Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 601: Quelling the Rebellion (Part 1)
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was startled, clutching Jiang Shaohua’s hand tightly: "The Imperial Guards will deal with the rebels, you stay by my side!"
Saying this wasn’t for doubting Jiang Shaohua’s capabilities, but because the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was too frightened. With Jiang Shaohua by her side, she felt much more at ease.
Jiang Shaohua patiently persuaded the Grand Empress Dowager Zheng: "The rebels outside Jingyang Palace have all been tied up, and I have left plenty of manpower. Aunt has someone lock the palace doors. Regardless of the chaos outside, staying here is always safe."
"The palace is currently in turmoil; someone needs to step up and take charge. If I don’t, who will?"
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng was speechless.
Indeed! The Emperor is dead, Princess Bao Hua is dead, Prince Ping is useless. Jiang Yi was a rebel, killed, and the rest of the Commandery Princes within the Imperial Family might harbor ulterior motives and are entirely untrustworthy.
At this critical moment, the only trustworthy and convincing Jiang bloodline was Jiang Shaohua.
Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had ruled the harem for decades; now, she was old and fearful of death, but her insight and vision were still intact. Once she calmed down, her rationality returned.
"Very well, I’ll listen to you." Grand Empress Dowager Zheng made up her mind, not forgetting a reminder: "If you face danger, make sure to safeguard yourself first."
Indeed, Grand Empress Dowager Zheng had a conscience.
Jiang Shaohua nodded, turned, and gave orders, leaving dozens of Imperial Guards behind. Then she led the remaining people out quickly.
Duke An instinctively followed a few steps, only to stop once realizing it.
Such battles are better left to the Imperial Guards. He, a Minister of War, carrying a sword personally to kill rebels doesn’t make sense.
He secretly hoped for a skilled rebel, amidst the chaos, to launch a sudden attack, ideally hitting Jiang Shaohua with an arrow. Thus, Zheng’s greatest enemy and lurking threat would be eliminated. As for the other court members, he’d find a way to tackle them slowly...
"Duke An!" A young, robust aide suddenly approached: "Commandery Princess specifically instructed for Duke An to assist in quelling the chaos."
Duke An: "..."
In front of Duke An, Jiang Shaohua’s cold and fierce face appeared, sending chills up his spine. All thoughts vanished instantly: "Yes, I’ll follow the Commandery Princess to kill the rebels."
...
The following half-day, clashes in the court were relentless.
In the palace, there were ten thousand Imperial Guards, with over two thousand actually rebelling. Among them, Gao Shan led a thousand to assault Zhaohai Palace, while Wei Xiong led a thousand to Jingyang Palace. Both major groups of rebels were subdued; the rest were smaller groups hiding throughout the palace.
Yet, these small groups of rebels caused significant chaos in the court. Some hid in the shadows to kill suddenly; others brazenly ran around, even setting palace buildings on fire.
Many unarmed palace attendants and eunuchs died amidst the chaos.
Fortunately, more loyal Imperial Guards were present, with General Ma leading a faction to kill rebels everywhere, and Jiang Shaohua also leading Imperial Guards to slay enemies.
She specifically instructed Sun An to take people to the Chaoyang Palace Gate, bringing Cui Du, Chief Historian Chen, and others to stay nearby.
At this moment, it had been roughly two hours since entering the palace.
This half-day separation was unbearably long and torturous for Cui Du.
Upon seeing Jiang Shaohua, Cui Du felt a strong sourness rise in his nose, longing to rush forward and embrace his bloodied wife.
So much blood!
How much belonged to the rebels? Was she injured?
However, Cui Du still had a shred of rationality, knowing time was tight and there was no space for tender feelings. Moreover, in full view, as Commandery Princess Jiang Shaohua stabilized the situation, it was unwise to appear vulnerable before others.
"Is the Commandery Princess alright?" Cui Du ultimately only asked this.
Jiang Shaohua glanced at him: "Rest assured, I’m fine."
The voice was vigorous, indicating any injuries were at most minor ones.
Cui Du’s heart settled down.
Chief Historian Chen stepped quickly forward: "Commandery Princess, how are the palace circumstances now?"
Jiang Shaohua swiftly replied: "I killed Jiang Yi, Gao Shan, and Wei Xiong are also dead. There are still small groups of rebels lurking in the palace. Ma Ji is currently leading people to search and eliminate them, I need to go as well. You are not safe at the palace gate, go to Zhaohai Palace now."
"Sun An, lead them over there."
Sun An bowed and accepted the order.
Too many trusted aides have died or been injured this time; currently, only over twenty people capable of fighting remain by the Commandery Princess’s side. These manpower are to protect the Commandery Princess; they can’t be moved. Sun An led dozens of Imperial Guards, escorting Cui Du, Chief Historian Chen, and others to Zhaohai Palace.
Along the way, they frequently encountered corpses, and everyone’s expressions were grim.
Such scenes struck Cui Du deeply, his empty stomach kept churning. He silently endured.
Once outside Zhaohai Palace, the impact was even greater.
Bodies piled up, at first glance, it resembled a mountain of corpses and sea of blood.
Unable to hold back, Cui Du turned his head and vomited.
Accompanying sounds of vomiting came from Chen Jinyu and the ancestor Chief Historian Chen. As for Ma Yaosong, he barely held back. Yang Zheng turned his pale face aside.
There was no other path to enter Zhaohai Palace, they could only walk through.
Sun An waited for Cui Du and others to finish vomiting before continuing to step forward.
The Imperial Guards guarding Zhaohai Palace cautiously inquired everyone’s identity, confirming several times that they were from Nanyang Prince Mansion before opening the palace doors.
Inside, the officials and ministers turned to look.
Cui Du was too young, had never appeared publicly, so no one recognized him. However, Ma Yaosong and Chen Jinyu were familiar since they had come to the capital with Jiang Shaohua; everyone found them recognizable.
Yang Zheng, being Vice Minister Yang’s nephew, was considered a promising junior in the Yang Family. Some ministers knew Yang Zheng; they were somewhat surprised internally. This Yang Zheng, always lazy and slippery since childhood, where did he get the audacity to follow Commandery Princess Nanyang into the capital to dive into troubled waters?
As for Chief Historian Chen, having not been to the capital for decades, his sudden appearance also bewildered the ministers. Vice Minister Dong was the first to rise, bowing: "Chief Historian Chen!"
Vice Minister Dong had visited Nanyang County to deliver a decree, maintained correspondence with Chief Historian Chen, and had some personal association.
In terms of rank, Vice Minister Dong naturally far surpassed Chief Historian Chen. In fact, over the years, Chief Historian Chen had sent many valuable gifts to Vice Minister Dong, favoring the relationship greatly.
But now, the situation was vastly different from before.
The Emperor had passed, chaos ruled the palace; the dead were dead, those who shouldn’t have died also died, hearts wavered in unease. Looking at the naïve eight-year-old Prince Ping, all ministers felt the future of the Da Liang Dynasty was bleak.
In such times, who could stabilize the turbulent times, who could command the court, who would truly rule the empire?
In everyone’s heart, there were answers.
In short, Vice Minister Dong had already revealed his stance first. His respect for Chief Historian Chen was the best expression of this.
Vice Minister Yang was the second to rise, bowing to Chief Historian Chen.
