Han Zuo Gaomen

Chapter 1433 The Capricorn Lord Assassinated
As the son of Shi Hu, Shi Zun naturally lived in the Forbidden Garden of Xindu.However, the Forbidden Garden in Xindu is far inferior to the Jiande Palace in Xiangguo. In fact, except for the three core palaces where the Lord handles state affairs and daily life, the other palaces are very simple, not much different from the barracks of the Forbidden Army. difference.

Of course, compared with the hundreds of thousands of people living in the open air outside the city suffering from hunger and cold, even if the prince Shi Zun loses power, his situation is not that bad. At least he can still have enough food and clothing.

Although Zhang Jackal's rudeness made Shi Zun feel angry, there was nothing he could do about it.In the old days, he still had the halo of being the son of the lord, but now that he is being implicated by his elder brother Shi Sui, it is not bad to be able to save his life. If resentment is felt by the other party, the situation will inevitably become more worrying.

In pure age comparison, Shi Zun was younger than the poor Shi Kun who died in Xiangguo.It's just that unlike Shi Kun who has always been neglected by the master, Shi Zunzong still has a period of time when he is loved by the master, and has more knowledge. Both the city and the scheming are far from Shi Kun's comparison.

Unable to continue the in-depth conversation with Zhang Jackal, Shi Zun returned to his residence in a sense of loss, an independent courtyard near the Huiwen Hall in the East Hall.

This courtyard covers an area of ​​about [-] square meters, and there are not many houses in it. Most of them are simple wooden and stone structures. Compared with living together in one place, the conditions are not bad, at least a certain amount of privacy is guaranteed.

Of course, compared with the other brothers who have already sealed the king's mansion and established an independent palace in the city, Shi Zun's preferential treatment is nothing.

Shi Zun returned to the courtyard, and his own palace servants came forward to sweep the dust for him with an umbrella. When he walked to the courtyard, he smelled a gust of wine and warm wind coming out of the pavilion. Shi Zun's expression was a little gloomy. get worse.He walked towards the warm pavilion, but stopped after taking a few steps.

Living in the Nuan Pavilion was Shi Zun's mother, Zheng Shi, who was also implicated by her eldest son Shi Sui. Not only was she deposed as a queen, but she was also expelled from the harem by the Lord and sent to live with her youngest son.The reason why Shi Zun still has a place in the Forbidden Garden is because the Lord still cares for their mother and child.

Shi Zun herself was still able to clean up her mood and adjust her mentality, but this incident was a great blow to Zheng Shi. After coming to Xindu, she spent all her time drinking away her sorrows, and even the ban on alcohol issued by the Lord could not stop her , and probably wanted to regain the Lord's attention through such a forbidden behavior, but the results were minimal.

Don't say that in the past these days, the Lord was busy with military affairs all day long, planning a counterattack against the Jin army. Even in the peaceful season, there were many beauties in the harem, and the Zheng family was old and decrepit after all. It is almost possible to be happy, even if we meet again, most of them will be disgusted.

Shi Zunshang was still hesitating, he didn't know how to persuade and comfort his mother, someone from the palace had already reported to the Nuan Pavilion.In the Warm Pavilion, Mrs. Zheng was already quite drunk. She hurriedly asked the palace servants to put away the wine vessel, and stood up on the railing with the support of others. Seeing the youngest son walking towards her, there was a loving smile that only belonged to a mother on her face, and then she straightened up again. How could she let her son stand in the cold for a long time with her face to reprimand the palace servants for being negligent.

Under his mother's warm welcome, Shi Zunxing entered the Nuan Pavilion. Although he was a little displeased, he still asked the palace servants to open the door to ventilate and disperse the strong alcohol in the pavilion. Instead, he held Zheng's wrist and bowed his head: " The son is incompetent and cannot be taken care of by the mother. Alcohol hurts the body, and I hope the mother can cherish herself..."

"It's not my son's fault, if it wasn't for that rebellious son..."

