Royal study room.
Emperor Qin Ming was dressed in official uniform, sitting leisurely on a jade chair. At this time, he was like any ordinary father in the world, looking at his sons standing in front of him with a kind face.
After all, it was the day of reunion, and he even saw his second son Qin Zhiruo, whom he had not seen for a year.
Among the handsome and elegant descendants, there was a man with a bald head.
At first glance it seems very abrupt.
The man's whole body exudes an otherworldly aura, and his sword-shaped eyebrows and starry eyes reveal a touch of nobility. He is also a handsome man with beautiful trees in the wind.
"Ruo'er, what have you learned this year?"
Qin Zhiruo converted to Buddhism and traveled to the south this year.
"Back to my father, my son went to the south of the Yangtze River this year. Thanks to my father's great fortune, the people in the south are happy and healthy, and there is a good harvest everywhere."
Emperor Qin Ming nodded slightly. The prosperity of the country was his own contribution.
Qin Zhiruo thought about the temples he passed by again. He met a monk in Suzhou who particularly impressed him.
"On the way, the child met an interesting monk. This monk did not keep the precepts or meditate. He drank tea and did farm work all day long. He asked him why he was like this. He waved his hands and read a poem to the child. The poem was very interesting. It’s fun.”
Emperor Qin Ming laughed.
"With pen and ink, you must write down poems that make Ruo'er find interesting."
Emperor Qin Ming glanced at the sons in front of him and asked, "Which one of you will write it?"
Qin Zhe and Qin Huan came out at the same time.
"My son is willing!"
Emperor Qin Ming raised his eyes. Unexpectedly, these two sons were the first to express their stance.
However, he knew that Ruo'er and Zhe'er had a feud. It was because of Zhe'er that he shaved his head and became a monk. But after all, Zhe'er was the prince now.
Winner and loser, who makes Zhe'er's methods more vicious.
"Ruo'er, who do you want to write it?"
Qin Zhiruo smiled calmly, no matter who wrote it.
At this time, Qin Huan suddenly said: "Father, how can your calligraphy be compared with that of the prince's brother, but I have something interesting that I want to show my father today."
He took out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve.
"Father, this is an ink developed by my son in his spare time and the master from the Ministry of Industry. It will show different luster in the sun."
Emperor Qin Ming raised his eyes slightly, this son also knew how to take advantage of others.
"Then let Huan'er write it."
After waiting for a long time, the division of labor was finally clear.
Qin Zhiruo glanced at Qin Shuihan and thought that this younger brother was still as cold as ever. After a year of absence, his little follower Qin Zhe had grown a lot taller.
"Second brother, please."
Qin Huan's smile still bloomed on his face like a spring breeze.
Qin Zhiruo smiled politely, cleared his throat and said:
"If you talk eloquently, you don't keep the precepts, and if you are stubborn, you don't sit in meditation. I have three or two bowls of strong tea, and I want to sit beside the hoe."
Qin Huan waved his hand, and a piece of handwriting appeared on the paper.
Qin Zhe had a smile on his lips, but his teeth itched with hatred in his heart.
Since he almost killed Lin Yi last time, Qin Huan has not cooperated with him at all.
I didn't expect that for a woman, I would dare to disobey myself, the prince!
"Father, I wonder if you can move outside the room. This handwriting will change color in the sunlight."
Emperor Qin Ming glanced at the poem on the paper. The pen and ink were full and the color was indeed a little different. He raised his hand to the eunuch beside him.
The eunuch immediately helped him stand up.
"Let's go and have a look in the sunshine."
Everyone followed Emperor Qin Ming to the outside of the imperial study.
Two eunuchs stood in the sun holding rice paper.
I saw that the writing on the paper showed different colors, from purple to blue to black.
The unique layering is refreshing.
Emperor Qin Ming's face was filled with joy and he shouted loudly.
"Interesting! What kind of ink is this?"
"Reporting to my father, this ink is called snail green ink, which is made from grinding purple snail shells."
"Yes, Huan'er deserves the award."
"My father's compliments are just some ordinary tricks and tricks. The child is no better than the prince and fifth brother, and cannot relieve my father's worries."
Qin Zhe couldn't help but said: "Sixth brother, why should I be humble? Being able to make something ingenious and make my father happy is the greatest achievement."
Qin Shuihan remained silent. He glanced at the thick snow and suddenly remembered that Lin Yi asked Li Shang to catch mice. Did he like small animals?
