Although no one was following or monitoring him, Qi Yanzhou was still extremely cautious.
After all, he was now "well - known" and would attract attention wherever he went.
If someone discovered his interactions with the former subordinates of the Qi Family Army, it might cause trouble for them.
A quarter of an hour later, Qi Yanzhou jumped into a courtyard in the southern part of the city.
Ma Kun, a former subordinate of the Qi Family Army, had been waiting for Qi Yanzhou in the yard.
Seeing him enter, Ma Kun quickly stepped forward and knelt on one knee.
"Second Master, you've had a tough journey."
Qi Yanzhou helped the gray - haired Ma Kun up, a slight smile on his lips.
"Uncle Ma, there's no need for such formalities between us."
Ma Kun didn't respond to this.
Since Qi Yanzhou had the idea of overthrowing the tyrannical rule, their relationship had changed from that of close friends to that of master and subordinate!
"Second Master, let's go inside and talk."
Ma Kun's house was not big. It consisted of a front yard, a back yard, three main rooms, two side rooms, a kitchen, and a storage room.
He had three sons, and they had already split up. He lived with his eldest son.
His eldest son, daughter - in - law, and granddaughter lived in the side rooms.
Ma Kun and his wife lived in the eastern main room. The middle one was the hall, and the western one was the guest room.
Knowing that Qi Yanzhou would come to see him today, he sent his family out to make it convenient for them to discuss important matters.
The two went to the guest room.
Ma Kun poured the tea that had been prepared earlier.
Although the tea was a bit cold, it was quite suitable on such a hot day.
"Second Master, this isn't good tea. Please make do with it."
Qi Yanzhou picked up the teacup and said with a smile, "Uncle Ma, I'm a simple man and can't tell the difference in tea quality. As long as it's the tea you pour, it tastes good to me."
After saying that, he drank the half - cold tea in one gulp.
It was very bitter at first, but then there was a sweet aftertaste.
Although it wasn't top - grade tea, it wasn't bad either.
Ma Kun knew Qi Yanzhou was just being polite and didn't pursue the topic.
After refilling Qi Yanzhou's cup, he straightforwardly asked, "Second Master, is it true that you're planning a rebellion?"
He used to be an aide to Qi Yanzhou's grandfather and was a very resourceful man.
After the Qi family handed over their military power and the Qi Family Army was disbanded by the emperor, he resigned from office and returned to his hometown in Dingzhou.
He lived an ordinary life with the military pay he had saved over the decades and by doing odd jobs.
But he would go to the capital every few years to meet and catch up with the retired General Qi. They had a good relationship.
After the old General Qi passed away, Ma Kun rarely went to the capital.
However, like in the past, the Qi family would still send some silver and special local snacks from the capital every year.
He would also ask friends going to the capital to bring some special Dingzhou snacks to the Qi family.
In this way, the two families maintained a polite and somewhat distant relationship.
Until.
The emperor discovered that the second playboy son of the Qi family was actually hiding his true abilities and was skilled in martial arts.
He secretly poisoned Qi Yanzhou with a fire - type poison during a palace banquet and then, in the name of promoting him, made him a military general. When sending him on missions, he even arranged various assassinations.
After going through all these dangers, Qi Yanzhou knew that if he wanted to protect the Qi family, he had to gather the former subordinates of the Qi Family Army and make them a threat to the emperor.
So, he spent three years contacting all the former subordinates who wouldn't betray the Qi family.
From then on, they would find opportunities to have small gatherings every year to talk about their lives, the current situation, and future plans.
When Qi Yanzhou was sent to regain control of the southern border, his plan for the former subordinates of the Qi Family Army began.
Thinking of this, he answered Ma Kun's question.
"Uncle Ma, the imperial power of the Zhao family must be overthrown, but not now."
Ma Kun had guessed as much.
Otherwise, Qi Yanzhou wouldn't have volunteered for exile; he would have rebelled directly.
