Outside the Chaoyang Gate, two Forbidden Army generals who followed Guo Wei to Yedu, Guo Chong and Cao Ying, led their troops first.

With banners fluttering and soldiers in armor like a forest, they slowly walked out of the city gate and headed northeast.

Liu Chengyou sent Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and a group of court officials as representatives to send Guo Wei and his army off to the expedition outside Chaoyang Gate.

Three important ministers, Su Fengji, Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin, were among them.

The old master Feng Dao did not come in person, but asked the provincial envoy Yan Jinqing to bring some polite words to Guo Wei.

Chai Rong said goodbye to a group of familiar officials and generals, and then caught up with the army and took the lead.

Guo Wei and Wang Jun were surrounded by ministers to say goodbye.

"Guo Gong's departure is a success. I'll wait in Kaifeng for Guo Gong's triumphant return!"

Shi Hongzhao laughed heartily and ordered people to bring practice wine.

Naturally, Guo Wei would not brush off the good intentions of the old guys, so he picked up the wine bowl and drank it all in one gulp, drawing cheers from everyone.

Su Fengji said a few words of good wishes for a smooth expedition, and stepped aside wisely, squinting his eyes with a sneer, and watched Shi Hongzhao, Yang Ping and others gather around Guo Wei to praise him.

Li Ye came forward and said hypocritically: "Originally, today the officials were going to go out of the city in person to practice for Guo Shuai, but they caught wind and cold when they got up early in the morning. After diagnosis and treatment, the imperial doctor advised the officials not to leave the palace to avoid worsening of the condition, so they sent us as representatives as a last resort. , come and give a gift to Guo Shuai."

Nie Wenjin added, "The favor shown by the officials to Guo Shuai is truly unparalleled. I am so envious of him!"

"Yes, yes! Mr. Guo has worked hard and made great achievements, and his officials are very considerate. He is really a model of a virtuous king and a good minister!"

"Only Privy Councilor Guo in our dynasty can make the officials so loving!"

Li Ye and Nie Wenjin started, and a group of courtiers joined in with their voices.

Guo Wei smiled faintly, first bowed in the direction of the Kaifeng Imperial Palace, and then clasped his fists to everyone and said: "Please take care of your uncle and colleagues. Guo Wei has been favored by both dynasties. How dare he not die in service? I also ask the officials and family to take care of themselves." Long Ti, Guo Wei and the officers and men of the three armies must guard Hebei and prevent the Khitans from invading our frontier!"

"Guo Gong is so righteous! Take care of yourself all the way!" Li Ye and Nie Wenjin led a group of officials to bow to Guo Wei.

From beginning to end, Wang Jun, who was behind Guo Wei, did not say a word, lowered his head and looked cold, with an indifferent attitude as if he had nothing to say to Li Ye and others.

Li Ye glanced at him coldly, snorted coldly, and led Nie Wenjin and other officials back to the city, either on horseback or in a car.

After the practical ceremony on the scene, Guo Wei, Shi Hongzhao, Yang Bin and other close ministers naturally still had some private things to say. Wang Jun bowed his head knowingly and said: "I will go ahead and wait for Mr. Guo."

When Wang Jun rode away, Shi Hongzhao sneered: "Wang Jun and Li Ye and others have never been of the same mind. Thanks to him for claiming to be a close confidant of the official family, I didn't expect that he would end up in the cold today!"

Yang Bing twisted his beard and said calmly: "Be careful, it's a bitter trick. Mr. Guo still needs to be careful."

Shi Hongzhao nodded with deep understanding.

Guo Wei laughed and said: "Wang Jun and Houzan have always had a grudge. If Houzan returns to the court, his life will not be easy. Compared with Wang Jun, Li Ye, Nie Wenjin, Houzan and others, the officials must trust Houzan more. Wang Jun is very ambitious and does not want to succumb to Li Ye and others, so he can only seek refuge with us.

Don't worry, Mr. Er, I know it well, whether it's a human or a ghost, I can tell him clearly."

"That's right!" Shi Hongzhao said with a smile, "Who is Guo Gong? From the grasslands to the temples, what kind of scenes have you not experienced? What kind of monsters and monsters have you not seen?"

