Chapter 207

Gloomy clouds condense for ten thousand miles, the stench of sheep fills the sky and court.

……

It had only been two days since the Empress Dowager's birthday, and Beijing should have been in a time when the joy had not yet faded. Alas, heaven has unpredictable storms, and dark clouds covering the sky shrouded the capital without warning.

With drifting snow and cold winds, and a dim sky, the weather in the capital wantonly rendered a tense atmosphere without regard for etiquette.

The weather was one thing, but various personnel and matters seemed to be deliberately adding fuel to the fire for this tense atmosphere.

Rumors were flying in the streets, official documents from various Prefectural Yamen were posted continuously, and battalions and guards around the capital were frequently mobilized.

Within the borders of Shuntian Prefecture, checkpoints appeared out of thin air, and the menacing Embroidered Uniform Guard and Red-Helmet Guard constantly searched and interrogated, leaving the people in a state of panic.

In the Ministry of War, the Five Chief Military Commissions, the Five City Patrols, and the twenty-four offices of the Inner Court, people were successively dying or being arrested, making it impossible for officials to live in peace.

One messenger after another, with solemn expressions, galloped out of the capital, kicking up trails of snow and dust around the capital.

Within a single day.

Following the custom of the approaching new year, after Chen Chen Jingbang took charge of the Ministry of War, he sent letters overnight to the governors of the Nine Frontiers, urging them to fulfill their duties.

The Imperial Clan Court of the Ministry of Rites reprimanded the vassal kings in various places for their indulgence and lawlessness, strictly ordering them to shut their doors and reflect for a month to cultivate their virtues.

Furthermore, because Li Xiang from Xiangfu, Henan, initiated the White Lotus Sect, inciting people far and near, fabricating evil books, and recklessly intending to gather crowds to seize the Central Plains, the Cabinet's Shen Shen Shixing was rarely furious. He signed a document with the Ministry of Personnel, sternly and fiercely ordering the three judicial Prefectural Yamen of each province to draw inferences from one instance and prevent future trouble, without any slackening.

Even so, the situation still showed no sign of calming down.

One could see another trail of dust as a messenger galloped past the long street and out of the city gate.

"The messengers today likely won't stop. Which one is this?"

"The Cabinet and the various Prefectural Yamen are as anxious as ants on a hot pan. They have to do something. Reprimanding all the hundred officials is not necessarily a bad way to stabilize public sentiment."

Two middle-aged men in expensive clothing with the appearance of officials stood side by side on the city wall of Beijing, looking down at the direction the messenger galloped away, chatting with worried faces.

"But looking at the format of the document carried by this messenger, it seems to be an imperial edict?"

"Hmm, it is an imperial hand-edict for the Xuanda Viceroy Chen Dong. The specific content is unknown; it wasn't sent to the Ministry of War for copying."

"Hiss, this is not just suspecting the Ministry of War; they are even guarding against the Ministry of War's branch…… The Ministry of War's branch doesn't have much of a relationship with Minister Shi. How could it come to this?"

"Sigh, the Minister of War has plotted a rebellion. How could the Ministry of War's branch stay out of it? They are using the crime of negligence to talk about it, and Section Chief Jia doesn't have the confidence to talk back."

Speaking of Shi Shi Mao Hua, both of them had faces full of bad luck.

Two days ago, that is, the day of *Yiyou* in the eleventh month of the seventh year of Emperor Wanli.

That day was the birthday of the Empress Dowager, and at the same time, something happened that caught everyone off guard.

After the Emperor received the congratulatory memorials with his mother, while hosting a banquet for the military and civilians at the Longzong Gate, a thorn-hemp monk named Bu Mang suddenly rose up during the banquet with a poisoned blade hidden on his person, attempting to assassinate the Emperor!

If the Emperor hadn't been agile enough to dodge in time, it would have surely led to a great disaster!

It was simply shocking!

The matter was indeed done by a foreigner, but it clearly wouldn't be that simple.

Just who allowed such a foreigner harboring evil intentions to meet the Emperor was a huge problem.

Not to mention how he managed to carry a sharp blade to avoid being searched, or why his seating arrangement gave him the opportunity to get close to the Emperor—these problems were even more obscure.

Sure enough.

Before the court officials had time to speculate for long, what followed was the news that Minister of War Shi Shi Mao Hua had plotted a rebellion and fled in fear of punishment—it was earth-shattering!

No one reacted in time; a group of Langzhongs and Zhushis from the Ministry of War, and a group of Supervising Secretaries from the Ministry of War, were directly suspended by the Cabinet and left in their posts, unable to enter the ministry to attend to business before the case was closed.

Although they were innocently implicated, no one dared to take it lightly.

