Lin'an City.
Logically speaking, with such a big commotion outside, the Imperial City should have received the news long ago.
But it's strange, no, there is no change at all in the palace. People from the Imperial City Department are mixed with Wang Xie's people. You look at your inner palace, and I stare at mine. The female officials are very busy, in order to provide the emperor The Queen Mother repaired the beads on her shoes, and they had tried almost every method; the eunuchs were more relaxed, but they still seemed to be in a hurry when they came in and out.
It seemed like just another ordinary day.
Zhao Huan's identity is still unclear, but this unclearness comes from everyone's unfamiliarity with the identity of the Supreme Emperor. Although there are old examples from the previous dynasties, a more recent example is right in front of you... Huizong's Zen position at that time Sometimes, it is true that he did not give up all his power. Many times he just gave up his status, and he still had to take charge of more things.
Therefore, it does not seem that unacceptable for Emperor Xiaociyuan to interfere with political affairs.
In the Chui Gong Hall, Hu Quan's eyes were red... Just by looking at his expression, you could tell that he must be very depressed. He also saw Liu Ziyu and others frowning, Wan Qixi was extremely nervous, and old man Su Fu sighed; on the other side , Zhang Jun had a smile in his eyes, Gou Long Ruyuan, and Lin Yifei were full of ambition, not to mention Wang Ciweng, a group of officials working as coolies. His previous official position was the largest, and his current life was the best. , although he has not resumed his official status, he has become Prime Minister Zhang's right-hand man.
It is said that one can enjoy the shade by leaning against a big tree, but without the big tree of Yongjia County King, Zhao Huan's lap was hugged instead.
It's really a blessing in disguise.
Apart from the emperor, who still had a gentle face, the one who was the calmest was Zhao Ding and Prime Minister Zhao.
Zhao Huan saw the expressions of everyone in his eyes... In this life, he spent one out of four days in the Kingdom of Jin in fear. He had lived enough life as a servant. Although he returned to Lin'an not long ago, these ten thousand people The feeling above really made him a little obsessed.
It was really pleasant.
"So, since you have no objections, then it has been settled that the military expenditures will be cut in half?"
As he spoke, he had already begun to order the eunuchs to draft an edict:
"Wu Lin has controlled Sichuan and Shaanxi for many years, and all taxes are collected by himself. In emergencies, expedient measures should be taken. Now..."
He was only halfway through his words when he was interrupted by Zhao Ding:
"This is not allowed."
Um?
Zhao Huan was a little unresponsive... Zhao Ding was the most obedient. This seemed to be the first time he had opposed him.
Moreover, Emperor Xiaociyuan Sheng was sensitive and noticed that he did not even wear his honorific title at this time.
Although this person only said four words, his tone was firm, but there was no room for negotiation at all... It was more like informing, informing myself.
Not to mention the emperor, the rest of the people also looked at this Prime Minister Zhao with some surprise. This Prime Minister Zhao had already stood on the opposite side in their hearts, asking for everything from the two people coming from the north.
Zhao Huan cleared his throat and said softly:
"Shicai didn't say it well, why not?"
Zhang Jun is the happiest person with Zhao Ding's appearance. He knows Zhao Ding's character and his temperament that will never be matched with Zhao Huan. He even guessed why he has always been so weak. After all, the two of them have been fighting for so many years and already know the basics.
Now that he stood up, Zhang Jun immediately asked:
"When the princes were discussing it before, Prime Minister Zhao didn't say a word; now that the results have been achieved, why should he go against everyone?"
"In the counties along the southeastern coast, I have also seen Prime Minister Zha Zi from the Shipping Department of various cities. How many ships have been stopped this year, and how many people's property has been confiscated in the north. With the help of Goryeo, how many people can go north?" The line with the Wonu Kingdom has almost been cut off."
"This year's taxes will be at least 30% less than last year. If there is no reduction, the court's money will be consumed for several years. Does Zhao Xiang know that?"
Zhao Ding nodded: "Xiang Zhang is absolutely right."
Before the emperor's expression could calm down, and before everyone's disappointment could overtake him, Zhao Ding said again:
"But it still doesn't work."
"you……"
Seeing him talking like this, Zhang Jun said no more, bowed to the emperor, and returned to his seat.
"Prime Minister Zhao confused me. Prime Minister Zhang is right, but why do you still think it's not possible?"
