22 Chapter 022
◎Seize the Dragon Throne (Fourth Update)◎
Xie Kui came to report the accounting problems of the Ministry of Clan Affairs, but unexpectedly, he was invited by the emperor and his family to enjoy the imperial meal together.
Even when she attended the Emperor's Birthday Celebration, she had never been so close to the Emperor, and she felt a little awkward for a moment.
She had grown accustomed to being alone for so many years. The emperor and his family's joyous gathering surprised her, yet also filled her with a certain amount of envy.
Since business is not discussed during meals, she could only swallow what she was about to say and wait until after lunch to continue.
A raccoon came running from somewhere, and the palace maids did not stop it. They let it jump into the queen's arms, tilting its little face up and meowing twice.
"Oh, my little baby, are you hungry?" Meng Qi had almost finished eating, so she picked up Lixia and sat her on a wide chair beside her.
Immediately, a palace maid brought cat food.
Meng Qi took it directly in her hand and put it close to Lixia's mouth. With her other hand, she kept stroking from the head to the tip of the tail, with a kind smile on her face.
Xie Kui:?
How come she remembered that the Queen used to only like to grab power and had no interest in cats and dogs at all?
Perhaps because she was watching too intently, Meng Qi raised her head and said with a smile, "His name is Lixia. Isn't he cute?"
Xie Kui nodded woodenly: "Indeed, it's cute."
"Would you like to touch it?"
Xie Kui wanted to refuse, but she was even more reluctant to continue sitting at the same table with the emperor, so she stood up and walked to Lixia, hesitantly extending her hand.
She had never kept a cat, simply because she didn't want to put in the effort. Also, cats shed and were difficult to take care of, so she had never touched one.
I have to wash my hands after touching it, which is so troublesome.
But I have already promised the Queen, I can't back out at the last minute.
Never mind, just touch it.
She sighed in her heart, but reached out decisively and touched Lixia's soft hair. Before she could react, her hand had involuntarily slid down her spine to her tailbone.
Lixia made a gurgling sound in her throat.
Her eyes suddenly widened, and she stopped, at a loss.
Meng Qi couldn't help laughing: "He likes you."
"Really?" Xie Kui bent down even lower, moved his hand to the head again, slid smoothly to the tip of the tail, and heard the "gurgling" sound again.
Seeing her interest, Meng Qi smiled and said, "Why don't you raise one too?"
"Forget it." Xie Kui shook his head, "I'm not as thoughtful and considerate as the Queen."
This is the truth. She knows her own limitations. She can touch other people's cats, but she can't raise one herself.
Lixia was still young and had a small appetite. She had eaten her fill while they were talking and was struggling to jump down.
Meng Qi let him be. After all, he had a bronze plate made by the emperor himself hanging around his neck, so no one in the palace dared to provoke him.
The palace maid brought in water at the right time and washed the hands of the two.
Xie Mingzhuo and the other three also finished their meal and sat around. Xie Changfeng never acted like the head of the family in front of his family. He sat casually next to Meng Qi with an appearance of dependence, which made Xie Kui doubt his eyes.
It turns out that the emperor and empress’s love is not false.
Like everyone else, she used to think that the emperor had no harem because the queen was too powerful.
"Grandma," Xie Mingzhuo's voice brought her back to her senses, "What did you find out at the clan affairs office?"
Although he felt the scene was too casual, Xie Kui still answered seriously: "I checked the account book, there is no problem."
She was not a person who followed the rules. Since the emperor and empress did not put on airs, she simply did not call them "minister".
Xie Changfeng certainly didn't care about the title, he was just a little surprised: "No problem?"
Didn’t Prince An embezzle money?
"There is indeed no problem, but the account book is too perfect," Xie Kui paused, "I guess there is another hidden account book."
Xie Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief. This made sense. Prince An didn't look like a serious person.
"The hidden accounts are hard to find." Xie Mingzhuo said, supporting his chin.
The others were a little disappointed.
If the secret accounts cannot be found, Prince An cannot be punished. If Prince An cannot be punished, there is no reason to remove him from his post. If he cannot be removed from his post, we will have to continue to tolerate his corruption.
