The First Great Ancestor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 287 When the chaos is underway

Feng Dao and Su Fengji took a carriage out of the palace, and Liu Chengyou asked Feilong envoy Guo Yunming to lead a group of forbidden troops to escort them.

Both of their residences are located in Xinlingfang next to Zhuquetian Street, close to the Daxiangguo Temple. It is a first-class prosperous area in Kaifeng City, with a large number of powerful and prominent people living nearby.

The carriage was gloomy and the two of them looked at each other speechlessly.

Suddenly, Su Fengji opened the curtains of the car and looked outside, and found that the carriage turned west at Xiangguosi Bridge and headed towards Chongmingmen Inner Street.

"This road is not back to Xinlingfang. Where exactly is Secretary Guo going to take us?" Su Fengji asked in a deep voice.

Feng Dao opened his tired eyes and looked.

Guo Yunming, who was riding beside the carriage, turned to look at him and said with a sly smile: "Xiangong Su and the old master, please be patient. If you are not concerned about what is going on with Guo Wei's mansion, I will take you to see it now."

Feng Dao and Su Fengji looked at each other suspiciously, feeling something was wrong in their hearts.

Guo Yunming ignored the two of them and stepped forward on his horse to signal the convoy to continue moving forward.

As soon as the motorcade passed the Yushitai Yamen, Feng Dao and Su Fengji heard fierce shouts of murder coming from ahead, and they could vaguely see flames burning inside a large mansion.

"That's Situ's Mansion!" Su Fengji was shocked.

Feng Dao's old face instantly turned livid, his dry hands holding the cane trembled slightly, and he sighed deeply.

Guo Yunming smiled sinisterly and ordered the motorcade to stop in front of the gate of Situ Mansion, so that Su Fengji and Feng Dao could clearly see everything happening in this stern mansion through the car window.

The gold-lacquered plaque was filled with arrows, and half of it had been smashed. The vermilion-lacquered door was violently smashed, and the wolf-like Forbidden Army trampled on the door and rushed into the mansion.

There is a screen wall blocking the view, making it impossible to see clearly the tragic situation inside the mansion, but the billowing black smoke rising from the sky above the mansion and the heart-wrenching cries of women and children coming from inside can be concluded that a brutal massacre is taking place. .

Guo Yunming sat high on his horseback, squinting his eyes and watching with relish.

Feng Dao and Su Fengji were frightened and had chills all over their bodies.

One by one, bloody corpses were carried out, including women and children.

There were also several Forbidden Army generals carrying bloody heads and walking on bloody footprints, laughing wildly and walking out of the house, as if they were returning from a victory on the battlefield.

"Those heads should be Guo Wei's sons and nephews. The younger ones are Guo Tong and Guo Xin, and the older ones are Guo Shoujun and Guo Fengchao.
I was lucky enough to see the Guo family before. If they grow up to be adults, they will probably be fierce warriors on the battlefield. It’s a pity. I won’t have that chance~"

Guo Yunming was gloating and laughing, and he and several of his men were talking enthusiastically about the heads thrown casually on the ground.

Su Fengji's eyes turned red and he roared angrily: "Let's go! Let's go now! Get out of here!"

Feng Dao shook his head and sighed, leaning wearily against the carriage, his expression seemed to have aged a lot.

Guo Yunming glanced at Su Fengji and waved lazily: "Let's go and send Mr. Su and the old master back home."

The motorcade moved forward slowly, bypassing Chongming Gate and heading towards Xinlingfang.

"It's over~ It's over~ A disaster is coming"

Su Fengji sat slumped in the carriage, feeling weak all over and murmuring non-stop.

