The sky was a bit foggy, Qingyang Palace, the four seas united in one palace, Mu Sheng was dressed in imperial robes, and Yang Jin, the manager of the inner court, shouted "Your Majesty has arrived." Shi Shiran came to the main hall, preparing to ascend to the throne and govern.
Before he could be formally enthroned, all the ministers in the Four Seas Guiyi Palace sang in unison to the emperor's throne: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live..."
This shocked Mu Sheng. He hadn't even been enthroned yet. Why were these people paying homage blindly?
Before Mu Sheng could react, a majestic voice came from the throne behind him: "Your Majesty, please be safe."
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
This voice made his hair stand on end instantly. He was so familiar with this voice. He slowly turned around and looked at the person who was sitting on the throne and wearing the imperial uniform like himself. His face was full of disbelief.
Mu Sheng said in a trembling voice: "Father? Is father really you? You...are you still alive?"
Sitting on the throne was Emperor Zhaowu, the third generation of the Jin Dynasty, the great monarch who once wiped out all the princes in the world and unified the country.
Mu Sheng stepped forward and subconsciously knelt down to salute. At this time, Lu Liang, the general manager of the inner court, stepped forward to support Mu Sheng and said: "Master Sheng, you are also the emperor now, and there is no need to meet His Majesty with the courtesy of a minister."
Mu Sheng turned his head at a loss and looked at Eunuch Lu of Lu Liang, who had served as the general manager of the inner court, and asked doubtfully: "Eunuch Lu? Weren't you already forced to death by Huo Xiang? How could it be?"
Lu Liang smiled mysteriously without any explanation.
At this time, the Third Emperor Zhaowu on the throne looked at him with kind eyes and said: "Sheng'er, come here and let me take a good look."
Mu Sheng still looked at a loss. When his father called him, he subconsciously stepped forward.
He walked a few steps and was startled. He quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed: "Father, I am guilty. I should not..."
Emperor Zhaowu said kindly: "Sheng'er, please get up. I know that the end is over now. Can you still return the throne to your Ninth Brother?"
Mu Sheng was stunned when he heard this, and his mind was confused. He didn't understand how his father could come back from the dead? Could it be that my father really became an immortal?
Emperor Zhaowu stepped forward to help Mu Sheng up from his throne and looked at him and said: "Sheng'er, it's not your fault. It's because I don't know people well. I actually appointed treacherous ministers with evil intentions like Huo Zheng and Zhao Shu as auxiliary ministers. It’s my fault.”
Mu Sheng said in a trembling voice: "Father, don't you blame me?"
Emperor Zhaowu smiled and shook his head and said: "Of course I won't blame you. You are also of my bloodline. If it weren't for Xiu'er and Zhuyu, in fact, Sheng'er, you are also the heir that I want to cultivate. It's really God's foresight. With the blessing of my ancestors, fortunately, the throne has been handed over to you, which can be regarded as a great blessing among misfortunes. I am very relieved that my ancestors' inheritance of more than 800 years can be handed over to you. It is really God who has blessed me with the Jin Dynasty."
Mu Sheng had tears in his eyes. No child does not want to be recognized by his parents. He said in an excited tone: "Father..."
Emperor Zhaowu patted Mu Sheng on the shoulder and said, "Sheng'er, would you like to accompany your father to Ganquan Palace?"
Mu Sheng naturally nodded in agreement. Along the way, Mu Sheng kept explaining to his father his political strategy after he succeeded to the throne. Emperor Zhaowu nodded frequently as he listened.
Emperor Zhaowu sighed: "Sheng'er, since I unified the world, I have frequently increased taxes on the people, and the corvee labor has been heavy. The world has just been settled, and there are many things to do. I can only suffer the people temporarily. From now on, what you have to do is With the widespread implementation of benevolent policies, the feudal princes in the world have been fighting and warring for more than six hundred years. It’s time to take a good rest.”
Mu Sheng said: "Father, what you are saying is that when I was touring the world, I issued an edict to reduce the taxes of the people in various counties and counties by half. It has been implemented for more than four months now, and it should have some results..."
Emperor Zhaowu said: "Well, only in this way can the people of the world join me in the Jin Dynasty."
The two generations of emperors, father and son, chatted side by side for a long time until they came to the Ganquan Palace in the Royal Garden.
