In the Thang Long Mansion of Li Chao, it was late at night, and in the silent city, there was suddenly a sound of rapid horse hooves, the sound of the soldiers' footsteps hitting the ground as they ran, and the crunching sound of armors following the collision.
The commotion was so loud that the people in Shenglong Mansion were shocked.
This is, what happened?
Hiding at home and pricking up his ears, he heard someone shouting loudly, saying:
"Quick, quick, quick! Your Majesty has an order to seal the four doors!"
"The king has an order to seal the four gates and prohibit anyone from leaving the city!"
Countless palace guards wearing armor filed out of the Li Dynasty palace, went straight to the four gates of the city, held Li Weining's seal, and directly took over the defense of various parts of the city.
Li Weining's trusted eunuch Pi Hui had already personally led a large group of troops out of the palace to inspect the palace.
His face was ashen and he kept shouting at the subordinates around him:
"Some thieves were at work and forcibly abducted the Taiwei's only son, Lieutenant of Fuyi, Chen Liyan. Following the king's order, we immediately sealed the four gates and searched the city. At the same time, we brought guards from the four gates to strictly interrogate those who had been acting suspiciously outside the city in recent days.
Personnel, track down the whereabouts of Captain Chen. Also, strictly order all local officials to report the whereabouts of Captain Chen immediately!"
"Yes!" His subordinates responded quickly, and then left in a hurry for fear of delay.
Lieutenant Chen Feng took leave for four consecutive days, neglecting military affairs and refusing visitors.
According to the report from the school official, Chen Feng only recuperated his health at home every day. Apart from Chen Liyan getting furious because he did not want to get married and grounding him, there was nothing else worth reporting.
Li Weining, who was in the palace, was shocked and confused when he saw this situation.
Although he couldn't tell that there was something wrong with it, he couldn't help but feel suspicious that Chen Feng was playing some trick.
But Chen Feng, as a hero who helped Li Weining ascend to power. Now some ministers in the court know the truth that Chen Feng took the blame for Li Weining's acceptance of the Yun Kingdom's canonization.
Although both the government and the public criticized Chen Feng, they did not say anything to excuse him, but that was also out of consideration for the overall situation and the prestige and reputation of their own king. In their hearts, these people would inevitably have admiration and respect for Chen Feng.
Therefore, if Li Weining touches Chen Feng without any substantial evidence, it will only chill the minister who knows the inside story. Under such circumstances, he can only instruct the signature officer in the Taiwei Mansion to pay attention to any clues.
.
But until today after lunch, Chen Feng took a nap and never left the room until dinner time.
The official of the Taiwei Mansion immediately felt bad when he saw this, and immediately tried to open the door. However, he saw that Chen Feng, who had become more and more energetic in the past few days, was already lying on the bed, his breath was weak, and there was not much vitality left.
It already looks like it was before death.
At the same time, his only son, Captain Chen Liyan of Fuyi, and a group of Chen Feng's close loyalists disappeared without knowing when.
After hearing the news, Li Weining was immediately furious. While sending palace Chinese medicine practitioners to preserve Chen Feng's life, he also promised his confidants to mobilize people inside and outside the palace to bring Chen Liyan back.
This is how such a big movement came about at this time.
Pihui stood there, watching his soldiers running around, his hands hidden in his sleeves trembling slightly.
The son of the Taiwei, the Commander-in-Chief of Fuyi, the younger generation of distinguished generals and disciples of the Li Dynasty, he had the highest official position and unlimited future.
But in just a few days, Chen Feng, who had improved his health and regained his former vitality, was left hanging with his last breath. But his only son, Chen Liyan, was missing at this time!
When officials from both the government and the public saw this, what should they think in their hearts?
The rabbit is dead and the dog is cooked, the bird is gone and the bow is hidden?
And what should be the reaction of Chen Feng's old subordinates who are in the army and have been favored by him and have always been loyal?
Thinking of this, Pihui's heart trembled subconsciously.
Previously, Chen Feng was used to take the blame, and the situation in the country was slightly stable. He never thought that when this incident came out, it would be turbulent again!
"Go quickly! If we let him escape, we will be the criminals of the country!" Pi Hui couldn't help but said angrily again.
A group of palace guards and school officials dispersed in all directions, causing the entire atmosphere in Shenglong Mansion to become tense and solemn.
Just when the entire Thang Long Palace and the Le Dynasty were in turmoil because of Le Weining's royal order, in Hung Yen County, which was only a hundred miles southeast of Thang Long Palace, Chen Liyan and his party were on their way non-stop.
.
"Major General, where are we going?" his subordinates shouted loudly, crouching on top of their horses.
When the leader Chen Liyan heard this, sadness and anger flashed across his eyes. Soon, it was replaced by a look of perseverance.
He pursed his lips tightly, looked cold and solemn, and replied loudly:
"I'm afraid that Thang Long Palace has already noticed it. The king's order was issued, and the local officials took action upon hearing the news. Rayong Palace is far away in the southwest border, and the road is more than a thousand miles away. There are too many variables on the way there!"
