Chapter 870: The Supreme Emperor: The Imperial Ancestral Temple offers prisoners, which is very satisfying!
Daming Palace, Hanyuan Hall
After all the ministers left one after another, Emperor Chongping looked at the gray-haired old man kneeling on the ground and said, "Yang Qing, please get back on your feet."
"The humble minister is guilty." Yang Guochang bowed his head, his old voice trembling slightly.
Emperor Chongping stared at Yang Guochang, was silent for a while, and suddenly asked: "How old is Yang Qing this year?"
When Yang Guochang heard this, his old body trembled slightly, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness in his heart. He said in a green voice: "Your Majesty, this old minister is sixty-one this year."
Emperor Chongping sighed and said, "In the year of Er Shun, in which year did Yang Qing enter Prince Yong's Mansion?"
"It has been nearly thirty years since I came to Yongwang Palace as an official in the 25th year of Longzhi." Yang Guochang paused, his voice choked up a little.
Yang Guochang was not a Jinshi, he was only a civil servant. He failed in the imperial examination many times. When he was 30 years old, he followed a friend's path and entered Yongwang Mansion as a pen official. From then on, he worked conscientiously and gradually became the first assistant.
Emperor Chongping looked at Yang Guochang with calm eyes and said: "In the past thirty years, since Yang Qing came out of Prince Yong's Mansion, he has taken up his post and done a lot of things for the court. He has made great contributions to the country."
When Yang Guochang heard this, his heart moved slightly, and he said: "The old minister was favored by the Holy Master, and he was promoted from a humble official to the head of the cabinet who was courteous to all officials. The old minister only died after exhausting himself."
After saying that, he took off his black gauze hat from his head, raised it high, and said in a clear voice: "However, the old minister is old and faint, has low energy, and also suffers from eye diseases. He cannot see far and has many omissions in handling political affairs. He is dull and does not understand the general trend, which delays state affairs.
, I also ask for the grace of the Holy One to allow the old minister to return to his hometown."
Compared with the "begging for bones" gesture last time, this time it is obvious that he really wants to resign and go into seclusion.
Problem, I can't keep it even if I want to, the emperor has already hinted.
Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said: "Now that the Han Dynasty is in dire straits, I have ambitions to rejuvenate the country. The court still needs mature and prudent ministers like Yang Qing to assist Bi."
Yang Guochang bowed his head and bowed again, and said in a blue voice: "Since the veteran minister took charge of the cabinet affairs, he has made no achievements in political affairs or military affairs. He dare not take what the Holy One said."
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, looking at Yang Guochang who was kneeling on the ground. He didn't speak for a long time. The palace fell into silence for a while, except for the sound of water leaking deep in the curtains, "tick-tock, tick-tock".
It seemed a little cold in the palace at this moment, and the dull winter light shone on the floor through the windows with red painted beams. Dai Quan had already known the opportunity and had already screened the eunuchs and maids away, leaving only the monarch and his ministers talking.
Emperor Chongping asked: "What else does Yang Qing want to say to me?"
Yang Guochang raised his old face and said: "I believe that Jia Ziyu's young talent is unparalleled in generals, just like Wei Huo in the former Han Dynasty. He was conceived by the luck of the country and should be of great use in the affairs of the captives. I hope the Holy Spirit will inspect it."
His nature and talents should be put to good use."
When Emperor Chongping heard this, he looked at Yang Guochang with his eyes under his thin eyebrows, his eyes were a little surprised, and he said: "Yang Qing's words surprised me."
All I can say is that now that I have decided to retire and return home, I have given up my selfishness.
Yang Guochang was silent for a moment and said: "But Jia Ziyu is young, and if he keeps this momentum, he will definitely become a powerful minister in the future, and he will be granted the title of marquis at a young age. Throughout the history of the Qing Dynasty, there has never been such a situation where the old ministers are worried about the emperor."
Since it is like Wei Huo, then just like Wei Huo, die young. Only in this way can you serve the country and your family as a good minister of the country.
