When the snow fell on the ground, it looked like frost and melted soon after.
The ground was a little wet and extremely cold.
"Falling snow is not cold, melting snow is cold."
Zhang Dongqing, a talented girl from Chang'an, is still unmarried.
"Holly, go home and sleep!"
The girl who was traveling with me said, "At this time of year, I am hiding under the quilt with a book in my hand. Hey! I feel like the gods are not as free as I am."
"Let's go to the party!"
Zhang Dongqing said with bright eyes: "There is a poetry meeting in Qujiang Pond today, let's go together!"
The girl shook her head, "Go home! What kind of party is this? Isn't it just boring and looking for fun? But I'm not bored!"
Zhang Dongqing was startled, and the girl took advantage of the situation and got on the horse, "Let's go!"
"oh!"
Zhang Dongqing stood there, watching her go away calmly.
Ta-ta-ta!
A horse came slowly.
"I've met the king!"
The King of Yue still looked the same.
Gentle and elegant.
Zhang Dongqing once met the King of Yue at a high-level gathering and even presented a poem to him.
The King of Yue glanced at her with indifference.
It turned out that he couldn't remember who I was.
Zhang Dongqing was a little disappointed.
Can't help but think of Yang Xuan.
Unlike King Yue, Yang Xuan could remember her, but it was obvious that Yang Xuan had no interest in her.
"At the beginning!"
Zhang Dongqing suddenly sighed, "That's all, I don't have this fate."
"Second brother!"
The King of Yue saw King Wei and chased after him.
In the cold wind, King Wei's face was cold.
"You came just in time."
"Second brother, I..."
King Wei waved his hand fiercely.
"King, be careful!"
The guards behind the Yue King flew over.
Snap!
King Wei slapped him and said: "I said that Ziyue will be the one I watch from that year on. Anyone who dares to touch her will cause trouble for me."
The King of Yue covered his face and said with a bitter smile: "I don't know."
"Yang Songcheng is your maternal grandfather."
This slap made King Wei feel confident in his slap.
The guards rushed forward. King Wei narrowed his eyes and asked, "Do you want to take action?"
Somehow, the sound of blacksmithing was recalled in the King of Yue's ears.
Clang clang clang!
"stop!"
Boom!
A guard who was eager to steal the show was punched away.
He was vomiting blood in mid-air and smiling bitterly.
King Wei moved his wrist and said, "I haven't done anything for a long time, it's a bit boring."
The King of Yue could not help but rein in his horse and retreat.
King Wei looked at him, "Do you remember what I said?"
The King of Yue nodded, "I remember."
King Wei nodded, "Be good!"
After watching him go away, Zhao Dongping came up.
It's not that he is not loyal enough, but that he has no cultivation and will only bring humiliation to himself.
"The king showed too much weakness."
“Worried about being seen as weak?”
"yes."
"Aye is becoming more and more gloomy now, and he cannot tolerate anyone competing with him for power. The ministers' calls for establishing a prince are rising to the sky, but Aye ignores it. Why? Isn't it because he is worried that someone will compete with him for power? Think about it, what does Aye need?
What kind of prince?"
"Be obedient. Even if you have ambitions, you have to hide them. Be obedient..." Zhao Dongping smiled bitterly, "I'll accept it."
"Look, the second brother gave me a slap, and I just accepted it. Isn't this just submissive?" The King of Yue said with a smile.
"Yes! But Your Majesty will feel that the King is too forbearing."
"Tolerance is the prince's instinct. Even if it were Prince Jing, he would still choose to endure. Do you know why the eldest brother was deposed?"
Zhao Dongping said: "The momentum has been achieved."
Yang Songcheng had cultivated the former prince for many years and built his momentum for many years. If something unexpected happened to the emperor, the prince's ascension to the throne would be expected by everyone.
"No." King Yue shook his head, "It's because he doesn't want to endure it anymore."
…
It's the end of the year, and the discussions at court are mainly focused on various expenses and the outlook for next year... In fact, it's called poverty.