Zhao Ding bowed towards His Majesty and said:
"Because this is the decision of the officials."
this……
No one expected that Prime Minister Zhao would carry out the emperor at this time.
Everyone knows that the name of the emperor is useful, but how to use it and when to use it must be clearly thought out.
Different people have different usages. If Su Fu brought this person out, everyone might just smile. If Hu Quan brought it out, he would immediately be known as a threat to the emperor.
Only when Zhao Ding is lifted out will it be most useful and not be underestimated.
Just like now, the officials behind Zhang Jun seemed to have thought of something unhappy after hearing Zhao Ding's words. The pride on their faces disappeared in an instant, and they all seemed to have died. .
Zhao Huan was a little confused, but still smiled awkwardly:
"Nine... Ninth brother is not here for the time being, so I am just going to do the work for you first. It is my brother's responsibility to come here, and I came here because I listened to the Queen Mother's words."
"If Prime Minister Zhao feels that what I have done is inappropriate, then I will not do it and Prime Minister Zhao will make the decision on his own."
He has already carried out the Queen Mother. For this emperor who has no military power, this is his greatest support.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ding couldn't get enough oil and salt, so he dropped this sentence:
"You are wise."
Then he retreated.
The atmosphere in this palace began to become a little weird. There were several things mentioned next, from the new residence of Taixue to the upcoming examination of the Ministry of Etiquette, from adding a new martial arts class to returning the Jin people to Emperor Huizong. Anyway, as long as the other side agrees with the coffin, Zhao Ding will oppose it, and as long as the other side opposes it, Zhao Ding will agree.
If there was any disagreement, he would bring it to Zhao Guan's house and say that he had already made plans, and the other party lost his temper.
Zhao Huan was a little confused about the temper of Prime Minister Zhao. He was fine yesterday, but how come he seemed to be a different person after only one night.
Now the people below started to quarrel again, and he felt heavy-headed and uneasy at the same time.
After calling the eunuch at the side, he asked in a low voice:
"Where is Marshal Wang? Why haven't I seen his guard today?"
The eunuch was personally selected by Zhao Shi for Zhao Huan. He was quite clever. He had seen His Majesty's behavior in the past few days and had a general understanding of these people.
Knowing that his chance to rise to the top lies entirely in the hands of His Majesty, he always tried his best when running errands. At this time, he quickly replied:
"Reporting to Your Majesty, Xinfu Yin invited Marshal Wang to his home for a drink yesterday, but he has not returned yet."
"No one around him came back?"
After getting a positive answer, Zhao Huan complained a little about Qiu Balai, who really didn't have any rules at all.
After a while, the quarrel below became louder and louder, and he became more and more irritable, calling the eunuch again:
"Go and tell the gentleman for me that I will hold a banquet today and have a few drinks with him."
The gentleman he mentioned was the dwarf from the Jin Kingdom, but few people knew his identity. What was even more unexpected was that when the two countries were at war, a group of Jin people actually lived in the Song Dynasty Imperial City.
The little eunuch got the order, took a detour out of the side hall, and then kept walking south. It was such a coincidence that he happened to meet these people in front of Hening Gate.
He called out quickly:
"Sir, please slow down! Sir, please slow down!"
When he got closer, he saluted the dwarf and said:
"Sir, are you leaving the palace?"
Chaozi knew that he was someone close to Zhao Huan, so he did not hide it:
"Yes."
The eunuch said with a flattering smile: "Your Majesty has already asked people to prepare a banquet. He said that he would like to have a few drinks with you later. You are leaving the palace now. I wonder if you will be able to catch up later."
"If it's nothing important, sir, please don't go."
The dwarf had long known that Zhao Huan was a loser, but the thought of his ninth brother, the upright Zhao Guan family of the Song Dynasty, still made the foreigner often sigh:
They are both born to the same father, so why are they so different?
At this point, anyone with a sane mind would be able to sense that something was wrong, but this person still didn't even react.
I really don’t know if he is big-hearted or if he really trusts his ninth brother.
Patting the young eunuch on the shoulder, the dwarf looked at him and said:
"Tell your emperor that I have been waiting in the south for a long time, and now it is time to go back."
"There is no banquet in the world that must come to an end, so let him cherish it."
The little eunuch didn't expect that this man was going to leave Song Dynasty, so he hurriedly shouted:
"You...this is not possible. Sir, it would be better to go see His Majesty and talk to His Majesty in person."
