I am a prince in Zhutian Films

Chapter 131 Li Chengzong Returns to Beijing

At the beginning of autumn, the plains outside the southern border of Qing Kingdom's capital were filled with a strong smell of burning and a sickening smell of blood.

The people in the southern border of Qing Kingdom who were working in the fields did not care about the smell floating from the plains. What they cared about was the dark cloud above their heads. They only wanted to harvest the golden crops in the fields before the rain clouds came from the horizon.

I heard that there was a drought in the southeast of the country this year, but there was more rain in their southern border. Although there has been a war in the southern border since last year, for the people of Qing State living in the southern border, they have been on the battlefield of Xihu since the beginning of the war, and it has not affected them. The strength of Qing State has made them never worry about Xihu crossing the border. Compared with the war between the two countries, they are more worried that these damn rains will delay the year's harvest.

Occasionally, a few fat field mice would fearlessly pass under the farmers' feet, snatching the grains scattered in the fields from the children. The farmers were too lazy to deal with these pests with their sickles, and just concentrated on harvesting the grains. However, the half-grown boys in the fields were very noisy, chasing the field mice all over the ground. For ordinary people, these were a rare meal of meat.

In a vast expanse of rice fields on both sides of the official road, the rustling sounds of rice being cut and the laughter of children in the fields gradually merged into one, forming a neat and beautiful sound that gave the listeners a sense of satisfaction.

Suddenly, the ground shook without warning, startling the naked-chested farmers in the fields, as well as the children who were picking up ears of grain and catching mice in the fields. They subconsciously looked up in the direction of the shaking.

On the official road, I saw a long team that seemed to have no end, riding horses towards us, raising a cloud of flying dust. I could vaguely see that they were all Hu people.

"The Hu people are coming!"

"The Western Hu people are invading!"

"..."

Urgent shouts were heard one after another, and the farmers no longer cared about the crops in the fields. They picked up their children and ran away.

Of course, there were also brave farmers who took sickles and prepared to attack the Hu people who had crossed the border.

This is the bravery that is ingrained in the bones of the Qing people. They dare to fight to the death even when facing a large army.

Teams of yamen runners came hurriedly, shouting into wooden loudspeakers.

"His Royal Highness Prince Ding of our dynasty captured 50,000 soldiers, and we celebrate for a long time!"

"His Royal Highness Prince Ding of our dynasty captured 50,000 soldiers, and we celebrate for a long time!"

"..."

The repeated shouts made the people excited. Although they were puzzled as to how the dead Third Prince came back to life, compared with this, capturing 50,000 Hu troops was obviously more important.

Of course, what made them more excited than capturing 50,000 troops was that the legendary Third Prince, considering the difficult life of the people living in the border areas, would distribute the captured cattle and sheep to them on the spot.

As a result, the people of the three counties near the border were completely immersed in a sea of ​​joy.

Then, the news of Emperor Qing's death reached the ears of the people in the southern border.

The people in the southern border did not care about this news. After all, there was news about the death of the third prince before. It was estimated that the news from Kyoto was just fake news.

Li Chengzong didn't care about the news that Emperor Qing died in Dadong Mountain.

Although he didn't know why his emperor father postponed the Dadongshan Incident for a year, he knew that the Dadongshan Incident was planned by Emperor Qing.

As a result, within two days, the personal guards of Prince Ding's mansion found him, and he was completely stunned.

I never expected that the news was actually true.

His father actually lost his life!

Li Chengzong, who had originally planned to continue wandering around the southern border, had no choice but to leave the southern border with part of the army he had recovered in the west and head towards Kyoto.

……

……

The capital of Qing Kingdom was dressed in white mourning.

Those patches of white were like a heavy snowfall in September. Snowflakes were scattered all over Kyoto City, on the streets and in the houses. There were white cloth, white paper, and white lanterns.

The entire Kyoto was covered in white, making people feel extremely clean. It was so clean that the people's sadness and crying were suppressed in their lungs, for fear of disturbing the saddest day in Qing Kingdom in more than 20 years.

The news of Emperor Qing's death could not be kept secret forever, especially when speculation among the public was intensifying. The empress dowager acted decisively and released the obituary that was enough to shock the world without waiting for the final investigation results of the three courts.

The people of Kyoto Prefecture were actually mentally prepared for the death of Emperor Qing, but they were still greatly shocked when they received confirmation from the court and saw the white lanterns hanging on the corner tower of the imperial city.

People are often like this. Only when a person dies will they remember his good points. No matter what kind of person that Majesty was, at least during the more than 20 years that he ruled Qing, the days of the people of Qing were the happiest in history, especially the people of Kyoto Prefecture.

Therefore, Kyoto was filled with sorrow all night.

