In the cold morning, a cold fog enveloped the streets of Lin'an. The frozen-hard streets were empty and lonely. There were only a few people on the long street, and the only bright color was the newly lit fire at the street food stall. The orange-red fire

It became the only warmth on the blue-black streets.

There were actually some carriages and horses moving on the streets throughout the city. Those were driven by officials from the Song Dynasty who got up early to attend the early morning court. The early court in the Song Dynasty was actually not normal. Zhao Gou worked diligently for a period of time since his journey to the south.

However, in recent years, early morning court meetings are no longer a must-have every day, but occur once every once in a while. And early morning court meetings are even rarer, because they are only convened when something important happens in the court.

Officials in Beijing of fourth rank and above went to court and discussed matters collectively.

Like today, it is unique to go to an early morning court in such a cold winter month, and it is a very early morning court. Except for a few officials, few people know the content of the matters discussed in today's court meeting, so everyone actually thinks

They are all confused and even uneasy.

All the carriages and horses gathered from all corners of Lin'an City and headed south, gathering in front of the palace. Then hundreds of civil and military officials walked on the hard and open royal road of the palace, walking in the air-conditioning air, and passed through the tall and cold Daqing Gate.

, gathered in the square in front of Daqing Hall.

When the sky was dim, above the steps of Daqing Hall, there were guards on duty banging the bell and chanting loudly. The heavy door of Daqing Hall also banged open with the force of a group of servants. In the hall, orange lights also followed.

It is projected on the dim stone steps.

Civil and military officials lined up, climbed up the steps and filed in. When entering the Daqing Hall, they were dressed in formal attire and were cautious and serious. After entering the hall, they stood on both sides of the hall according to their official position, civil and military order.

In front, a tall dragon throne stands quietly, with golden light flickering under the illumination of the giant candle. Although no one is sitting on it yet, standing under this throne, there is still a faint feeling of pressure. That is the emperor's throne.

Power, the pressure of power.

"The Emperor has arrived!" A loud shout sounded, and everyone's eyes focused on the curtain behind the side. Then, the curtain was lifted, and a large group of guards and chamberlains rushed out, surrounding Zhao Gou in dragon robes.

.

All the ministers knelt down on the ground and shouted in unison: "I bow to the emperor, long live the emperor!"

Zhao Gou walked up to the throne without squinting, and strode up to the throne with a serious face. He stood in front of the dragon case and looked at the ministers who were kneeling in darkness below. Zhao Gou showed a slight smile on his face. He raised his hand and said: "All the ministers are equal!"

The ministers thanked each other and stood up, returned to their respective positions, and waited quietly with bated breath.

Zhao Gou slowly sat down, looked around the audience, coughed slightly and said: "My dear friends, I have summoned you here today because I have important matters to discuss with you. Originally, in the middle of winter, I

I should sympathize with you and not let you suffer from the cold wind and cold in the early morning. However, the national affairs are important, so I can only work hard for you."

Zhao Gou's words were very kind and peaceful. After hearing these words, many officials felt as if a warm current flowed into their bodies and felt very comfortable. The emperor's attitude was modest and kind, his words were like a breath of spring breeze, and he also respected his ministers. This is a lot.

People's perception of the emperor. Over the years, the emperor's status in the hearts of his courtiers has been unbreakable. The big reason is that his words, deeds and attitude are acceptable to people.

"The emperor is kind and considerate of his ministers, and they are deeply touched. But the ministers and others are all ministers of the Song Dynasty. They eat the emperor's salary and are loyal to the emperor. What's the point of labor? They are all within their duties. Please, Your Majesty

Don't worry too much." Qin Hui said in a deep voice.

"Yes, it's all my responsibility." The ministers said one after another.

Zhao Gou smiled and nodded and said: "Okay, I'm not polite, let's discuss it. There are two major things to discuss today. The first thing has actually been delayed for a long time and should have been decided long ago. That is...

…the matter of establishing a prince.”

Everyone was stunned. They never expected that the first thing in today's early morning court meeting was to discuss the establishment of a crown prince. How the emperor suddenly thought of this matter is really puzzling. Isn't it that the emperor is very taboo about this matter?

What? Have you figured it out? Have you figured it out?

Zhao Gou continued: "The matter of the foundation of the country should have been decided long ago. However, the government was unstable and the situation was unclear, so I have never mentioned this matter. I know that many members of the Qing family are a little bit shy about this, but everything must be settled.

The timing, I think, is now the time to decide this matter. I also admit that since Prince Yuan Yi died at an early age, I have been in a very bad mood. Like you, I also have selfish motives, I thought,

If we can have more heirs, we can directly establish a heir, and there will be less controversy, which will be conducive to the stability of the country. I am not afraid of your jokes, this is my sincerity."

The ministers were surprised by Zhao Gou's confession. It was surprising to be able to say such words directly, and at the same time, they had some inexplicable affection for Zhao Gou. Zhao Gou was a real person, as real as the people around him.

"The death of Prince Yuan Yi makes me sad. I actually hope that the emperor will have another legitimate son to inherit the throne. It is understandable that the emperor has such an idea. It is human nature. I can all understand the emperor's thoughts." Wan

Qi Xi said in a deep voice.

"Yes, it's human nature, I understand." The ministers said one after another.

Zhao Gou nodded and smiled: "I am very pleased that you can understand my feelings. But I also know that that kind of thinking is wrong. If you are just an ordinary person, there is nothing wrong with thinking like this. But I am the emperor of the Song Dynasty.

