The impact of the Qingfeng Street assassination continues to ferment, and the capital is filled with a tense atmosphere.

Li Duan dispatched a group of capable officials, with Xue Nanting, the right minister, in charge of the general charge, and Xu Zuo as his deputy in the imperial history, to conduct a detailed investigation of the various departments of the Beijing army headed by the Privy Council, focusing on the origin of the standard bows and crossbows that appeared at the scene of the assassination.

This was the first large-scale thorough investigation of the Beijing army in the imperial court in 14 years, and although Guo Congyi and Wang Yan were very reluctant, they had no confidence to oppose it in the face of the Son of Heaven, who gradually withdrew his authority and had absolute reasons.

After all, the assassination of the real power of the prince and the commander of the Beijing camp on the street is really appalling, and it is an ironclad fact that someone in the army is involved.

If we ignore the chaos during the fall of Heluocheng, the Great Qi has been established for more than 160 years, and the court struggle has been controlled within a relatively moderate range. Those courtiers who were defeated in the power struggle were at most degraded out of Beijing, and their opponents would not be wiped out, let alone use this method of assassination in the streets.

Once this opening is torn open, the imperial court cannot punish it in time, and it is conceivable what kind of terrible situation the court of Daqi will fall into in the future.

At that time, everyone will follow this method, and the court struggle will be completely free from the restrictions of the rules, and it will often be a sword and a soldier, or it will not be long before it will evolve into an even more tragic fight.

This is the reason why Guo Congyi and others knew that the Son of Heaven would take this opportunity to further interfere in the internal affairs of the Beijing army, and they had to accept it silently. After all, it is a fact that Lu Shen was assassinated, and it is also a fact that there are standard bows and crossbows in the army on Qingfeng Street, if they dare to disagree on this matter, they will inevitably become the public enemies of the Manchu civil and military forces.

On the other side, the Warp Weaving Division raised Qin Zheng to personally take action, mobilized the elite forces in the capital, took the six corpses handed over to him by Lu Shen as clues, and through a large number of investigations in the capital, as well as the search of the green-skinned scoundrels in the city, he gradually found out a lot of information about these six people, and approached the real murderer behind the scenes step by step.

The mountain rain is about to come, and the wind is full of buildings, but Lu Shen, who is in the middle of the storm, seems to have suddenly become an idler.

Lu Shen was not involved in either the investigation of the Beijing army or the search for the identity of the assassins, and he stayed in the Hou Mansion without leaving the door, while deniing all visitors to the house.

But there was one person he couldn't refuse.

Early the next morning, outside the Imperial Palace and Ning Gate.

Lu Shen stepped out of the carriage, looked at Lin Xi who came down later, and said warmly: "Senior sister, why don't you go back to the house first, I may have to stay in the palace for a while, and now that there are more than 100 personal soldiers with me, there should be no danger." ”

Lin Xi shook his head lightly and said softly, "I'll wait for you here." ”

Looking at her firm gaze, Lu Shen didn't persuade again, nodded and said, "Okay." ”

He turned and walked towards the majestic palace.

The great eunuch Lu Shizhou led the way, only to see his upper body leaning forward slightly, and said respectfully: "I heard that Lu Hou was assassinated that day, the slave and maid were very worried and worried, fortunately Lu Hou is safe and worry-free, this is God bless Daqi and Your Majesty." In fact, His Majesty had long wanted to summon Lu Hou into the palace, but everything was complicated in the past few days, so he let Lu Hou recuperate in the palace for a period of time. ”

In fact, it is not suitable for him to say these words in his capacity, but Lu Shen understands that this is the Son of Heaven borrowing his mouth to pave the way for the later meeting of monarchs and ministers.

Lu Shen said calmly: "Thank you for your concern. ”

Lu Shizhou became more and more careless and said: "How dare you, how dare you." ”

He realized that Lu Shen was reluctant to say more, and he had already conveyed the instructions of the Son of Heaven, so he honestly closed his mouth and led the way.

In the past six months, Lu Shen often went in and out of the palace, and was quite familiar with the internal terrain and architecture, only to see Lu Shizhou take him around the three major halls of the previous dynasty, but did not go directly to the harem, but turned to the southeast.

