Xia Gongming's expression changed, and he looked at Liu Chengzhi who was looking at him with a faint smile. He didn't know how to reply for a while.
He didn't expect that Liu Chengzhi, at the age of twelve, would be so quick-thinking and sharp-tongued.
He had just warned him with filial piety not to inherit the throne in a haphazard manner and to imitate his father's character, but he immediately retorted with filial piety.
Since the country must be governed by filial piety, wouldn't it be against filial piety if I disobey my father's orders?
"This... I would like to take the liberty of asking. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said that he was obeying King Bingjian's order and would inherit the throne immediately. Can the prince's suicide note be allowed to be read by me?"
"What's wrong with that?"
Liu Chengzhi took out a piece of fully folded rice paper from his wristband and walked to Xia Gongming and handed it over.
"Mr. Xia, here is my father's suicide note. Please read it and see if I have violated my filial piety and acted privately!"
Xia Gongming took the rice paper and read it carefully, carefully considering every word.
Finally, a look of regret flashed across Xia Gongming's eyes, and he held the letter in his hands with slightly trembling hands.
The handwriting, signature, and royal seal are all flawless.
The content of the letter was indeed a decree that once he passed away and passed away, his legitimate son Liu Chengzhi would immediately inherit the throne and appease the people of northern Xinjiang.
Xia Gongming tremblingly returned the letter to Liu Chengzhi.
Once Liu Chengzhi succeeds to the throne, it means that he has a reasonable status to take charge of all military and political affairs of the 27th Prefecture in Northern Xinjiang.
However, the imperial court least expected to see Liu Chengzhi, the Prince of Bingxuan, take charge of the 27th House of Northern Xinjiang so soon.
However, now it is useless even if I deny it on behalf of the imperial court.
His Royal Highness Prince Bingjian has been recognized by his troops.
It doesn't matter whether the imperial court recognizes his succession to the throne or not. What's important is that he can now command an army of 200,000 tigers and wolves.
And these 200,000 tiger and wolf troops were exactly what the imperial court was afraid of.
Without the Dragon Seal and without a reasonable inheritance to the throne, he can already command an invincible two hundred thousand cavalry. What kind of charm does this side by side prince have?
"The world... The King of Side by Side, the lower official took the liberty to ask, the Northern Expedition army has already set foot on the Golden Kingdom, galloping on the grassland, and the unification of the world is just around the corner.
The Northern Expedition is just one final attack away, and now our troops are back in court, why?"
Xia Gongming did not ask Liu Chengzhi why he led his troops to escape from the battle when the world was about to be unified. Instead, he changed his words to a gentle word, not wanting to arouse Liu Chengzhi's dissatisfaction.
"Mr. Xia, there is no need to hide and be vague between you and me.
Mr. Xia was supposed to be managing state affairs in the imperial court, but now he appeared outside Yingzhou City in northern Xinjiang. How could he not know the purpose of my return to the imperial court?
My father, who was in his prime, was assassinated and passed away on his way to Beijing.
As the son of a human being, I think it is reasonable to seek justice for my father both emotionally and rationally.
My father's death was unclear. Does the court want to give an explanation?
Not only me and the hundreds of thousands of brothers who lived and died in the past of my father behind me, but also the people of the twenty-seven prefectures in northern Xinjiang, they also need to come up with an explanation so that the truth about my father’s assassination can be made known to the world.”
"What kind of explanation does King Bingjian want?"
"What the boss said, what kind of explanation I need from the king, the boss knows better than I do."
Xia Gongming was silent for a moment and looked at Liu Chengzhi expectantly: "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be decided by the official alone. Can you give me a few days? I will immediately send a letter to the court. At that time, I will definitely give you a report about the late king."
Account of assassination."
"Of course! As long as the court can come up with a well-founded explanation, there's nothing wrong with me waiting.
One month or two months is fine, as long as there is an explanation."
The smoothness of Liu Chengzhi's agreement made Xia Gongming stunned.
After a while, Xia Gongming's old eyes were filled with joy, and he looked at Liu Chengzhi with relief and disbelief.
"Does the prince mean what he said?"
