After Xiao Jingxuan rested in Hengzhou for a month, Yang Xiong arrived in Hengzhou with the Youzhou army.
After Yang Xiong arrived, Xiao Jingxuan hosted a banquet for him in the city guard's mansion and hosted the original soldiers in Hengzhou to meet their new commander.
At present, the original number of soldiers in the Hengzhou Camp is not large, and most of them are headed by Hu Dewei. In addition, the Hengzhou Camp has not been established for a long time.
Xiao Jingxuan believes that Yang Xiong can lead these people well and manage Hengyi and Hengyi well.
This time, Yang Xiong brought all the soldiers and horses from Youzhou to Hengzhou. Now, the Hengzhou garrison has reached 60,000.
In other words, Xiao Jingxuan has deployed 110,000 troops in Youheng and Heng. Xiao Jingxuan believes that with the guards of such an army, the safety of Youheng and Heng can be guaranteed.
The next day, Chen Feng led the remaining more than 10,000 tiger and leopard cavalry and began to return to the court.
After more than ten days of marching, Xiao Jingxuan finally returned to Yingzhou. However, Xiao Jingxuan, who had just returned to Yingzhou, was furious.
When Xiao Jingxuan's carriage entered the city under the escort of his own army, it was intercepted on its way back to the prince.
Xiao Jingxuan's face was gloomy and uncertain. He looked at the pitiful girl kneeling on the ground, holding up a piece of paper, asking Xiao Jingxuan to make the decision for him.
It turns out that this person is Ding Weiran's young daughter. Now twelve years old, she is the only person who escaped from the massacre of the Ding family.
As the carriage stopped, the number of people watching around slowly increased, and they all expressed sympathy for the girl who was blocking the road.
Xiao Jingxuan made a gesture to the pro-soldier beside the carriage, and immediately a pro-soldier came forward, took the girl's paper, and then handed it to Xiao Jingxuan.
After Xiao Jingxuan took the petition, he scanned it and then asked.
"I am deeply saddened that the whole family of Shoufu was wiped out, and I have ordered a strict investigation.
But you said you are the orphan of the first assistant, do you have proof?
This piece of paper is clearly organized. Who wrote it for you?
I wonder if you have any evidence that the chief assistant and his family were silenced by secret guards in your petition?"
After hearing Xiao Jingxuan's question, the girl cried even more sadly, with a look of pear blossoms and rain, which made people feel pity.
"Back to the king, the little girl has nothing else in her hands, only the ancestral jade pendant to prove her identity.
As for the petition paper, it was my father who helped write it. As for the name, please forgive me, the little girl cannot reveal it.
On that day, the little girl was hidden in a water tank by her mother. She heard with her own ears that the assassin was willing to give her father a dignity and let him commit suicide, and his words were full of respect.
Regarding the identity of the assassin, although my father did not mention it explicitly, he also mentioned it in a vague way, and asked the king to make the decision to redress my father's grievances and make the whole family clear for my Ding family."
After hearing what the girl said, Xiao Jingxuan suppressed the anger in his heart and said harmoniously.
"Don't worry, the Skynet is meticulous and meticulous, and I will definitely not let the murderer of Mr. Ding's entire family go unpunished.
Someone came to pass the order and appointed Zhang Siming and Wang Zhiyi as assistant ministers of the cabinet. They immediately returned to Beijing to investigate the case and ordered the Ministry of Punishment to assist. When the order arrives, we will set off immediately without delay."
After Xiao Jingxuan finished speaking, he looked at the girl and said: "Since you are the orphan of the first assistant, then the orphan will naturally take good care of you."
After that, he continued to say to the soldiers beside him: "I remember that the Minister of Rites is the brother-in-law of Ding Shoufu. Let's send Miss Ding to the residence of Hu Lushan, the Minister of Rites, and order her to take good care of her."
After finishing speaking, Xiao Jingxuan signaled, and the carriage immediately started driving towards the palace.
When walking halfway, Xiao Jingxuan said to the pro-juniors beside him.
"Summon the secret guard commander Zhao Gang and come to the palace immediately to see him."
After returning to the palace, Xiao Jingxuan was furious. As the commander of the secret guards, Zhao Gang was so kind to a woman.
Even if he left things behind, his identity was guessed. This made Xiao Jingxuan fall into extreme passivity.
At the beginning, the reason why Xiao Jingxuan chose secret management was to stabilize the court situation.
You must know that Ding Weiran presided over the examinations many times during his time in power. It can be said that he was the mentor of many Jinshi.
In addition, he came from a poor family, and his status among the officials from a poor family was very important. If this matter had a bad impact, it might affect his strategy of promoting poor families and promoting the imperial examination.
At this moment, a servant reported that Zhao Gang had arrived.
At this time, after Xiao Jingxuan listened to the report of the chamberlain, he frowned and said: "Let him kneel outside the door and reflect carefully."
Immediately afterwards, he said to the chamberlain: "Pass the message and ask Wei Ming, Qi Biao, and Qu Qingshan, the three cabinet ministers, to come to the study to see you."
"The ministers obey the decree."
When he met the three cabinet ministers again, Xiao Jingxuan had already suppressed the anger in his heart.
After giving them a seat, Xiao Jingxuan asked directly without any greetings.
"How do you think this matter should be handled?"
When passing by the palace, the three of them had already seen Zhao Gang kneeling outside the palace. In addition, the news about Ding's orphan blocking the road to complain was widely spread, so the three cabinet ministers were naturally able to guess something.
