I was to be executed by Zhu Yuanzhang, and Empress Ma smashed Zhu Yuanzhang's jade seal.

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang stepped out of the threshold of the Fengtian Hall, a chill swept over him.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned, slowed his pace, and listened intently.

A series of suppressed, excited whispers drifted intermittently into his ears.

"...In my opinion, Her Majesty the Empress's actions are in accordance with Heaven and the people! With the Duke of Wei and his forces controlling the capital garrison, Nanjing is already within their grasp!"

"Indeed! His Majesty's perverse actions have driven the Prince of Ying to his death, and then forced Minister Liu to his death, causing him to lose the hearts of the people! Now even the Empress and the Crown Prince have turned against him, showing that he is deserted by his followers and his fate is sealed!"

"Imperial Censor Wang, watch your words! Watch your words!"

"What are you being careful about? What are you afraid of? Things are about to change! If we don't make a decision soon, what good will happen to us when the new emperor ascends the throne?"

"That's right! Minister Li, Minister Hu, you two should give us an answer! What should we do now? We can't just sit here and wait, can we?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a surge of anger that shot up to the top of his head.

A new emperor has ascended the throne?

Is its fate sealed?

Okay! Okay!

Zhu Yuanzhang was not even dead yet, and these civil officials whom he had personally promoted had already begun to discuss supporting a new emperor and seeking credit for their role in the rise of the new emperor!

He suppressed the urge to draw his sword and kill someone, wanting to hear what his two most trusted prime ministers, Li Shanchang and Hu Weiyong, would have to say.

Hu Weiyong coughed lightly and said in a sarcastic tone, "Fellow colleagues, please calm down. This matter is of great importance; a single hair can affect the whole situation. As subjects, we should prioritize the well-being of the nation and not act rashly."

That was a perfectly watertight statement, as if it hadn't been said at all.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered inwardly, thinking that Hu Weiyong, that slippery fellow, was still the same as ever.

Just then, Li Shanchang, who had been silent all along, finally spoke slowly.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight.

"Gentlemen."

"I only have one question."

"The eighteen armies of the Northern Frontier, a million-strong force of tigers and wolves, are marching towards Jinling. Their banner is 'Purge the court of corrupt officials and rescue the Prince of Ying.' But now, His Highness the Prince of Ying has... passed away."

"What do you think will happen when they reach the walls of Nanjing and discover that the King of Ying is dead?"

Li Shanchang's words were like a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the flames in everyone's hearts.

Yes.

They only thought about changing dynasties and installing a new emperor.

But they forgot that outside the city, there was a million-strong, out-of-control army!

Those people came to rescue Zhu Muying; if they knew Zhu Muying was already dead...

The consequences would be unimaginable!

The entire Ming Dynasty could be burned to the ground by the vengeful wrath of that million-strong army!

At that time, let alone the new or old rulers, they will all be buried with them!

Seeing the crowd fall silent instantly, Li Shanchang's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

He said slowly, "Therefore, the most urgent matter is not to discuss who should be emperor."

"Instead, we need to find a way to quell the war in the northern border region first."

"To quell the war, we must give an explanation to the million-strong army and to the people of the world."

A young official couldn't help but ask, "Prime Minister Li, what do you mean?"

Li Shanchang raised his head, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

He said, enunciating each word clearly, "Your Majesty must abdicate."

"Your Highness, you must immediately assume the regency and take charge of the overall situation!"

"Then, in the name of His Highness the Crown Prince, issue an edict of self-reproach, proclaiming it to the world. Take full responsibility for the death of the Prince of Ying. At the same time, posthumously confer titles upon the Prince of Ying, treat his family with great favor, and severely punish the 'traitorous officials' who framed the Prince of Ying!"

"Only in this way can we quell public anger to the greatest extent possible, make the rebels feel that their great revenge has been achieved, and perhaps even bring about a glimmer of hope!"

Li Shanchang's words made everyone gasp.

So cruel!

What a vicious plan!

This is to completely nail Zhu Yuanzhang's crimes to the pillar of historical shame!

Make him abdicate, make him a scapegoat, and then let Crown Prince Zhu Biao clean up the mess and win people's hearts!

That's killing three birds with one stone!

But just then, a younger and more radical voice rang out.

It was the same Imperial Censor Wang who had just advocated "fighting to the death."

His face flushed red, and he said loudly, "Prime Minister Li's plan is good, but I feel it's not enough!"

"Not enough?" Li Shanchang looked at him with great interest.

"Indeed!" Imperial Censor Wang said, his neck stiff. "The edict of self-reproach and abdication are merely expedient measures! What if His Majesty goes back on his word later, or the rebels deny their actions?"

In my humble opinion, hesitation will only lead to further trouble!

"Why don't we..."

At this point, Imperial Censor Wang lowered his voice, a crazed glint in his eyes.

"Why don't we join forces and write a congratulatory letter right now!"

"Respectfully bidding farewell to the Hongwu Emperor...to his final resting place!"

"boom!"

These words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, exploding in Zhu Yuanzhang's mind!

A congratulatory message?

Funeral day?

He's not dead yet!

His group of officials, whom he had personally promoted and who were usually loyal to him, were actually discussing holding his funeral ahead of schedule!

"ah!!!"

An uncontrollable rage erupted from Zhu Yuanzhang's chest!

He couldn't hold back any longer!

Carrying a golden knife, he charged towards the group of civil officials who were "plotting" like a tiger that had been completely enraged!

"You traitorous scoundrels! We're going to kill you all!"

"Traitors and rebels! We will kill you all!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's roar was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, terrifying the group of civil officials who were talking loudly in front of the Wenhua Hall.

