turmoil

The hall was eerily quiet, and mourning could be faintly heard outside the hall. Zhang Jingche stroked the folding fan in his sleeve, and said with a half-smile: "Your Majesty loves me so much, the grass people are terrified... It's just that the grass people have been in the rivers and lakes for a long time, and they are used to living a happy life. I can't stand the red tape in the court, so I would like to ask your majesty's quasi-minister and Yang Houyuan to go outside the Great Wall, and the grassroots promise that they will not return to the capital and hinder your majesty's eyes."

Liu Yanzhao's eyelids twitched suddenly, and was stung by Yang Hou's words: "You escaped by feigning death back then, besides Han Xun, he must have his part too!"

Zhang Jingche was very calm: "So what?"

Liu Yanzhao trembled slightly, with obvious anger in his eyes: "Zhen... I treat you like a treasure, and you dismissed it, but turned around and secretly communicated with my brother... Zhang Minghuang, what do you want to do? !"

Zhang Jingche's expression was slightly gloomy.

He didn't care what Liu Yanzhao thought of him, no matter what an irrelevant person did or said, he couldn't hurt the current Zhang Jingche.But he didn't like Liu Yanzhao's tone of talking about Yang Fan. Marquis Dingbian was loyal to the country and the people, so he shouldn't be poured with dirty water because of this kind of thing!

"When did you collude with him? When you went to the south of the Yangtze River together, or earlier... when you were in northern Xinjiang!" Liu Yanzhao gritted his teeth, "At that time, you disappeared from the palace for no reason, did he also do it? He is Returned to Beijing long ago? I understand... What Huihe invaded and acted cheaply is simply a cover! It’s an excuse! He deliberately sneaked into Beijing to cause chaos in Beijing! Under the Nine Springs, how to explain to the late emperor and the ancestors of the Yang family!"

Zhang Jingche had expected that the exposure of his relationship with Marquis Dingbian would definitely arouse Liu Yanzhao's jealousy and jealousy, but he never expected that Liu Yanzhao would associate Marquis Dingbian's appearance with the chaos in Beijing.

Withholding the hat of "unpredictable" and "connected with foreign countries" is not only to kill people, but also to kill people's hearts!

"Stop judging the heart of a gentleman with your villainous heart!" Zhang Jingche interrupted Liu Yanzhao with a sneer, "Yang Hou holds the garrisons in the four realms, and he has just made the feat of beheading Beile. If he has the heart, he can send his troops. In the capital, is it worthwhile to follow behind the aristocratic family and the Beile people to pick up leaks?"

He paused, then sneered slightly: "Furthermore, if Yuan Zhou really has such thoughts, I will spare no effort to help him succeed. But if we join forces, how can you have the chance to wrong Zhongliang here with red lips and white teeth?"

Liu Yanzhao was out of breath, and he had just experienced a great turmoil.But he is not stupid, after hearing Zhang Jingche's sarcasm, he knew that he wanted to go wrong - if Yang Fan wanted to rebel, he would have enough strength and confidence to mess with foreigners, would he really be a traitor?

However, after hearing the second half of Zhang Jingche's words, Liu Yanzhao's anger that had just subsided rushed into his head again, his eyes were burnt red, and he glared at Zhang Jingche viciously: "If he has the heart...you will spare no effort to help him? Do you know that What are you talking about! You are willing to bear the crime of plotting to usurp the throne for him? Are you just so dismissive of me! "

"Otherwise?" Zhang Jingche sneered sneeringly, "Sitting and watching Yuanzhou like a loyal and brave uncle, who clearly committed his loyalty to death, but was charged with treason for no reason, and was beheaded by everyone? It is you and the princes of the court, why!"

Liu Yanzhao was dumbfounded by choking, and his fingers were pinched loudly.

"You should be thankful that Yuan Zhou has no interest in that dragon chair—he strictly abides by the way of being a minister, even if he is completely disappointed with the court, he just wants to hand over his title, give up his military power, and follow me to the Western Regions to be my companion " Zhang Jingche looked at Liu Yanzhao with a sarcasm smile, "Of course, I won't let him do this, and he will pass on the title to this day. These three words have carried too much blood and tears. People's unwarranted suspicions will be let down!"

Liu Yanzhao was so out of breath that he couldn't speak: "You...you keep saying that you are accusing me of being suspicious, stupid, and jealous of heroes, you..."

"Isn't it?" Zhang Jingche interrupted him again, "The lessons learned from the past are so vivid, I have to make plans early... Your Majesty the Emperor, don't you want to say that you have never doubted a hero? Have you forgotten? , how did Uncle Zhongyong’s only young son die?”

This time, Liu Yanzhao was completely speechless.

Zhang Jingche looked at this supreme and noble emperor mockingly. He had followed Liu Yanzhao for many years and knew very well what Emperor Xinglong thought.Emperor Xinglong may be more benevolent than previous emperors, but he cannot escape the shackles of the "emperor". In his heart, the reputation of the royal family and his own name of benevolence and filial piety are always the most important.

