Li Xian raised his head and looked at the imperial steps in front of Funing Palace.
This is a place he is extremely familiar with.
Starting from the first year of Xining, he would pay his respects here every two years.
Emperor Daxing would stand on the high platform of Funing Hall and watch him leave.
Li Xian lowered his head and looked at his hands. His mouth was covered with calluses, and his thick inner thighs were also covered in calluses.
In the first year of Xining, Wang Shao presented the Ping army policy and took charge of the expansion of the Hehuang border. He was selected by Emperor Daxing to go to Guwei to assist Wang Shao. Almost nineteen years have passed.
During the nineteen years, there were campaigns in the south and north, and armies in the northwest.
It allowed him to go from being a small Huangmen to becoming the powerful Xihe Manager of the Song Dynasty.
To be honest, Li Xian thought about whether he could return to Xihe countless times along the way.
But, the moment he saw Bianjing City.
Li Xian knew that he could not go back.
Why?
He received the order in Xizhou on Xinyou Day (28th) last month asking him to return to Beijing to report his duties to the Holy Spirit.
On the first day of the fourth lunar month, after arranging the defenses of Lanzhou, Hezhou, Huizhou and Dingxi City, he led his troops to set off from Xizhou.
That night, he led his troops to stay overnight in an abandoned mountain temple next to Gudi Road.
That night he kept his eyes open and watched the stars of Didao all night long.
But he did not wait for the emperor's decree from Bianjing.
This made Li Xian wake up from a dream!
Emperor Daxing has passed away!
He can no longer wait for Emperor Daxing's decree!
In April Bingyin (the third day of the lunar month), he led his troops into Qinzhou, but there was still no order from the court.
He seemed to have been forgotten. No one came to urge him, and no one came to tell him which road he should take and which direction to enter Beijing.
In the past, it was unthinkable.
In the past, whenever there was a war or when he wanted to enter the capital.
Every three days, as long as the road is not blocked, the emperor's will will come to him on time.
Although these decrees were sent down from Bianjing seven or eight days ago or even ten days ago, and when they were delivered to him by hasty horses, the situation was often completely different.
But Li Xian is used to it!
It is customary to do things according to Bian Jing's orders seven or eight days ago or even ten days ago.
Therefore, when he had to take a detour of a hundred miles due to mountain floods in Yisi in April, he suddenly told his surroundings: "When I return to Beijing this time, I will be the one to go to the tomb of Emperor Daxing!"
Although there were some waverings and hesitations afterwards.
But when he saw Bianjing City, he still had no intention.
No messenger even came to ask him why he had not arrived in the capital for so long.
Li Xian already knew that it was time for him to retreat.
Even though he is only forty-three years old, it is time for him to retire.
The court is already indifferent! !
He is a minister, and without the support of the emperor in the temple, nothing can be accomplished!
"Li Douzhi..." A young minister appeared in front of him.
Li Xian raised his head and looked at each other.
He recognized this person. In the second year of Yuanfeng, he returned to Beijing to report on his work and met Li Shunju in Da Nei. At that time, Li Shunju seemed to be surrounded by this little Huangmen.
Now, Xiao Huangmen, who was young at that time, is already a close minister of the new king.
"Everyone has an edict, please ask Li Douzhi Kunning Hall to meet the Holy Spirit!"
Li Xian bowed respectfully to Funing Palace: "My lord, I will obey your will!"
Then he followed the young minister and walked forward.
While walking through the corridor next to Funing Hall, Li Xian heard the young minister's low voice: "You know, everyone told me last night, be sure to tell me: remember to be humble and submissive in front of the empress. And any military preparations and conquests related to Xihe..."
Li Xian lowered his head and listened quietly.
Along the way, he had heard countless legends about the young master.
Pure filial piety, benevolence and sage, smart and handsome.
It is said that at the age of eight, he could already read the Spring and Autumn Annals, explain the teachings of saints, behave as a filial son, and treat the two palaces as close relatives.
Even Taishi Wen Yanbo told people: Although the young master is young, he already has the dignity of a ruler and the appearance of a holy king. The Song Dynasty can be rejuvenated!
Yesterday in the reception hall of Zichen Palace, the young master made an unintentional and seemingly aimless remark.
His general Wang Wenyu became a loyal and brave general praised by both the government and the public.
Can the generals recommended by Han Qi and Han Zhongxian still be disloyal and courageous?
Therefore, some people are already proposing whether Wang Wenyu can be allowed to stay in Bianjing and serve as the third government officer?
After the young minister finished speaking, Li Xian replied: "Everyone teaches you a lesson, I will remember it in my heart!"
"It's okay if you all know it in your heart!" The other party said: "The empress is a kind sage, I don't want to fight and kill..."
Li Xian continued to lower his head, but he had already heard the other party's implication - Your Majesty likes to fight and kill?
Um! ?
Then, the fire in my heart ignited again.
He was only forty-three years old.
Can afford to wait!
…
In Kunning Hall, the curtain falls.
Li Xian followed suit and arrived in front of the curtain. Seeing the shadowy figure inside the curtain, he immediately knelt down and worshiped: "Your Highness, the Queen Mother, and the Emperor, I wish you long blessings..."
"You all know, please get up!" The queen mother's voice in the curtain was calm.
"Shi Deyi, give Du Zhi a seat!"
As a result, the big Diao Dang beside the former Emperor Daxing appeared next to Li Xian.
He placed a piece of wood behind Li Xian. Their eyes met, and Li Xian saw some appreciation for him in the other's eyes.
