Chapter 472: Pingzhou is in turmoil, and the capital is undercurrent
The carriage left the capital of Zheng State and headed east.
After leaving the border of Zheng State, Gu Junze and his party changed into ordinary cloth clothes that had been prepared in advance, replaced the carriage with war horses, and traveled day and night.
It's time to close the big net that the subordinates in the capital have cast...
Chu Ruohan looked at Gu Junze's slightly tired but still resolute profile and said softly, "Can the child bear it if we travel day and night like this?"
Gu Junze sighed softly and shook her hand. "Pingzhou is not far away. The sooner we get there, the sooner we can feel at ease."
Doctor Qian, who was accompanying them, observed the herbs along the way, occasionally picking some and putting them into his medicine bag. These past few days, besides taking care of everyone's health, he had been thinking about something else.
After walking for a few more days, they stopped at a dilapidated temple. Doctor Qian took out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom and handed it to Gu Junze: "General, this is something I just prepared."
Gu Junze took the porcelain bottle, opened it and smelled it; it was colorless and odorless.
"This medicine is called 'Forget Worry Powder,'" Doctor Qian explained. "If you inhale a small amount, it can temporarily cause a person to become distracted and unable to follow instructions. However, it will dissipate on its own after half an hour and is harmless to the body. It's a good idea to have in case of emergency."
Gu Junze's eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded, "Thank you for your concern, Doctor Qian."
He carefully put the porcelain bottle away, thinking that it might come in handy in the future.
The group traveled at night and slept in the open air, and finally arrived at Pingzhou in the Eastern Jin Dynasty half a month later.
Pingzhou City was surrounded by high walls and heavily guarded. Gu Junze headed straight for the Pingzhou garrison.
In the garrison, Pingzhou garrison commander Zhang Wei was a little impatient when he heard that someone from the capital wanted to see him.
But when he saw the token that Gu Junze presented, especially the half tiger talisman engraved with the pattern of a tiger roaring at the moon, his face suddenly changed.
"This is... the imperial tiger talisman!" Zhang Wei's voice was trembling. He carefully examined the tiger talisman and found that it fit perfectly with the other half in his hand. He couldn't help but take a breath.
This tiger talisman can mobilize 100,000 troops stationed in Pingzhou. It disappeared after the death of the previous emperor. I never thought it was in the hands of this person.
"I am Zhang Wei, the humble general, and I am here to pay my respects to Your Excellency!" Zhang Wei did not dare to be negligent and immediately knelt on one knee to salute.
Gu Junze helped him up: "General Zhang, there is no need to be so polite. There is a change in the capital now. I have come here in secret. I need your cooperation. I will secretly gather troops and await your deployment."
Zhang Wei's expression was solemn: "Don't worry, sir. The Pingzhou garrison is ready to receive orders at any time!"
He knew in his heart that the person who could hold this tiger talisman must be carrying out an important mission, and something big might have really happened in the capital.
At the same time, in the capital of the Eastern Jin Dynasty, in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Zhao Yunci was wearing plain casual clothes, looking haggard, and was staring blankly at a game of chess that was unfinished.
Outside the palace, Qingmo Valley's spies were densely spread out, and the palace guards had already been quietly replaced.
A steward from the Qingmo Valley came in with a decoction of medicine and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, it's time to take the medicine. This is a good medicine that the Valley Master found especially for you. It can calm your mind and spirit."
Zhao Yunci seemed not to hear, and after a long time she slowly raised her head, her eyes empty: "I know, let it go."
When the deacon saw him like this, a trace of contempt flashed in his eyes.
This emperor is indeed a useless spineless man. Now he is like a turtle in a jar and can't make any waves.
The person in charge of Qingmo Valley in the capital was even more complacent. He was just waiting for the order from the valley master, and then someone else would take the throne of the Eastern Jin Dynasty.
These days, Zhao Yunci was not on guard against the food and medicine sent by Qingmo Valley, and even "actively" cooperated with some of their "small requests".
Every day he reads and writes in the palace, and fiddles with flowers and plants, as if he has completely given up resistance and is just trying to survive.
This made the people who were monitoring him relax their vigilance even more.
However, no one knew that whenever it was late at night and everyone was asleep, a sharp light would flash in Zhao Yunci's eyes.
