Chapter 381 Undercurrent
Wang Shoufu bowed to all the officials, followed the old eunuch into the palace, and walked all the way to the side hall of the imperial study.
The old eunuch ordered the eunuch to serve tea, and said respectfully: "Prime Minister, please wait a moment."
After that, he left.
Wang Shoufu sat alone on a chair, waiting for half an hour.
He was not in a hurry, waiting silently, wearing a scarlet robe, a tall hat, and gray hair on his temples.
His expression was calm, and it was impossible to tell whether he was happy or angry, but his sometimes dazed eyes made people realize that the old man's mood was not as good as it looked.
Finally, footsteps were heard.
Wang Shoufu's slightly turbid eyes lit up slightly, and he looked at the door.
The old eunuch in a python robe came in alone with a whisk in his arms, and said regretfully: "Prime Minister, His Majesty is so sad that it is inappropriate to see you."
The light in Wang Shoufu's eyes dimmed little by little.
The old eunuch sighed: "Your Majesty needs time to calm down. You know, Prince Huai is his brother, and His Majesty has had a deep relationship with Prince Huai since childhood. Now he is gone out of the blue......"
Wang Shoufu nodded woodenly, bowed, and left the side hall of the imperial study.
When he walked down the steps, Wang Shoufu couldn't help but came to his senses and bowed deeply towards the imperial study.
Then he strode away without looking back.
......
Watching Wang Shoufu leave, the old eunuch exhaled a breath of turbid air as if relieved. He was a little afraid of Wang Zhenwen's eyes, which were filled with deep disappointment.
He walked through the imperial study and entered the bedroom, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has gone back."
Emperor Yuan Jing said "hmm", but did not open his eyes. He closed his eyes and asked, "Who are the people who gathered at the palace gate?"
The old eunuch said in a deep voice, "All those who should come have come."
Emperor Yuan Jing snorted coldly, "I knew that these dogs usually bite each other, and half of them are just acting. Hateful, hateful, and deserve to be killed!"
He was angry for a while, then regained his composure and asked, "Has the Left Censor-in-Chief Yuan Xiong come?"
The old eunuch thought for a while and shook his head, "It seems that I didn't see him."
Emperor Yuan Jing closed his eyes again. After a long silence, when the old eunuch thought that the matter was over, he suddenly heard Emperor Yuan Jing say:
"Write down those who didn't come today, and do the same in the next few days."
"Yes!"
.......
At dusk, in the golden red afterglow.
Xu Qian'an led the mare, and Xu Xinnian led his mount, walking slowly on the street.
Also traveling with them were the governor Zheng Xinghuai and the fifth-rank warrior Shentu Baili.
"Sir Zheng, are you staying at the post station?" Xu Qian'an's tone was filled with worry.
With Zheng Xinghuai's official position, he must be staying at the post station in the inner city, where the security conditions are very good, and there are also a group of personal guards such as Shentu Baili.
However, their current enemy is Emperor Yuan Jing, so some things have to be guarded against. A fifth-rank warrior with Huajin is really not enough in the capital.
"Don't worry, brother. The massacre of the King of Zhenbei has pushed His Majesty and Sir Zheng to the forefront. Even His Majesty will not do unwise things at this time, which will incur public anger. You must know that the trend is rolling and cannot be resisted head-on."
Xu Xinnian said.
Zheng Buzheng looked at him in surprise, and a trace of approval appeared on his face, which was full of hatred and deep hatred. He said:
"Xu Yinluo, your cousin has a sharp vision, and what he said is very true. This attitude of not being surprised by honor or disgrace will definitely have a bright future in the future."
Xu Xinnian smiled faintly.
No, he is just used to being arrogant and pretentious. In fact, his inner tolerance is just average, and he often suffers social death. He is not the kind of great power who will not change his color when the mountains collapse in front of him... Xu Qi'an complained in his heart.
Zheng Buzheng didn't know Xu Baipiao's inner drama, and said with reminiscence: "He reminds me of the elegance of Duke Wei when he was young."
No, Lord Zheng, does Duke Wei agree with what you said... Xu Qi'an pulled the corner of his mouth, pulled up a far-fetched arc, and finally remained silent.
Some things happen, and if they are not dealt with for a day, they will be like a thorn in the throat.
