The snow continued to fall heavily the next day, with no intention of stopping. The glazed roof of the palace was also covered with white snow, and the eunuchs in the palace had to clean it up.
Looking down at Kyoto, it is a vast expanse of white, interspersed with gold bricks and white tiles. There is a hint of coldness in the atmosphere, and the majestic Qianlin Temple is even more chilly in the bones.
In the Qianlin Palace, His Majesty the Emperor wore a golden crown and looked coldly at His Highness's courtiers.
On both sides of the main hall, civil and military ministers were lined up in two rows. The smooth marble hall had a faint cold air. The ministers lowered their heads and felt more or less trembling in their hearts.
The recent battle between the princes has made everyone feel the chilling aura of His Majesty the Emperor. The decisiveness, ruthlessness, and ruthlessness have made everyone feel fearful.
After Emperor Deqing ascended the throne, although he had always governed the country strictly and had a gloomy temperament, the large-scale punishment of ministers like last time was really the first time since he ascended the throne. Many ministers even felt that the emperor's explosion seemed to have been waited for a long time. , this most powerful man seems to have been waiting for an opportunity to clean up a group of people.
His Majesty the Emperor is becoming more and more murderous and his anger is getting deeper and deeper. Every court meeting makes the ministers frightened. They wonder if His Majesty the Emperor will attack anyone again.
The ministers looked at his words and expressions and saw that His Majesty the Emperor looked very unhappy today and was in a very bad mood.
Emperor Deqing sat back on the dragon chair, took a memorial from the eunuch beside him, and sneered: "My good ministers, they all say that the country is peaceful and the people are safe, but I have been living in the lies you fabricated. What have you done?" Great!"
As soon as the emperor said this, the ministers felt a chill in their hearts. They all knelt down and said respectfully: "I am scared. I am guilty. Please punish me!"
Emperor Deqing sneered and said: "It's good if you know you are guilty." After a pause, he said calmly: "You must all know about the affairs of the Ministry of Finance. The bank of the Ministry of Finance was stolen, and Chen Shangting committed suicide out of fear of guilt. I don't understand such scandals. Da Chu has never appeared since the founding of the country, but I didn't expect it to happen under my eyes. Hey, is this because I am not running the country well, or are you all slacking off in your work?"
"I am guilty!" All the ministers were frightened.
Emperor Deqing raised his hand and signaled the ministers to stand up. After the ministers thanked them and stood up, he said coldly: "Chen Shangting's family has been sent to the border. The Ministry of Punishment and the Kyoto Prefecture have not found any clues so far. Our Da Chu State Treasury Theft of official silver has become the biggest hidden danger, do you ministers have any good ideas?"
Mo Yi, the Minister of Punishment, and Wei Shantai, the governor of Kyoto, immediately came out, knelt down on the ground, and respectfully said: "I have neglected my duty, please be punished by the Holy Spirit."
Emperor Deqing said calmly: "I will punish you sooner or later. You don't have to rush to apologize."
Mo Yi and Wei Shantai knelt on the ground, not daring to speak. At this moment, a white-bearded minister came out of the crowd and calmly said: "Wei minister Li Zifu, please report to your Majesty, the household bank is Gongsun of Gongsun City." The mechanisms built by the tribe are numerous and extremely strong. Ordinary people must not be able to take a step beyond them. The money from the treasury was stolen. In my opinion, it has something to do with the Gongsun family. Only people from the Gongsun family can crack the mechanism and enter the treasury. .”
Everyone knows that this Li Zifu is the Imperial Envoy of the Right Capital of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. He and Tan Ziqing, the Imperial Censor of the Left Capital, are the two leaders of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. They are wily and scheming. The Iron First Battalion and the Iron Second Battalion of the Metropolitan Procuratorate under his command are assassination agencies. The first is an organization that develops various types of poison weapons. This old man looks kind, but he kills people without blinking an eye.
Emperor Deqing stared at Li Zifu and said calmly: "Ai Qing, what do you mean, the Gongsun family was responsible for the theft of the treasury silver?"
Li Zifu said calmly: "Wei Chen is not sure, but Wei Chen believes that no one except members of the Gongsun family can unlock the mechanism of the Hubu Bank."
Immediately, another person came out from the group of ministers and said respectfully: "Wei ministers agree with Li Yushi's opinion and kindly ask the Holy One to send someone to summon Gongsun City Lord for interrogation."
Everyone recognized that this was Sima Feng, the censor of the censor station.
Emperor Deqing said "Oh", stroked his beard, and said calmly: "My ministers, do you also think that this matter has something to do with Gongsun City?"
Immediately many people seconded the proposal, but saw one person standing in front of the ministers, Lan Wuqing, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy, respectfully said: "Your Majesty, I dare not agree with Li Yushi's opinion. I think this matter
It has nothing to do with Gongsun Chengding."
