Zhu Tian: A journey of spiritual practice starting from Joy of Life

Chapter 190 Emperor Qing's Assistance

"Fan Xian!"

The man on horseback roared and fell straight off the horse.

Fan Xian and the others, who had just returned to the entrance of the inn, turned around and saw Yan Bingyun lying on the ground, covered in dust and dirt.

"Master Xiaoyan!"

Wang Qinian quickly stepped forward and helped Yan Bingyun up. Fan Xian was also stunned and hurriedly asked, "Why did you come to Jiangnan?"

Yan Bingyun didn't say anything, supporting Wang Qinian with one hand and covering his inner thigh with the other.

Upon seeing this, Leng Feibai quickly said, "He's been riding a horse for too long and his thighs are chafed. Let's take him back inside to rest."

Inside the guest room, after Wang Qinian escorted Yan Bingyun back to her room, he followed Shadow out to keep an eye on the Ming family's movements.

As for the girls, at Lin Wan'er's suggestion, they went shopping together.

Fan Xian helplessly helped Yan Bingyun apply the medicine, while asking curiously, "So, why did you come to Jiangnan? If the Dean needed something, he could have just sent a message by carrier pigeon."

"His Majesty's decree cannot be delivered by carrier pigeon."

As Yan Bingyun spoke, he took out a wooden brocade box from his pocket and said, "The thing is here, take a look for yourself."

Upon seeing this, Fan Xian put down the cotton swabs he was holding and took the wooden box.

The wooden box contained few items. On top of it were a scroll of imperial edicts for the baby and a token engraved with a five-clawed golden dragon, and below it was a letter.

"His Majesty is still so stingy!"

Fan Xian muttered a complaint, then opened the imperial edict in his hand, revealing five large characters.

"The entire Ming family shall be executed!"

Upon seeing these five words, Fan Xian turned pale, quickly put down the imperial edict, and opened the letter in the box.

"I am aware of Li Chengze and Li Yunrui's smuggling activities through the Ming family. After receiving this letter and reclaiming the three major workshops, immediately take the imperial edict and mobilize the Suzhou government and local garrison to cooperate with the Surveillance Bureau to wipe out the Ming family. Confiscate their assets, of which more than 20 million taels will be used to repay your debts to the treasury. The remainder will be deposited into the national treasury. Remember, do not allow chaos to break out in the Jiangnan officialdom. Corrupt officials will be dealt with one by one in the future."

Looking at the handwriting on the letter, Fan Xian was stunned. He couldn't help but look at Yan Bingyun and ask, "What happened in the capital? His Majesty seems very anxious."

After hearing this, Yan Bingyun sighed and said, "Five days ago, His Majesty suddenly issued an edict, announcing to the world that the Second Prince, the Crown Prince, and the Eldest Princess were imprisoned in their respective residences and palaces, and no one was allowed to visit them. At the same time, he announced that he would soon make a southern tour and let Prince Jing and Li Chengru jointly oversee the country. He himself would go to the Great Eastern Mountain of Qing Kingdom to offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and abolish the position of Crown Prince Li Chengqian."

"what!"

Fan Xian was stunned upon hearing this, and pinched himself. "I'm not dreaming. I've only been away from Kyoto for about half a month. How come it feels like Kyoto has undergone earth-shattering changes?"

"It all started when you were assassinated by the Duke of Kang and his men!"

Yan Bingyun said helplessly, "Ever since His Majesty searched the residences of the two men and confirmed that the collusion between the Ming family and the two dukes was related to the Second Prince, he directly ordered the Bureau of Investigation to bring the smuggling ledgers from the Second Prince's treasury to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian laughed in anger, "Brother Fei Bai is right after all. His Majesty has indeed tacitly approved of their corruption and smuggling. No wonder His Majesty remains unmoved no matter how much evidence we seek."

"Yes!"