Yang Bin also smiled and said: "Gong Guo is cautious and keeps a low profile. Those who don't know often think that Gong Shi and I are the leaders of the ministers who care about life. Little do they know that Gong Guo is our leader."

"Hey~ Yang Xiang is making fun of me again!"

Guo Wei waved his hand, "The three of us, together with Su Fengji, have been entrusted by the late emperor to shoulder the burden of the imperial court, regardless of priority."

Shi Hongzhao curled his lips and said: "Xiangong Su is only interested in enjoying the glory and wealth, so how can he think of admonishing the king or assisting the courtiers?"

Yang Bin also said disdainfully: "Su Fengji only followed the lead of Li Ye and others. He was serving as an auxiliary minister in vain. He failed to live up to the late emperor's instructions on his deathbed. It is really a shame that Yang should be an auxiliary minister with such people!"

Guo Wei said helplessly: "I know that the second prince has never forgotten the kindness of the late emperor and wants to fulfill his responsibilities as an assistant minister. However, as the official family is getting older, it is reasonable to want to personally take charge of the power. In many cases, the second prince might as well turn a blind eye.

With one eye, there is no need to argue with the officials on everything. The existence of assistant ministers has advantages and disadvantages for the king..."

Shi Hongzhao shook his head and said solemnly: "Forgive me for disagreeing with Mr. Guo's words! As ministers assisting the government, one is to repay the kindness of the late emperor, and the other is to govern the country and bring peace to the people. We will live up to our lifelong ambitions! If the officials are wise and the country is peaceful and the people are safe, we can naturally rest assured.

Wouldn't it be best to return to the government, retire and return to your hometown to take care of yourself in old age?

But the foundation of the imperial court has just been established, the country is in turmoil, and there are powerful neighbors from all sides. How can we return the imperial government with confidence? If we put down our duties as ministers at this time, wouldn't we be violating the late emperor's entrustment?"

Yang Bin was silent for a moment and then answered: "If the official is a wise and wise king who has the ability to lead his ministers to stabilize the country, we will naturally be willing to hand over power.

But the official is over 20 years old. He has made no achievements in government affairs in the three years since he took the throne. He has neither care nor interest in state affairs. He only knows how to have fun with Guo Yunming, Nie Wenjin and other treacherous people. How can he be in power if he is so ignorant?"

Shi Hongzhao then said: "The most hateful thing is that the officials would rather trust villains like Li Ye and Nie Wenjin than listen to the advice of veterans like me. If we delegate power and Li Ye and others take advantage of the situation, the court will be completely ruined."

It's a mess.

People with lofty ideals also hope that we and other ministers can correct the chaos, advise officials on their words and deeds, and learn how to be kings. If even we surrender to traitors like Li Ye, the sky in this great Han country will never be clear again!"

The two of them were talking to each other, and Guo Wei had no way to defend himself and could only smile bitterly.

"But if this continues, the conflicts between our ministers and the officials will become more and more acute. I'm afraid..." Guo Wei shook his head worriedly.

Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin looked at each other and took two steps forward to get closer.

Shi Hongzhao lowered his voice and said: "Mr. Guo is worried that Li Ye and others will attack us? Hehe~ Mr. Guo, don't worry, how could we not be wary of these treacherous little tricks!"

Yang Bin also said contemptuously: "Shigong is in charge of the imperial army, and I am in charge of the staff. As long as I and I are more careful and give those hawks and dogs a hundred courage, they will not dare to do anything to me! Besides, there are

Duke Guo is leading an army outside, which is enough to frighten Xiaoxiao!"

Guo Wei frowned and said: "The dangers in the court are even more dangerous than on the battlefield. You two must not be careless!"

Shi Hongzhao glanced around and said in a very subtle way: "This time we are short of time and there is no time to discuss it with Mr. Guo in detail. We will discuss it in detail after Mr. Guo returns to the court. In short, the two of us have a plan. If the official family is still so stupid, I'm afraid

We cannot bear the burden of the country..."

Guo Wei was shocked and his eyes narrowed slightly: "What do you mean by Shi Gong's words?"

Yang Fang chuckled and said: "The three of us work together, we might as well learn from Huo Guang and choose another Ming Dynasty leader for the sake of the common people and the country!"

