Ch 87: Ten Thousand Galloping Grass Mud Horses Stampeded Through His Mind
Xiong Juzheng began to tell Sun Jian the whole story.
This morning at the beginning of the Mao hour, he, temporarily serving as Kyoto Prefect, received a written report.
The content claimed that Sun Jian, appointed as Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince, not only secretly harmed the Imperial Envoy and slaughtered soldiers and eyewitnesses, but also plotted to assassinate His Majesty during a meeting at the Imperial Palace.
Eunuch Zhang and others who survived from the Directorate of Ceremonies were held hostage at knifepoint, and they have already entered the city.
Upon receiving this letter, Xiong Juzheng was immediately startled into a cold sweat.
Although the Imperial Palace is heavily guarded, with soldiers everywhere, and there will be multiple checks during entry, the assassination is purely a delusional idea.
But this isn’t a palace assassination!
Sun Jian received an Imperial Edict to meet the Emperor at the palace.
If there is a lapse in the checks, it would be like directly sending the assassin to the Emperor, facing His Majesty alone…
Sun Jian’s group could assassinate so many soldiers; their martial arts must be extraordinary. If they were really allowed to enter the palace to assassinate, the consequences would be immeasurable…
Even if this matter is a false report, Xiong Juzheng, as Kyoto Prefect, cannot help but be cautious. It concerns His Majesty’s safety; it is better to believe it than not to believe it.
Considering all factors, Xiong Juzheng immediately decided to meet the Emperor.
But unexpectedly, after meeting the Emperor, His Majesty not only did not believe him but also flew into a rage, scolding Xiong Juzheng as a stubborn fool.
Xiong Juzheng was heartbroken but dared not contradict His Majesty.
His Majesty realized that someone wanted to use this to kill someone else and falsely accuse Sun Jian. Before the matter escalated, he directly ordered Xiong Juzheng to take his Golden Seal and Imperial Guards to stop the matter.
Then came the events that happened in front of the Kyoto Prefecture Yamen.
After hearing Xiong Juzheng finish explaining the causes and consequences, Sun Jian nodded deeply, “So that’s how it is.”
“That damned eunuch must have been instructed by someone; otherwise, he wouldn’t have such courage. Imperial Tutor Sun, rest assured; this matter is on me. I will give you an answer in a few days.”
“Good, thank you, Sir Xiong.”
Sun Jian originally wanted to investigate himself; after all, Erdog and the many villagers who followed him died in this conspiracy. However, since the words had been said, he could not insist on investigating the case.
“Cough, you’re welcome. You are His Majesty’s appointed Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince and will surely be a prominent figure in the court in the future. In addition, Sir Xiong likes your character and temperament. What I’ve done today is only proper!”
…
The carriage sped all the way, and after entering the Imperial Palace, a eunuch led Sun Jian and Xiong Juzheng through layers of checks, finally reaching the gate of the Taiji Hall’s side hall.
“Your Excellencies please wait a moment. His Majesty is discussing matters with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in the study. Allow this servant to report.”
Having said that, the eunuch bowed and hurried into the hall with small, quick steps.
“Imperial Tutor Sun, please be patient. You may not understand as a newcomer to the court; the process for an outsider to meet His Majesty is quite complicated with many procedures. Just wait patiently.”
Xiong Juzheng was afraid that Sun Jian would not be patient enough, so he reminded him aside.
“It’s alright, it’s alright.”
Sun Jian didn’t mind these things; instead, he looked at the majestic and imposing palace.
“Sir Xiong, is His Majesty fierce-looking?”
“Ah?”
“Ah what? I’m asking if His Majesty’s appearance is fierce.”
Xiong Juzheng was stunned by Sun Jian’s question.
“Imperial Tutor Sun, be careful with your words! This is the Imperial Palace! You must be cautious in your speech.”
Xiong Juzheng was startled, glanced around, and whispered, “Sir Xiong was just like you back then. I was careless with my words, and that’s why I was dismissed from my post.”
