Chapter 61

The carriage moved forward.

After entering the palace, just after walking a section of the palace road, Qu Dubian got off the carriage. When he looked up, he saw Emperor Chongzhao not far ahead.

It was very dark. He was wearing the black imperial uniform and standing at the end of the palace road with his hands behind his back, while a palace servant behind him held a lamp for him.

I couldn't see his expression and I didn't know how long I had been waiting for him.

Seeing him coming, Emperor Chongzhao did not shout out.

OK, got it. Lao Deng was jealous. Qu Dubian ran over and hugged him: "Father!" He raised his head with bright eyes, "Did you miss me?"

Emperor Chongzhao then spoke, flicking his forehead with his finger, "How rude! Did you have fun at your grandparents' house?"

Qu Watanabe: "Great, good food and good fun."

Emperor Chongzhao's brows began to knot. "You didn't say that you dislike the little pillow your grandmother made for you, did you?" He still remembered clearly how his youngest son kicked the medicine pillow away in disgust that day.

Qu Watanabe: “…”

That's because you were afraid! How dare you ask him now?

He: "No, we didn't know each other before. I'm very polite."

Emperor Chongzhao: "That's good."

Qu Dubian followed him, and when they stood at the entrance of Zichen Palace, he was quite confused: "Aren't I going to Shunning Palace? Empress Xuan said to prepare my room."

Emperor Chongzhao: "Oh, there is no decree yet. Besides, things over there haven't been cleaned up yet. You should stay in Zichen Palace for the next few days."

After saying that, he lowered his head and looked at his youngest son's slightly frizzy bun, "Why? You don't want to."

Qu Watanabe: "Dad, to be honest, are you reluctant to let me move out?"

Emperor Chongzhao: "I am the emperor, how can I be reluctant to let go?"

"The emperor is also a human being, you just can't bear to part with me. I'm so smart and cute, it's normal for you to be reluctant to part with me, and there's nothing shameful in telling the truth."

Emperor Chongzhao was embarrassed and gritted his teeth: "I am not reluctant."

Qu Watanabe snickered: "Oh~ hehe, you got angry out of shame."

"Qu Xiaoqi!"

"I don't want to listen, I ...!"

The child quickly climbed over the threshold, dodged the grabbing hand of Emperor Chongzhao like a loach, and ran back to the bedroom.

"Stop right there!"

The Zichen Palace, which had been silent for seven days, was suddenly injected with vitality.

Eunuch Yu flicked his whisk and had a smile on his face.

"Eunuch Xiaoyuan, thank you for taking the trouble to accompany the Seventh Prince these days."

Ye Xiaoyuan said: "Your Highness will have to stay here for a few more days. Thank you for your hard work."

"Well," Eunuch Yu lowered his voice, "We wish the young prince could live here. You don't know that before the seventh prince moved in, His Majesty rarely relaxed like this. There has never been such laughter in the Purple Palace that makes people feel happy when they hear it."

He raised his hand and pointed around, "Knowing that the young prince was coming back today, several palace servants in the palace cleaned this place early, without any instructions from His Majesty or my family."

They were all very happy about this child who could bring happiness.

-

The next day.

The first court session at the beginning of the year.

It was also a grand court meeting.

The Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice were responsible for trying Zhang Shiming's case.

His Majesty said this during the New Year's Banquet, so the focus of today's grand court meeting is here.

Everyone was in the mood to watch the fun, and the first melon of the new year was eaten starting with the Sword-wielding Marquis.

Everyone is betting on whether the Sword-wielding Marquis will be held accountable.

Emperor Chongzhao arrived early and glanced at Xu Jin who was standing properly, and Prince Ming who had a calm face.

Among all the court officials, only the two of them knew that Xu Jin had handed over power long ago and that they had reached an agreement in private.

Today's court meeting was just a show between the two of them.

With Eunuch Yu's shout of "Go to court", the show officially began.

Emperor Chongzhao suddenly said in grief: "Yesterday I received a memorial from Marquis Xu. Marquis Xu, you are in your prime, how can you resign?"

Ministers: “???”

How come they didn’t know that Marquis Zhijian had resigned?

Xu Jin stepped out, equally sad: "Alas, your majesty is magnanimous, but I am already old and cannot bear the position of guarding the northern border. I'd better abdicate and let someone more capable take over."

The other ministers who were unaware of the situation were furious.

"Your Majesty! I have objections!"

"Your Majesty, please think twice."

