When Liu Zhennian returned to Penglai City, he first announced the death of Zhang Longlu to the officials in Dengzhou, and then asked the prefect to temporarily take charge of the military affairs. He removed and dismissed Zhang Longlu's party members one by one, and arrested and imprisoned them. Unfortunately, they were not tried. There was no valuable confession to be made, so I had to give up.
Seeing that the aftermath was almost done, Liu Zhennian urged the emperor to set off and return to Laizhou to organize things. Unexpectedly, he was only a mile out of the city when he received a letter from Niu Yuan. He had no choice but to stop the team and dismounted to get the letter.
'Liu Gongjingqi: The lower officials heard that Zhang Longlu intended to cause chaos, and now he has been punished. It is really a blessing from heaven. However, this matter is full of doubts, and the accomplice has not yet been discovered. We must not return to Beijing in a hurry to make the prince's arrogance grow again. Please go back to Laizhou first and make long-term plans. '
Liu Zhennian read the letter to the end and accepted the letter happily, shaking his head and laughing: "That Cai Xianqing, being the boss is really unfair to him..."
"What did you say?" The messenger was extremely confused after hearing what he said.
"It's okay," Liu Zhennian raised his head and said, "Just tell the Prime Minister that he is in agreement with me and ask him to wait patiently. He will arrive probably tonight."
The car drove faster than Liu Zhennian expected. Although it was completely dark at this time, the second watch had not yet sounded in the city. The defenders were still scanning the city carefully. They saw the emperor's chariot by the light of the fire and hurriedly opened the door to greet him.
"Mr. Liu, have you been safe all the way?" Niu Yuan saw Liu Zhennian enter the mansion, hurriedly led him to the study, closed the door, and lit the lamps on the walls.
"I'm fine physically, but I feel very uncomfortable inside." Liu Zhennian sighed and told him everything about Zhu Gaoshan's danger.
"If there was no one to relay the message for the prince, how could Zhang Longlu take action so quickly? The matter of wearing the imperial seal is probably not just nonsense."
"It's a pity that the warship sank suddenly, and there is no evidence. I don't know who took advantage of the chaos." Liu Zhennian sighed again.
"Don't worry about the shipwreck for now," Niu Yuan pressed his temples in deep thought, "think about it, who else but the emperor can make a fuss with the royal seal?"
"Eunuch Shen, I believe him. Others...then the only one is the emperor's brother Rong Qing." Liu Zhennian gradually clenched his fists.
"This man is young and full of ambition. He is just hindering the reputation of a royal relative and is difficult to deal with. But this is like a malignant sore on the body. Once allowed to grow, the disaster will be endless. It is better to treat early than to treat late. The prime minister should Understand this."
Niu Yuan continued: "It just so happens that the shipwreck has not yet been investigated. Duke Liu can use this as an excuse to force the emperor to stay in Laizhou for a few more days. After managing to remove Rong Qing's military power, he can also intimidate the prince when he returns to the capital. "
Liu Zhennian nodded and smiled: "That makes sense."
Niu Yuan was happy and planned to further implement his plan: "But I have a more radical method that can completely cure this sore. I wonder if the Prime Minister is willing to hear it?"
"Just say it." Liu Zhennian heard a bang outside and didn't care.
"If Rong Qing is really convicted, then the two co-conspirators Taisu and Cunzhao should also be eliminated, so that the power can be firmly in hand. Then you can take the position of prince, or even emperor... …”
"Okay!" Liu Zhennian knocked on the table several times, causing the candlestick's flame to sway. "I advise you not to think about this too much. I will consider it, but not today."
"Why is this?" Niu Yuan was quite puzzled, and felt a little angry in his heart. "General, is this Yan's idea of participating in politics?"
Liu Zhennian remained silent and did not answer.
Niu Yuan hurriedly stamped his feet: "Mr. Liu, although Yan Wen has been in power for many years and is experienced, a wise man will always make mistakes. How can he listen to his opinions? Nowadays, there is a lack of authority and failure in government. If this is not the case, When it comes to changing dynasties, why should we rectify the government and the public and make the people of the world respect us? Liu Gong was born in the military, he is just exercising hegemony and enforcing the laws of the country, so what else should he consider!"
"This is what you said when you return to the court and participate in politics with Yan," Liu Zhennian still disagreed, "Let's solve the important issues first."
Niu Yuan glanced at him in despair and responded in a low voice.
It was daytime in the blink of an eye, Liu Zhennian was not eager to cause trouble for Rong Qing, and still acted step by step. After asking about the emperor's daily life, he went to discuss the issue of Zhang Longlu with the governor and decided to temporarily issue a notice to calm the people and conceal the death of Governor Denglai from the outside until everything came to light before making it public.
However, no matter how calm Liu Zhennian is, there will not be too many peaceful days left for Rong Qing. Only two days later, Liu Zhennian received news from Dengzhou that a new confession had been made against Zhang Dang, pointing out that the current emperor's brother Rong Qing was an accomplice in the regicide. To be on the safe side, Liu Zhennian asked the general manager Shen Jing to coerce the guards into suing their superiors for a reward of tens of thousands.
Everyone thought that the situation had been set up, but they misjudged the situation this time - those imperial guards followed Rong Qing in and out of the palace all year round, and the latter was a royal relative, so naturally he had a lot of money and did not hesitate to reward; over time, they People's hearts condensed. As soon as this incident came out, the Imperial Guards did not hesitate to tell the news to the Imperial Guard.
Rong Qing, who had always been fearless, panicked at this moment and urgently asked everyone for advice. I saw a member of the imperial army offering advice: "Since Thief Liu is determined to trap Si Jin, he will definitely show no mercy. Now that we are in a dilemma, it is better to give it a try to avoid being humiliated by the traitor."
Rong Qing slapped his forehead and sighed bitterly: "If I send troops, won't I implicate the prince and others? Think of other ways, don't be too radical."
Another person said: "Si Jin can send me to risk my life to return to the capital to deliver a letter and report the truth to the prince. If the prince lends a helping hand, how dare Liangliu Zhennian be so arrogant."
"Yes, the prince has been appointed as the supervisor of the country and is also the crown prince, so the weight of his words will not be taken lightly." Many people agreed with this view and advised him one after another.
"Okay," two words came out of Rong Qing's mouth with difficulty, "you can do whatever you want."
The imperial guard was entrusted with an important task by the Si Jin, and he did not dare to neglect. He was cautious along the way and did not say a word. He slept in the guest house and left, and finally arrived in the capital. He wanted to go to the East Palace, but he was afraid of disturbing Yan Wen's ears and eyes, so he thought: "The old emperor's uncle should be patrolling in the camp, why not sneak into the forbidden area and report to him", so he put on his military uniform, pretended to be a patrolling soldier, and got into the camp. camp.
"Liu Thief bullies people too much!" Tai Su was furious after reading Dengzhou's letter, "We are royal nobles after all, how can we allow him to be insulted by a barbarian from a humble family! Zhang Longlu is also a scum, and he has not accomplished enough..."
"Si Jin asked the old uncle to calmly think of a solution..."
"Asshole! How can I calm down like this?" Taisu tore the letter into pieces and stamped on the ground four or five times, "Call Cun Zhao! Tell him that if I don't rescue Rong Qing, my life will be in vain. At such an old age, you are no longer worthy of being an elder!"
