There was a depressing atmosphere in the capital of the Dafeng Emperor. In the morning, everyone lowered their heads, and no one mentioned the victims. Prince Jing still had his eyelids drooped, as if he had not woken up, but
There is an extra whip in his hand.
Emperor Chengwu's face didn't look very good either. Prince Jing took over the Nine Gates Admiral's Mansion, and many people had already guessed that there would be a big move. Even though Emperor Chengwu had been in power for so many years, he also killed a number of other princes who followed him.
However, because the late emperor was seriously ill and passed away too soon, it was basically the old uncle who helped Emperor Cheng Wu manage the government affairs.
At that time, Emperor Chengwu's foundation was unstable. With the support of the Empress Dowager and his uncle, Emperor Chengwu gradually stabilized the country. Therefore, the prestige of the old empress dowager and his uncle was great in the court. It was because of this that Emperor Chengwu had been forbearing.
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However, no monarch would tolerate anyone infringing on his fundamental interests. Not only did the old uncle privately enclose land, he also occupied a large area of pasture in the north. This made Emperor Chengwu feel that his uncle was very independent.
Because of the power of the king, he had to order the demolition of the privately built mansion and the return of the occupied pasture. Through this matter, Emperor Chengwu originally wanted to give the Zhou family a wink and let them retreat in spite of the difficulties. Who would have imagined that his power would expand to a certain extent?
, the Zhou family actually thought of forcing the palace. If they assist another prince to come to power, the Zhou family can at least be free for another ten or twenty years. By then, I am afraid no one can control the Zhou family anymore.
Guo Tianxin also came to the morning court today. Seeing that everyone was silent, Guo Tianxin stood up.
"Report to my emperor, I have something to report."
"Accurate!" Emperor Chengwu said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, I am returning to the capital because my mother is seriously ill. My mother has recovered from her illness. I would like to ask your Majesty to approve the order so that I can return to southern Xinjiang as soon as possible and guard the border." Guo Tianxin said loudly and loudly.
All the civil and military officials present were as smart as monkeys, and they immediately began to ponder the meaning. Who among the officials in the capital did not want to come back and stay for a longer period of time. Guo Tianxin took the initiative to request an order to go back, and at such a sensitive moment,
Many people can smell the smell of war.
In the Dafeng Dynasty, the two military camps in the north and south were equally powerful. Once there was movement in the northern camp under the Zhou family, the suburban camp alone could keep the capital intact, but it would never be able to push back the powerful troops of the northern camp. Only the southern camp could
Only with the arrival of soldiers can we suppress the Beida Camp.
"Guo Aiqing, when the Yun Kingdom has been eyeing Dafeng, I will leave the important responsibility of southern Xinjiang to you. Ready!" Emperor Chengwu simply agreed to Guo Tianxin's request to return to Xinjiang.
Li Hong, Minister of the Ministry of War, hesitated to speak. He originally wanted to say a few words after leaving work, but after thinking about it, he still endured it.
Although he is the Minister of the Ministry of War, each of the major camps below has its own general. If there is a fight with Dangyun and Qingtian, his words as the Minister of the Ministry of War may be very useful. But if there is civil strife, he will only be a bare-bones officer.
Commander, no one will obey his orders.
Seeing that no one wanted to come out to perform, Emperor Chengwu glanced at him, and Eunuch Wei directly announced his withdrawal from the court.
Guo Tianxin left the court without even stopping. When he returned to the palace, he led his troops to the capital gate. As soon as he came back from the palace last night, Guo Tianxin sent a letter to Zhennan Camp to mobilize troops to Shu.
Tianfu. Shu Tianfu has 8,000 city guards and Zhongdu Prefecture has 5,000. If you want to suppress Zhou Dazhong, you will need at least 20,000 elite soldiers. And if there is any movement in the Beida Camp, Guo Tianxin must come within 20 days.
Rescue. Otherwise, the reserves in the capital would not be able to sustain it at all. Therefore, Guo Tianxin rushed back to southern Xinjiang immediately to prepare.
As soon as Guo Tianxin left the city gate, he saw a group of fast horses chasing him. Guo Tianxin raised his hand and put the personal troops on alert immediately. In this situation, no one can say whether there will be any accidents.
"Tian Xin, you have to wait for me~ but I am exhausted." The one who is chasing is Li Hong, the Minister of the Ministry of War. He has chased me from the Guo Mansion to here.
When Guo Tianxin saw that it was Li Hong, he winked and asked the soldiers to cancel the alert. Guo Tianxin still believed in Li Hong.
"Master Li, Tianxin was in a hurry to return to Xinjiang and did not go to the Ministry of War to say goodbye. I hope you will forgive me, Master Li."
Guo Tianxin had a good relationship with Li Hong. Due to special reasons, he was unable to say hello and felt a little sorry.
Li Hong looked at Guo Tianxin's soldiers and waved his hand to tell the people behind him to step back. Guo Tianxin understood that Li Hong had something private to talk about, so he waved his hand to ask his soldiers to step back.
The two people dismounted, and Li Hong sighed and said, "Brother Tianxin, we have known each other for many years. Tell me the truth. Have you really reached that point?"
Guo Tianxin knew very well what Li Hong was referring to, "Master Li, looking at what the Zhou family has done, I'm afraid they are going to fight each other. As the saying goes, there is no day in the sky, and as a minister, you can only obey orders.
sky."
"However, the Queen Mother's decree cannot be violated. You can just leave. I will be in trouble in the capital. If the Zhou family is using the banner of the Queen Mother's decree, who are you listening to?" Li Hong
He said with a sad look on his face.
In the hearts of the officials in the court, the prestige of the old Queen Mother is no less than that of Emperor Chengwu. Moreover, since Emperor Chengwu came to power, the Queen Mother's decrees and the emperor's imperial decrees have always had the same weight. In the past, Chengwu praised filial piety, which can be regarded as a tribute to his mother.
A kind of respect. But now, it has become an obstacle.
Guo Tianxin stared at Li Hong and asked seriously, "Brother Li, we have not known each other for a day or two. I just want to hear the truth. If the emperor and the Zhou family are in conflict, which side will you, brother Li, stand on?"
"If it's the Zhou family, I will fight against it even if it's the old queen. But if it's the old queen, it's really hard to choose." Li Hong didn't hide it and directly stated his difficulties.
Guo Tianxin nodded. There were many officials above the court who had this idea, and they all wanted to avoid offending each other. Although it was not easy to be a grassroots official, they could protect themselves no matter who regained power.
"Brother Li, if others can do this, I guess you can't. I'm afraid that if the Zhou family moves, the Queen Mother and the Emperor will issue an edict to the Ministry of War at the same time. At that time, you, the Minister of War, must choose a side."
"This is exactly what worries me, so I came here to discuss with Brother Guo. You have to help me find a way. To be disrespectful, the Queen Mother dares to kill the Emperor, but the Emperor cannot kill the Queen Mother. Even if the Emperor is sure
For the sake of the overall situation, once the mother and son get back together in the future, those of us who serve as ministers will no longer be human beings." Li Hong said awkwardly.
Guo Tianxin was helpless. It was because of this that many ministers did not dare to speak. If the emperor ordered the old queen mother to be killed or put under house arrest now, no matter how powerful the Zhou family was, they would not be able to make waves. Without the queen mother's decree, the name of the northern camp would be
He can't find an excuse to go on a crusade if he doesn't speak the right words. However, the emperor doesn't want to be accused of being unfilial in front of the world, so he can only have an open fight under a palace wall where water and fire are incompatible.
"Brother Li, I won't say any more. If you are really in trouble, go to Prince Jing. This old fool is not really confused. I believe he will give you a satisfactory answer." Guo Tianxin said, getting on the horse.
Prepare to say goodbye.
Li Hong handed over his hand, and it seemed that this was the only way to go. He only hoped that both sides could make concessions at the last moment and avoid the situation of fighting each other.
In the Shutian Mansion Official Residence Station, Zhu Tianjiang was living a carefree life, pestering the fourth prince and others to push Pai Gow every day. At first, the fourth prince could hold back, but later he simply stayed in his room and cursed Zhu.
This guy from the sky had harmed him. Otherwise, if he were still staying in the palace, he wouldn't have to be so worried.
On the surface, Zhu Tianjiang plays every day, but in fact he is more anxious than anyone else. The only person who can pass on information now is the person who delivers food every day. Zhou Dazhong confines everyone, but these people have to eat and drink, so every day
There are vegetable sellers inside delivering vegetables. At first it was real vegetables and rice, but later on, it turned into a hidden mess on the stick.
Time flies so fast, more than half a month has passed in the blink of an eye, and there is still no news from the outside. Now even Yu Gege doesn't come to Zhu Tianjiang's room, only Guo Ying still accompanies him to 'kill time'.
"Brother Tianjiang, when should we wait until the end?" Guo Ying frowned and asked.
"I'm waiting for your father's troops. If we don't send troops, we will have to find a way to escape." In front of Guo Ying, Zhu Tianjiang did not hide his anxiety.
"What about Yu Gege and the Fourth Prince?" Guo Ying asked worriedly.
"They can't die. The most Zhou Dazhong dares to do is kill me. As for you, you may become their unexpected pawn."
"With so many people outside, it might not be easy to get out. Even if you can get out of here like last time, it might be difficult to get out of the city."
Zhu Tianjiang rubbed his temples. He had thought of this a long time ago, so he asked Zhu Si to inform the people at Niangan Department to dig several cellars in private houses in the city. He rushed out of the inn and hid in the cellars temporarily to wait for the storm to pass.
, and then find a way out of the city.
As soon as the door opened, Zhu Er hurriedly walked in with a hint of joy on his face.
"Sir, we have received a secret report that the soldiers and horses of the Zhennan Camp have bypassed the Zhongdu Mansion. Among the people accompanying them, there are people from our sticky pole, who have already contacted people in the city. The soldiers and horses are currently stationed forty miles away from Shutian Mansion.
