Chapter 315: Release of Military Power
The emperor looked at Gu Huai with a playful look, and said, "Gu Huai, you just said that your wedding date with Princess Qingyu is coming soon, so you can't be fickle."
"Gu Huai, you are deceiving the emperor." The emperor's voice became low and cold.
"Does the Duke of Zhenguo's military power give you confidence?"
The Duke of Zhenguo commands a hundred thousand soldiers and horses, second only to the former Duke of Xin.
The Xin Guogong Mansion has been entrenched in the northern border and has been operating there for decades. The soldiers in the northern border recognize the military tokens as well as the people.
Thanks to my family.
How can I allow others to sleep soundly beside my bed?
Let us ask ourselves, which emperor with great talent and strategy would dare to allow the Xie family to continue to spread and expand?
However, because of their ridiculous friendship, the emperor's elder brother and Xiao Cheng never withheld food and military supplies, and watched the Xie family grow stronger.
Once there is a conflict between the military order and the interests of the Xie family, the Northern Border Army will have to obey the military order or the orders of the Xie family.
No one can be sure.
Rather than betting on the loyalty of his family, it is better to take the military power into his own hands.
No matter what, the Xie family has no way out as far as he is concerned.
The power of the Gu family of the Zhenguogong Mansion was in the western border, and their prestige in the army was not as good as that of the Xie family, so he tolerated the Zhenguogong to continue to be in charge of the military.
But recently, Gu Huai's rebelliousness seems to be getting harder and harder.
Gu Huai's heart skipped a beat. "I dare not."
Your Majesty, do you want to take this opportunity to seize the military power of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion?
Is it inevitable that the Gu family will repeat the fate of the Xie family?
Gu Huai didn't dare to think deeply.
"What else are you afraid of?" the emperor said coldly.
"This doesn't sound like the arrogant Prince Gu."
"If I remember correctly, last winter, you questioned the Duke of Zhenguo. If you are wrong, shouldn't I, sitting in the Golden Palace, also issue an edict of repentance to the world and kneel before the spirit tablet of the Xiao family's ancestors to repent?"
"Gu Huai, what do you think I did wrong and what should I repent for?"
"Is this what you mean by killing your nephew, seizing the throne, and harming loyal officials?"
The emperor's voice was soft and slow, and even carried a strange and sinister smile, and one could vaguely hear a hint of excitement.
Chilling.
In an instant, Gu Huai's face turned pale.
Lu Mingchao was also shocked and his astonishment was beyond words.
He was surprised at the eccentric Gu Huai's integrity, but also terrified at the emperor's method of secretly spying on the residences of court officials.
The dispute between father and son was clearly heard by the emperor.
The most terrifying thing is that after knowing the truth, the emperor chose to keep it secret.
It seems that the current emperor controls a force comparable to the Jinyi Guard of Emperor Hongwu.
"I have committed a sin, and I beg for your holy judgment." Gu Huai was as if he was on the edge of an abyss, knowing that it would be difficult to redeem his mistakes with tricky words. "I have spoken rashly and my sins are grave, and I should be severely punished."
"However, my father is loyal to Your Majesty and has no intention of rebellion, nor has he ever been disrespectful in the slightest. I hope Your Majesty will see through this."
Gu Huai kowtowed heavily again and again.
"I wish to die to atone for my sins."
The emperor raised an eyebrow "Dead?"
"I don't like killing innocent people."
"But, those who are guilty should be punished. Not punishing them is not enough to show the justice of the country's law."
"Duke Xuanzhen."
When faced with a choice between military power and his son, how will the Guild choose?
Lu Mingchao sensitively noticed that the emperor had once again focused his attention on her, and her attitude became increasingly humble and cautious. She carefully hid her thoughts in her heart, not daring to reveal even a little bit.
Gu Huai just said a few treasonous words.
And she married Xie Yan, and the former Crown Prince Xiao Heng called her mother.
In comparison, she deserves to die more.
"As far as I know, the Queen Mother gave you the ivory mirage screen?"
