12: Chapter 12 Delivering Messages

With just two short commands from Wang Chen,

he had completed his initial seizure of the court's core power and the palace guards with the momentum of a thunderbolt.

He established authority through slaughter and deterred others through fear!

Then, he used clear instructions and the blade hanging over their heads to maintain order, forcing everyone to follow his rules from then on.

This was the result Wang Chen wanted.

There was no need for scheming, let alone endurance!

Those were things only the weak needed; for the current him, they were purely redundant.

His strength did not allow him to do such time-wasting things.

What he needed was suppression by force—killing those who were defiant until the other side submitted.

Looking at the harmonious atmosphere between the ruler and his ministers at the scene...

everything proved

that his choice was correct!

It wasn't until Ge Nie stepped back that the Sword Qi enveloping the entire Golden Throne Hall finally dissipated.

Wang Chen ignored the trembling ministers. He glanced at the corpses on the ground before speaking indifferently.

“As for these on the ground... drag them out and expose their bodies for three days as a warning to others. Their Family property is to be confiscated, and their direct kin exiled for three thousand miles. Considering they once served the imperial court, I shall spare them from... clan extermination.”

“Spare... spare them from clan extermination?”

In an instant,

a moment of silence fell over the entire Golden Throne Hall.

All the ministers present thought they had misheard and looked up at Wang Chen with uncertainty.

One must know,

that cold image of him being decisive in slaughter and killing over a dozen people in the blink of an eye was still clearly branded in their minds!

They all subconsciously assumed that, given the ruthlessness shown by the new emperor, he would definitely exterminate the nine generations of those who dared to challenge his authority as a warning.

The result was something they never expected...

Wang Chen actually chose to let the clan members of those people go, only holding the individuals and their most direct relatives accountable, without involving the extended branches or other innocent clan members.

This...

This seemed somewhat inconsistent with Wang Chen's cruel and decisive performance just now?

But soon,

some ministers reacted, and a flash of realization crossed their eyes.

They carefully considered Wang Chen's disposal: the individuals' bodies exposed, property confiscated, and direct kin exiled—this was already a very cruel punishment.

Such punishment was enough to deter any future dissenters, making them weigh their own and their Family's fate before opposing Wang Chen.

But at the same time,

sparing them from 'clan extermination' left a bit of leeway, not pushing things to the absolute extreme.

The handling of this balance could be described as extremely subtle!

This was definitely not pure kindness, much less soft-heartedness.

This was clearly telling them: 'Resist me, and the price will be extremely heavy; you and your closest Family will be beyond redemption!'

However,

“I am not a bloodthirsty tyrant who implicates the innocent...”

Holding the butcher's knife high with one hand while loosening it slightly with the other showed both the severity and inviolability of the punishment while also vaguely drawing a 'bottom line'.

It gave the panicked courtiers a little bit of a 'sense of security' and 'hope'.

This was much more brilliant than constant bloody slaughter and creating endless fear, and it was more conducive to subsequent rule.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

“Your Majesty is merciful!!”

...

After figuring this out, the ministers once again knelt on the ground in unison.

But in the shouts this time, besides fear and submission, there really seemed to be a trace of an indescribable, complex emotion—perhaps relief, awe, or even a bit of admiration for Wang Chen's methods.

But no matter what,

the labels of 'wise' and 'merciful' had to be placed on Wang Chen.

Wang Chen looked at the ministers kneeling before him again, calling him 'merciful,' and a slight smile finally appeared on his Face.

This was the effect he wanted.

Applying both grace and power is the way of a king. Although he didn't care about his reputation, if he could save some trouble and make his rule smoother, why not?

“That will be all for today. Adjourn!”

Without saying another word, after Wang Chen announced the adjournment, he turned around and left the Golden Throne Hall directly with Ji Gang and Ge Nie.

He just patted his bottom and left.

But someone at the scene was embarrassed...

Emperor Xuande almost jumped up and started cursing. You bastard, this is taking me too lightly!

No matter what,

you should at least discuss adjourning the court with me.

Even if I'm nothing now, I still hold the title of Retired Emperor at the very least. Can't you show me some respect?

Does being strong mean you can do whatever you want?

Don't I need Face?

Although Emperor Xuande felt incredibly aggrieved, after seeing the reactions of everyone present, he could only endure it.

Because from beginning to end, not a single person had looked at him!

With Wang Chen's departure, the invisible pressure shrouding the hall truly began to dissipate.

The officials were like they had collapsed from exhaustion; many even slumped directly onto the floor. They could see the terror and lingering fear in each other's eyes.

In this situation,

they couldn't even be sure of keeping their own lives, so who would have the heart to care about a Retired Emperor who had lost power?

Besides,

everyone present knew that with the new emperor's strength, it was impossible for the Retired Emperor to interfere in state affairs again.

Therefore,

they naturally had no need to curry favor with him anymore.

In fact, to avoid suspicion, they would even avoid him.

This is what they call:

A new emperor brings a new court!!

...

Wang Chen's departure meant the end of this imperial court session.

However,

though the session was over, the impact it brought had only just begun...

Only half a day had passed,

and everything that happened in the Golden Throne Hall—including the abdication, the slaughter, the princes kneeling, the officials submitting, and the new emperor's cold yet 'merciful' disposal...

had spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital at an astonishing speed, as if it had grown wings!

From high-ranking nobles to common street vendors, everyone knew.

“What? The Fifth Prince... is going to ascend the throne as emperor?”

“Is it true? Is the Fifth Prince that impressive? Killing over a dozen ministers on the spot? And forcing all the princes and old ministers to kneel?”

“How is that possible?! That playboy wastrel... Pri... Prince... is in the Celestial Realm? Are you sure the news is correct?!”

“Absolutely! My second great-uncle's third grand-niece works in the palace and saw it with her own eyes! I heard the blood in the Golden Throne Hall hasn't even been wiped clean yet!”

“Oh, I didn't realize you had such connections, brother. Could you introduce me? I also want to find a job in the palace!”

“Whoa! No way, brother. Working in the palace means taking a cut down there. Are you sure?”

“Sigh... it's just a matter of an inch or two, no big deal!”

“Brother, you're something else. Leave it to me; I'll make sure you get your wish.”

“Sigh... the heavens are changing!!”

...

Shock, disbelief, panic, speculation... all sorts of emotions filled every corner of the imperial city.

Countless spies and messengers were urgently dispatched.

They began using various channels to pass messages to the forces behind them.

“Quick! Send the news back immediately! I want the most detailed report! The new emperor's methods are ruthless, and his strength is terrifying! He is suspected to be in the Celestial Realm!”

“Send this news back at once. Tell them an unknown Celestial Realm expert has appeared by the new emperor's side.”

“Give this letter to the Family Head. Tell him not to have any other ideas, or else no one will be able to save him!”

...