Two huge events happened in Tokyo. First, Lu Gongya, who was seriously ill, suddenly passed away. Before the news could be completely spread, Sima Guang fell seriously ill again, and it is said that he was unconscious and might die at any time. The two miracle doctors, Cao Qi and Zhilugu, rushed to treat him, but there was no great effect.

Both Lu Gongzhu and Sima Guang were important figures in the court. Moreover, two prime ministers in the Song Dynasty fell ill in a row, and one of them had passed away. This would have an extremely serious impact on the Song Dynasty court. Especially for Empress Dowager Gao, Lu Gongzhu and Sima Guang were both important assistants after she followed the government. If one problem occurred, it would be enough to affect her, not to mention that both had problems.

Lu Gongzhu had already passed away, and it was too late to say anything. As a woman, Empress Dowager Gao was really inconvenient to leave the palace, so she asked Zhao Xu to go to the Lu Mansion to pay tribute on her behalf, and gave him the title of Grand Tutor, Duke Shen, with the posthumous title of "Zhengxian". After Zhao Xu had just attended Lu Gongzhu's funeral, he immediately ran to Sima Guang's mansion to visit.

Even the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were so concerned about Sima Guang, so naturally the ministers below could not neglect. Whether sincere or false, these ministers went to Sima Guang's mansion to visit. Of course, they could not really see Sima Guang in a coma. They just needed to sit in the mansion for 5 cups of tea, and then ask Sima Guang's children and grandchildren about their illness.

Zhao Yan and Sima Guang had no friendship at all, and even because the other party helped Empress Dowager Gao seize power, there was still some conflict between the two. However, Sima Guang had visited his mansion several times, which eased the conflict between them. Now Sima Guang is seriously ill, and if Zhao Yan didn't even visit him, it would be a bit unreasonable. So on that day, he made an appointment with Su Song and Su Shi, and the three of them rushed to Sima Guang's mansion together to visit.

When Zhao Yan and the other two came to the gate of Sima's mansion, they found that many people were waiting outside to enter the mansion. However, when Zhao Yan sent his door post, a manager immediately sent them to the mansion. After all, there is no need to say that Zhao Yan's identity is the prime minister. As for Su Shi, although his official position is lower, he is the leader of the literary world. It can be said that no matter who comes, the three of them will be invited to the mansion first, let alone the three of them come together.

When he entered the mansion, Sima Guang's son Sima Kang came to greet him in person. Speaking of which, Sima Guang was also an alien among the scholars and officials of the Song Dynasty, because he refused to take a concubine and only married one wife, Mrs. Zhang. Although Mrs. Zhang gave birth to two sons for Sima Guang, they were both premature. For this reason, Mrs. Zhang advised Sima Guang to take a concubine many times, but he refused. In the end, he only adopted his elder brother's son Sima Kang as his own son.

Although Sima Kang was the stepson, he was taught by Sima Guang since childhood, and his personality was extremely rigorous and talented. When Sima Guang compiled "Zizhi Tongjian", Sima Kang was one of his important assistants. Moreover, Sima Kang was also a Jinshi in Xining for the third year. He is now an official appointed as a proofreader, responsible for cultivating the record of the Shenzong for the deceased Zhao Xu.

Sima Kang was about the same age as Zhao Yan and the others. When he saw Zhao Yan, he immediately invited them into the main hall and asked someone to have tea and chat. Zhao Yan and the others asked Sima Guang's condition. Sima Kang also answered one by one. However, just when Zhao Yan thought that he could go back after drinking tea, he didn't expect that a servant suddenly came over and said something in Sima Kang's ear. As a result, Sima Kang was stunned, and then said to Zhao Yan: "Your Highness, please wait a moment. My father is awake!"

"What, Sima Xianggong has woken up?" Zhao Yan and others couldn't help but stand up when they heard Sima Kang's words. Sima Guang was in a coma before, and everyone was worried that he would not wake up again, but this time he woke up during their visit. Does that mean that Sima Guang's body is fine?

"I don't know what's going on. My father suddenly woke up now. I want to sue him first!" Sima Kang was a filial man. He apologized to Zhao Yan and the other two again, then turned around and followed the servant back to the inner house. Zhao Yan and the other two were inconvenient to follow him, so he could only wait patiently in the living room.

However, after Sima Kang went there for a while, he hurriedly ran back. When he saw Zhao Yan, he hurriedly said, "Your Highness, my father said he would see you alone!"

"See me?" Zhao Yan couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this. It was said that he did not have a very deep friendship with Sima Guang. At least Su Shi and Sima Guang had a much deeper friendship than him, but the other party wanted to see him and even said that he would meet alone, which made Zhao Yan a little confused.

