Today is the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Cui Li, the observation envoy of Huanghaidao Capital, originally prepared a grand banquet and song and dance performance for the Chinese envoys. However, due to the musket assassination that occurred on the outskirts of the city, General Liu Dongming of the Imperial Guard was frightened. He was afraid that there would be too many people at the banquet.
If something unexpected happened again, Cui Li was ordered to cancel the reception banquet, and an urgent investigation was also carried out on the officers in the post house. Only those whose family members were local and had served for more than ten years could stay in the post house, and the rest of the servants were cleared out of the post house.
The food for the two angels and the main entourage was specially provided by the Huangzhou government office. They would rather have a simpler reception than allow any more surprises to happen.
The guards around the post house are even tighter. A team of twenty-four patrol soldiers, a total of twelve teams, patrol around the post house day and night. No idlers are allowed to approach the post house. In addition to observing the affairs and county affairs of Huanghai Road,
Except for the several main officials of the State Shepherd who can see the Great Angel, all other staff will return to their respective offices. The Angel will stay in Huanghai Prefecture City for two days. During this period, ensuring the safety of the Angel is the top priority of each government official. At the same time, arresting the assassin
The wide net has been cast. The servants who were in charge of the ceremonial guard, those who performed in acrobatics, carried the incense pavilion, and set up the colorful shed were interrogated one by one. Liu Dongming was really angry this time and vowed to find out the assassins and traitors.
, he asked Zhang Yuan to take the dancer Gu Xishan to the state government for interrogation. Zhang Yuan said that Gu Xishan's injury was not healed, and it was not suitable to be tortured for the time being. He would hand it over in a few days -
Although Liu Dongming had doubts, he never imagined that today's assassination would be the result of Zhang Yuan's plan under Jin Shiyi's orders!
Ruan Dacheng was very puzzled by Zhang Yuan's protection of the dancer. Zhang Yuan did not explain much to Ruan Dacheng. He just said: "This woman is a key figure. We will know the details in a few days. Brother Ji, let's wait and see."
In the afternoon of the next day, it was drizzling. Zhang Yuan was playing Go with Ruan Dacheng for leisure. The petitioner Jin Zhongqing hurriedly came to see him and said that His Royal Highness Lord Lingyang and Dr. Guangde Yin Jishan had arrived at Huanghaidao and were now taking a bath in the state government office. They would be here soon.
The post house apologized to the angel and said hello.
Zhang Yuan and Ruan Dacheng also put on official uniforms and crowns. After waiting for about two moments, they saw Liu Dongming, Liu Xiya, Yu Yan, Xu Jun, Cui Li and others accompanying a man wearing a black gauze winged crown and wearing dark blue.
The young man in a python robe entered the post house. The young man was of medium build, with a long face and a high nose. He had a dark complexion and was full of heroic spirit. Without waiting for his entourage to hold an umbrella, he quickly walked through the courtyard in the rain, went up to the hall, and raised his eyes to Zhang Yuan and Zhang Yuan.
Ruan Dacheng looked at it, bowed his head and said, "Li Jie came here on the king's order to pay his respects to the angel."
A North Korean official in his fifties who was following Li Zhu immediately saluted and said: "Yin Jishan pays homage to the two angels."
Zhang Yuan and Ruan Dacheng returned the courtesy, and Zhang Yuan said: "Your Highness Lord Lingyang, Lord Lao Yin, please sit down and watch tea."
Ayangjun Li Ju is twenty-three years old this year. He has gained the trust of King Gwanghae. When he learned that the Great Angel was frightened during a night banquet in Pyongyang, he took the initiative to ask Gwanghae for orders to come and greet the angel. Yesterday he traveled seventy miles away from Hwanghae City.
Fengshan County in Fengshan County learned in the middle of the night that the Ming Dynasty envoy was assassinated outside Huanghai City. Although there were no casualties, the shock was not comparable to that in Pyongyang. Li Jie and Guangde doctor Yin Jishan set off before dawn——
Li Zhu expressed his apology to Zhang Yuan and Ruan Dacheng for the poor protection, and turned to Liu Dongming and asked: "General Liu, there is still nearly 500 miles to go to Wangjing. We must strictly guard you along the way. We must not make any mistakes again." He added.
