Chapter 879
He Did It
The west gate was a great victory, while the north gate held firm and refused to come out, thus Datong City was defended.
At the same time, Yang Hong from Xuanfu led his troops to drive the 80,000-strong Oirat army in the central route fifty li north.
Meanwhile, Datong Prefecture and Xuanfu each dispatched a large army to sweep away the remaining Oirat troops in the rear, and the Ming Dynasty's defense line was re-established, giving the court a chance to catch its breath.
Only then did Zhu Qiyu have time to inquire about the investigation into the emperor's murder.
The ministers were not stupid; after the initial shock and grief, they realized that the bird-like man was not one of Esen's men.
They only temporarily lost to Esen in order to boost morale.
The situation at the time was this: who cares who that bastard is, the emperor's death is entirely Esen's fault.
None of this would have happened if he hadn't rebelled, captured the emperor, and even attempted to use him as a hostage to blackmail the Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, it is not unjust for Ye Xian to bear this blame.
This explanation could be given to the people, but not to the Empress Dowager, the Prince of Cheng, the entire court, or even to the historical records.
They must find out the truth.
So these past few days, while they were fighting and defending the city, they didn't forget to send people to investigate that bastard.
The large bird and the man, including the bow and arrow he was holding, were all questioned by the eyewitnesses on the city wall that day. The painter drew many portraits and finally combined them to draw the most consistent one.
Even Pan Yun, upon seeing the drawing, couldn't help but marvel at how incredibly lifelike it was.
Fortunately, she not only wore a mask that day, but also put on makeup, using a disguise technique.
That disguise technique could not only change her appearance, but also her height and body shape. In addition, she was wearing exotic clothes, so no one would associate her with "him".
However, even though she changed her height and body shape, no matter how powerful the disguise technique is, it cannot achieve two completely opposite extremes.
She's just a little taller and stronger than she actually is.
But in everyone's eyes, "he" was of average build and had a youthful air about him.
Xue Xuan, who came to the border to provide support with Zhu Qiyu, asserted: "This person is not very old, probably not even eighteen years old."
The ministers exclaimed in surprise, "This is far too small!"
Xue Xuan: "Talented people emerge from among the young. Perhaps we can inquire around. It's easy to hide a person, but it's hard to hide such a big bird."
The imperial intelligence agency was not to be underestimated. In the past few days, they had gathered information and found out some things: "Apart from those hidden in the mountains and fields, only the Mingying Sect has such a large bird."
"Screaming Eagle Sect?"
The Imperial Guard glanced at Pan Yun before answering Zhu Qiyu: "Yes, like Longhu Mountain and Sanqing Mountain, there are martial arts sects with cultivators. However, they generally do not go to the Central Plains, but operate on the grasslands. There are records in the Northern Garrison Command. The last time they appeared in the Central Plains was when they ambushed a group of cultivators in Jiangxi."
After speaking, the Imperial Guard looked at Pan Yun.
Pan Yun nodded and said frankly, "That's right, they were trying to ambush me."
All the ministers looked at her, and Zhu Qiyu could not hide the doubt in his eyes.
Pan Yun said, "At that time, I was about to advance to the first rank of Marquis, and the merits I had cultivated were like medicinal herbs. They wanted to eat me to cultivate."
Zhu Mian's eyes flashed, and he asked, "It sounds like Master Pan is Tang Sanzang's flesh?"
Pan Yun smiled at him and said, "It's not like I'm Tang Sanzang's flesh. It's just that cultivators eat me or use me to refine pills to improve their cultivation. Apart from cultivators, my flesh and blood are no different from beef, mutton, pork, and fish to others, just enough to fill their stomachs."
Zhu Mian said awkwardly, "I'm just a little curious..." Xue Xuan seemed curious as well, and asked, "Then why, after you advanced, did no one come to you to take your flesh and blood?"
