The Demon Lords

However, firstly, Prince Jingnan’s army was already in the city,

Secondly, Sun Ying and his group’s uprising seemed excessively hasty,

Therefore, although there was chaos in Ying Capital City, it was not great chaos. Many in the city were puzzled, wondering what exactly was happening?

This created a very eerie scene,

On one side there was the sound of battle cries shaking the heavens, while on the other, messengers from both inside and outside the city could still continue to send messages without interruption.

Soldiers sent out to gather information swiftly returned in batches and reported in front of Mao Mingcai.

"Report, Jin opposition forces have been found inside Grand Tutor Sun’s eldest son’s residence!"

"Opposition forces!"

Mao Mingcai widened his eyes. Wasn’t the investigation about the imperial examination fraud? How did it uncover opposition forces?

This,

What exactly is going on?

Mao Mingcai was aware of the opposition forces. Since the Three Jin lands had been annexed by Yan, small-scale rebellions had almost never ceased, but they were quickly suppressed, never gaining momentum.

"Report, the commander guarding the West Gate led a mutiny, and wolf smokes rose from the West Gate!"

Mao Mingcai immediately felt a chill down his spine,

As a Yan Governor,

His important task in Ying Capital City was to keep an eye on the Jin people.

"This is bad, the opposition forces intend to connect with the Jin army outside the city!"

The Jin army served as auxiliary troops. To compensate for the shortage of Yan Army forces, many Jin army camps were established.

The Jin opposition forces seeking rebellion would naturally seek the support of Jin troops.

"Report, General Kong Mingde of the South Gate camp reported that one of his subordinates attempted to lead his men out of the camp, but was personally suppressed, and the leader has already been executed!"

"So fast?" Mao Mingcai was somewhat surprised.

The informant replied:

"Because Lord Pingye had ordered all major camps to tightly close their gates and not venture out to prevent treachery and rebellion, precautions were thus taken."

If taken by surprise, Chief Qian, relying on his loyal subordinates, could either directly leave the camp and enter Ying Capital City through the West Gate, or incite other Jin soldiers within the camp to rebel.

However, because the camp was tightly sealed and the main general was stationed in the tent, Chief Qian, being a "man of loyalty and righteousness," despite knowing the precarious situation inside the camp, still attempted to initiate forcefully after receiving Sun Ying’s message, resulting in immediate suppression; he and his confidants were executed, and his subordinates disarmed and detained.

"Report, General Wu Jiadong of the North Gate camp reported that someone attempted to rebel in his camp and has been executed according to law; the North Gate camp remains stable."

Upon hearing this,

Mao Mingcai let out a long sigh of relief,

As long as both the southern and northern major Jin army camps remain stable, then the opposition forces inside the city, no matter how much chaos they cause, cannot succeed and will be extinguished, it is only a matter of time.

Moreover,

At this moment, Prince Jingnan’s army was already within the city!

In an instant,

Mao Mingcai saw through everything clearly and comprehensively.

All of this,

was foreseen by Lord Pingye.

He deliberately used the investigation of the imperial examination fraud case as a smokescreen to unexpectedly find the opposition forces hidden within the city;

All of this,

was planned and orchestrated by Lord Pingye,

Thus,

He could boldly have Prince Jingnan’s army enter the city early, under the guise of investigating the fraud, which was just a pretext not to provoke the opposition forces;

Thus,

He had already ordered the Jin army camps outside the city to keep their gates tightly closed to prevent the opposition forces from coordinating with the Jin army outside.

Even more so,

The rapid suppression of rebellions within the main southern and northern camps by their respective leaders was likely due to a warning from Lord Pingye, and they might have even had prior contact and reached an understanding!

Mao Mingcai suddenly felt deeply ashamed,

Honestly,

Mao Mingcai had been navigating the political currents for a long time, possessing skill and ability, and the fact that he could be appointed as the Minister of War by the Yan Emperor proved the strong character he must inherently have.

After all, the Yan Emperor had an accurate eye for people.

Master Mao was not just a mere bureaucrat; he wanted to achieve merits, which is why he volunteered to take charge in Ying Capital City. Yet deep down, there was still a sense of responsibility as a Yan citizen.

He was loyal to the court, loyal to His Majesty, and loyal to Yan.

Therefore,

Looking back now at the words he said to Lord Pingye in the Academic Affairs Office;

When Lord Pingye was working to eliminate the military’s opposition forces, he was there using the difference between literature and martial arts to mock and threaten him.

