The palace hall is quiet and deep.
Except for the occasional sound of pages turning, there was no other sound.
The Emperor of Jin, Sima Chong, was sitting upright and concentrating on reviewing the memorial. As an emperor of a country, Sima Chong was quite diligent even though he was not a saint or wise king.
He was in his early forties and should have been in the prime of life, but his temples were already stained with weather.
The emperor's health wasn't very good either.
The Jin State is different from the Qin State. Although Da Qin has old nobles and aristocratic families, the emperor wins Jiuxiao and has sufficient strength and ability to monopolize power in Da Qin.
The Jin State was dominated by aristocratic families, especially the founder of the Jin State, Emperor Taizu, who relied on aristocratic families to truly gain a foothold. Passed down from generation to generation, the heritage of the big family is getting stronger and stronger, especially in the local area, it is ignored by the family.
Even among the emperors of the Jin Dynasty, there were some who were unwilling to have their power controlled by aristocratic families and wanted to compete with the aristocratic families. But in the end, their hearts were higher than the sky and their lives were thinner than paper, and they died in depression.
The influence of the family is too great.
Without the cooperation of the noble families, the emperor's decrees would not even be able to get out of Jinling.
As for Sima Chong's generation of emperors, he was actually quite diligent, but in fact there were still too many constraints. He himself had worked hard in the early years to change the situation, but unfortunately it never worked.
The officials in the court are still mainly the four major families headed by the Xie family. On many government affairs, it was useless for the emperor to object to the consensus reached by the aristocratic families.
Sima Chong had no choice.
This is the official political environment of Jin State.
After Sima Chong had reviewed most of the memorials, he stretched, looked at the elderly chamberlain on the side, and said, "Jian Xingmao, what are you doing in Jinling now?"
Jian Xingmao was in his early fifties and was the general manager of the imperial city of Jin. As Sima Chong's confidant, Jian Xingmao was loyal to the emperor, and he grew up with the emperor.
Jian Xingmao bowed his body and said, "Your Majesty, something strange happened in Jinling today."
Sima Chong asked: "What's the matter?"
Jian Xingmao said: "I heard that the State of Qin sent Lin Feng, a disciple of Xunzi, as an envoy to our State of Jin, asking to see His Majesty. However, when Lin Feng and Xie Xuan were drinking in Qifeng Tower, they were attacked by Jinling County Magistrate Zhong Zhongkang. Take him directly to jail. The reason is that Zhong Zhongkang received reports from the people that Lin Feng and Xie Xuan colluded with the intention of harming the Jin State."
After Sima Chong heard this, his brows rose. He was very surprised by the result and said, "Seriously?"
Jian Xingmao said: "It's absolutely not false."
Sima Chong pondered for a moment and said slowly: "If I remember correctly, Zhong Zhongkang was promoted by Xie Chong and is a member of the Xie family. Xie Xuan is also Xie Chong's son. He was assigned to serve in Xianyang of the Great Qin Dynasty and was responsible for contacting the Great Qin side. . Now that Zhong Zhongkang has put Xie Xuan and Lin Feng in jail, is this a conflict within the Xie family?"
Jian Xingmao said: "I don't know."
Sima Chong's slightly pale face looked very interested, and he said enthusiastically: "Xie Xuan arrested Lin Feng, do you think it will be Xie Chong who takes action?"
Jian Xingmao said: "I don't know."
Sima Chong glanced at Jian Xingmao and said, "You old guy, you don't know anything about anything."
Jian Xingmao laughed and said, "Your Majesty, this old slave is stupid."
Sima Chong stroked the beard under his chin, thought for a moment, and said: "Xie Chong always acts with an upright conspiracy, his methods are grand, and his methods are flawless. But to arrest people and put them in jail like this, the methods are cheap and simple. It’s even a little ridiculous, it shouldn’t be Xie Chong’s arrangement.”
