Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Didn't they understand the proclamation I issued the day before yesterday? I reject all three points stated!"

"There is no room for negotiation on this matter. The public opinion has been manipulated and is threatening us. If I yield, it will only embolden the mastermind behind the scenes."

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Jiang Mengxuan glanced at the officials, completely ignoring Zeng Qian's warning.

But while the empress could be firm, the officials could not hold on at this point.

An elderly official in his fifties suddenly knelt on the ground and pleaded, "Your Majesty, the will of the people cannot be defied. If the court does not yield, what will become of the entire city of Jinling?"

Another civil official also knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, if we do not agree now, the people will not give up easily. Please reconsider, Your Majesty."

Taking a step back can ensure a stable situation, so why not do it?

Officials knelt down and pleaded, desperately hoping that Jiang Mengxuan would compromise and end this storm as soon as possible.

Jiang Mengxuan was well aware that these officials were afraid that her various properties in Jinling would be affected, which was why they were urging her to compromise.

Her heart tightened; she was disappointed by what she saw.

These officials knew perfectly well that the three conditions Zeng Qian proposed were completely beyond the bounds of law and reason, and were driven by personal motives, yet they pretended not to understand.

In essence, this group is no different from Zeng Qian's gang outside.

Jiang Mengxuan simply ignored them and turned her gaze to the officials who were still standing.

Finally, his gaze settled on Ye Mo.

"Prime Minister Ye, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Mo slowly stepped forward and bowed in greeting.

"Your Majesty, this old minister is pondering how to quickly end this turmoil. If it continues like this, the court and government offices may find it difficult to function."

If this news were to reach the regional princes, it would inevitably affect His Majesty's prestige.

Jiang Mengxuan was startled and quickly understood Ye Mo's implied meaning.

Since she ascended the throne, not only the court and the public, but also the vassal states in various regions have not supported her sitting on the dragon throne.

If this incident is not handled properly, it may provoke a backlash from local vassal kings, and even more frighteningly, it could trigger a mutiny.

Such things have happened before in the history of the Chu Kingdom.

The practice of foreign vassal armies joining forces with opposition forces in the court to overthrow the old emperor and install a new one was commonplace not only in the State of Chu, but also in other states.

To prevent such a thing from happening to me again, I must quell this storm as soon as possible and have sufficient reasons to convince the public.

However, there is only one way to quickly quell the storm.

Suppression.

but……

Should we really take action against those misled mobs?

These are all citizens of the Great Chu.

Seventeen-year-old Jiang Mengxuan knows that the path to consolidating imperial power is extremely cruel, but so far she has not experienced any hardship.

Moreover, in the history of the Great Chu, after suppressing the people, there were often endless troubles waiting for the court to clean up the mess.

Am I really ready for this?

Jiang Mengxuan was caught in a dilemma.

Ye Mo continued, "Your Majesty, hesitation will lead to endless troubles. I urge Your Majesty to consider the overall situation!"

The phrase "putting the overall situation first" has a completely different meaning from the group of insects kneeling on the ground in front of us.

Jiang Mengxuan understood perfectly, but...

"Prime Minister Ye, is there really no other way?"

"Your Majesty, if the riots cannot be quelled within a month, then we must consider the follow-up developments."

Ye Mo's words were very cryptic.

But those standing in the main hall understood, and those kneeling on the ground also "understood".

If the central government cannot quickly resume normal operations, then the armies of the various vassal states can use this as an excuse to "legally" enter the capital.

Until then...

"Let me think about it more carefully."

Jiang Mengxuan was caught in a dilemma for the second time, unable to make a decision.

Just as Shen Lang said, putting aside her status, she was still just a seventeen-year-old girl. Moreover, she didn't have enough power, so she naturally had to hesitate and make up her mind when dealing with such an important matter.

……

Outside the imperial city, the riots continued, with looting and vandalism taking place everywhere, turning the once peaceful capital into chaos.

Under Zeng Qian's planning, martial artists and thugs were placed in the crowd to further provoke the out-of-control mob with words.

An hour later, the mob actually began to attempt to storm the palace gates.

The imperial guards immediately took up their fighting stance, and the leading general repeatedly threatened, "Back off! All of you, back off! Do you hear me?!"

However, what they received in response was countless stones and rotten vegetable leaves.

"If you have the guts, then stab me in the chest. Is that knife in your hand just for show?"

"A bunch of cowards. You can tell at a glance that you've never killed anyone. Do you want me to teach you?"

"If you don't dare, then step back! We're going into the palace to demand an explanation from the Empress in person!"

"Go eat shit, you bunch of cowards."

