He is the leader of the largest Barbarian tribe in Nanzhou, inheriting several strongholds from his father. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Although he is a barbarian, he received Han Clan cultural education from a young age, striving to lead his tribe to a better, more prosperous life.

Persuaded by the local government, he led his villagers out of the deep mountains, registered themselves, and became citizens of the Tianchao Dynasty.

He even encouraged his tribe to do business with the Han people, send young members to study in the County, and even join the government.

After more than a decade of effort, the Barbarian tribe has not caused any trouble but instead lived peacefully with the local Han Clan.

For this, the late Emperor once issued a decree to commend and appoint the Barbarian chief as a General.

This open and court-friendly Barbarian chief, however, was still seen by someone like Meng Qin, who considered himself a superior citizen of the Tianchao Dynasty, as an uncivilized, ignorant barbarian, a savage!

Meng Qin humiliated the chief in many ways, making him bare-chested to lead horses, and even whipping him publicly for no reason.

The chief, considering the bigger picture and not wanting his tribe, who had finally started enjoying a good life, to return to the mountains, endured all these humiliations.

Yet, Meng Qin went further and set his sights on a copper mine and a salt well within the Barbarian tribe’s territory!

This is intolerable!

The chief, seeing Meng Qin wanted to cut off the roots of their Barbarian tribe, directly chopped off Meng Qin’s head and led the villagers back into the mountains overnight.

The chief knew he had caused trouble and started thinking of ways to resolve the crisis.

Meanwhile, some small leaders under him who were already hostile to the Han people’s court took the opportunity to stir up the populace, trying to collude with the Vassal Kingdom on the other side, wreaking havoc across the Southern Border.

The chief was unable to control the situation, and chaos really broke out.

As the Great General guarding the Southern Border, Prince Nanping didn’t send troops promptly but handed in a sick leave report to the court.

... Meng Qin single-handedly turned Nanzhou upside down.

The Vassal Kingdom invaded, and battles frequently erupted in Nanzhou.

And the noble family, Military Merit, Imperial Family... all were offended by Meng Qin.

Meng Qin had already been beheaded by the Barbarian chief, and even whipping his corpse couldn’t remedy the situation.

Meng Qin is dead, but his master is still around.

News from Nanzhou reached the Capital City, and figures like Prince Liang, Prince Han started forming alliances frantically, and suddenly, someone in court called out the slogan "Depose the absurd ruler."

"Depose the Emperor? They dare to depose me?"

Upon hearing the Wind Sound, Emperor Yongcheng was shocked, angry, and scared.

Worriedly pacing, his instinct was to seek help from his mother and his teacher.

But, having made his mother into the "legitimate mother with the murderous grudge," she had already been forced to retire to the Daming Palace.

As for his teacher, he had long submitted a sick leave report, and Emperor Yongcheng had summoned Feng Shou several times, yet Feng Shou refused to enter the palace.

The one he valued, the "Wolong and Fengchu," Meng Qin, had become a muddled official who persecuted noble families, framed Zhongliang, and forced good citizens to rebel.

Emperor Yongcheng looked around him and suddenly realized that besides Lady Hu and her daughter, he had no one to rely on.

Since when had he found himself in the situation of being isolated and alone ("lonely ruler")?

Emperor Yongcheng didn’t understand, and he was filled with grief and fear.

He was afraid!

He was truly afraid!

Prince Liang had always eyed him fiercely, and Zhao Shuo, once one of the Three Great Ministers as Prince Han, was ambitious.

They all set their sights on the Dragon Throne beneath his seat.

And the noble family, they had long been dissatisfied with his suppression. As far as they were concerned, deposing an Emperor and changing dynasties was something they were accustomed to.

Now, it was merely going along with Prince Liang and Prince Han’s intention to depose an irrational and incompetent Emperor—they felt no psychological burden!

No!

I cannot sit and wait for death!

"Right, I have my mother; she is indeed angry with me, but she hasn’t exacted revenge. Her retirement to the Daming Palace indicates she still harbors motherly affection for me!"

"Furthermore, I have Tao Yong and other in-laws, relatives. Their daughters are still in the palace, if I’m deposed, their daughters wouldn’t come to any good end!"

In a moment of crisis, Emperor Yongcheng did come up with a solution.

He disregarded his pride and dignity, not only writing Blood Letters to He Tiantian but also running to Empress Tao, Consort De, Consort Shu, and others to express his stance.

He Tiantian & Empress Tao: ... serves you right! Dream on!

However, despite cursing in their hearts, they simultaneously chose to "agree."

Emperor Yongcheng received guarantees, and his anxious heart finally settled.

He just knew that his mother wouldn’t abandon him, and Empress Tao and the others would never forsake their hands’ wealth and prosperity.

Emperor Yongcheng no longer feared the pressing threats of Prince Liang and the like, he even started to anticipate that day’s arrival.

So, when his confidant reported that Prince Liang and the like intended to cause trouble at the New Year court assembly, and "Empress Dowager He" had also grandly returned to the Capital City from the Daming Palace, Emperor Yongcheng felt no concern.

He Tiantian: ... such a naive silly child, it’s really somewhat hard not to feel a pang of guilt when deceiving him.

Student Xiao D: Bah! You villain, you would feel guilty?

Would Prince Liang and the others be so brazen if it weren’t for your silent instigation behind the scenes?!

Furthermore, the issues in Nanzhou, although thousands of miles away, were reported back to the Capital City in the shortest time; if you say He Tiantian had no part in this, don’t expect Student Xiao D to believe it!