And these changes in their eyes were not beyond Zhao Dongting's expectations.

Looking at the doubtful eyes of the people in front of him, he could only sigh in his heart. People's hearts are like this, no matter who it is, they probably think it was Zhao Dongting's hand.

He gently knocked his finger on the desk table and said, "This is not what I do."

No one from Wen Tianxiang and others answered.

At this time, silence is undoubtedly the best choice for them.

Zhao Dongting seemed to have no intention of waiting for them to speak, and said, "I have sent Wang Ti's execution to Xinyang City for investigation. There will always be a day when this matter will be revealed. I asked you to come today, and I don't expect you to believe me like this. But you are all pillars of the Song Dynasty, and I am also worried that you will see me like this..."

He had a deep sincerity in his eyes, "I just hope you can give me some time to not make any decisions due to dissatisfaction before Wang Ti’s execution order comes back. Just two days ago, Deputy State Order Chen Wenlong had already proposed to me to retire and return home. If you follow your example, our Song Dynasty... development will stagnate..."

Zhao Dongting was able to say this, which was really heart-to-heart.

Looking at the Song Dynasty, except for the mentally retarded emperor Zhao Xu, who was played with and applauded by the treacherous minister Jia Sidao, who was afraid that no emperor would ask for his ministers like this.

In fact, there is no need for Zhao Dongting to do this.

With his current prestige in the court, even if Zhao Xianzhen was killed by him, the Song Dynasty court would never collapse in the end.

He really didn't want to have a gap with these old ministers in this way. He watched them ask to retire and return home.

They all came from Lin'an when they were followed, and they have paid too much for the Song Dynasty over the years. Retiring sadly is not the ending they should have.

After hearing this, Wen Tianxiang and others were moved.

They were still convinced of Zhao Dongting, and although they did not believe that Zhao Xianzhen was not killed by Zhao Dongting. But they were willing to give Wang Wenfu time.

Moreover, they all still have the hearts of the people of the Song Dynasty.

As long as they are not completely disappointed with Zhao Dongting, even if Zhao Dongting doesn't say that, they are afraid that they will not imitate Chen Wenlong and retire.

Lu Xiufu didn't.

Chen Wenlong retired because he used to be close to Empress Dowager Xie and others. His status was even higher than that of Lu Xiufu and others.

He was venting his dissatisfaction.

After a brief silence passed, Zhang Jue fell to the ground first, "Since Zhang Jue, follow the order."

He was afraid that Zhao Xian and others would have no good feelings. Besides, Zhang Ru's grandfather, and now the royal relatives, it was normal for such actions.

Even if he was truly sure that Zhao Xian was killed by Zhao Dongting, he would still choose to support Zhao Dongting.

Immediately afterwards, Huang Hua, Liu Hongyi, He Dongqiang and others also knelt on the ground.

Liu Hongyi was greatly favored by Zhao Dongting, but Zhao Dongting was loyal to him, Huang Hua and He Dongqiang were from rebels, so he didn't care so much about Zhao Xian's death.

Finally, Zhao Yuluo, Dong Zhen, Wang Yinglin and others also knelt down.

They may not have a deep relationship with Empress Dowager Xie and others.

Only Wen Tianxiang is still in a state of trance.

His loyalty to the Song Dynasty for decades means that he cared more about Zhao Xian's death.

The Song Dynasty rose well in the hands of Zhao Dongting, but if he killed Zhao Xian, Wen Tianxiang would be afraid that he would make Chen Wenlong's choice in the end.

Zhao Dongting's eyes fell on Wen Tianxiang and couldn't help but sigh, "Does the military order not even want to give me this little time?"

Among these people, Wen Tianxiang is the one who cares about him the most and worrys about him the most.

As the leader of the great Song generals, Wen Tianxiang was also the commander who controlled the Fujian Military Region. Any action by him would have a great impact on the great Song army and the country.

His reputation among the people is far from comparable to Dong Zhen, Huang Hua and others.

It can even be said that if Wen Tianxiang retires, not only the Fujian Military Region may be in chaos, but also the people will also condemn Zhao Dongting.

Fortunately, after feeling Zhao Dongting's gaze, Wen Tianxiang slowly raised his head and finally knelt down: "My minister Wen Tianxiang received the order."

Zhao Dongting finally breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as these people are not in chaos, no matter how chaotic the Song Dynasty is, it will not be in chaos.

As for Yue Peng and Su Quandang who had not arrived in Changsha yet, he was not worried. These two most famous young generals in the Song Dynasty must be focused on him.

