Since Anlehou was appointed as the Crown Prince and His Majesty was officially announced to be seriously ill, some courtiers signed a letter asking to see the Emperor, but they were all blocked by Huo Xiang for various reasons. Although they complained, they dared not speak out. Now the court After the Er Yang case was purged both inside and outside the court, Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng had already made it clear inside and outside the court. However, how did they know that the emperor had actually not announced his funeral secretly for many months? Now the government decrees are all in the name of the emperor. From the Prime Minister's Mansion.
In the Prime Minister Zuo's Mansion, Gao Zhong has taken over the position of Weiwei, one of the Nine Ministers, with a silver seal and green ribbon, and finally became an important minister of the court. Although he is very proud at this moment, he still has to be careful to sit with Huo Zheng when he arrives at the Prime Minister's Mansion. One side reported in detail the whereabouts and remarks of His Highness the Crown Prince today.
Huo Zheng was quite satisfied when he heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must read every piece of advice he sent to the third emperor every day. This meant that the Crown Prince recognized his governing philosophy.
Huo Zheng asked: "Is that true?"
Gao Zhong said: "Your Majesty, Mr. Prime Minister, all the books that His Highness the Crown Prince has read were selected by me personally. Naturally, Mr. Prime Minister, your past remarks and memorials have also been compiled into a volume and handed over to His Majesty the Prince for study. His Majesty the Crown Prince keeps reading the books every day. , I praise you, Mr. Xiangguo, for your far-sightedness, you are truly a sage in this world."
When Huo Zheng heard this, he laughed and said, "You! You are really thoughtful."
Seeing Huo Xiangguo smiling from ear to ear, Gao Chong knew that this flattery was on point, so he said: "I have to take the high position of Jiuqing now, and it is all due to the recommendation of Enxiang. Don't worry, His Highness the Crown Prince will ascend the throne in the future. Naturally, it depends on you, the Prime Minister, to assist the government and create a new dynasty. From now on, you will become a wise king and a good minister, and your name will be remembered in history. The lower officials will also follow you, the Prime Minister, to enjoy the glory."
Huo Zheng nodded repeatedly, feeling very happy and said: "Okay, very good, by the way, in a few days there will be a great court meeting. Let His Highness the Crown Prince hold the court meeting on behalf of the emperor. After the court meeting, it is time to announce the great event." The emperor’s last edict has been issued, and it will inevitably lead to long nights and many dreams. You should give instructions as soon as possible to start preparations for the new king’s enthronement ceremony.”
Gao Chong was secretly shocked when he heard this. He knew that Huo Xiang was preparing to announce the death of the late emperor so that the prince could succeed to the throne as soon as possible. This was a big deal and could not be left ambiguous.
Gao Zhong said in a trembling voice: "Master Xiangguo, I understand. I will take care of it now."
Huo Zheng nodded slightly and said: "Okay, the new king's succession is a big event, so there must be no mistakes."
Gao Chong kept claiming that he was right.
In the East Palace, the prince received the memorial from the Prime Minister's Palace. After reading it, Mu Sheng frowned and handed the memorial to the prince's family member Guo Xuan.
Guo Xuan looked at the ten lines at a glance and said: "Your Majesty, your Majesty, do you want to exile the young master Xiu to Lingnan?"
Mu Sheng nodded and said, "Well, I suspect this is not what my father meant."
Guo Xuan said: "It seems that this is what the Prime Minister meant, but I think this is a good thing for His Majesty the Crown Prince. After all, Gongzi Xiu was once designated as the heir by His Majesty. Everyone inside and outside the court knows this. If he hadn't participated in the previous The prince's plan would not have ended up like this. Although Er Yang behind Gongzi Xiu has fallen, Gongzi Xiu still has some influence. The minister guessed that the Prime Minister also persuaded His Majesty to exile him. So as not to affect your Highness’s path to heaven in the future.”
Mu Sheng nodded and said: "Gu, I always feel that there may be something unusual in it. I don't know why, Gu has been feeling a little uneasy lately."
Guo Xuan said: "His Royal Highness, my subordinates speculate that it is possible that His Majesty's body can no longer hold up, so Huo Xiangguo rushed to exile Young Master Xiu to the border, so as not to affect your succession to the throne in the future..."
Mu Sheng nodded and said: "Well, Gu Ye is indeed so suspicious, so I want to see His Majesty."
Mu Sheng stood up and turned around a few times with his hands behind his back, and said: "It's been almost a month, and there is always no news about the memorial to meet my father. This is too strange. I have to go to the Prime Minister's Mansion. Meet Mr. Xiangguo."
In the lobby of Prime Minister Zuo's Mansion, Huo Zheng received a visit from His Highness the Crown Prince and hurriedly got up and went out to greet him.
When the prince entered the Prime Minister's Mansion, he was immediately flattered when he saw the Prime Minister personally coming to greet him. Mu Sheng stepped forward to support Huo Zheng and said: "Master Prime Minister, you have always worked hard day and night for state affairs. You are the pillar of our dynasty." , these Xu Xu rituals are not necessary."
Huo Zheng was impressed, and waved his hand: "Hey! His Royal Highness, you are the crown prince of the country. Although the old minister is the prime minister of the country, there is a difference between the king and the minister. How can you mess with the etiquette?"
Mu Sheng said: "Master Xiangguo, I have been admiring you for reading your articles every day. In my heart, Master Xiangguo, you are my teacher and my guide. How can a student be influenced by a teacher?" Li, wouldn’t this mess up Tsunade?”
