44 Chaos broke out in the city
"Since you want the Crown Prince's life so badly, then go and take it yourself."
It was the middle of the night, only a day after Shen Suqin had been arrested and rescued.
The night wind howled, and the candlelight in the general's study was dim.
Shen Suqin lay on the table, wrote down the message about troop deployment in the secret code unique to Xingyuan Restaurant, and then summoned Ju Tao.
"The general wants to use our route to send 10,000 Black Flag troops south. Can you help arrange it?" Shen Suqin said to Ju Tao. "All military supplies for this trip will be provided by Xingyuan Restaurant along the way, and they can be charged to my account."
Ju Tao frowned; this was the first time she had shown any sign of distress.
"What's wrong?" Shen Suqin asked.
“We’ve had a lot of expenses lately. To be honest, your account alone might not be enough to cover the marching expenses of 10,000 men.”
"Um?"
"Sister Qin, have you forgotten that the 300,000 shi of grain, 100,000 taels of silver per month, and tens of millions of taels of silver used to leverage Jinyunfang's funds were all drawn from branches in various places?"
"Although the expenses at Jinyunfang were just a passing expense, they have alerted the managers in various places. This time, heading south from the northern border, we will pass through more than a hundred branches along the way, which may not be easy to handle."
To put it bluntly, Xingyuan Restaurant has money, but it can't withstand Shen Suqin's endless spending.
Especially since this kind of consumption is a losing proposition.
They are businessmen, and Shen Suqin has his own people to support. If they add more people like this, then everyone will be out of luck.
“I understand. Let’s leave it for now and see if they really can’t get enough to eat. Anyway, they’ve been given food and pay, so they can’t just head south without anything.”
"I think so too."
"Then it's settled. The situation is still unclear, and the Black Flag Army needs to arrive as soon as possible, lest things change."
"I understand. I'll go out and take care of it myself. There won't be any problems."
"good."
Meanwhile, on the other side, Princess Changtai and Shen Suqiu were both at the Pei residence. Also present at the Pei residence were Marquis Anping and his son, Feng Sanhe, Finance Commissioner Yang Kan, Prime Minister Pei, Pei Tingfeng, and a group of noble families. Dozens of people sat in the Pei residence's council hall, where charcoal fires burned brightly.
"His Majesty means that the Crown Prince is ignorant and should be punished lightly as a warning, but in my opinion, the Crown Prince has grand ambitions. It is said that he has been in close contact with that group of upright officials," said Prime Minister Pei.
The so-called "pure stream" refers to those in the court who come from humble backgrounds and rise to prominence solely through their talent. They are the ones who actually do the work, because someone always has to do the dirty, tiring, and tedious jobs.
Marquis Anping said, "What's the use? The Crown Prince is under house arrest right now, so they won't dare to say a word. If you ask me, we should strike first to avoid any unforeseen complications."
"Is the Marquis afraid that military power will fall into the wrong hands, and he's just one step away from it?" Feng Sanhe said.
Marquis Anping sneered, "So what if it is? You already have the Central Army under your command, you can't still be thinking about that Black Flag Army."
"Who wouldn't covet it? You know, the Black Flag Army was famous back then, and it was said that each of them was worth ten men. If someone could hold onto it, wouldn't they be able to walk sideways in the court?"
"Xiao Pingchuan has it in his hand, do you see him walking sideways now?"
"Gentlemen," Shen Suqiu suddenly spoke up, "we are here today to discuss matters concerning those from humble backgrounds, so let's not chat idly."
"Tsk, you little brat." Feng Sanhe said unhappily.
Pei Tingfeng stepped across to block his view of Shen Suqiu, and said, "General, let's get down to business."
Feng Sanhe persisted, "Why would we need a woman to discuss matters?"
“Miss Shen is a student of Master Zhan Boyan, and those scholars greatly admire her,” Pei Tingfeng said.
"What's the use? I heard that the person who caused this mess was Ji Weiya's student. Isn't he more powerful than you?"
Shen Suqiu was so angry that her face turned pale. "If General Feng takes a fancy to her, he might as well snatch her away from General Xiao."
"you!"
“Alright,” Pei Xiang said at the right moment, “Suqiu, you can go down now.”