Faced with the frenzied and out-of-control mob, the Imperial Guards could only form a shield formation to fend off the incoming stones and rotten eggs.

"Rough~"

One of the Imperial Guard soldiers, unable to bear it any longer, drew his sword and prepared to meet the attack.

But he was quickly stopped by his boss.

"what are you doing?"

"General, how can we tolerate this?"

"We must endure it, even if it is unbearable. Without His Majesty's order, we absolutely cannot harm a single person!"

"But……"

"There are no buts. I've already notified the Tiger Guard brothers, they'll be here soon. Let's hold on a little longer."

"Ugh, what a loser!"

The Imperial Guard soldiers roared, then sheathed their swords and continued to cower under their shields, defending against the mob's onslaught.

At this point, the retreat of the Imperial Guards only fueled the arrogance of the mob.

"Charge into the palace!"

Someone in the crowd shouted.

The next moment, tens of thousands of rioters began to collectively attack the matrix.

Just as the situation was becoming increasingly critical and about to spiral out of control.

Snap, snap, snap——

Three gunshots rang out in the distance, and Shen Lang led his new army in neat steps to finally arrive in front of Weiyang Palace.

Instantly, everyone's attention was drawn to the uniform blue military uniforms before them, and they felt a chilling aura wash over them.

"Shen Lang!"

Upon seeing Shen Lang, Zeng Qian's eyes widened in fury, filled with boundless hatred, as if he wished he could tear Shen Lang apart on the spot.

"All troops halt!"

beep—

When they were a hundred paces away from the mob formation at Weiyang Palace, Shen Lang gave the order.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of military whistles signaling a halt echoed within the army formation.

After a series of synchronized thuds of leather boots, Shen Lang strolled to the front of the mob.

After casually glancing around, he took out an hourglass and threw it on the ground.

"Having received His Majesty's secret order, arrest the traitors and rebels who are causing chaos in the country. This order shall begin immediately."

The security and order of Jinling City were entirely taken over by the Imperial Guard (New Army).

Everyone must leave the Weiyang Palace area in an orderly manner before the hourglass runs dry.

Assemble towards the central square for inspection. Disobeying orders will result in consequences.

Treated as accomplices in the rebellion, the Imperial Guard, with special permission from the Emperor, can execute without prior authorization!

Do not say that military advice is not given; I urge you all to think carefully and not act rashly, lest you regret it for the rest of your life!

The atmosphere was oppressive and suffocating.

Inside the crystal hourglass, fine sand is flowing rapidly.

Suddenly, a martial artist dressed as a commoner pushed through the crowd, holding a stone, and rushed towards Shen Lang.

"You pretentious jerk, go to hell!"

He gathered his strength in his dantian and threw the stone in his hand with all his might.

The stone immediately fell towards Shen Lang's head at an extremely high speed.

Shen Lang remained rooted to the spot, not even glancing at the falling stones.

Just as he was about to be hit by the rock, he raised his hand and caught it steadily.

The next moment, the stone turned into dust in Shen Lang's hand.

This scene was terrifying to watch, and filled the viewer with dread for the officer before them.

At this point, half the time in the hourglass had passed.

Zeng Qian immediately whispered a few words to his two trusted confidants.

Immediately afterwards...

"He is Shen Lang! The treacherous villain who ousted Mu Changge from her position as the emperor's son-in-law!"

"Everyone, kill this culprit!"

After two shouts, the crowd became enthusiastic again.

"You son of a bitch, Shen Lang, you deserve to die!"

"The Emperor's son-in-law is Young Master Mu!"

Go eat shit!

Instantly, the crowd surged, and the mob, shouting, slowly approached Shen Lang.

Stones and eggs were constantly being thrown out of the crowd.

Unfortunately, the distance was too great, and the mortal body could not reach Shen Lang and the guards behind him.

"Load the weapon!"

Seeing the crowd spiraling out of control, Shen Lang issued an order without any expression.

click-

Two thousand seven hundred officers and soldiers simultaneously took their rifles off their shoulders, released the safety, pulled back the bolt, took out a magazine of five bullets from the ammunition pouch, and directly inserted it into the magazine.

Once everything was ready, the second order came in.

"Aim straight ahead!"

The next moment, the two teams of soldiers at the front took firing positions.

The soldiers in the front row knelt down on one knee, and hundreds of rifles pointed their dark muzzles at the frenzied crowd in front of them.

After finishing everything, Shen Lang revealed a sinister smile.

"Since you're courting death, don't blame me. You think you can manipulate me, Shen Lang, with such laughable tactics? Heh..."

As if recalling the scene on the Bingzhou battlefield where the enemy drove civilians to use as cover, Shen Lang's face became even more gloomy.