Feng Dao sighed in an extremely fine voice: "It's hateful and sad to be self-destructive without knowing it. Now, it's too late to say anything. Su Xianggong should cheer up and prepare a retreat in advance~"

Su Fengji's face was pale and he smiled sadly: "Guo Wei and I had different political views. Among the ministers, I was the first to take the initiative to serve the government. In order to confront Shi Hongzhao and others, I did not hesitate to rely on Li Ye and others. In Guo Wei's eyes, , I have already formed a party with Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and others, the old grand master still has a way out, and I"

Su Fengji laughed to himself, as if he had already seen what would happen to his family in the near future.

Feng Dao hesitated for a while and then comforted him: "After all, Xianggong Su never actively participated in this matter from beginning to end. If Mr. Guo is questioned in the future, I can testify for you!"

Su Fengji cupped his hands and said with a bitter smile: "Thank you, Grand Master, for your kindness, but chaos is about to break out. Once Yedu soldiers and horses attack Kaifeng, Master Grand Master really thinks that Guo Wei will still have the patience to listen to my explanation?"

"This" Feng Dao was speechless and sighed helplessly.

"That's all, the matter has come to this. Su has no other thoughts. If the government still uses me, I will do my best to be loyal and do my best. If things cannot be violated in the future, Su Fengji would rather commit suicide than live in the world and be insulted by others."

Su Fengji managed to gather some energy, and bowed solemnly to Feng Dao: "Old Master, take this very seriously, and you and I will say goodbye! Su takes leave!"

Feng Dao opened his mouth to say something, but found that he couldn't say anything. He could only smile bitterly and said: "Mr. Su, take care!"

Su Fengji nodded gloomily, stepped out of the carriage, and was escorted by two Forbidden Army officers back to the Prime Minister's Mansion.

The carriage started to turn slowly again, and one block further on was Feng Dao's mansion.

Feng Dao watched Su Fengji's lonely back disappear into the gate of the mansion, and sighed heavily.

The old man's originally cloudy and hazy eyes became clear and translucent little by little, and his deep eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the world and people's hearts.

