The Ascension
The coup that launched Emperor Zou's sixteen year reign. Zou Huan was a popular military leader during the reign of his predecessor, Emperor Longwei. His charisma and keen observational skills gained him many allies. Zou planned the coup with the aid of the White Sea Sect, military connections such as Yao Guiren, and the neighboring country of Garal, promising all of his allies increased power once he was on the throne. He also cast himself as a man of the people; many aspiring but low-level officials joined him based on his stance that Hantzu should appoint clergy outside of the elite cultivator sects.
The support of Garal allowed Zou to plan a comprehensive and rapid coup that took place within a matter of days across the empire. Garalese forces were particularly effective in the sacking of the capital city of Yinguonan and the massacre of the Cold Wolf Sect.
Thousands of people were killed or disappeared during the coup. Some, including Gao Zhong Hu, were taken for questioning. Others, such as the Zhang Family, were made public examples of. The emperor's first actions after the coup were to punish the closest supporters of Emperor Longwei and reward his own loyal followers. He moved the capital to Longjiang to seat himself behind the protection of the White Sea Sect. From there, he established a bloody reign that would last for the following sixteen years.
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