Free Web NovelChapter 212: Chapter 2: Extra Story 2
The Emperor continually offered sacrifices, hoping to seek stability for Daqi from the heavens.
Temples were built one after another.
Becoming increasingly luxurious.
But not only did it have no effect, it actually left the national treasury even more depleted; now, the treasury is completely empty!
Even the imperial guard can’t receive enough military pay.
Knock knock knock...
"Mr. Mu, the Prince is calling for you."
"Alright."
Chu Xijin stood up and followed the servant to his fifth brother.
"Mr. Mu, when do you think we should launch the coup?"
"Soon."
He had the map of the Imperial Palace and had already turned those two generals at the palace gates.
What they needed now was an opportunity, to stir up the residents of the Capital City to revolt, so he would have a justified cause!
Chu Xijin shared his plan with the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince immediately arranged for people to incite the residents of the city to rebel against the Emperor, calling him cruel and unjust, unworthy of heaven and earth!
Chu Xijin watched silently.
Smiling and nodding.
Half a month later, the entrance to the palace was already crowded with rioting citizens; many had been killed, yet such arbitrary killings did not quell the public’s anger—it only ignited further rage, especially as foreign enemies continuously invaded the borders, causing Daqi to cede more territory, and disasters left many people homeless. Although the residents of the Capital City weren’t as destitute as others, countless refugees had flooded in, driving them to madness.
Chu Xijin had anticipated Daqi’s deterioration but never imagined it would be this severe. His father originally intended to govern with diligence.
Perhaps, overshadowed by several exceptional predecessors, he yearned for their innate talents and refused to resign to a mediocre life, thus starting to heed slander, seeking shortcuts, yet was manipulated by ministers, making error upon error, constantly regretting until he eventually abandoned all responsibility.
As long as he could indulge himself, nothing else mattered.
"Fifth Prince, the time has come." Initiating the coup did not require many people; all he needed was control of the palace map, control of the keyholders at the palace gates.
And!
Control of the imperial guard.
Possession of the palace map naturally facilitated planning which areas to strike first for swift action.
The hallmark of a palace coup——speed!
Chu Xijin only had his fifth brother prepare five thousand men, intending for an unexpected strike.
And the keyholder at the palace gates was already under his control.
Sometimes, looking at Chu Xijin, the Fifth Prince felt a shiver of fear; such a person could not be left alive! freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Throughout history, the keyholders of the palace gates have been the Emperor’s most trusted people.
Yet within three short months.
He turned two.
This boundless skill was bound for great accomplishments, and if he manifested his abilities in court, who knew, the day might come where he’d be the one to threaten him!
Chu Xijin cast a cool glance at his fifth brother, his lips slightly curved in extreme irony.
There was also a hint of expectation in his eyes.
Hoping the Emperor would feel gratified seeing his two sons conspiring in his murder.
The imperial guard was actually divided into many departments, and they lacked personal initiative, often clueless about how to act on purging harmful ministers.
Because the key principle of the imperial guard was not to act autonomously!
If the imperial guard developed initiative and acted solo, then the first casualty might be the Emperor!
How could the Emperor allow that?
"Prince, no, Your Majesty, hahahahaha... We have successfully seized control of the Meridian Gate, please proceed to the Taiji Palace!"
Someone came to offer congratulations.
They hadn’t imagined everything would proceed so smoothly.
The Fifth Prince became excited, the long-coveted position was finally within reach?
He headed towards the Taiji Palace.
Chu Xijin followed behind.
Many soldiers covertly glanced at him; his skin was fair as jade, his features exquisitely handsome, his eyelashes long and dense, casting a shadow on his eyelid, adding an alluring beauty to his appearance.
Mr. Mu.
Indeed mysterious.
Chu Xijin chose to collaborate with Emperor Wu mainly because the imperial guard outside the Capital City was his fifth brother’s father-in-law.
Both were in the same predicament, naturally not targeting each other.
Chu Xijin easily captured his fifth brother’s father-in-law.
Arriving at the Taiji Palace. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
The Emperor sat on the throne, glaring wrathfully at his son.
After thirteen years, Chu Xijin finally saw his father again, the face as nauseating as ever.
"Hahahahahaha, Father Emperor, since you’re incapable of managing Daqi, leave it to your son instead!" The Fifth Prince laughed arrogantly.
The Emperor angrily flung aside the memorials before him.
All present in the Taiji Palace froze in fear.
The Fifth Prince had people seize the Emperor, for it was still unpopular to kill one’s father.
If he were to do so now.
Many troubles would ensue!
Yet Chu Xijin sought his brother’s cooperation precisely to purge harmful ministers, didn’t he?
"Prince, it’s best to eliminate some people completely." Chu Xijin gently reminded.
"Kill him?" The Fifth Prince asked uncertainly.
Chu Xijin smiled and nodded, the eyes beneath the silver mask filled with deep mirth.
"Who are you!"
The Emperor pointed at him, for it was his arrival that enabled the Fifth Prince to gradually expand his power and seize his throne.
Chu Xijin chuckled, "The very one you should eliminate entirely."
He raised a hand and removed his mask.
The Emperor’s eyes widened in shock, staggering, as he tumbled back onto the throne, his pointing finger trembling, "You, you, you..."
"Long time no see."
Chu Xijin smiled.
The Fifth Prince also looked over, seeing such a stunning smile, clearly gentle and courteous, yet he couldn’t shake the chill down his spine.
The Emperor panted crazily; he knew this treacherous child would return one day: "How does holding me affect you, do you want your mother alive?"
"Mother???"
The Fifth Prince was dumbfounded.
Then, in disbelief, he looked at Chu Xijin, "Crown Prince!"
Chu Xijin’s eyes turned severe in an instant, "Just call me Mr. Mu."
"Hahahahahaha..."
The Emperor laughed to the point of breathlessness, looking down at him as if he were an ant, "If you want your mother alive, then withdraw your troops!"
He had known all along.
How could the Fifth manage such cunning?
But if it were Chu Xijin, it wouldn’t be surprising; from the moment this person’s talents emerged, he always felt there’d be a day when he’d come for his life!
He intended to eliminate him swiftly at the start.
But that woman managed to send him away somehow, and now, he’s back.
Back to meet his end.
Chu Xijin’s expression remained indifferent, "Do you think I’d give you a hold over me? Is my mother still my mother?"
"You... what do you mean?" The Emperor’s panic grew.
"The literal meaning."
The most critical task upon Chu Xijin’s return to Daqi was naturally to save his mother.
The moment he saw his mother.
His resolve to patricide deepened, his mother resembling a skeleton, once a vibrant young lady, now at thirty, resembling a woman over fifty.
