Chapter 493 The Cao Family Was Imprisoned
Cao Zeng nodded in agreement, but he was almost dying of worry in his heart.
Since ancient times, it has been difficult to be both loyal and filial. Is he going to face the same situation today?
"Why don't you speak? Are you mute?"
Cao's mother slapped her son on the shoulder, startling him.
Cao Zeng: "Mother, it's not that I don't agree, it's just that the Imperial Order is difficult to obey! Could it be that for the sake of the Luo family, mother wants to put our entire family in danger?"
Mother Cao's eyes widened. "How is it related to His Majesty? What else have you been hiding from me? Tell me everything today."
Cao Zeng knew his mother's power. She dominated the circle of military generals' wives in the capital, but the situation in the court was complicated and could not be explained in a few words.
Mother Cao sat up straight, as if listening attentively: "Go ahead."
Cao Zeng was exhausted, but he also knew that he would not give up until he achieved his goal, so he had to explain the purpose of his visit to Guancheng and the causes and consequences.
"This is terrible!" Mother Cao slapped her thigh. "The Luo family is such a good family, why are there still people who won't let them go? Zeng'er, you can't be blinded by the eyes of the world, otherwise I won't forgive you for this slap!"
When she said this, Cao's mother became quite agitated and her cough became more severe, which scared Cao Zeng so much that he nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, I'll find out the truth."
But I kept complaining in my heart, there is no truth, it’s all just a matter of words from the superiors.
After Cao's mother calmed down, she grabbed her son's arm again and warned him seriously: "In short, you can't hurt the Luo family, understand?"
Cao Zeng had his doubts in his heart, but he just felt that it was out of kindness that his mother valued him so much.
I had to comfort my mother first and let her take good care of her health.
But within two days, the imperial edict from the capital arrived urging him to do so.
Order Cao Zeng to escort all members of the Luo family back to Beijing within ten days, otherwise they will be punished by military law!
"That's too much!"
Cao Zeng's men were very angry when they found out. They knew at a glance that someone was behind this.
Otherwise, when the emperor asked in the court for the candidate to be sent as an envoy to Guancheng, why did those people all point to his general?
Cao Zeng was in a bad mood and waved his hand, saying, "Go out first."
The door closed and he was the only one left in the room.
From dark to a flash of light on the horizon, I saw someone slowly walking out.
He called his men and ordered, "Go to the capital immediately and have Prince Huai gather his men. Remember, stay hidden!"
The relationship between the prefect of Guancheng and the Luo family is very good. Now the entire Guancheng is almost controlled by the Luo family. If they really want to take the person away, it will probably cost a lot of money.
The subordinate hesitated: "The old lady..."
"I will handle it. Hurry to the city and see you at the city gate tomorrow at noon!"
After receiving the order, Cao Zeng moved out with his men. Although Prefect Wang wanted to persuade him, he couldn't really put him under house arrest.
Cao's mother was also taken away by people sent by Cao Zeng.
Zhu Mingqing and Luo Tingshan saw all this.
"General Cao is ready to use force!" Zhu Mingqing rested his chin on one hand. "Why don't you look anxious at all?"
Luo Tingshan's expression was full of amusement: "We won't really fight."
"Are you sure?"
Luo Tingshan nodded. "I'm very sure about our Majesty's inaction. His actions of suppressing the military officials in the court are too obvious. Now that General Cao is away, if we eliminate this man, Duke Xu and the eldest prince's power will be half gone!"
Zhu Mingqing raised his eyebrows: "You can't be that stupid!"
Nanxia is in need of people, but they keep eliminating dissidents. This is really an attempt to accelerate Nanxia's demise!
But it just so happened that on that afternoon, Zhu Mingqing received a message from the little world spirit.
"Qingqing, my children have sent me news that Lord Cao's family has been imprisoned." The little world spirit said anxiously, "What should we do? We are far away from the solution. If something really happens to Lord Cao's family, I'm afraid..."
