In mid-September, the weather has gradually turned cooler.
At this moment, outside the north gate of Jing'an Prefecture, a large number of soldiers lined up and surrounded an open space on both sides of the official road.
On the official road in the middle of the open space, there were officials of all sizes, as well as the feudal kings who had been notified and came here.
A rough estimate shows that there are at least two hundred officials and vassal kings present here.
They have been waiting for three hours since morning.
Of course, they didn't stand all the time during these three hours. After all, they had attendants when traveling, and they brought tables, chairs, food and other things with them.
Half an hour ago, they received a report that the imperial envoy was less than twenty miles away, so they dismissed the attendants and set up their duties.
But even though they had only stood for half an hour, those who were in poor health among them were already panting and almost fainting.
"Hold on, the imperial envoy will be here soon!"
Governor Zhou Maosong went around and regulated everyone's words and deeds.
In fact, he is not the only governor present. The governors of the five southern counties and the chief officials of the feudal lord are all here at the moment.
However, because this is Jiangxi, Zhou Maosong, as the host, is naturally a little busier.
When he was walking around, he saw Zhang Kequan running over and reported: "Sir, the imperial envoy is here!"
Zhou Maosong did not dare to delay and immediately came to the front of the team.
Looking ahead, there were indeed flags waving, and there were troops accompanying them behind.
The imperial envoy team gradually approached, and the troops at the rear were getting closer and closer. There were troops coming from the left and right in advance.
Through close observation and comparison, people like Zhou Maosong can easily tell the huge difference between Dusi's army and Yong's army.
At this moment, they understood people like Yang Hongwen, and it was an extremely reasonable choice for them to surrender.
Finally, the imperial envoy's team stopped twenty meters ahead, and several governors immediately came forward to greet them.
"I am the governor of Jiangxi, Zhou Maosong..."
"I am the governor of Nanhai..."
"Governor of Chenling North..."
After everyone reported their names, they knelt directly in front of the imperial envoy team, and at the same time saluted and said: "Send greetings to His Highness!"
The imperial envoy represents Zhao Yanxun, so they naturally want to pay their respects at this moment.
The attendant opened the sedan curtain, and Xie Xiaofang walked out.
Walking up to several governors, Xie Xiaofang said slowly: "Your Highness, Holy An, please get up!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
After several people stood up, they saluted Xie Xiaofang himself.
"I've met Mr. Ge!"
"I haven't seen you for a long time. Mr. Ge is in high spirits..."
Xie Xiaofang is a cabinet minister and his position is extremely respected. People like them naturally want to flatter him.
What's more, now that this person has come with the king's orders, every word and deed represents Zhao Yanxun's will. How can others dare to offend him easily?
In fact, two of the five governors in the south have a good relationship with Xie Xiaofang. Strictly speaking, they are in the same faction.
Because of this, Xie Xiao just wanted to mention these people.
Therefore, when Cheng Wenguang got off the sedan and walked to the front, Xie Xiao conveniently introduced him to everyone.
"This is the Deputy Envoy of Appeasement. He was formerly the chief historian of Prince Yong's Mansion. Please get to know him!"
The key point of his words was that Cheng Wenguang was the chief historian of Prince Yong's Mansion. This sentence alone made everyone present instantly understand how transcendent his status was.
As a result, the way everyone looked at Cheng Wenguang changed, and everyone bowed and said hello.
After briefly getting to know everyone, Cheng Wenguang reminded: "Mr. Ge, I don't think there is any need to waste time. Let's announce the edict this morning!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
After saying this, the two of them walked forward together, followed by the five governors.
Soon, they arrived at the front, and everyone at the scene greeted them one after another.
"The vassal kings listen to the edict!" Xie Xiaofang read this sentence with a serious expression.
The harmonious atmosphere came to an end, and the vassal kings who were named knelt down one after another after a brief hesitation.
The other officials present saw the five governors kneeling down, so they all knelt down too.
