protect our patriarch

Chapter 413 Suppression of the Second Rank!Prince Ji Ding

……

Emperor Longchang leaned on the back of his chair, watching Prince Deshun's impassioned performance, and couldn't help but wonder.

In the past, Prince Deshun was a loyal and honest person.

Many years ago, because of his political ideas and aspirations, he had big differences with Prince Dexin, and in a fit of rage, he lived in seclusion in a manor on the West Sea, fishing and drinking tea all day long, regardless of political affairs or military affairs.

How come this body has been cultivated and rested for hundreds of years, but it still stinks and becomes shameless?

Let’s not talk about whether the Wang family is guilty or not. Even if he is guilty, he did not treat your Anjun Wang badly... How can he immediately clear up the responsibility and tear down the bridge as soon as something happens? Isn’t that too shameless?
"This matter has been coordinated by the three divisions, and Meng Yuanbai is leading the investigation and handling. I believe that Meng Yuanbai will never bend the law for personal gain, and no matter who is involved, he will never tolerate it." Emperor Longchang waved his hand impatiently, "Deshun, if you get tired of fishing in the West Sea, go to the East Sea and catch a dragon whale or something, and don't come to the capital to mess around."

"Your Majesty told me not to worry about it, so I don't care about it." Prince Deshun said honestly and obediently, "But it's rare for the child to come to the capital once, and these days he will accompany the old ancestor to serve him once or twice."

Before Emperor Longchang objected, he put on a tearful appearance: "I haven't seen my ancestors for a long time, and I miss them very much. Every time I think of following my ancestors when I was young, conquering the Western Jin Dynasty and the Southern Qin Dynasty, how high-spirited it was .”

"But I don't want to blink, my ancestors and I are already old."

Hearing these words, Emperor Longchang's cloudy old eyes also showed the brilliance of recalling the past, and he couldn't help but recall the little things that happened when Prince Deshun was by his side.

The older a person is, the more nostalgic they become, and the easier it is to miss old love.

"For the sake of your filial piety, just stay with me for a while." After Emperor Longchang finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Hongbo with a slightly amiable expression, "Zhao Aiqing came to see me for something important. ?"

"Your Majesty, I do have something important to announce." Zhao Hongbo saluted and glanced unwillingly at Prince Deshun.The old guy Deshun is stuck here, how can he make an apology?
Originally, he wanted to sacrifice a Zhao Zhikun, plead with His Majesty, and then suppress the whole matter and downplay it.

But in the current situation, as soon as he pleaded guilty to His Majesty, Prince Deshun dared to stir up trouble in the city and wantonly suppressed the prestige of the Zhao family.

Zhao Hongbo has served as the chief assistant of the cabinet for many years, so he is naturally a smart person, knowing that the opposite party has already guessed Zhao's action of pleading guilty this time.Prince Deshun came here on purpose to disrupt the situation.

He was sure that Zhao would not dare to bring this matter to the stage of public trial.Once under the attention of everyone, there will be a shocking reversal during the public trial of the three divisions, and the entire Zhao family will be dragged into the quagmire.

Zhao couldn't afford it.

Since the opponent wants to expand the results of the battle, then give them another head.

Zhao Hongbo is also a decisive person, so he immediately made up his mind, took a deep breath and said: "I report to Your Majesty, I found out by accident that this case of smuggling and collaborating with the enemy has nothing to do with Mrs. Zhao Zhikun, a little bastard from the family, was greedy and confused for a while, and made a big mistake just now."

"The reason is that he lost too much in a gamble in the Xian Dynasty before, and he had evil thoughts after losing too much. After learning about this, I didn't dare to wrong Wang's Zhongliang, so I immediately brought this evil person, Zhao Zhikun, here Plead guilty."

This statement came out.

Emperor Longchang was stunned for a moment, and then his face gradually became gloomy.Obviously, what Zhao Hongbo said was far beyond his imagination.

