself:
"If King Jiangyang does this, I'm afraid I'll end up with my body being opened and mutilated, with nothing left."
(End of this chapter)