Chapter Twenty-Two: Seizing the Gate

  Six Days of Fright

  January 11th night.

  Shi Heng found two accomplices for his plot, one named Cao Jixiang and the other Zhang Gong.

  These were two unusual men, Cao Jixiang was a eunuch and originally one of Wang Zhen's cohorts, while Zhang Gong's background was even more impressive, being the son of Zhang Yu and younger brother of Zhang Fu. Shi Heng had good relations with them and now joined forces to prepare for a conspiracy.

  After discussing for a while, they discovered a serious problem - where did this conspiracy originate from?

  It should be known that plotting a rebellion is not like inviting guests for dinner, it has very high technical requirements. Among the three of them, Cao Jixiang was a eunuch with limited vision, Zhang Gongyi had high aspirations but low abilities, and General Shi Heng was an unrefined person. If these three people were to discuss food, drink, and entertainment, they might still have some use. However, now they want to discuss rebellion. With their intelligence quotient and level of political struggle, wanting to undertake such a major project is likely to require going back to school for several more years.

  Just as things were about to fall through, Shi Heng went to his old acquaintance, the Temple Master of Tai Chang Temple, Xu Bin, to ask for advice on how to get started with plotting.

  Xu Bin told him that he was old and no longer suitable for this high-risk profession, but could recommend someone to join them. Then he told Shi Heng that as long as the person was willing to participate, everything would be fine!

  The person he recommended is Xu Youzhen.

  Xu Youzhen finally waited for the opportunity to avenge, he had endured for too long, his vision was unique and extremely talented, but because of saying one wrong word, he was despised by everyone and received cold treatment. Although he is now in a high position, the shame of those years has always been hanging in his heart, he wants to reclaim the justice that belongs to him.

  Thus, the conspiracy group welcomed its fourth member, also the most important one.

  After all, it's still people who have read books who are good at plotting. Xuyou Zhen pointed out incisively as soon as he attended the meeting that the top priority now is to get in touch with Zhu Qizhen inside Nangong, which will make it easier to take action. After all, even if you kill Zhu Qiyu, you can't become emperor yourselves, right?

  Those three rough men suddenly came to their senses and immediately sent someone to contact Zhu Qizhen.

  This day was January 13th, the conspiratorial group finalized their plan and prepared for formal implementation.

  On the morning of January 14th, there was an imperial court assembly.

  Zhu Qiyu was already very seriously ill, but still insisted on attending this meeting. Because in this meeting will decide the successor of the empire.

  The meeting started with a one-sided situation, and most of the ministers advocated for the restoration of Zhu Jianshen, as Zhu Qizhen himself had no sons, seemingly leaving no better choice.

  University scholars Wang Wen and Chen Xun were trusted advisors of Zhu Qizhen, so they naturally disagreed with this view. They insisted that even if they had to go outside to find a vassal king to be emperor, they should not restore Zhu Jianshen.

  The ministers each held their own opinions and no one would give in, so they began arguing on the court.

  Zhu Qiyu, tormented by illness and on the verge of collapse, sat on the throne, gazing sorrowfully at the noisy crowd below. He was all too aware that whether they supported or opposed him, their struggles were merely for their own future interests, for speculation.

  These seemingly dignified so-called bookworms are just pawns in a game - a game of power.

  I'm also a part of this game, but it seems like my life is about to come to an end too. The game should be over by now.

  But I absolutely can't lose before it's over!

  Zhu Qiyu tightly grasped the armrests of his throne and spoke out the only edict at the morning court:

  "I am currently ill and will reconvene on the 17th day at dawn."

  Then he added a sentence:

  "The restoration of King Ying of Lu (Zhu Qizhen) will not be carried out!" (The request was not granted)

  The matter having been discussed to this point, the officials had no choice but to disperse and prepare to come again in three days.

  Zhu Qiyu issued an edict, using his own authority to win a temporary victory once again, but it is estimated that he himself did not expect that this would be his last imperial court assembly, the last edict, and the last victory.

  On the night of January 14th, at Shi Heng's home.

  Xu Youzhen: "Does Nangong (Zhu Qizhen) know?"

  Shi Heng: "I already know, he agreed."

  Xu Youzhen smiled, as long as Zhu Qizhen agreed, the conspiracy had already succeeded halfway.

