When the explosion occurred, Emperor Liu was in the Long Live Hall, with Concubine Zhou Yifei in his arms. The quilt was warm, and he was awakened when he first felt sleepy.
Yifei, who is already in her thirties, has long lost her youthfulness, but her beauty is still the same, just like a ripe peach. Especially after giving birth to a child, her peerless charm is full of fatal temptation. With Liu The emperor is not in good health now. He is also feeling very tired and can't stand it. Most of the time he can only eat vegetarian food.
However, no matter how graceful her body was, it could not attract Emperor Liu's attention as much as the earth-shattering scene outside the palace. The hours are getting late, the night is getting darker, and the noise of the outside world is gradually sinking into immersion under the pressure of the government, but even in the deep palace, it seems that you can feel the restlessness outside the palace walls.
The atmosphere in the Long Live Hall was a bit depressing. Emperor Liu was dressed in single clothes and didn't pay attention to his image. He just sat behind the royal eucalyptus with a cold face. Present, besides the chamberlain Xing Shou Yantuo, was the prince Liu Yang.
Ministers also came one after another to greet and express their concern for the Holy Gong. One by one, including Zhao Kuangyi, the prime minister on duty, Emperor Liu rushed to the scene to rescue him.
With such a big event happening, the whole court may not be able to live in peace. Of course, it is not the turn of ordinary people to worry about it. In addition to being concerned, more people can only stay at home and wait for the news to come out. , by the way, make temporary preparations for fire prevention.
"Official, it's late at night, please add some clothes!" Emperor Liu looked a little sinister at this time, exuding a dangerous aura. Even so, Yan Tuo had to come up with a robe and said carefully care.
"Yes!" Probably feeling the chill of the summer night, Emperor Liu did not refuse, but just agreed softly.
Seeing this, Yantuo breathed a sigh of relief and immediately helped Emperor Liu put on his robe skillfully. Liu Yang was sitting below. At this time, his mood gradually stabilized. He raised his hands and advised: "Dad, the disaster has happened and is irreversible. The officials and soldiers are also working hard to relieve the disaster. Please take care of yourself and don't worry too much."
I don't know if Liu Yang's consolation had an effect. Emperor Liu's face looked much better. He remained silent for a while and said quietly: "Putting out fires and rescuing disasters is a top priority. However, the source of this matter must be investigated clearly. If there is any minor mischief, , dereliction of duty and slackness will be dealt with severely!"
Emperor Liu's words were murderous and undisguised, even using words like "harsh". Apparently, he already had doubts about the crash.
Time passed by bit by bit, midnight passed, the rooster crowed, and it was not until dawn that the preliminary results were finally obtained. When Yantuo came to report, all the civil and military ministers were waiting for the edict outside the palace.
Emperor Liu did not stay in the palace any longer. He stood up and walked outside. The sky and earth outside were dim and dark. He had not slept all night. Emperor Liu was also a little tired and his mind was very confused. After blowing in the wind, he regained consciousness.
There were many people in front of the Long Live Hall, including civil and military officials, nobles and bureaucrats. After hearing the news, some people took the initiative to go to Yanqingfang to put out the fire. Even Zhao Kuangyin was among them, his old face was covered with black dust. Of course, no one was clean, and they seemed to be working hard.
However, Emperor Liu was not moved by their active and responsible performance, but said coldly: "There is a fire in Yanqingfang, why are you going to join in the fun? Are you going to put out the fire, or are you afraid that it will not be chaotic enough?"...
As soon as these words came out, the noble ministers present looked at each other in shock. Emperor Liu's words were a bit unkind, and the heart-wrenching meaning was really shocking.
Even the ministers who came to pay their respects first and got Emperor Liu's permission before going to the scene in Yanqingfang could not help but feel hesitant at this time. Without caring about their thoughts, he looked around. Emperor Liu's tone seemed to have softened a little, and he raised his finger and said: "You have worked hard tonight. Go back and have a good rest. Let's talk about it in the morning if you have anything to do!"
"Yes! Your Majesty, please retire!" After hearing this, Yi Qian Wenwu breathed a sigh of relief and did not dare to continue to show his presence in front of Emperor Liu.
