AWB Chapter 951 Princess Haiyan is very ambitious
Chapter 951 Princess Haiyan is very ambitious
As soon as Emperor Zhaowu entered Lingzhou, he heard rumors about his younger sister.
"Princess Haiyan was very ambitious. The prince consort was originally a son of the emperor who was exiled to the common people. She thought that the prince consort could ascend the throne and become the new emperor. But who knew that the prince consort died in Iron Horse City."
"She must be unwilling to see her dream shattered. As soon as she entered Lingzhou, she used General Jiang as an example to establish her authority. She wanted to insert him into her confidant with justification."
"Just wait and see. A large number of officials will lose their official positions and will be replaced by her people."
"The princess also wants to completely take over the salt industry, grain industry and all walks of life. She has a big appetite."
"That General Wu is ostensibly a garrison general sent by the imperial court, but in reality he is the princess's private soldier."
"There are two more people, one with the surname Tang and the other with the surname Ma, who are also the princess's men. You can wait and see, one will take over the position of the garrison general of Gongcheng, and the other will take over the position of the garrison general of Songcheng."
"In this way, Tiema City, Gong City, and Song City are connected in a line... Haha, sooner or later they will go against the imperial court."
"The new emperor is blind and actually gave Lingzhou to the princess as a fief. The princess is now like a fish in water..."
The blind new emperor squeezed into the crowd and listened to gossip silently for a while, then tightened his cloak and was about to leave.
Someone asked him to chat, "You look rich, so you must be the son of some wealthy family."
Emperor Zhaowu smiled faintly and made up a story, "The surname is Zheng."
The man suddenly realized, "Zheng family... the fourth young master?"
Emperor Zhaowu smiled faintly again, did not answer, and walked away.
The man ran to report to his master, saying that he had met the fourth young master of the Zheng family.
Someone from the Zheng family, a big grain family, has come.
Emperor Zhaowu got on the carriage and sent people to investigate what the Zheng family was and what kind of person the fourth son of the Zheng family was.
He made up a story and people took it seriously. It was a fresh feeling.
Soon, the attendant reported, "The Zheng family is a large grain producer. Almost half of Lingzhou's grain comes from the Zheng family."
Emperor Zhaowu thought that the rice of our court was first sent to the Zheng family's granary, and then distributed to the people at a high price.
How can ordinary people afford it?
He was furious, but he didn't show it on his face. He found an inn to stay in and asked his subordinates to continue collecting information about the Zheng family.
Another day passed, and the subordinate reported, "The fourth son of the Zheng family is called Zheng Xian. He looks gentle and generous on the surface, but in fact he is a petty and cruel person. He has close contacts with Jiang Zhongxin."
Emperor Zhaowu, who was mistaken for the fourth son of the Zheng family: "..."
It was really heartbreaking. I don't know why that person was so blind as to think he was the fourth son of the Zheng family.
He asked Xiao Shuzi, "Do I look gentle?"
Xiao Shuzi curved his eyebrows and said, "The master is gentle and kind."
Emperor Zhaowu glanced at him, "Why do I feel like you are talking about an old man?"
He is clearly in his prime, with a handsome face.
Xiao Shuzi opened his mouth and said, "The master is handsome and unparalleled in the world, and he is young and promising."
Emperor Zhaowu was still young after all, and liked to hear words like “unparalleled in the world”.
The wind had not yet died down, and the snow had not yet stopped. Emperor Zhaowu ordered, "Go to Enyi Inn."
It was already noon when we entered the inn.
Emperor Zhaowu traveled incognito and few people knew him. The doorman of the inn thought he was an old acquaintance of the princess and went in to report that a young master named Xiao wanted to see him.
Shi Anxia thought for a long time, but couldn't think of which Mr. Xiao wanted to see her without a visiting card, so she just said that he was busy and didn't see her.
After a while, the doorman came back to report, "Mr. Xiao said that he came all the way from the capital and is an old acquaintance of the princess. He hopes that the princess will meet him in her busy schedule."
