frightfiction Chapter 1116 Jiang Lingzhou's Secret Report (115 million reward points plus additional content)
Chapter 1116 Jiang Lingzhou's Secret Report (115 million reward points plus additional content)
Shen Zhinian's gaze passed through the slightly swaying gap in the curtains and fell on the bright yellow imperial chariot in front of him, which symbolized the supreme imperial power, and he smiled slightly.
No matter how good the phoenix chariot is, how can it be as comfortable as the dragon carriage?
"The time has come, let's get going--!!!"
Li Changde's shrill and loud voice pierced through the morning chill, like an order.
The sound of heavy axles turning was heard, and the huge royal procession slowly started moving like a giant dragon awakening.
The horse's hooves stepped on the bluestone slabs, making a neat and dull sound, and stirring up the dust and dead leaves of late autumn.
Shen Nanqiao followed the team forward, the wheels rolling over the tall threshold of the palace gate, leaving the towering imperial city behind.
She turned her head to take one last look at the solemn palace gate, and the humiliation and hatred that was surging in her heart were replaced by a desperate determination!
The royal procession marched northward along the official road, with flags blocking out the sun and raising clouds of dust.
The fields in late autumn were withered and yellow, and the sound of wheels rolling over the official road was dull and monotonous.
The imperial carriage was filled with warm incense and covered with thick brocade quilts, which isolated it from the cold and bumps from the outside world.
Nangong Xuanyu was resting with his eyes closed, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the rosewood imperial desk.
After days of traveling, his brows were slightly tired, but his majestic imperial bearing was not affected.
Suddenly, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds came from far away.
Unlike the flamboyant voice of an ordinary messenger, this voice was restrained and swift, like a night owl flying close to the ground.
The sound of horse hooves suddenly slowed down as it approached the core area of the imperial carriage, and finally stopped in an inconspicuous corner behind the side of the imperial carriage.
The imperial carriage did not stop and continued to move forward steadily.
Li Changde lifted the heavy brocade curtain of the imperial chariot very lightly, leaving only a thin gap. The cold wind carrying dust rushed in instantly, but was quickly blocked out.
Outside the curtain, there was a dusty man wearing ordinary scout leather armor, with chapped lips and a face covered with stains of dust and sweat.
He did not dismount, but leaned against the side window of the imperial carriage, almost blending into the carriage. Then he quickly took out an inconspicuous, even somewhat worn oilcloth bag from his arms.
The oilcloth bag was wrapped tightly and had a square shape, so it was impossible to tell what was inside.
The man did not shout, but stuffed the oilcloth bag into Li Changde's hand through the gap in the curtain. At the same time, his lips moved a few times very quickly, and his voice was so low and hoarse that it was almost inaudible.
Li Changde's hands were as steady as a rock. He took the oilcloth bag and his fingertips touched the edges of the hard object inside, and he understood.
He had no expression on his face and only nodded very slightly.
The scout immediately reined in his horse and retreated, his figure blending silently into the rolling dust, as if he had never appeared.
The carriage was dead silent.
Nangong Xuanyu had already opened his eyes, the fatigue in his eyes was gone, and they were as sharp as ice.
Li Changde turned his back to the car window and untied the oilcloth bag with extremely fast but steady movements.
Inside was an equally inconspicuous flat hardwood box with no markings.
He skillfully pried open the mechanism hidden in the lid of the box, took out the neatly folded letter inside, and presented it to Nangong Xuanyu: "Your Majesty."
Nangong Xuanyu unfolded the letter and the familiar handwriting of Jiang Lingzhou came into view. Every word was so powerful that it seemed as if it was written in an extremely urgent manner.
"After several months of secret investigation, my minister Jiang Lingzhou has confirmed that the lair where Duke Dingguo raises his private soldiers is hidden deep in Yingchou Gorge, thirty miles west of Xingyang City. The stronghold is built on the mountain, hidden in the dense forest, and has about 20,000 people."
