There had been precedents for court ministers to be assassinated before, and those ministers were all against Gu Taizhong and were loyal to Zhou Dynasty, but they died in confusion.
The predecessor trusted Gu Taizhong, and was timid and afraid of things. He always acted hastily without going into details. In the long run, it also chilled the hearts of many loyal ministers.
"What a coincidence. Zhang Gongzheng had just sent someone to assassinate Qiao Che, but he committed suicide out of fear of the crime. The most important thing is that his wife, children and close associates also disappeared. This is the strangest thing." Bai Yutian tried again.
said.
"Your Majesty." At this time, Gu Taizhong stood up.
He raised his head slightly and said slowly: "After all, Zhang Gongzheng is the deputy governor of the Shenji Camp. He has extremely high power and is very well-informed. When he learned that the assassination was revealed, he was worried about being traced, so it was normal for him to commit suicide out of fear of crime. As for his wife
I’m afraid all of my close friends have been properly arranged by him.”
"I suggest that your Majesty search the entire city. Even if you dig three feet into the ground, you must find Zhang Gongzheng's wife, children and cronies, and give Mr. Qiao justice."
As soon as he said such upright words, all the ministers immediately echoed and praised Gu Taizhong.
It wasn't until Bai Yutian coughed lightly that the ministers became quiet.
With a cold snort, Bai Yutian's eyes turned cold. In the court, Gu Taizhong's supporters still accounted for the majority. If he hadn't been so tough, he might have been able to influence the emperor's decision. No wonder his predecessor was restricted by Gu Taizhong.
"That's right, but for this matter, both the Shenji Camp and the City Guard Camp need to bear a lot of responsibility. My dear friends, what do you think?"
The ministers looked at each other with respectful expressions.
"If such a bad thing happened in Tailin City, the two military camps really need to bear a lot of responsibility."
"Your Majesty is right, this matter does require accountability."
"The city guard camp really needs to be reorganized."
"Your Majesty, Sheng Ming."
"..."
Although everyone almost agreed with Bai Yutian's statement, it was obvious that more people still believed that the City Guard Battalion needed to bear greater responsibility.
The city guard camp has the largest number of people and the most complex factions. If they are reorganized, it will not have much impact on everyone.
As for Shenji Camp, many people are unwilling to mention it because of the Gu family.
To move the Shenji Camp would be to disturb the interests of the Gu family. However, this time it was impossible to move the Shenji Camp.
After finally seizing an opportunity, how could Bai Yutian let it go?
Soon, Bai Yutian read out a long list of names, all of which were people related to Zhang Gongzheng. Many of them were collateral descendants of the Gu family and were promoted by Gu Taizhong.
Without exception, these people were dismissed or demoted and replaced by people from Bai Yutian's faction.
The position of deputy governor of Shenji Camp was replaced by Zhao Yi, who was originally a minor official in Shuimu Camp. He was a die-hard loyalist of the royal family and a group of people who could be trusted.
The replacement of the position of deputy governor means that Shenji Camp has been somewhat out of the control of the Gu family, which is a heavy blow to the Gu family.
Gu Taizhong clenched his fists in his sleeves. He originally thought it was a simple assassination, but he didn't expect it to reach this point.
This time, the Gu family can be said to have suffered heavy losses. Not only did the transfer of the Shenji Battalion cause the Gu family to lose some military power, but even the corruption evidence in Qiao Che's hands could implicate hundreds of officials, causing the Gu family to lose most of it.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Gu Taizhong already made a decision in his heart.
"In addition, the national treasury is empty. I think there may be many corrupt officials in the court, and I already have some evidence."
"Within three days, everyone can take the initiative to come to me and surrender, and I can give him a lighter sentence. Otherwise, he will definitely be severely punished."
Bai Yutian said to the ministers.
As soon as these words came out, many people's expressions changed drastically, and some people lowered their heads in guilt. Over the years, they had done a lot of corruption. If they were found out, it would be enough for them to chop their heads off several times.
After going to court, Bai Yutian did not return to the imperial study, but instead came to the cold palace.
At the same time, Bai Yutian also ordered people to take out the silks, jewelry, gold and silver jewelry and other items that had been prepared long ago, package them all, make them look like gifts, and bring them to the cold palace.
The Cold Palace is indeed a cold palace, in one word, cold. There are few people, desolate and lonely. It is hard to imagine what it would be like for a person to live here all year round.
We came to a palace garden in Leng Palace. The place was overgrown with weeds and dead leaves. No one had cleaned it for a long time.
When Bai Yutian came here, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
Although it was the sin committed by my predecessor, who allowed me to occupy this body? I have to repay this result no matter what I do.
Bai Yutian still had the impression of Yan Yumeng in his memory. She was extremely beautiful, not inferior to Concubine Yun, and she also had a calm and quiet temperament, which made people feel very comfortable.
Seeing this scene, Bai Yutian couldn't help but cursed himself secretly. He was really cruel and allowed such a beauty to live here without fear of retribution.
Well, it seems that the predecessor has suffered retribution and died, so he was asked to take over.
The only clean and tidy place in this palace is the courtyard where Yan Yumeng lives. From the neat environment in the courtyard, it can be seen that the owner of the courtyard is a girl who loves cleanliness and is hard-working.
Bai Yutian likes girls like this the most.
"I didn't know that Your Majesty was coming, so I missed you and welcomed you from afar."
"My servant pays homage to Your Majesty."
As soon as Bai Yutian and others entered the courtyard, they saw two women walking out of the house and saluting Bai Yutian.
The two women, one behind them, were both wearing plain clothes. Their faces were pale and their lips were bloodless. They were obviously suffering from long-term malnutrition.
The woman in the front is Yan Yumeng, and the woman in the back is Yan Yumeng's personal maid, Rou'er. She has lived with Yan Yumeng since she was a child. Later, she and Yan Yumeng entered the palace together, and they are like sisters.
At this moment, I am also suffering in the cold palace with Yan Yumeng.
Although his words were respectful, his tone was very flat and devoid of any emotion.
Yan Yumeng is indeed extremely beautiful. Even in this frail state, she still has a morbid beauty that makes people want to care for her.
"Come, let's talk in the house." Bai Yutian walked towards the house and took Yan Yumeng's hand at the same time, but Yan Yumeng quickly struggled away and avoided Bai Yutian's eyes.
Bai Yutian didn't mind and walked into the house with Yan Yumeng and Rou'er.
Not only Yan Yumeng, Bai Yutian also felt Rou'er's hostility towards him.
After all, Yan Yumeng and Rou'er are sisters, so Bai Yutian's treatment of Yan Yumeng naturally aroused Rou'er's hostility.
"These gifts are all given to you by me. In addition, I have arranged for people to clean up Lingyue Palace. You will live in Lingyue Palace from now on." Bai Yutian said with a slight embarrassment, but his tone was very sincere.
Yan Yumeng smiled calmly: "Excuse me, Your Majesty, it's just that I don't need or need these things. After so many years, I have also thought about it. Maybe I am not suitable to stay in the palace. Please ask Your Majesty
I ordered that I be placed under house arrest."
Bai Yutian frowned. It seemed that Yan Yumeng had a strong opinion of his predecessor, or it would be more appropriate to say he was frustrated.
"Meng'er, I have made changes and am no longer the weak and incompetent emperor I was before. Please trust me for once."