Chapter 1576: The Heavens Are About to Change

Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.

"Give me the Imperial Seal." Xu Que once again demanded the Imperial Seal.

What he was about to do next absolutely required the Imperial Seal to issue an edict, only then would it be legitimate.

Otherwise, given the arrogance of the Five Surnames Seven Clans, they would probably simply ignore him entirely.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong swept a glance at him, picked up her teacup, took a light sip, and said, "No. I know you want to move against the Five Surnames Seven Clans, but now is not the time."

Damn it!

Xu Que drew in a deep breath, fixed his gaze on Xuan Yuan Wanrong's eyes, and said in a low voice, "One last time—if you don't give it to me, I'll handle things my own way."

"I'll say it one last time too. Dealing with them requires careful long-term planning. Don't let anger cloud your reason!" Xuan Yuan Wanrong said in a low voice, yielding no ground.

She was well aware of the Five Surnames Seven Clans' Status in Eastern Tang; if they were touched now, it could very likely trigger great upheaval.

For her, how Eastern Tang developed in later generations didn't matter much.

What mattered was only the present, and that before her natural passing, she held power in her hands and her life was free of worry!

Therefore, nothing could be done on a whim!

"Fine, then we walk different paths and cannot scheme together!"

Xu Que nodded and turned to leave directly.

Xuan Yuan Wanrong slowly set down the teacup in her hand, looked toward the direction Xu Que had left, a hint of hesitation in her eyes…

……

The next day.

The Five Surnames Seven Clans had already learned the news spreading from the Palace and were overjoyed.

"I told you, that brat of an Emperor can't touch us at all."

"Haha, that was a beautiful move—got on the Merit Stele and got the silver back too. We profit in both name and gain!"

"Lord Xuan Yuan, you must keep safe that one million taels you shared with us earlier."

"Heh heh, that brat of an Emperor doesn't even have the Imperial Seal in his hands. Even if he really wants to do something, he's all heart and no power!"

The current court's senior minister Xuan Yuan Qifa gathered with members of the Five Surnames Seven Clans, raising cups and toasting each other—how delightful.

In their view, that little Emperor was nothing more than a useless Waste.

Not worth fearing at all!

What's more, the leading Jiang Clan among the Five Surnames Seven Clans announced in the Imperial City that they would hold a grand banquet three days later!

Those in the know all denounced the Jiang Clan—profiting from the nation's calamity was one thing, but now flaunting it publicly was simply outrageous. Yet it was of no use.

……

A few days later, news spread from the Palace.

A Meteorite from Beyond the Heavens had fallen in the Imperial City, and after excavation by the imperial household, it turned out to be a Number One Imperial Seal.

The reigning Emperor Xu Que declared this a heaven-bestowed imperial mandate.

From this day forth, the previous Imperial Seal was voided, and this heaven-sent Imperial Seal was to be revered as the Transmission Imperial Seal!

When the news spread, it did not cause much of a stir among the common folk.

But many who knew the Imperial Seal was in Xuan Yuan Wanrong's hands frowned.

The Emperor replaced the old Imperial Seal in this manner—would the Queen simply sit and wait for death?

"No need to worry. The Queen will surely deny this so-called heaven-bestowed imperial mandate."

"Haha, exactly. That little Emperor is still too green—what's the use of playing tricks like this?"

"Lord Jiang, is the birthday banquet still on?"

"Of course!"

……

Today's Jiang Residence was exceptionally lively.

Lord Jiang had laid out a seven-day birthday banquet, and today was the most important main feast.

They had invited nearly half of Eastern Tang's noble houses; even high officials of the Imperial City were not few in number. These prominent figures all gathered at the Jiang Residence.

But just as the banquet began, bursts of Shock sounds came from outside the residence—clearly the commotion of a large contingent approaching.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The next moment, the main gate of the Jiang family residence was instantly struck.

"Old Jiang, open up! I've come to see you off… oops, I mean, to wish you a long life!"

A cheeky voice rang out.

Everyone present froze in an instant.

"The Emperor?"

"Why has the Emperor come?"

While the crowd was stunned, a loud "bang" rang out, and the entire residence gate crashed down.

"Oh, why is this gate so flimsy? It fell with just one knock!"

