As the sun sets in the west, the dragon boat slowly moves eastward, along the Bianhe River, towards Yingtian Mansion in Nanjing during the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Huan, the crown prince of the Song Dynasty, who had already changed into mourning clothes, was sitting blankly in the largest cabin on the dragon boat, his eyes were dull, his face was stained with tears, and he said nothing.
The dozen or so important ministers who had escaped from Kaifeng Mansion with him, as well as Tong Guan who had returned with Zhang Bangchang and Geng Nanzhong, were all standing weakly in this large cabin. Everyone was thinking about the sad expression they should have when Jun's father died, but they were speechless.
Logically speaking, now that the king's father is dead, and the country cannot live without a king for a day, and the crown prince is at hand, the ministers should naturally ask the prince Zhao Huan to assume the throne as soon as possible and be responsible for the rise and fall of the world.
But the question is... can the stupid and cowardly prince in front of him really be responsible for the rise and fall of the world? Now the Song army has suffered a new defeat, officials have died for the country, and Kaifeng Prefecture in Tokyo has also given up. Although the world is huge, there are still many territories belonging to the Song Dynasty. But the strength that Prince Zhao Huan can hold in his hands is very limited!
Now it can be said that he wants troops but has no soldiers, and wants money but doesn’t seem to have much money!
This is not the worst thing. The worst thing is that His Royal Highness has a crazy brother, and this crazy brother also controls the most powerful force in the Song Dynasty-the Hebei and Hedong legions!
On the day Zhao Ji died in battle, he had received a memorial from the Hebei Marshal's Office about the "Victory at Niangziguan", "Victory at the Pingding Army", and "Victory at Taiyuan Prefecture"... This memorial was transferred from the Privy Council of Kaifeng Prefecture. It was given to Zhao Ji, so the people around Zhao Huan already knew the contents.
This mad king is so good at fighting, and he has already made it clear that he wants to be Zhao Shimin. How can he be willing to succumb to Zhao Huan now?
The day when Zhao Huan ascended the throne was the beginning of civil strife in the Song Dynasty!
An invasion of Jin soldiers has already severely damaged the vitality of the Song Dynasty, and it has reached the point of dying. If there is another fight between brothers, will the Song Dynasty be completely finished?
But one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, and one country cannot survive two masters... Can Zhao Kai, who has a heavy army and has coveted the throne for many years, give in to the battle for the throne at this time?
This kind of matter is a matter of life and death, so how can we give in? As the crown prince of the country, Zhao Huan could give in when his officials were killed in battle?
And since ancient times, how many princes who have not become emperors have died a good death?
The air pressure in the cabin is getting lower and lower, and the air is filled with a dangerous smell. Everyone feels depressed...
I don’t know how long it took before I heard Zhao Huan’s teacher, Privy Councilor Geng Nazhong, cough, breaking the low and depressing atmosphere.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, the country cannot live without a king for a day! Your Highness is the direct eldest son of the late emperor and the crown prince of the country. His title has long been determined, and everyone knows it. Now it is time to succeed to the throne as soon as possible and take over the throne as soon as possible, so as to reassure the people of the world!"
As soon as Geng Nanzhong took the lead, all the ministers present also followed suit and persuaded Zhao Huan to advance. Even Tong Guan, who had always supported Zhao Kai, persuaded Zhao Huan to advance - Zhao Huan had no military strength compared to Zhao Kai, and it would take more than one sentence to win over Tong Guan, who had already lost the Shengjie Army. Something? Therefore, Tong Guan, who was on the edge of a knife, did not dare to mention any "official edict". If he didn't mention it, he might not be able to survive. If he did, he would die!
After finally receiving the words of encouragement below, Zhao Huan seemed to be more energetic, but he did not agree immediately - it was not that he didn't want to do it, but that being an emperor was something he was forced to do on a temporary basis... .. Only in this way can you appear virtuous!
In addition, Zhao Huan now has no soldiers in his hands and is panicking. He doesn't know how to deal with his good brother Zhao Ji.
Thinking of this, Zhao Huan sighed, "The revenge for killing my father is irreconcilable! Now that the irreconcilable revenge has not been avenged, my family is ashamed of the late emperor, ashamed of the curse, and ashamed of the hundreds of millions of people in the world. How dare That is the position of emperor? King Zhao Kai of Yun is the best at using soldiers and is deeply loved by the late emperor. The late emperor seems to have the intention of passing on the throne, so it is better to invite him to inherit the throne and preside over the cause of revenge and revival... The princes think how?"