Therefore, for the sake of the Han Dynasty, Jia Ziyu should die when Liaodong is pacified!
That would be a blessing for the Han Dynasty.
Emperor Chongping's expression remained unchanged and he asked: "What worries me?"
He has heard such remarks so many times that it can be said that his ears are almost calloused.
Yang Guochang said: "The Duke of Zhou was afraid of the rumor, but Wang Mang was humble and did not usurp it. Xiangshi died at that time. Who knows the truth of his life... Although the Holy One has the heart to encompass the world and the ambition to rejuvenate the country, after all, he will not know the fate of destiny.
At that time, I asked the Holy One to plan for his successor, and I had no choice but to beware that Jia Ziyu was a treacherous man who seemed to be loyal, and I feared that Huan Zhao was not far away."
Emperor Chongping's face paused slightly, his eyes flickered, and he said: "Yang Qing is overly worried. Our great Han Dynasty established the country in the right way. It is far ahead of the previous generations. The world's scholars have returned to their hearts. Hundreds of millions of people are looking up to them. What's more, there is a king with a different surname. How is it related to the country?"
Fellow relatives, throughout the history of Qing Dynasty, it is rare to treat a meritorious official so favorably. If Jia Ziyu's innocent heart really behaves like that, he will be abandoned by both humans and gods, so Yang Qing need not worry."
After Yang Guochang heard this, he stopped trying to persuade him and said, "Your Majesty is a wise master, so I don't need to say anything."
Emperor Chongping narrowed his eyes and ordered: "Dai Quan, help Yang Ge grow old."
He naturally considered Yang Guochang's words. Today's Jia Ziyu does not have that kind of power at all. As for the future...
The so-called test of jade requires three days, and the identification of materials requires seven years. If Ziyu really does not know how to advance or retreat after pacifying Liaodong, and becomes increasingly domineering, it will not be too late to cut it off at that time.
It's not that he didn't have some back-up plans.
Dai Quan's face was pale at this moment, and his heart was filled with turmoil. He gently helped Yang Guochang up, thinking about the words of the emperor and his ministers.
Before Yang Ge retired and returned to his hometown, he still did not forget Marquis Yongning...
Emperor Chongping looked at the gray-haired old man and said: "Jinling is like spring all the year round. Elder Yang Ge can go south and take care of him for a few years."
After these cabinet ministers take office, they are often not allowed to stay in the capital, as they may disrupt the government's affairs. Most of them are sent to Nanjing, but sometimes Nanjing is inappropriate and they are asked to return to their hometown.
Therefore, the emperor's words are more like a temptation.
Yang Guochang said in a green voice: "Your Majesty, I have not returned to my hometown for more than ten years. I would like to ask Your Majesty to allow me to return to my roots after falling leaves and take care of myself."
Emperor Chongping was silent for a moment, looked at the old man, met his unpretentious eyes, and said, "As you wish."
Of course, after returning like this, Yang Guochang still had to beg for the remains, and after several attempts to persuade him to stay, he left with dignity. This was also the purpose of Yang Guochang's mention of his thirty-year old relationship just now.
When Yang Guochang heard this, he said no more and bowed his hands to the middle-aged emperor: "Old minister, I retire."
As he spoke, he slowly walked out of the palace with his black gauze hat in hand. His old body was walking with a slight stagger, and his back looked much hunched in the eyes of Emperor Chongping.
It was almost noon at this moment, and the winter sun hung high in the sky, shining feebly on the snow on the glazed tiles on the eaves. The ticking, ticking sound of melting snow fell on the jade steps, making the world extraordinarily peaceful.
Yang Guochang left the palace alone and stood under the eaves of the tall and majestic palace behind him. He couldn't help but raise his head and glance at the sky. His wrinkled and sunken eye sockets narrowed slightly, and he felt dizzy for a moment.
This palace, city, and palace should never come back in this life...
After calming down, he waved his hand and walked towards the palace gate step by step along the long stone steps without letting Dai Quan see him off, just like a person traveling down a mountain.
