"When you are in doubt, you still move away; when you are in doubt, you hesitate to bow." [Spring Sixty Rhymes]
Outside Jiaofang Hall.
The Queen's Dharma Chariot, which is the second emperor's rank, is lined up at the gate of the palace. The palace maids and eunuchs stand solemnly beside the Golden Root Cart, and the instructions are ready. Chang Yu helps the dressed-up Empress Dong to the Qingyu Canopy. Just as she is about to get on the car, Da Changyu
Qiu Miaosi suddenly ran over in a hurry.
Chang Yu frowned and said dissatisfied: "You just follow the lead, what are you doing again?"
Dachangqiu was responsible for announcing the Queen's will, and was the Queen's minister like Changyu. However, Miao Si was a scholar and was sentenced to palace punishment for committing a crime. He only had a superficial master-slave relationship with Queen Dong and was not cited.
For confidants.
Empress Dong had always disliked Miao Si, who had a rigid personality and did not know how to adapt. If he had not been an old eunuch who took care of the emperor and had some weight in front of the emperor, how could he be an outsider sitting in this key position in Changqiu?
Miao Si saluted Empress Dong, then looked at Chang Yu, straightened up slightly and said, "I'm afraid I won't be able to go to Chengming Palace."
"Why?" Chang Yu supported Empress Dong, stared at her and said, "You still want to stop me?"
"I don't dare." Miao Si didn't dare to look at Empress Dong's displeased look, and bent down, but his attitude was unyielding: "It's just that Princess Wan has come to the palace, and she specifically wants to see the empress."
"She is not at home to take care of her son, so she still has time to come to the palace to see me?" Empress Dong said indifferently: "Where is she? Let the eldest princess take a rest in the side hall first, and I will go look for her after I finish my work."
"The eldest princess is almost at the palace gate." After Miao Si finished speaking, he heard a crisp ringing of bells from outside the palace, and a group of cars slowly lined up outside the Jiaofang Palace. The red carriage stopped just at the door.
Empress Dong felt depressed when she saw the red carriage belonging to the eldest princess blocking the gate outside the palace. She knew that the person who came was evil, but she was in front of him and there was no reason to avoid her face to face. At that moment, she could only stare fiercely.
After taking a look at the Miao priest, he moved to the side hall and sent someone to invite the eldest princess Liu Jiang to get off the car and meet her.
Liu Jiang gave birth to his son Zhou Xun last winter. Not only Zhou Yu, but also the emperor was very happy when he found out. Not only did he give a large number of rewards, but he also benefited Liu Jiang's 600 households in Tangmuyi. After giving birth to the child, Liu Jiang's energy dropped slightly.
, but perhaps due to the effect of nourishing and replenishing, his body is plump.
Empress Dong looked at the other party with a complicated expression, and said accusingly: "The princess has just given birth, so she still needs to take care of herself. If she enters the palace in such a hurry, what will happen to the children in the palace?"
"Thank you for your trouble, Queen. The children at home have been entrusted to the care of the nobles in Huayuan. It won't be a problem for a while." After Liu Jiang became a mother, although her tone was still cold, she softened a lot of sharpness and was much more polite than before: "It's just when I entered the palace.
, I see the Queen putting all her laws in order, but I don’t know where to go?”
"I was about to go to the front hall." Empress Dong was not timid at all and replied calmly: "Although I have been in Yeting for a long time and have not heard about foreign affairs, Han Sui and Ma Teng colluded to cause chaos and marched to Sanfu. Such a thing is
You can't hide it from me. If it were an ordinary matter, it would be fine. There was simply the Third Lord, Prime Minister and Assistant, and I wouldn't bother to make up my mind. But this time it's different. His Majesty has worked hard to manage this matter, and it took many years for the climate to be like this. I can't just watch.
A few mediocre people ruined it."
"All the princes in the previous dynasty were appointed by Your Majesty. If they were not personally appointed, how could they stay in Chang'an on Your Majesty's behalf?" Liu Jiang smiled coldly and said, "Military and political plans are their business. I think the Queen should not bother with them.
"
Empress Dong choked on her words and immediately said: "It concerns the safety of the three assistants. You can sit still, but I can't. After Ma Teng's rebellion, how long have they been discussing in the court? So far, they have not even decided on a strategy or candidate.
Your Majesty, all I have to do when something happens is report it to His Majesty thousands of miles away. Your Majesty has already worked hard to restore the Han Dynasty, and now he is worried about his three assistants because of their inability to do things... The eldest princess said that there are no mediocre people, so who misbelieved it?
Ma Teng, what caused today's crisis?"
Liu Jiang stared at her for a while and suddenly said: "Then what does the Queen plan to do? The Queen is a smart person, so she naturally knows what the Emperor likes and dislikes. Today, she entered the Chengming Palace without permission, presiding over the overall situation, or deciding on the candidate.
Forget it, what will you say when the emperor returns home in triumph?"
