After being exiled, I led my whole family to rebel.

Chapter 316 Chaos in the Royal Palace
"Beyond the boundaries of our Jinzhou Prefecture, even in Bianjing, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the common people can no longer survive. The Great Zhou Dynasty has continued to fight, and the people are miserable and have no way out. Under the turbulent fate of the country, no one can survive alone. "Mr. Lin's voice was filled with sadness, "Your Highness, in addition to political considerations, you also have to consider the millions of people in Bianjing who are still struggling to survive - you could unify the world as soon as possible, end the war as soon as possible, and let the people live a better life. A stable life. I, the people of Da Zhou, really can no longer bear the ups and downs of our country’s fortunes——”

Xu Zhenying's heart was heavy, he was a little lost in thought, and his eyes were dull.

She seemed to be sitting there, but her eyes were wandering to nowhere.

After a long time, I heard her say: "Let me think about it for one more night."

This night is destined to be a sleepless night.

Some of the senior officials under Xu Zhenying knew about the situation in Bianjing City. People who came to persuade them came in more than a dozen waves, but Jiang Yongkang blocked them all.

The lights in Xu Zhenying's study did not go out, and they were unwilling to leave.

On Xu Zhenying's side, there were people who advocated war and peace, but the voice of war still prevailed.

After all, as long as the Northern Expedition is needed, this power from the dragon will be almost at your fingertips. The world will be stable and the four seas will be unified. This is a golden opportunity that only comes once in the ages!

Becoming a marquis, worshiping the prime minister, and making great achievements are just around the corner!

Even Zhou Houfang, Qu Min and Chang Yuanshan, who have always been calmer and more composed than others in the secretarial office, are a bit confused right now.

Ming Xiaoshuang and the others stood outside. They felt uneasy leaving and there was no point staying. In the end, they waited in the waiting area of ​​the government office.

If Xu Zhenying has any ideas, they will know it immediately.

As a result, the window at the entrance of the government office that usually receives people was now densely packed with people.

Ming Xiaoshuang sighed, with a sad look on his face, "Do you think...will His Highness choose the Northern Expedition now?"

Zhou Houfang analyzed rationally: "The battlefield to the east is a bit unstable. There are still two cities that are desperately resisting, and local powerful people have been stumbling upon us, but these are not important matters. His Highness has many capable people. I don't believe it." Someone who can clean up the northern battlefield."

"Then what are you still hesitating about, Your Highness? Now that the city of Bianjing is in chaos, the emperor is dead, and the civil and military officials will definitely be in trouble. It is a good time for the Northern Expedition."

"Perhaps... the plan has been advanced, and His Highness is a little overwhelmed, right?"

Hearing this, Ming Xiaoshuang suddenly smiled, "I have followed His Highness for so many years, and I have never seen him at a loss. Your Highness is the most mentally tough person I have ever seen. If she hesitates, it must be because she has not thought of a perfect solution. ”

Mr. Lin came over and said, "You mean, His Highness is thinking about the Northern Expedition, but he hasn't solved Zhao Yi's problem yet, so he's a little unsure?"

Ming Xiaoshuang suddenly laughed, "Oh! Why should I be in a hurry? Your Highness is the smartest person here. She must be thinking of a way. What's the use of me being anxious? I might as well do whatever Your Highness asks me to do. ”

Mr. Lin sneered, "This is called being a pure minister for eternity!"

Ming Xiaoshuang touched his head, "Yes, yes, it all means the same thing."

Zhou Houfang said: "Your Highness... I'm afraid you are also worried about Miss Feng'er."

When Feng'er was mentioned, Ming Xiaoshuang's face obviously darkened.

Feng'er——

It's really heart-wrenching.

Seeing everyone waiting outside, and subtle sounds coming from time to time, Jiang Yongkang simply ordered the door of the government office to be closed, completely blocking out the intermittent sounds outside.

Then he ordered his two personal guards: "Don't let anyone in."

Only then did he stride in.

