by Zhi Bai
Old Sun continued to laugh. He was very honest and honest, but there was a kind of philistine look in his eyes that only appeared after experiencing a lot of things: "Anzhu and I can't talk about age. Even though you do seem to have committed a few crimes, there's still a letter of advice and an assistant minister protecting you. And after this matter, your future will definitely be bright, Anzhu. When you leave the Martial Arts Academy in the future, you will be at least a sixth grade officer. As long as you accumulate some military merits, you can be promoted to fifth grade commander very soon. "
"At that time, your status and mine would have been worlds apart. So it's no big deal for Old Sun to call you Anzhu now. "
An Zheng pointed to the dishes and wine Old Sun had left on the table just now.
Old Sun chuckled, "Alright, thank you Anzhu for your reward."
The other guard quickly ran out to find two stools. This guard was a young man around seventeen or eighteen years old. His skin was very dark and his eyes were big. He looked as simple and honest as Old Sun, but his spirit was much higher. He was called Lu Kuan, and Old Sun was called Master.
This was an unwritten rule, as all the new guards in the prison had to have a master with them. In the yamen, the ordinary constables also had a group of helpers. These helpers were able to collect money from the constables, but it did not come within the proper regulations of the yamen.
Lu Kuan looked dark and simple, but he was smart. He moved a chair over, but continued to stand by the side and pour wine for Old Sun and An Zheng.
"Sit down, why are you so restrained?"
An Zheng pointed to the empty chair beside him.
Old Sun said: "Since Anzhu wants you to sit, then sit. In the future, if you looked at the exciting points, you would see that there was no limit to your future achievements in the Anzhu. "He's a few years younger than you. As for you, if you don't have any prospects, you can just follow me in learning how to deal with people in this prison."
Lu Kuan was still giggling and did not speak.
An Zheng laughed and said: "Actually, I am quite at ease with my position here, there is no need to get into contact with too many people outside."
Old Sun said, "That's why everyone is silly. I was locked up. After working here for so many years, I already don't know anything. My foolish disciple has ascended to a whole new level. He was born from a foolish womb, and after entering the military prison for a few years, he will become even more foolish. "When he goes out, he won't be able to communicate with others and won't be able to work. What if I don't have anything in the future? What will he do then?"
Lu Kuan continued to laugh foolishly.
An Zheng poured a cup of wine for Old Sun, "Our Military Department is actually the fairest yamen. At the very least, it doesn't have that many dirty things. "He's fine if he's honest, he wouldn't be bullied if he stayed here."
Old Sun nodded his head: "Anzhu is right, the atmosphere in our War Department is extremely clean. If this silly boy had been sent to the prison of the Ministry of Justice, he would have been bullied to death long ago. At the very least, I am easy to serve. As long as you don't contradict me and not make me angry, that's enough. "
Lu Kuan laughed foolishly and said the first sentence, "How could you make Master angry? "That's not filial."
His expressive language was limited, and he had probably never read any books before, so he used the shallowest word to describe his thoughts.
They looked like two pretty good people, but An Zheng kept feeling that these two were a little strange. Maybe it was because of his many years of experience in the Great Western Ming Fa Si, but An Zheng had seen too many people. Thus, from the beginning, he had always been on guard against Old Sun and Lu Kuan, even though he felt that the people from the military would not really make things difficult for him.
An Zheng had been chatting casually with Old Sun the entire time. When he leaned back, he saw Lu Kuan's hands under the table rub unnaturally. His left hand rubbed his right hand, while his right hand rubbed his left.
That night, the Military Department's Assistant Minister Chen Zaiyan personally brought the Chief Scholar Hao Pingan to the carriage. When they got on the carriage, perhaps because he was too tired and his footsteps were a little shaky, Chen Zaiyan held Hao Pingan's hand and sent him to the carriage. The carriage was escorted by the sixteen experts of the Army Department back to Hao Pingan's residence.
At daybreak on the second day, Chen Zaiyan entered the palace and reported the matter regarding the Martial Arts Academy in detail to Swallow King.
