The sound of "cracking" firecrackers sounded in Chang'an City, and cheers and frolics came from far away.
On the Dongcheng Pier, countless Jinwu Guards officers have completely blocked the entire dock, and no one is allowed to approach.
A middle-aged solemn official wearing a dark crimson official robe stood in the center, with a short beard slightly raised and deep-set brows. His eyes seemed to be filled with worry but also a rare joy.
There were two green-robed officials on each side, standing quietly behind them holding green-lacquered red-edged trays.
At this moment, more than a dozen tall horses came towards the dock at the same time. The leader was a middle-aged official wearing a light crimson official robe. He had a horizontal knife hanging on his waist. Although his hands were holding the reins tightly, they were extremely wide. .
When this group of people arrived, Jin Wuwei immediately stepped forward, crossed his long spear in his hand, and at the same time ordered: "Stop those who come."
"Zheng Rengong, the doctor of the Ministry of Justice, please see the Prince of Nanchang. Please give way." As he spoke, a token was thrown down.
The Jinwu Guardsman did not take the token, but took a step back and shouted coldly: "Stop, dismount, otherwise we will not kill you!"
Zheng Rengong's brows suddenly frowned, a trace of doubt flashed in his eyes, and then he waved his hand back, and all the criminal policemen immediately dismounted.
His subordinate Zhang Gu picked up the token from the ground again and handed it to Zheng Rengong's hand.
Zheng Rengong hesitated for a moment, but still handed the token in his hand forward and said politely: "By order of the Minister of Punishment, I would like to see the Prince of Nanchang County and please inform me."
A Kingo team leader came up, glanced at the token, frowned, then took the token, and said in a deep voice: "Wait."
"Lang Jun, what's going on?" A close aide stepped forward, and today's situation was a little confusing.
"It's not Jinwu Guard, there is someone else." Zheng Rengong took a breath and looked solemn.
He originally thought that the Jinwu Guards had received the news of the assassination of King Luoyang of Nanchang and came to protect him, but now it seems that this is not the case, there is someone else here.
At this moment, the leader of the Jinwu team who had passed the message before had already stepped forward. While handing back the token, he handed over his hand and replied: "Mr. Zheng, please!"
"Thank you!" Zheng Rengong slightly raised his hand, took the token, and then walked towards the front of the pier. However, he had just taken two steps when he heard a long tree moving sideways behind him, and someone shouted coldly: "Stop, there is an order, only Mr. Xu Zheng will go alone."
Zheng Rengong frowned slightly, who is this person with such a big posture.
Is it Cheng Chubi or Qin Shandao who has arrived, or is it the prince or the King of England?
Zheng Rengong did not look back, but just waved his hands slightly. The police officers and arresters behind him, although still hesitant, retreated respectfully.
Dozens of Jinwu guards were lined up on both sides, their long spears standing upright, their blades cold, and in the winter, they made people feel murderous.
Zheng Rengong walked to the front and saw a middle-aged official wearing a dark crimson official robe standing in front. He raised his eyebrows and immediately recognized the person.
Zheng Rengong stepped forward and immediately raised his hands solemnly and said: "I am lowered to the post of Zheng Rengong, the doctor of the Ministry of Criminal Affairs, and pay my respects to Liu Shaoqing."
Liu Zhirou, the young minister of Honglu Temple, from the fourth rank, is in charge of handling guests' families and receiving guests.
"Why are Dr. Zheng here today?" Liu Zhirou returned the greeting slightly, and asked Zheng Rengong with a puzzled expression.
Zheng Rengong's lips twitched slightly. He came here today, of course, to question Nanchang King Li Xuan about the case of Gao Ping and Leng Lin, the leaders of the Ministry of Punishment, the murder of Xue Zhongzhang, a member of the Hangzhou Facao army, and the escape of the murderer Wen Xu.
After all, the King of Nanchang was also on the Weishui River when the incident occurred. Although there were befores and afters, there was always a trace of suspicion.
But we can't say this now. After all, the so-called suspicion is just a far-fetched idea by everyone in the Criminal Department.
