Lin'an City, Qinghefang and Shi Miyuan's mansion.
Outside the study, the guard's face was dripping with sweat and his chest was wet, but he still didn't dare to slack off. In the study, it was extremely cool, even a bit chilly to the bone. It was completely different from the heat wave outside.
"...Bingchen has been causing chaos in the world for a long time....Bingchen and his disciples have all grabbed His Majesty's wealth and left, leaving only his great and extremely evil dynasty."...The villain relies on wisdom and cleverness, while the gentleman relies on the laws of nature and the will of the human heart. Righteousness, but heaven and man sometimes are not the same. In the 19th year of Qin Hui, the 16th year of Shi Mou, and the ninth year of Sima Guang, a gentleman must be so difficult to obtain because of heaven..."
Shi Miyuan sat on a chair, holding a Lin'an tabloid and reading it, his face was livid and his hands were shaking slightly.
"... Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, is an idler from the countryside in Kuaiji. He is a scoundrel and has no talent or virtue... He actually has the vision of having dragon scales on his body. When he is alive, the house is filled with fragrance. How ridiculous! There are thousands of lives in the world. Can a person be born with dragon scales, and the fragrance fills the house? He is just spreading rumors to create trouble. The reason is that a certain minister in the court just wants to promote his concubine to the throne..."
Shi Miyuan blushed and patted the stone table.
"What a load of nonsense! What a load of nonsense! Check it, check it for me immediately, and lock them all up!"
The subordinates were as silent as cicadas, hanging their heads and saying nothing. Yu Tianci broke the silence with a soft voice.
"Xiang Shi, I don't know the name of this tabloid, and I can't investigate it. Let's think about how to deal with it."
Yu Tianci whispered, carefully looking at Shi Miyuan's face.
Yu Tianci was a Jinshi in the 16th year of Jiading and served as a staff member of Prime Minister Shi Miyuan's office.
Three years ago, in the summer of the 14th year of Jiading, Zhao Kuang, an official of the Song Dynasty, made Zhao Guihe, the son of the late Yi Wang Zhao Suan, the prince and changed his name to Zhao Hong. Shi Miyuan was at odds with Zhao Hong, and secretly ordered Yu Tianci, who had a close friendship with him, to look for royal children to enter the palace.
In the fifteenth year of Jiading, Yu Tianci found brothers Zhao and Ju, Zhao and Rui, the tenth generation grandson of Song Taizu in Yuezhou (Shaoxing). The following year, Shi Miyuan secretly took Zhao and Ju to Qingyuan Mansion, and ordered Yu Tianxi's mother Zhu to teach him court etiquette. In August of the same year, Shi Miyuan brought Zhao and Ju into the palace. He became the heir of King Yi and changed his name to Zhao Guicheng.
It can be said that the shrewd and capable Yu Tianci is Shi Miyuan's confidant.
"It's nonsense! If this tabloid spreads to the palace, the officials will not know what to think of me? And Prince Yi's heir, how could he be my son... This... Isn't this just lying and spouting nonsense?"
Shi Miyuan sat down in frustration. After a moment, he raised his head and looked at his staff in confusion.
"Weizhai brought Wusun to Lin'an City. No one knows the details, right?"
Yu Tianci was frightened. He looked around, took a few steps forward, and whispered in Shi Miyuan's ear.
"Xiang Xiang, when Xianguan brought Wusun back from Shaoxing, only Xianguan and Chief Quan Bao knew about it. Xianguan was also wondering how the tabloid knew so much."
Wusun was the name of Zhao Guicheng, the heir of King Yi, when he was in the countryside. Quan Baochang was Zhao Guicheng's uncle and a Baochang in rural Shaoxing. It was in the countryside of Shaoxing that Yu Tianci met Zhao Guicheng and brought him to Lin'an City.
Shi Miyuan glanced at Yu Tianci for a few times and then withdrew his gaze.
"You said these rumors, could Zhao Hong have people spread them?"
After venting his anger, Shi Miyuan quickly calmed down.
Yu Tianci was loyal to him and could not betray him. Yu Tianci didn't have the courage, let alone the need.
"Prime Minister, I'm afraid Zhao Hong, a fool like him, doesn't have the brains. There might be someone behind this secretly."
Yu Tianci frowned and spoke thoughtfully.
"Is there someone behind you?"
Shi Miyuan frowned and snorted coldly.
"Zhao Hong is not an idiot. Can an idiot create "Qinyuan Chun" and "Linjiang Immortal"? Can anyone, including you and me, including the ministers in the court, create it?"