Xu Que, clad in a Dragon Robe, led several thousand troops and appeared before everyone.

At this, the expressions of every person present changed dramatically.

"What does the Emperor mean by bringing troops?"

"Has he lost his mind? Today is Lord Jiang's grand birthday!"

……

Lord Jiang's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained seated in his chair and said calmly, "I did not know Your Majesty was gracing my Jiang Residence. If it is to celebrate this old man's birthday, then I humbly accept."

As he spoke, his gaze swept to one side.

The Jiang family members immediately understood the unspoken cue; with a grand wave of their hands, a contingent of private soldiers instantly emerged from the shadows of the residence to set an ambush.

Although these private soldiers did not appear before the crowd, the dense sound of their footsteps directly betrayed them.

Xu Que grinned broadly: "Old Master Jiang is quite arrogant, isn't he? Seeing Me, you still remain seated while speaking; that alone would be tolerable, yet you actually dare to use private soldiers to ambush Me?"

Old Master Jiang's expression remained unchanged; in his view, Xu Que was merely a deposed emperor without an ounce of authority.

As a member of the Five Surnames Seven Clans, changing dynasties with a wave of his hand was an effortless matter for him; a mere deposed emperor was not qualified to command his awe.

"Your Majesty speaks too heavily," Old Master Jiang said neither submissively nor arrogantly. "Today is this old man's birthday; since Your Majesty has arrived, this humble household happens to have some thin wine; I wonder if Your Majesty would deign to accept it."

The surrounding noble families all looked at Xu Que with ambiguous smiles, discussing matters without any concealment.

"This little emperor actually dares to directly offend the Jiang family?"

"Laughable; what can he do to us? He merely became emperor due to good Qi Circulation."

"If we join forces, overthrowing and re-establishing a mere imperial house would be simple."

Various words of Great Way of Rebellion transmitted directly into Xu Que's ears.

He merely smiled faintly: "Old Master Jiang is truly hospitable; since you have said so, then I shall enter!"

Speaking thus, he suddenly raised his hand and shouted loudly: "Convey My oral decree: The Jiang family is suspected of harboring a wanted criminal and plotting rebellion; conduct a comprehensive search of the Jiang residence immediately!"

"Yes!"

Following Xu Que's command, a massive force of troops surged into the Jiang residence, even scaling the walls from all directions, instantly subduing the Jiang family's private soldiers.

Hmph, a bunch of trash; this Saintly Badass brought the Imperial Guard of the Imperial City along with Ding Yong this time; do you still dare to be arrogant?

"Your Majesty, do you intend to exterminate my Jiang family?" Old Master Jiang's face darkened as he questioned coldly.

"Why does Old Master Jiang speak thus? I merely received intelligence from scouts and came to verify; if the Jiang family is innocent, how could I possibly kill the innocent indiscriminately?" Xu Que replied with a beaming smile.

"Your Majesty, the wanted criminal has been arrested!"

Soon, Ding Yong led people forward to report!

A middle-aged official was dragged out; it was none other than Xuan Yuan Qifa, who had previously held a secret meeting with the Jiang family.

"Your Majesty, what crime have I committed?!" Xuan Yuan Qifa, covered in cold sweat, cried out in panic.

Xu Que directly raised his hand, threw out a Ledger, and flung it onto Xuan Yuan Qifa's face.

"Regarding disaster relief donations, you embezzled seven million taels of Silver; this has already been searched out from your home; today, fearing punishment, you hid within the Jiang family; now, captured personally by Me leading the troops, you shall be executed on the spot!"

Seven million taels?

And hidden at home?

Do you take me for a fucking idiot!

Xuan Yuan Qifa immediately widened his eyes: "You, you are framing me; how could I possibly hide seven million taels at home..."

"I don't care where you hid it; so by saying this, you admit to embezzlement? Drag him out and behead him." Without waiting for him to finish, Xu Que waved his hand toward the outside of the room.

"No, wait, I want to see the Queen..."

Xuan Yuan Qifa's face changed drastically; suddenly realizing this emperor was serious, he immediately roared.

However, facing the Imperial Guards, no matter how much he struggled or resisted, it was useless; soon he was dragged out of the Jiang Residence!

Moments later, the sound of blades leaving their sheaths rang out from outside; Xuan Yuan Qifa's wails immediately vanished without a trace.

