Chapter 82 The Hidden Story of That Year
Many people in Beijing know a little about what happened back then.
But they were all in the capital and only knew a few bits and pieces of information.
The only thing that left a deep impression was that King Zhou, who was supposed to be in the north assisting the Weiyuan Army in fighting against the foreign red-haired people, led an army to besiege the capital.
They came under the guise of "purging the court of corrupt officials."
Fortunately, the Imperial Guards reacted quickly. The Duke of Han led the Imperial Guards to wipe out this part of the rebel army, and at the same time captured the King of Zhou and sent him to the Emperor's presence...
Then King Zhou was given poisoned wine, and the Zhou royal palace was destroyed...
Everyone was baffled. King Zhou was originally very favored by the emperor, so why did he suddenly rebel?
What surprised them even more was that when the King of Zhou rebelled, the Empress Dowager did not speak out.
The Empress Dowager used to dote on this youngest son.
Besides, there have been princes in the Great Yu Kingdom who rebelled and stormed the capital before...
But in the end, they'll just be demoted to commoners, then put through a few years of hardship, have all their thorns pulled out, and then they'll be released again.
After all, they are of royal blood; how could they be killed so easily?
Emperor Wu's elder brother, the former Prince of Qin, also led a group of people into the capital and almost seized the throne.
Finally... he was captured by Changsheng Gong, who supported Emperor Wu.
He was imprisoned for three years, then secretly released by Emperor Wu. He went to the southernmost part of the country, drifted at sea for twenty years, and eventually became the guardian king of the Great Yu Sea, the King of Zhenhai...
Therefore, many people were puzzled as to why the Zhou king was given poisoned wine after being demoted to a commoner.
Could it really be as the outside world says, that the imperial family is wary of Prince Zhou?
After all, the King of Zhou and the Emperor were born of the same mother, both being sons of the Empress Dowager. He was intelligent and skilled in battle from a young age and was highly regarded by the late Emperor...
There are many rumors circulating outside, but people only spread them privately.
...
“You know how to avenge your father, that’s good, it shows you’re a decent person.”
He is a person who clearly distinguishes between love and hate, and also knows good and evil!
I am pleased that you have come to seek revenge on me; your mother did not give birth to you in vain.
Qingyao, you've come to seek revenge on me. But what about those soldiers in the north who lost their lives to the barbarian red-haired people because of your father's schemes?
Who will their descendants seek revenge against?
"Your father is dead, so shouldn't this revenge also come from you?" Emperor Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Qingyao.
Xiao Qingyao looked at Emperor Xiao Xuan, her face still filled with hatred.
"What? Don't you know how to answer? Or can't you even say that you want revenge and it's coming for you?"
Or, what you're trying to say is, "Sure, if those people still have descendants, they can come after you for revenge."
Forget it, all you can think about is avenging your ruthless father, how could you possibly think of anyone else!
"Then let me ask you another question: how should we settle the score for your father's secret collusion with the foreign barbarians who directly caused the death of Shen's eldest son?" Emperor Xiao Xuan looked coldly at Xiao Qingyao.
As soon as Emperor Xiao Xuan finished speaking, everyone in the Linde Hall was stunned.
The eldest son of the Shen family...
Didn't everyone say that Shen Jia Dalang died because he encountered an elite force of the Red Hairs while patrolling in the north and fought to exhaustion?
Shen's eldest son was young, talented, brave, and skilled in battle. He was initially considered the best successor to General Shen.
The current Shen Shizi, Shen Yunchuan, is the second son of the eldest son of the Shen family.
When Shen Yunchuan died in the north, he was still in his mother's womb...
But now His Majesty says that the eldest son of the Shen family died at the hands of Prince Zhou...
The Shen family was incredibly powerful, boasting three high-ranking officials who made outstanding contributions to the prosperity of the Great Yu.
The children of the Shen family, whether boys or girls, are all capable of fighting on the battlefield and bravely killing the enemy.
There's a saying that goes, "Whoever controls the Shen family controls the world..."
But now His Majesty says that the eldest son of the Shen family died at the hands of Prince Zhou...
If these words were to spread outside and reach the people, what a huge uproar they would cause!
That's the Shen family, the Shen family of the God of War of the North!
For hundreds of years, the Shen family has been guarding the northern lands of Dayu. Without the Shen family, the northern defense line of Dayu would not be so stable.
The people of Chongqing will not be able to live a peaceful life.
...
Everyone first glanced at Emperor Xiao Xuan, whose face was solemn, and then at Old Madam Shen, who had remained silent.
Old Madam Shen gripped her cane tightly.
Madam Shen, who was beside her, had red eyes and would occasionally lower her head to gently wipe the corners of her eyes.
All of this... is real!
King Zhuang was even more shocked.
He didn't know that Prince Zhou would kill Shen's eldest son. If he had known it was because of this, he would never have pleaded for Prince Zhou.
They certainly wouldn't risk rescuing the pregnant Princess Zhou...
"I...I don't know any of this!" King Zhuang said with difficulty.
Emperor Xiao Xuan didn't even glance at him.
Instead, they continued to reminisce about those past events.
"I remember it! It was around this time of year when the King of Zhou led his army to besiege the capital."
It's so hot!
When I learned of what the Prince of Zhou had done, my heart was colder than the ice in the moat during the coldest days of winter.
I didn't know why at the time
He is my most beloved and trusted younger brother. I trusted him, which is why I sent him to the north.
But it was this most trusted younger brother who turned the northern land into a complete mess.
He caused the death of Shen Jia Dalang and colluded with the foreigners, causing Dayu to lose two cities.
The people in those two cities lived in misery and were enslaved by the red-haired barbarians for decades.
"Qingyao, tell me, who should we seek revenge against for those people?" Emperor Xiao Xuan asked, looking at Xiao Qingyao.
Xiao Qingyao could only shake her head.
"You're talking nonsense! My father isn't that kind of person."
My father was exceptionally talented and brave in battle, and was greatly favored by my grandfather.
If you hadn't taken the position of the eldest son, that position would have belonged to my father.
You're jealous of my father! Jealous of his talent!
If what you just said is true, why didn't you dare to say it back then?
So many people are criticizing you for being cold-hearted and ruthless, even harming your own brothers, why don't you say anything!
"You're just spouting nonsense and spreading rumors!" Xiao Qingyao wouldn't listen to a word Emperor Xiao Xuan said.
Emperor Xiao Xuan smiled, not caring at all.
"You're right, it's all about the winner taking all the credit. Why should I bother explaining anything to the loser?"
But facts are facts!
How did the Zhou king conspire with the foreign barbarians, and how did the foreign barbarians support the Zhou king's army?
And how did King Zhou inform the red-haired barbarians of Shen Jia Dalang's route?
I have investigated all of these matters thoroughly.
Not only do I have evidence, but General Shen also has evidence.
As for why I didn't make public the crimes committed by the King of Zhou, it was entirely for the sake of the safety of the northern regions.
King Zhou was wicked. He first plotted to kill Shen's eldest son, leaving General Shen to grieve the loss of his beloved son.
On the other hand, he also handed over the defense map of the northern lands to the foreigners.
The deal he made with the barbarians was to exchange half of the northern lands for their support in his ascension to the throne.
At the same time, General Shen and the soldiers stationed in the north will also become his bargaining chips.
He's got a very good plan!
"I have to admit, my brother is ruthless enough!" Emperor Xiao Xuan said calmly.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
