Chapter 349 If the ruler wants his subjects to die, then he should replace them with a wise ruler
Qin Hanzhang lowered his eyes in silence, his eyes were like frozen dark clouds, with undercurrents constantly surging.
Duke Xuan said no more, and waited quietly for Qin Hanzhang to calm down before speaking again:
"My dear nephew, it is true that thunder, lightning, rain and dew are all grace from the emperor, but even a loyal minister who is dedicated to serving the country should not be treated like this. They are 30,000 soldiers, two generations of Wuning Marquis, father and son, three people!"
"What does Duke Xuan mean by saying this? I have no knowledge of what happened back then. What should I do based on Duke Xuan's one-sided statement?"
Qin Hanzhang said calmly.
"Whether it is a one-sided story, you can check it out, my dear nephew. As your father's former friend, I can help you find evidence. As for what you should do, I don't need to say more. Are you willing to follow in the footsteps of your father and brother again with the entire Wuning Marquis Mansion?"
Duke Xuan said this confidently, with a meaningful smile on his lips.
"I naturally don't want to do that, but I am a minister, how can I disobey the emperor's will? If the emperor wants me to die, how can I not die?"
"If the king wants his subjects to die, then find a wise king!" Duke Xuan said this word by word. Su Qianqian's heart skipped a beat. Hearing this, they were either allies or dead... one of them.
"Duke Xuan, please be careful with your words. I will pretend that I have not heard this and never mention it again." Qin Hanzhang raised his eyes to look at Duke Xuan and reminded him seriously.
"When Emperor Gaozu of the Great Qi founded the country, it was also the ministers who seized the throne. The king of the fallen country was protected by the great general Milu and hidden in Yunhe Mountain, where he was eventually trapped and died..."
Duke Xuan shook his sleeves and said, "Not only are there different kinds of kings and dukes, but also emperors who are appointed by heaven also have their ups and downs. Now the people's grievances cannot be heard by heaven, the soldiers guarding the border cannot enjoy honor, loyal officials are wronged and treacherous officials are in power. Isn't it time to choose a wise ruler?"
[I know the rebellious speech pretty well, but... who is that wise ruler? 】Su Qianqian asked herself.
"May I ask Duke Xuan, who is the wise ruler?" Qin Hanzhang asked this question on behalf of Su Qianqian.
"My wise lord...my dear nephew, if you are willing to listen to my advice today and swear an oath of blood to never betray me, I will naturally tell you. Otherwise, how can I easily tell you such a big thing?"
Duke Xuan narrowed his beautiful eyes slightly and looked at Qin Hanzhang with a scrutinizing smile.
"I already know what the Duke meant, but I still need to find out the truth about the battle at Mount Xumi. If it is really as the Duke said, I hope the Duke will not break his promise and will do his best to help me find evidence."
Qin Hanzhang pondered for a long time before speaking slowly.
Duke Xuan stared into Qin Hanzhang's eyes, gradually developing a murderous aura, as if he wanted to see the real answer from his eyes:
"My dear nephew Han Zhang, this is a crime that could cost you your life. How can you make me believe that you won't report me to His Majesty once you leave this door?"
"Duke, I really can't prove it. If you don't believe me, there is nothing I can do. But don't forget that my wife and the Crown Prince's wife are sisters from the same mother. It's already groundless to accuse you, and it will take away their sisterly relationship. What good will it do to the Wuning Marquisate?
Moreover, as the Duke said, our mansion has made greater contributions than our Lord. His Majesty will definitely believe what I say and won't think that I am trying to eliminate dissidents, right? ”
Qin Hanzhang's words eased Duke Xuan's expression. "I am very pleased that you think this way. I was right about you. You are a sensible person who knows how to advance and retreat and how to judge the situation."
He took out a rough wooden token from his sleeve and handed it to Qin Hanzhang: "Take this token, as long as you are within the Zhu family's territory, you can do whatever you want without any hindrance. No one dares to stop you. If you want to investigate what happened back then, go ahead."
Qin Hanzhang took it without hesitation.
"There is one more thing. Don't blame me for being cautious. After all, such a major matter cannot be neglected. Although the incense just now was faint, it is a chronic poison. You two have been poisoned."
Duke Xuan still smiled faintly, but this time his smile was more sincere, and he pointed towards the incense burner in the east.
"Duke, why are you treating us like this? It was you who sent us the invitation and said those inexplicable words, but now you are poisoning us and framing us. This is a betrayal!"
Qin Hanzhang was furious. He stood up and pointed at Duke Xuan and scolded him.
"Don't be anxious, nephew. Just listen to me." Duke Xuan came over and pressed down Qin Hanzhang's hand.
"Although this medicine is extremely poisonous, it will not kill you immediately. Instead, you can take the antidote once every half a month. You can come to me to get the antidote after half a month."
[This is all I have left...] Su Qianqian complained in her heart, but she also knew that this trick was very effective. After all, in this era, there are not so many advanced means of control.
Qin Hanzhang showed a helpless expression on his face: "Forget it, the Duke is also in a difficult situation. In this case, Hanzhang will take his leave first."
Duke Xuan did not stay long and nodded to indicate that they could leave.
Qin Hanzhang and Su Qianqian came out of the room. The housekeeper appeared in time, personally escorted them out the door, and watched them leave respectfully.
"Do you know what kind of poison we were infected with?" Qin Hanzhang asked anxiously in the carriage.
"Of course I know, and there is a ready-made antidote."
Su Qianqian said calmly.
"Antidote prescription?" Qin Hanzhang was even more confused.
"This poison is called Moon Half Curve, and the antidote for Moon Half Curve is the herbs that Qin Shisan brought back."
Su Qianqian was a little proud.
"That is to say, the antidote made from those herbs will be given to many people... Could it be that they rely on this to control those..."
Qin Hanzhang frowned and thought, then his eyes lit up.
"That's right. If those people don't follow orders and don't get the antidote, they will die. That's why they train and fight without regard for their lives."
Su Qianqian figured out this part first.
"The amount of this medicinal material used is not small, so it can only be kept in Jinning, within the power of Duke Xuanguo, without being noticed."
Qin Hanzhang nodded.
"So, what are you going to do?" Su Qianqian looked up at Qin Hanzhang.
"Even if what he said is true, I will never go along with them. People who use such despicable means to control their subordinates are despicable people. What great things can they accomplish?"
Qin Hanzhang said decisively.
Su Qianqian was not worried that Qin Hanzhang would rebel. Although he was born with a rebellious nature and liked to go against his parents and brother since he was a child, the ideas he was taught were still loyalty and trustworthiness.
"But if what he said is true..." Su Qianqian pondered.
"If what he said is true, I will make the truth known to the world and ask Your Majesty to issue an edict of guilt and clear the name of my father and brother."
Qin Hanzhang sat upright with a determined look in his eyes. Although his voice was soft, there was no hesitation at all.
"Well, if all this is true, we will step in front of His Majesty step by step, so that he can't avoid it and give an explanation to the Wuning Marquisate."
Su Qianqian said softly.
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