The skylight comes from the east, slowly passes over the long river, passes over the mountains, and shines into a vast plain surrounded by mountains.
The majestic Sishui Prefecture City is like a dazzling pearl embedded in this magnificent natural scene.
It reflects the beautiful mountains and rivers and the fertile fields.
But standing outside the city, looking far into the distance, a black spot appeared first on the distant horizon, followed by two, three, and countless more.
They were like sparks that ignited the wires that had been buried on the outskirts of the city. The knights who flew to deliver the message were like the sizzling gunpowder burning, igniting the quiet city.
The officials and officials in the city came out to watch the crowd, waiting enthusiastically outside the city gate as if they were eating a pot of slurry to welcome the king's master.
Xia Jingyun sat on the horse, his crotch had been rubbed to the point of losing consciousness, and the pain was gone.
He looked up at this majestic city and had some realizations in his heart. No wonder Jin Jiancheng shook his head when he heard the idea of attacking. If such a city was guarded, he would not go out if it were him.
At the same time, some fear arose in his heart. If Jiang Yuhu had not seen the opportunity and shattered the Zheng family's father and son's conspiracy to occupy the state city, as long as the Zheng family and his son were allowed to escape back to the state city, whether Jiang'an City was defended or not, the situation in Sishui Prefecture would have been over. It's really bad.
The same thought also occurred in the minds of many people, so that in the long queue, there was a sense of solemnity about the rest of the life.
"Your Majesty Li Tianfeng, I would like to welcome Empress Dowager De!"
Li Tianfeng, the minister of rites who was temporarily in charge of the prefectural shepherd, led the officials and gentry left behind in the prefecture to salute respectfully towards Concubine De.
So, another polite story.
Under the power of God, no one will do anything stupid.
And without the military's strength, no one would do anything stupid that they couldn't imagine.
After the simple courtesy, Jiang Yuhu personally escorted Concubine De around the city, completing the process set by the center in advance to demonstrate the power of God and Zhenxiao Xiaoxiao.
Then Jin Jiancheng was asked to take charge of the guards around De Fei, and he led his troops to camp outside the city.
Concubine De lived in a separate courtyard specially built for her trip.
Although she only stayed for one night, the courtyard was still luxurious and elegant.
Xia Jingyun simply took Rouge and the maid and moved into Su Shidao's home.
Although Su Shidao was not good at being an official, he was indeed very knowledgeable. He was looked after by several classmates such as Mr. Yun, and he also built a house in the city.
Although it looked like a cloud compared to Concubine De's house, it was still spacious and tidy in an ordinary house.
Xia Jingyun first paid a formal visit to his junior wife under Su Shidao's recommendation.
Mrs. Su, whose features had been eroded by the years, but whose scholarly style had not diminished, was very happy to see Xia Jingyun. She talked with him for a long time, and then happily went to work on dinner.
Su Shidao then introduced his two sons to Xia Jingyun, and there was nothing difficult about them. Such tutors would only teach modest gentlemen.
Just as Xia Jingyun had temporarily settled down in the Su Mansion, and everything was peaceful, the atmosphere inside the Zhou Mu Mansion was solemn.
"I have betrayed your Majesty's trust, please punish me!"
Li Tianfeng stood in the room and bowed to Concubine De with a look of shame on his face.
He arrived at Sishui Prefecture with the emperor's orders, and with the title of Empress Dowager De and the remaining power of Wei Yuanzhi sadly stepping down, he came to Sishui Prefecture City. In more than ten days, it was still difficult to get out of the prefecture with government orders, and no establishment was established. With so many connections, she was completely helpless in the conspiracy of the Zheng family and his son, and was easily controlled by Lu Fengyuan. If it weren't for the genuine Wudang Army, the results of Concubine De's trip would have been lost to him.
"There is no need for this. Sishui Prefecture is located in a remote area and the situation is complicated. You have only been here for more than ten days. This matter is not your fault. There is no need to rush it."
There was a hint of fatigue on her face. Li Tianfeng, the Minister of Etiquette, was already the most suitable candidate she could find before. Now she still needs to rely on him to maintain and develop the situation in Sishui Prefecture. It is neither emotional nor rational. Easy to criticize.
