Chapter 32 The Night Banquet
The barracks were simple, but brightly lit by candlelight.
Emperor Zhongzong sat on a soft couch, his clothes open, a shocking wound almost piercing through his chest.
Fang Jingruo stood before him, trembling with fear. The young man, who had already held a high position when they first met, now had his eyes closed, letting Liang Xiao administer the medicine to him.
"My lord," Fang Jingruo gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice, "I know nothing about this matter! If I truly had ulterior motives, why would I have waited until now? Give me time, I can find out—"
At this time, Emperor Zhongzong was neither a king nor a marquis; legally speaking, he was at most Fang Jingruo's superior.
But Fang Jingruo's cold sweat was real, and so was his fear.
Half a month ago, Emperor Jungjong led his troops out of the pass with the intention of achieving victory in one battle. However, the Xun'an Army, whose vanguard was unstoppable, unexpectedly stumbled!
After penetrating deep into the desert, their commands were repeatedly anticipated by the enemy. If it weren't for the unpredictable nature of military operations and the need for improvisation, they might have truly been trapped on the grasslands and never returned.
But it was still a major defeat. The young man was struck by a stray arrow and seriously wounded. He managed to command the army as they surged into Mingyuan Pass, but he collapsed from his horse on the spot.
The top official fell into a coma, causing widespread panic. Some pointed out that Fang Jingruo was the culprit behind the defeat.
Emperor Zhongzong trusted him greatly and entrusted him with the management of logistics. In other words, apart from the army that went out of the pass, he was the person who knew the most about the situation!
"Shourou." Emperor Zhongzong called him again. He had just woken up from a deep sleep and his first question was, "Has the relief money been distributed? Has there been any unrest in Yongzhou?"
"My lord..." Fang Jingruo seemed to sense something in his panic and said in a trembling voice, "According to the established rules, the money has been distributed without any discrepancy. If there is a wife and children, they will be given to their wives and children; if there are no family members, their children will be adopted and raised by free schools. Although the officials at all levels are somewhat alarmed, there is nothing serious."
"Well done." Emperor Zhongzong coughed heavily a few times. "I'm sorry to have let them down."
He brought the soldiers out of the village, promising them gold, silver, and a bright future, but in the end, he did not take them back.
The decision was wrong, and the fault lies solely with him.
"My lord!" Fang Jingruo was in a panic. Before he could say anything, Liang Xiao beside him had already slapped him on the wound.
"What's the use of crying and wailing?" Liang Xiao sneered, applying even more pressure as he bandaged the wound. It was unclear whether he was angry with Emperor Zhongzong or the Northern Di. "It would be faster to catch spies in this time. I think you've had it too easy for too long!"
Emperor Zhongzong frowned, sighed softly, and did not answer Liang Xiao's question. He opened his eyes and said, "Of course I believe you."
Fang Jingruo dared not raise his head and said in a low voice, "Thank you, sir..."
"You may leave." After a moment of silence, Emperor Zhongzong said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly, so you don't need to worry too much."
"My lord?" Fang Jingruo was taken aback and looked up in surprise.
In the candlelight, the young man's handsome features were shrouded in a hazy light and shadow, his expression inscrutable.
"You don't need to go out during this time. Stay at home." Emperor Zhongzong didn't look at him, but only gave the order. "I have my own arrangements."
After another silence, Zhongzong Chongfang Jingruo smiled weakly and said, "Go."
Emperor Zhongzong always believed in trusting those he employed and not employing those he didn't trust. The suffering he had endured this time was indeed severe, and it bothered him even more. Where exactly did things go wrong? From any perspective, Fang Jingruo was absolutely the person primarily responsible. Only he had the ability and opportunity to discover military secrets.
But he shouldn't have had this motive.
Ren Heng paced back and forth in the mansion, extremely agitated: "Fang Jingruo is definitely not a spy!"
He listened with rapt attention; the border was his second home, and the Northern Barbarians were his long-time enemies.
Ren Heng grew increasingly anxious as he listened, wishing he could personally take charge and catch the traitor.
