Chongzhen Sunset Song

?one

"No matter what the secrets are, surrendering gold to the city is disloyal, and those who are disloyal cannot continue to use it. Your Majesty must not listen to Zu Dashou's sophistry, so as not to repeat the incident of Dalinghe in the future."

After the early dynasty, Zhou Yanru came to the South Study Room to submit a bill about the ancestor's birthday and the aftermath of the fall of the Daling River.And after Zhou Yanru left for a long time, this remonstrance still lingered in Chongzhen's ears, and the words were clear.Zhou Yanru thought that this secret letter was not enough to win trust, and Zu Dashou must have a second heart, but Chongzhen couldn't make this judgment for a long time.With the little food and grass that lasted for more than two months, the tragic situation described in Zu Dashou's letter is completely conceivable. If you sincerely want to surrender, why wait until today.But what Zhou Yanru said was not entirely unreasonable, at least, Zu Dashou was not as loyal to Daming and himself as He Kegang who would rather die than surrender.

"Do you think Zu Dashou is credible?" Chongzhen said while flipping through the memorial with his head bowed.

Except for Xi Zhao, there was no one else in the room.Chance……?Xizhao thought for a while, and replied, "Master Zhou is well versed in state affairs, has excellent insight, and is meticulous in thinking. The villain thinks that Master Zhou's opinion should be preferable."

Chongzhen was taken aback when he heard the words, and subconsciously looked at Xizhao.

Are the good words too much... Xi Zhao coughed awkwardly, and quickly continued: "The ceremonial supervisor Wang Gonggong handles the memorials every day, and he also has a lot of opinions on state affairs. Why don't the emperor discuss with them more..."

"Hey..." Chongzhen smiled slightly and shook his head.Xi Zhao intuitively felt that there was a bit of helplessness in this smile.

"In the case of Yuan Chonghuan, why did you teach me to take it back?" After a little silence, Chongzhen asked.

After such a long time, why bring up the old matter again... And when this question is asked, and how to answer it - you can't say that the emperor is wrong.Xi Zhao looked troubled, thought about it, and said after deliberation: "The villain thinks... um... Although Dushi Yuan has faults, he also has credit... If the merits and demerits are equal, the crime is not as good as Ling Chi... But, but the villain does not Knowing about many major national affairs, I definitely have no intention of interfering in political affairs...just..."

"Just?" Chongzhen raised his eyes, and his eyes fell on Xizhao's face.

"It's just..." Xi Zhao didn't think about what to say next, and blurted out in confusion: "It's just that the punishment of Ling Chi is really terrible..."

Chongzhen was stunned for a moment, and then couldn't help smiling.It must have bypassed the danger zone, Xizhao was relieved when he saw the emperor smiled.

"The merits and demerits are equal, and the crime is not as good as the scorpion... At the beginning, I don't know how many people advised me to take back my life, but I am afraid that no one really thinks like you." Chongzhen closed the memorial and put it aside.

"But the villain remembers that almost all the adults who protected Governor Yuan said so." Xi Zhao was puzzled.

"That's right." Chongzhen said, "But the difference is that they belong to the Baoyuan sect."

Are you in the Baoyuan faction?Is it wrong to be in the Baoyuan faction and try to protect Yuandushi?

"Dexiu doesn't understand..." Xi Zhao frowned and whispered.

Chongzhen smiled gently, stood up, walked to the window, and looked out the window quietly.Xizhao also stopped in front of the window, looked up, and saw the other end behind the layers of white marble railings was the cold and tightly closed Qianqing Gate.

"Do you know what a party is?" Chongzhen asked.

"Hmm..." Xi Zhao hesitated, not knowing how to answer.If you say you don't understand, you are in the imperial palace, how can you not understand it at all, if you say you understand it, but you can't describe what it is for a while.

Seeing that Xizhao did not answer, Chongzhen smiled slightly.

"A party is a group of people who are tied together by their interests. Honor and disgrace are connected, and their lips are dead and their teeth are cold, so they say the same thing, do the same thing, and what they say and do is more out of profit than out of heart." Chongzhen said, his tone Quiet as a lake in winter, "everyone pursues fame and fortune, and desires are constantly intertwined and layered, covering the atrium heavily. Over the years, words and deeds can no longer reveal the slightest sincerity."

