Oriole Line

Qi Yan's imperial army. "

"I don't know how you persuaded General Xiang later. His eyes were bloodshot that day, he almost swallowed me alive, and he was beaten ten times by Tang Yu. I don't know how this tone came down?" Wen Tao blinked. blink.

Pu Chen helped his forehead: "He is good at everything, but his personality is too stubborn. I sneaked out of the city to appease him that night, and I almost knelt down to him before he believed it. I also confirmed repeatedly that you are really not an assassin."

Wen Tao thought about Pu Chen's swearing in front of Xiang Hu, and smiled unconsciously: "It's also thanks to his temperament that this incident has started. Otherwise, Qi Yan wouldn't have accepted him and you so quickly. There are more than a thousand people left by my father."

"But after all, the time is too short, Qi Yan will not put Xiang Hu in Xili Gate anyway." Pu Chen frowned.His ultimate goal is to allow Xiang Hu to penetrate the defense of Xilimen, because the 5 horses brought by Pucheng from Wuchang are stationed in Stone City, which is across the water from Xilimen.If the Xili Gate is not breached, these 5 people are just a deterrent. If something happens to Pu Chen, it is difficult for these people to come to support quickly.

Seeing his frowning, Wen Tao said, "I'll figure it out."

Pu Chen raised his eyebrows: "What can you do?"

Wen Tao smiled but did not answer.

Suddenly, a slight whistle came from outside the window, and Pu Chen quickly raised his ears.This was the whistle used by his eyeliners in Jiankang to send him news. At first glance, it sounded like an ordinary bird call, and most people would not pay attention to it at all.Pu Chen gently opened the window, and sure enough there was a small arrow sticking out of the window.Pu Chen looked around vigilantly, and brought in the arrow. There was a small scroll of paper hanging from the tail of the arrow. Pu Chen pulled out the scroll, and after just one glance, his eyes widened, his pupils focused, and he quickly rolled the paper on the candle. It was on fire.

"What news?" Wen Tao asked.

"Last night, Uncle Cai went to Qi Xiang's residence." Pu Chen said.

"So, the Qi family is the person behind Uncle Cai." Wen Tao said these words slowly.To be honest, this answer is not surprising, since the last time he went to Xikou Lane and almost died, the answer gradually became clear.Only, after all, there is no evidence.Now, besides colluding with Cai Boye's visit to the prime minister's mansion, what explanation can he have?

"The Qi family also took great pains..." Pu Chen said, "In order to win over Cai Bo, he did not hesitate to find a young woman. Cai Bo has worked hard all his life, and his wife has died. How can one not be tempted to see a young woman at this age ? It was because we were not close enough to Uncle Cai that Mrs. Qi took advantage of this loophole!"

"In other words, if the Qi family first seduces Uncle Cai with that woman, and then blackmails Uncle Cai with that woman as a hostage after Uncle Cai has taken the bait, Uncle Cai will be controlled by them," Wen Tao said.

"That's right, to threaten Uncle Cai to kill my father with the life of a woman, even if Uncle Cai couldn't bear it, I'm afraid he can't let him go at that point."

"Not good!" Wen Tao thought for a moment and suddenly became alert, "We followed Cai Bo for many days before, and Cai Bo had never been to Qi's mansion except to meet the woman. At this time, Cai Bo took the risk to meet Qi Chen. , I’m afraid there is something big to plan.”

"That's right." Pu Chen said, "Didn't you hear what Tang Yu said just now? Qi Yan's hand has already reached into the palace. Originally, the defense of the palace was always in charge of the Southern Army, and Ye Chi, the commander of the Southern Army, belonged to the prince. Now that he says he won't be sick, the palace's defenses can't be pointed out."

Wen Tao felt a burst of cold air hit him: "Will you still go to your father's national funeral in three days' time?"

Pu Chen licked his back molars, and said fiercely: "Go! Of course I will go to my father's funeral!"

20, 20.

Three days later, before dawn, Pu Chen had already put on his mourning clothes.His complexion was originally cold and white, he was dressed in filial piety, and his pair of star eyes shone with a cold light, so it was impossible to stare at him directly.Wen Tao and Tang Yu on the side also put on mourning clothes according to the specifications of Pu Chen's entourage.Today the palace is for Pu Yang's state funeral, as usual Pu Chen can only bring two entourages into the palace, he knows very well that today's journey is dangerous, the three of them have already discussed all kinds of situations that may be encountered today , self-confidence should be foolproof.

"Let's go." Pu Chen opened the door.The cold outside suddenly hit my face.Wen Tao looked up at the still dark sky, with thick clouds pressing down very low.He said softly, "I'm afraid it will snow today."

Pu Chen didn't answer, and led the two of them to the stables, and the three of them rode their horses all the way to Xuanyang Gate.

Outside Xuanyang Gate, the carriages and horses of hundreds of officials who came to participate in the national funeral were already lined up.As soon as Maoshi arrived, the Xuanyang Gate slowly opened, and Qi Yan's figure appeared behind the palace gate.Pu Chen snorted softly: "That's right." Two days ago, he found out that Ye Chi, the commander of the southern army who was in charge of the defense of Miyagi, has been saying that he is not sick these days, and now the entire Miyagi is under Qi Yan's control. .

Qi Yan led people to strictly inspect every official who entered the palace. Today's national funeral, all officials above the fifth rank in Jiankang City were present, so the inspection was more stringent, and no swords or weapons were allowed to be brought into the palace.When it was Pu Chen's turn, Qi Yan's face was cold, but his subordinates were extremely careful.

