Gu Shang made this move because he knew that his only weakness might come from the imperial palace.
He had everything under control but what he couldn't predic was the movement of the imperial palace.
He was aware that if anything could hinder him, then it'll definitely come from the imperial palace, but he didn't know how or when so the best solution was to completely isolate the imperial palace from the rest of the capital.
If he isolates the palace, then there's nothing the imperial palace could do. It might appear disrespectful, but it was needed for the greater good.
Gu Shang got up from his chair in the study and went to spend some quality time with his mother.
....
Qing Clan manor
"What did you say?!" Qing Ying asked in a loud voice.
The servant who was reporting to her was also surprised to see Qing Ying lose her composure. This was very rare for her.
"The Purple Qilin Cavalry have surrounded the palace and blocked all entrance, no one is allowed to leave the palace at the moment.
The clan leaders and the nobles who went to the palace to protest have all been blocked from leaving the palace, they've also threatened to kill anyone who dares to leave the palace" The servant reported again.
"But why? And how?... It's the Grand General committing treason or what? What are his reasons for doing this?" She asked.
She was very confused about the situation and didn't understand why Gu Shang will make such a move.
"Eldest miss, the Grand General's justification for doing this is that, he claims he's here to protect the imperial capital from the rebels" The servant replied.
"Would an imperial edict be allowed to leave the palace?" Qing Ying asked again.
"No, an imperial edict cannot leave until the Grand General is assured that the palace was safe" the servant replied.
Qing Ying sat in her chair in a daze, " I didn't know Gu Shang could be this crafty, for someone who believes in true power crushing everything, you're quite scheming" She said to herself.
She had thought that she had got Gu Shang where she wanted him, she was sure that Gu Shang would have no way to counter her perfectly crafted plan.
But not only did Gu Shang stop it from even starting but he also anticipated it accurately and made sure to completely isolate the palace, covering his only weakness.
Qing Ying couldn't help but want to clap for him. Gu Shang had really proved that he was a seasoned general who could adapt on the battlefield.
She suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but ask, " What about the Snow dragon Guards? Haven't they made a move? She asked.
"No my lady, the snow dragon guards are yet to make any move, Snow dragon mountain remains very quiet.
Qing Ying couldn't help but feel that it was strange, had Gu Shang struck a bargain with them or What? She thought to herself.
The Snow Dragon Guards were the elite soldiers of the imperial family. It was believed that only those in the Sky Lord Realm and above could join those elite soldiers.
They've been the strongest unit in the history of the empire, it won't be too far fetched to say that, they were the reason why the Immortal empire had survived for soo long.
It was the Snow Dragon Guards duty to protect the imperial family, which they've done perfectly untill today.
They should have stopped the Purple Qilin Cavalry from invading the palace, no matter the excuse it was done under.
So it was really baffling to see them remain quiet.
"Does Gu Shang have a hand in this?" She asked herself.
"All right you may leave" Qing Ying dismissed her servant.
The fate and survival of the empire now rested in Gu Shang hands.
She wondered what her father would do in this situation, if he were to be present here.
....
At sunset, a rumor took the entire capital by storm, the rumor was later confirmed to be true and not just a rumor.
People in the empire began to panick, some even packed their things and got ready to leave the Domain by nightfall.
"Have you heard the news?
What news?
I hear that the Lion Fang troops have halt their march.
What? Why? Weren't they ordered to march here to deal with the rebellion the Moonshade Sect was raising.
Indeed they were, but it turns out that after the Lion Fang troops found out who they were going up against, majority of the soldiers refused to march on.
They believe, they'll be marching to their graves if they did that.
I hear they plan on withdrawing.
What?! Then the Grand General and the capital might really fall after sunrise.
That's what you get for talking big, if the Grand General had not gone up against the sect all this wouldn't have happened.
Now I even hear that he has surrounded the palace and it's acting arrogantly, this serves him right"
In the imperial capital and domain, such conversation's could be heard in the pubs, streets, tarvens and tea houses.
Gu Shang was quickly losing popularity, even the commoners had began to turn against him.
If the empire were to fall, their lives would become harder under the rule of the sect and Gu Shang was to be blamed for this.
Some cursed and spat in the Rising Phoenix Manor's direction. This was especially true for the nobles.
....
Rising Phoenix Manor
In a beautiful gazebo on the middle of a man made river in the manor, Gu Shang laid his head on his mother's laps as she caressed his silver hair.
The mother and son had a lot of catching up to do, they had talked about their lives in the last seven years.
"Your grace, there's a message for you from the first emissary, he seeks your presence in your study" The servant there suddenly bowed and spoke.
Gu Shang spent a few more moment with his mother, before leaving.
After she left, the beautiful silver haired middle aged woman couldn't help but sigh.
She could feel how restless the capital had become after his son killed those men in the morning.
She was worried, but also knew that this was the path a son chose on his own.
In the study the other emissaries were gathered there, the moment Gu Shang entered they all spoke.
"Big brother, the Lion Fang troops have stopped their march, they are deliberating on when to pull back" the first emissary spoke.
"Big brother, send me there, and I'll bring the heads of the traitors" The fourth emissary who was a beautiful woman said angryly.
The other echoed the same words but Gu Shang raised his hands to stop them.
"How many men do we have?" Gu Shang asked calmly.
"We have 90,000 cavalry men, but 30,000 have been sent to surround the palace.
But will join us when we move at sunrise"
Gu Shang brought a hundred thousand men, ten thousand of them guarded the manor which he was unwilling to move so he was only left with 90, 000.
"Send my command to the capital guards" Gu Shang said, in a still calm voice.