Xie Kui was only responsible for checking the accounts and could not help with the location of the secret accounts, so he did not make any suggestions.
She had something else on her mind, and now was her opportunity.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I have something else to report." She originally wanted to follow the path of Princess Rong'an, but she did not expect to be summoned by the emperor. Now there was no need to go out of her way and she could just say it directly.
Xie Changfeng sat up straight: "Aunt, please feel free to speak."
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. The maid will keep the things for now. I will ask someone to bring them back."
A moment later, the wooden box arrived.
Xie Kui opened it in front of them, and found only a few copper coins and silver ingots inside.
She first took out a silver ingot and said straight to the point, "Your Majesty, this is a fake silver ingot I received. It was poured with lead and covered with a layer of silver skin. It is called 'four-sided wall' in the market."
Before anyone could react, she took out another piece and said, "This is called 'iron-filled silver'. It's filled with iron."
As for the counterfeit copper coins, she did not say much, because from ancient times to the present, the phenomenon of privately minting and counterfeiting copper coins has been rampant, and even the officials have taken the lead in counterfeiting.
However, the counterfeiting of copper coins can only be done by reducing the weight of the copper a little or adding some impurities. This kind of coin can still circulate in the market, and its harm is far less than that of fake silver ingots.
Xie Mingshuo's professional instincts suddenly clicked, and he hurriedly asked, "Grandma, where did you get these fake silver ingots?"
"I dare not deceive Your Majesty and Your Majesty. I have some industries and caravans under my command, and I often do business with foreign merchants. Most of these fake silver ingots were collected from the Huguang area, and some also came from the prefectures in southern Henan."
Xie Mingzhuo said, "The private casting of counterfeit silver ingots is a common occurrence, and the government can't stop it. My great-aunt specifically pointed this out, so there must be something fishy going on."
"That's right." Xie Kui was secretly surprised at her sharpness. "I can't sit idly by and watch the fake silver ingots. So I ordered the steward to pay close attention to the source of the fake silver ingots and report it to the authorities. However..."
"Just what?" Xie Mingshuo couldn't help but lean forward.
Xie Kui lowered his eyes and said, "But before we could find out the source, the caravan responsible for this matter was killed. Only one person managed to escape. He risked his life to report to the local shop manager and died."
Xie Changfeng pounded the table angrily: "These evil thugs!"
"Oh, what a pity." Meng Qi patted her hands, feeling unhappy.
Xie Mingzhuo waited until Xie Kui calmed down before continuing to ask, "Why did that hero die so strangely?"
The gang that privately minted fake silver ingots were all desperate criminals, so killing a few people was normal for them, so the strange thing was definitely not the killing.
Xie Kui nodded. "His boxing and kicking skills were quite impressive. He could easily take on a dozen people. But the other party happened to have a musket in his hand, so he was shot and died."
"Firearm!" Xie Mingshuo stood up in shock, "Is it really a firearm?!"
It's no wonder he was so excited. In modern society, most people can't get hot weapons, let alone in Qi Dynasty.
Those who possess muskets are no longer ordinary bandits or bullies.
"Absolutely true." Xie Kui clenched his fists. "The manager realized something was wrong and left Anlu County overnight. As expected, a huge fire broke out in that shop, burning it down completely."
She spoke calmly, but everyone could hear the thrilling meaning in her words. If they were not careful, the store manager would die inexplicably, and the matter of the fake silver ingots and muskets would be brought back to the surface.
"Anlu County?" Xie Mingxuan asked, "Where is this?"
Xie Mingzhuo stayed in Wenhua Hall for a period of time. He not only studied classics, history, and literature, but also fully understood the map of Daqi, focusing on noting down the prefectures and their administrative seats.
"Anlu County is the seat of De'an Prefecture in Huguang. To the north is Yingshan Mountain, and further north of Yingshan Mountain is Runing Prefecture in Henan Province."
Xie Mingxuan: "Yingshan sounds familiar."
"I told you this morning at dinner," Xie Mingzhuo reminded, "I lost him near Yingshan Mountain."