The young man was wearing a long gown. Jiang Yongkang, who had taken off his armor, looked somewhat elegant.

He had been educated, but he still had the aura of killing on the battlefield, and he was usually stoic, so his subordinates always avoided him.

But at this moment, he suppressed all the anger in his body, his eyes seemed to have softened, and even his movements on the door were so gentle.

Jiang Yongkang knocked on the door, but no one in the room responded until he said, "It's me."

There was silence in the room for a moment, and then he was invited inside.

Jiang Yongkang pushed the door open and came in, blowing a gentle breeze, even mixed with the coolness of summer.

The book on Xu Zhenying's desk turned a few pages.

The woman's eyes were cold and translucent, like the snow on the mountains, with a whiteness that could not be looked directly at and a biting coldness.

Jiang Yongkang was not particular about it and did not greet him politely. Instead, he walked straight into the room, then dragged a chair by himself and sat next to Xu Zhenying.

During the whole process, neither of them spoke.

This kind of time alone for two people is very rare.

One of them is in Jinzhou Mansion and the other is on the battlefield. Gradually, they seem to have become two parallel lines, with only letters remaining.

But sitting like this, both of them felt very at ease.

Xu Zhenying feels that this is the power of partners.

Jiang Yongkang gently pushed the teacup over and said, "Drink some water. You haven't had any rice or water tonight. Are you hungry?"

Xu Zhenying shook his head and sighed.

"It's not what you said. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, you can't treat yourself badly. Some people strive to build a career, some people strive for three meals a day, and some people strive for their dreams. But at the end of the day, they all need a good body. support."

Xu Zhenying smiled helplessly, "I really can't eat it right now."

Jiang Yongkang had no choice but to surrender, but sat lazily in his chair and talked about his dinner today: "Speaking of which, I ate a bowl of chicken noodle soup that Aunt Feng made for me tonight. The chicken soup took more than an hour to cook. , and also put some angelica root, which has a faint medicinal aroma, and a thin layer of oil is cooked on it, and the chicken will melt in your mouth, and it will fall off the bones in one sip. It is also garnished with a little green onion, and it will be hot all over. I was sweating. Paired with a bowl of cold mung bean paste, I suddenly felt that conquering the world and making achievements were not as important as the bowl of chicken noodle soup I had tonight.”

Xu Zhenying listened to him quietly. She naturally knew in her heart that Jiang Yongkang was persuading him to eat. She smiled helplessly, but her heart felt warm. "Then...is there any chicken soup?"

Jiang Yongkang smiled slightly, with a hint of success in his eyes, "Of course. I'll ask Aunt Feng to cook a bowl."

Then he went out to order noodles, and soon, within a few minutes, he walked in with the fragrant chicken noodle soup that night.

Jiang Yongkang also picked up the noodles with chopsticks, blew on them, and then handed the chopsticks to her hand, "Eat slowly, it's a bit hot. I also asked Aunt Feng to put a small piece of ice in it, but I'm afraid it will lose the flavor. You taste it first." taste."

Xu Zhenying took the chopsticks and started eating slowly.

Jiang Yongkang sat next to her, poured a bowl of tea for her and let it cool, while saying this to her, "Are you...a little scared?"

"What are you afraid of?"

Jiang Yongkang raised his eyebrows, "I think maybe you are the same as me. It's just that we are more timid when we are close to home. Our original plan was to pacify the East and West in ten years and finally go north. But I didn't expect this day to come so quickly. In fact, I I feel anxious and uneasy. Even though the thing I have been pursuing day and night is already right in front of me, I feel more fear."

"Part of it." Xu Zhenying ate very slowly, while she was eating, she was straightening out her thoughts, "Maybe you are right. Of course, I am also worried about Feng'er. I'm afraid that they will arrest Feng'er as a way to negotiate with me. chips.”

Jiang Yongkang didn't expect this section and was a little surprised.

He knew that Xu Zhenying was a person who valued love and justice. He dared to go to the den of thieves alone because of Li Yinzhang, and later he was depressed for a long time because of Li Zhaodi. If something happened to Feng'er, she would never be able to forgive him in her life.