Li Xian understood Shi Deyi's meaning.
Did the Queen Mother appreciate his brave retreat?
So, Li Xian sat down respectfully. He bent down as much as possible, lowered his head, and did not look inside the curtain. He just said in a low voice: "On the way back to Beijing, I have heard many times that everyone should be filial to the queen." Various deeds..."
"Listen, I am really happy for my empress, and also happy for the country..."
Although he is a handsome man, he is also a minister, and he really knows how to make people in the palace happy.
Sure enough, the queen mother inside the curtain laughed when she heard this: "Does even Dou Zhi Zai Xihe already know?"
Li Xian lowered his head and said, "More than Xihe..."
"I'll tell you the truth, I heard the local people talking about it in Qinzhou, Fengzhou, Jingzhao and other places along the way!"
"Everyone says: With the Holy King on the throne and the two palaces being benevolent saints, the people of the world will be blessed from now on!"
The queen mother in the curtain said: "Is it really so?"
"How dare I deceive the empress?" Li Xian immediately stood up and worshiped: "If I say anything false, I will beg the empress to kill me outside Xuande's door!"
Since Zheng Xia, the ministers have learned this trick one after another.
Especially when you say such kind words, you have to put your own life on the line first!
In this way, the people above must be very happy.
Sure enough, the Queen Mother was very happy and laughed in the curtain.
Then, I heard a young child's voice say from the curtain: "I heard that I have already asked myself to serve as the guardian of my father's mausoleum?"
"Yes!" Li Xian quickly bowed and replied: "I have been greatly favored by Emperor Daxing, and I really have nothing to repay..."
"I just wish I could go with Emperor Daxing..."
"You are a true loyal minister!" Everyone said in the curtain: "Mother, I would like to give you something to give to Douzhi..."
Li Xian gasped in his chest.
Just listen to the Queen Mother say: "My son can make the decision himself!"
Then, Li Xian heard a slight metal sound coming from the curtain.
Immediately afterwards, a small jade tiger inlaid with gold was sent through the curtain to Li Xian's hands.
"This is a little thing I carry with me..."
"Just accept it!"
Li Xian immediately knelt down and kowtowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have nothing to repay you for your kindness!"
"Everyone knows that he is a loyal minister of my father!" Everyone said: "You should also be my loyal minister!"
"Remember in the future, you must be loyal to the country and to me!"
"Everyone's teachings will be remembered by me!" Li Xian said tremblingly.
Part performance, part sincerity.
Because Li Xian has confirmed at least one thing through this short conversation in front of the curtain: although the young master is young, he speaks clearly and thinks normally.
He is indeed the sage of the country!
With such a Holy Lord in his court, Li Xian believed that he would be able to recover!
The empress dowager inside the curtain seemed very satisfied with Li Xian's obedience, and said: "Since the official family rewarded the jade tiger, I should also reward Duzhi with something!"
Then he ordered the female official in the curtain: "Go and get the Medicine Master Buddha that I invited from Daxiangguo Temple and give it to Li Douzhi..."
"yes……"
So, after a while, a lifelike, compassionate and solemn jade statue of Medicine Master King Buddha, about two feet high, was presented to Li Xian.
Li Xian immediately bowed to the curtain and said, "The empress is kind and holy, with a bodhisattva heart. I am so grateful that I shed tears of gratitude!"
The Queen Mother in the curtain said: "Everyone knows that from now on, remember to serve the Buddha with all your heart..."
Li Xian immediately bowed and said, "I sincerely obey your empress's loving orders!"
Before coming, the young master had ordered someone to give him instructions.
How could he still make mistakes?
…
After sending Li Xian away, Zhao Xu looked at Queen Mother Xiang's expression.
He already knew that Queen Mother Xiang was quite satisfied with Li Xiancai's performance.
And Li Xian had the jade tiger he gave and the jade Buddha he gave to the Queen Mother.
Thinking about it, no one would dare to harm or frame him at will.
In this way, Li Xian only needs to have proper medical treatment and proper recuperation.
His health will definitely be much better than after he was deposed in his previous life. Maybe he will be able to help Zhao Xu in the future!
Even if he can't, there should be no problem in staying in Bianjing and serving as a staff consultant on Xibo and Xixia issues.
"Mother..." Zhao Xu asked softly: "Li Douzhi, since he has resigned from the post of Xihe Road, have you and your mother-in-law chosen your successor?"
After hearing this, Queen Mother Xiang shook her head and said: "There is no candidate yet..."
Then she smiled at Zhao Xu and said, "Sixth brother doesn't have to worry about this matter, it will be handled by the governors in the capital hall!"
Queen Mother Xiang has already asked Deng Runfu.
Deng Runfu told her that appointments like this were discussed in the hall for half a month or even longer.
"Oh!" Zhao Xu nodded.
Queen Mother Xiang suddenly became happy: "Brother Six, do you have any ideas?"
She has always encouraged Brother Six to try his hand at government affairs and even try to make personnel arrangements.
Although Brother Six is young, he may not be able to do it well.
However, it is precisely because of this that we must encourage him!
It doesn't matter if I'm wrong, it's a mother-son conversation in Ouchi anyway.
Zhao Xu shook his head: "Son, who knows what generals and ministers..."
"This is easy to handle!" Empress Dowager Xiang immediately ordered: "Shi Deyi, go and get the jade book of the world's handsome ministers that the capital hall made some time ago..."
(End of chapter)