"Qianhai County, Xing'an County, is only two hundred miles away from Shenglong Palace. It's closer to go to the sea this way!"
After hearing what Chen Liyan said, my subordinates became anxious and said:
"Major General, Xing'an County is too close to the royal capital. Once the lieutenant... is noticed, it won't take half a day for the king's order to be delivered. It's too easy to get into trouble if you go here! It's better to follow the lieutenant's instructions and go to sea from Luoyong Mansion!"
Thang Long, the royal capital of the Le Dynasty, is not far from the sea and can be reached directly in only a few hundred miles to the east. But precisely because of this, Thang Long has strong control over coastal towns. It is very easy to walk from here
was discovered.
Although Rayong seems to be far away, the mountains along the way make it easy to hide your whereabouts, but it will not be discovered so easily.
This is the reason why Chen Feng made such arrangements before.
But at this moment, Chen Liyan's eyes sharpened and he gritted his teeth and said:
"No, just go here. The reaction at Shenglong Mansion is not so fast...and only by going this way can we get to Xia Kingdom faster."
Going to Xia Kingdom was one of the reasons why he was willing to take the risk to go to sea from Xing'an County. Because Xing'an County was closer to Xia Kingdom, and Rayong Prefecture was closer to Yun Kingdom.
"Father has been fighting against the Yun Kingdom for half his life, defending the country against the Yun Kingdom's soldiers. Even if I run away, I can't serve in the Yun Kingdom. Otherwise, my father's reputation will be completely destroyed!" Chen Liyan gritted his teeth.
Although Chen Feng's reputation is now ruined, he, Chen Liyan, and these confidants are still alive, so that he can wash away all the grievances he has shouldered for Chen Feng and Li Weining.
And since you want to clear Chen Feng's grievances, you naturally need to rely on the power of Yun and Xia to do so.
But half of his father's life was spent on resisting the invasion of the Yun Kingdom. Moreover, Chen Feng had a reputation as a traitor in the Li Dynasty. His only son had defected to the Yun Kingdom, so wouldn't this have been confirmed?
If Chen Liyan surrendered to the Yun Kingdom at this time, his father's insistence for half his life would become a joke.
Chen Liyan changed the topic, his eyes flashed with sternness, and he said in a hateful voice:
"Father wants me to keep my name anonymous and stop here. But as the son of a man, I can't help but ask my father to clear my grievances! It's not that my Chen family is disloyal, but it's Li Weining who is unkind and unjust and pretends to be the king!"
Chen Feng wanted Chen Liyan not to avenge him. The world is so big and there are too many places where Li Weining cannot reach out.
Don't say it's too far away, as long as he escapes into the two countries of Yun and Xia, and remains anonymous, regardless of the affairs of the world, Li Weining will not be able to find any trace of them.
It's just that Chen Liyan is so young and energetic, how could he give up revenge?
So from the very beginning, he had already made up his mind to go to the Xia Kingdom and use the Xia Kingdom's national power to clear Chen Feng's grievances.
Even if he had to destroy it with his own hands, the country he had been determined to be loyal to since he was a child!
"But Major General, if you go to sea from Rayong Province, you can also go to Xia Kingdom. And there are our people there to support you..." his subordinates continued to persuade.
When Chen Liyan heard this, his eyes moved, he shook his head and said:
"No, I'm afraid I won't be able to catch up..."
It was too late, so Chen Liyan didn't say much. But seeing him look like this, it was obviously about how he could clear his father's grievances.
After hearing that the young general had made a decision in his mind, all the confidants immediately stopped trying to dissuade him. Their eyes became firm and they shouted in unison:
"I am willing to go through fire and water with the Major General!"
Chen Liyan turned his head and looked at the loyal hands around him, a trace of relief flashed in his eyes.
But the next moment, he thought of his father's old military units, and those uncles and uncles who had called him Major General since he was a child. He only hoped that the manpower he had arranged before could deliver the message in time.
If you can escape one, at least escape one!
In the distance, through the moonlight, the coast can be seen in the distance. Chen Liyan abandoned his distracting thoughts, raised his riding whip in his hand, and shouted sternly:
"Find a boat and go to sea... we will come back one day!"
----------------
Yun Kingdom, in the Yangxin Palace.
Xiao Cheng suddenly raised his head, looked at Zhang Zhao who was waiting in the hall, raised his brows, and asked:
"What did you say?"
Zhang Zhao heard this and said in a deep voice:
"Xia Kingdom sent their credentials and stationed troops near Sanping Pass. They accidentally found the body of former Grand Master Wang Xiao."
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng put down the ink pen in his hand and said in a deep voice:
"Where's the credentials?"
Zhang Zhao heard this and without saying a word, he took out Xia's credential from his arms and presented it with both hands.
The young eunuch on the side quickly took it and held it in front of Xiao Cheng.
