The two of them looked at each other after hearing this, but neither of them recognized Zhao Tong. They saw that he was young, luxuriously dressed, and of extraordinary aura, and he was sitting in a carriage in the inner courtyard. They couldn't help but feel guilty.
The one who had spoken the most fiercely just now had a smile on his face: "The two lower officials are talking about King Qi."
Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes: "King Qi... Do you recognize King Qi? Did you see all the things you said with your own eyes?"
Another said: "But I don't recognize it, and I have never seen it with my own eyes, but the censor's impeachment cannot be false, right?"
Zhao Tong said: "Who said that impeachment will not be false? There has never been such a reason!"
The young official who spoke fiercely said: "I heard that although Qin Hui, the imperial censor in the palace, is young, he is loyal and upright. How can he make false claims?"
Zhao Tong snorted coldly: "How can the censor take everything seriously when he hears about it? The King of Qi recovered Huaixi and made great contributions to the country. You don't distinguish between right and wrong. You spread rumors behind your back and maliciously slander. Isn't it a crime?"
He said fiercely: "Gong is merit, and fault is fault. Just because you are a prince, your merits and faults cannot be offset by your faults. By the way, who are you...who are you?"
He felt something was wrong at this time. Hearing that the other party's tone was not kind and he wanted to accuse him, he realized that since the other party was riding in the carriage in the inner court, he must have known and befriended King Qi, right?
"That's right, who are you?" Another one also asked, with a dissatisfied tone: "There have been a lot of discussions behind the scenes, and we have also heard what others have said. The King of Qi is domineering and oppresses the people. Even if he is high and powerful, how can he block the world? The mouth of Yangyang!"
Zhao Tong narrowed his eyes and regretted trying to reason with the other party. He suddenly raised his leg and kicked forward.
That person never expected that he would actually take action. This was the Xuande Gate of the Imperial City, the most heavily guarded place in the palace. There were forbidden troops guarding both inside and outside. Let alone taking action, even if you did something unusual here, you would be arrested.
What's more, when the scholar-bureaucrats of this dynasty govern the world, even if they have political disagreements or personal vendettas, they will not beat people in public. If it is spread out, it will be insulting and polite, and it will make the officials conflict and the officials dissatisfied.
Zhao Tong didn't care about that. In fact, his kick didn't use much force, but the opponent was a scholar and an official. How could he withstand it? He immediately screamed "Ah" and fell down after being kicked. The ground was rolling and wailing.
"You, why did you hit someone?" The person standing by with the fierce words was dumbfounded. He had never seen anything like this before. He was stunned for a moment and hurriedly shouted: "Hitting someone, beating someone!"
A few steps inside Xuandemen, there was a forbidden soldier. They had seen this scene for a long time, but they all stood upright and no one spoke a word.
"Come here!" He spoke fiercely and pointed at the imperial army, his whole body trembling: "Can't you see someone committing murder..."
Before he could finish his words, Zhao Tong slapped him and sent him flying. After he fell to the ground, he "coughed" twice and spit out a few teeth.
Zhao Tong looked at the two people on the ground coldly: "If you dare to talk about the prince behind your back again, we won't punish you like this. We will directly send you two to prison for questioning."
The two of them didn't dare to talk back at this moment. Their courage was shattered in just one moment, and they cowered on the ground without daring to raise their heads.
At this time, many officials had gathered around, and their jaws were almost dropped when they saw this scene. Someone actually dared to commit murder at Xuandemen in the imperial city. This was something that had never happened since the founding of the dynasty.
Someone who knew the two people on the ground stepped forward angrily, but did not dare to speak to Zhao Tong. He shouted to the imperial guards: "How come you are guarding the palace and you don't hold anyone accountable if something like this happens?"
The Imperial Guards only glanced at him and turned away with expressionless faces. Others didn't recognize Zhao Tong, so how could they not recognize him? Although they were the palace ministers, they had always only guarded the imperial city. If they didn't recognize the King of Qi, these people wouldn't recognize him. Isn’t my post in vain for ten years?
Seeing that the imperial army did not respond, the man was about to speak again. Unexpectedly, someone behind him gently pulled his robe. Just as he was about to turn around and scold him, the man behind him whispered a few words in his ear. When he heard this, he immediately looked furious. He changed, then hurriedly took a few steps back, not daring to speak again.
Zhao Tong glanced at these people, turned around and got into the car, and the carriage drove away.
At this time, the man turned around and said, "Brother, are you really the King of Qi?"
The person behind said: "Isn't it King Qi? I've seen you before and I can't tell you that. You still dare to come forward, maybe you don't want to be beaten?"
The man whispered: "I don't know King Qi, no wonder these forbidden soldiers all pretended not to see..."
As he spoke, he glanced at the two young officials on the ground, shook his head and walked over, sighing: "Brother Wang Xian, brother Han Xian, you two are so ignorant that you dare to slander in front of King Qi. I think you two officials are going to sit down." It’s over!”
After saying that, the man walked into Xuandemen with his hands behind his back and shaking his head.
Wang Xiandi on the ground pointed at his back tremblingly, and said in a low voice: "These, these things... weren't you what you said to me last night? How come they became my slander!"
