Beiyuan barged through the gates of the Ciming Palace as he approached the Empress Dowager's Chambers, mounting the stairs he was halted by Manyin and Xiaoyang who were standing guard and his sister, the younger judging from his expression could tell that something was wrong.
"What's the matter with you?" She inquired.
"Is Her Highness awake?" He asked and the two women looking at each other nodded in approval.
"I need to have a word with her." He notified them and Xiaoyang turning to face the door she spoke up.
"Superintendent Beiyuan is requesting to see Your Highness." She announced.
"Let him in." Empress Dowager Yang responded and the doors being opened for her at once, the latter rushed into her presence where he found her putting some peony in her incense burner and seemingly calm.
"Your Highness, we have a problem." He immediately confessed.
"What's with the fuss?" Empress Dowager Yang inquired.
"It's the Provincial Governors' military tokens." He reported.
"What about them?" She asked.
"They have suddenly disappeared without a trace." He replied and the old woman learning of it, momentarily seized her movements.
"Is that all?" She asked as she resumed what she was doing, closing the incense burner with its lid and finally inhaling the sweet scent.
"Only a handful of people knew about the tokens' whereabouts Your Highness and it appears that there is currently no news from the Ministry of War and Defense yet it has been roughly two hours since they set out to capture them red-handed," Beiyuan muttered.
"It wouldn't be an easy task Beiyuan, besides, the best that we can do is only hope that everything goes according to the plan." She calmly remarked when the doors of her Chambers were suddenly flung open.
The two surprised by the noise fixed their eyes in its direction to only notice the presence of a face which was quite familiar and perhaps unexpected.
Bao Langya who was exhausted was gasping for air, his eyes bloodshot and his veins having sufficed on the top of his skin as he sweated profusely.
"What's wrong with you?" Empress Dowager Yang asked as the latter moved closer to the two.
"They are gone." He responded.
"Who?" Beiyuan persistently inquired.
"The provincial Governors, their guards, they have all vanished without a trace." He responded and Beiyuan startled turned to the Empress Dowager who looked up at Bao Langya.
"What!" She exclaimed.
"One moment they were in front of us and the next they vanished like ghosts in thin air without a trace." Bao Langya reported and pulling out a piece of paper he handed it over to her while she took it without any hesitation and perused through its contents.
"What does it say Your Highness?" Beiyuan asked as he then turned to Bao Langya unable to extract a response from her.
"What is that?" He asked.
"We found it, it was purposely left behind for us to deliver " He responded as the Empress Dowager lowered the paper on her table.
"No." She said to herself.
"Your Highness, His Excellency the Imperial Guard Commander Xia Chen is requesting to have a word with you." Xiaoyang announced from outside.
"Let him in." The old woman permitted his access and rushing into the room as well he halted in front of her and bowed his head.
"I have some bad news that I regret to inform Your Highness about concerning the Deposed Crown Prince." He responded.
"Please don't tell me." She mentioned.
"We ambushed the assassins that were transporting him away from Huanggak Temple, it turns out that the palanquin that we intercepted was empty." He reported.
"So you are telling me that you lost the Deposed Crown Prince?" Empress Dowager Yang inquired.
"Yes." Xia Chen responded and the old woman keeping quiet clenched her fists furiously as she took a deep breath in her struggle to keep her composure.
"I can't lose like this," she said finally opening her eyes, "Summon everyone and ask them to gather at the Imperial office, His Majesty should also be present." She ordered.
"Yes, Your Highness." The three responded in unison as they scattered immediately exiting the room and leaving behind an angry old woman who couldn't help but smirk at herself.
"I must admit Your Highness, I can now think of you as a worthy contender but let's see, between me and you who burns first." She whispered to herself.
On a dark road around the hills, a couple of miles outside the Capital, four men bearing a small palanquin halted in front of the provincial governors who at the time were headed by the masked woman.
They lowered the small vehicle and opened its narrow door, permitting the exit of a young man who was dressed in a white attire made of the most expensive linen, his hair held in nothing more than a dragon-shaped hairpin.
With the moon shining on him brightly he revealed himself to them all, torches burning away some of the darkness that eclipsed him from view he was suddenly the most vivid person they could see.
"Long Live Your Highness." The masked lady along with the Provincial Governors chanted in unison as they presented themselves prostrate before him.
The same face and eyes that weeks before were destitute this time round were fierce while more than ever confident, the Deposed Crown Prince Zhao Hong was wielding immense power that could turn the entire nation upside down.
"Long Live Your Highness." The rest of the provincial armies now united raised their cries which resounded through the valleys and the villages below.
The High Ranking officials panicking made their entrance into the Imperial office at just about the same time that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor appeared.
The two facing each other briefly, the young man went ahead to bow his head first.
"Your Highness, seeing that you sought me out at this ungodly hour should I presume that something is wrong?" He asked.