Just now, when Tianmu said that the Northern Di royal court was destroyed in the third year of Jinghua, he felt extremely satisfied and almost shouted out in his mansion: If Zhou She can defeat the Northern Di just like Tianmu said in the future, he, Ren Heng, will definitely be the first to support Zhou She to take the throne!
Originally, those princes were like idiots; did His Majesty really intend to let them ascend the throne?
Ren Duan's gaze followed Ren Heng's movements, and he said helplessly, "Dad, you're making me dizzy."
Like Xiao Jianhe, he was plunged into sorrow, reflecting on why he could not be featured prominently in the Heavenly Curtain.
I really care!
Unable to hear his son's voice, Ren Heng shouted nervously and excitedly, "I bet Fang Jingruo was also deceived. He has no motive!"
"..." Ren Duan said, "Yeah, why is he allowed to go up to the Sky Curtain..."
The father and son were at odds, while on the other side, Emperor Hong'an was also deep in thought.
"Could it be that someone from the Northern Di tribe infiltrated them?"
“Unlikely,” Zhou She dismissed the guess. “If Zhongzong had previously taken in alien races, Tianmu would have told him.”
The differences in appearance between the Northern Di and the Ning Dynasty people are quite obvious.
That makes sense, Emperor Hong'an nodded.
Then he realized what he meant: "Why are you calling me Emperor Zhongzong?"
Zhou She: "...That's me. I have never taken in any alien races."
The emperor was satisfied, turned his head, and suddenly asked, "Who do you think it is?"
Zhou She was also thinking about this problem.
To dare to leak military intelligence to a foreign race is tantamount to treason and collusion with the enemy. In any case, how can one introduce a foreign enemy during internal strife?
These people are engaging in infighting; they've completely lost all conscience.
Tianmu had said that the Northern Di had always been like this, fond of bribing local dignitaries. Hadn't his future self also been courted?
“The local powerful families, I suppose.” After a long silence, he answered softly.
First, it must be understood that Emperor Zhongzong's administration was not without its flaws. He entrusted the power of governing the people's livelihood to Fang Jingruo, meaning that Fang Jingruo was the chief official in charge of the entire three northern border regions, while Empress Renzhao herself was the assistant official.
The Empress had even less reason to harm her husband—after all, they were a real couple—I mean, the one who offended people and was easily targeted was Fang Jingruo.
If Fang Jingruo has offended anyone, there are too many to count. His current position is a crime, as he usurped the position from a scion of a powerful family. He led troops to plunder the wealth of wealthy clans, which is a second crime. He even dared to obstruct land annexation, which is a third crime.
As for King Jungjong, who was behind him, his crimes were unforgivable and he was deeply hated. What surprised them most was that this two-birds-with-one-stone plan hadn't actually killed King Jungjong.
Fang Jingruo was slightly apprehensive, but not much.
To have one wise ruler in one's life is enough.
His emotions fluctuated with the narration of the sky, only worrying that there would be more hardships in the future.
Emperor Hong'an listened carefully. In fact, Tianmu had already made it very clear: Who hates Fang Jingruo so much?
Aside from the Northern Barbarians, the only other possibility is the local powerful families who have been deliberately suppressed.
Upon hearing this, Ren Heng stamped his foot and sighed deeply: "We've already suppressed them, how could we still fail on this?! It's truly unacceptable!"
The more hot-tempered general nearly grabbed his weapon on the spot: "Damn it! These parasites, I'll go kill them first!!"
Before this, the powerful clans feared King Jungjong's military might, but even a centipede with a hundred legs will not fall dead. On the surface, they seemed to have become docile, but in private, undercurrents still surged. Later, when King Jungjong recalled this experience, he found it unbearable to look back and hated his own arrogance and recklessness.
Emperor Zhongzong's return home alive caught the powerful clans completely off guard. They immediately chose to shift the blame, pointing the finger at the unfortunate Fang Jingruo.