Emperor Deqing looked at Lan Wuqing and asked, "Why did Lan Qing say that?" He looked at Wei Shantai and Mo Yi who were kneeling in front of the hall, and said coldly: "Don't get up yet."
The two ministers hurriedly thanked them and returned to the queue.
Lan Wuqing said calmly: "Your Majesty, although I have lived in the temple for a long time, I do know a little bit about Gongsun City." He paused, looked around, and said slowly: "You must also know that our household department
Many years ago, the Gongsun family was grateful to His Majesty Yang Wu for his grace, so they asked Ying to come forward and build this impregnable place with many institutions. How could the Gongsun family violate their original righteousness and steal the treasury to obtain silver?
?”
Li Zifu immediately said: "Grandmaster Lan's words are wrong. There are so many capricious villains in this world. How can you be sure that the Gongsun family will not do such a treacherous thing? The most important thing is that in this Gongsun family organization, except for
Who else in the Gongsun tribe can crack it? Even if I, the official of the Ministry of Revenue, only control the operation of the agency that was passed down from the beginning, I can't see the whole picture at all, let alone others? Bachelor of Lan University, have you ever thought about this?
"
Lan Wuqing shook his head and said calmly: "Li Yushi, there is no need to worry. It won't be too late to wait until I finish what I said."
Emperor Deqing frowned and said, "Li Qing, just listen to Lan Qing's explanation."
Li Zifu hurriedly said: "I obey the order."
"Gongsun City was built at the foot of the Kunlun Mountains in the late Qin Dynasty. Since then, it has been isolated from the world, just like a city-state independent from the world. Dynasties have changed, and time has passed. The Gongsun people have lived in seclusion in Gongsun City for generations, living a secluded life.
, and have never participated in the struggle for power in the world. As far as I know, the Gongsun tribe has an iron rule that the children of the tribe are not allowed to be officials throughout their lives, let alone participate in the disputes in the world." Lan Wuqing
His eyes flashed and he said in an authentic voice: "Although Gongsun City is independent from the world, they are also afraid of being abandoned by the world and not knowing the world's vulgarity. Therefore, every two years, they will send a group of disciples to travel around the world for half a year, and they will be everywhere.
Record what you see and hear into a book and hand it back to the special agency in Gongsun City. Our Majesty Yangwu met this kind of disciples and helped him, so that the Treasury of the Ministry of Finance was established."
Most of the ministers in the court did not know the details of Gongsun City. Even if a small number of them knew that there was such a strange place, they knew very little about it. At this time, everyone listened attentively to Lan Wuqing's words.
Lan Wuqing was a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy of the Great Chu State. He was erudite and knowledgeable about the past and the present. He was full of talent. Most of the people in the court believed what he said.
Emperor Deqing was sitting on the dragon chair and seemed to be listening very seriously, with a strange light shining in his sharp eyes.
Lan Wuqing paused for a moment and continued: "Since they have not participated in the power struggle in the world, they will not commit the serious crime of stealing official silver. The most important thing is that the Gongsun family is self-sufficient in food, clothing, housing and transportation in Gongsun City.
They are self-sufficient and have never done business with the world. What's the use of taking this silver? Not to mention such a huge amount of official silver. Even if they have unparalleled magical skills, they want to quietly transport it back to Kunlun Mountain. Gongsun
The city is probably more difficult than climbing to the sky, so I judge that this matter must have nothing to do with the Gongsun family."
What he said was very reasonable, especially the last one. If Gongsun City wanted to transport the money, it would be more difficult than reaching the sky. So as soon as Lan Wuqing finished speaking, most of the ministers nodded frequently,
I just feel that what Lan Wuqing said makes a lot of sense.
Emperor Deqing squinted his eyes, turned to Li Zifu and said, "Li Qing, what do you think of Lan Qing's words?"
Li Zifu pondered for a moment and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, if you say so, the possibility of the Gongsun family being involved in this matter is very low, but...!" After a pause, he continued: "It's just that I don't understand that today
Who else down there can crack the Gongsun family's trap?"
Emperor Deqing shook the fold in his hand and finally said: "This is the fold that Teng Xifeng passed into the palace early this morning. Do you want to know what it said?"
The ministers looked at each other in confusion, and then looked at the fold, with doubts on their faces.
"Xuanyuan Chou!"
Emperor Deqing shouted calmly.
A man immediately came out from the right column, knelt on the ground and said respectfully: "I am here!" Xuanyuan Qiu was tall and domineering, with tiger's eyes and lion's nose, and extraordinary aura. He exuded infinite power and looked better than the previous garrison.
Defending Luo Wuyan is more powerful.
Emperor Deqing handed the fold to the eunuch beside him and said calmly: "Show it to Xuanyuan Guards."