"Don't worry yourself too much Your Majesty, I was hoping that you would concern yourself with our current predicament to encourage your Courtiers." She responded as the two turned and faced the doors.
"Her Highness the Empress Dowager and His Majesty the Emperor deign you with their presence." Eunuch Deng announced and the officials led by Shi Miyuan falling in order stood up as the two made their magnificent entrance.
Moving up towards the two seats that had been arranged for them, they gracefully sat down.
"You called for us Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan spoke up.
"You must all be aware as it is that a cloud of darkness has descended upon us." She pointed out, "the Provincial Governors have suddenly gone missing and this is none other than the Deposed Crown Prince's handiwork." She notified everyone.
"Please Your Highness, abstain from making a rash decision as we can't guarantee that His Highness is behind this without any strong evidence since it could trigger a lot of backlash from the masses." Emperor Lizong spoke in defence of his stepbrother.
"I wish it wasn't the case as well seeing that Your Majesty is benevolent but this note was delivered to me at the brothel where the provincial governors were set to meet earlier this night." She mentioned as she handed the note over to Beiyuan who faced them all to read its contents aloud.
"YOUR HIGHNESS ONCE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO SURVIVE, YOU ONCE ASKED FOR MY RESOLVE, PERHAPS BECAUSE YOU VERY MUCH DREADED THE LOOK IN MY EYES, I WISH TO SAY YOU NEVER WERE WRONG, I ALLOWED MYSELF TO SIT QUIETLY, NOT BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE BUT BECAUSE I WAS BIDDING TIME, I FOR ONE KNEW BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE THAT I WAS NEVER SAFE WITHIN THE PALACE, I HAD TO BREAK FREE, I WILL FIGHT, EVEN IF IT IS AGAINST THE WHOLE GOVERNMENT, EVEN IF IT IS AGAINST THE WHOLE WORLD, I WILL TAKE MY RIGHTFUL PLACE ON THE THRONE EVEN IF I MUST BECOME THE BIGGEST SINNER IN THE DYNASTY, AFTER ALL, I AM NOT THE FIRST MAN TO ORCHESTRATE A COUP, I SHALL NEVER BE THE LAST, IF I HAVE ONE THING THOUGH THAT I SHALL ASK THE HEAVENS, EVEN IF IT MEANS THAT I DIE FIGHTING, I SHALL RESIST TO THE END, THIS IS MY ANSWER, AFTER ALL THOSE YEARS OF HEATED AND UNRESTRAINED INDIFFERENCE, THE YEARS OF SUFFERING AND LOSS, THE YEARS OF TROUBLE AND DARKNESS, I WILL BRING WITH ME THE WRATH OF THE PROVINCES, THIS IS MY FINAL RESOLVE." He read aloud before he handed over the paper to Shi Miyuan who verified its contents with his eyes.
"But how would the provincial governors flee the Capital and abandon their troops in the valley?" Peng Zishou inquired.
"There are no troops in the valley but ordinary people that were paid to disguise as such, to feast on free food from the government after looking into a couple of records all the Governors were somewhat involved in secretly disbanding their earlier forces and upon hearing about their invitation to the Capital, they had ordinary people forcefully rescripted into their armies." Empress Dowager Yang responded.
"Can none of them fight?" Emperor Lizong suddenly asked surprising everyone in the room.
"They are deficient in even the basics of martial arts." Empress Dowager Yang responded.
"I see." The young man muttered calmly and Shi Miyuan uncomfortable with his aura turned to the Empress.
"Clearly, the compliance of the Governors was a charade but seeing that Your Highness attempted to bring them in I presume you must have at least had something on your hands." He pointed out.
"At first I was certain that we could manipulate a rift between the Governors and win some to our side which is why I proposed their daughters become a part of His Majesty's harem, my suspicions against all of them were aroused when not even one gave me an answer straight away." She responded.
"I don't think that could be a good enough reason Your Highness." Emperor Lizong said.
"My suspicions were confirmed when they all wrote back to me agreeing to the offer, however, what even convinced me the more was that even if their letters were totally different, they had a similar confession." Empress Dowager Yang responded.
"Had it been that they had acted independent then there would have been a huge difference in the content that they presented in their own words but as it happens if many people hear the same thing at ago, they cram it." Peng Zishou pointed out.
"Yes," the old woman affirmed, "as such I was eventually certain that someone had got to them before me." She confessed.
"The Deposed Crown Prince is now a Rebel and aside from that, he is backed by the provincial powers which are more powerful within their areas of influence than the Central government." Emperor Lizong said.
"The Crown Prince's initial triumph can not discourage us in our endeavour to safeguard the stability of our Greater Heavenly Empire, I was not certain that I would initially succeed which is why I had to prepare adequately for a backup plan." Empress Dowager Yang remarked.
"What are we going to do Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan asked but his eyes fixed on the young Emperor he was challenging him.