Zhao Tan's carriage entered Xuande Gate and then arrived at Daqing Gate a moment later. After getting off the carriage, he looked forward.
Not far ahead is the Daqing Palace. There are more imperial troops on both sides of the road, all of them are Zhu Zhi's inner court guards.
Zhao Tong moved forward with the support of the young eunuch. At this time, many officials were also going to Daqing Palace. He was not wearing official uniform and had a splint hanging from one arm, which was very eye-catching.
However, no one came to say hello. Even those who knew him lowered their heads and pretended not to notice.
Zhao Tong sneered in his heart and walked directly into Daqing Hall without paying attention to them.
The Daqing Hall is a long and deep layout. There are several rows of lacquer tables on both sides. Under the guidance of the eunuchs, people have begun to take their seats according to their respective ranks and duties.
As soon as Zhao Tong entered the palace, someone immediately came to greet him, but it was Zheng Fu.
"Your Majesty, please come to the front." Zheng Fu glanced at the splint on Zhao Tong's arm and said respectfully.
Zhao Tong nodded and walked to the top left position, where there were three wide and long tables of different shapes.
Obviously the first one is for Prince Zhao Huan, and the other one should be for Zhao Kai.
After he sat down at the table in the middle, the voices in the hall immediately stopped for a moment. Whether they knew him or not, they all knew that King Qi had arrived.
Feeling Ruo Youruo Wu's gaze coming towards him, Zhao Tong snorted coldly and immediately retracted those gazes.
It was still dark at this time, but candles had been lit in the hall. As the officials took their seats little by little, the musicians and dancers of the Jiaofang Division also began to prepare.
At this moment, King Yun Zhao Kai walked into the hall surrounded by many people. He wore a white jade bright moon crown on his head and a bright red robe with gold trim. He had a jade belt in front of his waist with one hand and behind his back with the other. A gentle smile like a gentleman.
The hall was deep and long, and he walked very slowly. Most of the officials on both sides did not recognize him, and they all stood up to greet him. Zhao Kai smiled and nodded.
After a while, Zhao Kai came to the front, saw Zhao Tao, moved his eyebrows, and said with a smile: "I didn't expect the second brother to be here early."
Zhao Tong looked at him and said with the same smile: "But it's not early, I just walked in."
Zhao Kai's eyes fell on the splint, and his smile couldn't help but grow stronger. After sitting down, he said: "How did the second brother get this arm? How can he come to the banquet with an injury?"
Zhao Tong sighed: "I was hit by a weapon while practicing martial arts. I had already reported the injury to the officials, but the officials said that this celebration banquet was originally prepared for the victory in Huaixi. If I had not been there, the celebration banquet would have been overshadowed! "
Zhao Kai's face changed slightly when he heard this, but then he laughed again: "Second brother has made great achievements in regaining Huaixi this time, suppressing rebellions and suppressing bandits. Everyone in the world knows it. My brother admires him."
Zhao Tong shook his head and said, "Without him, it's just good luck." After saying that, he remained silent, showing an indifferent and lonely look.
Zhao Kai's eyes twitched when he saw this, and his heart suddenly became inexplicably angry. What does good luck mean?
Is this to deceive him into not understanding battlefield military matters?
Wang Xiang and Deng Xunwu lost their troops and generals, and were severely defeated. It can be seen that Wang Qing's bandit army is by no means an ordinary mountain bandit, and must be fierce and good at fighting.
Such a bandit army, not to mention fighting bloody battles, must at least fight repeatedly and step by step with difficulty to win, right?
How come you, Zhao Er, are just lucky? If they were all so lucky, the Song Dynasty would not have to raise so many soldiers, nor would it have to rely on the Western Army. It would just depend on luck.
Zhao Kai took a deep breath. Does this mean he looks down on him and disdains talking to him about the war?
Or is he doing this deliberately to raise his worth and show off his military status?
He laughed dryly: "Second brother, how can this only rely on luck? It is the second brother who knows the soldiers and uses them well that can achieve such great achievements, but... the second brother is already a very popular minister. Even if he achieves such great achievements, I am afraid he will not be promoted." Rewarded."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Tong looked at him and said: "As a minister, you serve the court and contribute to the country. How can you keep an eye on rewards in everything?"
Zhao Kai laughed: "Second brother is noble, I admire you!"
Zhao Tong smiled, stretched out his hand and tapped the table: "However, the official said..."
Zhao Kai's expression changed when he heard this: "What did the officials say?"
Zhao Tong said slowly: "The officials said... they want to move me to the throne."
Move to the king? Zhao Kai was stunned when he heard this, what kind of king should he move to? Where to move? You are already the King of Qi, where else can you move?
Zhao Tong suddenly lowered his body slightly and waved to Zhao Kai mysteriously.
Zhao Kai was drawing a soul in his mind. Seeing Zhao Tong's movements, he hurriedly approached and heard Zhao Tong whisper: "The officials said they would grant me the title of King of Qin!"
ah? Zhao Kai was stunned immediately, what kind of king? He didn't hear something clearly and said hurriedly: "Second brother, what are you moving for?"