He said: "Your Majesty still doesn't know about the assassination of Angel in Huanghaidao."
Liu Dongming was very ashamed and said: "Inspector Cui wants to mobilize 1,500 soldiers from Hwanghae Province to escort the angels to Wangjing, but I have refused. These soldiers lack training on weekdays and are unable to catch thieves. It is difficult for them to take on this task."
For such an important task, I am planning to fly a thousand Wang Jing Imperial Guard troops to Huangzhou to escort the angels to the capital at night, so that nothing can go wrong. What do you think, His Highness Lord Ling Yang?"
However, Li Zhu did not respond directly and said, "It would be better to seek the opinions of the two angels on this matter." When saying this, he carefully observed Zhang Yuan's subtle expression.
Zhang Yuan smiled and said: "Recruiting imperial guards from the capital of Seoul to escort us will not only disturb the king of your country and the soldiers and civilians along the way, but we will also be impeached by the officials when we return home in the future, saying that we are acting authoritative in your country.
Be a blessing."
Li Zhu understood the idea and suggested: "The two angels are modest and benevolent and do not want to mobilize too much troops. However, the safety of the mission must be guaranteed. Since the military service of Huanghaidao is unavailable, let the Pingshan Protectorate deploy elite troops to escort it."
,how?"
Zhang Yuan said without comment: "Don't be too troublesome, don't be too troublesome."
Liu Dongming also felt that transferring the internal guards from Wang Jing was a bit of a fuss. Pingshan Protectorate was more than a hundred miles away, and Jiedushi Li Gui was also a distant descendant of the Li family. It was indeed a good compromise to let Li Gui choose elite soldiers to escort him.
Zhang Yuan said: "Pingshan Protector's Mansion is not far from here, so let Pingshan Jiedushi send 1,500 elite troops to protect the Chinese envoys."
Zhang Yuandao: "Why do we need fifteen hundred people? One thousand people are enough."
Lord Lingyang Li Zhu said: "Then we will recruit 1,200 people, and also ask General Liu to report the matter to the king as soon as possible. The local troops entering the capital must obtain the king's order before they can set off."
Liu Dongming nodded and said: "Your Highness first sent envoy Li Jiedu to select strong and reliable soldiers and rush to Huanghai City to wait for orders. When the king's decree comes, we will set off."
That night, Lord Lingyang Li Jie hosted a banquet in the post house to entertain the Ming Dynasty envoys. Li Jie, Liu Dongming and others accompanied Zhang Yuan, and Ruan Dacheng had a banquet in the elegant small hall. During the banquet, Li Jie once again expressed condolences to the two angels on behalf of Lord Guanghai.
He also presented some gifts. After the banquet, Li Zhu personally sent the two angels back to the library. When they said goodbye, Li Zhu secretly thrust a short note into Zhang Yuan's hand. Zhang Yuan remained calm, said goodbye and returned to his residence.
Under the candlelight, he looked at the short note given to him by Li Zhu. The short note had no beginning or end, and only wrote: "The founding envoy Erdeni and his party of 13 people passed Suchuan County on the fourth day of May. If there is no accident, Chuan
We will arrive in Wangjing around ten days ago, and it is entirely up to the angels to decide how to deal with it."
Zhang Yuan rolled up the short card and lit it with the help of a candle. Watching the short card burn and turn into ashes, Mu Jingyan, Ma Kuoqi and Sheba who were waiting in front of the door saw the light of the fire and looked over.
Zhang Yuan was about to write a diary, slowly polishing the ink, thinking about how to launch this palace coup, when he suddenly heard Ju Xishan's voice in the courtyard: "This slave is asking to see the angel Zhang."
Zhang Yuan then raised his voice and said: "Let her come in."
Gu Xishan came in, Ma Kuoqi and Sheba followed her. Gu Xishan spread her skirt and bowed down and saluted. Zhang Yuan said: "Miss Gu, why do you want to see me?"
Ju Xishan said: "I would like to ask, is it His Highness Lord Lingyang who is here to welcome you to the capital?"
Zhang Yuan asked back: "Does Miss Gu recognize Lord Lingyang?"
Ju Xishan said: "I haven't seen you for three years. I met you twice in Jingyang Palace before. Your Highness Lord Lingyang will not remember this slave."