Taking the edict from the accompanying officials, Xie Xiaofang read loudly: "The Regent's edict..."
After entering the capital, Zhao Yanxun had no choice but to make concessions and accepted the title of regent under the repeated persuasion of hundreds of officials and ministers.
"The late emperor will be buried soon. The princes of the five southern counties will rush to the capital immediately after receiving the edict without delay..."
The content of the edict was very short and clear. After Xie Xiaofang finished reading it, it was taken over by King Su who was at the front.
Before Xie Xiaofang could speak, Cheng Wenguang took two steps forward and said in a low voice: "Everyone, you can leave now. You will go north early tomorrow morning, so don't waste time!"
Whether it was the edict read by Xie Xiaofang or the reminder from Cheng Wenguang, there was no possibility of discussion.
Although the vassal kings present were opposed to going north to Beijing, they could only mutter in their hearts.
As powerless vassal kings, they had no confidence to say no to Zhao Yanxun.
"I'll keep this in mind!"
Under the leadership of King Su, all the vassal kings left one after another, and there were far fewer people at the scene.
"Mr. Ge, I wonder if your highness... has any wishes for us?" Zhou Maosong couldn't help but ask.
These vassal kings have achieved results, and they, as officials, are still worried about it, so naturally they can't help but ask questions at this time.
"Of course there is a will..." Xie Xiaofang replied.
Immediately afterwards, Xie Xiaofang took out the second edict, and the expression on his face became grim.
"Listen to the order..."
These two words came out of Xie Xiaofang's mouth without any emotion and directly made everyone's hearts tighten.
After the officials knelt down one after another, Xie Xiaofang immediately read: "The Regent's edict..."
"You are originally ministers of the Jin Dynasty. Why did you rebel against the imperial court and help the rebellion? You collaborated with King Ning to commit rebellion?"
At the beginning of the edict, there was a barrage of questioning, and every sentence was like a knife piercing their hearts.
After some scolding, the content of the edict began to change. Zhao Yanxun expressed his magnanimity and was willing to give these people the opportunity to redeem themselves and make meritorious deeds.
"Your Highness the Holy Ming..."
After the edict was read, everyone was in great sorrow and joy, and couldn't help but cry.
How much of this is regret, how much is gratitude, and how much is just pretense... Only God knows.
Of course, none of this is important. Anyway, they will investigate slowly and no one who should be dealt with can escape.
"Elder Ge, Sir Cheng... let's enter the city!"
"It's been a tiring journey, but we've already prepared a banquet in the city to take care of you two!" Zhou Maosong said with a smile.
Unexpectedly, Cheng Wenguang said in a deep voice: "There is no need to pick up the wind and wash away the dust. Let the officials present today go home separately. We cannot delay the operation of the local government offices!"
After hearing this, Zhou Maosong glanced at Xie Xiaofang, after all, this was the envoy.
"That's how it should be!"
Even Xie Xiaofang had spoken, so Zhou Maosong naturally no longer hesitated, so he stepped forward to negotiate with the officials.
Despite being nervous at first, the officials gradually calmed down after experiencing the edict.
At this time, they were unwilling to leave. If they could stay in Jing'an Mansion for a while, they would know more about the situation and have a clearer control over the situation.
But now, the two big guys have spoken, and they have no choice but to stay even if they want to.
The officials dispersed one after another, and Xie Xiaofang and Cheng Wenguang got into the sedan again, and then rushed to the city gate.
After entering the city, they did not rush to rest. Instead, they immediately went to the cell to interrogate Zhao Yanjue, who had been imprisoned.
At the same time, Yong's army followed them and took over the defense of Jing'an Mansion, and all the people in Jiangxi Dusi withdrew from the city.
There were 20,000 troops going south, only 5,000 entered Jiangxi, and the rest went to several other counties.
Even if there is only one guard station in each county, Zhao Yanxun is fully confident that he can suppress all evil spirits and monsters.