The news that the "bandits" were lost was reported by Yang Yunkai last night.
Xie Changfeng suddenly realized: "Could it be that the evil forger is near De'an Prefecture?"
"They are not necessarily gangsters," said Xie Mingzhuo.
Meng Qi's heart skipped a beat as she remembered something: "If I remember correctly, the King of Liang's fiefdom is in Anlu."
"That's right." Xie Mingzhuo felt like he was about to touch that line. "Any force that can afford to use muskets is definitely not an ordinary force."
This is clearly a rebellion!
Xie Kui might not have felt anything yet, but the five people who had traveled through time knew that the capital would fall in three months. Considering the series of events that had happened recently, it was impossible for them not to think too much.
The destruction of a country is never sudden; there must be a driving force behind it.
Apart from natural disasters, all strange things must have traces.
Duke Jingguo was negligent in military affairs, lazy in training, and used soldiers for personal use. However, no matter how lax the Beijing army was, the possibility of the rebel army breaking through the capital in three days was very small.
Prince An embezzled the royal family's salary, but secretly killed Zhang Gao just because of an unintentional "secret". There was no need for this unless there was a rebellion.
Zong Zhen worked diligently to suppress bandits and won every time, but banditry still abounded, especially in the southern provinces.
There are also fake silver ingots and murders with muskets...
Xie Mingzhuo stood up suddenly: "Wu Shanqing!"
"The old slave is here."
"Go and tell Yang Yunkai right away."
"yes."
The footsteps gradually faded away.
Xie Mingshuo asked: "Rong An, have you thought of something?"
"It's just a clue, but I need to sort it out." Xie Mingzhuo turned to Xie Kui and said, "Grandma, I'll trouble you to check the accounts today. I'll have someone escort you back home first. Father will definitely get to the bottom of the fake silver ingots and make sure the sacrifices of these heroes are not in vain."
Xie Kui readily accepted the advice and left the Qianqing Palace.
Soon, Yang Yunkai arrived.
Xie Mingzhuo waived his courtesy and asked directly, "Where is Zhang Gao now?"
"In the imperial prison."
Last night's "stand-in" was a Jinyiwei in disguise. After the stand-in entered the carriage, he hid in the mezzanine at the bottom of the carriage. When an arrow was shot into the carriage, he screamed and deceived the killer.
From Prince An's perspective, even if the emperor agreed to let Zhang Gao meet him, he would not care too much about what he had to say. Even if he died, the emperor would at most say a few words of regret and would not give him any extra glances. If the murderer was to be found, he would not be the one to be found.
So when he entered the palace last night, he was fearless. Seeing that Xie Changfeng had no opinion on the "Zhang Gao assassination", he had no doubts.
To the emperor, Zhang Gao was just an insignificant character, and his life and death had nothing to do with the overall situation.
Xie Mingzhuo wanted Zhang Gao to escape and deceive Prince An. After Zhang Gao met the emperor, he would definitely not be able to return to the Zhang Mansion, so it would be safer to keep him in the imperial prison than in other places.
"Later, you will spread the news that Zhang Gao has died," Xie Mingzhuo instructed. "As for Zhang Gao, secretly transfer him to the Tianlao Prison and make him his father's neighbor."
Yang Yunkai took the order and withdrew.
*
After interrogating Zhang Xiaofu, Prince An returned to his palace.
He called Xie Ji and asked, "Is there any news about Zhang Gao?"
Xie Ji looked reluctant: "I heard the doctor is still treating him."
"Why do you have that expression?" Prince An glared at him coldly, "Do you think I'm cruel?"
"My son doesn't dare."
"Humph, when you handed the meat pancake to the servant, you were already his murderer."
“…”
"Those who achieve great things don't care about trivial matters," Prince An said, his expression softening. "He is your friend. His sacrifice for your future cause is worth it."
Xie Ji looked puzzled: "Father, even if, even if the mission is completed, we are still just..."
"What do you know?" Prince An narrowed his eyes and pointed in the direction of the imperial palace. "Those who are close to the water will get the moon first. When the throne is vacant, whoever grabs it first will get it."
