Chapter 256: The Empress Grants Amnesty, the Princess Enters the Capital

Chapter 256: The Empress Grants Amnesty, the Princess Enters the Capital

Chapter 256: The Empress Grants Amnesty, the Princess Enters the Capital

"This..." Deputy General Ma hesitated and explained:

"The young master called them over tonight and interrogated them..."

Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows and understood what happened after a moment.

It was during the day, after the firearms drill, the shocked young master returned to the city. After much thought, he invited the group of expelled young military officers to come in the evening.

In name it was a gathering, but in reality it was a way to share what we had seen and heard during the day.

And get to the bottom of it, interrogate these people and find out why they have such great malice towards Zhao Duan.

Where do the rumors I heard come from?

As a result, as soon as some clues were revealed during the interrogation, the imperial guards arrived.

"Da da da."

At this time, because the team stopped, a horse following behind went around the team, and its hooves stepped on the blue bricks, making a crisp sound.

Tang Ping, the son of the Duke of Zhenguo, sat on his horse, holding the reins. He came closer and looked at Zhao Duan with a complicated expression:

"Zhao Chenshi."

This time, the arrogance and anger of the day were gone, and there was more annoyance and frustration.

The "young master" who was so heroic in the past now looks like a lost defeated dog while riding on his horse.

Zhao Duan teased:

"Why did the young master come along as well?"

He turned to Vice General Ma and said sternly:
"You can just arrest the suspect, why did you invite all the young masters from the Zhenguo Mansion?"

The deputy general was about to explain but was interrupted by Tang Ping.

He suddenly turned over and dismounted, shaking his head and stiffening his neck, saying:
"It has nothing to do with him. I just insisted on following along. I have to see the outcome before I'm satisfied."

After a brief pause, Tang Ping, who was leading the horse dejectedly, said in a dull voice, like a defeated dog, self-deprecatingly:

"I have interrogated them clearly. Many of the rumors they told me about Zhao Chenshi were groundless and exaggerated. As a military officer in the camp, I did not know how to judge people, so I deserve to be punished.

I, Tang Ping, am not someone who cannot afford to play tricks. You stripped me of my official robe before, and I felt dissatisfied. But today, I see that the punishment is not unreasonable. According to the military regulations of the camp, you should be punished for spreading misleading rumors, shaking the soldiers' morale, and being deprived of your honor.

Since we met by chance tonight, I will publicly apologize. From today on, I will not trouble you again about this matter. "

He said this in one breath, with a straight face.

Tang Ping led his horse and turned around to return to the team.

Obviously, this incident taught the young master, who had been doing well for more than twenty years, a profound lesson.

However, the pride of being the son of a duke still made him feel awkward even when apologizing.

If it falls to the ground, it will break into eight pieces.

"Wait a minute!"

Zhao Duan, who was on his horse, suddenly spoke.

Tang Ping, who was no longer as high-spirited as before, paused, frowned and turned his head:

"Is there anything else, Zhao Chenshi?"

Zhao Duan asked curiously:

"I want to ask, what are the plans for the future, young master?"

Tang Ping was stunned for a moment, shook his head and said:

"I have no plans for now. At worst, I will leave Beijing and join the border troops in a few days."

Zhao Duan said:
"Now that the Shenji Camp has replaced its firearms, it is time to recruit people. I am short of people. If you are still willing to serve the country, please report to the camp tomorrow."

He glanced at the military officers under guard of the Imperial Guards and said calmly:

"After investigating here, if there is anyone who is cleared of suspicion and you think he can still be used, please report him to Shi Meng and have him reinstated."

Tang Ping stood there in a daze.

However, Zhao Duan had already spurred his horse, riding away, disappearing into the dark night of the capital.

……

……

Imperial Palace, Yangxin Hall.

"Your Majesty, you are back."

Mo Chou, who was waiting outside the palace, said respectfully:

"Envoy Xue has sent someone to deliver the news..."

"Let's talk in the study." Xu Zhenguan said lightly after returning to the bedroom.

From the moment she stepped into the palace, the emotions aroused in Jizhao Temple were soothed by her.

In the imperial study room.

Mochou reported in turn the subsequent series of disposal orders following Wang Heng's downfall, as well as the news submitted by Xue Shence that all the relevant traitors had been arrested.

And said:

"The priests of the Heavenly Master's Mansion have left some of them alive and have thrown them into the Divine Machine Camp. Now they have sent people to transfer them to the Imperial Prison. Your Majesty, please decide how to deal with them."

Xu Zhenguan sat back on the dragon chair, looking at the lampshade on the table covered with bright yellow satin, lost in thought, and said casually:
"Let's interrogate him as usual."

"Yes." Mo Chou responded, and then said carefully:

"Your Majesty, how do you announce the follow-up of this matter to the court officials? Should we hold court tomorrow morning..."

"Just blame it on the Kuangfu Society," Xu Zhenguan said with a slightly tired look, and then, as if she had made a decision, she said:

"At the same time, draft an official document and send it to all government offices. Just say..."

She paused and said softly:
"Just say that I know there are people in the court who are secretly communicating with the traitors, and they have not yet been purged. Tomorrow is the deadline.

Before tomorrow, I will not pursue all the past matters, whether you had secret dealings with the rebels or took refuge with others.

After tomorrow, anyone who has an affair with me again will be my enemy and will be guilty of an unforgivable crime."

"Inform the Privy Council that there is no need to implicate anyone other than the corrupt officials exposed today." "Inform the Imperial Court that all previous investigations into the officials who secretly colluded with the rebels be burned."

Mo Zhaorong was stunned, as if he hadn't heard clearly, and said in disbelief:
"Your Majesty, are you seeking amnesty?"

