No. 1 Girl in the Imperial City

Chapter 599 Victory without force?

"Where is the murderer?" Bai Jingrong asked with a gloomy expression.

The guard lowered his head and said, "He is missing and is being traced."

Bai Jingrong said nothing, and the hall was also silent.

After a while, I heard Bai Jingrong say coldly: "Go over and have a look."

"Your Majesty." A man in black came out of the inner hall and bowed: "My Majesty, the murderer may still be in the palace, so be careful."

No one else showed any surprise at the sudden appearance of a man from the Queen Mother's inner palace, as if they were used to it.

Bai Jingrong sneered and said, "I want to see who is so bold and dares to act so recklessly in my palace!" After that, he walked out first.

The man in black didn't say anything more and followed silently.

Luo Junyao and Bai Ning looked at each other and quickly followed.

The masters under Bai Jingrong lived in a row of houses behind the Queen Mother's chamber, which was exactly in two completely different directions from where Luo Junyao lived.

Except for regular servants, no one is allowed to approach here without authorization.Luo Junyao knew that the people living here were all masters, so she would not pry around at will. This was her first time here.

Mr. Zhang was still lying on the floor of the room, and a pool of blood spread from under him, staining the surrounding ground red.

He was lying on the ground, his face turned to one side with wide eyes, as if he had seen someone or something extremely horrifying.

The man in black who was following Bai Jingrong stepped forward and quickly inspected the body. He stood up and walked to Bai Jingrong and whispered: "He was stabbed to death with a dagger at close range. The murderer did it cleanly and cut off the heart with one knife." pulse."

That's why he died quietly, without making any noise.

But even if he was seriously injured, being able to approach Mr. Zhang without alerting anyone proved that the person who did it was definitely a master among masters.After all, although Mr. Zhang was injured, his throat and tongue were not injured. It was impossible not to call for help when he was in danger.

Except when he found out, the knife was already at his heart.

Bai Jingrong glanced at everyone in the room and asked, "When did it happen?"

The man in black said: "The body is still warm, and the blood has not solidified yet, not more than a quarter of an hour."

"My subordinate heard a noise coming from the room. When he came over, the door was open and he saw Mr. Zhang..."

Bai Jingrong said no more, turned around and walked out.

"Where's Ah Zang? Let him come to see me." After walking out of the room, Bai Jingrong looked up at the sky and said in a deep voice.

The guards took the order and left, and Bai Jingrong ordered someone to inform Ji Zhan about what was going on in the Queen Mother's Palace and seal off the entire palace to catch the murderer.

After doing all this, Bai Jingrong held Bai Ning's arm and walked out.

"What do you want to say?"

Luo Junyao was following him and suddenly heard Bai Jingrong's voice. He looked up and saw Bai Jingrong looking at him.

"Mother, are you asking me?"

Bai Jingrong said: "I think you seem to have something to say."

Luo Jun shook his head and shook his head quickly.

"Say what you want."

Luo Junyao hesitated for a moment and then whispered: "Empress, where is the king..."

Bai Jingrong said: "If something like this happens in the palace, it is natural to tell him. If we hide it, I'm afraid he will think that we have some conspiracy again."

Luo Jun shook his head and said nothing. Bai Jingrong glanced at her sideways and said, "You want to ask if he sent someone to kill him?"

Luo Junyao quickly said he didn't dare.

Bai Jingrong sighed: "It's okay if you think so. I don't know, I hope not."

While the two were talking, Qu Fang had already walked over with the guards who had just been sent.

"A Fang." Bai Jingrong greeted him with a smile, "Zhang Chuan is dead. I'm a little scared. Where have you been?"

Qu Fang said calmly: "Ji Rong came to see me just now."

Hearing this, Bai Jingrong frowned slightly, "Arong, why did he come to you?"

Qu Fang looked at her, his eyes deep and silent.

Bai Jingrong's eyes rolled, and she said sweetly: "Forget it, let's talk about this later. Ah Rong too, since he came here, he didn't know to meet me as a mother. It seems that he came to see you specially. I don't know what your relationship is. It’s such a good time.”

Qu Fang didn't answer, so his relationship with Ji Rong was naturally not good.

Although he has been in the Qi tribe for many years, Qu Fang does not like to make friends with others, and even the relationship with Bai Jingrong's sons is light.

As for why Ji Rong came to him, it was really not convenient to say it in front of others at this time.

"Just after he left, he said that you have worked hard these past two days and he won't disturb your rest. He will come back tomorrow to say hello."

Bai Jingrong didn't take it seriously. This was naturally just a show of force. Ji Rong had always avoided her as a mother.

Qu Fang turned to look inside the door and asked, "Shall I check?"

Bai Jingrong shook his head, "These things will be taken care of by others, so why bother you? Let's go."

Qu Fang didn't insist, he just nodded silently and followed Bai Jingrong outside.

Because of Zhang Chuan's death, Bai Jingrong seemed to become more uneasy. She asked Qu Fang to stay with her at all times, and the entire Queen Mother's palace was also turned over.

In the end, the assassin's matter was settled. The palace was in a state of uproar, but not even a hair on the assassin's body was found.