A moment later, the cloud viewing platform that occupied the commanding heights of the palace appeared in Lu Shen's eyes.

He looked up and saw a thin middle-aged man standing next to the second floor.

Lu Shizhou stopped, bowed his head sideways and said, "Lu Hou, please." ”

Lu Shen bowed slightly, and then slowly walked up.

The morning sun shines on the earth, and the blue sky is cloudless.

Lu Shen came behind the middle-aged man, bowed and saluted, "Minister Lu Shen, see Your Majesty." ”

"Flat."

Li Duan turned to face this young courtier who had high hopes for him, looked at the calm look on his face, and said slowly: "I didn't know in advance that someone would be so bold to assassinate you on the street, and I didn't deliberately delay the speed of rescue when the incident happened. ”

He didn't drag his feet in the slightest, and his opening remarks went straight to the point.

After the assassination broke out three days ago, Lu Shen refused Qin Zheng's proposal to let him enter the palace to face the saint, at first Li Duan thought that this was a manifestation of his anger and insanity, and he had to hurry up to arrange the arrangements in the court, so he simply let Lu Shen recuperate in the mansion.

However, three days passed, and Lu Shen never took the initiative to enter the palace to ask for a meeting, and Li Duan soon realized that there must be something strange in it.

For this emperor, who had fought with the Jiangnan Gate Lords for fourteen years and gradually gained an advantage, it was not particularly difficult to infer Lu Shen's thoughts, so he did not let suspicion become the keynote between the monarch and the ministers, and immediately sent someone to the Shanyang Marquis Mansion to deliver the decree and ordered Lu Shen to enter the palace to meet him.

Lu Shen raised his head and looked into the eyes of the Son of Heaven.

Li Duan continued: "Most of the competent people of the Warp Weaving Division have left Beijing before, and both Chengdu and Taiping Prefecture need capable forces to do things, you know all of these situations, and I said to Qin Zheng that the Warp Weaving Department must not plant nails around you, so as not to cause misunderstandings. From the time Qin Zheng learned about what happened on Qingfeng Street to the time he sent Wen Yingzhang to bring people there, it would have taken a certain amount of time. If Qin Zheng had come first to ask me for instructions and then send someone to go, you should have known that Wen Yingzhang would definitely arrive later. ”

A complex emotion surged in Lu Shen's heart.

He suddenly understood why the Son of Heaven was able to turn the situation around little by little in fourteen years, and this kind and honest attitude alone was enough to make people's hearts broken.

Moreover, a king is willing to explain so clearly to his courtiers, this is a rare move, no wonder Xue Nanting and Liu Shouguang and other important ministers are loyal.

"Your Majesty, the minister did not dare to deceive in front of the emperor, and the minister did have a similar idea in his heart that day. The minister thought that His Majesty intended to let there be more bloodshed and casualties on Qingfeng Street, so that this matter could be made big and reach the level that no one dared to show favoritism. ”

Lu Shen was honest as usual, and did not hide his true thoughts, and then said: "However, the minister quickly understood that His Majesty would not do this, because the situation at that time was indeed very dangerous, and His Majesty was in the palace and was not absolutely sure that the minister would survive. ”

He didn't say it too directly, but Li Duan could understand the deep meaning, at least in the current situation, Lu Shen's life was far more valuable than his death.

He believed that the Son of Heaven would not do such stupid things because of small mistakes.

As soon as he thought of this, a faint smile finally appeared on Li Duan's face, and he asked with interest: "In that case, why are you refusing to enter the palace these days?" You are no stranger to the doorway of investigating the case, not to mention that this matter is related to you. ”

Lu Shen responded: "Your Majesty, in fact, in the final analysis, the minister is just a martial artist. ”

Li Duan was slightly stunned.