The two of them walked to a pavilion, and a melodious and melodious sound of the guqin came from the pavilion. Mu Sheng could only see the figure of a woman in the pavilion, but he couldn't tell who she was.
At this time, Emperor Zhaowu said in a serious tone: "Sheng'er, I'm leaving. Before I leave, I want to know how you want to arrange your ninth brother?"
This question stunned Mu Sheng. Yesterday he hinted that his uncle Zhao Chu would find an opportunity to kill the young master to eliminate future troubles. How could he dare to tell the truth now in front of his father?
Mu Sheng could only hide his guilt and said: "Uh... Father, don't worry. Although Ninth Brother has competed with me for the position, he is my brother after all. Blood is thicker than water, and I will protect him." Zhou Quan, apart from not giving up the throne to him, there is no problem in protecting his wealth for the rest of his life."
Emperor Zhaowu seemed to have seen through Mu Sheng's lies a long time ago, and said sincerely: "Sheng'er, you know that I valued Xiu'er very much in the past. Xiu'er is the same as me in appearance and temperament. He is in my heart The position is even more important than that of Prince Bai, the rebellious son. If it weren't for the ancestral precept of establishing a direct heir, he might have become the prince long ago. If it is not necessary, you must ensure that my son will be rich and honorable for the rest of his life. This is my only wish."
After hearing this, Mu Sheng was shocked in his heart. He was silent for a long time and said in a sincere tone: "Father, don't worry, as long as my son is still here, no one in this world will dare to attack Young Master Xiu."
Emperor Zhaowu heard Mu Sheng's repeated assurances and nodded happily. He took a deep look at Mu Sheng and then turned and walked into the pavilion. The woman in the pavilion was wearing a queen's crown. When she saw Emperor Zhaowu coming, she stood up Come to greet him and call him your majesty.
A rare tenderness flashed in Emperor Zhaowu's eyes. He took the woman's hand and said, "Man'er, take a good look. Our Sheng'er has now grown up and become the emperor, and has become the most noble person in the world."
When Mu Sheng saw the woman's true appearance, he was shocked. Wasn't this his biological mother, Mrs. Zhao Ji Zhao, who had passed away long ago? He couldn't help shouting subconsciously: "Mom? Is it really you? Mom..."
The woman looked at him without saying a word. She just smiled gently at him and nodded slightly in response to Mu Sheng's call.
Just when Mu Sheng was about to step forward to salute his mother, the fog in the entire world became thicker and thicker, until the figures of Emperor Zhaowu and Queen Zhao Ji gradually disappeared into the boundless thick fog.
Mu Sheng ran towards them desperately, calling: "Father, Queen, wait for Sheng'er..."
Changchun Palace, in the emperor's chamber, on the bed, Mu Sheng suddenly stood up and sat up in a sweat, and subconsciously called "Mother" in his mouth. He was stunned for a long time, raised his arms and looked at his hands, and then at the flickering candlelight in the hall. The moonlight outside the window sprinkled shadows on the ground through the window grilles. It was still late at night.
Only then did Mu Sheng realize that it turned out to be a dream. Looking back on everything in the dream, he could still remember it clearly, as if it were a dream or an illusion, as if it had really happened.
Mu Sheng was a little surprised. As a Taoist, he understood the meaning of dreams, but after cultivating to the state of knowing one's mind and nature, it was impossible to dream. Basically, he slept until dawn. It is said that real people have no dreams.
Just when he was doubtful, a pair of catkins stretched out from behind him, put the clothes on him thoughtfully, hugged his back and whispered softly: "Your Majesty, what's wrong with you?"
Mu Sheng turned his head and looked at the stunning beauty behind him, who was the maid Li Yu who came to bed tonight.
"Xu'er, it's nothing. You should rest first. I want to be alone for a while."
"Yes." Li Yu responded obediently and stopped disturbing the emperor.
Mu Sheng stood up, dismissed the palace guards who were keeping watch, and took a sip of water in front of the table. He couldn't help but think of the late emperor's repeated instructions to him in the dream just now. He hesitated for a long time, then looked back at the woman on the dragon bed who once belonged to his father, Mrs. Sun, and now the maid Li Shu who came to attend the bed. He couldn't help but panic in his heart. He had cut off Ninth Brother's throne and occupied it again. Although the late emperor's favorite concubine had a reason, her behavior was no different from that of an animal according to current moral standards. Mu Sheng thought about it, and since he had agreed to the late emperor's request, he decided to follow the late emperor's instructions. The so-called You have no joke.