However, as the saying goes, guests follow the host's wishes, and Sima Guang is still seriously ill, so Zhao Yan is not able to refuse, so he has to say goodbye to Su Song and Su Shi, and then rush to Sima Guang's residence with Sima Kang. As for Su Song and Su Shi, they stay here to continue drinking tea.

As the prime minister, Sima Guang's mansion was rewarded by the court, so the area was quite large. However, Zhao Yan found that the entire mansion was very simple and did not have much decoration, especially in the inner house. When he came to Sima Guang's bedroom, he found that it was even more simple. This also reminded Zhao Yan of the history of recording Sima Guang was extremely frugal and spent all his money on book revisions, and even wanted to be buried in a ritual place when his wife died. Now it seems true.

Sima Guang on the hospital bed had woken up, but his expression was very depressed. Sima Kang immediately supported his father after coming in. Zhao Yan also took a few steps forward and said, "How does Sima Xianggong feel? Do you want to inform the two miracle doctors to treat you?"

"Yes... I'll do your best. I just woke up and heard the visit of the palace in my house. I just wanted to say something to your highness. I wonder if your highness would like to hear it?" Sima Guang said weakly at this time. His face looked dark and he was very painful when he spoke, as if he would leave at any time.

"Mr. Sima, I think your body has not recovered yet. Why not be assured to recuperate. How about talking to me after the illness is cured?" Zhao Yan frowned at this time. First, he was worried about Sima Guang's body, and second, he also vaguely guessed what he was going to say when he was about to do so.

"Haha, I know that I am terminally ill, and it is not the power of medicine and stone to save me. But I have something to say before my death!" When Sima Guang said the last time, a strange look appeared on his dark face.

"Father~" Sima Kang, who was holding Sima Guang's words, shouted sadly, but Sima Guang chuckled at him, "You can wait outside the door first, and I and Your Highness have something inconvenient for you to hear."

Although Sima Kang was very worried about his father's health, he was a filial son and had never disobeyed his father's words. Therefore, he didn't dare to say anything after hearing his father's instructions. He had to leave the room with tears in his eyes, leaving only Zhao Yan and Sima Guang in the room.

Sima Guang signaled Zhao Yan to sit down on the chair in front of the bed, and then he spoke weakly: "I have something to ask Your Highness!"

"Please speak with Mr. Sima!" Zhao Yan said helplessly again at this time. From Sima Guang's expression, he had guessed what the other party was going to ask.

"Please... what does Your Highness think of the Empress Dowager and His Majesty?" Sima Guang said again, his voice trembling slightly, as if he was enduring great pain.

Seeing Sima Guang's expression, Zhao Yan couldn't help but sigh. Although he was incompatible with the other party's political views, he had to admire his spirit of devoted himself to the Song Dynasty. He thought for a while before speaking: "Although the Empress Dowager's personality is a bit stronger, he also has a very political vision. I admire the Song Dynasty in an orderly manner in recent years. As for Your Majesty, although he is young, he is extremely smart. I am also his teacher. If he takes power in the future, he will definitely become a wise king."

"Your Highness's evaluation is very fair. Speaking of which, if your genius is a genius, it will definitely make our Song Dynasty richer and stronger. However, when His Majesty Yingzong passed the throne to His Majesty Shenzong, it also made the Emperor's orthodox emperor the emperor. The old minister had nothing to ask for, but only asked Your Highness to protect the orthodox of the Song Dynasty for the sake of His Majesty Yingzong!" At this time, Sima Guang suddenly changed his tone and forced himself to support Zhao Yan with a begging face. He knew that if Zhao Yan wanted to seize the throne, no one in the court could stop him. This was also the thing he was most worried about. Now he felt that the deadline was approaching, so he made the words clear.

Zhao Yan smiled bitterly when he heard Sima Guang's words again. He knew that the other party would say this, and even if he explained that he had no intention of the throne, he probably wouldn't believe it. He lowered his head and thought for a moment, then raised his head and said to Sima Guang: "Sima Gong, I'm afraid you won't believe it no matter how I explain it, but I can tell you one thing!"

When he said this, Zhao Yan hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Actually, before the emperor's death, he gave me two choices, one was to replace him with the throne, and the other was to help him choose a crown prince among the princes, and then assist him until he was in power!"

Only Zhao Yan and Cao Ying knew about the above incident. This was the first time Zhao Yan took the initiative to tell outsiders about this. When Sima Guang heard this, he was stunned for a moment and did not react for a long time. He did not expect that Zhao Xu would intentionally pass the throne to Zhao Yan. However, it was normal to think about it. With the feelings between Zhao Xu and the brothers of Zhao Yan, coupled with Zhao Yan's own talents, and the princes at that time, it was normal for Zhao Xu to make such a decision. Even many ministers in the court hoped that Zhao Yan could ascend the throne. If Zhao Yan chose to inherit the throne, everything would be natural. (To be continued...)

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Chapter completed!