Jiuxi

Chapter 226 224 [Draw the bottom of the pot]

Beiyan, Heluo City.

That year, a fire dyed the sky above the palace red, and the main part of the palace suffered devastating damage.

Although it has been repaired several times later, compared with the majestic and majestic palaces in the heyday of the Qi Dynasty, the current Beiyan Palace has a hint of decay among the carved beams and painted buildings.

Wenhe Hall and Dongnuan Pavilion are the daily living places of Emperor Yan.

It was very quiet in the pavilion, and everyone in the palace had withdrawn. Emperor Yan Zhang Can was leaning on the warm couch, with a vague anger on his pale and vain face. He glanced sideways at the thirty-year-old man standing under the hall and said indifferently: "Qing When did that little bitch Yu Huaijin come back?"

The man seemed to have long been accustomed to the emperor's rudeness. He lowered his head and said, "Return to your majesty, three days ago."

Zhang Can asked again: "Wang Shidao went to see her?"

The man said: "Yes, Your Majesty. Wang Shizheng went to Zhuoyuan this morning and has not come out yet."

Zhang Can chuckled softly, barely concealing the depression between his brows and eyes.

If he had to choose the most useless and aggrieved emperor in the history books in the future, Zhang Can felt that no one could compete with him.

After the Yuanjia Incident, the new king of Jing Dynasty ascended the throne. He changed the previous practice of massacre of Qi people. He not only strengthened the control of Jing's army, killed several generals who did not obey orders and indulged his subordinates, but also promoted the establishment of Beiyan. In this context, Zhang Riduan, the former Minister of Rites of Qi who had surrendered to the Jing Dynasty, was forced to become Emperor of Yan.

The Zhang family was overjoyed, never expecting that pie would fall from the sky.

However, they soon realized the fact that the so-called Emperor Yan was nothing more than a decoration, and the power of the court had long been divided among several forces, such as a large number of officials supported by powerful families, military commanders, and Jing Dynasty.

Zhang Riduan was known as a traitor and had no real power. He died in depression within a few years, and Zhang Can succeeded him.

Zhang Can was originally just a playboy, barely considered a middle-aged man. Even his father, who had been in high and low positions for decades, was unable to change the surrounding environment. Even if he tried several times as hard, it would still be of no avail.

To this day, Emperor Yan's will cannot be expressed outside the palace, and he cannot even control the palace.

There are more than [-] imperial guards in the palace, and they are naturally under the control of the emperor himself. Moreover, the Zhang family has a number of loyal officials who have died. It's just that in the past ten years, the Imperial Guard has been mixed with a lot of sand. Zhang Can can't trust anyone else except the thirty-year-old man named Feng Li in front of him.

Feng Li looked at the cold expression on the emperor's face, and after hesitating for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, Princess Yongping met with Privy Privy Pang yesterday morning and met with the Prime Minister in the afternoon."

Zhang Can was not surprised. He gritted his teeth and sneered: "Pang Shigu has been a dog of Jing Dynasty for a long time. Wang An is not much better. These rebellious officials and traitors deserve to be killed!"

Feng Li's mouth twitched. Although he was absolutely loyal to the Zhang family, this sentence sounded a bit awkward.

Zhang Can didn't notice it and said coldly: "I want to know how many reliable people can you gather around you?"

Feng Li was shocked and murmured: "Your Majesty..."

Zhang Can said: "The Jing Dynasty is currently attacking Zhao State, and it will be free to go south next year at the latest. You have also heard about the recent rumors in Heluo City. Everyone is saying that I am fatuous and corrupt, which led to the successive defeats in the border wars last year. Oh, I can’t command a single soldier except you, but I have to take the blame for those rebellious ministers and traitors!”

Feng Li looked gloomy, lowered his head and said, "This minister is incompetent and cannot help His Majesty to correct his course of action."

"It has nothing to do with you."

After all, Zhang Can did not lose his last sanity, and his tone was extremely low: "Both the late emperor and I are just puppets in the eyes of those rebellious officials and traitors. Now that Southern Qi is constantly increasing the strength of its border troops, the intention of the Northern Expedition is undoubtedly revealed. Next, We will definitely capture part of the border cities. At that time, those rebellious officials and traitors, under the instruction of Qingyu Huaijin, will continue to put the blame on me, and then force me to abdicate and hand over the land of Jiangbei. Jing Chao!”

Feng Li really wanted to persuade the emperor in front of him to give in. The worst he could do was follow the other person's wishes, save his own life and the Zhang family's foundation, and just become a wealthy man on the farm.

