From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 245

Several cabinet ministers were old foxes. Although they didn't know much about this matter, they still analyzed everything thoroughly based on intermittent clues.

But when they realized that the money of the North City Military Department had not been handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, they knew in their hearts that the money must be used as military expenses to prepare troops in advance to defend the king.

It turned out that everything was a trap, from calculating Cao Ye to rectifying the capital, from the Yanshan fire to the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the sky, from the embarrassing escape to the subsequent means, it was completely a huge trap set by His Majesty and Zhou Yuan.

And such a big trap was almost completed by Zhou Yuan, the commander of the North City Military Department, which was really shocking.

"Too outrageous."

Zeng Chengdu couldn't help but say in shock: "Your Majesty has been patient for nine years, and he has such a big plan as soon as he makes a move. King Jing is still unaware of his death."

Deng Bochi said in a deep voice: "I am more worried about Zhou Yuan. This boy is only eighteen years old, but he has such deep scheming and ability to do things. How can we limit him in the future?"

"Not good!"

Xu Shigong suddenly shouted: "I am afraid that it is not just to eliminate the hidden danger of King Jing! Your Majesty also wants to purge the court officials and clan members!"

He hurriedly got out of the car and said anxiously: "We must inform the people below. Once they make a mistake in this matter, it will be irreparable."

Yang Guozhong said in a deep voice: "Xu Shigong! Be patient! At this point, do you think you can still protect your own followers unscrupulously!"

As soon as the voice fell, a calm voice came from outside the car.

"All the adults are here!"

Zhou Yuan chuckled and said, "That saves me a lot of trouble!"

The six old ministers looked at each other, and their hearts were filled with huge waves.

Wu Qingrong lifted the curtain and smiled with narrowed eyes: "Zhou Yuan, what's the matter?"

Zhou Yuan said lightly: "Your Majesty, please discuss matters in the tent."

Everyone's heart sank, knowing that they were going to be watched. This time, the purge was imperative and no one could stop it.

The group got off the carriage, sorted their clothes, and followed Zhou Yuan to the tent.

Wang Duo looked at Zhou Yuan's tall figure and said softly: "Commander Zhou is young, but he is in the emperor's heart. He shoulders the heavy trust of His Majesty, which is really admirable."

Zhou Yuan did not think that the other party had good intentions, but slowly responded: "Lord Wang, you are too kind. I am just proud for a while. How can I compare with you who have been in charge of the court for decades without falling."

Yang Guozhong sighed: "Heroes have always been young. Commander Zhou does not need to be modest. I just want to know how many people Commander Zhou plans to kill this time?"

"The court is corrupt, and there are not many officials who can do things. Commander Zhou should show mercy."

Zhou Yuan shook his head and said: "Prime Minister, these major events are not up to me, but His Majesty is wise and will not be without measure."

"As for the officials who can do things... doesn't it still depend on who they are working for?"

Yang Guozhong's face sank and he stopped talking.

...

At this moment, in another tent, more than a dozen officials formed a circle, and each of them looked extremely solemn.

One of them had a goatee and gray hair, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, the situation is very clear. Although His Majesty has calculated the means of King Jing's heavenly sacrifice ceremony, he obviously did not calculate the rebellion of Xuanfu."

"We are now besieged in Miyun Lake. Outside is King Jing and Yao Guangyi's 110,000 troops. Once it gets dark, we will die without a burial place."

"After serving as an official for many years, shouldn't you plan a way out for yourself!"

Many officials looked at each other, hesitant in their hearts, but they were indeed afraid of death.

After ten years of hard study, several imperial examinations, and step by step to the current position, are they going to die with His Majesty?

They are all officials. What is the difference between being an official for His Majesty and an official for King Jing? It's just a matter of earning more or less. No matter how hard it is, you won't lose your reputation.

"Minister Jiang, if I remember correctly, you were a lecturer at the Imperial Academy and taught classes for His Royal Highness Prince Jing!"