Before, he only speculated that someone wanted to assassinate the Wang family, deliberately weaving a crime against the Wang family.Whether it's true or not, with Lao Yao around, you can find out if you check.If it's fake, it's just a matter of time to sell that kid Wang Shouzhe as a favor.Who would have imagined that someone actually smuggled and collaborated with the enemy, and it was Zhao's brat!
Smuggling and collaborating with the enemy is a serious crime.How dare the Zhao family!How dare?
Because of the geographical environment, both the Southern Qin and the Western Jin were short of metal mines, especially iron. Therefore, the manufacture and equipment of military equipment such as weapons and equipment was inferior to that of Daqian. Enemy two.

Therefore, one of Dagan's military national policies is to cut off the trading of most metal deposits, refined salt, and high-end grains between Dagan and the Southern Qin and Western Jin Dynasties. Livelihood!
Once prohibited items are smuggled to Nanqin, if it helps to enhance the national power of Nanqin, it will in turn pose a threat to Daqian.If indulged, the consequences would be disastrous.

"Bold and outrageous, this is an act of collaborating with the enemy and traitorous country!" Sure enough, Prince Deshun immediately jumped out and scolded, "Is your Zhao family planning to rebel?"

"Your Majesty, Prince Deshun." Zhao Hongbo bowed deeply to Emperor Longchang, his face full of guilt, "This behavior is indeed extremely vile and unforgivable. I can't explain it, and I don't want to explain it. Although this matter This scoundrel Zhao Zhikun did it alone, but as the patriarch of the Zhao family and the chief assistant of the cabinet, I have indeed neglected to discipline the descendants. This scoundrel Zhao Zhikun committed the crime, and I cannot escape my responsibility."

"Therefore, Chente asks His Majesty to resign from the position of Chief Assistant of the Cabinet, and also asks His Majesty for his permission."

Please resign as the chief minister of the cabinet?

Prince Deshun was taken aback.

This Zhao Hongbo was really decisive and ruthless enough.

For thousands of years, the greatest prestige and power of the second-rank Zhao family came from having a Duke and a Chief Assistant in the family.

The position of Duke is the legacy of the ancestors, which embodies the prestige of the Zhao family, while the position of chief assistant is the real real power.It is also under this real power that the Zhao family can flourish and reach its current peak.

Emperor Longchang also frowned slightly.

Even though he was somewhat dissatisfied with the Zhao family and Zhao Hongbo in recent days, he never really thought about depriving Zhao Hongbo of his position as chief assistant of the cabinet.

After all, the Zhao family is also the founding father of Dagan, and there have been countless sacrifices and bloodshed.

A country cannot be supported by just one royal family. The royal family is just the family with the strongest strength, the greatest contribution, and the largest "shareholding ratio".

Therefore, as a great emperor, he must balance the relationship between the royal family and the family, and the relationship between the family and the family.

"Uncle Hong, how much did Zhao Zhikun smuggle?" Emperor Longchang's face was extremely serious, "How many years did it last?"

Zhao Hongbo also looked at Zhao Zhikun sternly: "Evil, don't hesitate to answer your majesty's words."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty." Zhao Zhikun said in a trembling voice, already a little weak all over his body, "It has been 90 years. From the beginning, we tried it on a scale of millions a year, and later, it developed to 2000 a year. 3000, 5000 to [-] million, and in recent years, the scale has been more than [-] million every year."

"After deducting management and various costs, in total, the total profit is 3000 million dry gold." While speaking, Zhao Zhikun also took out the account book and honestly submitted it, obviously he had already prepared for it.

Lao Yao took the ledger and handed it to Emperor Longchang.

This scale is not small, but it is not out of control!

The gloomy Emperor Longchang flipped through it casually, then put it aside: "Where's the profit?"

"I spent part of it. And, most of the other, I used it to pay off my debts..." Zhao Zhikun bit the bullet and said, "Your Majesty, I was tricked by that gambling!"

When Zhao Zhikun gave money to King Kang, it was naturally impossible to give it blatantly, but he went to Xianchao and came back.

