Chapter 29: Dispatch

  The King of Guangping finished reading Zhang's letter and fell silent for a while.

  The truth of the matter was more unbearable than he knew, his anger in his heart could no longer be expressed. He hoped that the Emperor would promptly and directly sentence Zhao Jiong to death, strip him of his qualifications for inheriting the title of Marquis, demote him to a commoner, and barely give justice to the second son. However, when he thought of the latest intelligence from the capital, his mood began to sink. In this world, there are always some things that cannot be done as one wishes. All he could do was make things more as people wished.

  He asked the commander of the guards: "Is Zhao Kuang really paralyzed?"

  The guard leader nodded solemnly: "Indeed. I privately went to ask the doctor who had diagnosed him, Zhao Jiong's injury, unless a god descended from heaven, otherwise it cannot be cured, not only will he suffer from paralysis for life, but also his lifespan will likely be greatly discounted."

  The King of Guangping felt that the gloom in his heart had dissipated a little: "He can't hold high office in the court again with this appearance. When Zhao, the old Duke of Julu, was alive, he commanded the army to guard the border for many years, and there were not a few old subordinates. Although he retired and rested at home, he never really put down his responsibilities, and every ten days he would ask about military affairs. If it weren't for his high prestige in the military, everyone would be afraid of him. In those years, Father Emperor's position as heir might have been easily taken away. Now that Father Emperor has just ascended to the throne for over a year, there are still some unstable elements in the court. With Zhao, the old Duke of Julu gone, his old subordinates will each mind their own business and won't cause any trouble for the time being, but this can't go on forever. Once something happens at the border, who can take charge? I'm afraid someone with ill intentions will take advantage of the situation to stir up trouble." He looked up at the commander of the guards.

  The guard commander only felt that this sentence was full of deep meaning, but he didn't dare to guess easily, and could only try to probe with words: "Your Highness's words are indeed correct. According to the old custom, when a father dies, his son inherits, and in the court, those great generals, old dukes, and old marquises, if they grow old and die without the strength to restrain their old troops, their sons and nephews take over, and the old troops also obey. However, the situation of the Zhao family is different now. Zhao Zhuo has died, his son is still a young child, and his body is not good. As for Zhao Jiong, let alone that he is already paralyzed, even if he wasn't, with the crimes he committed, he doesn't have the qualifications anymore. His eldest son also has no achievements or fame, and in previous years, he participated in the martial arts examination but fell short every year, which shows that his talent is mediocre and not worthy of great use. The Zhao family may be unable to produce anyone who can lead the army again."

  The King of Guangping smiled slightly: "The court can only choose another person to take on this important task, but it's not easy to choose the right person. Not only must he have ability, but also be reliable, and preferably have some connection with the Zhao family, so that the old subordinates of the old Duke of Zhao can accept him, and will not give the Zhao Jiong faction a chance to interfere with military affairs, lest they cause trouble in the future." After speaking, he collected his smile and asked seriously: "Fan Ben Zhang, are you willing to take on this heavy responsibility?"

  Guardian General Fan Ben Zhang's heart was racing, knowing that his guess had come true, and he was so excited that he could hardly speak: "Subordinate... subordinate..."

  "Stop rejoicing for now, this is not an easy task. Not only do you have to go to the border and face the sandstorms and battles against the Qing army, but also stabilize Zhao Lao's old subordinates, let them know what Zhao Jiong has done, and from then on distance themselves from him, not listening to any orders from his small faction. If your military strength, strategy, or tactics are slightly inferior, you will not succeed. If you fail, it would be better if you didn't go at all, so as not to lose face for me."

  Fan Ben Zhang fell to the ground with a thud, knocking his head three times: "Please give me another chance! Since I left Liaodong, I have been day and night, eager to go back and kill the enemy to defend the country. Now that this great opportunity is in front of me, if I really mess it up, before you punish me, I will cut off my own head and ask for punishment!"

  Guangping Wang smiled and personally helped the other party up. Fan Ben Zhang was originally from the border army, had been in Liaodong for over a decade, and had made many contributions, so it could be said that he was talented and experienced, with a deep understanding of the situation. He also had a long-standing relationship with the old Zhao family generals, which is why he was specifically assigned to escort Old Lady Zhao back to her hometown and given this position. As long as Fan Ben Zhang returned to Liaodong and discreetly informed the old Zhao family generals about everything he had seen and heard - including Zhao Jiong's behavior towards his stepmother and younger brother, as well as the truth about the death of the old Duke - then even if Zhao Jiong and his father continued to use the old Duke's name to order the old Zhao family generals around, no one would listen to them. The tens of thousands of troops from the old Zhao family would remain firmly under the control of the imperial court.

  The King of Guangping smiled and encouraged Fan Ben Zhang a few words, then instructed him: "This matter can only be settled after we return to the capital. You should not make any noise for now, first choose a suitable person from your subordinates to take over the affairs of the royal guard after you."

  Fan Ben Zhang respectfully replied, but suddenly thought of something and said with some difficulty: "Your Highness, do you remember a young guard under my command named Lu Yunpeng?"

  Guangping King naturally remembered: "That maid of Old Lady Zhao, wasn't she the one he saved? How is it that you want him to be your successor? Isn't he a bit too young?"

  Fan Ben Zhang gritted his teeth: "Isn't he too young? Doesn't understand things, loves to cause trouble! On this trip to Fengxian, he even dared to do something big!"

  Ruyun Peng, who was mentioned by Fan Benchang, is now standing in the yard outside the house, feeling bored and listless.

  The other royal guards who came back with him, as well as the maidservants sent by Zhang's family to pick up their daughter, were all accommodated elsewhere. Only he was brought by Commander-in-Chief to the courtyard where Guangping King lived. Needless to say, it must be to report the incident of breaking the white silk banner to the superior. Lu Yunpeng felt from the bottom of his heart that he had done nothing wrong, and naturally thought his superior's actions were very annoying.

