flstandardbreds Chapter 203 1 Thoughts of the Pass 6
Chapter 203 1 Thoughts of the Pass 6
Faced with Yang Ying's barrage of questions, Du Changshi's face gradually showed embarrassment and shame.
Finally, he couldn't help but say, "Your Highness, please forgive me! It's all my fault for being incompetent. But ever since Ning Yuanzhou, the deputy head of the Six Paths Hall, was framed and exiled, Zhao Jifu, once promoted to captain, began to restrict the carrier pigeon bureau, abolish the Senluo Hall, and even banish the Three Evil Paths. The Six Paths Hall has crippled itself, and the intelligence that various departments can receive has become extremely limited. I have done my best to organize information about Anguo."
what?
Upon hearing this explanation, Yang Ying frowned and leaned back tactically.
The Six Paths Hall was founded by Emperor Taizong. It was modeled after the Imperial Censor of the Han Dynasty and the Inner Guard of the Tang Dynasty. Internally, it was responsible for protecting the inner court, supervising officials, and arresting and interrogating important criminals. Externally, it was responsible for spying on enemy situations, transmitting intelligence, and winning over and bribing enemy politicians.
It can be said that the Six Paths Hall possesses a large amount of confidential information, and most of the court's intelligence comes from it. Its importance to the Wu Kingdom is beyond doubt.
How could such an important department be ruined by Wuguo?
Damn it! No wonder Wu Kingdom lost the war!
Yang Ying remained silent.
But then I thought, surely the vast Wu Kingdom couldn't possibly only have the Six Paths Hall as its sole source of intelligence.
The two countries, Wu and An, are at odds and have a tense relationship, often resulting in military conflicts. This has led Wu to attach great importance to intelligence from An.
Now that Emperor Wu has been captured, Wu Kingdom's attention to An Kingdom has reached an unprecedented level, with all kinds of intelligence flowing back from An Kingdom to Wu Kingdom.
Therefore, even if the Six Paths Hall is destroyed, Wu Kingdom must have other channels to obtain a large amount of intelligence about An Kingdom.
But at this point, Chief Clerk Du claimed that he had no intelligence...
Yang Ying carefully observed the changes in Du Changshi's expression. Although he looked ashamed, he was not flustered, which suggested that what he said was probably true.
In other words, those who did not want Emperor Wu to return to his country not only made arrangements for the personnel of the mission, but also tampered with the intelligence.
snort!
Yang Ying, being petty and narrow-minded, secretly noted this down in her notebook and decided to settle accounts with these people later.
Yang Ying looked up at Chief Secretary Du again: "Since the intelligence about Anguo is limited, then Chief Secretary, tell me about the situation in our Wuguo court! You should be very clear about this!"
Du Changshi nodded repeatedly, quickly composed himself, and began to tell Yang Ying about the situation in the Wu Kingdom's court.
……
On the other side, Ning Yuanzhou, along with Qian Zhao, Yu Shisan, Yuan Lu, Sun Lang, and others, finally arrived at Qiaozhou Post Station after a day and a night of fast riding.
Ning Yuanzhou was originally the deputy head of the Six Paths Hall. He was framed and exiled to the army. After escaping death in the battle of Tianmen Pass, he wanted to take this opportunity to fake his death and live a peaceful life in anonymity. Unfortunately, his plan was discovered by Prime Minister Zhang Song.
Zhang Song used the innocence of the Tiandao Daoists who died at Tianmen Pass as leverage to force Ning Yuanzhou to escort the delegation safely to Anguo.
Although Ning Yuanzhou was unwilling, he had no choice but to agree to Zhang Song's request for the sake of his fallen brothers.
Having received advance notice, Ding Hui and his Heavenly Dao subordinates had been waiting for some time. When they saw Ning Yuanzhou in the distance, they couldn't hide their excitement and knelt down, shouting in unison, "May the Hall Master be well!"