"Your Majesty, I don't believe that this was done by Zhao Zhikun alone. The Zhao family must be instigating it behind the scenes." Prince Deshun said, "Your Majesty, please investigate clearly."

"Your Majesty." Zhao Hongbo also bowed and said in a loud voice, "I, the Duke of Anguo, is the pillar of the court of the Dagan, and I am loyal to the Dagan. How could I betray the country for such a profit? The 3000 million stolen money involved the nobles of the Immortal Dynasty , It is already difficult to recover. But I, Mrs. Zhao, are willing to pool up one billion dry gold and return it to the treasury. However, the amount of funds is too large, and Mrs. Zhao can hardly get it together for a while. Please allow Mrs. Zhao to return 1000 million yuan every year, and return it within a hundred years. clear."

"Your Majesty, it's not that Uncle Hong is shirking responsibility. It's just that Uncle Hong is the chief assistant of the cabinet, and he holds a lot of power in his hands. If he really wants to do the despicable business of smuggling and collaborating with the enemy, I dare not say that he can do it without leaking, but he will not do it like this." Rough, and at least several times larger.”

Regarding this, Emperor Longchang was noncommittal, but looked at Zhao Zhikun again and said, "Has Yingji participated in it?"

"Your Majesty, Cousin Yingji didn't know about it." Zhao Zhikun replied honestly, "Your Majesty, you also know Cousin Yingji's temperament. It is impossible for him to do such a thing. Therefore, I can only install two masters in it." ~~ Use the Jiaolong Gang to control the power of Anjiang..."

The reason why he is so honest is also because he knows that this matter has not been investigated.

Emperor Longchang's expression eased a little, then he looked at Zhao Hongbo and said, "Hongbo, you have come here this time, you must have a plan for how to deal with it, let's hear it."

"First, Chen Wuyan will serve as the chief minister of the cabinet again. Please Your Majesty invite another wise man. Second, I, the Zhao family, are willing to make up for the stolen money to fill the treasury. Third, Zhao Zhikun's crime of smuggling and treason is unforgivable, and he should be punished severely. I hope His Majesty will consider him as the seed of supernatural powers, and authorize him to go to the battlefield outside the territory, enter the cannon fodder battalion to kill the enemy and atone for his sins until he atones for his sins."

Zhao Hongbo did not shirk his responsibility, he spoke sonorously, and then begged: "Your Majesty, please remember that the Zhao family is the founding father of the country and a long-standing family, and give the Zhao family some face."

Each of these three disposal conditions caused great trauma to Zhao, and it was extremely difficult to recover in a short time.But it's still much better than being completely discredited.

It's just that the conditions Zhao originally wanted to give were only two and three.As for the first point, it was Zhao Hongbo's impromptu idea to silence Prince Deshun.

"I really believe that the Zhao family should not have participated in the smuggling and collaborating with the enemy as a whole. Such an apology is indeed frank enough." Emperor Longchang's expression was calm and unwavering, "But Zhao Aiqing must not forget that all the spearheads are now directed at the Changning Wang family. Pointing at Wang Shouzhe, now that everyone is watching, how will it end?"

"Don't think that if I stay in the palace all day, I will be blind and deaf, and I will close my eyes and listen. I don't know why this happened, and why it developed to such an unmanageable point."

"Your Majesty." Zhao Hongbo cupped his hands, "The investigation of the Wang family's taxes is indeed an investigation order issued by the minister after receiving the report. But now it seems that someone secretly wants to target the Wang family."

Although this plan was proposed by Zhao Zhikun.But since he, Zhao Hongbo, agreed and implemented it, he would naturally not shirk his responsibility.

"It's my minister Meng Lang who damaged the reputation of the Wang family. I can only have the cheek to ask His Majesty to mediate one or two. I, the Zhao family, are willing to give compensation, and the third division will officially announce that the Wang family has not evaded taxes, nor is it No smuggling or treason."

