Emperor Que Shaohua

When Luo Pingyuan returned to the mansion, King Jing was writing in the study. Seeing him enter, he smiled and said, "But you're back from the Hongmen Banquet?" He then ordered Gu Yu, "Bring the hot and sour fish soup made tonight to His Highness the Fifth Highness." hangover."

"Sure enough, there is no good banquet," Luo Pingyuan said, he himself didn't understand why every time he saw King Jing, his state of mind, which was disturbed by various incidents, would return to clarity.

"I got it." He took out King An's letter.

Luo Yanhua took it and unfolded it, and saw that it was written on the head: Wu Keyong, the general of the water battalion of Haiphong Road, Minzhou, saw it and tied it.The following strokes of running script: Jing Yuwei will board the ship today to check the goods sent by our Prince An's Mansion.At the end, the private seal and monogram of King An are attached.

He closed it and handed it back to Luo Pingyuan, nodded and said: "That's enough, he's still thinking carefully, the letter can only be used once.

"One time is enough." Luo Pingyuan couldn't help laughing, and narrated all the situations he saw in Prince An's mansion, and said: "I only pity the servants in his mansion, all of them were beaten to death."

"It's nothing to Luo Junping to use a few servants to trick you," Jing Wang said, "On the face of King An, he is impetuous and casual, but in reality he is shrewd and ruthless, and his weakness is that he is greedy. Handled really well today."

Luo Pingyuan said, "I will select a few reliable personnel tomorrow, and it is still a secret order to let them set off as soon as possible, and rush to Fujian Province as soon as possible."

"Alright, it's not too late, there don't need to be too many people, just send two cavalry guards and a few capable sergeants." Jing Wang murmured, "When you decide on a candidate, I will let Xiaoshuang and They met and made an appointment for a contact number. When they arrive at the Minzhou capital, there will be someone to help with the arrangement."

Luo Pingyuan nodded in agreement, seeing Gu Yu coming in with a bowl of soup, took a sip of it, and felt delicious and refreshing, and relaxed comfortably.He said: "One ship of copper is 10,000+ catties, and at least five or six ships are shipped from the East every year, which is too much."

"Let's not mention secretly instigating the Minzhou navy. Just talking about smuggling copper ingots overseas. Buying copper ingots from the East is already cheap. When they are minted privately, the copper content is [-]% less than ordinary copper coins. How can they let it go? This kind of business." Jing Wang smiled, "This is a source of income for the prince, and it has always been Wang An who has been looking for someone to take care of it, and many of them are shady. Ping Yuan will be able to see clearly when we get it back from Fujian province."

King Ning couldn't help but said: "I heard that the crown prince is here for peace, and officials from Luocheng go to other places to serve as officials. The East Palace often sends hundreds of taels from Cheng Yi. So that's how he got his money."

Luo Yanhua remained silent, if he commented on Luo Wenxiao's deeds after he became the crown prince, it would be a long story.The night was dark, and he didn't want to spoil his mood at the moment.

Luo Pingyuan's expression became more gloomy. He caught a glimpse of two small stacks of copper coins on King Jing's desk, reached out his hand to take one each, and looked at it carefully again.At first glance, there is no difference between the two coins, but in comparison, the color of one of them is darker, and the shape of the font is also more blurred.

Indeed, according to the official price, every five hundred Wen is exchanged for one tael of silver, but if it is exchanged for the private money in front of me, it may cost two thousand Wen.The poor people live by counting copper coins. The prince of a country is no different from a thief of the people. How can such a person govern the country.

He asked: "Brother Huang, who was sent by King An to mint money for him, you must have found out."

"It's okay to say it, but before you get back the account book, don't startle the snake for the time being," King Jing said. At this moment, a small light flower burst out from the oil lamp. He looked at the imperial brother with a thoughtful and chilling expression, and spit out six words. Word: "Celebrating Enbo He Jishan."

