That young man whispered two things into Li Qitian's ear.
"Your Majesty, this subject has been investigating outside and discovered that the Lu Clan's situation has changed. The Lu Clan's Clan Head has committed suicide by jumping into a well. The current Clan Head has been replaced by Lu Heng from the main branch. In addition, the Lu Clan's former Clan Head has suddenly stopped transporting the provisions to the border. This subject thought that it must be the new Clan Head, Lu Heng's orders. Because this happened so suddenly, this subject felt that this matter was very serious, so I hurriedly came to report to Your Majesty. "
At this time, Li Qitian felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
Wasn't Lu Heng dead?
Previously, his Spies had gone to the border to investigate and discovered that Qin Yining had returned with Pang Xiao. After several investigations, they found out that Lu Heng had died of a serious illness when he was in Tatan.
At that time, Li Qitian had thought that the Lu Clan's troublemaker was finally dead. The new Clan Head was a sensible person who was obedient and easy to manipulate.
But who would have thought that a person who was supposed to be dead would suddenly appear, and the Clan Head of the Lu Clan, whom he thought was very useful, would suddenly jump into a well and commit suicide.
If one were to say that Pang Xiao's deliberate design and Lu Heng's wanton assassination, Li Qitian would not believe it even if he was beaten to death!
The Lu Clan's financial resources, material resources, and connections were not something he could compare to. Even though he was now the Emperor, he could be considered to be extremely wealthy. However, the wealth and power that he truly grasped was not much.
Li Qitian had been in power for less than five years, but the amount of money in the national treasury was getting smaller and smaller, and he was unable to make ends meet. There were so many troublesome matters in the world. Today, there was a disaster here, tomorrow, there would be bandits there. One matter after another would have to be dealt with by his hands. Those idiots below him only knew how to open their big mouths and ask him for money.
The Lu family had a deep foundation. Many times, in order to achieve his goals, Li Qitian even had to flatter the Lu family.
This time, when the Tatan declared war, Da Zhou really did not have the money to fight back. Thus, the task of transporting the army provisions was undertaken by Second Master Lu, who had just become the head of the household.
But now, this path had been cut off by that guy, Lu Heng!
The two factions in the Imperial Court each expressed their own opinion. For a moment, they were evenly matched, but no one could tell what was going on.
Ji Zeyu also said that the Tiger Army was acting strangely and could not enter the palace to help.
Now, the Lu Clan was causing trouble for him.
Li Qitian really felt that he was in a dilemma. Should the current situation be allowed to continue to develop?
The change in the head of the Lu Family had caused the delivery of the rations to be stopped halfway. This was actually just a matter of adding firewood, which did not affect the current situation at all.
If Ji Zeyu could quickly deal with the unrest in the Tiger Army and rush over in time, he should have a chance to take down Pang Xiao in one fell swoop.
As for Lu Heng, he did not believe that the survival of these aristocratic families would not consider the imperial power.
He could persuade them emotionally and logically and offer them benefits. As the saying goes, there are no common enemies, only common interests. As long as his interests were on the same line as the Lu family's, he believed that he could pull Lu Heng over to his side.
Li Qitian frowned and pondered for a moment. Then, he felt relieved.
At this time, the Imperial Censors were arguing so loudly that spittle flew everywhere. They were on the verge of fighting.
Li Qitian was annoyed by the noise. Moreover, it would not be good for his reputation if word of this situation spread out.
He raised his hand and gestured, "Everyone, shut up."
In the end, Li Qitian's voice was not louder than these people. They were still arguing.
When Pang Xiao saw Li Qitian's appearance, he stood up and reprimanded in a deep voice, "Everyone, shut up. Did you not hear Your Majesty's order?"
Imperial Censor Gu … …
Everyone … …
A person who had just been accused of not respecting his superiors was able to pay attention to Your Majesty's every move. When Your Majesty ordered him to shut up, he was able to make others listen to Your Majesty's orders.
And the people who accused Pang Xiao just now did not care about Your Majesty's intentions at all.
This kind of contrast was too strong and too embarrassing.
Some people who supported Pang Xiao stood up and cupped their hands, "Your Majesty has also seen it. Prince Zhongshun's temperament is straightforward. Perhaps he has been in the military for a long time and his behavior is a bit uncouth. However, he is definitely not someone who disobeys his superiors. Those accusations just now were simply fabricated! Since Imperial Censor Gu is so loyal to the emperor, why did Prince Zhongshun have to remind him to shut up? "
"Exactly! Your Majesty, this subject believes that Prince Zhongshun's military exploits are splendid. Back then, he made great contributions in conquering Da Zhou. Prince Zhongshun is also Your Majesty's sworn brother. With such a halo around him, it is inevitable that there will be people who will be jealous and frame him. Those false accusations have no basis at all. Without evidence, how can the officials and the common people be convinced?
"If you can't convince the people and act rashly against Prince Zhongshun, I'm afraid there will only be rumors outside that Your Majesty is afraid of the meritorious officials!"
"Your Majesty is a wise ruler. Naturally, he won't do such a thing. However, there are many foolish people among the common people. If they say so, won't Your Majesty be unable to defend himself?"
"This subject is thinking for Your Majesty. This matter must be considered at length!"
… …
These people spilled beans at an extremely fast speed, and every word they said was reasonable.
