Did the eldest daughter ascend the throne today?

"I have searched through all the luggage. Summer clothes are too thin to hide a military token, but maybe in winter." Xiao Linfeng was the commander of the Jinyiwei. Jinyiwei was mainly responsible for investigation, arrest, interrogation, intelligence gathering, supervision and investigation of officials, etc., including the closed trial of the emperor's relatives. They were extremely powerful and directly responsible to the emperor. Note (1)

"We have also checked with General Ning, and none of his trusted guards or deputy generals have it."

The details of how General Ning died have been thoroughly investigated, and the case file has long been sent to the emperor.

Right now, the emperor just wants to find the military token as soon as possible. It would be fine if it falls into the hands of an ordinary person, but if it falls into the hands of some ambitious people, the consequences will be disastrous.

"The power of the Ning family has long been transferred. General Ning no longer commands the army. The military talisman is only in the hands of Ning Guangzhi. Ning Zhiwei was the last person to see Ning Guangzhi."

Xiao Linfeng just listened; the emperor didn't need him to answer.

"How could it not be in her hands?" The emperor frowned slightly and muttered to himself, with complicated feelings towards Ning Zhiwei, "If I were Ning Guangzhi, I would definitely hand the military token to her. She is capable of protecting it."

But why didn't they hand it over? Was there some conspiracy?

The chief eunuch came over with a tray and presented a few exquisite snacks. "Your Majesty, please relax and eat something first."

The emperor washed his hands with the help of the eunuch, picked up a piece of pastry and said, "Continue to monitor, and don't miss any movement."

"Yes."

Xiao Linfeng waited for a long while, but the emperor didn't say anything else, so he bowed and left.

The emperor rubbed his brows and said, "Banban, you say, the Ning family has been a military family for a hundred years, wouldn't they have prepared some hidden tricks?"

The chief eunuch had followed him since childhood and was loyal to him. The relationship between master and servant was extraordinary, and only the chief eunuch dared to say a few more words in front of the emperor.

He shook his head without hesitation, "That's impossible."

He suddenly realized that the emperor was concerned about this.

Well, how could a big family that has been prominent for two hundred years collapse just like that?

During the grand court meeting, the emperor sat high on the dragon throne, listening to the civil and military officials discussing state affairs, and occasionally engaging in passionate quarrels.

The Minister of Rites suddenly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the people are discussing the Ning family case and public opinion is boiling. I implore Your Majesty to give a conclusion as soon as possible."

As soon as the Ning family case was mentioned, the court officials began to get restless again.

Many officials were involved, and everyone was worried every day, fearing that they would be the next.

"I second the motion. If this continues, public opinion will be overwhelmed."

The assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice looked up at the emperor and said, "What a joke! They are just a bunch of fools who dare to discuss state affairs. I implore the emperor to send the Jinyiwei to arrest a bunch of them, and the public opinion will naturally die down."

Yu Yuli stepped out with a stern face, "If you ask me, the Ning family should be dealt with earlier. No matter what, it is a fact that the Ning family army failed to defend the border, and it is a fact that the defeat harmed the people of the six border cities. They should be severely punished according to the law."

Other imperial censors stood up one after another and said, "I second the motion."

"I second the proposal."

The imperial officials all formed a united front and came out one after another to demand that the Ning family be punished.

The Ning family is only loyal to the court and the king, and does not form cliques for personal gain. As a result, once something happens, there is no one to help plead for mercy.

To the royal family, all the male members of the Ning family are dead and the Ning family has no value anymore. Who will speak for them?

The emperor looked at the princes and asked calmly, "What do you think?"

The princes looked at each other, and according to the rules, the crown prince stepped forward first, "Father, this case has indeed been dragging on for too long, it should be closed sooner."

He did not mention how to deal with the Ning family. His father was very afraid that the prince would reach out to military power.

There are some things that a minister can say, but he, as the crown prince, cannot say them.

No matter what, the Ning family is a family of loyal generals who have protected Da Qi for two hundred years. They are worthy of Da Qi. If you add insult to injury, what will the soldiers think? What will the people think?

The eldest prince had a different opinion. "Father, all the male members of the Ning family have died in the battle. Let's release the female members and give the Ning family some dignity. The most important thing right now is that the battle in the northwest is fierce, so we should decide on the commander of the Northwest Army as soon as possible."

When this was mentioned, people below became excited and various forces began to fight for it again.

Who wouldn't want a hundred thousand Ning's troops? They had never thought about ending the stalemate in the northwest as soon as possible.

The emperor looked at his ministers who had their own selfish motives and snorted coldly. The position of the commander-in-chief of the Northwest Army was extremely important, but there was no one suitable.

What the emperor wants are generals who are loyal to him, not generals who are selfish and have already defected to another wise master.

He is not even old yet, but his people are so impatient to support the next emperor. How can he feel at ease?

At this moment, a dark figure walked in hurriedly.

It was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Xiao Linfeng. As soon as he came in, the atmosphere changed suddenly and everyone's attention was attracted to him.

According to the rules, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard does not attend court, but only stands guard outside.

The emperor's heart was also lifted. Xiao Linfeng bowed and said, "Your Majesty, there is urgent news from the northwest."

There was silence at the scene, and the air seemed to be frozen.

Xiao Linfeng cupped his hands, "News came from the northwest that a Ning family army appeared behind the Great Jin and captured six cities of the Great Jin..."

The Great Qi lost six cities and the Great Jin also lost six cities. This was clearly revenge.

The scene was unusually quiet and all the officials were so shocked that they were speechless.

Hadn't the northwest been conquered by the Jin? How did the Ning family army appear behind the Jin? And how did they capture six cities?

Countless questions came to my mind.

But for Da Qi, this is a good thing, as it gives it the confidence to negotiate.

The emperor thought of many things in an instant, "What exactly is the situation?"

Jinyiwei sent many spies and agents to the border, but they were out of reach and not well-informed. "It was too late to investigate."

The emperor asked in a deep voice, "Then, who is leading the troops?"

A strange expression appeared on Xiao Linfeng's face. "Little silver-faced general."

There is a silver-faced general in the previous intelligence reports. He suddenly appeared in the past two years. Every time he goes to the battlefield, he wears a silver mask. His appearance is unknown and his origins are mysterious. No one knows his true identity.

All we know is that the young silver-faced general often follows Commander Ning Guangzhi.

Logically speaking, it should be a member of the Ning family who followed his elders to gain experience. However, all the names of the members of the Ning family can be found, except this person.

The emperor also knew such a person. Two years ago, the silver-faced young general shot and killed the enemy's deputy general with one arrow and became famous in one battle.

Because General Ning Guangzhi did not give him any credit, he was just briefly mentioned.

"Who is he to the Ning family?"

Xiao Linfeng replied expressionlessly, "It's not clear at the moment."

The eldest prince on the side could no longer bear it and shouted angrily, "Then what do you know?"

Xiao Linfeng glanced at him indifferently with a gloomy look in his eyes. The eldest prince's heart skipped a beat. This bastard relied on his father's favor and didn't even take the prince seriously.

"He has the military token of the Ning family army in his hand. Once the token is out, the remaining troops of the Ning family army will respond in unison." When Xiao Linfeng said this, everyone was excited.

"What? A military token?"