The defeat was like a landslide. Seeing Cheng Wang being beaten, the two thousand troops that had been resisting on the outside lost their morale and turned to retreat. The Divine Strategy Battalion fired a volley of cannons, smashing their formation into smithereens. The imperial army's morale soared, in one spurt of energy they pursued ferociously for ten li, scattering these two thousand men in disorder, most of them were annihilated.
"General, Cheng Wang has been escorted into the palace." Lin Wanrong sat on the wheelchair and stood on a high hill. He stared dazedly at the smoke in the distance. Xu Zhen saw that he wasn't in a good mood and lowered his voice when he reported.
If she were to be escorted to the palace, there would probably be another battle of words. Lin Wanrong grunted in response. The exhaustion on her face caused even Xu Zhen to feel apprehensive.
"Have the remnants been killed?
Xu Zhen carefully reported: "Sixty percent were killed, the other forty percent were captured alive. Of the sixty percent killed, there were two hundred Wu people. The most stubborn resistance that the army encountered was caused by these Wu people. "
It wasn't outside of Lin Wanrong's expectations that there were Wu people participating. The death warriors that Cheng Wang had trained could more or less see the shadow of the Wu people. He wasn't surprised and nodded faintly.
The battle was over and there wasn't anything important in the southern part of the city. After ordering Xu Zhen to carefully clean up the battlefield, Lin Wanrong sat on the sedan to return to the city.
"Xianggong, what's wrong?" The little sedan slowly moved forward. Lin Wanrong didn't speak along the way. His hands were slightly cold. Qin Xian 'er felt that something wasn't right with him. Ever since he had captured Cheng Wang, her husband's expression hadn't been good. He spoke much less. This wasn't his usual cheerful style.
Lin Wanrong gave a long sigh, his expression extremely solemn: "Xian 'er, if one day, between your fuhuang and I, you could only choose one, who would you choose?"
Why did he ask such a question? Qin Xian-er paled as tears streamed down her cheeks. "Husband, how can you ask such a question? Don't you know how I feel about you? Did fuhuang do something wrong to you? I'll go find him — "
She was an impatient person, so she stood up and was about to rush out of the sedan. Lin Wanrong was touched, so he quickly pulled her back and said with a smile, "Silly girl, I know how good you are to me! It's just that things in this world are too complicated. Many times, we can't simply use right and wrong to weigh things. "
He smiled as he spoke, but the exhaustion and desolation in the corners of his eyes were clearly visible. Compared to the depression he felt when he was injured at Lake Weishan, it was even worse.
"Husband." Qin Xian 'er murmured with tears, "What are you talking about? I don't understand, but Xian' er likes to listen to you."
"Oh right." Lin Wanrong wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and suddenly laughed heartily. "Do you still remember when we were in Hangzhou? Take me to your mother's former residence. I promised you that in the future, we'll build a big house by the West Lake and let you listen to the wind chimes every day. Do you remember that? "
Qin Xian'er nodded happily. Do you still remember this? "
"Of course, that's also my dream." Lin Wanrong nodded with a smile. "When I come back from the north, I'll take you back to Lake Weishan, back to Jinling. We'll build a house by the West Lake. We'll row boats, swim, sing and dance, and be happy immortals. We'll let all these schemes, killing, and cutting go to hell!"
Qin Xian'er made a sound of surprise, and tears fell down her cheeks. "Husband, I know that you want to leave the capital. You're tired, aren't you? Then let's go back to Jinling, back to the West Lake. Xian'er will be with you forever. "
Lin Wanrong laughed loudly. Miss Qin tightly held his hand and gently snuggled into his arms.
When the sedan arrived at Cheng Wang Fu, Gao Qiu was already waiting there happily. Beside him was Censor Chen with a pale face.
"Congratulations Official Lin, congratulations Official Lin. I heard that the traitor has been caught and the remnants of his gang have been completely wiped out. Official has done a great service for our China." Gao Qiu winked and smiled.
Gao Qiu was a coarse person with a simple mind. He only wanted to do a great service and be rewarded. How could he understand Official Lin's current state of mind? But simplicity was not necessarily a blessing. Lin Wanrong was a bit envious of Old Gao's coarse mind. He smiled and looked at Chen Biqing. "Official Chen, what's wrong with you?"
"Official Lin — —" Chen Biqing bowed deeply. His lips moved a few times, but he couldn't say anything.
