After dividing the money, the magistrate of Jinan Prefecture and Xu Tongpan took some people from the yamen and rushed to the east gate.
The time left for them by the tiger-shaped flag was to present the city before noon, and neither of them dared to delay.
At this time, Zhang Yuanwai and his party had already met Chang Shi in the palace.
External affairs of the feudal prince's palace are usually left to the chief historian in the prince's palace.
Although the vassal king was imprisoned in one place, not everyone could see his noble status, even some local officials could not see him if they wanted to.
"Wang Changshi, we are here to beg His Highness for help." After Zhang Yuanwai saw the Changshi of the palace, he came up and bowed deeply.
Seeing this, the chief historian of the feudal prince's palace looked puzzled and asked: "What are you doing? Is there anyone in Jinan City who can take your lives?"
As the chief historian of the palace, he naturally recognized these big households in Jinan City.
"Don't Chang Shi know? The army of tiger thieves is just outside the city, and they fired artillery all day yesterday." Zhang Yuanwai looked at Wang Changshi in front of him and said.
Wang Changshi said: "The sound of cannons was naturally heard in the palace, but with Governor Fu and General Cao guarding the city, Jinan City will naturally be safe and sound. You don't have to worry too much."
He, the long history of the vassal palace, knew a little about Fu Zonglong and the uncles and nephews of the Cao family, and knew that they were capable people, so he was still confident in guarding Jinan City.
However, after Zhang Yuanwai heard this, he asked in surprise: "Has Wang Changshi not heard anything about the situation in the city?"
"What did you hear? Could something have happened?" Wang Changshi suddenly had a bad feeling in his heart when he saw Zhang Yuanwai's appearance.
When Zhang Yuanwai saw Wang Changshi's appearance, he immediately knew that the other party probably didn't know anything, so he said: "Yesterday, Governor Fu and the two generals Cao abandoned the city and fled. At present, the morale of the defenders in the city is low. It can be regarded as barely guarding, but no one knows how long we can hold on."
"What? Fu Zonglong escaped!" Wang Changshi was stunned.
It had only been one day, and he couldn't believe that such a big change had occurred in Jinan City.
"It's true. You can't deceive people about this kind of thing. Wang Changshi only needs to send someone out to find out." Zhang Yuanwai did not expect that Wang Changshi's information was so lagging behind.
However, considering that the feudal prince's palace is closed most of the time, there is not much communication with the outside world, especially after knowing that the Tiger Character Banner army came to Shandong, it rarely interacts with people outside the feudal prince's palace.
Although Wang Changshi believed Zhang Yuanwai's words, he still sent someone to inquire about the situation in the city.
"Actually, we came here in the hope that Wang Changshi could ask His Highness to take charge of the overall situation. I'm afraid that the longer it takes, the more detrimental it will be to Jinan City." Zhang Yuanwai said to Wang Changshi.
In his opinion, the identity and status of the vassal king is the best card. As long as he is willing to stand up, it will be very beneficial to the defense of Jinan City.
Wang Changshi hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I can't make the decision in this matter, so it's useless for you to ask me."
"Wang Changshi only needs to inform His Highness about the current situation in Jinan City. I think His Highness will definitely come forward if he knows about the situation in Jinan City." Zhang Yuanwai said.
As a vassal king, these squires in Jinan City are definitely not able to see him. If they want to communicate with the vassal king, they can only go through the long history of the palace.
"You don't understand. His Highness will never come forward in this kind of matter. The person you should look for is the prefect's Yamen." Wang Changshi said.
Zhang Yuanwai said: "We also went to look for the magistrate's Yamen, but we learned that someone in the Magistrate's Yamen secretly contacted the army of tiger thieves outside the city. We were worried that the government might not do their best to defend the city. If His Highness can stand up, , I believe that even if the people in the prefect’s Yamen are a little cautious, they won’t dare to mess around.”
"The magistrate is so brave, he actually dares to have contact with the thieves!" Wang Changshi frowned.
Once Fu Zonglong escaped, it would be difficult to defend Jinan City if people from the prefect's Yamen continued to communicate secretly with the Tiger-Character Banner army outside the city.
Zhang Yuanwai said: "How could I lie about this kind of thing? It's absolutely true, so I asked Wang Changshi to invite His Highness out. Jinan City needs Your Highness to take charge right now."
Wang Changshi thought for a while and then said: "Let's just wait here. I'll go see His Highness right away. As for whether His Highness is willing to come out and take charge of the overall situation, I'm not sure."
"For the sake of the people of Jinan City, please take your time, Chang Shi." Zhang Yuanwai bowed to Wang Changshi again.
"Just wait!" Wang Changshi left the room and walked towards the first palace gate of the palace without saying a word.
The palace rules in the palace are strict, and even the long history cannot break into the palace casually.
If you want to see the feudal king, you also need to let someone in to report.
There are maids and eunuchs in the palace, as well as palace guards.
Not long after the people who went in to report left, Wang Changshi was taken to a palace.
This palace is where the feudal king handles government affairs. It is usually not used a few times a year, but is used to receive foreign ministers. It is usually cleaned by the eunuchs and maids of the palace, so even if it is not used much, it is Keep it clean and tidy.
"Your Majesty, sir." Wang Changshi reminded the wealthy King De to bow in front of him.
"There is no need to be polite, Wang Changshi." King De sat down on the seat in the middle and immediately ordered the eunuch waiting on the side, "Go and sit down for Wang Changshi."
"I thank you, Your Highness." Wang Changshi saluted again.
The little eunuch brought over an embroidered pier.
Wang Changshi lifted his robe and sat on it.
"Changshi is so anxious to see this king, but what's the matter?" King De looked lazily at Wang Changshi in front of him.
It had only been a few years since he inherited the throne of King Deok, but the long history in front of him was already the long history of the royal palace when King Deok was the previous generation.
Moreover, the royal palace's history is arranged by the imperial court, and he, the virtuous king, has no right to change it.
Wang Changshi said: "I just received the news. When the bandits were attacking the city outside the city, Governor Fu and General Cao abandoned the city and fled. Now the city is leaderless. I hope that your highness can come forward to take charge of the overall situation."
As he spoke, he looked nervously at the King De in front of him.
"Fu Zonglong escaped? How is this possible!" King De said with an ugly face, "Isn't he afraid that the court will punish him in the future? No, I will report to the court immediately, and I must punish him for offending him."
With that said, King De stood up and was about to leave.
Wang Changshi hurriedly stood up to stop him, and at the same time said: "Your Highness, please calm down. The most urgent task now is not to punish anyone, but to defend Jinan City first. Otherwise, it will be dangerous when the thieves outside the city enter the city." .”
He didn't directly say something would happen to the palace, but that's what he meant.
"What do you want me to do?" King De looked at Wang Changshi and asked in a serious tone.
(End of chapter)