Emperor Qing died of illness in Mount Dadong. This is the truth that the court told the people of Qing. As for the real truth, even most of the powerful people in Kyoto Prefecture do not know it, and perhaps the truth will never be revealed.

Emperor Qing's body had not yet been transported to Kyoto, and the day of national mourning had not yet arrived, but Kyoto had already become a world of white. Whether it was court officials or ordinary people, in addition to grief, they were mostly in a state of panic.

Although Emperor Qing has not made any shocking moves over the years and seems rather mediocre, the deceased is, after all, the Emperor of Qing and the spiritual core of the entire country.

After getting used to being sad, many people began to feel absurd. How could the emperor, who was so brilliant and could be called the world's number one military god and had the great ambition to unify the world, die quietly of illness in Dadong Mountain?
It’s not that they can’t accept Emperor Qing’s death, but many people can’t accept that the emperor died of illness.

This way of dying is weird no matter how you think about it.

Someone is trying to murder Your Majesty!

This is the conclusion reached by the people and officials.

As for who plotted to murder His Majesty, they don't really care. What they care more about is the sudden death of Emperor Qing. What will greet the Kingdom of Qing?
Is it a collapse after the turmoil?
Or is it rebirth from the ashes after a smooth succession?

Because of the panic, everyone hoped for stability. When people's minds were at peace, everyone's eyes were cast on the dragon throne, eagerly hoping that Lord Fan or other princes would quickly sit on the chair and stabilize the government of Qing Kingdom.

The Crown Prince was naturally the first choice. Whether in terms of status, relationship with the Queen Mother, or the ministers' opinions, it was only natural that the Crown Prince would succeed to the throne. However, it was well known that the biggest purpose of His Majesty's visit to Mount Dadong to offer sacrifices to the Heaven was to depose the Crown Prince...

Some people thought of something, figured out something, but dared not say anything. Of course, there is another saying that the truth of Dadong Mountain is related to Master Xiao Fan. Some people believe it, while others do not.

But whether it is the crown prince or Lord Fan, it doesn’t really matter, because everyone knows that history books are written by the victors.

The ninth day of the tenth month, the eighth year of Emperor Qing’s reign.

The emperor's body was finally transported to Kyoto.

The ministers who entered the palace to mourn, looking at the Crown Prince weeping as he carried the coffin from afar, could not help but feel an immense chill and awe in their hearts, as if they saw a young Emperor reborn, crying beside the coffin.

so similar!
It’s not that they look alike, but that kind of shadow is too similar!
The Queen Mother sat at the door of the funeral hall, listening to the cries coming from behind the hall. Her brows wrinkled slightly, and a deep sorrow flashed in her eyes.

However, the old lady knew that now was not the time for her to indulge in grief. She had to hand over the Kingdom of Qing intact to the hands of His Majesty and someone she valued before she could truly rest.

Outside the palace gate, a brass basin was placed according to the old custom of the place where the Li royal family made their fortune. In the basin, paper money used by ordinary people was burning. The paper money gradually burned into ashes, as if foreshadowing the impermanence of life. No matter how glorious one is, it will eventually become a wisp of smoke and a handful of ash.

The entire palace was busy, busy in depression. In addition to being busy with the funeral of His Majesty the Emperor, they were also busy with a major event that would determine the future direction of the Qing Kingdom, which was who would sit on the chair in the Taiji Hall.

So compared to the Taiji Hall, the funeral hall seems a bit deserted.

The old lady withdrew her cloudy eyes from the coffin in the hall, looked at the old eunuch who was bowing beside her, and asked in a hoarse voice: "Where is the person?"

Eunuch Hou hunched over, suppressed the shock and grief in his heart, and replied softly: "The army has arrived outside the city, and Eunuch Hong has already left."

The grief was self-evident. Having served Emperor Qing for most of his life, there was naturally a master-servant relationship between him and the Emperor.

As for the shock, it was that the Third Prince had caused such a big commotion in Xihu and returned to Kyoto without a word.

I really can't imagine how many of His Majesty the Third Prince's men there are in the army and in the local areas? !

The key point is that a team of more than 3,000 people actually escaped the eyes and ears of the Supervisory Commission. This is terrifying.

The Queen Mother threw the little paper money left in her hand into the copper basin and said, "Order the imperial guards to seal off the palace. No one is allowed to enter or leave. You and Zhao Huai'en go to guard the palace gate outside the Taiji Hall."

Hong Zhu, who was standing beside Eunuch Hou, bowed in agreement and hurried downstairs.

Watching the paper money in the basin gradually burn out, the old lady's old and peaceful eyes flashed with murderous intent. She stood up and said to the eunuch Hou beside her: "Let's go, it's almost time, let's go to the Taiji Hall."

