Huan Rong

Xi Chao bid farewell to Sima Yao, and made a special trip to bid farewell to Sima Yu in the main room, before he left Langya Prince's Mansion and went out of the city to return to the barracks.

Not long after he left, Sima Yao made up his mind and got up to meet Sima Yu.

The father and son retreated from the servants and shut themselves in the room for a secret conversation. After half an hour, the door was opened from the inside.

Sima Yao walked out from the door, his eyes were red, his voice was slightly hoarse, there were still tears in the corners of his eyes, it was obvious that he had just cried.It's just that his expression is a bit relaxed, not as dignified as before, and his back seems to be a bit straight.

In the main room, Sima Yu watched his son leave, feeling touched in his heart, and sighed deeply.

"Forcing my father and son to be like this is really lamentable."

Empress Dowager Chu joined hands with Xi Yin and Sima Huan to wrestle, and their father and son became the tools of both sides' struggle.Now we have to add the noble families in Jiankang City, if there is a slight mistake, the Langya Palace will not exist.

Thinking of the return of his loyal servant, and knowing what Xi Chao had said to Sima Yao, Sima Yu's expression darkened for a moment.

"Xi Jingxing."

Three words were squeezed out between the teeth, and the chill seeped through.

At this moment, Sima Yu was not as gentle as usual.

Without a little means, how can you sit on the position of prime minister.

Early years ago, Sima Yu also had great ambitions and tried to decentralize power from Huan Wen. For this reason, he did not hesitate to use the name of clear talks to attract famous people from Kuaiji to the court.

Unfortunately, the approach didn't work.

Although these people can have a certain influence on the emperor and the court, they have never been able to really check and balance Huan Wen. Instead, they handed over more power because of several mistakes in decision-making.

Xi Yin took control of Jingkou, and Sima Yu was secretly relieved, thinking that with the deterrence of the Beifu army, Huan Wen would always restrain himself a bit.

Unexpectedly, the Jin family made a foolish move and regarded Yuan Zhen as an abandoned son, forcing him to stick to Shouchun to seek rebellion!

As soon as this happened, Sima Yu knew it was not good.

Sure enough, when the rabbit died and the fox wept, Xi Yin became wary of the Jin family, and was no longer as loyal as before.This time when the troops arrived in Jiankang, they didn't stay in the city for a long time at all. When they entered the palace to meet the Empress Dowager Chu, they spoke with some reservations.

It is speculated from the information obtained that in time, Jingkou will also change its name and surname like Gu Shu, and get out of Sima's control.

One east and one west, the important passages in and out of Jiankang are all occupied by powerful officials.Even if they compete against each other, it is impossible to join forces, and the Jin Dynasty court caught in the middle will still suffer from both ends.

Doomed to be abolished today, the Empress Dowager pushed out the young Sima Yao, obviously with the intention of continuing to be a regency.

Thinking of this, Sima Yu couldn't help sneering.

"Chu Suanzi's tricks have been exhausted, why has he never thought about it, not only Huan Yuanzi, but also the Jiankang gentry may not be happy to see her take power again."

Once the Empress Dowager becomes regent, the Chu family and her in-laws will try to make a comeback in the name of their relatives.Just like the gradually revived Langya Wang clan, it will definitely have an impact on the existing court political situation.

The fat is so big, if there is one more person to share it, the one that gets to him will be less.If you want to keep the original share, you must either keep people out or squeeze them out.

Wang Xianzhi and Wang Biaozhi have already joined forces, and Langya Wang's lords have entered the dynasty one after another. With the foundation laid by Wang Dao and Wang Dun in the early years, even the Taiyuan Wang's cannot easily squeeze them out.

With the lessons learned from the past and combining their own interests, some people are naturally not happy to see Queen Mother Chu's plans come true.

After the Yuan Emperor, the emperors of the Sima family were basically decorations, and most of them didn't live long, so they couldn't be as talented as the Qin and Han Dynasties.This further consolidated the authority of the gentry in the court.

