History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 321 The Cold-Hearted Zhao Zhi

A military officer rushed in and reported: "Your Excellency, the Minister of Works has sent Yu Jin, Yuan Hui, and Lu Chang to assist you in eliminating the traitors within the palace."

"Let them in."

Zhao Zhi knew perfectly well that the visitors were all His Majesty's confidants. Yuan Xi's rebellion was doomed to fail, and those who participated in suppressing the rebels would certainly be rewarded. Situ Yuan Xie had sent these three men, and who knows how much effort he had put into testing His Majesty's intentions.

General Yu Jin, the Conqueror of the Barbarians, is the younger brother of Yu Lie, the commander of the Imperial Guards. He was transferred from Woye Town to Luoyang some time ago, waiting to quell the rebellion of Yuan Xi and other bandits and then be promoted for his merits.

Both Yuan Hui, the Chamberlain, and Lu Chang, who was temporarily serving as a white-robed strategist, were extremely ambitious. They believed they were waiting for their chance and, although they were cooperating with Zhao Zhi, they did not hide their arrogance.

Yuan Hui was one thing, as his official rank was higher than Zhao Zhi's, but Lu Chang, relying on his lineage from the Lu family of Fanyang, displayed arrogance in his eyes, which angered the imperial guards under Zhao Zhi.

Zhao Zhi was strict with rules, and the military officers dared not speak out unless she gave them permission. Zhao Zhi looked only at Yu Jin and ordered, "Time is of the essence. There's no need to investigate the retreat gate in the north. Within half an hour, the three of you must find a few spies from Han Chun Gate and Qian Guang Gate and bring them here."

Yu Jin solemnly replied "Yes," and hurriedly left the Hundred-Foot Tower.

Yuan Hui and Lu Chang followed them out, the latter saying sarcastically, "Zhao Changshi really is as rumored, with such great official power."

Yuan Hui sneered. Business was of the essence. He ignored Lu Chang's instigation and asked Yu Jin, "We only have clues about six thieves. It will be difficult to find out the rest of the villains in half an hour."

Yu Jin: "First, make sure to capture these six people alive. I think Zhao Changshi means that she is not forcing us to arrest all the traitors now. I observe that Changshi is calm and composed, she must have a plan."

Yuan Hui: "Then let's quickly split up and get on with our own."

The imperial palace and the northern palace gardens are separated by an extremely wide east-west imperial road. Jinyong City is located northwest of the northern palace gardens. If you look at Luoyang City as a whole, you will find that all the tall buildings with strong defensive features are in the north.

At this moment, Prince Pengcheng, Yuan Xie, stood atop the Great Xia City Gate, a structure no less imposing than a hundred-foot tower, with several majestic hawks perched on the parapets to his left and right. Military officers moved swiftly up and down the city walls, carrying different command flags, relaying messages about the troop movements from the Grand Commandant's residence to all the streets to the north.

The two fierce warriors standing beside Yuan Xie were Li Chong, the governor of Liangzhou, who had secretly returned to the capital after receiving a secret imperial edict, and Yang Daye, the commander of the Shouchun Camp.

A soldier reported: "Reporting to the Minister of Works, there are still warriors disguised as commoners who have infiltrated the Grand Commandant's residence."

Another soldier reported: "The night birds around the Grand Commandant's residence have taken flight in fright, unlike usual, and there isn't even a single bark from a dog."

Yang Daye's murderous aura intensified, and he excitedly said, "It's almost done. It seems that all the hunting dogs have been killed."

Yuan Xie said indignantly, "What a foolish move he made! General Li, General Yang, thank you both for your trouble."

"Yes, sir!" Li Chong assured him, "Don't worry, Minister Situ, whichever of us encounters Yuan Xi, we will bring him back to His Majesty alive to report back."

The three men clasped their hands in a salute once more. Li Chong and Yang Daye quickly descended the city wall and, as planned, split into two groups. One group went to the Chengming City Gate to wait for the rebels, while the other group went to ambush them on various important streets. Their aim was to kill the rebels' advisors, cause chaos among the rebels, and protect the noble residences along the way.

There's no need to worry about safety within the palace. Yu Lie has stationed tens of thousands of elite imperial guards there, like a gluttonous beast with its jaws wide open, firmly entrenched!
A strong wind blew, and the dark clouds sometimes obscured the moon, and sometimes gathered or dispersed.

The gates of the Grand Commandant's mansion, which had been greased that morning, were quietly opened.