"Second Master, what are your future plans?"
What he meant by "plans" was whether Qi Yanzhou intended to become the emperor.
Qi Yanzhou understood the implied meaning in Ma Kun's words and told him the truth.
"Uncle Ma, I'm a military general. I have the ability to stabilize the country, but I lack the talent to govern it. So, I won't be the one to sit on the throne."
His plan was to secretly expand the Qi Family Army, let it infiltrate various military forces, become influential, and gradually gain control of the military.
When the time was right, he would support a new emperor.
Ma Kun disagreed with Qi Yanzhou's words and retorted, "Second Master, you have a broad mind, a sharp intellect, and you care about the common people. Even if you're not good at governing the country, you'll still become a great and wise emperor!"
He didn't know how to establish a stable country.
But he knew that a king who put the people first and allowed them to live and work in peace was a good king.
Obviously, the Second Master had this ability.
So, he stood up and knelt on one knee.
"Second Master, I hope you'll take on this great responsibility for the sake of the common people!"
Qi Yanzhou helped Ma Kun up.
"Uncle Ma, as long as we can overthrow the tyrannical rule and bring peace and stability to the country, it doesn't matter who finally sits on the dragon throne."
Seeing that Qi Yanzhou had no intention of becoming the emperor, Ma Kun didn't try to persuade him anymore.
As they moved forward and reached the stage of establishing a new emperor, perhaps the Second Master would change his mind.
"I don't trust anyone else, only you, Second Master."
Qi Yanzhou smiled and patted Ma Kun on the shoulder. "It's enough that you trust me, Uncle Ma."
After saying that, he started discussing important matters with Ma Kun.
"Dingzhou City is the largest prefecture in the northwest, and there are a large number of troops stationed there. If we want to take the imperial city, we must first take Dingzhou City."
Although he had started sending his people into the prefecture government, the provincial government, and the military garrison three years ago.
Just like in the imperial palace, the people he had placed were all in unimportant positions.
Because the royal family also knew how important Dingzhou was, and the three people in charge of this prefecture were all loyal to the emperor.
If it weren't for the fact that the royal family's reputation was now in tatters, Prefect Zhu Hong wouldn't have personally welcomed him, an exiled person.
So, his people needed an opportunity to move up and gain real power.
Thinking of this, Qi Yanzhou asked Ma Kun.
"Uncle Ma, what's the current situation in Dingzhou City?"
Ma Kun thought for a while and replied, "Since you had a falling - out with the emperor, Prefect Zhu, Prefect Wu, and General Pei have become very vigilant. They've conducted three thorough investigations inside and outside Dingzhou City."
Fortunately, the people he had placed in the government and the military garrison were all in low - level positions.
Otherwise, they might have been discovered and executed on the spot.
Qi Yanzhou was well aware that before the imperial power collapsed, the three people in charge of Dingzhou would keep a way out for themselves but wouldn't betray the emperor.
Because the reason the emperor trusted them was that their sons had been sent to the capital as hostages since birth.
They wouldn't switch sides unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Uncle Ma, you know Dingzhou City like the back of your hand. Have you found a breakthrough?"
Ma Kun nodded. "Second Master, I suspect that Zhu Hong has a mistress and she's given birth to a son for him."
He had suspected this before but had never found any solid evidence and thought he might be overthinking.
But today, when Zhu Hong personally welcomed the Qi family at the city gate, it deepened his suspicion.
Knowing that this would displease the emperor, he still did it to secure an alternative path.
This showed that he had something to rely on and wasn't completely under the emperor's control.
After hearing Ma Kun's speculation, Qi Yanzhou nodded in agreement.
"Makes sense. Uncle Ma, tell me why you suspect Zhu Hong has a mistress."
"Like the emperor, Zhu Hong believes in Taoism. He goes to the Taoist temple to offer incense on the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month and stays there all day.