She immediately thought of what Wang Heng said at the banquet.

It is speculated that His Majesty was moved and granted amnesty to the court officials.

She was shocked by this great spirit and couldn't help but say:
"Your Majesty, if you do this, I'm afraid many people may not appreciate it, or believe it."

Xu Zhenguan smiled and shook his head, saying:
"Whether they believe it or not, I just want peace of mind. If I can make the next Wang Heng come to his senses and let some people go, what's the difficulty?"

If the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if a person is too careful, there will be no followers...

As she recalled Zhao Duan's words in her heart, all the anger in her chest disappeared.

Faintly, it seemed as if my mind had become clearer.

Mo Chou raised her head, looking at the empress with longing and admiration, her mind wavering, and she said softly:

"Your Majesty has such courage and spirit, which is a blessing for all the people."

Xu Zhenguan laughed and scolded, waving his hand: "Go and get busy, I am tired too."

Mo Chou hummed, then suddenly remembered something and said:

"Your Majesty, there is one more thing I want to tell you."

"Oh?"

"A memorial has been sent down, saying that the daughter of the Prince of Huai'an, Princess Xu Junling, is about to enter the capital.

It is said that they came for the once-in-a-century "Buddhist-Taoist Battle". Considering the time it took to get here, it must not be long before they arrive in Beijing."

Xu Zhenguan was slightly surprised: "Is Jun Ling coming..."

Mo Chou worriedly said:
"Your Majesty, although every Buddhist-Taoist battle attracts many people to come to the capital to watch, but at this time when the new policy is issued and the court is beginning to stabilize, the King of Huai'an sent this princess with a far-reaching talent to come, I'm afraid it may not be just to watch the fun."

King of Huai'an, Xu An.

He was one of the "Eight Kings" commonly known as the king, and his palace was located on the Huai River, which is the prosperous Jiangnan area.

Although his strength is far inferior to that of "Prince Jing", the leader of the Eight Princes, he is not a simple character either.

The Prince of Huai'an had one son and one daughter who were the most famous, namely the eldest son Xu Qian and the daughter Xu Junling.

Of the two, this princess is the most famous.

The Huai River is a prosperous area with a strong culture of reading. This Princess Huai'an is extremely talented and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, and is quite favored by the prince.

Although she is a woman, she is secretly the right-hand man that King Huai'an relies on.

To a certain extent, he can even represent his father.

This shows his noble status.

"It's okay," Xu Zhenguan thought for a moment, smiled, and said softly:

"As the capital of Great Yu, are you still afraid of being looked down upon? The last time Jun Ling came to the capital was several years ago. Now things have changed and people have changed. I wonder how she has turned out."

After a pause, she looked out the window and said with some regret:

"It's a pity that my uncle was only willing to send a princess and refused to let his eldest son come to the capital."

Mochou also looked out the window and thought:
Not only the Prince of Huai'an, but also the other princes, how could they dare to send their heirs to the capital so easily?
However... the battle between Buddhism and Taoism is approaching, and I am afraid that there will be more than just the princess coming to the capital to watch this grand event.

rustling...

The autumn wind rises and falls, sweeping away the night.

……

Far outside the capital, on an official road.

Two carriages rode through the autumn wind.

The wheel hub rolled up two yellow autumn leaves covered in mud in the dirt rut, and the crisp sound of the bells revealed a bit of desolation.

The shaking curtains were lowered.

Xu Junling withdrew his gaze from the forest in the distance beside the road where fallen leaves were like rain.

She felt the cold wind, which was slightly rougher than the wind from the Huai River, blowing across her sweet, delicate and fragile face.

The little hand tightened the luxurious fabric on the collar and said softly:
"The endless autumn trees are rustling... This wind blowing north is really different from the wind blowing south of the Yangtze River."

The maid Lushui in the car said with a smile:
"The princess has written another poem, but unfortunately only fragments are left."

"Poetry is a natural gift, and it is created by a skilled hand. If it is a vulgar and inferior poem, it can be made casually, but it is not easy to come up with a good one occasionally." Xu Junling sighed:
"It may take a lifetime to complete this sentence."

Lu Shui laughed and said:
"The princess is giving me lessons again, just like the teacher at home."

The princess, wrapped in a gorgeous knitted dress, did not look like the Prince of Huai'an, but was seven points similar to the Princess of Huai'an when she was young.

She has a sweet appearance, especially her face which is like a peeled egg, moist and smooth.

The skin is nurtured by the climate of the Huai River and it seems as if water could be squeezed out of it.

Her temperament is dignified and elegant, and her manners are generous.

When he was chatting and laughing with the maids, he just smiled without showing his teeth.

She pretended to be angry and picked up the rolled up book in her hand, ready to hit him.

Then I heard the old man in plain robes driving the car outside the carriage laugh:

"Miss, you came to Beijing several years ago during the spring season and returned in the summer. Naturally, you don't recognize this autumn wind. However, Beijing is still okay. If you go further north, it is really the opposite of the south."

Xu Junling did not dare to neglect the old man surnamed Lu who was invited by her father to protect her, and said seriously:

"I grew up by the Huai River and seldom traveled far. I am not as knowledgeable as Master Lu. If I could travel all over the country, my life would be worthwhile."

The old man driving the car said with a smile:

"Your noble body should be kept by the lake. If you go to a cold and bitter place, I'm afraid it will be destroyed. A martial artist like me needs to be tempered by the heaven and earth."

Xu Junling asked curiously:

"I have seen records in books that Emperor Taizu had already traveled around the world to hone his martial arts, setting a precedent for future generations. In the past, Buddhism and Taoism competed with each other, but they were overshadowed by my Xu royal family."

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(End of this chapter)