Huan Rong

Yiwei in December of the fifth year of Taihe

The rain and snow floated all night, and a layer of ice crystals fell on the Qinhuai River.

It was just dawn, and more than ten ox carts drove out one after another from Wuyi Lane in Qingxili, most of which were painted with red walls and covered with soap. Behind the carts were several healthy servants in coir raincoats and bamboo hats, declaring that the people in the carts were either honorable or noble. , either with a title of title, or with an official rank exceeding a thousand stones.

Occasionally, a few cars with red paint and soap cloth will pass by, and they will give way to the side at a certain distance, and the honorable ones will go first.

When encountering people of similar rank and rank walking side by side, they just nod their heads through the car windows, and rarely open the car door to salute and exchange a few words.

The weather is getting more and more gloomy, and the cold wind is whistling, indicating that the rain and snow will be even greater.

On the shaft of the chariot, a healthy servant flicked a long whip, whipping out one after another. The crisp sound mixed together, accompanied by the whistling north wind, like a strange song of mourning, spread along the bank of the Qinhuai River, drifting straight past the unopened fence gate.

Taicheng is brightly lit.

The palace maid hurriedly walked down the corridor holding the lacquer tray in her hands, and the corners of her skirts were rippled.The eunuchs set up futons and lamps in the hall, and were busy in an orderly manner.

The brazier with five people hugging each other was placed in front of the hall, and the eunuch added firewood to it as usual.

The firewood piles point out in the basin and overlap into a cone shape.

When the flint is polished, a little flame ignites slowly, and then turns orange red, swallowing the whole pyre from the inside.

The cold wind swept past, and the fire swayed with it, seemingly extinguishing but not extinguishing.

The rain intensified in an instant, and the fire finally went out, and a wisp of white smoke rose from the half-burned pyre.

The eunuch stomped his feet and braved the rain to polish the flint.

Once, twice, three times...

The rain became heavier and heavier, the snow fell one after another, and the fire never ignited again.

The snow quickly turned into hail, and the eunuch was not careful about being smashed into the forehead. When he saw the ice particles rolling around his feet, the pain came slowly. He immediately covered the wound and ran down the corridor with an "ouch".

Braziers and flints were left behind.

The flames that were extinguished in the heavy rain, the white smoke swept away by the wind, and the empty bluestone road seemed to indicate that Sima Yi was about to be abolished, and they seemed to reveal the fate of the entire Eastern Jin Dynasty.

The royal family is weak and the power is left behind.

The Hu tribe in the north stared at them fiercely, and the powerful ministers and powerful officials appeared on the stage after singing.But Sima Yi was the most unfortunate. During his reign, he met Huan Wen and became the first emperor to be deposed since the founding of the Jin Dynasty.

Civil and military vehicles arrived at the palace gate one after another.

The door of the car was pushed open, and the courtiers in court uniforms and jinxian crowns looked at each other with solemn expressions, not in the mood to exchange pleasantries or jokes.

Wang Tanzhi and Xie An walked in the procession, holding Chaohu in their hands, behind the board was empty, without a word.

Today's protagonist is Huan Wenwen and Sima Yi, everyone knows it well.

The whole hall is full of supporting actors, and there is no need to make a sound, just stand on one side as the background, witnessing the scene of the emperor being deposed.

"Since last year, Jiankang has experienced too much wind and rain." Xie An suddenly sighed.It seems to be talking to Wang Tanzhi, and it seems to be talking to himself.

Wang Tanzhi turned his head, looked at him carefully, quickly withdrew his gaze, his lips twitched twice, but finally did not answer.

It's useless to say anything so far.

Sima Yi was doomed to be abolished, and King Langya's ascension to the throne became inevitable.What they want to pay attention to is not how the emperor is abolished, but the first will of the new emperor after he ascended the throne.

It is said that Huanwen wrote to King Langya several times, and the words between the lines refer to the rituals of Jiuxi.The intention is obvious, so we have to guard against it.But how to prevent it is not a small problem for everyone.

The only way is to unite with Xi Yin.

However, Xi Cishi was different from the past, and his attitude towards the Jin Dynasty was very subtle.Xie An and Wang Tanzhi were worried and could not make up their minds, fearing that the front door would reject the wolves and the back door would attract the tiger, which would cause even greater hidden dangers.

The gift of nine tins, which was remembered by Sima Huan, was first recorded in the "Book of Rites".Including public service, weapons, wealthy families and so on.

