Liao Shangjing, the imperial city.
The whole hall was shrouded in a sad atmosphere. The cold spring wind kept pouring in from outside the hall. The gauze curtains shook and the white candles swayed. Emperor Daxing, Liao Tianshun and Emperor Yelujing lay quietly after being "dressed up". in between.
In front of the coffin, the clan members and ministers all knelt down neatly wearing sackcloth and mourning. Yelujing's concubines were sobbing incessantly, especially Queen Xiao, who had a gentle temperament and looked even more tender and compassionate.
Mrs. Xiao was Yelujing's first wife. She married him when Yelujing was still in the feudal residence. However, due to Yelujing's personal reasons, the relationship between the couple was not close. However, after all, her husband died and there were no heirs. Even she, the queen, could not help but feel hopeless about the future, confused, and at a loss as to what to do. She could only use tears to release her emotions and express her uneasiness.
But in this solemn atmosphere, the kneeling upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom no longer had their thoughts on Yelujing lying in the coffin. With the arrival of one person, the palace suddenly became turbulent, attracting everyone's attention.
The king of the South Courtyard, Yelu Xiezhen.
After Yelv Xiezhen resigned from the Western Regions and returned to the court, he was promoted to the King of Nanyuan due to his outstanding achievements and was fully responsible for the military and political affairs of the southern Liao Kingdom. At the same time, he succeeded Gao Xun, a Han minister, and stayed in Liaoyang Mansion in Tokyo. When he learned about the incident in Beijing, he rushed back from Liaoyang without any delay and traveled day and night.
At this time, Yelv Xiezhen's face was covered with frost and fatigue, and her red eyes revealed endless sadness. Not to mention anything else, Yelujing was far more kind to him than others. Otherwise, he would not have been given the opportunity to command an army, expedition to the Western Regions, and become famous all over the world. He would not have been allowed to ascend to the throne of Nanyuan King in his thirties. , becoming one of the most powerful people in the upper echelons of the Liao Kingdom.
Ignoring the turbulent hearts and strange looks, Yelv Xiezhen just stepped forward, kowtowed and worshiped, and then burst into tears. His cry was like a signal, and the mourning in the hall erupted like a flood...
After only briefly talking to Yelv Bishe, Xiao Husi, Yelv Xian and others, and understanding some of the situation, Yelu Xiezhen left the palace. Yelu Xiezhen felt that there was an undercurrent surging in front of the emperor's Zi Palace. He did not want to see this, let alone these powers disturbing Yelujing's peace.
However, many things do not change according to personal wishes, and some situations have to be faced. In the past ten years, the most famous commander-in-chief of the Liao Kingdom is undoubtedly Yelu Xiezhen. At the same time, he holds great power and is particularly prestigious in the military. He is also from a clan and is the successor to the throne of the Liao Kingdom. Have the right to speak.
Therefore, Yelv Xiezhen's return to the capital was tantamount to adding fuel to the flames of the Liao Kingdom's struggle for the throne, making it more intense and clearer at the same time. If Yelv Xiezhen publicly expresses her support for someone, it will be like getting a helping hand from the sky.
"Your Majesty, King Taiping invites you to come to the palace to have a chat!" As soon as he left the Dashun Gate of the imperial city, some close associates stopped his horse to report.
Sitting high on the horse, Yelu Xiezhen's serious face looked very cold. After hearing this, a little anger and disdain emerged, and she directly ordered: "In reply to the visitor, just say that I am tired from the journey and exhausted mentally and physically... No, directly Refuse it!"
"yes!"
Before returning home, Yelu Xiezhen looked back at the imperial city with deep eyes. When the Liao Kingdom came to Beijing, it was divided into two cities, the north and the south. The northern Hu and the southern Han were also divided according to the Hu and Han divisions.
The North City is also divided into the Imperial City and the Guo City. In terms of scale, it is naturally not as large as the two capitals of the Han Dynasty, let alone its splendor and magnificence. However, outside the Great Wall, in this remote Northeast Asia, it is the first of its kind in history. Among all the Saibei dynasties, only the Khitan had the most profound sinicization, and it has reached the present level.
"After returning home, thank the guests behind closed doors, and decline all invitations!" A worried look flashed in his eyes, Yelu Xiezhen ordered, then whipped up his horse and returned to his residence in Shangjing.
The news that Taiping King Yelu Sage had run into trouble with King Yelu Xiezhen of the Southern Courtyard quickly spread among the ministers in the capital city. It has to be said that Yelu Sage's overestimation of his abilities made him flee to the top. Under the jump, many people feel contempt.
In Prince Qi's Mansion, Yelu Xian, who had many eyes and ears, naturally got the news and was also discussing the matter. During this time, their group gathered and conspired more and more frequently.
