Chapter 104: General Humiliated (7)
7
Xiao Chengan was extremely scared.
That day, he was by the Jinming Lake and saw several eunuchs pulling and tugging at Young Master Wei. He felt that something was not right, so he followed them to take a look.
As a result, he saw the group of eunuchs taking Young Master Wei into the side hall.
He wanted to save Young Master Wei, but just as he was about to go out, he heard the eunuchs say that His Majesty could be invited over.
So he backed off.
He was too timid. He only dared to run to the guards and say that His Majesty invited General Wei to the palace for discussion, and then he hid back in his room.
He originally wanted to save Young Master Wei.
He thought that General Wei was a veteran of three dynasties and that his brother the emperor would not do anything to him. However, he did not expect that his brother the emperor would have General Wei beaten so badly that he could no longer ride a horse.
Ever since he learned about this, he has felt guilty and felt that he was the one who harmed the Wei family.
When he saw Chu Yunyang at the palace banquet, his first reaction was that something was wrong. This was the second Young Master Wei.
Look at the emperor's eyes again, what else doesn't he understand?
Having harmed the Wei family last time, he decided to be more cautious this time.
So he wrote the words "be careful" and "go quickly" on a handkerchief and quietly slipped it into the hands of the Duke of England when the palace banquet was over, hoping that the Duke of England could understand his meaning and take Chu Yunyang back to the northwest as soon as possible.
But he forgot that, apart from him, who else in the court would use such a tattered handkerchief?
He was seen through at once.
Moreover, he had no confidants around him, so his guilt towards the Wei family only grew and he had no one to confide in.
All the guilt burst out at this moment.
Xiao Chengan's eyes were red: "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean it... I was wrong, I shouldn't..."
Zhu Qingchen hugged him and said, "Your Highness, you are too kind. Your Highness has good intentions. This is not your fault. Moreover, your action actually saved the Wei family."
Xiao Cheng'an is not very tall, and leaning in Zhu Qingchen's arms, he looks like a real child.
He raised his head in confusion, his face covered with tears, and looked at Zhu Qingchen in confusion.
Zhu Qingchen patted his back gently and said in a gentle voice: "It was not you who bullied Young Master Wei, nor was it you who ordered the old General Wei to be beaten with a stick. It was you who saved their family, and they can still be together as a family."
Xiao Chengan cried, "But I...but General Wei..."
"If His Highness had not informed us and brought General Wei into the palace, Young Master Wei would have been bullied. General Wei loves his grandson so much, who knows what would have happened."
"Your Highness, don't doubt it. It was Your Highness who saved them."
Zhu Qingchen finally understood.
I'm afraid that in the original book, Xiao Cheng'an also hinted this to Chu Yunyang, but Chu Yunyang was a careless person, maybe he drank too much, or maybe he didn't care at all.
Xiao Cheng'an felt very guilty, so in the original book he always took good care of him, and even risked being executed to help him escape.
"Real villains will never feel guilty." Zhu Qingchen said gently, "Your Highness is a kind person, and only kind people will feel guilty."
Xiao Cheng'an sniffed and raised his head from Zhu Qingchen's arms: "Since the Duke of Ying already knows about General Wei, let's take General Chu away quickly and return to the northwest."
Zhu Qingchen comforted him: "Don't worry, Your Highness. I know what I am doing and I will not let General Chu get into trouble."
But Xiao Chengan was still worried: "You should go back earlier."
"If we go back, what will happen to His Highness? What will happen to the other officials in the court? Will there be a third Young Master Wei?"
"I...I will help them. After all, I am your Majesty's biological brother. Your Majesty won't dare to kill me casually."
Zhu Qingchen sighed and touched his head.
What a good kid.
The emperor has killed so many of his brothers, is he still one more missing?
At this time, cheers came from the polo field.
It seems that this polo game is over and someone won.
Zhu Qingchen looked at the pitiful Prince Kang and said sternly, "Don't worry, your highness. General Chu and I both understand. Your highness just needs to do his best to protect himself."
"We are about to go out. Hurry up and wipe your tears and snot so that no one can see you."
"Yeah." Xiao Chengan wiped his face with a handkerchief and looked at him with tears in his eyes, "Is this okay?"
