November 28, night, midnight, Lin'an City, Imperial Palace, Funing Hall.
In the empty dormitory, Zhao Kuo, an official of the Song Dynasty, was lying on the imperial collapse, his face was like gold paper, he was dying, and he was already on his deathbed.
"Xiang Shi, I'm afraid the official family won't be able to survive for two hours!"
The white-bearded imperial doctor, with a wrinkled face, carefully reported to the Prime Minister Shi Miyuan who was sitting on the chair with a stern expression.
Shi Miyuan nodded, his eyes cold and stern.
"Go down and wait by the side at any time. Don't talk about this to anyone, otherwise, be careful about the head on your neck!"
"Yes, yes! I know!"
The white-bearded imperial doctor retreated in fear. Shi Miyuan was surrounded by excited and nervous confidants.
Shi Miyuan frowned when he saw the golden elixirs scattered beside Yuta.
Yu Tianci who was on the side quickly stepped forward, collected the golden elixir and put it into his sleeve.
"Dad, what did the officials say just now? Did they want Zhao Hong to succeed?"
Shi Miyuan's eldest son, Shi Zhaizhi, who was then the Taifu Shaoqing and the Minister of Power and Household Affairs, asked cautiously.
When Zhao Kuo was dying, he only recruited his father, obviously with the intention of entrusting him as an orphan.
"Is this something you should ask?"
Shi Miyuan said softly without turning his head, and Shi Zhaizhi could only retreat.
Shi Miyuan glanced at Zhao Kuo on the imperial cave for a few times, then turned his head and looked at the sleepy palace commander Xia Zhen.
"Deputy Marshal Xu, immediately ordered us to go down and seal off Funing Palace, Kunning Palace, and the Prince's East Palace. We should strictly guard the palace gates of the imperial city and not allow anyone to enter or exit. No one can know the news about the official family, so as not to cause trouble. panic."
Shi Miyuan stared at Xu Yi, the deputy commander of the front department, with burning eyes, and spoke out word by word.
"Remember, especially those in the East Palace, be sure to pay attention and don't let them notice any slight movement."
"Don't worry, Prime Minister Shi, the general will fulfill his mission!"
Xu Yi knew it well and took the order to leave.
When the official's condition worsened, he still asked the prime minister to explain his funeral affairs. And when the emperor was about to pass away, he had to announce the prince's appearance.
Naturally, the Prime Minister delayed in various ways until the emperor was speechless.
"Dalang, please leave the palace immediately, go to Shilang Cheng's house, and ask him to enter the palace quickly!"
"Weizhai, you leave the palace immediately. When you arrive at Prince Yi's Mansion, tell Duke Zheng that he knows what to do!"
"Commander Xia, send the imperial army to my house immediately and invite the Yang brothers into the palace. I will explain it face to face."
Shi Miyuan ordered them one by one, with a plan in mind.
Shi Miyuan hesitated for a moment and continued:
"Shuai Xia, you send someone to inform Huang Jiang and ask him to leave the city as soon as the city gate opens. Together with him, he will mobilize the imperial army and station outside Houchao Gate, waiting for military orders at any time."
"Prime Minister, to deal with a mere Zhao Hong, is it necessary to mobilize the imperial army outside the city?"
Xia Zhen asked suspiciously.
"Just in case there is any riot in the city, just in case."
"Yes, Shi Xiang!"
Xia Zhen and Yu Tianci stopped saying anything and took orders to leave.
Before Shi Zhaizhi left, his face turned blue and his eyes flickered.
"Dad, do you really want to do this? Isn't it too risky?"
His father controlled the government. Even if Zhao Hong came to power, what could he do to his father? The worst he could do was resign. With the historian's strength, the court probably wouldn't dare to make a big move.
The risk of doing such a rebellious and unethical thing now is too great.
Shi Miyuan raised his head and stared at his son with cold eyes. Shi Zhaizhi did not dare to stay and left quickly.
Silence returned to the palace, and Shi Miyuan stood up and stared at the dark night outside the palace in trance.
I really hope this dark night will pass soon!
"I've seen the historical minister!"
Yang Guizhi's nephew Yang Gu and Yang Shi entered the Funing Hall and saluted Shi Miyuan together.
