Palace Garden, Funing Palace
King Wei, Princess Nanyang and his wife stood up and looked up in the direction of Emperor Chongping. Under the bright lights, they saw that the emperor looked sluggish and worried.
Emperor Chongping's cheeks were sunken and his voice was almost hoarse. He said in a deep voice: "King Wei, how is the situation in the city?"
The King of Wei said respectfully: "Everything is peaceful in the city, and the five-city military commanders are also patrolling the streets."
Emperor Chongping nodded and said: "Now is a troubled time. The Five Cities Military and Horse Division should keep a closer eye on it and not let the malicious people in the city spread rumors and cause trouble."
For example, the fact that he vomited blood should not be publicized.
King Wei bowed in response and said: "The Queen is heading south and should have arrived in Luoyang by now. Father, will you send someone to call the Queen over?"
Emperor Chongping frowned and said, "Your grandfather is seriously ill in Nan Province. Since your mother is going to visit, how can you turn back halfway?"
It can be said that the emperor was in a state of frustration at this moment, so how could he go to see Empress Song?
Saying this, Emperor Chongping muttered and said: "Concubine Rong, send someone to Luoyang to inform the queen that I am fine."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Duanrong responded gently.
King Wei said: "The situation in the northwest is urgent. I hope you don't have to worry about it. Duke Wei will return to Beijing in the next few days."
Princess Chen Hui of Nanyang advised softly: "Father, it's better not to worry too much."
The beauty has a delicate and bright face, and her gentle voice is full of worry.
The Nanyang Prince Consort on the side also advised him.
Emperor Chongping waved his hand and whispered: "I have nothing to do."
After King Wei and Princess Nanyang and his wife left the hall, Emperor Chongping sighed again.
Empress Dowager Feng said softly: "Your Majesty, don't worry anymore."
Emperor Chongping raised his eyes to look at Empress Dowager Feng and said softly: "Empress, my son and I are fine. Empress, please rest early."
Empress Dowager Feng sighed, then looked at Concubine Rong and warned: "Concubine Rong, take care of her at night. If anything happens, send someone to Chonghua Palace."
There was a frail Emperor lying in Chonghua Palace, and Empress Dowager Feng had to go and take care of him.
"Don't worry, Queen Mother." Concubine Duanrong said softly, and she and several other maids sent Queen Mother Feng off.
Emperor Chongping was still looking out the window with his eyes open, regret and sadness intertwined in his heart.
Nan'an, Liu Fang, Shi Guangzhu and the others have mistaken the army and the country!
Concubine Duanrong looked at the lost Emperor Chongping and sighed, not saying much else.
…
…
Chonghua Palace, inside the palace
The Supreme Emperor sat on the bed, closed his eyes slightly, and heard the sound of an internal prisoner reading in his ears. Looking back, it was clearly the words contained in the Three Kingdoms dialect book.
"The writings written by Duke Wei are full of wisdom." The Supreme Emperor praised and covered his mouth, seeming a little sleepy.
The chief eunuch stopped reciting the book, looked at the Supreme Emperor with a wrinkled face, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, it is getting late. I will wait for you to rest."
The Supreme Emperor asked: "The atmosphere outside is a bit strange today. What happened in the past?"
At this moment, the Supreme Emperor was concentrating on resting in the harem, and he didn't even know that Northwest had suffered a huge defeat.
The governor-in-command put down his book, made a pot of tea, and said, "Your Majesty, this slave didn't even hear it."
The Supreme Emperor said: "That's all, I can't worry about it anymore when I'm old."
As he spoke, he yawned.
At this moment, an old eunuch approached and said, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is here."
The Supreme Emperor's droopy eyelids suddenly opened, and he raised his eyes to look at the shadows on the screen from far to near. He looked at Empress Dowager Feng and said, "What's wrong with the front hall?"
Empress Dowager Feng sighed: "The northwest was defeated, Nan'an suffered a defeat, and the entire army of 100,000 was annihilated."
Hearing this, the Supreme Emperor was startled. He suddenly sat up straight, his old eyes flashing, and asked: "What's going on? Where is King Yong? Nan'an is also an old soldier, why did he suffer such a defeat?"
Empress Dowager Feng sighed and said softly: "Nan'an, Liu Fang and others underestimated the enemy and rushed in, and they were robbed of the food route."
The Supreme Emperor frowned and asked anxiously: "What about King Yong?"
