Chapter 75: 75

The National Council for Peace and Order of Tongzhou proceeded to seize power in silence without a trace without anyone noticing. The city guards were bought and prepared to open the door to welcome the troops to maintain order.

On the Third Prince's side, Zhao Zhemin summoned his loyal supporters to the political office to find a way to deal with Gu Heng's withdrawal group. This caused a great political crisis in Tongzhou. Causing the policy driving to be delayed.

Gu Heng's power base in Tongzhou City could be supremacy, second only to the third prince. Many of Gu Heng's political ties were equally great. This withdrawal of Gu Heng had greatly shaken the foundation of Zhao Zhemin's power.

Zhao Zhemin suddenly regretted that at that time, he was not careful with these merchants. When pushing them to power, it turned out that Zhao Zhemin himself had to rely on their support; otherwise, it would not be easy to survive.

"Your Highness cannot let this continue. Gu Heng holds a lot of power in Tongzhou. If he is dishonest, the consequences are hard to predict." said one merchant, speaking of the current problem, which awakened everyone to be more careful and ready to deal with Gu Heng.

Zhao Zhemin, who had heard this, furrowed his eyebrows, unexpectedly coming to Gu Heng, who had been a Dongzhou development consultant together. This time, he had to get rid of him. The merchants who supported Zhao Zhemin plead. They raised all kinds of reasons to convince Zhao Zhemin to take down the sword to defeat Gu Heng.

"If everyone else said this, I will just follow everyone's wishes." Zhao Zhemin decided to take decisive action. Since Gu Heng cut off his relationship, he didn't need to be merciful anymore.

The merchants in the room kept their joy in the air, not showing after Zhao Zhemin decided. They wanted to knock Gu Heng from this stable position so that they could go in and share the big benefits.

"Command the city guards to arrest Gu Heng and his allies now," Zhao Zhemin ordered.

But at that time, it was reported from his subordinate.

"This is bad, Your Highness. Outside, soldiers are surrounding the political office."

"What, why are there soldiers surrounding us?" Zhao Zhemin said in shock.

"Your Highness, Gu Heng took action first." said one merchant.

The merchants who have government power are not foolish. As soon as they learned that soldiers were surrounding the political office, they immediately guessed what had happened. Their greatest fear has arrived. Gu Heng proceeded one step faster than them, able to achieve more than half the victory.

"Damn, Gu Heng. How dare you." Zhao Zhemin smashed the table in anger.

The National Council for Peace has acted concisely and swiftly as planned. Twenty thousand armies stationed outside of Dongzhou City easily entered the city. The soldiers did not know why they had to bring their forces into the city. But their military orders could not be denied. They need to follow them strictly.

The army quickly took control of an important place in Dongzhou, an armory of the city, a port, and a merchant's home supporting the Third Prince. Then announced that everyone stays in the house, coming out is forbidden. If violated, there will be severe penalties like a rebellion. Dongzhou is a large port city surrounded by the sea; escaping is easy. Taking control of the port is critical.

Economic activity was disrupted, and people were hiding in their homes. The merchants from the foreign country were afraid of what had happened. They took refuge in a safe place, opening doors and windows to keep an eye on the situation.

Gu Heng's close soldiers all raised their strength into the Third Prince Supporter's house. Resting swords on their neck, asks...

"Want to live or die."

Everyone was afraid of death, knowing that the sword on the neck would cut off their head if they answered incorrectly. They switched to support Gu Heng like a chameleon.

"Please calm down and negotiate. We've all been upset for the Third Prince for a long time. If you want something, you can tell us. We are fully cooperating."

"Sign this announcement."

The soldiers forced them to sign a declaration of joining Gu Heng. As evidence to ensure that they are on the same side, their signatures will become evident if the seizure of power fails. It made it necessary to join the promoter with full strength after they signed.

Supporters can not be against all signs. This situation popped up all over the city of Tongzhou. The operation to seize power proceeded with success. Most supporters of the Third Prince had switched sides.