There are some orphans in the Taoist temple. Every time he goes, he brings them food and toys, and even sends teachers to teach them."
Qi Yanzhou detected something amiss in Ma Kun's words.
"Zhu Hong, as the Emperor's lackey, is not a good official. There's no need for him to show kindness to orphans to win the people's hearts."
"I think so too, but I couldn't find anything suspicious from the Taoist temple and the orphans."
"I'll go to the Taoist temple tonight."
Ma Kun immediately objected. "Second Master, you'll leave early tomorrow morning. Don't take the risk. I'll find out the truth."
Qi Yanzhou picked up the cold tea and took a sip.
"I came to Dingzhou City on purpose. One reason is to see you, and the other is to take some actions."
The Emperor's determination to wipe out the Qi family won't fade.
And his counterattack won't end either!
Ma Kun reminded him, "Prefect Wu and General Pei's attitudes towards Second Master are unclear. You must be careful."
Qi Yanzhou nodded and put down the teacup.
"Okay, I will. Is there anything strange about these two people?"
"Prefect Wu has been out of Dingzhou recently, inspecting the counties and towns under his jurisdiction. There's nothing special going on in the Wu family.
However, General Pei has had a recurrence of his leg disease and is recuperating at home. I heard that his mother's health is also not good."
After Ma Kun finished speaking, he suddenly thought of Zhao Mingxu.
"Second Master, Zhao Mingxu has been getting close to Zhu Hong recently."
"I see. Uncle Ma, your health is not very good either. When Xi Ze passes by Dingzhou, I'll ask him to check on you. You need to keep an eye on things here in Dingzhou carefully."
Qi Yanzhou didn't want Ye Chutang to be burdened, so he could only wait for Xi Ze to come to Dingzhou.
Ma Kun joked with a smile, "Second Master, don't worry. Even if I'm six feet under, the three brothers of the Ma family will still be at your service."
Peace under heaven and a prosperous and stable world are the missions of the Qi family's army!
As long as the Qi family exists, the Qi family's army will not disperse!
"Uncle Ma, you'll live to see that day, because it won't be long, maybe five to ten years."
Ma Kun knew that Qi Yanzhou would not make unfounded remarks. A glint of light appeared in his slightly cloudy eyes.
"Okay, I'll live to see that day."
Qi Yanzhou and Ma Kun talked about the current situation of the world for a while.
"Uncle Ma, I'll come to see you again before I leave tomorrow morning to tell you about the gains from this trip."
After saying that, he left the Ma family and returned to the post - station.
The people of the Zhao family had been picked up by Zhao Mingxu, leaving the prematurely born Ye Siyin unattended.
Rarely, there were ice blocks placed in the post - station, making it very comfortable. Everyone was resting.
Qi Yanzhou was led to his room by the post - station attendant.
The sound of opening the door woke Ye Chutang up.
She sat up yawning and asked, "Azhou, will there be no more trouble in Dingzhou City?"
"No. It's still early before dinner. Go back to sleep."
"I won't sleep. Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep at night."
Ye Chutang got up and sat at the round table with Qi Yanzhou.
She asked, "Dingzhou is a strategic stronghold in the northwest. Can you take it?"
"I'm working on it."
"Do you need me to do anything?"
Qi Yanzhou held Ye Chutang's hand and said lovingly, "No. Just have a good rest."
"I don't want to rest. Let's go out for a walk and replenish some supplies by the way."
"Okay. I'll take you to taste the local delicacies in Dingzhou."
While the two were strolling on the busiest street in Dingzhou City, the head of the Deposed Crown Prince was sent to the palace.
Before his death, Zhao Chengyu had suffered a lot. He was disheveled, with wounds on his face and so thin that he was just skin and bones.
The Empress took a long time to recognize her only son.
She couldn't catch her breath and fainted.
The Emperor had woken up a couple of days ago, but his spirit was very poor. His body was still festering, and he slept most of the time.