When Huo Zheng heard this, he felt really benefited. He laughed and said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is a dragon among men. I don't dare to be like this!"
Mu Sheng smiled and said: "Master Xiang Guo is too modest. Back then, Master Xiang Guo's political commentary shocked the government and the public. Father, he highly praised your article, Master Xiang Guo. Of course, Master Xiang Guo, you are worthy of the post. From now on, I will always ask Master Xiang Guo for advice on governing the country." way."
Huo Zheng laughed and said he didn't dare.
The two exchanged business compliments all the way. After they walked to the lobby and sat down, Huo Zheng asked, "Why did His Highness the Crown Prince pay a visit to the old minister today?"
Mu Sheng said: "Master Xiangguo, I heard that my father is going to exile the Ninth Prince, Young Master Xiu, to Lingnan. Is it true?"
Hearing this, Huo Zheng said calmly: "Well, I feel that although Young Master Xiu has been demoted to a commoner, it is still inappropriate for him to stay in the capital as a punishment for crime. Recently, there have been some gossips in the government and the public, which has a bad impact. , that’s why the old minister advised His Majesty to urge the young master to cultivate outside the country, and this is also for the sake of Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
After hearing this, Mu Sheng nodded and said: "Master Xiangguo has thought carefully, Gu understands that Gu actually had a very good personal relationship with Young Master Xiu in the past, and everyone knows it. Now that I heard that Young Master Xiu is going to be exiled, I can't help but feel a little sad. After all, he is also lonely. Brothers, I would like to ask your majesty to send one of your masters to Xiu. With the friendship of all brothers, I hope that the prime minister can do this for you."
Huo Zheng nodded and said, "This is natural. I will send you an invitation tomorrow on behalf of His Royal Highness. Please rest assured."
When Mu Sheng heard this, doubts arose in his heart, and even such a small thing was stopping him, which showed that something big must have happened in the palace.
Mu Sheng pondered for a long time, and finally said tentatively: "Master Xiangguo, I would like to meet His Majesty in person to submit a petition, and I also hope that you, Master Xiangguo, will fulfill my filial piety."
After saying this, Mu Sheng looked at the changes in Huo Zheng's expression.
Huo Zheng's face was as dark as water. After pondering for a long time, Huo Zheng nodded slightly and agreed: "Okay, Your Highness, your Highness will follow the old minister to the palace tomorrow to meet the emperor."
When Mu Sheng heard this, he was secretly shocked and said, "Then I will thank you, Mr. Xiangguo."
After Mu Sheng accomplished this, he felt relieved. He took the few bamboo slips he had brought with him as a disciple, and asked Huo Zheng for advice on unclear meanings of several articles. Huo Zheng naturally gave the prince advice in a pleasant manner, as if He regards himself as the Prince's teacher.
The two chatted happily. After the prince said goodbye and returned to the East Palace, Gao Chong walked from the back hall to the lobby. It was obvious that the prince was visiting, so he had to avoid seeing him and waited in the back hall for the prince to return to the palace so that he could continue to discuss state affairs with Huo Xiangguo.
When Gao Zhong heard that Huo Xiang was going to take the prince to see the late emperor, he felt a little uneasy. He stepped forward and said, "Master Xiangguo, do you really want to take the prince to meet the late emperor? But..."
Huo Zheng waved his hand, interrupted Gao Zhong's question, and said: "It's time for His Highness the Crown Prince to know the truth. Don't worry, I have my own opinion. So what if His Highness the Crown Prince knows the truth? Is it possible that His Highness the Crown Prince is still stupid enough? What’s the reason for giving up the throne that was offered to you?”
Hearing this, Gao Zhong nodded and said, "What the Prime Minister said is absolutely true. Even if His Highness the Crown Prince knew the truth, he would still choose to stand with us. However, this official is too worried."
The next morning, Mu Sheng was already fully dressed. He looked at himself in the mirror, wearing the crown prince's crown, and nodded secretly in his heart. He looked like a human and a dog, so he went out of the East Palace, got on the chariot, and headed towards the inner palace. .
Changle Palace, outside the emperor's chamber, Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng had been waiting here for a long time. When he saw the prince's ceremonial guard arriving, he stepped forward to greet him and said: "Your Highness."
Mu Sheng got out of the car and said in return: "Master Xiangguo, you are here very early."
Huo Zheng looked solemn and said: "His Royal Highness, please accompany the old minister to the palace to see His Majesty."
Mu Sheng nodded slightly.
Mu Sheng and Huo Zheng walked through the heavily guarded palaces one after another before arriving outside the palace hall, where the emperor lived and worked. What made Mu Sheng puzzled was how tightly guarded the Changle Palace was. Some are too strict. There is a sentry every five steps and a patrol every ten steps.
In front of the main hall of the emperor's palace, Huo Zheng said: "Your Highness, please follow me into the palace."
Mu Sheng was slightly surprised and asked: "Master Xiangguo, don't we have to wait for His Majesty's summons before we can officially enter the palace? Why is this happening today?"
Huo Zheng took a few steps forward, looked back and said, "Your Highness, please follow me into the palace. Your Highness will naturally know about it later."
At this moment, Mu Sheng had an ominous premonition in his heart. Seeing what Huo Zheng said, he had no choice but to follow Mr. Xiangguo into the palace to visit the emperor.