"I know the opportunity is rare, but I still want to find a more secure way."

"Okay, let's do what you usually say and let the data speak for itself." Jiang Yongkang slowly guided her, "The information we know now is that Feng'er's whereabouts are unknown, so there are several possibilities. One is the most What's worse, Feng'er has fallen into Zhou Zhong's hands. Either she is dead, or she is alive and waiting to be thrown out as a bargaining chip by Zhou Zhong. "

Jiang Yongkang's voice was hoarse and low, which seemed to gradually soothe Xu Zhenying's anxious heart.

She also gradually cleared up her thoughts, "Second, Zhou Zhong didn't catch her, so where did she go?"

"Is it possible that Zhou Heng's rival Han Dao was kidnapped? Please tell me how our intelligence network in Bianjing City was discovered?"

"My brother didn't mention it in his letter, but I guess the person who could catch us so accurately might have a traitor within our own ranks."

When he heard that there was a traitor, it was obvious that Jiang Yongkang's expression changed.

Xu Zhenying laughed: "Why, do you think we are impregnable inside?"

"I just feel... we work so closely together ideologically, yet someone would still betray us."

"Wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes. There is no corner in the world that cannot be dug down. It just depends on whether your interests are right. Besides, maybe the traitor has to do it because he is threatened by others. It can happen under any circumstances."

"What about Xu Huiming and the others?"

"My brother should be safe, otherwise he wouldn't have sent me this secret letter. He should be hiding somewhere in Bianjing City at this moment, anxiously trying to find a way to save Feng'er."

"Your Highness." Jiang Yongkang looked at her motionless, "Tell me the truth, did you hesitate before because you didn't want a head-on war to happen?"

Xu Zhenying pursed her lips.

Jiang Yongkang immediately knew that he had guessed correctly.

Xu Zhenying...she really didn't want the army to go out and fight with flesh and blood.

Looking back on the past, it was all about firearms and they fought sporadic guerrilla warfare. But facing Bianjing City, not to mention the 200,000 troops in the north, there are 50,000 forbidden troops, and Zhou Mian still has 50,000 private soldiers. These 300,000 people will inevitably fight with each other on the frontal battlefield.

War means death.

And this is what Xu Zhenying least wants to see.

"I know that you have been looking for peaceful ways, or ways with the lowest death to capture cities and territories. Because of this, you have been committed to researching new weapons and conquering them with gentle economic means. The casualty rate of our soldiers is also The lowest. After fighting for so many years, our casualties are less than one-third of those of the Zhou Dynasty. Your Highness, you have done enough and done well enough."

Jiang Yongkang's voice was soft and soft, but it had a reassuring power, "You have to know that as long as there is a war, there will be bloodshed and death, and we cannot avoid it."

Xu Zhenying showed pain, "But I am very greedy. I want to save everyone's life... Am I not worthy of being a person in power? If I start this war, hundreds of thousands of people will die. I know the power of imperial power. The road is not easy to walk, and it is destined to be a road full of blood and bones, but sometimes I also wonder whether I am doing all this for my own power, or am I really doing it to change the world and let everyone live a better life? A good life? I'm afraid...Afraid that I've become a slave to power unknowingly." "Your Highness, don't doubt yourself." Jiang Yongkang held her hand, and the man's hand was as hot as a furnace. Death is inevitable, and without you, there will be others. The dust of history will fall on everyone, but only you, only you can end this troubled world, only you can restrain yourself after taking power, and only you can carry it with you. Everyone is growing stronger. Your Highness, you have to believe in yourself. If you don’t do well enough, do you expect us to count on the Zhou family?”

"Your Highness, I know that you don't like power. In fact, what you like is peace and prosperity. You have not become a slave to power. You are fighting for everyone in the world. Some people are destined to sacrifice, and that is Shi Ye's fate. Yeah, this debt is not your fault! If there really is an underworld, I, Jiang Yongkang, will bear these lives!"

