Chapter 182 Everyone is dispatched
At the same time, the secret plan of attacking Chencang was also proceeding in an orderly manner.
If Ning Yunxi wanted to find out the secrets of Tongshitai, she would have to transfer the adults working at Tongshitai.
She doesn't need to worry about being transferred from the position of Tongshi Zhongxiang.
In order to demonstrate his determination to be a loyal subject of the Yan clan forever, Gu Mengzhen established a rule in his early years that every year at this time, the Tongshitai would send people to the imperial mausoleum to guard the Yan clan's deceased emperor for ten days.
The Tongshitai took turns to select the people who would guard the mausoleum. This year, it was the turn of the ten Tongshi Zhongxiang, along with their own Tongshi Shishi servants and secret guards, to go to the imperial mausoleum.
In addition, the official business of the Tongshitai cannot be delayed, and at least one Tongshi Zhongxiang must be left behind to take charge of the Zhongxiang's affairs.
To be fair, they drew lots to decide who would stay.
Zhuang Wei used a little bit of thought and managed to stay easily.
I remember that during the flower-viewing banquet in the palace, Gu Mengzhen took the initiative to propose to participate in the search for relatives and arranged for the Minister of Bronze to contact the local authorities.
In order to cooperate with the strategy, Yan Yu ordered the Supervisory Office to send the Copper Affairs Ministers, along with his own Copper Affairs attendants and guards, to contact and transfer them directly.
Similarly, the Tongshitai must have someone in charge of the affairs of the Zhongcheng.
It was still a lottery method, and in the end, Du Kun stayed.
Inside the Tongshitai, An Pengyi and Xu Mingqian started talking about what had happened recently while working.
An Pengyi reviewed documents and selected matters that needed to be reported.
"When the day of guarding the imperial mausoleum was approaching, I guessed that Princess Yuexi would make some moves."
"Sure enough, in the blink of an eye, they lured the tiger away from the mountain, and only one Zhongcheng and Zhongxiang were left."
"If this continues, there may be something wrong."
Xu Mingqian checked the list sent by the governor and selected people who were suitable to join the secret guard team.
"I also think it's strange. Why don't we go to the palace and ask the emperor?"
An Pengyi sighed deeply.
"I asked."
"The emperor didn't allow me to see him two days ago, saying that he was busy trying to seize the throne, and ordered me not to disturb him."
"Today, I went there again. But the palace was guarded by Lord Zhuang, who directly rejected me. The emperor favored him very much, and I couldn't do anything about him, so I had to return helplessly."
"As the Minister of Copper Affairs, he is considered your subordinate. Why don't you give it a try?"
Xu Mingqian put down what he was doing and gave a frightened look.
"He is a man who has worn the dragon robe and the dragon crown. How dare I offend him? Lord An is too kind to me."
"Master Zhuang will be on leave tomorrow, and Master Du will be on duty in the palace. You should ask again tomorrow."
An Pengyi was helpless, his eyes filled with worry.
"That's fine, but please don't delay anything."
Xu Mingqian thought about it and came up with an idea.
"Master An and Master Ning have a lot of interactions. Master Ning is very strategic and has a say in front of the Emperor. Why don't you go ask him?"
Speaking of this, An Pengyi felt even more helpless.
"After I suffered a loss at the palace gate, I went to the Ningguo Mansion."
"I heard that Lord Feng, the Minister of the Secret Affairs, has been visiting for several days and is discussing strategies with Lord Ning inside."
Xu Mingqian didn't understand what he meant for a moment, so he asked.
"They are not outsiders. They are discussing strategies. Can't we listen?"
"Besides, Lord Feng's strategy is no less than Lord Ning's. Isn't it better to have her around?"
An Pengyi explained the situation in detail.
"The Gao family requested an imperial decree in the name of protecting the concubine's daughter, and the Supervisory Office was put in charge. In the past few days, the people from the Supervisory Office have almost surrounded the Ningguo Mansion. Regardless of whether Lord Feng is there or not, they all take turns to guard it day and night."
