RPAGF Chapter 306 Rebellion in the Main Hall
Chapter 306 Rebellion in the Main Hall
“He was wearing a veiled hat, so I couldn’t see his face clearly. He also said that he wanted to see you alone.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu Kui's brows furrowed instantly, then he waved his hand and said:
"Please invite him to see me in the main hall."
"Yes, sir."
After giving instructions to his servants, Zhu Kui quickly walked towards the main hall.
He was very curious about this old friend who dared not show his true face.
A moment later, Yuan Tianxiong, wearing a veiled hat, appeared in the main hall of the Grand Commandant's mansion. Zhu Kui, knowing the situation, waved his hand to dismiss the servants, then half-closed his eyes and asked:
"Young master, are you an old friend of mine? May I remove my veil and recognize you?"
Yuan Tianxiong didn't pretend to be mysterious; instead, he generously took off the veil on his head.
In an instant, Zhu Kui jumped up from his chair, looking at him with disbelief.
"Yuan Tianxiong? You...you weren't already dead?"
Yuan Tianxiong revealed a smug smile.
“Yuan Tianxiong died before, but seeing that the Northern Wei Kingdom was about to perish, he came back to life.”
Zhu Kui was clearly a little excited as well.
"What about Wei Jianning? He must still be alive?"
Yuan Tianxiong immediately nodded.
"Yes, young master is here too. I've come to deliver a letter to Lord Zhu on behalf of my young master."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Kui eagerly took the letter handed to him, and after reading its contents, immediately nodded.
“Good, good. The new emperor is incompetent, the people are suffering terribly, and the officials are also full of complaints. If Wei Jianning can return to take charge of the situation, I, Zhu Kui, will support him without hesitation.”
Yuan Tianxiong nodded in satisfaction, then clasped his hands in a fist salute and said:
"Then please, Lord Zhu, go and meet with our young master as soon as possible, as instructed in the letter. However, you must not mention this matter to outsiders."
Zhu Kui nodded hastily.
"I see."
He used to hate Wei Jianning, but now he likes Wei Jianning just as much.
Because he wanted to rebel, but he was not entirely sure of success and did not have a reasonable justification.
Now that Wei Jianning has reappeared, the throne should rightfully be his, and it's only natural that he would lead the rebellion.
Yuan Tianxiong and Nie Yuan met at the city gate. Both of them successfully delivered the letter written by Wei Jianning. Now, they just had to wait for these important figures to meet with Wei Jianning.
As night fell, the usually quiet city of Pingyang was suddenly filled with many unfamiliar faces. Without exception, these people were all heading straight for the villa where Wei Jianning was staying.
three days later
execution ground in the capital
This place is not like Caishikou, where multiple prisoners are executed at once. It hasn't been used for many years and used to be deserted and eerie, so no one dared to linger here.
Today, however, this place is unusually lively.
The liveliness here, however, gives people an eerie and desolate feeling.
The people gathered around the execution ground, looking at the pale faces kneeling on the high platform in the center of the execution ground, shaking their heads and sighing with regret.
The people sitting in the presiding judge's seat were Lin Xingliang, a first-rank censor of the Northern Wei Dynasty, and Zhu Kui, a Grand Commandant who had been demoted to a second-rank official.
Both of them had icy expressions, their gazes fixed on the high platform in the center of the execution ground, looking at the faces filled with sorrow, anger, and unfathomable emotions.
Noon had arrived, and everyone's expression became unusually serious. Some people in the crowd began to stir, feeling sorry for those who were about to be executed.
At this moment, the executioner shouted:
"My lords, it is noon. You may prepare to carry out the execution."
As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of executioners took their positions one after another. The prisoners kneeling on the ground trembled with fear, some with their eyes tightly shut, and some so frightened that they wet their pants.
Lord Han looked at his wife and daughter beside him, then suddenly sighed deeply.
"Heavens above! Why do you allow a tyrant to rule and persecute us loyal and virtuous people?"
As soon as he finished speaking, many people echoed his sentiments.
"Heavens above! Open your eyes! With a tyrannical ruler in power, the Northern Wei Kingdom is doomed."
"The Northern Wei Kingdom is about to perish."
"..."
The shouts of these people echoed through the execution ground, and some guards stepped forward angrily to rebuke them.
"You're about to die, so shout all you want. Let's see if Heaven will open its eyes. Lord Lin, Lord Zhu, the time has come. Execute them!"
"Whoosh!"
Before he could finish speaking, an arrow struck him in the chest without warning. He immediately clutched his chest and collapsed to the ground, dead.
This scene threw everyone present into disarray, and someone in the crowd shouted...
"We cannot allow a tyrannical ruler to take power. The new emperor, Wei Jianning, has already led his troops into the palace to kill the tyrannical ruler. We must not remain obstinate."
"Everyone should lay down their weapons and support the new emperor to ascend the throne, otherwise they will all become the victims of this tyrannical ruler."
These words came from Nie Yuan's mouth. At the same time, a large number of soldiers rushed in, completely surrounding the execution ground. The executioners stood there dumbfounded, while the people who had come to their senses cried out in alarm.
"Kill the tyrannical emperor and enthrone the new emperor."
"Kill the tyrannical emperor and enthrone the new emperor."
"Kill the tyrannical emperor and enthrone the new emperor."
Sitting on the high platform, Zhu Kui and Lin Xingliang looked at the scene before them, smiled at each other, and spoke at the same time.
"This is what the people want!"
In the main hall
Dressed in a yellow robe and wearing a golden headband, Wei Jianye sat on the dragon throne, his eyes gleaming, surveying the crowd before asking a question.
"The execution ground should be over by now, why hasn't anyone come back to report?"
Someone came out and reported:
"Your Majesty, the execution ground is some distance from the palace. Given the large number of people being beheaded today, it is understandable that the messengers will arrive a little late. Please be patient."
Everyone hurriedly replied together:
"Please calm down, Your Majesty."
"Humph!"
He slammed his fist on the armrest of the dragon throne.
“A bunch of good-for-nothings. Someone, go to the execution ground and take a look. Lin Xingliang and Zhu Kui are really too slow in doing things. It’s a pity that the late emperor valued them. In my opinion, demoting them to county magistrates is already a great honor for them.”
"Hahahahaha..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a hearty laugh coming from outside. He looked in the direction of the sound and saw Zhu Kui and Lin Xingliang, dressed in armor, walking in with an air of indifference.
He immediately rebuked angrily:
"How dare you two come to court without changing into your court attire? Dressed like this, are you here to fight?"
Ignoring the strange looks from others, the two of them went directly to the center of the hall without bowing. Zhu Kui was the first to speak:
"Wei Jianye, we've come to ask you: Have you had enough of this throne? Isn't it time to abdicate?"
"Be bold!"
Wei Jianye's face turned ashen in an instant. He pointed at Zhu Kui and shouted furiously:
"Do you really want to rebel? Guards, drag these two away and behead them."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a voice outside that terrified him.
"The Emperor is truly all-powerful. If these two meritorious officials deserve to be beheaded, then everyone in the Northern Wei Kingdom should be beheaded."
Hearing this voice that seemed to come from nowhere, everyone looked towards the doorway.
Wei Jianning, clad in armor and wielding a long sword, looked sharply at Wei Jianye and strode resolutely into the main hall.
When Wei Jianye saw him, he was stunned for a moment, then asked in alarm,
"You... Wei Jianning? You... weren't you dead?"