Chapter 412 Zhou Ruyuan officially joins the Ministry of War!
Shen Lanxi: "It's just a small matter; it's not time for them to come back yet."
Zhao Zheng clicked his tongue. If a prince plotting a rebellion and forcing the emperor to abdicate was considered a small matter, then what would be considered a big matter?
Are we going to wait for several princes to rebel together?
Zhao Zheng was unaware that his inner thoughts would actually come true in the near future.
Although he had only worked with Shen Lanxi for a short time, he knew from Qian Feng and others how impressive Shen Lanxi was in Dongchuan and the Northwest.
He didn't trust Shen Lanxi; he trusted the people who had once been part of the Black Tiger Army.
Because the rescue was a clandestine operation, Emperor Renxiao specially arranged for a body double in the palace in cooperation with Shen Lanxi.
Others assumed she was still on duty in the palace, but in reality, she had already set off before dawn.
A group of people left the capital and headed straight northwest.
"Your Excellency is truly a master strategist; no one could have imagined that we could use the rescue of the Crown Prince as a pretext to travel to the Northwest." It was His Majesty himself who granted them passage.
Shen Lanxi smiled: "It's been a while since I've been back to the Northwest." Her master has been gone for too long, and she didn't want the people there to forget her, so she wanted to go back and remind them.
"My lord, will the Fifth Prince take advantage of this time to attack the capital?" Che Mingyuan asked with great concern.
Shen Lanxi smiled and said, "No."
Che Mingyuan wondered why the adults were so certain, for the moment he opened his mouth, he ate a mouthful of dirt. He could only spur his horse and chase after them as fast as he could.
Shen Lanxi said no because the Fifth Prince was too busy to take care of himself.
...
"Fifth Prince, this is an urgent message from Xihua Prefecture, delivered over 800 li!" a guard rushed in to report.
Zhou Yunhao frowned as he took the letter. Xihuazhou was his fiefdom, and he had already made all the necessary arrangements when he arrived. A letter had just arrived two days ago, so why was he here again now? Could it be that something urgent had come up?
"Did one of our people send it?" Zhou Yunhao asked as he opened the letter.
"It belongs to our household," the guard reported.
His personal guards had been with him for many years and knew everyone in the mansion; there was no doubt about it.
As they were talking, the letter was opened, and Zhou Yunhao's expression changed drastically after reading its contents.
The personal guard had been by the Fifth Prince's side since childhood, and he knew something was wrong as soon as he saw him like this.
"Master, is something the matter at home?"
Zhou Yunhao's expression changed drastically as he crumpled the letter into a ball. Who was threatening him with the lives of his entire family to retreat a hundred miles?
"Send someone back to Xihuazhou immediately, but do it quietly."
"yes."
Five days later, Zhou Yunhao retreated a hundred miles under the pretext of Emperor Renxiao requesting the imperial physician.
When the emperor received the report, he assumed that Shen Lanxi's past had been discovered and became depressed.
The appointed regent petitioned Emperor Renxiao to establish a cabinet and select new talents, which Emperor Renxiao approved after careful consideration.
Zhou Ruyuan officially took control of the capital under the pretext of searching for Zhou Yunshang's remaining followers, making contact with officials in the court and gaining free access to the palace.
A month passed in the blink of an eye. During this time, Emperor Renxiao received three secret letters from Shen Lanxi. The first letter stated that she had successfully infiltrated the palace. The second letter stated that the First Prince was being held in strict custody and difficult to locate. The third letter stated that she had found out where the First Prince was being held.
Emperor Renxiao's mood improved somewhat, and his health also greatly improved.
Invigorated by this good news, Emperor Renxiao attended a morning court session. When he left the court, apart from being somewhat distracted and absent-minded due to exhaustion, he managed to persevere.
The imperial physician took his pulse three times a day, and Emperor Renxiao believed he would soon be able to return to court.
With all three regents being his men and no particularly difficult government affairs to handle, Emperor Renxiao simply began to rest again.
