Author: Bei Wei

Flames were flying in the Star-Zhaing Tower, and thick smoke was billowing. The burning wooden pillars fell from the building with crackling sounds. Some hit the white jade railings, and some broke into two pieces. They continued to burn, and lit up many small fires on the ground.

fire.

Shadows were moving among the firelight downstairs, and people poured water on the Star Building with buckets. The fire was burning from the top of the building downwards, and no one dared to enter the building. Water could only be poured on the second floor, which was unable to stop the spread of the fire.

In the panic, a burning man rushed out of the building. A sergeant putting out the fire shouted loudly when he saw it. Immediately, more than ten people gathered around and poured water on the burning man to extinguish the fire. There were bursts of green smoke. The man

After running for a few steps, he fell to the ground. A long object fell out of his arms, rolled on the ground and stopped.

Xiao Beiheng's expression changed, he dropped the bow in his hand and rushed over.

The person who ran out of the building was Song Zhen, who had been burned beyond recognition. Xiao Beiheng rushed to him, put his finger under his nose to try, stood up and looked at the items that Song Zhen had dropped.

Someone picked up the things that Song Zhen had dropped, came to Xiao Beiheng, knelt down and offered them with both hands: "Prince Ping, this is the emperor's holy decree."

Xiao Beiheng stared at the blackened iron box and swayed. The two chief sergeants next to him thought he was sad because Song Zhen was burned to death, so they hurriedly stepped forward to help him.

This said: "Your Highness, King Ping, the emperor arranged for Song Shilang to guard the will. He died loyally in his duty. Your Highness need not be sad."

The man said: "Your Highness, fortunately the imperial edict was contained in an iron box and was not damaged. It is really a blessing."

Xiao Beiheng's shoulders swayed, causing the two people supporting him to stagger. He stepped forward and grabbed the iron box from the sergeant's hand.

The iron box was still a bit hot to the touch, but he took no time to consider it, opened it, took out the imperial edict inside, threw away the empty box, and unfolded the imperial edict with trembling hands.

When his eyes scanned the words on the imperial edict, his whole body froze.

The people around him saw that he looked like a clay and wood sculpture. They didn't know what was wrong with him, and they didn't dare to ask. They all stood aside and watched with torches.

After a long time, Xiao Beiheng looked up to the sky and burst into laughter. After laughing, he knelt down, touched his forehead to the ground and cried loudly. After crying for a few times, he raised his head and laughed again. He stood up, put his hands together with the imperial edict, and walked toward the Jinluan Hall as if he was lost.

.

The fire broke out in the Zhaixing Tower at the fifth quarter of the Chou hour. Although Emperor Qi Ming went to the Anzhou hunting ground and did not hold a morning court, some ministers were used to getting up at this time. Hearing that there was a fire in the palace, everyone immediately ran to see what happened.

The rumor spread from ten to ten, and the whole capital woke up from their dreams and asked each other.

When those who arrived first passed by the Jinluan Hall, they noticed from a distance that the hall was brightly lit, and the guards holding golden melons and cauldrons were already standing outside the hall.

The Jinluan Hall was used by the emperor to meet with ministers, which could only mean that Emperor Qi Ming was inside. Everyone was surprised. Emperor Qi Ming was a diligent emperor, but in the past, he would wait until the ministers had arrived before coming to court. How could he come first this time?

Here we are. Besides, I haven’t given you any news since I came back from Anzhou Hunting Ground.

Complaining is a complaint, and making the emperor wait is a crime of disrespect. The ministers did not bother to see the Star Building, and hurried into the court room to tidy up their clothes and prepare the memorial. After a lot of fuss, the ministers arranged in order to go to the Jinluan Hall.

General Zhao Mu was the leader of the military officials and walked at the front.

He went up the jade steps and saw from a distance that the person sitting on the throne was not Emperor Qi Ming.

Xiao Beiheng was sitting on the throne, wearing a dragon robe, with disheveled hair, holding the hilt of the sword with both hands, and leaning the scabbard on the ground between his legs. He looked cheerful and seemed to be very happy. But his red and swollen eyes were full of eyes.

