Chapter 53: Urgent News from Southern Xinjiang

Zheng Yi was afraid that Su Bowen would get angry, so he pulled Zhou Huaian away to persuade him.

Unexpectedly, Su Bowen was not angry at all. He changed his previous straightforward and hot temper and sneered, "Are you jealous, Master Liu? Why don't you give birth to a child as soon as possible? Maybe you can save ten years of struggle! Oh, I forgot, Master Zhou can't give birth!"

Zhou Huaian was so angry that he couldn't say a word. Everyone knew that he had damaged his foundation in the martial arts arena and it would be difficult for him to have another child.

After Su Bowen finished speaking, he bowed to Zheng Yi and left.

Zheng Yi shook his head and said, "Master Zhou, aren't you asking for trouble!" After speaking, he also left in anger.

Zhou Huaian was very upset. He had worked diligently in the Ministry of War for nearly twenty years before he became a military officer. He thought he would be promoted to a vice minister this time.

But yesterday, Minister Shen came to talk to him personally and said that the emperor intended to promote Su Bowen. Although Su Bowen had the title of a prince, his position was not high. He was only a sixth-rank military officer. How could he surpass him?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Su Bowen had a bad temper. Today, he deliberately angered him and wanted him to lose his manners in front of the emperor. Who knew that he would not be fooled and even played

tricks on him. Zheng Yi also found it strange. Based on his understanding of Su Bowen, Zhou Huaian would definitely be beaten today. His inability to get promoted was not unrelated to his temper. Who knew that Su Bowen would change his personality?

Su Bowen learned from his daughter what his family might face, and he was terrified at the thought. How could

he dare to act impulsively like before? He could tolerate having dinner with Liu and Shen Tianyou, so how could he take to heart such a small matter as saying that he relied on his daughter to get to the top.

Moreover, Zhou Huaian was right. It was because of his daughter that the emperor granted him special permission to come to court. He even hoped that what Zhou Huaian said was true.

In the past, he did not have much desire for power, but now he hopes that he can be stronger and stronger, so that he can protect his family and avenge his mother.

Su Bowen stood at the end of the team and could hardly hear what was said in front of him, but he still stood straight, respectful and humble.

The Minister of War Shen Tianyou came forward with a sceptre in his hand and started to speak. He heard his name, and everyone's eyes fell on him.

"The young and promising prince of the Duke of Zhenguo has made contributions in suppressing the bandits. I think he should be rewarded."

This time, Su Bowen heard it clearly, but it was because Shen Tianyou said this that he had a bad feeling.

He stepped forward, bowed and said, "The Duke's Mansion is deeply favored by the emperor. It is my duty to serve the country and share the emperor's worries. I dare not take credit for it!"

The emperor clapped his hands and laughed, "The Duke of Zhenguo is brave and good at fighting. The battle of the border town has dealt a heavy blow to Dayin. For more than ten years, the border town has been peaceful. It is true that a tiger father has a dog son. Prince Su has won a great victory in suppressing the bandits this time. Should he be rewarded?"

Suddenly, a young eunuch rushed into the Qinzheng Hall. Su Bowen took a look and saw that he was holding an 800-mile urgent military report.

"Report, banditry has resurfaced in southern Xinjiang. Zhang Hu from Black Wind Mountain led his men to massacre the villagers at the foot of the mountain. No one survived the hundreds of people!"

The eunuch's voice was hurried and loud. The hall suddenly became quiet, and you could hear a pin drop.

Everyone's eyes fell on Su Bowen again. He was the leader of the bandit suppression in southern Xinjiang. He could only return to Beijing after the banditry was eradicated. Now, in just two months, the bandits from Black Wind Mountain have made a comeback. How could this not arouse suspicion?

Su Bowen's heart skipped a beat. The villagers at the foot of Black Wind Mountain were protected by the bandits from Black Wind Mountain. They were all poor people who were oppressed by local officials and became homeless.

Men went to Black Wind Mountain and became bandits. The old, weak, women and children worked in the fields at the foot of the mountain. During the busy farming season, Zhang Hu even asked his men to go down the mountain to help. The

robbers in Black Wind Mountain were all wealthy businessmen and corrupt officials. He wrote to the emperor many times to explain the situation of the bandits in Black Wind Mountain, and even used his life to guarantee them, so that the emperor agreed to spare Zhang Hu and his men from death. Now Zhang Hu should be on his way to exile in Lingnan.

Even if Zhang Hu escaped, he would definitely not massacre the village. There must be another hidden story behind this.

The emperor looked at Su Bowen and said, "My dear Su, you personally handled the bandit problem in Black Wind Mountain. Do you have anything to say?"

Su Bowen reported truthfully, "Your Majesty, Zhang Hu should be on his way to exile in Lingnan now. Several of those who have committed murders have been handed over to the government. The rest of the people in Black Wind Mountain have been sent back to their hometowns. I'm afraid there are other hidden stories behind the massacre of the village."

Minister of Personnel Liu Quan said, "I just got the news that Zhang Hu killed the escorting officers and soldiers on the road and his whereabouts are unknown!"

Zhou Huaian stepped forward and said, "The military report clearly stated that it was Zhang Hu who massacred Black Wind Village. I remember that Prince Su wrote several letters to the emperor, saying that Zhang Hu had no choice but to become a bandit, so he asked the emperor to pardon his death sentence. Prince Su's womanly kindness caused the deaths of hundreds of people in Black Wind Village. Prince Su... You must be held responsible for this matter!"

The emperor looked at Shen Tianyou and asked, "Su Bowen is from your Ministry of War. What do you think should be done about this matter?"

Shen Tianyou said confidently, "Prince Su did not kill Boren, but Boren died because of him. I think that Prince Su is kind by nature and is not suitable to lead troops. I earnestly request the emperor to remove him from his post in the Ministry of War. As his superior, I am also to blame. I will I am willing to be fined for one year. In addition, we must find capable people to arrest Zhang Hu and his remaining gang as soon as possible. "

The emperor looked at the people below with cold eyes and said, "What do you think of this matter?"

The people below were silent. Su Bowen was in trouble this time, but no one dared to step up and step on him. The emperor's recent favor to the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion made people jealous. Who knows what he is thinking. Those

who want to plead for Su Bowen dare not speak rashly. The emperor's mind is unpredictable, and it is better to have less trouble than more.

The emperor was accustomed to their behavior and asked patiently, "Grand Tutor Tang, what do you think of Lord Shen's suggestion?"

Grand Tutor Tang said, "I think Lord Shen's method is inappropriate! I think we should find out the truth. Were the villagers of Black Wind Mountain killed by Zhang Hu? How did Zhang Hu kill the escorting officers? If it was really Zhang Hu who did it, then Prince Su is not doing his job well and it is far from enough to just dismiss him. If there is another hidden story, then who did it and what was the purpose? No matter what the reason is, I will make a conclusion as soon as the matter is investigated."

The emperor said approvingly, "Grand Tutor Tang is right. This matter has nothing to do with Su. The prince cannot escape the blame, so he will be detained in Tianlao for the time being. Liu Quan, you must quickly send people to southern Xinjiang to investigate the matter and give an explanation to the villagers of Heifeng Village!"

Zhao Antai, the prince's tutor who had been silent, said: "Your Majesty, I beg you to let Su Bowen go with the people from the Ministry of Personnel. He has been suppressing bandits in southern Xinjiang for half a year and knows the local area better, which will facilitate the pursuit of fugitives!"

Zhou Huaian said in a sinister tone: "Lord Zhao, Su Bowen is now a prisoner of the lower class. Letting him go together is to let him escape halfway, right?"