  Then he revealed his plan, a seemingly almost flawless plan:

  The first step was to use the border alarm message to let Zhang Kai, who was then the commander-in-chief, lead an army of one thousand into the capital.

  The second step was to use the palace gate key kept by Shi Heng to open the inner city gate and let in a thousand men as reserves and sentries, to prevent Zhu Qizhen's army from counterattacking.

  The third step is to go to the South Palace to release Zhu Qizhen, and then bring the Taishang Huang into the Forbidden City, taking advantage of Zhu Qiyu's serious illness to declare his restoration.

  This plan is indeed very good, with careful consideration and clear division of labor. Shi Heng and Zhang Jue are both satisfied, but they also have doubts:

  "Could there be any other loopholes?"

  Xu Youzhen replied confidently: "There won't be any loopholes, this plan will definitely succeed!"

  Shi Heng and Zhang Jue finally put their minds at ease, believing in Xu Youzhen's judgment.

  However, this plan is indeed flawed!

  This fatal flaw is:

  Although Shi Heng was in charge of the defense of the capital city and the inner city gates, they did not have the keys to the Nan Gong and Da Nei Gong City!

  Nan Gong didn't say, but this imperial palace was indeed a place where people would lose their lives. The so-called palace city of the Ming Dynasty was what the Qing Dynasty called the Forbidden City, where the emperor lived. Without the emperor's order, the gates of the palace city at night would never be opened. Those soldiers, even if they had eaten leopard gallbladders, did not dare to openly attack the emperor's residence. Moreover, as soon as a fight broke out and made a noise, the guards and garrison troops would immediately rush over. The only fate awaiting Xu Youzhen and others was defeat.

  I believe that with Xu Youzhen's intelligence, he should understand this point, but he insists on taking the risk to achieve this so-called perfect plan.

  The reason seems simple, it's not that Xu Youzhen thinks life is too long, but rather because in his eyes, life is too short. Too short for him to tolerate any longer, and too short for him to wait any more.

  It's either life or death, I'll bet everything on this one!

  At this time, Zhu Qizhen of the Southern Palace was also turning over and over, having a hard time falling asleep. He had already learned about Shi Heng's plan and he was also clear that this plan had great risks. Once something went wrong, it would be impossible to become a prisoner again.

  But he agreed anyway, without a moment's hesitation.

  Because he had no other choice.

  On January 14th, the conspiracy was planned and the determination was made.

  On the fifteenth day of the first month, all under heaven is at peace.

  On this day, the ministers were at peace with each other, exchanging greetings. Zhu Qizhen was recuperating from his illness in the palace, and the endless disputes and intrigues seemed to have left him far behind. Everything seemed so calm, calmly suffocating.

  This is the calm before the storm, the undercurrent has turned into a terrifying whirlpool, which will soon burst out and change everything.

  January 16th morning.

  Yu Qian, Hu Miao and Wang Zhi carefully discussed and decided to recommend Zhu Jianshen as the crown prince again. They found Shang Xiang and asked him to draft a memorial to be presented to the emperor for approval at the next day's court meeting.

  This is a very important document. If this document is submitted, Xu Youzhen's conspiracy will be useless because Zhu Qizhen, who has no children and is on his last breath, may agree to this suggestion. At that time, Zhu Qizhen can only fight with his own son for the throne.

  Zhuangyuan Shang Xiang completed his masterpiece. Yu Qian and others were very satisfied after reading it, and they planned to propose this plan the next day.

  The next day was January 17th.

  On the night of January 16th, the final moment has arrived.

  Xu Youzhen's home, at this moment, gathered all the members of the conspiracy group. They all knew that in a few more hours, it would be dawn, and the imperial court meeting was about to convene, and a new crown prince would be elected. Whoever was chosen as the crown prince, they would not gain any benefits from it.

  Time is running out for them.

  To do it or not?

  The usually arrogant Shi Heng and others were also panicked at this moment, they focused their attention on Xu Youzhen. Because they knew that this person was the real core and mastermind of the conspiracy.

  Facing the gaze of the crowd, Xu Youzhen fell silent. He paced back and forth in his room, thinking through every detail and step, calculating his chances of winning.

  Then he stopped and calmly said to those anxious people: "I want to take a look at the celestial phenomena."

  Everyone was stunned, what time is it now, still looking at the celestial phenomenon! However, after all, this gentleman made the decision, since he insisted on going, let him go.

