The masked man raised his dagger and struck Zhong Shen on the head.
Zhong Shen's scarf suddenly exploded and turned into countless silk ribbons, which wrapped around the dagger.
The masked man couldn't break free for a while. Seeing that the silk ribbon was about to wrap around his arm, he had to abandon the dagger first.
Zhong Shen struggled to get up and suddenly flew into the air.
With his legs crossed and his body twisted, Zhong Shen flew away without a trace in the blink of an eye.
The masked man had no intention of pursuing him, so he chuckled and said, "Run away, Commander."
…
Jiang Feili sat in the lobby of the Imperial City Department and waited for more than an hour.
She received some rumors and knew that Zhong Shen had given Xu Zhiqiong a big gift.
She also knew that the emperor called Zhong Shen into the palace tonight to inquire about this matter.
She trusted the conduct of the commander. Zhong Shen did not like fighting, but under any circumstances, he would spare no effort to safeguard the interests of the Imperial City Division.
He will never attack Xu Zhiqiong, and he can definitely make it clear about what happened today.
Waiting until half past Xu hour, I suddenly heard a loud noise in the yard.
Jiang Feili rushed to the yard and saw Zhong Shen lying in the yard covered in blood with disheveled hair.
Jiang Feili helped Zhong Shen up and shouted repeatedly.
Zhong Shen vomited blood and was speechless, barely conscious.
…
In the palace, Emperor Changle received the news that Zhong Shen was injured and personally took the imperial doctor to the Imperial City Division.
After seeing Zhong Shen, several medical officers looked at it but were unable to do anything.
The imperial doctor quickly stepped forward to check the pulse. After reading the pulse, he was stunned and speechless.
Emperor Changle urged: "How is the injury?"
The imperial doctor rubbed his hands and said, "It's hard to say. Let's prescribe a supplement first."
The medical officer said from the side: "If the medicine is to be taken internally, there is no need to prescribe it. The commander cannot drink the medicine."
Zhong Shen held blood foam in her mouth and pointed at her chest, speechless.
The imperial doctors were all at a loss. Not long after, several more Onmyojis arrived at the Imperial City Department.
Qin Zhixian, a fifth-grade cultivator, came, looked at Zhong Shen’s condition, and said to Emperor Changle: “Your Majesty, Commander Zhong’s internal organs have been damaged and cannot be saved by medicine.”
Emperor Changle said anxiously: "Then think of other ways!"
Qin Zhixian thought for a moment and said: "I can't do anything about this matter. The only one who can save the commander is probably Senior Brother Han."
"Doctor Han!" Emperor Changle immediately ordered, "Transfer Dr. Han back from Yu Xianguo immediately!"
Qin Zhixian shook his head and said: "Senior Brother Han is thousands of miles away, I'm afraid the commander won't be able to hold on."
Emperor Changle said: "Use all the magic formations of your Yin and Yang Division, and make sure Dr. Han comes back!"
The Yin and Yang Division used all the magic formations, and without the Qian Mo Tower, it took Han Chen nearly ten hours to rush back to the capital from Yu Xianguo.
By the time they arrived at the Imperial City Division, Zhong Shen had already lost consciousness.
Han Chen only looked at it for a moment, then turned around and shouted to Qin Zhixian: "Quickly, tell Junior Brother Tong to collect medicinal materials that nourish flesh and blood in Yu Xianguo. The more the better!"
Emperor Changle asked from the side: "How is the injury?"
Han Chen shook his head and said: "The internal organs are all broken to pieces. The reason why I can hold on until now is all because of my third-grade physique."
"Is there any hope?"
Han Chen's cheeks twitched, he untied his backpack, took out various silver needles and large and small knives, turned around and said to a group of onmyojis: "Please help me with all your strength!"
…
When Emperor Changle returned to the palace, there were piles of memorials on his desk.
Half of the memorials were for impeaching Xu Zhiqiong.
Emperor Changle opened two of them, took a look at them, and threw them on the ground.
Previously, Zhong Shen gave Xu Zhiqiong a bronze horse, which contained a hidden mechanism, but the news about it was leaked for some reason.
Now Zhong Shen has been injured by a gangster again, and her life is hanging by a thread.
Who did this?
Regardless of the evidence, the officials who submitted the report all believed that Xu Zhiqiong did it.
