All Heavens: From Joy of Life to The Great Feng Night Watchman

Page 158

As dawn broke in the capital, the bloodstains on the streets had been cleaned up, and the fire at the Zhenfu Division had been completely extinguished.

The entire capital city was in an uproar. Overnight, the two most powerful people in the Qi Kingdom had both fallen!

Inside the post station.

Fan Xian was also shocked by what happened last night. The situation in Qi Kingdom changed so suddenly!

Shen Zhong, who was swaggering in front of Uesugi Tiger yesterday, was killed by Uesugi Tiger last night!

The dignified Zhenfusi Yamen was actually breached and then burned down!

Moreover, all of these things were actually done by the people of Northern Qi themselves!

"Zongzhui, do you think our Supervisory Council is also hated by many people?"

"If something unexpected happens in the future, will we be besieged like this?"

Zong Zhui grinned, thought for a long time, and then uttered two words, "Hard to say!"

"Whether it's the Embroidered Uniform Guard or the Surveillance Bureau, they must report directly to the Emperor. With that person in the palace protecting them, no one dares to go too far."

"What happened last night is definitely related to that young emperor in the Northern Qi palace."

"Moreover... when I returned last night, I discovered that His Highness Prince Yong's Shadow Guards were making unusual movements, and the Embroidered Uniform Guards around were all gone."

Fan Xian's eyes widened. "What! You're saying that His Highness Prince Yong was involved in last night's events?"

Zong Zhui explained meticulously, "Think about it, if it were an internal strife in Northern Qi, why would Shang Shanhu and the Emperor's faction want to kill Shen Zhong and burn down the Zhenfusi government office?"

"By burning down the Northern Qi Garrison Command, the biggest beneficiary would be Daqing."

"Moreover, during last night's riots, many ordinary people went out with their faces covered, seeking revenge for any wrongs they had!"

"The Shadow Guards are all experts. Once they're dressed in night clothes, who knows whose people they are!"

Fan Xian clicked his tongue in amazement, "Prince Yong, you're really ruthless!"

"Give the order that anyone who noticed anything unusual last night must not make a sound."

Zong Zhui nodded. "Of course."

Fan Xian continued, "Miss Shen has suffered a great misfortune, so let's not ask her about Yan Bingyun for now."

"With such a big incident involving the Embroidered Uniform Guard, if we investigate carefully, we should be able to find Yan Bingyun."

Zhuang Mohan Mansion.

At Zhuang Mohan's invitation, Li Chang'an finally managed to find some time today to visit the Zhuang residence.

Even if Zhan Doudou didn't make a deal with him, Li Chang'an would still have to deal with Shen Zhong and Shangshan Hu.

Now that he has exceeded his expectations, Li Chang'an can focus on preparing for the poetry gathering.

This morning, Li Chang'an had already instructed Wang Qinian to tell Zhao Gao about the destruction of the Zhenfusi Yamen.

It's time for the Western Qin to prepare for war. Taking advantage of the Northern Qi's weakness in intelligence, they can quickly occupy a province!

Li Chang'an and Zhuang Mohan chatted while playing chess.

"Mr. Zhuang, if I may be so bold, it would be better if Mr. Xiao's remains were taken by his subordinates."

"Look at these past few days, Shen Zhong has been so obsessed with tormenting Shang Shanhu that he hasn't even spared the dead."

Zhuang Mohan nodded and sighed, "His subordinates were very loyal to him. They should be able to find a secluded place to bury him, and I can rest assured."

"I thought I could let Xiao En return to Northern Qi to live out his old age in peace, but now it seems that I was too naive."

Li Chang'an also felt that Zhuang Mohan's idea was a bit too naive.

"With Mr. Xiao's abilities, how could he possibly enjoy his old age in peace? Even if he wanted to, his opponents wouldn't allow it."

"Mr. Zhuang, this is what they call being caught in the web of life, unable to control one's own destiny!"

Zhuang Mohan gave a bitter smile and said, "Indeed, I had no choice in the matter..."

"I never imagined that Your Highness would encounter such a great upheaval in Qi, the likes of which have not been seen in more than a decade, upon your arrival in Qi!"

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, there has never been such a great upheaval in the court, with two important ministers falling from power on the same day."

