Jiuxi

Chapter 147 Chapter 146 [Emperor’s Close Ministers]

"Your Majesty, the Sutra Weaver has asked Mr. Qin to see you."

Someone from the palace reported softly outside.

Li Duan said calmly: "Xuan."

He raised his eyes to look at Lu Chen and explained briefly: "Although you have never mentioned it, I know that you are very interested in the assassination case in Xiliu Lane, so I sent someone to summon Qin Zheng in advance and asked him to state the details face to face, so that you would not worry about it again. Go to the Warp Weaving Department for a run."

Lu Chen's heart moved slightly. Of course the emperor's temperament was not just the kindness and kindness shown in front of him, otherwise it would have been impossible for him to gradually gain power under the constraints of all parties and gain an advantage in the struggle with the wealthy families represented by Zuo Xiang. Gotta be cheap.

This seemingly gentle Supreme has a pair of eyes as calm as a lake, as if he can see the thoughts of his ministers through the clouds and mist.

While he was meditating, the Sutra Weaver promoted Qin Zheng and walked slowly into the Hall of Rende. He came to the imperial court and bowed and saluted: "Your Majesty, Qin Zheng, pays homage to your Majesty."

Li Duan raised his hand and said: "My beloved, you will be free of courtesy."

Qin Zheng straightened his body and Lu Chen took advantage of the situation and looked over.

Lu Chen was naturally quite curious about this thunderous spy leader, but after entering the capital, he resisted his curiosity and did not go to visit him. He only saw him from a distance at the court meeting that day, but the view was not very real.

At this moment, the two people are only three feet apart, and they can distinguish every detail.

He is over forty years old, with a medium build, a straight face, and a calm and restrained demeanor.

Li Duan said warmly: "Has the identity of the assassin been confirmed?"

Qin Zheng replied: "Your Majesty, I have already investigated clearly. These two assassins are masters trained by the puppet Yan Inspectorate. The swordsman Lu Duwei killed with his own hands was named Cao Huai, and the arrested strong man assassin was named Cao Huai. My name is Chen Fang."

Lu Chen remembered that Li Bingxue once said that the assassination case had been handed over to the Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple for joint investigation. Now it seems that there is no progress there, but the Sutra Weaving Department is obviously investigating secretly.

In other words, Qin Zheng's initiative to withdraw the Weaving Department from the investigation was just a lie. It was probably a cover-up used by the monarch and his ministers in the court to confuse the ministers and the Northern Yan spies hiding in the dark.

However, they did not shy away from Lu Chen. It was obvious that the emperor had great trust in him.

Li Duan looked at Lu Chen's face, a smile appeared on his lips, and then said to Qin Zheng: "Today, in front of the suffering master, I will briefly explain the information currently held by the Sutra Weaving Department."

"The minister obeys the order."

Qin Zheng knew the emperor's intentions very well and said calmly: "It is not difficult to guess the purpose of the Pseudo-Yan assassins. They assassinated Lieutenant Lu because they wanted to alienate the relationship between our central government and the border army. The reason why they chose to attack Lieutenant Lu We started because His Majesty valued Captain Lu too much this time. I am not complaining about Your Majesty. When Governor Li of Jingzhou decided to help Captain Lu become famous, what happened next became inevitable."

Lu Chen was slightly surprised. The relationship between the monarch and his subjects was really different.

Even if someone was as powerful as Li Daoyan, the Prime Minister of the Left, he would probably not publicly say the word "complaint" to the emperor. He would always maintain the majesty of the king and the humility of his ministers openly.

Qin Zheng kept his eyes straight and continued: "As for who leaked the information about Captain Lu's whereabouts, the Sutra Weaving Department has not found out yet. There are seven people under my command who know the details, but the internal guards have repeatedly investigated this. All seven people have been eliminated as suspects. I think it is very likely that someone in the right prime minister's house leaked the news, but——"

He paused here, looked at the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, I suggest that you inform the right minister secretly, and it is not appropriate to make it public. The Pseudo-Yan assassin who is still alive is both a dead soldier and an abandoned son. His identity and crime can be announced and then executed. This way It can also give the world an explanation. As for the possible traitor in the right prime minister's house, we might as well wait until this matter subsides and investigate separately."