But does Xu Zhiqiong have the strength to seriously injure Zhong Shen? Besides, others are still in Yu Xianguo.
These are not important, ministers can make their own conclusions.
Xu Zhiqiong himself is not in the capital, so he can appoint someone to come.
Yu Xianguo has many masters, Xu Zhiqiong begged for mercy from Yu Xianhuang, and Yu Xianhuang would definitely send someone to avenge him.
Tomorrow is the court meeting, and Emperor Changle can imagine the scene in the court hall.
The ministers at the Censor's Desk and various secretaries would take turns to scold Xu Zhiqiong, and the stories and plots imagined by the ministers could be made vivid and lifelike.
Yan Anqing, the chief assistant of the cabinet, admonished: "Tomorrow's court meeting will be canceled for the time being. We should ask Marquis Yun about this matter to see if it has anything to do with him."
Emperor Changle frowned and said, "You still have to ask, this matter must have nothing to do with him!"
Yan Anqing sighed softly and said: "We still have to let Marquis Yun clarify it himself."
Emperor Changle smiled bitterly: "Who should I clarify with? Is it useful to clarify with me?"
"How much clarification is there?" Liang Yuyao said, "No matter what these ministers say, your Majesty will just issue an edict and say that this matter has nothing to do with Zhiqiong."
He Fang was about to speak but stopped.
If it were handled this way, it would definitely be difficult to convince the public.
Emperor Changle said angrily: "I said that the news about the Bronze Horse should not be leaked, but it spread all over the capital the next day. The news about Zhong Shen's injury spread even faster. How can such a minister be so well informed?"
Liang Yuyao said: "Then let Zhiqiong go back to the capital and explain the matter clearly in front of the ministers!"
Yan Anqing shook his head and said: "Marquis Yun is in Yuxian as a hostage, how can he just come back just as he says?"
He Fang whispered: "It seems that someone is deliberately framing Yunhou."
Emperor Changle raised his head and said: "How is the investigation of the Penance Workshop? Who made the bronze horse?"
Liang Yuyao lowered her head and said, "We haven't found out the identity yet."
Emperor Changle said angrily: "The red clothes make everyone fat and strong, and they can do serious things, but they are of no use!"
While he was anxious, the new Minister of War sent an urgent report: "Peng Xiunian, the governor of Yunzhou, raised his troops to rebel and proclaimed himself king. More than thirty officials in the state were brutally killed because they did not follow Peng Xiunian's wishes."
At first, he wanted to mobilize troops from Yunzhou to support Yu Xianguo, but Peng Xiunian refused to obey the order, which already showed signs of rebellion. Unfortunately, Emperor Changle was facing too many things and did not touch him for the time being.
Now that the matter was confirmed, it was expected. Emperor Changle had already made preparations to suppress the rebellion.
But at this moment, the nature of the matter changed again.
Whose fiefdom is Yunzhou?
Naturally, it is the fiefdom of Marquis Yun, but Xu Zhiqiong still cannot escape the relationship!
Emperor Changle's brain throbbed with pain.
Yan Anqing remonstrated: "Your Majesty, this matter must be clarified to Marquis Yun face to face."
Liang Yuyao said angrily: "What's the point of asking? It's clear that Zhi Qiong is being wronged!"
He Fang said: "Yunzhou is the fiefdom of Marquis Yun. If the prefect raises troops to plot rebellion, Marquis Yun should be informed."
This is correct, Xu Zhiqiong must be informed about this matter.
Emperor Changle lit the incense burner, and Xu Zhiqiong quickly responded.
Speaking of Zhong Shen's injury, Xu Zhiqiong said: "Hurry up and let Dr. Han go for treatment!"
"Doctor Han is already here. Whether he can save his life depends on the fate of Zhong Shen. There is another matter at the moment..."
Emperor Changle told the story about Yunzhou's rebellion. When Xu Zhiqiong heard this, he gritted his teeth and said, "Leave the matter of Yunzhou to me. I will lead a team of soldiers to quell the rebels!"
Liang Yuyao praised: "This is a good idea. After the rebellion is suppressed, we will see who dares to wrongly accuse Zhiqiong!"
Emperor Changle nodded and said: "How many troops and horses do you plan to bring, and when will you send them out..."
Halfway through his words, Emperor Changle fell silent.
Xu Zhiqiong smacked his lips and realized that this couldn't be done this way.
He cannot go to Yunzhou.
