After leading the army from Hanbi, the atmosphere in Bianjing became a bit strange.
Outside the court, those high-ranking officials and dignitaries love to party more and more. Brothels and homes are the places where they gather.
The secret agents of the Lover's Department did not dare to pry into the private gatherings of the big guys, and could only inquire about the information of the second-tier dignitaries.
The news gradually came together, making Nian Ru a little uneasy.
"They said that if Prime Minister Han was defeated and the Northern Xinjiang army came to the city, the Great Zhou Dynasty would definitely be doomed."
"Some people say that Prime Minister Han will definitely be able to defeat King Qin."
Nian Ru's memory is very good and he can tell the information without looking at the records.
Nian Xu is admiring a painting.
After a long while, he asked: "How are Peng Jing and the others doing?"
"We gather frequently, but His Majesty has ordered that the ministers are not allowed to pry into the news of the two of them, so..."
"The emperor spies on his important ministers. Once the news leaks out, it will be a disaster. From then on, the emperor and his ministers become strangers and even become enemies. I cannot take this risk."
Last time, a spy from the Qing Dynasty wanted to spy on Peng Jing and the two men, but was discovered by the experts around them and took action immediately. After this incident, Nian Xu ordered the Qing Dynasty to stop spying on important officials.
There was an undercurrent surging outside, but it was unbelievably calm above the court.
There were also fewer disputes during discussions.
Han Bi was away, and the remaining ministers of the New Deal faction were very honest and did not dare to cause trouble for the conservatives.
In this way, conservatives can experience the feeling of having great power without any checks and balances.
But Nian Xu saw it and felt mixed.
Balance is an essential skill for an emperor, but apparently he has lost some of it.
In dealing with Sun Shi's matter, he was too hasty and allowed the conservative family to dominate.
Sun Shi!
Nian Xu thought about this name.
I am so ashamed of him!
"Your Majesty, I believe that this year's taxes will have to be increased."
Peng Jing's voice awakened Nian Xu, who was wandering outside the realm.
"Um?"
He snorted coldly, "The people are already overwhelmed!"
"At present, there is a powerful enemy. It costs money to recruit troops, send out armies, and repair cities everywhere. You also have to recruit many civilians. Your Majesty, which of these does not cost money?"
Peng Jing sighed: "I know that your Majesty loves and cares for the people, but when it comes to life and death, I believe that everything should be based on the overall situation."
This was as close as pointing to the nose and saying to Nian Xu: Your Majesty, how can you achieve great things if you are so indecisive?
The anger in Nian Xu's heart suddenly rose. Just as he was about to scold him, he saw Xie Yingong hurried out of the palace.
Outside the hall, a messenger was standing there covered in dust.
"What's the matter?" Xie Yingong asked.
The messenger saluted and said, "I have military information to report to Your Majesty."
"Come with us."
Xie Yingong led the messenger into the hall, "Your Majesty, this is the messenger from Prime Minister Han."
Nian Xu's heart moved slightly, "But there was a battle?"
The messenger took out the battle report, and Xie Yingong took it and handed it over.
Nian Xu opened the battle report and just glanced at it.
Then, he said calmly: "Our army attacked at night, and the Northern Xinjiang Army was well prepared. Ten thousand cavalry...were wiped out."
The hall was quiet for a moment.
"Han Bi is incompetent!"
A sharp voice came out, and Nian Xu, who was in an extremely bad mood, looked over and saw an official jumping out and shouting: "Your Majesty, Han Bi must be severely punished!"
"Change the general! Your Majesty!"
"Severely punish Han Bi!"
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
Peng Jing and Fang Chong were unexpectedly silent, and just watched their officials attacking the emperor.
Han Bi is the boss left by Nian Xu to check and balance the conservatives. If Han Bi is removed, the emperor's power will shrink unprecedentedly.
One will ebb and flow, and the two of them will become indistinguishable beings in the court.
