Shi Xiushen accepted Niu Yuan's order, but he knew in his heart that he could not wade into these muddy waters, lest it be difficult to escape in the future. He then handed over full authority to Deputy Secretary Lu Jishan for investigation. Lu Jishan has always been good at espionage. In just four or five days, he gave his boss a satisfactory answer.
The prince's plan was completely presented to Niu Yuan's eyes. Only the name Zhang Longlu had not been exposed, so the latter could think about it in front of the cold words. But he still couldn't figure out why the prince insisted on going to Denglai. How could there be his accomplices on the remote seaside?
He cautiously reported the news to Liu Zhennian, but the latter was not surprised: "I don't know about these people in the court? They all hate me. Even if the prince and emperor have no intention of taking action, they will force me to On."
Yan Wen was also present at this time. After thinking for a moment, he said to Niu Yuan: "The prince has always been cowardly. We can ask Shi Sijin to stop his plan, and then use a little intimidation to prevent him from doing anything rash."
After hearing this, Niu Yuan just nodded thoughtfully and refused to step back.
"Just do what Yan Xiang said." Liu Zhennian reminded him, fearing that he might not hear.
"I have something offensive to say, I don't know if I should say it..." Niu Yuan glanced at them.
"Huh?" Liu Zhennian frowned and hesitated, "But it doesn't matter."
"Since the prince intends to go to Denglai, it means that there must be traitors plotting to cause chaos. If he is let go this time, he may be in trouble. How about taking advantage of the plan and coercing His Majesty to go to Denglai to find out the culprits and clean them up?" The prince’s confidants are preparing for your future great undertakings.”
Yan Wen hurriedly scolded: "How can the Prime Minister gamble with Liu Gong's life? If he succeeds by chance, none of us can bear this responsibility!"
"Haha, I think Feng Xiang said it right!" Liu Zhennian clapped his thigh and laughed heartily, "Since I entered the capital, I have been sitting on the board of directors on weekdays, which is very boring. If I were a martial artist, But I have to sit in the middle of the court without being able to fight to the death with the enemy. Wouldn’t it be a waste of half my life!”
"It's settled," Yan Wen stood up before he could speak. "Let them go first. When we get to Denglai... I will never spare these rebels!"
Under the prince's orders, Lan Yuan had already drafted a memorial to visit Denglai. For the sake of safety, the prince asked three royal officials to review it.
Rong Qing said: "The holy driver has no one to rely on when he is out of the city, and he is easily hijacked by traitors. The prince can safely supervise the country. I should go to Dengzhou with your majesty and come back with the willow thief's head!"
Cun Zhao knew that he was a brave man, so he quickly admonished him: "Uncle, the prince still needs a few loyal ministers to help him. Your status is still important, so you shouldn't take such risks."
Taisu suddenly tapped the table leg with a wooden cane a few times, and said twice: "Rong Qing has such courage, it is an honor for the country, Cunzhao, why do you want to dampen his interest? Besides, we are the royal emperor. , what can a warrior like him do to us?"
Cun Zhao was a junior after all, so he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut and did not dare to refute.
On the day of the court meeting, the prince led the ministers to the emperor's palace to kneel down, handed a memorial to the chief eunuch Shen Jing, and kowtowed: "The coastal defense in Denglai area is not effective, and the boats are of poor quality, making it difficult to defend against sea invaders, and even the nearby fishermen cannot If you dare to go into the water, you will do great harm. Today is the first month of the calendar, everything is happy, and I cannot bear to see that the holy grace has not been showered, and there are groaning people in the world. Therefore, I invite your Majesty to go on a patrol to review the soldiers in Denglai, to show the prestige of the country, and to To protect the people, I hope the decision can be made accurately."
"What did the prince say?" The emperor was silent for a moment, and his voice came from the palace.
"Your Highness is wise and wise, and it is difficult for me to match him." First, a few officials took the lead, and then all the ministers agreed in unison.
"You have thought more thoroughly than me," the cold voice continued, "Accurate performance."
There was no obstruction in the whole process, which made the prince inexplicably feel that something was wrong, but he got rid of this idea as soon as possible.
In the following days, the imperial court was extremely busy inside and outside. They mobilized people for patrols and sent people to inform the governor and governor of Denglai to prepare for the pick-up.
The governor there sat in Laizhou Prefecture, and the governor was in charge of Dengzhou Prefecture. The two were not in the same place, which caused the envoy to make a long trip before arriving at Penglai City.
The name Zhang Longlu is not unfamiliar to the people of the Liu Party. He was originally from Jiangnan. After years of supervising the construction of ships and reorganizing the navy, he was transferred by Liu Zhennian to conquer the south, so he began to follow the latter and gradually became a confidant. He was not a stoic person. After a period of time, Zhang Longlu actively tried to please Niu Yuan and Yan Wen, which made his status soar, and he began to use his power for personal gain. He even placed his son in the army, responsible for supervising the transportation of military rations, and occasionally giving him some military honors. Unexpectedly, on the way to withdraw, the officers and soldiers in the rear were intercepted by barbarians. His son abandoned his troops and fled, but Liu Zhennian killed him with a knife regardless of public opinion.
Although Long Lu gritted his teeth about Zhen Nian, he couldn't bear the fact that Liu Dang had so many interests here. After waiting for a few years, he finally became the governor's official relying on his past friendship. He was free and unconstrained here, and now he is on the throne. Sixty years old.
He was thinking about taking in his seventh concubine at the moment. When he heard that the imperial envoy was visiting, he put everything else behind and hurriedly went out of the hall to greet her.
"The imperial court has not sent envoys here for several years. What is the reason for today?" He smiled and bowed, showing the yellow teeth in his mouth.
"I have been ordered to convey the imperial edict." The envoy then told the story of the Denglai Grand Parade.
Zhang Longlu was stunned for a while, his eyes dimmed: "Ah...is the governor ready to pick you up?"
"The governor only told me that you are the governor, and it is up to you to make decisions on military matters. He will serve the emperor for one day, and the rest of the time will be left to you."
'These people are really good at shirking responsibility...'
"grown ups?"
"Alas," Zhang Longlu realized that he was distracted, "If the emperor wants to parade the navy in Dengzhou, it would be an unexpected surprise for me. I should serve the emperor with all my strength to repay the great kindness!"
The envoy smiled and nodded, then bowed and left. Governor Zhang sent someone away listlessly.
Just when he was feeling worried, his wife came from the back room and asked him, "Is the court... ready for us to pick him up?"
"Hey," Zhang Longlu turned around irritably, "What do women know? Get out!"
His wife still refused to obey and continued to approach her: "You are so depressed, could it be that you are afraid of Liu..."
Zhang Longlu glared at her angrily, as if he was about to curse, but suddenly turned his face and sighed.
"I haven't had anything to do with that guy for a few years. Now, if you suddenly bring the emperor here and do a roll call, it will be harmful to me... We are afraid that a big disaster will happen!"
