As the saying goes, soldiers are more valuable than speed!
Now that we have decided to resist Anzhi and aid Song Dynasty, we must take action immediately in order to set off as soon as possible.
Therefore, Qi Yu decisively ordered that more than 50 large and small warships and 500 sharpshooters from the barracks that had been assembled on standby officially set off southward in the early morning of the next day. The specific time is set to make rice at the third watch and set off at the fifth watch.
The idea was good, but the reality was just the opposite.
What's going on?
Tonight, just after midnight, the Imperial Court's Ministry of Rites reported the arrival of a newspaper.
It said that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Empress Dowager suddenly died in Cining Palace due to a sudden heart attack, and the whole country should be in mourning. Therefore, the Ministry of Rites ordered each place to hold a mourning ceremony immediately after receiving the report. Officials of all sizes within the jurisdiction should go to express their condolences to show their loyalty and filial piety.
This matter may not be big or small, but it must be done.
But in this way, the opportunity to send troops was delayed.
We have to find a compromise.
Let's talk about the present moment. Qi Yu still has some doubts about the Empress Dowager heading west. He remembers that his mentor Meng Lanshan once said to him that when he was still an imperial doctor, he often went to pray for the peace of the old Buddha. According to his report, this old man's body has always been in good health, and he has been free from illness and disaster all year round. He is one of the few people in the royal family who has a long life. According to my husband's experience, this old Buddha can live for at least another ten years. However, why did he suddenly die now?
Isn't it strange?
With this question in mind, Qi Dalang secretly summoned the official from the capital who came to deliver the newspaper.
"I've seen you, sir. I wonder what you mean by calling me here?"
"Sit down, I asked you to come here mainly because I have some confusion in my heart, so I hope that you will be willing to explain it." After saying that, Qi Yu generously stuffed the fifty taels of silver and said in a friendly tone.
The official was surprised at first, but after hearing the request, he accepted the money with confidence.
Then, he hurriedly put on a smiling face and said, "Sir, you can ask questions, but as long as the villain knows, he will definitely tell you endless things."
"That's great!" Qi Yu stroked his beard and smiled, and immediately put on a 'you know' expression and asked: "I would like to know if there was any gossip after the death of the Empress Dowager, or in other words, Did the death of her old man trigger any disturbing rumors?"
this……
As the saying goes, listen to the words, especially the implicit meaning of this kind of implicit expression. If you are deaf and blind, you are not a qualified official.
Obviously, the one in front of me is quite up to standard.
The man just thought about it briefly and understood the meaning of Master Qi's words, and hurriedly replied: "Master Qi, I did hear some private rumors, but these words contain some disrespect, so I……"
"Haha, don't worry! When it comes out of your mouth and into my ears, who will remember what you said after leaving this door?" Qi Yu said seemingly unintentionally, but with deep meaning.
road.
"Then... well, I will boldly say something today."
"Okay, please speak!"
Next, the official told some of the "private hearings" he had learned.
According to what he said, after the death of the Emperor and Empress Dowager, there were rumors within the royal family that her death was caused by someone else. However, this rumor was quickly suppressed by Master Zongzheng.
As for whether it is true or false, outsiders naturally have no way of knowing.
After that, new gossip came out, saying that there had been further progress in the case of the late emperor's death.
oh? What exactly?
There are rumors that the minister of Dali Temple once mentioned in private to a certain cabinet member that the late emperor collapsed after taking a red pill containing toxins. In other words, he was deliberately killed. of. However, what people never expected was that the instigator was actually the former Queen Hu.
is her?
Well, that’s right!
According to the person familiar with the matter, she was forced to confess after being thrown into the cold palace, and she had clearly explained all the past events without any omissions. In this way, she committed a heinous and unforgivable crime. As for what kind of punishment she will face, it depends on the wishes of the Holy Emperor.
However, from a high probability point of view, her fate is to die, and even her clan members will be implicated.
Qi Yu nodded while listening, frowning thoughtfully.