Tracing back to the source, Jiajiuxi represents the emperor's highest courtesy to his courtiers.

The problem is that since the Han Dynasty, people who add Jiuxi have been too "special".

Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Sima Zhao.

Counting on his fingers, Wang Mang usurped the Han and established a new dynasty, with the brand of a rebellious minister shining brightly on his forehead; Cao Cao didn't make it to the Ninth Five-Year Plan when he was born, but he acted as the emperor to make the princes, and was chased by his son after his death; Not to mention Sima Zhao, everyone knows his desire to usurp the throne.

Look at these three, compared to Huan Da Sima, Xie An Wang Tanzhi is not worried.

As he wished, the emperor decreed to add Jiuxi, and the emperor's surname would change from "Sima" to "Huan" in a short time, and the entire Jin Dynasty would change hands.

With worries, death and Huan Wen's actions of arrogating power, Xie An's footsteps became more and more heavy, and every time he took a step forward, his heart sank half a bit.

Time and life.

After the Eight Kings Rebellion, the Jin Dynasty could never go back to the past.Emperor Yuan crossed the river, and the king and horse shared the world, which set the tone for the decline of imperial power.

As a member of the gentry, Xie An should have spared no effort to maintain this cornerstone, keep his vested interests and try to expand them.

However, seeing the current situation of the imperial court and thinking of the news from the North, Xie An felt resentful, and there seemed to be an evil fire burning in his chest, which could almost swallow the whole person.

At the end of Maoshi, the sky was bright.

The rain was a bit less, but the hailstones fell more quickly. The ground was covered with a layer of ice particles. The big ones were like pigeon eggs, crystal clear, and could illuminate human faces. The small ones were like rice grains, which began to melt when they hit the ground and disappeared quickly.

After Wen and Wu arrived, the two eunuchs pushed open the door of the palace, and several musicians plucked the zither and played the drums.

Amidst the music, two eunuchs danced out, stopped in front of the throne, and knelt down.

Sima Yi walked into the hall through the side door, and started his last court meeting since he ascended the throne.

The emperor appeared, and the music stopped immediately.

The officials should have bowed their bodies and saluted, sitting on both sides.

The result was very different.

Whether it was Huan Wen Ximin in front of the team, Xie An, Wang Tanzhi later, or even Wang Xianzhi and Xie Xuan, they all stood there with their eyes wide open.

Sima Yi didn't even wear the crown, but instead wore a white sackcloth and a linen belt around his waist!

At this moment, his face was slightly pale, there was no trace of drunkenness in his eyes, and he was exceptionally clear.His cold eyes scanned the hall, his expression carried a strange majesty, and he was completely different from before.

Everyone recalled in a daze that five years ago, when Sima Yi first came to the throne and announced the amnesty for the world, he looked like this, clear, intelligent, and sharp.

Unfortunately, it didn't take long for this sharpness to be smoothed out.

There is the Empress Dowager Regent inside, and a group of ministers outside.

Sima Yi's edges and corners were smoothed, he became more confused and depressed day by day, and finally became a veritable mascot just like Emperor Mu and Emperor Ai.

Since last year, the emperor suddenly changed his temperament, from silent to crazy, from cowardly to unscrupulous.As a result, the former court couldn't bear it anymore, and quickly reached an agreement to abolish the emperor and establish a new one.

Seeing Sima Yi like this, Xie An Wang Tanzhi couldn't help feeling sorry, but he forgot when he was messing around.Huan Wenwen and Xi Min behaved similarly, they both narrowed their eyes slightly, as if they were looking at a dying ant struggling.

The silence lasted for a long time, and was finally broken by Sima Yi.

"Is there anything you guys can do?"

Sima Yi scanned the hall, sizing up the expressions of the officials, with a strange arc on the corner of his mouth, and said loudly, "Why don't you speak? There should be a big event today."

The hall became quieter, and a needle could be heard.

Everyone was silent, Sima Yi asked again.

This time he was not disappointed, and one of the civil servants came out immediately, and it was Xi Chao who had just been awarded the title of Sanqi servant.

"Report to Your Majesty, the minister has something to say."

"Yun." Seeing that it was Xi Chao who came out, the smile on Sima Yi's face became even more strange.

"promise!"

Xi Chao held the imperial wat in his hand, ignored Sima Yi's strangeness, straightened his back, and said loudly: "It has been more than [-] years since the chaos of Yongjia year, and the royal family has crossed the river. The Central Plains is constantly fighting, the people are displaced, and the Hu thieves have repeatedly invaded the south. meaning."