Empress Dong narrowed her eyes and said softly: "This is an expedient measure, and I have no choice but to do it. If the situation is not really urgent, I would not break the rules."
In fact, if it hadn't been for Dong Cheng's repeated urging and promise, Empress Dong would not have taken the risk to do such a thing. In her opinion, she was profitable in this matter. Now that the enemy is facing the enemy, she must stay behind.
The ministers had different ideas, and Wang Bin's prestige was not enough to overwhelm everyone. Only by cutting through the mess quickly, selecting capable men immediately, and coming up with strategies, could we defeat the enemy as soon as possible.
Empress Dong wanted to play such a role in it. She was not interfering in other matters at will. She saw that the situation in the court was about to get out of hand, and when the emperor's many years of hard work was about to be ruined, she stepped forward and ensured that the relationship was maintained even if it was against taboos.
Zhongan Jing. Even if the emperor was dissatisfied afterward, he would forgive her because the war went smoothly and her father Dong Cheng had made great contributions. Then her reputation would rise again, and the Dong family could not be shaken.
"Although it is an expedient measure, will His Majesty really be happy?" Liu Jiang knew that although Wang Bin was their uncle in terms of seniority, he was very conservative and lacked courage. If Dong Cheng and his daughter launched an attack at the same time,
, coupled with Wu Shuo, a minister who is good at eloquence, playing a side role, other people in Chengming Palace may not be able to resist due to their status and qualifications.
After all, the emperor has not shown any dislike for the Dong family. The Dong family is still a powerful relative. Even Yang Qi has to worry about the empress personally coming forward.
Even though he knew that allowing Empress Dong to go to the Chengming Palace would accelerate the Dong family's downfall, Liu Jiang still had to step in to stop Empress Dong from committing suicide for the sake of the overall situation that the emperor said.
"What's more, Han Sui and Ma Teng started a rebellion, and even the famous generals of Huangfu Song's generation were unable to escape from the battle. If the situation is like this, does the Queen think that if the Taiwei leads the army, he can really win in one fell swoop?" Liu Jiang asked the opponent carefully.
Analyzing the pros and cons, he had no scruples about Empress Dong's angry expression: "If the empress really comes forward and the captain leads the army to victory, your majesty may not care about it, but he will be unhappy in his heart. But if he loses...you won't
Have you thought about the consequences?"
Empress Dong really had not thought about this. In addition to the Dong family's interests, she was also really thinking about the emperor. She did not want to see the emperor's hard-earned family property be ruined, nor did she want the fire at the rear to affect the emperor's work at the front.
Military spirit. The so-called "inside assistance" means that when the husband is in charge of the "outside", one should take care of the "inside".
If this were not the case, Empress Dong would not selectively ignore the hidden risks here. She is a smart woman, but sometimes she is easily swayed by emotions, and at the same time she can calm down quickly.
"Speak directly, and I'm not afraid of being laughed at." Empress Dong showed a smile and asked Chang Yu outside the door to bring some refreshments. This was equivalent to sitting for a long conversation and not leaving for a short time.
Liu Jiang couldn't help but breathed a sigh of relief: "Ever since I entered the palace, the eldest princess has never seemed to like me. But today is strange. For me, this was a disaster. The eldest princess came here to persuade her, but she let me
I'm flattered."
Liu Jiang took a look at the sky outside. He must have made a decision at this time. Dong Cheng would be alone without the protection of his daughter. The overall situation has been decided. From now on, he will not change his orders day and night, and his mission has been completed.
She lowered her eyelids and said: "I'm worried that if the Queen's matter is completed, troubles will continue in the future, and the government and the public will be uneasy. I simply thought that it would be better for me to move and get a few years of peace."
Her words showed her uneasiness about Dong Cheng's ability and character, which made Empress Dong frown. However, she also learned from the test that the other party did not have any ill intentions, so she felt a little relieved: "Your son is born.
I have never seen it, and I don’t know if you can bring it into the palace someday when it’s warm and let me have a look? I am also the child’s aunt after all.”
"The child is still young and can't handle the wind. It's better to wait until he is older." Liu Jiang tactfully rejected Empress Dong's attempt to make good friends.
Empress Dong's expression froze, and she waited until Liu Jiang said goodbye before she suddenly got angry and threw the tea bowl at Chang Yu's feet. Chang Yu jumped back in fright, but the hem of her skirt was still soaked with tea, and she
Kneeling on the ground in fear, she endured the other party's anger: "Who is she showing like this to?"
"From the moment she entered the palace, she has always been uncomfortable with me. I treat her with respect and courtesy, but what kind of airs does she put on?" Empress Dong lost her manners for a moment, and the phoenix hairpin on her head shook wildly: "She is the eldest princess, isn't she?
Princess!"
"Your Highness, please calm down, Your Majesty, please calm down..." Chang Yu kept kowtowing on the ground.
Empress Dong didn't like Liu Jiang's arrogant attitude, but today she was the one to wake her up from a simple crisis, which made her feel ashamed and angry. Especially when she wanted to have a good relationship with him in the end, but was rejected.
