Shen Shiyun hurried back to the inn. She smeared several thick layers of anti-inflammatory ointment on her face, and repeatedly looked at herself in the mirror. The bleeding had stopped, but there was still an obvious blemish on her fair and clean face. The resentment in her heart increased. It was not until the sun was about to set that Shunzhi took everybody back to their room. Xuan Shuang and Cheng Jiaxuan met halfway back at Xing Jing Mausoleum. Xuan Shuang pretended to sprain his ankle, and let Cheng Jiaxuan carry him on his back as an excuse to delay his return. However, Shunzhi was so focused on worshipping in front of his ancestors' mausoleum that he did not notice that his son had been gone for a long time.
Shen Shiyun let her long hair loose to cover the wound on her cheek. She deliberately turned her head to face Shunzhi and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, you are finally back. Chenqie asked to return midway due to illness, I feel very sorry. Did everything go well? "
"Everything went well," Shunzhi said, "You don't need to worry. This time I paid my respects to the ancestors, I have a lot of regrets. Zhen received the great trust of my ancestors, as the Emperor, but I failed to live up to their high expectations, I feel very sorry. The struggle in the imperial court is intense, hundreds of officials are eager to hold the power alone, Zhen, as the Emperor in name, cannot govern personally. Benefiting the common people and so on, in the end it is just empty talk, I only have the title of Emperor, yet I still put tens of thousands of common people under the heavens into water and fire. Everybody is Zhen's people, this is also Zhen's lack of virtue and lack of Dao. "
Shen Shiyun said, "If you really want to control the imperial court, you must first cultivate your trusted aides and henchmen in the Imperial court. Only if they are loyal to you, you will have hope. You really have the heart to love the common people as your own children, but if you admit that your power is poor and you are willing to give up the throne, who knows what will happen to your successor? Chenqie has always been dividing personal attendants, supporting virtuous ministers, and driving away treacherous officials. Due to the ancestral teachings, women must not interfere with the state's affairs, therefore, it is difficult to avoid being tied up by the hands and feet. I am afraid other people will use this as an excuse to say that Chenqie has ulterior motives, which will be unfavorable to Your Majesty. "
Shunzhi said, "You are wholeheartedly thinking for Zhen's sake, Zhen understands. It's been hard on you …" Suddenly he noticed that under the light breeze, there was a flash of bright red under her hair. He asked curiously, "Yuner, what happened to your face? Show it to me! "
Shen Shiyun tried to cover it up, "No, it's all right …" Shunzhi insisted. Shen Shiyun had no other choice. He saw Shunzhi parting his hair and saw a blood-red wound in front of his eyes. He was shocked, "You … how did you get hurt?" Shen Shiyun pretended to be indifferent and said, "I was just scratched by a mad dog. It's not a big deal. Your Majesty doesn't need to worry."
As soon as Cheng Jiaxuan thought about the origin of her wound, he remembered when they were in the old village of Hatula, Jiang Liechen held her in his arms and fought the enemy effortlessly. The two of them looked very close; he was not happy. "Humph," he humphed, "Where did this mad dog come from in this town's inn?"
As soon as she finished speaking, everyone's gazes immediately turned to her, their eyes filled with astonishment. Shen Shiyun was even more surprised. He didn't understand why she would come to undermine him. It was only then did Cheng Jiaxuan realize that he was too impulsive just now. But since he said it, it was difficult to take it back. At this critical moment, Xuan Shuang stepped forward bravely and said, "Emperor Ah Ma, Xiao Xuan was just joking, he did not have any evil intention. Please don't take offense." Privately he pulled her away and said in a low voice, "Don't talk nonsense, quickly admit your mistake! Once you beat the grass to scare the snake, it won't do anyone any good. "
Cheng Jiaxuan hastily took advantage of the situation and said, "Nubi was curious and offended Your Majesty and Noble Consort Yun Niangniang. Please forgive me." Shen Shiyun sneered and said, "It's just a mad dog, is it worth your concern?" Cheng Jiaxuan had a guilty conscience, he felt that her words were implying something, so he lowered his head and did not dare to say anything.
Shunzhi said, "That's right, the town is bustling with people, which household would allow a vicious dog to block the road? It's really bad. How did Hu Wei protect you? That's right, where is he? " Shen Shiyun put on a grief-stricken expression and said with a sigh, "Chenqie was ambushed by the Jianye Escort Agency on the way back. Hu Daren did his duty faithfully, in order to protect Chenqie's safety, he resisted the bandits. Unfortunately he has been killed." Cheng Jiaxuan could not help wanting to open his mouth again, but he took a look at Xuan Shuang and finally held back.
