As the night gradually became quieter, Ji Huaizhang led everyone to the county mansion post. Sun You diligently asked people to prepare a banquet, preparing to ceremoniously receive his brother-in-law and Ji Rongheng, the young princess.
The bright candles shone brightly in the banquet hall, and everyone looked at the governor with a gloomy expression, but everyone's expression was very depressed.
Carefully recalling the Queen's words today, Ji Huaizhang had mixed feelings in his heart, and for the first time he questioned his most respected brother-in-law, Sun You: "Sun You, I ask you, why did you intercept the fleeing victims? It's really as you said, it was for
Not to put pressure on our brother counties?”
"Brother-in-law, it's true."
Sun You had a sad face: "I heard that the situation in many places in the north is not very good this year. If the victims are allowed to flee, it will inevitably cause turmoil. This is the first year that your majesty has ascended the throne. How can you let your majesty suffer from the epidemic situation in various places?
Disasters are heart-wrenching.”
"That's true."
Ji Huaizhang also frowned as he thought that his recent request to the new emperor to allocate funds for disaster relief had not yet been traced.
After a long time, he told the officials: "From today on, from the state capital to all counties, we must save money and distribute the accumulated money to the people affected by the disaster, so that they can live a stable New Year."
As he said that, he looked around at everyone with deep meaning: "Those nobles are no exception. Let them set up porridge shacks everywhere in the city. I don't care whether these wealthy families exploit the people on weekdays, but now the Queen is here in person.
, if anyone dares to continue to act wantonly, then don’t blame me for being unkind."
After receiving his instructions, the officials all obeyed and said: "Yes, we will definitely obey the orders of the governor."
Ji Huaizhang then turned his attention to Ji Wanying and asked worriedly: "Wanying, tell the truth to your uncle. Does your Majesty really have the intention of using troops against me, Tanzhou?"
"Uncle, why should I stick to this anymore?"
Ji Rongheng advised dissatisfiedly: "The queen is in the land of Qinghe right now. If your majesty wants to do harm to our Ji family, how can you let the queen put herself in danger?"
After a pause, he faced everyone and said in a deep tone: "I think you all know the importance of the queen in your majesty's heart."
"That's true."
Ji Huaizhang nodded thoughtfully: "It's just that every murder case is pointing to my Ji family. If I rashly return to Beijing, will your Majesty really not hold me accountable?"
"Does uncle still want to resist the decree?"
Ji Rongheng's eyes gradually turned sharp.
Ji Huaizhang knew his nephew's temperament and did not argue with him. He pursed his lips and smiled bitterly.
Then a young man came in mysteriously and reported: "To inform you, the Governor, the Queen and the Tataraka Mission's vehicle have entered the territory of Mengzhou."
Hearing this, Ji Rongheng couldn't help but became furious: "What does uncle mean by this? Do you still want to monitor the queen's actions?"
"Rong Heng, you should know why His Majesty is hesitant to take action against our Ji family. It's all because I lead Tanzhou. For the safety of the whole family, I must be more cautious at all times."
Ji Huaizhang gave a serious word of advice, and then said with a hearty smile: "It seems that the queen is indeed unwary of me, Tanzhou. You should thoroughly investigate the case of Lu Huan and Xia Yuan, and find out the real culprit behind the frame of our Ji family."
, our uncle and nephew will return to Beijing immediately."
"Although I also look forward to my uncle returning to Beijing as soon as possible, I still want to remind him that now the entire Ji family relies on his uncle. I hope that my uncle will be more cautious and think twice before doing anything."
Ji Wanying smiled unhurriedly and said: "Uncle should know that the root cause of the bad blood between our Ji family and the emperor's brother is the story of the three states of Qinghe, and is not just a few murder cases."
"Where are the supporting tribes? Wanying, you kid, don't listen to those rumors. They say that all the tribes that were supported by our clan in the past were disbanded according to Princess Shu's wishes. Nowadays, except for the imperial court stationed in Tanzhou City,
The army and every government are composed of servants who are kept in accordance with the imperial regulations."
