The earth-shaking upheaval left every noble and powerful figure in Jingcheng fearing for their own safety.
Though everyone had long known that the conflict between Longqing and Wang Yan was irreconcilable, and had even considered the possibility that the emperor might kill Wang Yan, no one had expected Wang Yan to turn the tables on an attempt meant to kill him without fail.
In an instant, a profound terror descended upon Jingcheng. In their daze, many people even felt the suffocating oppression of Taizu's era...
Everyone regarded Wang Yan as a traitorous rebel. After all, if Wang Yan had been able to turn things around, that meant he had been prepared in advance. And if he had prepared in advance, then he must have long harbored disloyal intentions.
A pack of traitorous rebels who had risked their lives to hollow out the Great Ming Empire, secretly seize power, and lead the empire toward decline, called Wang Yan—a man forced into self-defense and counterattack—a traitorous rebel.
Without question, it was an enormous joke...
Thus, Wang Yan convened a grand court assembly of the capital's officials. Before more than a thousand people in the Forbidden City, he announced Emperor Longqing's edict: Wang Yan was promoted to Grand Preceptor and Chief Minister, with overall command of Great Ming's military and civil affairs.
Naturally, the title of Chief Minister had been arranged by Wang Yan himself. It stood above the Grand Secretariat and below the emperor. In name, it was equivalent to the former chancellor, but in terms of actual authority, no chancellor could compare. After all, Wang Yan simply had not become emperor; he exercised the emperor's full powers and responsibilities...
Wang Yan did not even bother making up some excuse about Longqing needing rest and recuperation. He did not mention it at