Lu Chen noticed the emperor looking towards him and immediately understood the origin of this scene.

Qin Zheng's proposal was based on the overall situation. After all, Xue Nanting had an extremely upright reputation in both the government and the public. However, if the courtiers knew that he was not strict in running the family, and the mansion was infiltrated by the secret service of the puppet Yan's Office, it would be very difficult for the right prime minister. Unfavorable, there is no guarantee that other important ministers will not take this opportunity to stir up trouble.

But Lu Chen was the one who suffered the assassination, and behind him now stood Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun, who were also the arms that the emperor relied on. How to deal with this matter in the end had to take into account Lu Chen's own thoughts.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen said calmly: "Your Majesty, I agree with Lord Qin's suggestion."

Li Duan laughed softly and said to Qin Zheng: "I said before that Lu Chen will definitely not object, how about it?"

"Your Majesty Shengming."

Qin Zheng bowed his hands in salute, then turned to look at Lu Shen, and said meaningfully: "Your Majesty, as early as half a year ago, when Su Yunqing used his merits to give Captain Lu the post of cadre, I knew that this young man was different from everyone else. Different. In fact, I really want to promote him to an official position in the Sutra Weaving Department. Especially after reading the detailed report sent by the Guangling Yamen in Huaizhou, I think Lu Duwei is a genius in this field. It is a pity that Your Majesty does not allow me to do this. Do."

Lu Chen's eyes narrowed slightly.

Although Qin Zheng said it more euphemistically, he could hear the profound meaning of those words. It turned out that Su Yunqing was not promoted because of someone's conspiracy, but that most of the credit was given to Lu Chen. That's why there was such a thing in the tavern. A conversation.

The emperor over there laughed and said, "Don't complain to me. Lu Chen is Xiao Wangzhi's favorite talent. If you are capable, go and compete with him in the ring."

Qin Zheng shook his head and said: "Your Majesty is joking. Governor Xiao is guarding me as much as he is guarding against thieves."

The monarch and his ministers were chatting and laughing happily, but Lu Chen just listened quietly.

After a while, Li Duan looked at Lu Chen, smiled and asked, "I remember you are 19 years old this year?" Lu Chen respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I will turn 20 at the end of this year."

Li Duan asked again: "Do you have a cousin?"

Lu Chen shook his head and said, "The crowning ceremony has not yet taken place, and my father has not taken the title."

Li Duandao: "I heard Qin Aiqing say this, so I plan to give you a letter of apology. I hope you won't dislike it."

The emperor's gesture was worthy of being called a courteous corporal. Although Lu Chen felt it was a bit sudden, it was difficult to refuse at this time. It would be foolish to use Lu Tong as a shield, so he lowered his head and said, "It is my honor to give you the words from your majesty."

"As long as you don't dislike me for my lack of talent and lack of knowledge."

Li Duan smiled and said leisurely: "Your name is given by the Chinese character Shen. Your Majesty should take the meaning of Shen Yi, solemn and stable. I thought about it last night and felt that the word Jing'an is more appropriate. What do you think?" "

Lu Chen, Lu Jing’an?
It sounds pretty good.

Lu Chen actually didn't care about his cousin, but Lu Tong would definitely slander the emperor when he found out about it. But the emperor had given so many benefits at the previous meeting, and he showed so much concern after his assassination, so now he should accept it happily. right way.

After thinking clearly about the connection, Lu Chen bowed and said, "I thank your Majesty for the words."

