The Red Mansions

Chapter 1487 Jia Heng: Should we transfer soldiers from the Beijing camp into the city to assist in

Chapter 1487 Jia Heng: Should we transfer soldiers from the Beijing camp into the city to assist in the search?

Jinyifu, government office

In the study, a lantern on the table was lit with an orange candle, and a golden-red flame could be seen burning, occasionally swaying in the wind.

Qiu Liang was wearing a beautifully embroidered Feiyu suit, looking through some evidence files that he had asked his confidants to collect over the past few days.

"When Prince Wei reported to His Majesty about the Empress's danger, the report was kept in the file. There are many vague details in the report." Qiu Liang looked at the file, and his mind was filled with speculation.

When Queen Song was in danger in Taihu Lake, Jia Heng rushed to her rescue and fled with Queen Song. The details of the assassination by Chen Yuan and others, as well as the details of his interactions with Queen Song, were not recorded in paper.

But when it comes to Qiu Liang, who is wearing "tinted glasses", he feels that there are many doubts.

Qiu Liang put down a file. His sharp eyes, like those of an eagle, reflected the flickering candlelight beside him, and the shadow on his face was bright and dark.

If there really is such a thing as passing on one's feelings to another, then the twin boy and girl...

After all, His Majesty had vomited blood several times at that time, and his health had deteriorated, so it was unlikely.

Hmm? No, why does the Princess of Chu have twins?

Is this just a coincidence? Because they are all of royal blood, they are twins.

Isn’t there a possibility that… ?

Qiu Liang raised his thick eyebrows, looked deeply, covered the yellow booklet, and suddenly a bold guess came to his mind.

But this... this is too shocking.

Having children for one person?

Because there is not only the Queen Mother in the palace, but also the Princess of Chu, no, or the Crown Princess.

That's why both of them are twins, a boy and a girl.

And that person who has always been a romantic and unrestrained person might be a possibility.

That is, the person who knows you best is your enemy.

Under the guidance of the investigative principles of "bold hypothesis" and "careful verification", Qiu Liang has gradually approached the truth.

Qiu Liang's expression kept changing, and he couldn't help but think randomly in his mind. At this moment, a night watchman in short clothes seemed to be beating a gong outside.

Qiu Liang looked out the window and found that it was already late at night and it was noon.

It gets dark early in winter, and now night has fallen, covering the earth.

Qiu Liang thought about it and decided to spend the night in the Jinyifu government office, but when he saw a thin quilt in the distance, he felt that he could not endure such a night.

Qiu Liang thought about it, picked up the lantern, walked out of the government office, called his personal guards, led a horse, and headed towards his own residence.

As the night fell, it was pitch black, but I saw that at some point, the inky sky was already filled with goose feather-like snowflakes. Under the illumination of the lights on both sides of the street, the snowflakes were white, yellow, and red, so gorgeous that it was beyond words.

Qiu Liang, the commander of the Jinyi Palace, rode on horseback towards Qiu's residence in Ningdefang, accompanied by his personal guards.

Since the heavy snow fell in the evening, the entire row of houses was covered. The green bricks and black tiles were gradually covered with a layer of white snow, and the sky and the earth were wrapped in silver.

The horses' hooves trampled across the snow-covered streets in a disorderly manner, and the hoof prints were clearly visible, but soon, they were covered by the heavy snow, and the clear hoof prints could not be seen.

Just as I reached the street corner, I suddenly heard a series of chaotic "crunching, crunching" sounds. It was the sound of boots stepping on thick snow, loud and dense.

Immediately, a dazzling cold light like a streak of silk appeared, and soon after, the sound of long swords being unsheathed was heard one after another, carrying a hint of sharp and clear aura of swords.

Qiu Liang caught the cold light and was startled. He shouted in a deep voice, "Oh no! Someone is coming! An assassin!"

However, at this time, the criminals who were attacking with knives attacked Qiu Liang.

“Puff, puff!!!”

The sound of arrows breaking through the air was heard after being shot from bows and crossbows, followed by a groan of pain. Several Jinyifu guards were hit by arrows and fell to the ground. Bright red blood flowed from their wounds, which was particularly eye-catching on the snow.

The guards accompanying Qiu Liang also reacted quickly, drawing out their swords and spreading out to the left and right to protect Qiu Liang.

"Clang!"

