Chapter 409 Recommending Zhao Zheng!
A smile flashed across Shen Lanxi's eyes, and she continued, "Two thousand guards in the capital, three thousand imperial guards, and fifty thousand city protection troops. All the manpower combined is less than sixty thousand troops."
Zhao Zheng: "We need to send scouts as soon as possible to find out how many men the Fifth Prince has brought, and it would be best to intercept him before he gets close to the capital."
Shen Lanxi: "I think what Marquis Yong'an said is correct. What do you gentlemen think?"
With the situation so dire, who would dare to object?
"This old minister believes it is feasible."
"I also think it's feasible!"
"Reconsider!"
Shen Lanxi: "I think that since the Fifth Prince dared to come, he must have brought more than 50,000 troops. We need to gather our forces as soon as possible."
Wu Yanzhi frowned: "You make it sound nice, but where does the imperial court have any spare troops now?" The Great Zhou Dynasty has not yet recovered its strength after several years of war.
Shen Lanxi thought for a moment and then asked, "What are your thoughts, esteemed lords?"
"I think we can first draw on the soldiers, servants, guards, and attendants of each prefecture to form a force. If we are lucky enough not to need them, it will be better to be prepared. If we do need them, it will be a great act of each prefecture contributing to the defense of the country."
Shen Lanxi: "That makes sense. What do you all think?"
When their own interests were at stake, the officials remained silent.
"I am willing to transfer the household guards from the central area."
"I am also willing to transfer the guards."
“The constables and clerks in the yamen can also be transferred.”
“There are many able-bodied men in the capital, and we can recruit them.”
Shen Lanxi praised with delight: "You gentlemen are truly good officials who serve the country and the people. I would also like to express my opinion and transfer the guards and personal female guards from my home. All for the sake of the Great Zhou and the people!"
Several officials, their faces stiff with anger, couldn't refuse to join in, seeing so many people being swayed.
Shen Lanxi: "To avoid suspicion, I propose that the matter of raising troops be entrusted to Marquis Yong'an."
The civil and military officials immediately weighed the pros and cons in their minds.
The Marquis of Yong'an was a military general with only a nominal title and no real power. Moreover, the entire capital knew about his discord with Shen Lanxi.
Furthermore, the Marquis of Yong'an did not align himself with any party. Shen Lanxi approached Zhao Zheng to avoid suspicion, and there was no other reason.
As long as Shen Lanxi or another party doesn't benefit, it doesn't matter what happens.
After all, this job sounds good, but in reality, it's a job that will offend people.
"I believe that the Marquis of Yong'an is capable of shouldering this important responsibility."
"This old minister agrees."
"The Marquis of Yong'an is the foremost military commander, and his influence is beyond doubt."
Shen Lanxi nodded in satisfaction. Aside from ensuring the safety of the capital, she would not participate in other political affairs. This move left those who were already prepared to boycott her completely bewildered.
Women are not knowledgeable enough; it is the men, well-read and learned, who should be in charge of handling government affairs.
Despite her busy schedule, Shen Lanxi returned to her residence and personally oversaw the replacement of the Duke of Protectorate's plaque before heading to the Shen residence.
"Grandmother has been frightened!" Shen Lanxi offered up nourishing medicinal herbs.
Madam Shen was already physically and mentally exhausted, and even when she saw valuable items, she could hardly muster any enthusiasm.
"Lanxi, go ahead and do your work. Grandmother is tired," said Madam Shen, looking exhausted.
Shen Lanxi: "After a few days, when things have calmed down in the palace, I will send someone to invite the imperial physician to treat my grandmother."
"They've even staged a coup; something major must have happened in the palace." Old Madam Shen had no desire to hear these secrets that would shorten her lifespan, and waved for Shen Lanxi to leave.
The Shen family residence was eerily quiet. The maids and servants walked on tiptoe, not daring to utter a sound.