After a few rains, the weather gradually cools down. When you go out in the morning and evening, you can feel the chill of autumn.Luo Pingyuan received a letter from Lin Chen from the border, telling about his experience along the road, the fierce battle in the Taiping Canyon, and his thoughts on the way. I usually speak in my ear.First, I wrote about the process of fighting against the Liao people halfway to protect the food and the battle in the canyon. The urgency of the situation at that time can be seen between the lines, and it is quite high-spirited.

Holding the letter, Luo Pingyuan couldn't help smiling when he thought of Lin Chen's delighted look.These should not be written by Lin Chen in a day, but a paragraph written in his spare time on the way to the grain.After reading the second half of the paragraph, the tone gradually turned solemn:

"After passing through Hanguan Pass and entering the boundary of Youyun Sixteen Prefectures, the population gradually decreased, and the remains of the Liao people could still be seen wherever they went. Most of the villages they passed had dilapidated houses, and unburied bones were often seen inside and outside the houses.

"When I came across a populated village, the residents were in poor clothes, and the adults and children were all skinny. When they saw the food team, they approached and begged. I talked to a few families, all of whom had to leave their homes when the northern border fell nine years ago. Fleeing to Hanguan, they have been displaced since then. In the past few years, His Royal Highness King Yun regained Shao'an, and they missed their homeland, so they returned one after another, trying to farm and live.

"Back then, when the Liao soldiers entered the country, they slaughtered and plundered wantonly. Tens of thousands of people who hadn't escaped in time were driven to the Northern Liao as slaves. The sixteen prefectures of Youyun were almost turned into white land, and hundreds of miles of fertile fields were turned into scorched earth. Once the iron hoof stepped on it, ten years It is hard to regain life, not to mention being in the enemy's hands for many years, the harm of the Liao people has reached this point. The foreign captives insulted our land, killed our people, and bullied us. Don't do this. Born as a son of Yu and Zhou, the blood of one's blood is still high. Wen, how can I cherish this seven-foot body.

"Also, I arrived in Shao'an yesterday. The city is four feet three feet high and three feet six feet wide. It is worthy of being an important border town. The Luocheng Imperial Army and the Suining Army have arrived, and [-] Dengzhou troops will arrive in a few days. Fortunately, Lang Huanzhizhu, food and salaries arrived safely, enough to meet the needs of the army. If there is a mistake, you will have no face to face [-] generals. If you don’t tell me Pingyuan, I also know that it is Langhuan of His Royal Highness King Jing.

"I have seen His Royal Highness Yun Wang, who killed and defeated Guo Yi, respected the three armies, and his demeanor is better than in the past. The city of Shao'an is fortified, the military discipline is awe-inspiring, and the soldiers and people love and respect him like heaven. Deputy Commander Yu Chiyan and others have passed a few days I will be ordered to return to Luo City in the next day, and I asked His Royal Highness King Yun to allow me to stay in Shao'an to participate in the battle. His Highness refused to agree at first, but the people around him interceded for me, and I will return to the capital after the battle.

"This place is full of iron and blood. The Liao army camped outside the city. Looking back on the singing and singing of Luocheng, it seems like a lifetime away. His Highness the Fourth Highness has a lot of heroes and generals. It's a pity that you are not here. This general is just here. I will talk to you in a few days."

At the end of the letter, Luo Xuening was mentioned. It seemed that she felt guilty because of the delay in returning to Beijing, but she also said that Her Royal Highness, please rest assured that the minister will do his best for the country at the border, and his words did not conceal his longing.

Luo Pingyuan folded the thick letter and put it away, and showed it to Xue Ning when she entered the palace.Xue Ning should be more looking forward to Lin Chen's early and safe return than killing enemies on the battlefield.But if he changed himself, he would also strive to stay in Shao'an.He has never been to the border, and he never imagined that the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun would be so desolate. Thinking of the beacons in the north and the important town of Shao'an, it makes one's heart agitate.

At this time, Bai Lu came in and said, "Your Highness, Master Xi Gu came to visit and asked if you have time now."

"Please go to the study for tea." Luo Pingyuan hurriedly collected his mood, got up and greeted him.