The sound roared like thunder, echoing through the sky and deafening.
Yang Ying, who was inside the hall, was startled by the noise outside. She suddenly opened her eyes, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, but she quickly regained her composure before anyone else could notice.
Hall Master? Is that Ning Yuanzhou?
According to the original owner's memories, this person was exceptionally capable and quite extraordinary. Now that she could see him in person, Yang Ying couldn't help but feel a surge of interest.
However, she did not go out to greet him, but sat upright, maintaining a dignified posture. At the same time, she waved to Du Changshi to stop and quietly wait for Ning Yuanzhou's arrival.
There is a distinction between superiors and inferiors!
Yang Ying is the ruler, and Ning Yuanzhou is the subject. There is absolutely no reason for Yang Ying to use his inferiority to influence the superiority of Ning Yuanzhou and to take the initiative to welcome him.
Sure enough, within a short while, five people came in to pay their respects.
Ning Yuanzhou took the lead, gently lifting his robe and kneeling solemnly to pay his respects: "Your subject Ning Yuanzhou, Left Guard General and Head of the Six Paths Hall, pays respects to Your Highness Prince Li!"
Qian Zhao, Yu Shisan, Yuan Lu, Sun Lang, and others followed suit, kneeling and bowing in turn, shouting in unison, "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Highness Prince Li."
Yang Ying's gaze swept over everyone, finally lingering on Ning Yuanzhou for a moment before she slowly spoke: "My dear ministers, please rise."
?
A hint of surprise flashed in Ning Yuanzhou's eyes. He had thought that the princess would be very emotional after their long separation, but he did not expect her to be so calm and composed.
He couldn't help but look up and saw Yang Ying sitting on a high seat, dressed in the robes of a prince. Her brows revealed an extraordinary air, and her every move exuded nobility and composure, showing no trace of her former frailty.
Ning Yuanzhou secretly admired the mission's chief secretary and lady-in-waiting, who were truly remarkable. In just a few days, they had transformed a frail princess into a prince with extraordinary bearing.
Thinking this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards Du Changshi and Ming Nushi, whom he had never met before.
Ning Yuanzhou stood up, holding the jade pendant of the regent, and said loudly, "Your subject is acting on the secret orders of the Prime Minister to secretly escort His Highness Prince Li to Anguo and welcome His Majesty back to the country safely."
From this moment forward, all affairs of the mission, large and small, shall be under my full responsibility, control, and management.
presumptuous!
Yang Ying almost shouted, but quickly lowered her head and took a sip of fragrant tea, using the teacup to conceal the sharp look in her eyes.
Ning Yuanzhou's words offended two of her taboos.
Firstly, Prime Minister Zhang Song was one of those who did not want Emperor Wu to return to the country, but he did not show it as obviously as the Prince of Danyang.
Therefore, she didn't trust Zhang Song at all, and even less so the people Zhang Song sent. Now that Ning Yuanzhou had come to the delegation with Zhang Song's jade pendant, had he truly submitted to Zhang Song, or was there something else going on?
Secondly, Ning Yuanzhou actually wanted to control the delegation as soon as he arrived. Where does that leave her, the Prince of Li?
Previously, the original owner was weak and was manipulated by Lady Ming, which led to the loss of power. The affairs of the mission were discussed and decided by Chief Secretary Du and Lady Ming.
Now that Lady Ming is dead, she was thinking of finding an opportunity to regain power, but Ning Yuanzhou intercepted her halfway.
Yang Ying was displeased, but she did not show it immediately. She simply used a smile to cover up her inner turmoil and remained silent, quietly observing Ning Yuanzhou's next move.
However, Chief Secretary Du, who was standing nearby, saw the jade pendant of the Regent and immediately stepped forward to return the greeting: "Your humble servant obeys!"
Ning Yuanzhou nodded to him, then looked around the room and asked, "I heard that there was a Ming Dynasty lady accompanying the delegation. Why can't I see her now?"