"Your Majesty, in my child's opinion, it's clear that Mrs. Zhao fell into the hole she dug by stealing chickens and losing money. How can he let such a good and loyal person be easily let go?" Prince Deshun disrupted the situation again, He said with an expression filled with righteous indignation, "My boy complained for Mrs. Wang, and for Shou Zhe~~~~"

"spit!"

Emperor Longchang really wanted to spit on Deshun's face.

I didn't know who it was just now, and they kept saying that they would punish Wang's severely, but in the blink of an eye they started to accuse Zhao of framing Zhongliang?When did Deshun become so shameless?
"All right, all right, the Zhao family is the Duke's mansion no matter what you say." Emperor Longchang waved his hand angrily and said, "Their ancestors and our ancestors fought together. This time, for the dispute between the emperor and the sons, they did it secretly. But I don’t believe that they are collaborating with the enemy and treason.”

"However, if this matter becomes an uproar, it will be embarrassing to both the royal family and the Zhao family. Hongbo, since you want me to mediate, you must show some real sincerity so that I can talk to Shou Zhe."

"Return to Your Majesty, our Zhao Clan will obey His Majesty's orders." Seeing Emperor Longchang let go, Zhao Hongbo felt relieved, and saluted, "We will do what His Majesty says."

"Okay, then I will think about it. First, the position of the chief assistant of the cabinet is of great importance. Although your Zhao family has lost virtue and has no face to take responsibility, you can't just come and take it? Hong Bo, another day At the meeting, you will come forward to recommend Duke Ding, Wang Yinda, to serve as the chief assistant of the cabinet for the time being, do you have any opinions?" Emperor Longchang thought for a while and said.

Zhao Hongbo's pupils shrank, but he quickly calmed down, and said calmly, "I have no objection, Dingguo Gong Yinda's ancestor is as talented as a sea of ​​knowledge, with unparalleled virtue and reputation, and the position of chief assistant is what everyone expects."

"Secondly, in order to appease public grievances, your Zhao family is not strict in teaching your sons, which has led to the scum of the family, and the punishment should be reported to the world. Is there any objection?" Emperor Longchang said again.

"Chen, I have no objection. Since it is my Zhao family's fault, I shall bear all the consequences."

Zhao Hongbo bowed his hand again.

In this way, although it will reduce the prestige of the Zhao family, but with Prince Deshun present and many external affairs, this matter cannot be concealed at all. The official notification of punishment is the best solution, at least it can be said nicely.

"It's quite sensible. That being the case, I will mediate for you about how Shouzhe will compensate you." Emperor Longchang's expression eased a little. "In addition to the three conditions of your Zhao family's self-punishment, your Zhao family has to be good." Reflect on yourself, check your family traditions. Otherwise, if such scum appears again in the future, I may not be as easy to talk as today."

"Follow His Majesty's will." Zhao Hongbo agreed.

When Prince Deshun heard this, he also heaved a sigh of relief.The ending of all this is still not able to escape Wang Shouzhe's calculations.

Shou Zhe told him through Ming Yuan that His Majesty's heart lies in balance. Although he wants to suppress the Zhao family, he will definitely not kill the Zhao family.

He came to disrupt the situation this time, mainly for the purpose of messing around and expanding the results that should have been achieved.With his visit today, the purpose of disrupting the situation has been overfulfilled, and the fact that he is the chief assistant is the biggest gain.

Next, Wang Shouzhe naturally has a way to deal with it.

As for whether Zhao Zhikun could enter the cannon fodder camp, it was secondary. In the final analysis, he was just a supernatural being.Without supernatural powers, the influence is still limited after all.

"Old Yao, take some time to mention Wang Shouzhe." Emperor Longchang was quite satisfied with the respectful and obedient attitude of the Anguo government, and he said to Lao Yao, "Prompt him to meet with me as soon as possible. "

"Your Majesty is ordering to summon Wang Shouzhe?" Old Yao said with bright eyes, "This old slave has long wanted to see Wang Shouzhe."

"Bah, what is my identity, what is his identity?" Emperor Longchang said arrogantly, "How can I summon him at will?"

After a pause, he muttered in a low voice: "Hint, hint, do you understand?"

