Rebirth of the Demon Queen

Chapter 17 State Affairs

First, the bandits invaded Zhuangzi, and then the Jin Yiwei went around to hunt down the bandits who slipped through the net. By the time all the dust settled, it was almost the end of the year.

Everyone in Zhuangzi was still in shock. Regardless of the dark sky, they all urged to return to the city as soon as possible.

The Jin Yiwei escorted the group to the west gate of the capital, and a quarter of an hour had passed.

The news that Princess Yong'an's Zhuangzi was besieged by rogue bandits has already spread among the high-ranking families in the city. Today, there are children who are going on an outing with Princess Yong'an. Everyone in the mansion is uneasy and has arranged people to guard the west gate to wait for the news.

.

Lin Yuanzhi heard from the yamen that his two children had met with an accident, so he hurriedly asked for leave from his boss, and took Bi to wait at the west gate at three o'clock in the morning. They have waited until now.

When Bi Shi saw her children returning safely in her carriage, she was happy at first, and then cried loudly. Lin Zisu had to get out of the carriage and comfort her softly.

There are many families who are as happy and sad as Bi's family. The West City Gate suddenly became a scene of recognition of relatives. Amidst the noise, Bi's cry did not seem harsh.

Leaving aside how the Lin brothers and sisters settled down after returning home, the eldest princess Yong'an did not bother to return home when she arrived in the city, and went straight to the palace to see the emperor.

The emperor has been waiting anxiously in the Jiyi Palace for the reply from Jinyiwei. Zhuangzi has two of his princes, his sister, and the children of more than a dozen Beijing officials. If they all fall into the hands of rogue bandits.

Thinking of this, the emperor was both angry and worried. These officials below usually just ate nothing but allowed the bandits to cause trouble. They really deserved to die!

But how to deal with these local officials was another matter. Without any news from outside the city, the emperor was uneasy after all.

Qian Minzhong and himself had always been at odds with each other politically, and Tantai Song was well aware of it. Wanting to tell the difference, the emperor raised his eyebrows and asked first, "Oh? Tantai Song and Xu Ling actually have such a relationship?"

After the ministers dispersed, the emperor stopped Fang Luan and said, "Your Majesty Weiyuan, people just talk too much and it's difficult to speak. I want to hear your opinion."

Princess Yong'an finished her ceremony, and without waiting for the emperor to ask questions, she told the emperor about all the dangers that had happened in Zhuangzi.

Fang Luan was a little annoyed by Lu Zhiyuan's sudden attack, and Liu Qingyuan was caught off guard.

Liu Qingyuan's face suddenly felt awkward. Zhang Ruogu, the newly appointed minister from the Ministry of Civil Affairs, immediately understood the meaning and hurriedly said: "Mr. Liu Ge, let's go in. Don't keep the emperor waiting too long."

Lu Zhiyuan was born in the Lu family, a century-old prominent family in the Guan area. He was ranked second in high school in the scientific examination. He rose from the Hanlin Academy to the position of Minister of Rites. Regardless of his qualifications and family background, he was a first-rate presence in the cabinet.

The cabinet ministers who spoke these words looked at each other in confusion. They had not interacted with this fourth prince who was famous for his absurdity. The outside world said that Prince Dun was frivolous and foolhardy. Unexpectedly, it was actually worse.

The account of today's rogue bandits has been placed on the cabinet.

Zhang Ruogu's words seemed to be in agreement with his boss Ye Quan, but in fact they were using the topic to deliberately refer the incident of today's bandits to the administration of officials, and wanted the emperor to thoroughly investigate Luyuan officials.

Qian Minzhong, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, had been silent by the side. As soon as Tantai Song finished speaking, Qian Minzhong said: "Master Tantai has always been selfless, and I admire him very much. I heard that Xu Ling is Nianyi of Master Tantai,

Could it be that Lord Tantai wants to make an exception for Xu Ling today?"

After a long time, Ye Quan, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, please calm down. If it is according to what Mr. Lu just said, the current situation in Luyuan is already extremely urgent. For the current plan, the first is to dispatch the Jinyi Guards as soon as possible and order He Changmao to investigate the west of the city today.

The cause of the chaos, knowing the experiences of the rogue bandits along the way, can help them find countermeasures; the second is to select another capable official to go to Luyuan to take charge of the overall situation, inspect and respond to everything, and appease the people; the third is to order the Fifth Army Governor's Office to control the northwest guards

, to prevent large-scale civil unrest.”

Now that there is such a huge chaos in Luyuan, it cannot be covered up with just a few words. If it is verified, dozens of people will be killed all the way from Guan Nei to the capital.

The emperor looked at Ye Quan, but he spoke to everyone: "What do you think of what the Grand Tutor just said?"

Xie Xi stopped and said with a smile: "You guys can't understand me, Xie Xi, let's be honest, why bother to get a bunch of thieves and kill me?"

Tantai Song had been in the court for many years and knew the importance of Ye Quan in the emperor's heart, so he quoted Zhang Ruogu's words and said: "I think what Ye Taifu just said is correct, 'The people's order lies in the officials, and the country's security lies in the government.'