Now, Empress Dowager Chu plans to launch Sima Yao, who will be regent again, which is destined to break the power structure established by Wang and Xie.

Huan Wenwen and Ximin can't move, Langya Wang can also give in, and his relative Chu wants to intervene again?

Three words: Impossible!

Sima Yu sneered again.

In Jiankang's game of chess, he and Sima Yao are both pawns, the only difference is that Sima Yao entered the game passively, unable to control himself from the very beginning, unable to control everything.And he can choose the person who plays the chess anyway.

With his many years of political experience, even with the support of Xi Yin, it is impossible for the Empress Dowager Chu to win over Huan Yuanzi.

What's more, the Jiankang gentry are vacillating, and they say one thing in front of the other.There was a letter sent in a few days ago, and there was a hint between the lines, clearly hoping that he would be able to take over the position, and not optimistic about the Empress Dowager Chu's return to court.

Even so, Sima Yu couldn't help feeling resentful towards Xi Chao.

He could have slowly persuaded his parents and children, and maintained the relationship between father and son, but Xi Chao's cross kick completely disrupted the plan.

After today, their father and son will never return to the past.Sima Yao will not only create a estrangement with him, but also be wary of Sima Daozi.

Father and son are at odds, and brothers are not close.

Not yet on the throne, hidden dangers have already been buried.

"Okay, what a Xi Jingxing, what a Huan Yuanzi!"

Knowing that Xi Chao's behavior was not good, he couldn't stop him, he could only make up for it afterwards.However, judging from the results, the effect was really mediocre, and Sima Yu suddenly felt bitter.

"Time is also fate."

This is the path he chose, no matter how difficult it is, he must go on.

At this moment, Sima Yu and Huan Rong felt the same emotion.

I don't know if it's a coincidence or a doomed history.

Xi Chao returned to the barracks, and had time to rest in the future, so he quickly returned to the commander's account.Walking all the way to the outside of the tent, when I heard the voice coming from inside the tent, I couldn't help but my heart moved slightly and I stopped.

"But the eldest son and the third son are here?"

The guard in front of the tent nodded, Xi Chao listened for a while, a hint of sarcasm flashed in his eyes, he didn't enter the account at this time, but turned around and turned back.Before leaving, he ordered the guards to send someone to deliver a letter to him when the two sons left.

"promise!"

In the handsome tent, Huan Da Sima is at the top, Huan Xi sits on the right, and Huan Xin is on the left. The two compete to speak out, intending to show something in front of their father.

However, Huanxi was recuperating in the mansion and rarely went out. Huan Xin's official position was not high, and the news was very late.Even if it involves the court, it is mostly old news, which is known to almost everyone, and soon arouses the annoyance of Sima Huan.

Sensing Sima Huan's impatience, Huan Xin stopped talking immediately, but Huan Xi still didn't realize it, and was still talking.

Half a moment later, Huanda Sima couldn't listen any longer, so he interrupted him, "My son, I knew about this a long time ago."

Hearing this, Huanxi kept his mouth shut, his face turned red and pale.Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Huan Xin's complacent look, and couldn't help but get angry.If it wasn't for Gu Ji Huan Da Sima being by his side, I'm afraid he would fight the case and whip him hard.

At this moment, Huan Xi obviously forgot that he was disabled, and he needed help to walk, and it was even more impossible to swing his whip like in the past.

Sending away his two sons, Sima Huan frowned deeply.

"Ridiculous!"

In less than a moment, the guard reported to Xi Chao to see him.

"Jing Xing is back? Hurry up!"

Xi Chao enters the account and salutes, sits down, and tells all the things about the visit to Langya Palace.

When it was said that Sima Yao had been persuaded, [-]% of them would turn against the Empress Dowager Chu, Sima Huan finally felt better and laughed out loud.

"Okay! Jingxing Dacai!"

"Duke Ming praised it, but I dare not take it."