Shunzhi was shocked, "Hu Wei is dead? During the first year of Zhen's ascension to the throne, the Jianye Escort Agency was one of the best escort agencies in Jianghu. Zhen has heard about it. In the struggle between officials and bandits, they have always helped neither side, they only cared about their own safety. Moreover, they also had many business dealings with the government. They could be considered well-behaved and diligent. How could they provoke a wealthy family? " Shen Shiyun said, "It's not that they want to oppose the Imperial Family. When Chenqie confronted them, she never revealed her identity."
"That's even more strange," Shunzhi said, "If they were looking for a quarrel and stirring up trouble, there would still be evidence. But why would they specifically target you, one person?" Shen Shiyun said, "Isn't it because of the Jueyin Zither, one of the seven evils treasures? Your Majesty indeed has a unique insight; you randomly bought a gift for Chenqie, and you chose the most valuable treasure in the world. It seems that you are destined to sit firmly on this country. "
Shunzhi muttered to himself irresolutely, "Seven evils treasures? Zhen remembers hearing you say that by collecting the treasures, one can sit on the world. In that case, this group of Jianghu heroes naturally want to usurp power? "
Shen Shiyun said, "Your Majesty need not be overly concerned. Although these seven evils treasures are indeed somewhat mystical, they are nothing more than a bunch of mindless idiots. If you really want to protect the Emperor's throne, you must rely on your own ability. The bandits from the wilderness are trying to use the seven evils treasures to usurp the throne, it is just wishful thinking. Chenqie is looking for this only to make them completely surrender, they won't dare to have any rebellious thoughts. "
She took out a silver box from her sleeve and said, "This Soul Severing Tear was also obtained from Jianye Escort Agency. After returning to the Palace, find a skilled craftsman to chisel the jade. However, there are some mechanisms on the box, you must be careful. I heard that some people in the agency have died because of this box. "
Shunzhi nodded and said, "That's right, the common people value the seven evils treasures, we will follow their path. This idea is indeed brilliant. It's just that I didn't expect that in the face of profit, it is human nature to forget righteousness. Unexpectedly, Jianye Escort Agency is also no exception. For the sake of treasures, they are taking risks out of desperation. It is really disappointing. "
Shen Shiyun said, "Actually, you can't blame Jianye Escort Agency for this. They are not greedy, they are just afraid of death. The Jueyin Zither was agreed upon by the Head Escort early on as a gift to the Qingtian Village. If the deadline is exceeded, the agency will suffer a calamity of extermination. "
Shunzhi was furious when he heard this. He said, "Zhen has tolerated this group of bandits from the Qingtian Village for a long time! Not only did I not send troops to exterminate them, but I also gave them special permission to establish their own mountain, they don't have to enter the capital regularly to pay tribute. This treatment is simply better than the treatment of the old days when they were conferred the title of King. Zhen has already taken a step back, but they are not satisfied. Instead, they want a yard after taking an inch. Zhen will not tolerate them all the way to the end, but now they dare to commit murder in public. If I don't teach them a lesson, they will not know the immensity of heaven and earth. If so, when we return to the capital, we will gather the troops and send troops to the Taihang Mountains in the same day! "
Shen Shiyun tried to persuade him, "The Green Sky Stronghold started as an inconspicuous group of bandits, but in the past six years, it has gradually grown into a powerful bandit gang. There must be something special about it. If we really launch a large-scale attack, it will not be difficult to take down the Qingtian Village, but I am afraid that we will suffer a lot of losses. It will be difficult to resist the disturbances at the border. This is not a good plan. Right now, there is a way to have the best of both worlds. Think about it, the reason why the bandits want to rebel is nothing more than to seek a stable status. If we can persuade them to submit to the imperial court, we can promise that they will all be pardoned. Those who want to become officials can enter the imperial court and those who want to take off their armor and return to their fields will not be forced. We can also be good people and reward them with some silver taels to spend on the road. If the bandits know that surrendering can save their lives, they will be free of future worries, naturally they will be willing to surrender. "
Shunzhi said, "Are you talking about enlisting the Qingtian Village?"