When this topic was mentioned, Zheng couldn't help sobbing again, and his face turned livid with hatred when he mentioned his dead eldest son Shi Sui.Under the comfort of Shi Zun, Zheng's mood gradually calmed down, and he took the youngest son into his arms again: "If that rebellious son is half as respectful and filial as my son, how can my mother and son be so troubled by him?"

After hearing this, Shi Zun sighed in his heart. Although he was in an embarrassing situation during this period of time, he was also seizing every opportunity to squeeze into the decision-making ranks of the rich and powerful in the country. He can understand the predicament his elder brother Shi Sui is facing.Even without the disaster in Xiangguo, it would be difficult for this reserve position to last long.

The matter has come to this point, there is no point in complaining any more, and Zheng is also worried that too many complaints will affect the mood of the youngest son, so she said: "Yes, I told my son to go to see Wu Wei Wang Luan and ask him In front of the lord, I asked for help for you, did Wang Luan ever obey? He violated the law in the past and should be executed. If I hadn’t spoken to the lord in the garden to save him, he would have died in prison..."

"Thanks to my mother for teaching me, the Lord saw me a few days ago, and there was no lack of encouragement. But if I want to be completely free from old responsibilities, I'm afraid it will still take time."

Shi Zun replied vaguely, but his mood was even worse.He didn't know what kind of favor his mother had bestowed on Wuwei General Wang Luan, but he tried to get in touch with him, but the envoy was refused to see Wang Luan without even seeing Wang Luan's face.Now his mother and son have already become troublesome characters that everyone in the country can't avoid, and there are naturally very few people who are willing to lend a helping hand.

"That's good, that's good. My son's talent is a hundred times that of that rebellious son. As long as the Lord sees your talent, you will take care of him."

Mrs. Zheng didn't know what was going on, and after hearing the words, she was already smiling, and then said bitterly: "Those sluts and evildoers in the garden only said that my mother and son would never recover. Hmph, how did they know that I have been in the inner court for a long time, and how could they not?" Accumulate friendship and support for my son! When my son can be reused, the day when the Lord calls me back to the garden is not far away, and then I will return double the indifference of the past!"

After having expectations, Zheng's mood improved, and he pulled Shi Zun to introduce him to the middle school dignitaries who thought they could help his son.However, she didn't know that Shi Zun had tried to contact most of the contacts she thought she had accumulated. Except for those who refused to meet like Wang Luan, the rest were also ambiguous. Few people were willing to express their support for Shi Zun. .Some candidates are even dead, or were captured and killed by the Jin army, or killed by the Lord.

After finally dealing with the Zheng family, Shi Zuncai withdrew again and asked the palace humanely, "Has Ran Min returned to the court to see him?"

Compared with the unreliable connections his mother gave him, Shi Zun believed more in the help of talents he managed through his own network.It's a pity that Ran Min, whom he supported, was defeated by Guangzong earlier, not only lost all the power accumulated before in the first battle, but also almost got executed after returning home.

Shi Zun almost used up all the old feelings he had accumulated in the past to save Ran Min.Of course, this was also because in Xindu where the rich and powerful gathered, he and Ran Min were just two inconspicuous little people, and not many people would expend energy trying to put them to death, so there was room for maneuver.

In the evening, Ran Min entered the garden to ask for an audience.Unlike the high spirits when tens of thousands of Jin troops were suppressed in Guangping earlier, Ran Min looked very haggard, and even had frostbite on his face that looked rather hideous.

After Guangzong's defeat, Ran Min almost escaped with his body.Although strategically speaking, he blocked the Guangping Jin army for more than two months, which is of great significance to the maintenance of the entire battle situation. Even if he still loses in the end, it is not a crime of war. There is an absolute gap in strength between them, and no one dares to say that they can win in his situation.

But a defeat is a defeat, and the person in charge of the Guangping war is the Jie general Zhu Bao. Ran Min ran away from Xiangguo, offended Ma Qiu, and was resisted by Zhu Bao.Because after returning to the country, Ran Min was imprisoned. If Shi Zun hadn't rushed to rescue him, he would have become a corpse by now.