Lin Wanrong looked at Gao Qiu. Old Gao smiled proudly and said, "Brother, you've done a great service today. I, Old Gao, have received your kindness and made some small contributions. Come with me, I'll take you to have a look! "
Seeing Gao Qiu beaming with joy, Lin Wanrong couldn't bear to spoil his mood. He followed him through the front yard to the backyard of the Wang Fu. The scene in front of them shocked them. The edge of the lake had already caved in from the explosion, revealing a pitch-black hole. It was at least five to six feet high. Countless soldiers were holding picks and shovels, digging the soil.
Carefully moving Lin Wanrong into the hole, Gao Qiu raised his torch and stood in front of him. He waved his hand excitedly. "Brother, look — —"
In front of them was a piece of collapsed soil. After the soil was dug up, they saw a path paved with gold bricks, shining with a golden light in the light. Lin Wanrong sighed. "So it really is an underground dragon palace!"
"Brother Lin, you're really meticulous." Gao Qiu gave him a thumbs up in admiration. He pushed him forward along the gold brick path. The further they went, the more shocked they were. This underground maze was intertwined with each other. It was unfathomably deep. The floor was paved with gold bricks, the walls were made of jade, and every three steps, there was a jadeite glass lamp. Every five steps, there was a dazzling eastern pearl.
"This is the Palace of Heavenly Purity. This is the Wenshu Pavilion. This is the Yinian Hall. This is the imperial study. Oh, and the Palace of Benevolent and Peaceful — —" Gao Qiu followed the directions and listed them one by one. This underground castle was a miniature imperial palace.
"This is the Golden Hall. Look — —" Gao Qiu stopped. He said softly.
A dragon throne about ten feet wide was placed in the middle. It was made of pure gold and shone brightly. Countless lively golden dragons with different expressions were carved on the throne. They breathed clouds and breathed out mist, looking majestic. Behind the dragon throne was an exquisitely carved jade screen. In the middle, there were countless golden pearls embedded, making it look elegant and luxurious. Below the dragon throne was a three-step golden staircase. On the two sides were places for the officials to kowtow. There were eighteen night pearls the size of chicken eggs placed in the middle of the hall. The light reflected off Xian 'er's pretty face.
It seems that my method of framing him really didn't wrong Cheng Wang. Lin Wanrong grimaced. He didn't know how much silver had been spent to build this dazzling underground palace. China had fought with the Hu people for ten years, and the military expenditure was only this much.
Why did it have to be so difficult! Would sleeping every day in this golden hall make one gain more weight? Cheng Wang's bloody legs floated in front of his eyes. Lin Wanrong sighed.
Gao Qiu had come in a few times but looking at the scene in front of him, he still couldn't help but sigh: "Brother, I, Old Gao, have lived my entire life. Today, my eyes have been opened." He glared and said to Chen Biqing behind him: "Imperial Censor Chen, Official Chen, you've seen this scene. Has our Official Lin ever wronged Cheng Wang?"
Chen Biqing's face was ashen. He didn't have the air of an imperial censor. He snuck a few glances at Lin San and lowered his head, not daring to speak.
Lin Wanrong gave a long sigh: "The romantic events of the ages will be blown away by the wind and rain! Compared to history, a person is like a grain of sand in the long river. In the end, they will be swallowed by the waves. Wang ye still can't get over it! "
Gao Qiu was a rough person but he could understand the meaning behind Lin Xiongdi's words. He hurriedly nodded and expressed his agreement.
This underground labyrinth might be large but Lin Wanrong didn't want to keep looking. The group retreated. Someone came over with a lantern.
"Lin Official," Gao Ping was dressed in red, his expression solemn: "The Emperor invites you into the palace."
Wherever I go, the Emperor can find me so quickly. Lin Wanrong grimaced and was speechless. Qin Xian 'er hurriedly stood in front of her husband and snorted: "That person has been caught. Can't Imperial Father let Xianggong rest? It's already so late. Gao Gonggong, go and report to Imperial Father that Xianggong has rested and will see him tomorrow! "
Princess Ni Shang is the only one who dares to speak to the Emperor like this. Gao Ping smiled bitterly: "Princess, don't you want this old servant's life? How can I bear the crime of deceiving the Emperor? Such a big matter has happened in court. All the princes, dukes, and ministers have entered the palace in the middle of the night and are waiting in the Hall of Literary Glory to discuss the matter! The Emperor has specially ordered this old servant to invite Lin Official! "
Lin Wanrong nodded: "Has the Emperor seen Prince Cheng?"
"Not yet." Gao Qiu lowered his voice: "The news spread quickly. He had just been sent to the imperial prison when a pile of memorials were sent to ask for mercy. Even Old Master Gu came personally."
Prince Cheng had long been a cripple. What use was there in pleading for mercy now? Lin Wanrong sighed, once again impressed by the old Emperor's thoughts and methods.