"You don't have to worry," said Zheng, the governor. "A group of night watchmen have moved into the post station. You know what's going on."
Duke Wei is already on guard. With him taking care of Mr. Zheng's safety, I won't worry... Xu Qian'an felt relieved.
"Goodbye!"
Zheng, the governor, bowed and left with Shentu Baili.
Xu Qian'an watched silently. In just ten days from Chuzhou to the capital, Zheng Xinghuai's back had become a little hunched, as if something was pressing on his shoulders, making him unable to straighten his back.
"Alas..." He sighed in his heart, touched the back curve of the mare, and turned over to ride on it.
Amid the sound of the horses' "da da da", the two brothers slowly walked towards home.
"Lord Zheng is a poor man, a Jinshi in the 19th year of Yuanjing. I heard from Censor Liu that his father died early and his widowed mother raised him with great difficulty. After much difficulty, she sent him to the Imperial College and he passed the Jinshi exam. However, she herself was exhausted by years of hard work and died before her son returned home in glory."
As the mare walked slowly, Xu Qian'an said, "Then, because he was rigid and observant and didn't know how to adapt, he offended the former Prime Minister and was sent to Chuzhou.
"He had been doing business in Chuzhou for eighteen years and had spent most of his life there. As a result, he turned to dust overnight."
Xu Xinnian was silent for a long time, feeling very uncomfortable with the depression in his heart.
He vented all his depression and said with emotion, "Eighteen years of wind and rain, half a lifetime of great achievements, I tell this to the dead bones."
"Don't talk about this. "As if to get rid of the depressed mood, Xu Qian'an raised an insincere smile:
"Cijiu, how far have you and Miss Wang gone? Have you... um, taught me everything you know?"
Xu Xinnian blushed and said unhappily: "The word 'go' is so vulgar. I admit that I have a good impression of Miss Wang. She is well-educated, knowledgeable, and elegant in conversation. She can talk to me about the past and the present.
"I have never seen such a talented woman except Princess Huaiqing. It's not strange to be slightly attracted to her."
Brother, we have the same taste. I also like talented women like Huaiqing. Oh, in addition, I also like little fools like Lin'an, little foodies like Caiwei, female knights like Li Miaozhen, and poor little people like Zhongli...
"In fact, I have been hesitant." Xu Xinnian said helplessly: "Wang Zhenwen is Wei Yuan's political enemy, and he may not marry Miss Simu to me. And I haven't decided to marry her yet."
Xu Qian'an stopped talking glibly and pondered: "We have discussed this issue more than once. There must be a split between you and me.
"You go your sunny road, and I go my single-plank bridge. Ha, Duke Wei is a single-plank bridge. I know your concerns. You are afraid that Wang Zhenwen will force you to oppose me and fight against me. On this point, I want to tell you a way."
Xu Xinnian humbly asked for advice: "Brother, please speak. "
Xu Qian'an said in a low voice: "Hold your wife and respect yourself."
"What do you mean, brother?"
"You married someone's daughter, which is equivalent to holding a hostage. Unless Wang Zhenwen doesn't care about this legitimate daughter, even if your relationship is bad, he won't be really heartless. Grasp this degree, you will be invincible. Besides, you don't need to rely on the Wang family completely, just to give the Xu family more options."
"It makes sense. "Xu Xinnian nodded slowly.
Seeing that he seemed to have realized something, Xu Qian'an smiled, looked forward, and thought about his concubine who was kept outside.
I haven't seen her for many days, and I actually have some feelings for her... The charm of the most beautiful woman in Dafeng seems a little strange. She is not as attractive as Luo Yuheng, but she is secretly influencing me?
I really want to know where she came from.
Well, leave the concubine with my confidante first, and wait until the matter of the King of Zhenbei is settled before meeting her. Before that, we need to be careful.
I won't take Zhong Li for now, and she will stay in the Sitianjian. I will definitely go out frequently these days, and it is not convenient to take her with me.
I won't meet Lin'an and Huaiqing for now. I will definitely not be able to enter the palace during this period, and this matter is related to the royal family, so I am also involved, and I don't want to see them.
When I was daydreaming, I suddenly heard Xu Erlang confusedly said: "Brother, what does it mean to teach you everything you know? "
He initially thought that it was the uneducated and vulgar elder brother who had made a mistake in wording, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong, so he couldn't help but ask.