"Yes, what should we do Mother?" Zhao Yun asked as well turning to the old woman.
"The Deposed Crown Prince will appear before the Crowds in the area of his exile living comfortably for the people to be content with his authenticity." She responded.
"How are we going to ensure that, even if the people believe it, we should worry about the Rebels, not many of them will doubt the authenticity of their leader and once they move a number of more people will rally behind them." Yang Shi pointed out.
"We will succeed in this endeavour by turning every provincial Governor involved in the resistance into a national enemy." She responded as Beiyuan suddenly stepped forward with a secret letter which he put in their midst.
"What's this Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan inquired.
"An oath made by the Governors to overthrow the government will circulate all over the Capital as revealed by the Imperial State Tribunal, evidence of their corruption and embezzlement of public funds along with mishandled cases will be presented to the world and new Governors will be appointed to fill their vacant seats." She responded.
"If the people learn of this they will side with the Central Authority which wishes to aid them against their suppressive leaders." Yang Gu pointed out.
"Of course, feelings of universal hatred will erupt, sufficient enough to estrange them all." Emperor Lizong concluded having seen the final picture.
"When a real Prince eventually becomes a fake, the resistance will lose meaning, all that is left is to exercise the Imperial prerogative and seeing that His Majesty is not well versed with the current State of affairs I can't have him possess the blood of rebels on his hands as it will taint his reign." Empress Dowager Yang said as she looked at the young man.
"Your Highness........?" He appeared to hint at what the old woman was trying to say.
"The Courtiers and Officials should decide Your Majesty." She muttered to him with a sincere smile on her face while the young man infuriated but unable to vent out his anger clenched his fists.
The young Emperor barged through the doors of his room in a fit of rage and approaching his study table he threw everything down.
"Please appease your anger Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng pleaded with him but the young man unwilling to listen to him picked up the silver pitcher on his table and prepared to throw it at him when he caught sight of the Empress Dowager.
"Your Majesty?" She shouted and he instantly froze.
"Your Highness." He appeared to become calm.
"Leave us." Empress Dowager Yang ordered and at once the others departed from the room granting the two some privacy.
"If you wish to vent out your anger then you can do it in front of me." She said.
"Have I even that right?" Zhao Yun asked.
"I'm only doing what's necessary for this Empire." She responded.
"There's nothing more disgusting than self-pity, the next thing you are about to tell me is that you don't have a choice, that you are protecting me." Emperor Lizong said.
"You can't even manage your emotions how can you think of running the State, these mood swings of yours and recklessness will make you too soft on the State of Affairs and it appears that you are shifting your sympathy to those rebels." Empress Dowager Yang asserted.
"You are only afraid that until now none has put a fierce resistance against you as they have, you know that their chances of success are high and for me, this throne was never even mine to begin with." Emperor Lizong muttered.
"You are simply full of yourself, so overly confident that you seem to forget, your fury and actions suggest otherwise." Empress Dowager Yang pointed out as she got close to him, "after all Your Majesty, if you resented that throne so much, if you resented its power so much, you wouldn't mind my quest for a regency, you could have as well vouched for me." She whispered to him and the young man intimidated he quietened down immediately.
"Suppose the Deposed Crown Prince and His people succeeded in seizing the throne, suppose they overrun the government, as the Deposed Emperor would you expect to keep your pathetic life, I assure you, even your brother's life would be at stake to the point that even if the Deposed Crown Prince were unwilling, he could barely have the power and reserves to protect you against the men who would have given him the throne." She said.
"What do you want from me Your Highness?" Zhao Yun asked.
"I don't expect to ask a second time, I am all you have to protect both your brother and yourself, tomorrow morning you shall have the Imperial Jade Seal delivered to Ciming Palace personally, with the support of the Officials, you shall designate me as your co-regent." She responded as she turned around, "I want you to watch how I am going to break these so-called rebels, I'll make sure they never Rebel against me or my hegemony ever again, even their grand children won't commit themselves to make the same mistake of their ascendants." She muttered to him as she sashayed out of the room while Emperor Lizong at a complete loss of words fell onto the ground.
The Deposed Crown Prince Zhao Hong was seated in a tent in the company of the provincial governors and the masked lady.
"I wish to thank you all for your concerted effort after all, thanks to you, I am no longer a prisoner of the Empress Dowager." He muttered.
"It is our duty as Your Highness' humble servants, we know better than anyone else that the throne on which that imbecile is seated was supposed to be yours from the beginning." Fan Huangjing muttered.
"I must say that Her Highness is quite as meticulous as we heard having gone so far to try and divide us." Wu Chenghua remarked.
"Yet it's a pity now that the tables have turned, with our armies concerted and closer to the Capital we'll be able to take it in a day." Yi Yatsen confidently boasted.