Li Qitian inwardly mocked them. Was this the loyalty of these people to the emperor and their country? Yet at this critical moment, these people's hearts were all on the side of an outsider.
Li Qitian's heart was now much more at ease. He wanted to solve all the problems one by one. It was fine as long as he could take down Pang Xiao today.
Seeing that Li Qitian was deep in thought and not speaking, the officials began to quarrel again.
Li Qitian's head hurt from the noise. Just as he was about to speak, he saw that the young man who had disguised himself as a young eunuch had returned.
This time, his footsteps were even more hurried than before. When he arrived in front of him, he lowered his voice and said,
"Your Majesty, we just received news that Prince Consort Ji has been placed under house arrest in the barracks by several commanders of the Tiger Army …"
Li Qitian's eyes suddenly widened. Because the string of beads in his hand had already fallen, he could only clench his fists tightly. He didn't even care that his fingernails had left a few scratches on his palms.
Li Qitian had been warning himself to not panic and to remain calm. He must remain calm. He must not let others see that there was a problem here.
However, Ji Zeyu had been placed under house arrest by the commanders of the Tiger Army. He couldn't come to fight against Pang Xiao.
If today's matter angered Pang Xiao, he would be barbaric and start a massacre. He was afraid that his bodyguards wouldn't be able to last more than ten rounds against Pang Xiao.
What if Pang Xiao had the idea of killing the Emperor in a fit of anger?
Li Qitian felt that if he forced Pang Xiao into a corner, with his temperament, he might really risk it all!
Li Qitian's heart was still burning with anxiety and frustration. Where did Ji Zeyu go wrong? The Lu Family was causing trouble for him again. He suppressed his anger and invited Pang Xiao into the trap because he wanted to get rid of all future troubles. But now, in front of all the civil and military officials, was he really going to make a fool of himself?!
At this time, the officials below began to argue again.
Li Qitian's head buzzed as he listened. He was on the verge of exploding.
At this time, Pang Xiao stood up again and coldly reprimanded those who were arguing.
"Enough, this is the Political Harmony Palace, Your Majesty's court meeting! It's fine if you all have your own opinions, but why is there no end to it?!
"This King followed Your Majesty on the battlefield in the past and went through fire and water together. That was a relationship where you could trust each other's backs. This King's wife went missing. As his sworn brother, Your Majesty kept persuading This King to return to the capital. This King refused. That's also a relationship between me and my sworn brother. How is it that I'm plotting a rebellion when it comes to you? Could it be that with your false accusations and instigation, you think that the Emperor will convict this Prince of my crimes?
"You said This King killed the innocent? What a joke. This King asks you, which war doesn't kill people?! Is the brain of the person who said this filled with shit and urine?
"You said This King humiliated the old officials of Northern Ji? Ask the old officials of Northern Ji here, when did This King humiliate them?!
"You said This King embezzled money and provisions? You're even more arrogant! When I first took over Northern Ji's treasury, to put it bluntly, the incapable ruler of Northern Ji could starve all the rats in the treasury to suicide! You said I embezzled the air?
"You said I snatched the daughter of an official. My marriage to the Qin Clan was bestowed by Your Majesty. How is that snatching?
"I left the capital to search for treasures because I was ordered to provide disaster relief. On the way, I searched for treasures for Your Majesty. You said I embezzled money from the disaster? That's the biggest joke in the world! My wife's dowry and my money have been donated. Otherwise, the people of the old Dayan would have rebelled out of hunger! How could I allow a bunch of vermin like you to criticize me in the capital?
"You said I was jealous of my colleagues?"
At this point, Pang Xiao suddenly burst into laughter. He pointed at the officials and said domineeringly, "To be honest, all of you are here to compete with This King! This King wants all of you to come at him together! What do you have that is worthy of This King's jealousy?
"This King has private soldiers? Let me ask you. As a Prince, you have 50 soldiers. Is that overstepping the limit? "
Pang Xiao stepped in front of Imperial Censor Gu. "Imperial Censor Gu is a learned man. Tell me, as a Prince personally appointed by Your Majesty, is it overstepping the limit to have 50 soldiers?"
Imperial Censor Gu took two steps back after hearing Pang Xiao's words. He was so scared that his whole body was trembling.
Pang Xiao finally said, "As for being unfilial to my official mother, there is one thing I have to say now."
Pang Xiao turned to Li Qitian and saluted. "Your Majesty took pity on my life and helped me find my surviving official mother. I am grateful. But after contact and investigation, I found that the official mother Your Majesty found was actually a fake!"
Li Qitian's eyebrows twitched.
Pang Xiao said, "I know Your Majesty's good intentions. I didn't want to make things difficult for Your Majesty, so I sent the fake Madam Pang out. In fact, I plan to keep this matter to myself for the rest of my life. I will never say it out loud. "
"There is such a thing! That vicious woman deceived me for glory and wealth! "Li Qitian was unable to restrain his anger and stood up.
Pang Xiao said, "Your Majesty, don't be angry. It is not your fault. That woman was too greedy. She wanted to deceive Your Majesty because she knew something about the past."
"That is the crime of deceiving Your Majesty. It is unforgivable!" Li Qitian was furious. He immediately said, "Arrest that woman and behead her tomorrow afternoon!"
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