Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Feng Ziying sent someone to explain his purpose, but saw the middle door slowly open. Although the lights in the mansion were still bright, it was empty. Except for a few gatekeepers, there was no one to be seen. It was very deserted. He vaguely felt that the once prosperous Dingguo Mansion had reached its end.

Today, he was ordered to exile Jia Cong, and he felt very uncomfortable. After all, they were old friends who had been through life and death together, and he had been supported by Jia Cong. However, the emperor's order was as important as heaven, so he could only be loyal for the time being. He only hoped that Jia Cong would not misjudge the situation and do something irreversible.

Suddenly, there was a "whoosh" sound, and a beam of fire shot up into the sky from the palace. Then with a bang, a huge tiger head pattern exploded in the sky.

Seeing this familiar firework, Feng Ziying's heart trembled. He knew too well what this pattern represented. Could it be that Shao Bao really wanted to rebel? He was suddenly a little flustered, wondering what Jia Cong, Niu Jizong and others were going to do.

Ever since the current emperor promoted his son to take over his father's position and made him the general of Feng Tang, Jia Cong has been a little wary. He knows very well that Feng Ziying has a loyal character and has been blessed by the current emperor, so he is afraid that he may not agree with his ideas.

Although they are still on good terms with each other, he has been secretly excluded from the core circle and all contingency plans are kept from him, for fear that he will be bribed by the current leader and leak secrets.

Today, it is indeed the case. The emperor sent him to convey his will, which is both a trust in him and a test.

Feng Ziying brought a few people in and saw Jia Cong coming up from the ceremonial gate.

"Ziying, I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you?" Jia Cong bowed with a smile.

Feng Ziying smiled bitterly, and said with a bow: "Greetings, Shao Bao, everything is fine. I am here to convey the emperor's order. After Shao Bao receives the order, how about we continue our private friendship?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Of course, the incense table is ready. Please come in."

"please."

Arriving at the main hall, Feng Ziying stood facing south and announced the imperial edict in a dry voice. When he read "demoted to first-class general", he could not help but pause, glanced at Jia Cong, and seeing that he had no expression, he continued reading.

Jia Cong received the decree and stood up and said, "Brother Ziying, His Majesty has demoted me to a first-class general. Does that mean my personal soldiers should be disbanded?"

Feng Ziying secretly swallowed his saliva and said with a stiff face: "It should be so. Please ask the guard to give me the remaining 600 sets of armor and weapons of the personal soldiers. I will leave for the Western Regions in three days to take up my post and make up for my crime.

To be honest, before I left the palace today, I was summoned by His Majesty. The emperor told me personally that you are a rare talent in the country for a hundred years, but you have repeatedly violated the rules because of your youth and frivolity. The emperor is deeply sorry for this and intends to train you so that you can assist the new emperor in the future.

With Shao Bao's talents, it would be easy for him to go to the Western Regions to fight for a few years and accumulate military merits. Then, wouldn't it be easy for him to return to the court and be promoted to a higher position in the future?
The emperor said that he would let you go to the Western Regions for training, and after your term is over, you will return to the capital to be rewarded based on your merits.

Shao Bao, you really don't have to worry. In the past one or two years, you have made many military achievements. It's hard to be rewarded for your great achievements. It's a good thing that you can retire now. You can continue to work hard while you are young. You don't have to worry about not being able to soar to the sky one day."

Jia Cong listened to Feng Ziying's earnest advice and couldn't help laughing up to the sky. He said, "Ziying is right, but he is too naive. I can only lie to you."

Feng Ziying hurriedly asked, "Shao Bao, His Majesty's words are true, could they be false?"

Jia Cong sneered: "There are too many fake things in this world. Do you know what is the most real thing?"

Feng Ziying shook his head.

Jia Cong slowly drew out the precious sword from his waist. The half-foot-long blade shone brightly under the light, and an ice-cold air blew.

"this."