"I am a materialist and do not believe in the underworld. But I understand what you mean." Xu Zhenying sighed deeply, but also smiled helplessly, "You are right, the Zhou family... is indeed unworthy. I have not become one either. A slave to power, now and in the future.”

Xu Zhenying stood up slowly, opened the window, and breathed in the cool early summer air outside. Her eyes gradually became firm.

It's really ridiculous. When the time comes, why would you still hesitate?

When she was first in Lan County, how determined was she to change the world?
Is it really more timid to be close to home?
Yes, she had told herself long ago that as long as there was a rebellion, someone would always die, including herself.

She can't protect everyone.

She, Xu Zhenying, is destined to be the one who ends the troubled times!
Xu Zhenying took a long breath, then turned to look at Jiang Yongkang.

Her hair was gently blown up, and the moonlight was blurred and enveloped her head. She was as unattainable as a goddess in the holy light.

"Minister Jiang, let us end this troubled world!"

----------------------

Bianjing City, inside the imperial palace.

Following Zhou Chong's death, the atmosphere in the palace was tense.

On the tenth day after Zhou Chongchun's mysterious death, the palace was still not at peace. A large number of forbidden troops were searching the harem and the city, saying they wanted to catch the murderer, but there was still no trace of the murderer.

Even though the news of the total fall of the Eastern Territory has not yet reached the capital, keen people have already sensed the aura of change.

This world may really be changing.

Everyone in the harem was in danger, the eunuchs and maids all lowered their heads, they didn't even dare to file a lawsuit, and they walked quietly, for fear that if they were not careful, they would be killed to scare the monkeys.

And in these troubled times, the palaces of several concubines were tightly closed, and would only be opened when the leader of the imperial army led a round of searches.

In the concubine Jing's palace, as soon as the searchers left, Wang Qiu Shuang couldn't wait to retreat. Then she came to a small dark room covered by a green curtain. She knocked on the door very carefully.

Three long and one short, this is the secret code set between her and Shangfeng.

There was a rustling sound inside, and then the small door was pushed open from inside.

This is a small Buddhist hall for worshiping incense, which can only accommodate one person.

At that time, Feng'er happened to be summoned by the Empress, and her identity was exposed. More than 30 people in the Datong Society in the harem were afraid that she would fall into the trap of Zhou Mian. With the exchange of information and cooperation, Feng'er disappeared and was narrowly missed. Give back a life.

Finally, they decided to hide the person in Jing Bin's place.

What followed was an overwhelming search.

Wang Qiu Shuang helped the person out carefully, "Xu Sheyou, they have left. There have been several rounds of searches now, and the security inside and outside the imperial city is tight. I am afraid that you will be wronged in a short time."

To be honest, when everyone wanted to hide Feng'er with Concubine Jing, she was unwilling to do so.

It's one thing to yearn for Jinzhou Mansion, it's one thing to yearn for success, but it's another thing to actually go through fire and water with your head tied to your belt.

Now that the emperor is dead and the city of Bianjing is in turmoil, Wang Qiu Shuang just wants to protect herself wisely and save her life.

But unintentionally, she heard Eunuch Luo calling this person Minister Xu.

Wang Qiushuang's mind immediately changed.

My surname is Xu.

The female queen of Jinzhou Prefecture also has the surname Xu. It is difficult to say that there is no connection between the two.

Wang Qiu Shuang plans to risk everything!
That's why she nodded and accepted the hot potato.

However, in the following days, there were almost two small searches every two days and one major search every three days. Although they were all in the name of finding the murderer of Zhou Zhong, Wang Qiu Shuang was astute and naturally noticed something unusual.

I am afraid that the identity of the man in front of me is so great that he has attracted such a large-scale pursuit from Zhou Mian.

This time, she, Wang Qiu Shuang, really had to cross the tightrope alone.

If you are not careful, you will be doomed!

Feng'er was petite and climbed out of the small Buddhist hall with great difficulty. "Is there anything new happening outside now?"

"No, it's still the same. The situation has been at a stalemate since His Majesty's death."