……

……

Outside the city, Yuantai camp.

Xie Su, the commander of the Kyoto garrison, was panicked.

There was no way. I just heard a report from my subordinates that a group of more than 3,000 Hu people inexplicably appeared outside the city of Kyoto.

Of course, the three thousand Hu army was nothing to be afraid of. With the fighting power of the Hu people, he only needed to lead a thousand people to kill them all.

What really frightened him was that he appeared outside Kyoto for no apparent reason.

He hurriedly led his troops to the place where the Hu army gathered, only to find that these Hu people were very different from the Hu people they had met before.

Just from their marching appearance, it can be seen that this is a very powerful team.

That calm look gave him the illusion that he was facing the Blood-Clothed Army.

But even if this suddenly appearing Hu army is as strong as the Blood-Clothed Army, he, as the commander of the Kyoto garrison, will not be afraid. If the other party wants to enter the city, they must step over his body.

Just as Xie Su was about to give the order to charge, Zhang Xun, the commander of the Thirteen City Gate Divisions, came hurriedly with his troops and shouted from afar: "Your servant Zhang Xun, pays homage to His Highness the Third Prince." Before he finished his words, two figures walked out of the carriage one after the other.

The former was the deceased Third Prince Li Chengzong.

The latter is Hong Sixiang, the eunuch chief of the palace, also known as Eunuch Hong.

"Isn't the Third Prince dead?"

Xie Su murmured something, and quickly dismounted, bowing and saying, "General Xie Su, I pay my respects to the Third Prince."

"Xie Su, you're doing pretty well. I haven't seen you for over three years, and you've become the commander of the Kyoto garrison."

"It's all because of your Majesty's appreciation and the Marshal's support!"

Li Chengzong smiled and said, "The 3,000 cavalrymen in the rear are my guards. Find a large camp to house them. They are Hu people, but not Western Hu people. Tell the garrison not to cause unrest."

In fact, Xie Su could see it without Li Chengzong saying it. After all, those Hu people behind them were all blond-haired and blue-eyed. They were obviously not the same kind of Hu people as the Western Hu people. They should be more Western Hu people.

"Yes, Your Highness." Xie Su bowed and accepted the order. He was too lazy to find out how the Third Prince had brought the Hu people to Kyoto quietly. After all, they were the Third Prince's people, so he just had to treat them well.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhang Xun also came closer.

"Greetings to His Majesty the Third Prince."

"Commander Zhang, please don't be polite. I haven't seen you for a long time. How are you these days, Commander Zhang?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Everything is fine."

Li Chengzong hummed and asked, "Have the people gathered?"

"The army has been assembled, and we are just waiting for your order."

Hearing this, Xie Su was stunned.

"Third Prince, are you planning to seize the throne?"

It's no wonder Xie Su thought so. First there was the news of fake death, and now there's talk of gathering an army. Apart from seizing the throne, he really couldn't think of any other reason.

What puzzled him was that as the Queen Mother's favorite prince and with the support of the military, wouldn't the throne be surely in the pocket of this Third Prince?
Even his commander-in-chief, if he knew that the Third Prince was still alive, would probably change his previous decision and support the Third Prince. Is it necessary for him to lead an army to seize the throne?

Hearing Xie Su's question, Li Chengzong was stunned and said, "Do I need to seize the throne?"

Frankly speaking, if it weren't for the old man's last words, he really wouldn't have sat in that seat, but would have supported his younger brother Li Chengping to sit there.

Xie Su's heart instantly relaxed, and he asked in confusion: "Then why are you gathering the army?"

"Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

Li Chengzong smiled faintly, threw the token to the guard beside the carriage, and ordered: "Send a message to Li Junxin to seal off the Supervisory Office. No one is allowed to enter or leave without my order. Anyone who disobeys my order will be killed!"

“……” Xie Su felt numb again.

My God, that is the Supervisory Council, the one that is above the imperial court and that makes all officials of Qing Kingdom tremble in fear? !
Soldiers surrounding the Supervisory Council, if this is not a big deal, then what is a big deal?
Sure enough, this gentleman either does not move, or if he moves it is guaranteed to be an earth-shattering event.

The guards rode away in a hurry. Li Chengzong called a blond and blue-eyed burly man, gave him a few instructions, and then said two words lightly.

"Enter the city!"

……

The Blood-Clothed Army returning to Beijing from the northern border suddenly marched onto Tianhe Street, causing quite a stir in the city and attracting many brave people to follow.

The gate of the Supervisory Council, which was originally like a forbidden area, has attracted many people who came to watch the arrival of the Blood-Clothed Army.

