Another magnificent carriage slowly drove toward the palace. First Mister Mo drew the curtains and cautiously observed the situation outside through the window. Looking at the heavily guarded imperial guards, he suddenly fell into deep thought.
First Mister Mo thought for a moment and said to Princess Taiping, "Princess, I'm afraid there are some suspicions about the Emperor's death."
Princess Taiping was startled and paled, "Why do you think so?"
First Mister Mo said with a heavy expression, "If the Emperor died of illness, why did the Empress mobilize fifty thousand soldiers to surround the palace so tightly? Since there was a posthumous edict, they could just hold the funeral and appoint a new emperor. Why did they act like they were facing a great enemy?
We didn't know about the Emperor's death until this morning when we received the message from the palace. Last night, the Emperor died suddenly and the palace was locked, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. What news could have leaked? "
Mo Yuhan said in a low voice, "There are only two reasons why the Empress would do this. First, the Emperor was assassinated! That is why the Empress was so nervous and immediately mobilized troops to protect the palace to prevent a rebellion.
Secondly, the death of the Emperor had a great deal to do with the Empress. Only when a person is guilty will they act nervously and defensively when they don't need to be on guard. "
Listening to First Mister Mo's analysis, Princess Taiping's face couldn't help but darken, "Mister Mo's speculation is very reasonable and the first reason can be directly ruled out because there was no rebellion last night.
Then, is it the second reason? In a single night, the Imperial Palace had become a powerful fortress guarded by countless elite Imperial Guards. Why did the Empress do this? What is she afraid of? "
After thinking for a while, Princess Taiping sighed with a heavy heart and said in a low voice, "Regardless of whether the Emperor's death is related to the Empress, the Emperor is already dead. With the Emperor's death, our days will be even more difficult. "
First Mister Mo looked at the imperial guards who were standing still like javelins and a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes. He suddenly said to Princess Taiping, "The General-in-Chief Who Supports the State no longer has military power but I believe he still has a great influence on the cavalry.
But this situation will not continue. As time goes on, the General-in-Chief Who Supports the State's influence in the army will gradually decline. Why does the Princess not take advantage of the General-in-Chief Who Supports the State's influence and win him over to our side? "
Princess Taiping was startled and then laughed involuntarily.
Mister Mo was puzzled: "What is Princess laughing at?"
Taiping smiled and said, "Mister Mo is an experienced and wise man. Can't you see Erlang's character? He would never approve of me becoming an Empress. Haha, it's not just him. How many men in the world believe that a woman can govern the country well? "
Mister Mo sighed and said, "What a pity."
Princess Taiping glanced at him and lightly said, "Erlang already has the intention to live in seclusion. He hasn't left yet because he still wants to give someone an explanation! To give his brothers who followed him justice, for they would soon be purged by the party of Wei.
To give the world an explanation! Because he also had a part in bringing Jin Shang to the throne. In the end, everyone discovered that this Emperor was not even as good as the one who had been overthrown. What would he think? Since he wants to leave, I … why should I keep him in this dirty quagmire? "
Speaking up to here, Taiping suddenly felt a little sad in his heart. She knew that Yang Fan still wanted to give an explanation to someone. That person was Shangguan Wan 'er, who followed him without complaint and gave birth to a daughter for him.
But did he ever think of giving her an explanation? Taiping knew very well that even if Yang Fan made a request, she would not abandon her children and follow him incognito. But even though she knew that she would refuse, she still hoped that he would bring it up.
But he did not …
…
Before the sky was bright, Yang Fan learned of the Emperor's sudden death.
Wei Wen was the first to know. He immediately told the Wei family, who controlled the various armies, about the Emperor's sudden death. Wei Zhuo was still a young man and could not hide things in his heart. This matter made him extremely excited. When he could not restrain himself and revealed this matter to a few of his confidants, it was natural that the secret would be revealed. Because his confidants had their own confidants.
When Yang Fan learned of this news, he, Wang Maozhong, Li Yide, and Maqiao immediately left the Imperial City with Ge Fushun's help.