But what is the truth of the matter? Since Xiao Jingxuan did not elaborate, the three of them naturally cannot ask.
In Xiao Jingxuan's mind, Qi Biao and Qu Qingshan were simply called here to make up the numbers. After all, these two people were from the military and lacked political experience. They mainly wanted to hear Wei Ming's thoughts.
After Wei Ming thought for a long time, he said: "Why don't we wait until Wang Zhiyi and Zhang Siming, the two cabinet ministers, return to the capital, and the ministers can go and give some advice?"
After hearing Wei Ming's words, Xiao Jingxuan shook his head and said.
"I'm worried about what changes will happen then?"
As soon as Xiao Jingxuan finished speaking, he blocked Wei Ming's subsequent words. Obviously, Xiao Jingxuan planned to resolve the matter as soon as possible.
At this time, Qi Biao on the side said: "What's so rare about this matter? Before the two cabinet ministers arrived, the case was presided over by the Ministry of Punishment.
The massacre of the entire family was obviously a deliberate act of the Zhao State, with the intention of causing chaos in the court and forcing the king to return to his army.
As the commander of the secret guards, Zhao Gang failed to discover Zhao Guoxi's conspiracy in time. If he failed to observe, he would be fined, demoted and retained.
As for the orphan, wouldn't it be enough to make him a princess, then get sick, delay it for a year and a half, and then reunite his family with him?"
After hearing Qi Biao's speech, Qu Qingshan on the side retorted.
"This excuse is so lame, how can it stop everyone from talking about it?"
Qi Biao sarcastically said: "We all know it's an excuse. Just give me an explanation. Now that this matter has developed, no matter what you do, everyone will think it's an excuse. Just understand it in your heart."
Xiao Jingxuan paced back and forth, pondered for a while and asked.
"Then if the ministers write a letter and do not accept this excuse, how should I reply?"
"Naturally, it is to be kept in the system without being released. These people who wrote the letter are either Ding Weiran's best friends, or they cannot see the formality clearly and are not useful. We can just get rid of them all when we find an opportunity later."
Xiao Jingxuan thought for a while and felt that what Qi Biao said made sense. The most important thing is simplicity. Sometimes the simplest method is the most effective.
"Well, Wei Ming, I'll leave it up to you to give some advice to the Ministry of Justice in private. In addition, after this matter is settled, I will appoint you as the imperial envoy. You will go to the Wei area to inspect and arrange everything there.
one time."
"Yes, I obey the order."
Wei Ming knew that this was a test given to him by Jam Hsiao. Only by successfully completing this test could he become the first assistant.
Immediately afterwards, Xiao Jingxuan said to the chamberlain on the side: "Pass the decree, Zhou Wei is ordered to temporarily handle the affairs of the cabinet, and Wang Zhiyi will serve as the second assistant."
"Yes, the minister obeys the order."
Regarding Xiao Jingxuan's handling, the three of them are a little confused. Is it possible that Wei Ming has no relationship with the chief minister? Or is it that Zhou Wei is about to leave the cabinet? I can't understand.
The three of them left the study room with doubts.
After experiencing this incident, Qi Biao's weight in Xiao Jingxuan's heart suddenly increased.
After the three people left, Xiao Jingxuan said to the waiter beside him.
"Let Zhao Gang come in."
…
After Zhao Gang entered the study, he quickly knelt down and saluted.
When Xiao Jingxuan saw Zhao Gang's appearance, he did not let him get up. Instead, he said in a deep voice.
"Zhao Gang, how long have you been following me?"
"My lord, during the Fengzhou War, General Mo was fortunate enough to be transferred to the Guards Camp to follow your lord. It has been eight years now."
Xiao Jingxuan sighed with emotion.
"It has been eight years. It was the sixteenth year of Jia'an. I joined the army and went north. It has only been fourteen years now..."
After sighing with emotion, Xiao Jingxuan then changed the subject.
"I really wronged you when I asked you to serve as a secret guard."
"Your Majesty, the humble minister is guilty."
Hearing what Zhao Gang said, Xiao Jingxuan shook his head and said.
"No, what's your crime? You have worked hard over the years and achieved great results. However, you are commendable for your loyalty, but you are too generous. The secret guard job is too cold-blooded and is not suitable for you. It is my fault."
Speaking of this, Xiao Jingxuan thought for a while and said.
"You should stop doing the job of the secret guard commander and leave it to Xiao Li. From now on, you can serve as the commander of the personal army."
After hearing Xiao Jingxuan's order, Zhao Gang quickly accepted the order. Seeing Zhao Gang's appearance, Xiao Jingxuan was still a little disappointed.
"By the way, how is the investigation into Huangfusong's case? How many people are involved?"
"Back to the king, I have found out that there is some connection with Ding Weiran at this time. In addition, Liu Xiu is also involved. Some of the border generals should also be involved in the case. However, the investigation is still ongoing. I believe there will be results soon."
Xiao Jingxuan nodded.
"Well, you don't have to worry about these things. From now on, Xiao Li will take care of the secret guard's affairs. After we get down later, you and Xiao Li will hand over the situation."
"Yes, I obey the order."
After Zhao Gang retired, Xiao Jingxuan sat on the throne, rubbed his brows, and continued to deal with official duties.
In the evening, Xiao Jingxuan returned to the harem and got good news at the same time.
That is, Zhao Waner is pregnant. During this period of time, everything went wrong, but she finally heard some good news.
Arriving at Zhao Waner's courtyard, Zhao Waner was lying in her bedroom to raise her baby, and she was also extremely happy about Xiao Jingxuan's arrival.