Liang Yuyao was surprised: "Why don't you speak?"
Yan Anqing kept waving at Emperor Changle, saying Xu Zhiqiong must not be allowed to do this.
Yunzhou rebelled.
Xu Zhiqiong led troops from Yu Xianguo to Yunzhou.
Did he go to quell the rebellion, or went to provide peace to Yu Xianguo?
From the moment he sent out troops, this matter was unclear.
He Fang also figured out the reason and whispered a few words to Liang Yuyao.
Liang Yuyao was surprised and said: "What are you afraid of? As long as the battle is won, everything can be explained clearly!"
Emperor Changle shook his head and said: "Someone is plotting against Zhiqiong behind his back. This battle will not be easy to fight!"
After pondering for a long time, Emperor Changle said: "I asked Chu Xin to lead the troops to Yunzhou. Zhiqiong, you are still staying in Wansheng City. The army needs money and food, so help me provide it!"
"It's all easy to say," Xu Zhiqiong said, "When General Chu sends out troops, be sure to stay hidden and don't let the Gu tribe notice and take advantage of the loophole!"
"But with Chu Xin's methods, there is no need to worry about this matter."
Emperor Changle quickly contacted Chu Xin to discuss countering the rebellion.
Xu Zhiqiong sat silently in his mansion, thinking carefully about the causes and consequences of the matter.
First, someone recommended me to be the commander of the Imperial City Division.
Then came the bronze horse sent from the ascetic workshop.
Then Zhong Shen was seriously injured.
Then Yunzhou rebelled again.
This is forcing me to return to Daxuan. According to this situation, if I don't return to Daxuan, I will really be forced to become a rebel.
What if I return to Daxuan?
Is there still life after returning to Daxuan?
Who is most looking forward to my return to Daxuan?
Long Xiulian!
As long as I reply to Daxuan, he can kill me!
Xu Zhiqiong clenched his fists.
It was he who injured Zhong Shen.
But why can he still let Yunzhou rebel?
…
At the entrance of an alley in Beiyuan, Chen Shuncai set up a drink stall in his old place.
Business is good tonight, with many customers coming and going.
Two guests were chatting while drinking wine:
"Have you heard that something big happened in the capital? The emperor wanted Xu Denglang to be the commander of the Imperial City. Zhong Shen was not happy and sent a bronze horse to Yu Xianguo, which almost killed Xu Denglang!"
"I've also heard about this. Xu Denglang is so easy to offend. He hired a master from Yu Xianguo and beat Zhong Shen half to death. His internal organs were all shredded to pieces!"
"If you say that Zhong Shen deserves it, he usually doesn't do anything, so let Xu Denglang be the commander!"
"Yu Xianguo wants to make Xu Denglang a first-class official and a duke. I think Xu Denglang is probably going to rebel."
A person next to him said: "What's more, there's already a rebellion! There's going to be a war in Yunzhou! Xu Denglang is going to establish himself as king in Yunzhou!"
Chen Shuncai lowered his head and made a drink, silently listening to everyone's discussion.
Xu Zhiqiong rebelled?
He turned against the little emperor so quickly?
Why is bell ginseng still mixed in? It seems that his life is also involved.
Chen Shuncai didn't have the time to think too much, there were more important things tonight.
Around midnight, Taibu appeared at the entrance of the alley, wearing a heavy gown.
Chen Shuncai put down his work, walked to Taibu, and took out a wooden box from his arms.
"The things are in the box. You should know how to open this box."
Taibu took the box, fumbled with it for a moment, and smiled.
He knew what was inside, and Chen Shun did not lie to him.
He waved towards the depths of the alley, and Qu Qiao, also wearing a heavy gown, came out.
Qu Qiao looked at Chen Shuncai silently, with tears in his eyes.
Chen Shuncai asked softly: "Do you still recognize me?"
Qu Qiao nodded and said nothing.
Taibu looked at Chen Shuncai and said: "I entrust her to you, you must treat her well."
After saying that, Taibu turned and left.
Chen Shuncai shouted at Taibu's back: "Don't lie to me, otherwise I will never forgive you!"
Taibu said nothing and slowly walked out of the alley.
Once they were in a deserted area, Taibu immediately used the magic circle to leave Beiyuan.
He lied to Chen Shuncai.
Qu Qiao's soul is indeed still there, but it is incomplete.