Shi Hongzhao said with a playful smile: "If the Liu family really can't find anyone worthy of inheriting the throne, we might as well let Duke Guo sit on the throne! With Duke Guo's ability, if he becomes the emperor, he can wipe out Liuhe and unify China!"

"If you serve Duke Guo as the master, Yang Bin will definitely surrender to the death!" Yang Bin bowed his hand.

"You guys!~"

Guo Wei was shocked in his heart and his eyes were full of horror. These two people actually had such thoughts!

Shi Hongzhao laughed and said: "Don't be alarmed, Mr. Guo. We are just joking in private chatting. As long as the officials are willing to stay away from evil villains and humbly accept our advice, we will definitely live up to our responsibilities as kings and ministers!"

"I hope the officials can understand the truth as soon as possible and appreciate our good intentions." Yang Bin also said calmly.

Guo Wei took a deep breath, cupped his fists and said, "Please promise me, Sir, not to be impulsive in anything. When Guo returns to Beijing from Yedu, we will sit down and discuss it carefully."

"Don't worry, Mr. Guo, the two of us are self-aware. Without you taking the lead, we can't do anything." Shi Hongzhao said carelessly.

"It's getting late. Don't delay Mr. Guo's march. Take care along the way!" Yang Xing saluted.

After saying goodbye to each other, Guo Wei got on his horse, glanced at them again, waved his whip and led his guards to chase the army away.

Shi Hongzhao and Yang Bin also got on the carriage and returned to the city.

On the official road, Guo Wei stopped his horse and looked back, only to see the carriage the two were riding in entering Chaoyang Gate under the escort of soldiers.

Guo Wei's face was solemn, and he was still thinking about what the two people said just now in his mind.

Although the two of them just regarded those disrespectful words as jokes, it was precisely because of this that Guo Wei was even more worried.

Dare to say such words casually, it shows that the two of them have the intention to despise the officialdom and the imperial power.

They sit high in the position of assistant ministers and enjoy the dignity of one person below ten thousand people. They have become forgetful and do not even pay attention to the Liu family's emperor and the emperor's authority.

Do you still dare to compare yourself to Huo Guang and talk nonsense about abolishing the establishment?

Even if the officials' talents and virtues are mediocre, as ministers, they have no sense of awe in their hearts, which is contrary to the way of ministers.

And such an arrogant attitude is quite dangerous.

Although the officials are mediocre in government affairs, they are by no means stupid people, not to mention that they have Li Ye, Nie Wenjin and others to help them.

If these people work together, it is impossible to govern the country, but when it comes to conspiracy and conspiracy, Shi Yang and Yang may not be opponents!

The sky above Kaifeng City was suddenly shrouded in black clouds, as if a thunderstorm was coming in an instant.

The weather in early summer is cloudy and changeable, making it difficult to predict.

Guo Wei's eyes were slightly focused, and his heart became heavy for no reason, as if there was a thick cloud covering his heart.

No matter how nice the words of Shi and Yang are, they can't hide the fact that they are domineering and despise the emperor.

As an assistant minister, he has tasted the sweetness of having great power, so how can he let it go so easily?

In the final analysis, it is not selfishness, I hope that the official will always be a puppet emperor who can be manipulated by others.

Guo Wei sighed deeply. The conflict between the official family and the ministers had evolved to the point where it is irreconcilable today. Both Shi and Yang were equally guilty.

However, it is meaningless to investigate what is right and what is wrong now. What is urgent is how to prevent the situation from deteriorating into a bloody palace coup, or even the world being torn apart and falling into a melee between feudal lords and towns again.

"If things cannot be violated, where should I go..." Guo Wei looked at the thundering city of Kaifeng in the distance and muttered to himself in confusion.

He suddenly regretted not making a request to the officials to take his family to Yedu.

If his family is around, he can handle it calmly at any time.

After hesitating for a while, Guo Wei shook his head and sighed: "That's all. If everything goes well on our trip to Yedu, we should be able to get back in half a year. No matter how fierce the struggle in Kaifeng City is, it won't quickly deteriorate to the point of fighting.

..."

Guo Wei shook his head and temporarily put his chaotic thoughts behind him. He took a deep look at the majestic capital of Kaifeng, turned his horse and led his soldiers to chase the army.
To be continued...