"Yes, I have this impression too. Prince Jing seems to have always respected you as a teacher. You might as well contact them and ask for a favor for us."

Minister Jiang looked around and said in a low voice: "His Royal Highness Prince Jing respects teachers and is talented and broad-minded. He will definitely not embarrass you."

"He has delivered the letter to me. You can take a look and know what His Royal Highness means."

As a rebel who has been planning for a long time, Prince Jing certainly has his own power in the court, and he is still infiltrating.

If the mutiny in the Five Military Camps had not come too coincidentally, he might have to wait a few years before starting the rebellion.

Everyone circulated the letter and saw Prince Jing's sincerity. They looked at each other and had the idea of ​​surrendering.

Minister Jiang continued: "Everyone, Liu Daguang, the commander of the East City Military Division, isI have secretly communicated with my fellow countryman, and he is willing to let us go quietly at dusk. "

"If you are willing to join me, please express your attitude so that I can know what is going on."

...

Although the weather is sunny, it is winter after all, and the shore of Miyun Lake is still cold.

Each small group is planning its own way of survival. In addition to the ministers in the court, there are also royal nobles, who naturally do not want to die with Empress Zhaojing.

So Liu Daguang, Hongbo, Luo Kun and others all showed up with many fellow countrymen, and at dusk, they quietly let these people go out.

At this moment, in the central tent, Empress Zhaojing was patiently drinking tea.

She looked at several cabinet ministers and said slowly: "My dear ministers seem absent-minded. What are you thinking about? Let me hear it. "

Several cabinet ministers and six ministers were here, sitting upright on their chairs, not daring to breathe.

They knew that the empress was meticulous and cunning, but the majesty she gave them at this moment was unprecedented.

Even Yang Guozhong could only laugh softly and said, "I am only worried about the king and the country. I hope that I can find a way to help Your Majesty in this desperate situation."

"Yes, I have been an official for many years and have been blessed by Your Majesty. Now I am really worried about serving the country."

Naturally, some old foxes followed up and responded. Every word was very nice.

Empress Zhaojing couldn't help laughing. These old guys are really smart. It seems that they have guessed everything. It's a pity that they woke up too late and couldn't protect those idiots below.

Thinking of this, Empress Zhaojing smiled and said, "My dear ministers have the heart to serve the country. I am very pleased. I have something to talk to you about. ”

“Eleven years ago, the Mongolian cavalry brazenly invaded our border, slaughtered our people, and robbed our money and grain. Xue Changyue, then the governor of Datong, led his army to attack with unparalleled bravery. Although he suffered a defeat, with the support of Qu Shaogeng, he eventually drove the Mongolian cavalry out of Dajin. ”

“The late emperor was furious, and Qu Shaogeng returned to Nanjing with a crime. Now that he has pacified the two Jiangs, he has been reinstated as the governor of Tianjin. Xue Changyue was demoted and returned to his hometown, but he made great contributions in Lin'an Prefecture. It is time for him to be reinstated. ”

“He has many years of experience in leading troops and is quite familiar with border defense. I plan to let him be the governor of Xuanfu. What do you think? "

All the cabinet ministers felt aggrieved. Xuanfu is an important town. How could such a key position be given to someone who has been back home for more than ten years?

But now, who dares to refute it!

Who dares to guarantee that no one on his side will surrender to King Jing? If there is a rebuttal, His Majesty will make a fuss about it, and that would be a disaster.

"Your Majesty is wise, and I think so too."

Yang Guozhong was the first to give in, and other cabinet ministers also nodded, saying that Xue Changyue was good at fighting, and Mongolia was too strong. It was not his fault that he was defeated at the beginning, and it was time to recover.

Empress Zhaojing finally laughed. Seeing these old guys being afraid of the consequences, she was really happy.

Over the years, whenever she had any ideas, these old guys would sing the opposite tune, and they kept saying that they were all righteous. Now they are honest for once.