Chiwuxing

Chapter [-] - Reminiscing about the old love between monarchs and ministers, adding new hatred and turning back

At night, the lights were crackling, and Jia Yun dragged his body to reach a cup of tea on the table from the bed.

The slightly textured hand stretched out to the side of the bed, and when it was about to touch the rim of the cup, the other hand picked up the teacup and handed it over.

Jia Yunyu peeped at the bright yellow sleeves in the dark, his heart was shocked, he quickly withdrew his hands, raised his head and exclaimed: "Your Majesty!"

Seeing Jia Yun struggling to get up, Zong Zhengqiu stepped forward to help him straighten up.

Jia Yun felt a chill at night, and asked tremblingly, "Your Majesty... why are you here today?"

Zong Zhengqiu didn't answer, sat down on the chair beside him, looked around, and seemed to blame him, "Why is there not even a servant around?"

"A young servant's mother died of illness before, so I allowed him to go home to tell his relatives." Jia Yun lowered his head and said with a hoarse voice, "But I'm used to being clean by myself, so I don't need others to wait on me."

The sound of insects outside the window is hidden, making the night inside the house cold and silent.

Zong Zhengqiu spoke after a long time, and said: "You are two years older than me, but now you are old, why don't you take this opportunity to let you resign and go home."

"Thank you for your great kindness," Jia Yun said, "Your Majesty has already said that ministers are superior to His Majesty, so you should be more self-restraining and devoted to public service, and do your best to share His Majesty's worries in the years of your life."

Zong Zhengqiu looked at Jia Yun's downcast expression, his injuries were still not healed, only his face was haggard and pale, even the demeanor of a military general on the battlefield in the past disappeared.

In the old days, the handsome young man Lang was outstanding, but now he is as rotten as a decayed tree.

When he touched Jia Yun's resting hair, the dots of white instantly hurt his eyes. For a while, Zong Zhengqiu just stared at Jia Yun's hair in a daze, without speaking.

Jia Yun raised his head, seeing Zongzheng Qiu's hesitant expression, he also had a different emotion in his heart.Then he brought up the question just now: "Why did His Majesty come out of the palace in private, and he didn't need to be notified in advance, so I can prepare for it."

"The imperial doctor came to report your injury at noon today. I have nothing to do at night, so I came out to take a look in private," Zong Zhengqiu said. Think about what I mean, and I have no intention of disturbing your rest."

The two were relatively speechless, but they still had a lot to say.

"I heard that you were injured in the battle in the West City, why didn't you rest there before returning? You are also an elderly person, why bother to go back and forth." Zong Zhengqiu said in a resentful tone.

"...Bringing this matter up, I still need to say something. Before that, Yiwei in several cities in Jiangdong had been exhausted for a long time, so that there was chaos in private. This matter needs to be punished. The morale of the upper and lower ranks has been suppressed, and it is also a time for employing people to lead troops. After all, we need to be lenient for the time being, but we will slowly settle the matter when there is peace in the future..." Jia Yun raised his neck, trying to struggle to get up but was powerless , "This is all because I have been stationed on the border for many years and have not investigated the faults of the Central Plains officers and soldiers. I also temporarily ask Your Majesty to give me grace..."

"Lie down well, what are you tossing about," Zong Zhengqiu reprimanded lightly, already showing anger, "King Yu has already reported the matter here, I will tell Jin Duo to investigate it carefully in the future, what do you care about at this time. "

"...The minister overstepped the rules."

Jia Yun's eyelids twitched. The childishness and talent of this master who had known him for several years had long since turned into the tiredness brewing in the palace. Personnel and affairs divide their original affection.

He said: "On the one hand, I was thinking about the end of the year, and rushing back before the year would ease the tension in the court. On the other hand, I also took into account the end of the year banquet. Your Majesty and Your Majesty will add some joy, and His Royal Highness King Yu...will come back to the palace to reunite...in the end it will not work."

The atmosphere froze slightly, and Zong Zhengqiu's face became gloomy under the light.

Zong Zhengqiu saw that Jia Yun's hand by the quilt was still firm and distinct, with fine scars on the joints.

"In response," Zong Zhengqiu got up and said, "Are you still alienating me?"

Jia Yun raised his head, and Zong Zhengqiu covered up the light of the candle on the table as soon as he stood up, and he was the only one with his face in the dark.

In an instant, time went back to the house decades ago.

The same is one tall and one short, one sitting and one standing.

