Chapter 561 Lin Hengzhong’s Beating

Wangfu, side courtyard.

A small stream passes through the courtyard, and an octagonal pavilion sits on the stream. There is a stone table in the center of the pavilion, and a piece of information is displayed on the stone table.

Lin Hengzhong, dressed in a black brocade robe, was sitting at the table, looking at the information on the table and deep in thought.

Beside the pavilion, a man in his thirties was standing respectfully, saying nothing.

Other than that, it was quiet and no one else was around.

After a while, Lin Hengzhong looked back, looking unhappy, and spoke calmly, with a low voice.

"It seems that I have been too gentle to them over the years. These people almost reached out to my palace!"

The calm tone gave people a sense of urgency that made people's hearts tremble and a storm was about to come.

When the man on the side heard this, his mind became concentrated: "My lord, these aristocratic families have been restless in the past few years. Many people have secret affairs with the imperial court, and some families even have connections with the Xu family in the north, and even..."

At this point, Wu Yue suddenly shut up.

After a moment of silence, he spoke again: "Your Majesty, we have to guard against these people... If we and the imperial court break up in the future, these people will definitely become a big trouble for us in the rear."

Lin Hengzhong's eyes were deep, "We need to warn them."

Wu Yue lowered his head and said respectfully: "My subordinates are willing to go and deal with them."

Lin Hengzhong glanced at him, as if reading his mind: "Wu Yue, how many years have you been with me?"

Wu Yue said: "Back to the prince, my subordinates joined the army with the prince at the age of sixteen. It has been seventeen years ago."

"Seventeen years!"

Lin Hengzhong narrowed his eyes slightly and said with emotion: "Time flies so fast."

Seventeen years ago, Lin Hengzhong was just a young general in the army. Most of the brothers who followed him back then are gone now.

Wu Yue lowered his head, feeling vaguely uneasy for some reason.

After a while, Lin Hengzhong glanced at him again: "You have been by my side these years and have made countless contributions, big and small. I can't thank you for the hard work."

Wu Yue said solemnly: "This is what I should do. If it weren't for the trust and promotion of the prince, I would never be where I am today."

For some reason, Wu Yue's heart trembled slightly, and he always felt that the prince had something on his mind.

"Of course I believe you are loyal, so you don't have to be nervous."

Lin Hengzhong's understatement made Wu Yue's heart tighten even more.

Lin Hengzhong looked into the distance and said slowly: "These aristocratic families control the economy of various regions and control the public opinion, which is indeed a big hidden danger. But at the same time, I need to keep them to manage the fiefdom for me. Stabilize civil order.”

Back then, Lin Heng was crowned queen again and was able to rapidly develop Linjiang City's economy in just over ten years, becoming the largest city in the south. These aristocratic families played a big role in it. Without their assistance, it would be difficult to say whether the Prince Lin's Mansion alone would be able to fully control the fiefdom, let alone vigorously develop the economy.

These aristocratic families have existed for tens or even hundreds of years, and their power is deeply rooted, and the people among the people have a strong sense of clan. For the common people, the emperor and princes were too far away, and their fear and obedience to the imperial power were far less than those of these aristocratic families.

"There is no end to the aristocratic families. If you kill one group, another group will appear soon."

Lin Hengzhong looked indifferently, glanced at Wu Yue, and said casually: "I heard that Jiang Nian has had some conflicts with the young master of the Chen family recently? How is the Chen family doing?"

As soon as these words came out, Wu Yue's expression suddenly changed.

"thump."

Wu Yue knelt on the ground, sweating profusely: "Your Majesty, my subordinates have no intention of colluding with the Chen family!"

"Your Highness Ming Jian!"

Why doesn't Wu Yue understand?

The prince suddenly mentioned this... to warn him!

His private relationship with the Chen family had been known to the prince for a long time? !

Wu Yue's face turned pale: "My subordinate does know Chen Hongsheng, the head of the Chen family. Chen Hongsheng has been close to my subordinate and tried to make friends with him a few years ago. But my subordinate has absolutely no objections and does not have much communication with him on weekdays. However, A nodding acquaintance..."

"My subordinates have never colluded with him, and they will never betray the prince!"

Wu Yue's voice trembled slightly, he lowered his head and gritted his teeth.

Lin Hengzhong looked at him quietly and said in a calm tone: "Have you seen him a few days ago?"

As soon as these words came out, Wu Yue's heart trembled even more: "A few days ago, Chen Hongsheng did meet with my subordinates... Chen Hongsheng wanted to inquire about His Highness from his subordinates..."

"In recent days, there have been rumors among the public about His Highness's impersonation. Chen Hongsheng would like to find out the information from this subordinate."

"But I promise that I will never reveal a word to him!"