Zhuang Mohan sighed for a while, then said somewhat dejectedly, "Sean is gone, and I'm afraid my days are numbered."

"I've always felt that His Highness Prince Yong's talent is understated, and he always seems to hold back when composing poetry."

"Whenever his talent is displayed, he immediately reins it in, which always makes people feel that it is intentional."

Laozi and Zhuangzi were indeed great literary figures; they could sense things that could only be understood intuitively and not explained in words.

The poems he copied over the years were mostly gentle and elegant, with few being passionate and stirring.

There are many famous and beautiful lines, but none of them are timeless masterpieces.

Ultimately, it's because they don't want their ambitions to be expressed through poetry.

And the timeless masterpieces throughout history are all filled with lofty aspirations and heroic sentiments.

However, this taboo no longer exists.

Ever since Li Chang'an gained the strength to fight a Grandmaster, he has stopped restraining himself in his actions.

With sufficient strength, and when it is out in the open, it is often the opponent who is passive.

"Master Zhuang, I have a feeling that my talent might not be able to be contained at this poetry gathering."

Upon hearing Li Chang'an's words, Zhuang Mohan stroked his beard and laughed, saying, "If it could be so, I would die without regret!"

In the palace.

Zhan Doudou irritably threw the memorial in her hand onto the table, then coughed twice.

Begonia, who was guarding the little emperor, took a grape and put it in her mouth, but didn't say a word.

Ever since Li Chang'an came to the capital, the youngest daughter of the young emperor has become increasingly scheming.

Who are you trying to impress by throwing this? You just want me to ask, "What's wrong with His Majesty?"

This holy maiden will deliberately not ask, just to make you anxious.

"Junior Aunt, you said Li Chang'an has finished his business, why hasn't he come to report to me?"

Haitang shook her head helplessly. Oh no, the little emperor is already talking about Li Chang'an.

A strong woman will only show her girlish side when she cares about a man.

"Your Majesty, they are not subjects of Northern Qi, and this is a transaction between you."

He's not doing things your way, so why should he repay you?

"You two agreed to kill Shen Zhong, so how can you just bring that up casually? Once he's done it, you can just keep quiet about it."

"You should no longer obstruct the marriage of the eldest princess; the deal is now complete."

Zhan Doudou stared blankly at the door, a sense of loss welling up inside her.

"Is Li Chang'an leaving after attending the poetry gathering?"

Haitang Duoduo pouted and said, "Yes, the Princess will also go to Nanqing, and they will get married in half a year."

"From now on, Your Majesty will never see Li Chang'an again in this lifetime."

Haitang thought to herself, "It's better if you don't see him. Li Chang'an is too cunning and has no good intentions."

Zhan Doudou's mind was in turmoil, and she felt inexplicably irritable.

"Haitang, I wish to personally attend the Yunmen Poetry Gathering!"

Haitang wasn't surprised at all, and without even raising her eyelids, she said, "If I'm going to participate, then I'll participate."

Zhan Doudou said, "The poetry gathering is organized by the teacher, and the teacher can't attend many more poetry gatherings, so I must go this time."

Haitang secretly praised, "What a great reason!"

But you're not a famous poet, and even emperors aren't necessarily good at writing poetry. Whether you go or not, Zhuangzi doesn't care.

"Your Majesty is truly devoted to filial piety! I, the Holy Maiden, am truly ashamed!"

Zhan Doudou looked solemnly at Haitang Duoduo, "Little Martial Aunt, you understand me the most!"

A few days later, in the Imperial Study of Nanqing.

Chen Pingping excitedly took the intelligence from Northern Qi and handed it to Emperor Qing.

"Your Majesty, I am so happy!"

"The Northern Qi's Zhenfu Division has been burned down!"

"Shang Shanhu, a famous general of the Northern Qi Dynasty, is sentenced to death!"

"Shen Zhong, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has almost his entire family wiped out!"

Emperor Qing put down the gleaming arrowhead in his hand, then picked up Chen Pingping's memorial and began to read it carefully.

"Oh! So that's what it is. That's quite a large-scale operation!"

Chen Pingping asked doubtfully, "Your Majesty, these matters should be related to Prince Yong, right?"

"He has accomplished his task; there should be a secret report submitted to His Majesty for this old minister to review!"

Emperor Qing looked at Chen Pingping's hungry eyes and showed an impatient expression.