Thus, these Langzhongs and Zhushis of the Ministry of War could only inquire about news everywhere and climb up relationships, so as not to truly become deaf and blind.

"Being willing to guard against it is a good thing. I heard that the Junior Minister of War has been taken away by Hai Yushi-in-Chief Wen Chun since last night and hasn't returned yet. I fear it's more ominous than auspicious."

The Junior Minister of War refers to the Vice Minister of War. The one mentioned by the two is naturally not the newly appointed Chen Chen Jingbang, but the Left Vice Minister Luo Luo Fengxiang.

"Shi Shi Mao Hua…… Luo Luo Fengxiang…… I don't know if it's true or if the Emperor is making a fuss."

The assassination by the foreigner is one thing, but who did it is really not certain. How could such a heaven-shaking case pull out a Minister of War overnight?

Regardless of what others think, at least he strongly suspects that the Emperor is taking advantage of the situation to deliberately find trouble for Shi Shi Mao Hua—even if it turns out to be someone else later, it won't hinder him from cleaning them up together.

"Eh? Is that Shen Li?"

One of them lowered his head and looked at the document verification office at the city gate below.

"It really seems to be him. Isn't he at home mourning? Why has he entered the capital?"

The person who spoke followed his gaze and looked down, puzzled.

"Brother Renjia doesn't know? Last year, his three-year mourning for his father ended, and the Emperor gave him the post of Vice Minister of War to patrol the region. The document had just been sent out when Shen Li's mother passed away. Now that the hundred-day funeral rites have passed, the Emperor has taken advantage of the situation to waive the mourning period."

"Tsk, another loophole. The Emperor is corrupting the rites and laws; will there be no descendants?"

"Cough…… Brother Renjia's words are biased. Whether it is waiving the mourning period or halving the mourning period for the Imperial Observatory, they are all ancestral laws. Brother Renjia might as well take advantage of this suspension period to review mathematics and take a concurrent post as a doctor in the Imperial Observatory."

There is a reason for this word "also." The Emperor let the hall officials of the third-rank Prefectural Yamen study further last time. The Ministry of War branch is low in rank but heavy in power, so they were also allocated two spots. The logic of this statement naturally changed direction.

"Forget it, I'm too lazy to argue with you. According to what you said, Shen Li's return to the capital this time is to take over Luo Luo Fengxiang's post as Left Vice Minister of War?"

Shen Li's qualifications are certainly enough.

It's just that having this person as a direct superior is not a good thing; it's even worse than Chen Chen Jingbang.

"No, looking at the edict copied by the Six Ministries, it says he is appointed as Vice Hai Yushi-in-Chief to patrol land measurement affairs. As for the Left Vice Minister of War, Luo Luo Fengxiang hasn't necessarily fallen yet, so it's too early to talk about taking over."

"That's just deceiving oneself. If the Emperor and the Cabinet are determined to implicate him, if Luo Luo Fengxiang doesn't fall, he will have to fall into the water."

"Sigh, in the final analysis, it's still Shen Shen Shixing's incompetence. The matter should have stopped at the foreigner. How could he let the Emperor implicate the dignified Minister of War, making everyone look like they're covered in filth!"

"Who says it isn't? And Wang Wang Xijue, who is jumping up and down, more active than a eunuch. He's probably gone crazy from losing his daughter. Such a person is actually worthy of staying in the position of Minister of Personnel."

"Hmph, Wang Wang Chonggu can't run away either. If he doesn't nod, Shen Shen Shixing can't hold the pen for the draft. Wang Wang Chonggu doesn't even protect his own fellow townsmen; who will dare to rely on him in the future?"

"What kind of people are attending the morning court at the Zhao Wenhua Hall now!"

Rebellions in the Great Ming are very common. Zhu Chenhao, the Prince of Ning, recruited 100,000 soldiers, declared himself Emperor, and changed the reign title to Shunde, exactly sixty years ago; the Renyin Palace Incident, where the Emperor Jiajing Emperor was almost strangled, was only thirty-seven years ago; the slightly more recent Shi Shi Shangzhao raised a flag to rebel, gathering 70,000 people to attack cities and seize land, which was only twenty-six years ago; the most recent was the eighth year of Emperor Longqing, when 2,000 soldiers in Xuanfu rebelled for rewards, only eleven years ago. The situation of the feudal dynasty is like this; no matter which Emperor is in power, they will be rebelled against at least once.

However, although rebellions are frequent, they mostly occur among immoral imperial clansmen, deluded commoners, self-willed temporary workers, and hot-headed soldiers.

A civil official rebelling is simply too shocking!

How many years has it been since the country heard of civil officials rebelling? Even if it were a fact, they usually wouldn't use this name; listing ten or eight major crimes to execute them would be the limit.