, thinking this way is a bit narrow-minded and betrays the trust of our ancestors. Although I have no hope of heirs, fortunately, I have adopted two princes by my side. They are also of the blood of Taizu and are equally qualified to inherit the great emperor.

As long as they can shoulder the inheritance of their ancestors and become wise kings of the Song Dynasty, as long as they are beneficial to the people of the country and the country, how can I keep delaying the decision on the country's foundation because of my own selfish thoughts."

"The emperor is a saint! I have no place to admire him. Having a saint like the emperor in our Song Dynasty is a blessing to the country and the country of the Song Dynasty, and a blessing to the people." Qin Hui shouted excitedly.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty! I admire you!" The ministers also shouted excitedly.

"Actually, the Emperor is in his prime, so there is no need to be in such a hurry to establish a crown prince. The Emperor can completely wait." A man suddenly came out of the queue and bowed. When everyone looked, it was Yang Cunzhong.

Zhao Gou smiled and said: "Yang Aiqing, I just established the crown prince, but I am not going to abdicate immediately. Besides, things are unpredictable, so I have to make preparations in advance. I am not acting on a whim. Yesterday, a chamberlain in my palace died suddenly.

, the chamberlain was usually strong and only in his thirties. After examination, the imperial doctor said that he had gone out from the house and was suddenly hit by a cold wind, which caused his heartbeat to suddenly stop and died. This made me think of the impermanence of things in the world. Accidents

It will appear at any time, and you will die if you blow a cold wind. Who can predict it? If something happens to me, but I don't arrange the inheritance, if this leads to chaos in the Song Dynasty and the people suffer, wouldn't I become a sinner of the Song Dynasty?

.From this, I have decided

I made my decision. Yesterday I went to report the matter to the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother also agreed with my decision. So today I summoned everyone to discuss the matter early."

The ministers were silent. It turned out that the emperor was stimulated, so he made such a decision.

"Now that the end of the year is approaching, we can't act too hastily. Therefore, I would like all my dear friends to help me think about this matter during this period of time before the end of the year. The candidate for the crown prince is naturally between Prince Enping and Prince Pu'an. Well.

Prince Ping is smart and kind, Prince Pu'an... is filial and has his own opinion. It is really difficult for me to decide. The Queen Mother prefers Prince Enping, but I still have to listen to your opinions. All my dears, please think about it when you get back.

, which of these two people is more suitable to be crowned prince, the merits and demerits can be stated in the memorial. Or, if you have other suitable candidates, you can also mention them. There is no need to make a decision today, I just hope that you can think about it with me and make a decision.

." Zhao Gou said slowly.

The emphasis of these words couldn't be clearer. Even a fool can hear Zhao Gou's thoughts. Although there are two candidates and he can recommend another one, everyone knows that in fact, the one the emperor wants to make is Enping County Prince.

.If the Queen Mother likes someone, she will make it clear by saying this.

"Your Majesty, the ministers must carefully weigh the strengths and weaknesses of the two princes and help the Emperor solve his problems. All colleagues have listened, and everyone must think carefully about it, and then submit a memorial to the Emperor for reference. We must learn from the records of Jiangshan Sheji of the Song Dynasty

Start from your perspective, not your personal likes and dislikes." Qin Hui said in a deep voice.

"We will keep this in mind," the ministers said one after another.

Zhao Gou nodded and said with a smile: "Well, let's leave the first matter as it is for the time being. It won't be officially decided until next spring, so there's no need to rush. However, this second matter is an urgent matter. It must be decided today.

Qin Aiqing, please tell everyone about this on my behalf."

Qin Hui bowed and said: "I obey the order."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Qin Hui. It seemed that Prime Minister Qin had already known about this second matter. For some reason, Prime Minister Qin did not make a decision, but had to wait until the morning to decide. It seemed that the matter was not a big deal.

Qin Hui turned around, cupped his hands to the ministers, and said in a deep voice: "This second matter is about the relationship between the Jin people and our Song Dynasty. Some of you should be dissatisfied with the visit of the envoys from the Jin Kingdom to our Song Dynasty.

There are some impressions. But you have absolutely no idea why the Jin envoys came. Today, I will tell you. The Jin envoys came here a few days ago. They came to our country on the order of Emperor Wan Yanliang of the Jin Dynasty.

.They did not come to pay homage to me, the Emperor of the Song Dynasty, and they did not come for the friendship between the Song Dynasty and the Jin Kingdom. They came for only one purpose, which was to make many rude requests. Now, the truth is that they have made many rude demands.

Let it be made public so that you can appreciate the shamelessness and tyranny of the Jin people."

Qin Hui took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and read in a deep voice: "First, the Jin people asked me, the Song Dynasty, to provide a loan of one million taels of silver in the name of the huge cost of moving the capital to Yanjing and building a new palace and city.

Secondly, the Jin people lacked the manpower of craftsmen and asked us, the Song Dynasty, to provide 300 good builders and 3,000 civilians to help them build a new capital. Thirdly, the Jin people wanted us, the Song Dynasty, to return 900 households of people who had fled to the north and south of the Yangtze River.

Fourth, the Jin people proposed to revise the terms of the Shaoxing Peace Agreement. Fifth, the Jin people proposed to charge 40% of the taxes and fees on the ten forecourts at the junction of the Song Dynasty and the Jin Kingdom."

Every time Qin Hui read one of the conditions put forward by the Jin envoy, the ministers in the palace let out a sound of astonishment. After Qin Hui read all five conditions, there was already a buzz of discussion in the hall. Some people were already blushing and shaking with anger.
Chapter completed!