Zhang Zisheng's expression remained unchanged. After setting down the memorial tablet, he looked at his father and said:

"Dad, is it that you don't understand, or that I'm being too blunt and you can't accept it?"

Zhang Li's expression froze, and after a brief silence, he finally spoke:

“Zisheng! You can’t say that! Even if... even if His Majesty wants to abandon Xijing, it’s a last resort. The chaos in Xijing has been going on for a long time; it didn’t happen overnight.”

Zhang Zisheng picked up the handkerchief, then walked to a corner of the ancestral hall and took out a wooden bucket filled with clean water. She skillfully put the handkerchief into the bucket to wash it, and said:

"Father, why do you think the people of Xijing are rioting and why are they joining the Tuyuan Kingdom?"

After pondering for a while, Zhang Li said, "Xijing has been occupied by the Tuyuan Kingdom for decades and has been deeply influenced by the Tuyuan Kingdom. They have long since come to believe that they are people of the Tuyuan Kingdom."

"With the Tu Yuan Kingdom adding fuel to the fire behind the scenes, they naturally developed the idea of ​​independence, but it has only come to a head today."

Having said that, Zhang Zisheng had already wrung out her handkerchief. She stood up and walked to the table, casually saying:

I think otherwise.

Zhang Li frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zhang Zisheng brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, bent down to wipe the table, and said:

"These past two years of hard work have been a period of peace and prosperity, but where exactly is the prosperity? It's only the imperial family that's prosperous, not the common people. How can it be called a prosperous era?"

"The taxes in the past two years are even higher than during the war. Last year His Majesty went to Jiangnan, and the year before that, the construction of a mountain villa there began. How much tax silver was spent?"

"The Prince Qing's mansion can be described as a second palace, with countless servants serving him."

"Xijing is a border region, not much better than Beiliang. With such heavy taxes, how difficult it must be for ordinary people to live. Tuyuan Kingdom offered small benefits to the local nobles of Xijing to encourage them to lead the people to independence."

How could things not be chaotic?

After he finished speaking, Zhang Li's eyes widened, his face filled with surprise and shock.

"How...how did you know?"

Zhang Zisheng's expression remained expressionless as she calmly said, "My second brother told me about what happened in Xijing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Li's eyes narrowed, and his face showed astonishment.

His second son, Zhang Ye, had a big fight with him several years ago and then ran away from home. There has been no news of him since, and it is unknown whether he is dead or alive.

Upon learning that his son was in Xi'an, he trembled, his heart pounding, and he asked in a trembling voice, "He's in Xi'an? How is he now?"

“Yes, he’s doing quite well in Xijing. I just received a letter from him not long ago,” Zhang Zisheng replied. Then, she changed the subject, “Father, do you know how things are in Beiliang now?”

Zhang Li was slightly taken aback, then said, "There are no more barbarian horses in Beiliang. Today His Majesty said that Qin Ze has wiped out all the barbarian horses and has returned to Beiliang. Now it should be peaceful."

Zhang Zisheng pursed his lips slightly, a hint of emotion appearing on his usually calm face for the first time: "The Hu Ma have been wiped out, that's quite fast."

"But then again, it was only a matter of time..."

Zhang Li narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why do you say that?"

Zhang Zisheng said calmly, "Didn't we hear news from Beiliang last time that grain taxes have been significantly reduced in Beiliang? With surplus grain in their homes, people can have strong bodies."

"Qin Ze swiftly and decisively wiped out all the bandits in Jubeichuan, making an example of them. Wouldn't all the bandits in other parts of Beiliang be like frightened birds? The smart ones should realize that they can no longer be bandits and should become civilians so that they can have a good life."

"In this way, Qin Ze can recruit and train the people of Beiliang into soldiers. Even those bandits who have reformed can be used. In time, with his military experience, he will naturally be able to lead a large army."

"With troops, we can deal with the Hu and Ma tribes, but... the speed at which he wiped out the Hu and Ma tribes was indeed beyond my expectations, it was really... too fast."

"But in any case, this is a good thing."

After speaking, Zhang Li was deeply moved and couldn't help but say, "You're right, Qin Ze has indeed made an unparalleled contribution this time."

"However... you may not know this, but Qin Ze is currently leading a large army toward the capital."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zisheng stopped what she was doing, abruptly raised her head, and a glint of light flashed in her eyes, but only for a moment. She quickly composed herself and casually asked:

Why is that?

Zhang Li was unaware of the change in his daughter's expression. At that moment, he was looking down, rubbing his temples, and sighing:

"Huang Long had already colluded with Hu Ma. Huang Tianhu led 50,000 Panlong soldiers there with the real intention of killing Qin Ze."

"Fortunately, Qin Ze saw through the poisonous plot and was spared from being killed. Panlong Army and Huang Tianhu have already died on the grassland. Now, Qin Ze is coming to the capital to kill Huang Long under the pretext of purging the court of corrupt officials."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Zisheng's eyes flickered, and he was about to speak when Zhang Li continued:

"His Majesty, having discerned right from wrong, has already ordered the execution of Huanglong."

"In that case, Qin Ze doesn't need to return to the capital."

“What if he still wants to return to the capital?” Zhang Zisheng lowered her eyes and asked her father.

Upon hearing the words, Zhang Li was taken aback, and then his expression became conflicted. He opened his mouth, but remained silent for a long time.

Seeing her father fall silent, Zhang Zisheng continued:

"If he disregards His Majesty's orders and insists on returning to the capital, does that mean... he harbors rebellious intentions?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Zhang Li shouted as soon as he finished speaking!

"Qin Ze is the son of Hao Tian, ​​and the Qin family are all loyal and devoted people who would never have any intention of rebelling!"

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