The autumn wind is bleak and the clouds are low, which has been like this for several days.

Lu Xiangsheng's body arrived in the capital more than 20 days ago, but the Ministry of Rites fully agreed on various praises behind him a few days ago. He added the posthumous title of Zhonglie, was awarded the title of Prince Taibao, and was given the sacrifice to Nine Altars. The ancestral hall was set up in the capital and his hometown at the same time to show his loyalty and righteousness.

Emperor Chongzhen agreed to all this one by one. However, the ancestral hall in the capital was named "Zhongyong Temple", which was built near Zhengyang Gate, opposite to the Guandi Temple not far away.

In the Ming Dynasty, Guan Yu was the most admired by the emperor from the emperor to the people, and there were imperial temples all over the country. Emperor Chongzhen's meaning obviously meant to compare Guan Yu with Lu Xiangsheng. This honor lasted for the Ming Dynasty, and only Yu Qian, who defended Beijing after the Tumu Fort Incident, could be compared with it.

This comparison is a sharp contrast in real history. After Lu Xiangsheng died in Jiazhuang in battle, no one cared about it, and even made a posthumous title after Yang Sichang's death. History turned a corner here and gave the hero the treatment he deserved.

When Emperor Chongzhen put forward those two opinions, some ministers proposed to accompany Wang Tingchen, Yao Xun and others who died in Songshan, and also pay homage to the Ming soldiers who died in battle for the country.

After Hong Chengchou was captured by the Qing army, his life and death were not clear. There were many rumors that he had been unyieldingly killed, but the news was never confirmed. This is also one of the reasons why Emperor Chongzhen had never decided how to praise Rong Lu Xiangsheng. If Hong Chengchou died, everything would be easy. But if he was not dead, it would be obvious that it was not appropriate to perform public memorial service.

Under the repeated urging of the Ministry of Rites, Emperor Chongzhen finally sacrificed Lu Xiangsheng first. He issued an edict to stop the court for three days and change the original private sacrifice to public sacrifice. All officials in the capital must be present in turn. After the officials' sacrifice for three days, the sacrificial hall will continue to be retained for another seven days, allowing ordinary people to go to worship.

On the first day of the sacrifice, Zhou Xian was one of the first officials to accompany Emperor Chongzhen to celebrate the sacrifice. However, the position was very far away at that time, and only the vague appearance of the sacrificial hall was seen.

The whole scene was noisy, and the sound of music and crying were combined, which made people feel sad and uneasy. After completing all the forms, Zhou Xian felt very tired. When he returned home, he felt a deep pain while feeling unspeakable. He spent several days in depressedness.

On this day, Zhou Xian had just finished breakfast when he saw Fang Yizhi and Hou Fangyu visiting him.

In Zhou Xian's meritorious work, he talked about Hou Fangyu's proposal to flood the Qing army and thus help him win. Hou Fangyu was noticed by Emperor Chongzhen, and ordered him to return to the capital and summon him once in person.

Hou Fangyu won the favor of Emperor Chongzhen with his good talk and talent. However, when Emperor Chongzhen learned that he was still alive, he asked him to stay in the capital for a while and prepare for the imperial examination in February of the next year.

Hou Fangyu took the opportunity to plead for his father Hou Xun. Although Emperor Chongzhen resented Hou Xun for a long time, he eventually lost Kaifeng. However, when he heard Hou Fangyu's request, he was in a daze, as if he had returned to eleven years ago.

At that time, the three-sided governor Yang He failed to recruit the thief leader Shen Yikui. Emperor Chongzhen was furious and imprisoned him for death. After hearing the news, his son submitted memorials three times to ask his father to die. In the end, Emperor Chongzhen spared Yang He and later reused his son, Yang Sichang.

From Hou Fangyu, Emperor Chongzhen saw Yang Sichang's shadow. Emperor Chongzhen suddenly thought that Yang Sichang had been dead for more than a year, and sighed in his heart. He couldn't help but wonder if he was still alive, would the world be like this with his assistance? He finally praised Hou Fangyu's filial piety and issued an edict to release Hou Xu from prison.

After listening to Hou Fangyu's recent situation, Zhou Xian felt that he had a little bit of a rise to the sky, so he smiled faintly and said, "Then I wish Chaozong, you will be valued in high school next year, and you will be valued in the future if you have the attention of Your Majesty."

Hou Fangyu bowed and said, "This is not a blessing to the military sect, otherwise how could I be noticed by Your Majesty? But in this case, I cannot return to Denglai for the time being. I hope the military sect can forgive me."

Zhou Xian waved his hand and said, "This is not a problem. People go to high places and water flows to low places. Everyone will choose this way. Let's say this! You will always keep your position in Denglai, and you can go anytime as long as you want. But I also remind you that the lows and high valleys of life are common. The most important thing is to know what you want and stick to some of your bottom lines. Some things can be done, but some things must not be touched, otherwise you will regret it."

After getting along, Zhou Xian knew that Hou Fangyu was indeed talented and knowledgeable, but he was not strong in his will and was easily shaken by external forces. Zhou Xian was afraid that he would eventually embark on the old path of surrendering to the Qing Dynasty, so he had such a reminder.

Hou Fangyu nodded in emotion, bowed and said, "Military Sect teachings will always be remembered." After a while, he couldn't help but wonder in his heart and asked, "Military Sect, do you still plan to return to Denglai in the future?"

Zhou Xian nodded and said, "I have to return to Denglai. Only by sea is the best way to defeat and destroy the Manchus, and this is what I want to do most at the moment."

Hou Fangyu changed his face slightly and said, "Military Sect, the current thieves are powerful, and Li Zicheng is still king in Kaifeng. It is obvious that the focus of the court's offensive has now shifted from Liaodong to Central Plains. Why are you still..."

Hou Fangyu did not finish his words, but Zhou Xian knew what he meant, and he felt that he should stop the war in Liaodong and turned his eyes to the Central Plains. Although it was reasonable, this was not what Zhou Xian wanted. He smiled faintly and said, "Even if the attack direction is now turning to the Central Plains, one day he will turn back to Liaodong. No matter how the situation changes in the future, the Manchu captives will always be the enemy of the court, and even the enemy of all our Chinese people."

Although Emperor Chongzhen was kind to Zhou Xian, he thought that Li Zicheng's entry into Beijing was just a change of emperor. If the Qing Dynasty entered the Central Plains, it would destroy the culture and future of China. For this reason, Zhou Xian always regarded the Qing Dynasty as a great enemy in his heart.

Hou Fangyu lowered his head and was silent for a moment, without refuting it, but he really didn't think Zhou Xian was right. At this moment, he really shouldn't have launched a large-scale attack on Liaodong. The Central Plains was the heart of the Ming Dynasty.

Fang Yizhi saw that the atmosphere was a bit solemn, and smiled softly, and changed the topic: "Brother Zhou, stop talking about this. A few days ago, I wanted to go to pay tribute to Mr. Lu, but after arriving, I found that there were crowds of people everywhere, and I couldn't get through it. Now, the ten-day public memorial period has passed, and the sacrificial hall has been removed. I think there shouldn't be too many people. We are planning to go. If Brother Zhou is fine, why not get together?"
Chapter completed!