Shi Anxia put down the grain account book he was reading, rubbed his brows, and said, "Please ask him to come in."
Someone from Beijing? An old acquaintance?
Her eyes lit up. Xiao Changle?
But the person who came was covered in dust and it turned out to be...Emperor Zhaowu Xiao Zhi!
Master Xiao! Master Xiao!
Shi Anxia burst out laughing and quickly stood up and bowed, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhaowu smiled and gave a false helping, his wide sleeves bringing up a scent of pine ink, "My sister, there is no need to be so polite." He then joked, "My sister, do you seem a little disappointed to see that it is me?"
"Your Majesty is joking. I just never thought that 'Young Master Xiao' was you." Shi Anxia stood up and sat elegantly beside Emperor Zhaowu after he took his seat. She tapped the table with her fingertips to signal Bei Hui to serve tea.
She observed the tired look on the emperor's face and frowned, "Is it because of the situation in Lingzhou that my brother rushed all the way from the capital?"
Emperor Zhaowu took the teacup and opened the lid. Amid the mist of tea, the emperor's eyes were filled with a gentle smile. "I am here to support my sister. I heard that you want to execute Jiang Zhongxin on the spot?"
Shi Anxia smiled, "Jiang Zhongxin is already on his way to the capital in secret. I had people spread that rumor."
Jiang Zhongxin has been operating in Lingzhou for many years, and his influence and minions have already spread to every corner.
On the surface, this man appeared to be honest and upright. Whenever there was a disaster, he would open his granaries to distribute grain, and he would build bridges and roads himself. He enjoyed a good reputation among the people.
To touch him would be to touch the interests of various aristocratic families and merchants, and would involve a large number of court officials.
This guy was also good at disguise. All the benefits given to the people on the surface were won by him with great efforts, and the heavy taxes and levies in secret were all the fault of the Northern Wing court.
Jiang Zhongxin even formed an alliance of interests with the northern border merchants, the grain transport office, and the border army generals, and they all prospered and suffered together.
There were also some important officials in the six ministries of the court who had secret dealings with him.
Such a person's movements are like shaking mountains. If you cut off one of their heads, there may be thousands of hands attacking in the dark.
Shi Anxia wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to wipe out all parties before they could make arrangements.
Otherwise, it would take who knows how long it would take to bring him to the capital for a thorough trial. If all parties joined forces to attack, Lingzhou would be in chaos.
At that time, Anxia explained the situation in detail to Emperor Zhaowu, and at the end, he added, "The chaos in Lingzhou will surely attract the covetousness of Liang and Wan."
Wan State was unwilling to accept the defeat. She had captured quite a few Wan State spies recently.
The people of Liang coveted the gold mines, and Cen Che was the best proof of this.
All parties are waiting for Lingzhou to fall into chaos so that they can take advantage of the situation to get a bite of the fat meat.
Shi Anxia analyzed and reported to Emperor Zhaowu.
Be careful with your words and respectful in your attitude.
She asked someone to bring the city defense map and explained the deployment to him one by one.
Emperor Zhaowu looked at Shi Anxia with a focused expression and gentle eyes, nodding his head from time to time to show his approval, "My royal sister has thought it through carefully."
He paused for a moment, with admiration in his eyes, "If my sister were a man, she would definitely become the most outstanding general in our northern wing."
Shi Anxia bowed slightly and said modestly, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. The success of Lingzhou is due to the concerted efforts of all the soldiers. General Wu Qicheng planned the battle, Tang Xinghe and Ma Chuyang led the charge, and I, your sister, only contributed a little. I am good at speaking, and I can tell your Majesty a few things."
She raised her eyes to look at Emperor Zhaowu, "The Northern Wing is full of talented people, and it is Your Majesty's virtue to know how to appoint the right people to the right positions."
Emperor Zhaowu smiled heartily, "You don't have to say that, my sister. I am where I am today because of you and my husband." He suddenly stopped smiling and asked cautiously, "Is there any news about my husband?"