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

Ye Chen sat in the carriage and slowly drove into Chang'an City.

Only then did he open his eyes and lift the curtain of the carriage.

The scene in Chang'an City came into view, and his brows furrowed slightly.

"This street is much quieter than the last time I came here."

Ye Chen was not surprised.

He knew very well that this was due to the recent actions of the imperial guards. After all, arresting people and closing many wine shops, gambling houses and brothels would naturally make Chang'an City panic-stricken.

He first let the carriage wander around the city at random, observing the changes in the city. He found that although it was not as lively as before, the lives of ordinary people had not been affected much.

Finally, the carriage stopped at the gate of the city defense garrison.

Ye Chen showed his badge as the commander of the imperial guards and entered the yamen unhindered. He soon saw a mountain of bamboo slips, which were the confessions of the people being interrogated collected by Shen Qiu.

"Qiu'er, find the ten most heinous criminals among them."

Shen Qiu took the order and acted quickly.

Soon, dozens of bamboo slips were placed in front of Ye Chen.

It records the crimes committed by the ten sinners.

Su Mengjiao picked up a bamboo slip and started reading it, her expression becoming increasingly gloomy.

After reading it, she slammed the table even harder and snorted coldly, "This man's crime is simply unforgivable. He deserves to be tortured to death!"

Ye Chen, however, remained calm. He looked at Su Mengjiao and said, "Queen Dowager, although lingchi is harsh, sometimes killing someone to make an example of them is more effective. Besides, now is not the time to do it. We need to wait for the right opportunity."

Hearing this, Su Mengjiao frowned, her eyes filled with anger: "Emperor, what's the timing?"

Ye Chen walked over to her and gently patted her shoulder. "Queen Dowager, the situation is not stable right now. The Tatars are still eyeing Guanzhong covetously. The powerful families have fled and are colluding with Yang Dechang. What I want is stability for the entire world, not just the new policies implemented in Guanzhong. Once the situation is completely stable and the Tatars can no longer threaten Guanzhong, I will take strong measures against these powerful families."

"At the moment, I still need to use some gentle means."

Hearing this, the anger in Su Mengjiao's eyes gradually subsided.

At this time, Shen Qiu came over with a piece of paper: "Your Majesty, this is a list of ten extremely evil people."

Ye Chen took it and looked at the name on the paper, a cold glint in his eyes.

He said slowly, "None of these people can escape, but first, have someone draw their wanted portraits."

After saying that, Ye Chen stood up and left the yamen, then took a carriage and left Chang'an City.

In the carriage, Ye Chen pondered for a moment before saying to Su Mengjiao beside him, "Queen Dowager, I will be entering the palace in seven days to receive representatives of noble families from all over the country."

"Ah."

Su Mengjiao was eating a string of candied haws with gusto and responded crisply, "Your Majesty, you decide everything."

Ye Chen looked at the candied haws in Su Mengjiao's hand, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "Has the Queen Mother never eaten this?"

"I haven't eaten in a long time."

Su Mengjiao answered honestly.

Ye Chen didn't say anything more. After returning to the tent, he said goodbye to Su Mengjiao, changed into the dragon robe, and then ordered someone to find Murong Yan.

After a while, Murong Yan walked into the tent.

She was wearing a black brocade dress, exuding a noble and mysterious aura. She had a graceful figure and light steps. Her beauty and temperament were no less than Su Mengjiao.

Ye Chen looked at Murong Yan, a flash of surprise in his eyes, and then he said seriously: "Yan'er, I want to ask you, have you found out the situation of the wealthy families in Chang'an City and the surrounding areas?"

Murong Yan bowed slightly and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, as far as I know, there are approximately thirty-six powerful clans in total. However, many of them have extended their influence here, and their roots are not outside Chang'an City, but in Guanzhong."

Hearing this, Ye Chen nodded slightly.

Hundreds of years after Dayu established the country, the Guanzhong area was vast and fertile, so it was not surprising that it gave rise to thirty-six powerful families.

After all, there are founding heroes and nobles who have served as officials throughout the ages.

Who knows, this may be the final winner among the powerful families who annex each other.

Ye Chen looked at Murong Yan and said, "Yan'er, please make a detailed list for me. It should include not only the names of these powerful families, but also the specific information of each of their families. It would be best if you could clearly state their history of making their fortunes."

"promise."

After Murong Yan left.

"Cheng'en, bring some paper and pen."

Ye Chen gave orders to Cheng En.

Cheng'en quickly handed over the paper and pen.

He then waved his hand, signaling Cheng'en to leave.

He was the only one left in the tent. He looked at the paper and pen in front of him and fell into deep thought.

Seven days later, the representatives of those powerful families will arrive. To deal with these guys, we must first stabilize them and then use both kindness and force.

He picked up the pen and kept thinking about countermeasures in his mind.

At this time, next to the camp, in the temporary camp of the Zhang and Dong families, the atmosphere was as tense as a bowstring about to break.

The children of the Zhang family and the Dong family were all crowded in the carriage, and they didn't dare to get off except to urinate or defecate.

And in one of the carriages.

Zhang Caiwei sat in the carriage, her beautiful face a little pale due to nervousness. She secretly lifted the curtain and looked out of the carriage with her bright eyes, just in time to see a team of patrolling soldiers coming over.

Suddenly, I was frightened and quickly lowered the curtains.

And in this carriage.

Zhang Ru, the eldest son of the Zhang family, lowered his voice and said with concern, "Sister, father has been locked up. I can't contact him. It's really not convenient for us to move around right now. It's better to stop."

Hearing this, Zhang Caiwei raised her eyebrows and retorted in a low voice, "Brother, we can't resist on the surface right now, but if we completely stop, we will be at the mercy of others."

She bit her lip again and said, "It's a pity that we have too many things. Otherwise, we should have gone to Guanzhong long ago and wouldn't have encountered this disaster."

After that, she sighed softly and whispered, "Brother, I heard that many shops in Chang'an City have stopped operating. We can start from there."

"My Zhang family has been operating in Chang'an City for so many years, so we still have some connections."

Although her voice was low, her tone was firm, with a determination to go all out.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ru's face showed a hint of nervousness and uneasiness.

"Sister, you, you must not be impulsive."

"Don't worry, brother. I know my limits. I won't put the Zhang family in danger when doing these things. However, I need your support."

Zhang Caiwei said.

After all, she is a girl, so even if she wants to use the Zhang family's resources, she must get the consent of Zhang Ru, the legitimate son.

Hearing this, Zhang Ru was silent for a moment and finally nodded.