  Xu Youzhen climbed onto the roof of his own house, quietly raised his head and looked at the starry sky. Nine years ago, he was also standing here, accurately predicting the failure of Tumu Fortress.

  But this time successful prediction did not bring him good luck, but made him suffer humiliation and ridicule, being ostracized, and endured grievances for many years.

  He was well aware that the so-called heavenly signs were just a way to deceive people. If the fortunes and misfortunes of life could be seen from these signs, he would have been able to predict them long ago and wouldn't have had to suffer for all these years.

  Now he has finally come to the crossroads again, but this time, what he predicts is not only the success or failure of the conspiracy, but also his own life and death. Success means life, failure means death!

  The heavens cannot help him; he must make his own decisions, and the only thing he can rely on is his own wisdom and courage.

  Life's transformation often occurs in just one moment of determination.

  Xu Youzhen finally made his last choice.

  "Tonight is the night for great deeds! Don't miss this opportunity, take action!"

  When Shi Hen and others heard this murderous sentence, they couldn't help but shiver, the final moment had finally arrived.

  Xu Youzhen's family members already knew what was about to happen, they stood at the door silently bidding farewell to this head of the household, their sorrow and grief beyond words.

  Xu Youzhen did not have such a feeling of sadness, he cast a last glance at his home under the moonlight outside the door, left a sentence, and then departed resolutely.

  "If you come back, be human; if you can't come back, then become a ghost!"

  The Incident at the Gate

  The members of the conspiracy group set out towards the inner city under the cover of night, their first target being Chang'an Gate.

  The key to Chang'an Gate was in the hands of Shi Hen, who let in Zhang Jue's thousand-strong army into the inner city before closing the gate.

  Shi Heng looked at the thousand soldiers entering the city, his heart racing with anxiety. These thousand people did not know they were here to rebel, and there was always a possibility of sudden mutiny. If these soldiers were discovered by others, even if they had not yet taken action, he would still be unable to escape the crime of treason.

  After some thought, this ruthless and cunning military general began to get flustered.

  Xu Youzhen coldly looked at Shi Heng who was already six spirits without a master and said a sentence to him:

  "Is the door locked? Give me the key."

  Shi Heng was full of doubts, but still handed over the key to Xu Youzhen.

  Xu Youzhen took the key, but did something that Shi Heng would never have dreamed of - he threw the key into the sewer.

  Shi Heng was shocked, he rushed up and grabbed Xu Youzhen's clothes, sternly asking: "Xu Youzhen, have you gone mad? What do you want to do?"

  Under the bright moonlight, Shi Heng saw Xu Youzhen's face and his cold and determined eyes, a chill suddenly rose to his heart, making him shiver.

  Xu Youzhen stared at Shi Heng with a gaze that seemed to pierce through his soul, her voice low and menacing as she spoke in a tone that sent shivers down his spine:

  "Advance without retreat, live without death!"

  Shi Heng was frightened, and only then did he realize the true nature of the person in front of him: not a sheep, but a hungry wolf.

  The way back was completely cut off, and the few people had no choice but to follow Xu Youzhen's lead towards Nan Gong. But just at this moment, the originally starry and moonlit night sky suddenly became dark and lightless! The surroundings were pitch black, and the road ahead was also shrouded in darkness. Shi Heng and Zhang Xuan panicked, they had been doing things that couldn't be seen by people, seeing this situation, they felt that something was terribly wrong, could it be that heaven didn't want them to take action?

  They stopped.

  Xu Youzhen remained unmoved, calmly gazing at the flustered Zhang Ji, coldly pressing him for an answer:

  "Why haven't you left yet?"

  "Will things go well?"

  Xu Youzhen slowly walked up to Zhang Ji's face and suddenly shouted in a low voice:

  "We will definitely succeed!"

  General Shi Heng experienced many battles, beheading countless people, and was known as the bravest general of the Zhengtong era. However, he panicked on the battlefield and didn't know what to do. His so-called bravery was merely the bravery of a common man.

  In this perilous game, Xuyou Zhen, who is powerless, is the true hero.

  It's no wonder, for it's only the fortitude and tenacity of the heart that is truly brave.

  Under the intimidation and encouragement of the weak scholar Xu Youzhen (although a bit ridiculous, but indeed a fact), Shi Heng and his party arrived at their first destination - Nangong.

