Chapter 47: The Assassination of Zhu Biao
The evil star.
A fate with great destructive power.
In terms of combat effectiveness, it is one level higher than Liu Lian's. The three combat attributes of "Moon Rising from the Sea" add 10, and the four attributes of "Unlucky Star" add 15. However, the flaws are also not small. The charm and luck are reduced, and he also has a "halo of doom" with him.
Whoever is around him will be unlucky!
Likewise, those who fight with him are also affected by the halo.
——Common routines in martial arts novels, such as the heart is on the right side, it is only three points away from being fatal, and there is something on the body to block the sword. In his case, this might be, a sword stabs the right side but hits the enemy's heart, and the enemy originally has something on his body but it suddenly falls off before the killing move...
Zhao Wumian encountered this kind of fate during the internal test, and it was very evil.
In front of him, any self-defense item that is triggered by probability may become ineffective.
"Such a person sneaks into a brothel..."
The more Zhao Wumian thought about it, the more strange it felt: "Hong Xiuzhao, it seems that I need to learn more about it..."
"elder brother!"
Suddenly there was a cheer, followed by a white shadow jumping over from the three-story houseboat.
Zhao Wumian looked up and saw that the Grasshopper Boat had already arrived at the Tao Zhu Boat. Bai Liuli, who was playing chess on the deck, saw him and his eyes lit up. He ran to the side of the boat, opened his arms, and jumped off the high platform, saying with joy on his face, "You're back!"
"Miss Liuli, slow down!"
Shen Quan was startled: "My grasshopper boat can't withstand..."
Before she could finish her words, Zhao Wumian leaped up, caught her in mid-air, and floated lightly onto the deck.
Shen Quan heaved a sigh of relief, secretly thinking that Lord Zhao's skills had improved again, as he was able to resolve such an impact with ease.
"Brother, what kind of Kung Fu is this? Is this the new Qinggong you learned?"
Bai Liuli hugged Zhao Wumian tightly, feeling very surprised. Just now in her brother's arms, she didn't feel any force when he dropped her and pulled her, as if both forces had disappeared.
"This is called 'The Great Shift of the Universe'."
Zhao Wumian put her down and said, "This set of skills can stimulate the potential of the body and attract and move various forces. You can also learn it, but it is too difficult. It takes seven years to learn the first level, and twice as long for the second level, so it is ranked at the lower level of the Xuan level. But my sister is so smart, she will definitely be able to learn it faster."
Bai Liuli raised his neck proudly: "It will definitely be faster!"
"Haha."
Zhao Wumian simply took out the secret book and handed it to her, and Bai Liuli flipped through it with great interest.
Zhao Wumian then turned to Shen Weiyang.
Shen Weiyang was still wearing a red dress, standing beside the table, and said with a smile: "I thought you would come back tomorrow."
Zhao Wumian walked over and sat down, looking at the chessboard, and casually placed a piece: "You calculated it so clearly?"
Shen Weiyang followed up: "You made such a big noise on the way, and you took the same carriage on the way back. If you pay a little attention, you will know your speed. The Henan Provincial Surveillance Commissioner reported back fourteen days ago, and even I know it. You are a little slow to come back. Aren't you afraid that the emperor will blame you?"
"I was in a hurry when I left because I was doing something important, so that's fine. Now that I'm back after finishing my business, why are you in such a hurry?"
Zhao Wumian didn't care and handed over a Qiankun bag: "This is for you."
"Wow!"
Shen Weiyang opened his eyes wide, with an exaggerated expression on his face: "It seems that Lord Zhao has made a fortune. Some time ago, he had to think twice before ordering two meat dishes, and today he actually gave me a Qiankun bag~"
"..."
Zhao Wumian ignored her teasing and said, "Just because you brought Liuli out to play and booked the boat for ten days, you should show some appreciation. Besides, you've been taking care of us during the move, so there's no need to refuse."
Shen Weiyang looked at him deeply and said with a smile: "Okay, I won't be polite then. What did you give me as a gift? Eh? [Ice Jade Bead]? And this flag... This can't be the [Clouds and Mists Flag], can it? Are you really willing to give it to me?"
Shen Weiyang was surprised.