A chill swept through the hearts of the crowd.

This Xuan Yuan Qifa was a key ally of the Five Surnames Seven Clans within the court, and crucially, he was a relative of the Queen by marriage; could he really have been beheaded just like that?

Could it be that this emperor truly intends to tear off the mask of civility with these noble families today?

"Your Majesty!" Old Master Jiang, his face black as ink, shouted angrily, "Executing an official without investigation violates ritual propriety; acting solely on an oral decree without an Imperial Edict violates reason; do you truly intend to become a Dark Lord?"

"Heh, a Dark Lord? I haven't played the Dark Lord for many years." Xu Que narrowed his eyes slightly, leaned forward, and said, "Today, I shall act as a tyrant!"

"You..." Old Master Jiang instantly became so furious that his face turned red and he struggled to breathe.

"Your Majesty!"

At this moment, an Imperial Guard rushed out from inside the room, holding a Imperial Seal in his hands, along with a Dragon Robe.

"Your Majesty, your subordinate found these objects inside the room!"

A Dragon Robe and an Imperial Seal?

Holy shit!

Everyone's expression changed simultaneously; privately storing such items constitutes a heinous crime of rebellion punishable by the extermination of nine clans!

Even if Old Master Jiang were utterly foolish, he would never keep such things inside his home!

There was only one possibility... these items were brought in just now by the Imperial Guards!

Xu Que took the Imperial Seal and Dragon Robe, sneering fiercely: "I did not expect the Jiang family to harbor such ambition, daring to commit the crime of rebellion!"

"Convey My order: The Jiang family has committed insurrection against their superior; the evidence of rebellion is conclusive; exterminate nine clans and execute them on the spot!"

"You, you actually dare to slander this old man?" Old Master Jiang roared in extreme anger, "You possess no Imperial Seal; my Five Surnames Seven Clans hold an Iron Certificate with Cinnabar Script from the previous dynasty; without an Imperial Edict stamped with an Imperial Seal, you cannot impose guilt upon the innocent!"

"Oh, an Imperial Seal? I have one."

Xu Que smiled gleefully, pulled a magnificent Nine-Dragon Imperial Seal from his robe, took the already-written Imperial Edict from an attendant's hand, and slammed it down hard: "Dying under the Imperial Edict of this Heaven-Granted Imperial Seal, you may consider your death fitting."

The hearts of everyone sank completely to the bottom; recalling the news they had just heard about the Heaven-Granted Imperial Seal, they suddenly understood everything.

"No, no, this Imperial Seal..." Old Master Jiang shook his head and shouted, but he was quickly dragged away by the Imperial Guards.

Watching this, the crowd felt a chill in their hearts and fell silent as cicadas in winter.

This Dark Lord... had made preparations long ago, intending to use the Jiang family as the target for execution!

Very soon,

following Xu Que's command, the Imperial Guards raised their blades and struck; countless heads fell to the ground, and the entire Jiang family became a river of blood!

Old Master Jiang was kept for last; having watched the entire process, he trembled all over, filled with immense terror in his heart.

How does this emperor dare to do this?

With the Jiang family gone, the taxi drivers seeking official posts have lost one major path to the heavens; does he not fear triggering turmoil?

"Tsk tsk tsk!"

At this moment, Xu Que picked up his Long Blade, approached the elderly head of the Jiang family, placed the blade directly against his neck, and smiled as he said, "Are you very curious why I dare do this, without fearing turmoil across the Kingdom?"

The elderly head of the Jiang family suddenly lifted his head, his eyes erupting with resentment and malice: "Your Majesty, how dare you..."

"Because I am extremely brave."

Xu Que, with a cold expression, swung the blade directly, and a fine head fell to the ground.

"Even in death, I won't let you know; doesn't that make you angry?"

He sheathed his Long Blade, gazed at the surrounding noble families who were silent as winter cicadas, and declared loudly, "From this day forward, abolish the Recommendation System and establish the Imperial Examination; scholars across the Kingdom may enter court based on talent and learning, without needing recommendation from noble families!"

Having spoken, he spurred his horse and departed.

Those remaining exchanged glances, and simultaneously, the same thought arose in their hearts.

The sky over the Eastern Tang Kingdom... is about to change!