"A gentleman says that it's hard to catch a horse, and the 240,000 cavalry behind me can prove it."
Looking at Liu Chengzhi's solemn expression, Xia Gongming took a long breath and bowed to Liu Chengzhi as a big salute.
"Your Majesty is indeed a father of great righteousness. I admire you very much. Please accept my respect."
Please send an order to the three armies to set up camp outside the city. Your Majesty will immediately return to the city to send a message to the capital."
"Wait a minute!"
Just as Xia Gongming was about to turn around, his heart trembled when he heard Liu Chengzhi's words, and he looked at Liu Chengzhi in surprise.
"Does the prince have anything else to say?"
Liu Chengzhi smiled lightly and said to Yingzhou City: "Mr. Xia, it seems that the king and his brothers are unable to settle in Yingzhou City to rest. Setting up camp outside the city is not a problem.
But what about the food and fodder that this army consumes every day? Shouldn’t the boss give an explanation?
The king is not allowed to return to his own fiefdom, and he is not provided with food and grass. I am afraid that this matter will be difficult to discuss both in public and private matters, and in terms of emotion and reason.
We can’t let this king and his two hundred thousand cavalry wait outside hungry!”
Xia Gongming looked at Liu Chengzhi suspiciously, and couldn't help but wonder if Liu Chengzhi was defrauding him of food and grass.
Give it, in case the army immediately changes its position and begins to attack the city after receiving the food and grass. Not only will it be impossible to retreat from the enemy, but it will give Liu Chengzhi the confidence to fight for a long time.
If you don't give it, the army may attack the city immediately because of hunger.
Xia Gongming, who had been overjoyed just now, immediately became melancholy. After pondering for a long time, he looked at Liu Chengzhi hesitantly.
"May I ask how much food and grass the prince needs?"
"How about giving it three months first? After all, I really don't know how long Mr. Xia's negotiation with the court will be delayed."
Xia Gongming exclaimed: "Three months!"
"Yes, three months! Otherwise, I can't guarantee what the two hundred thousand hungry elites will do."
"This... three months of food and grass is too much. Twenty days, twenty days. I promise that I will give the prince a reasonable explanation. I don't need to report to the court. I can make my own decisions and let the officials in the city hang them."
How about bringing out twenty-five days’ worth of food and grass in baskets to supply the soldiers’ daily necessities?”
"Sir, I cannot say that I will not show any kindness to you. After all, I am an old friend of my father. Although the younger generation will inherit the throne, you do not dare to disapprove of this respected and respected master.
Two months.
No matter how little you say, don’t talk!”
"Your Majesty, two months' worth of food and grass is not a small amount. I really don't dare to take the initiative and come up with so much food and grass."
Liu Chengzhi frowned slightly and gently stroked the handle of the knife at his waist: "Sir, since you can't make the decision, I can only lead my troops to take a detour to Beijing and find someone who can make the decision."
Xia Gongming's heart skipped a beat, and he started pacing back and forth looking at Liu Chengzhi's dull eyes.
"How about I give the prince an answer in an hour?"
"Yes, I have spoken in advance and will not wait until it is too late."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely abide by the agreement, Your Majesty, I will do it later."
Xia Gongming bowed to Liu Chengzhi, and ran toward the gate of Yingzhou City with the hem of his official robe in hand at a speed that was not suitable for his age.
Liu Chengzhi looked at Xia Gongming's retreating figure and walked towards Cheng Kai and the others with a hint of doubt in his eyes.
"Uncles, wouldn't it be better for us to bypass Yingzhou and go to the capital directly? Why do we do such a meaningless act?"
Cheng Kai and the other two looked at each other, then walked away towards the distance with the three brothers Liu Chengzhi surrounded.
"Your Highness, the prince's decision has its own profound meaning. We just have to act as ordered."
Liu Chengzhi glanced at his eldest brother and third brother, who were also confused, and nodded silently to Cheng Kai and the other six.
As Xia Gongming ascended toward the city wall in a gondola, the earth trembled, causing the soldiers of the Sixth Guards of the New Army outside the city to immediately get on their horses, draw their weapons and look towards the north.