"The Ministry of War has had a difficult year this year. If it happens again next year..."
Zhang Huan, the Minister of the Ministry of War, squinted his eyes and listened to the angry voice of Zheng Yuandong, the Minister of the Ministry of War, echoing in the hall.
Zheng Yuandong said: "What I don't understand is that the Ministry of Rites has nothing to do, so how can it get more money and food than the Ministry of War?"
Zhu Wei, the Minister of Rites, said with a smile: "The Tang Dynasty governed the world with filial piety, and etiquette is the foundation of filial piety."
"When foreign enemies come, do you use etiquette to defend them?" Zheng Yuandong said sarcastically.
Zhu Wei glanced at Zhang Huan. Zhang Huan drooped his eyes and imitated Huang Chunhui.
"It's rude. Before foreign enemies invade, there will be chaos within the Tang Dynasty."
Zhu Wei's words are watertight.
"Why is the Tang Dynasty internally in chaos?" Zheng Yuandong said coldly: "The people have lost their land and there are countless refugees. If people don't have anything to eat, they will rob and kill people... This is the source of the chaos. What is the use of etiquette and justice at this moment?"
Zhu Wei laughed, "This matter is beyond the scope of the Rites Department."
This topic is so big that only the emperor presides over it, and the important ministers give lectures, just like the Southern Zhou Dynasty, and then go to cut the flesh and blood of the vested interests, triggering domestic disputes...
Zheng Yuandong, after all, was a close relative, and he was too direct in doing things... Zhu Wei had confidence in his heart and was not prepared to argue with him.
Seeing that he was retreating, Zheng Yuandong stared at Yang Songcheng, "May I ask the state leader, I heard that some money and food were sent directly to southern Xinjiang without passing through our military department. May I ask the state leader, is this true?"
It turned out that the reason why he bared his teeth at the old man was not to compete with the Ministry of Rites for money and food, but to hunt cattle across the mountains to challenge the father of the country... Zhu Wei smiled bitterly in his heart, feeling that he was getting old.
Yang Songcheng said calmly: "I don't know."
A word of "I don't know" blocked subsequent questioning.
As expected!
Zhu Wei watched the show with gusto and wondered what Zheng Yuandong could do next.
It’s interesting to start but not finish!
Zheng Yuandong said: "So, what does the abbot know?"
The hall suddenly became quiet.
Everyone looked at Zheng Yuandong.
——I don’t know where this is coming from, what do you, Yang Songcheng, know?
malfeasance!
This is Zheng Yuandong's accusation.
Yang Songcheng slowly turned to look at him, his expression calm, "What do you want to say?"
The father-in-law is angry!
Everyone was shocked.
Zheng Yuandong suddenly smiled, his smile was extraordinarily wanton, which reminded people of his identity as a distinguished relative.
As a noble relative, it is natural that you should wear bright clothes and be angry with your horse, and you should naturally ignore the minister.
Zheng Yuandong said: "Xu Guogong has done nothing in southern Xinjiang, but Chang'an's money and food continue to go south. Why?"
Southern Xinjiang was now a pool of muddy water. With the support of the emperor, Shi Zhongtang launched an attack on Zhang Chumao.
Zheng Yuandong suddenly attacked Zhang Chumao. The taste behind this is worth pondering.
Yang Songcheng glanced at King Wei and said, "Southern Xinjiang is not at peace, and Southern Zhou Dynasty is watching with eager eyes."
This is a cliche, and it is also the reason why Yang Songcheng has favored southern Xinjiang for a long time.
No one refuted.
Zheng Yuandong said: "We are also frontier troops. Why can Northern Xinjiang, which did not receive Chang'an's money and food, suppress Northern Liao? Southern Xinjiang, which is full of food, keeps hearing news of alien rebellions?"
Well!
This statement feels a bit like a slap in the face.
Yang Songcheng frowned, and Zheng Yuandong continued: "I believe that the unrest in southern Xinjiang is due to the incompetence of the generals."