Emperor Liu turned around and returned to the palace. He was a little unsteady for a moment. Liu Yang had sharp eyes and hurriedly stepped forward to support him. After receiving Emperor Liu's instructions, Yantuo stood in front of the palace platform and said loudly: "Dear ministers, please come back. Your Majesty has issued an order. Liu Fuyin, Zhang Xunjing, and Han Shangshu will stay!"
"yes!"
The three people who were called looked at each other, and there was no surprise at all. One of them was a governor, the other was an inspection officer, and the gunpowder factory and warehouse were also directly under the Ministry of War, so they were inevitably involved. However, this face is really not good-looking. Of course, the person with the lightest burden must be Zhang Yongde. At least he has done his duty after the incident. As for before the incident, even if he wants to share the blame, it is not his turn. He was in front.
However, he was also worried that tonight's disaster relief measures violated some procedures.
"Has the fire been brought under control?" In the Long Live Hall, Emperor Liu sat down exhausted, but his mind was still clear and his eyes were still sharp as he stared at the three people and asked.
Zhang Yongde, as the commander-in-chief of the front line of fire fighting, hurriedly handed over his hands and reported: "Your Majesty, the disaster occurred. After I learned about it, I immediately reported it and urgently mobilized 3,000 patrols to Yanqingfang. In cooperation with Kaifeng Mansion and the people inside and outside the place, after a night of fighting, The fire in Yanqingfang has been basically controlled. At present, all soldiers under the Inspection Department are dispatched, and the whole city is under martial law. The situation is under control."
When he said this, the panic in Zhang Yongde's heart intensified. He was doing something special this time. He mobilized soldiers and horses from the inspection camp to go to the disaster relief without getting the order from the Privy Council.
Although there was a reason for the incident, it is true that the regulations were exceeded. The Inspection Department's usual powers and personnel arrangements are strictly regulated and must be reported to the Privy Council for filing. Who can say whether the three thousand patrol troops and horses are going to put out the fire or have other plans?
Not to mention 3,000 people, just 50 people. If they are mobilized without order, it is a capital offense. The grandnephew of Gongsun Li of Pingyuan was beheaded because he led a group of forbidden troops out of the camp for a gathering without authorization.
Zhang Yongde also hesitated beforehand, but in the end he chose to act first and report later. At this moment, Zhang Yongde couldn't help but feel his heart twitch when he thought of what Emperor Liu had just said in front of the palace. Fortunately, his decisiveness achieved considerable results. At least he controlled the fire in time, preventing it from spreading outwards and causing greater losses. There is this,
After carefully observing the expressionless Emperor Liu below, he still took the initiative to plead guilty: "I sent troops without permission without military orders. Please plead guilty, Your Majesty!"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu was stunned for a moment. When he saw Zhang Yongde who looked uneasy, his mind changed and he couldn't help but sigh. This man's performance tonight was both responsible and witty. More importantly, he also had a good sense of politics. It's sensitive. …
"You have reminded me!" Emperor Liu said calmly: "It is a meritorious service to provide disaster relief, but it is a crime to abuse power. Considering this urgency, the merits and demerits should be balanced!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing this, Zhang Yongde was immediately overjoyed. Although Emperor Liu said that the merits and demerits were equal to each other, once the matter was over, he, Zhang Yongde, would only benefit from it, and he knew this in his heart.
"Inform Liu Tinghan, just complete the Privy Council's transfer order!" Emperor Liu said to Prince Liu Yang again.
"yes!"
"What are the losses? How are the casualties?" Emperor Liu looked at Liu Jichang again.
Liu Jichang's back was wet and dry, dry and wet. At this time, he was a little nervous when he heard about it, but he also tried hard to suppress the fear in his heart and spoke clearly: "Back to Your Majesty, most of the mansions and buildings in Yanqing Square are All were burned down, more than 500 of them, and the rest suffered many injuries. The gunpowder factory was almost turned into ashes, and all the gunpowder was destroyed. As for the casualties, statistics are still being made, and subordinate soldiers are still searching and rescuing in the fire scene."