, the current plan is to remove Gu Shi, the governor of Luyuan, from his post. Xu Ling, the envoy to Jiannan, has been in office for eight years and has made many achievements. I suggest that Xu Ling be promoted to the position of governor of Luyuan, so that he will live up to the expectations of the Holy Emperor."

Ye Quan bowed to accept the order. The emperor paused and said sternly: "No matter what the cause of this chaos in Luyuan, it is difficult for Gu Shi to be involved. Huang Sheng, quickly send the Jinyi guards to Yunzhou to escort the governor of Luyuan Gu.

When I come to Beijing, I want to see what he has to say!"

However, Lu Zhiyuan didn't talk much on weekdays, and everyone in the court respected him, but they didn't expect him to answer such a thrilling question at this juncture.

The emperor couldn't bear it anymore, veins popped up on his forehead, and he roared angrily: "The rogue bandits are about to flee to the capital to cause trouble. I just knew it. I ask you, Luyuan is thousands of miles away from the capital. How did these rogue bandits get from Luyuan?"

To the capital? Jingzhao Mansion asked for a memorial to appease the refugees. Why was there no report from the cabinet? From Luyuan to the capital, you have to pass through at least nine guard posts on the way. Are the commanders of these guard posts all drunkards and rice sacks?"

Zhang Ruogu saw that the emperor's face softened slightly and said hurriedly: "What Mr. Ye said is very reasonable. The so-called 'sage governs the officials but does not govern the people'. The emperor's holy name needs officials from all over the world to safeguard it. Now the people of Luyuan are boiling with resentment. I guess it is Lu."

Because the former governor Gu Shi and the officials below him acted in the opposite direction, it will be difficult to appease the people without a thorough investigation."

The emperor's tone was cold, and there was no hint of happiness or anger. Fang Luan replied bravely: "A bunch of rabble-rousers gathered together to become bandits. There is nothing to fear. However, local officials worked on their own, which led to catastrophe. I Dayan has

With an army of one million, these bandits are nothing but idlers. Please relax, Your Majesty."

The emperor's series of questions made everyone speechless. There was silence in Jiyi Hall, and everyone was too nervous to speak out.

When the emperor asked, Liu Qingyuan hurriedly replied: "Back to the emperor, I also received a memorial from Lu Yuan after the new year, saying that all the food funds allocated by the court have been paid in place. It has only been three months, and I really

…I really didn’t know that Luyuan could have such a big disaster!”

The emperor snorted coldly, obviously very dissatisfied with Liu Qingyuan's answer, and asked: "If I remember correctly, the cabinet received a memorial from Weizhou a few days ago? Weizhou is the only way for Lu Yuan to enter the capital.

Does the cabinet really not know about something like this happening in Luyuan?"

Liu Qingyuan, the chief assistant of the cabinet, cleared his throat and was about to explain a few words to Xie Xi when he looked up and saw that Xie Xi had already walked away.

Seeing that the emperor and his royal guards were dispatched, the cabinet seemed to have made up its mind and could no longer argue. After praising the saints one by one, they withdrew.

Tantai Song responded: "Sir Qian is right, I and Xu Ling are indeed ranked in the same year."

Everyone nodded in agreement and entered the study to salute the emperor. When they looked up, they saw Fang Luan standing under the desk, discussing military plans with the emperor.

The emperor pretended to ponder for a moment and said: "In ancient times, people did not avoid relatives when promoting virtuous people. Since Tantai Song recommended Xu Ling, I am somewhat sure, Grand Tutor! Tomorrow you will discuss with the cabinet the candidate for the governor of Luyuan. If Xu Ling is If it is available, it cannot bury his talent. If you feel it is not available, find someone more talented than him."

Shen Changde, Minister of the Ministry of War, and Liu Qingyuan had a good friendship on weekdays. Seeing the emperor's unkind expression, he hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Wang Jian, the commander of the Longzhou Guards, has not sent any military reports to the Ministry of War in recent months. I will be with the Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth Army tomorrow. Eight hundred miles hastened the writing of the document, and ordered Wang Jian to explain in detail the matter of sending troops without permission."

The chief eunuch Huang Sheng stands on the lower right side of the emperor, and the person standing on the lower left side of the emperor is the second prince Xie Yao. This is the first time since the emperor ascended the throne that a prince has participated in cabinet discussions.

The emperor listened to Ye Quan's words and nodded slightly.

The emperor was not idle while waiting, and called Xie Yao, Xie Xi and He Changmao in to ask for details.

Lu Zhiyuan, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, is usually taciturn, but at this time he took the lead and said: "Your Majesty, I have something to say, and I would rather not say it out loud. My ancestral home is Luyuan. A few days ago, I received a letter from my hometown. Last year, there was a severe drought in Luyuan. The disaster relief money allocated by the imperial court was exploited at all levels, and very little was left in the hands of the people. As a result, Luyuan Province was flooded with refugees, with countless people selling their sons and daughters. The people had no choice but to beg for a living."

He sent his sister back with a few casual words, and ordered people to urgently summon the cabinet and Weiyuan Marquis Fang Luan to come to discuss the matter.