It has been two days since the owner of Mengxian Valley, Xi Minghua, came to Prince Jing's mansion. He has met with Prince Jing several times, and each time he was checking Luo Yanhua's pulse.I have heard before that the two most famous doctors in Jianghu are Mr. Tang Da from the Tang Sect, and the other is Master Xi Gu.King Jing had said that a friend with medical skills would come to Los Angeles to help him diagnose and recuperate, but he didn't want to be so big.

Luo Pingyuan could see that since the doctor arrived, everyone in Prince Jing's mansion seemed relieved and seemed very happy, but he was even more worried because of this.It is said that Wushan Mengxian Valley's sect is full of elite Qihuang, many of them are national players, and the owner of the valley who has lived in seclusion all year round needs to come in person. Is the illness of the emperor's brother more serious than what I worry about?

He had been wanting to visit Xi Minghua for two days, and inquired carefully about his condition, but the other party took the initiative to visit.

When he walked to the study, Master Xi Gu had already been ushered in, and he was casually looking around at the furnishings. When he saw King Ning, he smiled and said, "His Royal Highness's study is really a good place."

Luo Pingyuan returned the courtesy and said: "Senior, you don't need to be polite. In this mansion, only the etiquette of the Jianghu is discussed. The younger generation should visit first. Why bother to come here?"

Xi Minghua has a gentle appearance and looks like he is only in his early thirties, but he has been known as a medical saint for twenty years, so his actual age is hard to say.

Luo Pingyuan has been in Cuiping Mountain for a long time, and he has actually met many seniors who have friends with Master Hanshan, so it is natural not to talk about ordinary etiquette.He still performed the junior ceremony, and asked the little attendant to serve green tea.

"This junior wants to go over to greet you," he said, "it's just not to disturb senior's practice of medicine. I don't know how the emperor's body is now?"

"Just call me Doctor Xi." Xi Minghua took a sip of tea, put down the cup, and said slowly, "Sect Master Jiang wasted too much, and his eight veins were weak and cold, so he had attacks from time to time. If it can be taken care of properly, it may get better after a few years."

When Luo Pingyuan heard the last word, his heart sank suddenly. He had listened to a lot of imperial doctors since he was a child, and what the other said seemed to say that he only had a few years to live.He stared at Xi Minghua, feeling a little empty and his face turned pale.

Seeing his expression, Xi Minghua smiled slightly and said, "Your Highness Fifth, don't worry, Xi is not an imperial doctor in the palace, so he speaks directly when he has something to say." As he said this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

On the first day of entering the mansion, King Jing warned: "The matter of Bihai's clear heart, please hide it for me from Pingyuan, the master of the valley, and don't let him know."

He also persuaded at that time: "It will happen on the [-]th of each month. After a long time, King Ning will definitely notice it. Your antidote is hidden in the palace. If you tell the truth and have him assist, your chances of winning will be a little higher."

"Before the things that need to be done are done, one should not rush to seek the antidote, otherwise His Majesty will be in vain of everything Lang Huan has done before. Since the time has not come, why let Ping Yuan think about it. "Luo Yanhua said, "The most rare thing about Pingyuan is a calm state of mind, which is beyond the reach of others. Don't let him mess up, otherwise everyone including him will be in danger. I know that Xi Guzhu usually does not tell lies, but now But I can only trust you, and you can hide it for as long as you can."

There was no usual smile on his face, and his expression was cold and serious. Xi Minghua could only say: "With what you think, what you want and what you do, it is absolutely impossible for you to keep all emotions. You need to keep the antidote in mind. At most two or three years, we must try to get it. If there are signs of overdraft and high fever, you must stop immediately, ignore foreign affairs, and recuperate your mind, otherwise Xi will not be able to recover no matter how good his medical skills are."

King Jing nodded in agreement at the time, but he knew it from his appearance, and what he said was in vain.

Luo Pingyuan heard that Brother Huang is expected to get better in time, so he let out a sigh of relief, a little embarrassed for his gaffe: "How to take care of yourself, please take care of Dr. Xi. I brought some medicinal materials back a few days ago, and I don't know if there is any medicine. useless."

"Director Yang has shown me to look at it, and it's really good. However, Sect Jiang's body is cold, and the medicinal materials that are too nourishing can't be used now." Xi Ming painted, "Only a few flavors are used together, and the rest are harmful and useless."