"I can't tell you..." The short man waved his hand, "If I stay here any longer, my life will be sacrificed to him."
The eunuch still wanted to speak, but he was stared at by several people around him and immediately fell silent.
"Tell him that if you want to be safe, you have to stay close to your empress dowager."
"Don't forget his promise to me!"
The guard next to him asked in a low voice: "Are we leaving like this?"
The dwarf kept his eyes fixed: "Otherwise, are you really waiting here to die?"
"But Zhao Huan..."
"He can only waste food in the North, but in Song Dynasty... as long as he is alive, he can withstand an army."
This man knew in his heart that the official Zhao family might have the idea of killing Zhao Huan and the ability to kill Zhao Huan, but... he needed Zhao Huan alive more.
These are all tricks outside the game. In the end, the two countries will have to compare their skills on weapons.
The short man's voice became smaller and smaller, and finally followed his back and disappeared outside Donghua Gate.
The eunuch was a little anxious. He knew that the emperor valued this person very much. Now that he came to invite him, he didn't tell him that he was invited. Instead, he was sent away.
The emperor found out, but he didn't know how to blame him.
He was a little disappointed, and also a little scared that he had not completed his errand.
Just as he turned around and thought about how to explain to the emperor, he heard movement behind him.
'Da Ta~'
Not one sound, not ten sounds, but a series of dense sounds of horse hooves.
It's not that there are no carriages in the palace, and it's not that he has never seen horses.
But the sound of horse hooves obviously should not appear in the imperial city.
The young eunuch turned around subconsciously and saw a group of Lin'an government officials who had found many horses from nowhere and were galloping towards the palace through the Donghua Gate.
This is……
He was a little surprised in his heart, but before he had time to react, he saw that the Imperial Guards on duty at Donghua Gate had just stretched out their hands to stop them and shouted:
"The palace is a forbidden area, you are not allowed to trespass!"
As soon as he finished speaking, his arm was cut off.
The eunuchs were neither too far nor too close. Thinking of what happened in Lin'an City these days, I thought for a moment that someone was rebelling again. My feet went weak, but I was still a little flustered, and I walked towards Chui Gong Hall. Run.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty!"
The voice was filled with tears, and the eunuch no longer cared about the rules at this time. He barged in directly from the main door. The ministers on both sides were still arguing. For a while, no one paid attention to this eunuch who had exceeded the rules.
"His Majesty……"
He ran too hard and didn't stop when he reached Zhao Huan. He bumped into the table in front of Emperor Xiaoci Yuansheng... The tea bowl, inkstone, pen, paper and paper on it were all scattered on the floor, and the pen holder was even more. It fell from above and made a crisp sound in the temple.
In this way, everyone finally reacted.
Zhao Huan looked at him, feeling increasingly uneasy:
"What, what's the matter?"
"Your Majesty, someone, someone has rebelled!"
Rebellion and conspiracy are the same word, but they are thousands of miles apart. This eunuch spoke freely, and for a while, everyone became a little dull.
Rebellion is just two words. Behind it is the lives of countless people. Even if it is a joke, it must be avoided.
All kinds of thoughts flashed through Zhang Jun's mind. He glanced at Zhao Ding, who was still in trance. After all, he was also a man who had led an army of 100,000 people, and he immediately reacted.
In Lin'an City, in Jiangnan, who else has that ability?
Zhao Huan's face turned pale: "Did you see it clearly? Such nonsense and nonsense, if the news is falsely spread, you will not be able to keep it in your head."
"I dare not tell lies! Then... the hand of the forbidden army was cut off by that man!"
Zhang Jun took a step forward and dragged the eunuch down:
"Can you understand who is coming?"
"It's... someone from Lin'an government office!"
Xin Ciying!
The officials looked at each other in confusion. If it was really Xin Ciying, although it was a little unreasonable, it would be very reasonable.
The man who was originally a civil and military man was forced to kill his daughter-in-law by Wang Xie this time, but it was justifiable for him to go to the top.
The Lin'an government office has long since had no officials and is now an empty shell. Even if Xin Ciying found thieves from elsewhere, he would probably be able to rely on the imperial army from the Imperial City Department and the troops brought by Wang Xie. Can't afford the storm.
Only many people who were old to him heard it, and couldn't help but hate these uninvited guests even more.
Forcing a minister to do this is really intolerable.