The Ice Jade Bead is fine, but the Moving Cloud and Mist Flag is a top-grade Xuan-level magical treasure that is extremely rare on the market.
Zhao Wumian looked at the chessboard and said, "Ice Jade Beads can be used to cultivate ice-attributed spiritual plants, and Cloud-Breaking Mist Banners can be used to set up defensive formations. These two things are useless to me, but you have a large family and a lot of spiritual plants to cultivate and places to defend, so it's only right that I give them to you. Keep them."
It's rare for a miser to be generous.
Shen Weiyang smiled warmly and simply accepted it: "Thank you for escorting Lu Gong. Why didn't you tell me so that I could see the old man off."
Zhao Wumian said, "I left in a hurry, and besides, it was Lu Gong who wouldn't let me go. He had just been released from the imperial prison, and he was wearing prison clothes. He was afraid that you would be sad to see him, so when he came back, he asked me to tell you to go see him when you are free."
"I will."
"How is the capital?"
"Pingliang Hou Fei Ju, Ji'an Hou Lu Zhongheng, Yan'an Hou Tang Shengzong, are dead."
Shen Weiyang looked him in the eyes and added, "The whole family will be executed."
Zhao Wumian was surprised: "So fast?"
Shen Weiyang said: "The crime of treason has been tried by the three courts and the evidence is conclusive. There is no reason to delay."
Zhao Wumian said: "What a pity, the house search failed, and the execution was not supervised."
"Stop adding fuel to the fire!"
Shen Weiyang didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Now there are discussions in the court and the public, especially the officials from Huaixi, who all say that the three letters of treason... were forged by you. They hate you to the core now and think you are a traitor who framed the loyal officials! When the three marquises were beheaded, they cried out for injustice on the execution ground, and more than a dozen officials from Huaixi in Beijing shed tears to see them off. If you supervise the execution and act like a winner, they will eat you alive!"
Zhao Wumian sneered: "Frame a loyal person? You really think highly of me, and you really think highly of those three!"
It is undeniable that Fei Ju and his men were indeed brave generals when they pacified the world. Even if they had faults, they had made great contributions and their good deeds could cover up a hundred faults, so they deserved the title of loyal and good. However, after they were promoted to higher positions, none of them was clean.
Fei Ju was domineering and arrogant in Pingliang, and he plundered the people's wealth so that he could afford such a large pleasure boat; Lu Zhongheng was stationed in Yanmen, and he often passed inferior horses as good ones to enrich himself; Tang Shengzong, the Marquis of Yan'an, even ordered his personal soldiers to go into the Changbai Snow Mountain to search for natural treasures for him and capture rare birds and animals for his practice and enjoyment.
The most crucial thing is that these people are self-righteous and refuse to change despite repeated admonitions. They collude with each other and are united as one!
If they don't die, who will?
This is what they deserve, and it is also the emperor's way of making an example of them to warn other nobles from Huaixi not to be complacent, corrupt and commit corruption!
Zhao Wumian didn't want to pay attention to them, but they kept tripping them up by talking about supervising the execution of Hu Weiyong. Don't blame me for doing whatever it takes. I did it. I just want them dead! It's just that they didn't catch up with the execution. If they did, I would definitely mock them on the execution ground and make them die in uneasiness!
Zhao Wumian didn't care at all.
Shen Weiyang looked helpless.
This guy is just like that, arrogant and doesn't take others seriously at all.
"Besides, this matter will cause great trouble."
Shen Weiyang continued, "Right now, the court is arguing over whether to send troops to the southwest."
"There's nothing to argue about."
Zhao Wumian asked, "Hasn't the emperor already sent a hundred thousand troops as the advance force, and also asked General Deng Yu to replace Fei Ju?"
Shen Weiyang said: "General Deng Yu has always been injured. In the third year of Hongwu, he and Marshal Xu Da went on an expedition to Gansu and killed Yuan general Asatu in the Black Pine Forest. The army penetrated thousands of miles into the northwest of Gansu. Since then, the west of Hezhou has belonged to the Ming Dynasty, but that battle was not easy. General Deng Yu was also severely injured by Asatu's evil skills of the Wushen Cult, which damaged his foundation. Since then, he has been plagued by lung disease. After arriving in the southwest, there were signs of recurrence and his strength was greatly reduced, so..."
