Huan Rong

Taihe four years, May, Xin Chou

At the court meeting, the ministers discussed the matter of the Northern Expedition together, arguing over the commander-in-chief of the army.Due to the drought in April and continuous heavy rain in May, preventing flooding has also become an issue between the DPRK and China.

Sima Yi sat behind the curtain, yawning from boredom.

What the Northern Expedition, what natural disasters, what people's troubles, what does it have to do with him?

The eunuch carefully waited on the side, watching the emperor's face carefully, not daring to show his breath.

Since the "falling out" with the Queen Mother, the officials have become more and more absurd and presumptuous.Drinking and having fun every day, making troubles with concubines and concubines, taking more and more cold food powder, the time of sobriety is getting less and less, and the temper is getting more and more irritable.

Just the day before yesterday, a palace maid accidentally spilled wine and was kicked directly in the chest, nearly breaking her bones.It's not that the emperor is weak due to alcoholism, so if he kicks his heart like this, he will fall seriously ill even if he doesn't die.

Now, the courtiers are arguing about the matter of leading the army in the Northern Expedition. You talk to each other, and each other does not want to give in to each other. There is a faint smell of gunpowder.The officials, however, wandered off, yawning again and again, basically going in from one ear to the other, without listening to a single word.

Thinking of the situation in the previous dynasty and the harem, the eunuch couldn't help sweating.

If things go on like this, even if Sima Huan doesn't do anything, the officials will lose their majesty and kill themselves.

The emperor of the Jin Dynasty can be incompetent, and he can have no literary and military strategy, but he can't go too far, otherwise, the officials will not be able to see him, and embarrassing rumors will spread among the people.

"His Majesty!"

Wang Tanzhi shouted, but still failed to attract Sima Yi's attention.Covered by the curtain, the latter yawned unscrupulously, then fell to one side, and fell asleep in front of the officials.

The snoring echoed in the hall, which was exceptionally clear.

More than one minister turned pale.

Wang Tanzhi gripped the wat board tightly and was about to step forward.Xie An grabbed his arm and shook his head slightly.

The hall was silent for a long time, and the drop of a needle could be heard.

Sima Yi's snoring sound became more and more obvious, like sarcasm, or like two slaps on everyone's faces, instantly red and swollen.

What are they arguing about the Northern Expedition here, working hard, and electing Xi Yin and Huan Wen to divide power?

It turned out that the emperor was lucky, he didn't care at all, and instead fell asleep in the middle of the court meeting!

Xie An sighed silently, his handsome face couldn't hide his disappointment.

Wang Tanzhi was held back by Xie An, and he did not reprimand him in anger, but Wang Biaozhi, who was then a servant of the minister, was unable to stop him. He stood up from his seat on the spot, walked to the throne, and shouted loudly through the curtain: " His Majesty!"

There was a pause of snoring.

Sima Yi shivered, got up, and there was still a gleam in the corner of his mouth.

"Have you all discussed it? Then retreat."

After finishing speaking, ignoring Wang Biaozhi's sudden change of expression and the astonishment of the officials, he walked out behind the curtain, yawned, and left the court meeting.

"This……"

"It's ridiculous!"

All the officials were shocked, and the whole hall was full of reprimands.

Xie An sighed again, wondering if the emperor really had no intention of governing the government, or if he used it as a form of resistance, but in the long run it is always wrong.

Thinking of this, Xie An pulled Wang Tanzhi, and gave Wang Biaozhi a wink. The three of them got together and discussed in a low voice.

"Now that the Northern Expedition is a major event, it is related to the recovery of lost land and the stability of the court. It is really a last resort, it must be like this."

Empress Dowager Chu was born in a noble family, she was a regent in the court, and she was quite insightful in political affairs.

Even if the Yi decree cannot replace the imperial decree, with the queen mother sitting in the palace, she can always try to persuade the emperor and urge the emperor to make the decree, so as not to delay the court's work.

In the feudal dynasties of later generations, such an idea can be described as outrageous.But right now, there is no other way.

Sima Yi ignored the state affairs and obviously broke the can.

Huan Wen led an army of [-] in the Northern Expedition. Although there was Xi Min's separation of powers, the world is unpredictable. If the Northern Expedition goes well, Huan Wen wants to take the opportunity to usurp the throne. With the emperor's current performance, it is hard to say whether the people will continue to support the "Orthodoxy of the Jin Dynasty".

To put it bluntly, the biggest advantage of the Jin family is the orthodoxy of the Han family.

