CHAPTER 517: CHAPTER 511 ASSASSINATION

The emperor sat on the Ministry of Industry’s main hall, wishing he could meet the two with more dignity in the grand hall of the Imperial Palace, but found the distance from the hall to the Imperial City Gate too far, making it difficult for him and his ministers to escape, so he stayed put.

At this moment, he could only sit straight-backed in the Ministry of Industry’s main hall, surrounded by ministers and young nobles brought in for show, with soldiers hidden on both sides, attempting to authoritatively summon Wang Mi and Zhao Hanzhang.

Zeng Yue led a hundred men to guard the entrance inside and outside. They had already changed their attire, so neither Wang Mi, Zhao Hanzhang, nor Fu Tinghan would notice.

Upon reaching the hall entrance, a Huang Men nervously stopped the group, whispering, "When meeting Your Majesty, the Generals must relinquish their weapons."

Zhao Hanzhang had no hesitation, turning to throw her spear to Ting He, smiling as she instructed, "You all remain outside."

But Wang Mi didn’t move, and the Huang Men looked at him, wanting to speak but hesitated.

Zhao Hanzhang said to him, "Let’s go, Your Majesty is waiting to see us."

She then turned slightly to Wang Mi, bowing slightly, "General Wang, please."

Wang Mi was pleased with her humility, glanced at the Huang Men, and said, "Pity there aren’t many in the world as perceptive as General Zhao. Take him away and execute him."

Upon hearing this, the Huang Men’s body softened, collapsing onto the ground, trembling and unable to speak.

The people behind Wang Mi were about to step forward to drag someone off when Fu Tinghan pursed his lips, ready to move, but Zhao Hanzhang had already stepped forward to block, smiling, "He doesn’t understand the rules, but he’s still Your Majesty’s man, and the palace will educate him. Today is General Wang’s big day, why stoop to quarreling with a slave?"

Zhao Hanzhang glanced at Zeng Yue and others posing as palace guards; they caught on, silently stepped forward, dragged the Huang Men away.

The Huang Men narrowly escaped death, tears streaming, not daring to make a sound.

Wang Mi was displeased, glancing coldly at Zhao Hanzhang; his attempt to intimidate thwarted, in that moment, murderous intent steamed within Wang Mi.

Zhao Hanzhang seemed oblivious, continued sideways, even slightly bowed again to invite Wang Mi inside.

The people inside seemed to sense Wang Mi’s pressure, a small official stepped out, seeing the armored duo outside the door, bowed, "General Wang, General Zhao, please come in quickly, Your Majesty cannot wait to see the two of you."

Zhao Hanzhang also bowed, "General Wang, please."

Wang Mi’s expression improved, and he stepped inside.

Zhao Hanzhang raised her foot to enter, glanced discreetly at Zeng Yue and Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan paused, not entering, but stayed behind, stopping Zhao Hanzhang’s ten trusted aides, "The hall is narrow, it’s best we stay outside."

Personal soldiers agreed and stayed outside.

Wang Mi’s subordinates also caught on, not all of them followed inside.

Once inside the hall, they found it indeed narrow, with many ministers and young nobles standing, leaving scarce room.

They glanced at the guards inside, saw only two beside the emperor, four at the corners, and upon receiving Wang Mi’s nod, most retreated, with only about twenty standing behind Wang Mi and Zhao Hanzhang.

Seeing Wang Mi bring his armored men inside, the ministers frowned slightly but dared not oppose.

The emperor was somewhat nervous, seated at the highest position, intending to rise to greet, but upon glancing at Fu Zhi, ultimately remained seated.

Fu Zhongshu’s words rang true; upon meeting both sides must probe first, this was just the first stage of probing, even filled with insecurity and panic, he must sit firm, otherwise, Wang Mi would be the next Prince East Sea, perhaps even surpass him.

Having barely rid himself of Prince East Sea, does he again fall into another wolf pit?

Thinking thus, the emperor clenched his fist behind the case, waiting for the two to approach and pay respects.

Zhao Hanzhang smiled gently, somewhat satisfied.

She stepped forward to bow and salute, "Minister Zhao Hanzhang pays respects to Your Majesty, wishing Your Majesty eternal peace."

Wang Mi glanced at her, also lifting his gaze to the emperor above, this was their first meeting.

The emperor was only in his twenties, but appeared haggard, with streaks of white among his temples, looking somewhat older than Wang Mi, testament to his tumultuous years.

Wang Mi curled his lips slightly, raised his fists in salute, only bowing slightly, "Minister Wang Mi pays respects to Your Majesty."

Seeing his willingness to salute, the emperor breathed a slight sigh of relief, immediately raising a hand, "Both generals, rise, bring forth seats."

"No need," Wang Mi’s gaze swept over the room’s occupants, lips slightly curled, "The fire outside is fierce, and the night wind unpredictable, it could spread here any moment, I advise Your Majesty to evacuate Luoyang with me, we return once the fire is extinguished."

"Luoyang Palace is rare, absolutely cannot let the fire spread here," Fu Zhi raised his eyes to look at the two in the hall, "I ask General Zhao and General Wang to strive to protect Luoyang City, preserve the Imperial Palace."

Wang Mi did not respond, simply stared intently at the emperor, urging him to hurry and leave with him.

The emperor saw him so assertive, couldn’t help but look at Fu Zhi and others.

Wang Mi saw, then glanced at Fu Zhi and Zhao Zhongyu and others, murderous intent arising once more.

To control the emperor, Fu Zhi and others cannot be left; he refuses to be embroiled in internal conflict like Prince East Sea, eventually driven to leave the capital.

Since he promised Zhao Hanzhang to become a Jin Minister, he must be the greatest one, as long as the emperor listens to him.

Wang Mi turned his heels to approach Fu Zhi, Zhao Hanzhang smiled stepping forward, "Why rush, General Wang? After battling all night, why not sit and have tea first, I doubt the fire will burn in anytime soon."

Seeing Zhao Hanzhang repeatedly contradicting his intentions, Wang Mi furiously turned his head towards Zhao Hanzhang, "General Zhao, you..."

A glint of cold light swept by, Wang Mi didn’t catch sight of what Zhao Hanzhang held, a surge of indescribable pain assailed him, his eyes wide, clutching his neck, incredulous at the still smiling Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang moved so swiftly, no one reacted; after a moment, blood gurgled out from Wang Mi’s clutched fingers, his lips trembled, murmuring, "You, you..."

Blood continued flowing, till he could no longer utter a sound, eyes wide open as he fell backward.

Only then did the personal soldiers six or seven paces away react, instantly drawing blades, Fu Tinghan sidestepping to shield Zhao Hanzhang.

Zhao Hanzhang had already turned, coldly ordered, "Kill!"

From outside came the sound of clashing blades, Zhao Hanzhang drew Wang Mi’s sword, stuffing the still blood-stained dagger to Fu Tinghan, pushing him towards the emperor then faced Wang Mi’s personal soldiers.

The corners of the room immediately erupted with numerous guards in uniform, charging at Wang Mi’s personal soldiers in the center.

Screams filled the room, most retreated backwards to evade, yet some picked up swords from the ground to join the fray.

The emperor, limbs softened, was dragged by two guards to the corner, "This, this..."

This he had not anticipated.