They turned around abruptly and saw the emperor, who should have been helpless in the Fengtian Hall, now charging towards them with a gleaming golden sword in hand, his eyes bloodshot, as if possessed.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty!"

"Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!"

The civil officials were so frightened that they cried out in terror and fled in panic, completely devoid of the composure they had displayed just moments before when they were pointing out the state of the country and writing passionately.

Hu Weiyong, who was closest, was so frightened that his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground. He scrambled backward, mumbling incoherently, "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

Wang Yushi, who had just been clamoring to "respectfully send off the Hongwu Emperor to his final resting place," turned pale with fright and hid behind the crowd, trembling and not daring to lift his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang was now blinded by rage.

In his eyes, there was only this group of ungrateful, shameless intellectuals who betrayed their masters for personal gain!

He's going to kill them!

Kill them all!

Let them know who truly reigns supreme in this Ming Dynasty!

However, just as he was about to charge into the crowd and start a massacre...

A figure as steady as a mountain stood in front of him.

It was Li Shanchang.

This left prime minister, who was over sixty years old, faced the furious emperor and the gleaming golden knife, yet showed no fear whatsoever.

He simply stood there quietly, looking at Zhu Yuanzhang, and slowly shook his head.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't kill them."

"Get out of the way!" Zhu Yuanzhang's blade was almost touching Li Shanchang's nose. "You're in cahoots with them! We'll kill you too!"

"Your Majesty, you are certainly free to kill this old minister," Li Shanchang's voice remained calm. "You could even kill all the civil officials here."

"But have you considered the consequences?"

"Now, the Empress and the Crown Prince have lost their loyalty to you. Xu Da, Chang Yuchun, and other nobles from Huaixi have taken control of the entire army in Jinling."

"The only thing you can still rely on now is us civil officials."

"We are the last straw that holds the Ming Dynasty back. We are also the last buffer between you, the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince."

"If you kill us too, you'll truly be all alone. Do you think the Empress and the Crown Prince will still have any mercy on you then?"

"Do you really think that million-strong army outside the city will still have the slightest fear of you?"

Li Shanchang's words were like a bucket of ice water poured over Zhu Yuanzhang's head.

His eyes, which had been burning red with anger, cleared up a little in an instant.

Yes.

How could he forget?

He is no longer the Hongwu Emperor who held absolute power over life and death.

He is now a lonely man whose power has been usurped by his wife, son, and brothers!

If he offends all the officials in the court, then he will truly have no hope of turning the tide.

Zhu Yuanzhang's hand holding the knife trembled slightly.

He stared intently at Li Shanchang, then glanced at the civil officials behind him who were trembling like quails. In the end, the murderous intent and anger in his heart were suppressed by the biting fear.

He cannot kill.

Not at least not now.

"well……"

Zhu Yuanzhang squeezed out two words through gritted teeth. He sheathed his golden sword, pointed at Li Shanchang, and then at everyone behind him.

"We'll spare your lives today, just for Prime Minister Li's sake!"

"But you'd better remember this!"

"We're still the emperors! This Ming Dynasty still belongs to the Zhu family!"

"Anyone who dares to gossip behind someone's back, criticize the emperor or father, or plot any treacherous acts will be severely punished!"

"We'll make sure he dies a horrible death!"

After saying that, he suddenly flicked his sleeve and turned to leave.

He didn't want to see these civil servants who disgusted him for another second.

However, at the very moment he turned around...

"when--!"

A deep and resonant bell rang out from the depths of the imperial city.

The sound of the bell pierced through layers of palace walls and swept over the majestic halls, carrying a desolate and sorrowful power that instantly enveloped the entire Forbidden City.

Zhu Yuanzhang, standing in front of the Fengtian Hall, suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Li Shanchang and the others in front of the Wenhua Hall also raised their heads in unison.

Everyone's face showed shock and confusion.

This is... the death knell!

Within the imperial city, the death knell is only tolled when the emperor or empress passes away!

But now, the emperor is still standing here perfectly fine, while the empress... the empress is just having a tiff with the emperor.

For whom does this bell toll?

"when--!"

The second bell rang out immediately.

It was heavier and more mournful than the first sound.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned deathly pale instantly.

He had an idea.

He thought of a possibility that he dared not even consider and could not accept!

Ma Xiuying!

is her!

She actually dared... she actually dared to ring the death knell without permission!

What is she going to do?

What exactly is she trying to do?!

"Help! Help!"

Zhu Yuanzhang roared like a madman at the empty square.

"Go! Go and find out right now! Who's ringing the bell? Who gave them the audacity!"

"Arrest the person who rang the bell! Tear him to pieces!"

However, his commands echoed through the empty palace, but no one responded.

The guards and eunuchs around him stood there with their heads down, like wooden or clay sculptures, not daring to move.

They all saw it.

They had all witnessed how Xu Da and Chang Yuchun had mobilized troops and sealed off the imperial city.

They all knew that the person who truly held the reins in this palace was no longer the emperor on the dragon throne.

It was the Empress in Kunning Palace, holding her son's corpse, her heart filled with despair.

To arrest people on the emperor's orders?

Isn't that just courting death?

Looking at the obedient servants around him who refused to move an inch, Zhu Yuanzhang's heart sank to the bottom.

He got it.

He finally understood what it meant to be all alone.

His reign as emperor has truly become a joke.

"when--!"

The third toll of the death knell arrived as expected.

One sound followed another, each one louder than the last.

Chengtian Gate.

The gate of the Ming Dynasty.

At this moment, the vermilion gate, symbolizing supreme imperial power, is slowly opening.

Zhu Yuanzhang saw the scene outside the door.

stunned!

A hand holding a golden knife!

It trembled too!