In fact, there were not many shouts and screams. There were only sounds of weapons clashing, "swoosh" sounds of weapons hitting flesh, and muffled groans. The two sides were fighting at this moment.

Qiu Liang did not bring many men with him, only about ten or twenty people, while the assassins who were besieging him from all sides were obviously well prepared, with large numbers and powerful crossbows.

Caught off guard, Qiu Liang and his entourage suffered a great loss.

At this moment, Qiu Liang also drew out a goose-feather knife from his waist with a "clang", sat upright on the saddle, and started fighting with the group of assassins who were besieging him.

The sound of "puff, puff" was heard continuously.

As time passed, the number of royal guards around Qiu Liang became fewer and fewer, and the situation became increasingly critical.

Qiu Liang was filled with worry, and wondered why the soldiers from the Five Cities Army who were patrolling the city had not arrived yet?

At this moment, a bright knife light suddenly appeared and chopped the leg of the horse under Qiu Liang's crotch. Suddenly, the horse neighed and then fell to the ground on its knees.

Qiu Liang was shocked.

At this moment, a blazing cold light suddenly appeared. Qiu Liang said inwardly, "Oh no!" and cried out, "My life is over!"

However, at this moment, "clang~"

The sound of gold and iron clashing sounded.

With a "puff" sound, the black-clad warrior who was slashing at Qiu Liang's neck with a knife groaned in pain, was shot in the neck, and fell to the ground.

Qiu Liang couldn't help but feel inexplicably frightened. Just as he calmed down, he saw several assassins wearing black clothes and conical hats coming towards him, fighting with knives.

One of the burly men immediately supported Qiu Liang and called on the surrounding assassins to retreat to a distance.

All that was left were corpses hacked to death by knives and guns, and bright red bloodstains on the white snow, which seemed somewhat glaring and eye-catching under the light.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion, in the study

Two pale yellow curtains were gently hanging down from the golden hooks. On the embroidered couch, Jia Heng, who was taking a break, reached out and gently embraced Chen Xiao's round and soft shoulders, and asked casually, "Have you sent someone to assassinate Qiu Liang these two days?"

"We have arranged for the assassination of Qiu Liang today." Chen Xiao pressed his fiery face against the chest of the young man in the python costume, felt his thumping heartbeat, and said softly.

Jia Heng's fingers were full of softness, and he said softly, "Once Qiu Liang is dead, the cabinet and the military office will definitely be suspicious. However, this matter is not important. Now that the capital is in chaos, no one will associate it with us."

"Yes, it is more likely that this matter is related to Chen Yuan." Chen Xiao said softly with a flushed face, then stood up and looked down at the young man with a sharp facial features.

The northwest wind outside the window was whistling and wailing, with a gentle rhythm, and there was no more words that night.

Palace Garden, Kunning Palace

It was late at night, and dark clouds could be seen rolling in the inky sky. It was not known when heavy snow began to fall. It was the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month in the nineteenth year of Chongping.

On the eaves of the palace with vermilion beams and pillars, the lanterns swayed in the wind. Among the curtains in the palace, the crane-shaped palace lanterns were illuminated by the lights, and the light was shining brightly, illuminating people's eyes.

Queen Song sat on a soft couch covered with a mattress. Her plump, round, jade-like face was as red as fire, becoming more and more beautiful, but there was a hint of worry between her brows.

Can Ran'er and Wei'er succeed in their plan this time?

Queen Song folded and twirled the handkerchief in her hand, and her anxiety reached the extreme.

If things fail, the Song family will no longer be able to preserve their wealth.

With that man's cruelty, he would kill all of the Song family.

But in a flash, a feeling of hatred arose in the beauty's heart.

She and her sister gave birth to a pair of children for that cruel man, but they didn't expect to encounter such a thing.

Then she thought of that other person without conscience, and at this moment the beauty gnashed her teeth.

Did that little fox ever think about her and her two children?

It can be said that at this moment, Queen Song was feeling some resentment towards someone.

Just when Queen Song was extremely resentful of the young man, a graceful and beautiful female official came up to her and said softly, "Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest."

Queen Song suppressed the resentment that kept boiling in her heart. Under her beautiful eyebrows, her crystal clear eyes were as bright as water. She asked, "Have the little princess and the little prince gone to bed?"

"Your Majesty, he has already gone to bed." said the female official.

Queen Song nodded, and then said nothing more.