"The royal family has lost ground. Since the Yuan Emperor, they have repeatedly sent troops to the northern expedition, but very few have made achievements."

"Since His Majesty ascended the throne, Grand Sima Wen sent troops three times. In the tenth year of Yonghe's reign, he led an army to attack Qin and entered Guanzhong. The elders and elders in Guanzhong greeted each other with cows and wine. Brings tears to your eyes.”

"In the 12th year of Yonghe, Da Simawen made the second northern expedition, smashing Yaoxiang, regaining Luoyang, and restoring the imperial tomb. This has never been done after crossing the river."

"In the fourth year of Taihe, Grand Sima Wen led an army to attack Yan, overcame thorns and thorns all the way, and arrived in Yecheng. In two battles, he defeated the barbarian Murong Chui, captured the thief Murong Chong alive, and made the guards terrified. It can be said that his achievements are unrivaled!"

Xi Chao talked eloquently, shifting the credit of Huan Rong to Huan Wen, blushing unconsciously.

Hearing these words, everyone who knew the inside story had a strange expression.

Such a big face is really rare in the world.

Wang Xianzhi showed disdain even more, it was not because the situation did not allow it, he had already exposed it on the spot.

No matter how contemptuous they felt, everyone did not interrupt, but let Xi Chao raise his voice in the hall, talking endlessly, counting the achievements of the Northern Expedition three times.

After talking about Murong Xianbei in the Northern Expedition, Xi Chao changed the subject and began to list Sima Yi's incompetence and enumerate his immoral deeds, which formed a sharp contrast with Huan Da Sima's "worshipping the country and the people".

Even though he didn't start cursing on the spot, the meaning in his words was obvious, such an incompetent and virtuous person is really unbearable to be the leader of a country.If you still want to save some face, it is best to voluntarily and consciously abdicate to the virtuous, so as to leave yourself a way out.

Regardless of whether there is a "retreat" or not, it is better for Sima Yi to abdicate voluntarily than to be abolished by his courtiers.Recorded in the history books, both sides can look a little better.

"Your Majesty, please judge!"

Saying the last sentence, Xi Chao bowed his hands and saluted.Although the attitude is respectful, it is not facing the emperor at all, but more like facing the ordinary clan.

When Xi Chao returned to the team, Sima Yi said: "What do you guys think? Are you the same as Xi Shilang?"

The ministers were silent.

"If you don't speak, that's the same?"

Sima Yi's tone was straight, without too much ups and downs.There is no anger, no resentment, and no sadness in the expression.

Seeing that all the officials were silent, they lowered their eyes halfway, and suddenly slapped their thighs and laughed out loud.

"Good, very good!"

"Everyone thinks the same as me!"

"I also think that such a life is really boring, it is better to abdicate and let the virtuous."

At this point, the officials not only did not breathe a sigh of relief, but felt strange.It is really Sima Yi's performance that is unusual, very different from the past.

With the emperor's recent performance, it is hard to guarantee that there will be no problems.

Sima Huan looked directly at the throne, and fixed his eyes on Sima Yi. Seeing that his face was reddish, and there was a flash of madness in his expression, an alarm bell sounded in his heart.

"In ancient times, there was a good story about the Zen position of Yao and Shun. I am concerned for all the people in the world, and I want to follow it. I intend to use the Zen position..."

Before Sima Yi finished speaking, Huan Wen's face changed suddenly, and his gaze swept across like a blade.The eunuch standing in front of the throne seemed to wake up from a dream, and immediately wanted to stop Sima Yi from continuing to speak.

"Go away!"

Sima Yi was interrupted midway, and finally broke out in anger. He kicked the eunuch over with both feet, and said loudly: "The imperial edict has been issued, and I intend to become the assassin of Youzhou..."

As soon as these words came out, Empress Dowager Chu suddenly walked out from the back of the palace, and the eunuch beside her quickly stepped forward, grabbed Sima Yi in front of all civil and military officials, and was about to drag him away.

"I...I..."

Kong Wu, the eunuch of Changle Palace, lacked awe of Sima Yi and almost pushed him to the back of the palace without any hesitation.I was afraid that he would make a sound halfway, so I blocked his mouth even though he was struggling hard, his big hands were still like pliers, and he didn't relax at all.