Bai Jingrong did not have a seizure, but the atmosphere in the palace became increasingly tense.

The maids and slaves in the Queen Mother's Palace also secretly speculated in their spare time whether it was Ji Zhan who did it.Some people even found a way out of the palace, and the palace, which used to be quiet and solemn, felt like it was in a state of turmoil.

Ji Zhan was also very angry about this. He knew that Bai Jingrong was doubting him, and he also knew that she could not believe his explanation.

What's more, he doesn't have that much free time now to resolve the relationship with Bai Jingrong. The most important thing now is the sudden attack of troops outside the royal city.

"Your Majesty, our army has been defeated. General Zuo is asking for support!" In the main hall, the rapid footsteps of the guards made people feel inexplicably panicked.

Sure enough, the news brought was indeed shocking.

"How could it be?!" Ji Zhan stood up, with a look of shock and anger on his face.

"Ji Xu brought with him the most elite soldiers of our Qi tribe. It has only been a few days... When did those trash in the Western Regions have such ability?" If the rabble of the Western Regions could defeat the Qi tribe's soldiers and horses so easily, they would not be able to do so. I have been a lowly person in front of the Qi people for so many years.

The guard said: "Your Majesty, General Zuo...encountered an ambush. Before he met the opponent, General Zuo sent someone to ask the King to send troops to support him quickly, otherwise something bad might happen."

"Bastard!" Ji Zhan was furious, but there was nothing he could do.

He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said in a deep voice: "I am sending an edict from the king to summon the heads of each family and the royal family to the palace to discuss matters!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

In some dark tents, Ji Rong was sitting in the tent drinking tea.Yao Zhong sat opposite him, looking relaxed and at ease, as if he was not in a foreign royal city at this moment, but in the home where he felt most at ease.

"Once the news of Ji Xu's defeat reaches the royal city, the entire Qi tribe will be in chaos." Yao Zhong looked at the handsome young man opposite and said, "Prince Ji Rong should have made preparations early."

Ji Rong snorted softly and said: "Ji Zhan still thinks that those who oppose him are the rabble from the Western Regions, and the regent can win without force."

"Our military book in the Central Plains says: Soldiers use deceitful methods." Yao Zhong smiled disapprovingly: "What's more, this unconquerable regent seems to be one of the people who pushed the Qi people back to the desert. ?”

Ji Rong did not comment and calmly changed the subject, "This is the royal city of the Qi tribe after all. This battle... Xie Yan may not always win." Yao Zhong chuckled and said, "I don't know if Xie Yan will win, but I know Ji Zhan and Bai Jingrong will definitely lose."

Ji Rong was stunned for a long time before sighing softly and saying, "You are right."

If the Qi Clan Royal Court desperately fights back, it is true that they may not necessarily lose. After all, this is still the territory of the Qi Clan, and Xie Yan does not have Dasheng's experienced elites in his hands.

But the price Ji Zhan needs to pay is definitely not what he is willing to bear.In this current situation, once Ji Zhan's throne is no longer secure, what can Bai Jingrong do?
Bai Jingrong and Ji Zhan were supposed to be the closest people in the world and should trust each other. However, the mother and son have reached this point. No wonder others took the opportunity to add insult to injury.

"Your Highness, the king invites His Highness to come into the palace to discuss matters." The voice of Ji Rong's confidant came from outside the door.

"just me?"

"There are also the heads of the major families and all the royal men."

"I know, let's go down." Ji Rong said calmly.

It quickly became quiet outside. Ji Rong looked up at Yao Zhong and sighed: "It seems that he plans to compromise with the major families."

Yao Zhong raised his eyebrows and said: "If it had been half a month ago, everything would have been easy to talk about. But now, I'm afraid the conditions are not acceptable to Ji Zhan. Your Highness, what are your plans?"

Ji Rong smiled at him, stood up, arranged her clothes and walked out.

"Mr. Yao has been with me for so long, doesn't he just want to see the desired results?"

"so?"

"as you wish."

When Ji Rong stepped into the palace where matters were discussed, the hall was already full of people.

Different from usual court meetings, everyone sat on both sides.Ji Zhan still occupies the main seat in the main hall, and next to him on the right is Bai Jingrong.

Ji Rong smiled silently in her heart, but there was no unnecessary expression on her face.

"I've met the Queen Mother, and I've met Brother Wang."

Ji Zhan frowned slightly, "Why are you here so late?" He was the first to send someone to summon Ji Rong. He wanted to say a few words to his brother before discussing the matter, but Ji Rong was the last to come.

Ji Rong lowered his head and said without explanation, "My brother is late, please forgive me, brother Wang."

"That's all." Ji Zhan waved his hand impatiently: "Sit down."

Ji Rong then walked to the side and sat down in the empty seat left for him. A disdainful snort came from next to him.Ji Rong's expression remained unchanged and she didn't even look at the man.

That was a certain cousin of his, who had always disliked the weak-looking Ji Rong.Ever since he came back from a proton stay in Da Sheng, he has seen something even more unpleasant.

Ji Zhan ignored these trivial matters, glanced at everyone in the hall, and talked about serious matters.

