Upon hearing Old Zhong's words, a few civil servants also became restless.

A septuagenarian elder stood up with trembling hands and bowed to Old Su:

"Mr. Su, what the Imperial Envoy said is indisputably true. Now nearly a hundred people from both the military and political sides are imprisoned, among them are individuals with substantial merits."

"The officials want to reinstate Cai Yuanzhang. Once this traitor regains power, the decades of effort by Immortal Emperors Shen Zong and Zhezong will be ruined in an instant!"

As soon as the elder finished speaking, the other civil servants began to echo him.

"Mr. Su, what Scholar Jiang said is correct. The officials are muddleheaded and incompetent; we cannot wait any longer!"

"Mr. Su, for the sake of the country and its people, make a decision quickly!"

"Ah, right, right, right!"

Upon hearing this, Old Su let out a slight sigh.

The old man who spoke was named Jiang Zhiqi, currently an Academician of the Longtu Pavilion and a high-ranking member of the Yuan You Faction.

Now, with Lu Tian, Fan Chunli, and others being arrested and imprisoned.

Jiang Zhiqi and Li Qingchen have become one of the highest-ranking 'leaders' within the Yuan You Faction.

Of course.

Fan Chunren, mentioned earlier, actually has a bit more seniority than the two, being an old figure akin to a living fossil.

But according to historical trajectory.

This elderly man is currently extremely weak, and in a little over thirty days he will pass away quietly in his sleep, leaving no possibility for him to step out and take charge of the situation.

Then Old Su turned and looked at Xiaozhao:

"Prince Jian, do you really plan to take this step?"

Old Su did not utter the word 'coup,' but Xiaozhao understood his meaning.

This Prince of Great Song, whose face was tense throughout the night, pulled a not-so-pleasing smile at the corners of his mouth and sighed:

"Mr. Su, this king only wants to survive."

Old Su could only remain silent for a moment.

After conversing with Xu Yun tonight, he actually understood the entire incident better than anyone else.

Therefore, he was well aware.

Except for Xu Yun, everyone present was pushed to this point by a great momentum, and Xiaozhao was truly not trying to play the victim.

Thinking of this.

He couldn't help but turn and look around the room.

At this moment, Wang Hou and Old Zhong already donned armor, ready to head to the battlefield at any moment.

Adding to the situation outside with those spies, certain things have reached the point where the arrow must be released.

What they are missing is the group of civil servants, or rather someone like himself who can reassure the Civil Servant Group.

After all, while the number of Yuan You faction members is considerable, the Yuan Feng faction is equally significant.

Even if you exclude ministers like Cai Jing and Zhang Dun, there are still many upright individuals among them.

However, Old Su is the only neutral Prime Minister in Great Song since its founding, never having sided with any faction nor participated in factional struggles.

He has both standing and connections, and even within the Yuan Feng faction possesses substantial influence, having done favors for many.

In reality.

This was also Xu Yun's open stratagem:

A coup is inevitable; this is the general trend that cannot be changed even by killing Xu Yun.

If Old Su does not step up, then inevitably many innocent ministers will be implicated.

It is even possible that some will lose their lives due to the heavy-handed measures taken during chaotic times.

But if Old Su does step forward, not everyone will escape harm, but at least he can protect the vast majority of good ministers.

Moreover, he can use his prestige to calm most opposing voices and ensure a smooth transition of power.

Supreme strategy without fighting...

Old Su slowly closed his eyes, and suddenly a series of images flashed through his mind:

Emperor Shen Zong was critically ill and, on his deathbed, held his hand, his breath weak:

"Zi Rong, the Crown Prince is young, the civil servants' rule, I entrust him to you..."

After Emperor Shen Zong passed away, Emperor Zhezong ascended the throne.

He devoted himself to assisting the government, cooperating with Emperor Zhezong to restart the Hehuang campaigns, with the two battles of Pingxia City nearly subduing Western Xia.

Unfortunately, fate is fickle; Emperor Zhezong died abruptly at twenty-five, without even an edict being issued.

During the selection of the throne, Empress Dowager Xiang jestingly appointed Prince Duan.

Ah, Prince Duan...

He forcibly took civilians' daughters, lazy and skittish, acting frivolously.

Among all the princes, he was the one with the worst reputation.

Though I have already retired, the words of Emperor Shen Zong still resonate in my ears.

Once a prime minister, always a prime minister.

Thinking of this.

Old Su couldn't help but lift his head and look at Xiaozhao:

"Your Highness, I...am willing to accompany His Highness to the palace."

Xiaozhao had originally braced himself for verbal sparring, but upon hearing that Old Su so easily supported him, he was momentarily stunned, then joyfully bowed:

"With Mr. Su here, this matter is settled!"

.......

After Old Su expressed his position.

The atmosphere at the scene immediately relaxed a bit.

Yes, just a bit.

After all, the affair that follows is of greater consequence, and if it fails, even losing one's head would be a minor setback; no one could possibly fully relax.

Then Xiaozhao came to the main seat and first bowed to everyone:

"Everyone, tonight the situation is urgent, so I won't go on at length... cough, cough, I won't waste words."

"General Zhong, I will leave the following tasks to you, to arrange the battle duties."

Old Zhong nodded at him and took a layout map of the Imperial Palace from Wang Hou's hand.

He spread it out, hung it on the wall, and simultaneously introduced:

"The Imperial City is located in the northern part of Bianjing City, with Outer Gates like the Left and Right Yamen, East Splendor Gate, Celestial Wave Gate, and Chenhui Gate."

"Inner Gates include Left and Right Changqing Gates, Left and Right Silver Platform Gates, Left and Right Jiasu Gates."

"Internally, the Imperial Guard is organized, managed as a unit, directly commanded by the Loose Robe Celestial Martial Officer, while the Palace Guard forms the institutional strength of the Imperial Palace Guard."

"Currently, most of the Capital Imperial Guard are stationed at the Imperial Mausoleum, while the interior is overseen by Grand Commandant Wang En, an official's confidant, absolutely impossible to turn."

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