Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

Under the reward, there must be a brave man.

These Beijing garrison soldiers, who had been suppressed for a long time by Zhu Qizhen's "governance through accounting," heard that there would be a reward of one hundred taels of silver.

Suddenly, as if injected with chicken blood, they let out bursts of wolf-like cheers, treading through the thick snow, and surged into the power center of the Ming Dynasty.

However, Zhu Qijun and the rebels, who were immersed in their dreams of getting rich, were unaware of this.

The moment they stepped into the Forbidden City, they had already entered an invisible giant net that had been laid out, so tight that not even a whisper could escape.

Meanwhile, in the chief minister's office next to the Jianji Hall.

Steam rose from the copper kettle on the small red clay stove, and the aged white tea brewing inside emitted a mellow and lingering aroma.

Gu Yannian, dressed in a simple moon-white fox-fur cloak, sat upright in front of the chessboard.

Long, slender fingers picked up a white piece, which hovered in mid-air, as if deep in thought.

[Ding! Today's attendance complete. Attribute point gained +1.]

"Add to the spirit."

With a silent thought in his heart, Gu Yannian felt a cool and clear sensation in his mind.

A terrifying spiritual force rippled outwards like waves, instantly covering the entire imperial city.

In that subtle and meticulous perception, he could see the chaotic footsteps of Prince Xin's three thousand rebel soldiers.

You can hear Zhu Qijun's arrogant and boastful promises.

They could even hear the heavy breathing of the rebels, a result of their greed.

"A hundred taels of silver each?"

A mocking smile appeared on Gu Yannian's lips as he steadily placed the white piece on the chessboard.

"Three thousand men, one hundred taels each, that's three hundred thousand taels of silver. And they're going to open the imperial granary to reward the royal family. This Prince Xin certainly has a big mouth."

"It's a pity that he can't even figure out how many carts it would take to load 300,000 taels of silver, or how much the transportation cost would be. This kind of playboy who doesn't know the value of firewood and rice, dares to dream of securing the Ming Dynasty's throne."

He picked up the teacup beside him, brushed away the foam, and took a small sip.

"Zhao Si".

Zhao Si, a centurion of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, emerged from behind the screen and bowed, saying, "Your subordinate is here."

"The performance outside is almost over. Prince Xin's men should be arriving at Qianqing Palace soon."

Gu Yannian spoke in a relaxed tone.

"Go and prepare an umbrella. Although the snow has stopped, the wind is still cold. Come with me to the Qianqing Palace and see just how far this coup d'état is going."

"Yes."

Zhao Si respectfully handed over a plain oil-paper umbrella with a green bamboo frame.

My awe for this Grand Secretary deepened even further.

The emperor had just passed away, and the rebel army had already stormed into the palace. Most of the civil and military officials were now hiding in their residences, trembling with fear.

Only this gentleman in front of me still had the leisure to brew tea and play chess.

They even wanted to personally go to the rebels' lair to watch the show.

Such composure, remaining unmoved even when Mount Tai collapses before one's eyes, is truly beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, a biting wind howled.

Zhu Qijun led several hundred trusted guards and stormed into the main hall without any obstacles.

Looking at the tightly closed vermilion gate, his heart began to race uncontrollably.

As long as he pushes open this door and destroys the possible imperial edict, he will be the rightful master of the Ming Dynasty.

"Break through my path!"

Zhu Qijun gave the order.

Several fierce soldiers stepped forward and kicked the door hard.

With a muffled thud, the door suddenly swung open.

A strong medicinal smell mixed with the aura of death wafted over.

Zhu Qijun pinched his nose and strode across the threshold.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, the light was dim.

The body of the late Emperor Zhu Qizhen lay quietly on the dragon bed, his face covered with bright yellow silk.

Before the bed, Wang Zhen, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was tightly clutching a large sandalwood abacus, his eyes bloodshot as he glared angrily at Zhu Qijun and the others who had barged in.

Behind him stood a dozen eunuchs holding whisks and short sticks.

Although they were all so frightened that their legs were trembling, they did not back down.

"Traitorous foes! The late emperor has passed away, his body is barely cold, yet you dare to lead troops and trespass into the palace! What are you trying to do?!"

Wang Zhen's voice was hoarse, yet it carried a rare air of toughness.

Zhu Qijun looked at the old eunuch who used to fawn over Zhu Qizhen and sneered disdainfully.

"Eunuch Wang, don't try to intimidate me with this facade of loyalty and martyrdom. I am a member of the Ming imperial family, the late emperor's younger brother. The late emperor unfortunately passed away without an heir, so I entered the palace to take charge of the affairs of state, in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people."

"If you know what's good for you, hand over the late emperor's edict. I'll spare your life out of consideration for your service to the late emperor."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zhen hugged the abacus in his arms even tighter.

He glared at Zhu Qijun through gritted teeth and spat fiercely.

"Bah! What kind of creature are you to dare covet the divine artifact! When the late emperor was alive, what he hated most were you royal princes and vassal kings who only knew how to freeload and squander the family fortune!"

"His Majesty calculated everything perfectly before his death. Only someone like Prince Cheng, who understands the difficulty of managing finances, is worthy to sit on this throne!"

Wang Zhen held up the sandalwood abacus in his hand as if it were the most powerful magic weapon in the world.

"You want the imperial edict? I hid it in a place you'll never find in your lifetime! Go ahead and kill me if you dare! If even a single penny is missing, the late emperor's spirit in heaven will surely haunt you and settle the score!"

Zhu Qijun was enraged by the old eunuch's scathing rebuke, and a murderous glint appeared in his eyes.

"You old eunuch, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences! Since you can't bear to part with your master, I'll send you down to serve him!"

"Guards, hack him to death! Search the place thoroughly! Dig three feet into the ground and find the imperial edict!"

Chen Dayuan drew the steel knife from his waist, a sinister smile on his face, and was about to step forward to finish off Wang Zhen.

At this critical moment.

Suddenly, a series of slow footsteps came from outside the hall.

"Your Excellency is mistaken. The accounts of the Ming Dynasty are settled by living people. If everyone is dead, who will calculate the cost of the timber for repairing the Qianqing Palace gate for me?"

The gentle, warm voice, though not loud, clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

The voice seemed to possess some irresistible magic, causing Chen Dayuan, who was about to swing his knife, to freeze in his arms and involuntarily stop his movement.

Zhu Qijun suddenly turned around.

At the threshold of the Qianqing Palace, Gu Yannian, dressed in a moon-white cloak, stepped calmly into the hall.

Behind him followed only Zhao Si, who had no expression on his face; there was not a single soldier else.

However, these two solitary figures caused the hundreds of murderous rebel soldiers inside the hall to instinctively take a half-step back.

It was as if a civil official had walked in, but a god of death descended from the heavens.

"Gu...Prime Minister Gu?"

Zhu Qijun swallowed hard, a sudden, indescribable chill rising in his heart.

Why would that old fox appear here at this time?

Moreover, why didn't he even frown when he saw the hall filled with the clash of swords?