Boom!
A piece of jade pendant flew down from the throne and shattered on the ground.
Nian Xu's face turned livid, "Do you know how to do martial arts?"
Everyone was stunned.
These ministers don't understand, but they know how to maneuver and defeat their opponents!
"It's a taboo to change generals on the spot. Did you know that?"
The emperor shouted and asked.
Everyone blinked.
"It is normal for two armies to fight and win or lose. When Fang Qing was defeated, what were you waiting for?"
Revealing the scars of the ministers was a sign that they were about to tear themselves apart, which showed that the emperor was really angry.
In a desperate situation, Nian Xu is ready to go to war.
"Fang Qing!"
Nian Xu said sternly: "You tell me."
Fang Chong left the class and said, "I don't dare to speak nonsense!"
Nian Xu pointed at the ministers who had been so proud before, "Then, why do these people dare to speak nonsense in front of me? Whose idea was this? As an emperor, how about I leave it to you to wait?"
With that said, the emperor stood up and prepared to undress.
So eager!
Peng Jing sighed in his heart, knelt down and said, "I don't dare!"
Fang Chong hesitated for a moment, then knelt down, "I don't dare!"
The ministers knelt down one by one.
"I don't dare!"
Nian Xu looked at them coldly, "Except Han Bi, who else can lead the army in the DPRK?"
"Whoever has the ability, please step forward and I will immediately order him to replace Han Bi!"
"However, leave all your family members behind. If you are defeated, I will kill them with my own hands!"
The emperor's words were bloody.
"Why, there's no one?" Nian Xu sneered, "Didn't they compete with each other before? Why are you silent now?"
"My lord, you are incompetent!"
Peng Jing lowered his head.
At this point, unless he wants to rebel immediately, he can only bow his head.
Conspiracy... The Nian family is still deeply rooted in the Zhou Dynasty. Who dares to rebel?
Apart from anything else, once rebellion is attempted, the people in Bianjing City will oppose it.
Unless Nian loses his moral character!
This is the role of righteousness.
Nian Xu looked at these ministers coldly and said, "The assembled army will send 40,000 to Han Bi."
"Your Majesty!" One person raised his head and wanted to retort.
"Shut up!" Nian Xu pointed at this person, "How about you be the emperor?"
The man lowered his head and said, "I don't dare!"
"Son of a bitch!" Nian Xu cursed loudly. The man trembled all over, stood up without wearing his hat, and slowly backed away.
Nian Xu watched him go out coldly, "Go yourselves!"
The ministers resigned.
After going out, Peng Jing whispered: "It's too early to start."
Fang Chong said: "Han Bi is defeated, this is the best time. And Lao Peng, you underestimated me."
"What's the meaning?"
"With such a commotion today, His Majesty must be feeling panicked and worried that his power cannot be guaranteed. The only thing he can do is to urge Han Bi to go to war... and he must win. Only in this way can he suppress us with the momentum of a great victory."
Fang Chong smiled and said: "But do you think Han Bi can defeat the King of Qin?"
Peng Jing shook his head.
"Then, the best result is that after Han Bi returns to Yingshui, at that time, we will attack and suppress His Majesty and capture Han Bi. Then we will take over the army and clean up the remaining Han Bi party in the court. At that time, in this great Zhou Dynasty,
Who do you listen to?"
Fang Chong said proudly: "At that time, we can show our ambitions!"
…
Nian Xu sat in the hall for a long time.
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, your Majesty has asked your servant to ask what is for lunch."
It wasn't until the queen's chamberlain arrived that Nian Xu got up and went out.
After walking out of the hall, Nian Xu asked: "How is Sun Shi doing recently?"
Xie Yingong said: "The Prime Minister of Han sent someone to go there before going on an expedition, but Sun Shi stayed behind closed doors."
"Han Bi wants to invite Sun Shi to come out... When he goes out to fight, he is worried that someone will stab him in the back, and he is even more worried that Peng Jing and others will take the opportunity to purge his confidants."