Shen Shiyun said, "Exactly. If the Qingtian Village can be taken back, they can be incorporated into the army. When we go to war, they will be a great help to our Great Qing. During the Xuanhe era of the Great Song Dynasty, the Liangshan Lake Bandits were very powerful. They had a hundred leaders and ten thousand bandits, but in the end, didn't they still accept the imperial court's offer of enlistment? In the future, when the rebellion was quelled, their military achievements were also outstanding, and their achievements were illustrious. There is a common ground. Now that we are strong enough to fight the Qingtian Village head-on, it will be nothing more than a lose-lose situation for both sides. The imperial court cherishes talent and allows them to walk on the right path. Regarding these talents who have gone astray, rather than killing them, it is better to let them go. This is called 'take the talent and make the best use of it'. "
Shunzhi could not help but nod. He said, "You are right. Then who are you going to send?"
Shen Shiyun said, "Chenqie recommends Li Yijie, Li Zongbing. He has been in the Palace for six years, eating and drinking for free. Other than teaching the Xuan Shuang martial art on a regular basis, he has not done much practical work. However, his self-esteem is very strong, he always feels that the other officials do not respect him. It would be better to confer him the title of General. Taking advantage of this opportunity, he can set up this meritorious service. Furthermore, as the Wulin Alliance Leader, dealing with the Qingtian Village's rebellion is his duty, so the heroes of the four seas will have more respect for him. By consolidating his position in the Wulin world, it will be very beneficial for us to win over the people's hearts. "
Shunzhi said, "You are still the one who thinks far ahead. Turns out you have already arranged everything thoroughly. With your help, Zhen really need not worry about anything! "
Shen Shiyun smiled and said, "Your Majesty is overpraising me. But there is one thing that Your Majesty must be wronged in. On the way back, we must abandon the carriage and ride the horse, and take a small path to avoid the bandits for a while. "Shunzhi was displeased." Zhen is the real dragon, the Son of Heaven, "he said," Zhen must give way to the bandits? How can there be such a thing in the world? "Shen Shiyun said," Presently our military strength is not yet complete, if we really fight them in close quarters, it will be difficult to guarantee victory. Right now we have to endure the humiliation for a while. Thinking that in the future when we subdue the Qingtian Village, we will still make them bow their heads to us, won't we be happy? There is no harm in looking at the gains and losses in front of us. "
While the two of them were discussing, Xuan Shuang pulled Cheng Jiaxuan and took her to slip out of the room. When they reached the corner of the corridor, he said, "My Empress is determined to recruit the Qingtian Village, but she is playing a beautiful strategy of killing two birds with one stone. Do you see it?" Cheng Jiaxuan pondered for a moment and said, "Noble Consort Yun has suffered many losses from the Qingtian Village along the way. Based on her temperament, she will definitely not be able to swallow this humiliation. Therefore, she wants to wipe out the Qingtian Village. First, to vent her personal anger, second, to remove the big disaster that threatens the Imperial Court. Indeed it is brilliant!"
Xuan Shuang smiled slightly and said, "You are only half right. Empress chose the Qingtian Village because she felt that they are not evil people, and there is still hope for them to turn over a new leaf. The Qingtian Village is very strong. After subduing them, it will be easy for them to help the Imperial Court to wipe out all the big and small gangs. And if I am not wrong, her next step is to use them to wipe out the Sacrifice Shadow Sect. Once the two biggest evil forces are destroyed, the small pawns in the village will collapse without a fight, and only our Great Qing will reign supreme! "
Cheng Jiaxuan said, "Noble Consort Yun is far-sighted and sees the Great Qing's rivers and mountains as the most important thing. No wonder the Emperor likes her so much."
Xuan Shuang raised an eyebrow and said, "It is not that simple. Perhaps Empress Yun did sincerely assist our Emperor Ah Ma in the beginning, but after a long time, she will be able to enjoy the pleasure of power. Her ambition will grow, and she will no longer be willing to be the woman behind the Emperor. She will desire to monopolize the power. When she has finished training her trusted aides, there will be a palace coup. At that time, who knows how many people will die and how much blood will be shed … "
Seeing that Cheng Jiaxuan was slightly trembling, he smiled and said, "You don't have to be afraid. I will definitely protect you. Since ancient times, as a man, ascending the throne is always more legitimate than a woman. I will not let them be so carefree. When there is even the slightest sign of trouble, I will also step in. There is only one throne, and there are many people competing for it. Who do you think will be the 'winner will be the king' in the end? "
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