Chongzhen paused, raised his arms, and pointed out the window.

"The man guarding the Qianqing Gate, can you tell his face?"

Sunset looked intently.The Qianqing Gate is not close at all, and there are railings blocking the line of sight. Even though the setting sun poked his head, he still couldn't see clearly.

"Back to the emperor, the villain can't tell." Xi Zhao turned his gaze away and bowed.

"I can't tell." Chongzhen still looked out of the window quietly, "Since I can't tell, it also teaches people how to believe. People who can't be trusted, even if they are full of strategies, what's the point."

Chongzhen's speech was calm, as if there was no sadness or joy, but in the sunset, it was clear and cold, revealing a trace of indescribable loneliness.Normally, Xi Zhao might still be confused, but at this moment, he immediately understood the meaning of the emperor's words.Because just a moment ago, Xizhao had just made good words for Zhou Shoufu, not from the heart, but because of the hot 400 taels of silver.

"Then...the emperor thinks that Lord Shoufu and the prince cannot be trusted?" Xi Zhao asked tentatively.

Chong Zhen shook his head slightly, but he didn't know whether the shaking was to Xi Zhao's question, or to these two people.Xizhao didn't dare to say any more, but just accompanied quietly, the two were speechless.Wearing a gorgeous yellow robe, standing in front of the window silently watching from afar, the figure of Chongzhen is like a spirit beast trapped in a fence, aloof and extremely noble, accepting worship from people every day, but everyone is so far away that his face is blurred.How noble, but there is only a red wall around, and a piece of loneliness.Seeing such an emperor, Xizhao felt sour and regretful.The bitterness is the helplessness of the thousands of courtiers, but the emperor has no choice but to fight alone; the regret is the self who is obsessed with money and colludes with thousands of courtiers.Xizhao opened her mouth, and was about to say something, but Chongzhen relaxed first, and smiled faintly:

"It's useless to say these things, no matter what, Daming still has to rely on them." After finishing speaking, he turned around and walked towards Long An.

"The emperor can trust Dexiu."

Chongzhen turned his head when he heard the sound, and saw Xizhao looking straight at him without hesitation, his eyes seemed a little timid, but he couldn't conceal the almost overflowing determination:

"Dexiu is not talented, he is not full of strategic strategies, nor is he superior in martial arts, but in the future, if the emperor asks questions, Dexiu will be careful, have no distracting thoughts, and be honest with each other. He does not seek to solve the worries of the state, but only wants to be a little reassuring for the emperor. Show off your meager strength."

Chongzhen was stunned, quite surprised by this sudden confession, but then he raised his eyebrows and couldn't help laughing out loud.Unexpected laughter is like still water suddenly disturbed by falling rocks; the laughter is clear and clear, and the handsome face blooms like water waves.Seeing that the emperor smiled before answering, Xi Zhao looked embarrassed and didn't know what to do.After a while, Chongzhen finally stopped laughing, An Anran looked at Xizhao, thought for a while, and nodded seriously.

"Okay. I trust you."

Hearing this, Xi Zhao finally breathed a sigh of relief, with a smile on his face.Although reckless, he did nothing wrong.Xizhao secretly thought in her heart.Because of the emperor's smile, it was the first time Xizhao had seen it so far.

two

"Is Zhang Dexiu from the chief assistant?"

In Wang Chengen's room, a small-eyed eunuch was bending over Wang Chengen, talking in a low voice.Wang Chengen was wearing an embroidered gold brocade robe and a black gauze inlaid with jade on his head. With his hands in his sleeves, he leaned lazily on the back of the chair, closing his eyes and enjoying the little eunuch beating his shoulders.After listening to the small-eyed eunuch's whisper, Wang Chengen half-opened his eyes, squinted and asked.

"That's right, according to reports from people, Zhang Dexiu has taken the initiative to praise Mr. Zhou many times recently for his talent in literature and martial arts, and his extraordinary insight. This person used to not talk about anyone with the emperor, but now he is uncharacteristically. I guess there is nothing wrong with it." The small-eyed eunuch is attentive. to answer.

"Huh, return your literary talents and martial arts." Wang Chengen snorted through his nose and rolled his eyes, "This old boy is quite fast."