"Due it, deserve it!"

Since arriving in Jiankang these days, Huan Da Sima has been holding back a sigh of depression, and now he can vent his anger, and he feels very relieved.

Without Sima Yao's chess piece, neither Empress Dowager Chu nor Xi Yin should be feared.

"Is there any news from Qingxi?"

"Go back to Da Sima, not yet."

Princess Nankang and Mrs. Li moved out of Huan Mansion and moved into Huan Rong's mansion in Qingxi. It was clearly stated that it was a short stay, but they lived there for several months, obviously they had no intention of returning to the mansion.

On the surface, this move didn't mean anything, but thinking about it deeply, Huan Wen had to worry.

Helplessly, the public spying was ineffective, and they were all sent back with a few words, but they never returned when they secretly sent someone.

Sima Huan devoted most of his energy to the court, but he couldn't take care of it for a while, when he came back to his senses, Huan Rong had sent people twice to guard the house like an iron bucket.

Want to easily spy on the news?

Totally impossible.

Start from the inside?

Ever since A Gu taught her a lesson, Princess Nankang sorted out the people around her twice, sent all suspicious persons to the farm, and immediately punished them as farm slaves after finding out the facts.

Knowing that Huan Rong was short of manpower, he sent a batch to the saltworks.

If you are a farm slave, you can see the sun, but if you are a salt slave, you will be trapped in a square inch all your life, and you can't even think about leaving.

Several times, no one dared to think again.Threats and lures are not easy to use, and they will report to the higher authorities when they are in a hurry.

Princess Nankang never beat around the bush, and wrote directly to Sima Huan's dignitary.At this point, Huanda Sima finally found out that his wife's behavior was completely different from before, and he was not afraid to tear himself apart at all.

"Is there really no way?" Thinking of Huan Rong in Youzhou, Sima Huan became more and more worried.

Xi Chao also frowned.

If there is a way, he has already done it, why wait until today.

Let the tiger go back to the mountain, let the dragon go to sea.

It's a pity that several times of planning failed, and it may not be easy for the fifth young master to make a move.

"Duke Ming, I learned yesterday that there is a servant missing from the official's house. I sent someone to investigate carefully. It seems that I went out of the city to report a funeral, but I haven't returned yet."

"A servant?" Huan Wen didn't know why.

Since contracting a minor illness a few months ago, his energy has become increasingly weak.It was only half a day, and I was a little tired.

"As far as I know, the servant is heading north."

North?

Huan Wen pinched the center of his brows, a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind.

Youzhou?

At the same time, Jia Bing and his party traveled day and night and finally arrived in Jiankang.

Passing by Sima Huan's camp, the convoy didn't stop, but sped up and went straight into the city.

In front of the city gate, Xu Chao jumped off the carriage and showed the sign of the Assassin's Mansion.The guards at the city gate verified their identities and did not dare to stop them, so they immediately moved out of the way and let the group of people enter the city.

"Go to Qingxili first, and then go to Huan Mansion."

Jia Bingan was in the car, and planned to pay a visit to Princess Nankang first, explain the plan briefly, and then go to the Huan Mansion to meet the two young masters and present the table gifts prepared in advance.

After Jiankang City knows that there are people from Youzhou, they can enter the barracks outside the city.

"Have you ever sent someone to find out how far the two armies are stationed?"

"Don't worry, she, with Cai Yun following him, he will definitely find out the matter clearly."

As a water bandit, inquiring about news is a housekeeping skill.

If he didn't have this ability, where would he be able to find fat sheep? He would have been wiped out by the nearby state and county soldiers, and ended up decapitated.

"very good."

Jia Bing pushed open the window and looked at the place where the carriage passed. What he thought about was not the prosperity of Jiankang, but how he could break through the city defense as soon as possible and take down the city in the future when swords and soldiers will face each other.

"The land is not dangerous, the walls are not high, the city is not strong, water and land can be attacked, fire attack can be razed to the ground, and it is far away from Chang'an and Luoyang."