"I was so angry... I vomited blood and fainted." Queen Mother Feng said, and sighed: "It doesn't make people worry."
After hearing this, the Supreme Emperor was silent for a long time and sighed: "He is still so strong that his body and bones cannot survive."
The defeat of an army of 100,000 was indeed a disastrous defeat, especially since they had just won the battle against the captives before, so he felt extremely happy and sad. No wonder his son was so angry that he vomited blood.
Empress Dowager Feng said softly: "His son-in-law, who has fought well in the war, insisted on sending him to Jiangnan to implement the New Deal, using Nan'an, which is already old and fatuous. The people of Nan'an are old, and they are no longer as energetic or capable as the young people. "
The Supreme Emperor frowned and said: "Nan'an is too old to be used anymore. Now that he has been defeated and captured, and the situation in the northwest has worsened, what is the court's response plan?"
"The prince-in-law from Xianning has been summoned back to Beijing." Empress Dowager Feng said.
The Supreme Emperor nodded and said: "If we had used Xianning's consort to go to the northwest from the beginning, there would not have been such a big defeat."
Empress Dowager Feng sighed softly and said: "No one has eyesight in the front or back."
At this moment, not only the palace was feeling gloomy, but even after the night fell, the people and scholars in the brothels and restaurants were also discussing the defeat of this northwest war.
In a restaurant, in the lobby on the first floor, everyone was drinking and talking about the defeat.
"You think this is strange. Once Duke Wei led his troops, from Henan to Jiangnan, and from Jiangnan to beyond the Great Wall, it was a series of battles and victories. But this time when the Nan'an County Prince was replaced, he suffered a defeat?"
"Nan'an's family has long since died. If you had the ability, you should have noticed them a few years ago. Will you wait until now?"
"I just said that the matter of the war still depends on Duke Wei."
"No, that Jurchen was much more ferocious than the Tatars in the northwest. When he fell into the hands of Duke Wei, his body was left dead and his head was missing."
"It's a pity that there are 60,000 good men in the capital. I don't know how many families in the capital are wearing sackcloth and wearing filial piety this time." At this time, an old man sighed.
When everyone heard this, their expressions changed, and they sighed and sighed.
Sixty thousand elite soldiers from the Beijing camp were buried in Qinghai. Even if they were not completely wiped out and a small number of them escaped, at least tens of thousands of families would have to hear the bad news.
This was originally the most difficult year for the people of the capital since the defeat of Liaodong. It may have aroused anti-war sentiments to some extent, such as the literati and poets who wrote a few poems about boudoir.
This is the reason why conscripts go to the poor and remote areas where there are young and old.
"Gentlemen, the wine you requested is here." A young waiter said with a smile: "Don't talk about state affairs, don't talk about state affairs. People from the military and horse departments in the five cities outside the city are watching."
As the news of the great defeat in the northwest, the annihilation of the entire army in the western expedition, and the news that Emperor Chongping vomited blood and fainted gradually spread, the atmosphere in the capital began to become strange.
The discussions among the people in the city were not only from the three religions and nine schools, but also from some middle and low-ranking officials in the city, as well as familiar Kedao officials.
As the discussion deepens, a potential consensus is quietly forming among officials and people.
To sum it up in one sentence, this big man can only do military work and does not have Duke Wei to take charge of the overall situation. That is really not possible!
Well, that's pretty much it. No matter how prepared you are, no matter how worried you are, as long as there is still a war, as the founder of the Beijing Camp, the nemesis of the Donglu, and the scavenger of the Far East battlefield... the Duke of Wei is still the first to be used in military affairs.
In other words, it has been strongly proved through both positive and negative aspects, and will continue to be proved, that Duke Wei has an undisputed right to speak in military affairs.
Of course, it has not yet reached the point of "About some... since the first year of Chongping".
This condensed consensus, no one talks about it, is precisely the hope that people can't see clearly and touch.
Hanzhai, in the spacious study room, the lights are like beans, bright orange, a figure is reflected on the bookcase behind him, and the black gauze official hat on the desk presses a thick stack of paper.
Han Huang's face was solemn, and his mood was still difficult to calm down for a long time.
"Brother, how is your majesty?" Yan Hong asked.
Since the Imperial Imperial College in the sacred capital was involved in Han Hui's fraud case, he had not lost his reputation because of Han Hui's concession on the Jiangnan New Deal.
Han Huang said: "There is no serious problem now. The Holy Emperor has urgently summoned Duke Wei to return to Beijing to discuss military aircraft."