"Your Majesty, the ivory carved mirage screen was given to me as a gift from the Empress Dowager." Lu Mingchao said honestly, "At first, I didn't know it was something from the Empress Dowager. It happened that the Lord of Lerong County invited me to appreciate the flowers, and I recognized the origin of the screen."
"The Queen Mother does not reward people easily." The emperor said lightly.
Lu Mingchao was not in a hurry. "In my humble opinion, it may be that the Empress Dowager loves the whole family."
The emperor did not comment, but just said lightly, "The Queen Mother treats Le Rong very well."
Love the house and the dog?
His elder sister, Princess Yongming, is the real queen.
Whether it was Princess Pingning or Princess Lerong, they were all under the protection of Princess Yongming.
"Leave the palace."
"Within three days, leave Beijing for Wanxing and Beiba."
Lu Mingchao kowtowed and said, "I accept your order."
Without any delay, Lu Mingchao bowed his head and respectfully left the hall.
Although the process was a bit thrilling, it was ultimately rewarding.
Leaving Beijing openly and heading to Wanxing and Beiba to provide disaster relief was what she had always wanted.
The moment she pushed Lu Minghui out, she was ready.
However, I didn't expect that it would bring up Gu Huai's treasonous remarks.
The Duke of Zhenguo has been loyal and meritorious for generations, so he can protect Gu Huai, but he is afraid that he will have to hand over the military power in the western border.
From the beginning to the end, what the emperor wanted was not the young and energetic Gu Huai, but to make a show of force to scare the Duke of Zhenguo and make him aware of his interest.
The emperor today really has no tolerance for others.
If you employ people, you will be suspicious; if you don't employ people, you will also be suspicious.
Perhaps a person who has obtained the throne by illegitimate means is always afraid that some treacherous ministers or villains will shake his throne.
Therefore, a secret service organization comparable to the Imperial Guard was secretly established to closely monitor every move, every word, and every meal of important officials in the court.
We should be thankful that the Yongning Marquis's Mansion is just a showpiece that looks good but is of no use and is not worthy of the emperor's attention.
Under the eaves, Lu Mingchao looked from a distance at Gu Huai who was kneeling on the ground.
Gu Huai is born with arrogance and conceit. He is not a good person, but he is definitely not a complete evil person.
With a light sigh, he quietly followed the eunuch leading the way out of the palace.
In the long palace alley, palace lanterns swayed gently, casting mottled light and shadows.
Except for the occasional patrol guard passing by, the surroundings were completely silent.
"Mrs. Xie."
The eunuch whispered, "The Empress Dowager has instructed that you do not need to worry about Xie Sanlang's posthumous child. The matter has been properly arranged."
Lu Mingchao curled his fingers slightly and said calmly, "What do you mean, eunuch?"
In the confrontation tonight, she dared not underestimate the man on the dragon throne again.
He has no compassion, but is a natural at manipulating people's minds and power, and is a master at stirring up trouble.
The eunuch's steps were small, fast and without any pause.
After leaving the palace, Lu Mingchao breathed a sigh of relief.
Empress Dowager Xie in Changning Palace also breathed a sigh of relief.
If it was Cheng'er sitting on the throne, why would Lu Mingchao have to be so nervous and cautious when entering the palace?
Xiao Yao, you really deserve to die!
…
Half an hour later, Duke Zhenguo hurried into the palace.
In less than a quarter of an hour, Duke Zhenguo took Gu Huai out of the palace.
"Father, it is my son who has caused trouble for the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion."
The sound of horse hooves.
Gu Huai lowered his eyebrows and blamed himself endlessly.
Some edges and corners seemed to be smoothed out in an instant.
Under absolute power, there is no room for arrogance or ego.
Everyone must bow to power.
The truly eternal and unchanging truth is that those who follow the will prosper, and those who go against it perish.
After tonight, there will be no difference between the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion and ordinary nobles in the capital.
Duke Zhenguo glanced at Gu Huai and said righteously, "Your Majesty is magnanimous and does not care about your offensive words. You should remember this in your heart and be grateful for your Majesty's righteousness."
Have a grudge? 】