If Huan Rong heard these words, he might break out in a cold sweat.

I was worried that the old things in Chang'an would repeat itself in Jiankang before, so I did a lot of psychological training for myself.He even hinted in his words that he hoped that Jia Bing's trip would not be too "out of line".

Unexpectedly, the ancients were really good at making up their minds, Jia Sheren would mistake the true meaning of the assassin, and his mind was full of siege and arson, and laying down Jiankang.

Should it be a mistake, self-defeating, or the origin of family education, can you not accept it?

Only God knows.

Cheonggye-ri

It was rare for Princess Nankang to show a bit of joy when she knew about the people from Youzhou.

Ever since she and the Queen Mother tore apart, "fresh faces" often appeared in Qingxi.Every time the health servant returns, Princess Nankang will sneer.

To say a thousand words and ten thousand, with only that little means, she has already tasted it thoroughly, and it is right to watch a big show.

Mrs. Li walked into the guest room, her skirt swayed gently, like floating clouds.

"Sister, Mr. Lang sent back a message a few days ago, and there will be someone today, sister, can you rest assured?"

While speaking, Mrs. Li knelt down beside Princess Nankang, brushed her slender fingers over the sleeves embroidered with gold thread, smiled sweetly, and looked even more charming.

"Thanks to the pigeons raised by my sister." Princess Nankang smiled back.

"These pigeons are dexterous and can recognize the spices that your husband has infected." Mrs. Li leaned closer, her red lips slightly parted, "It's a pity that they are not fierce enough, I want to raise a few more eagle eagles, and I need my sister to send someone to find them." .”

Speaking of birds of prey, both of them thought of the goshawk beside Huan Rong.

An eagle that can catch a deer is not unique, but as far as the Southland is concerned, it is probably quite difficult to find.

"Gua'er has business dealings with the Xihe Qin family. If it really doesn't work, let him find one or two from the north."

"Xihe Qin Clan, Mr. Lang seems to be on good terms with Qin Clan Shiro?"

Princess Nankang nodded, Mrs. Li lowered her eyes slightly, and the smile on the corner of her mouth slowly disappeared, not knowing what she was thinking.

The servant servant moved to set up a screen to cover the figures of the two.

Jia Bing was led into the inner room by Ah Mai, bowed upright, and called him "Your Highness".

Through the screen, Princess Nankang couldn't help frowning when she saw Jia Bing's handsome but slightly mean face.

At that time, people were good at meeting each other. Princess Nankang may not have the ability of Xi Chao, but she also has a certain ability to know people.The first time I saw Jia Bing, I felt unhappy.

This person must be cold-hearted, even a bit vicious, why is there such a person beside Gua'er?

Princess Nankang clasped her five fingers together, feeling a little worried.

Mrs. Li's eyes flickered slightly, she glanced at Jia Bing, and smiled softly.From this point of view, Mr. Lang really listened to a lot of what she said before.

"Sister."

The back of her hand was patted, and Princess Nankang withdrew her thoughts.Thinking of Huan Rong's current situation, he couldn't help pursing his red lips tightly, and slowly loosened his clenched fingers.

If you want to stay safe or even ascend to a high position, you really need the support of such people.

"Jia Sheren's trip is for the court's affairs?"

"Return to Your Highness, that's right."

Jia Bing nodded slightly, and asked Princess Nankang to push back the servant girl, saying: "This matter is of great importance, and please be considerate, Your Highness."

"Yes." Princess Nankang said without hesitation, "Amai, stay outside the door."

"promise!"

After a while of footsteps, the room fell silent.

Jia Bing raised his head and said solemnly: "This servant, I am carrying the edict of the emperor's Zen throne, and I want to go outside the city to meet with Da Sima, in order to unite and protect the Lord to overcome this difficulty."

One sentence is very simple, but the news revealed is really amazing.

Realizing what Jia Bing had said, Princess Nankang could hardly hide her surprise.