Xiao Cheng took it directly, opened the credentials, glanced at it, and closed it with a somewhat gloomy expression.
In order to stabilize the frontier army and show his ambition, he did not conduct a thorough liquidation of Wang Xiao afterwards. He only removed his previous official title and announced to the world all the merits and demerits he had established throughout his life.
The letter of credence of the Xia Kingdom that was sent now stated that Wang Xiao's life achievements were difficult to evaluate and the Xia Kingdom had no right to dispose of it, and ordered his bones to be returned to the Yun Kingdom for Xiao Cheng to dispose of.
Xiao Cheng frowned, tapped the imperial case with his knuckles, and said in a deep voice:
"Wang Xiao has been dead for more than a year. He didn't return it at first, but now his body is found?"
At that time, Wang Xiao bought himself a rather heroic and honorable death on the condition of helping Xiao Cheng to pacify the border army. With only a few border army officers who were willing to die with him, he went straight to the Xia army's formation.
, and then died in the rebel army.
Counting now, this was already a year and a half ago.
It stands to reason that Wang Xiao's body should have been discovered long ago. After the Xia Kingdom sued for peace, it should have been returned. Why was it delayed until today?
Zhang Zhao heard this and replied in a deep voice:
"On the Xia Kingdom side, they only speculated that the battlefield was chaotic and the body was taken away by someone in the chaos. Some time ago, the garrison was practicing and accidentally found it in the mountains. Based on the seal, flag, and armor he had with him, he confirmed that the former Grand Master was
identity."
Xiao Cheng heard the words, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"Since it's been returned, let's just bury it with common people's rites!"
Although Wang Xiao was not liquidated, all his previous official titles and titles were taken away, and he was buried with common people's rites, which was not an insult.
After hearing what Xiao Cheng said, Zhang Zhao hesitated for a while and then said:
"Your Majesty, I'm afraid it's not that simple at this time. This letter of credence was first delivered to the Ministry of Rites. After knowing this, many officials had objections to Wang Xiao's handling!"
Without waiting for Xiao Cheng to ask, Zhang Zhao continued:
"Many officials below believe that when evaluating Wang Xiao's achievements in his life, although he conquered south and north, expanded countless territories, and made great contributions to the country, it is a pity that he had a rebellious and unethical heart and had actually usurped the throne. Your Majesty does not deny his achievements.
Allowing the historians to record it is already kind. If we don’t punish them again, it will be difficult to deter the ambitious people!”
In the hands of Wang Xiao, the Yun State wiped away years of fatigue and became increasingly powerful. It had only been two years since his death, and everyone in the government and the public still remembered this time, so there was no way to deny his achievements.
However, Wang Xiao's act of usurping the throne and seizing power is indeed a treasonous act and cannot be denied at all!
For those who usurp the throne, if they succeed, they will change the dynasty and become the founder of the country. If they fail, they will only lose their official title and be demoted to the common people.
Compared with the risks, the profits from this success are too great. Obviously, there is no way to deter ambitious people, and it is detrimental to the stability of the country!
When Xiao Cheng heard this, he suddenly paused and fell into deep thought.
What Zhang Zhao said obviously makes sense! This is related to the stability of the imperial court, so naturally all the officials have objections.
"What do you think?" Xiao Cheng suddenly looked at Zhang Zhao and asked.
Zhang Zhao heard this, his face became solemn, and he said:
"Your Majesty, I think so too!"
In fact, if Zhang Zhao had not advocated this way, he would not have mentioned these words in the Yangxin Palace.
"Since ancient times, no matter how wise a king is, he cannot let go of the crime of treason! If Your Majesty is too kind, I am afraid that some people will lose their awe..."
Strictly speaking, as long as the conditions and situation allowed, Xiao Cheng would usually kill decisively and without hesitation. Buddhist monks, as well as certain officials in the DPRK, had a strong say in this.
But maybe it's because Xiao Cheng always borrows the topic and never takes the initiative. In addition, the novelist disciples use various romance novels among the people to create a "god-making" plan to create a glorious image of Xiao Cheng.
, but it made Xiao Cheng a sage, wise, capable, kind and generous king.
A benevolent king will inevitably give people the impression that even if he is offended, it is not a big deal.
Just like Zhao Zhen, Renzong of the Song Dynasty, he could be teased by his sleeves by ministers. If you had an emperor with the character of Qin Shihuang or Ming Taizu in power, do you think Bao Zheng would dare to...
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng pondered for a moment, nodded, and said:
"Since he is dead, if he does too much, he will inevitably be blamed...Wang Xiao intends to rebel, usurp the throne and seize power, perform sacrifices to cause chaos, and give him the posthumous title 'You'. His relatives and descendants will judge him for his crimes, and will not be pardoned if he is found. He will not be allowed to do anything for three generations.
Officials join the army."
Hearing this, Zhang Zhao also felt that this treatment was neither light nor serious, it was pretty much the same, and he immediately bowed and said: