turmoil

People's evil thoughts are like weeds in spring, they will pop up as soon as they meet the right opportunity.At that moment, Zhang Jingche seemed to be in a daze, and went to the East Palace without saying a word, with the anger in his eyes ready to come out.

As soon as he reached the gate of the East Palace, a hand came out without warning and pressed heavily on his shoulder.

Zhang Jingche's eyelids twitched, and he felt that the three souls, seven souls, and even his sanity were pushed back to the backbone by this pressure that surpassed Mount Tai, and he finally came to his senses belatedly: "You...Hou Ye?"

Yang Fan looked at him with his head, and saw that the red marks in his eyes had not disappeared, but his expression had returned to clarity, so he breathed a sigh of relief: "Why, what did the empress say just now?"

Zhang Jingche lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Yang Fan didn't leave all the time, just because he was worried that he would be embarrassed by Zhaoyang Palace. He lingered in front of the East Palace for a long time, and suddenly saw Zhang Jingche coming this way, and he seemed to be in a daze. Yang Fan, the titan who fought on the battlefield, was a little frightened.

He didn't know why, but thought that Zhang Jingche was embarrassed by the empress. After thinking about it, he gently persuaded him: "The empress is the prince's own mother, so naturally she has to consider everything for him... I don't think you can learn from those poor and corrupt scholars in the Imperial Academy. Naturally, there will be a bright future in the future, why bother to worry about people who shouldn't be worried about."

Zhang Jingche's anger was still in his chest, and he couldn't understand the meaning behind what he said for a while, and said with a sneer, "Yes, because the empress loves her son deeply, everyone deserves to be a stepping stone for her mother and son!"

Yang Fan never thought that he would say such outrageous words, he hurriedly looked around, and said in amazement: "What did you say? Do you want to die!"

Zhang Jingche knew he had made a slip of the tongue, and hastily changed the topic: "Didn't Master Hou leave the palace? Why are you here?"

It wasn't until then that he regained his clarity.

Yang Fan absolutely refused to tell the truth, and said to him with his hands behind his back: "I see the scenery here is beautiful, I can't help but look at it for a while..."

Zhang Jingche: "..."

He wandered around and saw that apart from palaces and pavilions, there were palace walls all around him, and he really couldn't see any scenery to admire. After thinking about it again and again, he could only attribute it to Yang Fan's lame eyes.

Fortunately, at this time, a little eunuch came in a hurry, and it looked like he was the capable servant next to the prince: "Hou Ye, Mr. Zhang, our family is about to go to the mansion--His Royal Highness summoned, come with us quickly!" .”

Yang Fan thought of Zhongyong Bomanmen who died in vain, and his expression froze slightly.

The crown prince Liu Yanzhao is only a weak crown this year, and he is a son of nobles in the capital. He is at the age of teasing cats and dogs, sleeping flowers and sleeping willows, but he is very upright. walk.

This time, he was able to take off the mask of "Prince of the Empire" without a cloud of attendants staring at him. Did you get hurt?"

Of course there are injuries, but Dingbian Hou is not stingy, as long as there is no injury, he will attribute it as "scratched skin", so he smiled calmly: "No! I am the commander of the three armies, and it is nothing to do with me. , there is no chance of getting hurt."

Zhang Jingche's eyes moved slightly, thinking of the situation when this guy led Qingqi to confront Prince Beile, the murderous intent in his eyes was not something that a dude who has never experienced battle can have.

However, the crown prince believed it, and breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good... Gu is afraid of your blood, so he rushes to the front without hesitation. If there is something really going on, how can Gu explain to Lao Yanghou!"

After watching Yang Fan, he turned to Zhang Jingche. Zhang Jingche didn't need him to speak. He lifted up his clothes and knelt down on the ground: "Mr. Zhang Jingche, I pay my respects to Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The knee was just touching the gold brick floor, and the prince had already held his hand. Liu Yanzhao looked him in the eyes and asked with concern: "I heard from Yuan Zhou that you were seriously injured this trip, but you have recovered."

When Zhang Jingche saw him, he was filled with resentment, fearing that one of them could not hold back and let the prince of the country end up in his hands, he could only lower his eyes and waved his hands calmly: "His Royal Highness is concerned, I am fine."

He struggled hard, and half of his sleeves were pulled up, revealing the layers of scars on his wrists.Liu Yanzhao's face showed shock, and just about to ask in detail, Zhang Jingche turned the subject lightly: "Your Highness must have read the secret letter that I sent back to Beijing?"

As soon as this remark came out, not only Liu Yanzhao was interrupted, but even Yang Fan seemed to be concerned.

Liu Yanzhao sighed, so he had to take a break from looking after his wound for the time being.

"I see," the crown prince took his seat on the main seat, accompanied by Xu Qian who had just returned from Beijing, "Ming Huang, you really lost a hot potato to Gu."

Yang Fan looked left and right, and saw that the people guarding all around were the confidantes of the Eastern Palace, so he asked in a low voice: "Is it really Your Highness?"

Liu Yanzhao nodded with a wry smile.

"This elder brother is very talented, but it's a pity that he doesn't use it in the right way, and always wants to use some opportunistic means." At this point, the prince paused, probably because he felt that it was ungentlemanly to praise and criticize his elder brother behind his back, so he had to rush to Xu Qian winked.

Xu Qian understood, and took over the words: "The two of you don't know. His Highness has coveted the military power in Northern Xinjiang for a long time. Long before the holy decree, he encouraged his subordinates to go up and take the military power into his arms. Your Majesty did not As he wished, he urged Shandong's chief envoy to withhold rations and postpone the time, just to see Marquis Yang lose a big battle, so as to encourage His Majesty to change generals!"

The eldest prince was titled "King Ping", and Shandong was his fiefdom, and it was also one of the important granaries of the dynasty.

Even though Yang Fan had been prepared for a long time, he was also so angry that his veins twitched violently at the way the eldest prince harmed the country and the people.He held his breath, and asked again: "The loyal and brave General Bo Duan is full of people..."

The crown prince and Xu Qian looked at each other, and Xu Qian said in a low voice: "Master Hou, in my opinion, it is better not to hand over this paperwork."

Xu Qian was a Tanhua in the 20th year of Taiping. He is currently a doctor of the official department and a confidant member of the Donggong Party.Yang Fan was always polite to him, but at this moment he was a little impatient: "Why? General Duan is full of loyalty, but was framed by traitors, why can't he be revealed to the world?"

Xu Qian smiled wryly, "Who is that traitor?"

Yang Fan was taken aback for a moment, remembering Zhang Jingche's words of "unrequited love", and immediately fell silent.

"Yang Hou grew up in the palace, so he must know His Majesty's temper very well. Although General Duan was framed, it was His Majesty who made the order to question the crime!" Xu Qian said seriously, "Master Hou thinks carefully, this If you hand over the booklet, what is your majesty's face? King Ping's faction is still staring at your majesty!"

Yang Fan understood what he meant, and compared to overturning the case of Zhongyong Boman, Donggong Daye was the top priority.If he presented the evidence of the crime to the imperial court, in all likelihood, he would not be able to touch Prince Ping at all, and would instead make the East Palace lose the old emperor's sacred heart.

If the foundation of the East Palace is not stable, it would be impossible to reverse the case for Uncle Zhongyong!

It's not that Yang Fan doesn't understand the pros and cons, but he still feels his chest choked up when he thinks of the blood on the ground when the uncle's mansion was raided.

Just at this time, the eunuchs in the East Palace were replaced with new tea, so Xu Qian took advantage of the opportunity to change the topic.Yang Fan was full of melancholy, listening to Liu Yanzhao and Xu Qian discussing how to use the "collaboration with the enemy" to make a fuss, but his mind was a little absent-minded.

After finally finishing the discussion, Yang Fan resigned and was about to go back home when Liu Yanzhao suddenly said, "Minghuang, please stay here."

