Chapter 437: Complying with the Emperor's Will
Yongqing County, County Magistrate's Office.
Feng Zhihuan was holding a letter from the capital in his hand, his expression very solemn.
In the letter, my mother said that my father had been secretly executed by the Northern Qi Emperor for exposing the Queen's mixing of the royal bloodline. She also brought a message that the news of the Yongqing County riot had reached the ears of the Northern Qi Emperor, who had appointed Zhao Yi to go to Yongqing County to quell the riot.
Feng Zhihuan is not a fool, how could he not understand the situation in the court?
The empress was guarding the imperial mausoleum and the Prince of Qi was imprisoned. At this time, the Emperor of Northern Qi sent Zhao Yi to Yongqing County to quell the riot. It was clear that he was sending Zhao Yi away to prevent him from staying in the capital to build up his power.
As long as the Emperor of Northern Qi was not incompetent, he would never appoint Zhao Yi as the crown prince.
The only person qualified to be the crown prince is the virtuous king.
A confidant beside him said worriedly, "Sir, the news of the riot in Yongqing County has reached the capital. His Majesty has sent Prince Guangling to quell the riot. What should we do?"
Feng Zhihuan had a gloomy expression on his face as he paced slowly back and forth in the room, wondering how to deal with the current predicament.
Even though he had a close relationship with Concubine Shu and Prince Xian, he would definitely not end up well if what he did in Yongqing County was exposed.
The confidant continued, "Why did Your Majesty send Prince Guangling to Yongqing County at this critical moment? These mobs should be suppressed by military officers. I've heard that Prince Guangling is just a weak scholar. If something happens to him in our territory, won't all our officials lose their jobs?"
Feng Zhihuan paused for a moment, his confidant's words giving him an epiphany.
It is no secret that the Emperor of Northern Qi is wary of Zhao Yi. He will definitely be wary of Zhao Yi, so how could he take Zhao Yi seriously?
He might even regard Zhao Yi as a serious threat, right?
The purpose of the Northern Qi Emperor sending Zhao Yi to Yongqing County was... more than just to get him out of the way?
Feng Zhihuan stopped thinking, but found a way to deal with the current predicament.
"Not necessarily." Feng Zhihuan said quietly, "Prince Guangling died at the hands of the mob. If we quell the rebellion and apologize to His Majesty... perhaps our merits and demerits can be offset."
If it were an ordinary prince, no matter how great his achievements were, as long as he died in their territory, he would not only lose his official hat, but even worse, he would lose his head.
Zhao Yi is different. The Emperor of Northern Qi wants him to get into trouble... They are just following the Emperor's wishes.
After figuring out the key points, Feng Zhihuan's eyes turned fierce. "According to the time, Prince Guangling is almost in Yongqing County. Li Yong, order them to send more people to guard the city gates. If there is any news that Prince Guangling has arrived in Yongqing County, notify me immediately."
Li Yong was shocked. He never expected that the county magistrate would actually kill Zhao Yi.
He wanted to say something, but when he saw Feng Zhihuan's determined eyes, he swallowed the words and immediately arranged for people to guard the city gate.
Li Yong was worried, so he personally stood guard at the city gate, watching the soldiers screen people entering the city layer by layer.
According to the order issued by Feng Zhihuan, civilians were not allowed to enter the city, only merchants were allowed to enter the city.
Or someone with status.
He waited at the city gate for a whole day but did not see Zhao Yi's carriage. He thought that Zhao Yi was in poor health and had probably slowed down his journey. It would take several days for him to arrive in Yongqing County.
At this time, dusk was falling and the bleak rain fell on his face. He planned to go back to the county magistrate's office to report to Feng Zhihuan.
Suddenly, he saw a caravan slowly walking towards the city gate. The man in the lead was wearing a sky-blue robe, and he exuded a noble aura.
Li Yong's eyes could not help but fall on the man's face. He saw that he had handsome eyebrows and features, red lips and white teeth. His demeanor in every gesture made him look like a noble young man raised in an aristocratic family.
But the man standing in the caravan was probably a young man from a wealthy family.
The man seemed to notice his gaze, turned his head and looked at him, nodding slightly at him, as if greeting him politely.
Li Yong was startled, and then he saw the soldiers questioning the man's entourage.
The man's attendant said flatteringly, "Sir, Yongqing County is rich in silk fabrics, but short of grain. My son brought grain here to sell in exchange for silk fabrics to sell in the capital."
As he spoke, the attendant took out a bag of silver and stuffed it into the soldier's hand: "Please be lenient, sir."
The soldier weighed the money bag and gave a wink to the soldier beside him.
Several soldiers went to check and made sure that the carriages were loaded with food before letting them in.
The attendant thanked him profusely: "Thank you very much, sir."
The group entered the city.
The confidant watched the caravan enter the city and came in front of the soldiers.
The soldier's expression suddenly changed: "Master Li..."
"Go keep an eye on them." Li Yong glanced at the money bag in his hand and said coldly, "These are troubled times. If anything goes wrong, you will be held responsible."
The soldier's face turned pale and he quickly handed over the money bag and followed the caravan to an inn.
The caravan seemed to have a grain shop in the city. They transported cartloads of grain to the shop, stored them in the granary, and then went to a house to settle down.
The soldier stared at the words "Meiyuan" on the plaque and went to the county magistrate's office to report to Li Yong.
Li Yong instructed the doorman, and when the doorman saw the soldiers coming, he immediately went to inform Li Yong.
After a while, Li Yong hurried over and asked, "Is there anything unusual with the caravan?"
The soldier replied, "Sir Li, I followed the caravan to a grain store called 'Zucheng'. I saw them storing the grain in the warehouse, and then I followed the wealthy young man to the plum garden."
Li Yong frowned: "Plum Garden?"
This garden was a private residence built by a prince of the previous dynasty and given to a concubine. After the fall of the previous dynasty, the house was not incorporated into the court, but fell into the hands of local officials and was sold several times.
It is said that the house was bought by a nobleman in the capital and no one has ever lived in it.
Now there is someone living here, and he is a wealthy businessman.
Li Yong always felt that there was something strange, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.
After all, this merchant is from the capital... the capital...
Li Yong suddenly reacted, and for a moment, he suspected that the rich young man was related to Zhao Yi.
But...is it possible?
This thought came to mind and he could no longer suppress it. He ordered, "Keep watching and tell me if there's anything unusual."
The soldier agreed and left in a hurry.
Li Yong was uneasy and reported the matter to Feng Zhihuan.
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At the same time, in the main hall of the Plum Garden, Jiang Mu reported to Zhao Yi: "Your Highness, someone is lying in ambush around the Plum Garden."
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