The elite did not migrate south

Chapter 261 Own People

Wang Xiang immediately frowned and looked at Cui Zan first.

Cui Zan was a little confused. Wang Jing said, "What are you looking at me for?"

Wang Xiang reminded him, "Lord Wang, you are the Inspector of the Imperial Guards, supervising many external officials, but not the internal officials. We will handle this matter on our own!"

The ministers said, "Lord Taichang, can't you even tell us this?"

Does it matter? Of course it does!

So is Yang Hu’s resistance the same as Zhang Hua’s resistance?
Yang Hu was able to command all the guards in the imperial palace.

Just as Wang Xiang was about to persuade everyone to go back, someone reported: "Minister Zheng Gong wants to see you."

Wang Xiang's face darkened, and before he could speak, Xun Yi ordered, "Please let him in!"

Gao Rou, Sima Fu, and Wang Xiang looked at each other, their expressions changing from gloomy to bright.

It was under such circumstances that Zheng Xiaotong entered the Shangshu Terrace.

Zheng Xiaotong has always been very conflicted.

He carries two identities: the hope for the Zheng family's rise and the inheritor of the Zheng family's Confucian classics.

When his mother was pregnant with him, Kong Rong was surrounded by the Yellow Turban Army. His father went to rescue him and died in battle.

Zheng Xiaotong had never seen his father. He was raised by Zheng Xuan.

Zheng Xuan doted on this grandson very much. Perhaps after losing his son, he poured all his affection into his grandson and gave him the name Xiaotong, which means he looks like himself.

As a child following the "God of Classics", Zheng Xiaotong had a very deep attainment in classics. He studied the Six Classics and had the potential to be a great scholar when he was young.

Later, he entered the imperial court and was always in charge of Confucian classics. His academic attainments were on par with Zheng Chong, and he even surpassed him in "Li".

But now he has encountered a very bad era. Metaphysics is on the rise, and what he learned in the past is becoming less and less valued.

While aristocratic families were rising, his family was extremely weak and did not have the strength to compete with many of the big families.

He wanted to inherit his grandfather's knowledge and spread Confucianism to the world. He also wanted to protect his clan and assume the responsibilities of a family head.

But these two identities are sometimes completely opposite.

Every day he was learning the principles of loyal ministers supporting the country, but every day he was following the powerful ministers to do things that were immoral.

As a famous Confucian scholar, the Sima family has always placed high hopes on him.

They wanted Zheng Xiaotong to be the next Zheng Chong, a great scholar who could debate for the Sima family.

As long as Zheng Xiaotong is willing, with his classical attainments and his grandfather's reputation, their family will soon rise, and in a few decades, perhaps a top family will be born.

But, for some reason, every time Zheng Xiaotong was ready to go along with them and was about to carry out the order, his grandfather's smile would always appear in front of his eyes.

"Xiaotong, based on learning, transforms the people into a custom."

"Xiaotong, everyone is born with an upright nature, and should put into practice what he has learned."

"Xiaotong, your father died for justice. Being a scholar is the most important thing. You should follow his example."

At that time, Zheng Xiaotong suddenly gave up and started to fight back and forth. This action eventually disappointed the Sima family who wanted to win him over, and they no longer paid attention to him.

Today, when the emperor asked for his opinion, for some reason, he once again lost his status as the suzerain and loudly scolded Wang Ye for his behavior.

He stood in front of the ministers and looked at these gentlemen who had studied the classics for decades and had a deep understanding of the great principles of the classics.

Zheng Xiaotong's expression suddenly became solemn.

"Your Majesty has issued an edict: there are thieves causing chaos within the Imperial Palace, led by Gao Dan, Gao Guang, Xun Xu, Wang Ye, and other thieves."

"All the thieves have surrendered. The Imperial City is under martial law!"

"Order all the ministers to go to the Taiji Palace to meet His Majesty and discuss the matter!"

Zheng Xiaotong had served as a minister for many years and had read out many imperial edicts on behalf of the court, but he had never felt as happy as he did today.

His every move, even his tone, was so polite.

But the ministers didn't care about etiquette. After Zheng Xiaotong spoke, they were shocked and some of them jumped up.

They looked at Gao Rou.

"Lord Situ?! Is this what you call the eunuchs' disobedience?!"

"What does it mean?!"

It was as if a thunderclap had struck the Secretariat. All the ministers stood up and started making a loud noise. Their faces were impatient and they were scolding loudly.

Wang Jing was also stunned at this moment, but then a smile flashed across his face.

Fortunately, I did not harm His Majesty.

Looking at the chaotic situation in front of them, the three bosses frowned and remained silent for a long time.

Gao Rou looked at Zheng Xiaotong and said angrily, "The eunuch is holding the emperor hostage! He is trying to commit a crime! Someone, come and capture this thief!"

Immediately, a soldier rushed in and grabbed Zheng Xiaotong from behind.

"What does Lord Situ want to do?"

Immediately, a minister stood up and glared at Gao Rou.

The main reason is that Zheng Xuan had accepted many disciples and was very famous. This person is not someone you, Gao Rou, can capture just by saying so.

Zheng Xiaotong was not afraid, but just looked at Gao Rou in the distance.

Looking at the chaotic situation, Wang Xiang hurriedly stood up and said, "What are you doing? Let go of Duke Zheng!"