He had already contacted several loyal old ministers in the court through his confidants and was just waiting for the opportunity.
On this day, the person in charge of Qingmo Valley in the capital, a middle-aged man with a sinister face, came to the Yangxin Palace in person.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice filled with false respect, "I, the Valley Master, heard that Your Majesty has been quite cooperative recently, and I am very pleased. I have sent this message specifically, hoping to speak with Your Majesty."
Zhao Yunci slowly turned around, a look of just the right amount of panic on her face: "Valley Master...he wants to see me?"
"That's right." The middle-aged man smiled. "The Valley Master greatly admires Your Majesty's ability to understand current affairs. I have specially arranged for a long talk with Your Majesty at Jingxin Villa in the suburbs of Beijing in three days to discuss state affairs."
Zhao Yunci heard this, her hands trembled slightly, and her voice trembled: "I...I know."
The middle-aged man looked at his reaction with satisfaction, and thought to himself: This emperor is really scared.
After that person left, the panic on Zhao Yunci's face instantly disappeared, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
He walked to the window and looked at the imperial guards controlled by Qingmo Valley outside the palace, with a sneer on his face.
"Fish, it's finally going to take the bait." He whispered to himself, with a barely perceptible hint of excitement and murderous intent in his voice.
The study in the Pingzhou garrison was brightly lit with candles.
Gu Junze unfolded the secret letter in his hand. The handwriting on the letter was sloppy and hurried. It was Zhao Yunci's handwriting.
"Three days later, at Jingxin Villa outside Beijing." After reading the secret letter, Gu Junze handed it to Zhang Wei beside him.
Zhang Wei took it and quickly glanced through it, his expression becoming increasingly serious: "Sir, this is clearly a Hongmen Banquet set up by Qingmo Valley! Your Majesty, this trip is likely to be dangerous!"
Gu Junze's eyes were deep, and he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is using himself as bait to buy us time."
He walked to the sand table, his eyes wandering between the capital and Pingzhou.
"Pingzhou is five days away from the capital, even if we ride at full speed day and night. Our main force will not be able to make it in three days." Zhang Wei was worried.
Gu Junze pointed his finger at the location of the capital: "So, we must split our forces into two groups."
He turned to Zhang Wei and said decisively, "General Zhang, you must immediately gather all available troops in Pingzhou and march to the capital as quickly as possible. Remember, keep your whereabouts concealed along the way and do not reveal yourself."
"I obey your command!" Zhang Wei clasped his fists and accepted the order.
Gu Junze continued, "I will personally lead an elite team, carrying the 'Forget Worry Powder', to rush to the capital at night to provide assistance. If the situation on His Majesty's side becomes critical, this team will be a vital force."
Zhang Wei's eyes flashed: "Sir, you are personally leading the team to infiltrate? This is too dangerous!"
"The capital is a den of dragons and tigers. Qingmo Valley has been operating for many years. Your Majesty must have an insider."
"Only if I go there in person can I be able to respond flexibly and ensure that everything goes well." Gu Junze's tone left no room for argument.
He looked out the window at the dark night and had already made up his mind.
When they returned to the temporary courtyard, Chu Ruohan had not yet rested. She was sitting under the lamp, holding a small baby dress in her hand with a gentle expression.
"It's so late, why aren't you sleeping yet?" Gu Junze walked closer and lowered his voice.
Chu Ruohan raised her head and saw a hint of fatigue between his brows, and she understood.
"Leaving?" she asked softly.
Gu Junze nodded, sat down beside her, and held her hand: "Well, the matter in Beijing is urgent, I must leave immediately."
He briefly outlined his plan to split the troops into two groups.
Chu Ruohan listened quietly. Although there was worry in her eyes, she did not retreat or stop at all.
"The capital is dangerous, you must be careful when you go there." She held his hand, applying a little force with her fingertips.
"Don't worry," Gu Junze looked at her with a firm gaze, "I will come back safely."
Chu Ruohan leaned her head gently on his shoulder: "I will take good care of myself and the child, and wait for you to come back to pick us up."
Her voice was soft, but it had enough power to calm people.
Gu Junze felt warm in his heart, tightened his arms and held her in his arms.
"wait for me."
"Um."
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