Surrounded by strong ministers

In the early morning of late autumn, the chill was penetrating into the bones, the stars and the moon were gone, the imperial city was still sleeping, everything was quiet, it was no longer thicker than the night, but it was still pitch black all around, and the towering palace walls were indistinct in the darkness.When Xiao Zong's chariot entered the palace from the side gate, it was almost Mao hour, which was the time for early court.

The car drove to the inner palace, Xiao Zong got out of the car, and ordered the servant king who came up to greet him to pass the decree to the Daming Palace, that the imperial court is over today, he turned around and went to Qingquan Palace.After coming out of Qingquan Palace, he went straight to the bedroom, got on the dragon couch, put on a pillow and closed his eyes.

It was already evening when he woke up, there were only a few copper candlesticks burning a few stars in a corner of the sleeping hall, the light was dim, and the inner hall was somewhat dim.

Xiao Zong lay on the bed with his eyes slightly open for a while, his sleep was very deep and long.Ever since he was enthroned as the emperor, he got up before the time of day to go to court, and he lay down on the couch in the middle of the night.Xiao Zong stroked his forehead, it seemed that he really hadn't had such a deep sleep for a long time.

Wang Rong waited for a group of servants to come in to take care of the wash, and presented the luxurious imperial clothes for changing. Xiao Zong waved his hand, casually put on a black satin outer robe over the moon white silk satin inner robe, got out of bed and went out to the outer hall. "Pass the meal."

The palace maids were already waiting outside with their dinner, waiting for the emperor to summon them. After hearing the order, they filed into the palace, and waited for the emperor's chief attendant, Wang Rong, to poke a silver needle into every delicacy soup and pastry. That's right, it's quick to serve dishes.

Xiao Zong sat down at the table, and Wang Rong offered a cup of cloud and mist light tea as usual, Xiao Zong took a few sips, and took a leisurely meal with his chopsticks.

From yesterday until now, he hardly ate anything. He was hungry right now, but he didn’t know if he was too hungry. Xiao Zong clearly wanted to eat a table of delicacies, but there was something strange in his mouth. A piece of perch with pine nuts came straight out of his mouth. Has been fishy to the stomach.Xiao Zong suppressed the faint churning in his stomach, picked a few dishes and soup that he usually eats, and ate at a leisurely pace. When he was almost full, he wiped his mouth with a cloth towel and ordered him to go away to eat.

After the meal was withdrawn, Xiao Zong ordered Wang Rong to take all the papers presented by the courtiers today into the bedroom.In response to the order, Wang Rong led several young eunuchs to bring several piles of memorials and presented them to the holy driver, "Your Majesty, there are not many memorials today."

Xiao Zong sat behind the desk in a robe.

Sleeping for a long day is not because he wants to escape from something, and it is impossible for him to really escape from something. He just wants to settle some things, let go of some things, clean up the chaos, and calm down.

The current situation and the situation no longer allow him to take a breather and relax, and the future of the country is uncertain... What has happened has happened, whether it is the rebellion and war that will threaten the lifeline of Da Zhou, or the coercion of his bed that has broken his dignity, it is all the same. ... There is no way to change it, no matter how many overturns, it will only consume the mind, and it will be useless if it is not intentional.

Calm down, he should take care of it, the most important thing at the moment is to calm down the chaos.

Xiao Zong flipped through the stacked scrolls, picked a few out of them and put them at hand, and unfolded one of the scrolls to show.Wang Rong bowed to the side and served tea, "Your Majesty, it's a bit cold at night, drink a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up."

Xiao Zong took the cup, but his gaze never moved away from the scroll in front of him.This is a draft edict submitted by Han Su.

When fighting the King of Chu, he had to issue an edict to the world, ordering the princes to join him in fighting Sima Yong.It turned out that Han Su responded in an instant, prepared first, and even drafted the imperial edict for him.