Lu Shen said sincerely: "Before this assassination, even if the minister did not like the intrigue in the court, he was still willing to follow the rules, otherwise he would live up to His Majesty's trust and love for the minister. But this time it was different, the six personal soldiers died for the ministers, and they were not sacrificed on the battlefield on the frontier, but fell in a pool of blood of the Qi people killing each other. The minister knows that His Majesty has not been easy in these years, and he has made compromises again and again, and has moved forward in a roundabout way again and again, full of countless compromises and concessions. ”

Li Duan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "Go on." ”

Lu Shen thought about it, and finally decided to save some words in his heart, and said concisely: "The minister has only one wish, and that is that the mastermind behind this assassination case should pay a sufficient price. ”

It stands to reason that this wish is not excessive, and at least for now, he is firmly on the side of the Son of Heaven, who should allow him to let out this evil breath.

However, Li Duan became silent.

On the cloud viewing platform, the morning breeze brings a cool atmosphere, but the mood of the monarch and the minister cannot be relaxed.

Li Duan looked at the buildings in the distance and said slowly: "If such a case involves a certain prince, what do you want me to do?" ”

When Lu Shen first entered Beijing, Li Duan's attitude towards him was already very friendly, but at that time, it was mainly because of Xiao Wangzhi's existence.

Li Duan wanted to use Lu Shen's relationship to further entrap the governor of Huaizhou, and the relationship between the monarch and the minister warmed up when Lu Shen returned to Beijing a few months ago.

Li Duan needs a knife that is sharp and hard enough, Lu Shen hopes that his influence can reach the center, and the two of them can be said to hit it off, as for the rumors of Lu Shen's life experience, Li Duan made him a straw ash in the pile of old papers in a few words.

With the tacit cooperation again and again, the trust between them gradually deepened, especially some time ago, Li Duan stood up for Lu Shen in the court to shock the ministers, and later said something suspicious of Tuogu, which made Lu Shen have a great impression of the emperor.

But how can things be done in the world?

Now there is a thorny problem in front of Lu Shen.

He pondered for a moment and said calmly: "Your Majesty, the prince is guilty of the same crime as the common people. ”

This sentence seems to carry childish emotions, I am afraid that few people in this world will really believe this truth, but Li Duan did not refute or ridicule, he said softly: "I only have three sons. ”

Lu was silent.

In fact, the fact that the Son of Heaven can say this sentence is enough to prove that he attaches great importance to Lu Shen, after all, this world is the most important and often two words, how can there be a reason for a king to bow his head to his ministers?

After a long time, Li Duan said with a solemn expression: "Lu Shen, I hope that you can become the auxiliary minister of the new monarch in the future and become the mainstay of Great Qi. You are different from other ministers, you naturally have a straight and upright spirit, so I treat you differently from others. With so many important ministers in the court, I have never been so concerned about them, and I hope you can understand my suffering. ”

Lu Shen lowered his head and said, "Your Majesty, the minister can't afford it." ”

Li Duan shook his head, raised his hand and pressed it on the trunk, his tone was slightly solemn: "If one of my sons is really involved in the assassination of Qingfeng Street, I will make him pay enough price in addition to his life." ”

After all, he is not the kind of ruthless and cold-blooded person, of course, there is also a very important reason for this, Lu Shen is safe and sound, and the court situation has not been too shaken.

Lu Shen's heart is like a mirror, and when the Son of Heaven talks about this, he has no room to resist, so he bowed his hand and said, "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace." ”

Later, Li Duan looked at Lu Shen's distant back and couldn't help but sigh lightly.

A sound of footsteps sounded, and Qin Zheng came behind the Son of Heaven and said respectfully, "Your Majesty." ”

Li Duan didn't look back, and said lightly: "Speak." ”

Qin Zheng said unhurriedly, telling the clues found by the Warp Weaving Division and his analysis.

After listening to this, Li Duan was noncommittal and asked, "They still have no signs of entering the palace?" ”

Qin Zheng understood that the Son of Heaven was referring to the three princes, so he replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. ”

Li Duan slowly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, there was no trace of melancholy in his eyes, only the coldness and majesty of a Ninety-Five Venerable.

He looked at the palace bathed in bright sunlight and said, "Let's start." ”

Qin Zheng bowed and said calmly, "Yes, Your Majesty." ”

(End of chapter)