Chapter 741 Please don’t let him down
After Jinyun left, the atmosphere in the imperial study became solemn.
Qian Baokun couldn't help but frown and asked, "Your Majesty also thinks that Madam Fan II is not the real boss?"
Xiao Yan said calmly, "I trust Tang Ning's intuition. Moreover, when I was in charge of the Privy Council, I thoroughly investigated the background of those people from the aristocratic families in order to deal with them. I also know something about the Xiao Yu family."
He had found out about the affairs of the Yu and Fan families earlier, and had even thought of using it to deal with the Fan family. In contrast, the background of the Yu family was also thoroughly investigated.
She grew up in the capital and had a smooth life without any setbacks. Her life from childhood to adulthood had nothing to do with Beiling. The most important thing was that Beiling was able to hide from everyone the spies who had been buried in the capital for many years without being noticed. It would take a long time to train and ambush them.
The young lady was not very old to begin with, and was only in her early twenties. The traces of her life after marrying into the Fan family were clearly visible. Five years ago, when she was still in the boudoir, the Wei Dynasty was not as decadent as it is now.
At that time, the power of the aristocratic families was strong and even surpassed that of the emperor. Although the Yu family could not compare with the eight aristocratic families, it was still a first-class family. The eldest daughter of the mansion was pampered and had a noble status. It was absolutely impossible for her to give up the family's glory and work hard to become a spy for Beiling.
"She's probably not a true spy. She's most likely being used as a stepping stone."
Qian Baokun was surprised when he heard this. "But no one except us knew about today's plan. Even the dispute between Lord Cao and Liang Guangyi was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I was so stunned when we were outside the palace. How could those people have been prepared so early and used the hands of the Fan family?"
Cao Dejiang pondered, "It may not be directed at today."
"Your Majesty has ordered several searches but has failed to apprehend the perpetrator. Yet, information from the imperial court continues to leak out. That spy is cautious and cunning. He has been hiding for many years and would definitely not easily put himself in danger. I guess he has set up a trap for himself with the Fan family long ago."
The capital was under martial law, and everyone knew that it was dangerous to send out the news at this time. However, Yin Bao's visit to Munan Pass was of great importance, so he did not dare to show up easily. The news had to be sent out, so he naturally had to use some of the backup plans he had left earlier.
"The Fan family might just be one of them. Your Majesty was right not to let anyone touch the Second Madam Fan and the hidden agent they found."
If we touch Madam Fan II, it means telling others that what happened today was just bait. Not only will we fail to catch the real spy, but we will also lose the clues that we have worked so hard to find.
On the contrary, he would not touch the secret agent and the Fan family. No matter who the spy hiding behind the Fan family was, he would never let go of the Fan family as a "line" easily under the premise that he could not show up easily. Instead, he would regard it as the best way for him to contact Beiling.
Just like His Majesty said before, as long as they can send the message they want to send through the secret agent, it doesn't matter who the spy is.
"But..." Qian Baokun's brows were twisted into a worm: "Leaving such a person in the capital will eventually be a disaster." What's more, the spy is very likely to be someone in the court.
Seeing his worried look, Xiao Yan chuckled softly, "That's easy. Liang Guangyi is the only one who knows that General Yin went to Munan Pass. He's only met a few people since leaving the palace today. And to be able to send the secret letter less than half an hour after leaving the Liang Mansion, he must have been to the Liang family."
"I'll have people screen them one by one, uncovering all their secrets, and I'll always be able to find them."
Qian Baokun's expression relaxed after hearing this, but he turned and asked, "As for the Mu Nan Pass incident, is it really okay to spread the news?"
Cao Dejiang said solemnly, "Your Majesty spread the news to intimidate. After Beiling's invasion, Southern Qi has been restless, and those small tribes in Western Xinjiang have been secretly communicating with Beiling. Without their help, Beiling would not have been able to easily succeed in Zhaozhou."
"Your Majesty released the news that General Yin had gone to Munan Pass in order to let them know that even if Great Wei went to war with Beiling, it would still have enough strength to deal with them. This would deter Southern Qi and Western Xinjiang from making any rash moves. It was also a hint to Beiling that Great Wei's forces were dispersed and that the northwest had not received all the imperial forces."
Qian Baokun's eyes suddenly widened: "Showing weakness to the enemy?"
He was a civil servant and didn't understand warfare, but the food and fodder secretly sent to the northwest, the mobilization of military supplies from various places, and the vague absence of several military generals in the court made Qian Baokun realize something. He couldn't help but look at Xiao Yan.
"Did General Yin really go to Munan Pass?"
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly but said nothing, while Tang Ning jokingly asked, "What do you think, Uncle Qian?"
Qian Baokun: "..."
Seeing his dazed and shocked look, Cao Dejiang and Tang Ning couldn't help laughing out loud.
Xiao Yan stroked his fingertips, looked up with clear eyes through the half-open window, and looked out at the snow falling outside the palace.
The coronation ceremony will be held in five days. I don’t know if those spies in Beiling who are said to be able to travel thousands of miles without a trace are fast enough... But please don’t let him down.
…
The closer the coronation ceremony gets, the busier the palace becomes.
The new emperor's ascension to the throne is the most important thing in recent times. No one, whether inside or outside the palace, or in the six ministries of the court, dares to be careless.
The people from the Ministry of Rites went over the procedures over and over again, while the palace servants from the Twelve Eminences were preparing the necessary items. Everyone was so busy that they wished they could do the work of two people. On the contrary, the two most important people of the day had little free time.
Tang Ning went to chat with the Empress Dowager every day, and occasionally accompanied Xiao Yan to take care of court affairs.
News from the South was continuously sent back to the capital. After Prince Pingshan was captured alive by Marquis Wenxin, Prince Luochuan, who was instigated by him to rebel, was terrified. Prince Luochuan was originally weak and his military strength was inferior to that of Prince Pingshan's palace. After Prince Pingshan was defeated, he hurried to Fenglin County and intended to unite Prince Xun and his son to fight against the rebellion army, but was rejected by Prince Xun.
Prince Xun and his son were unwilling to go along with him and refused him sternly, but they did not expect to be harmed by Prince Luochuan. Prince Luochuan even wanted to use this opportunity to put the blame on the court and sow discord between Fenglin County and the new emperor. After being discovered by Prince Xun's second son, Prince Luochuan fled Fenglin County with his men in a panic and was later killed by the army that was suppressing the rebellion.
After the Pingshan Palace, the Luochuan Palace was also pacified by the court. In addition, the Xun Palace had a new master and had surrendered to the court. Everyone could see that the wind was not right. The princes who were ready to make moves and had their own ideas stopped instantly.
The originally noisy rebellion of the princes suddenly died down. Tang Ning leaned against Xiao Yan and looked at the memorials sent from all over the place and shook his head:
"These people know how to adapt to the changing circumstances."
Previously, when Xiao Yan seized the throne and the war in the south was not settled, these people were restless, and they kept saying that Xiao Yan's throne was not legitimate. But now, they know how to show their courtesy, and each one of them is more obedient than the other in sending letters of greeting.
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