Opening the other memorial at hand, which was also submitted by Han Su, Wang Rong told him that this memorial was written by Han Su when he entered the palace today when he was still sleeping.After Xiao Zong finished reading, he closed his eyes and sat quietly for a while.It is his luck to have someone who can think for him wholeheartedly, take care of those things he has neglected for him, be loyal to him, and support him.

Early the next morning, Xiao Zong came to court.

Ascending to the throne and looking down at the court, he no longer needs to think about the current situation. The water in the deep pool has no ripples on the surface, and the dark tide underneath is surging, which can be triggered at any time.

The news of Sima Xian's death will be the beginning of this trigger and the introduction of war in the world.

He has not officially announced this matter to the outside world. It seems that the son of the king of Chu has just died. Immediately raising the flag of rebellion will inevitably cause people to speculate and hurt his reputation. He needs to pretend to be ignorant. Crying that his son died in the capital.

Xiao Zong looked under the imperial steps, the hall was unusually quiet, the courtiers looked down, and the atmosphere was vaguely panicked.

Glancing at the vacant seats in the civil servants class, two officials from the Ministry of Punishment and a servant from the Ministry of Officials plotted to endanger the country, and they were secretly taken to the prison yesterday to await his disposal.

As for the news of Sima Xian's death, most of the courtiers in the Daming Palace probably had some guesses.

He had no intention of delaying and concealing this matter, and it is impossible to hide it. Since the king of Chu will use this to make a fuss to the world sooner or later, and insult him to be unkind, he will naturally not sit still.

His gaze swept across the circle of Chinese and martial arts in the hall. Xiao Zong sat high on the throne, his handsome face was calm and solemn, and he slowly spoke to the officials below, with a calm and cold voice: "The second son of the king of Chu was secretly placed by his side the day before yesterday. Assassinated by a dead man, I died in the Zhuxiang courtyard. I was very sad. The king of Chu was outside, and he pretended to be benevolent and righteous, but he was cruel and vicious. He killed his son and wanted to plot the world. anger."

In these words, Xiao Zong didn't mix much anger or passion, even little emotion, he just said it calmly and calmly, but in the hall, it was loud and loud.

Sima Xian was really dead, this news alone was enough to set off a great commotion in the hall, not to mention that Xiao Zong pointedly pointed out that it was the king of Chu who killed his son.

All the ministers were shocked by the emperor's few words and panicked in the court, and wanted to make a fuss, but they raised their eyes to look at Xiao Zong, who was sitting at the head, but no one seriously stepped out of the court to speak first.

The already quiet court hall seemed to be a little quieter for a moment, and after a while, there were faint whispers.

Xiao Zong looked at the bottom, all the ministers were commotion in the train, they reacted differently, some were shocked, some doubted, some couldn't believe it, some were full of anger.All kinds of voices whispered.

After a short pause, Xiao Zong spoke again, he didn't intend to win the trust of the courtiers, as long as he got out of the court, the courtiers would win the trust of the world for him, and he didn't want anyone to stand up and express his opinions, he only announced a decision.

"The king of Chu has ulterior motives, is ruthless and ruthless, and plots evil. For the sake of the world, I send troops to punish him."

The low and slow voice contained the majesty and determination of the superior in the high hall of Daming Hall, and the commotion in the hall stopped suddenly.Everyone raised their eyes to see Tianyan on the high position, the emperor's body was sculpted in black imperial clothes, his wide sleeves were holding on to the armrest of the throne, his crown was shaking slightly, his face was handsome, his appearance was not much different from usual, but he seemed to have an oppressive look all over his body. Calm, with a glance down, the eyes are calm, but it makes people unable to speak.

Xiao Zong swept across the quiet court hall, and then announced that King Qin Tuobafeng will lead his army to go out with Hussar General Ren Buhui to conquer the King of Chu, and strengthen the emperor's prestige.At tomorrow's hour, a high platform will be set up outside the imperial city, and he will worship the King of Qin as his commander. All the officials will be present, and everyone will be present.

The flames of war are about to ignite, the opponent is the King of Chu, and people's hearts are floating. Taking the King of Qin as a shield in front of the world, this will be the most effective way to calm people's hearts.