As long as Huan Wen was not beaten into Jiankang by the barbarians, Huan Wen rebelled because he thought the emperor was immoral and incompetent, but he was scolded for a few years. As long as he governed properly, his descendants would still be able to sit firmly on the throne.

Referring to Cao Wei Daihan, the Sima family replaced Cao Wei, who dares to say that Huan Wen will not really replace the Sima family?

Xie An, Wang Tanzhi and others were worried, but the righteous master didn't take it to heart, they couldn't use their strength, they could only worry.

"Yu Shiyan rushed out of Jiankang, and there has been no news since then. Huan Yuanzi intends to imprison the entire Yu family. Only Yu You and the Huan family are related by marriage, so they can barely escape. The others are afraid..."

There is no need to say more about the following words, everyone knows it well.

Yu Rou and Yu Qian are dead, and Yin Juan is in exile.

It is not incomprehensible for Yu Xi to escape from Jiankang to protect himself.However, he only cared about himself and didn't consider his relatives. Even Yu Miao and Yu Youzhi didn't get any news, which made people feel chilling.

"In my opinion, he will not return to Jiyang, and the places he can go to are limited."

"The former Qingzhou assassin is his cousin, is it possible?"

Everyone had their own discussions, but they couldn't agree on what to do all the time. In the end, they didn't discuss any results, but added another trouble.

In the harem, Sima Yi summoned his concubines and concubines, and continued to hold a big banquet, drinking and having fun, not caring about the reaction of the courtiers at all.

Empress Yu had been ill for half a month, and the doctors took her pulse every day and decocted medicine. The hall was filled with the bitter smell of medicine, but her condition did not improve, and even worsened.

Empress Dowager Chu went to see it twice, and shook her head when she returned to the palace.

"If you can cure the disease, you can't save your life."

If you make up your mind that you don't want to live, no matter how much medicine you take, it will be useless.

Princess Nankang went to Taicheng on a daily basis, firstly to learn about the news from the court, and secondly, for a soft armor hidden in the Empress Dowager's palace.

"It's a strange thing to say, but it looks good." The Empress Dowager Chu had no choice but to ask the eunuch to open the storeroom and bring the soft armor box.

"Don't look at the soft armor, the upper body weighs a few kilograms, can Gua'er's body support it?"

This set of soft armor is not like the armor worn by generals in the Wei and Jin Dynasties, but similar to an improved version of chain mail.

"Speaking of which, Emperor Yuan brought this across the river and gave it to my elder father. It has been nearly 50 years."

As the Empress Dowager Chu spoke, she ordered the servants to unfold the soft armor, saying: "This armor can't stop swords and guns, but it can block a bow and arrow. When I entered the palace, my father gave me this armor and left it to me in the future." Son, I didn't expect..."

The original intention of the Patriarch of the Chu family was to show his loyalty to the Jin family, and also to protect the prince with the blood of the Chu family.

It's a pity that Queen Mother Chu's parents and children died early, and died before reaching the crown. This set of soft armor is useless at all, and can only be hidden in a deep vault, where it will fall to dust over time.

When Princess Nankang learned that Huan Rong was going to join the army in the Northern Expedition, she was very anxious. She wished she could take up the sword and kill Gu Shu, beheading Huan Wenwen and Xi Chao.

After Mrs. Li's persuasion, Her Royal Highness suppressed her anger and turned to search for life-saving things for Huan Rong. This set of soft armor hidden in the Empress Dowager's Palace naturally caught the eye.

"Tell the truth to the Empress Dowager that it was the old slave's idea that Gua'er accompanied the army in the Northern Expedition." Princess Nankang was facing the Empress Dowager Chu with a cold expression, "If Gua'er can make the journey go smoothly, he is not Huan Yuanzi!"

Empress Dowager Chu was silent.

"I don't ask the queen mother to issue an order, nor do I expect the officials to be tough and reject the old slave's request. The only hope is to protect Gua'er and let him come back whole."

Princess Nankang seldom shows weakness in front of others, let alone shed tears.

Now, thinking of her son's safety, her eyes turned red, showing a rare weakness.

Empress Dowager Chu has been a mother and knows the pain of losing a child.Seeing Princess Nankang like this, what else can I say, not to mention sending out soft armor, and let the eunuch take out a dagger made by a master craftsman of the Han Dynasty to defend Huan Rong.

"Thank you Queen Mother."

Princess Nankang is not polite, and it is not the time to be polite.Properly put away the soft armored dagger, suppressed the sore corners of his eyes, and said: "The army will set off in June, and it will take at least three months to return. During this period, the Queen Mother needs to be prepared."

