The news about Huainan came five days later, exactly half a month after Bai Jinzhi and Duan Xuyuan secretly went to Huainan.
Although the news of Mr. Sun's return to Beijing was spread seven days ago, he did not actually come back. The team that came back was empty. The team walked and stopped along the way to enjoy the scenery. It has not yet reached half of the way, just so that Mr. Sun can catch up in the future.
As for Mr. Sun himself, he still stayed secretly in Huainan City, cooperating with Lin Qing to secretly investigate whether anyone in the city was doing anything tricky.
Once someone is found to be doing something fishy, he will be arrested immediately and reported to the authorities.
Now Duan Changchuan was sitting on the couch, slowly unfolding the secret letter sent by the secret guard.
The young man read it carefully, his eyebrows gradually curved.
"how?"
Bai Su saw that he looked happy and couldn't help but ask.
The young man handed her the note and said, "My behavior was within my expectations, but I did not expect the prince to be such a waste."
Bai Su took the note and couldn't help but sneer.
I learned that the plague in Huainan City has almost subsided. Only three or five families are still under lockdown, and everyone else has returned to normal life. Although there are still people burning mugwort and atractylodes on the street, there are people coming and going, and it is hard to tell that this place was still ravaged by the plague a month ago.
When Duan Xuyuan arrived and saw this scene, he became impatient and took action that night.
Unfortunately, he and his subordinates grew up in the peaceful and prosperous capital city, so they had no idea how the plague spread and how to avoid it. As a result, they ended up making things worse.
After several subordinates poisoned two restaurants in the city and an inn outside the city that night, they fell ill in groups of three or four the next morning.
This letter was written by Lin Qing, reporting every detail.
He even described in great detail how they followed the prince's subordinates to scout the area, how they evacuated the residents of the store and replaced the store owners with people from the clinic, and how they destroyed everything on the night of the poisoning.
Of course, after the incident, Old Sun and the people from the county government chased them and surrounded their house. The group of people in the prince's house woke up in the morning and found that they couldn't get out.
The evidence was already strong enough, and Old Sun threatened that if they didn't tell him, he would not treat them, and threatened to let them all die in the house...
A group of people spit out their words.
"I spent so much time thinking about this in vain."
The boy looked disgusted.
Bai Su put the letter down with a smile: "It feels like a butcher knife cutting a chicken?"
Duan Changchuan: "The force of the shot put is so strong that when you pick it up, you find it's just a cotton candy."
[Puff.]
This description... You can see how much he dislikes it.
"Pass on my secret order, and have Elder Sun and Lin Qing return with the evidence." The young man wrote down a secret order and handed it to the secret guard, muttering to himself, "It's time to question Uncle Wang."
"Yes, I obey your order."
-
Early July is the hottest time in Shengjing.
Even the wind blowing in the village turned into waves of heat.
The emperor issued an edict, ordering the Prime Minister, the Regent, and other important officials from the six ministries to go to the main hall, so everyone gathered together during the hottest time of the year.
There is a lot of discussion:
"Why did the emperor suddenly summon us here? Unless it's an extremely urgent matter, there has never been an imperial edict in this manor."
"Then it must be something urgent..."
"Do the prince and Bai Xiang have any ideas?"
Bai Yanyuan had known what would happen next, and his recent discussions with the Regent were just a formality. The two of them had clearly been at odds over the Regent's private decision to send Bai Xiang's only remaining daughter to the epidemic area, but due to their interests, they still maintained a superficial harmony, so even though Bai Yanyuan had stabbed him in the back, the Regent did not realize that there was anything wrong.
He didn't believe that Bai Yanyuan could get away with such deep involvement of interests.
He also underestimated Duan Changchuan's ability to endure humiliation as an emperor, and thought that after the change of the queen, Duan Changchuan would never tolerate Bai Yanyuan again.
Therefore, when Bai Yanyuan was asked about this, he just pretended to be unhappy and shook his head: "How can I know what your majesty is going to do? You must be asking the wrong person."
"Then... Your Majesty?"
The regent was even more unhappy: "I don't know either."
Everyone went back to discussing in low voices.
"Have you heard the storyteller in the capital recently? He talked about the plague in Huainan, and it sounded really dangerous. It was brought under control in just one month. Such an achievement is unprecedented and will never be repeated."
"That's right. Now people from Huainan City are shunned when they go out to do business. I heard that many people died in just one month."
"Hey... Huainan has suffered a lot in the past two years."
"This year's top scholar requested to stay in Huainan for May and June, which is the busy farming season in Huainan. It is said that Lord Lin personally goes to the fields every day to help the people who cannot leave the city with farm work. I wonder if this top scholar can get a real umbrella for all the people."
"That's what the storyteller said. Who knows if it's true? Didn't the storyteller also say that in Huainan, even the army was mobilized and the soldiers went to the fields to do farm work? From what I heard, it was mostly exaggerated."