Zhu Mingqing's expression also became very solemn.
After all, they were the ones they had reserved. If even their families were in danger and the news got out, who would dare to join the Luo family?
"Madam, something bad has happened!"
Fen Tao ran over breathlessly, sweat dripping down her forehead: "General Cao has led his men to surround the Luo Mansion!"
When Zhu Mingqing hurried to the gate of the Luo family, Luo Tingshan had already arrived.
He looked across at Cao Zeng, whom he hadn't seen for a long time, and glanced calmly at the guards around him: "General Cao, is this really necessary?"
Cao Zeng avoided his sight: "If we don't share the same ideals, we can't work together!"
Luo Tingshan sneered and was about to speak when he heard Zhu Mingqing whispering in his ears.
When he knew what happened, a gloomy look flashed in his eyes.
It's like this again.
He looked up, his eyes flashing with sympathy.
"General Cao, may I speak further?"
Cao Zeng was afraid that he would really be soft-hearted, so he refused directly: "No need!"
Luo Tingshan said in a deep voice, "General Cao, I really don't want to hear this. This is about the capital. If you don't want to regret it, General Cao, please come with me into the palace and have a talk."
After saying that, he turned and left.
Zhu Mingqing didn't say anything, but mouthed the words "wife and children", which made Cao Zeng's heart skip a beat.
He immediately turned around and ordered, "Guard everyone here. Don't let anyone leave. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!"
The few of them did not go far, but sat down in a small courtyard room next to the Luo family's gate.
Cao Zeng frowned. "No matter what you say today, I will escort all members of the Luo family back to the capital. I urge you to surrender as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary casualties!"
Cao Zeng didn't know that there were hundreds of guards in the Luo family mansion, hiding in corners that no one could see.
If you really want to do something bad to him, just tie him up now.
But the Luo family did not do so.
"Sir Cao, we received news that Madam Cao and Master Cao have been detained. Are you aware of this?" Zhu Mingqing explained the situation directly.
"Nonsense!" Cao Zeng scolded. "My wife and children are living well in the capital. How could they be thrown into prison? This is sheer nonsense!"
Zhu Mingqing shrugged slightly: "That depends on who Lord Cao has offended, and whether this person can gain the trust of the emperor you are loyal to and personally order the Cao family to be locked up!"
Cao Zeng paused. "Where did you hear this news? I have never heard of it. If you continue to make up stories about Your Majesty, be careful of me..."
Zhu Mingqing was speechless: "Lord Cao, it's better to be safe than sorry. Who knows what kind of madness that emperor might go? He even arrested your family. I advise you to be careful!"
But Cao Zeng didn't believe it and thought it was the other party's evil plot.
He snorted coldly: "No matter what you say, it won't change the situation today!"
After saying this, he stood up and was about to leave.
Zhu Mingqing looked at Luo Tingshan with a helpless expression. Forget it, do they have to have this person?
Luo Tingshan spoke up at this time: "Cao Zeng, do you think that given my character, I would deceive you on this matter?"
Cao Zeng paused, his expression slowly changing as he turned around: "Where did you... get this information?"
Even though he was far away in the city, he still had a few friends in the capital. With such a big thing happening, someone would definitely write to him.
But he hasn't received any news so far.
If those friends were bribed, Lao Cao would not believe that he had such a bad eye for people!
"Cao Zeng, the news is indeed true. The fact that you didn't receive it actually proves it's true, doesn't it?" Luo Tingshan said with a sincere look. "Even if I pushed you to come to Guancheng, I absolutely did not interfere in the affairs of your wife and children."
"Also, the time between now and when you receive the message is the last chance to save people. They'll think you don't know, so they'll just let their guard down!"
Cao Zeng had already believed most of it, but he still held on to a glimmer of hope and shook his head dejectedly.
"No, Your Majesty would never do that to me!"
He rushed out, but unfortunately, the fat body of Magistrate Wang also ran over and the two of them bumped into each other.
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