"No!" Geng Nanzhong was the first to jump out and object, "His Royal Highness's title of crown prince has been decided for a long time. How can Prince Yun give it up now on the grounds that he is good at using soldiers? To inherit the throne, one should establish a direct descendant, not a virtuous one. Be brave... otherwise the great principles of the world will not exist! If those who are good at using soldiers can inherit the throne, then wouldn't Emperor Gao of the Han Dynasty want Han Xin as his heir? Should Emperor Suzong of the Tang Dynasty give up the throne to Guo Linggong? "
After Geng Nanzhong made an impassioned speech, all the officials present spoke in agreement, led by the prince's mentor.
Zhao Huan looked at Tong Guan and asked, "Sir Tong, what do you think?"
Tong Guanxin said: This is what your father meant when he died! And many people heard it...A few of them were not caught by the gold thieves, and I don't know where they went?
Of course I can't tell Zhao Kai what I'm thinking. Tong Guan doesn't want to die yet...
"Your Highness," Tong Guandao said, "Now foreign enemies have invaded, the late emperor is in trouble, and the country is in danger of overthrowing... You and King Yun are close brothers. We should work together to defend against foreign invaders and avenge the late emperor together!"
"This is what the Gu family is thinking too!" Zhao Huan nodded in agreement.
"His Royal Highness King Yun must also think so." Tong Guan already understood what Zhao Huan meant, so he continued, "I am willing to go to Hedong to convey His Highness's wishes to King Yun... "
Tong Guan actually raised a question - what is Zhao Huan's quotation?
Of course, the current Zhao Huan will not propose to take back Zhao Kai's military power and territory... He is not that stupid! Provoking Zhao Kai won't do him a penny's good!
The most important thing now is to determine the name!
Now as long as Zhao Kai can recognize Zhao Huan's status as emperor, it will be no problem for Zhao Huan to make Zhao Kai a vassal king! You can even take it a step further and give him a "royal brother"!
Zhao Huan said: "The Gu family wants the third brother to be the marshal of the army of Hedong and Hebei, and to be granted the title of King of Jin, and to be granted the title of 30,000 households in Taiyuan!"
Tong Guan asked: "Your Highness, what does this seal mean..."
Zhao Huan said: "The palace of Taiyuan belongs to the King of Jin, and the court does not care about it! The title of the King of Jin and the title of Taiyuan can be hereditary!"
Is this condition sincere enough? Zhao Huan gave it to Zhao Kai without saying a word to "control Hedong"!
In addition, a Jin king with 30,000 households was added. With these 30,000 households, Zhao Kai could become a "local official" after closing the door in Taiyuan Mansion.
If Zhao Kai didn't want to immediately break up with the imperial court and start a war, there should be no reason to refuse, right?
Upon hearing this condition, all the courtiers, including Tong Guan, felt their eyes light up - although the Crown Prince was a little timid, he was quite experienced in politics, able to bend, stretch, coax and deceive, and his body was very soft. of!
On the other hand, Zhao Kai was not only tough and domineering, but he also looked down upon the scholar-bureaucrats! If a fight starts immediately, Zhao Kai may be able to defeat Zhao Huan with his strength, but if there is no fight or a fight for the time being, Zhao Kai may not be Zhao Huan's opponent!
Tong Guan remained calm and just asked for Zhao Kai: "Your Highness, these things you gave to King Yun...do you have to wait until you ascend the throne before issuing a major edict?"
Zhao Huan said: "The Gu family must first redeem the late emperor's body, and then hold a funeral for the late emperor, and then talk about other things... Therefore, the title of King of Jin cannot be honored for the time being, but the power of controlling Hedong can be used as a prisoner." Issue an edict in the name of the country and promulgate it to the world!"
He thought for a while and then said: "In addition, the Gu family will also accept all the official positions previously requested by the Hebei Marshal's Office for meritorious soldiers!"
High!
The ministers present were about to shout loudly!
Zhao Huan was so clever... Not only did he give Zhao Kai the power to control Hedong, but all his subordinates were promoted to high positions, and he also issued edicts to the world!
This is tantamount to announcing to the whole world that Zhao Huan is the king and Zhao Kai is the minister - and the two things of "controlling the east of the river" and "transfer and promotion of meritorious officers and soldiers" were both proposed to the court by Zhao Kai himself!
It’s just that at that time, the official family of the Song Dynasty was still Zhao Ji...
Of course Tong Guan knew what Zhao Huan was thinking, but he couldn't confront Zhao Huan face to face, so he had to say something to the public: "Your Highness, I believe that His Highness King Yun is well aware of righteousness and will definitely not reject His Highness's kindness... ...Old minister, you can take a trip to Hedong!"
Zhao Huan nodded and said: "Okay, then there will be the official Lao Tong!"
...
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