Zhu Qingchen sighed: "Your Highness will say later that you cried because it hurt so much, okay?"
Xiao Chengan nodded vigorously: "Okay."
Zhu Qingchen repented in his heart for a second.
He shouldn't have taught the child to lie, but he had no choice given the circumstances.
"Okay, let's go out then."
"Um."
Zhu Qingchen opened the curtain and led him out.
Maybe Chu Yunyang won, because this silly boy rushed over on his horse, waving his moon staff.
Teacher, look, look, I won!
Zhu Qingchen smiled helplessly and nodded at him.
Got it, the teacher saw it all.
Chu Yunyang turned around and saw Xiao Chengan, and asked with a smile: "Is His Royal Highness Prince Kang feeling better?"
Xiao Chengan nodded: "Much better, thank you General Chu for your concern."
At this time, the emperor also rode over and asked, "How is Cheng'an?"
Xiao Cheng'an quickly stood up and saluted: "Thank you for your concern, my brother. I am much better now."
The emperor tilted his head and saw his red eyes. He looked at Zhu Qingchen again and asked casually, "Why are your eyes red? Did you cry?"
Xiao Chengan whispered: "It hurt so much when I fell, so..."
The emperor didn't seem to take it to heart. He smiled and turned away. "General Chu, do you want to play another game?"
Chu Yunyang said, "I drank too much last night and have a headache, so I won't accompany Your Majesty to enjoy the night."
The emperor looked back at him and said, "Okay, I'll take a break too."
"yes."
Chu Yunyang dismounted and threw the reins and moon staff to his servant.
He quite liked playing polo, but the way the emperor looked at him was disgusting.
Let’s just forget it.
Chu Yunyang climbed up to the stands and sat with the teacher.
Zhu Qingchen understood and patted the back of his hand.
On the other side, the emperor also returned to the largest stand in the center.
Fortunately, the two stands were on the same side, and the emperor could not see Chu Yunyang, so Chu Yunyang did not have to be exposed to that disgusting and sticky gaze.
But not long after, the old eunuch beside the emperor came over with something in his hands.
The old eunuch smiled and said, "General Chu, His Majesty said that you are a good polo player, so he asked me to send you this pair of silver sleeves and the gem moon staff. The gem on this moon staff is the same as the Northwest Gem that the general presented to His Majesty yesterday."
"There is another one for the young master."
Chu Yunyang stood up to thank him and took the things with both hands: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He rolled his eyes and said with a smile, "I will treasure this gem moon staff, and I hope Your Majesty will always carry the gem bracelet I presented to you."
The old eunuch thought he had come to his senses and said in surprise, "Yes, yes, I will tell Your Majesty."
As soon as the old eunuch left, Chu Yunyang put the things on the table and turned his head away, too lazy to look at it anymore.
It's disgusting.
The group played polo for the whole morning. When it was almost noon, the old eunuch came over and invited Zhu Qingchen and Chu Yunyang to the palace for a banquet.
Chu Yunyang was very annoyed, but he had to pretend to be happy and accept the order and express his gratitude.
Chu Yunyang felt a little better when he saw that the emperor was still wearing his bracelet.
Forget it, never mind, the emperor is going to be poisoned to death anyway.
*
Chu Yunyang was very busy in the next few days.
Either the emperor asked him to attend banquets in the palace, or Xu Yi and Jiang Xian dragged him to play polo. In short, he was never allowed to have any free time.
The emperor is still patient and willing to play the role-playing game of "wise ruler and good general" with him.
But Zhu Qingchen was worried and stayed with him all the time.
That night, Zhu Qingchen and Chu Yunyang went to the palace for a banquet. It was completely dark when the two of them came out of the palace in a carriage.
When the carriage was about to pass by the general's mansion, Chu Yunyang suddenly stuck his head out of the window and retched twice.
Zhu Qingchen patted him on the back and deliberately taught him a lesson: "I told you not to drink so much, but you still did."
While Chu Yunyang was dry-heaving, he looked up at the door of the general's mansion, took a look, and quickly lowered his head again.
Only after the carriage passed the street did he breathe a sigh of relief and get back in.
Chu Yunyang said softly: "Teacher, the general's mansion has taken the pot of flowers in front of the door."