"Yes, yes, that's what Shi Xiang said!"
Yu Tianci's face was hot and he nodded in agreement.
Zhao Hong's poems, whether it is "Qinyuanchun. Northern Scenery" or "Linjiang Fairy. Rolling Waters of the Yangtze River Passing East", are all masterpieces.
Shi Miyuan naturally has his own unique side when it comes to recognizing people.
"I just feel puzzled. After fighting with Zhao Hong for three or four years, why haven't I realized that he still has these abilities? Pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger, and coercing public opinion, I have no way to deal with it."
Shi Miyuan frowned, feeling as if he had eaten farmyard manure.
The "undercover" sent to Duke Ji's mansion was kicked out, and many plans that had not been launched were cracked and made public in advance.
He indeed underestimated the other party.
"Historical prime minister, everyone's words make gold, and accumulated bones are destroyed. If rumors from outside are allowed to spread, I'm afraid things in the DPRK will change."
Yu Tianci's face looked ugly, as if he had a cockroach in his mouth.
"It's not just a change. Zhao Hong has a son, and the official family has an imperial grandson. His teacher Zhen Dexiu will also be transferred back to the center to serve as the Minister of Rites. The official family will be happy to have an imperial grandson. I'm afraid We are going to make Zhao Hong the crown prince!"
Shi Miyuan's words made Yu Tianci reluctant and secretly frightened.
The ignorant puppet officials of the Song Dynasty only knew how to meditate and practice Taoism, but they actually paid attention to court affairs.
It seems that the rumors that are spreading are actually causing harm to the world.
"Xiang Shi, Zhao Hong cannot be made the crown prince!"
Yu Tianci was frightened and spoke hastily.
"Weizhai, what can I do to stop you?"
Shi Miyuan shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Didn't you read what the tabloids said? Prince Jingxian was appointed crown prince two years ago because he was my student. Prince Zhao Hong was crowned prince four years ago, and he is still a prince now. It is clear that I and the queen are responsible. Inside and outside the palace There is an uproar and it is rumored that the heir of King Yi is my illegitimate son. If we don’t allow the official family to establish a crown prince at this time, wouldn’t it mean that there is no three hundred taels of silver in this place, which will be reviled by everyone in the world!”
Although he had a clear conscience, the rumors were so lethal that he could not refute them as they became darker and darker.
At this time, it is better to be less hard-headed to avoid making the situation even more unfavorable.
"Prime Minister, are we just going to watch Zhao Hong ascend to the position of crown prince? Then our plan will fall short..."
Yu Tianci glanced around and whispered softly, as quietly as a mosquito buzzing.
"Silence!"
Shi Miyuan scolded in a low voice, and Yu Tianci quickly stopped talking.
"What will happen if Zhen Dexiu comes back? Even if Zhao Hong becomes the crown prince of the Song Dynasty, what can I do to you?"
Shi Miyuan snorted coldly, with disdain in his eyes.
"The power of the prince in this dynasty has been greatly weakened compared to previous dynasties, especially under the power of the prime minister. Even if he, Zhao Hong, ascends to the position of prince, what kind of waves can he make?"
Yu Tianci nodded in agreement. The position of Crown Prince is just that of a prince with an extra title, and there is no change in actual power.
Even if he becomes an emperor, he is still not a puppet. The court was all in Shi Miyuan's hands, and the emperor had to swallow his anger.
"Zhao Hong divorced the Wu family and has offended Queen Yang. It's hard to say whether he can become the crown prince!"
Shi Miyuan's face suddenly became clouded.
He didn't care about the criticism from the government and the public. He would not sit still and watch Zhao Hong ascend the throne.
"Wu and Zhao Hong parted ways. Didn't Yang Guizhi personally nod? Why, is she still unwilling?"
Yu Tianci's eyes widened in surprise.
"The Wu Mansion insists on breaking up with Zhao Hong, and Yang Guizhi has no choice. With Yang Guizhi's strong will to retaliate, can she spare Zhao Hong?"
Yu Tianci was shocked and nodded repeatedly.
Even the imperial examinations had to have a hand in selecting scholars, and even the concubines in the harem dared to force the emperor to establish a prince when they were pregnant. How could Yang Guizhi be as domineering as ordinary concubines!
"Xiang Shi, what about Zhao Hong being crowned prince..."
Yu Tianci hesitated.
