Chapter 504:
As the news spread that the Supreme Emperor was stationed in Datong City, everyone in the government and the public breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, there was finally no trickery. In any case, as long as the Emperor arrived in Datong, his safety would be guaranteed and it would only be a matter of time before he returned to the capital.
At the same time, various government offices from the capital to the border were making more or less preparations for the return of the Supreme Emperor.
Xuanfu City.
As the second stop where the Supreme Emperor was stationed, it was also one of the important border towns, so naturally he had received the news a long time ago.
Early that morning, Datong Bo Taojin, the commander-in-chief of Xuanfu, Zhu Qian, deputy commander-in-chief, Yang Xin, and Geng Jiuchou, the governor of Shaanxi, led their ministers to greet him outside the city early.
Also coming with them was Du Ning, the minister of Dali Temple who was sent by the imperial court to Xuan Mansion to greet the Supreme Emperor.
This time to welcome the return of the Supreme Emperor, since the Emperor wanted to do it in a grand manner, naturally it could not be limited to the welcoming ceremony in the capital, but should be grand in all aspects, from top to bottom.
Therefore, in the Xuan Mansion, the imperial court specially sent the minister of Dali Temple, who was second only to the seven most important ministers, to greet him. It cannot be said that he did not take it seriously.
However, if you carefully observe everyone's expressions, you can see that whether they are military generals like Tao Jin and Zhu Qian, or civil servants like Geng Jiuchou, their thoughts are a bit strange. Their eyes fall on the standing person from time to time.
On the person next to Du Ning, the middle-aged eunuch wearing a python robe and a white face without beard.
Shu Liang!
The emperor's trusted eunuch, Da Dong, who was in charge of the East Factory, rushed to the Xuan Mansion in person and took over the emperor's guard duty in the Xuan Mansion.
This happened so suddenly that everyone was caught off guard.
You know, according to the official documents issued by the imperial court, this errand was originally supposed to be handled by a commander of Jinyiwei. This commander arrived at the Xuan Mansion with Du Ning early, and after several discussions with Tao Jin and others, it was done.
Meticulous arrangements and emergency response strategies.
But now, just one day before the Supreme Emperor was about to arrive at the Xuan Mansion, Shu Liang, the eunuch of Dongchang, arrived after a long journey and took over the guard duties with full authority.
How could such a sudden and strong attitude not trigger various speculations?
However, Shu Liang holds the Holy Oracle, and as long as he doesn't do anything too outrageous, any speculation can only be suppressed.
Of course, this did not prevent the officials present from having various ideas in their minds.
In response to this kind of overt or covert gaze and vague hostility, Shu Liang still stood beside Du Ning unmoved, with a smile that had not changed for thousands of years, but which everyone could tell was just a polite smile.
.
Smoke and dust rose in the distance, and a team stretching for nearly a mile came towards Xuanfu City in a mighty manner.
This is the emperor's holy chariot!
When the envoy went to Wala to negotiate, of course they brought the royal gifts to welcome the Supreme Emperor, but after all, it was Wala's territory and they should not be too ostentatious.
What's more, their ultimate goal is to bring the Supreme Emperor back as soon as possible. Naturally, they use light vehicles and simple vehicles. The simpler, the better. They don't bring any ceremonial objects that slow down their progress.
However, after arriving in Datong, they no longer had to worry about going back on their word and sending troops to pursue them, so all the necessary honor guards were naturally in place.
Compared with when they first arrived in Datong City, this team has more than tripled in size.
At the same time, the outside of Xuanfu City was not as heavily guarded as in Datong City. The officers and soldiers were still lined up on both wings, but they did not extend very far. On the contrary, in order to welcome the Supreme Emperor, all the generals and generals from various passes around Xuanfu also rushed to meet him.
Came over.
Therefore, the momentum is somewhat greater than that of Dasi.
"I, my ministers, would like to welcome His Majesty the Supreme Emperor."