"It's fine for the Sword-Bearing Marquis to abdicate, but Your Majesty, from which department will the successor be selected?"

They quarreled instantly.

Those who supported the abdication of Marquis Chijian and those who opposed it each held their own opinions and argued till they were red in the face.

They quarreled sincerely, and Emperor Chongzhao waited for them to finish calmly, then said:

"Ah, I am also very reluctant, Lord Xu, how about this, since you said that you are old and lack energy, I will select another person to assist you, share military power with you, and mobilize the border troops."

"Since he is a newcomer, I am not too confident. At the same time, I will dispatch Prince Ming and seven supervisors from the East Factory to be stationed in the northern border to supervise him. How about that?"

Seeing the fun happening to him, Prince Ming opened his eyes wide: "Royal brother, me???"

Emperor Chongzhao: "Any comments?"

Prince Ming: “…”

Xu Jin cupped his hands: "I have no objection."

In fact, the power of the Northern Frontier was divided into three parts. He held half of the military power, the person promoted by His Majesty held the other half, and Prince Ming and the eunuchs from the East Factory represented the royal family and were responsible for supervision.

My little grandson once said, triangle is the most stable shape.

Emperor Chongzhao pondered: "If that's the case, then there is only one last question left. Which of you should I choose to follow Marquis Zhijian to lead the troops in the northern border?"

Without waiting for the courtiers to speak, he named a name: "Xia Hong."

Xia Hong, who was standing in the middle and back, was stunned for a moment, then stepped out of the line and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty."

Prince Ming looked back and found that this man was the one he had seen at the annual banquet. He was upright and had a resolute face, and the military uniform he wore was not of high rank.

Emperor Chongzhao asked loudly, "Would you like to be my third-rank Northern Guardian General and follow Marquis Zhijian to the northern border?"

With his rank rising and half of the military power in the Northern Frontier in his hands, Xia Hong was stunned for a moment, then quickly calmed down and said in a deep voice: "I will obey your majesty's arrangements and am willing to go to the Northern Frontier to guard the border of our Great Zhou!"

"good!"

Emperor Chongzhao waved his hand.

Eunuch Yu immediately ran over to Xia Hong holding a small tray, on which lay the other half of the military token.

It was obviously prepared long ago!

What else do the other ministers not understand now?

From the beginning to now, it has been an incredibly smooth process of handing over power, politely declining, handing over power again, okay then you hand over half, and I'll choose someone to go with you...

Apart from Xia Hong who looked genuinely confused, it was clear that His Majesty and Marquis Zhijian had already discussed this long ago!

They are the only ones who are expressing their true feelings like fools.

Xia Hong took the half of the military token from the tray with both hands and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Emperor Chongzhao said happily: "Okay, the matter is resolved, Marquis Chijian, please don't mention resignation again."

Xu Jin returned to his seat and stood: "Yes."

"My dear ministers, do you have anything else to say? If not, please adjourn the court!"

The Minister of Justice: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I have something to ask you. Is Zhang Shiming the assassin from Northern Xinjiang? I, the Minister of Justice..."

"Hmm?" Emperor Chongzhao said, "Oh, there is no need to investigate this matter. He was indeed pretended by the Northern Frontier Assassin. As for where the real Zhang Shiming went, he must have died when he was replaced by the Northern Frontier Assassin."

"I understand that the Director of the Astronomy Department lost his beloved son, so I will not hold him accountable for seeking justice for the palace."

Emperor Chongzhao: "Oh, there is one more thing, you."

Minister of Justice: "Minister?"

Emperor Chongzhao: "Lord Xu trusts you and specifically asked you to go to the northern border in his memorial. You and the Ministry of Justice, go together."

It was like a bolt from the blue!

The Minister of Justice felt a black screen in front of his eyes and he felt like he could hardly breathe.

He knelt down and said, "I am the Minister of Justice, and I don't know much about border affairs!"

The Ministry of Justice also hurriedly said, "I agree too!"

Your Majesty was already happy when Marquis Zhijian gave up his power. Generally speaking, Your Majesty would not refuse any request he made as long as it was not excessive.

Now that two people from the Ministry of Justice were specifically named to go to the Northern Frontier, the court officials could only think that it was because at the annual banquet, the Imperial Censor had caused trouble for Xu Jin, and after the banquet, he had accepted Zhang Fanming's appeal for justice, which made Xu Jin bear a grudge against him.

