The prince is more stable

Chapter 276 Leaving the Capital to Lure the Enemy
It has to be said that the public opinion created by Zhao Xu and Zhao Xiaoqian was indeed perfect.

Everyone in Bianjing was frightened.

A shocking case, an imperial wrath, and a purge.

When combined together, the deterrent effect is enormous.

The so-called "deterrence" is not to scare those who are involved in the conspiracy, but to scare those who have nothing to do with the matter, to make them tremble from the bottom of their hearts, to have awe of the imperial power from the depths of their souls, and to never dare to step out of line for the rest of their lives.

This is called "deterrence".

Soon, the deterrent effect became apparent.

The Imperial City Bureau entered the government offices in Bianliang to check the files and qualifications of officials, causing chaos in all the government offices in Bianliang.

In the past, if the Imperial City Bureau dared to do this, the ministers would have been outraged and would have submitted memorials to impeach them, or even committed suicide to stop them. After all, civil servants like to do this to express their sense of justice and their willingness to sacrifice their lives.

However, this time, the Imperial City Administration was about to turn the government offices in Bian Jing upside down, but the ministers did not dare to say a word, let alone submit a memorial of impeachment.

No one knew how huge this case was. Anyone who dared to say a word at this time would be involved. Not to mention being "justice-minded", any major case involving "treason" would not only bring disaster to the person himself and his entire family, but would also leave a bad reputation in history books.

Who would be willing to do something that is not worth the effort?
Use power to control others, and the world will be quiet.

The Imperial City Investigation Bureau went out to investigate everywhere. In order to eradicate the Zhou Zhi case, they questioned many officials. Some of them were proven innocent after investigation and were quickly released.

Others were unlucky. They had nothing to do with the Zhou Zhi case, but when the Imperial City Bureau entered the office and checked many years of archives, documents and account books, they discovered their illegal activities through clues, so the Imperial City Bureau took the opportunity to deal with these people.

The atmosphere in Bianjing City became increasingly tense.

Zhao Xiaoqian watched the situation develop quietly and felt that the time had almost come.

The game has been set, and now it's his turn to take action.

Therefore, in the tense atmosphere and public opinion in Bianjing where everyone was in danger, Zhao Xiaoqian came to the Longwei Camp outside the city with a small entourage.

This trip was top secret, and Zhao Xiaoqian entered the tent with a black scarf covering his face. After entering the tent, he found only Zhong Jianzhong, the commander-in-chief of the Dragon Guard Camp.

Zhong Jianzhong has been very successful recently. After returning to Bianliang, he was rewarded by the court for his meritorious service in being the first to capture the capital of Western Xia. He was not only rewarded with gold, silver and fertile land, but also, with the recommendation of Zhao Xiaoqian, he was awarded the title of "Shangqi Duwei" and the official title of "Yingdao Junxuanchengshi".

These two titles were honorary and had no real power, but Zhong Jianzhong was also granted the title of "Pingyin County Man".

The value of a title is much greater than that of an empty official position. After receiving the title, Zhong Jianzhong burst into tears, kowtowed three times facing north and refused to get up. He then sent people to beat gongs and drums to report the news back to his hometown.

Zhao Xiaoqian had promised that the first person to capture the Xixia capital would be rewarded, promoted, and given a title, and he did all of that.

At this moment, in the commander's tent, Zhong Jianzhong looked at Zhao Xiaoqian with a puzzled look.

This time, Zhao Xiaoqian entered the Dragon Guard Camp in a mysterious manner. Not only did he enter wearing a mask, he also secretly asked someone to call Zhong Jianzhong alone and blocked all news outside the tent.

The experienced Zhong Jianzhong immediately realized that Duke Zhao was about to make a big move.

Inside the commander's tent, Zhao Xiaoqian looked solemn as he handed Zhong Jianzhong half of a tiger talisman and a troop mobilization document written by Zhao Xu himself and stamped with the imperial seal.

"I have received your order to mobilize 5,000 musketeers from the Dragon Guard Battalion. No leaks are permitted. They will leave the camp at midnight tonight and march to Xiaowangzhuang, 20 miles east of Bianjing City, to await further orders."

Mobilizing troops was a major event. Although he had a close relationship with Zhao Xiaoqian, Zhong Jianzhong still carefully checked the tiger talisman and carefully identified the official's written order and seal for mobilizing troops.

After confirming that everything was correct, Zhong Jianzhong's expression became serious. He bowed and said, "I obey your orders!"

Zhao Xiaoqian warned earnestly, "Remember, this trip is top secret. Whether we're marching or camping, don't leak a single word to anyone. Brother Zhong has instructed the soldiers to keep their mouths shut, otherwise you'll be severely punished according to military law."

Zhong Jianzhong quickly agreed, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "My Lord, I am the commander-in-chief. May I ask what exactly you are doing?"

