Chapter 443: Marquis Jing'an was loyal to the late emperor!
Yang Zhengshan couldn't figure out Emperor Yanping's attitude. In fact, Emperor Yanping himself was also a little unsure about Yang Zhengshan.

In the imperial city, in the imperial study.

Emperor Yanping looked through the memorials submitted by Yang Zhengshan over the years, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He still attached great importance to Ning Dongsheng's memorial. After all, Yang Zhengshan was no small soldier now. He was the general of Chongshan Town, commanding an army of 100,000 and had a large number of confidants in Chongshan Town and Tenglongwei.

If Yang Zhengshan had his own army and was self-reliant, or had bad intentions, it would definitely be a big trouble for the court.

Especially since Yang Zhengshan suddenly started purchasing a large amount of grain this year, this made him even more wary of Yang Zhengshan.

So after reading Ning Dongsheng's memorial, Emperor Yanping has been thinking about Yang Zhengshan these days.

To this end, he also found out all the memorials that Yang Zhengshan had submitted previously.

However, after reading Yang Zhengshan's memorial, he was very surprised.

Because he found many things in it that matched Ning Dongsheng's impeachment.

For example, Tenglongwei opened a salt field, built a navy, and engaged in maritime trade.

Yang Zhengshan had reported all these matters truthfully to Emperor Chengping and obtained his approval.

"It is said that the Tenglong Guards are first-rate elite soldiers. I did not quite believe it before, but now it seems to be true!" Emperor Yanping sighed as he closed the last memorial.

Although Yang Zhengshan had a strong record in battle, especially when he was suppressing the rebellion in Chongshan Town, he could be said to have won every battle, but Emperor Yanping never had an accurate concept of the strength of the Tenglong Guards. He just thought that Yang Zhengshan was a military genius.

But now, after Emperor Yanping read Yang Zhengshan's memorial, he had a new understanding of the strength of the Tenglong Guard.

What is accurate is that we have a new understanding of the wealth of Tenglongwei.

For the army, money and food are the basis of its combat effectiveness.

With several million taels of silver invested, it shouldn't be difficult to train 10,000 elite soldiers.

"No wonder my father thinks highly of Yang Zhengshan. He is not only a master at commanding troops, but also has unique ideas on how to govern the military and government!"

Emperor Yanping sighed.

"But why is he buying up grain on such a large scale?"

Emperor Yanping was a little confused.

At this time, the newly appointed eunuch Nan Sheng walked into the imperial study and reported: "Your Majesty, Wang Zhongzhi and Lu Hua are waiting outside the door!"

After Emperor Chengping passed away, Chen Zhongshu, the former eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, went to guard the tomb of Emperor Chengping, and Nan Sheng, the eunuch accompanying Emperor Yanping, took over the position of eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department.

Wang Zhongzhi was the eunuch working for the Secret Guard of the Imperial Governor-General, or simply the Chief of the Secret Guard, and he was Lu Hua's immediate superior.

"The eunuch Wang Zhongzhi (Lü Hua) pays respect to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be well and safe!"

Wang Zhongzhi and Lu Hua entered the study and immediately knelt down to pay their respects.

After Emperor Yanping ascended the throne, he immediately took control of the Secret Guard, but at present his control over the Secret Guard still depends on Wang Zhongzhi.

"Well! No need to be so polite!" Emperor Yanping said casually.

The two men stood up and stood respectfully in front of Emperor Yanping.

Emperor Yanping glanced at Wang Zhongzhi, then at Lu Hua, and asked, "How much do you know about Marquis Jing'an?"

Lu Hua thought for a moment and said, "I have had some dealings with Marquis Jing'an. Marquis Jing'an is resourceful, brave and good at fighting. He is a rare talent as a general. At the same time, Marquis Jing'an is good at military affairs, making money and training soldiers."

Lu Hua didn't know why Emperor Yanping asked about Yang Zhengshan, but he still told him what he knew about Yang Zhengshan.

Emperor Yanping nodded, but suddenly asked, "Do you think Marquis Jing'an has ulterior motives?"

Lu Hua looked up in astonishment, his eyes full of disbelief. He had never expected that Emperor Yanping would ask such a question.

"What? Are you surprised?" Emperor Yanping said with a frown.

Lu Hua lowered his head quickly and said, "I don't think Jing'an Hou has any ulterior motives?"

"Why?"

"Marquis Jing'an was loyal to the late emperor!"

Now it was Emperor Yanping's turn to be shocked.

This reason was very strange and completely beyond Emperor Yanping's expectations.

It seems to be a great act of treason!
What do you mean?
You are loyal to my father, but you are not loyal to me?

But after thinking about it carefully, Emperor Yanping felt that Lu Hua's reason was still tenable.

His loyalty to his father is enough to prove that Yang Zhengshan had no ulterior motives.

It had only been a year since his father passed away, and as the new emperor he had not suppressed Yang Zhengshan, so there was no reason for Yang Zhengshan to be disloyal to him.

Besides, even if Yang Zhengshan changed his mind, it shouldn't have changed so quickly.

"Then why is he buying up grain on a large scale?" Emperor Yanping asked worriedly.

A look of astonishment appeared on Lu Hua's face again, but this time his astonishment only flashed by.

Then he first looked at Wang Zhongzhi and then at Nan Sheng.

Wang Zhongzhi's face was calm and he showed no expression.

Nan Sheng lowered his head and seemed to have no intention of expressing anything, but his hand was holding a memorial.

Lu Hua understood, "I don't know!"

