Puppet Emperor, the Empress Wields All Power and Calls a Deer a Horse

The moon was bright, and stars were sparse.

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, inside the military camp of the City Defense Force.

Lu Tao, clad in black armor, sat at the head of the table, looking solemnly at the list in his hand. He spoke gravely:

“Commander Qing Long, is His Majesty truly planning to eliminate all the officials on this list?”

“Indeed, Commander Lu. Just proceed as planned.”

Across from him, a middle-aged man with a commanding aura, wearing the iconic flying fish robe and carrying an embroidered spring knife, nodded seriously and instructed.

“Understood. Tonight’s matter will not disappoint His Majesty. I only hope the Royal Shadow Guards will fully cooperate.”

Lu Tao put down the list, his expression deeply serious.

He knew that every official on the list held high-ranking positions and was a staunch loyalist of the Empress Dowager. If these officials were eliminated, the Empress Dowager’s influence in court would significantly weaken. At that point, His Majesty would gain the upper hand in court.

—

Meanwhile, the scene shifts!

At the mansion of the Vice Minister of Revenue in the imperial capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the place was brightly lit, hosting a grand banquet. Dozens of officials gathered at the feast, drunk and merry, exchanging toasts and engaging in lively conversation.

“I’ve heard the Empress Dowager is planning to remove Gao Yuan soon. Before long, sir, you might take his place as Minister of Revenue.”

“Exactly! That old fool Gao Yuan, how dare he recklessly side with the new emperor, openly defying the Empress Dowager? He’s simply courting death.”

“Indeed, sir, your position is bound to rise!”

The officials lifted their wine cups, flattering the Vice Minister of Revenue, Lei Yu, who sat at the head of the table.

Lei Yu, enjoying the compliments, laughed heartily. “The new emperor is just a wet-behind-the-ears child. What abilities could he possibly have?”

“As long as you remain loyal to the Empress Dowager, wealth and glory will be yours!”

“Haha, the Vice Minister is right!”

“Everyone knows the court belongs to the Empress Dowager. The emperor is just a puppet. Even with control over the City Defense Force, opposing the Empress Dowager is nothing but seeking death.”

The officials, all loyal to the Empress Dowager, ridiculed and belittled the emperor. They eagerly anticipated the day when the Empress Dowager would eliminate the emperor, allowing them to rise in rank and fortune.

Suddenly, a loud explosion interrupted the festive atmosphere.

The officials were startled, anger quickly replacing their shock, and they cursed aloud.

“Who dares to cause trouble at my residence? Do they have a death wish?”

Lei Yu’s face twisted with rage as he stormed toward the mansion’s entrance, followed closely by the furious officials.

However, the moment they stepped outside, Lei Yu’s eyes widened in shock. His drunkenness vanished, and he nearly collapsed in fear.

Outside the mansion, thousands of black-armored soldiers stood cold and motionless, surrounding the entire estate. Their expressions were deadly, and their killing intent was palpable.

But that wasn’t all.

Beside the soldiers were hundreds of fierce Royal Shadow Guards, their faces filled with murderous intent.

Seeing this scene, Lei Yu’s anger dissipated. The officials behind him, once full of arrogance, were now trembling in terror.

“Lu Tao, what is the meaning of this? How dare you bring troops to surround my residence! Aren’t you afraid of punishment from the court, or of the Empress Dowager’s wrath?”

“Withdraw now, and I may let this slide. If not, I will gather these officials and report you to the Empress Dowager, charging you with a grave crime!”

Lei Yu forced himself to appear tough, glaring at Lu Tao, the commander of the black-armored soldiers, trying to buy time for the Empress Dowager to intervene.

“Vice Minister Lei Yu, you’ve accepted bribes from the Jin Dynasty, committed treason, and betrayed the Great Zhou. By His Majesty’s order, your entire clan will be executed.”

“The officials present, being your accomplices, are to be killed without mercy!”

Lu Tao’s cold gaze swept over Lei Yu and the terrified officials. His voice was filled with killing intent.

The officials had committed numerous atrocities, and in the power struggles of the court, standing on the wrong side could lead to death.

“Baseless accusations! This is slander! I demand to see the Empress Dowager—she will bring justice!”

Lei Yu roared in fury, his eyes narrowed, glaring at Lu Tao. The other officials, filled with fear, shouted alongside him.

“Heh, you won’t get that chance.”

“Kill them all!”

Lu Tao’s expression was indifferent. With a wave of his hand, he gave the merciless order.

Clang!

Clang!

Instantly, the sound of swords being drawn echoed through the night. Thousands of black-armored soldiers and hundreds of Royal Shadow Guards charged into the mansion, initiating a massacre.

In no time, the mansion was soaked in blood. The screams of the dying filled the air but soon fell silent.

Lei Yu, along with the dozens of Empress Dowager’s loyalists, were executed, their heads rolling on the ground.

This scene was not limited to Lei Yu’s mansion.

That night, hundreds of officials’ residences throughout the imperial capital were similarly attacked, their clans wiped out in blood.

All these officials were loyal to the Empress Dowager, and many had engaged in treasonous acts.

This night was meticulously planned by Gu Changsheng, with irrefutable evidence supporting his actions.

Even if the Empress Dowager sought to accuse him, Gu Changsheng had sufficient justification, ensuring his unassailable position.