When Han Feng walked out of the independent space of Wujian Lake and returned to the Ministry of War station, it didn't take more than a day.
The imperial capital of Gancheng and the coastal battlefield have already received the message.
In terms of the military department, senior officials led by Zhang Dingnan had already received the summons from Xiong Tiangang. They knew that Han Feng's life was not in danger, so they would not be too surprised by this news.
However, in the imperial capital, many civil servants and dignitaries, led by the Shangguan and Feng families, had a completely different reaction when they heard the news.
Because of Han Feng's secret interrogation to Xiong Tiangang, the information held by the top leaders of both parties was skewed.
In the eyes of the Shangguan family and the Feng family, Han Feng has fallen and there is no chance of survival.
Now that it is known that Han Feng walked out of Wujian Lake safe and sound, the shock of the two families can be imagined.
At this moment, in the east city of the imperial capital, inside the Shangguan family's residence.
When Shangguan Qingfeng glanced at a jade slip in his hand, he learned the secret report about Wujian Lake.
His originally calm expression suddenly changed, revealing a look of disbelief.
"How is it possible, Han Feng is not dead!"
He couldn't help but swayed, his vision went dark, and he could hardly stand still.
"How can this be……!"
Shangguan Qingfeng couldn't believe all this.
Ever since the Shangguan family and the Feng family joined forces to attack Han Feng at Wujian Lake.
Even if no direct evidence is left behind, the guilt cannot be escaped.
In order to minimize the loss, Shangguan Qingfeng returned to the imperial capital, reported everything to Situ Xiangguo, and went to the court in person to explain and clarify, turning the matter into a misunderstanding.
In the end, as expected, Emperor Wu was furious, but the military focused on the overall situation and did not overreact.
Later, Emperor Wu ordered the two families to be punished.
First, two more families were sent, and the elites of the family went to the front line to fight, the feudal officials related to the two families were replaced, and the qualifications to guard Wujian Lake were revoked... and other orders were issued one by one.
These punishments caused great losses to both families, especially the Shangguan family.
Shangguan Qingfeng himself, although he retained his official position and the position of family spokesperson, he also lost a lot of power and support in the family.
Because of this incident, although the Shangguan family was not injured, it also lost a lot of energy.
But what makes the two families happy is that.
They succeeded in getting rid of Han Feng, who might threaten the entire civil service group and disrupt the balance of the empire in the future. This price was worth bearing.
But he never expected that in just half a year, Han Feng, who should have been reduced to ashes, walked out of Wujian Lake safely.
How could Shangguan Qingfeng accept this!
Did they pay such a huge price just to let this kid disappear for half a year?
After forcing himself to calm down and calm down, Shangguan Qingfeng put away the jade slip and gave the order directly.
"Send a message to Master Shufeng, the Minister of Rites, and say that I invite you to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion to discuss important matters."
…
At the same time, in the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace, Emperor Wu, who had been feeling a little irritable recently, accompanied by Hong Xi, the chamberlain, visited the Imperial Garden to soothe his mood.
Looking at the blooming plants and flowers in the garden and breathing the sweet and fresh air, Emperor Wu finally felt a lot more relaxed.
As he was walking forward leisurely, Emperor Wu's eyes suddenly flashed.
"Um……?"
Hong Xi on the side understood, and casually grabbed the void beside him with a fat palm.
The ripples on his fingertips were like picking up an object from the void, grasping a glittering secret order.
"Where did the intelligence come from, the coastal battlefield? Or the northwest border?"
Emperor Wu asked casually, with a calm expression.
Hong Xi lowered his head and said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this is a message from Wujian Lake."
"Hmm... Wujian Lake?"
Emperor Wu couldn't help but stop.
"Is it... news about that kid?"
Hong Xi nodded and reported truthfully.
"Governor Han has appeared in Wujian Lake. He is safe and sound now, and his cultivation seems to have greatly improved."
Emperor Wu was not surprised when he heard this. He nodded slightly and said: "This boy has a deep blessing, so naturally he will not die so easily. This time, the Shangguan family and the Feng family may be so angry that their eyes will turn black.