The young man standing there was generous and handsome, his amber clothes were warm and tidy as the sun was shining down on him, he leaned over and pulled up the young man who had just fallen to the ground, and said softly: "Brother Qiu, you don't have to pay too much attention to the moves when you carry the knife, the key lies in the time of attack." strength."

The slightly shorter young man raised his head, and the person in front of him happened to cover a circle of the sun exposed under the eaves, and the halo that burst out from the edge surrounded it, so intense.

He only saw a golden edge outlined by the light on the side of the young man's cheek, and a strand of black hair fluttered in the wind.

"I thought His Majesty had already put it down."

Zong Zhengqiu regained his senses, and said: "Even if I have no other thoughts, I don't want to force you to stay in the army."

Jia Yun closed his eyes and said in a low voice: "Since I have been supported by Your Majesty, I have never disregarded His Majesty's favor for a single day. In this life, I will guard the border for Your Majesty, assist the descendants of the king, and protect the health of Yan people and the stability of the country is what I want."

"...it should be."

A burst of ambergris brushed his face, Jia Yun slowly opened his eyes, and caught a glimpse of the embarrassment in the emperor's eyes.

"If you hadn't taken into account the momentary desires and acted recklessly back then, you wouldn't have been criticized and criticized so much by the court now," Zong Zhengqiu said, pulling back a lock of Jia Yun's white hair on his chest, "after all, I was the one who delayed your original future."

Jia Yun's opened eyes flickered again, he bowed his head, and said: "I never know your Majesty... I still care about the past, I am a homeless person, and it is my wish to stabilize the people and stabilize the country, so why not?" Is it about identity? People in the court have always had different opinions, and I am not alone in this matter. As for what happened back then, it was my personal choice. If His Majesty has been blaming himself for the past... it would really be a shame."

Zong Zhengqiu turned around and took a step back, then turned his head and said with a smile: "You look more like an emperor than me."

The night wind was blocked out of the window, and it was tightly covered.

Jia Yun saw that the emperor's face was full of jokes when he was young, so he also felt nostalgic for the old things, put away his usual stern look a little bit, and said with a light smile: "Your Majesty can joke with the ministers in private, if others know, I'm afraid it will happen again I'm going to come with a stack of memorabilia of the ministers 'covering the misfortune from the court'."

When Zong Zhengqiu heard this, his smile became a little stiff, and he said, "You have been wronged."

Maybe it was a private meeting tonight. Jia Yun saw that the emperor rarely showed some emotional upheavals that are not common on weekdays, as if he had really put on a commoner coat, covered the dragon robe, and became the elegant talent who helped him in his memory youth.

Jia Yun spends half his life in the army as a monarch and minister in the court. It is a rare opportunity to relive his state of mind a few years later. Under the simple wooden eaves, there is a shell that is gradually peeling off.

Jia Yun said seriously: "I have done wrong things in my life, and I have regretted many things, but only this devotion to Your Majesty and the Yan Kingdom has never changed. Since Your Majesty joined the army, I have embraced the future and perished." It is a great joy for me to die for my life's wish, my destination on the battlefield."

Zong Zhengqiu took a deep breath, then let it out slowly, closed his eyes and said: "If back then... I hadn't made such a slip of the tongue... Then, wouldn't you have to do the same?"

Feeling helpless, Jia Yun didn't want to say anything, stretched out his arms and lifted the quilt, resisting the wounds on his body that were still hurting, kicked his legs, and fell straight under the bed.

Seeing this, Zong Zhengqiu quickly stretched out his hand to help, but Jia Yun refused, and kept kneeling straight, saying:

"Jia Yun has been highly valued by His Majesty for nearly 40 years. From becoming a minister beside His Majesty halfway through the palace, to now taking command of an important position in the army, at this intermediate age, he has already made a vow to sever all selfishness. I originally thought that His Majesty might be subject to the imperial court. The influence of what the Chinese say is suspicious of the minister's power, but he doesn't want to think that he cares so much about the matter of the minister's private palace corruption... The minister originally also determined to have a personal love, so this minister has no regrets, so the minister I implore Your Majesty not to mind this anymore."

"Every time I hear this," Jia Yun paused, closed his eyes and said, "...I just feel ashamed."

Zong Zhengqiu put away his hands, took a few steps back, and breathed out: "Let's get down."

Seeing Jia Yun's silence again, Zong Zhengqiu sighed: "It's getting late today, you should have a good rest tonight."