Today was not the Grand Court Conference, so many ministers and relatives did not need to attend court today. Only after the Prince of Xiang entered the palace to discuss the state funeral with the Empress and the ministers did the Bureau of Rites dispatch people to notify the unaware ministers of the third rank and above.
Yang Fan had only rushed to the funeral in 'great alarm' after receiving the notice. Yang Fan arrived at the palace gate and received a set of mourning clothes. He put on the hemp clothes, tied a mourning belt, and wrapped a white cloth around his head. Together with the ministers who had hurried over to pay their respects, he offered incense to the Daxing Emperor.
Following the instructions of the Bureau of Rites, Yang Fan cried out fifteen times before withdrawing to make room for the others. This mourning ceremony would last for three days, so Yang Fan would have to come tomorrow and the day after. Each time, he would offer an incense stick and cry out fifteen times. Any less or more would be impolite.
Yang Fan did not immediately leave the palace after leaving the memorial hall. He had already learned of what had happened in the Imperial Court and also knew that Wan'er was in the palace. He knew that Wan'er would assuredly think of a way to tell him the inside story that he did not know.
Dressed in mourning clothes, Yang Fan strolled through the crowd for the third time. Fu Qingqing, dressed in mourning clothes and beautiful in white, directed a few young eunuchs to carry baskets of gold, silver, and paper money past him. As she passed, a small ball of paper was swiftly placed in his hand.
Yang Fan took the opportunity to read the note Wan'er had sent him, and his complexion instantly changed. Wan'er's message to Yang Fan used a code that only they could understand. The meaning expressed in the code wasn't detailed enough, but it was enough to raise Yang Fan's vigilance.
Wan'er only briefly explained one thing on the note: "The Empress has already begun to covet the throne. She was only temporarily restrained by Wan'er's persuasion. However, Wan'er is also not sure if there will be any changes under the instigation of the Wei party. Thus, she warned Yang Fan to adapt to the situation as soon as possible. "
Yang Fan took the opportunity to cover his mouth and cough to swallow the paper into his stomach. He then left the palace. Maqiao, Wang Maozhong, and Li Yide were waiting for him in a brothel in Pingkang Workshop outside the Jingfeng Gate. This brothel belonged to the Hidden Sect.
At this moment, the news of the Emperor's sudden death had yet to spread among the people. The commoners discussed the gathering of the army around the palace with great interest for a while before they went back to their own matters. Food was the most important thing for the commoners, and they were most concerned about their own lives.
The brothel was always the most bustling and noisy at night. At this time, the beauties were sleeping sweetly. Even the big teapots that served tea and water for the entire night had returned to their rooms to sleep. The courtyard was abnormally quiet.
Yang Fan took off his mourning clothes halfway and wore a set of casual clothes. He then used the disguise art that he learned from Gu Zhuting to make some slight changes to his appearance. When he reached the brothel, he had already become a completely different person.
Yang Fan entered the brothel from the corner door. After asking for the secret code, a big teapot that was covered in gunk and walking unsteadily brought him in.
Once Yang Fan entered the room that Maqiao and the others were hiding in, he immediately closed the door and pressed his ear against the door. Seeing this scene, Maqiao and the others, who had swarmed over, immediately shut their mouths. Yang Fan listened for a moment and straightened his back. "You can speak now."
Wang Maozhong impatiently asked: "Great General, how is the situation in the palace?"
Yang Fan replied: "Prince Fu has been made the Crown Prince and will ascend the throne in three days. Empress Wei will oversee politics from behind the curtains, assisted by the Prince of Xiang. "
Wang Maozhong and Li Yide glanced at each other in surprise. Yang Fan lightheartedly said: "Don't be too pleased. You all know the current situation in court. All the ministers of the Political Affairs Hall are members of the Wei faction, and all the important positions in the six ministries are in the hands of the Wei faction. Do you think that the Prince of Xiang, the Assistant Minister, will have a place in court? This is just one of Empress Wei's tricks to pacify the world. "
Wang Maozhong and Li Yide's smiles froze on their faces.