Zhu Qingchen nodded: "Yeah, I saw it too."
This was the secret code agreed upon between him and General Wei.
He couldn't always go to the general's mansion. If he went there too often, he would be seen.
So they agreed that General Wei would place two pots of flowers in front of the mansion gate on weekdays. If nothing happened, the two pots of flowers would remain there as usual; if General Wei wanted to see him, the flowers would be taken back.
Now the flowers have been taken back.
Zhu Qingchen said softly: "I'll go over there later."
Chu Yunyang quickly asked: "What about me?"
"You stay in the mansion, so you can handle it if anything happens."
"All right."
During this period, everyone ran to the Duke of England's mansion. Even though they had just attended a palace banquet, there was no guarantee that the emperor would have a seizure again, or Xu Yi and Jiang Xian would have a seizure again and come to find Chu Yunyang.
So it would be better to leave one person in the mansion.
Zhu Qingchen instructed him: "If someone comes to see you, just say it's too late and you want to go to bed and not go out. Everything will be discussed after the teacher comes back."
Zhu Qingchen warned him like he was telling a child: "When you are alone at home, don't open the door to strangers, and don't go with strangers."
"I understand." Little Chu Yunyang nodded obediently.
"Um."
After returning to the mansion, Zhu Qingchen said he was tired, washed up simply, and prepared to go to bed, not wanting anyone to disturb him.
In fact, he changed into inconspicuous dark clothes, put on a bamboo hat, and quietly slipped out through the back door under the escort of Chu Yunyang.
The system planned the best route for him and flew in front to lead the way and provide lighting. Zhu Qingchen wanted to learn the light skill of climbing walls and flying over rooftops, but unfortunately he didn't know how to do it.
He could only follow the system clumsily and bump into things from time to time.
The system also had to look back at him from time to time to confirm that he had caught up.
"Maybe you really have uncoordinated hands and feet."
"I've already told you that I'm a sick beauty. This isn't my strong point."
The system pursed its lips and flew back to wait for him.
Zhu Qingchen finally arrived at the side door of the general's mansion, steadied his breathing, and knocked gently.
A voice came from the door: "In the previous life, I killed pigs."
Zhu Qingchen responded: "Teaching for the rest of my life."
Yes, it’s still this code.
Zhu Qingchen couldn't remember any more secret codes, so this one is useful.
After hearing the secret signal, the person inside immediately opened the door for him and stepped aside to let him in.
Zhu Qingchen walked in.
"Young Master, I thought you wouldn't come tonight. Everyone is waiting for you."
"Sorry for the wait."
The one guarding the gate was General Wei's eldest son, which showed how cautious they were.
After he let Zhu Qingchen in, he looked outside again to make sure that no one followed Zhu Qingchen in before closing the door.
Zhu Qingchen slipped in with ease and ran towards General Wei's room.
After his guidance, General Wei has gotten much better. He is willing to take medicine and take good care of his health.
General Wei still wanted to fight for that honor.
Everyone in his family suggested that he go back to his hometown, but he was unwilling to do so. He had bolder ideas, but he did not dare to speak them out loud because of his family's lives.
It was not until Zhu Qingchen spoke for him that he finally cheered up.
The last time Zhu Qingchen came to see him, he was able to get out of bed and was recovering quickly.
Arriving at General Wei's room, Zhu Qingchen tidied up his appearance, held on to his bamboo hat, and pushed open the door.
"Old General..."
As soon as he opened the door, Zhu Qingchen was stunned.
There was more than just the old general in his room.
and……
General Wei was in much better spirits now. He sat on the small couch, holding his long sword, and wiping the blade with silk, making it shine silver.
Old Censor Chen sat beside him, holding a scroll, stroking his beard and squinting his eyes as he read. The wound on his forehead had healed, the fine cloth had been removed, leaving only a faint scar.
There was another person, a middle-aged man whom Zhu Qingchen did not know. He was slightly younger than the two old men and was adjusting the bowstring in his hand.
Hearing the door open, the three of them put down what they were holding and turned to look at him.
We are short one person. We are waiting for you.
Zhu Qingchen couldn't help but shudder at being looked at.
It is undeniable that these elderly men all have a strong aura, a kind of calm murderous intent accumulated over the years.