Xu Qi'an thought about it and replied: "Whether a man loves a woman depends on whether he is willing to give her everything he knows."
Is there such a saying? Xu Cijiu said: "How can you tell whether a woman loves a man?"
After the elder brother broke through to the Qi training realm, he had a lot of luck in love and was always able to hook up with stunning beauties. In the field of love, Xu Cijiu was still very convinced of the elder brother.
You want to ask, does Wang Simu really like you? Xu Qi'an thought for a long time and said: "It depends on whether the woman is willing to welcome you. "
What the hell is the elder brother talking about...... Xu Cijiu didn't understand and was studying it all the way.
........
"Big pot..."
Entering the mansion and coming to the inner hall, it was time for dinner.
When Xu Lingyin saw her elder brother coming back after a long absence, she didn't even eat. She walked up to him with her short legs in surprise, and then bumped into Xu Qi'an's arms.
Xu Qi'an shook his body, a little surprised.
After not seeing him for a month and a half, the little bean's strength has increased to this extent?
"Have you made your mother angry recently?" Xu Qi'an held the little bean in his arms and walked to the inner hall.
"Ah? Do I often make my mother angry? "Xu Lingyin asked in surprise.
She was such a good child, but her mother said that she didn't know what happened in her life and gave birth to Xu Lingyin.
It can be seen that she is different from her elder brother, second brother and sister.
Xu Lingyin still can't tell the difference between her cousin and her brother, and always thinks that her elder brother is also born by her mother.
Xu Qian'an touched her head and didn't say anything.
It seems that the practice method of the Li Gu Department can only increase strength, but not improve IQ, otherwise Lina would not be like this now.
Thinking of this, he looked at the little black skin in Nanjiang with curled hair, eyes like the blue sea, wheat-colored skin, and delicate features.
"I feel that you have changed." Little Black Skin looked at him.
"What's different?" Xu Qian'an asked.
Lina thought about it and shook her head. She couldn't say it, but she felt that his limbs coordination and muscle force had improved when he walked.
"Big brother, you're back."
The happiest person was of course Xu Lingyue, whose beautiful and refined face was full of smiles, and she personally served Xu Qi'an rice and set the chopsticks.
Xu Cijiu waited for a while, and seeing that his sister didn't care about him at all, he took care of himself.
"It's good to be back."
Uncle Xu had been examining his nephew, and seeing that he was safe and sound, his spirit became more abundant, and a smile suddenly appeared on his rough face.
"Yeah!"
The arrogant aunt nodded in agreement, and then said: "Lingyin, come down quickly, don't delay your big brother's meal."
Today, the aunt wore a plain double-breasted small dress, embroidered with plump crabapple flowers, just as beautiful and plump as she was, outlining her full chest and slender waist.
The lower body was a goose yellow skirt, which made her beauty more elegant and intellectual.
After dinner, Xu Qian'an was invited to Xu Erlang's study.
Unconsciously, the two of them had begun to avoid Uncle Xu when discussing important matters, unlike when they dealt with Zhou Xianping, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, where the three men discussed together.
The two brothers thought this was good. Uncle Xu was not good at intrigue, and the more he knew, the more distressed he was.
Because as an elder, he was thinking about how to solve the problem, not waiting for his nephew and son to solve it.
It is the instinct of every elder to protect his offspring from wind and rain, but Uncle Xu is not good at this, so it will only add to his troubles.
......
East wing.
Uncle Xu sat at the table, drank a sip of tea, and sighed: "Two bastards, they don't like me anymore."
Aunt, wearing a thin white dress, sat cross-legged on the bed, playing with her jade bracelet, and asked: "What do you mean?"
Her legs were well-proportioned and slender, overlapping each other, quite beautiful.
"Alas, something big happened in Chuzhou. Today, officials are making trouble in the imperial city, and the news is spreading." Uncle Xu frowned.
"What's the matter?" Aunt asked curiously.
"As a woman, why do you care so much?" Uncle Xu glared at her
Just as the two brothers didn't want Uncle Xu to worry too much, Uncle Xu also didn't want his wife to worry for nothing. For a woman like her who still thinks she is in her prime at such an age, it is enough to give her peace and happiness.
........
"Brother, you haven't told me the details of Chuzhou City."
In the study, Xu Erlang sat at the tea table with a cup of strong tea.