However, making others take the blame also makes it easier for oneself to be exposed. That very evening, the details of the matter were presented to Emperor Zhongzong: the mastermind was a deputy whom Fang Jingruo had promoted from the Yixue (a local academy). This person had been promoted for over a year, yet at this crucial moment, he stole military secrets, handed them over to powerful clans, and ultimately presented them to the Grand Tutor of the Northern Barbarians.
Tianmu spoke casually, as if it were just a matter of a moment, but everyone involuntarily held their breath.
Why would Fang Jingruo's deputy defect to a powerful family? Was it because Emperor Zhongzong had done something wrong and mistreated him?
Otherwise, how could an ordinary person who rises to the top in one step make such an unwise decision?
The civil and military officials thought: After all, Emperor Zhongzong was a military general, and his ability to govern a region was probably not up to par. That's understandable; no wonder he fell into such a big pit.
However, the sky immediately said:
"As I just mentioned, the Imperial Patrol Army's suppression of powerful clans sounds easy. But in reality, the pressure they face is not something an ordinary person could withstand. Did the impeachments from the capital have no effect on them at all? No, they did, but he was able to withstand them."
Over the years, he faced countless assassination attempts from powerful clans, narrowly escaping death countless times, but none of that mattered. In Zhongzong's words, this was the inevitable path for the strong to reach the pinnacle, and his future successor would also need to have the ability to withstand pressure.
But he never expected that the one who would ultimately stab him in the back would be someone he had trusted.
Yongzhou, Bai family.
Bai Jisong had just finished writing a piece of calligraphy when he gently smoothed it out, took two steps back, and began to examine it carefully.
"What good can come of opposing the Bai family?"
He sighed softly, a hint of mockery rising in his eyes as he looked at the unfamiliar Emperor Zhongzong on the celestial screen: It doesn't matter how much the celestial screen praises you, admires you, or calls you a wise ruler or a tyrant. At least here in Yongzhou, you have to swallow this bitter pill!
He even became more arrogant after he caused a great emperor to suffer a crushing defeat.
How could a few years of effort possibly defeat a family that has been developing for hundreds of years?
That's wishful thinking.
After saying all this, would Tianmu really allow history to repeat itself? Although Yongzhou is somewhat remote, its power is not to be underestimated.
He thought for a moment, then turned around and found the letter he had received not long ago.
He had initially thought the power struggles and intrigues in the capital were all insignificant, but now it seemed...
It's not that we can't get involved.
[After six years of struggle, the power of the powerful clans has shrunk, but they are still strong. Moreover, they are best at using underhanded tactics!]
Fang Jingruo had been very careful; the people he selected were all personally trained from the free schools and had undergone numerous trials before reaching this position. But by sheer coincidence, this person delivered a fatal blow at the most crucial moment.
this……
This was such a huge blow that no one dared to imagine it.
The people even angrily cursed: "This is the man who makes our lives better. It's one thing not to repay him, but how can we cheat him?!"
Many righteous people are from humble backgrounds; they may be poor, but they are not heartless bastards!
Even Emperor Hong'an sighed, "Human hearts are unpredictable. You may treat others with sincerity, but you may not necessarily receive the corresponding return. Ruochuan, you are still young..."
He was trying to comfort him, but upon closer inspection, he saw that Zhou She looked completely bewildered.
"Are you alright?" Emperor Hong'an asked.
Zhou She frankly said, "I... I might be a little sad, but not enough to shake my resolve."
He did all this out of pure sincerity. So many people—it's impossible for them all to be good, and impossible for them all to be bad.
When King Jungjong learned of this news, he remained silent for a long time. So long that Fang Jingruo thought he was going to shut down the free schools and leave. But in the end, he only said, "Punish this person as a warning to others. This is only one person's mistake; there's no need to involve others."
Fortunately, he remained calm. While everyone would understand if the free schools were shut down, it would still be a great loss. For a long time afterward, countless talented individuals emerged from these schools, and the spirit of learning flourished in Yongzhou. As the birthplace of the emperor, Yongzhou consistently ranked among the top in the number of successful candidates in the imperial examinations each year, filling numerous gaps left by Emperor Zhongzong's rise to power.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
Honestly, if someone you've given your all to turned against you, you wouldn't necessarily feel deep resentment, but you certainly wouldn't be able to continue supporting them.