"Everyone, the gates of the Imperial City are tightly shut. We thought it was just the eunuchs who were disobeying us. Now it seems someone is forcing His Majesty to do something!"

He stepped forward personally, pushed the soldiers away, and helped Zheng Xiaotong sit down.

"I wonder if Your Majesty is well?" Wang Xiang asked worriedly.

Zheng Xiaotong fell silent again.

All the ministers also looked at him.

Zheng Xiaotong looked at Wang Xiang and said, "No one has coerced me."

"Your Majesty is safe and sound! No one has ever coerced you! The eunuchs are all following your Majesty's orders to eliminate the treacherous and rebellious officials from the world!"

"Gao Rou, you've wasted your time studying poetry and literature, and now you're even trying to murder His Majesty. How can you have the nerve to call yourself a veteran minister of three dynasties?!"

"You will surely die, and your clan will be destroyed. You will have no place to bury your body, and you will only leave behind a bad reputation for eternity! You will be despised by future generations!"

Gao Rou's eyes were red and he was breathing heavily. Sima Fu hurriedly stood in front of him to prevent him from taking action.

Wang Xiang looked at Zheng Xiaotong in front of him calmly, with a look of regret.

"Is he a traitor or a rebel? Do you have the final say?"

"Hahaha, can the prince use the knife in his hand to silence the mouths of future generations?"

Wang Xiang shook his head and said, "Take this man away."

This time, the ministers did not speak out to stop him.

The atmosphere in the Shangshu Terrace became extremely solemn, everyone frowned and said nothing.

Wang Xiang looked at the crowd and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty is a wise man and will definitely not be held hostage by traitors. As long as all the ministers work together, we will succeed."

Outside the central army camp.

A carriage with knights following in front and behind charged towards the camp again.

Ma Long stood on the city wall, narrowing his eyes. The soldiers around him had already raised their bows and crossbows. Ma Long said, "Don't act rashly."

These people just put away their weapons.

Malone hurried down the city wall again, ordered the gate to be opened, and led a group of knights to charge out.

But this time, Malone did not shoot the coachman again. When they rushed to the carriage, the group stopped.

Ma Long looked at the knight at the front of the team, his eyes lit up, and he quickly dismounted.

"Greetings, Mr. Zhong!"

The knight was Zhong Hui. Zhong Hui said solemnly, "I have an imperial decree! Lead us into the camp!"

Ma Long looked at the direction of the carriage curiously, then saluted Zhong Hui again.

"only!!"

Ma Long personally protected the group of people and walked into the camp together.

At this moment, those responsible for internal and external defense were all Ma Long's men, and no one dared to question anything. After this group entered the city, Sima Xun, who served as Ma Long's deputy, arrived late.

"Captain Ma, did you hear something happened here?"

"What happened?"

Sima Xun asked curiously.

Ma Long was about to answer when Zhong Hui looked at him angrily, "Why are you so late? If Ma Long isn't one of us, aren't you going to cause trouble?!"

Sima Xun looked at him in astonishment, speechless.

"Mr. Zhong, how could you..."

"Don't say any more! Go call Sima Gan! Xiaoxing, go gather all the officers now!"

Sima Xun had already sent someone to look for Sima Gan, but he himself stayed beside Zhong Hui, looking at the carriage, "Mr. Zhong, what on earth has happened?"

Zhong Hui didn't even look at him. He had no talent and was not handsome, so Nai Gong didn't bother to pay attention to him.

But Zhong Hui's contemptuous attitude actually made Sima Xun feel a little relieved. Zhong Jun was still the same as before. He shouldn't be here to harm us, right? After all, this is the central army.
Sima Gan came here in a hurry, followed by many armored soldiers. These people protected him in the middle, and his face was full of caution.

Seeing this person, Zhong Hui was very angry.

"Why are you still standing there? Do you know what happened in the temple?"

"The Emperor is about to engage his ministers in battle! This is our best chance!"

"You are still hesitating here. Are you going to ruin our plan?"

Sima Gan was a little stunned. He did not approach Zhong Hui and asked cautiously, "What do you mean?"

"Didn't my brother tell you? General Wei suddenly went out, and he appointed me as the Chief of the Imperial Clan, Ma Long as the Colonel, and asked you to stay here. Don't you know why?"

Zhong Hui said seriously, "They are unwilling to give up each other. The fisherman catches both of them. Don't you understand such a simple principle?"

Sima Gan was a little confused at this moment. Zhong Hui suddenly came to his door and said a bunch of incomprehensible words.

What exactly happened?
The fisherman benefits? Could it be that the elder brother is deliberately trying to sow discord between the emperor and his ministers so that he can reclaim power?

No, no! Before he left, my brother clearly told me that he wanted to win over Ma Long. If Ma Long was one of us, why would he let me win him over?

This guy is lying to me!!
Just as Sima Gan was lost in thought, Zhong Hui opened the carriage and helped a man get out.

"Wang Guan committed treason and attempted to usurp military power. He has been apprehended. Therefore, an imperial decree has been issued to appoint Shangshu Xiahou Gong as the General of the Guards! He will command all the camps of the Central Army!"

The person who got off the car with Zhong Hui was Xiahou Xian, who was under house arrest in the mansion.

He was a member of the royal family who had fought with Xiahou Xuan and led the central army.

Xiahou Xian.

(End of this chapter)