The two glanced towards the palace. The palace servants were changing the white gauze and silk silk, and Zhao Kuo was motionless on the couch. The two knew it well and averted their eyes.
"Two of you, the late emperor passed away and issued a posthumous edict asking King Yi Wang's heir Zhao Guicheng to ascend the throne."
Shi Miyuan looked solemn and gave instructions to the two Yang brothers. Yang Gu and Yang Shi nodded repeatedly and left quietly.
"Prime Minister, the Minister of Rites, Cheng Ju, is here!"
Just as Shi Miyuan breathed a sigh of relief, his son's voice sounded outside the hall.
"Let him come in quickly!"
Shi Zhaizhi came in with Cheng Ju, the Minister of Rites and a direct scholar, and Cheng Bi hurriedly stepped forward to greet him.
"I've seen the historical minister!"
Cheng Jue bowed respectfully.
Obviously, he had already understood everything.
"Shilang Cheng, the official family is very prosperous, so it's up to you to draft the imperial edict."
Shi Miyuan waved his hand, and all the people in the imperial palace retreated, leaving only his son Shi Zhai.
"Historian Prime Minister, I am not a Zhizhigao or a Hanlin bachelor. Besides, the rulers of both governments are not here. Is this appropriate?"
Looking at Huang Ling and the pen and ink in front of him, Cheng Jue was frightened and couldn't help but hesitate.
This is the crime of perverting the imperial edict, and it may implicate the nine clans.
"Shilang Cheng, this is an official edict, so you don't have to hesitate. Everything is under control. When the new emperor ascends the throne, you will be in charge of both governments."
Shi Miyuan smiled softly, confident and calm.
"Prime Minister, how dare you disobey your orders!"
Cheng Jue's heart was beating loudly and he bowed respectfully.
Shi Miyuan was so powerful that he controlled the imperial palace and the imperial army in Lin'an City. Zhao Honggui is the prince, but he has no power and is just a puppet.
It's just a draft edict, just a small matter of writing some words. From being a minister to a minister in power, he will be very prosperous in the future.
"Shilang Cheng, this first edict is to make the emperor's nephew Zhao Guicheng the prince and give him the name Zhao Yun."
Shi Miyuan thought for a moment and then gave the order.
Cheng Juo cheered up, picked up his pen and wrote quickly.
"The second edict states that the Jin Dynasty made Prince Zhao Yun the Military Envoy of the Wutai Army and the Duke of Chengguo."
Shi Miyuan remained calm and continued to give guidance in the palace.
"In this third edict, Jin makes Prince Zhao Yun the crown prince."
Shi Miyuan's words shocked Cheng Jue. His hand couldn't help shaking, and the tip of his pen wrote a stain.
"I'll rewrite it!"
Cheng Jue quickly calmed down, spread out the brocade silk again, and began to write.
"This fourth edict removes Prince Zhao Hong from his position."
"The fifth edict conferred the title of Prince Zhao Hong on the title of Prince of Jiyang County. He opened the palace with three divisions and went to judge Ningguo Palace."
Shi Miyuan said softly, without any stumbling, and it was obvious that he was confident.
"The first two edicts are written on November 24th, Dinghai. The last three edicts are written on today, and the time is Shen Shi."
The promulgation date of the first two edicts was brought forward, obviously to say that Zhao Guicheng became the prince because of the emperor's original intention, and the establishment of the prince was a matter of course.
As the edicts came down one after another, Shi Miyuan looked at Cheng Jue with burning eyes.
"Shilang Cheng, here comes the most important edict of the late emperor."
"Xiang Shi, your subordinates are ready!"
Cheng Jue's face was solemn and he bowed solemnly.
Shi Miyuan nodded and took out a paper full of text. There were many red crosses and corrections on it, and it seemed to be a draft.
"Shilang Cheng, take a look at it first, revise it to match the official tone, and then copy it."
Shi Miyuan tapped the draft lightly and seemed to have made the final decision.
Cheng Jue watched carefully, chatted with Shi Miyuan in a low voice, made revisions, and soon reached an agreement.
"I have heard that for the birth of all things in the world, there is no death; for the dead are the principles of heaven and earth and the nature of all things. It is very sad to laugh at them... King Yi is sincere and has a noble character. He is deeply indebted to me and will be able to inherit the throne. , I will ascend the throne and succeed the emperor..."
