Wu Han pondered for a moment and said: "We will enter the palace immediately and report this matter to His Majesty!"
Deng Chen hesitated for a while and said sternly: "It still needs to be interrogated again!" He shook the bamboo slip in his hand and said: "This is just Tian Lanqing's one-sided statement. We still need to pry open the mouths of other assassins and check with them to confirm that they are correct.
Only then can I report it to His Majesty!"
In front of Tian Lanqing, Deng Chen swore that the other assassins had confessed. In fact, he only found out the name Hu Yong and no other useful information.
However, Deng Chen used this name to successfully defeat Tian Lanqing's psychological defense and opened a gap from Tian Lanqing.
After obtaining Tian Lanqing's confession, it became much easier to interrogate several other assassins. Wu Han and Deng Chen, one playing a good role and the other playing a bad role, coaxed and intimidated, and successfully obtained two more confessions.
These two confessions were similar to Tian Lanqing's confession, admitting that the master behind them was Lu Fang. They entered the palace to assassinate Liu Xiu after receiving Lu Fang's order. As for why Lu Fang did this, they had no idea.
After confirming the assassin's confession, Wu Han and Deng Chen left Tingwei's Mansion and went to the palace to meet Liu Xiu.
Liu Xiu read the confessions of Tian Lanqing and the other three assassins one by one, then threw the bamboo slips on the table and said with a serious face: "I originally thought that Lu Fang would stay in a corner, but now it seems that I didn't
You are looking down on him!"
Deng Chen said seriously: "Your Majesty, Lu Fang will not send assassins to Luoyang for no reason. I think Lu Fang must have a motive for this move."
Wu Han answered: "That's right! Your Majesty, I am worried that changes are happening in the north!"
Wei Xiao in the northwest and Gongsun Shu in the southwest are enough to give the court a headache. If Lu Fang in the north takes the opportunity to cause chaos again, we will really have too much to take care of!
In fact, Lu Fang's own strength is very average, but he is supported by the Huns and Wuhuan people. These Hu people support Lu Fang not because they are on good terms with Lu Fang, but because they all have their own agenda.
Liu Xiu narrowed his eyes and fell into deep thought. If there was really going to be chaos in the north, the imperial court had to respond as soon as possible. Liu Xiu was not willing to mobilize the capital army in Luoyang.
First of all, the number of capital troops in Luoyang is not large, and a large number of troops remain in Qingzhou to stabilize the situation in Qingzhou.
Secondly, Liu Xiu did not regard Lu Fang as his main opponent. Now if he mobilizes a large number of capital troops to go north, it will inevitably affect his suppression of Wei Xiao and Gongsun Shu, which will be very detrimental to the court.
He thought for a long time and asked: "We are in Bingzhou, do we have any informants?"
Wu Han and Deng Chen looked at each other and both lowered their heads. Wu Han whispered: "Your Majesty, our army's energy is mainly focused on Yizhou, followed by Liangzhou. As for Bingzhou, it has been ignored."
Liu Xiu said: "Ziyan, you arrange for the elite scouts in the army to go to Bingzhou to inquire about the situation in Bingzhou. From now on, I want to know Lu Fang's every move."
Wu Han immediately raised his hands and responded: "I obey the order!"
Liu Xiu picked up the bamboo slips again and looked down. Wu Han cleared his throat and asked in a low voice: "Your Majesty, what should we do with the captured assassins?"
"If you are useful, you can keep him; if you are useless, put him to death!" Liu Xiu's eyes still fell on the bamboo slips.
Deng Chen bowed and responded: "Yes! Your Majesty!"
Wu Han whispered: "Your Majesty, the female assassin named Tian Lanqing, Wei Chen wants to take her back to the Grand Sima Mansion, Wei Chen wants to deal with her personally."
Deng Chen turned to look at Wu Han and sighed secretly. Ziyan's character was such that he must retaliate. Qin Zihua was injured, so he had to vent his anger no matter what!
Liu Xiu didn't think much and said: "Okay! However, the assassin must not be allowed to escape."
Wu Han looked happy and said loudly: "Your Majesty, don't worry, she won't even be able to leave the Sima Mansion."
Liu Xiu smiled, raised his head and said, "Go!"