"That makes sense... We still have to listen to what the Huainan people have to say in person. We can't just listen to the storytellers."
The ministers were talking in low voices, and the two old men Qian and Zheng, who were responsible for writing the storytelling script, were listening quietly.
Hearing that they were exaggerating, Lord Qian finally couldn't hold back and whispered in Lord Zheng's ear, "A bunch of people who have never seen the world, they are over a thousand years old in total, but they are not as capable as His Majesty and His Majesty, who are less than 40 years old in total."
Lord Zheng rolled his eyes at him and said, "How can you be a thousand years old? You can't even count, and you have the nerve to laugh at others."
Mr. Qian: …
"I am just a warrior, why should I bother with calculations?"
As they were talking, Changle's voice came from outside: "Your Majesty has arrived!"
A young man in bright yellow clothes walked in.
Now, he was five months pregnant and his belly was obviously bulging, but fortunately, all the ministers knelt on the ground when they heard the news and did not dare to look at him, so no one noticed anything unusual.
More than half a year had passed in a flash, and the boy had become much more stable in front of the crowd. Especially when facing the Regent and Bai Xiang, the dragon power that emanated from his heart instantly overwhelmed them.
"Everyone, stand up."
After he sat down, he spoke to his ministers.
Then he turned around and asked Changle: "Have Doctor Sun and Lin Qing arrived?"
The young eunuch immediately put away his fan and bowed: "Your Majesty, I arrived yesterday and stayed overnight in the manor. I should be here soon."
As he was speaking, Yi Man's announcement came from outside: "Imperial Physician Sun is here, Lord Lin is here!"
Duan Changchuan paused while drinking his tea, raised his eyes and looked outside the hall, his expression unchanged: "Pass it on."
The order was passed down layer by layer:
"Your Majesty has an order, pass it on!"
"Your Majesty has an order, pass it on!"
…
When I saw Lin Qing again two months later, the tall, gentle and refined top scholar had changed a lot.
I lost weight and got tanned by the sun.
When he bowed, there were even tiny wounds on the back of his hands.
But people seem to be calmer and more reliable.
Duan Changchuan didn't recall that memory before, he just knew that there was a relationship between him and Bai Su, but he didn't know how deep it was. Now that he remembered everything, he realized that there was such an unforgettable time between them.
I wonder if Miss Bai, who risked her life to protect her chastity, would feel relieved to see such a top scholar
The young man calmly lowered his gaze and looked away: "Everyone, get up. How about Huainan?"
After Elder Sun and Lin Qing exchanged a glance, they spoke with full energy, "Your Majesty, the plague in Huainan has been completely under control. When I returned, no new patients had been found for a week, and the remaining patients were slowly getting better. But on my way back, I received news that a new patient had been found in a house."
The ministers present had originally breathed a sigh of relief when they heard that the plague was completely under control, but then they heard these words again and their hearts rose to their throats.
The Regent still maintained a calm expression, but Bai Xiang was surprised: According to the Regent's plan, the poison should be placed in a busy shop, so why was it seen in a house
Duan Changchuan also frowned at the right time: "Tell me in detail."
Lin Qing immediately stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I have investigated this matter with the government. The houses of the plague patients in Huainan are still sealed, but the people in this house sneaked in at night, stole the patients' underwear, and threw them into several crowded restaurants, intending to spread the plague again! Unexpectedly, they lost more than they gained. Among the more than 20 people in the group, five of them fell ill."
As soon as the words fell, there was another uproar.
However, what shocked them even more was yet to come.
Lin Qing: "Your Majesty, after my investigation, I found that the owner of this house is the prince and princess of the current regent. This matter is of great importance, and I dare not make a decision on my own. I just follow the epidemic prevention method that the queen and Dr. Sun told me before they left, and lock them all in the house. No one is allowed to enter or leave."
There is so much information contained in these words.
First, how did the Regent's son and princess go to the epidemic area in Huainan? Then, why did the couple take the patients' clothes and poison the restaurant after arriving in Huainan
The Empress's instructions before she left? What was going on? Wasn't the Empress banished to the cold palace for a month or so? Everyone knew about this.
The ministers present, even those foxes who had cultivated into spirits in the court, were so shocked that they were speechless.
The Regent pursed his lips. Although his face did not show much emotion, his hands hanging by his sides were clenched into fists.
Bai Yanyuan looked at the Regent in disbelief, his eyes filled with grief and anger.
Only the young man sitting in the first seat, dressed in bright yellow, had a calm expression on his face.
Lord Qian quietly poked Lord Zheng: "Look at the old fox."
Lord Zheng glanced at him, then looked away: "The prince and his wife are confined to the house together. It is only a matter of time before they are infected with the plague. Maybe the only legitimate daughter will die in Huainan."
"Tsk tsk tsk, it all depends on what our little Majesty thinks."