An idea suddenly came to his mind that shocked even him: Could there be something hidden behind these two things that was the work of the new Lord of Jin and Kunji?
No one knows the answer.
After learning these secrets, Qi Yu picked up the tea cup intentionally or unintentionally. After seeing this, the waiter also got up and left in a sensible manner.
Next, there is the etiquette of how to mourn the Empress Dowager.
Alas, just some formalism!
What a big deal!
After Qi Yu thought about it briefly, he left the matter directly to Liu Shicheng, the manager of the ceremony room, and asked him to handle it in accordance with etiquette and law. However, he himself disappeared inexplicably.
After he wrote a condolence in his own hand, he disappeared from public view.
Is this a plank road built openly and used secretly?
Guessed it!
At this moment, he had already boarded a warship to support Luzon.
Alas!
Little did he know that Qi Dalang went to support others, but others were not willing to support him at all.
The others here do not refer to the weakling Luzon, but to the Dafeng Dynasty behind it.
oh?
how do I say this?
Well, let’s first look at the memorial in the emperor’s hand. I saw that it was written respectfully in the square “Taige style”: Your Majesty, the autumn rains in Qiongzhou are flooding, rivers and lakes burst their banks, submerging thousands of acres of fertile land, and the people are displaced. His condition is unspeakably miserable... At this time,
Wei Chen feels that our Qiongzhou is like a tree without roots, hanging alone in the sea. Looking around the country, there is no helping hand. How sad! ...I also hope that Your Majesty will take pity on the sufferings of my people and allocate millions of stones to save money and food to meet the urgent needs of the moment... All the humble ministers will be honored and prayed for.
This memorial was written in response to the autumn floods in Qiongzhou last year. It has been almost half a year since now.
Then, why has this piece of information not been presented to the Holy Case until now?
There is no other reason. This is because when the Minister of Household Affairs held a cabinet meeting, he seemed to drag it out intentionally or unintentionally.
This delay didn't matter, time just passed by quietly.
Quietly?
Indeed!
Before this, the emperor really didn't know that a natural disaster of this magnitude had occurred in Qiongzhou. He didn't really know until the cabinet presented the memorial.
Some people may have said that disaster relief is like fighting fires, and the emphasis is on racing against time. Is this move by the cabinet a little too much?
No, from an institutional perspective, the cabinet’s move did not exceed the rules.
oh?
how do I say this?
Do you still remember the political operation system of our Dafeng Dynasty?
In terms of process, all major national affairs, except for military affairs, must first be 'voted' by the cabinet. After being approved internally, they will be 'approved' by His Majesty the Emperor before being submitted to the Supreme Court.
In other words, regarding disaster relief matters, the cabinet has sufficient power to discuss them, and the process is before the emperor's inspection.
Therefore, the cabinet's move does not exceed the rules.
However, during the drafting process regarding this matter, the Minister of Household Affairs had a financial crunch due to allocating money to the Ministry of Works to build the Kunpeng Navy, and then he had the idea of declining the disaster relief, so he took the most effective delaying method. Policy.
It’s hard to say whether this is right or wrong!
In Lao Shangshu's unilateral view, the imperial court's military construction is a top priority and must not be delayed even if it involves sacrificing some people's interests.
The so-called righteousness! !
Other cabinet members, headed by Chief Assistant Zhong Yi, also chose to side with the Minister of Household Affairs after weighing the pros and cons of justice.
That's why Qi Yu's discount was pushed to the bottom of the box.
When I take it out and look at it now, it has lost its original urgency.
In reality, when the time comes, the disaster relief that should be provided has already been completed. Even if we allocate more money and food now, it will not be able to save the so-called emergency.
Although the emperor understood the cabinet's difficulties, he still felt a little sorry for Qi Yu.
So, do you want to express yourself now?
For a moment, he hesitated.
Since it's still undecided, it's better to talk slowly, since there's no rush anyway.
Thinking of this, the emperor waved his hand to the eunuch San Dezi beside him, who also hurriedly woke up from his sleep and sang loudly: "Retreat from the court!"