If one really had to count precedents, one would have to climb up to Hu Hu Weiyong—if the Tumu Crisis doesn't count.

What was the situation with the Hu Hu Weiyong case? Tens of thousands of people were implicated, with countless deaths and injuries; more than half were scholars!

How could the Emperor and the Cabinet bear to repeat this!?

If Shen Shen Shixing, Wang Wang Xijue, and these people had any conscience, they should have stopped the matter at the foreigner and covered the lid. As for Shi Shi Mao Hua's matter, they could have just listed ten major crimes to vent the Emperor's anger. Why make such a big fuss and fill the city with wind and rain? They aren't afraid of the common people being shocked.

Back then, the Emperor Jiajing Emperor had escaped death and lived how many times, and no one saw people casually talking about civil officials rebelling.

It can only be said that the buttocks of those court officials in the Zhao Wenhua Hall are becoming more crooked every day!

Just as they were talking.

A cloud of dust approached from far to near, coming toward the capital.

The two instinctively cast their eyes over. After just a glance, before they could even pause their conversation about the city wall, they saw this team of people galloping past, arrogantly escorted by personal guards, and riding into the city with the leader.

The two simultaneously felt their brows knit together, looking at the team that had just entered the city with disgust.

"These military generals, relying on the Emperor's favor, have become rampant again in recent years. They truly fear power but do not cherish virtue!"

Galloping into the city is simply too arrogant!

The atmosphere has become more and more corrupt in recent years.

When military officers come to the Ministry of War to report on their duties, not to mention the great ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows, at least there should be the basic etiquette of kneeling and bowing, right?

As a result, it's been the opposite in recent years. Those regional commanders and generals, holding the Emperor's order arrows, say that officials of the third rank and above do not need to kneel to outsiders, and they actually dare to stand upright in the Ministry of War!

And that Gu Gu Huan, a mere duke, spends all day standing in the court debates at the Zhao Wenhua Hall, speaking up for military officers. He is truly an eyesore, and I don't know when he will die.

"Looking at the signs held by the close guards, it seems to be Qi Qi Jiguang? No wonder he is so arrogant. He brought 3,000 southern soldiers with him this time he entered the capital. If anyone provokes him, the city defense army might not necessarily be enough to fight him."

One of them sneered continuously, his tone full of contempt and sarcasm.

Although he understood that these foreign officials entering the capital were mostly out of proportion because they heard about the assassination of the Emperor, and couldn't wait to see the Emperor, but regardless of the reason, arrogance is arrogance.

Furthermore, the Emperor's safety is not something these military generals should worry about.

"Yu Yu Dayou was so arrogant in Fujian, killing people and destroying families at every turn. When he returned to the capital to report on his duties, he tucked his tail between his legs and only brought two attendants. This Qi Qi Jiguang is good; 3,000 southern soldiers…… Hmph, he's not afraid of not being able to hold such a big posture."

"Who let the Emperor rely on him? The night Shi Shi Mao Hua had an accident, I heard that the Capital Battalion and the Five Chief Military Commissions also had unusual movements. Plus, Gu Gu Huan is dying soon; the Emperor is probably planning to hand over the Capital Battalion to Qi Qi Jiguang."

"Unusual movements of the battalions and guards…… I've also heard about this in the past two days, but it seems there are more rumors than truth."

Mobilizing battalions and guards is not such a simple matter.

Not to mention the Emperor and the Cabinet, one also needs the high-ranking eunuch of the Directorate of Imperial Ma Pi to issue the imperial edict and fire tablets to the Ministry of War, and then transfer them to the Five Chief Military Commissions.

This long chain of procedures is something even Shi Shi Mao Hua couldn't do.

"Not clear, but I heard rumors in the Ministry of War about someone forging fire tablets."

"Forging fire tablets!? How could they be so insane!?"

"Heh, it's not a rare thing. Didn't the Duke of Qian, who was executed by slow slicing six years ago, do this? It's a pity that you and I are suspended now; the news we hear is all obscured, and we can't see it clearly. I don't know how much is true or false."

"It must be fake. Could there be such a big battle?"

"Hard to say. This time the Emperor went on an inspection tour, the Court of Imperial Stud Minister died strangely, and Wang Wang Chonggu had a big quarrel with Shi Shi Mao Hua. In my opinion, it might not be unrelated."

"Sigh, forget it. I don't know the truth of this matter. I only know that the Emperor is taking advantage of this opportunity to completely grasp the Capital Battalion."

The speaker's eyes were quite complex, especially showing great apprehension.

"Rebellion, after all, if both sides don't rebel against each other, how can it be called a rebellion? Who rebels against whom has never been easy to say."

As soon as the words were spoken, the two sighed simultaneously.

