In Jiankang City, on the iron-grey sky, a dark cloud floated from the northwest, and it suddenly covered the poisonous sun that was shining brightly just now.
The big brass bell in the Ming Tower of Jiankang Palace suddenly rang. Then, the bells on Ximing Gate, Jianyang Gate, Da Sima Gate and all the towers in the outer city all rang in unison!
That is the Jingyang Bell, which was used during the funeral of the emperor and empress.
"Return to the upper level!" "Return to the upper level..."
An old, beardless eunuch stretched out his arms and opened a black dragon robe embroidered with dragon patterns on the roof of the Taiji Hall of Jiankang Palace, facing the north and shouting loudly.
At the same time, the old eunuch swung his dragon robe rhythmically, and in his hazy eyes, tears gradually fell down along the whirling crow's feet.
This is an ancient soul-calling ritual. The ancients believed that the soul of a person who had just died must not have gone far away. As long as it can be recalled in time, it can bring people back to life.
On the seventh day of the fifth lunar month in the tenth year of Taiyuan, the Jin court officially announced to the world that the ninth emperor of the Jin Dynasty, Sima Changming, died in the Wang Chen Rebellion. He reigned for fourteen years at the age of only twenty-four. The posthumous edict was dictated by the imperial edict and established the eldest son, King Langya. Sima Dezong became the crown prince and ascended the throne.
At the same time, the Jin court issued an edict to honor Chen Guifei as the Queen Mother, appointed Wang Xun, the right servant of She, as the Shangshu Ling, Wang Gong, the Minister of Zhongshu, as the Supervisor of the Zhongshu. Fuyi Tongsansi changed the title of Wudu County Duke to Linhe County Duke. The original position of Zuopushe Guobao, Shangshu Province, remained unchanged. The above four people also served as auxiliary ministers, handling court affairs on behalf of the emperor.
At this moment, the new emperor Sima Dezong, who was only three years old, was kneeling in front of the coffin of the late king in Xianyang Palace to observe mourning. This mourning dress was made of the coarsest raw linen and cut into pieces. It leaks everywhere and doesn’t stop at the edges. It’s very heavy!
Sima Dezong's narrow, immature shoulders were almost suffocated by the miniature mourning clothes!
The cries of the ministers and concubines of the Manchu Dynasty had been ringing in his ears for three days and three nights. His biological mother, Queen Mother Chen, had fainted from crying and was recuperating in the Tai Chi side hall. The three auxiliary ministers were dealing with the military affairs. I am extremely busy with important events and dealing with the funeral envoys sent from various counties!
Xu Mansion, Xu Zongwen's bedroom.
"General Xu is enjoying a leisurely life. The other three assistant ministers are very busy, but you are sleeping in the mansion." A familiar voice came from outside the door. Xu Zongwen got up from the couch and hurriedly covered the map on the case.
"Creak!" With a sound, the door was pushed open, and the person who walked in was none other than Yin Zhongkan, the servant under the door.
After the death of King Kuaiji, all his political orders were deposed, and those he promoted were demoted one after another. Those who were demoted by him were gradually restored to their official posts under the instructions of Wang Xun, the minister of letters. Yin Zhongkan was among them.
"It turns out it's Shizhong Yin. Xu didn't know that Shizhong Yin came to visit unexpectedly. It was a mistake to greet him from afar, but I'm sorry for the rudeness!" Xu Zongwen stood up to greet his old boss.
There was no trace of a smile on Yin Zhongkan's charcoal face. He sat down casually and asked Xu Zongwen: "The late emperor died suddenly, and the four auxiliary ministers appointed were inappropriate. I suspect that someone must have tampered with it. This is not Your Majesty's. The last edict! If the general knows the inside story, please let me know. I would be very grateful!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yin Zhongkan straightened his waist and arched his head toward Xu Zongwen.
Among the four auxiliary ministers, Wang Xun is the head of the Langya Wang family and ranks first, followed by his uncle Wang Gong, who is from the Wang family in Taiyuan, and the third is Xu Zongwen. The last one, Wang Guobao, due to his sudden defection, plus As the head of the Wang family in Taiyuan, he was accidentally included in the list of auxiliary ministers.
Yin Zhongkan had a problem in his heart. He was the late emperor's confidant. He was not included in the list of auxiliary ministers when the late emperor died. This was so aggrieved!
Xu Zongwen sneered in his heart, this Yin Zhongkan, I originally thought he was somewhat resourceful, but now it seems that he is just a man wearing the trappings of a nobleman, but he is actually more rough and reckless than a warrior.
Even if someone has tampered with such a major matter as the imperial edict, now that it has been promulgated to the world, who will investigate the authenticity?
It is really not a rational move to come directly to the Xu Mansion to ask for the truth.
