For example, Dongfang Bubai of the Sun Moon Cult is about as strong as Zhu Wushi.
Li Yao had already learned from Bai San Niang that there were other sects in this world, such as the Five Mountains Sword Sect and the Five Poisons Sect.
Moreover, through the intelligence network of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he learned that Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect had already defected to Zhu Wushi.
Zhu Wushi once promised Zuo Lengchan that as long as Zuo Lengchan helped him seize the throne, he would let Zuo Lengchan unify the martial arts world after he ascended the throne.
Therefore, it is not surprising that some of the fifteen men in black dropped the Songshan Sword Technique.
The men in black have all been killed.
A member of the Imperial Guard bowed and said, "Commander, it seems Zhu Wushi has arranged for many more men to ambush us along the way. Should we continue south?"
Li Yao smiled meaningfully and said, "Of course we should continue south!"
Chapter 174 Abdication and Relinquishment, Wait a minute
The Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Zhengde sat high on the dragon throne.
Inside the hall, all the court officials, both civil and military, were gathered.
A eunuch shouted, "Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned!"
The hall was completely silent; not a single minister uttered a word.
Zhengde sensed that something was amiss.
However, he didn't care.
After waiting for a while, no one made a report.
So he waved his hand and said, "Dismiss the court."
"Wait!"
Suddenly, a deafening shout came from outside the hall.
Zhengde frowned; the voice sounded so familiar.
It was the Imperial Uncle Zhu Wushi!
Wasn't the Imperial Uncle supposed to be insane? Why is he suddenly attending court?
Just as they were hesitating, Zhu Wushi, dressed in military uniform and carrying something in his hand, strode in.
Majestic and arrogant!
Five other people followed behind Zhu Wushi.
One was a dignified fat man, and the other four were dressed in matching green shirts and green hoods, their entire bodies covered in green.
"It really is the Imperial Uncle! He's not insane?!"
Zhengde felt a jolt in his heart, and a vague sense of foreboding arose within him.
Immediately, many ministers in the hall surrounded Zhu Wushi.
Emperor Zhengde was dumbfounded. What were these ministers going to do?
Zhu Wushi walked into the main hall and threw down what he was holding.
The black cloth covering the outside was unwrapped.
Inside, a bloody human head was clearly visible.
Zhengde was so frightened that he took a step back.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the severed head was none other than Cao Zhengchun's!
Zhu Wushi raised his voice and said, "The eunuch Cao Zhengchun, who held immense power in the court, was corrupt, abused his power, harmed loyal officials, and committed all kinds of evil. He was executed by me last night."
The courtiers cheered.
Zhengde's face turned pale. No wonder he hadn't seen Cao Zhengchun this morning; it turned out that Cao Zhengchun had been killed by Zhu Wushi last night.
He didn't receive a single word from him; it's terrifying.
He trembled all over and shouted, "Imperial Uncle, you killed the head of the Eastern Depot without my permission. Do you know your crime?"
"Confess your guilt?"
Zhu Wushi suddenly pointed at Zhengde and shouted, "The one who should know his crime is you, Zhu Houzhao!"
Emperor Zhengde was furious.
He never expected that Zhu Wushi would address him by his given name, even though he was the emperor!
That's outrageous!
Zhu ignored everyone and looked around before raising his voice:
"Gentlemen, Zhu Houzhao is heavily relying on eunuchs, harming loyal ministers, and employing treacherous people, disrupting the established order. If this continues, the country will cease to exist."
"Zhu Houzhao is so immoral that he is not worthy to sit under the plaque of righteousness and honor, nor is he worthy to sit on the dragon throne."
"As a member of the Ming Dynasty royal family, I cannot bear to see the empire built by the founding emperor destroyed by this incompetent ruler."
"Therefore, I summoned ten generals and led an army of 100,000 to persuade the tyrannical emperor to abdicate and yield the throne to a worthy successor."
Upon hearing this, many ministers in the hall echoed his sentiments loudly.
"I second that proposal."
"The Iron-Blooded Marquis is right, and I agree."
"Your Majesty, please abdicate and yield the throne to a worthy successor."
"Your Majesty, please do not cling to the throne. Abdicate to the Divine Marquis and bring blessings to all people!"
"..."
The courtiers were excited and shouted in an orderly manner, as if it had been rehearsed beforehand.
The remaining ministers, though they did not echo Zhu Wushi, were willing to cower in order to protect themselves.
Zhengde was so angry that he trembled all over.
It turns out that these people had long been colluding with Zhu Wushi.
These ministers, in their daily lives, all shouted slogans of loyalty to the emperor and love for the country, vowing to devote themselves to the cause until their dying breath.
But now, they are cheering for the rebels!
Just then, ten generals and many soldiers carrying weapons appeared outside the hall.
Zhengde suddenly stood up, pointed at Zhu Wushi, and angrily said, "Zhu Wushi, you have actually mobilized the army without authorization. Do you know that you have committed a capital crime?"
Then, pointing at the cheering officials, he angrily said, "And you, you actually want me to abdicate? Do you want to rebel?"
Zhu Wushi looked coldly at Zhengde and said in a deep voice, "Houzhao, everything is now under my control. I advise you to write an abdication edict immediately and hand over the throne to me. I can spare your life and grant you the title of Marquis of Anle, so that you can enjoy the rest of your life in peace."
"You...you...you..."
Zhengde pointed at Zhu Wushi, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.
Now, Zhu Wushi controls most of the power in the court, and he is powerless to reverse the situation.
At that moment, he suddenly realized why, a few days ago, many ministers had submitted memorials suggesting that Li Yao, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, be sent to investigate the recent series of tragedies.
It turned out that they wanted to transfer Li Yao out of the capital so that they could start a rebellion.
Zhengde deeply regretted letting Li Yao leave the capital to investigate some ridiculous series of tragedies.
If Li Yao were alive, Zhu Wushi would certainly not have dared to easily rebel.
Indeed, Zhu Wushi was quite wary of Li Yao.
With Li Yao in the capital, he would never dare to rebel easily.
However, Li Yao's martial arts skills were too formidable, and he simply did not have the ability to kill Li Yao.
Therefore, he devised a plan to transfer Li Yao away from the capital.
If he successfully ascends the throne, he can gather all the martial arts masters in the world to unite against Li Yao.
There are so many martial arts masters in the world; even if just one of them spat, they could drown Li Yao.
Moreover, after becoming emperor, he was able to mobilize a large army to deal with Li Yao.
If 10,000 troops aren't enough, then 100,000, 200,000, 300,000...
If that doesn't work, there are still artillery pieces.
Even if Li Yao had three heads and six arms, he couldn't possibly escape his grasp.
As soon as Li Yao dies, he will kill Gu Santong, kill Cheng Shifei, and then snatch Su Xin back.
Su Xin belongs only to him.
Zhu Wushi coldly said, "Houzhao, hurry up and write the abdication edict. My patience is limited."
Emperor Zhengde slumped on the dragon throne, his face deathly pale.
Zhu Wushi's gaze sharpened, and he approached Zhengde step by step.
Zhengde said in a miserable voice, "What...what do you want to do!"
Zhu Wushi took a vermilion brush from the dragon desk, shoved it into Zhengde's hand, and shouted sternly, "Write the abdication edict immediately!"
Zhengde trembled with fear.
Finally, having no other choice, he gritted his teeth and prepared to put pen to paper.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, a loud bang rang out outside the hall.
Zhengde's eyes lit up.
Zhu ignored him and glared at him.
The ministers frowned.