Dafeng Night Watchman

Chapter 382: Chapter 382 Opening (I)



Now the palace has become a place of right and wrong. No foreign ministers are allowed to enter the palace. Naturally, the princes, princesses, and concubines in the palace cannot summon foreign ministers.

So Princess Huaiqing has something to tell me? Xu Qian immediately followed the captain of the guard, rode on his beloved little mare, and rushed to Huaiqing Mansion.

Huaiqing Mansion is the highest and most heavily defended area in the imperial city.

In this area, there are the residences of the royal family members, as well as the residences of princes and princesses such as Lin'an. It is an important place second only to the imperial palace.

"After all, I am the person in charge of the Chuzhou case. Although I am not at the center of the storm now, I am still one of the main people involved. Why does Huaiqing want to see me at this time? It is definitely not that he hasn't seen me for a long time and he misses me so much......"

To be honest, this was Xu Qi'an's first time to come to Huaiqing Mansion, which was actually the second princess's residence. He had been there many times. If it hadn't been for too much spying and violation of rules, Xu Qi'an would have been able to get an exclusive guest room in Lin'an Mansion.

The layout of Huaiqing Mansion is the same as that of Lin'an Mansion, but the overall layout is deserted and elegant. From the plants in the yard to the furnishings, there is a sense of indifference.

In the spacious and bright living room, Xu Qian met Huaiqing, a woman as elegant as a snow lotus after a long absence.

She was wearing a plain palace dress with a light yellow gauze covering, simple but not plain. Her black hair was half let down and half tied up in a bun, with a jade hairpin and a golden hairpin inserted in it.

Her facial features are exquisitely beautiful without losing the sense of three-

dimensionality. Her eyebrows are exquisitely long and straight, and her eyes are large, bright and deep, just like a clear lake after autumn.

"Your Highness!"

Xu Qi'an clasped her fists and wanted to ask her with a smile if she liked the seal she gave her, but when the words came to her lips, she lost the interest in teasing and took a seat at Huaiqing's signal.

"Tell me about the details of the Northern Territory." Huaiqing's face was indifferent, his eyebrows were a little solemn and gloomy, and he seemed to have no interest in talking or laughing.

Xu Qian then told him in detail what happened in Chuzhou.

After listening, Huaiqing was silent for a long time, his beautiful face showed no emotion or anger, and he said softly: "Come with me for a walk in the yard."

The back garden of the Princess Mansion was very large. The two of them walked side by side without speaking, but the atmosphere was not awkward. There was a sense of harmony as old friends reunited as time passed quietly.

"Father is wrong. Prince Huai is a prince first, and a warrior second. In life, the higher your status, the more you must first consider where you sit. This is the foundation of your life."

After a long time, Huaiqing sighed and said: "So, King Huai died more than worthy of his death, even though Dafeng lost a top martial artist because of it."

What about your father? Did he deserve to die?

Xu Qian said softly: "Your Highness is righteous."

Huaiqing shook his head, a look of sadness appeared on his pretty and elegant face, and said softly: "What does this have to do with righteousness? It's just that my blood is not cold. I... am very disappointed in my father."

Xu Qi'an was about to speak when he suddenly received a message from Huaiqing: "The reason why my father is staying in the palace is not because of cowardice, but because of his strategy."

Princess Huaiqing's cultivation level is very high. If she wants to transmit the message, she must reach the realm of refining the gods. She has been hiding her power and biding her time... Xu Qian was surprised, and the message asked in return:Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Strategy?"

Huaiqing nodded slowly and explained through the voice: "Have you ever noticed that among the civil servants blocking the palace gate in the past three days, who has left, who has come, and who is just watching the fun?"

Xu Qian was speechless.

After looking at him, Huaiqing continued the message:

"When news of King Huai's massacre of the city came back to the capital, no matter whether it was a treacherous minister or a good minister, whether he was indignant or passionate, or for the sake of fame, it is impossible for any scholar to be unresponsive. At this time, the public sentiment was passionate and the wave was at its most ferocious. Therefore, the father avoided his sharp edge and stayed behind closed doors.