  Zhao walked to the gate of the courtyard and saw Lu Yunpeng squatting there drawing circles. She remembered this Wangfu guard, who seemed like a very kind and easy-going person. Later, he followed his superior to escort Grandmother Zhang back to Fengxian, and this time he came back with him. Maybe she could ask him about her grandmother's and little brother's recent situation?

  She immediately ran over with her short legs: "Guardian brother, have you just come from my grandmother's place?"

  Lu Yunpeng looked up and saw her, a smile immediately appeared on his face, but somehow it seemed to have a hint of teasing: "Ah, Zhao little girl, you heard the news and rushed over? Old Lady Zhao sent someone to pick you up, in a while you'll be able to see them."

  Zhao was overjoyed, but still remembered his original intention: "Guardian brother, how is my grandmother? How is little brother? Did they return home safely? What did Uncle say?"

  "Uh, you'll know when you get back and ask your grandmother. Jian Nan Hou is now infamous, he fell off his horse and became a paralytic, so he won't be able to harm anyone again!" He then looked at her with curious eyes: "I once heard the sister of Old Lady Zhao say that Miss Zhao saw the old duke's spirit before she fell into the water, and was enlightened by him, so she speaks and acts a hundred times smarter than children of the same age. Is this true?"

  Zhao? didn't understand how the autumn leaves could tell the people of Guangping Wangfu about this matter, she blinked her eyes and dryly laughed twice: "Of course it's true! Otherwise, if it were someone else, would they be able to speak to you like this? However, my grandmother told me not to go around talking about this matter." In fact, she herself didn't want to say much either. Deceiving relatives to cover up her own abnormal behavior was no big deal, but saying too much would make it seem like she was showing off and might easily be exposed, so it's better to mention it less.

  However, the Duke of Jianan, Zhao Jiong, became a paraplegic, and it's unknown whether he can be cured or not. If not, wouldn't that mean he'll have to suffer for the rest of his life? Zhao felt a great sense of relief in his heart, but still had some dissatisfaction, hoping that Zhao Jiong would become even more miserable. And then there was the Jiang family in the capital, whose hands were also not clean, and they should also be made to face some retribution.

  At this time, Lu Yunpeng was also thinking: "Indeed, your cleverness is rare in the world, but it's hard to explain the mysterious and strange things, if they are spread out, it will not be good for the girl's family reputation."

  However, he was really curious about this matter: "When you saw the Duke Gong, what did he look like? What clothes was he wearing? How was his complexion? I heard that ghosts have no feet, did you see the Duke Gong's feet? Was he floating in mid-air?" He asked a string of questions, and Zhao felt secretly miserable.

  At this time, the smoke and mist appeared: "Zhao Niang, how did you run here?!" She ran into the yard and picked up Zhao, with a few points of annoyance on her face: "You sneaked out again, Cao Mama will scold me if she knows. Little ancestor, can't you just calm down for me? Such a small person, can't even stand still, always thinking about running around, aren't you tired?"

  She also saw Lu Yunpeng, but the Queen of Guangping, Zhong Shi, was very strict in managing her household. The maids were strictly forbidden from talking to the guards privately, so Yanxia just blushed slightly, curtsied and called out "Lu Guard" before hugging Zhao and turning around to run away.

  Lu Yunpeng was taken aback, took two steps forward, and then heard his superior Fan Benchang shouting loudly from inside the house: "Lu Yunpeng! You little rascal, get in here!" He stomped his feet, but could only obediently turn around and enter the house.

  Zhao had originally planned to coax Yunxia a few more times, so that she would agree to let him stay and continue to investigate the news. Unexpectedly, she didn't even say goodbye before hugging him and running off, leaving him staring blankly as Lu Yunkai got farther and farther away from him.

  Yanxia took her directly to the residence of Wangfei Zhongshi, the wife of Prince Guangping. Inside the house were some guests, a few unfamiliar women, two middle-aged women who looked like servants from a wealthy family, and two 16- or 17-year-old maidservants. It was obvious that they were of lower status, so why was Wangfei being so polite to them? Zhao couldn't help but take a few more glances, and one of the middle-aged servant women turned her head and looked over, her eyes lighting up: "This must be our family's young mistress."

  Zhao? Only then did she realize that these people were sent by the Zhao family, but she couldn't recognize any of them. Were they really sent by Zhang Shi himself, or was it Zhao Jiong who borrowed Zhang Shi's name to take her away and use her as a hostage to threaten Zhang Shi?

  Zhao's mind wandered for a moment, and he couldn't help but think of the many detective dramas he had watched in modern times, where conspiracy and struggle were common plot devices. Fortunately, Princess Guangping intervened just in time to clear the names of the four guests: "These are the people your grandmother sent to pick you up, led by General Fan. Your grandmother misses you very much and wants you to return as soon as possible!"

  Since they came together with the escort, it must be the real thing, and it's probably someone from the old house. Zhao looked curiously at several aunts and maids, and said to Princess Guangping: "Not only does my grandmother miss me, but I also miss my grandmother. When can I go back?"

  The Princess of Guangping smiled and said: "Are you in such a hurry? I know you miss your grandmother and brother, but can you bear to part with my Zhen'er?"

  Zhao thought to herself, "If your son wasn't so good at being a teacher, I would actually be a bit reluctant to part with him." Of course, she couldn't say this out loud. She was just about to use some soothing words to smooth things over when suddenly a crashing sound came from the front courtyard - the sound of porcelain shattering on the ground.

  The Princess of Guangping and Zhao ? were both stunned, looking doubtfully in the direction of the front yard.

  What happened at Guangping Wang's place?