Unexpectedly, the trial of Yun Niang would end like this. Zhao Huan wished that Yang Qiqiao's case had not happened and those two beasts had been spared, rather than seeing this kind of outcome.
The hall of the yamen fell silent for a moment, and even the people watching outside were so frightened that no one dared to speak.
At this time, a guard walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Luo Xiaohu has confessed everything. It was he who put arsenic in the wine and poisoned Luo Sheng from the Luo Family Restaurant."
Zhao Huan suddenly lost all interest. He couldn't imagine how many unjust cases there were in the entire Song Dynasty, and how many corrupt and incompetent officials there were who had lost all conscience.
"Imprison Luo Xiaohu and execute him on a chosen day along with Bai Qingsheng and Du Huachang!" Zhao Huan slammed the gavel lightly. "I am tired. I am dismissing this court!"
Perhaps frustrated, Zhao Huan said "withdraw the court" instead of "withdraw the court." No one came out and no one dared to correct him, so everyone waited for the court to withdraw.
Yunniang and her mother-in-law knelt on the ground and kowtowed vigorously: "Yunniang, I, Your Majesty, thank you for your great grace and for clearing my husband's (my son's) name!"
Zhao Huan waved his hand and said, "Pass the order, from now on, Luo's Restaurant belongs to Yun Niang, everyone please leave!" Then Zhao Huan stood up and walked towards the back hall.
"Long live! Long live! Long live!" At this time, the people outside raised their arms and shouted. Zhao Huan turned around and saw gratitude and respect on the faces of these people.
Zhao Huan had heard countless people shouting "Long live the emperor!" These words were truly heartfelt. They were thanking the emperor for redressing the injustice.
Zhao Huan waved to the people. They immediately knelt and shouted "Long live the emperor!" again, some even quietly wiping away tears. This was how the people were. The delayed justice filled them with deep gratitude.
Zhao Huan, however, was filled with guilt, constantly believing that he hadn't done enough as an emperor. Was being a tyrant truly the right thing to do? Or would it have been better to be a ruthless and decisive tyrant from the start?
"Your Majesty!" Yun Niang called Zhao Huan when he was leaving the hall, and Zhao Huan turned around in surprise.
Yunniang bowed deeply and said, "Your Majesty has redressed my husband's injustice. I have no way to repay you. I only ask that Your Majesty come to Luo's Restaurant when you are free. Yunniang will personally cook a few dishes for Your Majesty."
Zhao Huan's mind raced: Is this considered a flirtation? She doesn't call herself a commoner, but a commoner girl. Could it be that she secretly admires me? Hehehehe...
Thinking of this, Zhao Huan showed a lewd smile on his face again.
"Your Majesty!" Cao Dongsheng called out from the side.
Zhao Huan finally came to his senses and said, "Go, I will definitely go!"
"This humble lady awaits your Majesty's arrival!"
Du Zhong, the military commander of Jingdong, was practicing archery at the training grounds of his stationed camp in Luzhou. It must be said that Zhao Huan treated the troops well from the moment he came to power. No matter how hard the work, no one withheld pay. The court could defer pay, but it would never embezzle or withhold it. And if Zhao Huan could offer good treatment, he would do his best to do so. After all, the army was the pillar of the Song Dynasty.
Wu Ge galloped on horseback with dozens of guards. He had to get Du Zhong out of the barracks before the news reached Luzhou. "I can't go and tell you I'm here to arrest you by order."
This was a military camp, and Du Zhong was a powerful lord with his own army. Even if he rebelled, he wouldn't be able to achieve anything, but if they came to arrest him openly, they would force him to rebel.
The dozens of guards Wu Ge had chosen were all carefully selected experts, and their horses were also carefully selected. They traveled day and night and arrived in Luzhou the next afternoon.
"Who are you?" Although the Jingdong Garrison saw that Wu Ge and others were wearing the uniforms of imperial guards, they still stopped them.
"By order of His Majesty, I invite you to see General Du Zhong, the commander of the army!" Wu Ge said, pulling out a badge: "I am Wu Ge, the commander of the imperial court!"
The guard took the badge and hurriedly bowed. "It's General Wu Ge. I'm sorry, but my general is currently on the parade grounds. I'll take you there."
A guard had already gone to report. When Du Zhong shot the fourth arrow, his men came to report: "General, a group of imperial guards want to see you, saying they are carrying out orders from His Majesty."
Du Zhong was slightly surprised: "Your Majesty? Where is Your Majesty? Why did they come to Luzhou?"
The guard said, "The man who came here claims to be Wu Ge, the Imperial Commander. I have checked his badge. He said he came from Fengxian County. Is that right, young master?"
Du Zhong's heart moved, and he waved his hand and said, "You go down first!"
The men bowed and retreated. At this time, Wu Ge and his men approached from a distance. Wu Ge looked at the arrow on the target, cupped his fists and smiled, saying, "I have long heard of General Du's wisdom. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved!"
Du Zhong returned the greeting: "I believe this is General Wu Ge, what a pleasure to meet you!"
Wu Ge smiled and said, "General Du, you've got the news so quickly! I was informed right after I arrived at the door. General Du, His Majesty, returning to the capital from Haizhou, happened to pass through Fengxian County. His Majesty heard from Du Tiesi that the Jingdong Military Commissioner is his father. His Majesty was overjoyed to hear this and asked me to invite General Du to Fengxian County. His Majesty wishes to meet him in person!"
Du Zhong was overjoyed when he heard this. The emperor wanted to meet him in person. This proved that the emperor had high hopes for him and that his future success was just around the corner.
Sure enough, Wu Ge continued, "Congratulations, General Du. Your Majesty had a very pleasant conversation with Du Tiesi upon arriving in Fengxian County. It's strange, your Majesty doesn't even like County Magistrate Bai, so why would he like your son? Your Majesty thinks Du Tiesi is well-spoken and has a high regard for him. He wants to transfer him to the capital to serve under your Majesty."
Du Zhong was overjoyed: "Really?" Working beside the emperor was a step up to the heavens. He knew his son was good at flattery, but he didn't expect that he would be so highly regarded by the emperor.
Wu Ge smiled and said, "This Du Tiesi is truly a filial son. He's not in a hurry for his own fame, but first mentions his old father. When His Majesty heard that General Du was the military commander of Jingdong, he immediately became interested. General Du, as you know, the Song Dynasty's territory is vast, and there is a shortage of troops at the border. The defense of the capital is weak. His Majesty is looking to expand the capital's defenses, and it's a coincidence that he met General Du."
Du Zhong felt his head congested with blood, and he was inexplicably excited. "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your appreciation. When shall we set off?"
Wu Ge was slightly stunned: "You are leaving now? His Majesty is still waiting."
"But, but I'm leaving now, what about the army?" Du Zhong was a little suspicious. Even sending a general to see the emperor required a document from the Privy Council. Furthermore, the emperor wouldn't easily send a general commanding a large army to see the emperor, especially not in the capital.
Wu Ge smiled and said, "Just leave it to the deputy general. Your Majesty is on a secret visit this time. It's urgent and Your Majesty has also given instructions. Military affairs are important. If General Du is not available, it's fine. Don't force him. I'll take my leave first!" He clasped his fists and turned to leave.
Du Zhong was shocked. This once-in-a-millennium opportunity was gone. His lust for power overcame his rationality, and he hurriedly rushed forward to stop him, saying, "General Wu, wait a minute. I'll go tell the deputy general about something, and then we'll go together to see the emperor!"
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