After the officials dispersed, Emperor Yongguang, who was sitting on the dragon throne, was still filled with anger.
Suddenly, he stood up suddenly, breathing heavily, and furiously swept the memorials, pens and ink, and inkstones on the desk to the ground, and then collapsed on the dragon chair.
He had thick dark circles under his eyes and looked haggard. A series of blows had left him physically and mentally exhausted. As for the severe punishment of the prince and his party members this time, on the one hand, it was because of the defeat in the war that the old man who had competed with him for the throne had risen again. He needed to be cruel.
Severe punishment of the commander of the army and the factions behind it will not be enough to stabilize people's hearts and build prestige.
Emperor Yongguang's hatred for Lao Ba Zuo Liangyu was overwhelming, and he was even more resentful towards the Taoist sect. Why didn't he kill Lao Ba back then and insisted on keeping him to check and balance him? Now that he is better, raising a tiger will eventually lead to a big disaster.
The other reason has been around for a long time.
The incident of Kowloon seizing the heir became a nightmare in the heart of Emperor Yongguang. In order to prevent fratricide from happening to his children again, after he had his first child, the prince Zuoli, he gave birth to his son when he was three years old.
At that time, he was canonized as prince early.
But later, as Zuo Li grew older and Emperor Yongguang had more and more heirs, Zuo Li became less and less favored by him.
He felt that this child was lazy by nature, unmotivated, addicted to dancing and singing, and often traveled around. He was much worse than his brothers. This impression was inevitable.
After all, Zuo Li has been established as the crown prince since he was a child. He is the crown prince of the empire and has a noble status. He is bound to be held in the palm of the hand by those around him, and he will be cared for, doted on, and pleased with in every possible way.
If you grow up in this kind of environment, you will inevitably become a domineering and dandy, but after all, you have a strict father. Zuo Li is okay and has not developed in this direction, but he is also a little lazy and undisciplined, and he is not interested in fighting for power.
He doesn't care much about things, but likes to wander around and immerse himself in the mountains and rivers.
The fundamental reason is that his status as prince was established early, and he lost the competitive environment and the pressure of survival of the fittest, so he lost motivation. How could he want to work hard? He could be an emperor even if he just hangs around all day.
Who is willing to let themselves suffer all day long?
But Emperor Yongguang would not have thought of this deep-seated reason, because he had experienced the seizure of the throne in Kowloon. He had been fighting for power and profit since he could remember. He lived under heavy pressure every day and every moment, and experienced countless hardships.
, had to go through many difficulties and dangers to finally ascend to the throne, so he wanted to see that the prince was also a person with great ambitions and ambitions like himself.
There is no pressure on Prince Zuoli, but there is pressure on other princes, especially some princes from big families or powerful forces. They still want to compete for the throne, so they have been strictly required to do so since childhood, regardless of their academic status.
, or worldly, they are all good at calculations, striving to catch up and be the first, the most representative of which is the second prince Zuo Yi.
One side is lazy and the other is diligent. As time goes by, the gap becomes wider and wider. This also causes Emperor Yongguang's attitude towards the prince to become increasingly bad. He has considered deposing the prince several times. However, the prince has no serious problems.
Wrong, there was support from a group of veterans led by Left Prime Minister Liu Yeming and assisted by Zuo Liangying. Emperor Yongguang did not want to destabilize the government by deposing the prince, which would attract the attention of the Taoist sect and even intervene.
However, this time, Emperor Yongguang couldn't bear it anymore, because from southern Xinjiang to Xijing, and then to Beihuang, the surrounding areas of the earthquake began to be chaotic. Especially the rebellion of Zuo Liangyu, the eighth prince of Xijing, pierced his heart.
Another thorn.
This man was originally defeated by his subordinates and had withdrawn from the fight for the throne. Unexpectedly, he dared to collude with demons to rebel against him, and also defeated his counter-rebellion army, leaving him passive.
He had to find an outlet, and the princelings would inevitably become this option. After all, the Pingxi army was commanded with the princelings as the backbone this time. In addition, he was dissatisfied with the princes, so he severely punished the princes and princes.
Zuo Liangying was even more determined to establish another prince.
…
In the 113th year of the forty-seventh ancestor of the Taoist sect and the 18th year of Yongguang's reign, on the first day of the lunar month, Baili Ming, Yuan Chaoxi, and the Little Golden Eagle and his party came to Taichang, the capital.
On the first day of the New Year, the whole capital was immersed in a joyful festive atmosphere, and even the haze caused by the defeat in the Pingxi War had dissipated a lot.