As the car slowly stopped outside Xuanfu City, under the leadership of Tao Jin and Du Ning, the officials bowed their heads and the officers and soldiers knelt. The loud voice echoed in all directions and lingered for a long time.
"Plain body."
The curtain of the luxurious carriage was opened, and Zhu Qizhen's figure sat firmly inside, his demeanor obviously much calmer than in front of Datong City.
Like everyone else, Zhu Qizhen only glanced briefly at the kneeling person below, and then fixed his eyes on the seemingly humble Shu Liang.
For no other reason than Shu Liang's python suit is a bit eye-catching.
You must know that the python robe is a gift. Although ordinary ministers and nobles will receive it, they will respectfully enshrine it in the palace and will not wear it easily.
Only the eunuchs in the palace would unscrupulously wear such clothes and show off.
It's not that they are arrogant and domineering, but because the eunuchs are the emperor's domestic slaves. Anyone who can leave the palace and be granted obedience is basically the emperor's confidant, and what they do is often to implement the emperor's will.
.
In other words, when they stepped out of the palace, it represented an extension of the imperial power. The reason why they often wore python clothes was not only to show off, but also to show that they were the emperor's confidants and to do things more confidently.
convenient.
During these days, Zhu Qizhen had intermittently inquired about some information, and had a basic understanding of the eunuchs who were now in power in the palace, but he just couldn't get the right number.
But it doesn't matter, in Zhu Qizhen's eyes, no matter what the eunuch is, he is a royal slave.
So, he didn't think much and asked directly.
"Who are the names of the people around Du Qing? Why haven't I seen you in the palace?"
Shu Liang raised his head slightly, his face still had a formulaic smile, but his expression was very respectful, and said.
"Returning to the Supreme Emperor, Shu Liang, one of your ministers, has gained the trust of His Majesty. He is now the eunuch Bingbi, the Supervisor of Ceremonies, and is also in charge of the Dongchang errands. This time he came with the imperial edict to be responsible for the safety of the Supreme Emperor in the Xuan Mansion."
In a few words, he showed his identity and the purpose of his trip. His attitude was respectful but not flattering.
Such an attitude of neither being humble nor arrogant made Du Ning on the side a little surprised.
Compared with Tao Jin and others, he has stayed in the capital for a long time, so he has relatively many contacts with Shu Liang, the governor of Dongchang.
In his impression, this Eunuch Shu was not an easy character to get along with.
It is not an exaggeration to say that a sweet talk hides a sword, and a smile hides a sword.
He always had a fake smile when dealing with any official, but when he dealt with others, he was extremely ruthless and used cruel methods.
Unlike Wang Zhen, he never interferes in any government affairs and only acts according to orders.
So much so, that if he hadn't taken the initiative to mention it at this moment, Du Ning would have almost forgotten that this Eunuch Shu still had the title of Eunuch Bingbi, Supervisor of Ceremonies.
In fact, among the courtiers, many ministers have expressed their worries about Shu Liang in private many times.
You know, although he does not interfere in government affairs, it is only because the emperor is restraining him.
As long as Shu Liang has an imperial edict in his hands for all the matters that Dongchang is executing, even if it is just a simple oral edict without even a formal decree, he will do it at all costs, and no one can stop it.
To sum up, in the impression of many ministers, Shu Liang is a mad dog with an iron chain. Behind his usual smile, there is a crazy heart. Only when facing the emperor will he reveal his true nature of loyalty.
But Shu Liang at this moment is humble but not humble, steady but not losing his sense of proportion.
In a daze, Du Ning almost thought that the person next to him was not the notorious Governor of Dongchang, but a civil servant with an awe-inspiring character and a measured advance and retreat.
As if feeling Du Ning's gaze, Shu Liang tilted his head slightly and said nothing, but Du Ning quickly lowered his head and did not look at him...
This chapter has been completed!