Xu Zongwen's expression turned cold, and he said coldly: "Servant Yin, Xu, together with Wang Lingjun, Guojiu, and Wang Pushe, accepted the imperial edict in front of His Majesty's dragon bed. I have neither the hands or feet you mentioned nor any other inside information to tell you. Please Be careful what you say!"
Yin Zhongkan had a look of surprise on his face, he stuttered, couldn't speak for a moment, and simply slammed the door and left.
"Shu Zi is not enough!" Xu Zongwen shook his head and asked Pang Bai to invite Xi Jian and Guo Shang.
Xu Zongwen slowly unfolded the map of the Sanwu area: "According to the latest intelligence report from Jinyiwei, the rebel Sun En has grown to 50,000 people. He has just captured Kuaiji County, Wu County has fallen, and Wuxing County is also in danger. If the imperial court does not send troops again, I am afraid that Chengwei has great potential!"
The cities occupied by Sun En and Xu Zongwen were all marked with a red pen. At first glance, Wu County, Wuxing, Kuaiji, and most of the three counties in the Sanwu region were all red!
Guo Shang frowned: "My lord, there are many believers in Tianshi Dao in Sanwu. Sun En's rebellion relied on these believers to achieve its current prosperity. If Tianshi Dao can be destroyed, or Tianshi Dao can be disintegrated, , quelling chaos will get twice the result with half the effort!”
Xi Jian shook his head: "My lord, although Zi Jin's suggestion is a good idea, we have nothing to do with Tianshi Dao, and we don't even know the weaknesses of Tianshi Dao. We want to solve it from within and reduce the level of Tianshi Dao. I’m afraid the impact is not that simple.”
Xu Zongwen was granted the title of Kaifu Yitong Sansi by the Jin court, and he had the power to recruit his own staff. General Fu who conquered Beida also became the official residence of the Jin court. Therefore, Guo Shang and Xi Jian both changed their titles and called him "Xu Zongwen". Lord.
"What Zi Jin and Shou Yue said are reasonable. I have an idea on how to dismantle Tianshi Dao. The current problem is who to send to conquer Sun En?"
Xu Zongwen made the decision straightforwardly, he really knew someone in Tianshi Dao! However, Liu Laozhi is not in Jiankang, and Zhang Songzhi has become the commander-in-chief of the Forbidden Army. Now that the old and the new are changing, he must also be in charge of Jiankang. Pei Qing and Shen Yu are far away in Luoyang and cannot quench their thirst. He has no one in his hands. !
In the past, Xu Zongwen was imprisoned by King Jiankang for beating Xun Chong. In prison, he met an old Taoist by chance. Xu Zongwen asked Jin Yiwei to visit him many times but his identity was unknown. After the death of Sun Tai, the master of the country, Jiankang Warden Chen Si finally found out the details of the old man. Chen Si contacted Pang Bai and reported the details to Xu Zongwen one by one.
It turns out that the old Taoist imprisoned in Jiankang Boss is not an ordinary person, but the former leader of Tianshi Tao who is rumored to have been dead for more than ten years - Du Mingshi Du Zigong!
Xu Zongwen secretly fished out Du Zigong, an old Taoist, from Jiankang Prison and placed him in a hidden place outside Jiankang City, in order to guard against the Tianshi Tao from causing chaos and one day be able to surprise and win!
At this time, it seems that Xu Zongwen's worries have become a reality, because Sun Tai's death triggered Sun En's rebellion in advance, and Tianshi Dao finally embarked on the road of no return!
"Lord, Shang thought there was someone who could do the job!" Guo Shang's words immediately attracted the attention of Xu Zongwen and Xi Jian.
Xu Zongwen hurriedly asked: "Zijin, if you have a suitable candidate, please speak up!"
Guo Chang looked at Xu Zongwen and Xi Jian with a smile, and opened his mouth to propose: "Xie Yan, the son of Grand Tutor Xie An, General Huwei, and Duke of Wangcai County, is brave and resourceful. He also participated in the Northern Expedition with the general, and he is quite prestigious in the army. You can fight Sun En."
Xu Zongwen thought about it and realized that Xie Yan was really suitable.
After the death of Taifu Xie An, the Xie family in Chen County declined rapidly. Xie Yan was originally a proud man, but after experiencing family changes, he began to calm down. He frequently showed his favor to Xu Zongwen and tried his best to quell Wang Chen's rebellion.
If Xie Yan is given the important task of quelling the chaos, there shouldn't be much of a problem given his ability.
"Okay! Immediately send my invitation to my uncle Wang Gong. I will go to Wang Lingjun's house tonight to have a good discussion." Xu Zongwen clapped his hands and expressed his feelings, and immediately called Pang Bai to give instructions. .
