Shang Luoze's series of willful actions were all witnessed by Shang Mozheng. He had also suspected whether the young emperor had other ulterior motives in doing so.
For example, ordering someone to intercept and kill Zheng Dai on his way back to the capital, or taking this opportunity to secretly take over the 100,000 troops left on the way.
For this reason, Shang Mozheng secretly arranged many people to protect Zheng Dai all the way on his way back to the capital. He even sent a message to Yan Wuxin, who was hidden in the army, to always stay vigilant. However, until Zheng Dai successfully arrived in the capital, none of his predictions came true.
Those nine imperial edicts seemed to be just the young emperor's willful way of venting his dissatisfaction, with no other purpose at all.
Shang Mozheng also wanted to believe so. He thought that once Zheng Dai received the imperial edict of reward from the emperor, he would completely declare victory in this confrontation, and the subsequent plans could be carried out step by step.
But the sudden uneasiness welling up in him told him that things might not be that simple!
Hearing that General Zheng would arrive in the capital today, almost all the common people in the city gathered at the north gate. The young emperor even took the imperial carriage and led all the court officials out of the palace city in person to welcome him. Everything was ready, just waiting for Zheng Dai to make his appearance.
After a long time, in the eyes of everyone's eager anticipation, a figure was walking towards them in the light at the end of the city gate. He was wearing silver armor, which was a bit dazzling under the refraction of the sun.
Behind him were the majestic iron cavalry. Before they even got close, people could feel the strong killing aura coming towards them. But this couldn't stop the people's admiration for them.
I don't know who started it, but suddenly the crowd on both sides called out Zheng Dai's name in unison. The volume got louder and louder each time, and the momentum also grew stronger and stronger, as if only in this way could they express their admiration for him.
Shang Luoze still sat in the imperial carriage, as if the surrounding sounds had nothing to do with him. At this moment, there was only Zheng Dai, who was approaching him, in his eyes.
The tall horse crossed the moat and finally entered the city gate.
Whether it was the shock of being personally welcomed by the emperor or the enthusiastic welcome of the surrounding people, Zheng Dai was first stunned, and then dismounted and strode to the emperor's imperial carriage to kneel and pay his respects.
"Your subject, Zheng Dai, has returned to the capital as ordered to pay respects to Your Majesty, long live the emperor."
"General Zheng, there's no need for such formalities. This time you've made great contributions in Yangxian. I must reward you well!"
Shang Luoze said. There was no sign of his willfulness from a few days ago in his words.
"Your subject is flattered. It's the duty of a subject to share the emperor's worries. Your subject doesn't dare to ask for a reward."
Although he said so, after some polite exchanges between the emperor and his subject, when Shang Luoze ordered someone to take out the imperial edict, Zheng Dai still had to accept it.
The young emperor's rewards were very generous. Needless to say about external things like gold, silver, and mansions, he even promoted Zheng Dai's official rank from the fourth rank to the third rank, making him the General of Illustrious Valor.
It was clearly a great thing, but for some reason, Zheng Dai's eyelid suddenly twitched without warning. Shang Mozheng had the same feeling as him.
Just then, the young emperor called out to him, "Uncle, General Zheng was promoted by you. Speaking of which, you should also share a part of his reward."
"All is due to Your Majesty's good judgment in appointing people. This old subject doesn't dare to claim credit."
"Really?"
Shang Luoze chuckled inadvertently, then turned to instruct the eunuch beside him, "I'm tired."
The chief eunuch was a smart one. He knew that the emperor wanted to return to the palace, so he immediately ordered someone to carry the imperial carriage. But before he could speak, someone interrupted him.
"Your Majesty, please wait!"
From the crowd of court officials, a figure walked out. Who else could it be but Prime Minister Lu?
"Zihan, do you really have to do this?"
Shang Luoshu frowned and repeated the question. His attitude was very clear. Returning to the capital at this time was not a good choice.
After learning that Zhou Kou and the others had come to Longxi, Lin Zihan suddenly came to resign, saying that he wanted to return to the capital.
"Zhou Kou should have told you just now that the road back to the capital is full of Shang Mozheng's ambushes. Don't you know how the more than a hundred men under Lieutenant Zhou died?"
Lin Zihan closed his eyes painfully, and the ups and downs of his chest were a bit hard to suppress.
"But Your Highness, if we don't go back, the evidence in our hands can't be made public, and we won't be able to bring Shang Mozheng to justice. It's rare that Prime Minister Lu and Your Majesty have set up such a grand plan in the capital. Are we just going to let him escape like this?"
"I understand your concerns,"
Shang Luoshu lowered his gaze. The steaming heat from the tea wafted over his face, but he didn't seem to care. "I will let you go back, but not now."
"Moreover, Zhou Kou and his soldiers have only been in Longxi for a short time. You should at least let them rest for a few days."
If Lin Zihan were to go back, he definitely couldn't go alone.
Lu Hu was from the Lu family and was protecting Xier. Shang Luoshu couldn't easily mobilize him. Fang Qinhu was still useful to him, so the task of escorting Lin Zihan back could only be entrusted to Zhou Kou.
"Your subordinate understands," Lin Zihan bowed his head and clasped his fists. His voice was a bit hoarse. "It was your subordinate who was reckless. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Shang Luoshu slightly raised his eyes. His gaze seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts. He saw what was on Lin Zihan's mind at a glance. "Lin Zihan, I know you're worried about Prime Minister Zhang. You're probably going back to the capital mostly for him, right?"
Even though Lin Zihan was Prime Minister Zhang's student, Shang Luoshu trusted him very much. As long as there was news from the capital, he would tell Lin Zihan. So Lin Zihan was very clear about the layout in the capital, and he also knew that His Highness the King of Jing was waiting for an opportunity.
Once the opportunity came, he would not hesitate to take action against Shang Mozheng. If the Regent fell, as his in - law, Prime Minister Zhang would surely be investigated.
If he had no secret connection with the Regent, it would be okay. But if he did... Lin Zihan just wanted to return to the capital before this and get hold of the evidence first.
Unexpectedly, this little calculation was seen clearly by Shang Luoshu.
"Your Highness, your subordinate..."
"You don't need to ask for my forgiveness," the man raised his hand to stop his action. "I know you can distinguish the important from the trivial, and I don't mean to blame you. But I'll say it again, it's still too early to return to the capital now."
At least, they had to wait for the news from the capital.
The capital was about to be in a complete mess.
No one could have imagined that Prime Minister Lu would dare to publicly impeach the officials of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works for embezzling more than 200,000 taels of disaster - relief silver when Guangling was hit by a disaster in that year, on such a great day when the emperor was welcoming General Zheng's victorious return.
In addition, General Zheng Dai, who was then the General of Martial Prowess, was in charge of leading troops to guard Guangling. He also embezzled nearly 10,000 taels of silver.
Afraid that the emperor wouldn't believe him, Prime Minister Lu also took out the evidence in public and showed it to everyone one by one.
In front of all the people in the capital, Zheng Dai, who was just full of glory, now looked as pale as death and almost collapsed under the imperial carriage.
Even as calm as Shang Mozheng finally felt a sense of being on the verge of an abyss. But more than that, he was confused. Almost everyone in the Ministry of Revenue was his man, and he clearly remembered that he had handled that matter well back then. Why was there still so - called evidence?
Clenching his palm, he pretended to be calm and walked to the imperial carriage. Before he could speak, Shang Luoze preempted him.
"Uncle, are you going to plead for General Zheng?"