The window was open, and the morning wind was blowing through the window, causing Mu Changyan, who was drunk last night, to wake up. He already knew about what happened at the Martial Arts Academy yesterday. Before he could do anything, the empress dowager Su Qingnuan had already rushed over, demanding to thoroughly investigate the military and to recall Hao Pingan. Mu Changyan could still be considered wise when it came to the matters of the army. He knew that Hao Pingan and the soldiers were the most loyal subjects to him, and that if he messed with the army, he would lose all of his authority.
Last night he was worried and drunk.
"What do you mean? Was this arranged by the military? "
Hearing Chen Zaiyan's words, Mu Changyan's face changed.
Chen Zaiyan nodded his head: "Reporting to my King, this matter was personally planned by Master Shang Shu. Master Shang was well aware that the Martial Arts Academy had already been infected by the evil wind. If this went on for too long, the Martial Arts Academy would be reduced to a place filled with hidden filth. However, too many people's interests are involved in the Martial Arts Academy. Therefore, if this matter is made public in advance, it would be difficult to investigate the Martial Academy. "
"Then you should have told me first."
Mu Changyan heard that Chen Zaiyan had explained the solution before, so his heart became a little calmer. "Hao Pingan has good intentions, but to do so in such a manner would make one feel that it is a little rash. Especially with Grand Autumn Ceremony causing such a ruckus previously, the impact is too severe, I'm afraid those students are just too disappointed in great swallow. "
Chen Zaiyan lowered his head and said: "Master Shang Shu's intention is to report it to the King first, but later on when we were discussing it, I felt that if we were to report this matter to the King, I am afraid... The empress dowager will intervene. "
The empress dowager was a thorn in Mu Changyan's heart, so Chen Zaiyan's words immediately made him a little angry. In the end, what Chen Zaiyan said was not wrong.
Chen Zaiyan continued to speak, "Master Shang Shu said, the Martial Arts Academy is rotten. If we do not cut off the rotten meat, the people who want to control the Martial Arts Academy will use this rotten meat to rot faster. At that time, it would be difficult for the Martial Arts Academy to continue moving forward. Furthermore, the reason why Lord Shang Shu had made this decision was because he had sensed that there seemed to be an unknown force that wanted to control the Martial Arts Academy. "
Of course, Mu Changyan knew who the unknown power that Chen Zaiyan had pointed out was. The empress dowager had always wanted to control the army and the martial academy, that he knew.
Chen Zaiyan said: "Master Shang Shu said that he wants to catch the opponent off guard. He took advantage of this opportunity to cut off all the hands that were in the Martial Arts Academy and the military. This was the only way to ensure the purity of the Martial Arts Academy and the Military Department and the loyalty of all the members of the Martial Arts Academy and the Military Department to the King. He also said that in the end, it would require a person to stand up and make a sacrifice, and that he was willing to be that person. "
Mu Changyan sighed: "Sigh … "It's hard on him."
Chen Zaiyan said: "Actually, the one who sacrificed was not only Master Shang Shu, but also that youth called An Zheng."
"An Zheng?"
Mu Changyan's mi
nd went blank for a moment, as he felt that this name sounded a little familiar. Suddenly, he remembered that time he went out of the palace and met that group called Heavenly Awakening Sect in the city. These two things that were inexplicably linked, actually reminded Mu Changyan of the incident four years ago in the Fantasy City.
"Oh …" It's him. "
Mu Changyan muttered to himself, and then he was greatly shocked in his heart.
Could it be that the son of the Great Mother Ye and the previous crown prince had also come to the capital?
He immediately sat up straight: "Who is this An Zheng?"
Chen Zaiyan said: "He's a young man that Master Shang Shu appreciates a lot, a talent that is hard to come by. Although he was only 15 years old, his ambition was high and his plans were deep. He would definitely become a great person in the future. Moreover, this young man had the heart to sacrifice his reputation and future to help the Minister accomplish this. This spirit was especially commendable. The King is at the moment of employment, so this young man can be used again in the future. "
This matter was like a raging storm in Mu Changyan's heart, his thoughts were all on another matter.
