sovbooks Chapter 71 is your responsibility!
Chapter 71 is your responsibility!
After an unknown amount of time, no more troops appeared from the thick fog.
The post road finally returned to tranquility, but Zhu Wushi still found it very noisy; it was the sound of his own heartbeat, exploding in his ears like muffled thunder.
At this moment, Zhu Wushi felt a profound fear for the first time from the depths of his heart.
He was incredibly grateful that he had made the best decision of his life.
Otherwise, the Dragon Guard Manor might face annihilation!
Zhu Wushi was not the only one who felt terrified; the imperial secret agents behind him also felt a chill run down their spines.
These troops are coming from the direction of the Dragon Guard Manor. What is Your Majesty planning to do that requires such a large-scale mobilization of troops?
None of the imperial secret agents present dared to think too deeply about it.
Gui Haiyi's face was cold and his expression was solemn. He looked at Zhu Wushi, a deep worry hidden in his eyes: "My Lord..."
Zhu Wushi immediately interrupted, "Don't speak, let's head back to the Dragon Guard Manor."
"Yes, my lord."
……
Wang Shouren first led his troops back to the Xishan military camp, and then rushed to the palace.
While reporting back to Zhu Houzhao, he also returned the royal command flag to Zhu Houzhao.
Two days later, Wan Sanqian was also escorted back to Beijing by Cao Zhengchun and others.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Depot also had a team left at the First Manor Under Heaven to confiscate 13,000 yuan worth of property.
As the wealthiest merchant in the world, Wan Sanqian's accumulated wealth must be an astonishing astronomical figure.
In the capital, Wan Sanqian was imprisoned in the Eastern Depot's jail, while Cao Zhengchun, Shangguan Haitang, and others went to the palace immediately to report to Zhu Houzhao.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty! May Your Majesty be well!"
Inside the Cining Palace, Cao Zhengchun, Yu Huatian, Zhuge Zhengwo, Shen Lian, and Shangguan Haitang all knelt down and bowed to Zhu Houzhao.
Zhu Houzhao leaned back on the soft couch, peeling and eating an orange as he casually spoke.
"Rise, all of you. Tell me, what's going on?"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After the five of them got up, Cao Zhengchun rushed to tell Zhu Houzhao everything that had happened at the number one manor in the world, down to the smallest detail.
This includes Zhu Wushi arriving at the last minute, the reason for his lateness, and the real reason why Wan Sanqian planned this assassination.
At this point, Shangguan Haitang lowered her head in embarrassment, her face burning with shame, as if she wanted to disappear into the shadows.
When Zhu Houzhao heard that the biggest reason Wan Sanqian wanted to assassinate him was that Wan Sanqian had taken Shangguan Haitang away, he almost lost his composure.
Wan Sanqian, the wealthiest merchant in the land, would risk the lives of his entire clan to assassinate him for the sake of a woman.
He originally thought Wan Sanqian was a smart person, but he didn't expect him to be such a sycophant.
Zhu Houzhao could understand that Wan Sanqian was dissatisfied with his tax reforms because of the commercial tax, and that's why he wanted to kill him.
But he truly couldn't understand why someone would do such a heinous thing just for a woman.
Zhu Houzhao chuckled, looked at Shangguan Haitang, and asked with a half-smile, "Haitang, what do you think I should do with these 13,000 men?"
Shangguan Haitang quickly lowered his body and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, this humble servant dares not speak presumptuously."
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "It's alright. I asked you to speak because I wanted to get your opinion. Say whatever you want."
Shangguan Haitang bit her lip and made up her mind.
"Your Majesty, Wan Sanqian plotted to assassinate you, which is a crime of treason. According to the law, he should have his property confiscated, beheaded, and his entire family executed!"
"But Wan Sanqian is an orphan and has never married or had children, so there is no way to trace his family."
Zhu Houzhao listened and nodded, "I understand what you mean."
Zhu Houzhao remained silent, seemingly deep in thought. The others in the room also kept their heads down, ready to receive orders.
After a moment of silence, Zhu Houzhao suddenly raised his head and looked at Shangguan Haitang.
"Haitang, you've known Wan Sanqian for quite some time, haven't you?"
"When you were in charge of the number one manor in the world, he must have given you a lot of help and support."
"Since you've known each other, I'm leaving Wan Sanqian to your disposal. Whether to kill him or release him is up to you."
Shangguan Haitang abruptly raised her head, her heart filled with panic, and exclaimed, "Your Majesty! This...how can this be?!"
Zhu Houzhao smiled slightly: "There's nothing wrong with that. Whatever I say goes."
Shangguan Haitang hesitated, unsure of what to do, and could only reply, "Yes... Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, before I returned to the capital, the Iron-Blooded Marquis entrusted me to deliver a message to Your Majesty."
Zhu Houzhao frowned imperceptibly: "What did you say?"
"The Marquis said that Wan Sanqian, who had cooperated with him for many years, had committed such a heinous act. As the master of the Dragon Guard Manor, he had failed to fulfill his due responsibilities."
"Therefore, the Marquis requests to go to the capital to report on his duties and to personally apologize to His Majesty."
First there was Ling Luoshi, and now there's Zhu Wushi; both want to go to the capital to report on their duties.
However, Zhu Houzhao had his own considerations. Regardless of their purpose in coming to the capital, now was not the time for them to do so.
"I understand. I haven't seen my royal uncle in a long time either."
"You go ahead. I will consider his trip to the capital."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Then, led by Liu Jin, Shangguan Haitang left the room.
After Shangguan Haitang left, Zhu Houzhao's smile faded, and he said seriously, "You've all worked hard these past few days."
The four men present all bowed and said, "Serving His Majesty is no hardship!"
Zhu Houzhao nodded: "I will not go back on my promise to you."
"A bullfighting robe is bestowed upon Cao Zhengchun and Yu Huatian, and a flying fish robe is bestowed upon Shen Lian and Zhuge Zhengwo."
The four men were deeply moved and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Your humble servants thank Your Majesty for your grace!"
The bestowal of the robes was merely an honorary reward, but it still deeply inspired the four of them.
After all, being able to receive the imperial robes bestowed by Zhu Houzhao signifies a special status.
After bestowing the rewards, Zhu Houzhao began assigning tasks to everyone.
"Cao Zhengchun, go and keep an eye on Shangguan Haitang, see how she deals with Wan Sanqian, and then come back and report to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After receiving the order, Cao Zhengchun immediately took his leave.
Then, Zhu Houzhao looked at Yu Huatian.
"Yu Huatian, I previously allocated funds to the Ministry of Works to oversee the repair of the Qianqing Palace and Qingning Palace, as well as the renovation of the Western Garden and the expansion of the Leopard House."
"Your Western Depot is to investigate the Ministry of Works and see if they have embezzled any of my money, and if so, how much!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Yu Huatian bowed and accepted the order.
"Go."
"Your humble servant takes his leave."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand, and the remaining three bowed and took their leave, departing from Cining Palace.
After everyone left, Zhu Houzhao sat in the warm pavilion, shaking his head repeatedly.
I never would have guessed that Wan Sanqian would try to assassinate me for such a reason.
At the same time, Zhu Houzhao also wanted to see how Shangguan Haitang would deal with Wan Sanqian.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Haitang had arrived at the Eastern Depot prison and stood outside Wan Sanqian's cell.