PNB Chapter 138 After Emperor Qing Zhao received Zhao Ming's memorial
Chapter 138 After Emperor Qing Zhao received Zhao Ming's memorial
Immediately dispatch personnel to coordinate their actions. Rumors were spreading throughout the capital, "Those foreign invaders are carrying a hereditary disease. It's not obvious, but it can cause sudden death. Many have died before treatment." These rumors were now widely known in Kyoto. Some, fearing they might also have the disease, sought treatment at the clinic, often ending up in the Zhenfu Division. Others, like Xie Sichen and Zeng Qing, suspected it was a trap.
At the moment, the two were drinking tea in a teahouse. Looking at the people passing by on the street, Zeng Qing cursed in a low voice, "What a bunch of idiots! Acting so recklessly will only lead to failure."
"Maybe something unexpected happened at home, so they took action on their own without consulting us!" Xie Sichen explained, thinking about the situation in his hometown.
"Hmph! That brainless guy Li Hu must have gotten anxious after seeing the city wall being built. He didn't listen to anything I said." Xie Sichen didn't dare to respond after hearing Zeng Qing's words, because he was also anxious. He also acquiesced when Lao Zhang found him and talked about this matter before.
Zeng Qing took a sip of tea, suppressed his anger, and said, "Find a way to quickly obtain the design drawings of the Zhaoyang warship. If we can build it, even if we can't occupy the land, the people in my hometown will not be left without a place to shelter from the wind and rain."
Xie Sichen responded in a low voice: "Okay!"
Meanwhile, in Qingxue City, the enemy at sea hadn't launched an attack, merely waiting outside the range of their artillery fire. Meanwhile, Rosen, in the city, was constantly making subtle moves, probing various ways to find out where his people were being held. Mu Yunxi had someone accidentally let him know that all his people were being held in the prison. Those who couldn't fit in were being held in the houses next door. He wanted to go there, but he didn't have the chance.
That night, Rosen finally found an opportunity. He took advantage of the guard change and quietly sneaked into the house near the prison. However, when he pushed open the door, he found that there was no one inside. Rosen suddenly felt bad and realized that he had fallen into a trap. Just as he was about to leave, a group of soldiers suddenly rushed in and surrounded him. Mu Yunxi slowly walked into the room, looked at Rosen with a look of astonishment, sneered and said: "Do you think you can really save your people? All this is just a trap to lure you in. You don't really think you can cooperate from inside and outside, do you?"
Rosen glared at Mu Yunxi with gritted teeth, his eyes filled with anger and despair. He knew that he had completely failed this time.
"Take him away!" Mu Yunxi gave an order, and the soldiers stepped forward and tied up Rosen.
Rosen struggled desperately, but his hands were tied and he could only be dragged away.
Mu Yunxi looked at Rosen walking away, still feeling a little uneasy.
She turned and ordered the general beside her, "Send people to guard every place in the city closely and never let any enemy take advantage of the opportunity." The general obeyed the order and left. Mu Yunxi's eyes were firm and decisive.
After court that day, Xie Sichen walked out of the court with his colleagues as usual.
Suddenly, he heard two officials not far ahead whispering something.
"Have you heard? General Zhao and Lord Mu have recaptured Qingxue City and captured those people." said one person.
Another person quickly nodded in agreement, "I know! I just didn't expect these people to send a mere brat to rescue us, hoping to collude with the enemy and retake Qingxue City! But that kid wasn't very skilled, and he eventually fell into our hands. Oh, and speaking of that kid, I've heard his name mentioned before, but I can't remember it for a moment..."
The man just now said, "I've heard of him before. I think his last name is Luo? What's his specific name... Oh, right, it seems his name is Luo Sen! And he seems to be only fifteen years old!"
Xie Sichen's steps came to an abrupt halt, and he stood there motionless, as if under a spell. Instantly, a surge of anger surged within him like a volcanic eruption. This anger surged so swiftly that his once calm expression instantly darkened.
His hands clenched uncontrollably into fists, his knuckles turning white from the excessive force. His body trembled slightly, like a leaf in the wind, about to fall.
At this moment, Zeng Qing, who had been eavesdropping on the two officials' conversation from a distance, noticed something was amiss with Xie Sichen. Frowning slightly, he quickly walked over to Xie Sichen, reached out, and gently patted his shoulder. Concerned, he asked, "Master Xie, are you feeling unwell? Shall I take you to the infirmary?" He raised his hand and gestured around, as if to indicate to Xie Sichen where they were.
At this time, Xie Sicheng came back to his senses, "Thank you, Master Zeng, thank you for your help!"
Some officials also noticed that Xie Sichen looked unhappy and came forward to show concern. After thanking his colleagues for their concern, Xie Sichen explained to everyone that he had not eaten breakfast this morning and was now a little dizzy because of hunger.
After leaving the palace, Zeng Qing helped Xie Sichen onto her carriage and lowered her voice to ask, "Who is Luo Sen? Why did you react so strongly?"
Xie Sichen closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then said, "He's my younger brother. Luo Sen is the pseudonym I gave him. I once told him that he couldn't use his hometown name in Zhaoguo."
"He's just been captured, he's not dead yet, there's still a chance to rescue him." Zeng Qing looked at Xie Sichen's red eyes and soothed him.
"How to rescue them? You've seen how many of our fellow countrymen were captured in Kyoto these days, and you know that His Majesty the Zhao Kingdom sent a Zhaoyang ship." Xie Sichen roared, trying to suppress his voice.
Zeng Qing agreed and roared in a low voice: "Why are you yelling at me? Did I ask your brother to go? Do I want to see Zhao State becoming stronger and stronger? Now the Husha have become a vassal state of Zhao State, and Li Hu and the others don't know how to judge the situation and act recklessly. Do you think I can stop them? Now, let's all wait to die together." After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and said no more.
"The elders clearly told me not to let Silu take any risks, and told me to work in Zhao Kingdom with peace of mind. They would protect Silu, but now they let Silu rush to the front. How can I not be angry?" Xie Sichen clenched his fists, and his veins bulged.
At this time, in the palace, the eunuch who had been observing Xie Sichen reported Xie Sichen's reactions one by one to Emperor Qing Zhao, and also attached what Zeng Qing had done.
After hearing this, Emperor Qing Zhao snorted coldly, like a gust of cold wind, sending shivers down his spine. His brows furrowed, his gaze sharp as a sword, as he sneered, "Hmph! Keep a close eye on them! Report every day to me who they meet and what they do. Also, if they attempt to leave the capital, let them go, but send capable personnel to follow them closely to see if they're colluding with anyone else!"