Zhao Xiaoqian clenched his fists and fiercely waved them into the air, saying sternly, "...Go beat up the bad guys!"

Zhong Jianzhong: “…………”

What a perfect answer! So cute!

Hearing your words is like listening to a word.

"Forget it, I won't ask any more questions. Just follow your orders."

Zhao Xiaoqian patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Smart! Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. If you can accomplish this, I guarantee you will be promoted again." Zhong Jianzhong's eyes lit up. Speaking of promotion, I'm not sleepy anymore.

Are historical figures and patriotic generals supposed to be pure and free from desire? They also have a strong desire to make progress, okay?

…………

At midnight that evening, five thousand musketeers from the Dragon Guard Battalion quietly marched out of the camp and mysteriously disappeared into the night.

On the other hand, Zhao Xiaoqian did not move with the Longwei Camp. He chose to leave the city the next morning.

Zhao Xiaoqian was accompanied out of the city by more than 300 subordinates from the Imperial City Administration.

The team was huge. Zhao Xiaoqian was riding on a horse with a solemn look and a hint of anxiety on his face. Hundreds of his subordinates were in a hurry.

Under the gaze of the people of Bian Jing, the crowd left the city and headed east.

After Zhao Xiaoqian left the city, the people in the market were talking about it.

Of course, there are many folk masters among the people. Considering the recent tense atmosphere in Bianjing City and the state of being insecure among the court officials, these masters have been making inferences in brothels and taverns.

This Duke Zhao must have traveled on the imperial edict. To the east is Daming Prefecture, but if he goes east first and then north, it would be the border cities of the Song Dynasty, such as Zhending Prefecture, Hejian Prefecture, etc.

The fact that a figure like Duke Zhao was dispatched to leave the capital in person must have been a major event that shocked the court and the country.

Some people analyze the crowd's discussions and take them as topics of conversation, discuss them enthusiastically, and then go home to live their ordinary lives, but some people listen to every word and then disappear quietly into the crowd.

After Zhao Xiaoqian and his subordinates from the Imperial City Administration left the city, they marched straight eastward.

The more than 300 subordinates were all riding horses, so it was not hard at all. They just followed Duke Zhao silently. As for where they were going or what they were going to do, no one dared to ask.

The team was led by Zhao Xiaoqian, followed by Wei Jie, and not only that, there was also an acquaintance.

He was the official Zhao Xin who almost got promoted from a clerk to an official but ultimately failed.

The last time he went to Yingtian Prefecture to question Liu Yao, the retired military equipment supervisor, Liu Yao was killed, and Zhao Xin returned empty-handed. Naturally, his good wish for promotion was shattered.

Zhao Xin volunteered to participate in this operation. Wei Jie had no intention of taking him with him, but Zhao Xin made a scene in the Imperial City Office, threatening to die in front of Wei Jie if he didn't go. Wei Jie had no choice but to include him.

Walking in the middle of the team, Zhao Xin was full of confidence.

Last time it was an accident, could there be another one this time? No matter what I do on this trip, I will risk my life and fight hard once, and I will definitely be promoted to a higher position.

No one knows how abnormal the psychology of a person who is just one step away from becoming an official can be.

After leaving the city, the team first headed straight towards Yingtian Prefecture. Halfway through, they suddenly turned north and headed towards Xingzhou.

That night, the troops camped by the water. The area around Zhao Xiaoqian's tent was blocked, and only Zhao Xiaoqian and Wei Jie were inside the tent.

The two of them were studying a map in the dim candlelight.

There were several red circles drawn on the map, and the two of them pointed at the circles one by one and discussed.

But after several discussions, the two had different opinions and the atmosphere suddenly became a little tense.

After a long pause, Zhao Xiaoqian said quietly, "There are so many ways to kill me, but if I put myself in your shoes, if you were my enemy, well, a deep hatred, the kind that I can't reconcile with, how could you kill me in a foolproof way?"

Wei Jie smiled bitterly and said, "I really can't think of anything. After all, I have no hatred towards the Duke of the County, so it's difficult to guess the mind of an enemy."

"Well, for example? Let's say I slept with your wife, and I did it right in front of you. Now, would you be mad? Would you want to kill me? If you were to kill me, where would you choose to strike?"

Unexpectedly, Wei Jie remained silent for a long time with a strange look on his face, and then hesitantly said, "My wife is about forty years old, with disheveled hair and a face full of yellow spots. When she smiles, she smells like leftover shit..."

"If you dare to sleep with a woman like my wife, I will not only not hate you, but I will respect you as a man."

Zhao Xiaoqian: “…………”

After a long while, Zhao Xiaoqian politely bowed to Wei Jie and said, "Now, I respect you as a man."

(End of this chapter)