Chapter 76: War (4)
Once the balance is out of balance and the flames of war are ignited, it cannot be stopped once it happens. If you want to stop it, you must do it before that. Can Zhao Ziheng's decision, which he made with great pain, be resolved before that? Will Yin Yin be involved?
At the border of Weicheng, the imperial guards led by Zhou Cheng and Zhou Yan's army were in opposition. The two sides set up camps thirty miles apart. Zhou Yan refused Zhou Cheng's request to enter Weicheng without showing up.
Zhou Yan's camp.
"I am truly sorry."
Zhou Cheng released Zuo Yu back to Zhou Yan, which could actually be said to be a step taken to make Zhou Yan let down his guard. At this moment, in addition to Zhou Yan, there were several other confidants of Zhou Yan in the tent, including Zhu Ji and Gao Jin, and the atmosphere was very serious.
"I just want to know why you didn't inform me immediately?"
It seemed like a simple question at first glance, but Zuo Yu was very clear about the seriousness of the matter, so he couldn't say it out loud. The other people present were also very clear about the consequences. For Zuo Yu, the severity of this dereliction of duty was unprecedented.
"Why don't you speak?"
Zhou Yan knew the reason why Zuo Yu didn't dare to say it, but he still forced him to speak, making it even more difficult for Zuo Yu to face it.
"This is all my fault. I am willing to die as an apology."
After saying that, Zuo Yu drew the sword from his waist, put it to his neck and prepared to strike...
"Does the king allow you to do this?"
Faced with life and death, Zuo Yu was ready to strike with his sword without any care. Unfortunately, Zhou Yan stopped him before he could do anything. This was because Zuo Yu had already completely dedicated his life to Zhou Yan. As long as Zhou Yan did not allow it, even suicide would not be allowed for him. So after hearing Zhou Yan's words, he consciously put down the sword in his hand and continued to keep his head down.
"Your Highness, Zuo Yu has been in the custody of the Emperor these days. Even if he wanted to inform you, he would probably be worried about endangering you. He was also unable to do so. So please understand clearly, Your Highness."
Zhu Ji tried to persuade them that although Zhou Yan stopped Zuo Yu from committing suicide, it did not mean that Zhou Yan would let Zuo Yu go. As Zhou Yan's confidants, they all knew that no matter who it was, once they made a mistake, even a confidant would die, or even live a life worse than death. Among all his confidants, Zuo Yu was the one Zhou Yan appreciated the most, and on the contrary, the punishment would be unimaginable. Zhou Yan was very angry at the moment, so Zhu Ji was of course a little worried.
"…I don't need you to teach me what to do."
"Yes, I'm so sorry!"
Zhou Yan gave him a cold look. Zhu Ji also knew the consequences. If it was serious, he would be implicated as well. He just didn't want to watch Zuo Yu die or be punished more severely than death. Among the civil servants, Zhu Ji was one of the civil servants that Zhou Yan favored. Even when Zhu Ji spoke, he was given a cold look. Others didn't dare to say anything, even though they all felt sorry for Zuo Yu.
"Zuo Yu, you were released by the emperor, right? Don't you have anything else you want to say to me?"
"I have nothing to say except my loyalty to the prince."
"Nothing to say? Did you say something you shouldn't have said to the emperor?"
Zhou Yan, who had a keen insight, immediately noticed the hidden meaning in Zuo Yu's words. Since Zuo Yu said so, he must have said something to Zhou Cheng. Of course, the premise is that he would not betray Zhou Yan.
"I feel ashamed to see you again, Your Majesty. Please allow me to die."
Zuo Yu's words were a response to Zhou Yan, and he never wanted to hide anything. Although he said some words to Zhou Cheng for Zhou Yan, he never expected that the matter would be resolved under unexpected circumstances. In other words, he had done something unnecessary. Since it was unnecessary, how could he face Zhou Yan again?
"Humph, it's not easy to die? Do you think I won't kill you? Not only did you keep the information to yourself, you even sent it to the enemy. No matter which one you commit, you will be punished by death."
"Yes, I will gladly accept it."
"Okay, I will grant you death."
“Your Majesty!!”
"Your Majesty!!!"
As soon as Zhou Yan finished speaking, other people present immediately expressed their opinions.
"Your Majesty, please show mercy. Please forgive Zuo Yu for all the years that he has bowed to you."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please have mercy on me."
"Please have mercy, Your Majesty!"
Led by one person, all the people present knelt down to plead for Zuo Yu, which shows the depth of their friendship. It should be said that they are all loyal to the same master, so they would consider the master's interests. In other words, Zuo Yu is an indispensable existence for Zhou Yan.
Zuo Yu was naturally moved when he heard the voices of his companions, but what about Zhou Yan?
"Shut up, do you want to disobey my order?"
"Your Majesty, Zuo Yu has always been loyal to his duties. Even though he was imprisoned this time, I believe that Zuo Yu will never betray you. So please give Zuo Yu another chance. Please show mercy."
"Please have mercy, Your Majesty."
This time it was Zhu Ji who spoke first, and the others echoed him. It seems that Zuo Yu's existence is very important to them. If it were someone else, I believe there wouldn't be such a big fanfare, right?
Zhou Yan admitted that all the people present were his confidants, people who would do their best for him, but this was the first time he had seen all of them plead for one person at once. Therefore, even Zhou Yan seemed a little shaken by the first response, but he seemed more angry.