The eunuch took the fold, walked quickly down the hall, and handed it to Xuanyuan Qiu. Xuanyuan Qiu took it with suspicion, opened the fold under the confused eyes of the officials, and looked at it carefully. His big face with a beard suddenly changed color.
, lost his voice and said: "Qing... Qinglianzhao...!"
The officials were startled and looked at Xuanyuan Chou and then at their emperor.
Emperor Deqing did not leave everyone confused for too long. He already said slowly in a low and majestic voice: "Last night last night, five men in bamboo hats sneaked into the empty warehouse of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Affairs. Fortunately, Xue Shitou, the deputy general guard of Fenghuoying, led
There were more than ten people guarding there, and when they encountered five men in bamboo hats, Xue Shitou led the crowd to kill three of the men in bamboo hats, and two of them fled away."
The ministers were even more surprised. Tan Ziqing, who was among the ministers, frowned and looked quite surprised.
This Xue Shitou has recently received the favor of His Majesty the Emperor and served as the Deputy Chief Guard of the Yulin Camp. When the officials talked about it in private, they all envied Xue Shitou's good luck.
In the eyes of most people, Xue Shitou was nothing more than a coincidence. Firstly, it was good luck, and secondly, His Majesty the Emperor’s intention to support him, so he skyrocketed. They didn’t think Xue Shitou had any ability, but suddenly they heard that he had achieved this feat last night.
, thinking in their hearts: "It seems that Xue Shitou is really quite capable."
Emperor Deqing said calmly: "The five people who sneaked into the Hubu Bank were all under the protection of the garrison camp?"
Xuanyuan Chou's face was full of anger at this time, but there was no sign of panic. He prostrated himself in the hall and said loudly: "I am guilty, please punish me."
Many people instantly cast sympathetic glances at Xuanyuan Chou. Only a few days after Xuanyuan Chou arrived at the garrison, he committed a crime similar to that of his former garrison Luo Wuyan. He watched the thieves slip by without hesitation.
Knowing that this is the time when His Majesty the Emperor is most murderous, it seems that Xuanyuan Qiu will not be able to escape his bad luck.
Xuanyuan Chou was an upright man and did not belong to any faction in the court. He was able to reach his current status entirely because of his hard work bit by bit. This was very different from Luo Wuyan.
Luo Wuyan's ability is much inferior to that of Xuanyuan Chou. Luo Wuyan was able to become a garrison garrison entirely because of the Queen Mother. This is just because the Luo Wuyan family has followed Yong Guogong for generations and is loyal, and Yong Guogong is also loyal.
It was the Empress Dowager's natal family, so they slowly promoted Luo Wuyan.
When it comes to martial arts and true ability, Luo Wuyan and Xuanyuan Qiu are very different.
Because of this, Xuanyuan Chou neglected his duty this time. He did not think that anyone in the court would speak for him, but went straight to plead guilty to His Majesty the Emperor, with the intention of death in his heart.
Before Emperor Deqing could speak, a man suddenly came out, dressed in black court uniform. Many ministers knew that this was Tan Ziqing, the censor of Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, without even looking at this man's face.
Tan Ziqing is the leader of the dark world. It just so happens that the court uniform of Zuo Du Yushi of the Metropolitan Procuratorate is also pure black, which adds to the strange feeling in this solemn court.
When he suddenly came out, everyone was surprised. This old guy had never begged for anyone before. Did he come out this time to plead for Xuanyuan Chou?
After Tan Ziqing came out, a trace of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Deqing's eyes, and he heard Tan Ziqing respectfully say: "Your Majesty, as far as I know, Xuanyuan Guards has been wearing armor these days, and he has personally visited various places to inspect and discipline.
He was strict and tried his best to guard the main roads without any slack. He never even got a good night's sleep. He just casually squinted for an hour every day and continued patrolling. He was loyal and dedicated. This time he rebelled against the invaders.
Although the garrison battalion was guilty of dereliction of duty in sneaking into the empty warehouse, the key is that the Qinglian Zhaoyao who sneaked into the empty warehouse was highly skilled in sorcery, so they succeeded. Xuanyuan Guards did not make any big mistakes, and I hope the Holy One will see clearly!"
Xuanyuan Qiu was startled. He didn't expect that at this moment, the ghostly Zuodu Yushi would actually come out to speak for him. He had a strong personality and was extremely upright. Tan Ziqing interceded for him. He immediately looked at Tan Ziqing, showing gratitude.
Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, then finally nodded and said: "Xuanyuan Chou, although you have done nothing serious, you are always responsible for the demon sneaking into the empty warehouse. I will punish you with three months' salary and your life."
Xuanyuan Qiu was extremely grateful. He thought about how many important officials in the imperial court had been beheaded due to mistakes these days, and they deserved it. He was only punished with three months' salary. That was a great blessing. He hurriedly kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, humble minister."