In the carriage, I could only hear the old man murmuring to himself: "You will not live if you do it yourself~ Chen Tuan's stinky nose is indeed right, destiny is not in Liu Han. Is destiny really in Yedu? Alas~ I am safe. It’s been three years since the world has changed again. It’s hard for me to stop calming down even after reaching the age of seventy.
That’s all, let’s find an opportunity to escape from Kaifeng first, and then come back when the situation stabilizes.”

~~~
Imperial Palace Harem, Funing Hall.

Empress Dowager Li, wearing a plain dress, came in a hurry, followed closely by her confidant eunuch Zhang Gui.

Empress Dowager Li's face was haggard, with lingering gloom and worry between her brows.

In front of the Xinuan Pavilion of Funing Hall, Nie Wenjin led several inner palace guards and eunuchs to stop Queen Mother Li.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. The officials are discussing military and state affairs with important ministers. The officials have said that the Queen Mother should go back to the palace first. The officials will visit her later." Nie Wenjin bowed and said with a flattering smile.

Empress Dowager Li's eyes were cold and she shouted sternly: "Get out of the way! The Ai family wants to see the emperor now!"

Nie Wenjin was hunched over, with a troubled look on his face: "The official has strictly ordered me to wait here for the Queen Mother, and no unrelated people are allowed to enter. If I neglect my duty, I will be blamed by the officials, and I'm afraid I will be punished. I beg the Queen Mother." Be magnanimous and don’t make it difficult for someone to get down from office.”

Empress Dowager Li had no intention of listening to his ramblings and shouted angrily: "Zhang Gui escorts the Ai family into the palace!"

Zhang Gui quickly stepped forward to block Empress Dowager Li, and led several eunuchs serving in Kunning Palace to surround Empress Dowager Li, trying to get past Nie Wenjin and rush into Nuan Pavilion.

Nie Wenjin hurriedly said: "Stop them!"

Several brightly-armored guards and two fat-headed eunuchs stood in a row, blocking Queen Mother Li's way.

Zhang Gui rushed forward and pushed hard, shouting in a high-pitched voice: "You are so brave! How dare you use violence to the Queen Mother?"

It's a pity that Zhang Gui is thin and weak, no matter how hard he exerts his breastfeeding strength, he can't push those guards and fat eunuchs.

During the stalemate, Liu Chengyou appeared in front of Nuan Pavilion and said in a deep voice: "How can you be rude to the Queen Mother? Why don't you step aside!" Nie Wenjin hurriedly gestured to disperse the guards and eunuchs, and trotted to his master's side. , and complained a few words in a low voice.

Liu Chengyou nodded and motioned for him to retreat.

"My son, I have met my mother."

Before Liu Chengyou could greet him, Empress Dowager Li stepped forward in a hurry and said in panic: "Did you send troops to break into Situ's mansion?"

Liu Chengyou glanced at Zhang Gui coldly. Only this ignorant eunuch dared to reveal the affairs inside and outside the palace to the Queen Mother.

Zhang Gui lowered his head, pretending to be frightened, but his eyes were very calm.

He knew very well that his only support in the palace was the queen mother, not the emperor and Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and others around him.

As long as the Queen Mother is here, no matter what happens, the Queen Mother will save his life.

Zhang Gui was very clear-headed about who he should die for.

At this point, there is nothing to hide. Liu Chengyou said straightforwardly: "Originally, I planned to tell my mother about this matter during dinner. Since my mother already knows about it, I won't say more."

Empress Dowager Li said anxiously: "Your Majesty, you are so confused! Since you got rid of Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bing and other traitors, why do you still want to implicate Guo Wei? Guo Wei had a close relationship with the late emperor and was loyal to you. Why did you want to arrest his children? ? What's more, Guo Wei is currently in Yedu, commanding the troops of Hebei and defending the country against the Khitans. How could you stab him in the back and do such an unkind and unjust act?

If Guo Wei's family members were in trouble, how could he let it go?Strong troops are gathering in Hebei. Once they go south, Kaifeng will be in danger and the country will be in danger! "

Liu Chengyou said impatiently: "Mother, there is no need to panic, my sons and ministers have already prepared a complete countermeasure! If Guo Wei dares to raise his troops to go south, then it will be confirmed that he, Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin and other rebels are against the party!"
How can a mere rebel minister command the troops of Hebei?Even if Guo Wei really leads the rebellion, he still has Jiao Jixun, Wang Shouen, Wu Qianyu, Murong Yanchao, Hou Yi and other loyal ministers and generals at his disposal. Are we still afraid that Guo Wei will fail?

What’s more, Guo Wei’s whole family is gone, so it’s meaningless for the mother to say this now.”

Queen Mother Li's eyes suddenly opened wide, her face full of horror, and her whole body trembled: "What do you mean by this?"

Liu Chengyou snorted coldly, turned his head and said nothing.

Li Ye, who had been huddled by the palace door, popped his head up and said with a smile: "Half an hour ago, Situ's Mansion was breached, and all the men, women, old and children in the mansion who rebelled against the Party were killed! Three days after the corpses were exposed in Nanbei City, Buried outside the city."

"what!?"

Empress Dowager Li felt like she was struck by lightning. Her body went limp and she was about to fall to the ground. Zhang Gui's eyes were quick and his hands were quick to help her!
"Queen Mother!" "Queen Mother!"

Liu Chengyou, Li Ye and others were startled and swarmed forward.

Empress Dowager Li held Zhang Gui's arm tightly and tried her best to hold him up so as not to collapse to the ground. She pointed at Liu Chengyou with trembling hands and could not say a word for a long time.

A pair of red eyes were full of disappointment, shock, remorse. Many emotions were intertwined.

Liu Chengyou wanted to extend his hand to help, but Queen Mother Li pushed him away angrily. With Zhang Gui's help, she got on the carriage and returned to Kunning Palace.

Liu Chengyou looked a little ugly as he watched the Queen Mother drive away.

Li Ye remonstrated in a low voice: "The Queen Mother has been deceived by Guo Wei for many years. It is normal for her to be confused for a while. The officials do not need to worry about it. When the officials wipe out the rebels and announce Guo Wei's crimes to the world, after a while, the Queen Mother will lose her temper. , it’s not too late for the official to go and see her again. The official and the Queen Mother are mother and son. Mother and son have a deep love, and there is no knot that cannot be resolved."

Liu Chengyou nodded, feeling a lot more comfortable after hearing what he said.

"Where are Meng Ye and Yan Tuo?" Liu Chengyou asked in a deep voice.

Nie Wenjin said hurriedly: "Meng Ye has rushed to Chanzhou and should have crossed the Wuzhang River by now. Yantuo rushed to Yedu with a secret order and has now arrived in Weizhou."

Liu Chengyou's narrow eyes looked at the dazzling golden glazed roof of the Long Live Hall due south, and he said in a low voice: "From today on, Kaifeng will be under martial law, and the number of palace guards will be doubled. The four of you will be on duty in rotation, and no mistakes can be made!"

Li Ye, Nie Wenjin, Guo Yunming and Houzan all bowed down to receive the decree.