How could she not get angry after having a cold butt? She finally calmed down and said in a cold voice: "Get up, what's going on up front?"
"Chengming Hall... we have finished discussing everything." Chang Yu lowered his head and looked at the broken tea bowl on the ground with lingering fear: "The people in front said that the Taiwei's face was ugly when he came out..."
"Don't leave the palace these days. If you encounter me and ask, just say I'm sick." Empress Dong lowered her eyes and thought for a while. Although she was frightened and broke out in cold sweats after thinking about this matter, it also made her
She learned a lesson, that is, all her understanding of the 'front' came from the information Dong Cheng provided to her. She was poor at politics and could easily make mistakes like today.
It would be great if there was a helper, Empress Dong thought to herself, and couldn't help but glance at Chang Yu beside her. Although the other person was loyal and capable, resourcefulness and scheming were not her strong point, so she had to find a suitable one.
Liu Jiang boarded the carriage and bypassed the Jiaofang Palace. Not long after he drove onto the palace road leading to the North Palace Gate, someone hurried over behind him. The driver stopped and asked, but it was Wang Fu who had been waiting for a long time.
"It's rare for Your Highness to enter the palace, why don't you stay for a while?" Wang Fu asked after bowing his hands in the car.
Through the cyan curtain, Liu Jiang said sarcastically: "Everything has been settled according to your words. There is no point in staying any longer."
"Your Highness, please don't say that. How could this be my idea? Who else but Your Highness would dare to block the Queen's drive now?" Wang Fu felt happy knowing that the matter was done, and his hard work was not in vain. He flattered
He said: "Your Highness's trip today is not very effective, but it is very effective. When I return home, I will definitely tell my prince and ask him to report the matter to you."
"I don't like to hear this." Liu Jiang was a little impatient, as if he didn't want to talk to Wang Fu any more: "You only remember what I want."
Wang Fu looked a little embarrassed and said hesitantly: "Your Highness has given orders, and it's either that he can't do it, or..."
"What? I just asked you to move people from a remote place to a quiet place, but you can't do it?" Liu Jiang was a little unhappy, and his tone became colder: "General Wei has great power and is in charge of the war in Guanzhong.
Can't you do this even if you mobilize soldiers, horses, and ministers? Wang Fu, don't let me underestimate you."
Next, Wang Bin will jointly recommend with Zhao Wen and others to guarantee a group of people to participate in the war. Liu Jiang's promotion of someone is nothing more than adding one more name to the list of guarantees, based on Wang Bin's weight in the emperor's heart.
, almost at his fingertips. But Wang Fu was curious in his heart, so he looked embarrassed and wanted to find out what was the unknown reason here. Unexpectedly, judging from the other party's attitude, he took this person very seriously.
.
He didn't ask the rest, and there was no need to ask. Since it was a question that he couldn't find out, he simply left it until Sima Yi came back. Wang Fu believed that the other party would definitely be interested in it.
The eldest princess's car started driving again, heading north along the avenue. When passing Shiqu Pavilion and Tianlu Pavilion, Liu Jiang suddenly lifted the curtain. She looked at the quaint attic with an extremely nostalgic look, remembering that she was upstairs.
When reading, you can always catch a glimpse of others inadvertently.
But as time went by, the number of times he saw some people became less and less, until finally he could no longer see them. Liu Jiang subconsciously touched his waist, only to find that he had put away the piece of jade not knowing how long ago.
In fact, it should have been like this a long time ago. It was because of myself that the man with a bright future went to Qianwei, a remote country. Now the debt owed to him has been purchased and sold from today on.
But what about the debts others owe you?
The carriage kept moving and slowly drove out of the Beigong Gate. When he was about to turn to the princess's residence in Jiadi, Beique, Liu Jiang suddenly rushed outside and gave instructions: "Go to the Cai Mansion to invite Princess Zhen. I haven't seen you for so long. I suddenly
I miss her playing the piano."
Wang Fu rushed to Chengming Hall without stopping, found Wang Bin who was resting in the side hall, and told him briefly how Liu Jiang stopped Empress Dong in time to prevent her from driving around Chengming Hall. Wang Bin could hear it.
Luckily for Lian Hu, if Empress Dong really came, he might not be able to handle it well.
"Thanks to the eldest princess today." Seeing his father's moved expression, Wang Fu struck a chord while the iron was hot: "It's just that she mentioned someone in advance and wanted to ask Aweng to take care of her."
Wang Bin frowned. He who had admired him just now was a little disappointed: "This was a good deed done with a public heart and was of great benefit to the Han Dynasty, but the eldest princess did it for her own gain..." He was not a pedantic person after all.
Knowing that the other party helped him, he should give corresponding reward, so he asked: "Who is it?"
"Speaking of which, he also studied under the supervision of the secretary with me." Wang Fu immediately said: "He is the son of Duke Fugong, Marquis of Zhuangjie, and Fu Qian, the captain of the Qianwei Kingdom."