"Subordinate, I have no doubts about the prince!"

"..."

"Get up."

Lin Hengzhong's expression remained neither cold nor indifferent.

Wu Yue knelt on the ground, motionless.

"I know you don't have second thoughts!"

Lin Heng sighed softly: "If you are really disloyal to the palace, you will not have the chance to appear here."

Wu Yue's heart trembled and he was horrified!

It turns out... the prince knows everything.

Are all his actions under the control of the prince? !

"You, like Zhi Ming, came out of the army with me back then. You have made contributions to me and to the palace. Naturally, I cannot treat you badly."

"I have turned a blind eye to all the little tricks you have done in private over the years, but..."

When he said this, Lin Hengzhong glanced at him again: "Some things are the bottom line of the palace, do you understand?"

With just one glance, Wu Yue's whole body trembled violently, and cold sweat fell down.

At this moment, he felt as if he had gone through life and death.

"Subordinate, I understand!"

Wu Yue spoke with difficulty.

This was the prince's blow to him and also a warning to him.

At this moment, a servant's voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

"Your Majesty, Dongfang Guanshan has been waiting outside the door for a long time."

Lin Hengzhong looked calmly: "Let him come in."

He glanced at Wu Yue who was kneeling next to him, picked up the tea on the table and took a sip: "Get up."

Wu Yue then slowly got up from the ground and retreated behind the prince, with his head lowered and his expression extremely respectful.

Soon, a fat figure appeared in the courtyard and walked towards the pavilion.

Although his body is tall, strong and fat, his steps are agile and flexible, and he is not affected in any way.

A flexible fat man!

Dongfang Guanshan quickly walked into the pavilion, saluted the prince, and noticed something wrong with Wu Yue's expression.

"Wu, what's wrong with you? Why do you feel like your wife is dead?"

Dongfang Guanshan looked surprised and spread honey on his mouth.

What was even more surprising was that Wu Yue just looked at him expressionlessly and said nothing, which made Dongfang Guanshan even more surprised!

Something is wrong!

In the past, this person named Wu was not allowed to quarrel with him?

The person named Wu is different from the person named Zheng. The person named Zheng is a boring gourd. He can't say a few words for a long time and only knows how to do things.

The man named Wu didn't get along well with him in the past. They usually scolded each other, and it was common for them to argue and fight.

But today, isn't this right?

Why does your face look wrong?

"Is your wife really dead?"

Dongfang Guanshan said in surprise: "We haven't seen each other for half a year, and you've tortured your wife to death?"

"It's really yours!"

Wu Yue's eyes were cold and he stared at him.

"Still glaring at me?! Look at your virtuous character. I've already said that your virtuous wife would have to run away with someone else even if she didn't die."

Dongfang Guanshan shook his head, and coupled with his slightly fat figure, the whole person looked extremely funny.

"Okay, just say a few words."

Lin Hengzhong interrupted Dongfang Guanshan's chatter and looked at him: "What's going on over there in Xuzhou?"

Dongfang Guanshan looked at the prince and then got down to business: "Your Majesty, you are right. Xu Hong, the old dog, is openly cowardly and secretly wants the life of a dog named Zheng."

"The man named Zheng has no brains. Do you really think that Xu Hong dare not touch him? If my subordinates hadn't arrived in time, the life of the man named Zheng would have been handed over there... The man named Zheng owes me his life. When the time comes, my lord, you will have to do it for me." The subordinates make the decision!”

"However, the man named Zheng was too ruthless and killed too many people. He almost went to Prince Xu's Mansion. It's no wonder that the old dog Xu couldn't sit still. This time, the old dog Xu Hong suffered heavy losses, and he felt very sorry for him. Ha ha……"

"Following your instructions, Your Majesty, my subordinates secretly probed into Prince Xu's palace. It was confirmed that Xu Laogou indeed had the intention to rebel, and had secretly expanded his army in Xuzhou..."

"The spies placed by my subordinates in the northern grassland tribes also sent back information. Since the past few years, there have been people in the north who have been in contact with them, sending them food and weapons. Needless to say, most of them are Xu Laogou's people. In the past few years, A grassland tribe suddenly gathered troops to invade the border of Xuzhou, and it was also under the instruction of Xu Laogou, in order to legitimately expand its armaments... Xu Laogou's ambition is known to everyone on the road! "

"My subordinates have collected evidence of correspondence between Xu Laogou and the leader of the grassland tribe. With this evidence, it is enough for him to drink a pot..."

Having said this, Dongfang Guanshan's eyes were excited: "Your Majesty, this is an excellent opportunity!"

Lin Hengzhong looked at him: "Why?"

