Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

Yuan Tiangang was slightly taken aback, then respectfully replied, "The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for gain. The throne is the supreme position in the world, naturally something countless people dream of. But if you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight. For ordinary people, it is a pit of fire; for Your Highness, it is your rightful right."

Li Chengze smiled faintly, offering no comment on Yuan Tiangang's flattery.

He knew very well that the massacre at Taiping Villa was only the first step. Killing someone is easy, but destroying their spirit is difficult; seizing power is easy, but governing a country is difficult.

Although he used absolute force to intimidate the court officials and force Lin Ruofu and others to express their support for him, this did not mean that he could directly declare himself emperor on the ruins of Taiping Villa.

If the name is not correct, then the words will not be proper; if the words are not proper, then things will not be accomplished.

What he wanted was a complete, stable, and powerful Nanqing, not a fragmented and war-torn mess.

Therefore, the enthronement ceremony must be held in Kyoto.

All necessary procedures must be followed, the matter must be announced to the world, and everything must appear legitimate and reasonable.

"Pass down the order: the army shall set up camp ten miles outside the city and block all nine gates of the capital. No one shall enter or leave. Anyone who disobeys will be executed without mercy," Li Chengze coldly issued the order.

"Yes, sir!"

"Furthermore, select three thousand elite troops to accompany me into the city. They will take over the defense of the imperial city and control the six ministries," Li Chengze continued. "Invite Minister Lin and the others out; such matters as entering the city require the guidance of pillars of the court like them."

Before long, Lin Ruofu and the others were asked to leave the carriage.

When they saw the majestic Kyoto city walls in the distance, their feelings were extremely complex.

Just hours ago, they were high-ranking officials accompanying His Majesty to the Taiping Villa. Now, His Majesty has passed away, and they have become political pawns in the hands of the Second Prince.

"Minister Lin, esteemed officials," Li Chengze said from his horse, looking down at them with a gentle yet authoritative tone, "With the Emperor's sudden passing, the capital is bound to be in a state of panic. To stabilize the situation and prevent any mischief, I have decided to lead the army into the city to take over the defenses. I will leave the matter of knocking on the gate to Minister Lin."

Lin Ruofu took a deep breath and bowed, saying, "This old minister obeys the decree. Stabilizing the capital is this old minister's duty."

The army continued its march and soon arrived at the south gate of Kyoto.

The defenders on the city wall had long since spotted this large army of unknown origin. At this moment, torches were lit on the city wall, bows and crossbows were strung, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

"Who goes there?! How dare you lead your troops to approach the capital! Retreat immediately, or you will be killed without mercy!" The city gate guard shouted hoarsely from behind the parapet.

Lin Ruofu, "escorted" by two Great Snow Dragon Riders, arrived at the city gate.

He cleared his throat, gathered his strength, and shouted, "I am Lin Ruofu, the current Prime Minister! Commander of the city, listen up! His Majesty was assassinated at Taiping Villa by the Grand Masters of Northern Qi and Dongyi City, and has already passed away! His Highness the Second Prince led the army to rescue the Emperor and killed the assassins. Now, at the request of the officials, he has temporarily assumed the reins of government and entered the city to take charge of the situation! Open the city gates immediately and welcome His Highness into the city! Any hesitation will be considered treason!"

Lin Ruofu's words were like a bolt from the blue, exploding on the city wall.

His Majesty has passed away?!

The Second Prince is temporarily assuming power?!

The city gate commander was completely dumbfounded. He looked at the old man below the city who was indeed the current prime minister, and then at the white cavalry behind the old man, which exuded a terrifying killing intent. His mind went blank.

"Open the door! Prime Minister Lin is here, and all the ministers of the six ministries are here! Do you intend to disobey the imperial decree?!" The Minister of War also mustered his courage and stepped forward, shouting loudly.

Under the combined pressure from the prime minister and the minister of war, coupled with the immense oppressive feeling emanating from the army outside the city, the psychological defenses of the city gate guards completely collapsed.

"Open...open the city gates..."

With the heavy creaking of the winch, the two massive iron-clad wooden gates of Kyoto's south gate slowly opened to both sides.

Li Chengze took the lead, leading three thousand Snow Dragon Riders, marching in orderly steps into the power center of Nanqing.

After entering the city, Li Chengze acted swiftly and decisively, without any hesitation.

The three thousand Great Snow Dragon Riders quickly dispersed and, with their overwhelming force, took control of the nine city gates of the imperial city, the Imperial Guard camp, and sealed off the six ministries and the residences of all important officials within just half an hour.

Before dawn, the entire capital city was completely under Li Chengze's control.

The Imperial Palace, Taiji Hall.

The palace, which symbolizes the highest power in Nanqing, is brightly lit at this moment.

Li Chengze did not sit on the dragon throne, which represented the supreme ruler, but stood on the steps below it. Before him stood Lin Ruofu and a group of important court officials.

"Prime Minister Lin, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, but with the passing of our father, the funeral must be conducted with utmost solemnity," Li Chengze said with a somber expression. "Issue my decree that, from this moment forward, the entire capital shall be draped in mourning, court shall be suspended for three days, and the whole nation shall mourn. The Ministry of Rites shall immediately draft the funeral arrangements for our father, which must be conducted with the highest honors and in a grand manner."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree," the Minister of Rites hurriedly stepped forward and replied.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree," the Minister of Rites hurriedly stepped forward and replied.

"Furthermore, the matter of my father's assassination must be announced to the world." Li Chengze's gaze swept over everyone. "Prime Minister Lin, you will be in charge of drafting this proclamation. It must clearly state that my father fought to the death against Ku He of Northern Qi and Si Gu Jian of Dongyi City to protect the Southern Qing dynasty. My father is the greatest emperor of Southern Qing, a national hero. Northern Qi and Dongyi City are the irreconcilable enemies of Southern Qing!"

Lin Ruofu understood immediately and bowed, saying, "This old minister understands. This old minister will certainly write with blood and tears, proclaiming Your Majesty's bravery and the enemy's despicable nature to the world, so that all subjects may know Your Majesty's greatness and unite in hatred against the enemy!"

Li Chengze nodded in satisfaction and continued, "As for the coronation ceremony... Although I have been enthroned by all of you, the procedures cannot be abandoned. The Imperial Clan Court, the Ministry of Rites, and the Imperial Observatory, you three ministries, work together to immediately consult the classics, select an auspicious day, and prepare all the necessary arrangements for the coronation ceremony. Before the coronation ceremony, I will temporarily manage state affairs in the name of Regent."

"Your subjects obey the decree! Long live the Regent!" The ministers all knelt down in unison.

Li Chengze looked at the kneeling officials at his feet, his heart unmoved. He knew that these procedures, though tedious, were indispensable.

Only through these official documents, solemn funeral rites, and legitimate nominations could he completely wash away the label of "seizing power through a military coup" and don the cloak of "being appointed in a time of crisis and turning the tide" as a legitimate act.

He wanted all the people in the world to know that he, Li Chengze, was not a usurper, but the savior of Nanqing.

As Li Chengze issued his orders from the Taiji Hall, the entire political machine of the capital began to operate in an extremely strange yet efficient manner.

Its daybreak.