~~~
Li Hongyi, the Jiedushi of Chanzhou, has been suffering from severe eyelid twitching recently and often cannot sleep at night. He is not in a good state of mind and always looks tired.

Li Hongyi has a timid temperament, but his greatest advantage is his self-awareness.

He knew that he was not capable, and the reason why he was able to become Jiedushi was entirely because he and Empress Dowager Li were cousins ​​and were related to the emperor's relatives.

Li Hongyi is very satisfied with his current life, enjoying himself peacefully. He has no further ideas about his powerful official position. He just wants to stay in Chanzhou and retire safely.

Wang Yin, the infantry commander of the guards, came to Chanzhou and partnered with Li Hongyi in charge of the transportation of money and grain, responsible for supplying military supplies to the Hebei army.

According to the rules, Li Hongyi is the chief and Wang Yin is the deputy.

However, Li Hongyi calmly handed over everything and the power of soldiers, horses, money and food to Wang Yin, and he hid aside and was happy.

Li Hongyi couldn't take care of it even if he didn't want to. Soldiers, horses, money and food were related to the safety of the Hebei army. He didn't want to offend Guo Wei and the generals of Yedu because of his negligence.

Cousins ​​Li Ye and Guo Wei were equally powerful, but Li Hongyi felt that Guo Wei was a good man and had great military achievements and was highly respected, so he respected him quite a bit.

On this day, Li Hongyi got up early, had breakfast and listened to music for a while. He felt a little bored and planned to go for a walk around the rear army camp to inspect how the money and grain reserve work was going.

An old servant at home suddenly came to report that an envoy from the imperial court had arrived and wanted to see him immediately.

Li Hongyi was startled and hurried to the front hall to greet him.

A man dressed as an ordinary warrior with a somewhat ferocious face stood up and said: "The enshrined official Mengye has seen the envoy!"

Li Hongyi hurriedly helped him up and took a look at him. He knew this person. He had met him several times at his cousin Li Ye's house when he returned to Kaifeng and knew that he was a confidant promoted by Li Yexin.

"Meng Gongfeng arrived unexpectedly, please forgive me for my poor hospitality!" Li Hongyi smiled and asked him to take a seat politely.

"I wonder why Meng Zongfeng came here this time to do something important?"

Li Hongyi's face was full of concern, "Is there something going on in the court, or does the uncle have any orders?"

Meng Ye looked at the old servant next to Li Hongyi, clasped his fists and said, "This matter is confidential, please ask Jun Ping to step back."

Li Hongyi smiled and nodded, signaling the old servant to leave.

"Meng Zongfeng has something to do, but it's okay to say it."

Meng Ye took off his baggage, took out a brocade box, and took out a yellow silk secret edict from the brocade box.

"The official secret edict, please envoy you to accept it!"

(End of this chapter)