"Remember, close the door tightly tonight. No matter who comes, don't let them in."
Although Zhou Chen was fully prepared, he still told Hua Lan with a serious face just in case.
Hua Lan's face suddenly changed. She couldn't help but think of the same night of the palace coup a few years ago. At that time, it was not the Duke of Jingguo's mansion, but the Marquis of Zhongjing's mansion. That night, the Hou's mansion was filled with blood and there were countless deaths and injuries.
Will the tragedy of that night happen again?
"Guanren, then you..."
Zhou Chen gently caressed Hua Lan's cheek and said softly: "Don't worry about me, I have already experienced such things. I said that I will grow old with you and I will never break my promise."
Hua Lan, who had hidden herself from Zhou Chen for several months and was still dissatisfied, suddenly felt red in her eyes when she heard Zhou Chen's words. She no longer felt dissatisfied, but became even more worried.
"Officer, no matter what happens, you must protect yourself."
"There are only a few people in the world who can hurt you and me."
Zhou Chen gave Hua Lan a few more instructions, and then quickly left the Duke's Mansion and headed straight out of the city.
It was still daytime, and the palace coup had not yet begun, but manpower had already been deployed inside and outside the palace. However, Zhou Chen did not enter the palace, but left the city, so the journey out of the city was relatively smooth.
Today is a nice day, and the sunset is exceptionally beautiful, but for the people in the palace, they are not in such a beautiful mood.
Just when it was getting dark and the palace city was closed, a shocking sound of fighting broke out inside the palace again.
This palace of the Song Dynasty has really suffered a lot of changes in the past few years. A few years ago, there was a palace change that changed the world. And today, another rebellion happened that could change the world.
In the Funing Hall, official Zhao Zongquan and Queen Shen were sitting with serious faces. Although everything was going according to their planned steps, at this most critical moment, they were still unavoidably nervous.
This time they can be said to be gambling with their lives. If they fail, they will really be doomed.
But if they don't do this, it's impossible for all the Queen Mother's Party to emerge, and it's also difficult for them to destroy the Queen Mother's Party in one fell swoop.
Just when they were anxious, King Huan Zhao Ceying walked into the palace wearing armor and carrying a sword.
"Father, my mother and my queen are not afraid. I am here and will definitely protect the safety of my father and my queen. As long as we persist for a while longer, reinforcements will arrive."
The officials' eyes swept over the surrounding officials calmly, with a look of panic on their faces.
"King Huan, the safety of Funing Palace is left to you."
Zhao Ceying cooperated with her father's acting and said in a deep voice: "Father, don't worry, my father is the son of the emperor, and he is blessed by God. How can these rebels hurt my father? As long as my son is still alive, he will not let anyone
It hurts my father even half a cent."
After cooperating with his father and mother in acting, he immediately walked out of Funing Hall and released the fireworks that had been prepared long ago.
Suddenly, a firework shot into the sky, very clear and conspicuous in the dark sky.
Not far outside the capital, an army was ambushing in the dark night. When they saw the fireworks soaring into the sky, they immediately started taking action and headed towards the city of Bianjing.
At the same time, on the other side outside the city, Zhou Chen also saw the fireworks rising into the sky, a smile appeared on his lips, and he waved to the soldiers behind him.
He served as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ma Army Sidu for several years, and as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Palace Sidu for several years. There was almost nothing about the Forbidden Army inside and outside the capital that he did not know, although at this critical moment, it was impossible for him to mobilize all the Forbidden Army.
, but as long as he can mobilize a part of it, it will be enough for him to calm down the chaos in Bianjing City.
This time, taking over the Imperial Army was not as smooth as the last palace coup. It was only after killing two generals who were unwilling to obey him that he successfully took over the Dragon Guard Army and the Tianwu Army.
There are a total of 30,000 troops. Even if the government retains backup, having 30,000 troops is enough to succeed.
"Set off!"
…………
Tonight, the city of Bianjing has been no longer peaceful since nightfall. The streets are full of forbidden troops, and they keep knocking on the mansions of powerful officials, making a lot of noise.
The Duke of Jingguo!