Inside the mansion, guards stood in rows. Tonight, the armor they had been hoarding could finally be brought out, all the weapons had been replaced with those forged by the Qiankou smithy in Xiangzhou, and the powerful arrows were filled with bamboo quivers.

Everything is ready; we are poised to launch.

Although the shadowy figures had discovered several of his rebellion plans, Yin Longhu, who was currently in charge of the plot, could only convince himself that it wouldn't matter if the emperor found out, as the Imperial Guards would not have enough time to prepare defenses.

Looking at the dark mass of warriors, Yin Longhu gripped Yuan Xi's wrist tightly and raised it high, shouting, "You need not panic! The dark figures you just saw were not assassins, but strange beasts bringing good news and urging us to start our uprising as soon as possible! Everyone, listen to my command, split into three groups!"

"The first force must act swiftly and decisively, capturing Chengming Gate and ensuring the smooth passage from this gate to Yangqu Canal. Upon reaching Yangqu Canal, immediately gather all merchant ships and fishing boats you see and await further orders! The second force will attack Jinyong City from the south through Qianguang Gate, and must defend the passage from this gate to Chengming Gate at all costs. The third force, led by me, will infiltrate Jinyong City from the east through Hanchun Gate."

"Gentlemen, we will start our uprising tonight with the help of divine beasts. As long as you dare to fight to the death, you will all be made kings after the success! Grand Commandant, say something to the soldiers." He released Yuan Xi.

If Yuanxi backs down in front of everyone, he'll die right now!
He roared, "Let's go!" At the tallest building in Jinyong City, Baichilou, Yu Jin, Yuan Hui, and Lu Chang brought over the spies the traitors had bribed, all tied up.

Yu Jin reported: "These six people have been identified as traitors. The other dozen or so people are people who often associate with these six. If we want to confirm whether they are rebels, we need to conduct a thorough investigation."

He had barely finished speaking when he heard a commotion behind him. He turned around and saw that it was Zhao Zhi's confidants escorting dozens of Tiger Warriors.

The military officer leading the team was Kou Meng.

Kou Meng reported: "Reporting to the Attendant, all the soldiers guarding the Jinyong City Gate tonight, as well as the person who takes the longest shift at the city gate each month, have been brought here."

Yuan Hui asked Zhao Zhi in surprise, "What does this mean?"

Zhao Zhi didn't even look at him, and ordered Kou Meng: "Take everyone up with you."

The north wind howled above the observation deck, stronger than it was on the ground.

Zhao Zhi grabbed one of the six traitors and shoved him to the front of the parapet. The view was pitch black, far more terrifying than looking down during the day.

A traitor who can be bought off with money is hardly a brave man. This man was so frightened that he could barely stand, his voice trembling as he cried out, "I confess, I'll tell you everything—ah—"

With a swift movement, Zhao Zhi pushed the traitor down before he could finish speaking.

A terrible thud echoed from beneath my heels in the distance.

Yuan Hui stopped Zhao Zhi from trying to drag people away again: "I advise Zhao Changshi not to act rashly. We still need to leave people alive for interrogation."

Yu Jin quickly advised, "Yes, Attendant, don't be impulsive."

Lu Chang's eyes flashed with sarcasm, and his lips curled into a mocking smile.

Zhao Zhi paced back and forth, one step to the left and one to the right, and ordered Kou Meng: "Keep throwing them down. Anyone who can identify the traitor can be spared. Anyone who has received bribes from someone can also be spared."

"Yes!" Kou Meng swept his arm aside, then grabbed a traitor by the hair, dragged him to the wall, and threw him far away before he could stop.

The screams of the person falling from the building sank to the ground.

Kou Meng is charging at the third person!
"I'll confess! Don't kill me, don't kill me... Ah!"

The third person screamed as he was thrown off the hundred-foot-high building and also fell to his death.

When Kou Meng came to drag out the fourth person, Zhao Zhi coldly reminded him: "If you don't want to die, just confess. I don't listen to nonsense."

Just as Yuan Hui was about to angrily stop them, the traitors and rebels had already started hurling insults and pointing fingers at each other!

"He... he's an informant for the Grand Commandant's office!"

"He encouraged me to open the city gates to the rebels when the opportunity arose."

"I also know that there are spies from the Grand Commandant's office in the North Palace Garden. Does that count as a meritorious service?"

The Court of Justice also sent officials here to quickly record everything.

Yuan Hui and Lu Chang looked displeased, but Yu Jin kept his responsibilities in mind, felt no jealousy towards Zhao Zhi, and even admired her.

Zhao Zhi had exceptional eyesight. She looked towards the Grand Commandant's residence and said in a deep voice, "They've arrived."