"I don't need to worry about how to go, where to go, and when to set off. I'm just going to look around. I'll leave everything else to my grandson."
"I understand." Chi Hou nodded.
As the Divine Lord, he could tell what Yan Qianli was trying to say. For someone as domineering as Yan Qianli to say the word 'make' …
In fact, the intention behind it was already obvious.
As for why Yan Qianli came to the Yan Capital from Western Liang, it was easy to guess.
Establishing his authority!
To establish his authority as the future Lord of Western Liang.
As such, he could not establish his authority in Western Liang. He had to establish his authority in the capital. If he was right, the future Lord of Western Liang would be decided after this trip.
However …
Yan Qianli chose this time to enter the capital. Furthermore, he went to the Northern Mountain Village with Yan Xiu first. To enter the capital after this' muddy water '.
Yan Qianli was probably the only one who knew the deeper meaning behind this.
Chi Hou did not try to guess too much. However, he was certain that Yan Qianli's trip to the capital was not as simple as it seemed.
Was the Yan Family going to participate in the fight for the throne?
Or was there a deeper meaning behind this?
No matter what, he had to inform King Duan. After all, if he could gain Yan Qianli's support in the fight for the throne, it would be a huge help.
…
In the next three days, Yan Xiu stayed in the Fang Family's courtyard. Fang Zhengzhi brought Yan Xiu around the Northern Mountain Village and the academy.
As for Yan Qianli, he did not show his face.
Chi Hou's original intention was to interact with Yan Qianli over the next three days. He also wanted to find out what Yan Qianli was thinking. However, Yan Qianli had been staying in the tent of the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
Not only did he not want to see Chi Hou, he did not even want to see Fang Zhengzhi.
Three days later, Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu left for the capital. Behind them were 2000 members of the Red Pinion Squad and 3000 members of the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
Zhang Yangping led Fang Houde, Qin Xuelian, and a group of villagers to send them off at the entrance of the village. Looking at the vast crowd, it was impossible for him not to feel a little emotional.
However …
As a group of ordinary villagers, how could they control these people in front of them?
"Village chief, do you think Zhengzhi will..."
"I won't! The Divine Consort said that he was here to help Zhengzhi. As such, the Divine Consort will avenge Zhengzhi when he gets to the capital! "
"Zheng 'er …"
"Mother, let's go back. Maybe Zheng 'er will be back soon!"
"Nothing will happen to Zheng 'er, right?"
"No, absolutely not!"
…
The spring wind blew. This was supposed to be a fragrant season. However, there was a heavy atmosphere in the Flame Capital City, as though a storm was brewing.
Within the Crown Prince's residence.
Dozens of officials dressed in court robes waited outside the Crown Prince's study, all of them looking anxious.
In the study, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, who was dressed in a silver brocade robe, sat behind his desk. His gaze swept across the officials below him with a gloomy expression.
On the desk, there was a pile of shredded paper. It was obvious that it was an urgent letter sent in from outside.
"What a great Divine Constabulary. You are clearly going against me. Tell me, what should I do now?" The Crown Prince waved his hand and a teacup shattered on the ground.
Below, the courtiers shook their heads when they saw this scene.
"Your Highness, Chi Hou has always been King Duan's right-hand man. This time, he has escorted Fang Zhengzhi back to the capital and handed him over to the Emperor. This is within expectations." After a moment, an official spoke.
"That's right, the problem now is not the Divine Constabulary, but the Yan Family of Western Liang …" Another official's eyes glimmered when he mentioned the Yan Family of Western Liang.
"We did not expect King Yan … Yan Qianli to come out of Western Liang because of this. It is impossible to set up an ambush along the way."
"Yes, it is difficult enough to deal with 2000 members of the Red Pinion Squad. To deal with 3000 members of the Yan Cloud Cavalry at the same time, we will have to mobilize the military. However, most of the military power is in King Duan's hands. It will be difficult for us not to expose ourselves!"
"If Yan Qianli enters the capital, the Emperor will likely welcome him at the palace gates. If the Emperor really welcomes him at the city gates, it will be troublesome."
"Would Fang Zhengzhi dare to distort the truth in front of the Emperor?"
"Based on Fang Zhengzhi's personality, it is not impossible for him to spread rumors. If that happens, it will be detrimental to the Crown Prince and the country."
"We cannot let him enter the capital!"