This man wanted to flatter the emperor by attacking Zhang Chumao!
This is what most people think.
Zheng Yuandong said: "King Wei also frightened the foreign tribes in northern Xinjiang. I thought that I could let King Wei control the southern Xinjiang and suppress the foreign tribes!"
The hall became increasingly quiet.
Several elders looked at each other.
Left Prime Minister Chen Shen said: "Let's disperse!"
Zhu Wei glanced at Zheng Yuandong and thought to himself, what was the purpose of this person suddenly siding with King Wei?
Where is King Wei?
King Wei strode forward, and no one could see his expression.
Zhu Wei thought of the increasingly big eye bubbles when he saw the emperor last time.
The emperor is old!
The country is a deer, and this deer is about to change its owner.
Take sides!
Zhu Wei suddenly realized when an old friend came over and said with a smile: "This is taking sides."
Zhu Wei nodded, "It's a little early, but I am a little curious as to why he is standing guard against the king."
The old friend said: "Does he have any other choice?"
The King of Yue is the grandson of Yang Songcheng. To support him is to actively worship Yang Songcheng and become his lackey.
There is also King Jing, who is said to be naughty.
"Too!"
Zheng Yuandong left the imperial city and said to the clerk slowly: "I go out and take a look."
When you reach the level of a minister, it's easy to catch fish. You can just find an excuse. Who dares to be serious?
He wandered all the way and entered the wine shop in a small alley.
"Is he here?"
Hu Nu nodded, "Yes."
Zheng Yuandong entered the backyard.
The weather was cold, so we set up a small clay stove under the eaves with a clay pot on it. It was steaming hot. As soon as we walked in, we smelled the aroma of meat.
"When I was a scout in northern Xinjiang, it was freezing and snowy. My only thought was to have a bowl of broth to drink, even if it was an animal broth that was too fishy to be swallowed."
Zhao Sanfu stirred the broth with a spoon.
Zheng Yuandong came over and asked, "How is Wang Shou over there?"
"The emperor is becoming more and more dissatisfied with him."
"That's a sign of rejection."
"That's right, but the more times like this, the more I have to keep a low profile. So, recently I often go out to hang out and make some small mistakes."
"Only by controlling the mirror can the great cause of the king be taken a step further."
"That's right." Zhao Sanfu raised his head and said in surprise: "How come you support King Wei today?"
"Your news is not slow." Zheng Yuandong knelt down and stretched out his hands to bake on the edge of the small clay stove, his eyebrows stretched, "The emperor is old, and there have been a lot of public opinions recently suggesting the establishment of a crown prince."
"But he obviously doesn't want to establish a prince." Zhao Sanfu said: "For him, the prince is his mortal enemy."
"The King of Yue knew this, so he remained calm."
"Why is he panicking? If the emperor dies tonight, he will be the only one who can ascend the throne tomorrow!"
"Yes! Yang Songcheng and others were expecting the emperor to die suddenly overnight. But he is still alive and well. Don't you think this situation is too peaceful?"
Zhao Sanfu was startled, then nodded and said: "You are trying to provoke, pretend to support King Wei, and provoke King Yue to fight with him."
"I've made a start, do you think there will be many people who will follow suit? Isn't this court a lively place?" Zheng Yuandong smiled happily, "If there is a commotion and chaos, the whole family will kill you to death. In this way,
Only the king has a chance, right?"
"It's better to make things like He Lianfeng." Zhao Sanfu patted his forehead, "I've thought too much, I've thought too much."
"Why not?"
Zhao Sanfu was shocked and looked at the smiling Zheng Yuandong, "What did you do?"
"It hasn't been done yet, and there's no one available. So I came to ask for your help."
"you say."
"Get some poison, preferably a debilitating poison, wrap it up in a bag and throw it somewhere in the palace... on the emperor's only path."
"If someone finds out and reports it to Han Shitou, the emperor's loyal dog will definitely be furious, and they will immediately investigate..."
Zheng Yuandong said: "Who wants to kill the emperor most?"
