With a warehouse full of supplies, I stood alone as king in this chaotic world, gun in hand.

Of course, the Crown Prince had also made preparations, and with Nangong Wu's help, they were fully confident that they could defeat the Wan family faction if they dared to rebel.

But once a fight breaks out, this Jade Dragon City will surely be awash in blood, and once the riots erupt, many things will get out of control.

The rebels are capable of anything to win. They may still have explosives. If they use the people of a city as hostages, they will be in a very passive position.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please forgive me!" Wan Wenting pleaded.

The officials who just participated in impeaching the crown prince are now terrified!

They had just been clinging to a sliver of hope.

The law does not punish the masses! Nearly 80% of those who impeached the crown prince thought that even if the emperor was angry, he would not dare to punish so many court officials at once.

Lady Wan continued to cry out, "Your Majesty, you cannot do this! The Wan family's ancestor was the first meritorious official in the founding of the nation, with illustrious military achievements! He was bestowed the title of Imperial Father-in-Law by the late Emperor, who promised that every empress would come from the Wan family. What you are doing will chill the hearts of the people, and this is a violation of the late Emperor's decree..."

When Nangong Xi saw Wan Shi's ferocious face, which looked like a monster in an animated film that wanted to eat people, she was a little scared and hugged Bei Chenyan's leg.

"Daddy, that person is so fierce, she looks like the Big Bad Wolf."

"Don't be afraid." Bei Chenyan picked up his daughter.

"take away!"

"Yes!" The two palace maids dragged Wan away.

"Bei Chenyan, I am your birth mother. How dare you banish me to the cold palace? The world will condemn you for being unfilial. A person as unfilial and immoral as you is not worthy of being the crown prince!" Madam Wan still wanted to use filial piety to blackmail Bei Chenyan.

After all, being unfilial is a serious crime.

If the crown prince is branded as unfilial, he will be criticized for the rest of his life.

"Hurry up!" The two palace maids, both burly and strong, forcibly dragged Wan Shi out.

"Father!" Wan Wenting called out to Wan Sheng in a low voice, secretly making a killing gesture to him.

Wan Sheng secretly shook his head, "As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood."

The emperor only demoted the Wan family's titles and didn't dare to kill them, which shows that the emperor was still wary of them. This gave them a perfect opportunity to plot.

Emperor Nanqi continued, "Issue another imperial edict: all officials who participated in impeaching the Crown Prince today shall be demoted by two ranks. Anyone who objects shall be dismissed from office, stripped of all titles and honors, and never be employed by the court again."

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please forgive me!"

A chorus of pleas for mercy filled the main hall.

They had worked so hard to climb to this position, only to be demoted two ranks, from first rank to third rank, and from third rank to fifth rank.

According to the regulations of the Southern Qi Dynasty, fifth-rank officials only need to attend court on the first and fifteenth of the month, and their salaries are greatly reduced. It's truly a case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead.

"Father, we know we were wrong! Please forgive us this time!"

The third, fourth, fifth, and sixth princes all knelt down before Emperor Nanqi.

The Emperor of Southern Qi looked at his sons and felt extremely disappointed.

Prince Jing, in particular, relying on being the son of the late Empress, acted eccentrically, repeatedly violated court regulations, and secretly did many things detrimental to the Crown Prince.

"Since you know you've made a mistake, then each of you shall be punished with fifty strokes of the cane, and you shall leave the capital within five days to go to your fiefdoms! You shall not return to the capital without an imperial edict!" Emperor Nanqi ordered.

"What? A fiefdom? Father, are you sending your son away?" The sixth prince burst into tears. "Father, your health is not good. Your son does not want to leave. He only wants to stay in the capital with you."

"Father, so do I. I wish to stay in the capital and spend a few more years with you," the Fifth Prince added.

"No need, I don't need your pretense." The Southern Qi Emperor saw through their intentions.

"You have secretly formed cliques and conspired with court officials to impeach the Crown Prince without cause, attempting to seize the position of heir apparent. You have disappointed me greatly. I have already shown you the greatest leniency by allowing you to return to your fiefdoms. If you continue to cause trouble, I will demote you to commoners and banish you from the capital."

His sons have become increasingly ambitious and easily led by the nose. If they remain in the capital, they will inevitably turn against each other, which is the last thing he wants to see.

Seeing the resolute look in the Southern Qi Emperor's eyes, the Third Prince resignedly closed his eyes and said, "Your subject accepts the decree and thanks you!"

The princes had no choice but to accept the imperial decree and express their gratitude, saying, "Your subjects accept the decree and thank Your Majesty for your grace!"

"Prime Minister Xi, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Grand Censor, and Minister of Justice, please remain. The rest of you may leave!" The majestic voice of the Southern Qi Emperor rang out once more.

"We take our leave. Long live the Emperor!"

After the ministers shouted "Long live the Emperor!" three times, they withdrew one after another, each one dejected.

After the court officials had all left, Prime Minister Xi, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Censor-in-Chief, and the Minister of Justice stepped forward and bowed.

"Please give your orders, Your Majesty."

"Investigate all those who impeached the Crown Prince today. If you find that they formed cliques, plotted treason, arrest them immediately without any leniency," Emperor Nanqi ordered.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree!"

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, the Grand Censor, and the Minister of Justice received the order.

They were secretly delighted; His Majesty was finally going to take action against the Wan family's cronies.

If they succeed in purging Wan Jia's cronies this time, their future will be bright.

"Go ahead!" Emperor Nanqi waved his hand, looking somewhat tired.

"This humble subject takes his leave!"

The group bowed and took their leave.

"Father, you are tired. I will take you back to rest." Bei Chenyan helped the Southern Qi Emperor up and sat back in the palanquin.

"Your Highness, there are so many vacancies in the court now. You should fill them yourself," Emperor Nanqi instructed him.

"Father, rest assured, I will handle these matters. You can focus on recovering." Bei Chenyan reassured him.

Just then, a person strode into the main hall. It was Qi Ziyang. Seeing that they were all alright, he visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

He first greeted the Emperor of Southern Qi, saying, "Your humble servant greets Your Majesty!"

"No need for formalities!" Emperor Nanqi nodded slightly.

"Why did you come to the palace? Is everything alright outside?" Bei Chenyan asked him.

"It's alright. We started our investigation yesterday and found out a lot of people planted by the Wan family. Now we have the city's garrison in our hands. If the Wan family wants to rebel, they can only transfer troops from the military camps outside the capital," Qi Ziyang said.

"That's good." Bei Chenyan looked him over. "You'll probably be busier from now on."

"Oh?" Qi Ziyang had originally wanted to tell him that he was getting married and wanted to ask for a few more days off, but it seems that's not possible now.

"From today onwards, you are being transferred to the Ministry of War!" Bei Chenyan said.

Qi Ziyang raised an eyebrow in confusion, "I'm doing just fine at the Dali Temple, why would I want to go to the Ministry of War?"

"Today, anyone who impeached me, regardless of who they are, has been demoted two ranks by the Emperor," Bei Chenyan told him.

"What? Demoted by two ranks?" Qi Ziyang straightened up abruptly. "Then what will I be doing at the Ministry of War?"

"The Minister of War has been ousted; you will take his place," Bei Chenyan said calmly.