Jiuxi

Chapter 774 [Cold Night Wind]

In the eyes of the important ministers, Qing Yu Huaijin's actions were undoubtedly intended to reassure the emperor and prevent the situation from suddenly deteriorating.

The emperor's injury was an unforeseen accident. Although he temporarily appeared calm and rational as usual after the injury, no one could guarantee whether the emperor's temperament would change drastically as a result.

When people feel threatened, they may take extreme actions.

Before the middle-aged scholar detonated the gunpowder on his body, the emperor had absolute control over the current situation. However, as he was seriously injured, danger would arise, and the greatest danger would be the Prince of Changshan, who was known as the military god of Dajing.

Looking at the whole court and the country, the only one who was qualified and capable of threatening the safety of imperial power was Qing Yugong.

Qing Yu Huaijin thought of this. She was afraid that the emperor would be angry and ignore everything, so she took the initiative to request to enter the palace to take care of the emperor, using herself as a hostage.

Even though she might not be that important, at least it could be used to show Qing Yu's obedience.

Moreover, in the past ten years or so, the emperor's attitude towards her was no different from that towards his own daughter. There were even gossipers in the community who secretly discussed whether Qing Yu Huaijin was really a princess.

Considering this factor, Qing Yu Huaijin's request to accompany the emperor was not strange.

Emperor Jing obviously understood this, so he agreed with a little relief.

However, looking at the emperor's deep gaze, Qing Yu Huaijin vaguely understood that the other party not only knew her superficial intentions, but also knew her hidden thoughts.

On the one hand, she wanted to prevent the emperor from taking action against Qing Yu, and on the other hand, she wanted to take the opportunity to find out how serious the emperor's injuries were.

Just when Qing Yu Huaijin was secretly worried, Emperor Jing turned around and said, "Zhao Qing's family."

Shangshu Ling Zhao Siwen immediately bowed and said, "I am here."

Emperor Jing said expressionlessly: "Draft an edict to order Gu Xin and Mie Gu Di to march towards the border of Dai State and maintain a pressure posture. If the Dai army dares to go out of the city to fight, let them teach them a lesson. If the enemy holds the city to the death, do not attack rashly."

Zhao Siwen responded: "I obey your order."

Emperor Jing continued, "Draft another decree. Order Nan Yong to lead his troops back to Dadu. Order Shan Yang to stay behind as the garrison commander of Nanjing Road. Be responsible for the defense of Tongbai and Nanjing City. Do not give the Qi army any chance. Wu Yanshu will return to the capital immediately. I will appoint him to another position."

Zhao Siwen agreed again.

The ministers thought about it and gradually understood the intention of the two imperial edicts.

It is an obvious fact that the Dai State is ready to make a move. Now that civil strife has really occurred in Dajing and the emperor has been injured, there is no guarantee that they will not stir up trouble. At this time, the Northwest Border Army and the Xiashan Army that have been transferred there must not show weakness. On the contrary, they must deter the other side with a tough attitude.

However, the situation in the south is different. The Qi army suffered heavy losses in the previous battle and also needs to recover. The Jing army only needs to hold the defense line. As the commander of the Dingbai army, Shanyang is qualified to take over the post of garrison. Letting Wu Yanshu return to Dadu means that the emperor will focus on the interior first.

After making these arrangements, Emperor Jing closed his eyes tiredly.

Tian Jue understood what he meant and asked the eunuchs to bring the imperial sedan chair. Then, surrounded by the Hezha warriors and elite soldiers, the princes, civil and military officials, and Jinglian nobles followed behind the sedan chair, and the emperor drove away to the south.

Before the team reached the outskirts of the hunting ground, several riders came riding in, led by none other than Changshan Prince Qing Yugong.

Some dignitaries couldn't help but become nervous.