Feng Ziying frowned and said, "Young Master, think twice. His Majesty has no other intentions. Besides, you are the current emperor's son-in-law, and you are born in a duke's mansion. The virtuous concubine is also in the palace. Why do you have to worry about your safety like a mud leg? Don't make a mistake that will last forever..."

Jia Cong raised his hand to interrupt him and said, "Brother Ziying is sincere and I am deeply grateful for your kindness. Well, order someone to come in and take away the armor and weapons of my personal soldiers."

Feng Ziying thought he had changed his mind, and hurriedly said, "Okay. Don't worry, brother Shi, as long as you follow my orders, I promise that no one can hurt you."

Jia Cong laughed and gestured. Zhang Yuanba shouted in the corner: "Assemble the soldiers!"

"Yes, sir!" neat voices came from both sides of the main hall.

Clang, clang, clang! The sound of majestic and orderly footsteps and the clanging of armor plates came from behind, and two rows of personal soldiers came out from the left and right, forming a square formation in front of the main hall.

There were even more fully armed personal soldiers who went out through the Inner Ceremonial Gate, the Inner Third Gate, the Great Hall, and the Ceremonial Gate, forming a series of iron military formations that filled every courtyard.

"This, this..." Feng Ziying was shocked and frightened. Didn't they say that the weapons of Jia Cong's 900 men had been confiscated and his 900 personal soldiers had been disbanded? How come they were still fully equipped and staffed now?

There were more than a thousand people in front of me. Where did they come from? They didn't look like they were going to surrender.

Jia Cong pulled him to the steps, pointed down and said with a smile: "Brother Ziying, what do you think of our army?"

Feng Ziying couldn't help but ask, "Didn't Shao Bao hand in 900 sets of weapons the other day? Why..."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Brother, we are close friends, how could you not guess? Could it be that Cong doesn't even have the money to buy a few more sets of clothes and armor?"

Feng Ziying smiled bitterly. Who could have thought of this? Not even the emperor and the other ministers had thought of this. Everyone had overlooked this detail and thought that everything would be fine after collecting the equipment of the personal soldiers. However, they did not expect that Jia Cong had plenty of money and had already prepared replacements.

At this time, Cheng Lingsu and several personal soldiers had brought out Jia Cong's armor and put it on him. Feng Ziying was in a trance, as if he saw the peerless general who put down Tu Fei's rebellion that day.

Jia Cong glanced at him sideways and said calmly, "Ziying, our two families are old friends. Your father was kind to me in the past, and he asked me to look after you before he died.

There is a change in the capital tonight. I don't ask you to follow me to kill the enemy. As long as you don't help each other, I will accept your kindness. You will have your own benefits in the future. I hope you don't make mistakes. "

Feng Ziying was silent for a moment, then he clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, brother, but I am a tyrant, so how can I not be loyal to you?

I know that you are the bravest among the three armies and that not ordinary people can match you. If you are determined to start a rebellion, please cut off my head first as a sacrifice.

My father was killed by the rebels while protecting the emperor. Today, I was killed by you, my brother. I have repaid the emperor's kindness and have not brought disgrace to my family. Please help me, my brother."

Jia Cong glanced at him and said, "Brother, are you determined? There is no joking in the army, and there is no mercy on the battlefield. When Brother Ruolan died in the battle, Cong was very sad. I really don't want you to repeat the same mistake. Otherwise, how can Cong live up to your father's instructions?"

Feng Ziying smiled and said, "Brother Shi, you are too kind. As the saying goes, people with different ideals cannot work together. Since you have decided to mutiny, Ziying dare not agree with you. I can only die admonishing you. This way, I will not be ashamed of you and my Lord.

As for my father's last wish, my brother wants to do great things, and each of us serves his own master on the battlefield, so there is nothing we can do about it.

"I have been taken care of by you all these years. If I can die under your sword today, my life will not be in vain."

Jia Cong sighed, his expression turned calm, and he said, "As the saying goes, when two countries are at war, they do not kill envoys. Since you have come to deliver the emperor's will, you are like an envoy. How can Cong not follow the rules? Please go, brother. A tiger father will not have a dog son. Cong will preserve your reputation for loyalty and righteousness."