"When Lord Feng steps out of the Gao Mansion, there will be people from the Supervisory Office to guard him."
"Therefore, I cannot meet with either Lord Feng or Lord Ning, let alone ask for advice."
Xu Mingqian raised an objection.
"Mrs. Feng has already changed her surname and become a civilian. How can she still be considered a concubine of the Gao family?"
An Pengyi curled his lips to express his dissatisfaction.
"The Gao clan gave a reason to the outside world, saying that they had family ties."
After hearing this, Xu Mingqian also began to sigh.
"Then we can only wait until tomorrow and go to the palace to ask for an audience with the emperor."
At this time, the guard at the door came to report: "My Lords, the Prime Minister Qin wants to see you. He said he has important business to attend to."
An Pengyi and Xu Mingqian looked at each other, both of them dejected.
"welcome."
After Xu Mingqian understood what was going on, he immediately expressed what he was thinking.
"Lord Qin is here for one of us."
"I originally thought that Princess Yuexi might have intended to assassinate the emperor by evacuating the people from Tongshitai. But now it seems that she did not intend to evacuate them, but to transfer all of us away."
An Pengyi's eyes were dull and slightly stagnant.
"Prince Di Jin is popular among the people and has a sworn brotherhood with the emperor. Princess Yuexi will always take these into consideration when planning something. No matter what, she will never plot to assassinate the emperor."
As he spoke, he had a guess.
"Could it be that you are targeting the underground secret passage of Tongshitai?"
Xu Mingqian's eyes were filled with surprise and he nodded in agreement.
"Probably."
"Since Lord Qin cited important official business as an excuse, we can't necessarily shirk our responsibility."
"No matter who leaves today, the one who stays behind must not be transferred away by them again. When you are at your wit's end, you can use the Tongshitai. You can't leave without someone in charge."
An Pengyi gave his affirmation.
"Master Xu has a great idea."
"If Lord Qin takes you away, I will stay at the Tongshitai and never leave."
Having said this, Qin Hongzhong knocked on the door and came in.
"Master Xu, please help me!"
Xu Mingqian stood up to greet him, bowed and smiled politely.
"Why are you so flustered, Lord Qin?"
Qin Hongzhong narrated the story as if it were true.
"Yesterday a couple came to Tinghetai for help, saying that their child was kidnapped by thieves."
"After I found the thief, I immediately sent my men to chase him, but they were defeated. Then, I asked Lord Mu for help, and almost all the people of Tinghetai went out, but still returned empty-handed."
"I really have no other choice but to ask Lord Xu for help!"
Xu Mingqian pretended to be surprised.
"Oh?"
"Who is this thief so powerful?"
Qin Hongzhong answered immediately.
"It's the Nian Ren League. To put it bluntly, it's just a martial arts sect."
"They are all highly skilled in martial arts. One can defeat ten or even a hundred of them. They are really difficult to deal with. I would like to ask Lord Xu to mobilize all the secret guards under his command, otherwise they will not be a match at all."
Xu Mingqian laughed bitterly twice.
"Not only me, Lord Qin also intends to transfer us from the Hidden Guards. Isn't that too much?"
Qin Hongzhong turned towards the direction of the imperial palace and saluted with a righteous look.
"It is the duty of the ruler and his subjects to save the people. Why is it too much?"
"Aren't Lord An and his guards here? I'm sure they won't interfere with the work of the Tongshitai."
"Could it be that Lord Xu only cares about protecting the emperor and has no intention of saving the people?"
Xu Mingqian had no choice but to obey.
"Master Qin, you are too kind."
After saying this, he turned to An Pengyi and bowed slightly.
"I can only ask Lord An to take care of the matter of the Tongshitai for the time being."
An Pengyi stood up and walked two steps forward.
"Well, Master Xu, Master Qin, take care."