Zhao Tong repeated: "King Qin!"
King Qin? ! Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai's expression immediately changed, and a "rumbling" sound exploded in his head.
What kind of king is King Qin? He is the second among the four great kings. Taizong of this dynasty once granted him the title of King of Jin, so the King of Jin will not do so again. Then King of Qin is the greatest in this dynasty.
Although the status and salary of all single-character princes in the Song Dynasty are actually the same, there is no difference, but the size of the king's title is different, and the feelings in the hearts of the officials and the common people are different.
Even if the official family and the law don't mention the title of King Qin, there is no doubt that he is the leader of all kings and can overpower them all!
Zhao Kai's face turned pale instantly, and he immediately thought of many things about King Qin.
There seemed to be quite a few emperors in the King of Qin, the most famous being Emperor Zhenguan Li Shimin. How could he remember that Li Shimin was also the second emperor?
The more Zhao Kai thought about it, the more wrong he became. He suddenly discovered that many of the second-ranking princes seemed to have become emperors in the end, and the title at that time was either King of Jin or King of Qin.
Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty, King Yang Er of Jin, Emperor Wen of the Tang Dynasty, King Li Er of Qin, and Emperor Taizong of this dynasty...
Zhao Kai's lips were trembling a little, and he was no longer as graceful as before. He froze there and didn't even take it back for a long time.
At this time, Zhao Tong said leisurely: "Well, actually I don't want to be the king of Qin at all, but the officials have no choice but to decide. Even if I refuse in every possible way, the officials still insist on moving to the king."
When Zhao Kai heard this, his blood immediately surged up, and his head suddenly became a little confused. He reluctantly pulled his body back, and after a while he said: "Second brother should be grateful for the generous treatment given by the officials."
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "I am grateful from the bottom of my heart, but how can I be the King of Qin? Third brother, tell me, how can I make the officials change their minds?"
Zhao Kai was a little angry and confused for a moment: "This, this..."
Zhao Tong said: "This King of Qin is the head of all the kings, and his reputation is superior to all the kings. Once I move to the title of King of Qin, won't I have to take on the responsibility of leading the kings? Third brother knows that I have always been lazy and indifferent to fame and fortune. Please help me." I want to think of a way to make the officials change their minds!"
Zhao Kai almost crushed his fist when he heard this. Are you indifferent to fame and wealth? The one who is most famous is you, Zhao Er! The most hypocritical person in the world is you, Zhao Er! Are you showing off? Even if he pretends to say that he doesn’t want to be the King of Qin, he must be happy already!
"Second brother, I don't have any ideas. If I really try to persuade the officials, it will become a villain's behavior. How can I hinder the promotion of the second brother!"
Zhao Tong shook his head and said: "Third brother, you have misunderstood me. I have long been tired of court affairs, and I am not interested in any princes. I just want to resign from the official position and become an idle prince, spending all my time drinking and traveling. It’s fun to play in the mountains and rivers, but I’m afraid that the officials won’t allow it.”
Zhao Kai was getting angrier and angrier as he listened, and he was slandering, but at the same time, he was also moved in his heart. Zhao Er was just showing off and bragging to him, but he had forgotten that the move to the king had not yet been issued in the court, but...seeing him like this I am so proud that I may announce it at the celebration banquet tonight.
Since he is showing off and pretending that he doesn't want to be the king of Qin, then I might as well give him a trick. If you don't want to be the king, then I will go to the officials and tell you the reasons why I can't move you to the king, so that you can get your wish. !
He couldn't help but secretly feel proud when he thought of this. The reason why he couldn't move to the throne of Qin was really simple. Just take the Zhenguan Emperor Li Shimin as an example. The Xuanwumen mutiny and killing his brother and forcing his father were not enough!
Do officials want to be the emperor?
The prince's side had better release the news. The prince doesn't want to be Li Jiancheng, right?
When he thought of this, a smile appeared on Zhao Kai's lips. He hurriedly looked at the Baike Incense in the hall, calculated the time, and said: "Second brother, I suddenly remembered something and wanted to go to my mother's place."
Zhao Tong was stunned and said: "Third brother, go and come back quickly. The celebration party is about to start. Don't miss it!"
Zhao Kai nodded, got up and walked forward. There is a back door in Daqing Hall, which leads directly to the palace.
Zhao Tong watched him leave, and also looked at Bai Kexiang in front of him. After thinking for a moment, he closed his eyes slightly.
I don't know how long it took, but suddenly the bell rang in the palace. He felt a gust of wind blowing in front of the case. When he opened his eyes, he saw that it was Zhao Kai who came back in a hurry.
He had a dark face and furrowed eyebrows, looking aggrieved and angry. He didn't even look at Zhao Tong, but sat directly behind the case and took a big breath.
Was he scolded by the officials? Zhao Tan raised his eyebrows. Didn't Zhao Kai persuade the official to change his mind? It seems that the move to the King of Qin is irreversible...
As he was thinking about it, suddenly a little chamberlain in front of him sang loudly: "The official is here, the prince is here, be quiet and quiet!"
Then he saw Emperor Daojun in front and Zhao Huan behind, walking into the Daqing Hall.
(End of chapter)
