Chapter 282 Layout
Northern Yan invades and Prince Rui's whereabouts are unknown.
The urgent news from Bingzhou was like a thunderclap that shattered the peace of the dynasty.
In the Golden Palace, the Emperor was furious. "Northern Yan is so bold! They killed members of the royal family and kidnapped my children. Are they planning to start a war?"
After a moment's deliberation, Chief Minister Xiao Ciyu stepped forward and said, "Northern Yan has been recuperating for nearly twenty years since the previous emperor's defeat. During the reign of Empress Dowager Song, although there were minor conflicts, they did not pose any major risks, so no troops were sent there."
I believe they are now strong and powerful, and this surprise attack must have been planned for a long time."
"How should we respond?" The emperor frowned. "What are the border troops like? Who is the commander?"
The Minister of War quickly replied, "Northern Yan has not made any major moves, so the border is not heavily guarded. In the past, it was Lord Hou who led the imperial guards to guard the border. After he returned to the capital, he..."
No one expected Beiyan to suddenly do such a thing.
The late emperor had spent half his life's efforts to defeat the powerful nomadic people of Northern Yan and broke them apart. Just when he was about to wipe them out, he passed away.
After the deposed emperor ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager Song adopted a conciliatory policy, was willing to make friends with them, and returned part of the territory that had been conquered by the previous emperor.
Beiyan has been quiet for so many years that everyone has gotten used to it.
Such a thing happened suddenly, which caught people off guard.
The emperor's tone became more serious. "Sending troops from the capital is a long journey. Northern Yan could invade Bingzhou at any time. Who can defend the city the fastest?"
It was Xiao Ciyu who said, "The King of Lu has 50,000 troops and horses. They are stationed nearby and can arrive within three days. Together with the troops from Bingzhou and the surrounding prefectures and counties, we don't have to worry for the time being."
"Although Prince Huai and Prince Ji are far away, it's still not too late to send reinforcements."
There was silence in the Golden Palace.
Especially some of the clan members, their expressions were not very good.
With just one word, the Prime Minister sent the remaining three royal family members who held military power to fight.
Then who will do what they have planned?
Is it really such a coincidence?
Just as the royal family and the aristocratic families reached a consensus, Northern Yan massacred the aristocratic families, and several princes were about to go to war.
They even suspected that Northern Yan had been bribed by the emperor.
But this thought was too terrifying and disappeared in an instant.
The emperor nodded and said, "According to Lord Xiao's request, I order the three princes to mobilize their armies immediately without delay."
He glanced at the court officials again, "Which lord is willing to serve as the military supervisor?"
Four or five people stepped forward and asked for orders.
"Zhang Jing." The emperor suddenly called out.
"I am here."
"It's been a while since you came to the capital. How are you feeling? Are you used to being promoted from the military governor of Binzhou to the Imperial Censorate?"
Zhang Jing smiled slightly and bowed, "I was your subordinate in Binzhou, and now I am your subject. I am willing to serve you loyally. Why would I be unaccustomed to it?"
The gloom on the emperor's face dissipated a lot. "Yes, you are a man of integrity and loyalty, and you are devoted to me."
She said, "I want you to transport food and fodder to Bingzhou. Are you willing?"
"I am willing." Zhang Jing knelt down directly.
After the court session, the emperor met Zhang Jing again in the Council Hall.
Only Qu Ling was in the hall.
"Do you know why I asked you to go to Bingzhou?" asked the emperor.
"This battle is the first one your majesty has fought since ascending the throne. It is of great importance and we can only win and not lose." Zhang Jing looked righteous.
"Zhang Jing, you know that the three kings may not obey my orders."
The emperor's words made Zhang Jing's heart skip a beat.
"Your Majesty, are you saying that they might disobey your order?"
"I have received news that someone in the royal family is plotting a rebellion. I have ordered the three princes to attack Northern Yan. There are three possibilities."
"First, they disobeyed my orders and joined forces to rebel, killing you and seizing your military rations."
"Second, they will follow your orders and go to Bingzhou. After the meeting, they will join forces to rebel, kill you, seize military rations, and boost morale."
"Third, they had no intention of rebellion and went to Bingzhou to fight, but they harbored a grudge against me and wanted to kill you to vent their anger."
Zhang Jing was stunned. He had to die no matter what.
However, he did not hesitate, "Your Majesty, I am willing to go."
Qu Ling praised, "Master Zhang is indeed very courageous."
Zhang Jing's face was solemn. "When the war started, countless people died and were injured. A mere Zhang Jing is nothing."
He is good at martial arts, so it is not a problem for him to survive.
The emperor personally helped him up and said, "Northern Yan may not send troops. If they don't move, we can't move either. You just need to calm everyone down and wait for the prince."
"The prince will go to Bingzhou?" Zhang Jing was surprised.
Didn’t she go to Yunnan?