The National Council for Peace and Order of Tongzhou succeeded in controlling the important place, leaving only one place remaining.

Gu Heng and his team walked into the city hall bravely. The Third Prince Zhao, who saw this, cried out in anger.

"Gu Heng, why are you doing this to me? Have you forgotten who is your supporter until you are today?"

"Your Majesty, I have never forgotten your favor. But the national crisis has approached Da Zhou split into many parts. If you step down from power, Da Zhou will become peaceful again. There is no way around this." Gu Heng said to the Third Prince, undaunted.

"You betray someone for this reason? Gu Heng, you definitely will not die peacefully."

The Third Prince worked hard to develop such a distant port town until it grew into a famous port city. Foreigners know Dongzhou as the pearl of the East. Such success indicates that Zhao Zhemin's genius was second to none. But when everything was ripe, he was utterly separated from it. Sadness and despair gripped Zhao Zhemin's heart.

"Don't waste any time. Let's proceed." Gu Heng ordered someone to bring him the announcement, read it out loud.

"Right now, the Tongzhou Council for Peace has taken control of the city."

The first line of the sentence made Zhao Zhemin pale. The words of the promoters were to take power from him.

"Zhao Zhemin is a compassionate ruler. Good governance creates happiness for the people."

With these words, Zhao Zhemin could only raise a voice in his heart. If he is as good as the proclamation, why must take his power?

"Zhao Z้emin was bogged down by a fraudulent merchant, interfering with the domestic affairs, causing heavy damage to Dongzhou. There was a rebellion against the central government, resulting in chaos in the country. "

The merchants beside Zhao Zhemin suddenly pale, kneeling on the ground. These charges, they know, were intentionally created to justify the seizure of power.

"Please let us go. We agree to join you." The merchants who joined the Third Prince hurriedly shred their tails. They cried out very quickly, unable to let themselves become the scapegoats. Gu Heng justified his seizure of power by blaming them.

"When the country comes to a dead-end and cannot find a way out. The Tongzhou Council for Peace decided to take over Zhao Zhemin to restore lost happiness. Appoint Gu Heng as temporary leader of Tongzhou. I wish all the people to understand and follow the law to keep the peace."

Gu Heng said in the announcement that the seizure of power was a success. Gu Heng handed over a document to Zhao Zemin.

"Your Majesty, please sign this document too."

Zhao Zemin knew that the current resistance did not affect. He received the documents, watch with a panicked expression.

"This is impossible. This document, I can't sign." Zhao Zhemin fiercely refused. The content inside is something he cannot accept.

The document states that Zhao Zhemin had to surrender all administrative powers to the Tongzhou Council of Peace. Signed an order to certify the authenticity of the promoter. Finally, the signing of limited authority no longer has administrative rights and has been removed from leader Tongzhou. All this was for the Third Prince to give up all his powers to become ordinary people, no more royal powers, less valuable than a puppet.

"Your Majesty has no choice. This is what you have to do." Gu Heng said impersonally. Hand a pen to Zhao Zhemin.

Under pressure from all sides and the military power was seized. The Third Prince was forced to sign the announcement of the Tongzhou Council of Peace and Order.

"I signed, take it."

Gu Heng accepted the documents to examine the validity. After checking that there was no problem, he continued to command.

"Capture Zhao Zhemin. Kill all the merchants in this room."

When they blame the merchants, Gu Heng could not keep them. As for the former Third Prince, he was temporarily detained because he was a royal family member. The emperor would certainly be unhappy if he had offended the royal family.

"Please let me go."

"I will give up and help me." the merchants cried out loud, trying to cry out for mercy. But the soldiers carried them outside to deal.

The National Council for Peace and Order of Tongzhou succeeded in seizing power. People won't know the truth behind it; they accuse the merchants who control Zhao Zhemin. People praised Gu Heng as a hero who immediately resolved the situation.

Gu Heng, the Tongzhou Council for Peace and Order leader, sent a message to the central government in Shenzhou. Prepare to negotiate to end this long civil war.