"All of you are worrying too much!" A voice rang out at this moment. Then, Law Official Wan Chong stood up, "Actually, Fang Zhengzhi's case has already been decided. The Law Ministry has also issued an arrest warrant. The Divine Constabulary doesn't have the authority to decide on a whim. Without new evidence, this case is still an ironclad one. Your Highness, do not worry!"
"What Lord Wan said makes sense. We still need to face it calmly and not lose our bearings!"
"Yes, yes!"
All of the officials chimed in when they heard Wan Chong's words.
At that moment, a middle-aged man in the Ministry of Rites stood up. He tidied his robe and bowed to the Crown Prince.
"There is one more thing that I need to report to the Crown Prince. I have received news that the Queen of the Southern Region will be entering the capital soon. I am wondering … if this has anything to do with Fang Zhengzhi?"
"…"
Silence. The dozen or so courtiers looked at each other and finally stopped their discussions. Because too many things had happened so suddenly.
Ever since Fang Zhengzhi's appearance in Huai An County.
Things had happened one after another. There had been no time for them to catch their breath.
Was it a coincidence? Or was it planned? None of the officials dared to say anything. However, they felt that all of this was too much of a coincidence.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping sat at the head of the court, his fingers lightly tapping on the armrest of his chair. His gaze swept across the court officials, finally landing on a soldier kneeling in the middle.
"Did our reports say what Yan Qianli did in the Northern Mountain Village?" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's lips twitched as he spoke.
"Prime Minister, Prince Yan did not appear in the Northern Mountain Village." The soldier replied.
"Did not appear? Then how did you know that Yan Qianli and Fang Zhengzhi entered the capital together? "Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping frowned.
"Even though Prince Yan did not appear, he did speak to Chi Hou in the Yan Cloud Cavalry. However, he did not leave his tent after that. That is why our reports did not see him."
"You are saying that Yan Qianli went to the Northern Mountain Village but did not enter the village. He did not meet with Chi Hou and Fang Zhengzhi. Instead, he stayed in his tent?"
"Yes!"
"Stayed in his tent, stayed in his tent … I see, I see!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's eyes glowed when he heard this.
All of the other officials looked at each other in confusion. They did not understand what Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping was trying to say.
"Prime Minister, is there a deeper meaning behind the Prince of Yan's decision to stay in his tent?" One of the courtiers probed after receiving a signal from the Crown Prince.
"Yan Qianli has been the King of Western Liang for so long. He is a cunning man. He will not show his trump card until the last moment." Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping smiled confidently as he looked in the direction of Western Liang.
"Prime Minister, what do you mean?" The officials did not understand.
"Yan Qianli might not help Fang Zhengzhi." Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping replied confidently.
"However, Yan Qianli left Western Liang and went to the Northern Mountain Village. If he does not want to help Fang Zhengzhi, what is his intention?"
"For Yan Xiu!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping replied.
"Prime Minister, are you saying that Yan Qianli came to the capital not because of Fang Zhengzhi, but because of Yan Xiu?"
"Yes!"
"We still don't quite understand. Prime Minister Yu, please enlighten us." The courtier looked at the confused gazes around him and asked again after thinking for a moment.
"Yan Qianli is getting old. He has to think about the future of Western Liang. If I am not wrong, Yan Qianli is going to hand Western Liang over to Yan Xiu." Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping explained.
"Hand Western Liang over to Yan Xiu? Prime Minister, I don't think Yan Qianli has the final say in this? Even though Western Liang has always been guarded by the Yan Family, that is only because of Yan Qianli. Without Yan Qianli, the Yan Family would still be an outsider. Even if the Emperor wants to hand Western Liang over to the Yan Family, he would probably send one of the 13 Constabularies over. "
An official stood up to express his opinion upon hearing Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's words.
"That is right, that is the problem!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping nodded.
"Prime Minister, do you mean …"
"Yan Qianli has been in charge of Western Liang for so many years, but he has never allowed anyone to interfere with the military. Do you think he will allow the 13 Constabularies to enter Western Liang?" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping asked.
"We won't," the courtiers answered without hesitation.
"That's right. Yan Qianli will never allow such a thing to happen. So, he will naturally support the person who can help him realize his wish in the struggle for the throne!"
"I understand now. Even though Yan Qianli has gone to the Northern Mountain Village, he has yet to show his face. This means that he has yet to make a decision. This trip to the Northern Mountain Village is a test of the waters. He is waiting for either the Crown Prince or King Duan!" The official's eyes lit up.
"Prime Minister Yu's words have enlightened us. Brilliant, truly brilliant!" The other courtiers nodded in agreement when they heard Prime Minister Yu's words.