All the courtiers in the hall heard the words of the emperor, and the previous shock did not subside, and this shock came again. After all, the day before yesterday, King Qin was still regarded as a prisoner in the East Pavilion.

When everyone was shocked, they inevitably looked at each other.Only Han Su stood in the train, his calm face suddenly expressionless.

Xiao Zong didn't care about the confusion of the ministers, since he preemptively attacked, he had several plans in his mind, today in this hall he is the only one who issues orders, and the ministers only need to wash their ears.Glancing at Wang Rong who was standing next to the steps, Xiao Zong turned his eyes to Han Su who was present among the three princes. Seeing Han Suxu lowering his eyelids, he paused for a moment and said, "Teacher, read the King of Chu's speech for me." Crusade edict."

Han Sumo at the bottom of the stairs for a moment, raised his eyes, Xiao Zong was inexplicably startled by his gaze.

"The minister obeys the order."

Wang Rongduan held up a bright yellow scroll embroidered with twin dragons, and presented it to Han Su.Han Su took it, walked out of the train to the center of the hall, bowed towards the upper emperor seat, turned to face the gate of the Golden Palace, and unfolded the brocade scroll facing the civil servants and generals lined up on the left and right.

It was he who drafted and submitted the draft edict yesterday, without changing a single word.

Han Su displayed the imperial edict, was silent for a moment, and proclaimed in a long voice:

"Since ancient times, the family and the country have governed the world, and the great defense of human relations and righteousness is the defense of the world. The monarch and ministers have righteousness, and father and son have relatives. The great fortune of this country and the great kindness of the people."

……

"I have just heard that the king of Chu is benevolent, righteous and virtuous, and his name covers all directions. But he is beautiful and evil, with a vicious heart, deceiving the world and stealing his name, murdering his son for the sake of the world, losing the relationship between father and son, abolishing the rules of the monarch and his ministers, and disturbing the common people. Those who detest their virtue must abandon it.”

……

Han Su's gentle voice changed from bright and steady to sharp reprimands. Everyone in the Daming Hall stood silently, and the sonorous lingering sound echoed around the tall hall in the silence, and finally returned to openness and richness.

"I come to rule the world, hate the virtue of the king of Chu, and anger the king of Chu. Now I issue a decree to cut down the king's title, take his fief, and send troops to fight against him. You and my good ministers, don't you forget your loyalty? Let me punish all my ministers to revitalize The principles of ethics are constant, and the justice of heaven is returned to the common people."

After Han Su announced, he gathered up the imperial edict and handed it to Wang Rong who bowed his body, and retreated to the imperial court. After a long time, the sound of clang and clang still echoed in the hall.

Xiao Zong looked down at the silence of the first hall, this crusade will be issued to the whole territory of Dazhou soon.

Ascending the court today, he first announced the evil deeds of the king of Chu, declared war against rebellion, and seized the opportunity of public opinion, and then used the king of Qin to worship the commander to stabilize people's hearts, and then issued this edict to establish the righteous deeds of the king's teacher, and in the name of being a teacher, he called on the strength of all parties Chase the rebellious king, and strengthen the determination to conquer.

The king of Chu lost the opportunity, and the threat of the princes and kings will be reduced to the weakest.

Xiao Zong supported the dragon seat, his eyes were calm, he glanced at all the officials, and made the last order.He ordered that Cui Ming, the Minister of Punishment, and Wu Yue, the minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Li Yu, the minister of the Ministry of Officials, be held at the head of the vegetable market to show the public.

Yesterday afternoon, Han Suo entered the palace and wrote to him impromptuly, saying that these three people had colluded with the King of Chu for a long time, and under his arrangement, they conspired to spread rumors in the capital and lead the army for the King of Chu.

Beheading these three people to show the world, even if he shot the first arrow for Fachu's bow, it was also a warning to the king who was close to Chu in the court.

If Han Su was not careful enough, Cui Ming and others would have the opportunity to spread the news of Sima Xian's death from the imperial city well before him when he was sleeping in his bedroom and introspecting.