"Where's the queen?"

"The queen is with the prince and princess."

Feng'er shook her head, "I'm afraid the queen's life will be difficult."

Wang Qiu Shuang understood immediately and gasped: "You mean, the Supreme Emperor will take action against them?"

"Maybe kill someone and silence them, maybe take away the prince and separate their mother and son."

Wang Qiu Shuang said angrily: "Your Majesty's body is still cold. He is the emperor after all, but the funeral is so careless! He didn't allow us to go and mourn, but now he can't wait to attack orphans and widows!"

Wang Qiu Shuang was really angry. Although Empress Yuan Chun was the mistress, she never treated her concubines like other mistresses, who came and left when called upon.

On the contrary, Empress Yuan Chun always said that they were pitiful and had great pity for them. She never deducted their expenses and treated them as sisters sincerely.

Now that His Majesty is dead, the Supreme Emperor can't wait to attack the Queen. They are also concubines, so it is inevitable that they will have the same hatred and hatred.

This time it was the queen, and next time it would be the turn of the concubines.

"Zhou Mian's ambition has always been to be the emperor. When he promoted Zhou Zhong to the throne, it was only because of the strong opposition of those old ministers. In recent years, he eliminated dissidents, took control of the military, and almost cleaned up the court. By the time Zhou When it’s time to abdicate again, it’s just that not many emperors can abdicate alive.”

Jing Bin was secretly surprised.

Is this the woman from Jinzhou Mansion?

It was enough to just call the emperor by his name, but he could clearly see the turmoil and causes of Bianjing City for several years in just a few words. This kind of sensitivity was really rare.

Jing Bin has a kind of admiration for Qiang. When she heard Feng'er say this, she immediately lowered her body unconsciously, and even vaguely respected Feng'er, "So friends, what should we do now?"

Feng'er pondered for a moment, "Is there any way you can let me see the Queen?"

Concubine Jing looked embarrassed, "The Queen's Fengqi Palace is closely guarded by the Supreme Emperor's people. We don't know what's going on inside. I'm afraid it will be even harder to see people."

"Can you pass on the message?"

"I can try."

"Well, I'll write a note and ask you to hand it over to the queen."

Wang Qiu Shuang wanted to ask what kind of note it was, but she didn't think it was easy to ask, and she was even more upset.

But now, there is no room for change.

Zhou Chong died mysteriously. It was said that he was shot by a cold arrow while hunting in spring. But Wang Qiushuang had an intuition that this matter was closely related to Zhou Mian.

Now that Zhou Chong is dead, the Queen cannot protect herself, let alone such an unpopular concubine.

Even if I say something bad, I still have to go and bury His Majesty.

Wang Qiu Shuang is unwilling to do so.

She is only in her twenties now, when she is still strong, why should she die?
She doesn't want to die.

She wants to live.

She even wanted to get out of this square palace greedily.

It is said that birds die for food and people die for money. She, Wang Qiu Shuang, is willing to stop this for life and freedom!
It seemed that she knew that she was hiding here and had brought endless trouble to the concubine. Feng'er smiled and patted her shoulder, "Wang Sheyou, don't be afraid. To put it bluntly, your emperor is dead. You There is no way out. The only way to survive is to follow me. You should know that Zhou Mian will not let you go."

Wang Qiu Shuang smiled reluctantly.

How could she not know this truth?

Where is the need for Minister Xu to beat her?
At this moment, the palace door of Fengqi Palace was rudely kicked open from the outside, and then a large number of forbidden troops came in like fish filling water.

The leader is General Yu of the Forbidden Army.

Wearing silver armor and holding a spear, he walked with great vigor, beating the hearts of the palace people like a heavy drum.

In fact, no one in Fengqi Palace dared to symbolically block the way.

General Yu was born to be powerful, tall and mighty, and could knock out an eunuch with one kick. They really did not dare to take this risk for a queen who had lost power.

Loyalty also comes with a price.

Queen Yuan Chun's palace door was kicked open by someone.