At the time of the incident, the King of Nanchang was still on the Yangzhou fleet, more than 20 miles away from the place where the incident occurred. Under the gaze of countless Jinwu Guards, Qianniu Guards, and Yangzhou soldiers, no matter how far-fetched it is, it is nonsense. .
Without Liu Zhirou, Zheng Rengong could at least meet the King of Nanchang with this suspicion. But now, he couldn't even say this, so he had to hand over his hands and say: "The official heard that the King of Nanchang was assassinated by Wu Shengdao in Luoyang. There are also people in the Criminal Department who have experienced..."
Liu Zhirou suddenly waved her hand, stopped Zheng Rengong's words, and said in a cold voice: "His Majesty ordered Zuo Jinwu Guard to investigate the assassination of King Luoyang of Nanchang. If the Criminal Department has anything to do, just ask Zuo Jinwu Guard directly."
After speaking, Liu Zhirou pointed to the side. Zheng Rengong turned around and saw Ma Zongsi, the general of the Zuojinwu Guard, standing in the crowd, and there was also a sixth-grade Taishi Cheng standing on one side.
Behind everyone stood a stooped chamberlain.
That person was not a chamberlain in the palace, but Meng Sheng, the deputy general manager of Prince Peng's Mansion.
Seeing Zheng Rengong looking over, everyone had mixed reactions.
Tai Shi Cheng handed over his hand politely, Ma Zongsi had a cold look on his face, and Meng Sheng, the deputy general manager of Prince Peng's Mansion, looked at him with confusion.
Zheng Rengong's thoughts changed slightly, then he looked at Liu Zhirou, cupped his hands and said, "Is it possible for me to ask, if Shaoqing is here today, is it to welcome the envoys of Silla and Japan?"
Looking at Zheng Rengong, whose face was full of testing, a hint of impatience flashed in Liu Zhirou's eyes, but he still handed over his hand, then looked in the direction of Taiji Palace, and said in a deep voice: "By order, we welcome the return of Yangzhou Governor Shi Douwen with his people. How about...how are you doing, doctor, do you want to ask again?"
"I don't dare, I'm going to leave now!" A trace of fear flashed across Zheng Rengong's face, and then he quickly turned around and left.
After leading his men back to the city gate, Zheng Rengong slapped his forehead fiercely and said with annoyance: "How could I forget that there is Dou Xuande."
Dou Xuande, chief historian of Yangzhou Governor's Office, third grade.
Dou Xuande had been in Yangzhou for many years. This time, Dongdao won three of the three battles. Although most of the credit was due to the generals of Anton, Dou Xuande also had a lot of credit for presiding over the preparation of troops in Yangzhou. The emperor took advantage of this and recalled him to the capital.
Some people say that when Dou Xuande returns to Beijing this time, he may immediately be transferred to the position of official of the Six Ministries and Nine Temples, and it is not impossible for him to even become the prime minister again.
In particular, there are rumors in the capital that the Queen of Heaven has appointed Dou's daughter as the royal concubine for the Prime Minister, and Dou Xuande returned to the capital to preside over this matter.
Zheng Rengong felt happy in his heart. If he really collided with Dou Xuande, even Master Shangshu might not be able to protect him.
Raising his head and looking at the Chunming Gate in front of him, Zheng Rengong changed his mind and waved his hand: "Go up to the city gate."
In the blink of an eye, Zheng Rengong led his men to the city gate. Looking from a distance, on the pier, the Jinwu Guards stood solemnly, and the person in the front was Liu Zhirou, the young minister of Honglu Temple.
Looking far away, on the Wei River in the northwest, several large ships were quickly approaching Chang'an City, and above the bow.
Dou Xuande, the governor of Yangzhou, Li Xuan, the king of Nanchang, and Lu Yuanfang, the Sima of the governor of Yangzhou, arrived in Chang'an one after another.
…
The wooden planks were put on the pier, and Li Xuan followed Dou Xuande and slowly got off the boat.