The emperor waved Fang Luan back to the crowd and said in a deep voice: "I think all the ministers have heard about the rebellion caused by bandits in the west of the city today. What do you think?"

Tantai Song's thoughts were a little clear, but also a little confusing. It was true that new officials had to be selected by the Ministry of Personnel, but Zhang Ruogu was just a left minister of the Ministry of Personnel who had just joined the cabinet. He also had the title of Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Quan, not to mention the entire cabinet is always watching. Even with the resources of the Zhang family, how much can he do?

All the ministers in the cabinet had an idea in mind. Could it be that the Holy Heart had already decided on the matter of establishing a prince?

Tantai Song, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, listened to Zhang Ruogu's righteous speech and sighed secretly in his heart.

When everyone in the cabinet arrived outside Jiyi Hall, they encountered Xie Xi and He Changmao retreating from the study, and they all bowed to Xie Xi.

The emperor had the same idea just now, but after hearing Princess Yong'an talk about Zhuangzi's love story, he felt that the matter was of great importance, at least it was not as simple as it seemed.

Huang Sheng had a look of fear on his face and bowed in response: "I accept your order."

"It happened that Gu Shi, the governor of Luyuan, wanted to whitewash the peace and colluded with Wang Jian, the commander of the Longzhou Guards, to drive the refugees out of the country. This caused the refugees to flee everywhere and become bandits, causing trouble to three provinces. I believe that what happened today was precisely because of Luyuan. Now, I ask the emperor to thoroughly investigate the source of bandits and eliminate corruption, so as to bring peace to the world!"

He has been serving the emperor since he was ten years old, and he can be regarded as watching the emperor grow up. This emperor, who has always spoken of benevolence and righteousness, has always been indifferent to joy and anger. Looking back, except for the Dongping book case eight years ago, in front of everyone

I can only look so angry today.

Zhang Ruogu was born in the Jiangnan Zhang family, and it is said that he does not need to act based on anyone's face, but he has a smooth and worldly temperament and would never be so clear-cut in normal times. Could it be that this Zhang Ruogu wants to seek benefits for the Zhang family?

Yes, interests. Luyuan is connected to the northern border and is a barrier to the capital. In recent decades, there has been cross-border trade, which is extremely important to the court. When the entire officialdom of Luyuan is in motion, there are always hundreds of vacancies.

of.

"What I'm asking is, is Wang Jian sending troops without permission?"

He spoke impassionedly, and the emperor's face became darker the more he listened. After Lu Zhiyuan finished speaking, he said coldly: "Mr. Liu Ge, what exactly is the Luyuan disaster relief thing that Lu Shangshu mentioned just now?"

Dayan was meant to conquer the world immediately, and collusion between civil and military forces has always been taboo. However, disaster relief is related to the support of the people and the stability of the country. It has been an extremely sensitive matter in all dynasties.

Huang Sheng was the chief eunuch of Bingbi. According to the regulations of the imperial court, he also led the errands of the admiral of the East Factory.

Just when the emperor was in a panic, a chamberlain came to report that Princess Yong'an wanted to see her. The emperor was surprised and happy, and hurriedly announced that Princess Yong'an had entered Jiyi Hall.

The emperor's eyes were as bright as water. He raised his eyes to look at his ministers, and finally his eyes rested on Ye Quan. Ye Quan was his tutor when he was in the East Palace and one of the people he trusted most.

The Tantai family is an official family in Beijing. Since the founding of Dayan, it has produced one Pavilion elder and three ministers. It is a distinguished family and does not have much favorable impressions of foreign aristocratic families such as Lu and Zhang.

At the end of the sentence, she gritted her teeth and said: "Royal brother, with so many bandits causing chaos, it's obviously not just a day or two. These local officials below should be cut into pieces!"

Fang Luan glanced at the emperor secretly, and when he saw the emperor's angry expression, he swallowed back what he wanted to say.

The emperor nodded and said: "I am very relieved that Weiyuan Marquis has such a plan. However, the Governor's Office of the Fifth Army is in charge of military aircraft, and this is also the most important thing. The commander of the Luzhou Guard, Wang Jian, colluded with local officials to force the rebellion.

If the people of a province all make their own decisions like him, what can we do if we have millions of troops in Dayan?"

The emperor paused, with an unpredictable expression on his face, and said, "I remember that you recommended Wang Jian, right?"

Wang Jian is a cousin of the Fang family. He was originally a fourth-rank commander of the Beijing Suburban Guard. According to the Dayan military system, he was not qualified to be a foreign guard commander. However, Fang Luan recommended him in front of the emperor.

The position of the commander of the Longzhou Guard.

The emperor spoke calmly, but there was a hidden edge in his words. Fang Luan scolded Wang Jian bloody in his heart, and replied with a very respectful face: "What the emperor said is that Wang Jian, as the commander of the Luzhou Guard,

Ignoring the laws of the country and military discipline, I think that he can no longer lead the army. The Longzhou Guards guard the Jinlan Pass, the Western Alliance Pass, and the North Guards Beiting. It is a critical place. I ask the Emperor to choose another suitable candidate."

(End of chapter)