novelAbuy Chapter 74 Prince Teng Breaks Through Defenses
Chapter 74 Prince Teng Breaks Through Defenses
灵堂
King Zhongshun took the burning incense from King Wu, bowed three times to offer the incense, turned around and dragged over a chair, sat down in front of the altar, and looked at Prince Teng: "If you have anything to say, say it in front of the spirit of the Second Prince in heaven."
Wang Ziteng glanced at the coffin, looking a little uneasy: "Well, Your Highness has had a long and tiring journey, why don't you rest for a while..."
King Chungsun: "Speak!"
Left with no other choice, Wang Ziteng repeated the story he had discussed with everyone beforehand, and then handed over the murder weapon again.
Prince Zhongshun's gaze fell on the bloodstained short arrow in the box, and he asked, "Is it unrelated to the Imperial Uncle and the three princes?"
The King of Wu, the King of Lu, and the King of Yong all looked at Prince Teng with different expressions, some nervous and some expectant.
Thinking of the military report that had already been submitted, Wang Ziteng gritted his teeth and replied, "It has nothing to do with the Imperial Uncle or the three princes."
King Chungsun slowly raised his head and looked directly at him: "Are you sure?"
Wang Ziteng nodded vigorously: "Confirmed."
King Chungshun's gaze swept over the crowd: "Can any of you testify for Prince Teng?"
The military report had been sent, the documents were signed and sealed, and there was no way out. Everyone had no choice but to grit their teeth and agree.
A smile appeared on Prince Zhongshun's face: "That makes things easier. As long as we find out who owns this crossbow, that person will be a suspect..." He then looked at Commander Qiu of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, "Interrogating cases is your forte. Arrest all the suspects and find out the real culprit... Don't wrong an innocent person."
Should I take the blame?
Commander Qiu cursed the old fox inwardly, but outwardly bowed and said, "Please enlighten me, Your Highness. Who are the suspects, and who should be arrested?"
King Chungshun gave him a deep look, his smile still on his face: "To be able to shoot through a horse's neck, it must be a military crossbow."
Commander Qiu was slightly taken aback: "Commander Wang just said that the Tartars used captured crossbows from the Datong Guard sentries to launch a sneak attack on His Highness Prince Jin..."
The smile on Prince Zhongshun's face faded slightly: "How did the Tartars know that the Second Prince was at the front lines?"
Commander Qiu subconsciously replied, "The Tartars aren't blind. The imperial court's reward procession for the frontline troops is vast and impressive..." At this point, he suddenly realized what he meant and quickly shut his mouth.
The smile on Prince Zhongshun's face froze: "Even so, the Tartars aren't cunning enough to set up an ambush on the Imperial Uncle's way back to the capital."
This question not only stumped Commandant Qiu, but also made Wang Ziteng, Feng Tang and others feel a chill in their hearts, as this was precisely the part that could not withstand scrutiny.
Liu Feng's eyes flashed. Was he looking for a scapegoat?
King Zhongshun threw the box to the ground, and the crossbow bolt rolled out and landed right at King Wu's feet.
The King of Wu's foot twitched slightly, but then he abruptly stopped, standing rooted to the spot without moving an inch.
Apart from King Lu, who was keeping a close eye on King Wu, no one else noticed.
"Since it's a crossbow from Datong Guard, then let's start the investigation from Datong Guard!" King Zhongshun snorted coldly.
Everyone was stunned.
The main force of the Datong Guard had already been completely wiped out, and the detachment left behind in Datong had been besieged for more than three months. It was only because they came to the rescue that the Emperor's brother-in-law and the three princes had a chance to escape... This is no way to pin the blame on them!
Li Mu was furious and aggrieved. He strode forward, cupped his hands, and said, "May I ask, Your Highness, what suspicion has been placed against my Datong Guard?"
King Chungshun knew he had spoken out of turn, but he was unwilling to lose face. He only glanced at him and said indifferently, "Whether there is any suspicion or not, we will know after investigation."
Li Mu's eyes reddened with anger as he said, word by word, "Then this humble general will await Your Highness's investigation in Datong." He turned and shouted at the Datong Guard officers, "Go home!"
The group clasped their hands in greeting to King Zhongshun and strode away.
"How could it come to this! How could it come to this! Your Highness..."
King Zhongshun remained silent, but Prince Teng stamped his foot and chased after him.
Everyone followed.
King Lu approached King Zhongshun and advised, "Uncle, you should go out and take a look. The morale of the army is of utmost importance..."
Commandant Qiu also stepped forward to persuade him, asking him to go outside and say a few words, emphasizing the importance of the overall situation.
King Zhongshun gritted his teeth, got up and walked out of the tent.