Yan Bingyun looked at Fan Xian and said irritably, "After obtaining the account books, His Majesty immediately ordered the Supervisory Council to search and investigate the homes of those listed in the books. When I left the capital, the head of the council was leading six officials, including my father, to arrest and interrogate people throughout the capital! Shortly afterward, His Majesty suddenly issued an edict confining the Crown Prince and his entourage. He did not specify the reason, but only publicly announced that he would depose the Crown Prince."

Seeing Yan Bingyun's expression, Fan Xian quickly asked, "How is my family?"

"Minister Fan is not on the list, so it's none of our business! However, because of the shortage of manpower, the Dean persuaded His Majesty to have Minister Fan contribute all of his Red Armor Knights."

As Yan Bingyun spoke, he frowned and said, "But in order to maintain stability in the court, His Majesty even issued an edict ordering the retired Prime Minister Lin to return to the capital immediately to help Prince Jing and the others stabilize the court as a guest advisor." "Uncle is coming back!"

After hearing this, Fan Xian looked at Leng Feibai and asked, "Brother, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?"

"decide as things go!"

Leng Feibai frowned and said, "If Kyoto is a deep place, then its current depth is probably comparable to the Mariana Trench."

Yan Bingyun was taken aback upon hearing this and looked at Fan Xian, asking, "What is it?"

"A rather deep trench!"

After saying this, Fan Xian also had a terrible headache. Seeing this, Leng Feibai turned his head to look elsewhere and said, "Instead of talking about this, shouldn't you go and take action against the Ming family?"

After listening, Fan Xian discussed with Yan Bingyun, "I plan to first mobilize the Black Riders to seal off the Ming family, and then, after I gradually take control of the three major workshops, I will distribute the goods produced by the Imperial Treasury this time. Then I will completely eradicate the Ming family!"

Just then, Wang Qinian came running in, panting.

Upon seeing this, Fan Xian jumped to his feet. "Old Wang, what happened?"

No wonder Fan Xian reacted so strongly; aside from him and Leng Feibai, no one could match Wang Qinian's lightness skill. For him to be running like this, something terrible must have happened. Then, Wang Qinian said breathlessly, "Something's happened to the lord! The capital is in chaos!"

"what!"

The three people in the room changed their expressions at the same time, with Leng Feibai frowning deeply, but he quickly relaxed.

He left four Grandmaster-level clones in Kyoto. If something really went wrong, those clones should have sent the message back long ago.

Wang Qinian paused for a moment, then quickly said, "The day before yesterday morning, His Majesty left the capital with Eunuch Hong to begin his southern tour. That very night, the Empress Dowager and the Empress were attacked by assassins in the palace and were fatally killed in their chambers with swords slits in their throats. A line of blood-written words was left around them: 'Blood for blood, the Sword Demon—Li Tan!'"

Upon hearing this, Fan Xian, Yan Bingyun, and Leng Feibai's expressions all changed instantly.

Of course, the first two were genuine changes, while the last one was an act.

"eye for eye!"

Fan Xian frowned and said, "No, the Empress and the Empress Dowager have always been in the palace. Especially the Empress Dowager, she's an old lady, who could she possibly have a grudge against?"

"grown ups!"

Looking at Fan Xian's expression, Wang Qinian couldn't help but say, "Actually, you have a grudge against them, but the Dean never told you."

"joke!"

Fan Xian said irritably, "I've never met the old lady or the Crown Prince's mother, so how could we possibly have a grudge against each other!"

"grown ups!"

Wang Qinian hurriedly said, "The mastermind behind the assassination attempt on Ye Qingmei was the Empress and Empress Dowager's maternal clan. Afterwards, Dean Chen and Minister Fan went on a killing spree, slaughtering all of the Empress and Empress Dowager's relatives with His Majesty's permission! Some of them were even killed inside the palace, with the Empress's eyes covered!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fan Xian's face darkened, and he turned to Leng Feibai, saying, "Brother Feibai, do you know about this?"

Leng Feibai stared straight at Fan Xian and said calmly, "I don't know. As I said before, the cause and effect of the murderer who killed your mother is too great for me to calculate!"

Seeing this, Fan Xian said nothing more, got up and walked to the window, silently looking out the window.

(End of this chapter)