Surrounded by strong ministers

Xiao Zong had no memory at all of how he left Taifu's mansion and when he lay down on the dragon bed in the bedroom. He was softly called by Wang Rong to open his eyes, and above his head was the familiar curtain of billowing clouds and dragons.

Lying on the bed with his eyes open for a while, Xiao Zong got up to change his clothes and wash his hands under the service of the servants in the palace. With his head still a little groggy and aching, he thought to himself that wine is really not a good product.

The first major event in court this morning was that the king of Chu officially responded to Xiao Zong's crusade and rebelled.

Xiao Zong's pre-emptive strikes announced to the world to send troops to fight against rebellion, and Han Su's sharp-edged crusade spread throughout the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty.It was midnight when the imperial edict was passed to King Chu’s mansion, and the King of Chu was about to go to bed. He had read the document stamped with the seal hastily presented to him by his subordinates. Although the skin of benevolence and righteousness will not lose people's hearts, the situation will definitely not be as beneficial to him as he imagined, so he can't help being furious.Immediately summon the minister's family to plan a response.The Chu Palace exploded and was in a hurry all night.At noon the next day, that is, not long after Xiao Zong sent King Qin away yesterday, King Chu also built a high platform outside the closed city of Chu.

At noon, the king of Chu went to the stage to sacrifice to the sky, complaining to the sky that the current emperor is not benevolent, expressing his firm intention to abolish this senseless and stupid king for the people without fear of life and death.Because Xiao Zong deprived him of his title, he established himself as King Shuntian on the high platform, implying that he was ordered by the heavens and his troops were orthodox.Then, King Shuntian personally read out the proclamation against the faint emperor Xiao Zong.

He had prepared the call to action a long time ago, just waiting for the opportunity to publish it to the world, but after being preempted by Xiao Zong, he ordered the ministers to revise it overnight.

Right now, the revised call to action is spread out on Xiao Zong's imperial case in the Daming Palace.

Xiao Zong looked at the silk cloth spread out in front of him, there might be tens of thousands of words written on it.The [-]-character call to action mainly expresses three meanings. First, King Shuntian's raising troops is an act of righteousness.Second, Han Wang and Zhao Wang obeyed the destiny to fight against the faint king.The first two meanings of the essay are not focused on the ink, but the third, the reason why he, the stupid king, is going to be crusaded.This third part is divided into several parts, the two most important ones refer to him being licentious, lustful and good... male, the second son of King Shuntian was admired by him because of his beauty, and because of his disobedience and disobedience After killing him, he was killed in a fit of rage and even falsely accused Shun Tianwang Qingming.The call to action also revealed that several important ministers in the court had a close relationship with him and were his guests, especially that so-and-so.

who is who...

Xiao Zong looked at the silk cloth in front of him, and sighed silently, Uncle, that is really shameless.Glancing at Han Su who was in the train in a blink of an eye, I felt a little guilty.

The Daming Hall was very quiet, everyone who was quick to read the call to action had already read it, and those who hadn't read it had also heard about it.

Xiao Zong closed the silk cloth with no expression, threw it aside, glanced at the quiet court hall under the imperial steps, spoke lightly to discuss the state affairs, and didn't say a word more about the proclamation.

Naturally, the discussion of politics is about matters related to the rebel Sima's use of troops, such as food, grass and military equipment. The accusation was surprisingly calm, with no emotion at all, and everyone was terrified. They were extremely respectful in the hall and actively made suggestions along the dragon scales of the emperor.

Because Xiao Zong had been afraid of the princes and kings for a long time, after Ren Buhui took charge of the army, he was always preparing for battle. The soldiers and horses in the important towns of several states were vigilant. Orderly, no rush and chaos.

After the court, Xiao Zong went back to his bedroom to have some breakfast, still very calm, his indifference to the proclamation in the court hall was not pretended by suppressing his emotions as the courtiers speculated, in fact, he had already It's a bit of a bottom line, my uncle will definitely use his wronged reputation to make a fuss, but this time Han Su seems to be dragged down by him again.

He originally thought that he passed out halfway through yesterday, or left the Taifu in the palace to continue talking for a while after the court was over today, but with that essay, Han Su should probably be the same as him, ignoring it, but he has the right to Or stay away.

