Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

......

Chen Shao didn't give them much time to react, and gave Bai Bingbing a wink.

The latter immediately took a step forward.

He held the embroidered spring knife at his waist.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has discovered today that Ma Dabiao, the captain in charge of the defense of the capital's city gates, has long been secretly colluding with the Northern Barbarians."

"Prepare to open the city gates and surrender when the Northern Barbarians attack."

The entire court of officials breathed a sigh of relief. Such a grand display, only to find out he was just a minor official.

Civil officials, in particular, tend to remain aloof and indifferent to matters that do not concern them.

Only Yuwen Huagu felt a surge of anger welling up inside him.

Ma Dabiao, those are his men!

The reason why Yuwen Huagu was so powerful was because of his military power.

As for his military power, not to mention the three major camps, they were rendered useless by the Emperor Emeritus's campaign, and with Yu Qi'an's further meddling, they were almost bankrupt.

But the remaining five city garrisons, city gate captains, and palace guards were his personal possessions.

These are his ultimate guarantees that allow him to defecate on the little emperor's head.

How can one give up so easily?

The city gate captain is a low-ranking officer with great power.

Especially during wartime, it can sometimes be enough to reverse the situation.

"Nonsense!"

Yuwen Huagu did not take this newly appointed commander seriously.

On the contrary, they look down on it deep down.

You're just a mere constable from the Six Doors, what kind of rank do you have, to be allowed to enter the palace with a sword and shoes like this general?

"Ma Dabiao was promoted by me personally. His ancestors for three generations were all veterans of the Beijing Garrison, loyal and virtuous for generations."

"I can vouch for his loyalty to the Great Yan with my own head."

"Commander Bai, when he was loyal to the Great Yan, you were still wearing open-crotch pants."

Naked humiliation.

Bai Bingbing remained unfazed:

"I am merely reporting the facts. How could I dare to slander a loyal and virtuous person without solid evidence?"

"If the General has any objections, bring him up and we will find out."

Yuwen Huagu was completely fearless.

Unlike Han Cao, he was more like a eunuch, with his power derived from the royal family.

If the Northern Barbarians breach the city, the officials may live, but he cannot.

He would naturally not collude with the Northern Barbarians.

Of course, if you ask yourself honestly, if you were really pushed to the limit... it's not impossible for you to betray your master for personal gain... hehehe.

Both sides were full of confidence, and soon Ma Dabiao was brought to the imperial court.

"This humble general, Ma Dabiao, greets Your Majesty!"

His voice was loud and clear, full of confidence.

"Ma Dabiao!"

Bai Bingbing took out a stack of letters from her sleeve, unfolded them, and held them above her head.

"These are secret letters between you and Empress Helian Yunni of Northern Mang, agreeing to coordinate an attack from within and without on the day Northern Mang attacks the city!"

"The evidence is conclusive. What else do you have to say?"

Ma Dabiao's eyes widened.

After being confused for a while, the veins on my neck started to bulge.

"Bullshit! This is a frame-up! This was fabricated by your Embroidered Uniform Guard!"

"It's no use trying to argue; the handwriting is exactly the same as yours."

Bai Bingbing threw all the letters at Ma Dabiao's face.

"Ha, you two are actually sharing things from your social media feeds, tsk tsk, Ma Dabiao, do you still want to be a son-in-law of the Northern Barbarians?!"

"That's utter nonsense! I don't even know if the Northern Mang emperor is male or female!"

Ma Dabiao picked up a letter at random.

The letter was extremely cheesy, even referring to the recipient as "sweetie."

What a ridiculous and despicable attempt to frame someone.

Ma Dabiao sneered, but then he realized something was wrong.

The handwriting is exactly the same as his real one.

He himself couldn't tell the difference between the real and the fake.

However... there are plenty of experts these days who can forge handwriting and seals.

Therefore, he was not flustered.

"This is definitely a forgery!"

"Forgery? Who would be so bored as to forge something like this?"

Ma Dabiao wanted nothing more than to punch him. Wasn't this a fabrication you made to frame him?

His gaze fell upon Yuwen Huagu:

"General, this was absolutely not written by me!"

Yuwen Huagu nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is wise and will surely give you justice."

This is a new skill he learned from Han Cao—being sarcastic and unpredictable.

This implies that if Chen Shao does not restore justice to him, he is not wise and is a foolish ruler.

Chen Shao squinted and asked suspiciously:

"Ma Dabiao, are you sure you didn't write this?"

"Your Majesty, absolutely not."

"That's strange. It wasn't written by you, but the handwriting is exactly the same as yours."

"Then there's only one possibility."

Chen Shao slapped his forehead, suddenly realizing what was going on.

"You are not Ma Dabiao at all!"

This statement caused an uproar throughout the court. What kind of logic is this?

Ma Dabiao was completely bewildered.

He thought that His Majesty wanted to find fault with him, that he was receiving a salary without working, or that he was guilty of dereliction of duty and embezzlement, etc.

But I didn't expect to question this?

Why does it sound like you're arguing with a three-year-old?

"Your Majesty, this humble general...this humble general is indeed Ma Dabiao, absolutely!"

"Don't be nervous. I would never wrong an innocent person. Now I'll give you a chance to prove that you are Ma Dabiao."

"I have household registration documents to prove it!"

"That thing can be done for two taels of silver. Let's try another way."

"This humble general may summon my father."

"Oh?"

Chen Shao raised an eyebrow. "Then how can you prove that your father is indeed your father?"

Ma Dabiao: "???"

The entire court of officials: "???"

"Even if your father comes, how can he prove that you are his son?"

"Even if your father can prove you are his son, how can you prove that your father is Ma Dabiao's father?"

Chen Shao's series of unreasonable questions left everyone bewildered.

If I had to put it that way, it would indeed be difficult.

Taking advantage of their confusion, Chen Shao abruptly changed the subject and spoke in a cold voice:

"If you can't prove it, then it can only mean that the real Ma Dabiao has already been replaced! You are a spy from Northern Mang!"

"Guards! Chop him up!"

"His Majesty!!!"

Ma Dabiao was utterly shocked; he never imagined he would die this way.

Bai Bingbing stepped forward herself and had already drawn her knife.

Since His Majesty didn't say to drag them out, that means to behead them on the spot.

Ma Dabiao then realized that this was for real.

He suddenly looked at Yuwen Huagu.

"General, save...save..."

puff-

Bai Bingbing raised her knife and, right there in the main hall, openly beheaded Ma Dabiao.

Hold it with one hand and lift it high.

Yuwen Gu, who was still trying to prove his rhyme, only came to his senses when blood splattered on his face.

"you!"

He glared angrily at Chen Shao.

The latter, however, had already achieved its goal and was now moving on.

Chen Shao did this for two reasons: first, to seize this crucial position, and second, to make an example of him to warn other opportunists.

Chen Shao's gaze swept over the assembled officials.

"Gentlemen, I have set a bad example. Anyone who dares to collude with the Northern Barbarians again will suffer the consequences!"

"Now that the Northern Mang army is pressing in, if the city stands, I will share wealth and honor with you all."

"If the city falls, I will be the first to die on the city wall."

"But before I die, I will first wipe out all those who betray me, no matter who they are!"

"Don't say you weren't warned!"