"The old slave understands, hints, hints." Lao Yao said with a smile.

"Okay, that's the end of the matter." Emperor Longchang waved his hand, "Hongbo, you go back first and wait for your decision. Deshun boy, you come with me, and I will compete with you to compare the level of fishing."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The crowd agreed in unison.

……

a few days later.

The investigation team headed by San Caisi posted the investigation notice in a low-key manner.

The smuggling case of the Changning Wang family was already raging in Guilong City, and the heat remained high.More and more people are paying attention to this case.

Now, as soon as the results of the investigation came out, the emotions accumulated and brewed over the past few days were immediately "detonated" under the tinkering of caring people.

The effect was like dropping a bomb directly into the crowd.

No one expected that such a shocking reversal would occur when the case seemed to be settled.

The one who smuggled and collaborated with the enemy was not the Wang family of Changning, but Zhao Zhikun, the great pride of the Zhao family!Even Zhao Gelao, the chief assistant of the dynasty, took the blame and resigned because of this.

For a time, the crowd was in an uproar, and the government and the opposition were shaken.

In the streets and alleys, after dinner, almost everyone is discussing this matter.

At the beginning, everyone's attention was focused on the fact that Zhao Zhikun actually smuggled and collaborated with the enemy. They secretly reviled Zhao Zhikun as a supernatural being, enjoying the treatment of the stars, but doing nothing in private. , should be punished severely!
But soon, there was a subtle change in the direction of the wind.

Someone pointed out that Zhao Zhikun, as the great talent carefully cultivated by the Zhao family, is very likely to succeed Zhao Hongbo as the chief assistant in the future.
What is he plotting?What is the use of him asking for so much money?

This is indeed a doubtful point.

People's eyes are sharp.

Although it is said that when public opinion forms a storm, everyone's attention is easily diverted, and group dementia is also prone to occur, but there has never been a shortage of smart people in the crowd.

"Could it be that Zhao Zhikun is not the mastermind at all, and there are other people behind this incident?"

When the first voice of doubt appeared, many people soon came to their senses.

That's right~ Who doesn't know that Zhao Zhikun is a die-hard supporter of King Kang?Since he himself is not really short of money, isn't it obvious enough for whom the smuggling is for?

Only the king of Kangjun needed a huge amount of financial assistance for the battle between the emperor and his son and to win the hearts of the people.

In normal times, even if someone is aware of this, it is impossible for such remarks to spread.After all, the battle between emperors and sons is all about people's hearts and prestige. Can King Kang not understand the importance of controlling public opinion?
The "Dawn" organization is not just for nothing.

In fact, at the same time when it sensed that the wind direction was wrong, "Break Dawn" had already acted secretly, trying to guide the wind direction of public opinion and prevent everyone from betting on King Kang.

However, what Li Xiao faced this time was the collaboration of "Tian Que" and "Luo Xian Dian".

Even though Li Xiao had tried her best, she was unable to restore the situation, and the wind direction of public opinion was still gradually falling in the predetermined direction.

More and more small and medium-sized aristocratic families and ordinary people realized that this matter may have something to do with King Kang.Zhao Zhikun, maybe it was unlucky to be pushed out to take the blame.

Those third- and fourth-rank aristocratic families have already guessed the truth of the matter, and may even have guessed that there may be one or several forces behind this matter that are leading the direction of public opinion.

They just don't talk about it.

The so-called things have nothing to do with them, they hang up high, and they don't involve themselves, so just watch the excitement.

Of course, maybe they themselves also contributed to the flames.

After all, with King Kang's behavior, he used to win people's hearts everywhere in order to fight for the position of emperor, so it is normal for any family to dislike him.

"Tsk tsk tsk~ This Zhao Zhikun is so pitiful~" In the teahouse, while sitting and drinking tea, a member of the small and medium-sized family couldn't help but sigh, "I thought he had followed that one for so many years, and he was the proud Qualifications, presumably should be taken very seriously, I didn't expect that one to give up when he said he would give up."