According to Yelvxian's request, everyone still wears mourning clothes even at gatherings. Fang sat down, and Nuli, who was temporarily serving as the general of the Suwei, spoke first, with a somewhat disdainful tone: "The King of the South Campus refused directly, with a cold and firm attitude. It is obvious that King Taiping is not the person he likes!"
During this period, among Yelvxian's group, Nuli was the most active and frivolous, thinking that he had achieved merit. Of course, he did, and Yelvxian was quite tolerant of him.
Although there are many people who show their loyalty to Xiancheng, for Yelvxian, the most trustworthy ones are the people with whom he has maintained long-term relationships. In fact, aside from the superficial momentum, Yelvxian's foundation is not very deep, it's just a matter of chance and a good opportunity. No, with the return of Yelu Xiezhen, people's hearts seem to have changed again.
"The King of Taiping is superficial and impetuous, so there is nothing to worry about. Now the king's real opponent is the King of Yue!" Xiao Siwen said, pointing directly to the key point: "There are many people in the clan, court, and various departments who support the King of Yue, but none of the important ministers have He expressed his stance and is obviously waiting to see how the situation develops. The meritorious ministers of the Southern Court King have great prestige in the military and government. If we can get his support, the King will definitely inherit the throne!"
"It's just that if the King of Nanyuan rejected King Taiping, wouldn't he reject me?" Yelv Xian, who became more and more calm, heard this, shook his head and said: "The King of Nanyuan is deeply grateful for the kindness of the late emperor. Today in front of Zi Palace, Such sadness shows his heart!"
This was also the reason why Yelvxian did not send people to contact him as hastily and recklessly as Yelv Sage. Of course, Yelvxian was also very eager for Yelv Xiezhen's support.
Seeing Yelvxian's concerns, Yelvxian thought for a while and said: "If the late emperor had a son, the King of Nanyuan would definitely support him with all his strength, and there would be no chance for the king to control him. However, at the moment, the throne has no one, and the King of Nanyuan has access to it. Affairs are the pillars of the country. I feel that if we entrust each other with state affairs, show righteousness and treat each other with sincerity, we will be able to obey the king's weapons. Therefore, the king's thoughts and actions should not be limited to seeking the throne, but should also be based on Think about the overall situation and the people of Daliao!"
"What you said is exactly what I thought! I want to forge ahead not only to regain my father's inheritance? It is also for the survival of the country of Liao Dynasty. Although the late emperor has made great achievements during his reign, in recent years, The government is in a sluggish state and people are in chaos. It is urgent to change the course and clean up the discipline in order to revitalize..." Yelvxian said with emotion.
When Yelu Xianshi and others heard this, they immediately looked moved and showed their support. Xiao Siwen was thoughtful and thoughtful, and said: "The King of Nanyuan's return to the capital has obviously made people's hearts flustered, but it also shows that the battle for the throne should have a result. Now, it is the most important moment. And the most important thing is Of course, it still depends on the control of Beijing, especially the military power, but now, the situation in the military is also a bit delicate!"
"Has something happened in the army?" Yelvxian frowned.
Xiao Siwen sighed: "It is still stable at the moment, and a large number of our generals have been replaced in the Youpishi Army. However, at this time, people's hearts are uncertain. They use it to suppress and intimidate, but it will not lead to action. However, if you want to make great use of it, the outcome will be difficult." Measurement!"
"Once the King of Nanyuan comes back, we can no longer rely solely on the army!" Yelu Xianshi said.
"The King of Nanyuan is just one person and a few accompanying guards. Has he brought back any troops? Why should he be afraid?" After hearing what he said, Nuli couldn't help but say.
Hearing this, almost everyone frowned, so ignorant. Ignoring him, Yelvxian said in a deep voice: "You can't trust Yelusha to the other side!"
Nowadays, there are three main armies that play a decisive role in the surrounding Shangjing: Su Wei and Left and Right Pishi Army. Su Wei is temporarily in the hands of Yelu Yila. The right Pishi Army has Xiao Siwen, but due to excessive actions, a large number of them have been replaced. General, the army is unstable and not stable enough. ,
The remaining Zuopishi army was identified as Yelu Sagui. There is still some connection between this person and Yelv Xian. His father Yelu Antuan was the main minister who pushed Sejong Yelu Ruan to ascend to the throne. Later, he was appointed as the Nan Privy Envoy. , but after Yelujing succeeded to the throne, he died in depression.
Of course, Yelusha's ability to become a member of the Pishi Army was also due to his own ability and merit. With that kind of relationship, Yelvxian also contacted this person and received an ambiguous response from Yelvsha.
Therefore, it can be seen from the control of the army that their control of Shangjing City is not reliable.