"According to what my subordinates have discovered, Xu Laogou is currently not fully prepared for rebellion. He has not yet fully reached the opportunity to raise troops to rebel. He will need some time to secretly expand his army and collect food, at least half a year..."

"My subordinates speculate that Xu Laogou will most likely start an army by the end of this year, or at the latest early next year..."

"At this time, we took advantage of his lack of preparation and sent this evidence to the court to catch him off guard... He raised his troops in a hurry and was probably defeated. Even if they were not defeated, they would become rebels and lose the support of the people, so sooner or later they would fail. thing……"

I have to say, this is indeed a good opportunity.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Xu family is currently stunted, the Xu family was caught off guard by adding insult to injury. Eradicating Xuzhou with the help of the imperial court can be regarded as removing a big threat to the Lin family!

"It's a good idea."

Lin Heng nodded.

"Then, your lord, your subordinate will ask someone to send the evidence to the court?!" Dongfang Guanshan was overjoyed.

He likes to add insult to injury the most, especially stabbing his enemy in the back.

The Lin family has deep grudges with the Xu family, and Dongfang Guanshan has always been thinking about revenge and settling accounts with the Xu family.

"No rush."

Lin Hengzhong shook his head: "It is indeed a good plan to use the imperial court to eradicate the Xu family, but it is not the time yet."

"Isn't it time yet?"

Dongfang Guanshan was confused: "Your Majesty, isn't this the best time? The Xu family is frantically expanding their army and collecting food. By the time they are ready, it will be too late..."

He is impatient, how can he watch his enemy grow without disturbing him?

"Don't worry."

Lin Hengzhong's eyes were deep: "The enemies of our palace are not just the Xu family."

Dongfang Guanshan was startled for a moment and then realized what he was doing.

"Subordinate, I understand!"

He was so eager to deal with the Xu family that he almost forgot that besides the Xu family, the biggest enemy of the palace was also...the imperial court!

Being able to get into such a position, Dongfang Guanshan was naturally not a fool, and he instantly understood the meaning of the prince's words.

Once the Xu family falls easily, the imperial army will take advantage of the situation to wipe out the vassal rebels, and its prestige in the court and the people will surely reach its peak, and morale will be high.

By then, the next one the imperial court will deal with will naturally be the Lin family.

Once the Xu family falls, the imperial court will even have a legitimate reason to reduce the vassal state.

In this way, the situation of the Lin family will become unfavorable.

"Your Highness still has a good idea!"

Dongfang Guanshan praised repeatedly.

"If there is nothing else, you can go down first. There are many military affairs, so go and prepare early."

"Yes."

Wu Yue said respectfully.

Dongfang Guanshan was also ready to leave. He had just taken two steps when he remembered something: "Oh, my lord, there is one more thing!"

"What is it?"

Dongfang Guanshan hesitated for a while, put away the smile on his face, and his expression gradually became solemn. He looked at the lord: "I came back from Linzhou. Along the way, I heard some rumors about His Royal Highness. I don't know whether I should tell you or not..."

Lin Hengzhong looked at him and said calmly: "If you have anything to say, just say it."

"I just went to see His Royal Highness."

Dongfang Guanshan said: "A few months ago in the capital, I also saw His Royal Highness. At that time, I didn't think much about it, but today... I went to confirm it!"

"His Royal Highness, he is indeed not the previous Royal Highness!"

When Dongfang Guanshan said this, he looked at his own lord, and his voice was extremely solemn.

With doubts, questions, and a little... uneasiness.

This matter is very serious!

Wu Yue, who was originally preparing to leave, also stopped and looked at Dongfang Guanshan, with a strange color flashing in his eyes.

This is what he has always wanted to ask.

His Highness is not the same Highness as before.

He did not doubt it at first, after all, His Highness is still the same Highness, and his appearance is exactly the same, and no one would speculate in this direction.

But since the rumors spread among the people, Wu Yue had to admit... His Highness has indeed changed.

A lot of changes!

In addition to the same appearance, it is almost like a completely different person.

Indeed, it is a different person!

This is Wu Yue's guess.

How could they not know His Highness the Crown Prince?

But since the last time he asked, Wu Yue did not ask again after being ignored by the prince, but the doubts in his heart have never been solved. Until today, Dongfang Guanshan brought up this matter again.

This matter has always revealed a bit of strangeness!

Where did the rumors come from?

What is the purpose?

More importantly... even their generals can find that His Highness the Crown Prince is not right.

Your Highness, how could you not find it?

Or... is there something hidden in it?

Facing the suspicious eyes of the two people in the pavilion, Lin Hengzhong took a sip of the tea on the table and nodded lightly.

"You guessed right, Jiang Nian is indeed not the same Jiang Nian as before!"

"..."(End of this chapter)