Fan Shitong requested to resign from his official post on the grounds of poor health. Emperor Qianwen finally agreed after making three concessions, but instead of asking him to directly retire and return to his hometown, he gave him the title of Hanlin Bachelor.
Obviously, Emperor Qianwen was still very optimistic about Fan Shitong's ability or his family background. The Fan family was the king of iron tools, and they were the ones that the Qian Dynasty needed to rely on. Even if he didn't use such a person, he would not pass it on to others. With the post of Grand Bachelor, anyone with a discerning eye can see that Fan Shitong, a Grand Bachelor, cannot be compared with Du Jin, a Grand Bachelor. He also holds the post of Internal Minister, but Fan Shitong does not. This is the biggest difference. .
Fan Shitong was taken down, and Xia Youran was replaced by him as the head of the hundred officials, who shot at Zuo Pu. He was very proud of his comeback, and his rise to the top seemed to be a signal, that is, the emperor's support for the prince. And optimistic. With the support of Zuo Pushe, it is conceivable that the prince's power in the court will be greatly increased.
...
Prince Qing's Mansion.
Prince Qing looked disheartened. Fan Shitong, the only one who supported him, was taken down by his father. Does this mean that his father has a problem with him? Does it mean that his only possibility of inheriting the throne is gone?
"Your Highness, there is no need to be discouraged. This time it was really my own fault. I was so impatient that I united the Crown Prince and Prince Xiang, but forgot how powerful this force was, which aroused the emperor's fear. In the final analysis, some of the blame is my own. That's it." Fan Shitong, who was sitting opposite Prince Qing, had a wry smile on his face.
I didn't feel anything good when I was doing it. But when I looked back, I realized how reckless my behavior was at the beginning. I am afraid that if I were in the position of Emperor Qianwen, I would not allow the courtiers to be so powerful. Let things happen.
Fan Shitong just thought that the battle was too big, and he didn't greet Emperor Qianwen in advance, so he caught the emperor off guard and aroused his dissatisfaction. He didn't even think about Shen Ao, a hereditary person. He is just a prince and a sixteen-year-old boy, so he really wouldn't put him in his eyes.
"Teacher, will you come back?" Prince Qing asked with a hint of hope.
This return does not refer to Fan Shitong's return to Daliang City, after all, he has never left. It refers to whether Fan Shitong can return to Zuopushe, the head of the hundred officials.
"There is still a chance." Fan Shitong gave the answer after thinking about it seriously. After all, Xia Youran is already sixty years old and can come back after recuperating for several years. He is much younger than him, and now It's not like I'm recuperating at home, I just changed my position. Of course there is an opportunity.
When he heard that there was a chance, Prince Qing was not so sad. "Teacher, my student will wait for you to come back. Then we will work together to show our father that although I have leg problems, I am still capable."
"Okay." Seeing that Prince Qing was not overwhelmed by this matter, Fan Shitong was very happy. But when he thought of the problem at hand, he quickly reminded him, "The line between the Western Barbarians cannot be broken, and the marriage will not work this time. Now, we have to find a way to comfort them. As long as we get their approval and support, we will have a chance to get back together. Later, our Fan family will bring out some silver and ironware, which will be enough for Your Highness to go to the meeting."
The Fan family has paid all these things, and there is no chance to earn them back in a short period of time. Unless Prince Qing can inherit the throne, otherwise, these things will be like wasted, and there will be no chance of getting anything back.
It's just that the Fan family has come to this point, so how can they give up halfway? We can only hope that King Qing can live up to his expectations.
"Thank you, teacher. I will remember everything the Fan family has done. Once a great thing is accomplished, I will repay it hundreds of times." Prince Qing also expressed his opinion in a timely manner. He really cannot do without the support of the Fan family now. , otherwise he will really become an abandoned son.
...
East Palace.
Compared to the suppressed atmosphere in Prince Qing's Mansion, there was a lot of joy and laughter here.
Xia Youran made a successful comeback and became the head of the hundred officials. With the strength of the prince family growing, he was even more confident in his position as the unification.
"Haha, I think my royal brother must be so shocked now that he is hiding in the palace and crying." The prince who was in a good mood burst out laughing, his brows beaming with joy, and he really looked very satisfied. (I am also a self-proclaimed prince. , just like a certain one. In the Daqian Kingdom, only people with noble blood such as the royal family can use it.)
"That's natural. Having a leg problem and still dreaming of a big position is simply a fool's dream. Now it's better. Fan Shitong, the only one who supported him, has also stepped down. Let's see how loud he will be in the future. It's just a pity that Fan Shitong didn't withdraw completely. Becoming a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy is still a hidden danger." Duan Wei, one of the staff, said with a sympathetic face.