People come and go on the street, and everyone is filled with happy smiles. Lanterns are hung high in every house, and door gods are also posted on the doors. What is more distinctive is that first two peach boards are pasted on the door, and then the door gods are pasted on them.
Picture. Because people believe that peach wood has the effect of warding off evil spirits. Long bamboo poles are erected in the courtyard of every house, and long flags made of paper or cloth are hung on the top of the poles. When the wind trembles, it is called "
"Fanzi" is also vividly called "carp floating".
At night, the lanterns on the streets are lit up, and Taichang City is ablaze with lights. People will walk in groups, enjoy the lanterns and the scenery, and enjoy the rare leisurely atmosphere.
Artists will perform "Nuo dance" in the square in front of the imperial city. This dance is a custom similar to exorcising evil spirits and plagues. Hundreds of artists will wear ferocious masks and props, wear red and black clothes, and beat drums.
Jumping, very lively. At this time, colorful fireworks bloom in the sky, decorating Taichang City with prosperity like spring.
The dusk scene is in the Xianfang Palace, and the palace is gorgeous in the old age. The winter snow is gone when the cold is gone, and the spring breeze is brought in by the warm.
The steps are fragrant and fragrant, and the flowers and candles are red. Let’s celebrate the new year and see each other off all night long.
In the warm atmosphere of the New Year, Bai Liming and his party came to Prince An's Mansion and met Zuo Sisi and Lu Xiaoyao.
Zuo Sisi's face was still a little pale, and Lu Xiaoyao also looked haggard. Bai Liming, Yuan Chaoxi, and Xiao Jindiao asked about their physical conditions with concern. Zuo Sisi said in a relaxed tone:
"It's no longer a serious problem. After another ten days of recovery, my body will be almost recovered."
Lu Xiaoyao also said that she was not injured, but that she continued to fight fiercely with the pursuers on the way to escape, and her mana was severely depleted, resulting in her never recovering.
Suddenly, the corners of Zuo Sisi's mouth turned up, and he said with some complacency:
"Although we suffered some injuries in the battle, Xiaoyao and I have both benefited a lot. Now we have reached the threshold of Gongqian Realm. After our bodies are fully recovered, we will be able to advance naturally."
The little golden eagle looked disdainful, glanced at him with slight disdain, and said in a sweet voice:
"Zuo Si, now you can only show off in front of me. You said in front of Bai Liming and Yuan Chaoxi that you were promoted quickly. It's a bit, well, to use an analogy, you are just trying to do what you want, shooting yourself in the foot, and spitting in the wind.
The spit... Anyway, it’s just a bit of a slap in the face.”
Zuo Sisi was a bit overwhelmed by the rebuke, so she asked in a huff:
"Oh? Baili, Chaoxi, what state have you reached?"
Bai Liming and Yuan Chaoxi looked at each other, neither of them was in a hurry to answer. They hesitated for fear of irritating the other party, but the little golden eagle teased without any scruples:
"Chai Xi has reached the ultimate state, and he can be called Master Yuan from now on."
"Ha, Chao Xi is the legitimate son of the Taoist sect, the proud daughter of heaven, and it is natural that she will be promoted quickly. Congratulations."
Zuo Sisi smiled awkwardly. Although she felt a little disappointed, she quickly adjusted and sent her blessings generously. Lu Xiaoyao was also happy that her close friend could advance quickly, and happily held Yuan Chaoxi's hand and kept asking questions.
At this time, Zuo Sisi looked at Bailiming and said with a smile:
"It seems that Baili, you have also advanced to the real realm. Alas, why is the gap between people so big? However, your qualifications are no worse than Chao Xi, so it is reasonable for you to be promoted to the real realm."
Bailiming scratched his head and didn't know how to answer for a while. The little golden eagle held its furry and round belly and leaned forward and back with laughter:
"Hahaha, Zuo Si, you would never guess that Baili has reached the state of perfection now. Haha..."
"What? Perfection? How is this possible?"
Zuo Sisi was shocked when he heard this and asked three questions in disbelief. Bailiming said helplessly:
"It's just a coincidence, a coincidence."
Zuo Sisi said with a gloomy expression:
"Oh, it's really irritating to compare people to each other. Compared with you, I feel like a useless fool."
Bai Liming was about to say a few words of comfort when suddenly Zuo Sisi smiled with an exaggerated expression and said playfully:
"Haha, I'm teasing you. Although I'm a little jealous in my heart, I won't belittle myself. Besides, no matter how high your level is, you are still my comrade-in-arms and my brother. I ask Master Baili to take care of you in the future."