"Don't know? Doesn't the Secret Guard have any people around Marquis Jing'an?" Emperor Yanping frowned.

How could Lu Hua not have placed people around Yang Zhengshan!

Although he had a good impression of Yang Zhengshan and had dealt with him many times, he showed no mercy to him. He had deployed all the necessary personnel and there were always surveillance cameras in the places where surveillance was done. He also knew the reason why Yang Zhengshan bought up grain on a large scale, and he had even reported the matter to the emperor.

But the problem is that Emperor Yanping did not see his memorial!
Where did his memorial go?

Who hid his memorial?

For what purpose was his memorial hidden?
Lu Hua's mind was full of thoughts, but his expression remained calm. He said, "Yes, but Marquis Jing'an did not explain the reason for purchasing grain and grass to the public. Even the officials in the General's Mansion did not know the specific reason!"

Emperor Yanping looked at Lu Hua, seeming very dissatisfied with Lu Hua's explanation.

However, he did not pursue Lu Hua's dereliction of duty in the end, but just said: "Then go and investigate it carefully. I will give you half a month."

"I obey your order!" said Lu Hua.

……

A moment later, Wang Zhongzhi and Lu Hua walked out of the imperial study.

At first, neither of them spoke, until they were far away from the Taiji Hall, Wang Zhongzhi suddenly said: "If I remember correctly, you should have reported to the court about Jing'an Hou buying grain!"

The Secret Guard is divided into four divisions, namely the Southeast, West and North Divisions. Each division has an admiral, two commanders, four deputy commanders, and many thousand households and hundred households.

Above the four departments was the Pacification Department, which was responsible for inquiring into secret matters concerning the military, guards, and criminal law, and for supervising the four departments.

In addition, the Secret Guards also have the Imperial Guards, which are the secret guards of the imperial city. Among the secret guards is the Bloody Blade, which is the most mysterious existence among the Secret Guards. Even Lu Hua, the admiral of the Zhenbei Division, knows very little about it.

As the commander-in-chief of the Secret Guard, Wang Zhongzhi was allowed to review the memorials submitted by Lu Hua.

"That's right!" Lu Hua looked at Wang Zhongzhi.

Wang Zhongzhi frowned, then looked back at the Tai Chi Hall.

"What does Nan Sheng want to do?"

Lu Hua felt a little depressed.

The memorials from the Secret Guard did not need to be checked and copied by the Imperial Household Department, and the Imperial Household Department was not even allowed to check them.

Only three people could view his memorials: Emperor Yanping, Wang Zhongzhi, and Nan Sheng.

The reason why Nan Sheng was able to check it was not because he was the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, but because he was also the emperor's secret guard.

Obviously, his memorial must have been intercepted by Nan Sheng.

"He is deceiving His Majesty!" Lu Hua said in a deep voice.

Wang Zhongzhi shook his head slightly, "It's not that simple!"

Nan Sheng was the most trusted eunuch of Emperor Yanping, and Yang Zhengshan had no connection with Nan Sheng. Nan Sheng had no reason to deceive Emperor Yanping for this.

"Then~" Lu Hua hesitated to speak.

He actually wanted to ask whether or not to keep an eye on Nan Sheng, but it was not his place to say that.

If he wanted to keep an eye on Nan Sheng, he could only rely on the secret guards of the Imperial Guard. Obviously, this was not something he should interfere with.

Wang Zhongzhi pondered for a moment, but did not explain too much. He just said, "Submit the memorial you submitted before again in a few days."

Lu Hua nodded and said nothing more.

The two of them walked out of the imperial city with heavy hearts.

……

A few days later, Yang Zhengshan received an inquiry from Kyoto.

The so-called inquiry is the court giving the impeached official a chance to defend himself.

When an official in the imperial court is impeached, there are generally three outcomes. First, the emperor will dismiss you without a word. Regardless of whether the content of the impeachment is true or not, if the emperor doesn't like you, you are guilty.

Second, the emperor will ask someone to verify the authenticity of the impeachment. He may hand it over to the Secret Guard, or he may hand it over to the Ministry of Justice and the Dali Temple.

Third, give the impeached official a chance to defend himself.

The third result is unintentionally the best result. It means that the emperor does not dislike you, does not want to kill you, and is willing to give you a chance.

In the study of the general's mansion, Yang Zhengshan was looking at the copied memorial sent from Kyoto.

Since Emperor Yanping was willing to give him a chance, Yang Zhengshan naturally had to defend himself.

But he was a little hesitant about whether to explain the drought in Liaodong.

Explaining it now shouldn't be considered cursing the new emperor for being immoral!

The drought in Liaodong has already appeared. This is a fact, not a curse.

Yang Zhengshan thought about it and felt that it would be better to explain it clearly so that Emperor Yanping could prepare in advance and not be in a panic when the drought in Liaodong broke out completely.

Then he proudly recounted everything he had done over the years. The general content was that this was all allowed by Emperor Chengping, and that he did all this for the sake of great honor and for His Majesty, without any selfish motives.

When defending yourself, you naturally have to brag about yourself.

Finally, he explained the predicted drought in Liaodong and described in detail his plan to relocate refugees to the north.

At this point, there is no need to hide anything.

Moreover, Yang Zhengshan felt that he was doing all this for the people of Liaodong and for Darong, and he really had no selfish motives at all.

If Emperor Yanping punished him for this, he would be disheartened!

After sending the self-defense letter to Kyoto, Yang Zhengshan put the matter behind him.

There are still many things waiting for him to do in Chongshan Town, and he doesn't have the energy to waste on such inexplicable things.

(End of this chapter)