Ye Yun and the previous prince's child, Xiao Qi Dao, had come to the capital. If the empress dowager knew about this, the Xiao Qi Dao would definitely die. And once Ye Yun knew that her child was gone, she would definitely be utterly disappointed in Mu Changyan. That was his brother's child, the bloodline of the Mu family. This matter must not be leaked out.
Then, Mu Changyan changed his mind. This youth called An Zheng had already protected the Xiao Qi Dao for more than four years. Once he mobilized people from his side to protect the Xiao Qi Dao, it would definitely arouse the emperor's suspicions, so he had to keep An Zheng here. Originally, he had thought that An Zheng would immediately get rid of An Zheng after knowing his identity as the Xiao Qi Dao.
However, the moment he thought about it, he knew that getting rid of An Zheng was the most irrational thing to do.
"Oh …"
Mu Changyan absent-mindedly let out an "oh", and then, perhaps because he felt that he had lost his composure, he subconsciously asked. "Why didn't Hao Pingan tell these things to me personally?"
Chen Zaiyan lowered his head and said: "For this matter, and also for the border wars, Master Shang Shu has not been home for an entire month. He can't sleep for more than two to three hours every day; This morning, he had wanted to personally report this matter to the King, but because of his unwell condition, he was already bedridden. Last night, Master Shang sent someone to tell me that he was afraid that it would be difficult for him to personally report this matter to the King, so he sent this subject to see you in the morning. "
Mu Changyan sighed: "If great swallow had a few more people like Hao Pingan, then I would be at ease. You two have been Hao Pingan's most capable assistant in the military all these years, and you two have been operating the military smoothly and smoothly. For the period that Hao Pingan is at home recuperating, you should temporarily take over the position of the chairman. "You should be familiar with the military affairs as well. If it was anyone else, the military might have been turned into a huge mess."
"This subject accepts the order."
Chen Zaiyan cupped his fists, "Great King, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible, so this subject has already begun to inspect the Martial Academy, and the results will be out today. This official will first leave to pacify the people, then I will announce the results of the Martial Arts Academy in the afternoon. "Arrange for people to find the examinees who have been delayed by the Martial Arts Academy all these years. Then, arrange for the Martial Arts Academy to open up to the public and let them enter the Martial Arts Academy. This way, the people will have a better understanding of the Martial Arts Academy."
"Go."
Mu Changyan said: "You are responsible for this matter, do not worry about the empress dowager. For the matter of the military, Gu Jue will never give in."
Chen Zaiyan got up, "This subject will take his leave."
After Chen Zaiyan left the Tiantong Palace, he immediately went to the dojo. Then he explained everything to the crowd outside the Martial Arts Academy. With such a powerful official in the imperial court, the citizens' ruckus gradually lessened. Then, Chen Zaiyan sent someone to prepare a lot of steamed buns and send it to the crowd. He stood on the stage and explained while eating the steamed buns with the commoners.
In the afternoon, the Military Chief, Hao Pingan's family sent someone to the Tiantong Palace to report that Master Shang Shu was severely ill. Mu Changyan was shocked, he personally led the best doctors in the Tiantong Palace to rush to the Hao Pingan Residence.
At the same time, at the entrance of the Martial Arts Academy, Chen Zaiyan announced the list of people who had committed dereliction of duty in the Martial Academy. There were at least two pages of the list, covering more than sixty people, including the Vice Principal of the Martial Academy. The military superintendent directly rushed into the Martial Academy to arrest people. In just half a day, over a hundred people had already returned. Furthermore, this case was not handed over to the Ministry of Justice, but the Army directly reported it to Swallow King.
By the time the sky turned dark, the commoners were all infected by Chen Zaiyan's charisma and became completely convinced of his sincerity.