Over time, the court officials went from initial controversy to gradually getting used to it, and they were able to accept Emperor Renxiao's decision to suspend court sessions again.
Shen Lanxi returned to the Northwest quietly and couldn't appear in public. But she did a lot.
The corrupt officials, cruel bureaucrats, treacherous villains, and other petty people together killed more than a hundred people.
These hundred-plus people were all publicly executed.
After pulling out quite a few more nails, in the second month, Shen Lanxi decided to set off back.
"Big sister, be careful on your way back." Shen Yuanjing looked at the person on horseback with a face full of reluctance.
Shen Lanxi looked at the family of three, her gaze falling on Kangzhu's belly.
"Next time we meet, there will definitely be little kids calling me auntie again."
Shen Yuanjing and Kang Zhu smiled and teased their daughter as she said goodbye to Shen Lanxi.
"Auntie..."
Shen Lanxi patted the child's head, smiled, and urged her horse to leave.
Kangzhu watched the dashing figure leave with longing and said, "Yuanjing, this time I will definitely be able to give you a son."
~
Zhou Ruyuan identified more than ten of Zhou Yunshang's remaining associates and uncovered more than twenty spies that Zhou Yunhao had planted in the capital.
In the main hall, Emperor Renxiao gave special praise and commendation.
"Father, I humbly request that you transfer troops from the southwest." As for their purpose, Zhou Ruyuan was not sure.
No father wants to hear others say that his son is a traitor.
The lack of troops had always been a thorn in Emperor Renxiao's side. With all sides poised to make a move, all the surplus troops in the capital had been sent out to guard the city. Otherwise, he would not have been so weak and dependent on others.
Before Emperor Renxiao could say anything, the military generals objected.
"No, the southwestern barbarians have been restless for a long time, but they haven't caused any trouble until now because of the large army suppressing them. If we send troops back now, the barbarians will definitely seize the opportunity."
"This old minister agrees."
“What the Vice Minister says makes sense.”
Not a single military officer was left out; they all came out to oppose it.
Emperor Renxiao was well aware of this principle: there were barbarian tribes in the southwest, Turks in the northwest, and two rebellious kings waiting for an opportunity to act.
Beneath the surface of apparent calm, the Great Zhou Dynasty was actually teetering on the brink of collapse, with a major war imminent.
Civil officials have historically been at odds with military generals, but their thoughts are often the same as those of military generals.
Not speaking out against them is already an admission of their views.
Zhou Ruyuan was eager to break the current deadlock, and the only breakthrough was Zhou Yunhao.
He can't openly declare his intention to kill him, so now it all depends on what Emperor Renxiao is thinking.
"This matter is not urgent for now!" He received a secret letter from Shen Lanxi last night, instructing him to rescue the eldest prince in the next few days.
During this period, absolutely no unforeseen complications should be encountered.
Zhou Ruyuan's eyes darkened, and he submitted another memorial.
"Your subject has a plan that may turn the tide without requiring too many troops."
The courtiers were all looking at him.
Emperor Renxiao: "Speak."
Zhou Ruyuan raised his voice: "Your subject has heard that there is a capable person under the command of the Second Emperor. This person is resourceful, wise and outstanding, and may have a brilliant plan."
Emperor Renxiao was taken aback, then a look of annoyance flashed in his eyes.
His mental capacity has been declining lately; all he can think about is getting the First Prince to subdue this person. Now that the First Prince is too busy with his own affairs to go, he can summon this person to the capital!
"Is Your Highness referring to a disciple of Guiguzi?" The old Grand Tutor's voice rose.
Zhou Ruyuan: "It is indeed this person."
The hall erupted in uproar, and the courtiers began to whisper among themselves.
Emperor Renxiao already had a plan in mind, and immediately issued an edict ordering Zhou Ru'an to send troops to escort Song Daoxi to the capital.
At the same time, Emperor Renxiao handed over the Military Affairs Department to Zhou Ruyuan, and Zhou Ruyuan officially entered the Ministry of War.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