Then catch her a squirrel.
Qin Zhiruo's thoughts flew to the monk who composed the poem.
He envied that monk very much. He had no pursuits and lived a casual life all day long. He didn't see the ancient Buddha with a green lantern in his eyes, but he lived a happy life.
How many people can live in their own truth like him and never struggle with the meaning of life?
Qin Zhiruo lowered his eyes. Although everyone has different reasons for becoming a monk, is he really sincere to the Buddha?
Emperor Qin Ming waved his hand again, and suddenly felt helpless while listening to the overt and covert fighting among his sons.
"Go back to the imperial study."
Yi Xiren followed him back to the imperial study room.
Emperor Qin Ming glanced at Qin Shuihan and Qin Yi again.
Han'er is still so unruly and unruly, and Yi'er has become a little more mature.
He looked at the garden outside the room, knowing that such a peaceful and peaceful time would not last forever.
"Ruo'er, tell me, are there any other anecdotes? Let your royal brothers gain some knowledge."
Qin Zhiruo hummed slightly, wondering why his father liked to talk about family matters.
However, he still talked eloquently and told some interesting things about ordinary people's lives.
When he mentioned the place in Hangzhou, Qin Shuihan suddenly remembered that he had heard that osmanthus trees were abundant there. How about sending someone to transplant a few trees to Lin Yi's courtyard in the next year?
She likes sweet-scented osmanthus cake so much that she would definitely like to see trees full of sweet-scented osmanthus hanging in front of her eyes.
The little eunuch beside Emperor Qin Ming added another piece of ylang-ylang incense.
Before I knew it, a long time passed.
Qin Zhiruo finally finished his statement.
Qin Zhe's ears had become calloused a long time ago. He had no interest in the lives of those common people.
To him, although his second brother's mother-in-law was deeply loved by his father, the one he feared the most was Qin Shuihan in terms of ability.
"My second brother has been traveling for many years and has never thought about returning to secular life? My father still hopes that my second brother will marry as soon as possible and continue his family life."
Qin Zhiruo's eyebrows were slightly raised, and he replied in a nonchalant manner: "It's a small matter for me, but it's a big deal for my third brother to establish the crown prince as soon as possible."
Qin Zhe frowned. When it came to the matter of the Crown Princess, Lou Liming secretly urged him, almost getting annoyed. He even sent several boxes of gifts before New Year's Eve.
Since I have mentioned it in front of my father, I might as well take this opportunity to ask my father for a marriage.
"Thank you for your concern, second brother. A few days ago, the fifth and sixth brothers married concubines, so I didn't take the opportunity to cause trouble to my father. Today, I happened to take advantage of this reunion to ask my father for a decree. I want to marry Deputy Prime Minister Lou. My daughter, Lou Caiyi, still hopes that her father will give her permission."
"well!"
Emperor Qin Ming said twice that Zhe'er's concubine had given birth to a son, and he finally held the emperor's grandson in his arms. It was really a joyful thing.
He said to Qin Shuihan: "Han'er, you should also follow the example of third brother. Since you have married a concubine, you should spread your business as soon as possible."
Qin Shuihan looked stern and replied calmly: "Yes, I will try my best."
But he was so happy in his heart that he would definitely bring a royal grandson here next year.
Although he is not in a hurry to have children, he is happy when he thinks about his and Lin Yi's children, whether they are boys or girls.
Hearing Qin Shuihan's reply, Qin Huan felt like a big stone was stuck in his heart. His and Lin Yi's child?
No, he couldn't imagine.
Seemingly noticing the subtle change in Qin Huan's expression, Qin Shuihan squinted his eyes and said coldly: "The sixth brother will soon give his father a grandson, and I feel ashamed as an elder brother. I will catch up with the sixth brother next year."
No matter what dirty thoughts he has, if he dares to touch his own woman, it won't be done with just one slap.
Qin Huan laughed awkwardly.
"Fifth brother is right..."
However, talking about the child, Lin Xuan'er has not returned home yet. She claimed that she slapped her in front of Lin Weifu's funeral hall last time. After she left angrily, he no longer cared about her life or death. He only thought about the child, Qin Huan's. There is still some regret in my heart.
Since the father is looking forward to the heir so much, should he take her back to his home?
Qin Yi hid at the edge without saying a word. He didn't want his father to nag him. Thinking about being forced by his mother and concubine to marry and take concubines later, he felt numb.
I am still young, no, not young anymore...