At this moment, the female official was helping Queen Song to spread out the bedding and assisting her to sleep.

……

……

The next day, in the early morning, the winter sunlight shone on the thick snow, and the city of Shenjing seemed to have become a snow city.

The news of Qiu Liang's assassination quickly spread to the entire Shenjing City and also reached the ears of a group of cabinet officials in the Forbidden City.

Wuying Palace, Military Affairs Office Duty Room——

Li Zan, the chief minister of the cabinet, sat down behind a lacquered wooden table, his resolute and clear face was filled with anger, and he said in a deep voice: "It is outrageous that such a thing could happen under the feet of the emperor!"

Gao Zhongping frowned, and his calm expression changed several times, which really didn't look good.

Cabinet ministers Lu Jiang, Qi Kun and others not far away also had anger on their faces.

"Why would they assassinate Qiu Liang for no reason? Could it be that someone is dissatisfied with being in charge of Jinyi affairs?" Lu Jiang frowned and said in a deep voice.

At this moment, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping both turned their calm gazes to Lu Jiang, with some puzzled expressions on their faces.

Who is this directed at?

It should not be the Prince of Wei. Given his broad-mindedness, if he wanted to get rid of his enemy, he would never use such despicable means.

Well, although Jia Heng is a bit unrestrained, he has never been disdainful of these means.

Gao Zhongping's eyes showed a thoughtful look, and he said, "Could it be the remnants of the King of Zhao? Qiu Liang has been investigating the remnants of the King of Zhao and the assassination of the Imperial Ancestral Temple recently."

At this time, we must not say anything that might cause political turmoil.

The cabinet chief Li Zan had a gloomy expression on his face and said, "Immediately send the Internal Guard and the Five Cities Military Command to search for the assassin."

Gao Zhongping frowned and said, "Minister, the security in the capital should be strengthened. The remnants of the deposed King Zhao are still active in the capital and may attack and kill the royal family in a frenzy."

Li Zan nodded, looked at the Jinyifu guard, and asked, "Where is Commander Qiu now?"

"Commander Qiu has returned to the Jinyi Palace to take up his post." said the Jinyi Palace guard.

Li Zan thought for a moment, then called the cabinet secretary and other minor officials who were serving beside him and said, "Please invite Prince Wei to the Wuying Palace to discuss matters."

"Yes, Lord." The cabinet secretary said with a solemn expression and a bow.

The cabinet ministers present looked at each other and responded.

Lu Jiang said: "Recently, there have been many chaos in the capital, and it needs to be rectified. Lord Li, I think we should set up a patrol censor's office as a regular system to comprehensively inspect the capital's public security."

In the former Han Dynasty, there was a position of city inspector in the capital, who sent soldiers to garrison various cities.

Li Zan looked at Gao Zhongping standing beside him and said, "This is feasible."

Gao Zhongping said: "The situation in the capital is not very peaceful. At this critical moment, we need to strengthen the city defense."

Li and Gao are both famous ministers, and they have a keen political sense for detecting danger.

It can be said that the King of Wei was originally facing a group of old foxes, but several cabinet ministers were only preparing for a rainy day and did not think that the two vassal states of Wei and Liang would really dare to commit treason.

After all, Emperor Chongping was still recuperating in the palace. With his prestige in pacifying Liaodong, the Wei and Liang vassal states would not dare to act as long as Jia Heng did not take action.

……

……

Ningguo Mansion

Jia Heng and Chen Xiao had just gotten up, washed up, and were having breakfast around a round wooden table. On the table were porridge, buns and other foods, which were steaming.

At this moment, a maid dressed in silk and satin walked into the hall quickly and said, "Your Highness, there is a clerk outside who claims to be a cabinet secretary. He wants to see you for something."

Jia Heng glanced at Chen Xiao standing beside him, with a look of realization in his eyes.

Could it be that Qiu Liang is already dead?

Jia Heng took a handkerchief and wiped his mouth, then left the study and headed towards the hall.

At this moment, the clerk in the cabinet bowed to Jia Heng and said, "My Lord, the Lord said he has something important to discuss with you."

Jia Heng nodded and said, "Wait a moment, I'll go change my clothes and come right over."

After Jia Heng changed into a dragon robe, he walked out of Ningguo Mansion, mounted his horse, and headed out.

At this moment, a group of court officials in the duty room of the Grand Council were discussing non-stop.

"Lord, the Prince of Wei is here."