Thinking of the late emperor's instructions in his dream, he felt a little helpless and thought to himself, Young Master Xiu, Young Master Xiu is indeed the prince that the old man valued most when he was alive. Even if he goes to heaven, he still misses you in his heart, and he actually made a special trip to ask his dream to keep you safe. , I’m afraid I won’t be able to find another person with such treatment. Since the old man has spoken, I can only do what he wants...
Early the next morning, in Zhangtai Palace, Mu Sheng was discussing politics with the two prime ministers on his left and right, and Young Master Xiu came to see the emperor.
Young Master Xiu entered the palace and paid homage: "Long live my emperor, long live my emperor. This time I have been favored by His Majesty and am able to return to the capital to visit my relatives. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I will set off today to return to the Lingnan fiefdom."
Mu Sheng stood up and came to Gongzi Xiu's side. He remembered the late emperor's dream last night. How about forcing Gongzi Xiu to write a poem in seven steps to save his life?
Mu Sheng shook his head and gave up the boring idea, then stepped forward to help him up and said: "Brother Ninth, this is not an easy journey. I have often thought of the old things between you and my brother in Qingyang in the past few days. Why don't you leave in a few days and accompany me to Shanglin Garden to hunt and relax."
Young Master Xiu didn't understand why, so he had no choice but to agree: "When your Majesty calls you, I will naturally accompany you to the end."
Mu Sheng smiled and said: "Okay, this is my good brother." He turned to the chief minister of the inner court: "Yang Jin, declare the edict."
"promise."
Young Master Xiu was heartbroken, but he quickly knelt down to accept the order.
Yang Jin read out: "In response to Tianshun's timing, and under the order of the emperor, the edict reads: Dongxiang Hou Gongzi repairs, loyalty and filial piety are restrained, weapons are deep, relatives and virtuous people are far away, Ren Wei Xunde, during the reign of Datong, Dong Yi invaded the border, Gongzi Xiu I first praised the clever plan, personally led the powerful troops, killed the generals, captured the flag, and retreated thousands of miles to Dong Yi, so that the enemy chiefs of Dong Yi did not dare to invade the border at the border for several years. This is sincerely a great achievement for our court. I am mindful of it and amnesty. For the previous crime, I decreed that the young master should be granted the title of Marquis of Ping'an, with a settlement of ten thousand households, and the fiefdom should be changed to Xin'an County, Xinchuan County. This would be announced to the world, and the Xian envoys would be informed."
Young Master Xiuzhen didn't expect that his younger brother would be exempted from his crime and actually make himself the Marquis of Wanhu?
Young Master Xiu hurriedly stepped forward to accept the order, bowed and saluted and said: "I weep and kowtow, Your Majesty is as virtuous as heaven. I will never repay your kindness even if I die. The Jin Dynasty will last for ten thousand years. Long live your Majesty, long live, long live."
Mu Sheng smiled and said: "I also specially ordered five hundred elites from the Forbidden Army to be assigned to the Ping'an Marquis Mansion as Ninth Brother's personal guard. I can protect you on the way back to Lingnan this time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"
Young Master Xiu knew very well, where are these personal guards? These are clearly the five hundred pairs of eyes responsible for monitoring him. Needless to say, the leader of this group must have the power to secretly inform the emperor. But Young Master Xiu was still ecstatically kowtowing and thanking him after hearing this. The emperor's arrangement showed that he had no intention of attacking him for the time being, otherwise there would be no need to send five hundred people as his personal bodyguards.
If you really want to get rid of him, it couldn't be easier. As long as the emperor's eyes hint, there are many people who will reasonably and legally eliminate this hidden danger for the master. The emperor's majesty, why not do this? Who told him not to fight for that position back then? Now I can only cook the fish on the chopping board. Life and death depend on Xinjun's thoughts.
The emperor's arrangement was obviously beyond the expectations of the right prime minister Zhao Chu. Zhao Chu said in his heart that it seemed that the emperor had changed his mind again, and he would have to persuade the emperor to eradicate the problem as soon as possible.