Qing Yugong looked at the warriors of Hezha who were ready for battle, and the worried expression of Qing Yuhuaijin beside the imperial carriage. When he was still five or six feet away from the imperial carriage, he bowed and said loudly: "Your Majesty, the rebels have been defeated. Generals Heihan and Alegan are leading their troops to wipe out the remaining defeated soldiers. Fortunately, I have fulfilled my mission."

"Thank you for your hard work, Prince."

The calm voice of Emperor Jing came from the imperial carriage. He did not sound like a seriously injured person, but the next moment, Emperor Jing said, "Just now, I was injured by an assassin using gunpowder. I wonder what the prince thinks?"

Qing Yugong frowned and looked solemn, and immediately replied: "Your Majesty is the Emperor of Dajing, so you will naturally be blessed with good fortune and a long life."

"As the Duke said, since the situation has been decided, please follow me back to the capital."

"The minister obeys the order."

After a brief conversation, Qing Yugong joined the group of officials with a serious expression, seemingly worried about the emperor's injuries.

From beginning to end, he never went to see Qing Yu Huai Jin again, nor did he ask why his daughter was following the imperial chariot.

As the sun sets, the majestic Dadu comes into view.

At this moment, the ministers suddenly saw that there was a cavalry unit coming up in front of them. It was the emperor's personal loyal army, with about 10,000 people.

They made way for the emperor's carriage to pass, and then followed behind to continue guarding it.

When they arrived in Dadu, they were shocked to find that the city had already been under martial law, with the emperor's dragon flag and the flags of the Xiejie Army flying on the city walls.

The city gates were wide open, and the general defending the city rode out on his horse, personally leading the imperial chariot into the city.

The journey was as solid as a rock and not a single leak could escape from it.

The ministers could not help but sigh inwardly that the emperor had indeed calculated people's hearts. If it were not for the middle-aged scholar Du Weizhen who died for his cause, no one would be able to shake the emperor's majesty after today.

There was a guard post every three steps and a sentry every five steps in the city. Everywhere in sight were elite soldiers loyal to the emperor. It was not until the imperial carriage entered the palace that the ministers breathed a sigh of relief.

Qing Yugong looked at his daughter who followed the imperial carriage into the palace with a calm and composed expression.

"Father."

Qing Yuzhongwang came over, speaking in a low voice with a guilty look on his face.

Qing Yugong turned his head and glanced at him, and said calmly: "Huai Jin's choice is correct and timely, but you don't have to feel guilty. After all, His Majesty treats you well. If you dare to make a request like Huai Jin, His Majesty will definitely kill you."

Qing Yuzhongwang's heart shuddered.

Qing Yugong turned around and walked away, saying softly: "Let's go back to the palace. His Majesty is seriously injured. He will not continue to force me for the time being. Huai Jin is safe in the palace." Although he still didn't understand, Qing Yuzhongwang could only bow his head and said: "Yes, father."

The news of the emperor's assassination was not covered up and spread throughout the city the next day. It was not just a rumor circulated privately.

Emperor Jing directly issued an imperial edict to inform the people of the process of how the traitor in Southern Qi instigated rebellion and then risked his life to assassinate. Some details were not made public, but the result that the emperor's body was fine and only needed to recuperate for a period of time reassured most people.

Although undercurrents are inevitable, at least on the surface the city can still maintain a peaceful state.

As night falls, there is a remote and deserted place behind the palace.

This is the secluded path.

In a simple room, there was a dim light on the table. The Fourth Prince Hai Ge looked haggard. He stared blankly at the faint flame, ignoring the soldiers who were guarding him closely.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open, and several people came in with candles, instantly making the light in the room very bright.

The Fourth Prince remained unmoved, but the next moment he turned his head sharply, looked at the wheelchair that appeared at the door, and the middle-aged man sitting in the wheelchair, hurriedly stood up and knelt, and said in panic: "Father."

The wheelchair was pushed into the house, and Tian Jue and Jiao Lu stood solemnly on the left and right.

"Keep your head up."

