When Wang Gang returned to Beijing, Emperor Liang held a banquet for all the ministers in the palace and commended Wang Gang for his achievements in the northwest.
It has been more than a hundred years since the founding of Daliang. Since the death of Taizu, the territory of Daliang has not increased. On the contrary, in recent years, a lot of territory has been occupied by Dayu and Dayan in the north.
Wang Gang's destruction of Ye Qin this time was a real contribution to the expansion of territory. Although Wang Gang worked hard and made great achievements, Emperor Liang was the real beneficiary.
So as soon as the king came back, Emperor Liang immediately held a banquet and even asked the prince to go out of the city to greet him. For the first time, he also asked Concubine Jing to attend the banquet and sit beside Emperor Liang with the empress on the left and right.
Before the banquet began, Emperor Liang asked Gao Zhan to read out the imperial edict and formally award Wang Gang.
Wang Gang accepted the imperial decree with neither joy nor sadness, and then said: "I would like to report to my father, the small country of Ye Qin has harbored evil intentions for a long time. Not only did it allow the Beidi barbarians to enter the pass, but it also secretly communicated with the court officials of Daliang in recent years. After the princes captured Ye Qin, they collected
Many secret messages were published, all of which were used to communicate between Ye Qin and his courtiers."
While talking, Meng Zhi led someone to bring in a small box.
"Father, all the secret messages are here. Please make your decision."
Wang Gang's words made many courtiers standing behind change their expressions.
Especially King Yu, who broke out in cold sweat on his forehead. He thought that Wang Gang had collected letters about his conspiracy with King Ye Qin and wanted to file a complaint in court.
Emperor Liang looked at the small box on the ground with a terrifyingly gloomy expression. He even felt a trace of resentment toward Wang Gang, as he could no longer live up to his good mood just now.
Concubine Jing was also a little anxious for her son at this time.
This kind of secret message should not be presented in front of everyone. You can let Emperor Liang handle it or not.
If it is dealt with, it will definitely cause turmoil in the court situation. If it is not dealt with, it will be difficult to silence the world.
The best way would be to give the secret message to Emperor Liang privately, so that he would have something to manipulate the courtiers.
Mei Changsu stood behind the minister and glanced thoughtfully at Emperor Liang on the imperial chair.
Prince Jing gave Emperor Liang a little trouble.
Emperor Liang asked in a deep voice: "Have you read these secret letters from Prince Jing? Who among my ministers are liaising with the enemy?"
Wang Gang shook his head and said: "This matter is of great importance. I dare not make arbitrary decisions. All letters have not been opened and should be brought back to Jinling intact."
"You haven't seen it?" Emperor Liang asked in surprise.
Wang Gang said calmly: "The rebellion in the northwest has not stopped, and I have no time to read the letter."
Emperor Liang's eyes flashed with wonder, is this still my stubborn son?
If it had been before, if Prince Jing had collected these letters, he would have been filled with righteous indignation and wished he could have arrested all the ministers who secretly communicated with Ye Qin.
??Would he not read those letters? No one would believe him!
Emperor Liang smiled softly and said: "Ye Qin was originally a vassal state of Daliang. It is not surprising that he corresponded with the court officials. Who would have thought that he would betray Daliang and lure the Beidi barbarians into the pass."
The courtiers finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. It seemed that Emperor Liang did not intend to settle accounts after the fall.
Prince Jing wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Emperor Liang changed the topic and said to Wang Gang: "Prince Jing, since you brought these secret messages back, I will leave them to you to deal with now."
The courtiers' hearts were aroused again. Everyone knew that Prince Jing was notorious for not having his eyes filled with dirt.
Prince Jing glanced at the small box containing the secret letters and said, "I think that these secret letters should be burned regardless of whether they are read or not."
Seeing that his son understood the meaning of his words, Emperor Liang said happily: "Okay, as King Jing said, Meng Zhi will go and burn all these messy things."
Meng Zhi took the order and left. Many ministers followed the box of secret messages and left the hall. Then a flame was lit outside the hall.