And looking from the throne today, he seemed to see that the Taifu's complexion was not very good, his eyes were a little dark, as if he hadn't slept well, he should go back to catch up on sleep first.

While having breakfast, Xiao Zong thought about it, and suddenly thought that the Taifu's bad complexion might have something to do with his drunkenness last night, so he asked Wang Rong, who was serving at the side, how he returned to the palace, and whether he lost his composure in front of Taifu Han.

Wang Rong looked at his master, holding a word in his stomach, his face full of confusion.He really wanted to say, Your Majesty, Taifu Han took your clothes off last night while you were awake.But...he didn't dare to say it, and he also felt that it was inappropriate to say it. Maybe it was just a misunderstanding...Although he did see it with his own eyes...he didn't intend to...

Wang Rong lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, and said lightly that the emperor was drunk last night and couldn't sit in a sedan chair, so he took the carriage of Taifu's mansion back to the palace, and Taifu Han personally carried you into the carriage.After a pause, he continued, the emperor was really drunk last night, the Tai Tuo carried you from the backyard to the front yard, and jumped into the carriage, you didn't realize it at all.

Xiao Zong listened, and the first reaction in his heart was that Han Su could hug him.

Wang Rong looked at the master who was eating leisurely, paused again, and added, the emperor was very drunk last night, the Taifu personally took care of you in the middle of the night in the flower hall, and the servant and Cheng Tongling were waiting in the front hall , as the Taifu is ready to invite you to stay overnight.

Xiao Zong bit a piece of apricot cake, and after hearing the little eunuch's hesitation, he paused for a moment, then hummed nonchalantly, finished the remaining half piece of apricot cake leisurely, drank a cup of tea, Get up as usual and go to Chongyang Palace to handle government affairs.

Wang Rong followed behind the master, seeing that the master seemed not at all interested in the hints he racked his brains all night, and was even more entangled.

After Xiao Zong saw Uncle's call to action, the next night, the King of Qin arrived in Shu Prefecture, and the king's division and the rebels immediately exchanged fire.In this battle, the king of Qin ordered an active attack, and fought all night in the dark. The situation was fierce. As a result, the rebel army lost more than [-] people and retreated to Bozhou. The king's division won the first battle.

Late at night in the twelfth lunar month, the night was thick and dark, and the lanterns under the corridor of Xinyang Palace were brightly lit, illuminating the thick darkness of a courtyard in front of the hall.There was no wind, everything was silent, and under the lamplight, fine snow fell rustlingly on the surface.

Xiao Zong was sitting on an armchair in the corridor. In the spacious corridor, several large braziers were burning with charcoal, and there were two small stoves beside them, each of which was simmering a pot of fine wine, Chengzhou Zhuyeqing and Lingzhou sake.

Xiao Zong said to Han Su who was on the other side of Xiaoji: "It's midnight, and it's Chinese New Year. It doesn't seem right for me to keep the Grand Tutor in the palace."

Tonight is New Year's Eve. As usual, the emperor will hold a feast in the palace to celebrate the New Year with all his ministers.This year, because the war in Chu was still raging, Xiao Zong organized a simple New Year's Eve banquet, omitting all extravagant items, and let all the officials eat a meal, enjoy a few songs and dances with clear soup and little water, and then the imperial banquet ended.

After the banquet, Xiao Zong didn't go back to the palace to go to bed, but ordered someone to make some arrangements in Xinyang Palace, and called Han Su who didn't have time to leave the palace.In the past ten years, his New Year's Eve has been like this, setting up tables and chairs in this porch, grilling charcoal and watching the snow pass.

Han Su picked up the jug and poured wine into Xiao Zong's cup, "The minister's father and two younger brothers are both in the state mansion, and there is no one in the mansion, and all the servants who should go back to their hometown to visit their relatives have returned. There is nothing wrong with me here. , unless the emperor thinks there is something wrong." He raised his eyes and handed the full bottle of wine to Xiao Zong's hand.

