"Unjust? Just because of a symbol in your pen, Blue Moon Pass was lost, and the entire Xie family of the Duke of Zhenguo died for their country! All the soldiers of the army died in vain!"
Renzong spoke loudly, unable to suppress his anger.
Li Tian fell to the ground and kowtowed desperately. His forehead was broken and blood dripped onto his forehead.
With a tearful voice, he said, "Your Majesty, spare me. I was working as a clerk in the Ministry of War back then, and all the drawings were drawn by me. On that day, I knew the military situation was urgent, so I drew the drawings overnight. The next morning, I was ready to present the drawings to the Regent, but I was told that the Prince was ill and had not attended court, and was still in the palace.
Because the matter involved confidential information, I dared not neglect it and rushed to the palace again. The prince took the map and examined it carefully. He also asked me many questions, especially about the meaning of the various symbols. I was a little puzzled, but I answered them one by one. Later... later..."
Li Tian was so nervous that his throat was dry and choked, but he couldn't speak.
Han Cheng said calmly, "Yes, I remember that day. You took the map and sat in my house for a while before leaving. Did anything go wrong after that?"
Li Tian didn't dare to look at him at all, and just kept talking to himself: "I finished my mission that day and returned to the Ministry of War. Later, the reinforcements did not arrive in time, and Blue Moon Pass was lost. Since I work in the Ministry of War, I naturally know more about the inside story than others. I know that it was because the reinforcements took a detour through Dawang Mountain that they were delayed. But I clearly marked the Dawang Mountain passage that day!
The more I think about it, the more terrified I become. I simply don't know what conspiracy is going on here. Who's behind this? If this map is ever found, how can I explain it? Killing me would be as easy as crushing an ant.
I didn't even dare to ask for leave, fearing that the mastermind behind the incident would become suspicious. So I didn't dare tell anyone and quietly slipped back to my hometown. Who knew that this escape would bring me a fatal disaster?
I don't know if it was just my good fortune or God's blessing, but I managed to evade the pursuit time and time again. Until one day, I was intercepted by someone and it seemed that I could not escape anymore. Unexpectedly, in the midst of danger, several chivalrous men came and drove away the killers, and took me to a secret place to be guarded.
I also guessed that it must be because of what happened that year. Anyway, there is no way to escape it. Instead of worrying about being hunted at any time, it is better to stay here and wait. Whether dead or alive, there will always be an explanation. "
Li Tian finished speaking in one breath and shouted, "Your Majesty! Everything I said is true. If I lied even a little, I will be cut into pieces!"
The hall was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
All the civil and military officials held their breath, not daring to breathe. The truth was already clear. Looking at Han Cheng again, although he was calm, his slightly trembling hands revealed his inner nervousness.
Emperor Renzong spoke slowly. "I know you are not lying, because those chivalrous men who saved you are my men."
“Huh!”
Everyone sighed. It turned out that the emperor had been planning and investigating the truth for a long time.
Han Cheng had replaced a real map with a fake one, delaying military operations. Later, when he discovered the secretary had escaped, he realized the truth had been revealed and wanted to kill him to silence him.
Unexpectedly, Li Tian was not destined to die. Not only did he escape several times, he was also rescued by people sent by the emperor.
This is exactly the case of Heaven's net being vast and wide, and nothing can escape it.
Han Cheng looked puzzled. He asked, "Your Majesty, what does this have to do with me?"
Renzong ignored him and lowered his head to whisper a few words to the eunuch beside him.
The eunuch nodded and said loudly, "Call the commander of the imperial guards—Chen Zuo—to the palace!"
The Imperial Guards were the emperor's personal soldiers, directly responsible for the emperor's safety, so naturally they had to be trusted people. So Chen Zuo, who had followed him for many years, naturally took on this important position.
What's the matter with summoning Chen Zuo to the palace at this time?
Chen Zuo strode into the hall. Because he was wearing armor, he only saluted with his fists, then presented a scroll with both hands.
It was the authentic marching map that Li Tian had hand-painted that day.
"Your Majesty, I have seized the march map from the Prince Regent's Palace. Please examine it!"
Renzong nodded and signaled him to give the drawings to Li Tian.
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