Yang Fan's heart trembled, he exchanged an indescribable look with Xu Qian, and quietly retreated out.

Zhang Jingche turned around and looked at Liu Yanzhao expressionlessly. In the prince's eyes, that indifferent look was a vivid "unspeakable grievance".

Liu Yanzhao took Zhang Jingche away from the death row four years ago. This person is from the south of the Yangtze River, and he looks like a romantic and handsome figure from a water town, but he has a treacherous mind and a cruel method. The crown prince named Guangfeng Jiyue is very displeased. The so-called "addicted to masculinity" "Singing and singing every night", most of them are rumors spread by people with bad mouths.

It's just that this time, Zhang Jingche was in danger in Beiledielian, and almost lost his life. It can be said that he devoted himself to the country and the people.Thinking of this, Liu Yanzhao couldn't help but soften his heart.

"After all, I am still young, and I am too impulsive to do things. It is understandable for me to go astray for a while. Fortunately, I still have a family and country in my heart, so I just teach it slowly," Liu Yanzhao thought, "He has made great achievements this time, and it is time for him Bring back Ping Wang Litong's evidence of foreign crimes, and Mr. Gu will not wrong him."

Thinking about it this way, his expression softened a bit, and he said softly: "I heard that just now, the queen mother called you, why?"

Zhang Jingche took a deep breath, pinched his wrist tightly with his fingertips, and suppressed the tormenting resentment in his heart: "It's nothing... just mentioned the matter of His Royal Highness's wedding."

Liu Yanzhao carefully looked at his face, and discerned a trace of repressed and deep resentment from the man's drooping eyebrows and eyes.He didn't know why at first, but when he recalled the gossiping rumors of the underlings, he suddenly understood something.

"For the sake of loneliness?" He was stunned and thought incredulously, "No wonder he took the risk and rushed to Beile alone. It's also no wonder that his face has been sour after hearing the news of the wedding...... Gu has done so much, I just thought he was looking for a future, I didn't expect him to have such a daydream in his heart!"

If Zhang Jingche knew what the crown prince was thinking at this moment, he would be ridiculed and ridiculed. Unfortunately, although he was meticulous, he did not have the ability to read people's hearts. Said, they know well, please rest assured His Highness. It's just that Prince Ping is the flesh and blood of today, how the court should deal with it, His Highness has to prepare early."

Liu Yanzhao had mixed feelings in his heart. For a moment, he felt that this person had devoted himself to this matter for his own sake, which showed the deep friendship.For a moment, I was startled by this feeling that went against the norms of the world, and I didn't know how to respond.

It can be seen that people's hearts are weak, and there are mountains and rivers that are difficult to cross and rivers to pass.

In the evening of the same day, the assassin who was sent to the imperial prison couldn't bear the punishment, so he confessed everything about the mastermind behind the scenes.The confession was sent to the palace. In the early morning of the next day, Emperor Taiping issued a decree to hold a grand court meeting. A group of civil and military officials were dug out from the bed. They were still sleepy and didn't realize what was going on.

Yang Fan had just returned to the imperial court, Emperor Taiping sympathized with his hard work and allowed him to rest and take a bath at home.Zhang Jingche has limited grades, so he doesn't have to wake up early and be greedy late like the princes of the court.Early this morning, he brought Han Xun to the imperial prison, and as soon as he entered the gate, he bumped into Lu Xiang, the commander of Jin Yiwei.

If the Youyunwei founded by Zhang Jingche is a spy organization, then Jinyiwei is the largest and most powerful spy organization in the country.Even if the rank of Jin Yiwei's commander is not high, no one dares to underestimate him.

Lu Xiang has been in charge of Jinyiwei for many years, and won the trust of Emperor Taiping because of his neutrality and independence from both sides.Seeing Zhang Jingche, the Jinyiwei acquaintance who turned out to be born out of nowhere, he didn't give him a particularly high look, and he didn't deliberately make things difficult. He just said in a business-like way: "Since you have joined Jinyiwei, no matter what you have done before, you will be your brother in the future. Support each other and join hands to serve His Majesty."