"Zen Edict?"

"Yes." Jia Bing said in a deep voice, "The emperor wrote it himself, with a private seal, and sent it to Xuyi by the servant."

"Where is the messenger?" Princess Nankang asked coldly.

"Detained in the assassin's mansion, His Highness can rest assured."

Princess Nankang breathed a sigh of relief, but she couldn't help feeling angry when she thought that Jia Bing was going to the military camp outside the city.It wasn't Jia Bing, let alone Huan Rong, who was angry, but Sima Yi who issued the edict.

"Si Mayi wants to kill my son!"

Mrs. Li supported Princess Nankang's arm, with a flash of worry in her eyes, she whispered in the princess's ear: "Sister, this matter must be suppressed, and the news cannot be spread."

The two have experienced too many court power struggles, and they know what this Zen edict represents.

If the news leaks out, Huan Rong will surely become the target of public criticism.

"For the current plan, we can only unite with my husband and master." Mrs. Li persuaded softly, "We can only plan for future affairs after Jiankang matters."

Whether Huan Rong can use this to ascend to the throne.Neither of them thought about it at all.

It is still possible to be Sima Huan, but with Huan Rong's current strength, doing so will only lead to death.

"Jasher."

"Your Highness."

"This matter is entrusted to you, and you must protect me well." Princess Nankang said, "The old slave knows how powerful it is, and may make it difficult for him, but he will still nod in the end. You need to pay attention to joining the army, Xi Chao, and you must listen to his words."

"promise!"

Hearing Xi Chao's name, the corners of Jia Bing's mouth turned up slightly, showing a touch of sarcasm.

In the early years, Xi Chao was hailed as "a man of the moment" by eminent monks, and he was as famous as Wang Tanzhi of the Wang family in Taiyuan.Judging from his behavior, he really doesn't deserve these four words.

Each is its master.

There is nothing wrong with Xi Chao's attack on Huan Rong, but the methods are despised.

If you want to be poisonous, you should be extremely poisonous; if you want to be evil, you should be extremely evil.

Xi Chao doesn't get along with the two, in Jia Bing's view, he can't achieve great things in the end.

After bidding farewell to Princess Nankang, Jia Bing took people to Huanfu.Knowing that Huan Xi and Huan Xin left the city and haven't returned yet, they leave behind three chariots in front of the public, and order Jian servant to clear the way to the military camp outside the city, acting very high-profile.

In less than half a day, the news of the people from Youzhou spread throughout the city.

After Huan Wen got the report, the people from the Fengyang County Public House asked to see him. The Empress Dowager Chu in Taicheng had heard the news and sent people out of the city to investigate. She only saw the back of a convoy and was arrested by the Xifu army patrolling outside the camp. with.

Huan Xi and Huan Xin hadn't left the camp yet, when they heard that someone from Youzhou was coming, they immediately felt vigilant.He found out that the person who asked to see Sima Huan was an unfamiliar counselor, and he was accompanied by a fierce man who was over nine feet tall, with a bit of surprise on his face.

Xi Chao stayed in the tent, and when he saw Jia Bing walking into the tent, he couldn't help feeling vigilant.

Without squinting, Jia Bing stepped forward and bowed his hands: "Jia Bing, a member of the county government house, pays his respects to Da Sima."

Xu Chao was stopped outside the tent, he didn't force his way, but he always kept Huan Rong's instructions in mind, standing in front of the tent like a steel tower, he refused to leave half a step.If the situation is not good, be ready to enter the account to grab people at any time.

"sit."

Unaware of the other party's intention, Sima Huan deliberately put on a solemn expression, intending to put pressure on Jia Bing.Unexpectedly, Jia Bing didn't seem to notice it, and he was still talking and laughing happily. The mention of Huan Rong in his words was mostly about his loving father in Youzhou.

Loving father?

Huan Da Sima's reaction was exactly the same as Huan Rong's, he felt his teeth ache.