He saw Dou Xuande chatting and laughing with a middle-aged official wearing a dark crimson official robe. When he saw Li Xuan getting off the boat, Dou Xuande immediately waved: "My dear nephew, come, you are Liu Zhirou, the young minister of Honglu Temple."
Li Xuan immediately stepped forward, bowed her hands respectfully and said, "Xuan has met Liu Shaoqing."
"Seeing that the King of Nanchang is so steady, I feel relieved." Liu Zhirou returned the favor with a smile.
Li Xuan looked up with a look of astonishment on his face, and Dou Xuande on the side suddenly said: "See, are the rumors in the court earlier that brother Zirou was transferred to the position of governor of Jingzhou true?"
Liu Zhirou smiled and said nothing, but Li Xuan already understood what happened and immediately held up his hands again and said, "Xuan congratulates Ambassador Liu."
"Everything has not been finalized yet. The prince dare not say that." Liu Zhirou waved her hands. Although she refused, her expression was full of determination. After a slight pause, Liu Zhirou said sincerely: "Although the matter has not been finalized, it is still a matter of foreign affairs. , it is inevitable, I still have some subordinates who are used to it in Honglu Temple, please take good care of me!"
Liu Zhirou made it clear in one sentence that the reason why he was appointed governor of Jingzhou was because the emperor wanted to vacate this position to Li Xuan.
However, Liu Zhirou did not have any dissatisfaction, because the emperor prepared for him the governor of Jingzhou.
From being a Shaoqing of Honglu Temple under the fourth rank to being a governor of Zhongzhou, which is above the fourth rank, this is definitely a leap. No wonder Liu Zhirou was not dissatisfied at all, and was even full of joy.
"Young Master, you are very polite. If things are settled, could I please help you introduce the responsibilities of each department in Honglu Temple and the abilities of the officials, so that you can easily carry out your duties." Li Xuan handed over his hand sincerely.
"That's it, it's settled." Liu Zhirou nodded with satisfaction, then looked at the several large ships behind, and said solemnly: "The affairs of Silla and the Japanese envoys will be the responsibility of the lower officials. Your Majesty, Your Majesty has spoken."
Li Xuan looked stunned for a moment, then bowed deeply and said: "Your Majesty, Li Xuan, listen to the order."
"Now that the King of Nanchang has arrived in Beijing, let's go back to his hometown to rest. Spend time with his mother, concubine and wife, and don't go out for wandering. Don't be late to attend the imperial meeting on the first day!" Liu Zhirou solemnly declared the emperor's decree with his head held high, Then he looked at Li Xuan and said, "My lord, do you understand?"
"Your Majesty, Li Xuan, I hereby honor your edict." Li Xuan was stunned for a moment, thought for a moment, and said, "Thank you for your love and care, Your Majesty."
Hearing what Li Xuan said, Liu Zhirou's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but Dou Xuande looked as if it was indeed the case.
"Your Majesty, please!" Liu Zhirou stepped aside a little, then pointed to Ma Zongsi and Tai Shi Cheng not far away and said: "The assassination of the Prince will be investigated by General Zuo Jinwu Wei Zhonglang, and the Taishi Bureau will cooperate with this matter. Don’t pay any attention to it, just let them check it out.”
"Li Xuan obeys the order." Li Xuan took a deep breath, then turned towards Ma Zongsi and nodded slightly, then turned towards Liu Zhirou and Dou Xuande, cupping his hands and saying, "In that case, Xuan will take her leave first."
"Your Majesty, please!" Liu Zhirou and Dou Xuande returned the favor at the same time.
Li Xuan turned around and strode out of the pier. Meng Sheng, Yu Ze, and Li Zhu, with more than a dozen guards from the Nanchang Palace, quickly followed Li Xuan and strode toward the city gate. go.
On the city wall, Zheng Rengong couldn't help but take a breath when he saw this scene.
Sure enough, Liu Zhirou had an imperial edict on her body.
But when he came, he excluded the King of Nanchang from all affairs. What did this mean?
Your Majesty, what do you mean?
(End of chapter)
