Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The ones guarding Bianliang City were the Imperial Guard led by Gao Qiu, with more than five hundred thousand troops under their command.

Even if one managed to break into Bianliang City, they would still have to face the Personal Guard Department directly commanded by the Emperor, totaling over a hundred thousand. In addition, the cavalry stationed outside Bianliang City was not under Xiao Yunqi’s control either.

Xiao Yunqi’s command over the Infantry Department amounted to less than two hundred thousand soldiers.

Chen Mo’s Fire Qilin Army consisted of just over ten thousand, with more than five thousand still surrounding Haiqing Lake. Currently, he only had less than five thousand at his disposal.

Had he not known from the simulation that Xiao Yunqi would succeed, it would have been difficult for him to imagine how Xiao Yunqi could lead an army to storm the Imperial City and even breach the Imperial Palace, taking the Emperor captive.

The simulation only provided a general outline of events without specific details.

So Chen Mo raised the question.

After all, rebellion is a matter of life or death; even knowing it was going to succeed, Chen Mo wanted a clearer understanding.

Xiao Teng smiled meaningfully: ”While the Late Emperor was still alive, my father held high office, campaigning north and south, and was even appointed as Grand Commandant by the Late Emperor. After Zhao Ji ascended the throne, my father’s power reached its peak.

Moreover, my father had been entrenched in the court for decades, with numerous old subordinates. Brother Chen Hong, you are also one of our own, so I won’t hide it from you; there are also our people within the palace...”

Chen Mo raised an eyebrow.

”What kind of pretext should we use?” Chen Mo asked.

After all, rebellion requires justification, otherwise, it cannot quell the rumors of the world.

The reason given by Xiao Teng made Chen Mo’s mouth twitch.

As expected, it was the old story of traitorous ministers close to the Emperor.

And who were the traitorous ministers?

It was obvious the blame would fall on Cai Si and Gao Qiu.

Xiao Teng patted Chen Mo on the shoulder with an excited tone: ”Once the Crown Prince is enthroned, you and I will be ministers rising with the dragon, with endless future riches and honor.”

”I will not disappoint the Grand Commandant’s trust.”

Chen Mo and Xiao Yunqi were already on the same ship, so they could only comply.

His task was to replace the city defenses of Bianliang City and then guard it to prevent other troops from coming in to protect the Emperor.

Although Gao Qiu was promoted by Zhao Ji, there were still precautions against him; hence, more than half of his five hundred thousand Imperial Guards were not stationed within the city.

As for manpower to guard the city, Xiao Teng assured there was no need to worry, and things would become clear by then.

It was evident that the Xiao Family didn’t fully trust Chen Mo either.

”General, last night I heard His Highness mention that the Empress seems to have been placed under house arrest by His Majesty. If the Grand Commandant attacks the palace, wouldn’t the Empress...” Chen Mo expressed concern for the Empress with a worried tone.

”Rest assured, father has arrangements,” Xiao Teng said.

Chen Mo secretly let out a sigh of relief.

...

After Xiao Teng left.

Chen Mo called Yi Yao over and informed her of the coup details.

Upon hearing this, Yi Yao was shocked yet seemed somehow prepared.

Chen Mo held Yi Yao’s hand and said in a low voice, ”Once I leave, if the army moves, you must take Chun Lan and the four of you and escape Bianliang through the tunnel.”

”Tunnel?” Yi Yao’s eyes widened.

”When I moved into this residence, I had someone dig it, but time was limited; this tunnel only extends about a hundred zhang outside the Chen Mansion, and the exit is a courtyard that I have already purchased.”

Chen Mo had never mentioned the tunnel to anyone. Even those who originally dug it have gone to Paradise. You could say it is secure.

Yi Yao was all the more astonished, not expecting the master to have planned so far ahead.

She nodded.

Chen Mo caressed Yi Yao’s smooth cheek and softly said, ”Be careful then.”

”Rest assured, Master,” Yi Yao initiated a kiss with Chen Mo.

As the sky dimmed.

Chen Mo publicly indulged in drink to the point of intoxication, being supported to his inner chamber by Yi Yao.

The observer outside immediately left to report.

At the third quarter of Xu time, Chen Mo suddenly appeared at the military camp where his own troops were stationed outside the city.

Gao Zheng was startled upon seeing the master suddenly appear in the camp, coming over in nightclothes: ”Master, why have you come?”

He noticed Chen Mo clad in armor, with a longsword strapped to his waist, his entire aura transformed, eyes sharp as a tiger’s gaze fixed on him.

”Assemble the troops,” Chen Mo ordered.

Seeing Chen Mo’s stern expression, Gao Zheng knew something major was happening, and without daring to ask more, hastened to beat the large drum outside the central army tent.

In less than the time taken for an incense stick to burn, all the soldiers stationed in the camp under Chen Mo’s command were lined up in the drill ground.

Everyone looked at Chen Mo on the muster platform, perplexed.

The north wind whipped the red tassel atop Chen Mo’s black helmet, a waning moon hanging high above, casting a cold lunar light on his armor, resembling rippling shimmering waves.

Chen Mo took out the forged Holy Decree made for him by Xiao Teng and read it aloud to the soldiers present.

”…I am held hostage by traitors, and I specially command the Grand Commandant and General Chen Hong to lead an army to rescue me from peril...”

These words caused the audience below to be thrown into confusion.

Even Gao Zheng was shivering, knowing full well this was no ordinary soldierly task, given that he was always by Chen Mo’s side and knew things beyond what common soldiers were aware of.

”The master is instigating a coup...”

Gao Zheng was both excited and nervous.

Though doubt persisted among the people, none raised objections, and they all nodded in agreement.

In the midst of chaos, the suburbs of Bianliang City, already under curfew, felt eerily desolate at night.

Under the night sky, the sea of fire roared like tides, countless soldiers brandishing torches appeared at the South Gate of Bianliang, illuminating the entire gate area as if it were daylight.

The city guards were thrown into panic, and Gao Zheng shouted loudly at the city gates, claiming that His Majesty was held by villains, and Chen Hong, by special command, was entering the palace to protect the Emperor.

Chen Mo, clad in black armor, rode out slowly on a white horse, shielded by spearmen, and raised the Holy Decree in his hand.

Hearing the commotion, the South Gate commander, Li Wang, approached and, upon seeing Chen Mo, raised an eyebrow then forced a smile: ”So it’s General Chen Hong, please, rest briefly while I report this matter.”

The winds of change in the city over the past two days were too quick; the once glorified Grand Commandant, Imperial Father-in-law of Great Song on his deathbed, launched a wave against the Xiao Family within Bianliang City, and at such a crucial moment, he dared not let Chen Hong in.

After all, who doesn’t know now that Chen Hong is on Xiao Yunqi’s side.

Chen Mo frowned.

Hadn’t Xiao Teng assured arrangements were made for him to take over the South Gate’s defense?

Why now...

”Splurt...” Just as Li Wang was about to report, the deputy general beside him suddenly drew his saber and plunged it into Li Wang’s chest. All unfolded so abruptly that by the time his personal soldiers reacted, Li Wang had fallen, life extinguished.

The deputy general severed Li Wang’s head, shouting: ”Li Wang, the traitor, colluded with villains, intending to harm His Majesty. I have been commanded by His Majesty to eliminate this rogue party, and open the city gates.”

”Open the city gates!” Two men suddenly leaped out from behind the deputy general, shouting loudly.

Despite the numerous doubts, the show of force was so intimidating, and while Li Wang’s personal soldiers were still bewildered, the South Gate slowly opened.