"After some time, the prince will have to leave Yunnan."
"What if the three kings are unwilling to wait?" Zhang Jing asked.
Qu Ling took a step forward and pulled out a porcelain bottle from his sleeve. "Then kill them."
Zhang Jing was a little messy.
Princess Jia'an's old illness has come back again.
"Master Zhang, if someone wants to kill you, you have to strike first. Come on, put it away."
Qu Ling put the porcelain bottle into Zhang Jing's arms.
Zhang Jing's mouth twitched. That's right, it would be better for the three kings to die than for him.
The emperor gave a few more careful instructions, and before Zhang Jing left, the emperor seemed to suddenly remember something.
"I heard from the princess that your eldest daughter-in-law has difficulty in having children. Her previous child was not born yet, and now she is pregnant again?"
Zhang Jing couldn't laugh anymore.
His eldest daughter-in-law finally got pregnant, but she didn't dare to announce it at all. She just asked an old nanny who could take pulses to confirm it. The emperor knew all this?
No, it was Princess Jia'an who knew.
"Your Majesty, this is indeed the case."
The emperor smiled and said, "This mission is extremely important. You can leave the capital without any worries. I will have Mu Yuanzheng visit your home every three days to check your pulse until your eldest daughter-in-law is pregnant."
Zhang Jing immediately knelt down and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He was really excited.
He also understood that this was a restriction imposed on him by the emperor.
Since the three kings might rebel, he, as the military supervisor, might also have the possibility of rebellion.
The emperor was more careful.
After leaving the Council Hall, Zhang Jing took out the porcelain bottle and his eyes gradually became firm.
Those three must have been caught by the emperor. They are definitely not clean.
As long as they arrive in Bingzhou, I will poison them all in one pot of soup. Zhang Jing's family is still in the capital, so I will show no mercy.
Within half a day of the imperial decree to dispatch troops being issued, the capital was in an uproar.
In teahouses and taverns, people were whispering to each other.
"Have you heard? The Northern Yan people have kidnapped Prince Rui."
"More than a dozen aristocratic families went to Bingzhou to attend the funeral, and they were all slaughtered."
"Oh, these good days are coming to an end..."
Rumors spread like wildfire and soon turned into a terrifying rumor that "the Northern Yan army has captured three cities", and the price of rice rose three times a day.
In the princess's residence, You Ziyin said, "The person who caused the panic has been found."
Qu Ling said "hmm" and ordered Guanqi, "Go, kill him."
You Ziyin added, "I will lower the price of rice. All rice shops will reduce their prices for half a month to compensate the people who have spent extra money."
"The required silver will be provided by the You family."
Qu Ling smiled and said, "You are so nice."
"I have something better."
You Ziyin waved his hand, and several servants came in carrying a lot of boxes.
"This time the caravan brought back some rare and valuable items, which I made into jewelry. Princess, if you don't like them, you can keep them as gifts for others in the future."
Qu Ling opened them one by one and read them.
They are all extremely valuable jewelry and head ornaments.
"You gave it all to me, what are you going to use to dress yourself up?"
You Ziyin took out a bracelet and put it on Qu Ling's wrist. "I'm walking around, and these things are a burden."
"Ziyin, do you have a crush on someone?" Qu Ling suddenly asked. "You're so wealthy, you can't trust men easily."
"I don't have a crush on anyone," You Ziyin chuckled. "Even if I did, I would bring him here for the princess to see first."
Only then did Qu Ling feel relieved.
"How are Feng's mother and son?"
When Prince Yi died, Concubine Feng fled with her son Zhao Chongren, but they were caught by Qu Ling before they had run three miles.
Concubine Feng said, "Spare my life, mother and son, and I will tell you where the palace's real account books are hidden."
Qu Ling did as she said and found Prince Yi's account book.
Qu Ling kept his promise and did not kill them.
Instead, their household registration was changed and their identities were changed.
Now both mother and son work under You Ziyin.
One works in a textile factory and the other works at the dock.
"They're all obedient," You Ziyin said. "People who have the ability to support themselves probably don't want to live a life where they have to rely on others."
The price of rice in the capital was quickly brought down, but the rumors did not subside.
The people privately speculated that the court's suppression of rice prices was an attempt to cover up the truth and that the situation might become even more serious.
On the corner tower of the imperial city, the emperor stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the anxious city.
Qu Ling whispered from behind, "Aunt, can you suppress the rumors?"
“No need.”
The emperor raised his lips slightly, "Let them be afraid."
As she turned around, she continued, "Draft an edict. To pray for a smooth war, I have decided to pardon the deposed Emperor Zhao Ji and confer the title of Prince Shen."
"Prince Shen's birthday is approaching, and we have specially granted permission for relatives from all over the country to come to Beijing for a reunion. We haven't seen each other for many years, and Prince Shen and I miss these relatives too."
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