Chapter 287 Cheng Wuya's Conspiracy
After the news that the emperor was seriously ill and unconscious spread, Qin Wang Zhao Defang took charge of the government. After Qin Wang issued a series of wise and decisive orders, only a small part of the imperial guards guarding the capital made a commotion, and they were quickly controlled and stabilized. Only Cheng Wuya and dozens of others, led by the Imperial City Department, fled the city overnight.
The people of the capital lived and worked in peace and contentment, and commerce in all walks of life was still thriving. People were at peace, and government orders were smooth. The border was also as stable as before, and the Xiang people and the Khitan people did not make any big waves.
The group of old ministers who assisted Emperor Taizu in building the country were secretly happy and relieved. His Royal Highness Qin Wang lived up to the expectations of the people and would definitely be a wise ruler. Some people even secretly hoped that the emperor would not wake up. It would be a blessing for the Song Dynasty that the wise, benevolent and military Prince Qin inherited the throne! …
Cheng Wuya had a keen sense of smell. Before the shadow guards took action to arrest him, he fled the capital at night with more than 30 of his trusted men. He knew that those captured generals might not die because they were against the emperor's orders, but he, the spy chief who had led the assassination of Qin Prince Zhao Defang many times, would never survive.
"Commander, which direction should we run to?" The subordinate pointed to the two forked roads and asked the leader.
Cheng Wuya's eyes were full of cruelty, "Don't call me Commander or Lord Cheng in the future, call me... Mr. Gao! Let's take the western road, meet Pan Mei's army to suppress the rebellion, and then plan to kill him and return to the capital!"
"Yes! Mr. Gao."
More than 30 horses galloped and chose the road leading to Western Shu.
Pan Mei returned to the capital with 50,000 troops to suppress the rebellion. The emperor's secret decree clearly stated that in order to resist foreign aggression, we must first stabilize the country!
Pan Mei knew very well what this stabilization meant. He hurried back all the way. After Qin Wang Zhao Defang was eliminated, his son-in-law, the third prince Zhao Hengke, was the natural first heir to the throne.
Without the worry of being constrained by the "Golden Casket Alliance", the emperor would probably immediately appoint a crown prince. My daughter is the crown princess, and one day in the future, I will also become the father-in-law of the current dynasty.
"Report to the Marshal, the commander of the Imperial City Department, Cheng Wuya, wants to see me."
Pan Mei was stunned. Cheng Wuya came to see me halfway? It was only more than 600 miles away from the capital. Did the emperor have any secret orders to issue tasks?
After dismissing the left and right staff and deputy generals, he ordered: "Please invite Cheng into the marshal's tent."
Cheng Wuya, dressed in black and exuding a gloomy and cold air, walked into the marshal's tent and saluted: "The commander of the Imperial City Department, Cheng Wuya, meets Marshal Pan."
This spy chief who makes people uncomfortable is one of the emperor's most trusted confidants and must not be offended. Pan Mei quickly stood up to greet him, smiled and extended his hand to politely say: "Master Cheng, please don't be polite, please sit down!"
Cheng Wuya did not sit down, but his face was gloomy! Yin Wu's face became even colder, "Marshal Pan, by the order of the emperor, you are ordered to bring 50,000 troops to the capital as soon as possible to defend the king and protect the emperor!"
Pan Mei's heart sank, "Master Cheng, what happened in the capital?"
Cheng Wuya's cold eyes were full of hatred, "Marshal Pan, King Qin Zhao Defang has been planning for a long time, taking advantage of the capital When the internal military force was depleted, they plotted rebellion and imprisoned the emperor in the harem, while he went to court to supervise the country and govern the country.
Seeing the critical situation, the emperor ordered me to take 30 men from the Imperial City Department and escape from the capital overnight to deliver a letter to you, Marshal Pan, asking you to lead the troops back to the capital to defend the king and quell the rebellion. "
Pan Mei's heart had sunk to the bottom, as heavy as a huge stone. How could this happen? King Qin Zhao Defang took action first, and we lost the initiative?
The meticulous Pan Mei pondered for a long time and asked, "How is the emperor's safety now? Is my son-in-law, the third prince Zhao Heng, okay? Do you have a handwritten order or secret decree from the emperor to me?"
Cheng Wuya cursed him in his heart, saying that he was cunning and treacherous. With a solemn and sad look, he said: "The emperor is ill and is under house arrest in the palace of Concubine Li Xian to recuperate. The third prince and several other princes are fine, and the King of Qin has not restricted the freedom of the princes.
The emperor gave me oral instructions when he was conscious, and did not give any warrants or secret orders to Marshal Pan Yuan when the situation was critical."
Pan Mei paced back and forth in the marshal's tent with a heavy heart, frowning and thinking. The situation is not good. In this critical moment, should he serve the king and protect the emperor, or should he return home and live out the rest of his life in peace?
Cheng Wuya's eyes revealed a hint of sarcasm, and he reminded him, "Marshal Pan, the emperor had already secretly planned everything. The day when Marshal Pan's army arrived in the capital was the day when Qin Wang Zhao Defang would die.
But the news leaked out, and Qin Wang took the initiative to break into the palace with the Moyun cavalry and put the emperor under house arrest. However, several important generals of the imperial guards arranged by the emperor in advance are still waiting for the emperor's order. Our chance to turn the tables is now It will be very big.
Moreover, if Qin Wang Zhao Defang really sits on the dragon throne, will he let go of several princes and the emperor's confidants?
I am afraid that after Qin Wang Zhao Defang ascends the throne, the first person he will kill is the third prince who is the biggest threat to his throne. As the father-in-law of the third prince, Marshal Pan Yuan has a large army. Will the Qin Wang let you go? "
Pan Mei was frightened, panicked, and angry at Cheng Wuya's words, and he made up his mind immediately!
"Master Cheng, there is no need to say more. I am just thinking about how to rescue the emperor safely after the army arrives at the city." Cheng
Wuya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Pan Mei can be encouraged by me and lead the army to raise the banner of defending the king and protecting the emperor, then you will have no choice but to fight to the death!
"Marshal Pan, the Qin Wang Zhao Defang is plotting to rebel and imprison the emperor, which is a heinous crime that is hated by both humans and gods!
Marshal Pan, following the instructions of the emperor, will surely be followed and responded to by the generals of the Song Dynasty. Therefore, we should raise the banner of the Qin Wang Zhao Defang army and publicize it well!"
Pan Mei nodded in agreement. Since they were a just army with a legitimate reason, they should raise the banner of winning people's hearts and minds. Otherwise, Qin Wang Zhao Defang, who was in charge of the country, would treat them as rebels and bandits and encircle and suppress them. Who would they talk to then?
Pan Mei ordered his personal soldiers: "Call Mr. Sun to draft a manifesto to defend the king and the emperor. Also invite General Wei Ji to discuss important military matters."