Xie Ji shook his head: "We have no soldiers."
"Who said no?"
"Where?"
"As far as the horizon, yet as close as the eye."
Xie Ji suddenly realized: "You mean the Beijing Army? The respectable... Zhang Xiaofu is about to be beheaded. If the new governor of the Beijing Camp does not listen to us..."
"By then, I will be the only member of the Xie clan in the capital. Who would dare to disobey me? Who would disobey me?" Prince An snorted and laughed. "No one is more legitimate than me."
Xie Ji's heart suddenly calmed down, and he couldn't help but laugh: "Father is still very wise and far-sighted."
"It's a pity that old man Zhang Xiaofu is in jail. If he replaces him with someone more capable of battalion drills, it would be disastrous if there are omissions in the plan." Prince An narrowed his eyes. "I wonder who the Emperor will promote."
Xie Ji's thoughts were still stuck on the previous one: "Father, Zhang Xiaofu won't betray us?"
Prince An shook his head: "His current crime is enough to kill him at most. If it involves treason, then the entire family will be exterminated. He knows it clearly."
"That's right."
The father and son chatted in the study for a while when someone outside the door reported that Zhang Gao had died.
Xie Ji was startled at first, a faint sadness flashed through his heart, and then he felt a little relieved.
Killing Zhang Gao was a helpless act. Zhang Gao was not like his father. His father might consider the overall situation and not give out his accomplices in the rebellion, but he might not.
So in order to eliminate this hidden danger, he must die.
At the same time, Zhang Gao was secretly escorted by the Jinyiwei into the Tianlao and lived next to his biological father.
Zhang Xiaofu was shocked: "How did you get in?"
He only had this one son, and in order to be able to exonerate him if the truth came out one day, he never told Zhang Gao about the possibility of losing his head, and never allowed him to cause a death.
After today's trial, he knew he would die, but Zhang Gao would not. His son would be sentenced to exile at most.
He has already made arrangements. Even if he is exiled, he will not suffer. Someone will take Zhang Gao away at the right time, and the Zhang family's incense will not be cut off.
But the Zhang family's case hasn't been concluded yet, so how could his son be in jail?!
When Zhang Gao saw his biological father, his eyes naturally filled with tears.
He clung to the wooden pillar and said aggrievedly, "Dad, I almost died!"
Without waiting for the other party to ask, he told Zhang Xiaofu about his experiences of the past two days in detail. After finishing, he wiped away a tear and blew a snot bubble: "Dad, why did they want to kill me? Xie Ji is too cruel, he really wants to poison me! He doesn't even consider me a friend!"
Zhang Xiaofu was struck by lightning. At this moment, countless thoughts grew wildly in his mind like weeds, and finally stopped at the action of "Zhang Gao being taken to the Sky Prison".
This is obviously a superfluous act, but it actually happened.
In connection with what Zhang Gao said, we can draw a horrifying conclusion.
The emperor knows!
In other words, the emperor had already made some guesses.
This was to use Zhang Gao to remind him and give him a chance to confess everything.
But that is treason!
Whether he said it or not, the Zhang family would be doomed.
No, that's not right.
Zhang Xiaofu grabbed his head tightly. Apart from him, no one in the Zhang family knew about the rebellion, so there was still room for maneuver.
Zhang Gao knows nothing and has no life on his hands. He may not die, he still has a chance to survive!
Taking a step back, if the Zhang family was really exterminated, he would definitely drag a few people down with him.
Prince An and his son are cruel and ruthless, and they even want to kill his son. He doesn't want to let them get away with it!
My thoughts finally made sense, everything made sense.
Zhang Xiaofu had no intention of paying any attention to Zhang Gao. He bumped into the wooden pillar with a bang and laughed like a terrifying evil ghost.
"Yang Yunkai, I have something to say." He knew that someone must be secretly watching them father and son.
Zhang Gao: ...His father is crazy?
"I want to meet the Saint." Zhang Xiaofu spoke each word with his eyes fixed on the dark corner of the cell.
Zhang Gao: ...
Dad, why do you use this trick?
【Author’s words】
Turn down, there is more~
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