As the saying goes, soldiers are more valuable than speed!
Now that we have decided to resist Anzhi and aid Song Dynasty, we must take action immediately in order to set off as soon as possible.
Therefore, Qi Yu decisively ordered that more than fifty warships, large and small, and five hundred sharpshooters from the barracks had been assembled and ready to go south in the early morning of the next day. The specific time was set to prepare food at the third watch and set off at the fifth watch.
The idea is good, but the reality is that it backfires.
What's going on?
Tonight, just after midnight, the Imperial Court's Ministry of Etiquette announced the arrival of a newspaper.
It said that on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the Empress Dowager suddenly died in Cining Palace due to a heart attack, and the whole country should mourn. Therefore, the Ministry of Rites ordered various places to hold a mourning ceremony immediately after receiving the report.
, officials of all sizes in the jurisdiction must go to express their condolences to show their loyalty and filial piety.
This matter may not be big or small, but it must be done.
But in this way, the opportunity to send troops was delayed.
You have to find a compromise.
Let's talk about the present moment. Qi Yu still has some doubts about the Empress Dowager heading west. He remembers that his mentor Meng Lanshan once said to him that when he was still an imperial doctor, he often went to pray for the peace of the old Buddha.
According to his report, this old man's body has always been in good health and has been free from illness and disaster all year round. He is one of the few people in the royal family who has a long life. According to his experience, this old Buddha can at least live for another time.
Ten years, but why did he suddenly die now?
Isn't it strange?
With this question in mind, Qi Dalang secretly summoned the official from the capital who came to deliver the newspaper.
"I've met my lord, but I wonder what you mean by calling me here?"
"Sit down, I asked you to come here mainly because I have some confusion in my heart, so I hope that you will not hesitate to explain it." After saying that, Qi Yu generously stuffed fifty taels of silver into his hand and said in a friendly tone.
The official was surprised at first, but after hearing what he was asking for, he accepted the money with confidence.
Then, he hurriedly put on a smiling face and said, "Sir, feel free to ask, but as long as a villain knows, he will definitely tell you endless things."
"That's great!" Qi Yu stroked his beard and smiled, and immediately put on a 'you know' expression and asked: "I would like to know if there was any gossip after the death of the Empress Dowager, or in other words,
Did the death of her old man trigger any disturbing rumors?"
this……
As the saying goes, listen carefully to what is said, especially the subtext of such obscure expressions. If you have no hearing and no vision, you are not a qualified official.
Obviously, the person in front of me is quite up to standard.
The man just thought about it briefly and understood the meaning of Master Qi's words, and hurriedly replied: "Master Qi, I did hear some private rumors, but these words imply a bit of disrespect, so
I……"
"Haha, don't worry! When it comes out of your mouth and into my ears, who will remember what you said after you leave this door?" Qi Yu said seemingly unintentionally, but with deep meaning.
"Then... well, I will boldly say something today."
"Okay, please speak!"
Next, the official told some "privately heard things" he had learned.
According to what he said, after the death of the Empress Dowager, there was a rumor within the royal family that her death was caused by someone else. However, this rumor was quickly suppressed by Lord Somasa.
As for whether it is true or false, outsiders naturally have no way of knowing.
After that, new gossip came out, saying that there had been further progress in the case of the late emperor's death.
Oh? What exactly?
There are rumors that the minister of Dali Temple once mentioned in private to a certain cabinet member that the late emperor collapsed after taking a red pill containing toxins. In other words, he was deliberately killed.
. However, what people never expected was that the instigator was actually the former Queen Hu.
is her?
Well, that’s right!
According to the person familiar with the matter, she was forced to confess after being thrown into the cold palace. She had explained all the past events clearly without any omissions. In this way, she had committed a heinous and unforgivable crime.
As for what kind of punishment she will face, it depends on the wishes of the Holy Emperor.
However, from a high probability point of view, her fate is to die, and even her clan members will be implicated.
Qi Yu nodded while listening, frowning thoughtfully.