Qin Yi shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't want to get married, but he just didn't find the right person.
"Yi'er, your fifth brother is getting married, and you also held a coronation ceremony this year. When will you choose your concubine?"
Qin Yi pursed his lips. Sure enough, he could not escape the fate of being nagged by his father, but the fifth brother was three years older than him, and he had just adopted a concubine.
"My son...as soon as possible..."
After chatting about the family affairs, Emperor Qin Ming suddenly asked: "General Chu will retire and return to his hometown next year. What do you princes think?"
Everyone looked at each other in shock. Unexpectedly, Chu Yi actually proposed to retire and return to his hometown.
He is clearly in his prime of life!
Chu Yi traveled across the battlefield, managed the troops well, and used brutal and cruel methods. To the enemy, he was a terrifying existence.
However, Chu Yi was not obsessed with power and immediately handed over military power when he asked to retreat.
Emperor Qin Ming had nothing to do with him.
However, his sudden retreat will inevitably cause turmoil in the situation in the north.
Among the princes, the only ones who had led troops on expeditions were Qin Shuihan and Qin Yi.
Qin Yi only followed his fifth brother to the battlefield for training and did not understand the art of war.
"My son believes that General Chu's deputy general Lei Mingtian can temporarily take over the position of general and continue to guard northern Xinjiang."
Sure enough, everyone was silent about the war, and only Qin Shuihan finally broke the silence.
It's a pity that he vaguely felt that his father's problem was not about drinking.
Chu Lingchen, Chu Yi's son, also fought hard on the battlefield. Unfortunately, he was still young and feared that he would not be able to stabilize his military morale and needed to be tempered.
Of his two deputies, in terms of strength, Lei Mingtian seems to have obtained the true inheritance, but he is not decisive enough in killing.
Another deputy general, Qi Gao, could be regarded as half of Qin Shuihan's master, but he was too ambitious.
Qin Shuihan felt that no matter how talented he was, he could not be allowed to take over the war in the north.
After all, war has been the best opportunity for careerists throughout the ages.
Regarding the candidate proposed by Qin Shuihan, Emperor Qin Ming's eyes flashed with approval.
He asked several close friends, and everyone thought Qi Gao was excellent. After all, he was a military general. Just thinking back to the last celebration banquet, he noticed Qi Gao's belt. Although it was very inconspicuous, he was sure that the belt was inlaid with precious ice jade.
They are both generals, but Chu Yi and Lei Mingtian's belts are nothing more than ordinary bronze belts.
The key is that Emperor Qin Ming paid attention to asking people to check Qi Gao's salary and income, but he did not expect that his income was the least.
His instinct told him that this person was hiding something.
Moreover, Shen Tianhao did not approve of him, and only had eight words to evaluate him: laughter hides hidden dangers, and he is hypocritical.
"Father, I think Vice General Qi Gao is also a good candidate."
Qin Zhe came out. He heard from Lou Li that the occupation of military pay was mainly supported by Lieutenant General Qi's secret support. Since he was from his own faction, he had to put in a good word for him.
Emperor Qin Ming frowned and swept Qin Zhe's face with cold eyes.
Qin Zhe was slightly startled. Did his father notice something?
impossible!
They had been operating secretly for two years, and even Father didn't notice a trace of it.
Although Qi Gao should not usurp military pay, these silver coins will eventually fall into his pocket. After he ascends to the dragon throne, he can just find an excuse to kill him!
Qin Zhe tried his best to relax his facial expression and stared at Emperor Qin Ming with an innocent look.
Emperor Qin Ming's eyes were as gloomy as ice.
Will Zhe'er know what's going on behind the scenes?
Is his innocent face just an act?
A trace of doubt flashed in Emperor Qin Ming's heart.
Qin Shuihan was also aware of his expression. He was a little unsure whether his father knew about Qi Ji's embezzlement of military pay. Is it necessary to wait until Qin Zhe married Lou Li's daughter before revealing it?
"Father, did I say something wrong? I am indeed not as familiar with military affairs as the fifth emperor. I am ashamed!"
As he said that, Qin Zhe lowered his head unwillingly.
Emperor Qin Ming sighed in his heart. Maybe he was overthinking it. This son was still under too much pressure and he felt uneasy in his position as the prince!
"What Zhe'er said makes sense, but the war in the north should still be managed by Lieutenant General Lei."
"My son has learned a lesson."
Qin Shuihan thought deeply and decided to stay put for now.