"Eunuch, look... Shall we win over Zhang Dexiu too?" The small-eyed eunuch lowered his voice a bit.

"No need." Wang Chengen waved his hand and said, "He is still too young to be compared with Liang Yi, maybe one day the emperor will get tired of it, and he will not be a fart."

"Oh," the small-eyed eunuch suddenly thought of another thing, "and it is said that the emperor also asked Zu Dashou about the surrender of Zu Dashou's army to sacrifice the city, so he was extrajudicial and tolerant without punishment."

"Huh?" Wang Chengen frowned, raised his eyes, and looked suspicious, "This Zhou Yanru is advocating heavy punishment. Since the two are on the same path, which one is this singing?"

The small-eyed eunuch shook his head.Wang Chengen took out his hand from his sleeve, picked up the teacup, and stroked the lid of the cup. After thinking for a while, Fang said meaningfully: "No matter which one is sung, in order to avoid future troubles, it's better for the emperor to get tired of it earlier." .”

The small-eyed eunuch was taken aback for a moment, as if he understood something, followed Wang Chengen's words, and nodded seriously.

three

On this day, Xi Zhao was walking on the road when she was suddenly stopped by a small eunuch.

"Hey, hey, Eunuch Zhang, Eunuch Zhang!"

"What's the matter?" The little eunuch looked at the face, Xi Zhao thought for a while, but couldn't figure out why he knew her.

"Hey... is Eunuch Zhang resting today?" the little eunuch said with a smile.

"Not bad." Xizhao nodded.

"That's good, Eunuch Zhang will come with me," the little eunuch smiled even more. "Eunuch Ma pleases."

It's been a long time since I came to the small courtyard with gray walls. As soon as I entered the door, I felt a familiar feeling.Recalling the time when I raised my hand in the corner of this small courtyard to volunteer to escape from the palace, it is still the same as yesterday, and I can clearly recall the state of mind at that time.But Xi Zhao didn't have time to think about it for too long, so she was urged by the little eunuch and walked to the front of the main house.

"Eunuch Zhang, please."

Pushing open the door of the main house, I saw Eunuch Ma coming forward with a smile on his face. "Eunuch Zhang, Eunuch Zhang, long time no see, how you've been doing lately." Eunuch Ma cupped his hands in Zhao Xizhao, the golden tooth looming in the corner of his mouth.

"Oh, I can't afford it. Eunuch Ma just calls me Zhang Dexiu as before." Xi Zhao humbly said.

"Hey~ how can I do that, who doesn't know that Eunuch Zhang is quite important in front of the emperor now, and it is no longer compared to when he was the Zhidian Supervisor, so how can he be called the same as in the past." A step back, "Come, Mr. Zhang please."

As soon as I entered the back room, I saw that the table of the Eight Immortals had already prepared a table of wine and food.Eunuch Ma stepped forward and poured wine for Xizhao first.

"Hey Mr. Ma! Don't pour wine!" Seeing this, Xi Zhao hurriedly stopped him.

Eunuch Ma was taken aback, not knowing why, the hand holding the jug froze in mid-air.

"Eunuch Ma doesn't know that. Dexiu has always been ignorant of the aroma of wine. Others don't get drunk after a thousand cups, but Dexiu just pours it down after a glass." Xizhao smiled, stepped forward, and pressed down the wine pot in Eunuch Ma's hand, "good wine It's a waste to give it to Dexiu, let's leave it to those who love wine."

"Where is this saying? As the saying goes, there is no banquet without wine. Since it is a long-distance gathering, there is no reason not to drink." Eunuch Ma said, bypassing Xi Zhao's hand pressing the wine pot, and forced the two glasses to be filled.

Xizhao couldn't refuse, no matter how much he thought about it, he picked up a cup and said: "Since the hospitality is hard to turn down, Dexiu will drink this cup to the full, and I will pay respects to Eunuch Ma for his kindness to Dexiu back then." After finishing speaking, Xizhao put the wine cup on Lips, stretched out.