Su Quandang didn't say anything, just talked about Yue Peng. With Yue Peng's conviction with Zhao Dongting, even if Zhao Dongting asked him to kill Zhao Xian, he would never hesitate.

Zhao Dongting waved his hand to let everyone get up.

Then, his expression became a little solemn again, "And apart from this matter, I have something I want to explain to you."

He looked out the window, "There has been chaos in Tanzhou recently, and it is very likely that it has a lot to do with the Zijing Villa, the holy land of Wulin. Emperor Gong was assassinated again. I suspect that someone was planning behind the scenes. The purpose was to hinder the development of the Song Dynasty, and even to cause civil strife in the Song Dynasty. You and others still believe in me as a human being, but there are countless civil and military officials in the Song Dynasty. When the Empress Dowager and others return to the court, the assassination of Emperor Gong spreads. It is hard to predict what choice they will make. At that time, the court will have chaos if nothing unexpected happens. Duan Qilin just proclaimed himself emperor in Dali, Zhao Jing is in Shu, and the Yuan Dynasty seems to have close contacts with their base camp in the past two years. It is hard to say whether they will take this opportunity to send troops to the Song Dynasty."

Zhao Dongting turned his head and his eyes fell on everyone's faces again, "I, I want you to be prepared for a big battle."

Wen Tianxiang and others were moved again.

They obviously didn't think so far before. They didn't know much about the Tanzhou Jianghu. When Zhao Xian was assassinated, they only focused on Zhao Dongting, and they were afraid they didn't think much about Dali and the Yuan Dynasty. At this time, when they heard Zhao Dongting say this, they undoubtedly felt like they mentioned it in their hearts.

Zhang Jue said in a deep voice: "Don't worry, when I return to Jingzhou, I will immediately prepare."

Wen Tianxiang and others also nodded immediately.

Compared to Zhao Xian’s incident, this may undoubtedly be more important.

However, Zhao Dongting said again: "Don't make big fuss, everything goes quietly."

There was a little murderous intent in his eyes, "If it were Dali and the Yuan Dynasty dared to invade our borders, what we had to do was not just to defeat them, but to hurt them."

After two and a half years of peace talks with the Yuan Dynasty, although the Song Dynasty is still in a time of rapid development, the accumulated national strength can already support the war.

Although Zhao Dongting originally wanted to seek stability and take every step forward, if Dali dared to launch a war first in the Yuan Dynasty, he would not be afraid to start a war.

On that day, in the imperial study room, Zhao Dongting, Wen Tianxiang and others discussed for a long time, and Wen Tianxiang and others left.

Not long afterwards, they went back to their respective territories.

After all, no one knows whether the Yuan Dynasty or Dali are already preparing for a war. If we really wait until the Song Dynasty is in chaos before preparing, it is likely that the Song Dynasty will fall into a passive position.

In the evening, Zhao Dongting held another small banquet to entertain Li Xiushu. Heliancheng was also invited to the table.

While eating and drinking, an eunuch outside the hall reported: "Your Majesty, Lord Xuan is asking for a visit."

This made Zhao Dongting not even care about the banquet. He nodded apologetically in Li Xiushu's slightly confused eyes, and immediately walked out of the hall.

Xuanxue is already waiting outside the hall.

Zhao Dongting took her to about dozens of meters away from the hall and asked, "Did you know who are walking?"

Xuanxue nodded, "They are in Yiyang County at this time."

Zhao Dongting narrowed his eyes slightly, "It seems that they are undoubtedly the people from Zijing Villa."

Yiyang is located between Changde and Changsha. He had no reason not to wonder if these people learned that Zijing Villa was surrounded on the way back to Zijing Villa, so he stayed in Yiyang.

At this moment, Zhao Dongting did not hesitate anymore and said to Xuan Xue: "You go to Wudingtang immediately to pass my oral orders, and let Kong Gongshou lead people to arrest all these people."

Xuan Xue was slightly moved, "The emperor wants to send Kong worship?"

Zhao Dongting said: "All of those people are strong, and only if the Kong Gongsheng takes action can he be sure."

At present, Hong Wutian and Mrs. Xu followed Wang Wenfu to Xinyang City. Except for Kong Qiangu, no one in the entire Wuding Hall can be sure to be the opponents of those assassins.

When Xuanxue heard Zhao Dongting say this, she stopped talking and hurried towards Wudingtang.

After a short while, Kong Qiangu left the palace with several old people from Yuan Yanyutang. The few of them wore black robes and drove their horses straight to Yiyang under the guidance of the spies from the Military Intelligence Department.
Chapter completed!