Chapter 111

The sun was already high in the sky. The Zhao official, who had risen somewhat late today, ignored the possibility that several ministers and key officials might arrive for discussions at any moment. As usual, he tightened his cuffs and then went to the small grove on the left side behind the temporary palace to begin his daily archery practice.

Of course, the armored soldier from yesterday had not followed. Blue Gui and Feng Yi, along with other inner attendants, had been sent away by the official to handle matters in the front hall and rear palace. At this moment, only Yang Yizhong and Liu Yan were here, leading the personal guards in attendance... In truth, the official's habit, which had started back at the Mingdao Palace, had long since become routine for everyone in the palace.

"Speak!"

The Zhao official clearly had not forgotten some matters. After shooting one arrow, he suddenly spoke, causing Liu Yan and several of the Liaodong-born personal guards to be utterly baffled.

"As Your Majesty commands." Yang Yizhong knew the official deliberately wanted Liu Yan to hear, but he did not hide anything and reported directly. "The military intelligence matter has a clear and faultless chain of events, but whether it was leaked or simply stumbled upon, I cannot distinguish. The matter is as follows..."

The Zhao official listened while shooting. Only after finishing one quiver of arrows did he temporarily lower his bow and shake his head: "I roughly understand. The key to this matter lies in this Hu Hongxiu's ability... Is that right?"

"Yes." Yang Yizhong responded crisply.

As Zhao Jiu nocked another arrow and aimed at the target, he couldn't help but laugh: "In short, if this man has no ability, then it means the father, Wang Shuzhan, recommended some alchemist to me, while the son, Wang Ruohai, and the son-in-law, Hu Hongxiu, leaked military intelligence—the whole family are bastards. But if this Hu has ability, then it means our Wang, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, is the only fool and bastard, because on one hand he recommends an alchemist to me, and on the other hand he hides his own son-in-law away... That's the gist of it, right?"

The official's arrow forcibly went wide of the target, and Yang Yizhong could only steel himself and nod.

Seeing this, Zhao Jiu couldn't help but shake his head and laugh again.

In truth, the Zhao official understood perfectly well. From that wretched business of Wang Shuzhan recommending an alchemist, it was clear he was a muddle-headed bastard trying to get noticed.

Relatively speaking, his son-in-law Hu Hongxiu had a clear record... He was a graduate of the Imperial Academy, abandoned the pen for the sword, defended Dongjingcheng, wandered for over a year, traveled from the Yellow River to the Yangtze River, read ten thousand books and traveled ten thousand miles, personally experienced the battlefield, and had clear principles—he seemed a qualified staff officer in the making.

But a figure like this, a close relative, was in the eyes of that Wang, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, less useful than an alchemist.

In a word, Wang Shuzhan was simply stupid, not truly wicked.

However, that alchemy business yesterday was too disgusting. The Zhao official deliberately wanted to teach Wang Shuzhan a lesson, so he naturally forced the target wide.

Of course, hearing this explanation, which was more or less expected, the Zhao official's mind was naturally put at ease regarding the previous 'leaked military intelligence' matter. All in all, it was a good thing.

"There's one more matter." Zhao Jiu's mood improved slightly. As he continued to draw his bow and nock an arrow, he asked casually. "Given Lu Xiang's muddle-headedness these past few days, I'm afraid that day was also a muddled account, right?"

"I have also thoroughly investigated this matter." Yang Yizhong hesitated noticeably. "From what we can see now, Lu Xiang seems to have suffered an undeserved calamity, an accidental hit on the wrong target."

Zhao Jiu was slightly startled, then hit the bullseye with one arrow before speaking calmly and unhurriedly: "Was it Feng Yi's doing, aimed at Blue Gui?"

"I dare not make a definitive statement." Yang Yizhong knelt on one knee and explained with his head bowed. "I have only traced some sources of the rumors here. I found the first few people outside the palace who spread the rumors—they were merchants and workshop owners who have procurement dealings with the palace. They all said it was casually passed on by the young inner attendants handling palace procurement... Since it involves inner attendants, I dared not inquire further, but it's possible the young attendants were simply loose-tongued."