Cheng Ju cheered up and finished writing. Shi Miyuan read it, nodded, and let out a sigh of relief.
"Imperial jade seal."
Shi Zhai's hands were trembling as he presented the jade seal.
Shi Miyuan glanced at his son, picked up the jade seals, and covered them one by one.
After the jade seal was covered and the edicts were put away one by one, Shi Miyuan felt relieved and sat slumped on the chair.
"Dad, Queen Yang's side..."
Cheng Ju went down to rest. Shi Zhaizhi stood aside, still uneasy.
Without Empress Yang's permission, it might not be easy to depose the prince and establish a new emperor.
"The Queen's two nephews are lobbying me, so I believe she will not refuse."
Shi Miyuan smiled coldly, as if he had a plan in mind.
Given the playboy natures of the two rich and powerful children who are addicted to wine and sex and are over fifty years old, they will definitely fulfill their responsibilities well if their prosperity is related to them.
And with Yang Guizhi's consistent strength and her hatred for Zhao Hong, she will definitely choose Zhao Guicheng.
"Dad, that Zhao Guicheng, isn't he afraid to come?"
Shi Zhaizhi said hesitantly, still feeling uneasy.
Zhao Hong was the prince of the dynasty and had a great reputation. Zhao Guicheng is just a nephew of the emperor and unknown. If Zhao Guicheng doesn't come, wouldn't it be a good thing?
"Zhao Guicheng? His ambition is no less than anyone else's. Just wait for the good news."
Shi Miyuan glanced at the sky and frowned.
"Go out and tell Commander Xia that I'm keeping an eye on him in the East Palace. Send someone to inform the courtiers and come into the palace to discuss matters!"
All is ready except for the opportunity. Now, we just wait for the news from Queen Yang Guizhi.
After Shi Zhai left, Shi Miyuan waved to Li Gu impatiently.
"Everything has been shipped here. Now let's start arranging the official family's posthumous affairs."
He didn't even look down on Zhao Kuo, let alone these minions of Zhao Kuo.
"Yes, Shi Xiang!"
Li Gugong left respectfully.
Various people came in and out, and Li Gu changed Zhao Kuo's clothes and curtains. He and Dong Songchen looked at each other, speechless.
Emperor Bintian, the imperial army surrounded the palace so tightly that no flies could fly out.
The incident happened suddenly, and I don’t know what the situation was on Zhao Hong’s side.
Li Gu gestured, and Dong Songchen knew it well and turned around with a smile on his face.
"General, I'm in a hurry and want to go out for a while."
Dong Songchen lowered his head and begged the imperial guards at the entrance of the palace with a smile.
"You're in a hurry, just use this to solve it. Someone will take it out for you!"
The Imperial Guard reached out and grabbed a wide-mouthed vase and gave it to Dong Songchen.
Dong Songchen had no choice but to go back with the vase, and when he looked at Master Li Gu and his disciples, their hearts dropped.
It was clear that Shi Miyuan had ulterior motives in letting the imperial guards guard him so tightly. Zhao Hong was kept in the dark, so how could he stand up?
When the edict is announced at dawn, there will be no way to recover.
Waves of people left the palace, and waves of people entered the palace, going in and out, bustling with people. Zhou Da and others who were lurking in the dark outside the imperial city were secretly frightened.
"Boss, something big happened in this palace, right?"
After the palace gate regained its tranquility, Zhou Fu, the servant of the Zhou Mansion, spoke in a low voice.
"Boss, if you say something, the thunderbolts just thrown over will cause death and injury!"
Another servant of Zhou Mansion, Zhou Gui, was full of murderous intent.
There is another group of people outside who are responsible for observing the palace gate and acting according to the situation.
"It's such a dark day, do you know who you're blowing up? If you alert the enemy, what's going to happen next if the Forbidden Army arrives? Elm head!"
Zhou Da reprimanded and warned in a low voice:
"You two, quickly report to eldest brother Wada Dalang. Go quickly!"
Zhou Da continued to make arrangements, muttering secretly in his heart.
In the middle of the night, with so many people coming in and out of the palace, something big might have happened.