"It's all small things, it's all small things." Eunuch Ma grinned, his black and yellow skin wrinkled a few grooves on his cheeks, he raised his hand to pick up the wine pot, and wanted to pour another wine for Xizhao.Xi Zhao quickly put away the wine cup, and pushed the jug away with one hand: "This is just one cup, I really can't drink any more." After saying that, he put down the wine cup, pulled the stool away, and the two invited each other to enter the table.

"Eunuch Zhang is too strong to drink."

Not long after sitting down, Xi Zhao's face turned red. "That's natural, how could Dexiu lie to Eunuch Ma?" Xi Zhao smiled and poured wine for Eunuch Ma. "Come on, drink."

"well."

"If you want to say that you and Eunuch Ma are really destined." Putting down the wine pot, Xi Zhao said humbly, "We were trapped in the camp of the Jin Army back then, but fortunately Eunuch rescued us, and thanks to your appreciation, we were transferred to Qianqing Palace. If it wasn't for the father-in-law taking care of everything, how could Dexiu have the honor to serve the emperor by his side."

"Hey~ Eunuch Zhang is too modest. To be able to go to the emperor's side, Eunuch Zhang is still superior." Eunuch Ma sipped his wine and said, "Besides, there are as many people serving in front of the emperor, but the emperor only brought Eunuch Zhang out of the palace. "

Xi Zhao smiled and waved his hands, and Eunuch Ma also smiled, but this smile was very artificial. "I heard about Zongbing Zu, the emperor also asked Eunuch Zhang before making the decision?"

"I asked." How did Eunuch Ma know?Xizhao was surprised, stunned for a second, and then immediately answered, "But Dexiu doesn't understand that much, so he couldn't answer. How the emperor makes a decision has nothing to do with Dexiu."

"Just asking about it is enough to show that Eunuch Zhang is very unusual in the emperor's heart." Eunuch Ma flattered, "Eunuch Zhang is not a supervisor of ceremonies, but he can be asked about state affairs by the emperor. How many people in this palace are there?" Humans can do it. It seems that the position of Eunuch Liang Yiliang in the future must be Eunuch Zhang.”

"Mr. Ma has already said it." The flattery that came to his ears made Xi Zhao feel a little unhappy, but his face was still calm and smiling. Deep meaning, besides, Eunuch Liang is deceased, and everyone knows that someone else has taken over the post of supervisor, and Dexiu is still a newcomer, so how can he be compared with senior seniors." Saying this, Xi Zhao changed the subject without waiting for Eunuch Ma to speak again. "Eunuch Ma is looking for me today, what's the matter?"

"Eunuch Zhang is indeed very sensitive. There is indeed a small matter in our family, and I want to ask Eunuch Zhang for help..." As he said, Eunuch Ma leaned closer to Xizhao and whispered in his ear, then got up again, took out a cloth bag from the drawer behind him, Spread it on the table and push it in front of Xizhao.

silver.Xi Zhao looked at the white flowers on the table, and couldn't help feeling a little bit emotional.If things are impermanent, the last time I came to the small courtyard with gray walls, I still brought silver as a gift to pay tribute. After less than two years, the world was turned upside down and I became the party who was given the gift.Xizhao sighed softly, contemplated for a while, put on an embarrassed look, and said to Eunuch Ma who was waiting for an answer next to him:

"It's not that Dexiu doesn't want to help you. You said that Dexiu's ability to dispatch personnel is really limited, and it's really difficult to do it. Dexiu can't lie to Eunuch. Since he can't meet Eunuch's expectations, he can't accept the money." Said Then, Xi Zhao reached out and pushed the silver on the table back.Looking up, he saw Eunuch Ma's eyebrows twitched, seeming displeased, so he hurriedly added: "But don't worry, Eunuch, Dexiu is not an ungrateful person, please wait a little longer, when Dexiu's wings are full, he will definitely treat Eunuch It will benefit your career.”

Not far from the small courtyard with gray walls, Xi Zhao rubbed her cheeks stiff from laughing, collected her expression, and glanced back.Don't blame me for being perfunctory, Mr. Ma.If it was a few days ago, I'm afraid it would be okay to say, but now, Dexiu is no longer the Dexiu in the past.From the moment he made an agreement with the emperor, he had sworn in his heart that he would never be influenced by these external things again.Even if he breaks his promise, even if he cheats, even if he betrays everyone, he will definitely not betray the trust of the emperor.