The officials looked at each other, looking at the Empress Dowager Chu who was taking the place of Sima Yi, and then at Huan Wen who was standing in front of the queue, remembering what Sima Yi said before, they shuddered.

The imperial edict has been issued, Zen is the governor of Youzhou?

Could it be that I heard wrong?

If Sima Yi wanted to benefit from the Zen position, it should be Huan Wen, not Huan Rong!

At this moment, no one dared to speak easily, let alone desperately seek to verify the truth of what the emperor said.Everyone focused their attention on Huan Wen, wanting to see how Sima Huan would react.

Xi Yin turned his head slightly, sizing up his old opponent out of the corner of his eye, feeling inexplicable.

Xie An and Wang Tanzhi's expressions remained unchanged, with complicated emotions.

Wang Xianzhi was stunned for a moment, his brows were furrowed, and he and Wang Biaozhi looked at each other.The latter shook his head at him, warning him not to act rashly, and the matter will be discussed after returning home.

For a full two cups of tea, no one in the hall spoke.

Empress Dowager Chu looked at Huan Wen. Although she was unwilling in her heart, she had made up her mind and couldn't go back on it halfway. She had to persevere.She appeared here today and ordered someone to take Sima Yi away, in order to show weakness, or even goodwill, to Sima Huan.

The matter in Youzhou has not been completed, and the chips in her hands are getting less and less.

An Na is no more loyal than before, and Nankang is definitely out of control.

In this case, she had no choice but to show weakness to Huan Wen.Fortunately, the new emperor is Sima Yu, and since he is also part of the royal family, he should not be cruel.

It is inevitable that the power in the hands will be weakened.

However, as long as they stay in Taicheng, they will eventually have a chance to turn the situation around.

It should be known that Sima Yu is over half a hundred years old, if something unexpected happens one day, it is likely that Sima Yao will inherit the throne.At that time, he can take the opportunity to stand up.

But there is a premise that Huan Wen did not usurp the throne.

Thinking of this, Queen Mother Chu couldn't help gnashing her silver teeth.

If the Youzhou matter can be accomplished and Huan Rong's treason is seized, the Zen edict will become a waste of paper. Even if the other party takes it out, it can be accused of forgery, and it will be a real crime of coveting a high position.

Looking at Huan Wen again, the father and son conspired against each other, so Lao Tzu is naturally inseparable from the relationship.

Even if passers-by knew that Sima Huan was going to rebel, there was no real reason for it.If caught as a "little pigtail", the Jingkou and Jiankang gentry will definitely seize the opportunity and join forces to suppress Gushu.

There are many contending parties, although the Jin family has to survive in the cracks, but it can also rely on its detached position to make a fortune, and even reap the benefits of the fisherman.

It's a pity that everything fell short, and the success fell short!

Empress Dowager Chu clenched her ten fingers, suppressed her unwillingness and resentment, and said in front of the palace: "I am indulging in wine and sex, and I am always in a daze. Sometimes I act crazy. When the sky warns and a solar eclipse appears, it is no longer possible to respect the ancestral temple. Guard the country."

Since he is insane, his words and deeds are unbelievable.

It fundamentally denies the authority of the Zen edict.

"Prime Minister Lu Shangshu's matter Langya Wang Yu, from Zhongzong, Mingde Shaoling, wise and heroic, and everyone expects it. It should follow the heart of heaven and man, the hope of the people, and heir to the emperor."

After the words fell, all the officials agreed in unison.

The matter of abolishing the emperor is finalized.

On the same day, a secretary searched the ordinances extensively, citing the "Huo Guang Biography" to make a custom, abolished Sima Yi's throne, and demoted him to be the king of the East China Sea, and sent two hundred guards to send him out of Taicheng to the fiefdom.

In order to prevent Sima Yi from making another "lie", the Empress Dowager ordered the doctors to take medicine.

"The Son of Heaven is not wise, and he will inevitably act insanely. If he is in front of all people, he may lose his royal dignity."

The doctor understood, boiled the medicinal soup himself, and poured it down for Sima Yi.

Within half a quarter of an hour, Sima Yi felt dizzy, his legs were weak, and his feet seemed to be stepping on cotton wool.Unable to walk on his own, he could only be helped by the eunuchs and sent to the calf cart to walk out of the gate of the beast.

Before leaving, Empress Dowager Chu ordered someone to take off the sackcloth and put on a green robe for him.