Wu Han and Deng Chen both left. When they left, Liu Xiu stood up and turned around. Behind him, there was a map of the Thirteen States hanging. Liu Xiu clasped his hands behind his back and raised his eyes to look at the map.
Binh Chau is located in the north of Hanoi County and borders Hanoi.
The chaos in Bingzhou is different from the chaos in Yizhou and the chaos in Liangzhou. Yizhou and Liangzhou are far away from Luoyang, but Bingzhou is different. From Bingzhou, you can go directly to Hanoi, pass through Hanoi, and cross the Yellow River.
But the troops can reach Luoyang.
It can be said that once Lu Fang sends troops from Bingzhou, it will pose a direct threat to Luoyang.
Liu Xiu put his hands behind his back and looked at the map again and again. After a while, he raised his hand and nodded at Meng Jin.
Mengjin is an important ferry crossing on the north bank of the Yellow River. It can also be said to be the northern gateway to Luoyang. After crossing the river from Mengjin, you can get off the boat and reach Luoyang within a hundred miles.
The person who used to guard Luoyang was General Mengjin Feng Yi. Later, Feng Yi was promoted to the General of the Western Expedition and became the chief general of the Western Expedition Army. Mengjin became a lot empty. Now Liu Xiu is considering whether to transfer Feng Yi back to Mengjin.
.
Liu Xiu was thinking attentively when he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw that Luo You was walking over with a cup of tea. Liu Xiu took the cup handed over by Luo You and took a sip of tea.
Luo You reminded in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it's getting late, so you'd better rest early!"
"Yes!" Liu Xiu put down his cup and nodded. Luo You asked, "Your Majesty, are you still going to the West Palace tonight?"
Liu Xiu smiled and asked, "You seem to really want me to go to the West Palace."
Luo You lowered his head and said: "At the Fourth Prince's Zhou Zhou banquet, an assassination incident occurred. The noble man was frightened. Your Majesty should spend more time with the noble man."
Even though Luo You is not in the West Palace now and is not the maid of the West Palace, her heart is still inclined towards Yin Lihua.
Liu Xiu thought for a while and said, "I will go to Changqiu Palace to rest tonight."
Luo You's words reminded Liu Xiu that the assassination happened and Lihua was frightened. Shengtong was not frightened. He spent the night with Lihua last night. Tonight, he should go to Changqiu Palace.
Hearing Liu Xiu's words, Luo You looked disappointed. Zhang Kun glanced at her and coughed twice. As slaves, they only need to serve their masters well, but they must not think about influencing their masters.
decision made.
Luo You looked at Zhang Kun and noticed his warning eyes. She lowered her head and said nothing.
Liu Xiu went to the Changqiu Palace, and Guo Shengtong walked out of the hall to greet him, with a look of joy on his face. Liu Xiu walked up to Guo Shengtong, helped her up after saluting her body, and said, "Zitong was frightened last night, and I just came here now."
, Zi Tong won’t blame me, right?”
Guo Shengtong said softly: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs. I am very happy to be able to come to Changqiu Palace and think of my concubine!"
During this period of time, Guo Shengtong's changes were quite obvious. He became a lot more stable and low-key. In Liu Xiu's opinion, he became more mature. Liu Xiu held Guo Shengtong's hand and walked happily.
Enter the main hall.
After sitting down, Guo Shengtong whispered: "Your Majesty, I can guarantee the assassination with my life. It has absolutely nothing to do with Chen Zhi. I hope your Majesty will let Chen Zhi go!"
Since Chen Zhi was sent to Yeting Prison, Guo Shengtong has been restless and always feels empty in his heart.
Liu Xiu patted Guo Shengtong's hand, turned around and said, "Zhang Kun!"
"Your Majesty!" Zhang Kun hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to salute.
"Go to Yeting Prison, take Chen Zhi out, and bring him to Changqiu Palace."
"Yes!" Zhang Kun agreed and walked out quickly.
Guo Shengtong stood up, saluted, and said excitedly: "Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
"Zi Tong doesn't need to be polite." Liu Xiu pulled Guo Shengtong up and said softly: "Chen Zhi has been with me for many years. I naturally know what kind of person he is."
Not long after, Zhang Kun led Chen Zhi into the main hall. After entering, Chen Zhi knelt down on the ground with a thud, crying and choking with sobs and said: "I pay homage to your majesty, and pay homage to the queen!"
