Episode 10 Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Dead again?" Cheng Jin looked surprised.

The secret assassin said: "Yes, General, the jailer died in his own home. In addition, the jailer's mother, wife and children are also dead. The bodies are all tied with ropes. It seems that the other party is the jailer's mother, wife and children." He threatened the assassin,* he poisoned the assassin, and then killed him and silenced him."

Cheng Jin nodded and agreed with his men's analysis. He murmured: "What a cruel method." He paused and asked: "Didn't the surrounding neighbors hear any movement?"

"My subordinates have already checked and found nothing."

Alas, Cheng Jin sighed secretly and said: "Your Majesty, it seems that this line was broken again because my subordinates were negligent in their duties and failed to protect them, which resulted in the death of two assassins from poisoning. Please forgive me, Your Majesty." As he spoke, Cheng Jin knelt down. , the hidden arrow man also hurriedly knelt down.

Cheng Jin may have neglected his duty, but the other party was too cunning and cruel. Tang Yin waved his hand and said, "Although the assassin is dead, sometimes the dead can talk. You can go and do the autopsy to find out who the assassin is." What kind of poison, why did I take it at noon, and why did it only take effect now?”

oh? This was really a poison that Cheng Jin had not expected to take at noon, and it would attack in the afternoon, and he would die immediately after the attack. It was obviously an extremely overbearing and chronic poison. This kind of poison is rare, at least it is not something that a jailer can easily get his hands on. Cheng Jin's eyesight Liang, stood up hurriedly, intervened and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for reminding me. I will go check it out now."

"I'm going to Bessa in the near future. I hope you can find out the clues before I come back."

"My subordinates will do their best not to let the king down."

That night, Tang Yin invited Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji to go to Bessa. It was a long journey and he didn't know how many days he would be away. The affairs of Yancheng had to be explained.

Qiu Zhen arrived first, followed closely by Shangguan Yuanji. When they saw Tang Yin, they saluted and said hello.

Tang Yin asked the two of them to stand up, and motioned for them to sit on his left and right. Then, he asked for tea. He held the tea cup and said while drinking: "During my absence in Yancheng, all the military and political affairs of the imperial court will be left to you." "Two of you"

Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji's faces straightened up, and they said in unison: "I will definitely live up to your Majesty's trust."

Tang Yin smiled, then sighed softly, and said with concern: "Yancheng is not peaceful recently, assassins are rampant, and the government and the public are in turmoil. You two must not be careless. Try to go out as little as possible on weekdays and stay at home as much as possible." Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji are Tang Yin's right and left hand were also the two pillars of Feng Kingdom's court. One was indispensable. Tang Yin was really afraid that something would happen to these two people.

"I've informed Lei Zhen and will assign some more capable and capable brothers from the Guards Camp to you two to ensure nothing goes wrong."

It can be heard from the king's words that Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji were moved by the king's regard for them. They knelt down on the mat, bowed forward with their hands clasped, and said, "Thank you so much, the king."

Tang Yin waved his hand and told the two of them not to be polite. He continued: "Although Prime Minister Qiu does not care about government affairs, he is knowledgeable, well-informed and quick-thinking. If Yuan Ji encounters a major event, he needs to discuss it with Prime Minister Qiu. Decision, and vice versa, if there is a major matter in military affairs, Prime Minister Qiu should also discuss it with Yuan Ji."

Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji didn't realize the real intention of Tang Yin's words at first. They accepted it without even thinking about it. Then, when they left the palace, they thought about Tang Yin's words carefully, and both of them understood. Well, the king's real intention is to let the two prime ministers restrain each other. He does not want them to dominate the military and political affairs.

However, both of them can understand Tang Yin's approach. This is also the way a king should do power. Both of them even feel a sense of joy in their hearts. It can be seen that the king still attaches great importance to his throne, at least now he has not given up. Intend

In the study room, Tang Yin handed over all the matters that were being handled or waiting to be handled to Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji, and asked them to complete them on their behalf. After all the important matters were arranged, Tang Yin breathed a sigh of relief and felt a lot more relaxed.

At this time, Qiu Zhen asked curiously: "I wonder who the king wants to take with him to Bessa?"

Tang Yin hadn't thought about this problem yet, so he asked: "What does Mr. Qiu mean?"

"General Cheng Jin and General Jiang Fan can take on the important task of protecting the king."

Tang Yin nodded, shook his head and said, "Cheng Jin can't come with me. There are still things in Yancheng that need him to stay and deal with. Jiang Fan can do that."

Having Jiang Fan here is also very reassuring. Qiu Zhen did not say much, but Shangguan Yuanji continued: "Lu She, the censor, is quick-witted and thoughtful, and can make suggestions for the king."

Tang Yin had a deep impression on Lu She mentioned by Shangguan Yuanji. It was he who sent Ning Guo as envoy at the beginning, and successfully persuaded Ning Guo not to join the Feng Fighting Alliance with his not-so-distinctive eloquence, and made Feng Guo Shaoyi, a powerful enemy, nod his head. Said: "It's great to have Mr. Lu accompanying me."