As soon as they reached the commander's flag, they heard the wailing of bugles rising and falling, followed by deafening shouts:
"go home!"
"go home!"
The thunderous sound of hooves echoed as the Datong cavalry charged out of the gate...
"Great, excellent!"
King Chungshun's face turned ashen.
Having failed to make an example of someone, he had to find another target. His gaze shifted, and he spotted Liu Feng returning. Remembering the old grudge between them stemming from Qi Guan, he loudly asked, "Captain Qiu, if I remember correctly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard also possesses this type of crossbow, doesn't it?"
Commander Qiu wasn't stupid; he immediately understood. He had long disliked Liu Feng's "youthful arrogance," and hurriedly replied, "Your Highness, the Embroidered Uniform Guard does indeed possess crossbows, and the crossbow bolts are exactly the same as the murder weapon."
The group of people who had just returned were all stunned and looked at Liu Feng.
Liu Feng stepped forward, clasped his hands, and asked, "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"
With a snort, King Zhongshun said, "I am acting on imperial orders to investigate this case. Anyone suspected of involvement must be apprehended and questioned."
Liu Feng took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "What am I suspected of?"
King Zhongshun's eyes flashed: "We both know this, why bring it up?"
Liu Feng laughed in exasperation: "This humble official is foolish, please make your point clear, Your Highness."
King Chungshun stroked his beard and glanced at him sideways: "You have a long-standing grudge against the second prince, so take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity..."
Liu Feng's heart tightened: "I have no grudge against the Prince of Jin, so where would this old grudge come from?"
"No enmity or grudge?"
Prince Zhongshun sneered, "Back then, when the Second Prince's personal guards ambushed Lin Ruhai, you almost died..."
He froze at this point. This was a royal scandal!
There was a moment of silence, then an uproar broke out.
The Prince of Jin intercepted and killed Lin Ruhai? The Emperor's son assassinated a high-ranking official!
Prince Zhongshun knew he had committed a grave offense. Upon returning to the capital, he knew the emperor would not forgive him, and he could not afford to offend the empress dowager.
His eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Since you don't know what's good for you, then let's talk in jail. Guards!"
A squad of imperial guards rushed over and surrounded Liu Feng.
"presumptuous!"
Liu Feng pulled the blood-stained imperial edict from his robes, held it high, and shouted sternly, "I am the imperial envoy appointed by the Emperor himself! Do you intend to rebel?!"
With that, he stepped forward and shouted at the Imperial Guard general, "Get out of here!"
The Imperial Guard commander swallowed hard and replied, "Yes." He then gestured and led the Imperial Guard away.
Liu Feng snorted coldly, turning his gaze to the ashen-faced Prince Zhongshun: "You are an imperial envoy, and so am I. You have no right to interrogate me. Let's each submit our memorials!" With that, he held up the imperial edict and calmly left.
King Zhongshun's face contorted with rage. He roared at the stunned Commandant Qiu, "Investigate! Dig three feet into the ground and find the culprit!" With that, he stormed off.
Everyone then came to their senses.
Wang Ziteng watched Liu Feng's retreating figure and shook his head: "Young people are impetuous and too sharp. Little do they know that too much rigidity leads to ruin. What a pity."
Feng Tang, who was standing to the side, smiled and said, "Young people, after falling down a couple of times, will naturally learn to conceal their talents and keep a low profile."
Before Wang Ziteng could say anything more, a loud laugh rang out behind him: "Good! That's got guts! Just like my old Xie's temper!"
Wang Ziteng was taken aback at first, then angrily turned and left.
Feng Tang smiled inwardly. Wang Ziteng had been humble and subservient for over ten years, yet he hadn't received such a single sentence in return.
Xie Jing said it on purpose for Wang Ziteng to hear.
He smiled smugly and leaned closer to Feng Tang: "He's a member of the Lin family, so he's part of our lineage. When we get back to the capital, I'll treat him to drinks, firstly to thank him for saving my life, and secondly to reconnect with him."
Feng Tang frowned: "He's a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard..."
"What's there to be afraid of!" Xie Jing waved his hand. "The Beijing garrison has been beaten to this state. The one in the palace should be worried about what to use to stop the Tartar army next time, instead of suspecting us."
Feng Tang nodded. Although what he said was harsh, it made sense.
Xie Jing laughed: "That's right, eat when you're hungry, drink when you're thirsty. What 'When the country is in trouble, every citizen has a responsibility'? Bullshit! We've fought battles in the north and south, and what have we gotten in the end? Sigh, it's so damn frustrating!"
Feng Tang sighed.
Someone has to take responsibility for this crushing defeat. The Duke of Cheng'en is the Empress Dowager's only younger brother; would the Emperor dare touch him? In the end, it's likely those who fought and bled will be the ones who suffer...