." He stood up and retreated into the queue.
Emperor Deqing said coldly: "What is the purpose of the demon Qinglian sneaking into the empty warehouse? Dear ministers, does this matter have anything to do with Qinglianzhao?"
Li Zifu frowned and said: "Your Majesty, if you say so, is it possible that there are masters in Qinglianzhao who can crack Gongsun's mechanism?" He paused and said loudly: "Qinglianzhao intends to rebel and needs a large amount of money. Could it be that these monsters
The idea actually hit Guan Yin?"
Emperor Deqing said solemnly: "Publish my decree and order all the state governments to use all their strength to kill the Qinglian demon. If the killing is ineffective, they will be dismissed from office immediately. Those who kill more demons will be rewarded by me based on their merits."
Emperor Deqing's few words were bound to trigger a frenzy of killing in the Chu Kingdom.
"Wei Shantai, Mo Yi!" Emperor Deqing said coldly again. The two officials hurriedly came out and knelt down. Emperor Deqing said coldly: "I don't care what method you use. If there is no more official in ten days, Silver news, you take your family to Mobei."
Going to Mobei is a natural choice.
The two officials were all cold and said respectfully: "Wei ministers have received the order."
Emperor Deqing leaned on the dragon chair, glanced at His Highness's frightened ministers with his sharp eyes, and finally said: "This time, Xue Shitou, the deputy general guard of the Yulin camp, acted calmly, killed the enemy with meritorious service, and even learned about the demon. Identity is indeed a great achievement, Xuan Xue Shitou goes to the palace!"
At that moment, the eunuchs passed the news down one level at a time, and Xue Shitou came to the palace.
Not long after, the ministers heard the "dang-dang" sound of the marble slab outside the palace. It was the sound of boots stepping on the marble. The ministers couldn't help but look outside the palace, and saw a warrior in gold armor and silver helmet striding forward. Walking towards the temple, he looked majestic and majestic, like a god of war.
That day, when Xue Poye was waiting outside Qianlin Palace, the ministers had met each other once. Seeing each other now, it felt a bit familiar, but the second and fourth princes among the ministers had strange expressions on their faces. He only glanced at it and then turned back.
Xue Poye strode over without any fear. Although his face was a little tired, he still looked quite heroic.
The battle last night left Xue Poye in an extremely conflicted mood. Before summoning him to the palace, his mind was filled with confusion. After all, he had killed his brother in the meeting with his own hands. How could he explain this to Qinglianzhao in the future?
After entering the hall, I saw the huge gilded pillars in the vast Qianlin Hall, and the smooth mirror-like ground reflected my own shadow. There were gold decorations everywhere. The ministers on both sides were silent and lined up far away to the end. , but it is a tall dragon altar. On the golden dragon altar, there is a low white jade railing surrounding it. Two lifelike bronze cranes, one on the left and one on the right, are singing loudly. In the middle is an incense heater with green smoke in the furnace. It's curling up, exuding bursts of warmth.
In the middle of the dragon altar, there is a giant dragon chair made of gold. On the dragon chair, a man in yellow robes and a golden crown is sitting on it. Because the distance is too far, the man's face cannot be seen clearly for a while.
Xue Poye entered the Qianlin Hall under the guidance of the eunuch. Xue Poye lowered his head according to the rules and walked forward quickly. Until the eunuch stopped, he knelt down on the ground and said loudly according to the eunuch's previous instructions. : "Xue Shitou, the deputy general guard of Weichen Yulin Camp, bows to our emperor, long live long live, long live long live!"
He only heard a voice slowly saying: "Xue Shitou, raise your head!" This voice was so majestic that Xue Poye felt his whole body tremble when he heard it. He felt that this voice was really familiar.
He raised his head and looked at the dragon chair, only to see that he was only more than ten meters away from the dragon chair, and the emperor on the dragon chair was looking at him with a smile.
"It's...it's you...!" Xue Poye cried out when he saw the emperor's face.
The ministers were stunned, and immediately the eunuch in charge of the palace shouted in a high voice: "Xue Shitou, you are so courageous, why don't you and I, in the Jinluan Palace, still not apologize?"
Many ministers thought: "This young general is really out of character. How can he call the Holy One the word 'you'? He deserves to die. I don't know if the Holy One is angry or not?"
Xue Poye stared blankly at the emperor on the dragon throne. He felt that the world was so vast and full of wonders, and some things were really unbelievable. He had met the man on the dragon throne three times.
Once in Heyunuma, this man was dressed in a yellow robe and eating so-called "human meat" with him; the second time was in the "Acacia Palace", when he played the bamboo flute and even told himself a story, and that
Only the first half of the story has been told, and there is still a section left unfinished.
I saw him three times today at the Jinluan Palace.dd