Nian Xu said quietly: "Sun Shi seems to have rejected him. Why?"
Of course I'm disappointed in you... Xie Yingong said: "After experiencing the pain of losing his son, Sun Shi may be disheartened."
"Go and tell Sun Shi that Da Zhou needs him to step forward."
"yes!"
"etc!"
Nian Xu stopped Xie Yingong and hesitated for a moment, "Have someone go to Han Bi and tell him that there is a big storm in Bianjing and I am waiting for his good news."
"yes!"
…
Xie Yingong ordered one of his chamberlains to go to Han Bi, and he quickly went to look for Sun Shi.
Sun Shi is in a county town not far from Bianjing.
When he had nothing to do every day, he would read at home or organize his poems and articles, preparing to collect them into a volume and leave them to future generations.
This is the obsession of traditional scholar-bureaucrats, who want to leave their talents, thoughts and opinions behind so that the world can remember them.
On this day, he was reading in the study when an old servant came in and said, "Alang, Xie Yingong is here."
Sun Shi raised his eyes and said, "Invite me."
Xie Yingong was brought into the study. Seeing Sun Shi's eyes calm, he knew that Sun Shi was still dissatisfied with the emperor.
If the emperor had persuaded him to stay, Sun Shi would have dared to continue fighting with Peng Jing and others.
"How is your Majesty?" Sun Shi asked.
"Your Majesty is well."
After the usual exchange of greetings, Xie Yingong said: "Prime Minister Han lost the first battle and 10,000 cavalry were wiped out."
Sun Shi said calmly: "Victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists."
"His Majesty said that there is an undercurrent in Bianjing, and the Great Zhou Dynasty needs Sun Gong to step forward."
Sun Shi raised his eyes, a flash of light flashed in his eyes.
Xie Yingong felt relieved.
Immediately, Sun Shi said calmly: "Please tell your Majesty that I am old and cannot be driven anymore."
"Mr. Sun!"
Xie Yingong knew the critical nature of the current situation, "To be honest, after Prime Minister Han's defeat in the first battle, Peng Jing and others forced the palace to go to court. His Majesty almost broke with them, and then the balance of power was maintained. Otherwise... Your Majesty is in danger!"
"Are Peng Jing and others so bold?" Sun Shi was startled, but then he was relieved, "The more he talks about benevolence, righteousness and morality, the dirtier his heart is. After I left, I heard that Peng Jing and others were congratulating each other with their foreheads and hands, cheering that everyone was finally righteous today.
The Ying Dynasty is in the imperial court, is there such a thing?"
"Yes!" Xie Yingong felt that it was ironic...the so-called public righteousness made the situation in the Zhou Dynasty more and more critical.
The emperor also breathed a sigh of relief at first, feeling that there was finally balance in the court.
"Now, does your Majesty think of me?" Sun Shi said coldly: "I am old!"
"Mr. Sun!" Xie Yingong saluted, "I would like to ask Mr. Sun to come out of the mountain for the sake of our original friendship with His Majesty!"
Sun Shi waved his hand, "Let's go!"
The old servant appeared, "Please!"
The door of Sun's house is closed.
Xie Yingong looked up to the sky outside and sighed, "Great Zhou!"
In the study, Sun Shi ordered wine and food to be brought, one for himself and one for the table.
He raised his glass and said, "Old Han, I dedicate this glass of wine to you!"
…
After losing the first battle, Han Bi led his army to retreat and immediately set up camp.
Not long after, Nian Xu's envoy arrived at the camp.
"How is your Majesty?"
"Your Majesty is well!"
The chamberlain said: "Your Majesty said that there is a big storm in Bianjing, so he is waiting for the good news from Prime Minister Han!"
This is to urge people to go to war.
Han Bi took a deep breath and said, "My lord, take your orders."