Chapter 23 Zhao Ziheng’s Guilt (1)
Today's Zhao State is facing internal and external troubles.
Internal power struggle.
Externally, be careful of attacks from other countries.
The reappearance of Zhao Ziheng may be able to solve the crisis temporarily, but can it last in the long run?
Will Zhou Yan be able to escape unharmed after bravely entering the tiger's den to save Yin Yin?
Zhao Ziheng is currently facing numerous crises before he even returns to the capital.
As soon as they passed the dangerous West Mountain, they were attacked by unknown people. Fortunately, they were protected by Zhao Shu, Zhao Ziyin and other elite troops and were not injured. Zhao Shu and others all believed that the attack was caused by assassins from other countries who coveted Zhao State, so they increased their precautions...
In fact, although Zhao Shu personally escorted the emperor, there were only about three thousand soldiers accompanying him.
On the night of the surprise attack, Zhao Ziheng and his men camped on a flat ground in the West Mountain. During dinner time, the people in the kitchen were inexplicably poisoned, causing panic...
"What is going on? Why do accidents happen one after another?"
Zhao Shu and other generals were discussing the incidents in the battalion . "Isn't it obvious? Someone wants to stop the emperor from returning to the palace--"
As soon as Zhao Ziyan said this, several generals accompanying him immediately became alert.
"Who on earth is so bold as to dare to block the emperor's way?"
When asked who it was, almost everyone present could guess, but no one dared to speak out. Zhao Ziheng could more or less guess who wanted to stop him from returning to the palace, but he remained silent like everyone else.
"No matter who it is, such a bold person must not be let go. Order your subordinates to strengthen the security around the emperor—"
"yes--"
Under Zhao Shu's courage, others could only obey his orders.
--late at night--
In Zhao Ziheng's battalion camp, Zhao Ziheng, Zhao Shu and Zhao Ziyin, father and son, had an in-depth discussion about the robbery.
"Your Majesty, I think that since the other party has this idea, we cannot just sit there and wait for death. We must take cautious countermeasures next."
"According to the Emperor's uncle's intention?"
"First of all, I want to know whether the emperor already knows who is the mastermind behind this incident?"
Zhao Shu looked directly at Zhao Ziheng, as if he had already seen through that Zhao Ziheng knew everything about the matter.
"Uncle, the news that I am not dead is already known to everyone. As long as Zhao State is without a ruler to manage the government, it will not be as indestructible as before. And for me who has not returned to the palace yet, has just ascended the throne and whose life and death are unknown, it has not been confirmed. Who among those who hate or admire Ming Tianxia would not want to take this opportunity to get rid of me?"
Zhao Ziheng tactfully diverted the meaning of Zhao Shu's words.
"That being said, how many people would dare to do such a daring thing? Although the emperor's life and death were indeed uncertain some time ago, the military strength of our Zhao State is still strong. Who dares to challenge the might of our Zhao Army? I believe that the mastermind this time is completely targeting the emperor, and his purpose is not to let the emperor return to the palace safely."
Zhao Shu saw through Zhao Ziheng's thoughts completely. As a member of the royal family, he certainly would not allow any struggle for power, even though they were members of the royal family.
"Uncle——"
Zhao Ziheng really didn't want to kill his brothers, what's more, he was not from this world and was very clear about the struggle for power. If he had a choice, he would rather give up the throne and live with Yinyin until old age, but the current situation did not allow him to do so.
"Regicide is a serious matter. Since you have legitimately ascended the throne, you must work together wholeheartedly. He ignored your status as the monarch and killed you, his brother. I know you are concerned about the relationship between brothers, but as a general who protects the country and a member of the Zhao family, I will never allow it. Since he has been unjust to you, you don't need to be merciful to him. After you go back, I hope you can handle this matter carefully and warn those people with bad intentions not to challenge the authority of the Zhao royal family."
Zhao Shu's attitude was clear, while Zhao Ziheng remained silent and thoughtful.
"You have to remember that the current situation is not the time for you to act out of loyalty. Although I admire the way you are doing things now, I think that you should make up your mind as soon as possible. In this respect, I admire your previous style more."