Looking at each other, they felt countless worries about the dark future of the Ministry of War and the Ministry of War's branch.

……

"Directorate of Ceremonial eunuch Sun Hai? The Inner Court is also implicated!?"

Shen Shen Shixing looked solemn as he took the case file handed over by Hai Yushi-in-Chief Wen Chun, exclaiming in astonishment.

Wen Chun nodded and said bluntly: "In the case of the occupation of imperial estates in Daxing County, the seal-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Palace Servants, Yao Zhong, is behind this person."

"Just because he heard that the Emperor wanted to continue the investigation after killing Yao Zhong, he feared the heavenly might. Taking advantage of the opportunity when Shi Shi Mao Hua was in chaos, he secretly relaxed the search before the foreigner met the Emperor."

Speaking of this, he paused and continued: "Now it is just a speculation made by the Censorate based on the confessions of several suspects. There is no conclusive evidence, but he seems to have smelled the wind. I am afraid that a long night will bring many dreams. Should I arrest him or not?"

Whether it follows the rules or not is a matter for later.

The two had worked together as Left and Right Vice Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, so they had close contact and a good private relationship, and they were naturally on equal footing—according to the national custom, when the Chief Minister is a Southerner, a Northerner must be in charge of the Censorate to maintain balance, and their status is evident.

Thus, there were few taboos when the two spoke.

Shen Shen Shixing braced himself on the chair and stood up slowly, pacing back and forth in the Cabinet's duty room. It was clear that since it involved the Inner Court, it was a bit troublesome.

Until he squeezed the case file in his hand out of shape, Shen Shen Shixing gritted his teeth fiercely: "Arrest! Don't care who it is! If you find out, arrest him!"

"You take my note to arrest people first. Don't let them run away like Shi Shi Mao Hua. I will make up the draft and the Emperor's approval later!"

Wen Chun nodded and was about to turn and leave the Cabinet.

"Wait."

Wen Chun looked back, only to see Shen Shen Shixing looking up and calling him.

"Zhao Zhao Yongxian, the right advisor of the Capital Battalion, arrest him too!" Shen Shen Shixing said this out of the blue.

Wen Chun frowned.

He was puzzled and asked: "Is Zhao Zhao Yongxian also implicated?"

Shen Shen Shixing heard this, his face shifting between light and shadow.

After a long while, he turned his head away in embarrassment, facing away from Wen Chun, his expression invisible: "Maybe."

Even if not, it's already come to this point; one should consider the big picture and consider the Emperor's mood.

Back then, when Zhang Zhang Juzheng was forced to stay in office, Zhao Zhao Yongxian openly agreed but secretly kept connecting, which could be described as outward compliance but inward opposition.

The Emperor originally planned to send him to Zhejiang to fight the Japanese after the new year. Now that such a thing has happened, and there are signs of unusual movements in the battalions and guards, he can only be sent to prison.

This is certainly not glorious, but since Shen Shen Shixing entered the Cabinet, there have been too many times when he had to consider the big picture, so one more time doesn't matter. It can be considered a small indulgence of power.

From Shen Shen Shixing's reaction, Wen Chun clearly read some complex trade-offs.

He nodded slowly after a moment of silence.

Seeing that Wen Chun responded reluctantly, Shen Shen Shixing had no choice but to pull the corners of his mouth with difficulty, revealing a rather awkward smile, and comforted him: "Jingwen, you and I have worked together for many years, and you know me. I am doing this for the public good."

The so-called 'maybe,' also known as 'perhaps,' or 'unjust,' this title doesn't sound good when spoken out.

Even if the starting point is different from someone else's, it is always a moral stain.

Wen Chun looked up at Shen Shen Shixing, seeing his awkward posture of hands half-extended, and he instinctively put his hands behind his back.

Looking at the embarrassed Shen Shen Shixing, he said directly: "Rumor doesn't need to explain; I understand everything. You are afraid of repeating the Emperor Jiajing Emperor's story, and you are willing to dirty your hands for the sake of the big picture. I am not Chen Chen Wude, so how could I stand and talk without back pain?"

Shen Shen Shixing heard this, his embarrassed face shifted several times, and finally, it all turned into exhaustion and emotion.

The Emperor Jiajing Emperor's story—who isn't afraid of it?

They hadn't seen what the Emperor Jiajing Emperor looked like at the beginning of his reign, but they had heard a bit. Land measurement, clearing imperial estates, opening the seas, suppressing the Japanese—in Hai Rui's eyes, he was wise and martial, so he couldn't be called a muddled ruler.

Alas, after the Renyin Palace Incident, he never held court again, seeking immortality and becoming an ancestor, but losing his human form.