Zhang Jun rolled his eyes and comforted:
"Your Majesty, don't worry. The Lin'an government office has no armor or armor. I'll go and see for myself. Is Xin Qiji really deceived?"
Zhao Huan could not sit still for a long time, waved his hand and said:
"Then there will be labor and tension!"
Zhang Jun looked serious, bowed to the emperor, glanced at Zhao Ding, then waved his sleeves and walked out of the palace without even looking back.
He was thinking about other things. Xin Ciying had always cared about his reputation, and now he did such a terrible thing. Was he really forced by Wang Xie?
If this is really the case, then Wang Xie...
Before he could continue thinking, he felt his head was hit. When he raised his head, he saw the long-lost face.
Liu Bang didn't want to come. For him, this journey was the same for everyone.
Anyway, as long as Zhao Huan can be brought there, Xin Ciying can give him a charge...or there is no need for a charge, since this man is bound to die anyway.
Ji Wu is dead. If the murderer cannot be brought to justice, he will no longer need to be the emperor.
But later Pharmacist Guo told him that he had to come.
Even if Zhao Huan is not, he is still an emperor and his eldest brother after all.
Entering the palace to capture the emperor, unless Liu Bang went there himself, no matter who else went, it would inevitably make them have other thoughts in the future.
For example, it turns out that the imperial city can also be broken into, and the emperor can also be captured.
Liu Bang reacted quickly and without much hesitation, he took Wang Qi and ran the journey himself.
The last time I was in this palace was last year. Now half a year has passed, and the style here has not changed much, and there are indeed many more new faces.
There was blood on his face, both from when he beat those soldiers with the killing stick, and from Wang Xie's men when he came into the palace.
He just stood outside the temples without saying a word, looking at the man above.
In terms of appearance, this man is indeed somewhat similar to Zhao Gou.
But as an emperor, an unworthy emperor, an emperor who lost tens of millions of lives and half of the country.
This man standing there was simply an insult to the status of the emperor.
Zhang Jun was a little dumbfounded:
"Official...official family."
There was no joy or even the slightest surprise from the emperor as he imagined when they reunited after a long separation, so Zhang Jun inevitably felt some sadness.
However, he clearly heard the emperor's voice. Although he didn't hear it clearly and didn't know if he was talking to him, Prime Minister Zhang still hurriedly replied:
"Guanjia, what did you say?"
The emperor repeated it again, but Zhang Jun still didn't hear it clearly, not even him, let alone anyone else.
Everyone only saw his lips twitching. Seeing the emperor who hadn't seen him for half a year, he was really darkened. He must have lived a hard life in the north.
All of a sudden, all the grievances they had suffered for many days came to their hearts, and several old men wiped away tears on the spot.
"The official family..."
Everyone's calls rang out from everywhere in Chui Gong Hall, and Liu Bang opened his mouth for the third time.
At this moment, Zhang Jun roughly heard it and knew that this person was not talking to him. He was frightened and frightened, so he quickly stepped aside.
In this way, no one would stand in Liu Bang's way, and there would be no obstacles between him and Zhao Huan.
The ministers who were supposed to do coolies all held their breaths, for fear of being seen by the killer star, and shrank their necks one by one. It seemed like they had become transparent.
"Didn't you hear?"
"I asked you to..."
Like Zhang Jun, everyone also heard the emperor's words. Zhao Huan, who was above him, had not thought of what expression to use to face him. He was facing his own father who was not taken seriously and was not close to him. Half-brother.
Should he be called Guan Jia, Jiu Di, or His Majesty?
Zhao Huan was a little embarrassed. Each title represented a different meaning.
If he had just come back, let alone His Majesty, Zhao Huan would have been able to do it even if he and Lao Jiu were asked to kneel down.
But now...it is said that a person is nourished by the soil and water, and all kinds of etiquette and rules, as well as the principles of superiority and inferiority, all came to his mind, which actually put him there.
"Come down!"
Liu Bang's voice was yelled. Zhao Huan also thought about asking Lao Jiu to call him first and then respond to him by his name, but he never thought...
This guy didn't even give himself any dignity!
He was a little scared and more angry, but he thought of what Xin Ciying told the Empress Dowager that Rou Fu died in his hands.
Then he thought about the families of the three generals, as well as the many words that Chapo had said to him beforehand, and the expressions of the ministers in the palace. Even Zhang Jun, who had been leaning against him, acted like a slave. appearance.