At this time, a minor official walked into the palace and reported.

Not long after, a young man in a python robe entered the hall, bowed to Li Zan, and whispered, "Lord Li, what do you want to see me for?"

Li Zan's expression paused slightly, his eyes sparkling, and he whispered, "Prince Wei, Jinyifu reported earlier that Jinyi commander Qiu Liang was assassinated."

Jia Heng frowned and said, "How could this happen? I wonder who is so bold and reckless? In the capital, the best place, wielding weapons to disturb the emperor's palace is really audacious and reckless."

Li Zan also cast his eyes on the young man in the python robe at this moment, observing the changes in his expression, and whispered: "We haven't found out the specific truth yet, but we have sent someone to inform Qiu Liang, and he has called on the Jinyifu Tiqi to search the entire city."

When Jia Heng heard this, his eyes became deep and he was slightly startled.

What’s going on? Qiu Liang is not dead yet?

Who is Xiaoxiao looking for?

He tried to assassinate an enemy, but he failed?

As he spoke, Jia Heng temporarily suppressed the helplessness in his heart.

"Should we dispatch soldiers from the Beijing camp into the city to assist in the search?" Jia Heng suppressed his thoughts, suddenly raised his eyes and asked.

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall fell into an eerie silence. Li Zan, Gao Zhongping, Qi Kun, Lu Jiang and other cabinet ministers all cast suspicious and scrutinizing glances at the young man in the python robe.

Jia Heng felt strange and said, "Then we can use the Jinyi Tiqi to search the whole city. There is no need to use the soldiers from the Beijing camp."

Yes, this is to guard against him, worried that he might plot a coup.

As for?

If he wants to stage a coup, can you prevent it?

Now he didn't want to commit treason while Emperor Chongping was still alive.

Even the Sima family did not rebel when Cao Cao, Cao Pi and Cao Rui were in power, but instead cultivated their power over several decades.

The human heart is a very subtle thing.

Emperor Chongping has not yet lost his virtue.

To take a step back, even if he intervened forcefully, he could only support his young son to ascend the throne and serve as regent.

To put it bluntly, if the loyalty and filial piety arch was smashed all at once, people in the world really couldn't bear it.

In fact, it is no wonder that the cabinet ministers are so suspicious, because in the current Han Dynasty, Emperor Chongping is blind and lying in the deep palace on his deathbed, while a son-in-law with outstanding military achievements is enjoying great prestige, and the cabinet ministers are mainly guarding against Prince Wei to achieve a smooth transition of power.

It can be said that during this period, in the eyes of the Han officials, the most obedient way for Jia Heng to behave was to stay in Ningguo Mansion and indulge in the women.

Jia Heng looked at the people present and said, "Since there is nothing else, I will take my leave first."

Li Zan's eyes moved slightly under his sword-like brows, and he called out, "Prince Wei, take care."

As soon as Jia Heng left, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping looked at each other.

There shouldn't be any problem, but it's also quite suspicious.

Lu Jiang snorted coldly and said in a gentle voice: "I'm afraid that Qiu Liang was assassinated and there are other hidden reasons."

In his opinion, this person most likely wanted to take the opportunity to take back control of the Jinyi Mansion, and then transfer troops from the Beijing camp into the city to control the situation inside and outside.

Li Zan was silent for a moment, then said, "Jia Ziyu was cultivated by His Majesty and rose from humble beginnings. He is still loyal to His Majesty, and His Majesty is still alive."

These are qualities that have been verified over and over again, they are time-tested... the guard of imperial power, the founder of the Han Dynasty's Beijing Camp Army, and a staunch follower of Emperor Chongping.

"My Lord, the troops in Liaodong are still in the hands of Jia Ziyu's cronies, and we need to issue an imperial decree to summon them back to the capital to report on their work." Lu Jiang said worriedly.

Gao Zhongping said: "You can't come back before the New Year. I will call you back to the capital in the spring of next year."

At this moment, Lin Ruhai was holding a goat-hair brush in his hand not far away, writing on the rice paper, trying to reduce his presence as much as possible.

Today, the cabinet makes no secret of its vigilance against Zi Yu, or in other words, it is wary of anything that threatens the imperial power.

Jia Heng walked out of the Wuying Hall where the cabinet was located, and walked quickly along the vermilion palace wall covered with snow, intending to head towards the Funing Palace.