"Your Majesty can let her live if she wants, but if the Crown Prince's Consort dies, the Queen's reputation will be cleared and her words will be smooth. To be honest, this is the best thing. Do you think Bai Xiang dares to plead for mercy in front of Your Majesty? He can't beg our Majesty."
"But even if you beg, you won't be able to live. Intending to poison the city with plague is a crime punishable by beheading."
The two old men hid in a corner, holding each other's ears with their hands and talking in whispers, rustling like mice. Although Duan Changchuan couldn't hear the specific content, he knew from the tone that these two people were suspected of gloating over other people's misfortune.
But it's harmless.
Because he also gloats.
It is really satisfying to see the evildoers suffer the consequences of their evil deeds.
While listening to Lin Qing's explanation, he quietly watched the expressions of the Regent and Prime Minister Bai.
After the young man presented the testimony of the prince's subordinates to everyone, he slowly spoke amid the shocked sighs of the ministers: "The prince and his wife secretly went to Huainan and ordered their subordinates to collect the clothes of people infected with the plague and poison them everywhere. Does the uncle have anything to say about this?"
The other party remained silent.
The young man continued to speak: "Uncle King has nothing to say, but there is someone in my manor who has something to say." After speaking, he turned his head and looked to the side: "Spread it."
Changle immediately understood and stood up, and announced to the outside: "Send the princess's maid Mu Ge to see you!"
Not long after, Mu Ge, who had changed her clothes, hurried to the palace. Bai Su ordered the clothing bureau to prepare a set of gorgeous clothes for her, just as Duan Changchuan said: to serve her well with good food, drink and clothes.
So when she entered the hall, she looked at the Regent guiltily, and then looked at Duan Changchuan.
"I pay my respects to your majesty."
"Stand up. Now that all the ministers from the six ministries are here, repeat what you said to me last time from beginning to end."
Mu Ge told him everything he saw and heard in a disjointed manner.
Combined with the letters she stole, everyone was shocked, and some people's legs even began to tremble.
Among the important officials of the six ministries present, there are those of Bai Xiang and those of the Regent. Now it is clear that both sides have made mistakes, and the emperor has gathered them in the palace for questioning. Who wouldn't be trembling with fear
What's more, this is a crime of deceiving the emperor and the whole family will be executed...
There were also some brave ones who secretly glanced at the two adults and thought quietly in their hearts: Could it be... is it really time to rebel
"From the famine in Huainan to the mass graves, how many officials have I removed? Did you know what these people have said? I already knew that most of them were from your school! You keep saying that you are doing this for the people and keep counting the merits you have made. Are these merits that you have made?"
The young man sitting in the first seat slammed the teacup in his hand in front of the Regent.
In an instant, hot water and porcelain pieces scattered everywhere, leaving red marks on the Regent's face.
"I thought it was because my uncle was too old and had a dim vision and couldn't judge people! I gave you a chance, Duan Jing'an! How did you treat me? How did you treat the people of this world! You and the late emperor have the same father, and you have swallowed up all the teachings of the emperor grandfather with your power over the years!"
The young man spoke with a sonorous voice, and when he was angry, even his lips began to turn white.
"You have been in charge of our Datong Kingdom for more than ten years. It is a misfortune for all the people! Come! Where are the commanders of the Imperial Guards? Take Prince Cheng away to me and throw him into the Sky Prison. No one is allowed to see him!"
Immediately, the Royal Guards rushed into the palace and surrounded the Regent.
This time, he finally spoke.
He began with a sarcastic laugh. "Your Majesty has convicted me based on what a maid said. Is there something wrong with your Majesty's actions? Even if Bai Xiang was not mentioned in the letter, wouldn't your Majesty have doubted him? His daughter was one of those who went to Huainan with him. Or, does your Majesty just want to use this as an excuse to eliminate me, so that you can legitimately remove this obstacle and sit more firmly on the throne? Your Majesty, aren't you afraid that you can't stop the people from complaining? The fastest plague in history would take more than half a year to control, but your Majesty has completely controlled the plague in just one month. I have to think about whether this plague was caused by the Ten Thousand Corpse Pit or was it man-made."
There was a basin of dirty water on his head, but it was actually poured back towards Duan Changchuan.
Duan Changchuan was almost angry and laughed: "Whether the epidemic in Huainan is true or not, the people of Huainan will be able to tell for themselves. But there is one thing I agree with very much. Just based on the words of a maid, just based on what the prince and his wife did in Huainan City, and just based on the confessions of the prince's subordinates, it is indeed not credible enough."
In the end, it's full of irony.
"Then let's ask another person to come out as a witness." After saying that, he turned around and pointed at Bai Yanyuan standing beside him: "You speak."
As he spoke, he took out a dozen letters from the drawer under the table and threw them all in the Regent's face.
These were all the evidence that Bai Yanyuan presented to him when he surrendered.
The author has something to say:
Can Shengsheng finish it at chapter 100? I think I can! (clenched fist)