"I wouldn't agree more, after all, we have a Prince of the Imperial blood and the necessary resources, if we can prepare our armies we'll be ready in the next three days." Xiang Hao mentioned.
"I understand that we are all eager but we shouldn't forget that in war, a general's haste will result in immediate defeat, besides I don't think that the Empress Dowager is one to be easily subdued." The masked woman remarked.
"What are you trying to say?" Chen Xiao asked her.
"We managed to safely flee the Capital which is a good thing, yet until now there hasn't been a response, if the Empress Dowager was aware that we were all on the same side, until now she hasn't even moved against the fake soldiers we surrendered in the valley." The young lady pointed out.
"In any case, are you trying to say that the Empress Dowager would have permitted our escape?" Han Renyu inquired.
"She would know better that you'd seek protection amongst your troops and because this is war since it is much like her in all the people we have come across, it is very safe to presume that it could be the case since we haven't seen or heard a thing." She responded.
"I think she is right." Zhao Hong said, "The Empress Dowager knows that she is at a disadvantage against us since we have the numbers so her best way to move against us would be to take us all by surprise." He mentioned.
"Then what should we do, if we yield to defeat now then every effort we have put into this resistance would be in vain." Fan Huangjing said.
"There is something that the Empress is betting on." The masked woman responded.
"What is it?" Wu Chenghua asked.
"We have a large army and the best way we would use it is if it is united however, even if we are very good, we can't effectively use it because as long as it is heterogeneous, it shall become deadweight to us, a liability." She responded.
"Have you a better thing in mind?" Zhao Hong inquired from the young woman.
"The Empress Dowager's ultimate strength stems from the fact that her power is centralized, as provincial governors, it may be a risk but if it comes to wielding decentralised authority, none is better than us." She responded.
"So you are suggesting......" Zhao Hong hesitant the masked woman interfered.
"We divide our forces," she concluded, "we have a common goal which is to take the Capital and place Your Highness on the throne therefore I find no better way of doing this than dividing our military power." She insisted.
"Are you out of your mind?" Han Renyu asked.
"Each of you in this room can effectively command your armies and it will be easier to take the Capital from all directions otherwise, even if we have one unified army with different leaders it will become unmanageable which in the end could cost us victory in this conflict." She responded.
"I think she is right." Zhao Hong said, "she does have a point after all when it comes to conflict, our provincial divisions would be Her Highness' most effective tool against our cause." He asserted.
"Is there no other way?" Wu Chenghua asked.
"Seeing that as one big army we shall be immobile, we would be more effective as provincial troops since the Capital couldn't be in the position of taking the pressure from all sides." Zhao Hong mentioned and in a moment everyone appeared to be considering the thought.
"If Your Highness thinks that it's right, we can't possibly object." Fan Huangjing led the others into collectively bowing to the young man.
"Since we have all agreed to that then there is no harm at all, we'll do just that." Zhao Hong concluded.
"Thank you so much Your Highness." The masked woman appreciated him as she bowed her head with a smile on her face.
Leaving the tent, the young woman moved through the darkness into the woods stealthily as she approached a small creek that overlooked a narrow river.
The sound of the waves strong the two could barely be seen from a distance.
"Brother?" She called.
"Sister." He responded.
"I managed to convince the governors along with the Deposed Crown Prince, they will take the Capital as individual units to minimise the possibility of being weighed down by a very large army." She reported.
"It's a good thing." The young man remarked as he stared at the Capital which was glowing in the distance, with lanterns lit it only appeared as though there were stars on the hill descending within the valley and the view itself was perhaps one of the most spectacular night shows.
"Once the governors split up and take the Capital it shall become very difficult for them to concert their energy and unite again, it would be our best opportunity to take care of them along with the Deposed Crown Prince and that way, I will be in the position to set you on that throne which is rightfully yours." She assured him.
"I know that, our secret forces are adequately preparing for that moment as well." The young man muttered as he turned to her, "just promise me, until we take the kingdom, until I can ascend the Imperial Dragon throne, you will be safe, you must live to see that day, for our mother's sake." He muttered.
"I shall." The masked woman responded, "you too must look after yourself and father." She said to him.
"I will." He responded before she hugged him.
"We'll take the world together, we'll make those Courtiers and Officials kneel to us, I swear that the Empress will pay, for having ruined our family, for having killed our mother." She swore.
"I am certain that she will." The young man responded.
Emperor Lizong still distraught sat in his room, itself very dark save for the dim candlelight that shone on the table, he stared at the Imperial Jade Seal in its chest, studying its remarkable construct and the designs of the four guardian animals of the skies.
"May heaven understand your good intent, it is not my wish to know you anymore however, I'm going to put an end to this bloody strife for the both of us, I want to end this civil war." He recalled the words of the Deposed Crown Prince.