Jian Xingmao said: "Your Majesty, I am not sure whether it was Xie Chong who took action. But today in Qifeng Tower, before Zhong Zhongkang arrested Lin Feng, someone insulted the Qin Dynasty. Lin Feng stood up and refuted them one by one. The great Confucians and Wang Tong were all impressed by Lin Feng."
"After Lin Feng was arrested, the news spread in Jinling City. It has already spread a lot."
"The scholars outside are talking about it, saying that Jin is a country of etiquette and is as high as the Xia Kingdom, but it is so disrespectful of etiquette and directly arrests a country's envoys, which violates the etiquette system."
Sima Chong's face suddenly fell.
A land of etiquette!
This is indeed the consistent label of the Jin State. In fact, no matter the Jin State, Xia State, or Qi State, they all call themselves states of etiquette.
This is the sense of superiority of all countries.
Just so, news came out from outside that the emperor did not summon envoys from the Qin State, but instead a county magistrate directly imprisoned people. This was a slap in the face of Jin, a state of etiquette.
Sima Chong looked grim and asked, "Have you ever found out where this news came from?"
Jian Xingmao said: "I have never found it."
Sima Chong threw the brush in his hand on the desk with a bang and said after thinking for a long time: "This news may be propagated by people in Jin who are opposed to war with Da Qin. After all, this war with Da Qin, although Xie Chong is taking the lead, Opposition was suppressed.”
"Actually, there are still people who oppose the war. They seized the opportunity and will use all their strength to intervene in the war. Of course, it may also be Lin Feng's people who deliberately spread the news in order to stir up momentum and break the chaos."
Jian Xingmao said: "Your Majesty is wise."
Sima Chong shook his head, rubbed his sour face, and said dejectedly: "If I were a saint, I wouldn't be able to completely control the government after being on the throne for almost twenty years."
Jian Xingmao comforted him and said: "Everyone in the Jin Kingdom calls your majesty the holy king and expresses gratitude for your kindness."
"If you rule by doing nothing, you are a sage king." Sima Chong said, somewhat unmotivated, "I barely hold on to some power and do not interfere in major affairs, and I am a sage king."
"Your Majesty, please do not belittle yourself."
Jian Xingmao knelt down with a plop, with a look of fear on his face, and said: "Throughout the history of the Jin Kingdom, Your Majesty is also the most promising monarch. Under your rule, the people of the Jin Kingdom live and work in peace and contentment, and the Jin Kingdom's national strength is strong. Your Majesty is already very wise. "
Sima Chong smiled and said, "Get up."
"Here!"
Jian Xingmao stood up and stood with a bow.
Sima Chong said: "I have the will, but I have no power. It's just that this time, Xie Chong agreed to Xia Guo's request and sent troops to attack Da Qin. And Da Qin's envoys came, so they took this opportunity to compete with Xie Chong."
"It would be good if we could use Lin Feng to get rid of Xie Chong's people and promote my people. No matter how many people can be promoted, each one counts. Especially the magistrate of Jinling County. Jinling is the imperial capital of the Jin Dynasty, so it should be arranged for me People."
Jian Xingmao bowed slightly and said nothing, letting Sima Chong speak.
Sima Chong continued to talk nonchalantly, not paying attention to Jian Xingmao's interruptions from time to time. While Sima Chong was speaking, a chamberlain hurriedly entered, bowed and said quickly: "Your Majesty, the eldest princess wishes to see you."
Sima Chong was stunned for a moment, then a look of joy appeared on his face.
"Quick, please."
Sima Chong quickly ordered.
The chamberlain turned around and went down. After a while, Xu Liuli entered the main hall. She looked at Sima Chong, who was sitting directly above him, his face a little pale, and even his temples were gray, and she sighed in her heart. The emperor, who was about forty years old, felt already in his fifties and sixties.
In the blink of an eye, her face returned to coldness.
After Xu Liuli stood still, he bowed and said: "Xu Liuli, a common man, pays homage to Your Majesty."