Hua Lan was sitting in the main hall of the front yard, surrounded by the guards of Duke Jingguo's palace. The Zhou family members in each courtyard stayed in their own courtyards and could not move around without permission.
"Madam, it's already chaos outside. Many soldiers are killing people and setting fires everywhere."
The guards who went outside to inquire about the situation returned to the Duke's Mansion and immediately reported the situation outside to Hua Lan.
Hua Lan looked calm because Zhou Chen had already vaccinated her.
"Let me tell you, everyone who has worked hard tonight, don't rest. Guard all the doors of the Duke's Mansion and don't let anyone enter. Anyone who dares to break in will be shot to death on the spot."
Upon hearing Hua Lan's order, the guards Yuan Cai and Cao Er, who had already been prepared, responded loudly.
"yes."
In the imperial palace and Funing Hall, the official faces looked very ugly.
"Have the reinforcements not arrived yet?"
Zhao Ceying's face also showed sweat and fear. According to the agreement, after he set off the fireworks, the reinforcements should quickly enter the city and attack the palace under the leadership of Shen Congxing, General Geng and Xiao Duan.
But so much time has passed, and reinforcements have not yet appeared. I am afraid that unexpected troubles have arisen halfway.
"Father, reinforcements should be arriving soon. Let's wait a little longer."
At this time, Guan Jia obviously couldn't hold on any longer. Originally, he had enough confidence, but time passed little by little, and the reinforcements still didn't show up. Naturally, he felt very panicked.
You have to know that he had been planning for this day for a long time, and he was about to reap the results, but he dropped the ball at the most critical moment. How could he not be in a hurry.
Empress Shen was also anxious and frightened, but at this time she could only suppress the tension in her heart and speak out to comfort the officials.
"Your Majesty, wait a little longer, it should be here soon. Your Majesty is the son of destiny, and he will definitely turn danger into good fortune."
Just as the officials were about to speak, suddenly there were loud shouts of killing outside, and then there seemed to be thousands of troops appearing, and the sounds of fighting and screams were endless.
The official's face instantly showed great joy: "It's coming, it's coming, it must be Uncle Guo and the others."
Queen Shen, King Huan and others also showed joy. As long as Uncle Shen and his troops appeared with their troops, all the rebellions would be put to rest.
However, none of them noticed that an internal official in the crowd had a disdainful sneer on his lips and looked at the officials and others who were inexplicably excited.
The sound of fighting did not last long, and the shouting outside soon ended. But after the shouting stopped, there was suddenly no sound outside, and it suddenly became unusually quiet, so quiet that it made people feel scary.
"There is no sound. The fighting is over. Uncle Guo, why don't General Geng and the others come in?"
The officials listened carefully and heard that there was no movement, but no one reported or came in for a long time, which made them suspicious.
Zhao Ceying said with a serious face: "Father and Queen, please wait for a moment while I go out to see what's going on."
He walked towards the gate of Funing Palace, but before he could take a few steps, the door of Funing Palace was suddenly knocked open, and then he saw a group of soldiers rushing into the palace.
After these soldiers rushed in, they quickly surrounded everyone in the Funing Hall, and then stood there, motionless, watching everyone in the hall with stern expressions.
"Tianwu Army!"
King Huan himself was also a military commander, and he often trained troops in the western suburbs camp. He was quite familiar with all the imperial troops around the capital, so after seeing the armor and appearance of these soldiers, he quickly recognized their identities.
But it was because of this that his expression changed drastically, because his uncle Shen Congxing and others were not leading the Tianwu Army.
Thinking of this, his expression suddenly changed, he quickly retreated to the officials and the queen, and shouted: "Protect Your Majesty."
The only few soldiers and internal officials hurriedly surrounded the officials and the queen to protect them.
The official also realized that something was wrong, and he asked Zhao Ceying nervously: "King Huan, what's going on?"
Zhao Ceying said in a deep voice: "Father, this is the Tianwu Army, not ours."
"What? The Tianwu Army, shouldn't the Tianwu Army be camped in the western suburbs? Without my order, who dares to mobilize them, who can mobilize them?"