"It doesn't matter. He is a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy and does not hold the position of internal minister. He only has a name and no real power. Such a person has become nothing. There is no need to worry about it anymore." Lu Shun, the attached horse, smiled with a smile on his face. A proud attitude. He is a member of the prince's lineage. Once the prince inherits the throne one day, his status will inevitably rise.
Compared with Duan Wei and Lu Shun's momentary triumph, Chief Staff Zeng Tong was not so optimistic. Instead, he said with some worry, "Your Highness, this time we defected before the battle, Prince Qing must hate us to the core. This period of time is still Be careful, and tell the officials below to be more restrained and not to be taken advantage of, otherwise, King Qing will definitely join forces with King Xiang, which should not be underestimated."
Xia Youran became Zuopushe, which represented the strengthening of the Prince's line. As the strength of the Prince's line declined, it also meant that the Prince of Xiang's line had become much weaker. At this time, in order to protect himself, I am afraid that Prince Xiang will fight with Qing. The king joined forces to deal with the prince.
Zeng Tong's worry is not unreasonable. But the prince didn't seem to care, "Wufang. With the support of many of our courtiers below, teachers helping to keep an eye on it, and uncles outside to help, no one can do anything to the prince." .”
The prince is indeed proud of himself. He is recognized as the heir, powerful in the court, and has the full support of King Jin outside. It is not easy to move him.
"I hope so." Zeng Tong sighed in his heart. Although he also saw the power of the Prince family, he didn't know why, but there was a faint worry in his heart.
...
Station.
The marriage was ruined, and even Fan Shitong, who made the suggestion, was demoted from the top of a hundred officials to a bachelor with little real power. The news spread to General Shajie, the second prince Origi, and Princess Origi. When Yadan heard it, the three of them all had expressions of indignity.
Oyadan was very angry, seeing that her good son-in-law was gone, which made her feel discouraged.
Origi was also very angry. A good opportunity for revenge was lost. Unless Shen Ao could appear in the barbarian area, otherwise, he would never have a chance to avenge his blood in Daliang City.
"Forget it, it's never too late for a gentleman to take revenge for ten years. One day we will rush into Daliang City. At that time, capturing Shen Ao will be just a matter of convenience. Fortunately, this time we did not come in vain. Prince Qing is willing to provide us with Two to five million silver and one hundred carts of iron swords. With these, we can go back with enough food so that the tribes do not have to starve. After the warriors have weapons, we can build a large army and prepare for the attack on Daqian. You are fully prepared." Sha Jie stood up and said with a fierce look in his eyes.
Their purpose for this trip was to obtain food from Daqian to tide over the famine. Now that they not only had the food in their hands, but also hundreds of carts of iron tools, the task was completed. As for Shen Ao's matter, it was just a small accident. He is just a duke and a young man. Such a person poses no threat to them. Of course, if there is a chance, this revenge must be avenged. After all, Shajie's son Shamusi was hit with a stick by this person. This revenge He kept it in mind.
Whether you like it or not, things have become like this and cannot be changed. Shajie is already preparing to go back. Although Oyadan is unwilling to do so, Daliang City here is not a barbarian. Not to mention that Shen Ao has hundreds of capable guards around him, so what? Did she just say that she could snatch it away?
As General Shajie said, it is best to go back and train your troops well, hoping that one day you can attack Daliang City. At that time, you can capture Shen Ao and go back to be your husband.
The Western Barbarian envoys bought a lot of grain with money, loaded it on carts and left Daliang City.
The Emperor's Guards came to report that most of the money spent by the Western Barbarian envoys to purchase grain came from the Fan family. Not only that, they also contributed hundreds of carts of swords. When the memorial was placed in front of Emperor Qianwen, he didn't say much.
What Emperor Qianwen wanted was the peace between the Western Barbarians and the Daqian border. As for what they gained from it, he didn't care. If the Fan family was willing to provide it, they would provide it. With hundreds of chariots and swords, the Western Barbarians could really threaten them. Have you done it?
What Emperor Qianwen wanted was time. He wanted to unify Daqian first and eliminate all the vassal kings one by one. As for foreign troubles, in his eyes, they were just scabies and were nothing to worry about. Once the Daqian was truly unified, it would be When all foreign troubles are completely eliminated.
In the center of Xianwei, Shen Ao, who was resting here, also got the news. Bai Qiutong and his sisters heard this from the guests.
"What? This is an act of treason." After hearing this, Shen Ao's face was full of anger. This behavior of the Fan family is scheming against the enemy and is no different from being a traitor.
"Master, don't get excited, you're going to be so angry." Bai Qiutong, who was massaging his shoulders at the side, was startled and whispered.
"Oh, don't be angry, don't be angry." Shen Ao then realized that the situation was wrong, so he returned to sit on the Taishi chair and closed his eyes. It seemed that he was really lifeless, but in fact he was thinking in his heart that the Fan family was like this His behavior should be severely punished. Otherwise, if all the businessmen follow the same example, how can Daqian become strong?