"Mother has been frightened!" That day, Zhou Xinrou was also taken to the front of the palace by Zhou Yunshang's people.
Zhou Xinrou looked at her quietly without saying a word.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
Zhou Xinrou frowned and said wearily, "I'm just a little frightened and tired. You're busy with official duties outside, so please take care of yourself."
Shen Lanxi: "Thank you for your concern, Mother. Things are not peaceful in the capital lately, so please try not to go out if possible."
Zhou Xinrou remained silent.
"Yuan Tang isn't here? Shall I have Yuan Xin and the others come and serve Mother?"
Zhou Xinrou: "No need, I have my mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to take care of me, I don't need them. They are all preparing for the wedding."
Shen Lanxi: "I will place some guards to protect my home in secret. What happened that day will never happen to my mother again."
Zhou Xinrou's eyes flashed, and she asked, "Has something happened in the palace?"
"If it's inconvenient to say, then don't say it."
Shen Lanxi: "There's nothing I can't tell my mother. His Majesty was assassinated and injured."
Zhou Xinrou immediately asked, "Is it serious?"
Shen Lanxi saw this and shook her head.
"It's not very serious, you just need to rest and recover gradually."
"Is that so? It seems the palace's defenses are more lax than before," Zhou Xinrou said lightly.
Shen Lanxi lowered her brows and said, "My uncle handed the eldest princess over to someone else for interrogation, but I don't know the specifics. I suspect it's related to the eldest princess."
Zhou Xinrou snorted coldly and turned away.
"Go ahead and do your work, I'm tired."
Shen Lanxi: "Mother, please get some rest."
Not long after, someone came out of the main house and quietly entered the palace.
Afterwards, Shen Lanxi received an imperial edict from Emperor Renxiao, entrusting her with the task of searching and confiscating the residence of the First Princess.
"What are you thinking about?" Wei Dongzhu asked, seeing that she hadn't lit a lamp even though it was dark for a long time, so he came in from outside.
Shen Lanxi: "I wasn't thinking about anything. I've been too busy these past few days and haven't had a good rest. I just fell asleep while sitting."
Wei Dongzhu: "I thought you were referring to His Majesty's sudden change of heart?"
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "Human hearts are unpredictable. Whether Your Majesty changes your mind suddenly or not, I will accept it calmly."
Wei Dongzhu said gently, "If you're too tired, take a break."
Don't push yourself too hard.
Where Shen Lanxi couldn't see, Wei Dongzhu's face was full of heartache.
"The game is already set up; if you stop, you'll be captured." It wasn't that she didn't want to stop; it was that things were pushing her forward.
Wei Dongzhu: "Are we going to raid their house tomorrow? I reckon the useful stuff has already been taken away beforehand."
Shen Lanxi said thoughtfully, "Perhaps this is a concession."
"What concession?" he didn't understand.
Shen Lanxi suddenly smiled: "You believed me just because I said it offhand?"
Wei Dongzhu: "Trust."
Shen Lanxi raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "I advise you not to believe it all."
Wei Dongzhu was taken aback, his eyes flickering slightly: "Would you lie to me?"
How was she supposed to answer that question?
What do you think?
Wei Dongzhu thought for a moment and said seriously, "Even if you lied to me, there was a reason for it, it was out of good intentions, and the result was good."
Shen Lanxi looked at him quietly, and after a long while, she suddenly smiled and patted his shoulder.
"Come with me to ransack their house tomorrow."
Wei Dongzhu stayed a while longer, and only when he was about to leave did he remember that he had something to say.
"Ban Sicao is back."
Shen Lanxi: "..."
"Take him with us to raid their house tomorrow!"
Wei Dongzhu blinked: "I really forgot just now."
Shen Lanxi: "I believe you."
He didn't quite believe that statement.
She thought Ban Sicao had only brought his father, but she never expected that he would bring the entire Wan Du Men (Ten Thousand Poisons Sect).
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