"Suppose the Deposed Crown Prince and His people succeeded in seizing the throne, suppose they overrun the government, as the Deposed Emperor would you expect to keep your pathetic life, I assure you, even your brother's life would be at stake to the point that even if the Deposed Crown Prince were unwilling, he could barely have the power and reserves to protect you against the men who would have given him the throne." The Empress Dowager's words of caution resounded at the back of his mind.
Slowly, the darkness started to fade as the sun slowly emerged from the East to possess the saffron firmament, he'd barely slept, caught up in a series of memories all stemming from the day that he had set foot in the Palace.
"Is there really no other way?" He asked himself, "must this really be the path I take," he continued to wonder despite the intense ailing in his heart but as though expecting an answer even in front of the heavens, all he could hear and feel was absolute darkness, weakness and severe failure.
"Anyone?" He called and the doors of the room being opened, Eunuch Deng walked into his presence.
"How may I be of assistance to His Majesty?" He asked.
"Have my Imperial Dragon Robes prepared, Summon the Privy Council and the Court Officials from the Capital and have them gather outside the Ciming Palace." Emperor Lizong ordered.
"Yes Your Majesty." The latter responded.
"See to it that the Imperial procession will be at its finest." He insisted.
"Yes Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng responded as he slowly withdrew from the room.
Empress Dowager Yang was quietly seated in her own Chambers, in front of her a wooden stand with a new set of robes had long been prepared along with Her phoenix headdress.
It was more unique from those worn by past Empresses and herself before, this time around with six taloned dragons embroidered both in front and behind as well as her shoulders, there was a long crimson skirt with golden phoenix patterns sewn at the bottom, the hems were adorned with many small pearls and the sleeves too were covered in what appeared to be gold and silver talismans stretching from the top to the bottom.
The doors to the room suddenly flung open she Manyin and Xiaoyang rushed through, their faces partly covered with awe and at the same time uneasiness as they bowed to offer their salutations.
"Your Highness." They said in unison.
"What is it?" She asked.
"His Majesty has proferred his Imperial sanction and all officials within the Capital have been asked to gather outside your Palace, additionally, the Imperial Procession has been arranged to the standards of an Emperor and His Majesty is going to present himself in his Imperial Dragon Robes." Manyin replied.
"We are worried as it is too much more than what was asked." Xiaoyang pointed out.
"Then I suppose it is time that I got ready myself." Empress Dowager Yang said as she stood up from her seat and slowly approached the new robes.
"Dress me." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." The two responded reluctantly in unison as they advanced in fulfilment of their mistress' earnest demand.
The drums outside were sounded and shortly after them the trumpets joined in harmony as the gates of the Ciming Palace were opened wide.
Emperor Lizong leading all the officials in His Imperial Dragon Robes stepped over the threshold first and then advanced, themselves backing him in their ceremonial attire led by Shi Miyuan as he progressed towards the main building where the Empress Dowager resided.
The servants seeing them stepped aside as the young Emperor in all his glory and pomp bore the Imperial Jade Seal in its chest.
He stepped underneath the stairs and faced the magnificent building quietly, the sun shining upon it illuminated its gilded rooftops along with the crimson and azure walls.
There in the most amazing manner he knelt, with his arms raised to the heavens, the officials soon followed his example.
"MAY PEACE BE WITH YOU OH SOVEREIGN MOTHER OF THE HEAVENS, IMMACULATE QUEEN OF OUR PEOPLES AND DIVINE GOVERNESS OF OUR GREATER HEAVENLY EMPIRE, THE WORLD IS CHAOTIC AND DARKNESS LINGERS ABOVE OUR HEADS, OUR PEOPLES ARE DISTRAUGHT AND HUNGERING WHILE I AM CAUGHT UP IN THE INTENSE GRIEF OF LOSING MY FATHER, I THEREFORE BESEECH THEE, OH EMINENT HIGHNESS, GRANT YOUR MERCY UPON YOUR DEARLY BELOVED CHILD AND AID ME WITH YOUR WISE COUNSEL OVER CIVIL AND MILITARY AFFAIRS OF THE STATE AS THE SUPREME GUARDIAN OF THE IMPERIAL JADE SEAL AND MY MOST TRUSTED AND LIEGED CO-REGENT." He said finally bowing his head.
"Please Your Imperial Highness, truly and faithfully execute the office of the Imperial Regent and that govern according to the statutes and will in all things, to the utmost of your Sovereign power and ability, to consult and maintain the safety, honour, and dignity of His Divine Majesty and the welfare of his people." The Officials sang in unison as they followed his example in the direction of the Empress Dowager's official seat.
"Her Highness the Empress Dowager deigns you with her presence." Beiyuan eventually announced and at once the doors of the room being opened the old woman appearing to be about twenty years younger though slightly chubby appeared.