"Xian 'er," Lin Wanrong held his wife's hand: "Brother Gao will accompany me to the palace. Go back and report that I'm safe. Tell Qing Xuan and the others to rest assured. I will return after the discussion is over. Tell Qiaoqiao to prepare some supper for me. I'm hungry! "
Qin Xian 'er knew that he was comforting her, so she softly grunted. After a few steps, she suddenly turned back and tightly held his hand, her eyes brimming with tears: "Xianggong, after you enter the palace, don't argue with Imperial Father. When you return from the north, everything will be fine! "
No one could understand what the husband and wife were saying. Lin Wanrong squeezed her hand and smiled happily.
The night in the capital was calm as usual. The streets were dotted with stars, and the occasional barking of dogs could be heard from the depths of the alleys. It made the night even more serene. Normal people had already entered the land of dreams. They wouldn't have thought that just a dozen li away from them. There had been an earth-shattering change?
Lin Wanrong was injured and had worked hard for two days. He was mentally and physically exhausted. But at this time, he couldn't fall. He rested for the next day. The army was going to depart. The beacons at the border, the camel bells outside the Great Wall, the sound of war, blood and fire. Where else could he find such a peaceful night?
He put down the curtain of the sedan and took a nap. He heard Gao Qiu call in a small voice from outside: "Brother Lin, we've arrived."
He didn't know how many times he had come to Wenhua Hall, but every time he came, he didn't seem to have done anything good. Gao Qiu pushed his wheelchair down. Looking at the three dazzling characters, Lin Wanrong shook his head and felt it was very funny.
"Reporting to the Emperor, the Vice Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Appointments and the Commander of China's Loyal and Brave Army, Lin San Official Lin, is waiting outside the hall for the decree." Gao Qiu roared, instantly suppressing the noise in the court.
"Summon him in." The Emperor coughed a few times, his voice faint.
Gao Qiu pushed his wheelchair into the Golden Hall. The officials who had been whispering to each other all turned to look at him. This time at court was very different from the previous times he had been impeached. Everyone in the hall looked at this fake cripple in the wheelchair. No one dared to look down on him. Their gazes were filled with admiration, respect, and even a bit of fear. Even if he, Lin San, was an unregistered person with an unknown background, who wouldn't be afraid of someone who could topple and capture the illustrious Cheng Wang alive? His reputation was earned through hard work and hard work.
"Greetings to the Emperor!" Lin Wanrong raised his hands in a fist salute and glanced at the Emperor. The old Emperor sat in the middle of the Dragon Throne, his face full of worry. His expression was solemn and there wasn't a trace of a smile.
"There's no need for that," the Old Master waved his hand and pointed below. "Lin San, come and greet Mister Gu."
A large carved chair had been specially placed below the Dragon Throne, and on it sat an old Confucian scholar in his seventies. His hair and beard were all white, and he wore a long gray robe that had been washed so many times that it had turned white. He looked very simple.
This was the Emperor's teacher, Gu Shunzhang? Lin Wanrong stole a glance at the old man. He had a long beard and thin eyebrows. His expression was gentle, and his eyes were squinted in the wrinkles of his face. He didn't smile or speak, but he gave off an aura of indifference and elegance. He was thousands of times better than his son, Gu Bingyan. An emperor's teacher was indeed extraordinary.
Lin Wanrong hurriedly bowed and greeted, "Junior Lin San greets Old Master Gu."
"You're Lin San?!" Gu Shunzhang scrutinized him from head to toe. The light in his eyes flickered between bright and dark, confusing Gu Shunzhang.
Why is this old man looking at me as if I'm his son-in-law? Being stared at by Old Master Gu, Lin Wanrong felt uncomfortable. Could it be that you want to avenge your son?
"Lin San, have you been to Goryeo?!" Gu Shunzhang asked, but the question had nothing to do with the court discussion.
"I've — ah, no, I haven't been there." Lin Wanrong was also puzzled. What was this old man trying to do?
Gu Shunzhang smiled and said leisurely, "Lin San, do you know where I came from this time?"
"I've heard that Mister Gu rushed back from Shandong." Lin Wanrong lowered her voice and carefully probed. In her heart, she sighed with emotion. The emperor's preceptor's face was indeed big. Even the emperor didn't dare to casually interrupt when he asked something irrelevant in the solemn court.
Gu Shunzhang smiled and nodded. "It's true that I rushed back from Shandong, but before that, I was traveling in Goryeo."
"Traveling in Goryeo?" Lin Wanrong was dumbfounded. Why would this old man say such things for no reason?
"Yes, traveling in Goryeo." Gu Shunzhang smiled. "I met a young lady there, and she asked me to bring a letter to Lord Lin of China."
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