"Is this matter related to His Royal Highness Prince Jing?" Shen Xihe frowned, and a strand of hair fell, fluttering in the wind between her eyebrows and temples, adding a touch of softness and agility to her.
Xiao Huayong's eyes were focused and gentle, and his voice couldn't help but soften: "The Pei family's ancestral home is Mizhou, which is not far from Dengzhou. Mizhou was also affected by this drought."
Shen Xihe raised his eyebrows: "Did the Pei clan members cause trouble?"
The disaster in Dengzhou is now a hot potato. The news that Your Majesty prayed for blessings in Xiangguo Temple was widely circulated. Although it was later said that it was a warning from God and some people secretly attacked Your Majesty, the news has been reduced a lot.
If the disaster in Dengzhou had not occurred immediately afterwards, the people might not have thought too much about it. Now there is a lot of resentment among the people in Dengzhou. At this time, no one except a fool would take the initiative to ask for disaster relief in Dengzhou. If they are not careful, they will become His Majesty's scapegoat.
King Jing was naturally not a fool, and he had just returned to Kyoto, and he was also appointed as the Minister of War, one of the six ministries. He should have kept a low profile. This was why he clearly suspected that Pei Zhan's death was related to the Shen family and Shen Xihe, but he kept his troops in place.
Now he suddenly volunteered to go to Dengzhou to provide disaster relief, taking the initiative to accept this hot job that everyone was afraid to avoid. There must be a reason why he had to go in person.
Shen Xihe also always felt that the disaster had just begun, and it was not a chaotic time. How could a civil riot suddenly break out? It was obvious that someone had done something in the middle and promoted this civil riot.
"The news in Dengzhou is stagnant. Someone is deliberately covering it up. I haven't received much news." Xiao Huayong smiled slightly. "However, in Kyoto, someone wants to report that I am a person of long-lasting blessings on the grounds that I am praying for your majesty. They suggest that I go to Dengzhou on your behalf to provide disaster relief, in the hope of bringing blessings to the people."
"The Pei family has completely blamed you for Pei Zhan's death and set a trap for you." Shen Xihe immediately understood the twists and turns.
Xiao Huayong's influence can be said to be spread all over the world. This intelligence network is based on Hua Fuhai's business, and is controlled openly and secretly by Tianyuan's younger brother Difang and another confidant Lu Ling. In the end, it has not infiltrated the government. The Pei family is a big family. Pei Zhan's lineage has declined to the point that only Pei Ce, the cousin of King Jing Xiao Changyan, is left. However, the clansmen within the five generations are still there, and they are entrenched in the Mizhou area, with deep roots and luxuriant branches.
Their glory is the Pei family of Kyoto. Pei Zhan's death is a huge blow to them. At least because of Pei Zhan's departure, the power of the entire Henan Road has to be reshuffled, and the Pei family will inevitably have to lie dormant in frustration.
It is not difficult to understand why he hates Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong for this reason. After all, it involves the rise and fall and interests of the entire family.
Thinking of this, Shen Xihe couldn't help but sneer: "Pei Shi, you are quite courageous."
He actually dared to set up a trap for the Crown Prince without any evidence.
"Don't be upset." Xiao Huayong held Shen Xihe's hand, "If I really say how brave they are, it would be an exaggeration for them. But Pei Zhan's death is a thorn in their hearts. They suspect you and me, but they can't find any evidence. They must be upset.
In Kyoto, Xiao Ba dared not act rashly, but in Dengzhou or Mizhou, they have plenty of ways to test my depth. "