These are all the questions that should be included in the question, Zhang Jingche did not say a word, and answered them one by one while walking with him.Along the way, he noticed that many eyes were fixed on him, pointing and pointing, like watching a western scene.

When passing through the courtyard, Zhang Jingche suddenly heard a burst of shouting and cursing. When he looked up, he saw a thin middle-aged man dragged towards the execution room by two tall and burly guards in brocade clothes.Now it's just February, and the capital is still freezing cold. The middle-aged man only wears a middle coat, and the fabric is stained with blood.

Zhang Jingche frowned slightly, and then he heard Lu Xiang casually say: "That's Guo Chen, the right minister of the household department. Throwing it aside, you can't blame others for being reduced to such a situation."

Zhang Jingche heard that there was something in his words, so he bowed his head and didn't answer.

Lu Xiang said again: "No matter who you were before, and no matter what kindness others have done to you, once you enter the Jinyiwei, you are a knife and a dog of the Holy One. If you can't see your identity clearly, then don't This life is gone."

Zhang Jingche was silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "My lord taught me, I'll take note of my humiliation."

In the middle of the journey, suddenly a Jinyi guard came in a hurry. He only said that he was summoned today, and ordered Lu Xiang to meet him quickly.Zhang Jingche understood it as soon as he heard it. Most likely in the early court, there were rumors that officials were impeaching King Ping's faction. Whether Emperor Taiping was genuinely angry or just put it off, he would order Jin Yiwei to investigate thoroughly.

He sent Lu Xiang away respectfully, and stood there for a while.The general flag leading the way was a little apprehensive, and asked tentatively, "My friend, do you still go to the stall?"

Zhang Jingche thought for a while: "Take me to the execution room."

There are quite a few criminal investigation and supervision agencies in the Beijing Central Division, but the three legal divisions are not as notorious as the Imperial Prison.Entering the torture room, a damp and foul smell rushed towards him, and the whip whipped on the flesh, making a sharp sound.

Zhang Jingche's footsteps paused slightly, and the hem of his clothes brushed against the corner, stained with an inconspicuous brown stain.Han Xun, who followed closely behind, said in a low voice: "My lord, your injury is still not recovered. Since the emperor Long En, I wish you to rest for a few more days, why not..."

Zhang Jingche raised his palm, and Han Xun's voice stopped abruptly.

Zhang Jingche walked forward calmly with his hands behind his back. A figure like a blood gourd was hanging on the torture rack. The five beautiful beards that were praised in the past were dirty and knotted, and became a handful of dried sorghum beards.Jin Yiwei, who was carrying a whip, didn't know Zhang Jingche, but seeing that he was wearing a flying fish suit, he knew that this person was of extraordinary rank: "This... my lord, is he new here today?"

Zhang Jingche didn't answer, and smiled at him with a good temper: "This one, must be Mr. Guo Chen, Mr. Guo, who was in charge of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, right?"

Jin Yiwei was uncertain about the temper of this newly promoted "adult", so he didn't dare to show courteousness casually, so he answered "yes" politely.

Zhang Jingche walked around the blood stains on the floor, and showed his right hand that was tucked in his sleeve. He held a bamboo fracture fan with his fingers, and calmly raised the blood gourd's chin.

The former adult who was beaten so badly suddenly opened his mouth, and spit out a mouthful of bloody phlegm!

Zhang Jingche had been on guard for a long time, and turned his head to avoid Han Xun's exclamation, only to hear the inhuman blood gourd hiss and shout: "The thing that is soft and flattering, it's not a big deal for you to kill me, if the people in the south of the Yangtze River are displaced, The family is ruined, but you can bear the responsibility of this crime!"

Zhang Jingche frowned deeply: "What did you say?"

The author has something to say:

This is how misunderstandings arise...