"I know." Empress Dowager Chu nodded and said, "There are Xi Fanghui outside, and Xie and Wang's families inside. Da Sima may not be able to really get what he wants."

"It's good that the Queen Mother is sure."

"Sure?" Empress Dowager Chu smiled bitterly, and said, "How can I be sure. The best plan is that Huan Yuanzi will not usurp the throne, even if he wants to abolish the emperor and establish another, I will accept it."

Princess Nankang didn't answer, knowing that the Empress Dowager Chu was forced to do nothing, so she said these words.

"Queen, things haven't reached that point yet."

"A-mei." Empress Dowager Chu shook her head and said bitterly, "You see clearly than me, but you woke me up at the beginning. I know you wanted to comfort me, but this is the end of the matter, I would rather think of the worst, I don't want to keep dreaming."

Princess Nankang was silent.

Outside the gate of the palace, Empress Yu who came to see the Empress Dowager with her sick body was also silent.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky, thunder rumbled loudly, and lightning thicker than ten feet fell from the sky, and there was another heavy rain.

Outside Taicheng, oxcarts bearing the marks of various houses hurriedly drove by, the strong servants swung their long whips, and the bullocks rushed to break the rain.

In Taicheng, Princess Nankang bid farewell to the Queen Mother, and left Changle Palace with her servant under the umbrella.

Empress Yu stood under the eaves of the corridor, watching Princess Nankang's back disappear, a trace of bright red overflowed from her mouth, and she fell limply to the ground with the terrified cries of the palace servants.

The sound of music came faintly accompanied by the sound of singing and dancing, echoing the lightning and thunder, just like mourning music with a different tune, rising for the coming storm.

Back at the Huan Mansion, Princess Nankang had no time to rest, so she ordered the box with the soft armor to be sent to the carriage, and ordered her loyal servants to set off for Yandu immediately.

"Be sure to send it to my son."

"promise!"

The loyal servant didn't dare to delay at all, and drove to the pier in the rain.

The rain was getting heavier, drifting into the room along the half-open window.

Ah Mai wanted to close the window, but Princess Nankang stopped her. Not only did she not close the window, but she also wanted to open the door.

"Your Highness, it's raining heavily, and I'm afraid I'll catch a cold."

"No problem."

Princess Nankang stood up and walked to the door a few steps, letting the cold rain hit her face and slide down her cheeks.

Mrs. Li came from the corridor, wearing a swallowtail gown, a light-colored long skirt, a silk belt around her waist, and a ring pendant under the belt. There was a slight bump when she walked, making a pleasant and crisp sound.

"Sister."

Mrs. Li walked to the end of the corridor and stepped on the wooden boards in front of the house. The clogs clattered, echoing the rain, creating a moving melody.

"My sister is here." Princess Nankang did not turn around, still looking up at the stratus clouds.

"I made some incense yesterday, and I just sent someone to deliver it to Gu Shu." Mrs. Li stopped in front of Princess Nankang, her black hair was piled up in a high bun, and there was only one flower hairpin.The face is delicate and beautiful, far better than pearls and jade ornaments.

"Already delivered?"

"Send it. No accident, the Lord and the two young masters are with you."

Princess Nankang finally turned her head, looked at Mrs. Li, and asked, "Are you suspicious of my sister?"

"No." Mrs. Li smiled, "I left with the secret letter that the Third Young Master sent to Gushu."

"Oh?" Princess Nankang was slightly surprised.

Mrs. Li was still smiling, through the rain curtain, her smile was a little hazy, making it difficult to see clearly.

"Sister, don't worry, I do things properly." Having said that, Mrs. Li approached Princess Nankang and whispered, "No matter what, we must let Da Sima complete the Northern Expedition. With him around, no one dares to move easily." Sir."

Princess Nankang nodded.

Sima Huan wanted Huan Rong's life, but it was also the guarantee of Huan Rong's safety.

On the surface, the father and son hadn't broken their faces yet. If others wanted to sway Huan Rong, they had to think carefully about whether they would be retaliated by Sima Huan afterwards.

Instead of avenging his son, he used an excuse to grab a few pieces of land, and ended up with a few disobedient thorns. The possibility is really not small.

"Since Mr. Lang has accompanied the army in the Northern Expedition, he will definitely be able to make a difference. Da Sima will always return to Jiankang, and what to do when the time comes, will be decided by my sister."

From the beginning to the end, Mrs. Li never thought of sending Sima Huan on the road once.This is too obvious and too eye-catching.

The fine water flows long, and the way of drawing slowly is the right way.