Luo Pingyuan could only understand that the emptiness could not be replenished, he asked: "Since that's the case, I don't know what medicinal materials I need, I'll look for it later."

"I came here today just for this purpose." The Master of Dream Fairy Valley looked around and said leisurely, "I just said that, His Highness Fifth Highness's study is a good place, the elixir here is far better than the ginseng and ganoderma in the warehouse It depends on whether His Highness Fifth is willing to part with her."

Luo Pingyuan looked at the Four Treasures of the Study on his case, the scrolls on the shelf, and felt really confused: "As long as the emperor needs it, I can get it, Master Xi Gu just say so."

Xi Minghua stared at him for a moment: "Your Highness has a high status. If you say something like this, don't say it easily in the future. Otherwise, if you are taken advantage of by a traitor, it will be even more difficult for Sect Master Jiang to rest in peace."

His eyes turned to the bookshelf: "I want to prepare a medicine, but I still lack a single medicinal ingredient. I heard that His Highness the Fifth Highness was once given a water-repellent bead by the emperor, but this one?"

Only then did Luo Pingyuan understand the reason for his visit, and quickly took the bead off the shelf: "How can this bead be used as medicine?"

"The nature of medicines can be divided into cold and heat. With Sect Master Jiang's condition, rashly taking hot medicines will only cause cold and heat to be forced, and instead generate heat and poison. If it is cool, it will add cold to cold. Water beads are born in Water can restrain water, and it is most appropriate to accumulate yang in yin." Xi Minghua said lightly, then took out another bead from his bosom, the same size as a longan, and put it flat in the palm of his hand: "Xi was supposed to go to the moon Just arrived, the reason why I was late for so many days was to wait for this dust-repelling bead sent by Cangshan Yunbao. But it can ease his pain when he has an attack, and it won't hurt too much."

There is a lustrous pearl in the palms of the two of them, and even such a treasure worth tens of thousands of gold is not hesitated to smash, one can imagine how precious this medicine is.

Luo Pingyuan didn't speak, but just put the water beads into the opponent's hand.He didn't fully understand the medical principles Xi Minghua said, but if this thing is useful to King Jing, what a pity.There is still a heavy uneasiness in his heart, which can only be alleviated and cannot be cured. He only hopes that after two or three years of recuperation, he will really get better.

For King Jing, the arrival of Xi Minghua meant that he had to drink medicine every day without fever and cough, and had to go to bed at night, and his three meals were boiled into a not-so-good-tasting medicinal diet, as well as acupuncture from time to time.

In fact, after three pulse examinations in the morning, afternoon and evening on the first day, Xi Minghua said: "Ten days from now, you are not allowed to listen to reports from your subordinates, and you are not allowed to hear about the affairs of the court. All foreign affairs are put aside and you are only allowed to stay in bed rest."

He spoke seriously, King Jing couldn't help frowning: "I'm fine, but the situation is changing now, ten days is too long."

"Ten days, not an hour less." Xi Minghua put away his usual elegance, and said with a straight face: "I wanted to say 20 days, you have consumed too much, and the previous warnings have fallen on deaf ears. If you want to Don't say anything until you finish your big business."

Luo Yanhua saw that his tone was firm and there was no room for negotiation, and everyone around him circled around or directly asked him to follow the doctor's advice, so he had no choice but to temporarily put aside his worries and stay in bed most of the day to recuperate.Thinking that after ten days passed, it would be the fifteenth day of August again, he could only sigh.Indeed, the body must be supported at a critical moment, otherwise all previous efforts will be wasted.Master Xi Gu came here with preparations, instead of staying for a few days before leaving, it seems that he is planning to stay for a longer period of time and take good care of his body.

Like most patients, Luo Yanhua doesn't like to drink medicine, but now, whenever the bowl of medicine is delivered, there are always people watching beside him, making sure that he drinks every drop. Watching his face carefully, just like not looking at his feet some time ago, His Royal Highness King Jing was really helpless.

