Summoning the world to be one

Chapter 595 Zhao Guo's New Era

Chapter 596: Zhao Guo's New Era

The next day, Zhang Ying brought Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng to the gate of the imperial palace. Looking at the imperial city in front of them, Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng were very moved. They felt both familiar and unfamiliar. What was familiar was that this A centuries-old imperial city has never changed, but what is strange is that the Sri Lankan people have passed away, and the old friends from back then are long gone.

"You two elders, now the queen mother lives in the Taoist temple in the deep palace, and she never asks about the affairs of the court, so I invite the two elders to come with me." Zhang Ying said to Zuo Sheng and the two.

Zuo Sheng nodded and said, "Then lead the way, we two old fellows haven't seen the Queen Mother for a long time."

Zhang Ying led the two of them into the palace, came to the Taoist temple, and asked people to go in and report.

After several people entered, they came to the Empress Dowager Song and saluted, then Lin Qingfeng said to Zhang Ying: "Lord Zongzheng, we have something to discuss with the Empress Dowager, please stay away for a while."

Hearing this, Zhang Ying was a little stunned. What's going on? Didn't Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng invite them here?Why did he suddenly feel like an outsider, so he glanced at Queen Mother Song.

Empress Dowager Song nodded, and said: "In this case, you should step down, Zhang Ying. If something happens, the Ai family will call you."

"Here!" Zhang Ying responded, and then backed out.

After Zhang Ying left, the Empress Dowager Song said to Zuo Sheng and the two: "Since the death of King Wei, the two military advisers have retired one after another. They have not asked about the affairs of the court for many years. Why did they come into the palace to see Ai's family again today?"

Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng looked at each other, and Zuo Sheng motioned for Lin Qingfeng to speak.

After Lin Qingfeng understood, he said: "Queen Dowager, the old minister and Zuo Sheng have already retired, so they should no longer interfere with the affairs of the court, but this Da Zhao, the old minister and others have also put in a lot of hard work, and I really don't want to see it. Dazhao has been reduced to such a situation. I think back then, when King Wei was alive and General Zhao was by his side, how invincible I, Dazhao, was. How heroic I was to destroy Yan, sweep Qi Wei, and oppress Deng Qin , but now that they have suffered repeated defeats, how many of the elites who swept the world in those days are left? Now, it is the turn of the brilliant Zhao to be in charge of the family, and the veterans are very worried."

After hearing the words, the Empress Dowager Song said: "Mr. Lin's words are wrong. Prince Yuan is the only heir of the late emperor. I am the orthodox descendant of Zhao. The throne belongs to him. How can the clan be allowed to succeed the emperor?" What about it? Don’t let the outsiders fool you, the two military advisers, and ignore the country and society.”

Lin Qingfeng shook his head with a smile, and said: "Queen Mother, what happened back then is right and wrong. People in the world have their own opinions, and we don't doubt the orthodoxness of Prince Yuan. Since the late emperor still has heirs, it is natural that there is something wrong." There is nothing wrong with the succession of the late emperor's heir."

"Then I don't know what the two military advisers mean by entering the palace today?" The Empress Dowager Song was a little confused. She originally thought that Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng entered the palace to help the clan regain their place and snatch the throne from Zhang Yuan. He also prepared a lot of arguments to convince Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng, but now Lin Qingfeng said that he also supported Zhang Yuan's succession, which made the Queen Mother a little puzzled.

Lin Qingfeng said: "Queen Dowager, Prince Yuan's succession is in line with the etiquette, but after all, Prince Yuan is young, and it will take a long time to control the court. I don't know how the queen mother should deal with the important affairs of the court?"

The Empress Dowager Song said: "There is no need for Master Lin to worry about this matter. The Ai family has appointed Prime Minister Zhuang Ping, General Li Rubing, and Zongzheng Zhang Ying as assistant ministers. They will work together to assist the new emperor in the future. There will be no problems in the court."

"Empress Dowager, it's not that the old ministers are worrying about the sky. The new emperor is young, and the queen has lived in the deep palace for a long time and has no understanding of political affairs. Wouldn't the affairs of the court in the future fall into the hands of Zhuang Ping, Li Rubing, and Zhang Ying? And the old ministers have also heard that Zhuang Ping, The relationship between Li Rubing and Li Rubing is very good, and they have been allies for many years. Although Zhang Ying is Zongzheng, his ability is limited, and it is impossible to fight against Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing. After the new king grows up, how will he fight against Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, who are in power?" Lin Qingfeng said.