"Queen, King Yue, King Wei, King Jing..."
"Afterwards, the family loves each other, the husband and wife are harmonious, the father is kind and the son is filial, isn't it good?"
“Great!”
Zheng Yuandong looked at the broth and said, "It's too cold, give me a bowl."
After drinking a bowl of broth, Zheng Yuandong used the heat to develop a set of knife skills.
After practicing, he said: "It was my dream when I was young to hold a sword and roam the border fortress. Although I am older now, the energy is still there. I will invite myself as soon as the evil atmosphere in the court is cleared.
Lead troops from Northern Xinjiang, expel Northern Liao, and prevent Qin from being defeated!"
There were footsteps in the lobby, the curtain was opened, and Zhao Sanfu's confidant Qin He came.
"What's the matter?"
Zhao Sanfu put down his bowl and asked.
Qin He glanced steadily, "The secret spies from Northern Xinjiang have just received news that in early winter, the Duke of Qin will lead the army to attack Neizhou!"
…
The emperor listened to Han Shitou's report in the opera garden.
"...Zheng Yuandong questioned the state abbot's favoritism for Zhang Chumao. The state abbot was slightly angry. Zheng Yuandong suddenly changed the subject and praised Beijiang for not using Chang'an's money, but suppressed Bei Liao..."
The emperor loosened his hand on his forehead and said, "This is the introduction. There will definitely be something to say later."
"His Majesty……"
Han Shitou's admiring gaze was so real that the emperor felt slightly pleased.
As a ninety-five-year-old man, there are countless people who flatter him every day.
At first, you will feel elated and like a god.
That feeling of being superior to everyone in the world is better than any pill.
However, gradually, the emperor's threshold increased, and ordinary flattery could not make him feel happy, and even made him feel a little embarrassed.
Then came the snoops, who tried to test the emperor using more advanced flattery methods.
Emperor Longyan was very happy and felt that he had found the value of life again, so he reused these people...
Many so-called sycophants are actually just more sophisticated in their methods.
Han Shitou's technique is very simple, concise and directly points to people's hearts.
He didn't say anything, just looked at the emperor with that look.
Silent flattery is the most touching!
The emperor was obviously moved.
After Han Shitou finished his output, he continued: "Zheng Yuandong suddenly proposed to use King Wei to rule Southern Xinjiang and suppress the foreign tribes and Southern Zhou Dynasty."
"Is this, do you want to take sides?"
The emperor was neither angry nor happy, "Yes, many ministers have proposed to establish the throne recently, and even some people in the clan said that the East Palace should not stay idle for too long. Zheng Yuandong is the second in command!"
Han Shitou said: "Behind him are his relatives."
"Honored relatives..."
The emperor said: "Zheng Yuandong is in the Ministry of War... I remember that he works conscientiously, so I will reward him with two hundred thousand yuan."
"Yes." Han Shitou didn't ask why.
The emperor said calmly: "The second child is too weak, so how can he be the opponent of the father-in-law?"
This is to cheer up King Wei, but it is still a political means.
"He talked about Northern Xinjiang." The topic that Han Shitou was unwilling to mention was brought up by the emperor, "Suppressing Northern Liao? Internal fighting was going on in Northern Liao, which gave Yang Xuan an opportunity. However,
This can only go so far.”
"Your Majesty is wise."
Another stewardess sent a rainbow fart.
He glanced at Han Shitou.
Han Shitou was calm and silent.
In this case, we will do our part in this flattery!
Just as the chamberlain was about to take a few more words, a chamberlain came in and said, "Your Majesty, there is an urgent report from the mirror."
The emperor frowned, picked up the water cup, glanced at the health-preserving medicinal tea inside, and said calmly: "Say."
The chamberlain said: "In early winter, Duke Yang Xuan of the State of Qin sent troops to attack Neizhou!"
Boom!
The water cup hit the ground and the medicinal tea splashed.
In the hall, there was silence.
Immediately, the emperor's roar of filial piety came.