This also made Ran Min more aware of the facts. No matter how outstanding his performance on the battlefield was, no one in the country and no army under his command is a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. , but it's just a miscellaneous fish that can be killed or not.

Today, after being freed from prison, Ran Min is temporarily registered under the guerrilla army of the Sixth Outer Army. The so-called Sixth Outer Army is only in name only. It's just a stocking gesture, neither money, food, equipment, nor any combat plan is allocated.

Because in the past period of time, Ran Min was just under the guise of a guerrilla army, plundering people and supplies in the outer suburbs of Xindu, in order to regain his strength.There are many other generals like him, and the generals of all armies are worried about the New Year's Ceremony in the near future, and they have no intention of interfering with and restraining them at all. There are even these generals among the Jie troops who also plundered the people. their men.

When Ran Min came here, he sent two large boxes of gold and copper utensils at the same time. These goods are not military supplies, and it is difficult to sell them in the surrounding area of ​​Xindu, because they can only be sent to Shi Zun for bribery activities. .

After seeing Shi Zun, Ran Min asked anxiously, "Has Your Highness ever seen Zhang Jackal? This dog thief has committed such a serious crime, and if he wants to cover it up, he will have to pay a sufficient price!"

The guerrilla army that Ran Min belonged to was stationed in the western region outside Xindu City, and he also accidentally discovered that Zhang Jackal was so bold when he was looting in the wild, daring to intercept Xiangguo's military situation to deceive the Lord.Although there is no lack of other people's cooperation in this matter, it is basically limited to the small circle of the upper class dignitaries.

After getting this information, Ran Min was shocked, but also felt that this was a rare opportunity, so he hurriedly reported it to Shi Zun.I hope that Shi Zun can use this to grasp the handle of Zhang Jackal's criminal evidence and threaten the other party to provide them with some help.

"The dog thief has nothing to worry about. I have no chance to talk to him about this matter. Looking at his attitude, I'm afraid it will be difficult to force him to obey after his words are broken!"

Thinking of the scene when he met Zhang Jackal before, Shi Zun couldn't help feeling resentful, and said bitterly.

After hearing the words, Ran Min's face became fierce: "Xiangguo fell, tens of thousands of troops are dead, and Ma Qiunai's master relies heavily on the humerus, all of which are covered by this dog thief. How dare he be tough for such a big crime? Now I am too Gathering thousands of soldiers, it is better to go straight to his army and capture his family's criminal minions, and after holding this proof, go straight to the master, and then see how this dog thief will end up!"

"No!"

Hearing what Ran Min said, Shi Zun waved his hands and refused without even thinking about it. He also felt that although Ran Min was brave and commendable, he was really too simple when it came to tactics.Since Zhang Jackal dared to commit such a crime, he naturally had his confidence. Regardless of whether there was an alliance behind him or not, Zhang Jackal alone was not an opponent that the two of them could challenge.

Zhang Jackal has many songs and countless disciples, even the master can only be wary of beating him, not daring to remove him easily.Although he committed a serious crime this time, once the news of Xiangguo's fall spreads, it is unknown what kind of bad influence it will have on Xindu.At that time, I am afraid that the Lord will be furious at them for ignoring the overall situation, and he will deal with them first before considering how to punish Zhang Jackal.

However, it was precisely because of Ran Min's courage and intrepidity that Shi Zun could control him with confidence. If he was brave on the outside and beautiful on the inside, Shi Zun might not be able to control him with the current Shi Zun.

"Zhang Thief has a lot of party members, and it is only a bad idea to force him. You must not alert him. If you let his people know that you and I will be against him, I am afraid that the two of us will die in front of us."

What Shi Zun said was not timid, but very possible.Even if Ran Min grasped the facts of Zhang Jackal's crimes from the outside world, he might not have the opportunity to send him into the city. Naturally, based on Shi Zun's empty and unsubstantiated identification, Zhang Jackal would not easily plead guilty.

Moreover, if the fall of Xiangguo disturbs the New Year's Ceremony, which is a major event that all the officials in the country are looking forward to, the two of them will also be in the middle of public criticism.Even if they don't use illegal means, it's really easy for someone with a heart to take advantage of the problem to kill the two of them.

