Emperor Liu's fall into the water was really shocking. Both Liu Yang and Yantuo paid close attention to his condition and responded in a timely manner. Liu Yang had quick eyes and quick hands, and Yantuo jumped into the water and struggled to hold on...
Several servants around him jumped in all regardless of whether they had water or not. As a result, the old emperor basically didn't even choke on his saliva, but two young eunuchs almost drowned if the guards hadn't rescued them in time.
Emperor Liu's body was fine, but he was obviously frightened. However, he also recovered from the sad news that the eleventh prince, Liang Gong Liu Xiao, had passed away. Water drops fell from his face, and his hair was even more wet. However, Emperor Liu didn't care anymore. Looking at the nervous and concerned Liu Yang, he opened his mouth and said in a hoarse voice: "I'm fine!"
After saying this, Emperor Liu slowly closed his eyes, leaned against Yan Tuo on the other side, and said in a daze: "Go back to the palace!"
These two short words seemed to have exhausted all the strength of Emperor Liu. Seeing this, Liu Yang wiped his face and shouted to the left and right: "Quickly, escort Luan back to the palace!"
"yes!"
In a hurry, the guards and eunuchs worked hard to carefully help Emperor Liu drive towards Luan.
"Be gentle, your body is hurt, what are you asking about!" Yantuo stood aside, always paying attention to Emperor Liu, but seeing the clumsy movements of these "idiots", he was so angry that he almost shouted at the top of his lungs, wishing he could Replace yourself with your body.
The guards and eunuchs were more cautious. At this moment, it seemed that they were not holding an old porcelain, but a precious and fragile porcelain.
In a hurry, when I returned to the palace, there was naturally a lot of excitement again. Emperor Liu fell into the water. This was obviously a major political event. To be more serious, it could even affect the future of the imperial court. Sheng Gong's illness attracted much more attention than the death of the eleventh prince Liu Xiao, which was the cause of the incident.
When the imperial doctor arrived at the Chui Gong Hall, the news seemed to have grown wings, flying over the palace walls of the imperial city, towards the outer court, and towards the mansions of the dignitaries in Xijing. Rumors were flying everywhere. Some said that Emperor Liu had fainted, and some even said that he vomited blood. However, not many people believed the news that he was fine.
After all, how could he be okay if he was suffering from the pain of losing his son and falling into the water? It's not the same as before, the emperor is getting old after all, how can he withstand such torture.
Of course, the ignorant are fearless, and the upper-class dignitaries are cautious, but they pay close attention secretly, and their spirits are as tense as facing a war.
Such a big battle and such an exaggerated reaction was not that the elites of the Han Dynasty made a fuss, but that Emperor Liu's influence was too great, and in the past two years, he had suffered from repeated health problems, which was really worrying.
Fundamentally speaking, this is because the ministers' trust in Emperor Liu began to be insufficient, even if it was only for the body, and the decline of the emperor's authority often started from this.
Emperor Liu had already realized this when he fell down last year. For Emperor Liu, who loved power from the bottom of his heart, this made him very angry and panicked. Therefore, in order to consolidate his authority, he had to take certain measures and means, and his choices were not fundamentally different from those of the elderly British masters.
Sometimes he is tormenting, and sometimes he is murderous. This is not his original intention. Perhaps he just wants to verify his authority, and simply wants to consolidate his supreme power. To be old but not to die is to be a thief, which is the most realistic portrayal of Emperor Liu today.
In the Chui Gong Hall, Emperor Liu changed into dry clothes, his hair was dried and wrapped in a towel. He was lying quietly on the couch. Two palace ladies were fanning him while the old doctor was sweating profusely and diagnosing his pulse. .
The two imperial doctors spent two quarters of an hour each, arguing with each other, and then cautiously came to a conclusion. Yunshan gave a vague explanation, saying that Shenggong was fine and only needed to prescribe some tonics. , will be raised. Of course, the emperor cannot be stimulated anymore, and at the same time, His Majesty cannot be excited.
It’s just a cliché! Emperor Liu always listened to medical advice when he wanted to, but at this time, he didn't really want to hear it.
The imperial doctor withdrew, and the atmosphere immediately changed from serious to depressing. Emperor Liu closed his eyes and said, "Tell me, how did Liu Xiao die?"
"Your Majesty, your priority now is to take care of your body!" Liu Yang advised with hesitation on his face.
"Say!" Emperor Liu tried his best to suppress his anger and said coldly: "Your son is dead, why don't you let your father know how he died?"
Seeing this, Liu Yang was helpless and turned his head to look at Zhao Pu. When he saw the old man nodded slightly, he sighed and said in a sad tone: "According to Guo Liangping's report, after the eleventh brother boarded the ship from Jiaozhou Port, Soon, he began to feel unwell. When they arrived to join the army in Guangzhou, Guo Liangping and Liu Chun advised him to stay and recuperate, and then go south after his body recovered. However, the eleventh brother was unwilling and stubbornly followed the army south.