Yang Fan continued: "I just received news that Empress Wei has intentions of usurping the throne. She originally wanted to be the regent this time, but the Emperor died suddenly and she is afraid of causing trouble, so she temporarily endured. But seeing Empress Wei's past actions, she is not someone who is impatient and patient. I think that in the face of a great change, she has lost her sense of propriety and made such a move. I'm afraid that she will regret it soon. "
Wang Maozhong anxiously asked: "Then what should we do?"
With his hands behind his back, Yang Fan slowly paced around the room for a while. Suddenly, he halted his steps and turned to Wang Maozhong and Li Yide, advising: "Perhaps, we should make our move."
Wang Maozhong was momentarily stunned. Even the usually taciturn Li Yide was greatly startled. Glaring at Yang Fan, he protested: "Great General, my Jun Wang still does not have enough power …"
Yang Fan interrupted: "It is too late. By the time the King of Lin Zi has amassed enough strength, the Wei faction will no longer be the same as it is now. The Imperial Court will not be the same as it is now. By then, we will have no chance of winning.
When there is a great disparity in strength, to achieve victory, one must be adept at taking advantage of the situation, making use of the situation, borrowing the situation and building up the situation. The Emperor's death, to us, is both a danger and an opportunity. I believe … the Prince of Lin Zi will understand this logic. "
Yang Fan ordered: "All of you return immediately and report the situation in the capital to the Prince of Lin Zi. Invite him to the capital immediately and discuss the grand plan!"
Wang Maozhong and Li Yide exchanged glances. Their fearful and hesitant expressions gradually turned resolute. Wang Maozhong nodded his head vigorously at Yang Fan and spoke in a deep voice: "Alright! Let's return to Lu Province immediately! "
Yang Fan immediately went out to look for the Hidden Sect's men and quietly gave a few instructions. Very quickly, the Hidden Sect's men prepared fine steeds, rations and a new set of documents for them before arranging for them to depart.
Once Wang Maozhong and Li Yide left, only Yang Fan and Maqiao were left in the room. Yang Fan looked at Maqiao for a moment before replying: "It is too risky to adapt to the situation in a hurry."
Maqiao sniggered and hugged his shoulder, asking: "Erlang, are you worried for me? We brothers … what were we in the past? A small workshop worker in Luoyang's Xiu Wen Workshop! If it wasn't for you, I would have been a workshop worker for the rest of my life.
Cleaning the gutters, managing the workshops, stealing chickens and dogs, earning a little money. When I had a son, I would at most be a workshop worker in the future. Even if I had a grandson, it would still be the same. But what am I now? A dignified Imperial Army General!
Back then, I was just a small Imperial Army Soldier. When I returned to the workshop, look at how envious the neighbors were. Who didn't look at me in a different light? Even Su Fangzheng treated me much more courteously than before.
My family was so poor in the past. I wanted to make a toothbrush to earn money, but I ended up losing the few dozen copper coins we had. My wife was just a Pasta Soup seller. She would wake up in the morning and sleep in the middle of the night to barely make ends meet.
Now, my mother has to respectfully address me as a Grand Monarch because I am a General! My wife lives in luxury and has countless servants. When she walks on the streets, people have to respectfully address her as Madam. Even my son has become a little Langjun, hasn't he? "
As Maqiao spoke, his eyes reddened and his voice became a little hoarse: "Even if others were willing to risk their lives, they might not be able to exchange for this wealth and honor. This good fortune of ours, was given by you! Now, we can even depose the Emperor. As a real man, is there any more glorious achievement than this? "
Yang Fan smiled cheerfully and patted his shoulder, saying: "That's good! When the time comes, I will ask people to send Auntie, Sister-in-law, and your precious son to a safe place first. If the matter is successful, I will give you a great wealth and honor that will bestow upon your wife and your son. If you fail … "
Maqiao said in a clear voice: "If I fail, then I fail! Killing people is just a matter of nodding one's head to the ground. Even if I die, I will still raise my head to the sky! "
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