in2ebook Chapter 162 The Prince Asks for Help
Chapter 162 The Prince Asks for Help
The retired ministers on the list all lived in the capital, and their entire families were thrown into jail the night the Cining Palace was sealed. After secret interrogation, no useful information was obtained, so the crown prince and several close ministers jointly ordered that they be executed the next day and their entire six clans be exterminated.
The rain washed away the endless blood on the guillotine, and when the sun came out again, the capital was prosperous and bustling again.
Ye Shengxin and Emperor Jingming held it in for a few days. When the weather cleared up, they found a time when the zombie ancestors were resting and left the house.
The royal guards and the army were hurrying back and forth on the streets, the war horses were neighing, and the sound of armor clashing could be heard everywhere. It was obvious at a glance that something big had happened.
In the restaurant, four people and one ghost sat in a private room behind a curtain, and could only hear the people eating below talking about their meals:
"How can ordinary people like us know about the important events in the imperial court? But I guess it must be related to the several big families who were beheaded two days ago. I don't know what they did wrong."
"I know this. Those families embezzled military funds and allowed their children to bully men and women and seize the land of the people. Censor Xu, who could not bear it, filed a complaint with the Imperial Palace. That's why His Majesty got angry and beheaded them."
"These officials are already in high positions and have great power, so why would they commit capital crimes? It's really greedy."
"It's the same for you as an official. There are very few honest officials in this world. Most of them can't move when they see money."
"Get lost, I'm not that kind of person. My parents said that I've been very smart since I was young. If my family had money to support me, I would have at least become a Jinshi. Maybe I could even participate in the Wancai Contest and win first place."
"Just you, just blow it."
"Why, you look down on me, do you want to get beaten?"
……
There was a lot of noise downstairs, but it did not affect Ye Xingxin and the others' mood for dining, except that -
"What is the Wancai Contest?"
Zhang Shuyu put down his chopsticks and explained, "The Wancai Competition is a name given by the common people to the talented people of Dongli Country and my Great Zhou to compete with each other. Although it is a bit simple and straightforward, it is not wrong to describe it."
"During the competition, many world-famous scholars from both countries will participate. If they win, not to mention the rewards from His Majesty, their fame will spread to other countries, and they can also serve the country."
"If you lose, there's no punishment, but it's not good for your reputation and that of your country."
"This year's Talent Competition was supposed to be held in Da Zhou at the beginning of next month, but His Majesty fell ill and the Crown Prince went to Xindongli Country, so it was delayed for some time."
"But this competition must be held before this year. I just don't know when your Majesty's health will be better."
After saying this, Zhang Shuyu couldn't help but look at Emperor Jingming again. When he met Emperor Jingming's expectant gaze, his face froze for a moment.
What does it mean, Your Majesty, that you are sitting there waiting for him to take action?
Zhang Shuyu's heart was beating fast and he looked to his old father for help.
Then he saw his old father looking away from Emperor Jingming with a thoughtful look on his face, then lowered his eyelids, and no one knew what he was thinking about.
Zhang Shuyu: ...
I always feel like something is not right.
After coming out of the restaurant, the few people lost their sense of crisis and became bored.
While strolling, Ye Xingxin saw a driver and a donkey pulling a cart of bricks. He remembered something and looked at Emperor Jingming, who happened to look over at him. They both said at the same time, "Since we have nothing to do, why don't we go and see the Eighteenth Prince?"
It has been ten days since we sent him there. I don’t know what happened to him. Did he get beaten? Or is he used to carrying bricks?
They all knew nothing.
Let's go and take a look, so that the little leader won't be so careless and end up beating someone to death.
They did as they said. They found an alley nearby and called out Hao Duanzhuang from the bronze mirror. After a moment, they sat on the seesaw and headed towards Lincheng.
The four of them landed outside Lincheng City. Until their feet touched the ground, Zhang Shuyu couldn't believe it. He looked dazed, like a fool who had won five million dollars.
"Let's go." Ye Shengxin pulled him, and Zhang Shuyu took a step forward, staggered and almost fell to the ground.
"Are you okay?" Ye Shengxin quickly intervened.
The two people and the ghost in front looked over, and Zhang Shuyu waved his hand, "It's okay, I'm just a little uncomfortable."
"I've lived for so many years, but this is the first time I've flown in the sky. It feels a bit magical."
Ye Shengxin smiled: "You'll get used to it in the future." If he hadn't been on a plane in his previous life and suddenly enjoyed flying at high altitude, Ye Shengxin didn't think he could be much better than Zhang Shuyu.
Seeing that his son had almost adapted, Zhang Liang said, "Let's go."
The four of them were dressed in ordinary clothes when they went out, so they did not attract much attention when they entered the city gate. They walked in the crowd, following the route taken by Emperor Jingming, and found the location of the little leader.
The small leader was in charge of more than fifty people. Among a group of young and strong men who worked hard, Xuanyuan Huhan, who was weak and young, and always wanted to be lazy, stood out.
Of course, the whip and bloody clothes on his body are equally conspicuous.
Ye Shengxin gritted her teeth and said, "This child has been beaten a lot." After saying that, she looked at Emperor Jingming.