"Your Majesty will go out of the palace alone tonight, can someone take care of you? Don't be in any danger, the minister's crime will be serious." Jia Yun asked slowly.

Zong Zhengqiu turned around and replied, "I sent two...servants to follow."

After a pause, he avoided the word "eunuch".

"It's not like I don't even have this little personal authority."

After chatting, Zong Zhengqiu opened the door and went out.

Jia Yun maintained the same posture, unable to return to his senses for a long time.

Outside the door, Zong Zhengqiu stared at the withered clusters of epiphyllum and leaves at the corner of the courtyard, and said nothing in a daze.

The two servants behind him stood quietly, and after a long time heard whispered instructions: "...Nancheng sent the end-of-year tribute two days ago, just send those few red turquoise plants over here."

"Yes.

"...Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness." A voice came from inside the door.

The two servants were surprised, looked at each other, and then looked up at the human silhouette projected by the yellow paper on the dim candle light above the pane.

Didn't those words just now tell them what to say?

The two servants' scalps tightened, they were at a loss what to do, but seeing the emperor walking towards the outside of the courtyard at this time, they hurriedly followed.

The stacks of memorials and newspapers piled up on the table were removed by his subordinates, and the room gradually became empty.

Jin Duo looked at the young eunuchs in front of him, and asked, "I didn't find anyone in Li Xiaoshan's house?"

One of the eunuchs replied: "I didn't find any trace of Master Li. I asked the neighbors nearby, and they said that Master Li's mother had traveled a long time ago. Master Li didn't meet her when she returned home, so she came back."

"Traveling away?" Jin Duo raised his eyebrows, the flesh between his brows was twisted together, "This kind of excuse is just to coax the yellow-mouthed child, this time has already passed the prophesied time, it seems... Xiaoshan has probably encountered an accident .”

He stretched out his hand to pick out those letter papers. The densely packed handwriting on them was familiar and unfamiliar. The usual eunuchs used the official papers copied by Neishutang, so if you don't look carefully, the characters are roughly the same in shape.

He had already become suspicious when he delivered the letter and postponed his leave. He hadn't returned by this time. It was obvious that someone deliberately delayed the time.

He has been negotiating with officials for so many years, how could he not be familiar with this style of work?

Another eunuch asked: "Who can have trouble with Mr. Li? After all, Mr. Li is a well-known subordinate official. Although he has a tough personality, he still has a good reputation. I have never seen Mr. Li intentionally offend anyone around him?" "

"Oh," Jin Duo sneered, turned around and sat down on a chair, threw away the stack of letters in his hand, and said, "This is not for the hill, of course it is for the official."

"Aiming at you?"

"That's right," Jin Duo said, "Aiming at this official, at the entire Privy Council behind this official, isn't this just a demonstration? Today he can cut off this official's left and right arms, and tomorrow he will be like an eunuch who overthrew my official." Top black yarn!"

Seeing that Jin Duo's anger was rising, the young eunuchs didn't dare to say anything.One of the young eunuchs bravely stepped forward and said: "My lord, who will have trouble with our Privy Council? Could it be that we still have to face those rotten scholars?"

"The group of sour Confucian scholars are only playing superficial skills on the surface, and they can't use such a big battle, and they don't dare to make such moves." Jin Duo squinted over and said, "I can know the importance of Li Xiaoshan to me, and at the same time There is only one person above the court who strikes and is merciless."

The few young eunuchs were whetted and raised their heads quickly.

"...It's hard for him too. I lost my confidant, and even sent my ideas to others. Is there a time when he is jealous today?"

Jin Duo's thick lips trembled slightly, and his eyes were rarely indifferent.

Several young eunuchs were dumbfounded. Hearing that he already knew who he was talking about, one of them couldn't help asking: "Mr. Jiang...is the same kind of person as us, who followed His Majesty from the palace with Admiral Jia back then. , so many years of non-interference, why are you targeting our Privy Council?"

Jin Duo snorted coldly: "His smiling tiger, huh, how good do you think he has a good relationship with the admiral? Doesn't he have a smiling face to whom? He is born with a pleasing life! Your Majesty has pity on him, This officer can understand his means of dealing with the people below."

"But at this time, he grabbed Master Li and went over..."

"It's just a dog jumping over the wall in a hurry," Jin Duo disdainfully said, "When he was in his prime, even the royal relatives and nobles would have to be courteous when they saw him. , in private, still continues the domineering style of the year. I don't know exactly what he wants to do, but since it involves military affairs..."