Sima Chong's expression froze, and the smile on his face was very forced. He soon regained his composure and said, "Liu Li, what's the matter with you coming into the palace?"
Xu Liuli said: "The daughter of the people heard that Lin Feng, the envoy of the Qin State, was framed and harmed the Jin State and was imprisoned. In fact, Lin Feng came to Jinling to end the war and stop the war. How could he do any harm? Please tell me, Your Majesty. Investigate this matter thoroughly and release Lin Feng."
After Sima Chong heard this, his brows rose, and even a glimmer of light flashed across his eyes.
How is his daughter related to Lin Feng?
Sima Chong was full of curiosity and asked, "What is your relationship with Lin Feng?"
Xu Liuli said: "It has nothing to do with it. It's just that my master failed to assassinate the Emperor of Qin in Xianyang and was killed. I was affected, fled Da Qin, returned to Xiangyang of Jin State, and was robbed and killed by the Kunshan Sect. It was Lin Feng You saved me. I have to repay the favor of saving my life."
"I understand."
After hearing this, Sima Chong promised: "I will handle Lin Feng's matter and ensure that he is not injured at all and is released from prison safely."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xu Liuli bowed and saluted.
Hearing Xu Liuli's distant address, Sima Chong felt helpless and asked: "Liuli, after so many years, you are not willing to call me father?"
Xu Liuli said: "Since the daughter of the common people has entered the Great Zen Heaven, she is the goddess of the Great Zen Heaven and is no longer the princess of the Jin Kingdom."
Sima Chong felt even more sour when he heard this. He felt very uncomfortable and wanted to speak, but when the words came to his lips, he didn't know what to say, so he was speechless.
Xu Liuli said: "Your Majesty, the daughter of the people is retiring."
Sima Chong said: "Go."
Xu Liuli bowed and bowed, then turned and left. When he reached the entrance of the hall, Xu Liuli stopped again, turned to look at Sima Chong, and said: "Imperial power is important, but your body is more important. Take care of yourself."
After the words fell, Xu Liuli left directly.
Sima Chong looked at Xu Liuli's leaving back. The smile on his face suddenly stretched, and he said with a smile: "Did you hear that? Did you hear that? Liuli is caring about me, caring about me."
For a moment, he felt even more happy and excited.
Jian Xingmao said: "Your Majesty, this is a good thing. The eldest princess is sensible."
After Sima Chong was happy, he fell down in a blink of an eye and said: "She is in Dachantian. It's not like you don't know the situation of Dachantian's previous sacrifices. Alas... Jian Xingmao, I am not a special failure. A country The emperor cannot even protect his own daughter.”
Jian Xingmao said quickly: "Your Majesty, how can I blame you for this? The eldest princess is born with wisdom and is most suitable for practicing the sacrificial skills of the Great Chantian. In addition, His Majesty just ascended the throne and needed the help of the Great Chantian."
"That's why we arranged it like this."
"Although the eldest princess has some complaints in her heart, Your Majesty is really helpless. Everything was difficult to do in the court back then. It is because of Your Majesty's hard work for so many years that we have achieved this situation. It is not easy for Your Majesty."
Sima Chong sighed.
He clenched his fists and said seriously: "I will definitely solve Liuli's problem. In addition, whether it is a family or a sect, it must be solved."
Jian Xingmao said: "Your Majesty is wise."
Sima Chong glanced at the flickering oil lamp and ordered: "Tomorrow morning, call Lin Feng into the palace to deal with his imprisonment. In addition, call the six ministers and the main officials of each department into the palace to talk about it. Xia State’s intention of sending troops and Lin Fenglai.”
"Old slave, please remember your Majesty's instructions."
Jian Xingmao agreed respectfully.
Sima Chong narrowed his eyes slightly at this time and carefully planned to summon Lin Feng tomorrow.
He wants to fulfill his daughter's request.
At the same time, we must also take this opportunity to change the situation between North Korea and China and strive to maximize interests.
