return to peace

Chu Lingshang has always been well aware of the situation in Chen Guo.More than ten years ago, Empress Dowager Xiao and Emperor Chen Guo supported Wen Ruyu's reforms, and dumped a group of royal family members, especially the lineage of King Rui. its edge.But after the death of Empress Dowager Xiao, the emperor's suspicious and selfish nature was exposed, and he began to promote the Fang clan, suppressing the cutting-edge reformers headed by Wen Ruyu and the line of Empress Dowager Xiao's natal family.Emperor Chen only loved the daughter of the Fang family, and even the Fang family went to heaven.Fang Guozhang took the post of Taiwei himself.His three sons, the eldest Fang Zhenhua is the minister of the Ministry of Rites, and the second eldest Fang Zhenxin is the minister of the Ministry of Punishment. They control the two central agencies with one hand.The third son, Fang Zhenxu, has some interesting ideas. He doesn't care about temples, but Jiang Hu.

Although the Wen and Xiao families have formed an alliance in recent years, but the Fang family has the emperor's backing, there are two forces forming in the Chen Guochao hall.

Although the emperor was relieved, the court was also made into a mess.The Fang family covered the sky with one hand, and the achievements of the previous reforms have changed. The imperial examination system and the military system have gaps in their interests.

As for Xiliang, in the middle of Chen Guocheng's reform, Wen Ruyu, Si Ran, the national teacher of Xiliang, presided over the reform plan.Unlike King Chen, the King of Xiliang has his own selfishness. He unconditionally supports Si Ran, so the reform of Xiliang is very thorough.Later, Si Ran retired behind the scenes, and Chu Lingshang took over. Chu Lingshang was taught by Si Ran, so the transfer of power and the convergence of ruling ideas were very smooth.Xiliang's national power is prosperous while Chen's national power is declining. This is why Xiliang King and Chu Lingshang have the courage to take the first step of unification.

If it succeeds, the world will be unified and the world will be peaceful and prosperous. If it fails, it will be destroyed and the people will not live!

On the second day, King Chen summoned Chu Lingshang and handed over the documents between the two countries.After coming out of the palace, Chu Zexi hurriedly came to ask about Chu Lingshang's situation. Chu Lingshang casually said a few perfunctory words, but he was sure in his heart that if King Chen didn't die, Chen Guo's strength would be exhausted.

At the beginning of the colorful lanterns, the maids and waiters came in and out, glass cups, white glaze dishes, delicious food and wine, served in a royal style.The ministers and clan members filed in. Before the arrival of the emperor's concubines, they gathered together and chatted with each other, with full smiles on their faces. It was not known whether it was true or false.

Chu Lingshang only brought Chu Zexi, who was dressed as a servant, and Lin Feng, his bodyguard. Before entering the banquet hall, they were searched as usual, and all dangerous accessories were removed. With a colored lantern, they were welcomed into the side hall and waited for the call.

After a while, the servants called out in a drawn-out voice: "Xuan Xiliang's envoys are here!" From the head of the internal supervisor to the ordinary servants, they called down layer by layer, full of royal air.

Chu Lingshang straightened his clothes, led Lin Feng and Chu Zexi, and followed the servant who came to lead the way into the inner hall.As soon as he entered the palace, Chu Lingshang felt that all eyes were on him. He kept his eyes on him and remained calm.

Sitting on the dragon chair in the hall, King Chen is only fifty years old, but he is already 60 years old, his face is blue and his skin is loose.A pair of shining eyes were hidden behind the drooping eyelids, as if some conspiracy was brewing, some calculation was hidden, and the gloomyness made people uncomfortable.

Sitting on the left of King Chen is Empress Xiao. Empress Xiao is the niece of the Empress Dowager, who was appointed by the Empress Dowager to marry King Chen as her queen.At this moment, the Queen's laurel crown is on her head, not to mention the beauty of the country, but it is also the posture of a master. It is a pity that everyone is a lady, but Chen Wang does not like it.When the Empress Dowager was there, King Chen still put on a face to save face, but when the Empress Dowager left, Empress Xiao was completely left out in the cold.

On the right sits Concubine Fang Gui, the daughter of the Fang family, Fang Zhenrui, who has enjoyed exclusive favors since entering the palace, and she is naturally charming, a little more charming than the dignified and virtuous Empress Xiao.Being able to enjoy the honor and favor for more than ten years shows that he has the ability.

Sitting next to Empress Xiao was a man wearing a prince's robe, a jade crown on his head, and handsome features. He probably was the third prince, Chen Jingxuan.

Concubine Fang's next seat should be the Eldest Prince.The eldest prince, Chen Jingyu, is five years older than the third prince, and now he has left the palace to marry a concubine, but his appearance is like that of his mother's concubine. He is a bit more handsome than the third prince, but too feminine.His eyes were fixed on Chu Lingshang, wondering what he was thinking.

King Chen has four sons in total, and the eldest son is the son of Concubine Fang Gui.It is said that the second prince was born of a certain court lady. As soon as he was born, his mother was secretly doomed to death without any background. When he was five or six years old, he accidentally drowned and died. No one knew whether it was an accident or a plan.The third prince was the son of the empress, so he was supposed to be the son of the eldest son, with a noble status, but because King Chen doted on Concubine Fang and suppressed the Xiao family, even his dignity was weakened by a bit.The fourth prince is the son of the concubine Xian, who is not favored, and the mother's family is not powerful, and has no confidence, so the fourth prince has been submissive since he was a child, and it is difficult to become a climate.Sitting under the third prince this time, Chen Jingxuan was more and more distinguished.

The struggle between the two factions in the court of Chen Guo is actually not only a battle between courtiers, but also a battle between the eldest prince and the third prince.Although the first prince Chen Jingyu was not as good as the third prince Chen Jingxuan in terms of character and ability, but he had the emperor's backing to win him. Just because of this alone, he had a great chance of winning.In recent years, as the emperor got older and his body became weaker, the battle for the position of the crown prince has faintly shifted from the dark side to the bright side.Chen Wang probably saw it too, but he kept his face and watched the two factions fighting.He loved power more than royal affection.

In other words, King Chen has the mind of an emperor, but he doesn't have the heart of an emperor.This is also the reason why Chu Lingshang dared to say that Chen Guo's strength was about to expire.

If you want to fight against the outside world, you must first settle down inside. If the inside is uneasy, why fight against the outside world?

Chu Lingshang was thinking a lot in his heart, but his face remained calm.Step forward, bend down, and salute.

"My lord, I wish your Majesty a blessing like the East Sea, and a longer life than Nanshan."

The hall was silent for a long time, "The national teacher is polite, no courtesy." A hoarse and deep voice sounded.

Chu Lingshang looked up at King Chen with neither humble nor overbearing eyes.