An idea suddenly came to his mind that shocked even him: Could there be something hidden behind these two things that was the work of the new Lord of Jin and Kunji?
No one knows the answer.
After understanding these secrets, Qi Yu picked up the tea cup intentionally or unintentionally. After seeing this, the waiter also got up and left in a sensible manner.
Next, there is the etiquette of how to mourn the Empress Dowager.
Alas, it’s just some formalism!
What a big deal!
After Qi Yu thought about it briefly, he left the matter directly to Liu Shicheng, the manager of the ceremony room, and asked him to handle it with full authority in accordance with etiquette and law. However, he himself disappeared inexplicably.
After he wrote a condolence letter in his own hand, he disappeared from public view.
Is this a plank road built openly and built in secret?
Guessed it!
At this moment, he had already boarded a warship to support Luzon.
Alas!
Little did he know that Qi Dalang went to support others, but others were not willing to support him at all.
The others here do not refer to the weakling Luzon, but to the Dafeng Dynasty behind it.
oh?
how do I say this?
Well, let’s first look at the memorial in the emperor’s hand. It is written respectfully in the square “Taige style”: Your Majesty, the autumn rains in Qiongzhou are flooding, rivers and lakes burst their banks, submerging thousands of acres of fertile land, and the people are displaced.
His condition is unspeakable... At this moment, I feel that our Qiongzhou is like a rootless tree, hanging alone overseas. I look around the country, but there is no helping hand. How sad!... I still hope that Your Majesty will
I take pity on the suffering of my people, and allocate millions of stones to save lives, money and food, to meet the urgent needs of the moment... I have all the honors of the humble ministers, and I pray for them a hundred times.
This memorial was written in response to the autumn floods in Qiongzhou last year. It has been almost half a year since now.
Then, why has this piece of information not been presented to the Holy Case until now?
There is no other reason. This is because when the Minister of Household Affairs held a cabinet meeting, he seemed to drag it out intentionally or unintentionally.
This delay doesn't matter, time just passed by so quietly.
Quietly?
Indeed!
Before this, the emperor really didn't know that a natural disaster of this magnitude had occurred in Qiongzhou. He didn't really know until the cabinet presented the memorial.
Some people may have said that disaster relief is like fighting fire, and the emphasis is on racing against time. Is this move by the cabinet a little too much?
No, from a systemic perspective, the cabinet's move did not go beyond the rules.
oh?
how do I say this?
Do you still remember the political operation system of our Dafeng Dynasty?
In terms of process, all major national affairs, except for military affairs, must first be 'voted' by the cabinet. After being approved internally, they will be 'approved' by His Majesty the Emperor before being submitted to the Supreme Court.
In other words, regarding disaster relief matters, the cabinet has sufficient power to discuss them, and the process is before the emperor's inspection.
Therefore, the cabinet's move does not exceed the rules.
However, during the draft process regarding this matter, the Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs had financial constraints due to allocating money to the Ministry of Industry to build the Kunpeng Navy, and then he had the idea of declining to provide disaster relief, so he took the most effective delaying method.
Policy.
It’s hard to say whether this is right or wrong!
In Lao Shangshu's unilateral view, the military construction of the imperial court is a top priority and must not be delayed even if some people's interests are sacrificed.
The so-called righteousness!!
Other cabinet members, headed by Chief Assistant Zhong Yi, also chose to side with the Minister of Household Affairs after weighing the pros and cons of justice.
That's why Qi Yu's discounts were pushed to the bottom of the box.
When I take it out and look at it now, it has lost its original urgency.
In reality, when the time comes, the disaster relief that should be provided has already been completed. Even if we allocate more money and food now, it will not be able to save the so-called emergency.
Although the emperor understood the cabinet's difficulties, he still felt a little sorry for Qi Yu.
So, do you want to express your feelings now?
For a moment, he hesitated.
Since it's still undecided, it's better to talk slowly, since there's no rush anyway.
Thinking of this, the emperor waved his hand to the eunuch San Dezi beside him, who also hurriedly woke up from his sleep and sang loudly: "Retreat from the court!"