Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 136 You Can’t Check Everything

Chapter 136 You Can’t Check Everything
The raindrops trickled down onto the city walls of Anyi.

King Yuan Hao of Beihai returned from the front line in Binzhou and deliberately went through Anyi and then headed to Luoyang from the Yuban Road.

Yuan Hao's sister married Li Shengui, who was Li Shuang's sworn brother. To some extent, he and Li Shuang were also relatives.

At least, that's what Yuan Hao thought.

"Tianba, the young hero, is truly extraordinary!"

"Your Majesty is a man of great talent, a rare find in the world!"

In the mansion of Duke Tang, the two of them were toasting each other in a warm atmosphere.

When the wine was at its best, Yuan Hao told them the purpose of his visit.

"I heard that Xiao Baoyin is planning to report to the court, saying that you are plotting treason!"

Yuan Hao's words were meant to be a reminder, but Li Shuang smiled and asked:

"He said I had treasonous intentions. Does he have any evidence?"

Yuan Hao shook his head and smiled bitterly:

"An innocent man is guilty of possessing a treasure. Tianba is the governor of Tangzhou and also the governor of Hedong County, in charge of salt administration and border defense. Many people are jealous of you. Xiao Baoyin said that after you came to Anyi, you recruited troops, built cities, and stored food and fodder. You are suspected of treason!"

"I just don't understand. We're all doing court work, so why is it that whoever does the most suffers the most? Why do they always hold on to the extra money they spent?"

Yuan Hao smiled without saying anything, and Li Shuang clapped his hands.

On the side, Hou Jing had already been waiting. After hearing the call, he walked over with a box.

"Your Majesty, this is a token of my appreciation. I hope you will not despise it."

When King Yuan Hao of Beihai opened the box, a smile appeared on his face.

"Tianba is right. I know that's all Xiao Baoyin's nonsense. When I return to Luoyang, I will definitely speak up for justice!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"But Tianba must also be careful. I heard that the imperial court is planning to take this opportunity to send officials to inspect the treasury."

"Xiao Baoyin's memorial hasn't arrived yet, but this person is already being sent?"

When Yuan Hao heard this, he smiled.

The banquet was over, but the sound of rain continued, with a hint of coldness.

After sending the King of Beihai away, Li Shuang returned to the backyard.

Raindrops were dripping on the eaves. Li Shuang walked through the corridor and returned to the house.

Li Shuang put his hands behind his back and watched the rain getting heavier. Hou Jing came to his side and heard him sigh.

"Hou Jing, my life has truly been like walking on thin ice!"

Hou Jing said angrily:
"Xiao Baoyin, this villain, actually resorted to dirty tricks!"

"Where are our memorials?"

"Don't worry, my lord. We will definitely reach Luoyang faster than Xiao Baoyin!"
-
Luoyang, Xianyang Palace.

"Li Shuang, the Governor of Tangzhou and Magistrate of Hedong County, has reported that Prince Xiao Baoyin of Qi is suspected of treason."

Prime Minister Yuan Yong stared at the memorial for a long time, then looked at the high and mighty Empress Hu and asked:
"Does he have any evidence?"

Queen Hu said:

"It's said that Xiao Baoyin was colluding with bandits, giving out rewards indiscriminately to win over the emperor's people, and even deliberately sacrificing 120,000 troops. Is this true?"

Yuan Yong hesitated for a moment, thought for a long time, and said:

"The first two things may be true, but Xiao Baoyin was the Grand Chancellor of the Western Circuit, stationed in Chang'an and commanding a large army. It makes sense that he did this to calm people's hearts and dismantle the bandits. As for his deliberate sacrifice of 120,000 troops, that's still open to question!"

Li Shengui smiled and said:
"Can the Prime Minister vouch for Xiao Baoyin?"

Of course Yuan Yong didn’t dare!

"General Wei, your words are absurd. The affairs of the imperial court must be handled with care and attention to detail. How can we act like ordinary merchants, acting as guarantors?"

Li Shengui sneered after hearing this.

"Then how can the Prime Minister be so thorough?"

"Why not send a court official to Chang'an first?"

In Xianyang Palace, Queen Hu made the final decision.

"That's it!"

……

Yuan Yong, who had just walked out of the hall, asked anxiously:
"How many days will it take for Xiao Baoyin's memorial to arrive?" "It should have arrived in Shaanxi City by now. It will probably take another day or two!"

Yuan Yong was a little angry after hearing this.

"We were all fooled by Ohnoshuang!"

At this moment, Li Shengui passed by and snorted coldly.

"Prime Minister, no one is playing tricks on you. I'm afraid you're just overthinking things and accidentally capsized!"

After saying that, he ignored Yuan Yong and walked down the platform.

"Did this guy take Wu Shi San? Why is he so irritable lately?"

"Don't you know, Prime Minister?"

Yuan Yong looked at the official beside him and asked:

"What's the matter?"

"I heard that Xiao Baoyin sent Zheng Yan back to balance Li Shengui's power."

Yuan Yong thought about how to balance Li Shengui's power and knew it, and said disdainfully:
"Zheng Yan is also from the Zheng family of Xingyang, so why is he like this?"

"Zheng Yan is a man of magnificent appearance. It's said that he had a past relationship with the Queen Mother when he served under Duke Hu Xuan in his early years. Later, he served in the palace, and rumors abounded. Now, he doesn't want to take the main road, so he wants to take a shortcut!"

When Yuan Yong heard this, he couldn't help but smile knowingly and asked:

"Did you take this shortcut?"

"I heard that it hasn't happened yet, but Li Shengui has been keeping a close eye on us and Xiao Baoyin recently. If this continues, things in Hedong will probably be delayed."

"Then send Zheng Yan back to Chang'an and don't let him cause trouble here."

"If we ask him to investigate Xiao Baoyin, what can he find out?"

Yuan Yong stroked his beard and sighed:

"We can't check everything. Maybe we'll find something!"
-
Fengyi County Lady's Mansion.

In the room, in front of Hu Xuanhui, stood a handsome man.

"Zheng Yan, we haven't seen each other for several years, right?"

Zheng Yan looked at the increasingly mature woman in front of him and said with a bow:
"It's been four or five years!"

"I remember when you served under my father. It seems like a long time ago."

"I miss that time too."

Hu Xuanhui slowly approached, and Zheng Yan could smell her fragrance.

The distance now was a little ambiguous, and Zheng Yan lowered his head.

"When I think back to our youth, my sister and I loved being by your side and talking to you. We were both unmarried young girls back then, and you were so young and heroic that it was hard not to be moved."

"My Lord, I actually..."

After hearing this, Zheng Yan bravely raised his head.

But what greeted him immediately afterwards was not a tender and silent look, but a slap in the face.

After being hit hard, Zheng Yan covered his face, but heard Hu Xuanhui jokingly say:

"Now that I think about it, why did I ever fall for you in the first place?"

Zheng Yan felt a little angry and couldn't help but say:

"I am only here to visit an old friend. Why are you being so harsh with me, Your Excellency? If you are dissatisfied, I will take my leave."

"Wait, do you know why my sister didn't keep you?"

Zheng Yan stopped and listened to Hu Xuanhui say slowly:

"Because you're late!"

Zheng Yan frowned and left quickly.

Behind Hu Xuanhui, her brother-in-law Yuan Luo walked out.