"My condolences to the Major General." Qi Yan raised his chin slightly as a greeting.Ever since the breakup with King Chu in Zuixian Tower that day, the relationship between Pu Chen and the Qi family has dropped to a freezing point. At first, Qi Xiang and King Chu made some friendly gestures, but later Pu Chen found out After Cai Bo kept his secret, he never made false claims with Qi Shi.

"Didn't the major general come with Shang Shuling?" Qi Yan glanced back at the entourage that Pu Chen brought along with him, and said sarcastically, "I'm afraid it's because the major general is busy taking care of his personal guards, so he can't even take care of his uncle. ?”

"Commander Qi is not idle." Pu Chen retorted, "Even the defense of the palace has to trouble Commander Qi. It seems that Commander Qi is going to be promoted, and Pu is here to congratulate in advance."

Qi Yan's face turned cold and he said: "The Major General said carefully, Commander Ye has been unwell for the past two days, and Qi has been doing it for him. If the Major General's words are heard by others, they will be punished."

Pu Chen twitched the corners of his mouth, and strode into the palace gate.

Inside the Chaoyang Hall, there is a piece of plain.Pu Yang's coffin rests on the main hall and will be buried in the imperial mausoleum after the national funeral.As a rule, only important ministers above the three princes are eligible to be buried in the imperial mausoleum.The Jing dynasty moved south, and the imperial mausoleum in Jiankang in Nanjing had just been opened. Pu Yang was the first important official to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, needless to say the honor.

As soon as Pu Chen entered Chaoyang Hall, all the officials in the hall consciously gave way to him.As Pu Yang's only parent and child, Pu Chen had to help the spirit during the funeral, so the seat was naturally arranged at the front of the hall.As Pu Chen walked forward, there were waves of "sorry" in his ears.

The time has come, and two princes walked out from behind the hall, they are Prince Zhou Yan and Chu King Zhou Ya.Both of them were wearing solemn court clothes. Originally, the court clothes of the crown prince and the king of Chu only had a slight difference in the number of dragons, but now, wearing mourning clothes, it is difficult to distinguish which of them is the most respected.I saw the king of Chu striding forward with his head held high and his aura high, but the prince bowed his head and bowed his head, his eyes glazed over.This contrast is too obvious, and all the officials of His Highness can't help shaking their heads secretly.

The crown prince cleared his throat and said: "Father is seriously ill, and I ordered...the king of Chu... to preside over the funeral ceremony on behalf of the lonely."The crown prince handed the imperial edict to the King of Chu with both hands, and walked to His Highness himself, as if he was relieved.

The king of Chu accepted the imperial edict and solemnly said: "The imperial father said that Puyang, the great Sima, had made outstanding achievements. He passed away in his prime. I am heartbroken. Puyang is specially named the Duke of Jia, and he will enjoy the national funeral ceremony and be buried in the imperial mausoleum. .”

All the officials of His Highness bowed down and said in unison: "Your Majesty is wise." Amidst the sound, Pu Chen also knelt down naturally.

"Puchen accepts the order."

Pu Chen was still kneeling, when he heard this sentence suddenly, he raised his head and met King Chu's eyes. At this moment, King Chu looked like a falcon catching its prey, Pu Chen subconsciously clenched his fist.

"Pu Chen, the son of Pu Yang, was born in the general family, filial piety by nature, the son's way has no disadvantages, inherits his father's will, and never slackens. I sympathize with the loyalty of the Pu family in Jinyang. Pu Chen inherits his father's title, the title of Hushi General, and the commander-in-chief. After the national funeral, I will be stationed in Wuchang, here I come." After reading the imperial decree, the king of Chu looked at Pu Chen, but the corners of his mouth curled up.

To confer an official title so smoothly?Pu Chen was suspicious.In terms of official position, he was named the Great Governor. Although he is not as good as the three princes of the Great Sima, he is also a powerful minister who holds a heavy army. This imperial edict is very generous to him no matter how you look at it. Pu Chen can't imagine how the Qi family can tolerate it. of this edict.He had discussed many possibilities with Wen Tao before. With the emperor Zhou Shao seriously ill, it is impossible for the Qi family to let the leader Pu Chen take the title smoothly, otherwise, all their previous arrangements would be meaningless.

Without time to think, Pu Chen could only reply subconsciously: "I accept the order!"

"Slow down!" The loud voice echoed in the hall.

As soon as Pu Chen heard it, he knew it was Pu Xuanzhi's voice.It turns out that the bureau is here!

Pu Chen turned his head slightly and looked at Wen Tao.Wen Tao nodded, and gently tugged Tang Yu's sleeve.This was the secret signal they had discussed a long time ago, and Tang Yu got the order to move to the side.He was standing on the side and was not eye-catching. At this moment, everyone in the hall was focusing on Pu Xuanzhi. Tang Yu spotted the gap and quietly slipped out through the side door.Seeing Tang Yu's figure disappear into the white light outside the hall, Pu Chen felt slightly relieved.Wen Tao's eyes followed Tang Yu to the outside of the hall, and said softly: "It's snowing."

Pu Chen responded lightly, and turned his attention to King Chu again.

"Oh? What is the Minister's order?" The king of Chu made a surprised expression, but he had already put away the edict in his hand.

"The minister has a book to play." Pu Xuanzhi walked to the front of the hall, and his words were correct.