Iron Dynasty Chapter 1092

Ge’s Mansion.

Ge Yiren seemed to have aged a decade overnight. Not long after Gao Yuan's departure, an assembly of individuals clad in black robes, their chests adorned with embroidered golden swords, breached the premises.

Upon sighting them, Ge Yiren recognized the grim truth: his authority had evaporated. The attire these intruders wore was the unmistakable uniform of the secret guards.

Moreover, the golden swords emblazoned on their attire signified they were the crème de la crème of the secret guards—the Imperial Secret Guards. The court ministers had long speculated about this enigmatic organization.

Yet, even Pang Yukun possessed scant knowledge. Public intelligence indicated the secret guards primarily focused on espionage, overseas infiltration, and safeguarding the Empire's security.

These Imperial Secret Guards, specifically, were tasked with the Empire's security interests and were known to deal with individuals posing a threat to its stability.

In the past, he had dismissed these notions as mere court gossip, but the unfolding events now confirmed their veracity.

“Ge Yiren, you are under arrest!” the lead Imperial Secret Guard declared with a chilling tone. “I strongly advise against any act of resistance, as this directive comes directly from the Emperor himself.”

The pronouncement caused Ge Yiren's body to convulse violently. His legs gave way, and he crumbled to the ground.

Meanwhile, Ren He, now a captive, was being escorted through the palace corridors by guards.

Within the Imperial Study, Xiao Ming awaited his arrival. After Li San confirmed Ren He's location at Ge Yiren’s mansion, he had promptly dispatched orders for both the guards and the Imperial Secret Guards to apprehend them personally.

Regardless of whether Ge Yiren was aware of Ren He's connection to the Merchant Parliament, it would undoubtedly tarnish his reputation if news surfaced of a cabinet minister harboring an individual who had endangered the court.

“Are you Ren He? And why did Ge Yiren attempt to take your life?” Xiao Ming inquired sternly, his gaze fixed on the kneeling Ren He.

Li San, having meticulously monitored the secret guards' movements via telephone, was privy to all current developments.

Ren He understood his fate was sealed, yet he burned with resentment towards Ge Yiren's treachery. Thus, he spoke, “Your Majesty, long live! Ever since the Merchant Parliament gained prominence in the south, I was coerced into joining to ensure my family's safety. Now, I face further threats from the Cao father and son, compelling me to come to Qingzhou and sow discord. My transgressions are beyond pardon. However, upon entering the Ge mansion, I discovered Ge Yiren's actions were hardly distinguishable from my own. I implore Your Majesty for a chance to explain…”

With that, Ren He divulged his complicity with Ge Yiren, simultaneously exposing how Ge Yiren had colluded with other influential figures to deliberately manipulate public opinion and incite radical students to cause unrest.

“Yet, despite all this, Ge Yiren is not the one orchestrating it all!” Ren He suddenly declared, after detailing Ge Yiren’s numerous offenses.

The atmosphere within the Imperial Study grew palpably frigid. A cold sweat broke out on Li San’s palms; Ren He's revelations were entirely unknown to him. The assertion that Ge Yiren was not the prime mover was particularly staggering.

This implied the existence of a formidable power operating behind Ge Yiren.

“Who is it!”

Xiao Ming’s fists clenched. While aware of opposition within the Empire, he had never fathomed the extent of its power. If Ge Yiren was merely a pawn, then who truly held the reins?

The thought sent a shiver down Xiao Ming's spine.

“Does Your Majesty still harbor no suspicions? While Ge Yiren is audacious, he would hardly act so recklessly without substantial backing.” A flicker of madness entered Ren He’s eyes, and he let out a sudden, sharp laugh.

He then continued, “Your Majesty, have you not yet grasped the inevitable? Ever since you forged this empire, such a catastrophe was practically preordained. You have only yourself to blame, Your Majesty, for failing to utterly dismantle the Great Yu Empire and leaving behind remnants of the former dynasty’s powerful families. Now that you offer them no path to survival, they, in turn, offer you no mercy.”

“Cease this insolence. Identify the mastermind! Refuse, and I possess a thousand methods to compel you,” Li San stated with stern authority.

“I face death whether I speak or remain silent. Thus, I might as well say nothing.” Ren He had steeled his resolve.

Xiao Ming drew a deep breath, struggling to contain his rising anger. “I shall grant you your life. Reveal everything you know.”

Joy surged through Ren He at this reprieve; he felt his gamble had paid off. “Your Majesty, why not investigate Luo Hong!”

“Luo Hong!” Li San exclaimed, taken aback.

Xiao Ming instantly rose from his seat. He turned to Li San, inquiring, “Where is Luo Hong at this moment?”

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Li San’s temple. “Reporting to Your Majesty, Luo Hong departed for Yizhou several days ago under the pretense of recovering from an illness and has not yet returned.”

“Yizhou,” Xiao Ming echoed softly.

Qian Dafu interjected with caution, “Your Majesty, Luo Xin is currently in Yizhou, but another significant individual is also present there.”

“The exiled imperial prince, the third imperial prince,” Li San exclaimed.

Qian Dafu elaborated, “Your Majesty, we must maintain vigilance. Although Luo Xin has served alongside Your Majesty in numerous campaigns, he remains a member of the Luo family. Should Luo Hong incite him, he might act impulsively. Furthermore, during Luo Hong’s tenure in the northwest, he cultivated a cadre of loyal subordinates, now dispersed across various military regions. If they were to rally behind the former third imperial prince to stage a rebellion, the Empire would descend into immense turmoil. For the sake of security, it is prudent for Your Majesty to prepare accordingly.”

Xiao Ming entered a state of contemplation. Had this matter been solely instigated by Ge Yiren, it would have amounted to little more than a minor disturbance among scholars, easily quelled. However, with Luo Hong’s involvement, the armed forces were now entangled.

“Take Ren He away!”

This immediate action was necessary to address the most pressing concern. With Ge Yiren’s apprehension, news would undoubtedly disseminate rapidly throughout Qingzhou.

This incident could very well ignite the prelude to a fatal confrontation between himself and the entrenched old guard.

“Your Majesty, are you reneging on your promise?” Ren He inquired, his voice laced with dread.

“Your freedom will be granted once the internal strife is resolved. However, from that moment forth, you shall never again set foot within the Empire,” Xiao Ming declared, his tone glacial.

Ren He exhaled a measure of relief and permitted the imperial guards to escort him away.

“Your Majesty, perhaps we should summon Lei Ming back?” Li San proposed, a note of concern in his voice. “Should any incident arise, the Southeast Military Region could provide a timely response.”

“There is no time. Now that Ge Yiren has been apprehended, any potential disturbance is likely to erupt within the coming days.” Xiao Ming suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of physical and mental fatigue.

The challenges confronting him were considerable, yet this juncture also presented the prime opportunity to reform the Empire.

“The Empire’s military is not the private militia of any individual. Does Luo Hong truly believe the imperial army remains the Luo family’s private property? As for Luo Xin, I refuse to believe he possesses the audacity for such a scheme!” Xiao Ming asserted.

“Your Majesty, if something were to befall Luo Hong, would Luo Xin, in his bid to deflect suspicion, still be able to retain his command? Luo Xin is acutely aware of this. I fear he is cornered,” Qian Dafu continued his counsel.

“In that case, let us set a test. I shall now command the General Staff to dispatch an order to all major military regions, summoning all military commanders to Qingzhou for a war conference. Any who fail to attend shall be deemed to harbor ulterior motives!” Xiao Ming brought his hand down on the table with a resounding thud.