Thinking of the emperor's severely damaged appearance earlier, Han Huang's brows furrowed even more tightly, and his heart became even more worried.
Yan Hong said angrily: "The Prince of Nan'an County, Liu Fang and others are too useless. They led an army of 100,000 to conquer the northwest, and they ended up in such a huge defeat. It's really hateful."
As he spoke, he sighed and said: "The imperial court has become more and more aggressive in the past two years. They just won a victorious battle. They did not know that the military situation was dangerous and used force indiscriminately."
If he were a cabinet minister, he would definitely urge the emperor not to send troops to the northwest. How could he be so happy about his success?
Han Huang waved his hand and said: "It is no longer helpful to say this now. Duke Wei will return to Shenjing soon. After this incident, the court will rely more and more on him in military affairs. I am worried that like the former Han Dynasty, foreign relatives will have exclusive power and cause chaos. Chao Gang, Yin Jian is not far away."
During the Eastern Han Dynasty, his relatives were in charge of the government.
Yan Hong pondered for a moment and said: "Brother, you don't have to worry too much. Speaking of caution, when did that person allow powerful ministers to become more powerful since he inherited the destiny?"
When Han Huang heard this, his eyes moved slightly, and he said worriedly: "I also know that your Majesty is brave and decisive, and he is an extraordinary minister who can be bullied. However, Duke Wei is an unparalleled man, not just a simple martial artist. He implemented the New Deal in Jiangnan with fierce methods. He is also well versed in financial and economic matters. How can such a person have ordinary martial arts?"
After all, worrying about Tai Ah's backlash and uncontrollable power is just an excuse to fight for power. In the final analysis, Jia Heng, as a martial artist and well versed in political affairs, almost usurped all the power of the prime minister.
Yan Hong said: "But brother, he has offended many people in Jiangnan by implementing the New Deal. How will he end up well in the future?"
"Jiangnan..." Han Huang moved his lips and said slowly: "The implementation of the Jiangnan New Deal has not caused any big trouble."
Yan Hong said: "Brother, when Jia Heng comes back this time, from my point of view, the palace is only used for business purposes. After the business is completed, some things will not be sure."
According to what the Three Kingdoms Classics written by Wei Guogong said, today's emperor is generous on the outside but jealous on the inside, mean and ungrateful. From the time he came to the throne to the present, how can he have any ministers who always serve him?
Brother, this is a fan of the authorities.
Han Huang sighed: "At this point, it is useless to talk more. The matter in the northwest must be resolved quickly. This big defeat has left the big man with a lot of injuries."
At this moment, the candles on the desks were dancing gently, and the lights seemed to explode, which was particularly clear in the still night.
…
…
Jinling, Princess Jinyang's Mansion, Rear Residence
Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue were sitting behind a table, gently stroking the guzheng. Not far away, Song Yan held her chin in her hand, her soft and watery eyes falling on the beauty's swollen belly and her beautiful face without makeup. Bewildered.
Aunt Jinyang seems to have a child, so who is the father of the child?
Under the slender eyebrows of Liu Ye, the eldest princess of Jinyang, her beautiful eyes were full of smiles, and she said softly: "Chanyue, let me see, what dances have you learned recently?"
Li Chanyue's jade cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and she said softly: "I learned it randomly, and my dancing is not very good."
Those dances were too ungraceful. They were originally danced for Mr. Jia, so how could they be danced for others to watch?
Princess Jinyang looked at the shy little princess, smiled and joked: "Our Chanyue is still shy."
As he spoke, he turned his attention to the book in the girl's hand and asked, "Is the Three Kingdoms book in Chan Yue's hand the latest review?"
Li Chanyue said softly: "The new book that just came out last month has been engraving and printed."
As he said that, he came closer and handed over the book in his hand.
Princess Xianning's slender hands paused slightly, a look of sadness appeared on her beautiful and bright jade face, and she said: "I don't know what Sir has been busy with these days, and I don't see him coming here very often."
Because Jiaheng spent this time with Daiyu after finishing his busy work, he naturally left Xianning in the cold.
In fact, Jia Heng's permutations and combinations were also limited by objective difficulties. Otherwise, he would not be able to cover all aspects.
A bowl of water is flat.
"Your Highness, Duke Wei is back." At this moment, a slim female official came from outside and said to the people in the room.
When Princess Xianning heard this, a look of surprise appeared on her beautiful and cold face, and she said, "Chanyue, let's go and greet her."