Of course, Zhao Ziheng would not understand what Zhao Shu was talking about his past self, because he was no longer the Zhao Ziheng they knew. He just wanted to do things according to his own ideas, and he valued loyalty and brotherhood more than anyone else.
"Uncle, can this matter be decided after we return to the palace?"
In any case, Zhao Ziheng didn't want to kill his brothers until the very last moment. Zhao Zixi could be unjust to him, but he was not Zhao Ziheng, so he didn't want to use extreme means to abandon the ties between brothers.
"...Since you insist on defending him, I have nothing to say. Anyway, we still have some distance to go before we return to the palace, so you can use this time to think carefully. Ziyin, give the order to proceed along the original route. Tell everyone to be alert and take precautions. Remember, the assassin must be captured alive."
"Ziyin obeys your command, father!"
"I have said everything I wanted to say. It is up to you to decide what to do. Let's go—"
"yes!"
Before leaving, Zhao Shu gave Zhao Ziheng one last warning and then left , leaving Zhao Ziheng alone in deep thought.
With the generals protecting the country and their elite soldiers guarding the emperor, it would be extremely difficult to even approach him, let alone assassinate him. Zhao Zixi's behavior was undoubtedly a futile attempt. The closer Zhao Ziheng got to the palace, the closer Zhao Zixi's plan was to failure...
In a blink of an eye, Zhao Ziheng's army of escorts had arrived at the royal city. The people in the city and the ministers in the palace had already been waiting at the city gate to welcome them...
"We are here to welcome His Majesty back to the city. May our emperor live long and long--"
Zhao Ziheng got off his horse at the front of the army amid cheers, followed by Zhao Shu, Zhao Ziyin and other generals. He walked majestically to the ministers...
"Everyone, please stand up—"
"Thank you, Emperor!"
The ministers stood up one after another. The one who stood up was an old man with a dignified and extraordinary bearing. This man was the prime minister of Zhao State, Wang Xu. He was the only old minister who had experienced three dynasties and was also one of the important ministers of the dynasty.
"Your Majesty, we have been here to welcome you for a long time. On behalf of all the civil and military officials and the people of Great Zhao, I sincerely welcome you back. Your Majesty's safe return to the royal city is a blessing for the people of Great Zhao. We can finally put down the heavy stone in our hearts."
"During my absence, Prime Minister Duo Lao and other ministers worked together to stabilize the country and the people's hearts. On behalf of the Great Zhao, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to you all."
"Your Majesty, your words are too polite. Please don't embarrass us. We are just doing our part. Why should we thank you? It is a blessing for the people that Your Majesty can overcome all difficulties and return to Zhao State—"
"Ziheng was incompetent and was recently murdered by a traitor, with his life hanging by a thread. Thanks to God's protection, he was able to return to Zhao. If it weren't for the concerted efforts of the prime minister and other ministers during Ziheng's absence, I'm afraid our Zhao would have been on the verge of collapse. When it comes to the happiness of the people, of course, it means that Zhao is so peaceful because of the presence of all the ministers."
"How dare I? The fact that His Majesty was able to escape death and turn danger into safety is His Majesty's own achievement. It is His Majesty who has benefited the people. We are just doing the job assigned to each of us by His Majesty—"
Wang Xu and Zhao Ziheng argued back and forth, each arguing over one thing and the other, seemingly unable to finish their conversation.
"Prime Minister Wang, since the emperor has said so, you don't have to be so modest. The emperor also said that it is a blessing for the people and the country of Zhao to have such a wise ruler and good ministers. Don't you agree?"
"right--"
"right--"
"right--"
"Let us congratulate our wise king on his return—"
"May the State of Zhao prosper—"
"May the people of Zhao live and work in peace and contentment—"
"In the prosperous times——"
Zhao Shu's words caused a commotion among the people and officials. From the people's clamor, one could feel how much they loved Zhao Ziheng. It was clear that Zhao Ziheng's achievements could not be explained by words...