Now, what Shen Shen Shixing fears most is not some Minister of War rebelling, nor some Five Chief Military Commissions forging fire symbols, but is especially worried about whether the Emperor will be stimulated and suddenly become like his ancestor.

Back then, after the Emperor Jiajing Emperor escaped the fire, the imperial physician who cured him died suddenly, and the court officials involved were vaguely promoted, which the Emperor Jiajing Emperor had suspected for a long time.

The current Emperor's suspicion is no lighter than the Emperor Jiajing Emperor's, and with his age increasing in recent years, his suspicion is growing day by day.

At such a time, if the Cabinet doesn't take a thorough attitude to show its stance to the Emperor and comfort him, how can Shen Shen Shixing be at ease?

He sighed leisurely: "Sigh, the Emperor has been on an inspection tour for less than a month, and I have sat and watched such things brewing under my nose. It is truly a crime that is hard to forgive."

"Now that it's time to dirty my hands, how can I be stingy with my feathers?"

Wen Chun couldn't help but shake his head upon hearing this.

He thought for a moment and comforted him: "No one could have expected Shi Shi Mao Hua to be so insane. Rumor doesn't need to blame yourself so much."

Shi Shi Mao Hua was already at the age where he was shouting about being forever healthy and waiting to die of old age. Who could have expected him to have other plans?

Shen Shen Shixing pursed his lips. After a moment of silence, he still blamed himself: "Before, when the Emperor sent an imperial oral decree back, and Wang Zhang Gelao Zhang informed me that he wanted to thoroughly investigate the Ministry of War's horse farm, I should have taken precautions and been careful of someone jumping over the wall like a dog."

Wen Chun didn't know how to respond for a moment.

The two were speechless. After a while, Wen Chun simply cupped his hands and said goodbye.

This time Shen Shen Shixing didn't keep him.

After Wen Chun left, the Cabinet duty room fell into silence again.

Shen Shen Shixing sat back in his grand chair and continued to draft the memorials, meticulously.

……

Clearly different from the Cabinet where Shen Shen Shixing was struggling, the Ministry of War was cold yet lively.

It was cold because a group of Langzhongs and Zhushis were still suspended and waiting for investigation, and half the people in the office had suddenly disappeared.

It was lively, naturally because as the center of the vortex of Shi Shi Mao Hua's rebellion case, it naturally focused too many figures and eyes.

Just like Wang Wang Chonggu and the only remaining Ministry of War hall official, Chen Chen Jingbang, who were in full swing in the Ministry of War's main hall.

"In the fourth year of Emperor Wanli, 36,200 taels of horse price silver were issued from the Imperial Stud Court and sent to Ningxia for market use; 20,000 taels of horse price silver were given to the Liaodong Town for rewards for beheading; 12,000 taels of horse price silver were given to the Datong Town to prepare for next year's market capital; 9,600 taels of horse price silver were released to Miyun for purchasing carts and mules; 80,862 taels of horse price silver were sent to the Three Xuan-Da military gate……"

"In the fifth year of Emperor Wanli……"

Wang Wang Chonggu recited the items one by one.

Chen Chen Jingbang checked the official documents one by one.

It wasn't until he finished counting the seventh year of Emperor Wanli that Wang Wang Chonggu stopped, and the Ministry of War Vice Minister Chen Chen Jingbang put down the case file, sighing endlessly: "Occupying grasslands, swallowing horse price silver, since the first year of Emperor Wanli, millions of taels have been eaten away by these people. Truly a great parasite of the country!"

Wang Wang Chonggu heard this and didn't respond.

He had heard some rumors about this when he was the Three Xuan-Da Viceroy—he himself had other legal sources of wealth, but most of his colleagues did not.

For example, Shi Shi Mao Hua and Luo Luo Fengxiang, who were also from Shanxi.

In the past, he could choose not to listen and pretend he hadn't heard the rumors, but now that the Emperor forced him to choose, he could only choose the good and follow it.

Since things had reached this point, there was naturally no room to stop, but Wang Wang Chonggu still couldn't help but feel complex, unwilling to comment too much.

He ignored Chen Chen Jingbang's topic and continued: "The number of people involved is extremely wide. Currently, only a portion has been identified: Minister of War Shi Shi Mao Hua, Vice Minister of War Luo Luo Fengxiang, Court of Imperial Stud Minister Wu Kong Shangxian, Ministry of Revenue Grassland Management Physician Gao Shi, Ministry of War Physician Miao Boran, Shaanxi Regional Military Commission Assistant Tang Yao, Liaodong Central Army Assistant Regional Commander Zhang Wei……"

The number of people involved was not many—of course, this was relative, at least not as fierce as the salt administration case back then.

But just hearing the beginning, Chen Chen Jingbang had some realization.

He repeated in a low voice: "Shi Shi Mao Hua…… I fear he had long realized he was being investigated, right?"