A hypocritical person like the emperor is simply no match for him.
Zhu Qingchen scratched his head uncertainly through his hat, silently closed the door, and prepared to open it again.
When General Wei saw him, he asked in confusion, "What are you doing, young master? Come in quickly."
"Oh, here I come." Zhu Qingchen pushed the door open weakly.
The scene has not changed, the old people are still murderous.
Zhu Qingchen walked in, closed the door gently, and sat down at the last seat.
General Wei pulled him up and said, "Young Master is our backbone."
Zhu Qingchen waved his hands quickly: "No, no, thank you for your praise, old general."
General Wei had been recuperating for a few days and was full of energy. He put his arm around his shoulders and introduced him, "This is Old Censor Chen."
"I recognize him." Zhu Qingchen nodded, "I've seen him before."
Old Censor Chen nodded slightly: "Young Master."
General Wei said, "Old Chen and I are old friends. In the past, when we were fighting outside, Old Chen was my military advisor. This time, Old Chen risked his life to save my life, otherwise I would have been killed by the emperor."
The only general left was one with a dark face and a curly beard, who looked like a small mountain just sitting there.
General Wei said, "This is my third son. He was originally in charge of the troops in the Xishan Camp. After Yuan'er got into trouble, he was also dismissed by the Emperor and returned."
The emperor worked hard to cultivate his image as a wise ruler, but once the incident happened, all the members of the Wei family were dismissed within just a few days and warned not to spread rumors.
Zhu Qingchen nodded: "General Wei San."
General Wei San frowned and nodded, "Young Master."
His wife died early, leaving only one son, Wei Yuan. Because he was worried about the training outside and sleeping in the open, he deliberately left his son in the capital to be taught by his father.
But who would have thought that such a big thing would happen when he was not in the capital.
He had just visited his son, but his son was in a state of emotional breakdown and didn't even open the door. He could only briefly speak to his son through the door.
He punched the wall and promised his son: "Dad will definitely force the dog emperor and the eunuchs in front of you, and let you take a knife and cut off their flesh piece by piece."
After hearing this, Wei Yuan inside reacted. He said softly, "Dad always keeps his word."
"must!"
So, when his father told him that the young master had already mentioned to him that the emperor could not stay, he agreed to join without hesitation.
He couldn't swallow the humiliation of his son and the beating of his old father!
General Wei said, "This matter is of great importance, and it is not good to let too many people know about it. According to the young master's wishes, I only found the person I trust the most."
"That's enough. The more people there are, the easier it is to be exposed."
These are all veteran generals and ministers who have experienced many battles. They look at the emperor like they are looking at a naughty child.
General Wei said, "Take a few chips in your hand."
General Wei was quite prestigious in the army, and many generals in the army were his subordinates in the past. If they were asked to fight with General Wei, they would naturally not dare.
This time, when General Wei San was dismissed and returned to the capital, he brought five hundred of his trusted aides with him, who were outside the city. Together with the general's personal guards, there were a total of eight hundred people.
Old Censor Chen also has many students and a high reputation.
This is also the reason why, in the later part of the original book, when the Northern Zhou invaded, there was no one available in the court, so a young general like Chu Yunyang had to step forward.
The emperor offended the old general and the old censor at once. One was crippled and the other was slapped in the face. The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was in such a mess. How could anyone be willing to work for him?
Some people even hoped that the regent of Northern Zhou would attack soon so that they could drag the emperor along and die together for their country.
General Wei took out the defense map of the capital from under his pillow and said, "I drew this from memory. You can just make do with it."
Zhu Qingchen was moved. He had indeed chosen the right teammate. How could the emperor be so stupid as to humiliate all of them?
The defense map was spread out on the table, and Zhu Qingchen held up the candlestick and looked at it carefully.
"The emperor may go out hunting in a few days. This is a good opportunity."
Zhu Qingchen asked the system, there was a hunting plot in the original book.
In order to spend more time with Chu Yunyang, the emperor took civil and military officials to go hunting outside the city.
I went there for three days and three nights.
"When the emperor goes out of the city to hunt, the imperial guards will definitely follow him, and the people accompanying him must be close officials. The capital is empty, and eight hundred troops are enough to take it down in one fell swoop."
