In the early spring of the thirty-fifth year of Datong, the weather in the north was still cold. Today was the day when the former Lord An Guo and his son Xiu went to Lingnan to live in Tibet.
On the outskirts of Qingyang City, Young Master Xiu was holding his Jueying BMW gifted by the emperor. He was alone except for his family members and only a few personal followers.
The imperial decree conferred the title of Marquis of Dongxiang on the young master Xiu. It sounds like a marquis, but in fact it is just a baron with the lowest treatment. A rural marquis with a household of no more than 100 households. Just because the young master Xiu was guilty of treason before, even if he was punished outside the law. Well, it can only be sealed to this extent.
Gongzixiu looked back at the tall gate of Qingyang City, his expression was as usual, and he seemed to be thinking about something. Although the court had changed a lot, there were still several officials who were in court who insisted on coming to see him off. In fact, they did It was Gongzi Xiu who recommended him to become an official in the first place. Now that Huo Fang is in power, they have already stepped aside. The reason why they can still keep their official positions is just because they are in a low-level position. It is not worth dealing with these little shrimps.
After saying goodbye to several officials, Gongzi Xiu turned around and was about to hit the road to the Lingnan fiefdom. At this moment, there was a sound of horse hooves behind him, and the captain of the prince's guard shouted: "His Royal Highness is here."
The prince's guard of honor and hundreds of guards escorted the prince to the outside of the city.
The prince rode his horse and came to the young master Xiu first. Mu Sheng immediately stepped forward and bowed his hands, saying, "Today, I am here to see Brother Ninth off for a long journey."
A complicated look flashed in Young Master Xiu's eyes, and he stepped forward and saluted: "Thank you, Your Highness, I am inadvertently frightened."
Mu Sheng turned around, picked up the imperial wine from a guard, handed it to Young Master Xiu, and said, "I came here specially to practice it for Ninth Brother, please!" After saying that, Mu Sheng picked up the imperial wine and drank it all in one gulp.
Seeing this, Young Master Xiu took the imperial wine and drank it in one gulp.
Mu Sheng took another jade belt from the tray behind him and handed it to Young Master Xiu, saying: "Brother Ninth, this is given to you by your father. It's a long way to Lingnan. I'm afraid you and I won't be able to see each other again." Yesterday, I asked my father for permission, but I don’t understand why he insisted on asking Ninth Brother to go to Lingnan to live in Tibet, hey!..."
Hearing this, Young Master Xiu bowed and took the jade belt with trembling hands, bowed his head in the direction of Qingyang Palace and said, "Thank you, Father, Your Majesty for ten thousand years. Thank you, Your Highness, for sending me off."
After thanking him, Young Master Xiu emotionally held the jade belt and cried loudly: "Father! What did I do wrong? Father..."
After Young Master Xiu cried for a while, he stood up to calm down. He stepped forward and took Mu Sheng's hand, begging: "Your Highness, if you still recognize me as your brother, can I ask you something? Can you... Are you letting me see my father for the last time?"
Mu Sheng looked at Young Master Xiu like this, but he sighed in his heart, our father has passed away a long time ago, and you may never see him again in the future.
Mu Sheng felt guilty, so naturally he couldn't tell the truth, so he had to open his eyes and tell lies: "Brother Ninth, I begged several times before my father allowed me to come here to practice for you. My father has confessed that he doesn't want to see you. .”
Hearing this, Young Master Xiu looked sad. This was the first time Mu Sheng had seen him break down emotionally, which shows how restrained and cautious he usually is.
Mu Sheng glanced at the five carts of silk and satin behind him, which contained all kinds of fine gold and silver. He had collected these from his Anlehou treasury, and now he planned to give them all to Young Master Xiu, which might help him in his career. The life in that wild land was slightly better, which compensated him to some extent. Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng targeted Young Master Xiu like this. In fact, Mu Sheng probably guessed in his heart who the real heir to the late emperor's decree was.
Mu Sheng pointed to the five carts behind him and said, "Brother Ninth, this is my brother's wish. Please don't refuse."
The young master's shaved face had a strange color, he laughed a few times and sighed: "Your Highness! Born in an imperial family, you can still have some brotherhood. It's rare! I suddenly understand why my father chose you as his heir. I don’t blame you for losing. I have accepted these carts of property from your highness. Your highness, I still have something to ask for. I hope your highness can tell you the truth?"
Mu Sheng nodded slightly and said, "Okay, you go ahead."
Young Master Xiu said: "Your Highness, I would like to know how my father, the Emperor, is doing now."
Mu Sheng remembered that the late emperor's edict would be read out in a few days after the imperial meeting. He pretended to be sad and said: "Brother Ninth, to be honest, my father's physical condition may not make it through this year. Even if the Imperial Master There's nothing you can do to save yourself."
Young Master Xiu was greatly shocked when he heard this. After a while, his expression became extremely sad and he said in a trembling voice: "Thank you, Your Highness, for informing me."
Young Master Xiu bowed again in the direction of Qingyang Palace and choked with sobs: "Father, your sons and ministers are unfilial."
Young Master Xiu knew in his heart that he would definitely never see the emperor for the last time. He knew that some people wanted to drive him out of the capital quickly to avoid future troubles. It seemed that it would not be long before the current crown prince would soon inherit the throne. He sneered in his heart. He had already been transformed into such a virtuous person. What on earth were these people afraid of? Are you so anxious to drive him away? unless……
A shadow flashed across Young Master Xiu's heart. He suddenly remembered the various reasons analyzed by Wei Man in prison, and shook his head secretly. No, if he was the manipulator behind it, he would kill his opponent directly once he gained power, and he would never let him go easily. Is it really a sign of compassion from my father that I am lucky enough to survive?