However, they dare to act smart and eradicate dissidents at this time. This is what they should bear, and even the burden is light. "
Having said this, Emperor Wu's eyes flashed with cold light, but the corners of his mouth curled up again, and he seemed to feel a little happier.
Hong Xi observed the situation and asked cautiously: "Your Majesty, since it has been confirmed that Governor Han is fine, will you pass the news to the Wu'an Marquis Mansion so that His Highness the Eighth Prince can feel at ease?"
With one word, the smile on the corner of Emperor Wu's mouth disappeared instantly.
How could Emperor Wu not know that Hong Xi wanted to make the eighth prince and the eldest princess feel at ease.
I remembered that day when the eldest princess entered the palace and questioned herself, as well as her abnormal behavior of resolutely going to Wujian Lake.
Emperor Wu's face suddenly darkened and he glared at Hong Xi.
"Slave dog, who told you to mind your own business!"
Hong Xi shrank his neck, looked at Emperor Wu who turned around and left, and said weakly: "Your Majesty, you... are not going to visit the garden?"
Emperor Wu snorted coldly: "I'm not in the mood anymore, so go back to the palace!"
"Uh...yes, Your Majesty."
…
Two days later, Wujian Lake.
During his stay here, Han Feng got in touch with King Ying through a secret meeting order and learned detailed information about the current coastal battlefield.
He learned that the vision of the ruins had begun to appear, and the situation between the two sides was unprecedentedly tense.
However, the relics of the Wushen Clan have not yet been truly revealed. Although the two sides have continued friction, the war has not yet begun.
This made Han Feng feel a little calmer, but at the same time, he also felt a little hot and wanted to leave for the South China Sea to participate in preparations for the war.
However, Xiong Tiangang came to see him today and brought Emperor Wu's will.
"Han Feng, His Majesty orders you to return to the Imperial Capital today, enter the palace to meet the Holy Spirit, and take part in the "Tao Discussion Conference" that will be held in the Imperial Capital three days later."
"Tao discussion conference?"
Han Feng was a little confused when he heard this.
Xiong Tiangang explained: “Every three years, the imperial capital holds a Taoism conference in the imperial city.
By then, all the empire's top, first-rate martial arts academies, and the top twenty second-rate academies in the Inland Sea Trial will be included.
Their respective deans and vice-deans will lead the strong men of the academy to attend the conference, conduct martial arts exchanges, and perform martial arts discussions.
And His Majesty will also lead the civil and military officials to observe, which can be regarded as testing the practice results of these martial arts academies, giving rewards, and announcing them to the world! "
Han Feng was a little surprised when he heard this.
Now that the Qianlan Empire's coastal battlefields are filled with smoke, and there is another crisis on the northwest border, His Majesty the Emperor is still in the mood, so why should he hold a conference on Taoism?
Seemingly sensing Han Feng's doubts, Xiong Tiangang said: "In previous years, the Dao Discussion Conference was supposed to be held three months later. His Majesty ordered it to be held in advance, with the intention of gathering top experts from major colleges to prepare to go south to support the coastal battlefield.
Secondly, and more importantly, the empire is now facing constant external troubles and tense situations. Within the empire, there are already people with ulterior motives who secretly spread rumors and make the people of the empire panic.
Your Majesty will use this conference to inspire military morale and public morale. "
When Han Feng heard this, he suddenly realized.
In a war, in addition to the frontal battlefield competition, the game of people's hearts and the struggle of public opinion are indeed the key to victory.
Emperor Wu's move was equivalent to "mobilizing before war", but it was quite clever.
Since it was Emperor Wu's order, and the war in the South China Sea had not yet begun, Han Feng naturally had to go to the imperial capital.
What's more, in this Dao Discussion Conference, the elites from all the major martial arts academies will gather together, and they will definitely be able to see many of the empire's top experts, and even Dean Mu and the others.
Of course, you can also meet people from the Shangguan family and the Feng family.
Han Feng didn't hesitate and decided to take the order and set off!
(PS: Two updates today.)