Old Censor Chen said, "But if the emperor relies on the imperial guards and court officials to fight back, I'm afraid even eight hundred men won't be able to hold out for long."
Zhu Qingchen said sternly: "The hunting ground is flat and boundless, easy to attack but difficult to defend. Moreover, although the imperial guards and court officials are away, their families are all in the city, and their hearts are not in harmony, so it is easy to split."
"We will act separately. General Wei will seize the armory and cut off the weapons supply to the defenders in the city."
"Old Censor Chen went to the Shangshutai and ordered the officials who stayed behind not to go out."
"General Wei San has sealed off the city gates in the east, south, west and north, and no one is allowed to enter or leave."
General Wei and Censor Chen both nodded: "Okay."
After General Wei San adjusted the bowstring in his hand, he took out a small knife from his boots and began to sharpen it.
He didn't even raise his head: "Just follow the young master's orders. I don't know the art of war, I only know how to kill people."
"Okay." Seeing that his hatred was too deep, Zhu Qingchen pursed his lips and whispered, "General Wei San, remember, don't act on impulse and let hatred blind your eyes."
"I will go hunting with the emperor, bring him back, and hand him over to the general. The general's first task is to guard the city gate. If he acts impulsively and the city gate is breached, all the previous efforts will be wasted."
General Wei San raised his head and looked at him seriously: "Don't worry, young master, I understand."
After the four people agreed, they high-fived and swore an oath of blood, and the matter was settled.
Things were almost settled, and General Wei San prepared to get up and leave.
Suddenly, Old Censor Chen looked at Zhu Qingchen and said softly, "It is not a pity for the tyrant emperor to be cut into pieces, but His Royal Highness Prince Kang is innocent. I only hope that when the young master arrives, he will spare the lives of His Royal Highness Prince Kang and the palace attendants."
"Ah?" Zhu Qingchen was a little confused, but still nodded, "Of course."
Old Censor Chen bowed his head and kowtowed: "Duke Yingguo is benevolent and virtuous." Zhu Qingchen was confused. The next second, General Wei Lao and General Wei San, father and son, also knelt down and kowtowed to him.
"Hey!" Zhu Qingchen was startled and jumped up from his seat. "No, what are you doing? Why are you suddenly bowing to me?"
Old Censor Chen said softly, "Your Majesty is kind and gracious. We, the subjects, bow down to you."
"Ah? Wait..." Zhu Qingchen opened his eyes wide, "What did you call me?"
"His Majesty!"
"No!" Zhu Qingchen was shocked. He quickly stepped forward and tried to help them up. "Do you think I want to be the emperor? No, I don't want to..."
The two generals were too heavy for Zhu Qingchen to lift up.
He could only help the old Censor Chen up first.
"Please get up! I don't want to be the emperor!"
Old Censor Chen was very respectful, probably thinking that he was trying to decline the offer: "Your Majesty, your words are too polite..."
Zhu Qingchen said solemnly: "I really don't want to be the emperor. Your Highness Prince Kang is kind-hearted, gentle and polite. I am willing to be the Grand Tutor and assist Your Highness Prince Kang to ascend the throne."
As soon as he finished speaking, the three of them raised their heads, tilted their heads, and looked at him with some suspicion.
You really don't want to be an emperor? Why would you not want to be an emperor?
Zhu Qingchen raised his right hand and swore to the sky, and only then did they reluctantly believe him.
It was a close call, I was almost forced to wear the yellow robe.
Zhu Qingchen helped the three old ministers up from the ground: "I know that you have made great contributions to Daxia. If the emperor was not so stupid, this would never have happened."
"We are here to purge the emperor, not to rebel. After this, both generals will be generals protecting the country. Old Censor Chen and I will teach His Royal Highness Prince Kang. When His Royal Highness is able to govern, I will return to the northwest."
But the three old ministers still looked at him with some concern.
Zhu Qingchen was so anxious that he jumped up and down: "Why don't you believe me? I am a loyal minister! A great loyal minister!"
The system passed by him faintly: "Those powerful ministers who held power in history all said this, Wang Mang, Cao Cao, the scumbag minister, Sima Yi, Yuwen Hu, and Aobai, don't you agree?"
Zhu Qingchen:?
"Why add my name in it?! I quit!"!
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