"We will support it if we can. If the officials insist on establishing it, we will give in and delay it if we can. No matter what, we have to give the emperor a step to step down. Xue Ji, Liang Chengda and the others are here, so you can Tell them so."
The position of the prince was not worth mentioning, and the official family was not like a puppet, so Shi Miyuan didn't take it to heart.
In his heart, he was planning a big game.
"I know, Mr. Shi!"
Yu Tianci lowered his voice and said:
"Xiang Shi, do you want to deal with the group of people around Zhao Hong? Give him a blow and cut off his escape path!"
After getting rid of these people, Zhao Hong wanted to make trouble, but he didn't even have a helper, so he still stopped.
"No need! Let them make as much noise as they like! What can they do to a group of common people and degenerate pig-killers? But people like Zhen Dexiu and Wei Liaoweng in the court should pay more attention to them."
Shi Miyuan frowned and turned to Zhao Guicheng.
"Weizhai, is there nothing unusual over at Wusun?"
Rumors abounded, and the two people who had the greatest influence were Shi Miyuan and Zhao Guicheng.
Shi Miyuan has a high position, rough skin and thick flesh, and is invulnerable. After all, Zhao Guicheng is young. He is only nineteen years old this year. If he is too young, it may have some influence.
"Don't worry, Mr. Shi, Wusun is fine. He doesn't seem to be affected. Besides, Mr. Zheng is there to guide him, so nothing will go wrong."
Speaking of Zhao Guicheng, Yu Tianci felt relieved.
Zhao Guicheng is young, mature and thoughtful, but his literary talent is lacking.
"Zhao Guicheng is mature and prudent, and he can bear his temper. But in terms of literary talent, he seems to be far inferior to Zhao Hong."
Sure enough, Shi Miyuan compared Zhao Hong and Zhao Guicheng.
"Wusun has a calm temperament, but he has great ambitions and little talent, and he has many bad habits. He couldn't see it when he was young, but as he gets older, he tends to enjoy himself..."
Shi Miyuan frowned, seeming very worried.
"Yes, yes, that's what Shi Xiang said!"
Yu Tianci nodded repeatedly with an apologetic smile on his face.
Shi Miyuan has controlled the government for nearly twenty years, and his eye for recognizing people is naturally extraordinary.
"What the Prime Minister means is that Zhao Guicheng is embarrassed and needs to be replaced? What about Zhao Guicheng's younger brother Zhao Yurui...?"
Yu Tianci's mind was spinning so fast that he even took out the spare tire.
"That idle dandy is greedy and lustful, not worth mentioning!"
Shi Miyuan shook his head and then smiled.
"Weizhai, where have you been thinking about? Zhao Guicheng has spent more than two years of my hard work. Don't give up easily. Besides, it's probably too late to replace Zhao Guicheng now."
"Why is this?"
Yu Tianci was stunned again.
"The officials are practicing Taoism and refining elixirs, and their health is getting better and worse. Who knows how long they can last?"
Yu Tianci suddenly realized it and was sweating unknowingly.
It seems that Zhao Guicheng will be put to use soon.
"I heard that Yang Guizhi's niece seems to be very close to Zhao Hong. Is this true?"
Thinking of something, Shi Miyuan asked leisurely.
"Historian, that's right. Yang Guizhi's niece is Yang Yi, a famous beauty in Lin'an City. She is twenty-seven years old and a widow. She does have some connections with Zhao Hong. There is also a grain trader who is also a young beauty. , but it seems that I went to Huaidong recently."
Everyone has his own way, and Yu Tianci is no stranger to Zhao Hong's romantic affairs.
"This Zhao Hong has a unique taste. He is the same as Wu Jing, the Yin of Lin'an Prefecture. They hug each other and have a romantic nature. He really will never change his nature!"
Shi Miyuan laughed, as if thinking of his own youth.
However, he didn't care about these women, and they couldn't stop or affect his plan.
"Prime Minister, Zhao Hong is favored by the officials only because he has a son. If something happens to the emperor's grandson..."
Yu Tianci suddenly looked ferocious and whispered.
Shi Miyuan raised his head and met Yu Tianci's eyes. Shi Miyuan nodded slightly.
"I go to the palace and explain to the officials and the queen. Zhao Hong wants to fight with me, so I will play with him. I want to see how much he weighs?"
Shi Miyuan stood up and his face quickly returned to calm.
He could see clearly that those who slandered and slandered him must be Zhao Hong and his group.
At this point, all we can do is snipe Zhao Hong with all our strength, and the road will be dark.