In fact, Xiao Zong's inappropriate sentence was just talking, it didn't mean much at all, if there was something inappropriate, he wouldn't keep Han Su.However, after Han Su said that there was nothing to do, Xiao Zong's heart suddenly became a little up and down, and he became uncomfortable.He probably knew about this discomfort. When he asked Wang Rong how he returned to the palace drunk from the Taifu's mansion that day, he vaguely felt it. , It seems that something is wrong... But Han Su is as calm as usual in front of him, and it doesn't look like there is anything.

What is that what, maybe there is nothing at all, or maybe there is something, but Xiao Zong subconsciously doesn't want to know what it is.

Eyes flickered slightly, Xiao Zong didn't look directly at the master when he took the sake handed to him, he picked up the cup and took a sip, then saw the snow falling outside the corridor in the blink of an eye, in the light of the fire, the fine snow on the salt surface became more and more dense.

On such a peaceful night, he could not feel the slightest breath of war, but his country, the fertile southeast land, was indeed filled with the cloud of war and the smoke of the two armies fighting each other.

It has been nearly a month since the first confrontation. Regarding that battle, Ren Buhui wrote a detailed report in the military newspaper, saying that the King of Qin went to Shuzhou, and after reading the rebel party's proclamation, he immediately dispatched troops and attacked the rebels at night. The army camp, the surprise attack forced the rebels to abandon the camp and retreat into Bozhou.According to the military newspaper, the king of Qin fought extremely fiercely. He chased and killed the retreating rebels for a whole day without leaving a moment's breath, until the rebels took refuge in Bozhou City.

In that battle, his uncle was indeed defeated quite badly.

At that time, the [-] reinforcements from the northwest had just set off from Qin to the south, and the king of Qin entered Shuzhou with only a thousand personal guards. My uncle and his two rebel kings probably didn't expect that the king of Qin would go out to battle as soon as he got off his horse. Even more ferocious.

In fact, he didn't expect King Qin to fight so actively.

Xiao Zong put down the glass and poured the wine, and casually mentioned the situation of the battle: "Ren Buhui quickly played the battle situation ahead at noon today. The rebels are still retreating behind Bozhou, and there is no sign of war. Take the initiative to attack. Bozhou is the second state capital in the south. It is rich in the territory and the city is strong. My uncle intends to use Bozhou as a shield and defend it with a fortified line. He will prepare his troops and wait for the opportunity."

Holding the wine glass, Han Su replied calmly, "Sima Yong is afraid of losing the battle, so naturally he dare not take the fight rashly, let alone take the initiative to fight."

After the first battle, Master Wang surrounded Bozhou City and defended the city against the army, saying that the formation should not be fought. Until now, there has been no fierce battle again.His uncle lost more than [-] soldiers and horses in the first battle, and the number of injuries is estimated to be more or less. The Northwest Army has already gone to the front line, and the first battle has been defeated. God.

"Afraid of being defeated again, what the Taifu said is true."

Xiao Zong raised his eyes and saw Han Su looking at him, he probably forgot that the wine glass in his hand was empty, and held an empty glass to his lips.Seeing this, Xiao Zong put down the wine jug in his hand, and put another wine jug on the small table to pour wine for the Taifu. He couldn't help laughing casually, "Han Su, what are you thinking about?"

Han Su picked up the wine that Xiao Zong had filled for him, paused for a moment, his expression remained motionless, he drank half a glass as usual, and then continued: "Sima Yong hides and does not fight, the emperor does not need to worry too much, although Bozhou City It is strong, but it is not yet indestructible. Sima Yong was under the banner of obeying the destiny, but he was besieged without fear, which was the biggest blow to the morale of the rebels."

Xiao Zong took a sip and nodded, "Teacher is right." After a pause, he smiled again, "Although Grand Tutor can't carry a sword, if you are assigned a post in the army, you will definitely be better at martial arts than many are strong."

This was half a compliment and half a joke, and Han Su didn't reply. He drank the remaining half of the glass of wine in the glass, put down the glass, looked at the faint smile on the emperor's lips, was silent for a while, and said lightly: " What is your Majesty's plan for King Qin?"

Xiao Zong was slightly taken aback when he heard the words.