What was he truly doing?

He accused Lord Pingye of being reckless, but what about himself, the governor? Wasn’t he the truly incompetent one?

Recalling the scene at the Academic Affairs Office, facing his relentless questioning, Lord Pingye’s unpredictable reactions that shifted between warmth and coldness;

Indeed, it was the reaction of someone who had been wronged, misunderstood, yet still humbled himself to continue working diligently.

Mao Mingcai’s eyes began to turn red.

Oh, Lord Zheng, Lord Zheng,

Why did you not tell me earlier,

otherwise, how could I have misunderstood you so much?

But Mao Mingcai suddenly remembered when Lord Pingye commanded Jingnan Army into the city, he had actually made things very clear.

"By command of Prince Jingnan, this lord enters Ying Capital City to investigate the rebel party. Now within Ying Capital City, the rebel party intends to revolt. This lord commands you all to immediately arm yourselves and ride into the city with this lord to suppress the traitors! Obey orders promptly, those who defy, behead!"

Indeed,

he has made it clear long ago,

it was me,

it was me who was dull, prejudiced, between civil and military officials,

didn’t trust him, chilled the hearts of the loyal!

Ran Min had just returned, seeing his master like this, immediately said:

"Master, rest assured, although it seems like a team from the City Patrol Office has also rebelled, but the remaining forces of the City Patrol Office are sufficient to ensure your safety."

"Direct thief, safeguard what! Come with me back to the mansion!"

...

As the shouts of killing erupted outside,

inside Prince Cheng’s mansion, it instantly felt like facing a great enemy.

Luckily, there were numerous guards inside the Royal Mansion, back in those days it was the Dacheng State’s Imperial Palace, a place easy to defend and difficult to attack.

It was the youthful Situ Yu, who previously could maintain calm upon hearing Zheng Fan dispatch troops into the city, but upon hearing the sudden chaos outside, indicating things were slightly out of control, he finally turned pale and his lips trembled with fear.

He could only instinctively clutch at the sleeve of the old eunuch beside him, at this moment, only this old eunuch who had watched him grow up, could give him a sense of security.

"Master, we cannot stay here right now." The old eunuch said sternly.

"No, no, no, I want to stay here, I won’t go anywhere."

The mansion, is the safest place!

"Master, outside there are already people rebelling, I do not believe their rebellion will succeed, even if by some fluke they have their way in Ying Capital City, once the main Yan Army arrives, they cannot last long!

Right now they must be looking for you, surely someone will come towards the mansion!"

"Then, then, if that’s the case, isn’t the mansion most secure, if I go outside, what if they, they..."

The old eunuch suddenly lifted his head, tightly gripping Situ Yu’s arms,

almost screaming:

"Master, what you must do now is to hurry to the Yan people, to the Governor’s Mansion, Yan State’s Lord Pingye is there, no matter if today’s rebellion succeeds or not, even if they cannot breach the mansion, you must appear in front of the Yan people promptly, appear before Grand Tutor Mao, appear before Lord Pingye!

To ensure the continuation of the Situ family lineage,

to preserve this hereditary rank,

when such an incident occurs,

You,

must demonstrate your stance, your attitude!"

...

Lord Pingye, having just awakened from his nap, was still puzzled as he walked outside,

he truly hadn’t reacted to it yet,

he was just gathering people,

how come while gathering, he somehow gathered rebels?

And military reports kept coming,

the rebels were rampant,

this was a big nest,

there were even insiders among the rebels in the outer camp?

At the moment,

all over Ying Capital City was filled with shouts of killing,

everywhere were cries of "Expel the Yan invaders, restore Jin."

And Lord Zheng, under the protection of numerous armored guards, had just stepped out of the Governor’s Mansion gates,

when he saw the hurriedly approaching Mao Mingcai guarded by Ran Min.

"Master Mao..."

"Thud!"

Before Lord Zheng spoke,

Grand Tutor Mao directly knelt before Lord Zheng.

"..." Zheng Fan.

"Lord Pingye’s discerning eyes have seen through everything long ago, I am foolish and inept, and have spoken rudely earlier, feeling ashamed, almost causing a great disaster!

Fortunately, everything is within Lord Pingye’s plans. Right now, I await for Lord Pingye to quell the rebellion inside the city, then personally hold up a wine cup and apologize to Lord Pingye!"

Lord Zheng deeply inhaled,

his face showing a serious expression as he nodded,

and said slowly:

"Master Mao, please rest assured,

everything,

is under my control."