In order to preserve the reputation of himself and the late emperor, even if he knew that Uncle Zhongyong died unjustly, even if he witnessed the evidence of the crime of framing Zhongliang, he could still keep it secret.For the sake of the so-called "overall situation", he can keep silent and let the loess bury the blood on the corpse.

The emperor's mind is so ruthless.

"Uncle Zhongyong may be innocent...but it is an indisputable fact that Yuezhao colluded with foreigners and murdered the Queen Mother!" After a long time, Liu Yanzhao gritted his teeth and said, "Regardless of the reason, his crime of treason has been proven. Can't escape the fate of implicating the nine clans... Do you want me to reverse the case for the rebellious officials and thieves!"

Zhang Jingche laughed and shook his head, no longer had any hope for the emperor's robber logic.

"Yuezhao just wants an explanation... If you showed evidence of your crimes at the beginning of your ascension to the throne, and cleared up the grievances of Uncle Zhongyong's family, he might not take this step. If the first emperor could suppress his suspicions and recall Uncle Zhongyong to ask for clarification, The bloody case in the uncle's mansion will not happen, and Yuezhao will never enter the palace, let alone colluding with foreigners!" Zhang Jingche raised his head, looked at the sacred tablet on the incense table, his eyes could not tell whether it was ridicule or sigh, "Your Majesty, you put all the blame for your crimes on me!" It's so clean to push them all on the dead!"

Liu Yanzhao was ridiculed repeatedly by him, the contempt inside and outside the words was like clusters of thorns, making Emperor Xinglong restless.He couldn't help it, and said angrily: "I and the first emperor are emperors! If the king wants his ministers to die, he has to die!"

Zhang Jingche refused to budge: "A king treats his ministers like brothers and sisters, but the ministers regard the emperor as his heart, and the emperor treats his subjects as worthless. Why should he treat you like a god, just relying on the word of imperial power?"

He chuckled and shook his head: "Then you really underestimate us!"

Liu Yanzhao once again realized that this man has no emperor in his heart, no imperial power, and no dignity. Only to be pierced.

In the palace of wearing filial piety, the lofty emperor and the rebellious "rebellious officials" look at each other. The short distance of two or three steps seems to be separated by a layer of heaven that cannot be reached or crossed.It was clear that Liu Yanzhao was the noble emperor, but he felt chills at the center of Zhang Jingche's gaze, and felt his own powerlessness and humbleness at that moment.

He remembered what the Empress Dowager Wu said to him before she died - that was the night before, when the empress dowager with disheveled temples was lying in the brocade, holding Liu Yanzhao tightly with her wrinkled hands, and withered blue veins on the back of her hands.

"The Ai family knows that you miss Zhang Jingche in your heart, and you are even more ashamed of the dead Concubine Shu," the queen mother coughed blood from the corner of her mouth, and said intermittently, "but he... has an unruly temperament and refuses to be used by you. If you let it go, It must be for the imperial court...cough cough, a serious trouble in my heart!"

Liu Yanzhao choked up and said, "Mother's queen..."

The empress dowager touched Liu Yanzhao's face with her frail palm, and groped her inch by inch: "The Ai family knows the pain in your heart... You have a great affection for that Jingche, even if the barbarians surrendered and all nations came to court, without him alone, this would be a very difficult time." The prosperous age finally lost its splendor..."

"The Ai family is the empress dowager, but also a mother. If it is not forced, how can you not want your child to get what you want? It's just Zhao'er... This person is born rebellious and despises imperial power. If he is willing to be used by you, that's all. If not, we must not let him leave the capital, otherwise... the tiger returns to the forest, and the dragon enters the ocean!"

Liu Yanzhao seemed unwilling: "No matter how ruthless he is, he is just a commoner after all... The mother's queen, sons and ministers are the emperors, and they promise everything! If you can't even subdue a small commoner, how can you govern the country and the people?"

The queen mother's voice gradually weakened: "The queen mother understands that he is a hurdle in your heart. If you can't get over it, you will have trouble sleeping and eating for the rest of your life... But Zhao'er, the queen mother still said the same thing, this person has a firm mind and a great wrist. If you are not a buddy, you will become a deadly enemy! You grew up in the deep palace, even if you have seen ghost tricks, and you are protected by your mother and your father, after all, there is no limit... If he is determined to fight against the court, you are afraid , I'm afraid I can't stand it..."

The queen mother's throat twitched, she suddenly grabbed Liu Yanzhao's wrist, tried her best to prop up her upper body, and said word by word: "You, you promise to the queen mother... If, if he refuses to accept the imperial imperial seal, you must, must kill him... to avoid future troubles !"

Liu Yanzhao was shocked: "Mother!"

"The queen mother...can no longer protect you!" Empress Dowager Wu looked at him reluctantly and reluctantly with blood in her mouth, "You, you alone, you have to be good, be good..."

The Empress Dowager's wrist suddenly slipped, and the white jade bracelets on her wrists collided with each other, making a crisp sound.The sound of wind and rain outside the hall gradually weakened, and Liu Yanzhao's sobbing was particularly distinct in the shadow of candles: "Mother's queen!"