As soon as the news of Ji Xu's defeat came out, it was like pouring a ladle of water into a frying pan, and the entire hall exploded instantly.

Ji Zhan is not only a member of the royal family, but also one of the top generals of the Qi tribe today.

Even he was defeated. Are those people really that powerful?
If it had been ten years ago, everyone in the palace would have been so excited that they would have asked for a fight.

But today's Qi people are not ten years old. If they really can't afford the war, how could the Qi people be willing to give up the east, where the environment is better, and return to the desert all the way?

After decades of fighting life and death with Dasheng, nine out of ten famous generals of the Qi tribe have long been eliminated, and most of the remaining ones just want to live in peace and contentment.

After all, no matter how great the ambition and dignity are, they cannot compare with the fear of possible annihilation of the family.

Ji Xu's defeat was a huge psychological blow to them.

They recognized that they could not defeat Dasheng in the east. Who would have thought that after returning to their hometown, they would not be able to defeat even the small countries in the Western Regions that had surrendered before?
The hall was silent for a moment.

Ji Zhan glanced at everyone coldly and said in a deep voice: "What? Are you afraid?"

The crowd remained silent.

"It's useless to be afraid now. Where else can we retreat?" Ji Zhan said in a deep voice.

Everyone naturally understands this truth. They have nowhere to retreat now, but no one wants to be the one who takes the lead.

Everyone exchanged glances with each other, and some simply started whispering among themselves, but still no one took the initiative to speak.

"Ji Rong, what did you say?" Ji Zhan suddenly asked.

Ji Rong was stunned for a moment, looked at everyone and hesitated before saying: "Brother Wang, now... the most important thing is to send troops to support General Zuo first, right?"

Ji Zhan nodded and asked, "Who will we send to lead the troops?"

Ji Rong looked around at everyone, sighed softly and lowered her eyes and said, "If Brother Wang believes in me, I am willing to lead my troops to meet General Zuo."

As soon as he finished speaking, there was a sneer around him.

"Are you kidding me? If I ask you to lead the troops, do you know which direction to go in?" The tall middle-aged man sitting next to Ji Rong sneered.

Ji Rong was not angry and said calmly: "Although I have never been on the battlefield, I am still willing to do my part for Brother Wang and the Qi people. My cousin thinks that I am not good at it, but I don't know who is my cousin?"

Everyone looked at Ji Rong with a bit of surprise in their eyes.

Ji Rong has always had a gentle and uncontroversial image in front of others. Such an image is not popular among the Qi people, so there are not a few people who despise him, but they just don't show it so openly.

At this moment, Ji Rong suddenly stood up and spoke sharply, which actually changed people's view of him.

After all, he is the heir of King Zhan Cheng, and he still has some of his father's spirit.

"Arong is right." Ji Zhan said: "Since my uncle thinks that Arong is not good, why not ask my uncle to recommend someone who can lead the army? We can sit here and chat, but Ji Xu can't wait."

The middle-aged man was choked by the brothers and was speechless for a moment. The hall was quiet for a moment, and then he heard him snort coldly: "With all due respect, how many troops does the king have that can be mobilized for support at the moment? "

"That's right, General Ji Xu just brought [-] elite troops to support him two days ago. Why did he..." This immediately aroused everyone's discussion. Some people agreed: "I don't have many troops in the royal court of the Qi tribe. Something like that happened again before, and now there are probably less than [-] troops left to guard the royal city, right?"

Some people couldn't help but glance up at Bai Jingrong who was sitting on the side, but saw that her expression was as calm as a mountain, and she didn't feel guilty at all for causing chaos in the Qi Clan's royal city.

When the hall was busy, a voice came from far outside, causing the whole hall to become quiet again in an instant.

"Report! Report to your Majesty, there is smoke in the west. The Yin people are coming from the southwest and northwest directions towards the royal city. They are expected to arrive at the earliest tomorrow night!"

"How many people?" Ji Zhan asked with a cold face and gritted teeth.

"At least 10 people!" the guard reported.

Ji Zhan waved his hand and ordered the guards to retreat. He glanced at everyone with a stern look and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, have you heard this? If you are not ready to flee with your family now, do you know what to do?"

Everyone's expressions changed.

Ji Rong said: "Brother Wang, I have a thousand elite soldiers under my command, which can be used to join the Qi army."

Everyone knew the purpose of Ji Zhan calling them here.

The Qi people are different from the Central Plains in that they have strict limits on the number of guards that noble ministers can have.The strong men, slaves and soldiers of the major families of the Qi people are also an important fighting force of the Qi people.

These people usually do not need to be raised by the royal family. They follow their masters or family heads to the battlefield, and all the credit and expenses belong to the family.

Now that the troops are insufficient, Ji Zhan naturally needs the help of these big families.

But this is not an easy thing. Ji Zhan's current reputation is not enough, and the mother-son fight between Ji Zhan and Bai Jingrong has made many people dissatisfied.

This mother and son with Central Plains blood had brought the Qi tribe to this stage. If they wanted to help, it was impossible to just rely on their mouths.

(End of this chapter)