The base camp of the West City Gate, the Imperial Forest Army mutinied, and the garrisons defending the city in the East, South, and North Cities, almost at the same time, were also controlled by the people of the Three Princes.

The entire imperial city, that is, half a day, completely fell into the control of the three princes.

The four city gates were closed one after another, and on top of the east city gate, crossbows and arrows were even erected, and tools such as throwing stones and fire oil were prepared to defend the city.

All the people who were outside the city were forcibly driven back to the city, and those who did not obey were to be killed on the spot.

The news spread quickly, and panic spread to all the people in the city and the families of the noble officials who stayed behind.

At this moment, in the imperial mausoleum a hundred miles east of the imperial city, on the nine-step altar in all directions, the emperor was wearing a black-bottomed dragon robe, and was chanting the sacrificial text on incense.

Below, hundreds of civil and military officials bowed to the ground, and the concubines, princesses, princesses and princesses also knelt down in the square, listening silently.

Ma Zhong stood guard on the side of the square, looking vigilant.

At this moment, a personal attendant officer hurriedly ran over and said with a heavy face.

"Lord Commander, no, the gates of the Imperial City are closed, and there have been mutinies in various military camps. ”

When Ma Zhong heard the news, his heart was shocked, his face suddenly changed, and he asked.

"What did you say?"

The attendant hurried back.

"Just now, our brother stationed in the base camp in Xicheng sent someone to report that Chen Yufan was released from the heavenly prison by the third prince, and he killed Liu Duwei and completely controlled the Imperial Forest Army.

There are several other city defenders, which are also under control, and now the four city gates have been closed, and crossbow arrows have been erected on the east city gates. ”

Ma Zhong was furious in his heart, his eyes were split, and he looked at the emperor who was reciting the sacrificial text on the stage, and he immediately said to the attendant officer.

"You quickly take a team of people to find out the news near the imperial city, be sure to confirm the truth of this matter, and act carefully. ”

The attendant nodded yes, turned and walked out quickly.

Soon, after the recitation of the sacrificial text was completed, the emperor put the incense into the incense burner and said loudly.

"Today, in addition to burning incense to worship the ancestors, there is also a major event, the five princes Shang Jing has both virtue and virtue, and won my heart, in front of the ancestors and ancestors, I officially established Shang Jing as the prince of Dayu. ”

After speaking, the five princes slowly got up with excitement and walked towards the altar.

When he walked under the altar, a special ceremonial official stepped forward and put on a bright yellow dragon robe for him that only the prince could wear.

This dragon robe is different from what the emperor usually wears, but it is also unique in the world, representing the identity of one person and above ten thousand.

The imperial etiquette was complicated and lengthy, and it took more than an hour for the five princes to worship their ancestors, and it was already noon when he stepped down with the emperor.

Ma Zhong had been waiting below for a long time like ants on a hot pot, and after seeing the two of them walking down the altar, he hurriedly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, Weichen has something important to say. ”

The emperor was in a very good mood and asked casually.

"Ma Aiqing, what's the matter?"

Ma Zhong glanced around, there were many people here, and they were all concubines, princesses and princesses, if he directly told the rebellion of the three princes, I am afraid it would cause unnecessary panic.

"Please also move to the tent of your majesty. ”

The emperor didn't think much of it, nodded, and went straight to the tent that had been set up long ago.

The fifth prince's eyes showed deep thought, and he frowned, he could see that Ma Zhong seemed to be extremely anxious.

Could it be that something happened to the Imperial City?

Soon, everyone arrived in the camp, and in addition to the emperor, Ma Zhong also called many civil and military ministers.

The Five Princes and Chu Tianming were all standing aside.

Ma Zhong immediately knelt down on one knee, looking angry and anxious.

"Back to Your Majesty, the third prince is reversed!

All the criminals in the prison were released by the Three Princes, and now the city guards and the remaining Imperial Forest Army have fallen into the control of the Three Princes, and the gates of the four sides have been closed. ”

These words were tantamount to a thunderclap exploding in the tent, and everyone's faces immediately changed greatly, and His Majesty the Emperor stood up in disbelief.

"Really?"

Ma Zhong nodded emphatically.

"Just now, Weichen sent a team of people to investigate, and I saw with my own eyes that the gate of the square city was closed, and the east gate was strictly guarded, and crossbow arrows had been erected, and now the entire imperial city was afraid that it had fallen into the control of the three princes. ”

When the old emperor heard the news of this thunderous roar, he was furious, and suddenly, his face suddenly changed, and a mouthful of blood spurted out of his mouth, and he collapsed on top of the soft collapse.

"Your Majesty......"

All the ministers immediately exclaimed in surprise and surrounded them.

The fifth prince was almost the first to rush forward, holding the old emperor, his eyes wide, and he said anxiously.

"Father, what's wrong with you? Father, ......"

The old emperor's face was painful, and he pressed his chest with one hand and said in a trembling voice.

"Someone...... Poison me!"

All of a sudden, the faces of the ministers changed drastically.

The house leak happened to rain overnight, and the rebellion of the three princes had left them homeless, and now the emperor was poisoned and assassinated, which is simply worse.

The grief and indignation in the hearts of the five princes were indescribable, and their eyes were full of bloodshots.

"Someone, call the imperial doctor, call the imperial doctor!"

Ma Zhong immediately rushed out, and soon called all the imperial doctors who accompanied him.

When all the imperial doctors probed the emperor's pulse one by one, they all fell to their knees and trembled.

The fifth prince sighed in his heart, grabbed the collar of an old imperial doctor, and asked.

"What the hell is wrong with my father? What are you talking about, what are you doing on your knees on the ground one by one!"

The old imperial doctor looked like a mournful woman, and said in a trembling voice.

"Back to Your Highness, Your Majesty...... It was poisoned, and the toxin has entered the heart, and once the emotion is too excited, it will lead to the attack of toxin, and now it is treated...... It's late!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the old emperor spat out another mouthful of blood.

This time, the color of the blood had turned pitch black, and his entire face had also turned jet black, and his aura had gradually weakened.

All the ministers fell to their knees and cried out bitterly.

"Your Majesty...... Your Majesty......"

The old emperor was already dying, and almost with all his strength, he grabbed the hand of the fifth prince and spoke weakly.

"Shangjing...... Certain...... Want...... Counterinsurgency...... Retake the Imperial City. ”

The last two words were almost so weak that they could not be heard, and the old emperor's right hand was loosened, and he completely died.

In the tent, the cries and shouts suddenly converged, and the five princes knelt silently in front of the collapse, and their hands gradually clenched into fists.

"Commander Ma, go and arrest my father's personal old eunuchs and palace maids. ”

In any case, he had to find out who had poisoned his father.

Although he already has an answer in his heart, this matter must be explained to the princes and ministers, and to the people of the world.

After the old imperial doctor finished crying, he spoke.

"Your Highness, the old minister can be sure that this poison should have been given today, otherwise it should have been attacked a long time ago, you should check it, did Your Majesty eat anything today?"

The Fifth Prince nodded.

Soon, His Majesty's personal eunuchs and palace maids were all pressed by the Imperial Forest Army and fell to their knees.

After asking, the fifth prince learned that before leaving, the emperor had only eaten a bowl of longevity porridge prepared by the personal old eunuch.

And the personal old eunuch is gone.