When the voice of Emperor Jing reached his ears, the Fourth Prince looked up nervously, and saw that his father, who was unrivaled in his memory, now looked pale and exhausted, with almost no blood in his eyes.

Only one day and one night had passed since the assassination at the hunting ground, but Emperor Jing seemed to have aged a lot.

"Father..."

The Fourth Prince was frightened and ashamed, and was speechless for a moment.

Emperor Jing held his hands in front of his abdomen, looked at his son who was kneeling on the ground, and suddenly he started coughing uncontrollably.

Tian Jue said worriedly, "Your Majesty, do you want to summon the imperial physician?"

Emperor Jing shook his head, looked at the Fourth Prince and said, "You are my son. Although you have committed many serious crimes, I have thought about giving you a chance. What the middle-aged scholar said before his death was right. Among my sons, Nalan and you are both very talented. It's a pity that you didn't use your intelligence in the right way."

The fourth prince heard that the emperor was softening his tone, and he quickly said, "Father, I know I was wrong. I beg you to take away my title. From now on, I don't want anything, I just want to serve you and show my filial piety."

The corner of Emperor Jing's mouth twitched slightly, and he said, "I have indeed thought about this."

Hope welled up in the fourth prince's eyes, and his hands trembled slightly involuntarily.

Emperor Jing changed the subject and said, "We Jinglian people rose up in a cold and bitter land. We don't value propriety and righteousness like the Qi people. I promoted the Qi people's culture just to defeat them with their methods. After all, the Jinglian people have great flaws in this aspect of the system. The Jinglian people worship strength in their bones and sometimes they can do anything. So if you can kill Nalan under my nose and take the throne from me, it will prove that you are stronger than me and you can fulfill my last wish."

"If you can really do this, I will be very pleased."

The fourth prince only felt his hands and feet were a little cold.

Emperor Jing stared into his eyes and continued, "Now I am seriously injured, there are many tigers and wolves outside, and the weakness of the royal family is gradually revealed. This is a very dangerous moment. If I were not injured, maybe you would still have a chance, but now if you live one more day, the crisis of Dajing will be aggravated. Do you understand?"

The Fourth Prince opened his mouth slightly and his face was as pale as snow.

Under the bright candlelight, the father and son are in similar yet completely different states.

"Father, you want to kill me?"

After a long while, the Fourth Prince finally managed to squeeze out a few words with great difficulty.

Emperor Jing did not answer, but only said: "You are like a stupid wild deer, and now you have become the target of many people with ill intentions. If you don't die, they will use your name to stir up trouble. This is bound to happen."

"You are my son. I don't want to see you beheaded in front of the world, so I had you imprisoned yesterday. Brother Hai, I can forgive many of your mistakes, but I cannot watch you continue to be a pawn in the hands of others and threaten the foundation that our ancestors worked so hard to build."

"And I must give an explanation to Nalan and the people of Dajing."

"So you have to die."

After Emperor Jing finished speaking, Tian Jue walked forward and placed a small bottle on the table.

The fourth prince looked at it intently, an expression that seemed to be both crying and laughing appeared on his face.

"Give yourself some dignity. I will keep my promise from yesterday and will not wantonly kill anyone."

Emperor Jing took one last look at the Fourth Prince, then turned his head away, and Jiao Lu pushed the wheelchair out.

The night sky is full of stars, but the early autumn night wind is already a bit chilly.

Emperor Jing looked up at the sky. When a wailing sound was heard from the house, and soon after the sound of a body falling to the ground was heard, a trace of pain finally appeared on the emperor's cold face.

"Let's go."

Emperor Jing uttered two words, and his wheelchair moved towards the depths of the night under the protection of a large number of elite Hezha warriors.

Perhaps because of the deep grief in his heart, Emperor Jing suddenly felt dizzy, but he quickly returned to normal, so he didn't take it too seriously.

"This is the path you chose, don't blame me."

Emperor Jing muttered to himself and sighed softly.

(End of this chapter)