Han Su looked at him, staring straight at him without seeing any waves, "After defeating Sima Yong, the King of Qin will undoubtedly sit on the throne, and the situation of restraint is no longer there. How does the emperor deal with himself? To the King of Qin..." He paused for a moment, his tone remained the same. It was calm, and Han Su continued, "The result of the battle is still unclear, and it seems too early to say these things. However, if everything is planned after the war, it may be too late."

Xiao Zong suppressed his smile, looked at Taifu for a moment, then turned his head and looked out of the corridor silently.

As long as he is still sitting on the throne and is the emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, he cannot avoid facing King Qin, and there must be a result between them in the end.

According to the military newspapers that Ren Buhui gave him, that man, marching, fighting, plundering land and attacking the city, might really be unstoppable.

After a while of silence, Xiao Zong raised his hand and filled his glass again, "I have ordered Ren Buhui to bring King Qin to the capital at an appropriate time."

As long as that man enters Beijing, many things should be easy to handle.

"What about after entering Beijing?" Han Su continued Xiao Zong's words, "How will the emperor treat him? Will he be imprisoned again?"

Xiao Zong picked up the wine glass and drank most of it in one gulp.Not to mention that King Qin is fine, but as soon as he mentioned it, he felt uncomfortable in his heart, so he secretly settled down, Xiao Zong said lightly: "He put down the rebellion for me, the world knows that he has made great contributions to the society, At that time, as long as he stays peacefully in the capital, I will not do anything to him."

Han Su was silent for a long time, no expression could be seen on his gentle and handsome face, he spoke for a long time, and his voice was not loud, "The emperor originally planned it this way. But, the plan can be perfected in this way, can the emperor rest assured? The emperor I have already imprisoned King Qin once, and I am afraid it will not be easy to do it a second time, and if I am a little careless, I don’t need to say what the result will be." After a moment of pause, Han Su's tone became a little heavy, "There is a simpler one. The method is safe and more beneficial to the emperor, the emperor does not use it, but would rather take risks."

"For King Qin, the emperor will show mercy."

Xiao Zong remained silent, he knew what the simple and safe method was, it was far easier and more effective to let King Qin die on the battlefield than to capture him back to Beijing once and for all.

only……

"Your majesty is soft-hearted towards King Qin, can't you bear it?" Looking at the heavy snow that had already been falling outside the corridor without knowing it, Han Su drank the spirits in his glass and turned his eyes.

Under the firelight, Xiao Zong couldn't tell whether the Taifu's expression was calm or not, but he didn't dare to look directly at him.

The position of the emperor made him never stop suspecting and thinking about the King of Qin, but, behind the scheming and confrontation, he never seemed to have thought of killing that man one day.

When some things don’t happen, I think it’s best to do this or have to do that, but only when things come to an end will I know what decision I finally chose to make, and any previous predictions like this and that are all empty words .

For example, to King Qin, it seems that as long as there is still a glimmer of hope and there are other ways to go, he will not kill that man.

He didn't want to delve into whether it was because he couldn't bear it, or whether it was the past when he was young that made him delusional about some things. He just felt that his indecisive and emotional problems really made him depressed.

As Han Su said, if that man had been prepared, it would not be easy to catch him and go to Beijing, so why would he bother himself.

Xiao Zong had already drank a few glasses of wine with the ministers at the New Year's Imperial Banquet, and sat down in this porch to have a few more drinks with Han Su, and his not-so-good capacity for alcohol was overwhelmed by these and that few glasses. , his heart was flustered, full of feelings, and he drank two more glasses in a row. Han Su was also not at peace, watching the emperor drinking in a hurry, but he didn't stop him. When he recovered, Xiao Zong had already closed his eyes. , half leaning in the armchair, without any movement.

"Drunk again." Sitting in the chair, Han Su murmured, but his gaze was fixed on Xiao Zong's side face pillowed on the backrest, not moving for a moment, his quiet face revealed an inexplicable darkness in the firelight.

Looking at Xiao Zong for a moment, Han Su got up, walked around Xiaoji to Xiao Zong's chair, took off his cloak, shook it off, and put it on Xiao Zong, but did not leave Xiao Zong's side.

"Don't always get drunk in front of me." Seeing the emperor with lightly closed eyelids and calm drunk face, Han Su raised his hand to lightly caress Xiao Zong's slightly frowned brows under drunkenness, "Don't always sleep so simply, with no sense of shame. Guard."