Seeing that he was so successful, Li Duan was naturally very happy and said with a smile: "You can like it, I have been thinking about it for half the night. I will let people continue to investigate the assassination case. You don't have to worry about it. I will leave in a few days." Go back before the New Year and spend the holidays with your family. After the New Year, I hope you can follow Xiao Wangzhi's instructions and assist him in handling border military affairs."

Lu Chen felt that there was something in the emperor's words, but when he saw that the other party showed his intention to exclude guests, he lowered his head and said: "I will remember your majesty's teachings, and I will retire."

Li Duan nodded slightly and said: "You don't have to come here to say goodbye when you leave Beijing. I know that you men in the border army don't like red tape."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Lu Chen responded still calmly.

Li Duan looked at his tall and straight figure, with a hint of emotion deep in his eyes, and then said to Qin Zheng, "Qin Aiqing will send him off on my behalf."

"The minister obeys the order."

Qin Zheng was obviously as familiar with the palace as he was at home. He did not need the eunuchs from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to lead the way. He only had a few small yellow gatekeepers following him from a distance.

Lu Chen knew that this big shot who controlled thousands of spies in Daliang had other instructions. Otherwise, no matter how much the emperor valued Lu Chen, he would not have let Tiju, the warp weaver, lead him.

As expected, Qin Zheng looked forward and said straight to the point: "What I said in front of Your Majesty just now was not polite. If Governor Xiao hadn't blocked the way, I hope you can play a greater role in the Weaving Department."

Lu Chen wisely remained silent.

"The report sent by the Guangling Yamen records in detail the whole process of your battle of wits and courage with the spies of the Puppet Yan Procuratorate. From those details, it can be seen that you are born with a keen insight and an extremely careful mind. Of course, I am just saying this with emotion, I don’t want to face Governor Xiao’s stinky face just because I am fighting for a junior.”

Qin Zheng smiled faintly, and then changed the topic: "Su Yunqing's loyalty to the imperial court is unquestionable. You must have seen this clearly in previous contacts, but he is lacking in some aspects."

Lu Chen did not agree with this, because he saw with his own eyes that the secret agents in Huaizhou of the Warp Weaving Department had paid a lot, and Su Yunqing naturally contributed to this, so he said in a neither humble nor arrogant manner: "Master Qin, I think Su Jianxiao is not very capable. Not bad at all.”

"You misunderstood. I didn't mean that he was incapable."

Qin Zheng's tone was calm, and then he said: "He has been in Huaizhou for more than eight years, and the people in the north have already figured out his temperament and behavior style. Although he is also very aware of the habits of the people in the north, he is too conservative and not aggressive enough. Sometimes It is not flexible enough. Therefore, I hope you can provide him with some reference opinions when necessary, which will also be of great benefit to the next strategy of the Huaizhou Governor's Office."

Having said this, he took out a waist badge from his sleeve and handed it over.

Lu Chen took it and took a look, and saw that this waist medal was somewhat similar to the previous Ganban jade medal. The difference was that the decoration on the reverse side was more delicate.

Qin Zhengdao: "You still have the status of a cadre. This badge can enhance your authority within the Warp Weaving Department, equal to that of the four major inspectors. In addition, with this badge, you can use the warp weaving department." The highest-level postal route of the Department will directly deliver the secret package to His Majesty."

Lu Chen was slightly startled. Even if his understanding of this world was not deep, he still knew what it meant to secretly report the emperor's rights.

Qin Zheng continued: "You are a smart and calm young man. You should understand that you cannot use this right lightly except for major matters related to the border situation."

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Yes."

"I will send someone to inform Su Yunqing about this. If you need anything in the future, you can go to him directly."

Qin Zheng looked at the palace gate in front of him, stopped and turned to look at him, with a bit of expectation in his deep eyes, and said with a smile: "I hope you can cooperate sincerely and make further contributions to Daqi."

Lu Chen cupped his hands and said, "In the end, you should do your best."

Qin Zheng nodded, watched him walk out of the palace with steady steps, and whispered to himself: "I hope you can be worthy of His Majesty's respect."

(End of this chapter)