Liu Yanzhao's mind had been lingering on the last words of the queen mother when she was dying. At this time, in the Palace of Qinzheng, he silently watched Zhang Jingche, wondering what kind of heart was hidden under this unparalleled beauty.After a long time, he said in a deep voice, "...are you determined to leave?"

Zhang Jingche said simply: "Please Your Majesty."

Liu Yanzhao gritted his teeth, and anger suddenly appeared in his eyes: "What if I don't agree?"

Zhang Jingche turned his head, with a half-smile: "Does your majesty know, what is the most important thing I have learned in Beijing for several years?"

Liu Yanzhao: "What?"

"It's the most stupid way to pin your hope on the kindness of the Tian family!" Zhang Jingche said calmly, "I was stupid once and lost my only relative. After Jing Su died, I knew that what I wanted , What is important, can only be preserved with these hands!"

Liu Yanzhao looked at him, feeling ominous in his heart. The next moment, hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, and the servant close by was slapping on the door of the hall, calling repeatedly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"

Liu Yanzhao ordered not to disturb, even if he was close to the servants, he did not dare to rush in.Emperor Xinglong frowned, hearing that his tone was wrong, he said in a deep voice, "Come in!"

The servant pushed open the door of the hall, and crawled to the front. He was about to prostrate, but Liu Yanzhao waved his hand to stop him: "Tell me, what's the matter!"

The servant glanced at Zhang Jingche, but hesitated to speak.

Liu Yanzhao said impatiently: "You can just say it straight, what is there to avoid? You Yunwei on the left and right are all-pervasive, and nothing about Beijing can be hidden from his eyes and ears!"

The servant then said submissively: "There is news from the front and the court that a large number of cavalry appeared thirty miles northwest of the outskirts of Beijing. The number is not less than ten thousand..."

This action came suddenly, like a thunderbolt from the blue sky. Liu Yanzhao was stunned for a moment. He pulled up his servant from the ground and said sharply, "Cavalry? Where did the cavalry come from? What do you say about the North Camp?"

The servant trembled: "I don't know, I don't know... all the ministers are in the Qing Palace, the emperor should go and have a look!"

Liu Yanzhao was about to go out, when he turned his head unexpectedly, he saw Zhang Jingche standing on the spot as if nothing had happened, with a faint smile in the corner of his mouth.

In the blink of an eye, Emperor Xinglong blurted out to his heart, "It's you! This matter... has something to do with you, doesn't it?"

The waiter didn't know why, but saw Zhang Jingche turning his head, raising half of his long eyebrows with pride and narrowness, showing a carefree smile that never showed in front of others.

"What do you think?" He whispered softly, "Why don't you guess?"

When Liu Yanzhao arrived at the Qianqing Palace, all the remaining important officials in the court had arrived.Emperor Xinglong couldn't wait for them to bow to the ground and saluted, and urged him repeatedly: "You don't need to be too polite, I have heard the report from the middle official—what's going on? As far as I know, the nearest garrison to the capital is the Beidaying, with 2 troops. There are quite a few of them, and they are all stationed in the suburbs of Beijing, where is there another cavalry?"

A group of important ministers used their eyes to evade for a while, but in the end it was Guo Chen who stood up against the emperor's ready anger, gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, according to Jin Yiwei's investigation, the ones who came were not ordinary cavalry, but... Huihe Huqi !"

Liu Yanzhao whispered: "What?!"

At the beginning Liang Yi led the frontier army Qingqi to secretly attack Chencang, and the reason they used was "chasing Huihe Huqi". Liu Yanzhao once thought that the so-called "Huihe Huqi" was just an excuse fabricated out of thin air. Hu Qi exists!

"Why did the Huihe people appear near the capital? Are all the frontier soldiers dead?" Liu Yanzhao was startled and angry, "Where's Liang Yi? He didn't come chasing the Huihe cavalry. What's going on now? Tell him to come and answer!"

A group of high-ranking officials looked at each other in blank dismay, showing embarrassment in unison.

The chaos in central Beijing has just calmed down, but everyone can clearly see that this is not the end of the chaos, but the beginning.After this battle, Zhang Jingche's ambition and strength were fully revealed. Even if the imperial court could remove all the nails that he had planted in Beijing and the deep palace, it would not be able to prevent this man from planning a huge game in the western regions and south of the Yangtze River.Now that the national treasury is empty and the funds are not abundant, more than half of them depend on the trade routes in the Western Regions and the South Seas to support their fortunes. Even if the imperial court takes Zhang Jingche, it will be difficult to find someone to take over the mess.

What's even more difficult is that this person has already grown wings, so it's not so easy to get him.

Zhang Jingche made up his mind to challenge the imperial court, and Youyun Guards came out in full force, guarding half of the palace city with impenetrable water.At the same time, Qingqi under the command of Marquis Dingbian made clear his position, and he was the only one who followed suit. No matter how many edicts issued by Emperor Xinglong, Liang Yi just firmly guarded Andingmen, refusing to move half a step.

At this moment, no amount of flowers and brocades can hide the incongruity between appearance and spirit. The courtiers knew well that the frontier army and the imperial court were separated, and it was only a matter of time