Yan Ruohai, the former head of the Supervisory Council, brought a group of people from the Supervisory Council, drew out the sharp blades in their hands, and pointed them at the Blood-Clothed Army that was rushing over.

"General Li, what do you mean?" Yan Ruohai shouted coldly.

Li Junxin, who was riding on a horse and wearing armor, ignored him and shouted loudly: "The Third Prince has ordered that no one in the Supervisory Office is allowed to enter or leave. Anyone who violates the order will be killed without mercy. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

The killing of two people without mercy made everyone in the Supervisory Council dumbfounded. Before they could react, the soldiers who accompanied them took action and blocked the entire Supervisory Council.

At this time, Yan Bingyun, the nominal third person in the Supervisory Council, came out, cupped his hands and asked, "Your Highness the Third Prince has returned to the capital?"

Li Junxin nodded and said, "Master Yan, the master asked you to maintain order in the Supervisory Council. The master does not want to see unnecessary sacrifices, and I believe Master Yan does not want to see it either. After all, the people in the Supervisory Council will all be yours in the future."

Yan Bingyun was delighted, but then he became worried and asked, "Great Commander, how will the Third Prince deal with the dean?"

"How would I know? His Highness only told you to take care of the Overwatch Council. He will summon you after the palace affairs are settled."

Yan Bingyun sighed, clasped his fists again and said, "Thank you for your help, Grand Commander."

Before he finished speaking, a clear voice rang out.

With a "slap", Yan Ruohai slapped his son in the face.

"Rebellious son, how dare you rebel?!"

"Father, I never rebelled. It was Dean Chen who was the one who was rebellious."

There is nothing wrong with planning to assassinate the emperor and calling it treason.

Yan Ruohai did not participate in the assassination, but as smart as he was, he also guessed some of the truth, which he could not refute at all. After a long while, he sighed and said, "When did you surrender to the Third Prince?"

"Back when I was in the Imperial College."

Yan Ruohai was stunned.

If he remembered correctly, when he was in the Imperial College, the Third Prince was only five or six years old. At the age of five or six, he knew how to win people over and make them follow him loyally?
Also, since the Third Prince can win over his son, he can naturally win over other young men as well. So how many young men in Kyoto are the Third Prince's people?

terrible!
It's really scary!
However, compared to following Fan Xian, it is obviously more promising to follow the Third Prince.

Thinking of this, Yan Ruohai couldn't help but feel happy in his heart, but on the surface he remained cold: "Come in with me."

Not to mention the father and son of the Yan family, when the people around heard that Li Chengzong was still alive, they were stunned for a moment, and then happily spread the news.

For the people of Kyoto, if the candidates for succession were to be ranked in order, it would definitely be like this.

Fan Xian > Crown Prince > Eldest Prince > Second Prince > Fourth Prince.

Of course, this is when Li Chengzong is not around.

Now that Li Chengzong is still alive, he is definitely the first choice.

It’s not that Fan Xian is a bad person. They also know that Lord Fan has punished corrupt officials, and they applauded him. But official affairs are too far away from them after all, and are just topics of conversation after dinner.

Li Chengzong is different. Although he is no longer in Kyoto, no one has ever forgotten him, not only because of the sensation he once caused and his status as a grandmaster, but also because of the practical things that Dingwang Mansion has done for ordinary people over the years.

When it comes to treating illnesses and providing disaster relief, Prince Ding’s Mansion is always at the forefront.

Just from this point, it can be seen that the Third Prince cares about the people.

In short, with the propaganda of the people, the news that the third prince Li Chengzong was not dead and had returned to Kyoto quickly spread throughout the city of Kyoto.

Fan family.

Fan Xian and Fan Jian have both entered the palace, Fan Ruoruo and Fan Sizhe are in Northern Qi, and now there are only three mistresses left in the Fan Mansion: Liu Ruyu, Lin Wan'er and the pregnant Lu Sisi.

It has been some time since Lin Wan'er and Lu Sisi returned from the palace, but they have never intended to compete for power with Liu Ruyu, so the power of the inner house is still in Liu Ruyu's hands.

At this moment, Liu Ruyu hurried to Fan Xian's yard, looking extremely anxious.

"Auntie, why are you in such a hurry?"

Liu Ruyu handed Lin Wan'er a note and panted, "You... read it yourself... and I just received news that the Third Prince has returned to the capital."

"Third cousin is not dead?"

Lin Wan'er was startled, then she unfolded the note and saw what was written on it.

——If he is not saved, Fan Xian will die!

"It's my third cousin's handwriting!"

Lin Wan'er's face changed drastically. She didn't bother to say anything more to Liu Ruyu and hurried into a small courtyard.

Soon, a blind man with a black cloth on his head came out and flew towards the palace.

Liu Ruyu was stunned...

(End of this chapter)