Jin Duo stopped suddenly.

"Then... what should we do now, my lord?"

"If it was really him who did it, you don't need to send people down to look for it. He has been in the palace for many years, and it is the cleanest thing to do this kind of pickling. In the past few months, I am afraid that even the bones will not be found. "Jin Duo held up the letter on the table again, flipped through it casually, "Xiao Shan has been with me for many years, and I have always treated him as my own family. Now Jiang Hua dares to stretch his dirty hands to me. Here, I am not merciless! Sooner or later, I will give him an explanation."

Several young eunuchs raised their heads quietly, and saw that the beads in Jin Duo's hands were tightened, and the usual benevolence disappeared from his fat face, knowing that he was really angry this time.Ever since Admiral Jia was impeached and dismissed, they had never seen Jin Duo so angry.

"Jiang Hua, an old thief, dared to extend his hand here only at the end of his strength. Even if His Majesty sees him again, the courtiers are unwilling to repeat the same mistakes. The little officials he has attracted are just villains who see the wind and the wind. If he, Jiang Hua, can win him over, this official will naturally be able to win him over, these are not the most important." Jin Duo continued.

The little eunuchs had different expressions, and they raised their heads together, listening to Jin Duo's next words.

"I recently heard that he is still involved with Ni Xiang. It seems that he is indeed struggling to find a way out." Jin Duo sneered.

A small eunuch took the opportunity to intervene: "Ni Xiang will take care of his affairs?"

"Of course not," Jin Duo said, "Xie Zhi hated the eunuchs so much that even Admiral Jia's army went in together, and our Privy Council is also restricted in many places. It doesn't matter what Xiang Ni thinks in his heart. In the end, I will never get involved with a villain like Jiang Hua."

Several young eunuchs heard that Jin Duo was talking about the word "eunuch", and they were a little bit embarrassed.

Jin Duo didn't pay attention, and continued: "However, he also gave me some inspiration, and I can also fight for Ni Xiang."

But aren't you one of them yourself?The little eunuchs were slandering in their hearts, but they didn't dare to show it on their faces, and raised their eyebrows slightly.

The little eunuch still couldn't help being puzzled, and said: "But Ni Xiang...has always respected his teacher, father-in-law, wouldn't he be suspicious of us too?"

Jin Duo said: "It doesn't matter. On the one hand, Xie Zhi is dead, and Ni Congwen is still more flexible than his master. On the other hand, the admiral returned from Wei Jiang's victory this time. Zhong thought, it is impossible to just put the safety of the entire Yan country aside like this...he disdains Jiang Hua, but he will not take military power seriously."

The little eunuch sighed: "I heard that the admiral was really seriously injured this time, which directly damaged the foundation of Xiangxiang's body. I'm afraid he won't be able to stay in bed for a while."

Another eunuch next to him mocked: "The group of civil servants at the top are silent at this time."

"I heard that there are still people in the Ministry of War who want to impeach the battle of Xicheng. Admiral, what a bunch of people who can stand and talk without back pain!"

"Okay," Jin Duo said, "these are nothing to argue about. I mentioned the Ministry of Industry just now. Who is the minister of the Ministry of Industry? The group of civil servants has always had the most conflicts of interests, and they are more conflicted than those of us." It’s just a few nice words, why bother arguing about meaningless topics here.”

The little eunuchs felt panicked, and asked again: "The lord just said that he wanted to fight for Ni Xiang...is this still necessary?"

"Of course," Jin Duo said, "this is not a conflict. Ni Xiang is in charge of his group of civil servants, and Jiang Hua will make some moves to infiltrate interests behind him. Sooner or later, there will still be trouble between them. Here we are After all, the military power is still in hand, and Ni Congwen dare not neglect the important matter of the country's fate."

"But our Privy Council has taken away most of the real power of the Ministry of War, so it's inevitable that Prime Minister Ni also has a grudge." A eunuch tentatively said.

"In a dilemma, Ni Congwen must have the best interests at heart. He has been an official for many years, and his ability is not bad." Jin Duo said.

Jin Duo picked up a folded memorial from the table, and ordered: "Taking advantage of this small victory, it would be good to promote a few talents in the army. General Xu died in this battle, and he lost another general in the army. The admiral I sent a few names earlier, pass this to the Rites Supervisor."

"Yes."