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Chapter 663: Storm (II)

In fact, everyone in the court knew about Zheng Chen's defection.

Due to Empress Dowager Zheng, no one mentioned it in public.

How Zheng Chen will be dealt with in the future and whether the Zheng family will be implicated depends on the attitude of Empress Zhaoping.

Duke Anguo has been recovering from illness, and the Zheng family has voluntarily stayed indoors. Zheng Chen's wife Fan Jianing has also been missing, and outsiders have no idea how Fan Jianing is doing.

Jiang Shaohua naturally knew about this. Empress Dowager Zheng had mentioned the Zheng family's current plight and misery to her more than once. After learning that Zheng Chen and Jiang Yi had conspired to rebel, Fan Jianing fell seriously ill and relied on medicine to prolong his life every day.

I wonder if General Fan’s letter can rekindle Fan Jianing’s will to survive.

Thinking of Fan Jianing, Jiang Shaohua felt a little complicated.

In her previous life, Fan Jianing was a beautiful woman with a tragic fate. She died during childbirth. She closed her eyes before she turned 20.

In this life, Fan Jianing had been married into the Zheng family for less than half a year, and she hadn't even conceived a child yet, when Zheng Chen had this incident. This was undoubtedly a fatal blow to Fan Jianing, who was obsessed with her husband.

Zheng Chen, who was too ambitious and unscrupulous, deserved to die. Fan Jianing knew nothing and did nothing, but the couple was one. How could Zheng Chen's guilt not affect Fan Jianing?

"Princess... Your Majesty," Jiang Shaohua had just ascended the throne, and people around him would occasionally make mistakes and call out the old name: "Should we send someone to find out what's going on in the backyard of Anguo Mansion?"

Jiang Shaohua said calmly: "No need."

Chen Jinyu said no more and turned to report other matters.

After a while, Chen Changshi and Wang Zhongshuling also entered the Zhaohe Hall. Jiang Shaohua gave General Fan's letter to Chen Changshi.

From Jiang Shaohua's casual actions, it can be seen how much she trusts and respects Chen Changshi.

Wang Jin on the side tactfully kept his distance, secretly envious in his heart, and did not look around.

This letter can be regarded as General Fan's "letter of surrender". After reading it, Chen Changshi smiled happily and said: "It seems that the border troops are also very safe. The emperor can rest assured."

Jiang Shaohua also smiled: "General Fan has always been a loyal and good general, and I have never doubted him." Then, he turned to Wang Jin and said: "Come and take a look at General Fan's letter."

Wang Jin was a little flattered, and was about to say something modest and refute, when he heard the Empress say with a smile: "Don't employ people you doubt, and don't doubt people you employ. I trust you."

There is no need to talk about any love affairs between men and women. Just the magnanimity of Jiang Shaohua as a superior is enough to impress the subjects.

A sudden warmth surged through Wang Jin's heart. He bowed and thanked the emperor for his grace. He solemnly took the letter from Chen Changshi and read it carefully.

Chen Sheren secretly winked at Chen Changshi, but Chen Changshi remained silent and signaled Chen Sheren to be serious with his eyes.

Things are different now. In the past, in the Nanyang Palace, there were only a few ministers coming and going, and the princess didn't follow any rules, so Chen Jinyu didn't mind being casual. Now the princess has ascended the throne and become the emperor of Daliang, and Chen Jinyu has also become the emperor's servant of the sixth rank. I don't know how many eyes are staring at the emperor, and as the emperor's servant, Chen Jinyu has to pay special attention to his words and deeds.