However, he also knew that the emperor's life was too frustrating and he could not decide whether to re-elect or remove a low-level official, so he indulged in drinking and sex all day long.

So many years of accumulated negative emotions made Zhang Can unable to listen to any advice.

Thinking of this, Feng Li could only reply: "I have made statistics in private. Counting the people sent by our Zhang family to the Imperial Guard, there are about more than two hundred."

"More than two hundred people..."

Zhang Can murmured, a fierce look suddenly appeared in his eyes, and he said slowly: "Next, you only have to do one thing, win over these people. I don't need more than two hundred guards, only two hundred There are more dead soldiers. Give them whatever they want, as long as I and the Zhang family can afford it."

Feng Li realized that the emperor in front of him had fallen into an almost crazy mood.

Zhang Can added: "You and I grew up together, and now the only person I can rely on is you."

These words touched the softness deep in Feng Li's heart. He raised his eyes and looked at Zhang Can, and said solemnly: "Your Majesty, don't worry, I will do my best."

Zhang Can nodded heavily and slowly exhaled a breath.

……

Xicheng, Zhuoyuan.

Wang Shidao, the Attendant of the Procuratorate, was sitting on an ebony armchair with curly grass pattern and inlaid with jade. The tea in the cup he held in his hand was the finest Jingting Green Snow. He took a sip of the fragrant tea from time to time, his eyes resting on the face of the noble young woman opposite.

After returning again, Qingyu Huaijin had some obvious changes.

Wang Shidao remembered clearly that during the previous peace talks with those reckless people in Baotai Mountain, the princess's emotions were very suppressed, and she forcibly restrained the anger that was about to burst out. It can be seen that the recklessness of Nan Qi Lu Chen and the Seven Star Gang has brought a very heavy blow to her, otherwise she would never describe it like that.

However, after returning to the Northland and seeing each other again, he could clearly feel that Qingyu Huaijin's hostility had disappeared without a trace, leaving only a calm and unhurried spirit, and he respected himself more, not as arrogant as before. There is a hint of contempt.

"I met with Privy Pang yesterday and conveyed my father's instructions to him. The fact that Nan Qi has not taken any action yet does not mean that they are willing to miss this last opportunity. Now that the main force of our Dajing army is pacifying Zhao, they will definitely learn about this. News, I will definitely use this time to make fuss on the border. My father said that in the next year, the Yan Army only needs to hold on, and the Procuratorate will also put in more efforts." Qing Yu Huaijin's tone was gentle, not in a hurry. slow.

Wang Shidao said respectfully: "Your Highness, the Procuratorate does not dare to slack off at all. Now we have fewer manpower in Huaizhou, Southern Qi, and cannot send too many spies in a short period of time. However, based on the intelligence returned, the Governor of Huaizhou The government is well prepared and will launch an attack next spring at the latest."

Qingyu Huaijin nodded and said: "I have also reminded the Prime Minister that the imperial court must ensure the supply of food and grass for the frontier soldiers. This will be a fierce battle, and we must strive to gain and lose every city and territory. I invite Mr. Wang to come over today. In addition to communicating about these major matters, there is also a very important matter to discuss."

"Your Highness, please show me."

"Master Wang, how do we weaken the strength of the Southern Qi border army?"

Wang Shidao was slightly startled. This problem was too huge. How could he sort it out in a short while?

He looked at Qing Yu Huaijin's calm eyes and asked tentatively: "Your Highness, do you want us to take action against Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun?"

Qingyu Huaijin shook his head and said: "This matter is too difficult, and it is difficult to obtain the support of the powerful families in the south. Although they are stupid, they are not stupid enough to destroy their own foundation. Xiao and Li want to go further It’s difficult, and it’s not realistic to overthrow them. Although the dignitaries in the south don’t like them, they can’t do without the abilities of these two. Without them guarding the border, those dignitaries would probably not even be able to sleep well.”

Wang Shidao's heart moved slightly and he said slowly: "Cut off his support?"

Qingyu Huaijin's eyes lit up and he praised: "That's exactly what I mean. What my father means is that the Southern Qi border army can be allowed to gain a temporary advantage. As long as we wait for our army to pacify Zhao, we can fight them back southward." . But before that, the Qi army cannot be allowed to attack Heluo City in one go. The key is to cut off the Southern Qi court’s unremitting support for the border troops."