While I was talking about it right away, my husband came over.
At this moment, Jia Heng and Chen Xiao were walking along the long corridor of the Princess Mansion towards the backyard. It was in the evening, and the sunset was all over the sky, falling through the red beams on the grass and stones, making people feel a sense of joy.
Chen Xiao said: "The Navy has the latest news."
Jia Heng asked: "How did you say that?"
Chen Xiao said: "The navy has gone to sea and marched towards Dachen Island. Shui Rong still handed over an official document here. I hope you can go to supervise the battle."
Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said: "The current suppression of pirates is only to reduce their sea area of activity. In the end, the bandits' nest must be destroyed to achieve full success. And if there are no more pirates in the future, the ocean company will also On the island."
In the land of Nanyang, there are not only head-dropping techniques, but also many pirates who are entrenched on the islands, doing business without capital on the sea, and some are even common people in Fujian, Zhejiang and other places.
Chen Xiao said: "Then let's focus on the northwest affairs first."
"Sir, Sister Xiaoxiao." At this moment, Princess Xianning and Li Chanyue came over, looked at the handsome young man, and called him softly.
Jia Heng nodded and said warmly: "Xianning."
Princess Xianning said: "We are all waiting for our husband at home. Why hasn't he come over these two days?"
"I'm asking about a case in Jinyi Mansion. How are you and Chanyue?" Jia Heng came closer and naturally took the two girls' delicate hands.
As a legal couple, you don't have to worry about the eyes of the servants around you, but you are more envious of the love between the couple.
Everyone was talking and entered the hall. Jia Heng looked at the beauty sitting behind the desk and said softly: "I have met Her Royal Highness the Princess."
He glanced at the girl in a red dress and said with a smile, "Cousin Yan'er is here too."
In fact, Xian Ning was right. She did look a bit like Empress Song. She had fair skin and gentle eyebrows, yet smart and charming.
Maybe from Xianning? Can the youth version make up for the regret that you were born before I was born, and I am already old after giving birth to you?
"Cousin-in-law, you're here." Song Yanyu's cheeks turned red with embarrassment and she called out timidly.
Princess Xianning raised her eyes to look at the girl who suddenly blushed, her eyes flashed, and she thought to herself that the time she spent talking to cousin Yan'er about her husband's good fortune was not in vain.
Jia Heng nodded, looked at the beauty, and said: "I just got a letter from Fei Ge from Jinyi Mansion. The Prince of Nan'an County was robbed on the northwest grain road. I said there is no need to go back to the capital."
The eldest princess of Jinyang frowned her beautiful eyebrows, and looked at the young man with a solemn face with her beautiful eyes that were increasingly filled with motherly aura. Her heart moved slightly and she asked: "Is something going on in Beijing?"
I heard him say this not long ago. Sure enough, after such a long time, things happened in the northwest.
Princess Xianning's beautiful face gradually became worried, and she said softly: "The grain road was robbed. How can this matter be so dangerous?"
Jia Heng said: "If it's not good, the army will be defeated in an instant. It is impossible to say that the defeat is already on the way."
There was a look of worry on Yuan Chunfeng's beautiful face, and he whispered: "How about the northwest side, how should the court respond this time?"
The eldest princess of Jinyang frowned and her beautiful eyes were as full as water.
Jia Heng said: "It depends on the situation. The imperial court has just suffered a new defeat in the northwest. If you want to send troops, you need to consider all aspects."
The eldest princess of Jinyang said softly: "I will not give you any other advice. Please be careful on the road."
"Don't worry, it's okay." Jia Heng said.
Song Yan looked at the two people who were talking, and suddenly a strange idea came to her mind.
I don't know why, but I always feel that the tone of the conversation between the two is very similar... maybe it's the mother-in-law who cares about her son-in-law.
Jia Heng nodded, picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and whispered: "Let's do this for now."
Princess Xianning's clear eyes were filled with concern, and she said warmly: "Sir, how about I go back with you?"
"This journey has been too much. You and Chan Yue should take good care of your aunt here." Jia Heng warned, took the girl's hand and said, "Okay, be good."
Princess Xianning pursed her pink lips, a little shy in her clear eyes, and said: "Then sir... okay."
For some reason, there was a faint uneasiness deep in her heart, as if something was going to happen to her husband when he returned this time.
Princess Jinyang said: "It's getting late, Lianxue, let the cook prepare dinner."
"Yes, Your Highness." Lianxue responded, turned and left.
