Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

Chu Ning did not comment on Ran Ming's assurance, but added lightly:

"During the inventory, if there are any special items or items you don't recognize, please list them separately and report them to me."

"As ordered!"

Ran Ming took the order and immediately selected a group of his most trusted old subordinates. Amidst countless envious and awe-inspiring gazes, they walked towards the tightly closed door of the treasure house.

The heavy lock was smashed open by the strong man with a hammer, and with a teeth-grinding "creaking" sound, the heavy door of the treasure house was slowly pushed open.

It seems as if the secrets accumulated over an era are about to be revealed to the new owner.

After arranging the matters concerning the treasury, Chu Ning did not go to the main hall, but stood in the square outside the treasury.

He looked around the palace, which was both familiar and unfamiliar, with deep eyes.

Next, what he had to do was to take over the administrative center of the empire and make the gears of power start turning again under the new master.

He waved his hand, and a captain dressed in black armor, who looked quite capable, immediately trotted forward and bowed to receive his orders.

"You, bring a team of people,"

Chu Ning's voice remained calm, but with a cold determination.

"Go and gather all the former Han Dynasty officials with a rank of six hundred stones or above in Chang'an City. No matter where you are or what you are doing, please come before me. I want to see them here."

The captain was obviously a smart man. He hesitated for a moment, took a half step forward, lowered his voice, and asked cautiously:

"Your Majesty...what if, what if any official...feigns illness, or...makes an excuse not to come?"

This question undoubtedly reaches the crux of the matter.

The city was destroyed and the country was lost. The old ministers had different thoughts. Some were willing to surrender, while others were naturally resistant, and some even intended to commit suicide or go into hiding.

Upon hearing this, Chu Ning slowly turned his head and his eyes fell on the captain's face, which was filled with inquiry and a hint of uneasiness.

That chilling, playful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth again, but this time, the smile was filled with undisguised murderous intent.

"Not coming?"

He repeated it softly, his voice low, but like a cold knife cutting through the air:

"That means you don't give me face and don't recognize me as your new master."

He leaned forward slightly, stared into the captain's eyes, and spoke clearly, word by word:

"I hereby order: Anyone who dares not to appear after receiving a summons, regardless of the reason, will be charged with insubordination and treason."

He paused, then uttered the last three words, each weighing heavily and carrying a bloody aura:

"—annihilate their entire family."

The captain shuddered all over, feeling a chill running from the soles of his feet straight up to his head. He immediately straightened up and shouted:

"I understand! I will obey your majesty's orders!"

Without delaying a bit, he quickly turned around, gathered his men, and rushed out of the palace like wolves and tigers to carry out this extremely cruel order.

Chu Ning no longer paid attention to his departing subordinates. He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the eaves of the palace in the distance.

The last rays of sunset stretched his dark figure very long, casting it on the cold stone slabs of the Han Palace.

He used the most direct and cruel way to announce the end of the old era and the birth of a new era full of unknowns under his iron fist.

Those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will perish. This is the most naked and effective law of power in troubled times.

The wealth in the imperial palace's treasury needs to be counted, and the hearts of the people in this capital also need to be cleansed and deterred.

On the second morning after the fall of Chang'an City, the once prosperous imperial capital was now shrouded in silence and unrest.

The streets were deserted, with only teams of Chu soldiers wearing black armor and holding long spears patrolling back and forth with neat and heavy steps.

Their eyes were as sharp as eagles, sweeping across every closed door and window, and the air was filled with an invisible murderous aura.

Occasionally, some brave people would peek out through the crack in the door, but all they saw were tattered flags, bloodstains that had not yet been completely cleaned up, and the silent and cold foreign soldiers.

This capital city, which once symbolized the supreme glory of the Han Dynasty, has now completely prostrated itself under Chu Ning's iron hoof.

Imperial Palace, outside Chengtian Gate.

The most elite "Xuanjiawei" of the Chu army replaced the former Han guards.

They stood like sculptures on both sides of the palace gate and on the palace walls, their armor bright and their weapons reflecting a cold luster in the dim morning light.

In the wide square in front of the palace gate, the atmosphere was so solemn that it seemed as if water might drip out.

Groups of people dressed in various court robes of Han officials or gorgeous clothes of aristocratic families were being "escorted" by Chu soldiers holding sharp blades.

Among them, some had pale faces, staggered steps, and their eyes were filled with fear and confusion.

Some pretended to be calm, straightened their clothes, and tried to maintain a last bit of decency.

But his slightly trembling fingers betrayed his inner panic.

There were even some elderly ministers who needed the support of their servants, their faces filled with sorrow and helplessness at the loss of their country and their families.

No one spoke, only the sound of hurried footsteps, suppressed coughs and the slight collision of weapons intertwined together, forming a suffocating silence.

They were "invited" here - in the name of Chu Emperor Chu Ning.

The invitation method was simple and rough: a team of Chu soldiers as fierce as wolves and tigers broke into the mansion directly, read out the order, and then "escorted" them on the road, without any questioning or delay.

Everyone understood that this was not a story of harmony between the monarch and his subjects, but a "Hongmen Banquet" that decided life and death and divided the future.

The future is uncertain and fate is like a candle in the wind, swaying unpredictably.

At the same time, in the southeast corner of Chang'an City, in front of a vast mansion with deep courtyards, the atmosphere suddenly became tense and bloody.

This is the residence of Liu Bei, the Marquis of Anping.

Liu Bei is the cousin of the captured emperor Liu Xiang. Although he is not a direct descendant, he has a higher seniority in the royal family.

He was known for his upright character and loyalty to the Han Dynasty, and was quite prestigious among his relatives and old ministers in Chang'an City.

At this moment, the gate of the mansion was closed, and the animal ring on the tall vermilion door panel, which symbolized the identity of the Han royal family, seemed a little dazzling in the sunlight.

Outside the mansion gate, a captain of the Chu army stood with his sword in hand. Behind him were dozens of murderous soldiers. The ring-handled sword in his hand was half-out of its sheath, shining with a cold light.

The air was filled with the smell of gunpowder that was about to explode.

The captain took a deep breath, raised his voice again, and shouted at the closed door:

"Marquis Anping! I, under the order of His Majesty the Emperor of Great Chu, have come to invite you into the palace to discuss matters!"

"Please open the door quickly, my Lord, and follow me. Don't delay and upset His Majesty!"

His voice echoed in the empty streets with an unquestionable firmness.

This time we have been ordered to invite Han officials into the palace, and we cannot afford to make any mistakes!

No matter what the status of the person in front of him was in the Han Dynasty, he was nothing in front of his Chu State!