For a moment, Zhao Huan suddenly felt a little weak... More than ten thousand people in less than a month felt like a bubble, all an illusion.
As soon as Lao Jiu came back, the bubble almost burst on its own before anything was done.
"Ninth... ninth brother."
He wanted to hold back some tears and hold back some emotion when the brothers reunited, but little did he know that the Roufu Emperor had already used this trick.
Seeing that he was still motionless, Liu Bang lost his patience. He took out Wang Qi's back and gathered the divine arm bow in his hand.
Hearing only a "click" sound, he had already loaded the arrow.
"Down,"
"Come!"
As soon as the word 'come' came out of his mouth, he didn't hesitate at all and directly pressed his fingers down.
"No!"
The person closest to the main hall door was none other than Zhang Jun. Seeing that the emperor was serious, he quickly stopped him from going up.
This flash caused Liu Bang to miss a little, but the arrow still flew out, grazed the side of Zhao Huan's face, and nailed his earlobe to the wall behind.
What Zhao Ding said to Wang Xie is right. There are not many people in the world who are not afraid of death.
People who say they are not afraid of death are mostly because they don’t know how to die.
Zhao Huan didn't react. After all, he had thought about the scene of reunion thousands of times, and he never thought that Lao Jiu would point his divine arm bow at him as soon as they met.
The severe pain in his ears at this time constantly reminded the Holy Emperor Xiaociyuan...
It's time to wake up from his dream.
All the ministers surrounded the emperor and kept comforting the Zhao official. They all felt that they were wronged, but they forgot that the person who should be wronged the most was his majesty.
He was fighting against the Jin people outside, but his brother wanted to take over his property. This matter would be unjustifiable no matter where he talked about it.
But in this way, they can't watch the emperor mess around!
Everyone was persuading, Liu Bang glanced at everyone, and he probably had an idea in his mind.
Looking at Zhao Huan, who was covering his ears and crawling towards him from above, he finally returned the bow to Wang Qi.
Everyone, you are relieved.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."
Zhao Huan shouted, but could not say more words. He just kept calling, for fear that if he shouted too slowly, his ninth brother would kill him.
"Everyone get out of the way."
Liu Bang's voice was not loud, but the effect was very strong. Although everyone was still worried when they saw him putting away his weapons, they did disperse to both sides.
Looking at Zhao Huan in front of him, the man's ears were still bleeding, but he didn't care anymore. He held it with both hands and kept bowing to himself.
She looks like a slave, a prostitute, or an artist singing in a bar.
Only he doesn't look like an emperor.
"Did you kill Ji Wu?"
Zhao Huan raised his head and looked at the emperor with some confusion.
Liu Bang paused: "Did you kill the person who blocked my mother-in-law at Yue Fei's house?"
Zhao Huan thought about it and realized that this happened in the past two days. He was not stupid, so he naturally remembered it.
I just don't understand why he would ask himself this.
That person... was clearly just a white man.
"Then, that man said that he has no official status, why did Your Majesty..."
Before he finished speaking, Zhao Huan felt a pain in his chest. It turned out that Liu Bang had kicked him.
A group of ministers wanted to surround them again, but Liu Bang directly showed the knife:
"Whoever wants to come and accompany him should just take a step forward and try."
Seeing Liu Ziyu who was eager to try, Liu Bang glanced at Hu Quan, who quickly grabbed the heir of Southeast Confucianism.
Zhao Huan's hat fell to the ground. Liu Bang stepped forward and grabbed his hair.
Then he dragged him with one hand and put the knife on his shoulder with the other.
Zhao Huan's scalp hurt, his ears were bleeding, and his tears and nasal mucus kept falling down.
But he didn't dare to struggle, he just kept explaining, persuading and begging for mercy towards his ninth brother.
Before pulling Zhao Huan out of the hall, Liu Bang looked back and looked at Wang Ciweng and the others behind him...
"Within one stick of incense, return to where you belong."
After saying that, he walked out directly.
Su Fu looked at the emperor who was dragging Zhao Huan forward in this huge imperial city.
For some reason, there were obviously many people following him, but Su Fu always felt that that figure was so lonely.
There were many sighs in the imperial city. Only the frightened eunuch stood there for a long time and then remembered what the dwarf said before leaving.
The Queen Mother... He started running again, but this time, it was towards the Queen Mother's palace.
(End of chapter)