"In the past ten days, the transfer of food and fodder there has been unusually frequent, far exceeding the usual consumption. A large amount of weapons and arrows have also been secretly transported. Their intentions are unpredictable, and there may be unusual movements soon!"
"I have already made a secret contact with Chen Qian, the commander of the Yuzhou army, and secretly mobilized troops to encircle them. We are only waiting for your Majesty's order, and then we can strike with lightning speed and wipe them out completely! This is an urgent matter, and I hope you will make a decision!"
Yingchoujian.
Twenty thousand private soldiers.
There were unusual movements of food, fodder and military equipment.
The troops of Yuzhou have surrounded them secretly.
Every word was like a red-hot iron, igniting the long-suppressed excitement deep in Nangong Xuanyu's pupils!
The flames burned more and more vigorously, almost bursting out!
"Good! Good! Good!"
Three consecutive "good"s burst out from the emperor's throat, low and powerful, with the excitement of a beast that finally locked onto its prey.
He held the letter in his hand, the corners of his lips couldn't help but rise, his smile was as sharp as a cold blade drawn from its sheath, full of confidence that he was in control of everything.
"I have waited for so long, and the fox tail of Duke Dingguo's Mansion has finally been exposed!"
Nangong Xuanyu's voice was not loud, but every word was like the sound of metal clashing, shaking the air in the imperial carriage as if it were stagnant: "The food and fodder are moving in an unusual way. They can't wait any longer and want to put on a big show for me during the autumn hunt? Ha..."
The emperor suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze as fast as lightning, penetrating the brocade curtain of the imperial carriage, as if he had seen the camp hidden in the deep mountains of Xingyang, and the trump card that the Duke Dingguo's Mansion thought was secret.
In the past few years, he has been lying dormant, forbearing, and making secret plans, just waiting for this moment!
The Duke Dingguo's Mansion maintains private soldiers and has evil intentions, which is irrefutable evidence of treason!
With this, he can eradicate this cancer that has been entrenched in the court for many years!
"Pass on my order immediately!"
Nangong Xuanyu's voice was firm and decisive, with an unquestionable determination to kill: "Order Jiang Lingzhou and Chen Qian to stay where they are and closely monitor the movements of Yingchoujian. Do not alert the enemy and nail all the evidence to me!"
"I want to eradicate them completely, leaving no trace behind! When the autumn hunt is over, I will personally try the case."
Li Changde was shocked and immediately bowed and accepted the order: "Yes! I obey your order!"
His back was instantly soaked with cold sweat. Not daring to delay for even a moment, he immediately retreated to the corner of the imperial carriage and summoned his trusted eunuch, who lowered his voice and repeated the emperor's instructions word for word.
The young eunuch's face turned pale. After receiving the order, he quietly got out of the imperial carriage like a ghost and disappeared in the rolling dust.
After the oral order was issued, the boiling murderous intent in Nangong Xuanyu's chest did not subside, but became more violent.
He leaned back on the brocade quilt, slowly folded the blood-stained secret letter, and put it into his sleeve. His fingertips stroked the rough edge of the letter, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.
The Duke Dingguo's Mansion wants to cause trouble during the Autumn Hunt? That's perfect!
He wanted to see whether their claws were faster or his knife was sharper!
He had already set up the chess game and was just waiting for the opponent to make his move.
Now, the biggest prey has finally been cornered. This autumn hunt is destined to be tinged with some different colors.
However, amidst this raging killing, a trace of soft concern emerged in Nangong Xuanyu's heart.
He tilted his head slightly, looking at the phoenix chariot behind him with a complicated canopy, and asked casually with a voice that was a little hoarse after a long journey, "What is Concubine Chen doing?"
Li Changde immediately bowed and reported clearly, "Your Majesty, the Royal Concubine Chen is taking a rest in the Phoenix Sedan. Madam Lu is serving tea on the side."
Nangong Xuanyu's eyebrows did not move at all when he heard this, he just said "hmm" very lightly.