Looking at Zhao Chengyu's horrible head, he felt a chill down his neck.
"Take it away! Take it away quickly!"
The eunuch immediately took the head away and then presented a letter.
"Your Majesty, this is a letter from Qi Yanzhou. He asked you to open it personally."
The Emperor knew that the content of the letter wouldn't be pleasant, but he still wanted to know what was written.
He shakily stretched out his festering hand.
Just as his hand was about to touch the letter, he quickly retracted it.
"This letter might be poisoned too. You open it and read it to me."
The eunuch was so frightened by the Emperor's words that he dropped the letter.
The letter fluttered to the ground.
He didn't want to be covered in festering sores, but he didn't dare to disobey the imperial order. He had to grit his teeth, pick up the letter, and open it.
"The head of the Deposed Crown Prince is my Mid - Autumn gift to Your Majesty. Is the cut on his neck rounder than the moon?
Your Majesty, how does it feel to be covered in festering sores and threatened by death?
Don't worry. This is just a warning. But I can't guarantee what will happen next time.
Behave yourself, or I'll cut off your head.
Your Majesty, issue a decree of self - condemnation again and go up on the city wall to kowtow to all the common people!
This is an order, not a negotiation!"
After the eunuch finished reading the letter tremblingly, he knelt on the ground with a thud.
"Please calm down, Your Majesty!"
Qi Yanzhou's letter was extremely arrogant, but the Emperor was not angry at all. Instead, he was happy.
Because he wouldn't die!
The boulder weighing on his heart disappeared, making him feel much better both physically and mentally.
"Come here!"
The shadow guards emerged from the darkness and knelt on one knee in front of the dragon bed.
"Please give your command, Your Majesty."
"Kill all the palace servants in the sleeping quarters without mercy!"
No one could know about the letter in which Qi Yanzhou threatened him.
In this way, issuing a decree of self - condemnation and kowtowing to the common people would be his own idea.
The resentment of the common people towards him would be reduced a bit.
The shadow guards went into action, and blood flowed like a river.
"Your Majesty, all the palace servants have been executed."
"Burn the letter."
"Yes!"
The letter that humiliated and threatened the Emperor was burned to ashes.
"Go and tell Eunuch De that he won't die. Let him rest assured and recuperate."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Eunuch De had taken the decoction for treating the epidemic, but it had the opposite effect. His condition was much worse than the Emperor's.
His whole body was festering, and he smelled terrible due to the high fever. He was almost in a coma every day.
But occasionally, he would regain consciousness.
Although the imperial doctors hadn't been able to develop an antidote to relieve the conditions of Eunuch De and the Emperor, no one had been infected, which meant that the two of them didn't have the epidemic.
This made everyone in the palace heave a sigh of relief.
When the shadow guard went to Xishou Palace, Eunuch De was in a coma.
So he told the message to Shuangxi, who was serving Eunuch De, and asked Shuangxi to keep conveying the Emperor's words to Eunuch De.
The shadow guard returned to the Emperor's sleeping quarters to report the completion of the task.
The Emperor asked the new palace servants to move the desk to the dragon bed so that it would be convenient for him to write the decree of self - condemnation.
After being tortured by the fear of death for so long, he just wanted to live well now.
Only by living could he turn the situation around and take revenge!
Therefore.
This time, in order to satisfy Qi Yanzhou, he wrote the decree of self - condemnation extremely sincerely.
Just as he finished writing, the Empress, who was overcome with grief, woke up.
The sleeping quarters had been cleaned up, but the strong smell of blood couldn't be covered by the incense, which made her nauseous.
Seeing that the Emperor still had the mood to write an imperial edict, she roared angrily and frantically.
"Where is Chengyu? Where is my Chengyu?!"
She looked at him as if he were her enemy.
The Emperor glanced at the Empress indifferently and said, "He's outside the hall. Make arrangements for his early burial."
"Chengyu died without a whole body. How can we bury him without finding his body?"