The official's face suddenly changed, and he was full of panic. He had already started planning to consolidate military power, so he was familiar with the Forbidden Army and troops inside and outside Bianjing City. The Tianwu Army was one of the most elite Forbidden Army troops in the Song Dynasty. Without his will With the Tiger Talisman, no one should be able to mobilize it.
But the Tianwu Army happened to appear here, and he was completely unaware of it, which meant that the Tianwu Army had completely lost control.
"Could it be the Queen Mother? But how could she mobilize the Tianwu Army?"
He knew very well that his purpose this time was to eradicate the Queen Mother's party. Since the Tianwu Army was not transferred by him, it must have something to do with the Queen Mother. But the Queen Mother had no military power at all, how could she mobilize the army in the western suburbs camp?
Also, where have the troops like Shen Congxing and others he arranged gone? Why haven't they shown up yet?
Just when he was puzzled, suddenly there was a sound of footsteps, as if many people were approaching and walked into Funing Hall.
When the official saw the graceful and majestic woman walking in the front, his face became extremely ugly.
Sure enough, his guess was right. These people were arranged by the Queen Mother. While he was plotting against the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother was also plotting against him. But what made him despair was that now it seemed that his plan had failed. The Queen Mother was highly skilled. One chip.
When the Queen Mother approached, more than ten steps away from the officials and others, she stopped.
From the team of internal officials behind the official family, a person suddenly walked out. It was Li Naiguan who was beside the official family and was also an internal official beside the late emperor.
He quickly walked to the Queen Mother, knelt down and said, "My dearest lady, I'm so lucky that I have lived up to my command."
The Queen Mother looked at Li Naiguan, nodded with satisfaction, stretched out her hand to help: "Get up."
"Thank you, Madam."
After Li Neiguan stood up, he skillfully walked to stand behind the Queen Mother and looked at the officials and others expressionlessly.
The official glared at Li Neiguan angrily and said angrily: "I have known for a long time that you cannot be trusted, but I have always given you opportunities. It seems that you have never changed your mind."
Li Naiguan said in a calm tone: "My servant has always been loyal to the late emperor and the eldest empress. Your Majesty, your throne was passed down to you by the late emperor and the eldest empress. However, after you came to the throne, you have repeatedly violated the eldest emperor and the late emperor. His will is truly ungrateful."
"Bold."
The official shouted angrily, pointing at Li Neiguan and yelling: "You are a disabled person, how dare you say something wrong with me, you..."
"emperor."
The Queen Mother suddenly spoke, interrupting the official's scolding.
"After all, you are the emperor of the Song Dynasty. How can you argue with an internal official? A small family is a small family after all. Even if you become the emperor, you will not be able to help him."
The official stared at the Queen Mother, took a deep breath, and suppressed the uneasiness and panic in his heart.
"Madam, are you going to force me into the palace today?"
"Forced into a uterus?"
The Queen Mother couldn't help but laugh out loud: "The emperor is really eloquent. You have laid such a big net, don't you just want to put me to death? Now that things have happened, it is said that I am forcing the palace. The emperor really knows how to talk. Shirk responsibility."
The official's face was ashen, and he could not refute the Queen Mother's words, because they were all true. All of this was indeed a net he had set, but he did not expect that he would not catch his opponent, but instead catch himself.
"The eldest lady is really clever. It seems that I lost. But I want to know how I lost. Why was the eldest lady able to mobilize the Tianwu Army?"
The Queen Mother said: "Although we are emperors and ministers of one dynasty, there are still people in the court who are devoted to the late emperor and me."
While talking, a person suddenly walked in from outside and came to the Queen Mother.
"Madam, everyone outside has been controlled."
The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction and praised: "Very good, thank you for your hard work, Zhou Qing."
"The eldest lady is ridiculous. It is my duty to serve the eldest lady."
Zhou Chen replied very humbly.
Yes, he finally chose the Queen Mother, and tonight he is here to clear the way for the Queen Mother.
The officials did not trust him, but the Queen Mother was different. Now there were not many available people around the Queen Mother. Once he took refuge, he would naturally become the most important person around the Queen Mother.