"Then I don't know what the two military advisers think should be done?" Queen Mother Song asked. She had thought of this question a long time ago, so Zhang Ying was appointed as the auxiliary minister. The purpose was to check and balance Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, but After being told by Lin Qingfeng, the Empress Dowager Song felt that Zhang Ying would not be the opponent of Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing. Even with the support of the entire clan, it would be difficult to win over Zhuang Ping and them.

Lin Qingfeng said: "You don't have to worry about the queen mother. The new king is young and the queen doesn't understand political affairs, but the queen mother is different. Back then, the queen mother used to make a lot of comments on the affairs of the court when she was with King Wei. Now the queen mother can completely follow the example of the pre-Qin queen mother Mi." For the old affairs, temporarily take charge of the government and return the power after the new king grows up. I believe that with the Empress Dowager around, Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing will not dare to act recklessly."

This is Lin Qingfeng's purpose. If he wants to check and balance Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, it is difficult to do it with their current strength. Even if Zhang Ying is added, he can't do it. In the name of regent, she presides over the government. The Empress Dowager Song is the official palace of the mighty king. She has a high reputation both inside and outside the court. Li Rubing and Li Rubing held great power, so they didn't dare to act recklessly.

The Empress Dowager Song thought about it seriously, and felt that what Lin Qingfeng said was very reasonable, but the Empress Dowager Song was also a little hesitant. Although she could take the regent, most of the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty were from Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, and she supported Zhang Yuanji He also offended a large number of clans, so he was isolated and helpless. Under such circumstances, even if he stepped in as regent, it would be difficult to contain Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing.

"What Lin Junshi said is reasonable, but although the Ai family is the empress dowager, they have no strength in the court, and Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, one person controls all the officials, and the other is in charge of the military power. The Ai family is alone and alone. How can we fight against the two of them? Even if the clan headed by Zhang Ying supports the Ai family, it is difficult to do so, and the clan may not support the Ai family." The Empress Dowager Song said.

Seeing this, Lin Qingfeng knew that the time was right, so he said: "If the queen mother has doubts, then the old minister and Zuo Sheng can help the queen mother."

"I don't know what clever plan the military master has?" asked the Empress Dowager Song.

Lin Qingfeng said: "Queen Dowager, the veteran and Zuo Sheng also have some prestige in the court and the army. If the Queen Mother can trust the two veterans, they can be appointed as auxiliary ministers. As for Zhang Ying, the veteran can persuade him Support the Empress Dowager, so out of the five assistant ministers, three will support the Empress Dowager, which is enough to stand against Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing."

Zuo Sheng on the side was suddenly surprised. He didn't expect Lin Qingfeng to come here for this purpose, but he had to say that if the two of them could take power, they would surely gather a large number of old ministers. As long as Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing follow the rules, They will never be the opponents of the two of them. After all, as the two major military divisions under Xin Zhao's command, the two of them are not so easy to deal with. Even if Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing don't follow the rules, they are not afraid. Their prestige in the army can instantly share Li Rubing's military power. Even if they don't have [-]%, they can get [-]%. In this way, they will have the capital to fight.

"This..." Empress Dowager Song hesitated.

"The queen mother can't trust the two of us?" Lin Qingfeng didn't need to speak now, Zuo Sheng asked while the iron was hot.

The Empress Dowager Song said hesitantly: "The two military advisers, Aijia is naturally trustworthy, but in this way, wouldn't it mean that Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing are being hated? Aijia is worried that they will not agree."

Lin Qingfeng smiled and said, "Don't worry about the queen mother. Now that the late emperor has passed away, the queen mother is the biggest one in Da Zhao. As long as the queen mother agrees, Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, with veterans around, will agree."

The Empress Dowager Song thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Well, since that's the case, it shouldn't be too late. Tomorrow, the Ai family will summon the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty to announce the regent and the two military advisers to assist the government."

"The Queen Mother is wise!" Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng praised.

The next day, the Empress Dowager Song summoned hundreds of civil and military officials to discuss the affairs of the Qian Palace. Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing walked side by side. Li Rubing asked Zhuang Ping strangely: "Mr. Zhuang, why can you tell the empress dowager to summon the ministers today? Is it for About the grand ceremony of the new king's ascension to the throne?"

Zhuang Ping shook his head and said, "I don't know the truth, but I heard that Lin Qingfeng came to Jinyang and entered the palace with Zuo Sheng yesterday."

"What! Master Lin came to Jinyang? Do you know why?" Li Rubing was very surprised. After Zhao Xin died of illness, Lin Qingfeng resigned from his official position and went into hiding. ah.