Emperor Liang had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions, and it was clear who was loyal and who was traitorous.
"Prince Jing, you fought against Beidi this time and annihilated Ye Qin who betrayed Daliang. You have done a great job for your hard work. I will grant you another reward. You can ask for whatever you want." Emperor Liang's mood improved. Seeing that Wang Gang was more pleasing to his eyes, he spoke.
road.
Wang Gang said without hesitation: "On my way back to the capital, I heard that Princess Nihuang had a martial arts competition to recruit her bride. Even Dayu and Dayan sent people to Jinling to participate in the competition. I wonder if I can participate."
Emperor Liang's smile froze, he never expected that Wang Gang would make such a request.
In the main hall, the expressions of many people changed, especially the prince and Prince Yu.
Princess Nihuang herself was a little surprised, but not panicked.
On the contrary, Mei Changsu, who was standing at the end, breathed slightly quickly, but his mood stabilized in the blink of an eye.
The Crown Prince and Prince Yu absolutely do not want Wang Gang to marry Princess Nihuang. Even if Princess Nihuang marries another country, she cannot marry Prince Jing!
"Do you want to marry Nihuang?" Emperor Liang looked at his son with dangerous eyes again.
Wang Gang said without fear: "My son has known Nihuang for many years, and sincerely admires her. I beg my father to grant her my wish."
Emperor Liang narrowed his eyes and looked at Princess Nihuang again: "Nihuang, what do you mean?"
Princess Nihuang came out and said, "Your Majesty, everything in Nihuang is at your disposal."
There were many gasps among the courtiers. The marriage between Prince Jing and Prince Mu was a huge event. It was even more explosive than the secret letter incident just now. It could change the current situation in the court in Daliang.
King Jing destroyed Ye Qin, and now he is at the peak of his power in the military. As long as he raises his arms, he will have a large number of supporters.
If he gets help from Prince Mu's Mansion in the south, not to mention the prince having trouble sleeping, not even Emperor Liang can have a good night's sleep.
Emperor Liang said in a deep voice: "I have watched Nihuang grow up and treat her like a daughter. There is no reason for a daughter to marry a son. This is inappropriate."
As expected, Emperor Liang flatly rejected Wang Gang's request.
"Prince Jing, your mother and I have already discussed the choice of your concubine. We will discuss it later." Emperor Liang glanced at Concubine Jing, who was looking at her nose and heart, and said.
Wang Gang knelt down directly and said: "Father, when you arranged a competition for Princess Nihuang to recruit a bride, the imperial edict stated that as long as the age is suitable, unmarried men can sign up."
Emperor Liang said angrily: "As I said, we will discuss this matter later."
Seeing that Emperor Liang was angry, the queen advised him: "Your Majesty, please don't get angry. Otherwise, you will hurt your body. If the child makes mistakes, it is all the fault of my lax supervision as the head of the Sixth Palace."
Everyone could tell that the queen was clearly talking about herself, but she was actually targeting Concubine Jing.
Concubine Jing, who had been silent until now, had to stand up, knelt down in front of Emperor Liang and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Prince Jing is disobedient, and I am guilty."
Emperor Liang could not lose face in front of the ministers, so he first helped the queen up, and then asked Concubine Jing to get up.
"If Prince Jing wants to participate in the martial arts competition to recruit a bride, then go ahead! There is no need to ask me for permission." Emperor Liang's face turned dark. When he said this, it felt like he was saying it through gritted teeth.
"Thank you very much, Father." Wang Gang seemed not to notice the expression on Emperor Liang's face and was determined to marry Princess Nihuang.
Princess Nihuang frowned slightly, wondering what happened to her old friend? He had never thought of asking to marry her before.
"I'm tired. Prince, please host the banquet on my behalf!" Emperor Liang said gloomily.
Everyone respectfully sent Emperor Liang off, and then looked at Wang Gang with somewhat different eyes.
Especially the Crown Prince and Prince Yu kept looking at Wang Gang and Princess Nihuang.