“Because it’s not worth it,” Pan Jun said. “To a beggar, I am ten meals of meat buns. It’s worth risking my life to snatch it. Not only can I have ten meals to my heart’s content, but I might also be able to catch my breath, accumulate capital, and get rid of the identity of a beggar.”
After I advanced, to them, I was like a meat bun surrounded by swords and spears. The beggars were afraid and naturally dared not make a move.
As for those seniors whose cultivation and abilities surpass mine, I'm nothing more than a meat bun. Would Lord Xue risk his life for ten meals of meat buns?
Of course not, it's just a meat bun, you can buy it with money.
Therefore, in the eyes of those with high cultivation levels, Pan Yun's flesh and blood are just like any other readily available herbs;
It is only considered a great tonic by those whose cultivation level is slightly lower than hers or equal to hers.
Back then, he was just taking advantage of her vulnerability, trying to make a quick buck while she was at a crucial moment in her advancement.
It now appears that they lost.
"With such a deep-seated hatred, hasn't Master Pan sought revenge against the Mingying Sect?"
Pan Yun's lips curled slightly as she looked at the Imperial Guards.
The Imperial Guard said, "There are rumors in the martial arts world that last year a man and a woman stormed into the Mingying Sect, took down Mingyi of the Mingying Sect, and killed many people in the Mingying Sect. Later, for some reason, the two of them went to Japan. It is said that the two of them came from Sanqing Mountain and went to the Mingying Sect for personal revenge."
Pan Yun: "They are indeed my senior brothers and sisters."
"In that case, Master Pan's senior brothers and sisters should be quite familiar with the Mingying Sect," Xue Xuan asked. "I wonder if they would be willing to come and identify this large bird and the person?"
Pan Yun: "Their whereabouts are unpredictable, so I can only try to contact them."
She sighed and said, "As you all know, we people of the martial world have no fixed abode. We may be here today, but we may be in another place tomorrow."
Kuang Ye was also there and thought it was ridiculous that the case relied on information from two Taoist priests. He said, "After investigating for so long, is this all the information you have?"
"Of course not," said Cao Nai, a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. After all, Zhu Qiyu had brought many reinforcements, and Yu Qian had taken full control of the army, so Cao Nai had retired from the battlefield and was mainly responsible for this case.
He said in a deep voice, "The reason I mentioned the Mingying Sect is because the Mingying Sect has a very close relationship with the Grand Lama Sonam Gyaltsen, the national preceptor beside Esen..."
He paused for a moment and then said, "He also has a very good relationship with Arajiin, one of Esen's generals."
Cao Nai's voice suddenly lowered: "The coincidence is that the clothes this person is wearing have the characteristics of the Oirat tribe, and the waist tag he is wearing is very likely from Arazhiyuan."
Arazhiyuan was the leader of the Oirat tribe of the Oirat people.
Having just finished a battle, Chen Huai, who had come to listen to the proceedings with great enthusiasm, had a look of disbelief on his face: "Framed? How can it be as crude as framing Esen?"
Cao Nai replied, "Without evidence to suggest this is a frame-up, how can we be sure this wasn't done intentionally by that birdman? He might also be betting that Esen would think the same way you do."
Chen Huai opened his mouth wide and frowned: "This is too complicated. Regardless of whether he is a member of the Arajiin faction or not, you all have an explanation that it must have been him who did it?"
“That’s why we need to investigate,” Cao Nai said expressionlessly. “Otherwise, what is the point of our existence?”
Xue Xuan: "The case requires evidence. The current evidence all points to Arazhiyuan, but none of it is credible."
Yu Qian, who came in with Chen Huai, suddenly said, "Then it must have been made by Arajiin."
Everyone turned around and looked at him.
Yu Qian said in a deep voice, "At least we should make Esen think that way."
He looked at Cao Nai: "Let him think like you that this is a smokescreen by Arajiin, and firmly believe that Arajiin did it."
Alienation meter!
The same plan flashed through everyone's minds simultaneously, and none of them objected. (End of Chapter)