It was a deep weariness, and he seemed exhausted. Seeing the ministers entering the palace, Xiao Beiheng straightened his body, as if he was ready to welcome the ministers.

"Prince Ping!" Zhao Mu was furious and pointed at Xiao Beiheng, "How dare you wear a dragon robe and sit on the throne of the emperor!"

Only Emperor Qi Ming could sit in this position. Xiao Beiheng actually dared to commit a crime. Could it be that he wanted to rebel.

The ministers who saw this scene were all panicked. They didn't know what to do, and they all turned their attention to the prime minister, who had gray hair on his temples. But the prime minister didn't understand what happened for a moment. In line with the principle that talking too much will lead to mistakes, he remained silent.

.

Xiao Beiheng grinned: "General, this is my position, why can't I sit down?"

With that said, Xiao Beiheng dropped the imperial edict at hand: "Prime Minister, please read this to all the ministers quickly to avoid confusion."

The Prime Minister was still hesitating, but Zhao Mu couldn't wait any longer, so he stepped forward, picked up the imperial edict and handed it to him, saying, "Prime Minister, read it quickly." Seeing that both of them were urging, the Prime Minister had no choice but to unfold the imperial edict and read: "

Xiao Beiheng, the eldest son of the widow, is the first heir of the clan and belongs to the will of God. I would like to inform the heaven and earth, the ancestral temple, and the state of the country to confer a book of treasures and establish him as the crown prince. In order to maintain the lineage for ten thousand years and to spread the heart of the world, I order the crown prince to hold the seal and promote it.

The Hua Palace is responsible for the administration of the common people, the care of the army and the supervision of the country. All the matters reported by the hundred divisions are decided by the crown prince. They are announced to the world and sent to the envoys to hear about them."

After everyone listened, they didn't know how to answer. They all looked at Zhao Mu.

Zhao Mu said: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister, is this imperial edict issued by your Majesty?" The Prime Minister handed the imperial edict to him and said: "It is indeed your Majesty's handwriting, and the seal is also correct."

Xiao Beiheng stroked his sword and smiled and said: "General, you are too careful. Is it necessary for me to deceive you with a fake imperial edict? It is true, haha, my father made me the prince, hahaha."

Zhao Mu read the imperial edict, raised his head and said, "Although His Majesty's imperial edict has appointed you as the crown prince, how can you call yourself a widower while His Majesty is still here?"

Xiao Beiheng laughed and shook his head: "Father...he has passed away."

As soon as these words came out, all the ministers were stunned. They ignored the etiquette and whispered among themselves. Zhao Mu's face was pale. He and Emperor Qi Ming had a close personal relationship back then, and Emperor Qi Ming was still kind to him. Knowing this unfortunate news was very helpful to him.

It's like a thunderbolt.

"His Majesty passed away?" Zhao Mu trembled and took a step towards Xiao Beiheng, "Is it true? What happened?"

Xiao Beiheng was still smiling, but after hearing these words, his expression became flustered. Although he tried his best to stay calm, Zhao Mu could still see his panic. Especially Xiao Beiheng's hands were obviously shaking.

"Prince Ping, why are you so panicked?" Zhao Mu took another step forward, "Could it be that your Majesty's death has something to do with you?"

Xiao Beiheng did not answer, but stared straight ahead, not knowing what he was thinking. Zhao Mu was angry and was about to continue questioning, but the prime minister stopped him and said: "General, wait a minute, your Majesty's decree to establish the throne is here. If your Majesty really takes the initiative,

Now, King Ping should ascend the throne and succeed to the throne. You must not be rude to His Majesty."

While Zhao Mu was still waiting for the argument, a court official came up to the palace and said, "My lords, General Anguo has brought the Queen's decree." When everyone heard this, they all looked down the steps.

Qi Shengjue, who was in the dust, strode up to the palace, unfolded his decree and said to the ministers: "Your Majesty was assassinated and died by the traitor Xiao...Xiao Zhuo at the hunting ground in Anzhou. The empress ordered General Zhao Mu to quickly mobilize troops to attack the traitor."