Jia Heng, Princess Jinyang, Li Chanyue, Princess Xianning, and Song Yan began to eat the food.
Time flies so fast that five or six days pass before you know it.
Jia Heng did not spend much time in Jinling. He sent someone to inform the Zhen family and the governor of Liangjiang, Gao Zhongping, and rode a fast horse to Kaifeng, led by Chen Xiao and a group of royal guards.
The whole Jiangnan also received shocking bad news subsequently. The army marching to the west led by Prince Nan'an suffered a huge defeat in the northwest, and the entire army of 100,000 people was wiped out.
As soon as this news came out, Jiangnan was shocked!
Jinling, Liangjiang Governor’s Yamen——
Gao Zhongping held the newspaper in his hand, his hands were trembling, and his face was not good-looking. He said: "One hundred thousand troops and 60,000 elite soldiers from the capital camp were all wiped out in just a few days. Even one hundred thousand pigs are enough to fight." Shuote Mongolia captured him for half a month, but this Nan'an general is so incompetent that the entire army will be exhausted!"
"If Dong Weng is allowed to lead the troops to the northwest, he will not be invincible." Wu Xiancheng, the general judge, also sighed and sighed: "Why did the palace use Nan'an, an old and fatuous man?"
Gao Zhongping allowed Wen and Wu to lead the troops to the northwest. With steady steps, it was really possible to win the war.
In essence, Chen Han's national power was stronger than that of the northwest corner.
Gao Zhong was full of green energy and said in a deep voice: "After this incident, the implementation of Jiangnan's New Deal will be greatly slowed down. Nan'an and others should be killed!"
"Don Weng, calm down."
Kuang Shouzheng, the chief bookkeeper, said: "Dong Weng, now the land of our ancestors has been cleared, and most of the remaining officials and gentry are paying attention to the case of Jinyi Mansion."
In the past few days, Jia Heng had the Jinyi Mansion take away Yan Mao, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry of Nanjing, and Hao Jiru, the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, which still effectively frightened the officials and gentry in the south of the Yangtze River.
Gao Zhongping said in a deep voice: "The imperial court's thoughts are not in the south of the Yangtze River, but in the northwest. Now the imperial court has two wars a year and has lost its troops and humiliated the country. I don't know what the next step will be?"
At this moment, Gao Zhongping extremely hoped that he was in the center, in charge of the cabinet, and could persuade the emperor.
"Wu Tongpan, prepare your pen and ink. I want to report to Your Majesty." Gao Zhongping said with a solemn expression.
When Duke Wei goes to the capital, the emperor and the courtiers will probably use it to send troops, so he must persuade the palace.
Wu Xiancheng heard this and said, "Dong Weng, what is this?"
Gao Zhongping said slowly: "The Lord must not raise an army out of anger. The incident in the northwest is irreversible. It is not appropriate to continue sending troops to conquer, which will only waste the country's strength."
He was worried that Duke Wei would go here, so in order to vent his anger on the emperor, he led his troops to the northwest. Now that the Han Dynasty had fought two wars in a row, it was not appropriate to send troops to the northwest again.
Kuang Shouzheng was shocked when he heard this and quickly advised: "Dong Weng, the Holy One is very angry. If Dong Weng comes here, I'm afraid that the Holy One will be angry with Dong Weng."
"That's right. Didn't Duke Wei go to the capital? As an important minister of the military and state, he must know the pros and cons, and he will also advise the emperor." Wu Xiancheng also said.
Gao Zhongping sighed and said: "It was Duke Wei who persuaded Duke Wei. I have been following him since he came to his residence. He sent troops to the northwest before, but failed to persuade him and sent Duke Wei south, which made Nan'an and others incompetent." These people have lost their master and humiliated the country."
In fact, he had already seen something wrong before, but the new policy in Jiangnan was not as important as the northwest. He originally thought that the Nan'an County Prince would not be so incompetent.
"Then Dong Weng should not go to Shangshu any more. The Holy Lord promised to move Duke Wei to the south of the Yangtze River and go to the northwest, and then turned his anger on Dong Weng." Kuang Shouzheng frowned and said earnestly: "At that time, it would affect the new policy in Jiangnan. .”
Gao Zhongping said: "I have made up my mind, you don't need to say anything more."
When Kuang Shouzheng and Wu Xiancheng heard this, they could only sigh secretly.
Thanks to the leader of the book friend "PonyPearl" for the reward!
(End of chapter)
