Zhao Bi breathed a sigh of relief and asked cooperatively, "What are your conditions, sir? Tell me, Ziyu, perhaps I can be of help."
"This old minister only wishes that Changsun Zhang'er can return home as soon as possible." Speaking of Changsun Yang Zhizhang, whom he had put so much effort into cultivating, Yang Zhong's eyes turned red, and the hatred in his eyes seemed to solidify, making Zhao Bi wary.
He was wary inside, but outwardly he appeared sufficiently kind, saying, "Rest assured, sir, with the abolition of the imperial examination system, the eldest son's charges are naturally unfounded."
"No, this old minister wants him to go home for the New Year." Yang Zhong did not back down in the slightest, his tone was stern and very firm.
Abolishing the imperial examination system is not something that can be achieved overnight. Emperor Mingde has not yet agreed, and no one dares to be the culprit. No one in the court is a fool. They all know that the imperial examination system is an excellent system for selecting officials, but it infringes on their fundamental interests. How could they allow it to continue?
However, from a historical perspective, whoever abolishes the imperial examination system at this time would be a sinner against history and the dynasty, and might even hasten the demise of the Great Yongle regime.
Zhao Bi thought for a moment. There were many ways to bring back Yang Zhizhang, but there was only one Yang Zhong. As long as he could help bring Yang Zhizhang back, he could gain the power of the Yang family and the assistance of Yang Zhong. This deal was very worthwhile.
"Alright, sir, rest assured, Ziyu will definitely ensure that the eldest son returns to the capital before the New Year." He solemnly promised.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yang Zhong bowed in gratitude.
"No need to be so polite. Ziyu will take his leave now. I hope you can attend court tomorrow," Zhao Bi said.
Yang Zhong didn't say anything more, he just nodded.
Upon returning to the Fourth Prince's residence, Zhao Bi immediately ordered someone to bring Yang Zhizhang back, and then entered the palace.
Upon entering Weiyang Palace, Zhao Bishi was summoned to Emperor Mingde's presence by Liang Yunsi. Emperor Mingde was lying on the bed, his face pale and his condition very poor. When he saw Zhao Bishi, his face showed anger, and he said sternly, "Kneel down!"
Zhao Bi knelt down as instructed, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Minister Yang has agreed to attend court tomorrow, so please rest assured, Your Majesty."
Emperor Mingde was furious and coughed violently from his anger. Zhao Bi wanted to stand up to help him catch his breath, but was warned by a sharp look. He knelt down again after rising halfway.
Liang Yunsi gently patted Emperor Mingde's back to help him catch his breath. It took him a while to recover. He gasped for breath, weak but full of anger, and asked, "What is your punishment for returning to the capital without being summoned?"
Zhao Bi sneered inwardly. Now that they've remembered to ask about this matter, he wasn't without a reason. "Father, please understand. I only heard that you were ill, so I was in a hurry and didn't recall you to the capital. If you want to punish me, I will have no complaints. But Father, please take care of your health. The war in Xiliang is urgent now, and you must not be harmed, Father."
He said he would accept any punishment, but he was actually trying to exonerate himself. What was even more outrageous was that he threatened his father!
With the emperor unwell, what will Zhao Bi do? One can only imagine!
Emperor Mingde closed his eyes, suppressing his anger, and waved his hand slightly, "You may leave, I need to rest."
Zhao Bi did not move upon hearing this, but said, "Father, Yang Zhizhang's crime does not warrant death, and the matter he committed was not a serious crime. He has been punished enough over the years. I beg you, Father, to have the great mercy to let him return."
Emperor Mingde sneered and waved his hand, "You can handle it yourself."
Zhao Bi was overjoyed and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Father, for allowing me to oversee the country."
Liang Yunsi couldn't stand it anymore. This Fourth Prince was really trying to flatter himself. Regent? What merit or ability did he have to be a regent?
Emperor Mingde fell silent, saying nothing more, his eyes closed as if he were asleep.
Having achieved his goal, Zhao Bi returned home satisfied.
Upon leaving Weiyang Palace, the first thing he did was announce that he was regent, and the second thing he did was issue an edict that Yang Zhizhang was innocent and recalled to the capital.
When Yide learned of this, she smiled while holding her pipa and guqin, and whispered, "Go and kill Yang Zhizhang for me."
"Yes, Master." Her trusted aide appeared and disappeared without a trace.
Yang Zhizhang had suffered for many years at the border. When he was finally able to return to the capital, he was overwhelmed with a mix of emotions. He was filled with trepidation the whole way, wondering if he was dreaming!
Just as he was still unable to distinguish between reality and a dream, he was killed by an arrow through the heart.
When the officials of the Ministry of Justice thoroughly investigated the matter, they obtained a startling clue: the arrow belonged to Prince Jing!
When Yang Zhong received the news, he angrily overturned his desk and shouted, "Zhao Bi, I will never forgive you!"
As the head of the Yang family, and from a first-rate family, he naturally knew more information. He knew more about Zhao Bi's collusion with Prince Jing than Zhao Shu did.
Although the arrow that killed Yang Zhizhang was a weapon of Prince Jing, it was made using the Ma family's technology. The pig iron came from Jiangnan. Prince Jing's weapons were generally forged from iron ore from Xiliang's own mines, and he would not come to Jiangnan to buy iron.
Zhao Bi, on the other hand, had been lying low in Jiangnan for many years.
When Zhao Bi learned of Yang Zhizhang's death, he was also shocked. He hurriedly went to ask Yide, "Mother, I have read the case file submitted by the Ministry of Justice and found that the weapon used to kill Yang Zhizhang was ours. Are you aware of this?"
Yi De's face flashed with surprise, "Our weapons?"
“Yes, because we borrowed troops from Uncle Jing, we cast the character ‘Jing’ on the weapons, but anyone who knows them can recognize them as our weapons at a glance,” Zhao Bi said.
"So, someone is trying to use another person to do their dirty work?"
Zhao Bi was startled. "Could there be a mole within our ranks? Otherwise, how could such an arrowhead appear at the crime scene? We clearly planned to use it only as a last resort."
He couldn't understand the reason for this, but he knew that Yang Zhong would definitely cause him trouble unless he could prove that he didn't kill the person.
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