Xiao Beiheng said that His Majesty had passed away, and now Qi Shengjue has brought the same news, which shows that it is true. Several of the ministers reacted quickly and immediately fell to the ground and cried bitterly.

After hearing Qi Shengjue's words, Xiao Beiheng seemed to have come back to his senses. He slapped the table and stood up and said: "My father has passed away. For the sake of the world of Yan, I will ascend the throne and succeed you as emperor today. Why are you still standing there? Do you mean that you don't recognize me?"

Is this the new king?"

When everyone saw Xiao Beiheng speaking, they all looked at the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister quickly adjusted his clothes and said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty has passed away. According to the etiquette, you should first welcome His Majesty to his tomb..."

Xiao Beiheng was furious and swept the things on the imperial desk to the ground with a wave of his hand: "Father, I will go to meet you. Now the traitor Xiao Zhuo is rampant. The country cannot live without a king for a day. You are so mother-in-law and mother-in-law."

The more he talked, the angrier he became. He pointed at the prime minister and said, "Am I the emperor? Am I the emperor? Huh?"

"Yes, yes." The prime minister agreed repeatedly, sweating profusely.

Xiao Beiheng pointed to the Minister of Rites next to the prime minister: "Am I the emperor?"

The Minister of Rites bowed quickly and said: "The late emperor has passed away. According to the laws of Dayan, there is an imperial edict from the late emperor. Well... Your Majesty, you... are of course the emperor."

"Then why are you still standing there!" Xiao Beiheng shouted sharply.

This loud shout made everyone's ears ring. The Prime Minister was the first to kneel down, and the others followed suit, kneeling down in large numbers, except General Zhao Mu. Qi Shengjue, who was beside him, saw him and hurriedly

Pull Zhao Mu's sleeves.

Zhao Mu shook off Qi Shengjue's hand and said to Xiao Beiheng: "Prince Ping, His Majesty's death was really the result of Prince An?"

Xiao Beiheng sat back on the throne and said, "Don't you even doubt the Queen Mother's will? General Anguo, you can check the Queen Mother's will to him."

Qi Shengjue stood up and said: "General, your majesty was indeed killed by Xiao Zhuo. Now the Queen Mother orders you to lead the army to attack the rebels. I also ask the general to put national affairs first and immediately receive the order to attack the rebels."

He was well aware of what Xiao Beiheng had done, but he already understood from Pei Jingyun that the queen and her son were in cahoots with each other. At this time, it was unwise to rashly accuse Xiao Beiheng of killing Emperor Qi Ming, so he kept

He tried to persuade Zhao Mu, but Zhao Mu was not smart enough to understand his intentions.

Zhao Mu glared at him fiercely, ignored Xiao Beiheng, turned around and walked quickly outside the Jinluan Hall.

"General, wait." Xiao Beiheng shouted.

Zhao Mu turned around and stopped, and said angrily to Xiao Beiheng: "What other instructions does His Highness have?"

Unlike other ministers, he had the staunchness of a warrior, but he refused to call Xiao Beiheng the emperor.

Xiao Beiheng didn't take it seriously and said: "The general is like a god with his troops, and I rely on him very much. Please go back and prepare troops and horses quickly, and send troops to attack the rebels."

Zhao Mu didn't reply, he just cupped his hands and walked down the steps quickly.

"General Anguo, the news you brought is very timely," Xiao Beiheng turned to Qi Shengjue and asked, "Where is the Queen Mother now?"

Seeing Zhao Mu leave angrily, Qi Shengjue couldn't follow him, so he had to turn around and said: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother escorted the Emperor Dragon Body to leave the Anzhou hunting ground. She said she was going to an old place and did not come to Zhongzhou."

"Oh, didn't you come to the capital?"

Xiao Beiheng muttered to himself and sat back on the throne, touching the dragon pattern carved on the armrest of the throne with his hand, and chuckled.

Smiling and laughing, she shed two tears.
Chapter completed!