But seeing Jia Bingyu mentioning this statement several times, it seems that he meant something, and he couldn't help but feel suspicious.If this person came this trip, he wouldn't make his teeth ache just for talking nonsense, would he?

Seeing that the fire was almost ready, Jia Bing smiled slightly, took out a roll of bamboo slips from his bosom, and respectfully sent it to Sima Huan.

"A few days ago, a servant from the palace went to Xuyi and brought this edict. The envoy was shocked when he saw it, and immediately detained him. He stated that he could not make any claims, so he ordered the servant to bring the edict to Jiankang to see Da Sima as soon as possible, and ask Da Sima to make a decision. .”

Huan Wen's doubts deepened. After receiving the edict and unfolding it, his face suddenly changed.

"Come on!"

Immediately, there were guards outside the tent, who rushed in with spears in their hands.

"Pull this person down and behead him immediately!"

"promise!"

Just as the guards were about to step forward to pull people away, Xu Chao rushed into the tent, guarded Jia Bing's side, and overturned several people with several moves.The tiger's eyes are wide open, like a beast in the mountains, wanting to choose and devour.

The sound of the blade being unsheathed was endless, the atmosphere in the tent was stagnant, and the evil spirit was steaming.

Jia Bing suddenly laughed loudly and looked at Sima Huan as if he was looking at a fool.

"Da Sima really wants to kill me?"

Huan Wen narrowed his eyes with a cold look on his face.He and Jia Bing looked at each other, seeing that the other party was always smiling, without any fear, and couldn't help feeling a little admiration.

"Da Sima is an extremely talented minister, loyal to the Jin Dynasty, and is indeed the imperial court's arm."

The words were good, but they were full of irony in Huan Wen's ears.

"Are you really not afraid of death?"

"I'm afraid." Jia Bing nodded and admitted, there was still no trace of fear on his face, "But I know that as Da Sima is decisive and wise, he should understand what this edict means, and also know the sincerity of the envoy. This move is just a test, not true. I want to see blood. In this way, what fear do I have?"

"Ha ha……"

Huan Wen laughed out loud, ordered the guards to retreat, stepped forward to help Jia Bing himself, and said: "This is a very important matter, Wen has to be cautious, no wonder Jia Sheren."

"Don't dare."

On the contrary, Jia Bing put away his smile and returned the salute.

"Whether it is feasible, can Da Sima express it clearly? I am in a hurry, and I still have to pay a visit to Mr. Xi Shijun's camp, so there is no delay."

Huan Wen held the bamboo slips tightly, looked at Jia Bing with a calm expression, and put away his smile little by little.

"Are the Jasher men threatening me?"

"Don't dare." Jia Bing shook his head and said, "I will bear the great trust of the envoy, and I dare not be negligent. However, Jiankang is very windy, and one road cannot be followed, so we must choose another road. Otherwise, when the storm hits, I am afraid It’s hard to protect yourself.”

There was silence in the tent, and after a full moment, Huan Wen finally nodded.

"it is good."

"Minggong!" Xi Chao said in astonishment.Although I don't know the content of the edict, I know that the matter is of great importance.Seeing that Sima Huan nodded so easily without calling his counselors to discuss, he was shocked and turned pale.

But Jia Bing ignored him, got Huan Wen's promise, he was not worried about the other party's backlash, he would not stay any longer, and wanted to say goodbye and leave.

Before leaving, he did not forget to say to Huan Wen: "Da Sima, the person who preached the edict is still in Xuyi. If there is a wind in Jiankang, Da Sima should take care of the officials."

This sentence was full of deep meaning, so Huan Da Sima naturally wouldn't fail to understand.

"Jiashe is a great talent, a great man among men, would you like to join my shogunate?"

"Bing's talents are sparse, and he doesn't understand political affairs, so he should not be appreciated by the great Sima."

After saying that, no matter how Sima Huan tried to persuade him to stay, Jia Bing firmly resigned and left without looking back.