Traveling through the emperor, overthrowing the empress dowager at the beginning

When he heard the word "Yan Fan", Ye Chen couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.

He felt that the name sounded familiar, and after thinking for a moment, he immediately remembered it.

Isn’t this the imperial guard who guarded Gao Yunhu in the death row and eventually killed him?

At the beginning, Ye Chen punished this guy with a stick in public, but he didn't expect that this guy is now colluding with powerful officials.

And, still a character that needs attention?

"Your Majesty, after much investigation, I've discovered that Yan Fan is quite capable and holds a high reputation within the Outer City Guards. Since we're short on manpower, I originally only considered having him serve as acting commander. Once we have sufficient manpower, I'll replace him and gradually weaken his influence, marginalizing him within the Forbidden City."

"But I didn't expect that this man would win over a group of confidants shortly after becoming the acting commander. Moreover, this person has a deep background. Many people in the Imperial Guards were able to connect with those powerful officials through his connections."

"In addition, this person is skilled in archery and horsemanship, knows how to deploy troops, is well-versed in military tactics, and has served on border battlefields. I think he is very likely to become the commander of the imperial guards during the competition."

Shen Qiu's face darkened slightly. Yan Fan's actions under her nose really made her angry.

"Qiu'er, when this man is on duty, find someone to kill him."

Ye Chen snorted coldly. He had confidence in the army he trained, but Yan Fan was a man of the powerful official, and he was also forming cliques within the imperial guards, which he could not tolerate.

"Your Majesty, this person has submitted a request for leave to the Ministry of Personnel today, saying that his father is seriously ill and he must return home to take care of him. Master Zhang Xu has approved it."

Hearing this, Ye Chen couldn't help but frown slightly.

At this time, Zhang Xu had been appointed as the Minister of Personnel, acting as the Minister of Personnel.

But Ye Chen guessed that Yan Fan must have expected that he would be tricked, so he took the initiative and asked for leave.

Ye Chen could even guess that as soon as the time came, Yan Fan would definitely jump out and command the imperial guards to fight against the people from the Marquis of Jing'an's Mansion.

Moreover, the leave this guy asked for was purely out of filial piety, and no one could find any fault with him.

"Hmph, let's ignore this guy for now. I don't believe he will always take care of his father. If he dares to show up, I will definitely deal with him!"

Ye Chen's tone was calm. He did not mean to look down on Yan Fan, but he did not take it too seriously either.

In short, if the enemy comes, we will fight him; if the water comes, we will block it with earth. As long as Yan Fan dares to stand up, Ye Chen has the confidence to suppress him.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qiu said nothing more. He saluted and retreated.

Ye Chen was about to go find Qin Man and take her to continue strolling around the Imperial Garden, but Shen Qiu, who had already left, suddenly came back in a hurry.

"Your Majesty, news just came from outside the palace that those people from the Jianghu who were hanging around the lakeside cottage have made unusual movements."

"Ok?"

Ye Chen was slightly stunned and quickly asked: "What's the unusual movement?"

"Those people are gathered in a restaurant, and their numbers are increasing rapidly. Most of them are holding weapons. In addition to swords, spears, swords and halberds, our people also saw some people holding crossbows."

Shen Qiu's face looked a little solemn.

After hearing Shen Qiu's words, Ye Chen couldn't help but narrow his eyes.

Swords, spears, swords and halberds were fine, as Dayu's national laws did not prohibit any weapons, but things like crossbows were for military use and were not allowed to be sold privately by the public.

Except for some retired soldiers, few civilians have crossbows.

"What is the background of these people? Have you found out?"

Ye Chen asked immediately.

"No."

Shen Qiu shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, from the time these Jianghu people appeared to the time they gathered in the restaurant, their numbers have increased dramatically, and it seems that they are about to take action. It has only been a few hours, which is too short. Our people haven't found out yet."

"Well, how many of these people are there now?"

"No less than sixty people!"

"Alright, dispatch three hundred imperial guards and two hundred people from the Marquis of Jing'an's residence. Tell the Queen Mother that I need to leave the palace to take a look in person."

A group of thugs armed with crossbows, it doesn't look like they can be ordered around by a brothel.

Ye Chen was curious and wanted to see it with his own eyes and then interrogate him personally.

In addition, Boss Murong is currently related to the source of military rations for the new army, and Ye Chen is also worried that the news might have leaked.

"Yes!"

Shen Qiu took the order and left.

Ye Chen also strode towards the entrance of the imperial garden.

Outside the entrance of the Imperial Garden, Qin Man immediately came forward to greet Ye Chen as soon as she saw him.

"Mian'er, I have something to do today and I don't know when I will be back. You don't have to wait for me. You can walk around the palace at will. If you have anything to say, please tell Cheng'en. If you get tired, I will ask Cheng'en to send someone to escort you out of the palace."

Ye Chen spoke to Qin Man in a gentle tone.

After hearing Ye Chen's words, Qin Man was slightly stunned, and a look of reluctance immediately appeared on her pretty face.

But soon, she nodded vigorously.

"Your Majesty, Meng'er will be safe in this palace, but Your Majesty must be careful after leaving the palace."

Qin Man said with some concern.

"Oh, don't worry, Meng'er. I will definitely make safety preparations. No one will be able to hurt me."

Ye Chen was full of confidence. He turned around and got on the sedan chair and headed to the Yangxin Palace.

After he changed his clothes in the Yangxin Palace and walked out, he got straight into the carriage.

Shen Qiu arrived quickly.

"Your Majesty, the Queen Mother means that these are just some people from the underworld. Your Majesty, there is really no need for you to go in person."

"But if Your Majesty insists, the Queen Mother will not stop you."

Shen Qiu clasped his fists towards Ye Chen.

Hearing this, Ye Chen understood what Su Mengjiao meant.

This time, in Su Mengjiao's opinion, what he might be facing this time are just a few dozen gangsters, who are not a threat at all.

So if Ye Chen insisted on leaving the palace, Su Mengjiao would not stop him.

"Let's go then."

Ye Chen waved his hand, and the carriage left the Yangxin Palace and headed towards the gate of the imperial city.

And at this time.

Not far from the lakeside cottage.

Inside a restaurant.

Wu Ba sat upright in a private room, holding a tiger-head sword in his hand, his eyes calm and deep.

"Sir, we have already found out that there are only about twenty strong men in the lakeside cottage."

Zhang Ting came in front of Wu Ba, knelt on one knee and clasped his fists.

"Humph! Send people to the houses of these powerful ministers and have them take all the people away. I'm going to take action!"

Wu Ba threw out a bamboo slip.

Zhang Ting took the bamboo slips and was surprised, but he had already realized that Wu Ba's identity was not simple.

Who among ordinary people could order powerful ministers to go to brothels to pick up their own people?

Zhang Ting thought he was just a small fry, so he didn't dare to ask any more questions and retreated with the bamboo slips.