Xu Qian'an stood by the window, looking at the dark and silent courtyard, and said slowly: "The Chuzhou case is far more complicated than you think......"
He calmly narrated his experience of traveling north, telling Xu Cijiu bit by bit, including empathizing with Zheng Buzhengshi and seeing the scene of the white massacre in Chuzhou City.
His tone was so calm, so calm that he dared not have the slightest fluctuation.
Great sorrow without tears.
"So, it turns out that he was also involved......"
Xu Xinnian said in a daze. In his heart, the few feelings of loyalty to the emperor collapsed, and there was no trace of it left.
"The purpose of the delegation's return to Beijing this time is to make the crimes of the King of Zhenbei known to the world. Ha, Lord Zheng will not allow a beast like the King of Zhenbei to be buried as a prince and passed down to future generations as the name of the Great Feng Protector of the Country." Xu Qian'an sneered.
Scholars pay the most attention to their reputation after death. If the King of Zhenbei cannot be convicted, in Zheng Xinghuai's view, this is an unsuccessful revenge, and it is not considered to be seeking justice for the people of Chuzhou City.
"Cijiu, how do you think this "war" should be fought?" Xu Qian'an asked.
"You are already doing it." Xu Xinnian said: "With the overwhelming momentum to threaten Emperor Yuan Jing, even the emperor cannot stop the surging public sentiment. Didn't he agree to meet Prime Minister Wang? Let's see what the result will be tomorrow."
"It's a pity that I can't help much with the affairs of the court. It doesn't feel good to pin your hopes on others." Xu Qian'an sighed.
"Brother, you have done enough..."
Xu Xinnian was about to say a few words of comfort, but suddenly frowned, paused for a long time, and his face slowly became solemn: "Brother, something seems wrong."
Xu Qian'an turned around and looked at him.
Xu Xinnian whispered: "According to what you said, if this case was a conspiracy between Emperor Yuan Jing and Prince Huai, then the mission's plan to catch him off guard was a failure from the beginning.
"Don't forget that Que Yongxiu escaped, and the spy of the King of Zhenbei also escaped. Will these people report the news of the death of the King of Zhenbei back to Beijing? Maybe when you are full of confidence, he has already received the news in advance.
"Then, Emperor Yuan Jing has definitely thought about how to deal with it. Don't doubt it. Our Majesty has been playing political games for so many years. If he gets serious, I'm afraid that Duke Wei and Prime Minister Wang are not his opponents."
"You reminded me, it's true." Xu Qian'an turned back and faced the dark courtyard without saying anything.
Xu Qian'an knew that the court was not his home court. First of all, political struggle is not about solving cases, and it is not about relying on a smart brain. Who can fight in the imperial examination is not a smart person.
But there are so many people who rise and fall every year.
Xu Qian'an would not be so arrogant as to think that he can fight Emperor Yuan Jing in the court for three hundred rounds.
Secondly, his official position is lower after all, and he doesn't even have the opportunity to go to court, which means he is not qualified to go to the "front line".
"So this time, the main position will be handed over to Duke Wei, Governor Zheng, and those who are after fame and fortune, or have justice in their hearts... However, I can still work outside the game."
.......
Stargazing Tower, Bagua Terrace.
The Supervisor, with white clothes like snow, white hair and white beard, stood on the edge of Bagua Terrace, with his hands behind his back, overlooking the entire capital.
The night wind blew up the corners of his clothes and stroked his white beard. He looked like a banished immortal.
"I heard that the King of Zhenbei died in the northern border."
A deep voice sounded, the tone was low and plain, like a conversation between old friends, giving people a sense of mystery.
Behind the Supervisor, a white figure appeared.
Dafeng Bi Wang, Yang Qianhuan.
The master and apprentice stood back to back, both with their hands behind their backs, both in white clothes like snow. Don't say it, it's really hard to tell who is better for a while.
The supervisor said "hmm" and laughed, "Some people will wake up laughing when they sleep."
Is the teacher referring to Wei Yuan, or someone else... Yang Qianhuan muttered in his heart, his tone was still as dull as that of a hermit, and he imitated the supervisor and said "hmm".
The supervisor had long been accustomed to the temper of this disciple and ignored him. As long as Yang Qianhuan did not recite "The sea ends and the sky is the shore, the sorcerer is the peak", the supervisor would not bother to argue with him.