Zhao Wumian asked, "So the civil and military officials from Huaixi are exerting their strength and taking advantage of the opportunity to hinder us?"
Shen Weiyang hesitated and said, "It's not a hindrance... It's also legitimate to stop the fighting and let the people rest and recuperate. After all, the war has lasted too long, and the country has just been established, and it's only been a few years of peace and stability."
"Humph."
Zhao Wumian sneered, "The fox mourns over the death of the rabbit. They are just dissatisfied with the death of the three marquises and are taking the opportunity to vent their anger so that the emperor can see their value! At this moment, most of the generals in the court are still Huaixi nobles. These people don't want to fight. Even if the emperor wants to pacify the southwest, it will be difficult to succeed. However, because of this, the more they play this trick, the faster they will die! The more they show that they are irreplaceable and take the opportunity to hold the emperor hostage, the more mercilessly the emperor will kill them once there is a replacement in the future! This is how favors are worn away little by little."
"..." Shen Weiyang was silent. She also understood this truth.
The current emperor is committed to unification and will never sit idly by and watch Xifan, Yunnan, Liaodong and other places out of control. He will definitely send troops to quell the rebellion and completely recover the Central Plains!
The more the Huaixi nobles undermined state affairs out of selfish motives, the stronger his murderous intent became.
"but……"
Shen Weiyang said: "Now these generals are indeed irreplaceable. With internal and external troubles and civil unrest, they are needed to quell the rebellion. The younger generation of generals has not yet grown up. I am afraid..."
"almost."
Zhao Wumian said: "Except for the crown prince Zhu Biao, the emperor's first six sons have all been sent to the frontier, and the rest have been crowned kings. They are the future of the Ming Dynasty. When they grow up, it will be the end of the Huaixi nobles. Moreover, there are also people who are self-disciplined among the Huaixi nobles. They will understand the consequences of going against the emperor, and the so-called dispute will soon be settled."
Shen Weiyang asked: "You mean, you will send troops in the end?"
"Ah."
"General Deng Yu is seriously injured. Who will lead the army?"
"Xu Da will stay in Beiping, Tang He will train troops in Linqing to prepare for the north, and the remaining noble generals who have prestige and ability and will not go against the emperor... Fu Youde."
"correct."
Shen Weiyang suddenly realized: "Among those who are known for their bravery, apart from Xu, Tang, and Chang, the next one is Fu Youde."
Zhao Wumian is familiar with history. Even if the progress of the Mythical Ming Dynasty goes astray, it will not be a big deal: "In addition, the younger generation will also be brought up."
Shen Weiyang thought for a moment, "Then there must be Fu Youde's deputy general Lan Yu, who is in his thirties and in his prime. And... Mu Ying? About the same age. Twenty days ago, the victory report came back that Mu Ying personally led the Shaanxi Army out of the border, crossed the Yellow River, climbed over the Helan Mountains, crossed the Quicksand, and arrived near Helin in just seven days. He divided the troops into four groups, surrounded them from all sides, and won in one fell swoop. He captured Tuo Huochi, Zhiyuan Aizu and all the Northern Yuan troops and is returning home. He is also suitable. The younger generation is eager to make achievements, is brave, and will not go against the emperor. He is the most useful."
Make great contributions...
Liu Bowen's words flashed through Zhao Wumian's mind, and he smiled and said, "Smart! I didn't realize that Miss Shen knew all this."
Shen Weiyang said cunningly: "Those who sell goods from the south to the north and buy in the east and sell in the west are called traveling merchants; those who raise the price on the spot, buy low and sell high are called sitting merchants. Merchants are nothing more than these two types. If you want to buy in the east and sell in the west, buy low and sell high, and make a lot of money, the most important thing is news and intelligence. Lord Zhao, don't let others underestimate you."
"Haha."
Zhao Wumian laughed: "Well said!"
The two chatted happily.
Bai Liuli took the time to glance at the chessboard. It was a game of Gobang, with black and white pieces chasing and blocking each other. The board was full of pieces, but the winner had not yet been decided.
"Brother is so stupid!"
