"Gentlemen!" Zhong Shaozhong’s expression was serious and firm, "Think carefully. It is true that the Empress is the mother of King Xin. But is she not also the mother of the legitimate child in her womb? The Empress is currently pregnant with another legitimate child. If she truly harbored rebellious intentions, wouldn’t she wait until after giving birth? If the child is a daughter rather than a son, she would then take such actions to force the Emperor’s hand! Why would she disregard the child in her womb, design a plot for the Emperor to fall from his horse, and then arrange for someone to assassinate the Crown Prince to support King Xin, who has already been discarded by the Emperor?"
Seeing the people frown and ponder deeply, Zhong Shaozhong clapped his hands loudly: "This makes no sense either emotionally or logically. It would be hard to explain to the world! Isn’t this... blatantly telling everyone that King Xin is a traitor who plots to usurp the throne and kill his father and brother? Is the Empress really that stupid?"
The commanders of the imperial guard nodded one after another, deeply agreeing with Zhong Shaozhong’s words.
"Back then, the Eldest Princess kept the Emperor’s bedchamber tightly guarded to prevent harm before the Crown Prince’s return. But now that the Crown Prince is back... the Eldest Princess remains in the palace, closely guarding. Have any of you thought about why?" Zhong Shaozhong gritted his teeth, "It’s because she has seen that the Crown Prince wants to harm the Emperor! Once the Emperor dies, the Crown Prince can ascend to the throne!"
Zhong Shaozhong choked up, finding it hard to speak: "If the Emperor dies, this patricidal villain ascends to the throne, the Empress... and the unborn legitimate child of the Empress, along with King Xin, may have no chance of survival! The Empress is my sister. King Xin and the unborn legitimate child of the Empress are my nephews by marriage! So... I beg you all, save the Emperor, save the Empress and King Xin... and save the unborn legitimate child of the Empress!"
After speaking, Zhong Shaozhong bowed his head to the crowd.
Zhong Shaozhong’s old followers looked at each other...
"Swear to follow Master Zhong to protect the Emperor!" Someone bowed to Zhong Shaozhong.
Seeing someone respond, others followed suit one by one, cupping their fists: "Swear to follow Master Zhong to protect the Emperor!"
"Gentlemen, please rise quickly!" Zhong Shaozhong helped his old comrades up one by one, then filled the wine cups on the table, raising his cup, "Gentlemen... the safety of the Emperor and the Empress, and the unborn legitimate child of the Empress, is entrusted to you!"
"Master Zhong, your words are heavy. As subjects of Jin, it is our duty to be loyal to the Emperor. Now that the Crown Prince intends to assassinate the monarch and rebel, we cannot stand idly by!" Someone raised the wine cup with passionate emotion.
Zhong Shaozhong nodded and drained his cup, saying, "The Crown Prince is strong, the Empress is weak. I called you here not based on mere words. I am deeply grateful that you believed in me. When the Emperor is rescued and awakened... the Empress and I will ensure you are rewarded. We will not go back on our word!"
"Master Zhong, since you said... the Eldest Princess has entered the palace to guard against the Crown Prince harming the Emperor, shouldn’t... Master Zhong go to the Princess of Zhen’s residence to ask for her help? I heard that the Eldest Princess was escorted in by Princess of Zhen. This shows that... Princess of Zhen should also be aware of the Crown Prince’s malicious intent."
Someone raised this issue... Zhong Shaozhong had considered it and had his reasons ready.
Zhong Shaozhong sighed and said: "No matter how capable the Princess of Zhen is, she is but a woman without military power now and can be of no help! Hastily requesting her assistance might bring trouble upon her, and even alert the enemy! Besides... back then, King Xin’s irresponsible actions and subsequent false accusations against Bai Weiting for being stubborn in military affairs have already done enough damage!"
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