"Whether it is or not, Feng Yi is the prime suspect anyway. I've long had my suspicions..." Zhao Jiu shook his head repeatedly. "Blue Gui was punished for this, making Feng Yi the natural Chief Eunuch—he has the greatest motive. Moreover, he happened to avoid this matter by coming along with us that time, which seems a bit too convenient. You must understand, when Blue Gui first proposed this matter, it was discussed among the inner attendants together. Without Feng Yi's input, how could it have happened? Even bringing Lady Wu here was his own decision."

Yang Yizhong bowed his head and remained silent.

"However, there's another side to this. Blue Gui has been with me longer and knows my temper. Whether he stood by coldly, playing the 'Zheng Boke defeats his brother at Yan' game, is another matter entirely." Zhao Jiu's shot went completely wide. He put away his arrows and turned around. "This kind of thing is unavoidable, but I can neither sit idly by nor become a tool for these people... Go tell Feng Yi what you've found, and what I've just said. Tell him, whether intentional or not, if he dares to overstep again, or even involve the outer court, I will send him to Wuguocheng to serve the Retired Emperor."

Yang Yizhong seemed to want to speak but stopped, then could only acknowledge the order. Meanwhile, Liu Yan beside him had gone from being completely confused to being confused and muddled.

However, having given his orders, the Zhao official seemed to no longer care about these matters. After shooting two quivers of arrows, he directly untied his cuffs, called for inner attendants to change into a brand-new red robe, fastened a leather belt, put on his hard-winged hat, and led the fully armed personal guards to the front hall to meet the various ministers and key officials.

Now, Liu Ji had gone to Xiangyang to take up his post. At this moment, the hall had returned to the general configuration of four ministers—two from the East and two from the West—and one Censor-in-Chief. However, times had changed. With more and more civil officials gathering, the vacancies in various central offices were gradually being filled. The Zhao official's close ministers were no longer as simple as just one Lin Academician and a few Secretaries from the Eight Lords Mountain days. Nowadays, Zhao Jiu could name two Palace Censors, a pile of Secretariat Drafter, and even three or four Hanlin Academicians, plus various other secretarial staff under the Bureau of Military Affairs and the Central Secretariat (the name after the merger of four departments)... These were the so-called confidential secretarial teams, who could also directly enter the hall, stand in the corners, and attend to the official and the several ministers.

For example, Hu Hongxiu's wife's brother, Wang Ruohai, held the rank of Assistant Director and was assigned duties in the Bureau of Military Affairs. Like Liu Ziyu, he was theoretically under the leadership of Wang Boyan and Yuwen Xuzhong.

"Have the several matters I left with you ministers before I left been settled?" The Zhao official arrived at the hall, exchanged greetings with everyone, and looked as calm as if he had never heard those reports at all, nor had there been any awkward business by the Baihe River yesterday... One could only say that joy in one's affairs brings a spirited demeanor.

Upon hearing the official's inquiry, Lu Haowen felt duty-bound to respond but was momentarily embarrassed: "I report to Your Majesty, several matters are fraught with difficulties..."

The Zhao official paused for a moment, but was not anxious. Instead, he smiled and said: "No matter. Tell me one by one, starting with the smallest matter. Is Li Yanxian still throwing a tantrum?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty." The person responsible for this matter was Lu Haowen himself, and he grew even more embarrassed. "Li Yanxian has once again refused the decree. He is unwilling to serve as a Pacification Commissioner."

Zhao Jiu smiled and shook his head: "Why, exactly?"

"Your Majesty." Lu Haowen bowed his head in reply. "I specifically had someone ask clearly. Li Yanxian's meaning is that he is utterly loyal and of pure background. He asks Your Majesty to reward and promote him according to the proper order. As for a position like Pacification Commissioner, which is specially used to show favor to miscellaneous army generals and places him in the same rank as men like Yue Fei and Zhang Rong, he would rather die than accept it!"

The official let out a faint sigh.

PS: Still the same words, don't wait. I'll try to make up for it tonight... I only got up after seven.