It's a pity that Huan Da Sima pushed too fast and overdid it, and there were too many dangers around Huan Rong.Otherwise, the incense sent to Gushu would be several months late.

The two stood side by side in the corridor, and neither spoke again.

Listening to the rain falling on the eaves, my heart will be calm.

In June of the fourth year of Taihe, Huan Rong received the official document, quickly mobilized his entourage, boarded the military chariot modified by Gongshu Chang and Xiangli brothers, and set off from Yandu to Jingkou.

The Xifu Army and the Beifu Army were the main forces of the Northern Expedition, led by Huan Wenwen and Ximin respectively, starting from the station and joining forces in Yanzhou.At that time, the assassins who participated in the Northern Expedition will also lead their troops. The army will be [-], known as [-], and they will send troops north to attack Yan.

Huan Rong has the title of county duke, and his subordinates have gathered a certain amount of strength, but they are still not enough compared to the assassins of the states.

Not to mention Huan Da Sima and Xi Tingshi who control the government army, even Huan Chong, Yuan Zhen and others can easily break up his current forces with a wave of their sleeves.

"The foundation is shallow."

Sitting in the carriage, Huan Rong opened the window, looked at the group of private soldiers walking side by side, and couldn't help clicking his tongue.

These are Yuan Zhen's private soldiers, and in terms of numbers and equipment, they are far more than the hundreds of Huan Rong's men.But in terms of personal strength, compared to fighting alone, Huan Rong believed that releasing the humanoid weapon Diankui could basically beat them all.Even if he meets Liu Laozhi, he may be able to fight evenly.

Along the way, Huan Rong met three groups of private soldiers, all of them were full of curiosity, which opened his eyes.

As everyone knows, others were equally surprised when they saw Yandu's team.

Not to mention the armored military vehicles, not to mention the amazingly heavy grain trucks, but the bamboo shield and bamboo spear in Qing Zhuang's hand is enough to attract attention.

The bamboo shield is nearly one person tall, and standing up can form a shield wall.

The bamboo spear is even more exaggerated. According to the size set by Wei Shi, the body of the gun is far more than one foot.The tip of the gun is sharpened to form a spear array, regardless of whether it is a man or a horse, if you rush to the front of the array, you will be strung together into a blood gourd.

There are also bamboo and wooden armors worn by private soldiers. I only heard that there are barbarians in Shu who are good at making rattan armor, but I have never heard of similar craftsmen in Jin.

Huan Rong could only shrug his shoulders.

Who made Gong Shuchang a descendant of Lu Ban, who was best at playing with wood.Leather armor is not enough, only wooden armor and bamboo armor can be used.

If he could find Ou Yezi's descendants by mistake, he would have equipped Dian Kui with a huge sword, even if he didn't sharpen the blade, he could kill a few with it.The giant sword is not in hand, and it is directly on the mace.When such a humanoid weapon is released, it can definitely sweep the battlefield.

Before entering Yanzhou, Huan Rong stopped for a while on the way, and waited for the army led by Liu Laozhi to join them together before continuing to set off.

This is the kindness of Xi Jishi, in order to ensure safety on the way.

Naturally, Huan Rong would not refuse, and greeted Liu Canjun cheerfully, ordered to bury the pot and make a meal, entertained him graciously, and set off when he was full of wine and food.

"I haven't seen you for a few days, and I miss you very much."

"Your Majesty is polite."

Compared with the previous meeting, Huan Rong is obviously different. Liu Laozhi is not unaware of it, but from the current standpoint, it is better to pretend to be confused.

The military chariot has undergone a second transformation, the weight has been slightly reduced, but the power has not been reduced at all.

Liu Laozhi stood still in front of the car, glanced at it a few times, and knew that the car body was not simple.

Huan Rong didn't care, and let him watch. He didn't forget to introduce the two servants who accompanied him, and told Shi Shao to stay in Yandu and take charge of the county government on his behalf during the Northern Expedition.

"Yingchuan?"

Zhong Lin and Xun You bowed their hands in salute, Liu Jianzhi was stunned for a moment when he heard that the two came from Yingchuan.

Huan Rong smiled and said, "To tell you the truth about Liu Canjun, both Zhong Sheren and Xun Sheren are descendants of Yingchuan's high school."

There is no need to speak too clearly, a wise person should understand.

Liu Laozhi nodded and did not continue to ask.After greeting each other, they pulled Huan Rong aside, took out the letter from the envoy Xi Ji, and said solemnly: "The Lord must have known that Yu Shiyan escaped from Jiankang."

"I know."

"The Lord of that house knows that right now, people are in Jingkou."

"what?!"