Bai Liuli pointed and said, "If Bai plays the piece here, he wins!"
Zhao Wumian smiled slightly, followed suit, and made moves one after another.
Shen Weiyang admitted defeat and said with a smile: "I lost, I'll treat you to a meal. Aiwen, serve the food!"
……
The next day.
Before Zhao Wumian went to the Pacification Office from his new home to report for duty, he took the remains of Emperor Shenzong of Song with him and went to report to Zhu Yuanzhang first.
Old Zhu rarely adjourned court today and reviewed memorials in the Wuying Hall.
Hearing the eunuch's report, he said without even raising his head, "After being away for half a month, he finally remembered to come back. Let him in!"
"Yes."
Zhao Wumian obediently entered the hall, bowed, and presented the bones of Emperor Shenzong.
Yun Qi looked at him helplessly when he was taking the bone. This kid was really unexpected. Knowing that the Xuan bone was important, he still procrastinated... That's not right. It took half a month to go there and half a month to come back. It couldn't be considered procrastination, but he came back with nothing to do, so he should have come a few days earlier. But he calculated it clearly. He would be lazy for one day if he could, and would never come earlier!
Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Xuan Gu and asked, "Have you had enough fun?"
Zhao Wumian said: "I hurried to the capital last night, but I didn't dare to disturb the emperor, so..."
"okay!"
Zhu Yuanzhang rolled his eyes at him angrily: "You're just wasting time! What? Do you want us to believe your nonsense?"
Zhao Wumian: “…”
Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "Did you meet Liu Bowen? What did you talk about?"
Zhao Wumian answered Liu Bowen's story truthfully, and also told him the [Bone Mirror].
But he didn't mention the matter of sending divination.
Liu Bowen's methods are truly mysterious, and Old Zhu was already somewhat unsure of him, so it's better not to say anything more.
After listening to Zhao Wumian's comparison between him and Song Shenzong, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "You are right, Zhao Xu is not ambitious and has a weak character... Even you know my character, but some idiots are still playing tricks on me and putting pressure on me secretly! Don't want to send troops? Then don't lead the army in the future! Go home and wait for death!"
Zhao Wumian knew who he was talking about, so he lowered his head and remained silent.
Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly: "Even if all these people give up, I can still pacify the southwest by leading the army in person!"
Lao Zhu does have this ability.
The specific strategy for pacifying Yunnan in history was formulated by him personally, and it indeed achieved a great victory.
At this point, Old Zhu became interested: "Why not let Biaoer govern the country, and we lead the troops to go to war..."
Yun Qi was startled and knelt down immediately: "Your Majesty..."
He didn't dare say more.
Old Zhu rolled his eyes at him and said, "Look at the way you look, can't we lead the troops?"
Yun Qi hurriedly said, "Of course the emperor can! And he will definitely win! But the emperor is of noble status, shouldering the responsibility of the nine provinces and the Miaojiang Gu Master is treacherous and unpredictable, so it is really not appropriate for him to go to a dangerous place in person, and there is no need to go to a dangerous place in person! There are so many loyal ministers and generals in the Ming Dynasty, and the southern border is just a remnant of defeated troops. Even if others are unwilling to lead the troops, General Mu Yingmu will definitely share the worries for the emperor!"
"That's true."
In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang already had a candidate in mind for commanding the troops, he was just waiting for an opportunity.
With an army of 100,000 approaching, Yunnan will definitely take action.
"but……"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Xuan Gu with interest: "We really need to retreat for a while. The world will be handed over to Biao'er sooner or later, and he should try to be independent. It's a good opportunity to use this time to practice state affairs and draft edicts, then..."
Zhu Yuanzhang was about to issue an edict when he suddenly felt something in his heart and looked outside the hall.
Yun Qi and Zhao Wumian also felt something was wrong. It was the shadow guards who came, and their steps were very hurried.
The shadow guard rushed into the hall and said in panic, "Your Majesty! The Crown Prince was assassinated while inspecting the Imperial Examination Hall!"
"what?!"
Yun Qi and Zhao Wumian were shocked.
Zhu Yuanzhang, on the other hand, remained calm and sneered, "You are impatient and are starting to make stupid moves. You are courting death!"
(End of this chapter)