Zhang Yuan nodded, stared at this beautiful North Korean girl, and said: "General Liu asked me to hand you over several times, so how about I hand you over to Lord Ayayo tomorrow?"
Gu Xishan's face suddenly turned pale, he lowered his eyebrows and lowered his eyelashes and said, "This slave is at your disposal."
Zhang Yuandao: "Or I can try to ask Miss Xiaozhen to take you away quietly?"
Ju Xishan said: "Wouldn't it bring harm to the master? Why would it be a pity if my servant died?"
Zhang Yuan asked: "Then why do you see me?"
Gu Xishan said: "I know that Your Highness Ayang-kun likes Go, and you are also a master of the game. You can invite Your Highness Ayang-kun to play chess tomorrow, so that we can discuss some things."
Zhang Yuan lowered his face and said, "Do I need your advice on what I should do?"
Zhang Yuan, who had always been friendly and cheerful, suddenly turned serious. Gu Xishan was so shocked that his pretty face turned pale. He quickly knelt down and said repeatedly: "I don't dare, I don't dare."
Zhang Yuan asked: "Who instigated you to say this to me?"
Gu Xishan's white teeth bit his lip until it bled. He raised his face and said in a trembling voice with tears in his eyes: "I can't see anyone else in the house. I'm the one who spoke so recklessly. Please punish me."
Zhang Yuan asked: "Did the mute girl Xiaozhen ask you to come?"
Gu Heishan denied it, saying that she was just being reckless.
Zhang Yuandao: "You must know something about what Jin Chushi and I have planned, but Jin Chushi didn't treat me sincerely. He sent a woman who pretended to be deaf and mute to follow me to monitor me, and her words were not truthful. This kind of thing
How can I trust people? Tomorrow I will explain to Liu Guojiu the conspiracy of Jin Chushi and his party——"
Gu Xishan was shocked and kowtowed repeatedly: "Sir, Jin Chushi did not deceive you, and Miss Zhen-Xiao Zhen did not pretend to be deaf and dumb. She really cannot speak. Please be careful."
Zhang Yuan slowed down his tone and said: "It's not that I'm suspicious, it's because I have a big plan and I have to be cautious. I don't want to lose my life in this foreign country. Tell me the truth. Who is Xiaozhen and why did she become mute?"
I don’t want to be a fool.”
Gu Xishan calmed down for a moment and said to Zhang Yuan: "Sir, Miss Xiaozhen is extremely grateful to you. Didn't she knit a peace card with your own hands and give it to you?"
Zhang Yuan smiled broadly and said, "You should also know my kindness, so don't hide it. It's uncomfortable to be kept in the dark."
Gu Xishan hesitated and stopped talking——
Zhang Yuandao: "If you don't want to say anything, I won't force you, so please go back."
Gu Xishan kowtowed to the ground and said: "Sir, I dare not hide this from you. Miss Xiaozhen is the eldest daughter of Queen Inmu and the sister of Lord Yongchang. The late king once named her Princess Jeongmyeong. After Lord Gwanghae succeeded to the throne, he deposed her.
He killed Queen Inmok, killed Lord Yeongchang, and demoted Princess Jeongmyeong’s title to Princess Jeongmyeong.” The legitimate daughter of the King of Joseon was granted the title of princess, and his concubine was granted the title of princess.
Ming Wengzhu means denying the status of Queen Inmu——
Zhang Yuan thought to himself: "She is really a princess, Princess Zhenming, the Lord, and she is destined to the Ming Dynasty." He said: "Get up and speak."
Gu Xishan refused to get up and knelt down and said: "Please don't reveal Princess Zhenmyeong's identity. If Uncle Liu Guo and others find out, not only Princess Zhenmyeong will be killed, but Queen Inmu who was demoted to the West Palace will also suffer.
Lord Gwanghae’s poisonous hand.”
Zhang Yuandao: "Don't worry, I will not ask for credit from Lord Guanghai. I am a minister of the Ming Dynasty. Lord Guanghai colluded with the Jurchens in Jianzhou, which is detrimental to the Ming Dynasty. This is the reason why I help you - well, you get up and speak."
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I will resume updating every day tomorrow. Thank you book friends for your understanding.