Magnificently clad in her new official attire, a remarkable make-up of symbols that were perhaps above divine, she was flawless and pure, radiant and glorious but above all, to many there was already the aura that she was no longer mortal but immortal, no longer semi but fully divine, not even a half-god but a Serene goddess commanding the heraldry of heaven.
She stood atop the stairs that overlooked her now congregation of worshippers, a highlight of her political career perhaps she thought, for a moment she took a deep breath and sighed.
The young Emperor standing up slowly lifted his first foot, he moved forward and approached her as time appeared to become slower and slower with every step he took until he was finally in front of her.
He then knelt yet again, with the Imperial Jade Seal in his hands raised to her.
"Even a monarch's parents are his gods on earth, my father needs me to make his Great journey more peaceful and easy that I can not be wasteful in the construction of the Imperial mausoleum, I want to entrust the governance of this country to you, after all Your Highness above anyone else is the woman it needs at this moment." He muttered painfully with tears in his eyes spelling the sincerity the vast witnesses needed but also an expression of his long-suffering and burning hatred preying off his soul.
She slowly held the Imperial Jade Seal in her hands and looked him in the eye, her eyes teary as well but perhaps herself a hundred times stronger than she was in that mixture of excitement and doubt she finally seized it from him.
"I HEREBY ANNOUNCE MY WILLINGNESS AS EMPOWERED BY THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF OUR PEOPLE TO POSSESS THE IMPERIAL POWER OF THIS REALM AS PARTIALLY AND CONDITIONALLY AS EVER IT WAS IN ANY OF MY MOST NOBLE PRECEDENT VICARS OF THIS REALM TO THE UTMOST OF MY ABILITY." She swore as the Emperor stood up and stepped aside while the Empress raised the seal up to the skies.
"Long Live Your Highness, Long Live the Empress Dowager of the Greater Song Dynasty." The officials chanted in unison.
The Imperial Court gathered in the Grand Hall and the Courtiers though uneasy stood on either side of the room in their usual positions.
The doors being flung open, the Empress Dowager walked in with her son holding her left hand as they moved towards the Imperial Dragon throne.
Halting in front of it, the young man unwilling appeared to go with the floor as much as he could while the Empress Dowager mounted the stairs that led to her throne which had been raised on a small platform at the left of the Emperor's behind a silk screen.
Once she was settled, Emperor Lizong led the Court into offering their salutation.
"Your Highness." They said in unison as the young woman nodded her head in approval.
Emperor Lizong taking the attention from everyone preferred to speak up first.
"The nation has been blessed this day with Your Imperial Highness' presence, as it so happens that I can not put my heart at ease since news from the Imperial State Tribunal strongly suggests that the Provincial Governors have been robbing this country of its wealth and fattening themselves instead of helping my people, they now rally behind each other like savages, unruly and undignified they choose to wage war on the Government and Rebel, I humbly beseech thee, give us your wise counsel that we might restore peace and stability to our nation." The young man pleaded as he bowed his head.
"Please grant us your Counsel Your Highness." The rest of the Imperial Court pleaded right behind him and hearing that sound of desperation even though insincere the old woman lightly smirked at herself.
"There's in deed too much chaos in the land and I very much understand how trying it is for us all, taking into account everything that has happened so far as I have been empowered by you I shall give my Counsel." She mentioned as silence prevailed and everyone waited eagerly for her words.
"The Crimes of the Provincial Governors from corruption to eventually instigating resistance shall be publicized by every notice from the Government and effective immediately, I will exercise the office of Emergency powers to declare a state of martial law across the rest of the provinces while assuring the masses that it won't be sincere, discussions will be held by the Ministry of Personnel in the next twenty-four hours to present before me a list of the best candidates who will be appointed to the position of Governorship and of course in honour of His Majesty's ascension, He shall visit the common folk tomorrow to reassure the people that the Crown has their best interests at heart." Empress Dowager Yang responded.
"Yes Your Highness," everyone responded in unison, "thank you so much for your wise counsel." They continued to praise her.
Bao Langya at once convening the Capital patrol at their headquarters, they lined up in lines of hundreds while they were each supplied with sheets of paper.
"Hear all of you the words of Her Highness the Empress Dowager, pin these notices all over the Capital and in the rest of the provinces." He ordered.
"Yes Sir." They responded in unison before they scattered about, rushing through the gates to different corners of the Capital and then the entire Empire they put up what was a list of Crimes that had been orchestrated by the Governors.
The small magistrate forces and provincial police surrounded the different residences of the Governors and started confiscating their property one by one while donating items like their furniture and clothes to the poor for free.
Shi Miyuan along with the Minister of Personnel Yang Shi gathered with a couple of other officials at the Imperial Office of State and taking their seats they started forwarding the names of the best candidates to take up the positions of Governorship.
The Deposed Crown Prince Zhao Hong along with the masked lady seated in his tent Eunuch Ling walked in before them.
"Your Highness?" He greeted him while the young man nodded his head.