Zhuang Ping said: "Lin Qingfeng must have been invited by Zuo Sheng. As for their purpose, it is not yet known, but there is no need to worry too much. Only the general and the general join forces. Even Lin Qingfeng can't threaten him." our."

Li Rubing walked into the Chengqian Hall with anxiety, and found that the Empress Dowager Song had sealed the throne, and he was sitting under the throne, and Li Rubing also discovered the relationship between Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng from among the crowd entering the Chengqian Hall. The figure, and the two of them walked quite close to Zhang Ying, which made Li Rubing's worries even more serious.

"Meet the Empress Dowager!" All the ministers saluted the Empress Dowager Song together.

The Empress Dowager Song nodded, and then said: "The reason for summoning all the ministers today is because the late emperor left a will, so the Ai family had no choice but to leave the harem and come to the former court."

"What! The first emperor left a will? When did it happen?" Zhuang Ping, who was at the front, was very surprised. You must know that Zhang Xian has been in a daze since he fell ill, and there was no chance to leave any will. The Queen Mother of Song What kind of medicine is sold in the gourd?
The Empress Dowager Song said to Zuo Sheng who was standing behind: "Master Zuo, the late emperor's edict is in your hands, and you can read it out."

"Here!" Zuo Sheng came out, then took out an imperial edict from his sleeve, and read aloud: "Emperor's imperial edict: Since the defeat of the Central Plains, the body of the dragon has gradually eroded, and I am afraid that it will not be long before the world. After my death, The throne will be inherited by the prince Zhang Yuan, and the Empress Dowager Song will be the regent, and all important affairs of state affairs will be decided by the Empress Dowager Song, hereby!"

All the ministers were surprised when they heard the words, and they were all wondering where Zuo Sheng's edict came from. Zhuang Ping came out and asked, "Mr. Zuo, I don't know where your edict came from? As we all know, the late emperor did not Without leaving any words, why did the Zuo military division suddenly come up with a will?"

Before Zuo Sheng could answer, the Empress Dowager Song said, "Master Zhuang, this edict was left by the late emperor before he fell into a coma. Aijia?"

"I dare not!" Zhuang Ping replied with his head down, questioning the Empress Dowager Song. Of course, Zhuang Ping would not do this. You must know that whether it was the change of Langmeng back then or the current battle for the throne, the reason why they were able to overwhelm the crowd The minister, with the support of the Empress Dowager Song, was the Empress Dowager who gave them the title of righteousness. If he questioned the Empress Dowager Song, wouldn't he be questioning himself?

"In this case, we will follow the late emperor's edict and let the Ai family be the regent. However, the Ai family is only a woman and doesn't know much about the affairs of the court, so they need the help of the assistant ministers. Therefore, the Ai family decided that the new king will succeed. Afterwards, Prime Minister Zhuang Ping, General Li Rubing, Zong Zheng Zhang Ying, and Zuo Sheng as Sikong, Lin Qingfeng as Situ, and the five of them as auxiliary ministers to assist the new emperor!" Seeing that Zhuang Ping was restrained, the Empress Dowager Song hurriedly appointed the assistant The appointment of the Minister of Political Affairs was also announced, so as not to have long nights and dreams.

When everyone heard the words, they fell silent immediately. Although they were a little doubtful about Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng being assistant ministers, they did not doubt that Zuo Sheng was not qualified to assist the government. After all, in terms of prestige, even Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing Compared with the two of them, they are slightly inferior, so what qualifications do they have to question?However, Zhang Ying was very dissatisfied. Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng were invited by him to deal with Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing, but now these two have become auxiliary ministers in the blink of an eye. It didn't happen right away.

Zhuang Ping and Li Rubing were very dissatisfied with this, thinking that the Queen Mother Song was guarding against them, but they couldn't say anything about Zuo Sheng and Lin Qingfeng, after all, these two people were their seniors in terms of seniority , so the proposal was happily passed.

In the third year of Tiantong, on March [-]th, Zhang Yuan, the prince of Zhao State, officially ascended the throne in Chengqian Palace and became the second emperor of Zhao State. The Meng family in the main palace of Emperor Wen is the empress dowager, and the empress dowager Song is regent. Prime Minister Zhuang Ping, general Li Rubing, Zongzheng Zhang Ying, Sikong Zuosheng, and Situ Lin Qingfeng are assisted in the administration. At this point, the struggle for the throne of the Zhao Kingdom for several months has officially begun. The curtain fell.

(End of this chapter)