Emperor Chongzhao said in a gentle voice: "Well, it's not a big deal. I'm just going to the border to take a look. It's not like I won't come back. Xu Hou needs you to go to the border to preach the laws of my Great Zhou."

The Minister of Justice said excitedly: "Your Majesty, if I leave, who can take on the position of Minister? The two assistant ministers are not experienced enough..."

"I have thought it through. Where is the Dali Temple Minister?"

Master Xi, also known as Xi Shiqiu, stepped forward immediately upon hearing this: "I am here."

Emperor Chongzhao: "You will take the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice for the time being. After the Junior Secretary is familiar with the affairs of the Dali Temple, you will take up the post in the Ministry of Justice."

A third-rank official was directly promoted to a second-rank official.

Xi Shiqiu naturally had no reason not to respond: "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

Xu Jin glanced at the Minister of Justice and the Imperial Censor.

This was stated in the note given by the Xie family.

At that time, Concubine Chu poisoned the Seventh Prince most likely in order to rescue her brother from prison. So the person who instructed or encouraged her from behind could definitely have interfered with the Ministry of Justice.

Concubine Chu never revealed the mastermind behind the incident until her death, and perhaps she herself did not know.

Without actual evidence, Xu Jin could not confirm whether it was true or not.

Concubine Lan was in the harem, and he, as an outsider, could not move, so he could only ask Concubine Xuan to help look after her.

But he could take this opportunity to eliminate all those people in the court who might pose a threat to his little grandson and his wife.

He can leave, but these people have to leave too.

He didn't kill them, but there was always a shortage of workers on the border.

-

As the chief of the Astronomy Department, Zhang Fanming was not qualified to attend court. He could only sit in a wheelchair and wait in front of the Dali Temple, waiting for the court to make the final decision on his son's death.

The grand court meeting lasted for a long time.

It was not until near noon that the ministers, feeling dizzy and hungry, dispersed the court.

Xi Shiqiu bought a cup of milk tea and returned to the government office after the court session. Zhang Fanming immediately greeted him: "Master Xi! Master Xi, may I ask what is going on in the court? My son..."

Xi Shiqiu said: "From today on, I am no longer the Minister of the Dali Temple."

Zhang Fanming's face trembled, "What, did you lose your job?"

"Oh, that's not the case. I got a promotion."

Zhang Fanming: “…”

"So how is my son's case going? What was said at the court meeting?"

Xi Shiqiu was silent for a while: "The military power has been divided, Sir Zhang, you should mourn."

Zhang Fanming looked dejected for a moment.

He finally understood that there would be no way to seek justice for his son's death.

Xi Shiqiu entered the yamen.

From the moment Xu Jin gave up power, from the moment His Majesty and Xu Jin sang the same tune at the grand court meeting, Zhang Shiming was destined to be a fake to be replaced by the Northern Frontier assassin.

In the struggle and transfer of power, Zhang Shiming's death was a sandbag for venting anger and the result of bearing Xu Jin's hatred.

Together with the original Minister of Punishments and Imperial Censor, Your Majesty gave them away in the name of spreading the criminal law, without even saying when they would return.

The balance of military power on the frontier is more important than anything else in His Majesty's eyes at this moment. Xu Jin calling their names at this moment is no different from the King of Hell calling their names.

Under big waves, the disappearance of one or two ants will not cause the helmsman to look askance.

-

West Warm Pavilion.

Xia Hong stood respectfully in front of the imperial desk.

Emperor Chongzhao: "Do you know why I chose you?"

Xia Hong: "I don't know."

Emperor Chongzhao: "I have noticed you for a long time. When you were in Jeju, you showed your ability to lead troops. You rose through the ranks and came before me this year."

"I don't want the border to be a one-man show, and of course, I don't want internal quarrels. You came all the way from the countryside, you don't have any influence in the court, and you don't have anyone behind you, which is good. This is why I chose you."

Xia Hong: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation."

Emperor Chongzhao admired his serious attitude and said, "Keep neutral and guard the border. This is my advice to you."

"I grant you a house in the capital and give you half a month to bring your wife and children from Jeju to the capital. I will take care of them for you. As long as I am here, no one will bully them."

Xia Hong paused and said, "Yes."

After a sincere conversation between the emperor and his ministers, Xia Hong left the West Warm Pavilion.

He looked back.

Your Majesty asked his wife and children to come to the capital. Is it more about taking care of them or more about surveillance?

The waters of the capital city are deep, and as soon as he set foot there, he had already stepped into a dark vortex.