In the mountains and rivers outside, as soon as we get out of trouble, they will attack the city."
Zhu Tianjiang suddenly stood up, "Great! I thought these two fathers didn't want their daughter anymore. Has the food delivery person left?" Zhu Tianjiang asked.
"Not yet, I'm waiting for your instructions."
"Inform the people in the city to start action tonight. According to the plan, set fire as the signal." Zhu Tianjiang and Si Zhu had already made a plan and were waiting for this day.
"Sir, I have another piece of news to tell you. The commander of the army said that Yu Gege and the fourth prince must be taken away. This is what the general specifically instructed."
Zhu Tianjiang was startled and nodded silently. If Guo Tianxin had this explanation, then the situation in the capital might be more serious than he imagined.
"Grandma, just take it with you. Tell our people to make the city more lively tonight, otherwise we won't be able to get out at all."
After Zhu Tianjiang finished his instructions, he hurried to find the fourth prince and Yu Gege. The brother and sister were sitting in the hall with frowning faces. When they saw Zhu Tianjiang coming in, neither of them even raised their eyelids.
"I'm not here to promote Pai Gow to you. Get ready quickly. We're going out tonight." Zhu Tianjiang said with a smile.
The fourth prince and Yu Gege were stunned and looked at Zhu Tianjiang in surprise. Zhu Tianjiang knew that the two did not believe it, so he quickly told the news outside. The fourth prince and Yu Gege knew that Zhu Tianjiang was waiting for reinforcements, but they did not expect it.
Guo Tianxin really dared to send someone here.
In the Shutian Mansion Office, Zhou Dazhong also received a secret report from his father two days ago that the Beiying army had quietly moved south. As for his side, the old uncle asked Zhou Dazhong to keep an eye on the hostages. Especially Yu Gege and Guo Ying, there must be no mistakes.
Prince Jing has taken over the Nine Admirals' Mansion, and Yu Gege happens to be a trump card in their hand. As for Guo Ying, maybe she can use it when Guo Tianxin goes north to rescue her.
Knowing that his aunt and father were going to fight for real, Zhou Dazhong felt nervous and excited at the same time. Once he succeeded in forcing the throne, the power of the Zhou family would be equal to that of the royal family. By then, his Shutian Mansion would have become a completely independent kingdom.
No longer subject to anyone’s jurisdiction.
In the inn, the Fourth Prince and Yu Gege's guards had secretly received action orders, and everyone was nervously waiting for the night to come. As for the officials from the Ministry of Revenue, Zhu Tianliang did not let Zhu Yi inform them in advance.
Because these guards are relatively loyal, and those officials from the Ministry of Revenue may not necessarily follow them to life and death. Even so, Zhu Tianjiang also ordered Zhu Yi and others to control the front and rear, and kill anyone who wants to leave the post station on the spot.
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Guo Ying put on men's clothes, but this time she held an official sword in her hand. Zhu Tianjiang did not use any other weapons. For him, the golden pen given by the emperor was the best weapon.
In the inn, all the lights were extinguished. When a group of household officials heard the news that they were going to be killed, their legs were weak with fear. However, at this point, they had no choice but to fight to the death or to survive. They were caught between two
In the middle of the Bo escort, it was impossible to go out to report the news.
Dang, Dang, Dang~ A rapid sound of gongs sounded on the street not far away, and then, not far from the inn, flames shot into the sky.
"It's not good~ Everyone, come and put out the fire~!"
Listening to the chaotic cries for help outside, Zhu Tianjiang waved his golden pen and said, "Charge~!"
Outside the inn, Commander Zhang Biao saw several fires nearby and was wondering whether to send a small team to put out the fires. When he saw a group of "common people" rushing out of the darkness, holding various weapons in their hands.
"No! They want to save people, so they are lining up~!" Zhang Biao immediately understood that these people were for the people inside the station.
Hula~ As soon as the door opened, a black shadow flashed out and ran towards Zhang Biao. Zhu Yi had already taken aim at Zhang Biao and was the first one to kill him after he came out.
With shouts of killing, the two sides immediately fought together. Zhu Er did not dare to stay away and protected Zhu Tianjiang at all times. Zhu San and Zhu Si protected the fourth prince and Yu Gege.
In the darkness, Zhu Tianjiang's golden pen flashed, and the strokes were like lightning. Although his movement was still very clumsy, his strikes were very accurate, and they all penetrated the throat with one stroke. Zhu Er did not expect that Zhu Tianjiang had this skill, and he immediately felt relieved.
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The number of officers and soldiers outside had a huge advantage. During the melee, Zhu Tianjiang's men were immediately divided into several pieces.
"Guo Ying, follow me~ don't run around." Zhu Tianjiang shouted and rushed forward after Zhu Er.
"Bold Zhu Tianjiang, Mr. Zhou has long expected this will come, so you should give up your heart."
Following a shout, two teams of soldiers and horses suddenly rushed out from the intersection on both sides of the street. One of them was led by Yao Yiping.
Whoa~! The two groups of men drew their crossbows and aimed them at the crowd in the melee under the light of torches.