Feng Ziying didn't expect Jia Cong to let him go back to reorganize the army for battle. He felt sad and touched. He bowed and said in a deep voice: "Brother, be careful. This battle is different from the past. The Infantry Commander's Office has already prepared artillery to attack your residence. The Modao Army Formation may not be effective."

Jia Cong said, "Thank you for your reminder, brother." Feng Ziying sighed, bowed, walked down the steps, and suddenly turned back and asked, "Brother, do you have any wishes?"

Jia Cong said: "The world is at peace."

Feng Ziying nodded, and led a few guards who were already trembling with fear through the Modao formation.
-
"General Manager, Captain Tang requests to see you." A young eunuch brought Captain Longjinwei to the front of the Yangxin Palace.

"What's the matter?" Dai Quan said calmly without even raising his eyelids.

"Reporting to the chief steward, just now Eunuch Gui took a few guards to do some work, and he has not returned yet. I am here to report whether there is a shortage of manpower and whether we need to send more guards. Please give your instructions, chief steward."

Captain Tang was very particular about what he said, so as not to offend anyone while still getting the information he wanted.

"Huh?!" Dai Quan was startled, cold sweat instantly oozing out of his forehead. He suddenly raised his head and looked to the side, and saw Xiao Guizi standing against the chair pillar with his head down, turning a deaf ear to what was said here.

"Damn it!" Dai Quan cursed angrily and rushed over to grab Xiao Guizi's collar and pull her over.

But he was staring with his eyes wide open, black blood flowing from his eyes, nostrils and mouth, his face was pale, and his lips were purple. He had been dead for a long time. Dai Quan was shocked and loosened his grip, and the body immediately fell to the ground.

"Call the imperial physician!" Dai Quan screamed and rushed into the hall, where he saw Emperor Xifeng drinking tea after dinner.

"Why are you panicking?" Emperor Xifeng scolded him when he saw him rushing in rashly.

Dai Quan didn't have time to agree. Seeing the empty bowl of porridge beside him, he asked in a trembling voice, "Did the emperor eat the porridge?"

"Yes." Emperor Xifeng was surprised to see that his expression was not right, and shouted, "What's the matter?"

Dai Quan rushed over to support him, crying, "Quick, quick to vomit! Your Majesty, please vomit! The porridge is poisonous! Quickly call the imperial physician!"

Emperor Xifeng was stunned and terrified. He no longer cared about the royal etiquette and quickly put his finger into his throat, bent over and vomited loudly.

Dai Quan patted him on the back and shouted, "Bring some tea! Quick!"

The young eunuch at the door hurriedly brought tea. Dai Quan took it and said, "Your Majesty, drink some water quickly before you vomit." Then he picked up the tea bowl and poured it into Emperor Xifeng's mouth.

Emperor Xifeng drank more than ten bowls of tea in a row and vomited more than ten times. Finally, he had nothing left to vomit and stopped panting. He felt a cramp in his stomach and his heart was beating like a drum. He knew that he was poisoned after all, so he asked in a stern voice, "What's going on?"

Dai Quan quickly explained the whole matter briefly, then slapped himself a few times in anger and kowtowed to apologize.

Emperor Xifeng's eyes turned cold, and he said, "So Xiao Guizi is the queen's man. No! The queen is still here! Send someone to search for her immediately and kill her on the spot!"

"Yes." He said, and Dai Quan bowed his head. Hearing this, he hurriedly got up and went out to pass on the order.

"Captain Tang, the emperor has ordered that the Dragon Guards be dispatched to search for the queen and kill her on the spot!"

Captain Tang's heart trembled. Capturing and killing the queen would cost him his life. Even if he succeeded, he would be silenced. Thinking of this, he was so confused that he stammered and couldn't speak.