Emperor Jingming had a blank expression on his face: "If this temper can be whipped back, it would be a good thing."
Zhang Liang watched silently as the once-dignified Eighteenth Prince was unable to lift even five bricks and accidentally hit his own foot.
He wanted to go forward to help, but His Majesty's words made him give up.
Seeing the little leader holding a whip and walking towards the Eighteenth Prince, Zhang Shuyu asked weakly:
"If Your Majesty knew that the Eighteenth Prince was suffering, I'm afraid..."
After saying this, he couldn't help but look at Emperor Jingming. Meeting Emperor Jingming's gloomy gaze again, Zhang Shuyu looked away awkwardly.
At the same time, a strange thought arose in my mind. It felt like His Majesty seemed to know my identity.
Seeing the little leader whipping Xuanyuan Huhan with the whip in his hand, Ye Shengxin said worriedly: "After all, he is your biological son. As for His Majesty..."
"It won't be a problem." Emperor Jingming retracted his gaze, and under the gazes of the three people, he reluctantly found a reason to explain:
"We can threaten him and stop him from filing a complaint."
This made Zhang Liang even more uncertain.
Does Your Majesty know his true identity?
Just as he was thinking about it, he heard a shout, and then Xuanyuan Huhan, for some reason, suddenly ran towards them.
When he saw Zhang Liang, whose expression had not changed, his eyes lit up:
"Master Zhang, it's me. I'm Hu Han."
He ran over and grabbed Zhang Liang's sleeve, clenching his fingers tightly, and said with a dusty face: "Master Zhang, please save me and take me back. I don't want to stay here anymore. If I stay any longer, I will die."
Zhang Liang felt terrible when he was suddenly asked for help.
Fortunately, the nimble little leader also caught up with him. Seeing Xuanyuan Huhan like this, he was so angry that he slammed his whip on the ground and explained in anger:
"You think I don't want to let you go?"
"With your energy that can make me angry to death, if you stay a few more days, I will end up in a coffin one day."
Xuanyuan Huhan said angrily: "Why don't you let me go!"
The little leader glared at him and said, "Is it me who won't let you go? As long as you give me ten taels of silver and make sure I don't lose money, you can go wherever you want."
Speaking of this, Xuanyuan Huhan's attention fell on Zhang Liang, who was feeling bitter.
The voice pleaded, "Master Zhang, lend me ten taels of silver. When I return to the palace, I will speak well of you in front of my father. I also promise that I will pay you back a thousand times the money."
After saying this, he became afraid and, regardless of etiquette, he pulled off the purse from Zhang Liang's waist. After opening it, he saw seven or eight pieces of silver inside. He roughly estimated that it was enough to pay off his debt, so he turned around and threw it to the little leader.
"This silver is for you. From today on, you..."
The conversation suddenly stopped.
Emperor Jingming grabbed the purse before the little leader.
"You, you are presumptuous!"
The straw that helped him escape from the sea of suffering was taken away. After a brief moment of shock, Xuanyuan Huhan stared at Emperor Jingming fiercely with eyes, as if he wanted to devour him.
"Give me the silver." With Zhang Liang's support, Xuanyuan Huhan gave the order directly.
Emperor Jingming stood still like a mountain.
Xuanyuan Huhan got angry and reached out to snatch it, but was kicked away by Emperor Jingming.
"What a shameless thing! Did it make you leave here?"
Emperor Jingming looked at the person struggling on the ground with a cold gaze. His look of disappointment made Zhang Liang doubt again.
Your Majesty, may he have remembered something and already know his identity.
Zhang Liang was not the only one who had this doubt. The ministers who were watching the sky curtain also had doubts in their hearts.
Your Majesty's behavior is exactly like an old father teaching his child.
"you again!"
As soon as Emperor Jingming opened his mouth, even though his expression was different, Xuanyuan Huhan still noticed him, and his hatred for him became even stronger.
He turned his gaze to Zhang Liang, who had remained silent from beginning to end. Suddenly he understood something and asked through gritted teeth:
"Zhang Liang, you are with this thief who dared to sell out this prince. Are you trying to commit treason?"
Zhang Liang lowered his head and said nothing, pretending that he didn't exist.
I really don't know how to answer this question.
"Speak? Why aren't you talking?" Xuanyuan Huhan asked angrily.
Then he held out his hand again: "Today, as long as you give me the silver and send me back to the palace safely, I promise that if my father interrogates me about this matter, I can conceal your relationship with this thief."
Zhang Liang looked at Xuanyuan Huhan without saying anything.
The little leader was anxious: "Are you really a prince? Is the person next to you really an official in the court?"
Xuanyuan Huhan emphasized his identity several times, and the little leader was already doubtful in his heart. Now seeing him questioning the imposing old man with a solemn oath, and the old man evading the question, the little leader panicked and believed more in Xuanyuan Huhan's identity as a prince.
He has...really offended someone he shouldn't have offended.
"You are a lowly person, why would this prince lie to you?"
The little leader suddenly became frightened and his face turned pale.
When Xuanyuan Huhan saw this, he became even more domineering, thinking of the whipping he had received from this man before and the burning pain he could still feel in his body.
He was suddenly filled with anger and snatched the whip from his hand and hit him with it.