Shen Suqiu looked at Princess Changtai and saw her gently shake her head. Even though she was unwilling, she had no choice but to restrain herself and obediently said, "Yes, Prime Minister."
After the Qingtan Society at Yinshan Residence, her status at the Imperial Academy declined day by day. All those who approached her were inquiring about Shen Suqin. Jinyunfang was also lost under her watch. Although she eventually sold it for a large sum of money, it was still a humiliating defeat.
I should have killed her the moment she entered the capital.
If we want to touch her again, we have to take down Xiao Pingchuan and even the Crown Prince first. It's true that if we're slow on one step, we'll be slow on every step.
After Shen Suqiu left, Prime Minister Pei continued, "I called you all here today to make it clear that some people are trying to shake the power of the aristocratic families. At this time, we should stand together so that we can protect what we deserve."
"Do not listen to slanderous words that say 'a new emperor brings a new court,' which is useless. As long as the powerful families remain, it doesn't matter who comes to power. Do you all understand?"
Everyone nodded. Even His Highness the Crown Prince was on the verge of collapse, so how could they dare to have any other thoughts?
“The Crown Prince’s heart is no longer with us. We must select a new successor from His Majesty’s collateral branches as soon as possible. Once a new successor is chosen, we must force the Crown Prince to abdicate immediately.”
“I think we can’t wait. We should deal with the Crown Prince first,” Marquis Anping insisted. “After all, the Crown Prince is His Majesty’s only flesh and blood. If he doesn’t die, His Majesty may not be willing to hand over the country to a collateral branch.”
“I disagree. What if we anger His Highness and he sends the Black Flag Army south in a fit of rage?” Feng Sanhe said.
“The sky is high and the land is far, how could those people fly over?” Marquis Anping said, “You’ve probably been scared out of your wits by Xiao Pingchuan.”
Feng Sanhe placed one hand on the hilt of his sword. "What does Marquis Anping mean by this?"
"It's nothing, just a joke."
“Since the Crown Prince cannot be kept, then Shen Suqin cannot be kept either,” Princess Changtai suddenly said. “It is because of her that the poor families have become so skeptical. This woman is more useful dead than alive.”
Pei Xiang glanced over indifferently, "She is Xiao Pingchuan's woman. If you have the ability to kill her, I won't stop you."
He also found this woman troublesome. Originally, they didn't need to break ties with the Crown Prince. As long as they killed Shen Suqin and quelled the disputes among the commoners, they could still live in peace.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they arrested the man, the Crown Prince pointed his finger at them and berated them, and someone with ulterior motives spread the news.
Now those peasants thought that besides this woman, they also had the crown prince as their backer, so they made an even bigger fuss.
Princess Changtai's face turned ashen. If she couldn't kill Shen Suqin, why was she wasting her time sitting here?
"So you're just going to let her go like this?" she asked.
“The Crown Prince has fallen. How long can Xiao Pingchuan hold on? Don’t be too anxious. We have to deal with things one by one,” Prime Minister Pei said. “As for Lord Yang, you must guard the national treasury. The Black Flag Army’s supplies must be cut off. Only in this way can we stop them in the north.”
"Yes, my lord."
"Then the Crown Prince..." Marquis Anping was still unwilling to give up.
Pei Xiang glanced at him and said, "Since you want the Crown Prince's life so badly, then go and take it yourself. But remember, whether you succeed or fail is none of our business."
“But,” Marquis Anping could see that he wanted to reap the benefits without sowing, but this was the closest he could get to the command of the Black Flag Army, and he couldn’t let it go. “My household is short-handed. Could the Prime Minister help me?”
“General Feng.” Prime Minister Pei looked at Feng Sanhe.
Feng Sanhe nodded and said to Marquis Anping, "Your son has troops under his command, so use them."
Marquis Anping thought to himself, Wei Xun has the Jishi Battalion under his command, three thousand men are enough.
"It's just killing two people, don't bring too many, otherwise it will make us too conspicuous," Pei Ruhai said.
"Then I'll take two thousand men."
"Can."
Heavy snow fell, covering the capital city in a silver-white blanket. Beneath the pristine white snow, undercurrents surged.
