Chapter 768: Chapter 483: A Court Meeting in the Capital (5k) (Part 3)
"Transmit orders, first, swiftly dispatch people to contact the Magic God Sect to verify the authenticity. If it is true, tell them I wish to meet the ’Magic God’."
"Second, copy this intelligence to the Mu Prince and other lords. If this matter is true, invite the Mu Prince to meet at the Huai River."
"Third, seal off the news, strictly prohibit any leaks, and if found circulating in the army, suppress it immediately."
"Fourth..."
As each command was issued, the officials and generals within the tent steadied their minds and hurriedly set off to carry them out, their steps hurried.
Not long after, only Xu Jinglong remained in the tent. His voice trembled, and the smugness on his face disappeared: "Father, has she truly become a Heavenly Human? Doesn’t that mean we are...?"
"Fool! Even if she’s a Heavenly Human, what is there to fear?" Prince Jing’s gaze was as fierce as a tiger’s, exhibiting the solitary bravery of a hero rising from a desperate situation, revealing his white teeth:
"If she’s a Heavenly Human, she can stabilize the world; the throne of the dynasty is long beyond our Xu Family’s reach. Xu Zhenguan... Good, very good, this game of chess, uncles can continue playing with you, who wins or loses is yet to be known!"
A hint of madness crossed his face as he gazed towards the capital:
"You’d better return to the capital quickly, otherwise, hehe..."
Outside the main tent, Princess Consort Lu Yan’er walked out from the adjacent tent, watching a large group of Jiancheng Road officials rushing out of the camp like mourning their fathers, deep in thought.
...
...
Capital.
Yet another cloudy day, recently the capital has been persistently overcast, and the mood of the city dwellers is as heavy as the clouds overhead, seeming to brew a storm.
In recent days, rumors about the missing Empress and various regional lords raising troops to march on the capital have been spreading wildly throughout the city. Initially, the court tried their utmost to suppress it.
But as more and more news came, aided by those with ulterior motives, it nearly permeated every corner of the capital’s elite circles, and related rumors inevitably spread from top to bottom, reaching the streets and alleys.
In the early morning, inside the Grandmaster Mansion.
Mr. Dong, wearing a plain blue robe, waited respectfully outside the hanging flower gate of his grandfather’s rear residence.
Upon seeing Dong Xuan, clad in the Grand Scholar’s official robe and at an advanced age, walk out, he quickly said:
"Grandfather, the carriage is ready, I will escort you to the palace."
Grandmaster Dong still exuded a solemn and dignified demeanor, full of the imperial master’s presence.
However, upon close observation, one could see bloodshot eyes, and despite the makeup, it barely concealed his fatigue.
Lately, Grandmaster Dong’s health had deteriorated somewhat, so Mr. Dong, his eldest grandson, was responsible for accompanying his grandfather’s outings.
"Hmm, let’s go."
Grandmaster Dong nodded gently, and with Mr. Dong’s assistance, stepped out of the mansion and boarded a notably well-appointed carriage.
They headed towards the Imperial Palace.
During the Empress’s absence, court affairs were presided over by the Xiuwen Pavilion led by Dong Xuan, and today, a "Court Meeting" without the Emperor was to be held in the palace.
Such meetings occurred almost daily these days, though mostly they were small gatherings of the Imperial Faction.
Today, however, was slightly larger in scale.
The carriage rattled along the streets of the capital, and Grandmaster Dong lifted the quivering curtain with his wrinkled hand, looking outside.
Despite the early hour, the streets were far less bustling and lively than usual, with an air of unease.
People moved quickly, seeming preoccupied, the inns and theaters stood deserted, and the grain stores had long queues outside.
"Are the grain prices in the city still rising?" Grandmaster Dong frowned and asked.
The respectful response came from Mr. Dong, who rode with him:
"These days, the prices change almost daily, and it’s not just grain, other scarce items are also skyrocketing."
Though Mr. Dong appeared unremarkable, his abilities were not lacking, as he answered fluently to such questions.
"Didn’t the government intervene to stabilize the grain prices and strictly investigate hoarding?" the Grandmaster continued to ask.
"...Reporting to grandfather, if the government hadn’t taken action, current prices would likely have risen even more." Mr. Dong hesitated for a moment and then spoke.
Grandmaster Dong sighed softly and closed his eyes.
The city dwellers had already sensed the scent of war, and those with access to inside information in the capital acted first.
He believed it was only the beginning; if the situation was not promptly controlled, once panic set in, it would be the economy of the common people that would collapse first.
"What are those people doing?" As the carriage turned a corner.
Grandmaster Dong noticed the sounds of heated debate from a teahouse, though the building’s windows and doors were shut, making it hard to hear, and there were figures of scholars coming and going nearby.
Mr. Dong hesitated briefly, then responded: "They must be scholars discussing the situation. In the Imperial College these days, it’s almost everyone’s topic."
"Nonsense!"
The Grandmaster was annoyed, anger evident in his expression:
"Scholars gathering in teahouses to discuss court affairs, doesn’t that incite panic? Where is the government officer? Why aren’t they stopping it?"
Mr. Dong replied bitterly:
"Grandfather, firstly, many of these scholars are sons with family connections that the clerks dare not provoke, and even if they dared, there’s not enough personnel now.
Recently, the Red Flower Society and other factions have been causing trouble in the city, government office cases are surging, constables and yamen runners are short-handed dealing with these, and cannot manage such matters."
Grandmaster Dong was at a loss for words, let out a muffled snort, and did not get off the carriage to intervene, lowering his voice to say:
"This should also be handled by the Imperial Court."
Mr. Dong remained silent.
The carriage traveled along, finally reaching the Imperial Palace.
And stopped outside the Meridian Gate.
When Grandmaster Dong stepped forward, pushed open the vermillion door, and entered the side hall for today’s court meeting, he heard the bustling discussion of court officials inside, with unease written on everyone’s faces.
"Hmm!"
Grandmaster Dong coughed heavily, drawing everyone’s attention, and the noise subsided.
Inside the hall.
Yuann Li, Li Yanfu, Ma Yan... various Chiefs of Staff and other important ministers were all present, glancing over.
Scholars from the Xiuwen Pavilion led by Han Zhou also stood in the hall.
"The Grandmaster has arrived!"
"Greetings to the Grandmaster!"
"Everyone, quiet down..."
Amidst the attention of the assembled ministers and officials, Hanlin Academy Scholar, acting on the Empress’s verbal orders to temporarily manage all affairs in the capital, Dong Xuan walked steadily through the crowd to the seat reserved for him and gently sat down.
Yuann Li, Li Yanfu, and others followed suit and sat down.
—As it was not a formal court meeting, many seats were placed in the hall.
Once the officials were seated, Grandmaster Dong began to speak mildly:
"Let’s discuss the situation."