Young Master Xiu recalled Wei Man's advice to him before the execution platform: as long as he lived, there would always be a chance.
Gongzixiu glanced at the prince and seemed to have let go of his worries. Now that things had happened, he had nothing to lose, so he said in a relaxed tone:
"His Royal Highness, today reminds me of that time. Three years ago, I was here to send you to Zhi County to die. But I didn't expect that it would be me now. Things are unpredictable. I struggled so hard back then. I defeated Fourth Brother, but I didn’t expect that the snipe and the clam would fight, and the fisherman would benefit... It seems that my father still likes you more."
Mu Sheng continued to tell lies with his eyes open, and sighed: "The world is unpredictable, and I never thought that my father would choose me to be the crown prince. I have been with my father for a while, and I still understand his thoughts to some extent. Princes Among them, the two people my father cares about in this life are you, besides the fourth brother, the ruthless prince."
"His Majesty didn't want you to quarrel openly with Fourth Brother. He was afraid that you would be punished when Fourth Brother succeeded to the throne in the future. That's why His Majesty carried me out in order to suppress the violent prince. My father once said personally that among all the princes, you and he are the best. For example, after the death of Prince Ru, he actually wanted to pass the throne to you the most, but he didn’t expect you to be involved in Prince Ru’s military admonishment, which made my father very sad..."
Hearing this, Young Master Xiu nodded and said, "What His Highness said is that I have disappointed my father."
Young Master Xiu sighed and felt a little better, but what's the point of saying this now?
Young Master Xiu smiled helplessly and said: "Your Highness, actually you have mentioned one less person. Among all the princes, the person that my father values is actually you. The child of Mrs. Zhao, my father's most beloved child, was the child of my mother. As I said, Zhao Ji may be the only woman that the father truly loved. When Mrs. Zhao was alive, the father doted on her for ten years until she passed away. You are the only heir of Mrs. Zhao. In the heart of the father, Your status is no less than mine..."
Hearing this, Mu Sheng said, "Maybe, when my father broke the ancestral system of not granting foreign ministers to foreign ministers for me, he probably wanted me to be safe and happy in this life when he named me Marquis of Anle. But I didn't expect that suddenly this heavy burden would be handed over to me. In hand."
The young master said: "Your Highness, from now on, the 800-year-old inheritance of our Mu family since our ancestor Liang Bo will be handed over to you. Your Highness, you should take care of yourself. Now, my father is seriously ill, and Huo Xiang is dictatorial both inside and outside the court. Huo Xiang is my father." The ministers you rely on have been ministers for decades, and your disciples and old officials are all over the government and the public. After your Highness ascends the throne, you must not rush to fight for power with Huo Xiangguo, calm down, and take care of it slowly."
Hearing this, Mu Sheng said gratefully: "Thank you, Ninth Brother, for your advice. Huo Xiangguo is the pillar of the country and an auxiliary minister personally designated by His Majesty. I naturally trust him."
Young Master Xiu said: "Your Highness, what is a loyal minister? Before I leave, I have something to say. When Your Highness actually sits in that position one day, you will understand what it means to be a true loner. Look at my father. Has he ever truly trusted anyone in his life?"
"My father once taught me that the way to be a king is a method of balance. No matter what one's deeds are, one's heart will not matter. Your Highness, after you ascend the throne, you must not trust anyone. Your Highness was also a witness to the Taiji Palace Incident. My father, even his own relatives, Even your son doesn’t believe it, let alone a foreign minister. You and I were both born in this imperial family. No matter how close anyone is to you, you still have to keep a hand. Everyone is thinking about the chair under your butt and what it represents behind it. Power, the country and the country, will be shouldered by His Highness the Crown Prince from now on. Your Majesty, Your Highness, I will say this, and Your Highness Wan Wang will cherish it."
Mu Sheng felt that Young Master Xiu's kind words and advice at this moment were showing his true feelings. In fact, he was also reminding him that Prime Minister Zuo Huo Zheng was not a kind person, so you should be careful in dealing with him in the future. Mu Sheng naturally knew Huo Zheng's character very well. If he really wanted to be loyal to the late emperor, would he change the heir apparent? It's not just that they can't let go of power for their own selfish desires.
Mu Sheng knew that Young Master Xiu also had good intentions, so he bowed and said, "Thank you, Brother Ninth, for reminding me. I have learned a lesson."
Young Master Xiu pointed at the Jueying Horse beside him and said: "Your Highness, this is the bloody horse that my father gave me back then. I am afraid that if you follow me south this time, you will be in a useless place. A good thousand-mile horse will die in the stable." It is also a shame. I hope that Your Highness can take good care of it for me, so that you and my brother will not be in vain."
Mu Sheng nodded and said, "Okay, Ninth Brother, don't worry, I will take good care of it."
Young Master Xiu handed the horse rope to Mu Sheng's hand, turned around and kowtowed a few times in the direction of the palace, then got on another horse, looked back and saluted His Highness with a fist, then rode the horse and left.
Mu Sheng watched as Young Master Xiu's figure gradually moved away. The Jueying beside him was restless, pawing his hooves as if trying to catch up with his master.
Mu Sheng reached out and touched the horse's mane in an attempt to calm its mood. He watched Gongzi Xiu's team gradually disappear behind the horizon, then he got on Jueying and rode back to the city...
The tone of Gongzixiu's last words was extremely sad. Perhaps he was using his beloved horse to reflect his unsuccessful life? Maybe this farewell is an eternal farewell, and we will never see each other again!
To be honest, Mu Sheng still has a good impression of this brave young master Xiu in his heart. If he didn't have to fight for the chair...
With Prince Xiu far away from home, the drama of fighting for imperial power finally came to an end.