"However, after one vigorous effort, it will fade again, and then it will be exhausted. Wait for the princes to calm down, wait for some people to achieve their goal of making a name for themselves, and wait for other voices to appear in the officialdom, then the real end of the father's struggle with the princes will come. And this day It won't be too far, I promise, within three days."

After saying that, she said "ha" again, as if she was mocking or disdainful: "Nowadays, rumors are spreading in the capital, the people are shocked and angry, and all walks of life are talking about it. At first glance, it seems to be a huge trend. However, my father's real opponent is only in Above the court, not those peddlers."

Xu Qi'an frowned and said in a deep voice: "But King Huai has massacred the city after all. He must give an explanation to the princes and the people of the world."

Huaiqing sighed pessimistically: "Let's see how Wang Shoufu and Wei Gong take action."

In the heavy atmosphere, Xu Qian changed the subject: "Your Highness once studied at Yunlu Academy, but have you ever heard of a book called "The Supplements of the Great Zhou

Dynasty"?"

Huaiqing recalled it carefully, shook his head and said, "I've never heard of it."

On this day, the indignant civil servants still failed to break into the palace and failed to see Emperor Yuan Jing. After dusk, they dispersed.

But the civil servants did not give up and agreed to come back tomorrow. If Emperor Yuan

Jing did not give an explanation, the entire court would be paralyzed.

It was also on this day that different voices emerged in official circles.

Someone worriedly raised a question: "Everyone knows about the massacre of the city by King Zhenbei. Where is the majesty of the court? The people of the world are probably extremely disappointed with the royal family and the court."

The King of Zhenbei is His Majesty's younger brother. He is a dignified prince, not an

ordinary prince.

At the same time, he is also the great military god and the guardian of the northern border in

the hearts of the people.

Such people massacre the city for their own selfish purposes!

The sequelae of this incident were that the people lost trust in the court, the royal family was disgraced, and the people lost all support.

Can the sentence "The King of Zhenbei has been executed" really erase the trauma in the

hearts of the people?

This is different from killing corrupt officials.

In the past twenty years or so, the image of King Zhenbei has been that of a majestic and tall man, a military god, a guardian of the north, and a prince of a generation.

Can it be compared to corrupt officials? Killing corrupt officials will only show the majesty of the court and the majesty of the royal family.

However, if the royal family committed such a brutal act, would the people applaud it as if they were killing corrupt officials? No, their faith will collapse and they will lose trust in the

royal family and the court.

It turns out that the King of Zhenbei whom we praise and love is such a character.

It may even produce an even greater overreaction.

On the same day, the Prince of the East Palace was assassinated in his palace after dusk.

That night, the palace gates were closed, and the imperial army searched for the assassin throughout the palace, but to no avail.

The next day, the four gates of the capital were locked up. The first assistants Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan mobilized the five guards of the capital, government officials, and watchmen to

search for the assassins throughout the city.

Door to door.

The whole capital was in a state of panic.

"What does the prince have to do with this matter? How come Bai was assassinated? Is it a coincidence or a part of the game? If it is the latter, it would be too tragic."

Early in the morning, Xu Qian, who heard about this, immediately went to see Wei Yuan, but

Wei Yuan did not see him.

In desperation, he had no choice but to go to the inn, intending to discuss it with Zheng

Xinghuai.

"Master Zheng is out and not at the inn."

Li Han, carrying an ox-horn bow on his back, welcomed Xu Qi'an into the house and said in a

deep voice:

"Recently, there have been some different voices in the official circles, saying that the Zhenbei King Massacre case is very difficult and affects the prestige of the imperial court and the hearts and minds of the people everywhere, so it needs to be treated with caution. "Master Zheng was very angry. He went out this morning. It seemed that he was going to the Imperial College to preach."

Those are all the navy of the old emperor... Xu Qian sighed, somewhat admiring Emperor Yuan Jing. After playing power for so many years, although he was an incompetent emperor,

his mind was not dim.

Together with Li Han, he rode to the Imperial Academy.

From a distance, I saw Ambassador Zheng standing outside the Imperial College, feeling

excited.

"The sage said that the people are more important than the king..."

"The King of Zhenbei, as a prince, slaughters the people and treats the people like livestock

and lambs. He is actually the common enemy of my scholars..."