Otherwise, he wouldn't have fled so quickly.

He even played a ruthless hand before leaving.

Wang Wang Chonggu didn't commit: "Perhaps."

Chen Chen Jingbang saw that this Zhang Gelao Zhang didn't want to talk much, so he didn't ask further, continuing with the main business: "What about the horses? Were they not purchased at all?"

Wang Wang Chonggu shook his head slowly: "Naturally not. If they hadn't purchased horses, they wouldn't have been able to deceive the local governors, the patrolling Censorate officials, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard for so many years."

"They were purchased, but they were sold off right after."

Chen Chen Jingbang was stunned: "Sold to whom?"

Wang Wang Chonggu looked at Chen Chen Jingbang, expressionless: "Who else? The Mongols, the Jurchens, and in recent years, the White Lotus Sect in the Ban-sheng."

Zhang Gelao Zhang Wang was knowledgeable and spoke lightly.

Chen Chen Jingbang heard this and suddenly his face flushed red.

He slapped the table and stood up, his eyes wide open, looking incredulous, and said with a trembling voice: "Betraying the country! This is betraying the country!"

The horse administration had the original intention of weakening the enemy. Who could have thought that such a thing as repurchasing would happen now!

As for the price, it goes without saying; since it was selling stolen goods, it must have been lower than the market price for the foreigners to repurchase.

Didn't this mean the court officials and the foreigners were sitting down and dividing the money from the national treasury!?

How unreasonable!

The Minister of War betraying the country—how could there be such a precedent!

The Gengxu Rebellion, the Shizhou Incident, the Jizhou Rebellion—each time, tens of thousands of common people died, which could be described as a scene of devastation. Did these people not have a shred of distinction between Chinese and barbarians in their eyes!?

Being so willing to lead the way for the barbarians—is it because they miss the wives and children of the Jin people, or is it because their heads are itching and they want to shave their hair and change their clothes!?

Wang Wang Chonggu's expression was somewhat complex, somewhat regretful, somewhat hating that iron doesn't become steel, and even more melancholy.

He sighed: "Not everyone can be as clear about the enemy and ourselves as you and I."

After a long time.

Chen Chen Jingbang finally calmed down.

He sat back down slowly: "No wonder, no wonder Shi Shi Mao Hua, the dignified Minister of War, dared to do such a thing. So that's how it is."

"Heh, the Emperor is returning to the capital, and the first thing he will do is kill this group of people."

The Emperor hadn't killed few people during this inspection tour of Shuntian, which truly scared the guts out of many people.

No wonder Shi Shi Mao Hua was so panicked that he jumped over the wall like a dog.

Just then.

There was movement outside the Prefectural Yamen, which was especially obvious in the now cold Ministry of War Prefectural Yamen.

The two looked up simultaneously.

Only to see a person walking with wind and thunder, breaking into the Prefectural Yamen's main hall all the way from the Ministry of War's main gate.

"Your subordinate Qi Qi Jiguang, by imperial order, returns the tally, enters the capital to meet the Emperor, and pays respects to Zhang Gelao Zhang Wang and the Junior Minister."

Chen Chen Jingbang and Wang Wang Chonggu looked at each other.

The latter smiled in response and reached out to support him.

The former nodded reluctantly, a trace of displeasure rising in his heart.

This Qi Qi Jiguang was rumored to be extremely polite, kowtowing every time he arrived at the Ministry of War. How could he be so ignorant of etiquette when seeing him, Chen Chen Jingbang, today?

But since a major event had occurred and the Ministry of War had many things to do, he didn't have the energy to argue with these military officers, so he waved his hand perfunctorily: "Commander Qi has traveled far to the capital, dusty and tired. Rest well today, and enter the court to meet the Emperor with Left Commander Yu Yu Dayou the day after tomorrow."

After saying this, he called a hall official to lead Qi Qi Jiguang away to handle business—this is the current ecology of civil and military affairs. Not to mention returning the salute, they were too lazy to even look at them directly.

Wang Wang Chonggu heard the trace of displeasure in his tone, looked up at Chen Chen Jingbang, but didn't say anything, after all, Chen Chen Jingbang was the proper hall official of the Ministry of War.

Qi Qi Jiguang heard this and was unwilling to wait until the day after tomorrow, hurriedly saying: "Junior Minister, your subordinate wants to meet the Emperor now!"

Chen Chen Jingbang then looked up and sized up Qi Qi Jiguang properly.

He naturally understood the mentality of these foreign officials; it was nothing more than anxiety about the Emperor's assassination.

This was naturally nothing to blame, it was just that his attitude made him somewhat dissatisfied.