That winter, everyone in the court knew that chaos was bound to break out in the capital, but no one expected that the first place to fall into chaos would be an inconspicuous village of refugees outside the city.
Initially, the heavy snow collapsed the roofs, and the refugees, having no way to save themselves, ran to the city guards for help.
To everyone's surprise, the city guards not only failed to offer any assistance, but also took advantage of the chaos to rob people of their property and even caused several deaths.
The refugees rose up in rebellion, killing the city guards overnight, breaking through the city gates, and storming the capital.
The city's guards, belatedly realizing the danger, hastily and disheveledly engaged the enemy, only to be defeated by the unarmed refugees.
Chaos erupted in the city.
Marquis Anping seized the opportunity and ordered Wei Xun to bring two thousand soldiers from the Jishe Battalion to surround the Mingde Hall, intending to use the opportunity to kill the Crown Prince and frame the rioting refugees.
Inside the Mingde Hall, a biting wind blew in through the window cracks, lifting the gauze curtains high before slowly lowering them again.
Shi Ye tilted his head slightly and looked at the person in front of him who was backed by the sunlight, seemingly lost in thought.
"Jin'an." The two words were rushed out of Xiao Pingchuan's throat and gently swirled in his ear.
Xiao Pingchuan turned around, "Follow behind me later."
Marquis Anping and his men have been besieging them for more than an hour, yet they are still reluctant to make a move.
The two were not in good communication and were unaware of what was happening outside the city, let alone why Marquis Anping had not yet taken action.
The two sides are deadlocked.
The snow fell silently, and thousands of soldiers of the Jishe Battalion stood outside the hall with murderous intent, their bodies soon covered with a layer of white snow.
A gust of wind rose, and a flurry of snowflakes was blown from mid-air to the palace gate. Amidst the vast expanse of vermilion red, a single white dot suddenly appeared, drifting gently down.
Suddenly, with a creak, the palace doors swung open, the snowflakes were shattered by the turbulent air, and snow spray flew everywhere. Marquis Anping subconsciously closed his eyes.
When he looked again, he saw Xiao Pingchuan, dressed in a black outfit, standing in the middle of the gate without flinching.
His hair was jet black and straight, his eyebrows were straight and slanted, and his dark eyes held a sharp killing intent. He was like an eagle soaring between cliffs, aloof and arrogant yet domineering, exuding an aura of dominance over the world.
"Lord Anping, do you want to rebel?" Xiao Pingchuan asked calmly.
Marquis Anping did not return.
Wei Xun, standing to the side, spoke up: "The refugees in the city are causing trouble. We are here to protect the Crown Prince."
Xiao Pingchuan frowned. Refugee uprising? The matter of the poor families hadn't been sorted out yet, and now there were refugees popping up.
However, he did not press the matter. Since Marquis Anping was unwilling to break off relations, he would continue to pretend. Fortunately, the Black Flag Army had not yet arrived, and the chances of winning by taking action rashly were slim.
“Since you are here to protect the Crown Prince, I hope you will protect him well,” he said, “and not have any improper thoughts.”
Marquis Anping sneered: "The general is right."
"No problem."
Xiao Pingchuan retreated back into the hall and slammed the door shut.
The snowfall intensified, and the sparse sound of falling snow was deafening.
"how?"
Shi Ye came up to him and asked him.
Xiao Pingchuan shook his head. "Our people are mixed in with them, so there's no need to worry."
They had originally assigned a group of their own people to the Imperial Guard, specifically to patrol and guard the imperial city.
How many of them came?
"I can't tell, but there are at least a thousand people in the courtyard," Xiao Pingchuan replied.
More than expected.
"Hmm, but their combat strength is probably not enough," Xiao Pingchuan replied. "There's still a chance."
The inner city's elite archery battalion is mostly selected from the sons of noble families, because it does not require close combat or risk, making it a convenient path to advancement and promotion.
This also means that most of the soldiers in the camp are only mediocre, and there are not many with real skills. Otherwise, how could someone like Wei Xun have become a general?
"When will the 10,000 people heading south arrive at the earliest?"
"Two days later."
Shi Ye sighed softly.
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