Shi Zun hadn't completely got rid of the influence of his brother Shi Sui, but when Ran Min ran away from Xiangguo, he really pursued him, and he should bear part of the responsibility for the fall of Xiangguo, not to mention that he himself was one of the losers who lost all his parts. Will.

Hearing Shi Zun's analysis of the advantages and disadvantages, Ran Min also realized that his assumption was too simple, but he was still full of reluctance and said, "Could it be that we can only sit and watch the traitor deceive the Lord and make the country's affairs worse?"

"Otherwise, although you and I can't make a move, we may not have the means to fight back. I am a soft-spoken person, and I am not taken seriously by Zhang Thief, but now that Xindu has a large army, and there are many important ministers, how can Zhang Thief cover it up alone?" God listen! Although the two of us can't directly point out the crimes of Zhang thief, there are powerful people who can do it!"

After seeing Zhang Jackal's indifferent and arrogant attitude towards him, Shi Zun also gave up his plan to continue seeking skin from the tiger. After returning, he has been thinking about who can use the situation to achieve his intention, and now he has gradually come up with an idea: "Youzhou Zhang He will arrive at Xindu in a few days. He will bring a large army back to the country, and the order inside and outside Xindu has already been established. If all the powerful stand side by side, it is inevitable that there will be discord. I want to send you, the slave, to go north to meet you, and give you the responsibility for this crime. Whether to use it or not is up to him to decide, but he must also be sympathetic to this kind of help.”

Ran Min is really not good at this kind of scheming and tactics. When he heard that Shi Zun had already made up his mind, he simply nodded and agreed, but he hesitated and said: "The army of Youzhou will return to the country, and everyone will pay attention to it. If I leave If you join the army, you will inevitably be seen. I am worried that His Highness is here, and if Zhang Jie wants to harm His Highness, he may have no defense. What's more, there are many people who know about this matter. I may not be the only one who can join the army and make a secret report. Zhang Ju may not... ..."

After Shi Zun heard the words, he laughed and said, "I'm still in the blood of the master. How can I be harmed normally? What I asked you to see Zhang Ju is not to tell Zhang Jackal's crimes, but to give him another choice. Zhang King Wu is fierce and arrogant, so I guess Zhang Ju and him may not be compatible in friendship. Zhang Jackal has lived in the country for a long time, and Zhang Ju has been guarding the border for many years. Once the two powerhouses split their eyes, Zhang Ju will have no time to choose a good choice..."

The lack of strength made Shi Zun only use his strength to climb up. He also thought that there might be some communication between Zhang Jack and Zhang Ju, but he still had to send Ran Min to make friends with Zhang Ju.

Today, under the current order of the state, it is difficult for him to get a chance to stand up. However, Zhang Ju, a powerful vassal, entering the state is very likely to break the current order of the state. This is his opportunity.

Although it was rumored that Zhang Ju had a close relationship with Zhang Wu Wang Shi Bin, but Shi Bin's character was arrogant and domineering, and his relationship with Zhang Ju might not be as harmonious as the rumors.Even if they didn't have any serious grievances with each other, Shi Zun felt that he had an advantage over Shi Bin, especially in the eyes of a powerful minister like Zhang Ju, his younger age was a huge advantage!

Taking a step back, even if the alliance between Zhang Ju and Shi Bin is unbreakable, if there is an opportunity to split the bet, and if he still has spare energy, Shi Zun believes that Zhang Ju will not refuse.

In Xindu, which is not peaceful at all, there is an undercurrent surging under the surface, which makes the cracks in the country of Jie, which is already leaking everywhere, even more shocking.It is only because of the common vision and expectation of the New Year's Entrustment Ceremony that those secret struggles did not surface.

But according to the situation in Jie country, being able to maintain the superficial stability is a fluke, and accidents are very common.

And the next accident shocked all the forces in Xindu dumbfounded: Lord Shang Shihu stayed in the Longteng barracks on the way to inspect the Sixth Army, but was suddenly assassinated!

(End of this chapter)