Chen Chen Jingbang frowned slightly and reprimanded: "Some things are not for you military generals to meddle in. You only need to know that His Majesty is safe."

Qi Qi Jiguang was reprimanded, his face flushed red.

If it were in the past, he would have retreated in the face of difficulties, but at this moment, he had to bite the bullet and plead: "Junior Minister, your subordinate……"

Before he could finish speaking, Chen Chen Jingbang showed an impatient expression.

He waved his hand: "His Majesty went to Zhang Gelao Zhang Gao's mansion today and is not in the palace, so you won't be able to see him either."

As soon as the words fell, Qi Qi Jiguang's expression changed drastically, and he blurted out: "Just after the assassination, how can His Majesty still leave the palace!?"

After saying this, he didn't even bother to say goodbye, turned and left, clearly preparing to go to Zhang Gelao Zhang Gao's mansion to meet the Emperor.

Chen Chen Jingbang looked at Qi Qi Jiguang's back and snorted coldly without any cover: "Ignorant of etiquette!"

Wang Wang Chonggu was on the side and added a word of protection: "Only those who are loyal can take charge of the Capital Battalion. Gongwang, don't be too harsh."

Chen Chen Jingbang bowed to Wang Wang Chonggu reluctantly, which was considered giving the latter some face.

And Qi Qi Jiguang, who turned and left, naturally turned a deaf ear, strode out of the Ministry of War Prefectural Yamen, and didn't even bother to greet his personal guards, simply mounting his horse and galloping straight toward Zhang Gelao Zhang Gao's mansion.

……

At the same time, Zhang Gelao Zhang Gao's mansion.

Unlike what outsiders expected, the Emperor, who should have been furious and shouting for killing, or frightened and walking on thin ice, was currently accompanying his teacher, Gao Yi, in the courtyard, with the chessboard set up, leisurely playing chess.

"Didn't the student ask Yuanfu to bring a message before? Saying that after finishing the inspection tour, I would leave the palace to visit Lord Lv and the teacher."

Zhu Zhu Yijun reached out and pushed the pawn on his hand forward one step.

The accompanying middle-secretary set aside the *Qijuzhu* (Diary of Activity and Repose), changed to a thin notebook, and wrote something rustlingly.

If one looked closely, one could see that he was recording the chess game—saying, the Emperor respects the teacher and values the way, inviting Nanyu Gao Gong to hold the red pieces. Nanyu Gao Gong played Cannon 2 to 6, the Emperor played Horse 8 to 7, lightning fast; Nanyu Gao Gong played Horse 2 to 3, the Emperor played Chariot 9 to 8, without hesitation; Nanyu Gao Gong played Pawn 3 to 1, the Emperor played Pawn 3 to 1, evenly matched; Nanyu Gao Gong played Elephant 7 to 5, the Emperor played Horse 2 to 3, swords and shadows.

Zhu Zhu Yijun also let the middle-secretary write wild history; anyway, he wouldn't lift the chessboard, not afraid of people recording it.

After Gao Yi had a stroke, his lower limbs couldn't walk, and he could only sit in a wheelchair and play chess with the Emperor.

His consciousness was recovering well at this time, still quite clear, but his speech was somewhat slurred: "In the current situation, Your Majesty doesn't look like someone who can avoid trouble. You should return to the palace as soon as possible."

"Chariot 1 to 2."

When Gao Yi was the secondary assistant assisting in government, there was no lack of court officials saying the Emperor was pretending, using his voice.

Now? He, Gao Yi, is a mere cripple, yet the Emperor's favor remains undiminished. What could prove it better than this?

This life of his, the most worthy thing to praise, is perhaps teaching such a student.

It is precisely because the Emperor is a good Emperor that he cannot bear to have the Emperor consume energy on him.

Zhu Zhu Yijun shook his head: "It doesn't matter. It was just that I had just returned to the capital and was caught off guard. Now that things have been arranged, there is nothing major."

"By the way, it's deep winter and cold. The student brought two palace servants to take care of the teacher for a month, until the beginning of spring."

"Elephant 3 to 5."

His teacher had no concubines or children, only two old servants. In the winter after the stroke, someone from the palace always had to come to take care of him.

Gao Yi didn't decline upon hearing this; he had already declined enough in the first two years.

He just looked at the Emperor solemnly: "Don't be careless. This assassination attempt involved the Ministry of War sending foreigners to the banquet, the Directorate of Ceremonial having people covering for them, and even the Five Chief Military Commissions forging imperial edicts and fire tablets, intending to mobilize battalions and guards and wait for an opportunity. Every single item is truly not like a temporary impulse."

During the conversation, he moved the chess piece casually, Horse 8 to 9.

Zhu Zhu Yijun seemed unaware: "Cannon 8 to 4."