Dai Quan whispered, "Idiot! I didn't ask you to kill him in public. If you secretly take him to a secluded place and kill him, and then say it was done by an assassin, who would dare to investigate?"

Captain Tang was overjoyed, feeling that he had escaped death, and he bowed and said, "Thank you for your advice, General Manager. I will go right away."

At this time, the imperial physician also arrived, and Dai Quan hurriedly took him in to treat Emperor Xifeng.

Upon hearing that he was poisoned, the imperial physician hurriedly took out the pills in his medicine box that were used to detoxify food, all kinds of medicines, and five kinds of stone poisons. He did not have time to carefully identify what kind of poison Emperor Xifeng had been poisoned by, and fed him all at once. He then hurriedly wrote down a few prescriptions and ordered people to boil the medicine.

Emperor Xifeng felt his hands and feet tingling, his stomach aching, and his heart aching. He thought that the situation was not good, and he felt hatred, sadness, and anger in his heart. He took a few deep breaths, managed to calm his mind, gritted his teeth and ordered: "Go, secretly summon the important officials, relatives, nobles, and... and the fifth brother... to the palace."

"Yes, yes, I'll go right away." Dai Quan was scared to death, but he felt relieved when he heard the word "Old Five".

Although he did not serve the emperor well, if the Fifth Prince ascended the throne, he would have made a great contribution. He felt fortunate when he thought that he and Prince Beijing and others had already placed their bets on the Fifth Prince.

It turns out that the favor of Sun Qiu and Concubine Fei was just a false illusion deliberately created by the current emperor in order to protect his true favorite successor, the fifth prince Sun Wen.

"Come back." Emperor Xifeng held him back again.

Dai Quan knelt down hurriedly and put his ear close to the emperor. He only heard the emperor whisper a few words and said, "Do you understand?"

"I understand, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do it myself and I will definitely get it done."

"Go." Emperor Xifeng waved his hand tiredly and fell asleep.

Captain Tang led dozens of people to rush to Changchun Palace, but found that the main hall of the palace was empty. There was no one in sight. He thought it was not good, and hurriedly ordered someone to go back and pass on the order: "Say that the emperor has ordered that an assassin has entered the palace, and ordered the commander to bring more people to search and find the queen. Say that I am waiting for him here, and there is another secret order."

The guards rushed away, and soon, the deputy commander of the Dragon Guards, Feng Wu, led more than a thousand people into the harem and headed straight for Changchun Palace.

"Your humble servant greets you, General." Captain Tang hurried out to greet him.

"What happened?!" Feng Wu didn't believe that an assassin could sneak into the palace and commit assassination silently, so he asked hurriedly.

Captain Tang hurriedly led him into the hall and whispered the secret decree from Dai Quan, saying, "This is a serious matter, and I dare not take the initiative. Please give your instructions, General."

Feng Wu was also startled and glared at him angrily. How dare I take over the power? This is to kill the queen, not to kill a few palace maids and eunuchs.

Captain Tang saw him pondering, and hurriedly said, "My humble opinion is that we should find the queen first, and then hand her over to Chief Steward Dai for disposal."

Feng Wu nodded and said, "Okay, go quickly."

This way, he would not violate the imperial decree and would not have to worry about any serious consequences. Although Dai Quan said that he would take the man to a secluded place and kill him, who would dare to do such a shocking thing?

Who will clean up your mess afterwards? Even the queen was sacrificed, let alone a mere guard?
Feng Wu came out and ordered, "There is an assassin in the palace. You must search all the palaces and halls immediately. Don't let any one of them go undetected. Make sure to find the Empress and send her back to Changchun Palace for protection!"
Remember, keep your mouth shut. Anyone who leaks military intelligence will be executed!"

"Yes." All the guards agreed in unison. They were then divided into dozens of groups, led by the centurions and general flagmen, and searched house by house, which immediately alarmed the entire harem.

Su Xuan, the trial captain, deliberately lagged behind, and only led his men back to Changchun Palace after seeing that everyone else had left. (End of this chapter)