"Have the Governors proceeded?" He inquired.
"Yes." He responded and hearing this the young man sighed in relief while the masked woman retained her silence.
"However, we have another issue as the Empress Dowager appears to be acting much faster than we are." Eunuch Ling suddenly mentioned as he stretched his hand into his sleeve from which he pulled out a large piece of paper that he handed over to the young man.
His eyes perused through its contents and infuriated he clenched his fists.
"What is it, Your Highness?" The masked lady inquired from him while he crumpled the piece of paper.
"Corruption and other additional charges by the Governors have been publicized and the Ministry of Personnel is moving towards the designation of new Provincial Governors, besides, Her Highness has arranged for His Majesty to visit the masses, there surely must be something she's up to." Zhao Hong responded.
"To initially move the new leaders into the provinces would require sending some soldiers along with them to strengthen their influence and her hold over them, however, what's more worrying is the fact that she would move forward with this despite knowing that dividing her forces is a terrible decision for her to make at the moment, it's the most dangerous one." The young woman remarked.
"There must be something more to this." Zhao Hong said.
"Perhaps Her Highness owns a private army?" The masked woman muttered.
"Since you mention it then it is possible because, aside from everything else, for Her Highness to guarantee that she roots her influence in the provinces leaving the Capital defence untouched a private army would be more reliable." Zhao Hong asserted.
"I suppose that it isn't too bad of a decision for us then Your Highness if it so happens to be the case." The masked woman pointed out.
"Why?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"Come to think of it if we attacked the Capital in the presence of Her Highness' private army it would bring us too much catastrophe given that it would take us by surprise, however, with the Private army out of its confines it will only make the Empress Dowager more vulnerable." The masked woman mentioned.
"So you are saying that we should let them do as they please?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"On the contrary, there would be no better opportunity for us to move than now, we should strike the Iron while it is hot." The young woman replied.
"What do you mean?" Zhao Hong asked.
"The Empress Dowager is well aware that at this point leaving the Capital would be risky for the officials, however on the other hand she can't possibly compromise the administration of the Empire's different provinces....." She mentioned.
"Moving the new officials is therefore an inevitable task on her hands." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"And it is our only chance to take the strike that will crumble her power," the latter remarked, "we have no better opportunity to get rid of them than now." She insisted.
"Then all we have to do is attack the new Governors." Zhao Hong muttered.
"Yet it won't be as simple as it sounds because given the personality of the Empress Dowager, at least if she is as wary as we think, she will be anticipating the attack either way." The masked lady remarked.
"Then it means that she'll move them when we least expect or perhaps, where we can not see." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"Then we should be in the know of things." The young woman mentioned, "the notice said that His Majesty will visit the masses so it only means that security in the Capital will be very tight but if that's not the case then His Majesty will have more public attention compared to anything or anyone else." She concluded.
"We should do something." Zhao Hong mentioned, with many people already believing that the real Deposed Crown Prince is close to the Imperial Family our resistance is slowly starting to lose effect." He mentioned.
"Leave that to me Your Highness, if we can't establish the Empress' true course then we should simply await her on every path." The young woman concluded.
The Ministry of Personnel having concluded its work, the Grand Chancellor and the High Minister of the Department were presented with two copies of the final draft.
"Is this it?" Shi Miyuan inquired from his son Shi Zhaizhi.
"Yes Your Highness, this list that I present to you with my whole heart is of the men that will be reliable to both this state and Her Highness, descendants of the Yang, Shi, Wu and Yin Clans." Shi Zhaizhi responded as the latter took it into his hands.
"Thank you all for your hard work, thank you for your devotion towards your country." He immediately thanked them and at once they stepping aside and clearing the path, Shi Miyuan holding the final scroll with the Minister of Personnel closely following behind him led the way out through the building.
Further exiting its outer courtyard, they travelled in the direction of the harem confidently in the company of a large group of elite guards as they approached Ciming Palace which was the Empress Dowager's residence.
Leaping over the threshold they finally halted underneath the staircase that led to the latter's audience Chamber, itself the grandest building in the square with azure pillars embellished in gold and silver designs.
"Greetings Your Imperial Highness," Shi Miyuan led the main salutation in a very loud and upward voice.
"We as the Office of the Ministry of Personnel present our resolution to our August Highness." The Minister in charge spoke up after him and bowing his head, the Empress Dowager seated within the dark confines of her room smirked lightly.
"Show them in." She ordered Beiyuan and the latter without sparing any effort exited the room and joined the audience outside.
Receiving Shi Miyuan and his colleague, he showed them in this time finding the Empress warming some tea in a small kettle on a small charcoal stove beside her table.
"Your Highness." They greeted her bowing their heads.
"You may have a seat." She mentioned and the two moving towards the stools that had been arranged, they comfortably lowered themselves in front of her while placing the two scrolls on the table.