Under the recommendation of Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji, Tang Yin decided that the military general would take Jiang Fan and the civil servant Lu She to accompany him to Bessa. Of course, he was going to welcome his bride, so he couldn't bring too few people, as the ceremony would not be grand enough. , but not too much to make Besa feel threatened. In addition, the bride price cannot be too small. Shangguan Yuanji has prepared these and made a list for Tang Yin to review.

Tang Yin took it and took a look at it. There were quite a few things on the gift list, including silks, gold, silver and jewelry. After looking at them, he asked, "Yuanji, is the betrothal gift too much?"

"This will show that the king attaches great importance to marrying Princess Besa," Shangguan Yuanji said with a smile.

Tang Yin shook his head and smiled, threw the list on the table, and said: "You two are my right-hand prime minister and my right-hand man. Everything is arranged by you."

"It's the king"

Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji are lying down.

After chatting for a while, seeing that it was getting late, Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji stood up to leave.

After leaving the palace, the two of them did not go home separately, but went together. Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji were both prime ministers and the most important confidants around Tang Yin. However, the chance for the two to meet was really good. On weekdays, both of them were We are so busy that we rarely get together in private except in court.

This time, both of them wanted to take the opportunity to have a good chat and listen to each other's opinions on certain things. Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji had the same idea, and they both proposed to sit in a teahouse near the palace. The two made a reservation in the teahouse. A private room, where you can chat while drinking tea and snacks

"Yuanji, do you think the king's trip is dangerous?" Qiu Zhen cut to the chase first and asked.

Shangguan Yuanji raised his head and held his chin in deep thought. After a while, he shook his head and said, "Probably not."

"Oh?" Qiu Zhen was startled and asked, "Why is Yuanji so sure?"

"The relationship between Bessa and our country is getting closer and closer, and many interests of both parties have been combined. Especially the powerful people in Bessa, who have frequent trade with our country. If the two countries are on bad terms, the interests of the powerful people in Bessa will be harmed first. They are King Besa will not allow this."

Qiu Zhen nodded thoughtfully, and then asked: "Isn't the relationship between Besa and Duji close?"

Shangguan Yuanji smiled and said: "Bessa and Duji are allies and neighboring countries. It stands to reason that trade will become more frequent, but the fact is exactly the opposite. What Bessa has, Duji also has, and what Duji has, Beis has too." There is no shortage of Samadhi, and there is a vast desert between the two countries. The risks of trade are high, the costs are high, and the benefits are small, so the trade between the two countries has always been mediocre."

"I see." Qiu Zhen can now understand why the trade between Besa and Feng Country is so rapid.

Shangguan Yuanji continued: "There is a second reason why Besa will lean toward our country."

"Oh? What is it?"

"The founding of Besa and Duji is basically for external expansion. The two countries can be friendly, which is a ploy to save themselves from worries. The alliance between them is not strong. I dare to assert..." Shangguan Yuanji smiled. He picked up the tea cup, raised his head, and drank all the tea in the cup. Then he played with the cup and said quietly: "If Besa has a chance, he will annex Duji without hesitation."

Qiu Zhen's eyes lit up and his heart moved, and he said thoughtfully: "In this way, right now, it is an opportunity for Besa."

"Haha" Shangguan Yuanji looked up and smiled, looked left and right, and said: "There is one less person in this room."

"who?"

"Lushe" Shangguan Yuanji said with a smile: "Since you want him to go to Bessa with the king, why not find him and listen to his opinions?"

Qiu Zhen also smiled, stroking his hands and said, "What Yuan Ji said is really coming." Following Qiu Zhen's call, someone outside said, "What are your orders, Prime Minister?"

"If you go and invite Mr. Lu Shelu to come here, just say that it is the request of Prime Minister Shangguan and the Prime Minister."

"It's the Prime Minister," the attendant responded, turned around and walked away quickly.

Nearly half an hour later, Lu She hurried to the teahouse to be summoned by the two prime ministers. Lu She was very solemn. Although she did not put on official uniform, she also wore the most respectable casual clothes at home.

Entering the box, Lu She walked up to Qiu Zhen and Shangguan Yuanji, bowed deeply in a polite manner, and said: "I will see you, Prime Minister Qiu, and Prime Minister Shangguan."

Qiu Zhen smiled and said nothing, while Shangguan Yuanji waved his hand and said: "Master Lu, there is no need to be polite, please sit down."

"Thank you, Prime Minister Shangguan." Lu She carefully sat down next to the two men.

Shangguan Yuanji did not mince words and said straightforwardly: "Master Lu, I just recommended to the king that you accompany the king to Bessa. I wonder if you are willing?"

Lu She was stunned for a moment, then stood up hurriedly from where he had just sat down, gave a deep salute to Shangguan Yuanji, and said repeatedly: "I thank you, Prime Minister, for your kindness." Being able to travel with the king is something that many officials can only dream of. It’s also a good opportunity to make a career