After Ji Huaizhang finished speaking with a firm tone, he stood up hurriedly: "You two brothers and sisters will stay in Dangyang County. If you need anything, please tell Sun You. I have to rush back to Tanzhou Mansion. It has been almost two days since I left.
I don’t know if there is anything wrong with the flowers, plants, exotic birds and beasts I raise. After all, few of your aunts and aunts can make me feel at ease. If they are wronged, I’m afraid I won’t be able to live a stable life this New Year.
.”
After saying this, he hurriedly went out. When he arrived at the hall, he turned around and said uneasily: "When things in Dangyang County are revealed, you brothers and sisters will go back to your hometown in the state capital to have a look. Your aunts, brothers and sisters are still thinking of you."
Woolen cloth."
After that, we rushed to the state capital in the cold wind without stopping.
Sun You looked at Ji Rongheng and Ji Wanying who were feeling helpless, and said with a smile: "My brother-in-law just feels sorry for his flowers, plants, rare birds and beasts. He feels itchy after not seeing him for half a day. Don't be surprised by General Rong Heng and the princess."
.”
"How dare you."
Ji Rongheng was not in the mood to attend any more dinners at this time, and urged impatiently: "Please ask the Sheriff to send all the case files related to Lu Huan and Xia Yuan to my room. I want to check them immediately."
"The general came from afar"
Sun You originally wanted him to finish the banquet and then get busy with official duties, but as soon as the words came out of his mouth, Ji Rongheng stood up resolutely: "No need, official duties are important, so I won't delay the Sheriff."
After saying that, he strode out of the lobby.
Ji Wanying, Sun You, Sun Li and his son looked at each other in disbelief, and then led the maid back to their room with helpless expressions.
Chu Nanzhi's motorcade entered the boundary of Mengzhou. When he saw a charred abandoned place beside the official road, he couldn't help but stop the motorcade.
Although it was covered with snow, many black roof beams and branches were still exposed in the snow.
"I think this is the place where Lord Tingwei was killed."
Malaifu looked into the distance with empty eyes and sighed.
Chu Nanzhi just looked at the abandoned post house silently for a while, and then let the carriage and horses continue to move forward.
After entering a post at the border, Li Ce was ordered to rest his troops and go inside to rest.
After closing the door, in front of Li Ce and Tang Weiming, Chu Nanzhi explained the plan in his heart in detail: "Sanlang, tomorrow you and the guards will protect my car and follow Sang Qi to continue westward. I will lead him.
Fulian rushed to Tanzhou overnight."
When Li Ce heard this, he was stunned on the spot: "Sister-in-law, how can this be done? My brother is already wary of Ji Ji. If you go to Tanzhou alone and something goes wrong, how can I explain to my brother?"
"If the situation in Tanzhou cannot be clarified as soon as possible, Tanzhou City will inevitably suffer a bloody storm. Not only will the innocent people suffer, but it will be difficult to end the situation if it causes internal and external troubles again."
Chu Nanzhi had no intention of discussing with him, and gave a strong order: "You just need to do what I want and escort Princess Sangqi and King Huyan back to the tribe safely."
Then he looked at Achun beside him: "From today on, you will change into my clothes and follow Da Sima westward, so that no one will notice that I am not in the accompanying team."
Sang Qi was not willing to let her take risks alone. She pleaded hard: "Since the master is determined to go to Tanzhou in person, let me go with you. With my uncle in the mission, no one will notice my whereabouts."
Li Ce knows Sang Qi's skills, and he can feel more at ease with her around.
He nodded to Chu Nanzhi with a sincere look, and then insisted: "Since my sister-in-law has made up her mind, I will obey your order. I will choose four more agile guards to go with my sister-in-law."
Time was running out, and seeing how persistent both of them were, Chu Nanzhi had no choice but to compromise. After all, the two core figures, Li Ce and Tang Weiming, were still in the convoy, so no one would notice anything easily.