Chen Jinyu was glared at by his grandfather, and immediately lowered his head to observe his mind. He was still thinking about a question in his mind. Does the emperor really trust Wang Zhongshu Ling so much?
Aren’t you afraid that Wang Jin has other intentions?
Chen Changshi has been in charge of the personnel of the Wang Mansion for decades, and he is much more experienced than his granddaughter. Prime Minister Wang is still in office, but the Prime Minister's Party in the court has been split into two, most of whom follow the lead of Wang Zhongshu Ling. A small part of them are gradually moving closer to Zhang Shangshu. Jiang Shaohua's strategy of winning over Wang Jin is indeed a wise one. On the one hand, it can maintain the stability of the court, and on the other hand, it can also suppress the restless Zhang Shangshu and others.

For example, now that Jiang Shaohua had the support of Empress Dowager Zheng, the officials in the court who were in the Empress Dowager's camp felt at ease.

The succession of the throne is a major event in the country and is no joke. Only when the court is stable can the people be stable.

Once people's hearts are scattered and in chaos, the shock will spread rapidly to all prefectures and counties in Daliang, starting from the capital. Will the garrisons in various places rebel? Will bandits become rampant? Once chaos breaks out, how much will it cost to restore stability?

Killing is of course satisfying, one stroke of the knife means a head. But there are too many people with disloyalty, and it is impossible to kill them all. The purpose of strong military force is to have a stronger deterrent effect. All government affairs must be taken care of one by one, and people's hearts must be slowly won over.

The right balance of power depends on the ability and means of the person in power. If sitting on the dragon throne could make all the ministers bow their heads in respect, Emperor Taikang would not have been sidelined by the powerful ministers, and Emperor Taihe would not have died so miserably.

After a while, Wang Jin finished reading the letter and pondered for a moment. His first question was: "General Fan did not mention Zheng Chen in the letter. It seems that Zheng Chen did not escape to the border army."

Wang Jin and Zheng Chen grew up together and know Zheng Chen very well. Zheng Chen will never be willing to hide in obscurity and will make a scene sooner or later.

Originally, he secretly guessed that Zheng Chen's biggest possibility was to flee to the border and seek refuge with General Fan, or even to persuade General Fan to start a rebellion.

Now, judging from this letter, Zheng Chen did not go to the border army at all.

So where did Zheng Chen escape to?
Jiang Shaohua's eyes turned cold, and he said coldly: "I have sent people to Xingyang County to look for Zheng Chen's whereabouts."

Xingyang County is the ancestral home of the Zheng family. The Zheng family is very powerful in Xingyang County and is a local tyrant. Zheng Chen may be hiding somewhere in Xingyang County.

In fact, the best way is to let the Ministry of Justice issue a wanted order and have local government offices search for the person in a big way. However, in this way, the Zheng family's fig leaf will be completely torn off.

If Jiang Shaohua wants to stabilize Empress Dowager Zheng, he has to make appropriate concessions on this matter.

Wang Jin knew the intricacies of this, so he didn't say much. He thought for a moment and said, "If we want to find Zheng Chen's whereabouts, we still have to start with the Zheng family. Your Majesty has to consider the dignity of the Empress Dowager, so it is not convenient to force the Zheng family. I am willing to share your worries and go to the Zheng family to explain the pros and cons to the Duke of Anguo."

Zheng Chen fled in a hurry, and the only people who fled out of the capital with him were five personal guards, including Peng Sihai, who were in the palace that day.

These guards were all members of the Zheng family, and their families were still with the Zheng family. Maybe someone would send a letter back while they were on the run.

Jiang Shaohua looked over approvingly: "Alright, I'll trouble Secretary Wang to go to Zheng's house."

As the successor of Prime Minister Wang, a close minister of the emperor, it is indeed appropriate for Wang Jin to put some pressure on the Zheng family.

Wang Jin accepted the order seriously.

Chen Sheren suddenly felt a heavy pressure on his shoulders.

This Wang Zhongshu Ling was familiar with the court affairs, had a quick mind and swift response, and looked like a loyal and capable minister. She had to actively improve herself, otherwise, if things continued like this, she, the emperor's servant, would really be reduced to a menial job of serving tea, delivering water, running errands and delivering messages.

……