In addition, he took refuge in the Queen Mother because the Queen Mother could help him complete things that the officials could not do for him. Only by taking refuge in the Queen Mother could his next plan proceed more smoothly.
"Jingguo Gong, it's you. Aren't you seriously injured and lying on the bed?"
When Guan Jia saw Zhou Chen, he couldn't hide his shock, but he quickly reacted.
"You're not poisoned at all, you're just pretending. You've been colluding with the eldest lady for a long time, haven't you?"
Zhou Chen replied with a calm face: "Your Majesty has misunderstood. I was indeed poisoned. If I had not been poisoned, how could I have concealed it from the doctor? However, my physical fitness is better and I recovered faster."
The official stared at Zhou Chen angrily: "It seems that I have really underestimated you, Duke Jingguo, you are really good, but without my will and tiger talisman, how could you mobilize the imperial army?"
"Although I don't have His Majesty's decree and tiger talisman, I do have the Queen's decree."
"How can it be possible to control the Tianwu Army with just one decree?"
Zhou Chen said in a deep voice: "With the eldest lady's decree, the right time and the best means."
Zhao Ceying suddenly roared: "Jing Guo Gong, do you know what you are doing? I have always thought that you are a first-class hero in the world, but today you actually did such a treasonous thing without a king or a father."
Zhou Chen said indifferently: "The late emperor and the eldest empress treated me with kindness. The status and power I have today are all given by the late emperor and the eldest empress. My allegiance has always been to the late emperor and the eldest empress, so
I cannot understand what the treacherous and unethical things His Highness King Huan is talking about."
"you……"
Zhao Ceying glared at Zhou Chen. Zhou Chen's appearance was a situation that neither father nor son had expected. Now he understood that the reason why their reinforcements did not arrive in time was probably related to Zhou Chen. Not only were they in trouble here, but they might also be in trouble.
Uncle Guo and the others also had big troubles over there.
"Have you said enough?"
The Queen Mother took a step forward and looked at the official Zhao Zongquan and his family with cold eyes.
"Emperor, you were originally just a regiment commander in Yuzhou. It was the late emperor who valued you and gave you the opportunity to succeed to the throne. But after you became the emperor, you did not care about the kindness of the late emperor and repeatedly violated the emperor's will.
With your political views and attempts to change the imperial examination, you are the one who truly has no king and no father."
The official looked at the Queen Mother: "Is it because of this incident that you want to abolish me?"
The Queen Mother said coldly: "Emperor, don't pretend to be so innocent. I want to destroy you, but don't you want to get rid of me?"
The official said in a serious tone: "The eldest lady has misunderstood. I have never wanted to hurt the eldest lady. I just want to get rid of those people who gossip around the eldest lady and have bad intentions."
"Emperor, do you think I will believe you?"
Naturally, the Queen Mother would not trust the official family. He and Zhao Zongquan had no mother-son affection at all. Ever since Zhao Zongquan succeeded to the throne, he had always wanted to get rid of her, disobeyed her, and even thought about getting rid of her, so she was only dissatisfied with Zhao Zongquan. and anger.
The official glanced around the Funing Hall, and then said resignedly: "Winning is the king and losing is the bandit. Now that the matter is over, what do you want to do with me?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Queen Shen suddenly rushed out and knelt down in front of the Queen Mother.
"My Majesty, your Majesty has never thought of harming your Majesty. Please forgive me for the sake of past kindness. I am willing to bear all the sins."
"Queen, stop pretending in front of me. I have already seen through who you and your wife are."
The Empress Dowager showed disdain. She looked down upon Zhao Zongquan, and she also looked down upon Empress Shen. She felt that both of them were good at pretending, especially the Empress, who pretended to be pitiful and wronged all day long for her to look at. It's annoying.
After all, she has been a queen for decades. How could she not see through Queen Shen's thoughts and actions?
Take the marriage between Shen Congxing and Zhang Guifen as an example. If the official family really wanted to win over the British princess, couldn't they have included Zhang Guifen in the harem as a concubine? Why did Shen Congxing have to marry Zhang Guifen? Isn't it Queen Shen's obstruction? , for the sake of his mother's family and his biological brother.