Wang Shidao has been immersed in espionage affairs for more than ten years and is very familiar with the layout of the Southern Qi court. After Qingyu Huaijin reminded him, he suddenly understood and said a name with a smile: "Xue Nanting."

"Mr. Wang, see you clearly."

Qingyu Huaijin smiled indifferently, and then said: "Among the officials of Southern Qi, Xue Nanting and Qin Zheng can be called the right-hand men of the Qi Emperor. However, Qin Zheng's Sutra Weaving Department cannot interfere in the government affairs after all. Only Xue Nanting can give the Qi Emperor enough support. This In the past year, Jing and Huai have received a large amount of supplies of grain, grass and weapons, all thanks to Xue Nanting, the right prime minister. To overthrow Xue Nanting, the Southern Qi border army is like a tree without roots. Even if it can gain a temporary advantage, it will eventually It’s unsustainable.”

"This plan is great."

Wang Shidao praised him sincerely, and then said: "However, Xue Nanting's position is very stable, and Emperor Qi has great trust in him. It may not be easy to bring this person down."

Qingyu Huaijin raised his eyebrows slightly and analyzed calmly: "There are many people in the Southern Qi court who want to overthrow Xue Nanting. The chess pieces buried in your Procuratorate can also be moved. I have one person here who can provide assistance. As long as Xue Nanting falls, and the new right minister must be from a wealthy family. How can they be willing to continue to support the frontier army in the Northern Expedition? After all, the people in the south of the Yangtze River contributed all those white coins."

Wang Shidao was determined, and after discussing the details with Qingyu Huaijin, he left with confidence.

Qingyu Huaijin still sat in his original position, raised his hand to pinch his eyebrows, took a sip of warm tea.

A burly figure entered the flower hall, it was Xiao Jun, the leader of the guard.

He came closer, lowered his head and reported: "Your Highness, news came from the palace today that the emperor summoned Li Yuwen to meet with him at the Nuan Pavilion in the east of the palace, and screened everyone away. Our ears and eyes cannot listen to the content of their conversation."

"Feng Li...a confidant brought into the palace by the Zhang family, the governor of the Imperial Guard?"

"Yes."

Qingyu Huaijin looked calm and muttered: "I understand."

Xiao Jun stood respectfully.

After a while, Qingyu Huaijin asked again: "How is the investigation of the Lu family's affairs going?"

Xiao Jun said: "We have an idea. Lu Tong had a military experience back then, and was kicked out for violating military discipline, so he returned to Guangling, Huaizhou to manage his family's business. According to our analysis, Lu Tong and Xiao Wang There is a continuous connection between them, but because the other party is deeply hidden, the specific situation cannot be confirmed for the time being. In addition, the Lu family company should have a lot of ambushes in the north, but we can't find it yet. "

"anything else?"

"Lu Tong and the Southern Qi miraculous doctor Xue Huaiyi were close friends. When the people in the Procuratorate planned to frame the Lu family, it was Xue Huaiyi who stood in the way, giving Lu Chen a chance to make a comeback. This miraculous doctor Xue Huaiyi was the uncle of Xue Nanting, the right minister of the Southern Qi Dynasty. "

Qingyu Huaijin rubbed the cup with his green fingers and said slowly: "Xiao Wangzhi, Xue Huaiyi, Xue Nanting, and Lu Tong are a bit interesting. In fact, I have always felt that Lu Chen's rise was too sudden, and there seemed to be many things in this process. People are deliberately paving the way.”

Xiao Jun was so blessed at this moment that he subconsciously said, "Is there some mystery to Lu Chen's identity? Otherwise, how could those big shots suddenly value him so much?"

Qingyu Huaijin looked up at him with a slightly strange expression.

Xiao Jun thought he had said something wrong and couldn't help but said nervously: "Your Highness, this little guy is talking nonsense for a moment, please don't take offense."

Qingyu Huaijin shook his head and said with a smile: "There are countless young talents in the world like crucian carp crossing the river. It is not surprising that one more Lu Shen will fall. But since he is so smooth sailing, don't blame the world for having doubts."

"What does Your Highness mean?"

"Do you know what the world is most interested in?"

"The little guy doesn't know."

"They are rumors, such as rumors related to Lu Chen's life experience. I believe many people in the south will be interested in this." Qingyu Huaijin laughed softly and asked, "Lu Chen is twenty years old this year?"

Xiao Jun replied: "Yes."

"Very good."

Qingyu Huaijin narrowed his eyes and uttered two words that puzzled Xiao Jun.

(End of this chapter)