"We, as scholars, should work for the benefit of the common people and perform good deeds

and meritorious deeds. Therefore, I returned to Beijing and vowed to seek justice for the

380,000 people in Chuzhou City..."

Is it useful for him to do this?

Of course it is useful. Some newly rising Confucian scholars (academic Confucians) like to

preach in places like the Imperial College before they become famous all over the world.

Spread your own academic ideas.

If you can gain the recognition of students and become famous, then it will be easy to

establish a sect.

Zheng Xinghuai was not spreading ideas, he was criticizing King Zhenbei and calling on students to join the army of criticism.

The effect is very good. Scholars, especially young students, are full of ambition and enthusiasm, and are far more pure than the old fritters in the officialdom.

From ancient times to the present, most of the people who cause trouble and procession are

young people.

"Isn't there anyone to stop it?" Xu Qian asked.

Li Han shook his head.

This is unreasonable... Xu Qian frowned.

He waited patiently on the side of the road until Zheng Xinghuai finished venting his anger

and returned with Shentu Baili and other guards. Only then did Xu Qi'an greet him.

"This is not the place to talk. Xu Yinluo, please follow me back to the inn." Zheng Xinghuai

looked solemn and nodded slightly.

Returning to the inn, Zheng Xinghuai led Xu Qi'an into the study. After Li Han served tea, this

scholar, who had experienced ups and downs in life, looked at Xu Qi'an and said:

"Is it because of the rumors in official circles today?"

"This is just one of them. He spread the rumors, but they are not without reason. We have to

guard against them." Xu Qian sighed and said:

"I am mainly concerned about the assassination of the prince."

Zheng Xinghuai pondered: "Who was the most active in this case?"

Xu Qian was stunned: "Wei Gong and Wang Shoufu."

Zheng Xinghuai sat upright, nodded and said: "This matter was probably planned by Duke

Wei and the king's chief assistant. As for the purpose, I don't know."

ah? Duke Wei and the chief assistant of the king want to assassinate the prince?

What is the reason? Does the prince have anything to do with this case... This answer is

something Xu Qian could never have imagined.

After discussing for a long time, Zheng Xinghuai looked at the water leak in the room and

said solemnly: "I still have to visit my old friends in Beijing. I won't leave any silver gongs when I walk around."

Xu Qian stood up and when he walked to the threshold, Zheng Xinghuai's voice came from

behind: "Xu Yinluo..."

He looked back.

The scholar, whose back was gradually stooping, straightened his gray hair at the temples

and bowed:

"A man's promise is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I like half of Xu Yinluo's poem very

much. I promised the 300,000 people who died in vain in the city that day that I would seek justice for them. Once I promised, I will have no regrets.

"After this incident, Mr. Zheng resigned and returned to his hometown. I may never see him again in this life. Therefore, I would like to thank you in advance."

Xu Qian turned around with a serious face and returned the greeting meticulously.

He opened the door, stepped out of the threshold, and walked a few steps. Zheng Xinghuai's

chanting came from the room behind him:

"A young man with a chivalrous spirit, making friends with heroes from all over the world.

His liver and gallbladder are broken. His hair is ridged. We are in talks. We share life and death together. A promise worth a thousand pieces of gold..."

The world is chaotic and noisy. It would not be bad if he could retire after his success and be

left with only a leisurely and pastoral pastoral... Xu Qian smiled.

royal palace. Emperor Yuan Jing sat cross-legged on the futon, half-closed his eyes, and said calmly: "Has

the assassin been caught?"

The old eunuch shook his head and said respectfully: "There is no news."

"If you can't catch it, there's no need to catch it."

Emperor Yuan Jing opened his eyes, his smile was cold and stern, but his tone was emotional:

"In this court, only Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen are interesting, and the others are not so

good."

The old eunuch lowered his head, not making any comments and not daring to comment.

Emperor Yuan Jing continued: "Send people out of the palace to give messages to those on the list. There is no need to be ostentatious, but there is no need to be cautious." After a pause, he continued: "Inform the cabinet that I will convene the princes in the imperial study tomorrow to discuss the Chuzhou case." The old eunuch breathed quickly and said, "Yes!"