"I'm still alive, who is he mourning for!"

The rain that had stopped for half a day began to fall again, hitting the carriage, making dull noises.

Sima Yi was lying in the carriage, his vision blurred and his thoughts drifting.

Hearing the sound of the rain, knowing that he had left Taicheng, with all his strength, he waved away the eunuch's hand, barely sat up, opened the car window with trembling fingers, and his cloudy eyes were stained with astringency.

Not long after, two lines of salty tears slid down his cheeks, intertwined with the falling rain.

"Three years in Xingning, I entered Taicheng from this road, and it has been six years in a blink of an eye..."

Sad to the extreme, but the tears gradually dried up.

Carrying Sima Yi on a calf cart, followed by two hundred guards and more than ten carts, he drove out of Taicheng in the rain, left Jiankang all the way, and embarked on an unknown road ahead.

The rain was getting heavier, and the people in the city saw the convoy passing by, but they didn't know that the abandoned emperor was inside the car.

It wasn't until several red-painted and soaped cars chased from the direction of Miyagi, and officials in court uniforms stood in the rain and bowed to the front, that everyone suddenly realized that the people in the past were not ordinary gentry.

Boom, boom, boom!

There was a rumbling drum from Miyagi, and a commander issued an order, and the government army carrying official documents galloped out of Jiankang on fast horses.

Notices were posted in the city, and officials read them out to the common people.

"Emperor Yi was demoted to be the king of the East China Sea, and he will return to the vassal immediately. The wise and wise king of Langya, who is favored by people, will inherit the throne!"

On the north bank of the Qinhuai River, two ox carts met head-on.

One is engraved with the emblem of the Wang family of Langya, and the other belongs to the Xie family of Chenjun.

The car door was pushed open, and Wang Xianzhi and Xie Xuan appeared.

The former is dressed in imperial attire, wearing a royal crown, gentle and handsome, like a banished fairy; the latter is also in imperial attire, but the crown is removed, and the long hair is scattered behind the back, tied only with a silk belt, and there is still moisture in the hair, still Unrestrained and free and easy.

The four eyes meet, and the friendship of the past can no longer be found.What is left is the elegance and etiquette carved into the bones, alienated and indifferent.

"Youngdu is well."

"You are welcome."

Nodding to each other, the car passed by.

Amidst the sound of creaking wheels, the two walked in different directions, gradually drifting away, like two parallel lines without any intersection.

Beside the river bank, Jia Bing closed the car window and said to the servant, "Go to Qingxi."

"promise!"

The driver swung his whip, and the unremarkable ox cart quickly passed through the rain and disappeared at the end of the alley.

Putting down the letter from Xuyi, Jia Bing leaned his back against the car wall and began to close his eyes to rest his mind.

The king of the East China Sea is abolished, and the king of Langya is about to ascend the throne. The wind and rain in Jiankang may not decrease, but will become more violent. Jingkou and Gushu are afraid that they will directly wrestle.

This muddy water can't be drenched, if you are not careful, you will be smashed to pieces, so it is best to avoid it.

As for the turmoil at the court meeting, Jia Bing didn't take it to heart.

In order to hold power, those present will also block the news.It's just that from now on, Duke Ming's side will definitely be even more uneasy.

Everything has pros and cons, it is hard to say whether it is good or bad, it all depends on how to deal with it.The only thing that worried him was how Sima Yi could speak in front of everyone.

Yi Huan Da Sima would never be so sloppy in his daily affairs, so give him an opportunity to take advantage of it.

So, did someone do it on purpose?What is the purpose?

Thinking of this, Jia Bing opened his eyes, the long and narrow pupils flickered slightly, dark and cold, bottomless.

Huan Rong, who was far away in Youzhou, didn't know that he was cheated again. After receiving Qin Jing's letter, after a short period of anticipation, he quickly became vigilant.

"Brother Qin came here in person, I'm afraid this business will be difficult to do."

Putting down the silk cloth, Huan Rong supported his chin with one hand, biting the jerky and grinding his teeth while thinking about countermeasures.

Standing on the wooden frame, the goshawk saw the two pigeons approaching, decisively blew off its neck feathers, spread its wings, and used them to protect the whole plate of fresh meat.

Meat-eating pigeons are amazing?

So what if he looks chubby and cute?

Whoever dares to compete with Lao Tzu for food, I will fight desperately with whom!It's not that I was warned not to claw, believe it or not, I just use you as snacks!