Volume 2 Chapter 25: Relieving Trouble (Part 1)
It was noon. Emperor Zhao, who got up a little late today, tightened his sleeves as usual, regardless of the fact that several ministers and important officials might come to discuss matters at any time. Then he went to the small woods on the left side behind the palace and began his daily archery practice.
Of course, the soldier from yesterday did not come with the emperor, and eunuchs such as Lan Gui and Feng Yi were also sent away by the emperor to deal with matters in the front palace and the back palace. At this time, only Yang Yi Zhong and Liu Yan led the guards here... In fact, this started in Mingdao Palace, and everyone in the palace has long been accustomed to it.
"Speak!"
Emperor Zhao seemed to have not forgotten something. After shooting the arrow, he suddenly spoke, which made Liu Yan and several guards from Liaodong who were accompanying him puzzled.
"I will follow the emperor's orders." Yang Yizhong knew that the emperor wanted Liu Yan to hear it on purpose, but he did not try to hide it and reported it directly. "The military intelligence is clear, but I cannot tell whether it was leaked or happened to me. This is what happened..."
Emperor Zhao shot as he listened. After he had finished shooting all the arrows, he stopped shooting and shook his head: "I think I understand. The key to this matter depends on Hu Hongxiu's ability... Is that right?"
"Yes." Yang Yizhong responded simply.
Zhao Jiu aimed at the target again while laughing: "In short, if this person has no ability, then it's the father Wang Shuzhan who recommended an alchemist to me, and the son Wang Ruohai and the son-in-law Hu Hongxiu leaked military information. The whole family is a bastard. If the Hu family has ability, then it's our Wang Taichang who is a fool and a bastard, because he recommended an alchemist to me while hiding his son-in-law... Is that what you mean?"
The official's arrow missed the target, and Yang Yizhong had no choice but to nod his head.
Seeing this, Zhao Jiu couldn't help but shake his head and laugh again.
In fact, Emperor Zhao understood it very well. From the mess of Uncle Wang Zhan recommending the sorcerer, it can be seen that he is just a bastard who wants to stand out.
In contrast, his son-in-law Hu Hongxiu was a man with a clear resume... He was born as a student of the Imperial College, gave up writing to join the army, guarded the city of Tokyo, wandered for more than a year, traveled from the Yellow River to the Yangtze River, read thousands of books and traveled thousands of miles, and personally went to the battlefield. He also had a clear position and was a qualified staff officer.
However, this kind of person, who is also a close relative, is not as useful as an alchemist in the eyes of Wang Taichang.
In a word, Uncle Wang Zhan is just a fool, he is not really a bad guy.
However, the alchemy incident yesterday was too disgusting. Emperor Zhao wanted to teach Uncle Wang a lesson, so he naturally had to deviate the target.
Of course, after hearing this expected explanation, Emperor Zhao naturally let go of the incident of "leaking military intelligence" last time. After all, it was a good thing.
"There is one more thing." Zhao Jiu's mood improved a little, and he continued to bend his bow and arrow while asking casually. "Based on the confusion of Mr. Lu these days, I'm afraid he was also confused that day, right?"
"I have also thoroughly investigated this matter." Yang Yizhong hesitated. "From the current perspective, it seems that Mr. Lu has suffered an unexpected disaster and has been misjudged."
Zhao Jiu was slightly startled, but the arrow hit the target. He remained calm and said calmly, "Was it Feng Yi who did it? Was he targeting Lan Gui?"
"I dare not make a definite statement." Yang Yizhong knelt on one knee and explained with his head down. "I have only found the source of some rumors. I have found a few people outside the palace who spread the rumors at the beginning. They are all merchants and workshop owners who have procurement relations with the palace. They also said that it was spread by the eunuchs in the palace... Since it involves the eunuchs, I dare not ask any more, but maybe the eunuchs are indeed gossipy."
"Is n't that right? Anyway, Feng Yi is the most suspicious, and I have already guessed it..." Zhao Jiu shook his head. "Lan Gui was convicted for this, so he is the chief guard, with the greatest motive. And he seemed to have avoided this incident with us, but it seemed a bit too much. You must know that Lan Gui proposed this matter at the beginning, and the eunuchs discussed it together. Without him, how could this happen? Even bringing Madam Wu here was his own decision."
Yang Yizhong lowered his head and said nothing.
"However, Lan Gui has been with me for a long time and knows my temper. Whether he will stand by and watch, or not, it will be another matter if there is a Zheng Bo defeating Duan Yu Yan." Zhao Jiu missed the target with one shot, so he simply put away the arrow and turned back. "This kind of thing is inevitable, but I can neither sit back and do nothing, nor can I become a tool for these people... Go and tell Feng Yi what you have found out and what I just said, and tell him that no matter whether it is intentional or unintentional, if he dares to cross the line again, or even involve the outer court, I will ask him to go to Wuguo City to serve the emperor."
Yang Yizhong wanted to say something but stopped himself. He could only respond in response, while Liu Yan beside him had already gone from confused to confused by what he had heard.
However, after Emperor Zhao finished giving his orders, he seemed to no longer care about these things. After shooting two arrows, he simply unbuttoned his sleeves, called the eunuchs to change into a brand new red robe, tied a cowhide belt, and then put on a hard-winged hat, and led the fully armed squad to the front hall to meet the ministers and important officials.
Let's say Liu Ji went to Xiangyang to take up his post. At this time, the palace once again became a general pattern of two east and two west four ministers and one censor. However, now is different from the past. With more and more civil officials gathering together, the vacancies in various parts of the central government are gradually filled. The close ministers of Emperor Zhao are no longer as simple as a Xiaolin scholar and a few servants on Bagong Mountain in the past. Nowadays, there are two palace censors, a bunch of Zhongshu Sheren, and even three or four more Hanlin scholars who Zhao Jiu can name. There are also some other literati under the Privy Council and the Capital Province (the name after the four provinces were merged into one)... that is, the so-called confidential secretary team, who can also go directly to the palace, stand in the corner, and serve the emperor and several ministers.
For example, Hu Hongxiu's brother-in-law, Wang Ruohai, was a Chengshilang in the Privy Council and was in charge of tasks. Like Liu Ziyu, he was theoretically under the command of Wang Boyan and Yuwen Xuzhong.
"Have the several matters I entrusted to you gentlemen before I left been settled?" Emperor Zhao came to the front of the palace and greeted everyone, but his expression was normal, as if he had not heard those reports at all, and there was no embarrassing incident by the Baihe River yesterday... One can only say that one feels refreshed when good things happen.
Hearing the emperor's questioning, Lu Haowen took the lead, but was embarrassed for a moment: "I have reported to the emperor that there are many doubts about several things..."
Emperor Zhao was stunned for a moment, but he was not anxious. Instead, he smiled and said, "It's okay. Let's talk about it one by one, starting with the smallest thing. Is Li Yanxian still in a bad mood?"
"Reporting to the emperor." The person in charge of this matter was Lu Haowen himself, and he became more and more embarrassed. "Li Yanxian once again refused the imperial order and was unwilling to serve as the pacification envoy."
Zhao Jiu smiled and shook his head: "Why?"
"Your Majesty." Lu Haowen bowed his head and replied. "I have asked someone to ask clearly. Li Yanxian meant that he is loyal and has a clean background. Please reward and promote him according to the proper order. For example, if you want to show favor to the miscellaneous army generals, such as the pacification envoy, let him be on the same level as Yue Fei and Zhang Rong, he would rather die than accept it!"
The official sighed softly.