Fingertips slid down the eyebrows and touched the beautifully shaped thin lips. The emperor's handsome face was warm and stable under his palm. Han Su slowly bent down, "Don't test me, I can't bear it every time." The low voice fell into the close lips.

Holding Xiao Zong's lips, Han Su was gentle and compassionate, sucking and rubbing repeatedly.

Under his repeated sucking, Xiao Zong's slightly cool lips gradually heated up, became smoother and smoother, and the faint aroma of wine leaked out from the gap between his teeth.

Breathing slightly heavy, Han Sulue let go of the softness under his lips, paused for a moment, and stretched out his hand to support Xiao Zong's back of the neck in a daze to press himself.

She sealed her slightly parted thin lips again, but this time she directly pried open Xiao Zong's weak teeth, and rushed in with a strong force, kissed deeply and entangled with some out of control, and swept across wantonly, the gentleness of a moment ago ran away without knowing Nowhere, he sucked his lips and tongue deeply, as if he wanted to swallow Xiao Zong's breath.

"This is arrogance." After a long time, Han Su let go of Xiao Zong, and after a moment of silence, he smiled lightly.Seeing that the unconscious Tianzi was blocked by himself, he had difficulty breathing, his lips were red and swollen, and he was leaning against his arm, breathing shortly. Han Su squeezed him slightly tightly.

The snowflakes outside the corridor are profuse, everything is quiet, only the sound of falling snow is closely rustling.

It was already late when Xiao Zong woke up, he didn't change his clothes immediately and got up, but just closed his eyes and continued to sleep. Today is the first day of the new year, the first day of the new year, and the officials of the central government have a seven-day holiday for the new year. Unless he summons, there is no need to go to court.He drank a lot of wine last night and slept late. When he woke up, his head was heavy and painful.

After lying in a daze on the dragon couch for an unknown amount of time, there was a sound of light and hasty footsteps from the outer hall, mixed with the low voices of children frolicking, Xiao Zong got up from the quilt, put on a robe, and lay on the bed. Head half leaned.

"Wang Rong, isn't uncle awake?" Xiao Jun, who was like a monkey, was the first to run into the inner hall, turned his head and muttered to the chief servant who was trotting behind him, and stood beside his uncle's couch in embarrassment. "You finally woke up, Uncle, it's almost noon, and my nephews wanted to pay you a new year's greeting earlier, but this is the third time. Wang Rong said that you drank too much yesterday."

Xiao Li, who followed behind pretending to be old-fashioned, followed closely: "If you don't know how to drink, don't be brave, why make things difficult for yourself."

Xiao Zong looked at the two smiling nephews standing side by side in front of the bed. His head was still hurting. He didn't know whether it was the aftermath of drinking too much or the problem of lying down for a long time. He stretched out his hand and rubbed it. , where's your nineteenth uncle? Why didn't you come over together?" Usually during festivals, Xiao Hong would come to pester him with a few nephews, but Xiao Zong was a little surprised that he didn't see his younger brother today.

"It's so partial, I only care about Uncle Nineteen." Xiao Jun said.

"The imperial doctor is doing acupuncture for Uncle Hong in Chaoyang Palace, and he won't be here for a while." Xiao Heng led Xiao Jian to stand against his uncle's bedside. followed at the end.

Xiao Zong nodded.Several nephews were lined up beside his bed, and he suddenly noticed that these children had grown a lot taller, especially Xiao Heng, who didn't look like a nine-year-old child at all, and his stature was covered with a picture of a really old man. His face looks like Thirteen and Four, the only thing that hasn't changed much is his little nephew, who is still the same short, so short that he likes it.

Xiao Zong watched as the round nephew grabbed the edge of his bed, raised his short legs, and rubbed up hard, trying to climb onto his dragon bed.The dragon bed was very high, Xiao Jian was too short, and he was wearing a lot of winter clothes, so it was difficult to climb. Xiao Zong and a few older nephews stood by and watched the little guy struggling.