That takes... incredible patience!
Actually, he has a pretty good temper, doesn't he? Some people thought to themselves, "Tianmu reads unofficial histories all the time. He might be getting himself stupid. Maybe his habit of killing people in the past was also just unofficial history."
However, by the end, I had lost all desire to make amends.
The number of people killed was so high? Sometimes, when someone becomes a tyrant... it's not entirely fair to blame history books for making things up.
After Emperor Zhongzong understood the situation, he hosted a banquet for the powerful clans of the northern frontier that evening, the main purpose of which was to borrow money.
These words caught everyone off guard. One second they were thinking about how to resolve the situation, the next they were stunned, and the first thought that popped into their minds was: Why are you still so concerned about money?
I told you earlier that you didn't have money, and I let it go. But what time is it now? Are you going to pay me back?
Zhou She choked for a moment, then said confidently, "Money can make the devil turn the millstone!"
[With everything prepared, all was ready except for the final push. He set up a trap, inviting everyone in, and sat at the head of the table like a lord, beginning by complaining.]
The image of the sky sweeps across the long table, and the camera lingers on Emperor Jungjong's face.
Emperor Zhongzong was pale and panting heavily as he finally made it to the head seat. Those behind him felt as if a hundred years had passed.
Finally, when King Jungjong took his seat, he said to the several powerful clansmen, "There is something I would like to discuss with you all today."
The spacious inner hall was brightly lit. Everyone waited for him to sit down before awkwardly taking their own seats. Hearing his words, a sense of foreboding arose within them.
Emperor Zhongzong clutched his chest and coughed painfully. After a long while, he said in a low voice, "The patrol army suffered a defeat, and I am determined to avenge this defeat. Unfortunately, the last military campaign used too much money and provisions, and the court's allocation of funds has not yet been received. I would like to ask you all to lend me some temporarily."
The heads of several powerful families present, all in their forties or fifties, all had grim expressions.
After a long pause, the oldest one finally answered shakily, "Didn't you borrow it last time, sir? Our family is indeed going through a tough time..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhuang Shi, who was sitting to the side, suddenly stood up, and in an instant, a cold light flashed as his long sword was drawn.
Before the servants could stop him, a blade was already pressed against his neck: "Duan Mingyuan, shut up your nonsense!"
Duan Mingyuan trembled with fright and cautiously backed away.
He looked up at Emperor Zhongzong in the head seat, but the young man did not look at him. He was talking to the attendant beside him, seemingly unaware of what was happening here.
The group of people standing together stood up in a mixture of shock and anger. However, the flashing blade made them stop in their tracks, too terrified to move forward.
Duan Mingyuan took a half step back, and Zhuang Shi took a half step forward, pressing closer and closer.
Bai Jisong, a few years younger, immediately lost his temper: "Lord Zhou! General Zhou! Is this how you borrow money?!"
"Oh dear." Emperor Zhongzong turned around upon hearing the voice, feigning anger. "Zhuang Yuanchu, what kind of attitude is this? It's extremely rude."
His acting was so fake that no one could find a reason to criticize it.
Zhuang Yuanchu immediately sheathed his sword, cupped his hands, and said, "I'm sorry."
After a while, the food was served one after another. King Jungjong seemed to have forgotten about the loan and appeared to be genuinely entertaining his guests.
However delicious the food was, everyone found it tasteless and longed to escape from the place immediately.
After several rounds of drinks, Emperor Zhongzong brought up the old matter again: "Actually, I have always felt that the Xun'an Army guarding Mingyuan Pass is a way of helping you all avoid harassment from the Northern Di, so it is not unreasonable to charge a little protection fee."
Bai Jisong rolled his eyes inwardly: "Isn't the general supposed to be guarding the city gates for the country?"
"Oh, no, that's not it," Emperor Zhongzong said sincerely. "Actually, I just had nothing better to do, so I came to the border to embezzle some money."
Bai Jisong: "..."
Duan Mingyuan: "..."
Zhuang Shi: "..."
How shameless!
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