Not being blamed, Li Tianfeng was moved and said: "My dear, one more thing. Although Shi Lu Fengyuan, the governor of the prefecture who was causing trouble, has been captured, he has refused to admit his guilt and is still imagining that after being escorted back to Beijing, he will be captured by his Cousin came to the rescue, so many people who were expected to surrender were also waiting and watching. If he could not be convicted and allowed to go unpunished this time, not only would it not be a serious blow to Concubine Shu, but it would also be a blow to the empress's prestige, and it would also bring disgrace to the people in the state. The situation becomes more difficult.”
Concubine De nodded, "Then what do you think?"
Li Tianfeng can be the Minister of Rites, so he is not incompetent. He said: "Lu Fengyuan's guilt cannot be delayed. Once it is delayed until he returns to the capital, there will be infinite variables. The empress has been away from His Majesty for a long time, and it is difficult to guarantee that someone in the palace will take advantage of it." If it affects His Majesty's wise decision, once His Majesty opens his mouth or makes a decree to let Lu Fengyuan go, even if he is only allowed to live, it will have extremely bad consequences for us."
Concubine De frowned slightly. It was obvious that Li Tianfeng's analysis made some sense, and it pricked her worries, "With Lu Fengyuan's status, since he did not die in the rebellion, he needed to be taken back for trial, how could he not return to the capital? ?”
Li Tianfeng's face turned stern, "If there is no rebel army, we will create one. Why not contact people privately, pretend to rob the prison, and then shoot him directly! Even if he cannot be convicted, we cannot let him go unpunished!"
"My dear, no!"
At this time, a figure appeared on the screen behind Concubine De, and Li Tianfeng was stunned.
"Master Weiwei?"
Concubine De said calmly: "Mr. Wei has been a member of this palace for a long time. When we meet you today, we know each other well."
Li Tianfeng's pupils shrank, and a cold sweat broke out on his back.
The thought of being self-reliant on her identity because she was the highest-ranking official in the Concubine family disappeared instantly. The empress had Wei Yuanzhi hidden under her hands, so was there anyone else she could hide? In the past few days, have you ever relied on your status and done anything that would displease your mother-in-law?
The former minister of the Ministry of Rites, now the acting governor of Sishui Prefecture, had a sudden change of mind.
Since Wei Yuanzhi had already surrendered to Concubine De, he naturally would not expose Concubine De's words. He raised his hand towards Li Tianfeng and said, "Master Li, your suggestion just now needs to be considered."
Since he has become a "companion", Li Tianfeng is not a little guy. He naturally has a competitive spirit in his heart and said: "Please give me some advice, Lord Wei."
"Teaching is out of the question." Wei Yuanzhi waved his hand, "I'll just say one thing. The British Duke Lu family is the core of the noble family, and Lu Fengyuan is a direct descendant of the Lu family. If Lu Fengyuan died at the hands of the empress in such an unexplained way, it would be short-lived. Over time, it has established prestige, but in the long run, I am afraid it will intensify the struggle. Your Majesty is currently waiting for development, so it is not appropriate to fight head-on with her!"
Li Tianfeng knew about this situation, but now that he was in the prime of life and full of ambition, he couldn't help but said: "Do we have to swallow our anger like this? People are stepping on our faces to show off their cruelty, and we still want to let him get away with it? Like this How can we make people return to their hearts through our actions, and how can we develop in secret?"
Wei Yuanzhi looked at him, "You are in charge of a state, is it not development? When I enter the dynasty, is it not development? The empress's sworn brother is amazingly talented, and with time, he will become a great talent, is it not development?"
The first two are easy to say, but the last one is nonsense. If you just point it out to a young man who has never passed the imperial examination, isn't it a bit too flattering?
Li Tianfeng was speechless, but he could only sigh, "You really don't want to think of a way?"
Wei Yuanzhi said: "In the court, nobles and nobles always stick together, and the concubine Shu's position is also stable from this. We are temporarily weak, so we should take care of it slowly. Mr. Li might as well think about it, if we really take advantage of the honors You are desperate, and the position of state pastor that you have obtained has been stolen from you. What will you do? What will happen to the empress and me? Think about it, Lu Fengyuan is in prison, why did the news of his not guilty plea spread throughout Manchuria? yes."
Li Tianfeng was stunned for a moment.
Wei Yuanzhi typed slowly: "So, Mr. Li, if you can manage Sishui Prefecture well, if we occupy one of the thirteen prefectures in the world, it will be a solid foundation. We should have a choice!"
Concubine De, who had been silent all this time, said softly: "Yunqi, Mr. Wei has been operating in Sishui Prefecture for many years. If you ask him for advice, you will definitely gain something."