Chen Zaiyan announced to everyone at the entrance of the Martial Arts Academy that the academy would be open for three days. Anyone could enter the Academy to visit. Then, the Martial Arts Academy would start a new censorship system. It would relax the conditions for the children of the Humble Class. There would be more ordinary people who could enter the Martial Arts Academy and receive the same kind of fair treatment as everyone else. As long as they completed their training in the Martial Arts Academy, they could be assigned to the army as low-level officers.
This news was truly too exciting for the commoners.
Before Chen Zaiyan left, he said: "That young examinee, An Zheng, who has discovered the matter of the martial academy's greed is currently within the military. Everyone, rest assured, he will not receive any unfair treatment. Furthermore, An Zheng said that he was willing to take out a part of his assets and look for those examinees who were once excluded from the Martial Arts Academy, so that they could return to the Martial Arts Academy to learn from him. In addition, An Zheng is willing to give a sum of money to specially support students who live in poverty to let everyone have at least three meals in the Martial Academy without any worries. "
The citizens cheered, and along the way, more and more people found out An Zheng's name.
Embroidery Palace
Su Mao's expression was extremely ugly. "Empress Dowager …" The reaction of the Army was too fast, this subject had thought that this would be our chance to take Hao Pingan down, and it could also be our chance to do so. However, before this official could come up with a plan, the matter of the Martial Arts Academy had been resolved and the public opinion had been appeased. Right now, we can only call for the officials to listen to Hao Pingan first and see if we can get Hao Pingan out of the army. "
Empress Dowager Su said: "For this matter, the King is very determined. He rarely dares to talk back to me, so I can't force him too much. After all, I still need this puppet. But no matter what, we have to take care of the matter of the army, and bring Hao Pingan down so that our people can get involved. As long as I have the military in my hands, and hold the military power in my hands, the King will no longer have the mood to confront me. "
Su Mao replied, "This matter cannot be delayed. This subject will go back now, gather all the officials, and discuss the words to play on Hao Pingan during the night."
Empress Dowager Su waved her hand, "Go. The Martial Arts Academy is a small matter, but the military is a big one. The matter of the Martial Arts Academy can be left to them to cause trouble. However, the matters regarding the army cannot be stopped for a single moment, even if Hao
Pingan dies, I cannot let him die gloriously. "
Su Mao stood up and said, "This subject will be going to handle this matter."
Just as he was about to leave, Li Changlu, the servant beside Empress Dowager Su, hurriedly ran in and knelt on the ground. The Military Minister, Hao Pingan … "Dead!"
Empress Dowager Su stood up abruptly. "Dead? Didn't you say that she was severely ill? To die so quickly? "
Li Changlu kneeled there and replied: "It's not that I'm too sick, there was a mistake in the previous news. Just a moment ago, the exact news came from Hao Pingan's home. It was that Hao Pingan blamed himself too much for the military and the Martial Arts Academy's matter, and he was unable to think of it properly at the moment.
Empress Dowager Su's body shook slightly, the anger in her eyes burned like fire: "This Hao Pingan!"
She had just said that even if Hao Pingan were to die, she could not let him die gloriously. Right now, Hao Pingan was indeed not dead due to glory, but had left this world to apologize for his crimes. However, this person's reputation could not be sullied any longer. He was dead, and there was no point in putting any more charges on his head. A single death atone for all the faults.
Once Hao Pingan died, the people of the army would definitely be in an unprecedented situation of unity, so even if she wanted to take this opportunity to insert people in, it would be as difficult as ascending to the sky.
"Immediately think of a way to rope Chen Zaiyan in."
After the Empress Dowager Su calmed down, she instructed: "He comes from a Humble Class and has never seen much of the world. Give him money, treasures, and women. The King will definitely allow Chen Zaiyan to be promoted to the Military Chief. We have already lost our advantage, it is too late for us to choose people to compete with Chen Zaiyan. "Then bring him here and do it now!"
Hao Pingan immediately ran out, his footsteps was in a mess.
At this time, Chen Zaiyan was quietly sitting face to face with An Zheng in the military prison.