GBP Chapter 508 Either He Dies or We Die
Chapter 508 Either He Dies or We Die
The head of the Lu family was arrested, and facing interrogation, he still did not reveal a word.
Fu Jinyuan received other news.
"The Hong family took advantage of Lu Qiufeng's imprisonment to occupy several smuggled salt territories." Wu Yang told Fu Jinyuan the news brought by the secret guard.
"They are trying to divert our attention from the Lu family to the Hong family by making a feint to the east and attacking in the west." Fu Jinyuan came to the front of the map.
"The Lu and Hong families have occupied the two ends of the northwest over the years. They are the largest powerful families, and the other powerful families are dependent on them for survival."
The Hong family is now constantly seizing the territories that originally belonged to the Lu family, and the small wealthy families that originally relied on the Lu family are also beginning to get restless and want to curry favor with the Hong family.
Fu Jinyuan stood in front of the map and looked at it for a long time.
"These are all the imperial court's lands. Why do the Lu family and the Hong family occupy these places?"
He really thought that the things he stole belonged to him.
He pointed to the largest mountain in the middle and said, "Pass the order down. I will personally lead the troops to capture Hong Shanhai."
"Your Highness, the old lady of the Lu family requests to see you." Shi Qing came in and reported.
Fu Jinyuan's brows were cold, and he ordered Wu Yang, "Go and prepare. If you are short of troops, take my token and call in troops from other counties."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Old Madam Lu came with the eldest young master of the Lu family.
The grandfather and grandson were taken to a side hall and waited for half a day, but still did not see Guard Lu.
Lu Rucheng was a little impatient, "Grandma, this Lu Shoubei is too arrogant."
"Do you really think that a mere garrison commander has the guts to stir up such a huge upheaval for the entire Northwestern noble family? For so many years, the court has not dared to act rashly. How could a garrison commander passing by dare to create such a mirage?" Old Madam Lu remained motionless, her expression calm.
"Grandma, do you mean... this person is not just a garrison officer?" Lu Rucheng was shocked.
He suddenly remembered that he had to go to Suzhou to meet the Regent.
"grandmother……"
Madam Lu waved her hand and told him not to continue talking here.
Two more cups of tea passed, and still no one came to see them.
Lu Rucheng looked grim and stood up and walked to the door.
"Grandma, they are mobilizing troops outside, and I don't know what they are going to do." Lu Rucheng frowned.
"Come back and wait quietly, don't be impatient." Madam Lu said in a deep voice.
When new tea was added, Fu Jinyuan finally appeared.
When Mrs. Lu saw Fu Jinyuan's extraordinary bearing and natural noble temperament, she became more certain of the identity of the man in front of her.
"I pay my respects to the Regent. Long live the prince." Old Madam Lu knelt down and bowed deeply.
"Regent?" Lu Rucheng's pupils shook, and then he knelt down.
"Madam Lu, please get up." Fu Jinyuan said calmly, "Madam, you have been waiting for a long time."
"Your Highness is very busy with affairs of state. I am deeply honored that you have taken the time to see me." Old Madam Lu was very humble.
Fu Jinyuan lifted his robe and sat down on the armchair, "Old Madam Lu must be here for Patriarch Lu."
Madam Lu glanced at Fu Jinyuan and said, "My son has committed a serious crime. It is right for the prince to punish him. However, the prince has just arrived and does not know the real situation here."
"Oh?" Fu Jinyuan smiled, "Then please teach me, Madam Lu."
Madam Lu glanced at her grandson, her eyes full of warning.
Lu Rucheng lowered his head and walked out.
"Your Highness, although Salt Lake City is a key hub for official salt in the northwest, there are many places in the entire northwest that can refine salt. Over the years, the imperial court has never interfered in the official salt in the northwest. Doesn't Your Highness want to know the reason?" asked Old Lady Lu.
Fu Jinyuan curled his lips slightly, "Old Madam, I am here to listen to you, not to ask you questions."
"The Lu family's crimes are not just about smuggling salt. They have killed innocent lives and privately sold poisonous black salt to the Western Regions. Do you think that if these are reported to the court, the court will ignore them?"
Madam Lu shook her head and smiled, "The prince has started a war against Salt Lake City. I don't think he has reported this to the Queen Mother."
Fu Jinyuan's eyes darkened and he looked over coldly.
"Your Highness, there are millions of salt permits issued from Salt Lake City every year, and each permit is worth 200,000 taels, not to mention other places. This huge amount of salt tax, less than one-third of which is sent to the national treasury. I'm sure Your Highness is aware of this."
"The rest of the silver did not all fall into the hands of my Lu family. Why has the northwest been peaceful for so many years? Your Majesty, perhaps we should investigate again."
Fu Jinyuan's face was grim; he understood what Madam Lu meant.
The illegal and poisonous salt in the Northwest and Salt Lake City is being covered up by someone in the royal capital for the Lu family, and the Lu family is working for that person.
Who is that person?
He Zhiyuan has lost power, who can the Lu family rely on?
Madam Lu bowed and said, "That's all I have to say. If Your Majesty does not stop and continues to investigate this matter, it will only do Your Majesty harm and no benefit."
Fu Jinyuan's dark eyes seemed to be surging with turbulent currents.
"Grandma!" When Lu Rucheng saw Old Madam Lu coming up, he immediately came forward to support her.
"I just inquired and found out that the Regent has mobilized troops to capture Hong Shanhai alive." Lu Rucheng said in a low voice.
Old Madam Lu paused, she hurriedly got into the carriage, and took a deep look at the office through the curtains.
"I'm afraid Hong Shanhai has set up a trap to lure this prince there. The mountains are steep and Hong Shanhai is familiar with the terrain. He also has a group of rangers under his command. The Regent will definitely go to capture him personally. Whether he can come back alive depends on his luck." Old Lady Lu whispered.
Before their carriage had gone far, they saw Fu Jinyuan wearing armor and holding a sword and going out.
Lu Rucheng suppressed his excitement and said, "The Regent has gone out personally. Is he dead?"
If the regent died, the sword pressing down on the Lu family's heads would disappear.
He really hoped that the Regent would be killed by Hong Shanhai.
Madam Lu asked, "Is it still impossible to pass the message to your father?"
"Grandma, we've tried. The guards over there are all from the Pacification Office. They won't budge no matter how much you tempt them." Lu Rucheng gritted his teeth.
"No hurry, the Regent will not rush to convict." Old Lady Lu said, "I just want your father to suffer in prison."
On the other side, the mountains.
"Master, the spies reported that the regent has arrived with his troops."
The tall and burly Hong Shanhai sneered, "Let the hidden archers prepare. As long as Fu Jinyuan walks into this mountain today, he will never come back."
"But he is the regent after all."
Hong Shanhai: "Who knew he was the regent? He himself said that he was going to Dongning to guard it."
"Either he dies or we die, your choice."
All these mountains and plains are already filled with their people. They deliberately spread the news to lure the Regent here in order to set a trap to kill him.
The secret letter sent from the royal capital also asked them to trap the regent to death in Suzhou.
Now it’s just a change of place, there will be no difference in the future.
In short, Fu Jinyuan must die.