Nine days after going to sea from Guangzhou, the eleventh brother became increasingly unwell and could no longer get up. Guo Liangping wanted to send him back by ship, but he suddenly became seriously ill and developed malignant sores on his back. He vomited blood and died."
Following Liu Yang's report, Emperor Liu slowly opened his eyes, and a little tear seeped out from the corner of his eye. Although there were no old tears, the pain of losing his son was beyond words.
"Where is Liu Xiao?"
"According to Liu Chun's report, someone has been sent to escort the spirit boat back to Beijing!" Liu Yang said, thought for a moment, and then continued: "Regarding the death of the eleventh brother, Liu Chun and the governor An Jichang (the eldest son of An Shouzhong) ) also reported separately, and their descriptions were basically the same.”
At this time, there were two people in the palace, Wang Jien and Wang Xuanzhen. These two people entered the palace as soon as they learned the news. They were not only concerned about Emperor Liu, but also ready to be dispatched. Based on their experience, every time like this , Emperor Liu always used them, and among the courtiers inside and outside the court, these two people were probably the few who really hoped that Emperor Liu could live a long life.
Listening to Liu Yang's report, something strange flashed across Wang Xuanzhen's face. He also received this news. He also secretly placed people from Wude Si in the Southern Expedition Army. Under the wave of colonization, Wude Si also began to Headed overseas.
However, this matter has not yet been reported. I never expected to receive the first report. It was not about the Nanyang Economic Strategy, but about the prince. The report Wang Xuanzhen received was not as fast as the official report from the imperial court, which had traveled 600 miles. It was later in the evening, but the results obtained were not much different. Of course, it is very unlikely that Guo Liangping and others dared to deceive the court about Liu Xiao's death.
"He is not yet thirty years old!" Emperor Liu lamented after a brief pause.
"I hope your majesty will express my condolences!" Zhao Pu finally spoke.
In this regard, Emperor Liu didn't even say "It's not your son who died." He looked at the old Zhao Pu. In addition to sadness, there was also a trace of self-blame on his old face: "How could I agree with him to go? A man in his prime may not be able to withstand the attack of wind, waves, and miasma poisonous insects, let alone Liu Xiao? His body has always been weak."
Whispering, he suddenly asked: "Does Concubine Xian know about this?"
"I think I already knew it! I have asked my eighth brother and sixth sister to take care of me!" Liu Yang said in a deep voice.
"How should I explain it to her?" Emperor Liu said sadly with red eyes.
"Your Majesty, there is also a memorial jointly signed by Guo, Liu and An, asking the court to punish the crime!" Liu Yang mentioned another matter.
Emperor Liu was silent, raised his hand, and finally waved it gently, without angering them, and said: "A reply, no guilt, let them feel at ease!"
"Also, Guo Liangping asked for instructions, should the strategy of Srivijaya and Java be continued?"
Hearing this, Emperor Liu tilted his head, and his eyes fell on Liu Yang with some suspicion. After a long time, he said: "Go on! Tell Guo Liangping, I can forgive his fault for the death of the prince, but if the Nanyang strategy cannot be completed, there will be no mercy." !”
"Yes!" Liu Yang whispered, sighing silently in his heart. Obviously, although Emperor Liu was sad, regretful, and guilty about Liu Xiao's death, his ambition to expand overseas and establish a feudal kingdom in Southeast Asia was still strong. Everyone in the world can see that even if they can bear the price of the death of the prince, it is difficult to change their aspirations. In the future, it will be even more impossible to persuade them by citing the high casualty rate in the sea.
"Zhang Dejun and Wang Xuanzhen stay, and the others should retreat!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.
Wang Jien felt a little sad when the official called him by his old name again, but he did not dare to correct him. He just waited respectfully with Wang Xuanzhen.
Looking at the two of them, Emperor Liu said in a cold tone: "You two, please investigate the death of Liu Xiao for me!"
"Yes!" The two responded subconsciously.
However, Wang Xuanzhen's expression of hesitation was caught by Emperor Liu, who was particularly sensitive at this time, and asked: "Why is there such a strange expression on his face?"
Wang Xuanzhen panicked, and after thinking rapidly, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have also placed subordinate spies in the Nanyang Army. If nothing unexpected happens, Duke Liang's death will not be as fast as the official cavalry report, but it should be as expected. The news is coming!”
Wang Xuanzhen didn't dare to say that he had received the report, otherwise, why didn't he say it just now?
Emperor Liu, on the other hand, was a little surprised. He stared at Wang Xuanzhen deeply and said quietly: "Compared to your uncle, you are much more capable!"
"I don't dare to take this position!" Wang Xuanzhen responded immediately, with some cold sweat breaking out on his forehead: "I am just following His Majesty's determination to pioneer and make some plans. Even overseas, there should be Wude Division subordinates who serve Your Majesty. It's just that. This matter has not yet yielded results, so I have not reported it before!"
While replying, Wang Xuanzhen secretly thought that after returning to the Yamen, he would have to sort out the whole matter. If he was convicted of an inexplicable deception, it would be too unfair.
Emperor Liu glanced at these two people, slowly turned his back, and said indifferently: "Go and do what you should do!"