"The Ministry of Personnel is in deed as efficient as I expected it to be." She remarked.
"We were careful to see that the choices would suit our exploits so I am certain that it will be pleasing to your sight." Shi Miyuan mentioned.
"It is alright, I trust you all so much at least, I don't have to look through seeing that Your Excellency of all people in the world knows best what I want." Empress Dowager Yang mentioned.
"The mere fact that Your Highness thinks highly of me I am humbled." Shi Miyuan asserted.
"Putting all that aside I am sure that rumour has travelled well enough by now, at least I am confident that our enemies are aware of the situation in the Capital." She mentioned.
"They must be." Yang Shi affirmed confidently.
"Then we shall proceed accordingly." Empress Dowager Yang mentioned, "Mobilise our private forces now and have them stand guard." She ordered.
"Pardon me Your Highness but won't exposing our Private army leave us weak?" Yang Shi who appeared to be grasping the situation just then inquired.
"Perhaps but since the Governors are the ones that taught us such a good trick it would only be fair if we returned the favour as well." Empress Dowager Yang mentioned smiling at herself ghastly while Shi Miyuan seemed calm, Yang Shi though confused tried so hard to retain his composure as the old woman seizing the Imperial Seal she stamped the two documents.
Lan He barging through the gates of the office of the Imperial Grand Commandant, Bao Langya descended the stairs of the main building as he approached him as well.
"Your Excellency." The former greeted and Bao Langya staring at the young man he revealed a scroll to him.
"These are Her Highness' orders, move the Private troops and arm them as members of the Imperial army." He mentioned as he bowed his head.
"Alright." Bao Langya responded when a couple of guards stepped forward from behind him.
"You'll come with us." He said.
"What is this?" Lan He asked.
"As of today, Her Highness has personally ordered us to ensure that you are put in charge of His Majesty's security during his visit tomorrow, it is only right that you pick a team of soldiers we can't trust and you having been in the Imperial Guard long enough do understand what I am saying." Bao Langya mentioned.
"I don't quite understand what you are saying?" Lan He insisted.
"Her Highness knows and sees everything, during your service to His Late Majesty, we were reliably informed that you kept a record of Everyone who enlisted as part of his private and closest bodyguards, since they tend to lose meaning when His Majesty ascends the ninth heaven but tend to remain around the Palace and Capital, they are the closest group of people to the Palace that an enemy would most certainly infiltrate." Bao Langya responded.
"It is unheard of, such a record doesn't exist and neither has there been such a custom in our Palace traditions." Bao Langya mentioned.
"Then effectively immediately it has existed, if there is no record one will be created and perhaps if I must be very clear it is all high-ranking officials in the Imperial Guard whose loyalty to the Empress Dowager and the reigning Emperor of this country is questionable." Bao Langya muttered as he smiled at the latter ghastly.
Yang Shi walking through the gates of his residence was greeted by his wife.
"What's wrong with the long face my dear?" She inquired.
"Don't worry about anything Ruo'er." He responded.
"You have a visitor who has been eagerly waiting for you for the past hour, she claims to come from the Empress Dowager's Palace." The old woman notified her husband the latter who appearing startled first held back his excitement as they progressed into the Inner Courtyard where he found Xiaoyang standing outside his study.
The latter recognizing his presence kowtowed to him.
"How may I be of service to Her Highness?" He inquired.
"Permit me to have a word with Your Excellency in private." She responded as she stepped aside and Yang Shi looking at his wife, she departed from the scene while the two made their entrance into the small building and sat down.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Her Highness hasn't been well the past couple of days and she's been having dreams about her late brother the former Junior Grand Commandant, as such she was rather remorseful as it seems that now more than ever she has realised the great need she has for her family as much as you need her." She mentioned.
"What are you trying to say?" Yang Shi inquired.
"Her Highness wishes to make you the Minister of State given that the current is about to retire and considering the political atmosphere in the country, she strongly believes that there is none fit for the job like you." Xiaoyang responded.
"It moves my heart to see how deeply Her Highness thinks of me." Yang Shi muttered.
"There's something though that she would want you to do for her, something she wanted your help with in private." Xiaoyang said smiling at him convincingly.
The old woman engulfed within the darkness of her Chambers she slowly tapped her table.
Silence prevailing momentarily the doors were flung open and through them Xiaoyang appeared as she confidently sashayed towards her.
"Your Highness?" She greeted as the latter according her part of her attention she still continued to tap her table with her right index before she spoke up.
"Did he agree to it?" She asked.
"Yes Your Highness." She responded.
"Then I suppose there's only one thing left for us to do." She mentioned.
"In a couple of hours, we shall move." Xiaoyang assured her.
"In a couple of hours, dusk will be upon us, this time round we shall readier than ever take the hardest strike." Empress Dowager Yang muttered under her breath fully confident unlike before that the odds were very much in her favour.