The feeling of being cared for and cared for is actually very good, but if you get used to it too much, it will make you weak.After a few days like this, Luo Yanhua began to think about when the treatment would come to an end, but he also noticed that his physical condition should be not very good to make Xi Minghua, who has always acted leisurely, so solemn. Well, at least it's more serious than expected.Maybe he underestimated the toxicity of Bihai Chengxin, or overestimated his own endurance.Thinking of this level, he could only resign himself to his fate.

King Ning's inventory of the treasury's granary is still going on. There should be 700 million taels of silver in the treasury's books, but the real number is only 800 million, and there is still a deficit of more than [-] million. Withdraw the loan.The subordinates sent to various places also reported one after another. In addition to the fact that the inspection of the state capital farther from Los Angeles has not been completed, there are also various problems in the government treasury and granary. The warehouse was reported to be in disrepair, causing the grain to be wet and moldy, some of which were short, and two places caught fire suddenly.There are difficult scriptures everywhere, and now I know that it is really not easy to deal with political affairs.

King Ning summed up the situation and reported it to Emperor Tianyi in the form of a secret document. The emperor did not say anything after receiving it, but asked him to continue to examine the above document in detail. There is no question of responsibility for replenishing the grain in the warehouse.

King An heard about it, and when he arrived at the East Palace, he sneered and said, "My father used to order heavy rain and thunderstorms, but now it's a gentle wind and light rain, and the fifth emperor's younger brother is neither sick nor slow. In the end, people are also offended, and things can't be done, let's see how he ends up."

Luo Wenxiao didn't smile, he was still in charge of the six ministries recently, he was more cautious than before, and tried his best to make up for the omissions left by the carelessness of the past, so as not to leave any mistakes in the story, his life was very exhausting.A lot of mistakes were caused by King An. Although most of the money he got had been used by him in various ways, he was also somewhat dissatisfied with Luo Junping.As the two get closer, what King An did will still be blamed on him, the crown prince, in the final analysis.

"Thunder, rain and dew are all the grace of the king. The father did not immediately ask the state capitals to make up the shortfall in treasury silver, and did not immediately let the five emperors clear up the treasury debts. It is because the war in the northern border is raging, and the government and local officials are too tight. , It is inevitable that troubles will arise, which will stir up turmoil in the government and the public." He said: "The fifth emperor's younger brother is involved in government affairs for the first time, but he can see the concerns of the father. He is not as simple as you think. If you don't take him seriously, how can you know that this action is not to catch you?"

"My arrangement here is very clean," An Wang said with a smile, "I bought a boatload of copper by mistake, and the purpose is to make a Buddha and fulfill my filial piety. What mistakes can I make?"

The prince stared at him, and his expression became cold: "Everything happens for a reason, so don't take it lightly. My new entourage to Qing Enbo is a fine person. A few days ago, I reported that He Jishan was followed when he went out, so I checked it out. , what do you think, it's Jing Yuwei who pretended to be plainclothes."

Luo Junping didn't take it seriously at first, but when he heard the word Qing Enbo, the smile on his lips disappeared immediately, his delicate face was gradually filled with a gloomy look, and he gritted his teeth after a long while and said: "What a Luo Pingyuan, he looks good on the surface. , it turns out that there is something hidden in the dark. Since he was the first to plot against me, then don't blame me for not thinking about brotherhood!"

Seeing that he was angry, the crown prince said: "Third brother, after you return to the mansion, send a letter to ask He Jishan to stop the coin casting. It is best to rest at home for a month or two, don't go anywhere, don't do anything. The copper ingots should not be transported to Los Angeles at all, but should be stored somewhere along the canal."

King An said bitterly: "It has to be like this. Fortunately, the second emperor brother is careful, otherwise it will be troublesome to be followed by him."

"I have recently mobilized manpower to prevent further plots. With the lessons learned from the past, how can we not be more careful." The crown prince said slowly, "The five emperors commanded the Queen Jingyu, and the boring losses we have suffered at his hands are over. There are quite a few cases, and now it seems that we can’t let them go, the capital of Luocheng, how could he mess around with his scheming and loyalty. He doesn’t know the rules, so we, as brothers, should teach him well.”