Dapeng's Time Travel Life

Zhang Peng, escorting the officials who had colluded with foreign forces, strode out of the abandoned warehouse. Sunlight shone on him, but it couldn't dispel the chill in his heart. He knew all too well that this contest had only just begun; behind these small fry, a far more powerful force was lurking in the shadows.

"General, won't it alert the enemy if we just escort them back to the manor like this?" a follower asked worriedly.

Zhang Peng's expression was cold and his eyes were sharp: "It doesn't matter. They already knew we were investigating. Now it's just a matter of tearing off the mask. What we need to do is to compile the evidence and submit it to the Emperor as soon as possible, so that these treacherous officials have nowhere to hide."

Back at his residence, Zhang Peng didn't dare delay for a moment. He detained and interrogated the officials separately, and together with his entourage, meticulously reviewed the evidence, striving to leave no detail overlooked. This evidence concerned the safety of the imperial court, and even more so, the lives of the people on the border.

However, while Zhang Peng was busy, a quiet change was taking place in the capital. Rumors began to circulate in the streets and alleys, saying that Zhang Peng had arrested government officials without authorization and was plotting a rebellion. For a time, panic gripped the people, and those unaware of the truth gossiped about Zhang Peng.

"General, this must be the work of those treacherous officials! They're trying to confuse the public and twist the truth," Li Ming said angrily.

Zhang Peng nodded slightly, but in his heart he was pondering a countermeasure. These rumors had spread so quickly, it was clear that someone had done it intentionally. He had to see the Emperor as soon as possible and reveal the truth to the world before the rumors spread further.

Early the next morning, Zhang Peng hurriedly entered the palace with the prepared evidence. However, when he arrived at the palace gate, he was stopped by the guards.

"General Zhang, His Majesty is unwell today and will not see anyone," the guard said expressionlessly.

Zhang Peng was startled; he keenly sensed that something was amiss. Why would the Emperor suddenly fall ill? Could there be some hidden reason behind this?

"I have important military intelligence to report to the Emperor, which concerns the safety of the country. Please grant me permission," Zhang Peng said anxiously.

The guard remained unmoved: "General, this is the Emperor's decree, and I dare not disobey it."

Helpless, Zhang Peng had no choice but to leave temporarily. He knew in his heart that this was definitely the work of those treacherous officials who didn't want him to see the emperor, trying to delay the time so they could destroy evidence or even harm him.

Back at his residence, Zhang Peng fell into deep thought. He knew he had fallen into a massive conspiracy. Those treacherous officials not only held absolute power in the court, but they even had spies around the emperor. To break free, he had to find another way.

Suddenly, Zhang Peng thought of someone—the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was highly respected in the palace and deeply revered by the Emperor; perhaps she could help him get an audience with the Emperor.

Having made up his mind, Zhang Peng immediately wrote a secret letter detailing the events and the evidence, and had it secretly delivered to the Empress Dowager. In the letter, he earnestly hoped that the Empress Dowager would intervene and let the Emperor know the truth.

However, after the secret letter was sent, it seemed to have sunk without a trace, and there was no response for a long time. Zhang Peng was extremely anxious. He knew that with each day of delay, the situation would become more dangerous.

Just when Zhang Peng was feeling hopeless, an unexpected turning point appeared. A mysterious man sneaked into Zhang Peng's residence late at night, claiming to be a confidant of the Empress Dowager, sent by her to help him.

"General Zhang, the Empress Dowager is aware of your purpose, and she is deeply saddened by the actions of the treacherous officials in the court. She has asked me to tell you that she will personally appear at the morning court tomorrow to have you expose the crimes of these treacherous officials in court," the mysterious man said in a low voice.

Zhang Peng was overjoyed and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your help, Empress Dowager. I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

After the mysterious man left, Zhang Peng didn't sleep a wink all night. He carefully examined the evidence and repeatedly rehearsed his speech in court the next day, making sure everything was foolproof.

The next morning, Zhang Peng arrived at the court early. Ministers arrived one after another; some looked flustered upon seeing Zhang Peng, while others wore expressions of disdain. Zhang Peng sneered inwardly; he knew these were the accomplices of the treacherous officials.

The morning court session began, and the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, looking slightly tired. The Empress Dowager sat beside him, her expression dignified.

"Zhang Peng, what do you have to report today?" the Emperor asked.

Zhang Peng stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, I have recently discovered a batch of evidence concerning ministers in the court colluding with foreign forces in an attempt to overthrow the court."

These words caused an uproar in the court. The ministers whispered among themselves, some looking shocked, others panicked.

“Zhang Peng, don’t spout nonsense! What evidence do you have?” A treacherous official stepped forward and questioned loudly.

Zhang Peng sneered, took out evidence from his pocket, and showed it off one by one: "These are their letters to foreign forces, these are their confessions from their conspiracy in the abandoned warehouse... The evidence is conclusive, what else do you have to say?"

The treacherous officials turned pale and remained silent. The Emperor, enraged, roared, "These traitors! How dare they commit such a heinous act! Guards, seize them all!"

The soldiers swarmed forward and captured the treacherous officials one by one. Zhang Peng watched this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions. This thrilling contest finally ended in a victory for justice.

However, Zhang Peng knew that the matter was not over yet. The situation at the border remained grim, and foreign forces could return at any time. He had to return to the border as soon as possible to protect that land and safeguard the peace of the people.