At this time, Li Tianfeng, who was very expressive, stopped showing his attitude and respectfully bowed his hand to Wei Yuanzhi, "Old Wei, please enlighten me."
"Brother Yunqi is serious." Wei Yuanzhi waved his hands and sat down, and said slowly: "The main forces in Sishui Prefecture are the three groups."
"The largest group among them is the Shufei group, headed by the governor of the state, Shi Lu Fengyuan, that is, the noble group. They have the most say in the court. Although they are outsiders, they have many followers in the state."
In the study room of a large house in Sishui Prefecture, an old man was talking to his sons.
"The second thing is that we are a faction composed of local gentry. We don't ask for anything else but to protect our basic rights. Whoever takes charge of this family, we can do it."
"Finally, there are the neutral factions who don't want to join either side and just want to be officials. But these people have no support and are often constrained by their efforts. Therefore, there are often many people who are just vegetarians and muddy people."
After the old man finished speaking, he chuckled, "This is why I assert that Lu Fengyuan will not die this time. Behind him, there is a backer! A huge backer, one that even His Majesty would think twice about!"
A young man looked shocked, "You can't die even if you rebel? No way?"
The old man sneered, "If he really rebels like the Zheng family, then even the gods can't save him, but he's not that stupid. He just imprisoned Zhou Mu, so why do you say he's treason? "
"No, that Zheng Yuanwang said it in front of the two armies! Father, you heard it with your own ears!"
"You said it?" The old man smiled, "Then why can't it be a vicious traitor who wants to cling to someone and accuse someone of their innocence out of thin air?"
"But father, you all almost died in Jiang'an, won't you work together to make this matter a reality to satisfy your hatred?"
The old man shook his head, "Since I survived, there are so many people who don't hate me. Interest is the fundamental thing!"
Looking at the shocked sons, the old man felt that tonight's class was very valuable, "You are still too young to understand the essence of how the world works."
"To get close to this Xinzhou shepherd, you need to show kindness, but there is no need to get too close to him. Just choose someone to follow him."
"What's really important is that tonight, prepare some food and wine carefully, and go to the prison to see Mr. Lu. He will be escorted back to Beijing tomorrow. Don't be indifferent to your kindness."
"The way we establish ourselves as a wealthy family is not to choose sides easily. You four brothers will draw lots in a moment. Choose one to join Xinzhou Mu, and choose one to continue to follow Mr. Lu."
——
Concubine De walked back to the room, bringing back the slightly cold air outside the room and a somewhat melancholy and desolate mood.
Aunt Yuan stepped forward, rubbed her shoulders, and comforted her in a warm voice: "Take your time, these things cannot be rushed or rushed."
Concubine De sighed, "I know, but I do feel a little unhappy. I almost died in Jiang'an, but there is nothing I can do about this kind of mastermind, I can only let him be arrogant."
She stretched out her two straight and slender porcelain-like legs, "Don't say that the people below are unhappy, I am a little upset myself!"
"Whether you are in the palace or in the court, it is necessary to be cautious and patient. When you are in a low position, no one is allowed to grovel, break teeth and swallow blood. Only when the situation is reversed can you show your mind. You Look at Qin Xianggong, he was always submissive and swallowed his anger in front of the old Xianggong. Once he succeeded, he tormented the old Xianggong family until they could not live or die. He did not stop until the old Xianggong begged for mercy with death. Who still remembers that time now? What about his humiliations?"
"Mommy, I can save it." Concubine De slowly calmed down her emotions and exhaled lightly, "Take your time."
"Yeah, take your time."
Tuk-tuk-tuk.
There was a knock on the door, and Feng Xiuyun walked in, "Mother, he is here."
Why doesn't he do it? It's like I'm having a private meeting with my lover.
Concubine De murmured in her heart, but she didn't bother to correct Feng Xiuyun's speech problem, and she felt a little happy, "Let him come in."
Soon, she looked at Xia Jingyun and teased: "If you don't like your little wife, why are you here?"
Xia Jingyun said with a smile: "I won't see my sister for a long time, so I have to hurry up to say hello to my sister, talk to her, and look at my beautiful smile a few more times."
Concubine De said casually: "You still have a smile like a flower! My sister can't laugh now."
"Huh?" Xia Jingyun asked immediately, "Did something happen?"
"No. It's okay." Concubine De reacted and waved her hand quickly.
"Sister, tell me, maybe I can help you share your worries!"
——
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A grown man has nothing to gain, he can only eat more.
or2
(End of chapter)