  The palace gate was indeed tightly closed, and no one answered when called. This was the first loophole in the plan to seize the gate, but Xu Youzhen had a solution with one sentence:

  "Don't bother knocking on the door, just blast through the wall!"

  Then the soldiers went forward and knocked open the palace wall with a wooden stake (destroying the wall to enter), and the prisoner who had been imprisoned for seven years finally came out.

  He saw through the people who came in the dead of night, and he also saw everything in their hearts - speculation, anger, and ambition. In any case, he only had one choice left.

  "Let's go, we're going to Donghua Gate."

  Donghua Gate is the gate of the imperial city, and as long as one enters Donghua Gate and strikes the bell drum at Fengtian Hall to gather all officials, the world will once again be in the hands of this prisoner.

  However, when they arrived at Donghua Gate, they discovered the biggest loophole in this plan - they couldn't get in.

  The guards at the East Flower Gate did not open the door, and they also didn't have a key. Without the key to the South Palace gate, one could break through the wall, but this was because the South Palace was remote, even if you demolished it, no one would come to complain to you. However, the East Flower Gate was an important place in the imperial palace, guarded by special personnel. Once there was any disturbance, it would attract the attention of the guards, and these nocturnal spirits would immediately become ghosts of the Yellow Springs.

  Shi Heng looked at Xu Youzhen with a worried and bitter face, he had no other choice but to wait for this big brother to speak.

  But this time Xu Youzhen remained silent, he was clever but not Ali Baba, even if he shouted "Open sesame" a million times in front of the door, it would still not open.

  The members of the conspiracy group fell into a dilemma, unable to fight or make trouble, and could only say nice things through the door, but the gatekeeper didn't even bother to reason with them. With dawn approaching, if they still couldn't get in, everyone would be doomed together!

  At this most critical moment, the prisoner suddenly shouted:

  "I am the Supreme Emperor (I am also the Supreme Emperor), open the door!"

  Seven years of humiliation, fear and waiting, finally exchanged for this angry roar.

  Everyone including the gatekeeper was shocked by this angry roar, Dong Hua Gate opened from then on, and the road to the throne of the Supreme Being was open.

  Zhu Qiyan, I'm back! Come and take back everything that belongs to me!

  He walked towards the Fengtian Hall, struck the bell and drum for the morning court session, and the palace gates were opened one after another to prepare for the officials' visit.

  Xu Youzhen finally succeeded, he stood alone in front of the gate with a tired body and a triumphant smile, blocking the way to the main hall.

  The cabinet ministers who came upon hearing the news looked at this small figure in surprise, ready to scold him and leave immediately.

  But Xu Youzhen quickly gave the reason why he dared to be so arrogant and block the way:

  "The Grand Emperor has been restored to his throne, you all should go and congratulate him quickly!"

  I finally succeeded, and the era that belongs to me has finally arrived.

  At this time, Zhu Qiyu was lying in his own bedroom on the verge of death, but amidst the confusion, he still heard the sound of bells and drums. He was very clear that this signal for the court to convene was not issued by him.

  He then called over his attendants and asked who was striking the bell drum.

  Everyone already knew the truth, and those who served Zhu Qizhen were worried that when this emperor, who was already seriously ill, heard the news, he would be so angry that he would die immediately. But now that things have come to this point, they cannot help but tell Zhu Qizhen: it is that prisoner he has imprisoned, his brother is gathering the officials.

  But what this dying emperor did next was beyond their wildest imagination.

  Upon hearing this news, Zhu Qiyan fell silent for a moment before lifting his head and smiling.

  He smiled very comfortably and finally spat out three words:

  "Alright, alright, alright!"

  Brother, let's return the throne to you. Although I imprisoned you and took everything away from you, I didn't gain any happiness either. For these eight years, I've been living in fear and loneliness.

  I'm fed up.

  Zhu Qizhen sat on the throne he had been away from for a long time. Eight years ago, he left here and became a prisoner of a foreign tribe. After going through countless hardships, he finally returned to the capital, but was imprisoned by his own brother and ate prison food for seven years.

  Now he has finally returned to the starting point of those years, a new road is unfolding before his eyes, and he will once again rule this vast empire.

  Many things are about to begin, and many people's fate is about to change.