"However, even though Yan Qianli has yet to make a decision, he will still enter the capital with Fang Zhengzhi. The Emperor will definitely welcome him. What should we do?" Another official asked.
"As long as Yan Qianli has yet to make a decision, there is still a chance!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping replied.
"Prime Minister, please enlighten us!" The officials stood up and bowed respectfully to Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.
"Tomorrow, Your Highness, you can take advantage of the morning court session to present a memorial to all of the officials. Ask the Emperor to host a banquet at the Ten Mile Lake!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping said after some thought.
"A banquet? Why is it set up in the Ten Mile Lake and not in the Imperial Palace? "The officials looked at each other in confusion.
"The Yan Family suffered the most in the battle at the Ten Mile Lake. If not for the Yan Family's protection, the capital would have been destroyed. Most importantly, Yan Qianli and his brothers all died in that battle. None of them survived. Not even their corpses were found. If he knows that the Emperor is hosting a banquet at the Ten Mile Lake, he will definitely not reject it!"
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping confirmed.
The other courtiers nodded in agreement as well.
"Prime Minister Yu is indeed wise. His Highness the Crown Prince has proposed a banquet at the Ten Mile Lake. In this way, Yan Qianli will definitely be moved by the Crown Prince's concern for the past and will take the lead. Most importantly, this is the 'Banquet of the Thousand Old'. Since it is the Thousand Old, it will naturally be inconvenient for others to participate."
"Luring the tiger away from the mountain! Brilliant!"
"What else does the Prime Minister have after Yan Qianli is gone?"
Once the officials understood the purpose of the banquet, they turned to look at Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping.
"Kill him!" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping ordered.
"Kill him? But the Ten Mile Lake is only half a day's journey from the capital. Furthermore, Chi Hou will be by his side. How can we kill him? "The officials were stunned by Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping's words.
"Official Wan has already said that Fang Zhengzhi's case was decided a year ago. Since that is the case, why do we need to ask the Emperor?" Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping looked at Wan Chong.
"Prime Minister Yu, are you saying that I should arrest him outside the city?" The Law Minister asked.
"No, you have to arrest him at the city gates. Furthermore, you have to gather the citizens and arrest him in front of everyone!"
"Arrest him at the city gates? In front of the entire city? "
"Yes, Chi Hou will not be able to stop you if you capture him at the city gates. This is the law. Even if he is Chi Hou, he cannot go against it. Furthermore, if you capture Fang Zhengzhi in front of the entire city, he will be sure that you do not dare to do anything to him!"
"Prime Minister Yu's words are reasonable. I will act according to the laws of the Ministry of Justice and arrest people in front of the entire city. I believe that Chi Hou will not have a reason to stop me. But what happens after I arrest him?" When the Ministry of Justice Wan Chong heard this, he also nodded.
"Does Official Wan have no way of stopping him after he is arrested?"
"But … since it is in front of the entire city, then I …"
"Official Wan is afraid of taking responsibility?"
"I …"
"Official Wan, do not worry. Once Fang Zhengzhi is dead, Yan Qianli will no longer care about the relationship between Yan Xiu and Fang Zhengzhi. When that happens, Yan Qianli will choose the person who has the best chance of ascending to the throne. Official Wan, you have done so much for the Crown Prince."
"I understand. If that is the case, I will make the necessary preparations now." Wan Chong glanced at the Crown Prince and the surrounding officials. He gritted his teeth and walked out of the study.
All of the other officials smiled politely at Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping and Crown Prince Lin Tianrong when they saw Wan Chong leave.
"I bet Fang Zhengzhi did not expect us to arrest him at the city gates!"
"Forget about him, even we didn't expect it."
"He thought that he could walk into the capital just because he has the support of the Divine Constabulary and the Yan Family. Haha, he is too naive!"
"Only Prime Minister Yu could come up with such a plan!"
"That's right. Just based on the fact that Yan Qianli is not showing himself, we were able to come up with such a brilliant plan. We are really ashamed of ourselves!"
All of the officials complimented Wan Chong.
Left Prime Minister Yu Yiping smiled faintly when he heard the compliments. No one knew the Crown Prince's intentions better than he did.
The Crown Prince would not be able to eat or sleep well if Fang Zhengzhi was not dead.
This was a problem that had to be solved.
The Crown Prince would not hesitate to exchange all six Ministers for Fang Zhengzhi's life, much less one Law Minister.
The success of a general was built on the bones of tens of thousands. Moreover, this was the hegemony of an emperor!
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