"Uncle, by the way, you are often drunk recently, is there any trouble?" It was Xiao Jun who asked suddenly. I don't know if it's because I slept too much or drank too much and I didn't recover. His complexion seemed a little haggard. In addition, the coat half-slung on his shoulders was black, which set off his uncle's sense of depression. the taste of.

Xiao Jun asked this, and then turned his head to ask Xiao Heng standing beside him for advice, "Is that so?" The eldest cousin seemed to have not heard his words at all, and his eyes were fixed on a certain place.

"What are you looking at?" Xiao Jun asked in surprise, followed Xiao Heng's line of sight, Xiao Jun was taken aback, and shouted in a fuss, "Huh? Uncle, is there a bug on your bed? See if it bit your neck! What kind of powerful insects come out to bite people in winter? Wang Rong, why did you make my uncle's bed?"

Xiao Zong's head twitched and throbbed in pain, he supported his forehead and said to his nephew: "Don't shout, uncle has a headache."

Xiao Jun ignored it at all, turned his head and continued to be surprised and said to Wang Rong: "Quick, hurry up and get the mirror and plaster."

Wang Rong took a long time to bring a bronze mirror and a porcelain pot of ointment, but he didn't know whether he should give the mirror to the master when he got to the dragon couch.

Last night, after the imperial banquet, the master dismissed their servants and guards, and drank alone with Taifu Han to enjoy the snow on the corridor of Xinyang Palace. After enjoying the snow until midnight, he felt that he should ask whether he needed more charcoal and wine, but he saw Taifu Han Pressing the master's head, hugging and gnawing, it was inappropriate for him to hide outside the moon gate to break in, and it seemed inappropriate to retreat, so he had to stand outside and wait, after that, pretended he didn't know anything before going in, and waiting His legs are numb...

When the master drove them away yesterday, he knew something was going to happen...

Wang Rongchu hesitated at the side, Xiao Jun snatched the bronze mirror and the medicine jar, and held it up in front of Xiao Zong, "Uncle, look, what a terrible bug!" Putting the bronze mirror in his uncle's hand, he stretched out his hand Picking up his uncle's long strands of hair scattered on his shoulders, "I can see it more clearly, Uncle, you turned your head to one side and bit the back of your neck. Does it hurt? Take the medicine quickly and wait a while My nephew will help you to see if there is any place on your body that has been bitten too, bugs are really tough now."

Xiao Zong heard his nephew Chongzi Chongzi shouting non-stop, and his headache became worse and worse.

what bugs bugs bugs...

Xiao Zong hugged the bronze mirror, staring blankly at the mirror.In fact, he didn't get drunk at all yesterday, he just felt a little disturbed and confused, so he closed his eyes and fell asleep...

However, because of that... So, he had no choice but to pretend that he was really drunk.

Han Su, Han Su...

"Uncle, apply the medicine."

Xiao Zong lay crooked on the couch with the mirror in his arms, and turned over silently.

"What's wrong with him?" Holding the porcelain pot, Xiao Jun turned his head and asked his eldest cousin who hadn't said a word. This guy grew up with him for more than half a year, so he can guess his uncle's mind with certainty.

Xiao Heng glanced at the back of his uncle, who was almost lying on the bed, without any expression on his face, "You don't want to face reality."

Xiao Zong turned his back on his back, and his heart twitched in distress, can his eldest nephew stop digging his uncle's mind so accurately?

Lying on the dragon bed without moving, Xiao Zong already looked like he didn't want to be in charge, but Wang Rong had no choice but to disturb the master.

"Your Majesty, when Taifu Han left the palace last night, he wrote a letter and sent it to you."

Xiao Zong lay there for a while without responding, and after a long time he stretched out his hand, still with his back on his back, Wang Rong handed the letter to him.Xiao Zong held it in front of his eyes, opened the envelope with some hesitation, and unfolded the rice paper.

"Wang Rong, call Cheng Shan to see me immediately!"

Xiao Zong squeezed the letter and suddenly sat up.

"Ah? Yes." Seeing the sudden change in the face of the master, Wang Rong didn't dare to delay at all.

Holding his forehead, Xiao Zong squeezed the letter subconsciously. In the letter, Han Su asked him for leave to go to Bozhou, saying that he would get rid of King Qin's troubles for him.