"The student knows. This is the backlash of the Southern Suburb Heaven Sacrifice and the land measurement. It just happened to be together. As for who exactly is involved…… I will find them one by one."

He naturally knew the situation was severe.

But being an Emperor—who hasn't encountered a rebellion during their tenure?

Get used to it; there's no need to be overly frightened.

Gao Yi's hand holding the chess piece paused, reminding him: "Forget about the others, but the person who forged the imperial edict and fire tablets in the Five Chief Military Commissions—better to kill the wrong person than let one go."

No one dares to take forging fire tablets lightly. Especially since the person who delivered the order was an officer of the Five Chief Military Commissions, who can tell the difference?

The danger is self-evident.

Coupled with the fact that the middle-level officers who delivered the order committed suicide afterward, this level of organization is simply shocking.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded lightly: "Let's see which noble family it is. Shi Shi Mao Hua was likely sent out by them. The first time I execute three clans during my tenure will likely start from this."

Gao Yi was thoughtful.

The servant on the side reached out his hand familiarly to wipe the corner of his old master's mouth.

The former then reacted, barely straightening his expression: "Does Your Majesty have any guesses?"

While speaking, he casually played Cannon 8 to 7.

Zhu Zhu Yijun nodded: "I went out of the palace today to verify it. After visiting the teacher, I will go to the door and ask."

"Chariot 1 to 2."

There are many fools among the nobles, but there are not many who have the guts to forge fire tablets.

Plus, now that they are serving in the Five Chief Military Commissions, a slight investigation will give a rough idea.

Gao Yi couldn't help but sigh.

Managing ten thousand affairs a day is truly not just talk. A trip out of the palace is often a squeeze of three or five things together.

And this is just after experiencing an assassination attempt. If this isn't a wise ruler, what is?

Thinking of this, Gao Yi suddenly reminded: "Your Majesty will be eighteen next year. You can have intercourse more frequently."

This time it was just a false alarm, but it truly scared many people.

The Emperor still has no heirs!

As an imperial teacher, words that should be advised must be advised, even if one is about to enter the soil.

The middle-secretary on the side wrote down casually, Nanyu Gao Gong Pawn 7 to 1.

Zhu Zhu Yijun's expression was calm, nodding in response: "The teacher is right. The student also knows. I had intercourse last night."

"Horse 3 to 4."

There is nothing to avoid about this. It should be said to let the subordinates rest assured—after the Emperor is assassinated, the ministers should express their stance, and the Emperor should naturally express his stance.

Gao Yi heard this and finally felt relieved.

He thought for a moment and reminded: "Your Majesty, now is the time for land measurement. Shi Shi Mao Hua's matter should not be implicated too deeply. You should let Shen Shen Shixing pay attention to the measure."

As he spoke, he casually pushed a pawn forward, Pawn 7 to 1.

Zhu Zhu Yijun heard this, and a trace of thought-provoking meaning appeared in his dark eyes, saying softly: "Teacher, don't worry, I will stop at the right point."

As for where to stop, he didn't explain, just naturally played the piece, Horse 4 to 5.

Gao Yi was about to raise his piece to respond when he suddenly froze.

After deducing for a long time, Gao Yi finally saw the situation clearly, looked up at the Emperor helplessly: "Your Majesty is indeed stopping at the right point. I concede."

The middle-secretary Wang Wang Yingxuan also understood the chess game and reacted, surprised: "Your Majesty won in nine steps. Truly divine calculation!"

Zhu Zhu Yijun smiled without saying a word.

Just then.

Abruptly, the sound of weapons rang out without warning.

The sound of shouting and killing grew louder outside the mansion, accompanied by the chanting of "No-Birth Mother, Vacuum Hometown."

Embroidered Uniform Guard Commander Jiang Jiang Keqian hurried in, and the scene of soldiers fighting outside the mansion flashed by.

Gao Yi's expression changed drastically, almost trying to stand up from the wheelchair: "Quick! Escort His Majesty out the back door!"

The middle-secretary Wang Wang Yingxuan realized something was wrong belatedly, so he ignored etiquette, grabbed the Emperor's arm, and tried to drag him away.

Unexpectedly, the Emperor just frowned, shook off Wang Wang Yingxuan, stood up, and greeted Jiang Jiang Keqian, mocking: "Who jumped over the wall like a dog?"

Jiang Jiang Keqian's face was not panicked, bowing: "I can't see clearly, but it should be Liu Liu Shiyan."

Zhu Zhu Yijun sneered: "Cheng Yi Bo Liu Liu Shiyan, it really is him…… His news is quite well-informed. It seems he knew I was going to his door."

This chess game is the game between Wang Wang Tianyi and Wang Yang in the 2016 Feishen Cup, which I borrowed.