If Han Su hadn't acted decisively and used the imperial golden whip to call the imperial army to secretly arrest the three people and block the rumors that had not yet spread, the public opinion in the capital would be out of control now, and he would lose the opportunity to preemptive strikes and become guilty of concealing the news of the death of Prince Chu No matter how many mouths there are, it is difficult to undo the situation.

Suddenly, Han Su snatched his opportunity for him.

When he saw the draft edict waiting for him to read last night, he lamented Han Su's quick planning, and even more lamented that this edict was to seek rebellion, not Qin Wang.It turned out that Han Su expected him to strike first.

He and Han Su had such a tacit understanding.

Crusade edicts are sharp and aggressive, and the pens of literati sometimes equal thousands of troops.

He ascended the throne in troubled times, perhaps he was considered unlucky.

It is definitely his luck that someone thinks for him, thinks what he thinks, takes care of the overall situation for him, makes up for omissions, is loyal to him, and supports him.

Xiao Zong glanced at Xi Lie, the next minister, and saw that Han Su's gaze was fixed on him, calm and unpredictable like a deep pool of water, meeting his gaze, but he didn't intend to avoid it.

At night, in the middle of the night, Xiao Zong's bedroom was still lit with candles, and the candlelight cast a dim yellow on the row of window papers.

Xiao Zong sat behind the table, half leaning on the armchair, his posture was a little loose, and the intimidating sharpness of the early morning had faded away.He held a scroll in his hand, his eyelids drooped slightly, and his eyes fell on the scroll, but the scroll had not been turned over for a long time, and his indifferent face was a little hazy under the firelight. He had maintained this posture for some time, and he didn't know when Thinking about something.

Wang Rongwei lowered his head, stood aside, stared, stared for a moment, approached quietly, put the silver mink fur cloak that the master had slipped on the seat back on the master's shoulders, and quietly moved aside, continuing to wait, Started to be dazed for a moment.

His master's appearance now is... very different from when he went to court during the day.The master was only wearing a plain white silk inner gown with a high collar, the black satin outer gown was open, and the mink cloak was draped over his shoulders. I don't know if it was because of this outfit or because of the candlelight. The pale and focused look looks very different from the daytime.Wang Rong was in a daze in a daze, and an inexplicable idea suddenly popped up in his mind, if Taifu Han was here now, and the master looked like this, would the Taifu look at the master like he did in the hall during the day?Wang Rong blankly recalled that when the master sat on the throne this morning, it was completely different from usual. Although it was calm, it was so quiet that even he could feel the heavy pressure under the calmness. None of the ministers dared to look at the throne, only Taifu Han, standing under the imperial steps, stared at the master without hesitation.Wang Rong felt that at that time the Taifu was standing quietly in the court row, his expression was calm, and his eyes were also calm when looking at the master, but for some reason, all these calmness merged into one place, and the Taifu looked very calm.

Wang Rong was thinking wildly in a daze at the side, shook his head, looked at the clock in the hall, and said softly to the master who was still holding the scroll and didn't know what to think: "Your Majesty, it's late at night, and you have to go out to the city master tomorrow morning." King Qin's commander-in-chief ceremony, let's stop earlier."

Xiao Zong was slightly stunned for a moment, then came back to his senses, looked at the time, rubbed his forehead, put down the scroll in his hand, and got up from his seat.

Wang Rong hurriedly stepped forward to support his arm, "Your Majesty, this servant is supporting you."

Since the master came back from the palace yesterday morning, his complexion has been a little pale, not very good-looking, seems to be uncomfortable somewhere, walking slower than usual, a little cautious, today when the master is going to the Chongyang Palace, the master hurried away After a few steps, his body suddenly became unstable and shook, which startled him. Wang Rong felt that the master's habit of ignoring minor injuries and illnesses was really bad, so he held back for a long time and said: "The emperor Is there something wrong with your body, or is it that the servant will find the imperial physician to show you."

Xiao Zong's expression froze instinctively, "I'm fine." He shook off the little eunuch's support and went to the inner hall.