Yang Qianhuan continued: "The one who killed the King of Zhenbei was a mysterious master. He fought five masters alone in the ruins of Chuzhou City, killed the King of Zhenbei in public, and avenged the people. Then he chased for thousands of miles and killed Jili Zhigu.
"It's really exciting, I wish I could replace him. However, thinking that Xu Ningyan also did not stand out, I felt much better. Hehe, this kid has been taking away my opportunities, which is very hateful. He must have been extremely envious of the mysterious master in Chuzhou as he watched him maneuver so rapidly. "
After saying that, Yang Qianhuan, relying on the intuition of a fourth-grade sorcerer, noticed that the supervisor teacher turned back and looked at him for the first time.
Did the supervisor teacher finally feel ashamed of the mistakes he had made before... Yang Qianhuan felt relieved.
The supervisor's eyes were full of pity.
........
The next day, the ministers gathered at the palace gate again and went on strike. They felt like they were being fooled.
After so long yesterday, I thought that His Majesty would compromise and invite the Prime Minister to come in to discuss matters. Who would have thought that the reply given by the Prime Minister was: His Majesty has not seen me.
Ridiculous, thinking that avoiding seeing him would make this matter as if it had not happened?
As the incident fermented, the Zhenbei King's massacre was no longer limited to the officialdom. In the market, all kinds of people heard about it and were shocked.
In taverns, teahouses, brothels, these places that can be called news distribution centers, people come to listen and talk all day long.
"Zhenbei Wang is inhumane. 380,000 lives and an entire city. How could he be so cruel?" Someone slammed the table and cursed.
Now in the market, insulting Zhenbei Wang is politically correct. There is no need to be afraid of being questioned, because the whole officialdom is cursing. Anyone who does not curse Zhenbei Wang is a mad beast.
If you curse Zhenbei Wang, you are a scholar who has read the books of sages and a partner of justice.
"Do you know that it is Xu Yinluo who went to the northern border to investigate the case this time. He is worthy of it. If it weren't for him, the crime of Zhenbei Wang would not be revealed until now."
"There is no case in the world that Xu Yinluo can't investigate. With Xu Yinluo, I feel that the court is still a good court, because there is no possibility for evildoers to get away with it."
"But I heard that Xu Yinluo is powerless in this court. "
"That's fine. The civil and military officials will naturally take over Xu Yinluo's place. Have you heard that Xu Yinluo's cousin, the Spring Examination champion, cursed at the palace gate for two hours yesterday, until dusk. He did it again today."
"That's amazing."
......
In the bedroom.
The old eunuch stepped into the threshold with a splitting headache, his old face pale with anger: "Your Majesty, that Xu Xinnian is cursing outside again. It's really hateful and can be killed."
Emperor Yuan Jing was sitting on a big chair, holding a Taoist scripture in his hand. Hearing this, he responded lightly: "Killing him will be a huge trend that cannot be stopped and will offend the public."
The old emperor looked calm and said: "What did Wei Yuan do yesterday? "
The old eunuch whispered unconsciously: "Duke Wei went to see Prime Minister Wang at night privately......"
The implication is that the two tigers in the court have formed an alliance in private.
Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen symbolize the two largest parties in the court. If they join forces, no one can be their opponent. Even Your Majesty has suffered from the two.
The sale of official positions and titles was very popular at the time, but later it was put out by the two of them. Those officials who were sold and the titles that were granted were dismissed or beheaded in five years, and most of them were taken back by Prime Minister Wang.
The old emperor smiled, as if disdainful, and asked: "Is there anything unusual in the palace?"
The old eunuch whispered: "It's calm, but Princess Lin'an returned to the palace yesterday. And Princess Huaiqing..."
The old emperor narrowed his eyes: "What happened to Huaiqing."
"Leaving the palace, returning to Huaiqing Mansion. "
After a long silence, the old emperor hummed and ordered: "If Lin'an comes to see you later, let her go back."
.......
On the third day.
The ministers still gathered at the palace gate, but careful people will find that although the number of people has not changed, some ministers with great power did not come today.
Xu Qi'an met the chief guard of Princess Huaiqing's mansion at the night watchman's office. He was ordered by the eldest princess to invite Xu Qi'an to the princess's mansion for a chat.