roccoschili Chapter 548 Comprehensive Search, No Corner Left Behind
Chapter 548 Comprehensive Search, No Corner Left Behind
The emperor frowned: "But if we do this, won't it cause too much of a stir?"
The eldest prince was also at the morning court. He said, "Father, I feel that this news is spreading everywhere. Nothing ever happens without a reason. There are always clues to follow, especially when it comes to collaborating with the enemy. I dare not speak nonsense."
The emperor looked at the eldest prince and said, "You also support the search of the aristocratic families and the newcomers."
The eldest prince looked as if he had carefully considered the matter. He said solemnly, "If it is true, we must quickly identify those with ulterior motives and those who are disloyal to our superiors and bring them to justice to prevent irreversible consequences. If it is a rumor, we must put an end to it, restore peace to the capital, and reassure our father."
Another minister continued, "I think so too. Now that things have come to this, it's best to get to the bottom of it. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will cause panic among the people. Not only the aristocratic families, but also the rising stars in recent years will be suspected and even looked at differently. This is not a good thing for them."
The emperor couldn't help but think of Qiao Jian'er. The Qiao family was also a rising star and commanded tens of thousands of elite soldiers. If someone made a random guess about the Qiao family and affected Jian'er's mood, would the lychees and durians that Jian'er offered him still be sweet?
Will it have a bitter taste?
Thinking of this, the emperor immediately felt that he must investigate thoroughly.
He said, "Since this has caused such a stir in the city, there is absolutely no reason to allow this matter to continue to ferment. If innocent people are accidentally injured, that is definitely not the situation I want to see."
The eldest prince immediately volunteered, "Father, I am willing to take on this mission. I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation so that the capital can be cleared up."
"I promise that I will not let any suspect go."
Seeing the eldest prince so enthusiastic, the emperor's eyes showed a hint of admiration. Although he appointed the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace according to the rules, he loved the eldest prince more in his heart. After all, he was the child born to his favorite concubine.
If it weren't for the rules passed down from his ancestors, he would have already made the eldest prince a powerful prince. Of course, on the centenary occasion, he would remind the crown prince not to treat the eldest prince badly.
"Okay, I'll leave this matter to you. Lord Liu, the Jingzhao Yin, will assist you. I'll allocate 100 imperial guards and 300 internal troops. Go and make the arrangements yourself."
The eldest prince returned to the palace and paced in the yard.
Naturally, he wanted Lieutenant General Chen and Pang Da to lead the inner army, so who should he let lead the imperial guards?
He thought that Master Pei was the Lieutenant General of the Imperial Guards, and his daughter Pei Qingrong was married into the Qiao family. If something was found in the Qiao family, Pei Qingrong would not be able to escape responsibility. Master Pei must have something fishy, so he apprehended the man on the spot.
Second Master Pei is suspected of collaborating with the enemy, so what about Prince Pei? The Pei family and the Qiao family are so close. Although it was a private relationship established when the younger generation was young, my father never took it to heart, but once this matter was revealed, all kinds of interactions seemed extremely suspicious.
Then it’s Master Pei, after making the decision, the eldest prince laughed softly.
Killing two birds with one stone. He had long disliked the Pei family. It was as if the king of a different surname could still stand for a hundred years. Didn't the ancestors and the emperor know that the king of a different surname was a potential hidden danger because he was not of our race and his existence was a potential hidden danger that might rebel one day.
Everything in this world can only belong to the Chu family. Moreover, the Pei family and the Qiao family are close, so they cannot stay.
In the afternoon, the eldest prince, Mr. Pei, Lord Liu, the prefect of Jingzhao, and Deputy General Pang Da of Chen led a group of 400 imperial guards and internal troops to set out and began to search all the noble families and official households, big and small.
The Imperial Guards and the Inner Army were dressed in heavy armor and equipped with long swords, looking like they were ready for war.
Just as they were preparing to take action, they heard a loud noise coming from afar, like a violent storm. In a blink of an eye, the prince and a team of imperial guards appeared in front of them, along with a cavalry unit under the banner of the Qiao Family Army, led by none other than Qiao Dacheng.
The eldest prince frowned, "Second brother, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to stop me from investigating the spies?"
"Of course not." The Crown Prince smiled faintly. "I'm here to help my eldest brother, to prevent him from working too hard. These Qiao family cavalrymen just happened to be passing by, and I called them here to do some work."
The eldest prince was not willing to let the crown prince get involved, so he said coldly, "But since my father has given me this task, I will complete it. This is my business, so please don't worry about it, my second brother."
The Crown Prince still smiled. "I have also consulted with my father and asked for permission to investigate with my eldest brother. My father loves my eldest brother the most and would not want you to suffer alone."
The eldest prince took a deep breath. He didn't know if the crown prince had noticed something, so he took Qiao Dacheng along as well. But when he thought about it, it was impossible. This matter was done in an absolutely secretive manner, and the plan was perfect.
They have always been incompatible. Although Chu Yaoce looks calm and composed, as the crown prince of the Eastern Palace, he has remained unscathed in countless twists and turns over the years and has always escaped unscathed. How could it be easy for him to do so?
I'm afraid he wants to take this opportunity to find fault with him.
Thinking of this, the eldest prince smiled. He was searching according to the rules, so what could go wrong? The prince was really imaginative.
The prince wanted to find fault with him, but he didn't know who was finding fault with whom.
When the time comes, no one who is close to the Qiao family will be able to escape, even if he is the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.
The eldest prince nodded and said, "Since Second Brother is willing to help, I will not refuse. If I refuse Second Brother's kindness, it will make us brothers unhappy."
The two of them made a "please" gesture to each other.
The search team acted swiftly and decisively.
The eldest prince said coldly, "Don't miss any corner. Knock on every wall tile and floor tile. Under the tiles, in the well, bonsai, antique calligraphy and paintings, etc., nothing can be left out."
The prince said, "Keep your hands and feet clean. Anyone who has extra things on him will be charged with theft."
The eldest prince choked and glared at the crown prince: "Second brother, you are meddling too much."
Some unspoken rules are hard to say explicitly. When the soldiers search the house, how can they not take advantage of it? Otherwise, their enthusiasm will be reduced. Anyway, few of these noble families have clean money. How can they support such a large family business with the officials' small salaries?
The prince is deliberately making things difficult for him.
Chu Yaoce said, "I have also brought a hundred imperial guards with me. I can't have them follow the rules while the people brought by my eldest brother secretly do something shameful. If this gets to my father's ears, I'm afraid it will form two completely opposite evaluations. This is not what my eldest brother wants to see."
The eldest prince sneered, "How hypocritical! The Crown Prince is just using me as a target to shoot. How can anyone be so honest?"