“If it weren’t for my military achievements, I wouldn’t even be temporarily in charge of Kyoto Prefecture!”
Sun Jian shrugged helplessly and smiled slightly, “Don’t worry, Sir Xiong. You will soon be reinstated.”
“Ah? Reinstated? Why is that?”
Xiong Juzheng didn’t understand Sun Jian’s words.
“Think about it. You are a military officer and have never been a civilian official. How long can you temporarily manage Kyoto Prefecture? If His Majesty doesn’t have this kind of discernment, wouldn’t Great Qian be in chaos?”
Hearing Sun Jian say that he would soon be able to lead troops into battle again, Xiong Juzheng was overjoyed but still pretended to be cautious: “Imperial Tutor Sun, be careful with your words!!”
“His Majesty is just and wise and will make his own decisions. Whether or not you can be reinstated depends solely on His Majesty’s judgment.”
As the two men were flattering each other, the young eunuch who had been sent to deliver the message came over.
“Sir Xiong, Sir Sun, please follow me; His Majesty summons you.”
Having said that, the young eunuch led the way, and Sun Jian and Xiong Juzheng followed closely behind.
“Sir Sun, this is your first time entering the palace. Remember the etiquette of meeting His Majesty. Do not be abrupt or negligent.”
The young eunuch reminded them.
Sun Jian rolled his eyes at him helplessly.
“I know, I know.”
Isn’t it just three bows and nine kowtows upon meeting, not allowed to rise without an order, and not allowed to look directly at His Majesty’s face?
Does this need to be repeatedly reminded?
After leading the two to the side hall of the Taiji Hall, the young eunuch left.
Sun Jian looked around but didn’t see anyone in the side hall.
But his act of looking around made Xiong Juzheng break out in a cold sweat.
To remind him, Xiong Juzheng quickly kowtowed, “Your Humble Servant, Xiong Juzheng, Kyoto Prefect, and Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince, Sun Jian, pay our respects to His Majesty.”
After speaking, Xiong Juzheng didn’t forget to quietly remind Sun Jian, who was standing beside him, “Imperial Tutor Sun, quickly kneel down and pay your respects.”
“But His Majesty hasn’t come yet… alright.”
Sun Jian reluctantly, unable to resist, imitated Xiong Juzheng’s action and knelt down to pay his respects, saying, “Your Humble Servant, Sun Jian, Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince, pays his respects to His Majesty.”
Xiong Juzheng didn’t forget to remind Sun Jian, “Imperial Tutor Sun, remember, remember to be careful with your words, careful…”
As soon as Xiong Juzheng finished speaking, a sound of heavy and light footsteps came from the side corridor.
Then both footsteps stopped on the dragon throne in the hall.
Undoubtedly, these were Emperor Qianwu of Great Qian and the Crown Prince.
“Your Excellencies, please rise. This is a side hall, not the main hall; there is no need for such a grand ceremony.”
A strong and very majestic voice came from the dragon throne.
Sun Jian felt that the voice was incredibly familiar, as if he had heard it before.
But he couldn’t remember where he had heard it for a moment.
“Your Humble Servant obeys the order.”
Before he could react, Xiong Juzheng beside him had already stood up.
“Your Humble Servant obeys the order.”
Sun Jian imitated Xiong Juzheng’s movements and stood up.
But as soon as Sun Jian stood up and glanced at the dragon throne, he was so frightened that his soul left his body, and he subconsciously blurted out his modern curse words.
“What the f***!”
“Old man???”
“Young Master Long Cheng??”
At that moment, Sun Jian’s heart felt like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, and he was completely stunned.
Past events were vividly remembered, but now he faced earth-shattering changes.
Sun Jian felt like ten thousand more curse words were surging in his heart.
His shout startled Xiong Juzheng beside him.
He had repeatedly reminded Imperial Tutor Sun to be careful with his words, but who would have thought that this fellow would almost make him die of anger with his first words.
“Imperial Tutor Sun, you are in the presence of His Majesty; how dare you utter such nonsense?”
“Kneel down!!”