"This king of Kangjun is really cold."

"I really didn't expect King Kang to be such a person. I thought he was a good person. After all, these years, he donated money for disaster relief and fought outside the territory. He has a good reputation in the government and the public. It seems It’s because I don’t know much, so I lost my sight.” Some people felt that they had misjudged the wrong person, and their moods were quite complicated. Take all the blame."

"Yeah yeah~ And he's really courageous. Where is the cannon fodder camp? I feel scared just thinking about it, but he responded immediately. I heard that he didn't even change his face." Take a moment. Really tough!"

"I heard that he is still imprisoned. He has been standing upright and has not confessed to King Kang. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is 'hard-hearted and loyal'."

Similar remarks were quietly circulated in private, and for a while, the nickname of "Tie Dan Loyal Zhao Zhikun" was spread in the upper capital strangely.

I just don't know whether when these people say these words, the meaning in the words is more irony or more praise.

These rumors were conveyed to the ears of Duke Kang in the foreign battlefield in the fastest way by someone with a heart.

When King Kang heard this, he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood.

Who, who is spreading "rumors" behind his back?
At this moment, how could he stay on the battlefield outside the territory anymore, he had no choice but to rush back to Dragon City as quickly as possible to quell the rumors himself.

……

the same time period.

Dagan Wang's Four Seasons Garden.

Anjun Wang is sitting opposite Wang Shouzhe.

King An used a lot of effort to restrain himself from looking at the two women who were competing to serve Wang Shouzhe... One of them was also one of the leaders of "his" intelligence organization "Tianque". Fairy Yan.

"Shouzhe did a good job in this battle. As you expected, King Kang is no longer able to sit still, and he will return to Longcheng as soon as possible." King An said with emotion while drinking spirit tea , "Now that the Zhao family has been pushed to the cusp of the storm, it is hard to protect themselves, so they can only shrink their tails. If King Kang falls again, there will be no suspense in the battle between the emperor and son this time."

"It's just that there is one thing that is unclear about Mingyuan. The current situation of the Zhao family can only be reversed by protecting King Kang." Prince An's eyes were serious and suspicious, "Even if King Kang returns to Longcheng, how can you make Zhao go back to Longcheng?" Clan and King Kang are against each other?"

"Whether or not, let's not mention it for the time being, I just believe in the principle of flying separately in the face of disaster. In a few days, the Great Court will be held. Is your Highness ready for the final blow?" Wang Shouzhe said while drinking spirit tea.

"Shou Zhe, don't worry, Ming Yuan will not hold back." An Jun Wang said with a serious face.

After a pause, he said with some doubts: "Shouzhe, I heard that His Majesty has gotten angry a few times... privately scolding you for being ungrateful. According to Eunuch Yao, His Majesty still wants to see you very much, but you have ignored it several times. His Majesty was very annoyed by this hint."

"This..." Wang Shouzhe said with an innocent face, "Shouzhe has always been blunt and has never grasped this information. His Majesty wants to see me very much, why didn't I know? Why didn't His Majesty issue an order to summon me?"

Anjun Wang touched his forehead, feeling extremely helpless towards Wang Shouzhe.

You dare to ignore His Majesty's hints, no wonder His Majesty beats the table and scolds you every day.

"Shou Zhe, there is still one thing I don't know. How can you be sure that King Kang is a cold-natured person who crosses rivers and destroys bridges?" King An still couldn't figure this out, and he was very surprised.After all, the king of Kangjun still looks very reliable on the surface.

Wang Shouzhe took a sip of spiritual tea, and said slowly: "The specific reason is a bit complicated to explain. To put it simply, if he is not such a cold-blooded person, but a person who values ​​love, righteousness, ideals and beliefs... "

"I have accepted his solicitation a long time ago. Where is His Royal Highness Mingyuan's turn?"

"Uh……"

An Junwang broke out in a cold sweat, he sounded so suspenseful.

If King Kang is reliable, then there is nothing wrong with him?
……

(End of this chapter)