Liu Xiu looked at Chen Zhi, whose clothes were a little dirty, and said, "Chen Zhi, go back and change your clothes and have a good rest."
Chen Zhi knelt on the ground without moving and said, "This slave made a big mistake, please punish me."
Liu Xiu waved his hand and said, "Okay, you did make some mistakes this time, but it was an unintentional mistake after all. Just don't do it again in the future!"
"I will remember your Majesty's teachings." As he spoke, Chen Zhi kowtowed forward and began to cry.
Chen Zhi was seriously frightened this time. He was the one who found the Baixi Troupe and brought it into the palace. There were so many assassins hidden in it. He could not escape the blame. Even if he was executed, he might be executed.
He didn't expect that he would be released so soon.
Needless to say, this must be the favor the queen begged for her. Thinking of this, Chen Zhi felt heartbroken and useless, so he cried even harder.
Seeing this, both Liu Xiu and Guo Shengtong were amused. The latter stood up, walked to Chen Zhi, pulled him up from the ground, and said with a smile: "Okay, okay, your Majesty doesn't blame you anymore, how can you still do it?"
Crying so sadly."
Chen Zhi choked and said: "Slave... I feel ashamed of Your Majesty and the Queen. If Your Majesty, the Queen, or the Crown Prince really make a mistake, even if I am cut to pieces with a thousand swords, I will not be able to make up for it..."
Guo Shengtong turned around helplessly and looked at Liu Xiu. Liu Xiu also stood up and walked to Chen Zhi. When he saw that he was quite a big man and was crying with snot and tears, Liu Xiu couldn't help but laugh again.
Patting Chen Zhi's arm, he said: "Okay, everything is over. Go back and have a good sleep."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" As he spoke, Chen Zhi was about to kneel down again. Guo Shengtong helped him first and said softly: "Chen Zhi, you have followed His Majesty for many years and served me for many years. With His Majesty and with me,
We are already as close as a family, so why would your Majesty have the heart to punish you severely for your unintentional mistake?"
When Chen Zhi heard this, he cried even harder.
Liu Xiu shook his head and smiled, looked at Zhang Kun aside, and said, "Send Chen Zhi back to rest!"
"Yes! Your Majesty!" Zhang Kun walked up to Chen Zhi and whispered: "Great Changqiu!"
Chen Zhi wiped his tears, stopped crying, knelt down and kowtowed again, thanked Liu Xiu and Guo Shengtong, and then walked out of the hall with the support of Zhang Kun.
After Chen Zhi left, Liu Xiu and Guo Shengtong looked at each other and smiled. The latter asked with concern: "Your Majesty, who are these assassins?"
Liu Xiu was unwilling to tell the concubines in the harem about government affairs, so as to save them from worrying. He smiled calmly and said, "They are just a bunch of young people, so there is nothing to worry about. Zi Tong doesn't have to worry either."
Guo Shengtong responded and asked no more questions. She changed the subject and said, "The prince is already four years old. Shouldn't your majesty also choose a prince-tutor for the prince?"
Liu Xiu thought for a moment and nodded, feeling that Guo Shengtong's reminder made sense. He asked, "Does Zi Tong have a suitable candidate?"
Guo Shengtong said with joy on his face: "I think that both Da Situ and Da Sikong are suitable."
Fu Zhan and Song Hong are both world-famous talents. They must be talented and virtuous. It would be perfect to be Liu Qiang's teacher.
Furthermore, Fu Zhan and Song Hong were both one of the three princes, and their status was higher than that of Deng Yu. Liu Qiang worshiped one of them as his disciple, which was higher than Liu Yang who worshiped Deng Yu as his disciple.
Guo Shengtong did consider Wu Han, but after thinking about it, he felt that Wu Han was inappropriate.
There is nothing to say about Wu Han's status in the court. He is absolutely second to none. The key is that Wu Han is the Grand Sima. He must often lead his army on expeditions. He has Liu Qiang worship under Wu Han's sect. If not, he may have to follow Wu Han on the expedition.
On the battlefield, Guo Shengtong was reluctant to let his son go to the front line to fight. After much deliberation, he still felt that the Great Situ Fuzhan and the Great Sikong Song Hong were the most suitable.