"How is the public sentiment?" Emperor Liu asked again.
"The survivors who escaped have been temporarily placed in the surrounding area. I have also urgently mobilized a batch of food, drinking water, and medical supplies for rescue. The government office has also announced the list for comfort. The current martial law is in place and everything is fine for the time being."
Listening to his narration, Emperor Liu pondered for a while, then waved his hands a little tiredly: "Go and deal with the aftermath!"
"Yes!" Liu Jichang was even a little surprised when he saw that Emperor Liu did not reprimand him severely. Even if he scolded him, it would be fine. This attitude made him feel unsure.
Emperor Liu looked at Han Tong, who had a sad face, and said directly without any further words: "The workshops and warehouses in Yanqingfang are under the management of your Ministry of War. If such a mess occurs, whether it is an accident or intentional by thieves, you Everyone is responsible! This matter must be investigated and brought to light!"
"Your Majesty, please let me investigate thoroughly and come back to apologize!" Han Tong bowed and bowed.
"I will send someone to investigate this matter. You, the Ministry of War, just need to cooperate. All the officials involved are under my watch. If anything goes wrong again, I will come to you first!" Emperor Liu said coldly.
"Yes!" Han Tong responded with a serious expression. I lamented in my heart that he still has to be frightened at this age. Once this incident is over, he should retire and retire as soon as possible, and also give his son room for advancement.
"The prince should also go with us to deal with the aftermath and appease the people!" Emperor Liu said to Liu Yang again.
Liu Yang was very calm, cupping his hands and saying, "That's what I meant!"
Several people left one after another, dawn was approaching, and the dusk outside the palace was fading a lot. Not long after, Wang Jien, the envoy of the Imperial City, came to see him. Emperor Liu looked at him, without any delay, and went straight to the point: "I give you the full authority to investigate for me, find out the results, give me an explanation, and give the court an explanation." Give an explanation, and give an explanation to the people of Tokyo!"
Emperor Liu's attitude was straightforward, and Wang Jien was also vigorous and resolute. He also took the order without talking nonsense. In fact, he had already prepared the investigation. With all the manpower deployed and the fire under control, it was his turn for the Imperial City Division to enter the scene. Li Chongju is still in the pass, and this is a good opportunity for their Imperial City Division.
In fact, the explosion was not complicated. It was just at the end of the factory relocation that there was a problem with the safety management of the powder magazine. The Imperial City Department took the matter seriously and conducted an investigation with great fanfare. From the surviving officials to the workshop management, as well as surrounding households, and even some important officials directly under the Ministry of War were summoned for questioning. …
After on-site investigation and interrogation by hundreds of people, we came to such a simple result. Inside the office, the adopted son Wang Shouzhong was reporting the results, and the report was also very detailed.
However, Wang Jien was a little distracted. He was still thinking about what Emperor Liu ordered at that time. After Wang Shouzhong finished his report, Wang Jien asked: "According to you, this incident was caused by the laziness and poor management of the left-behind officials?"
Wang Shouzhong nodded and said: "Based on multiple investigations, the conclusion drawn should be this!"
Wang Jien's brows suddenly furrowed and he said, "You want me to report this result to the officials?"
Hearing some overtones, Wang Shouzhong asked for instructions carefully: "Is it possible that we still want to involve someone higher up? If so, please tell me how to act."
The Imperial City Secretary is very good at and familiar with this kind of thing. He has done a lot of it in the past, and now he won't have any psychological burden.
However, Wang Jien shook his head: "If we go up further, do we still need to involve Shang Danggong? He is an old official in the official family. He has always been trusted and has never had any quarrel with me."
"Then according to father's wishes?"
"You concoct a plan and say it's the remnants of the party who are causing the rebellion?" Wang Jien said calmly.
Wang Shouzhong was shocked when he heard this and said hurriedly: "This, this is deceiving the emperor!"
It is normal for the Imperial City Secretary to take advantage of opportunities to cause trouble, but the nature of something like this is completely different.
Seeing this, Wang Jien chuckled and said: "I will report the truth to the officials. This report of yours is for the court and the world. I now understand that the explanation the officials are referring to is roughly this. "