Dai Quan looked at Yang Guochang and watched for a while, then returned to the palace and came forward to serve.
In the Hanyuan Hall, Emperor Chongping was sitting on a golden chair, looking towards the palace door in the distance. The winter sunlight through the windows on both sides sparsely shone on the clear water-like floor. No one knew that the emperor was there.
What to think.
After a while, Dai Quan said cautiously: Your Majesty, it's noon, it's time to pass on the food."
Emperor Chongping's distant expression turned around, he wiped away a trace of inexplicable sadness in his heart, and said: "Show me in Kunning Palace."
Then, Emperor Chongping, surrounded by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, marched toward Kunning Palace. The cold winter wind passed by noisily, making a "wuwu" sound on the roof and corridor eaves, blowing on his face.
With a bit of chill.
Before reaching the palace, he met an eunuch who knelt down and reported: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has decreed that the Emperor of the Chonghua Palace has something to do. Please summon Your Majesty and the Queen to come over."
Emperor Chongping paused for a moment, glanced in the direction of Chonghua Palace, and said in a deep voice: "I will go there right away."
While talking, Luan Jia headed towards Zhonghua Palace.
Chonghua Palace, Duanming Palace
The furnishings in the warm pavilion of the inner hall are exquisite and luxurious. The palace maids and the eunuchs stand with their hands hanging down, and the stoves that are boiling tea are steaming.
At this moment, Emperor Longzhi was sitting on the bed with yellow curtains. He was obviously much older than when the earth dragon turned over last time. His hair, which was originally gray with streaks of gray, was now all white.
Empress Dowager Feng and Empress Song are both sitting not far away, and Concubine Duanrong is also sitting on the embroidered pier. The beauty has a cold jade face in the cold winter, and the two red lips under her nose are as delicate and bright as plum blossoms.
.
"My son, I have met my father." Emperor Chongping entered the palace and bowed to the old man in yellow robe under the cordial gazes of Empress Dowager Feng and Empress Song.
"Get back on your feet." Emperor Longzhi sat on the bed, holding a book in his hand.
"Thank you, Father." Emperor Chongping looked blank and sat down on the embroidered pier.
Emperor Longzhi's old eyes were bright and shining as he stared at Emperor Chongping and asked: "I heard from the servants in the palace that the emperor beheaded the Jurchen Prince?"
"The Jurchen captive king Duduo led his troops south to invade our Han territory and was captured alive by Yongning Marquis. The captive king Duduo committed a heinous crime and was wild and untamed. My sons and ministers have beheaded him to warn the Jurchens." Emperor Chongping said.
"Marquis Yongning, is that Jia Ziyu?" Emperor Longzhi asked.
Emperor Chongping nodded, but he felt a little complacent.
Empress Song glanced at Concubine Duanrong, and her beautiful eyes under her beautiful eyebrows saw a hint of eye contact that can only be understood between sisters.
Sister, your good son-in-law seems to make His Majesty feel proud in the presence of the Emperor.
Concubine Duanrong licked her pink lips and squeezed her handkerchief. She felt a little happy and became more and more satisfied with the young man.
"Sure enough, he is a young handsome man and a general. At the beginning of the year, I felt that Huo Qubing, the former Han Dynasty, was chasing death and chasing the north. He was too young to be promoted to the first rank, so he should be named the champion." Emperor Longzhi said with emotion, without paying attention.
Seeing the change in Emperor Chongping's face, he sighed: "The Jurchens are not easy to deal with. Back then, Yang Zi, Yuchi Sheng and others were considered famous generals in the dynasty, but they were defeated by the Jurchens one after another. If not for one of them hesitant and the other greedy.
How could there be such a big defeat if we advance rashly?"
It can be seen from the words of the emperor that he was still a little bit worried about what happened back then. After the battle of Liaodong, he was directly reduced from a promising emperor to Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty.
Emperor Chongping said: "At that time, the great Han Wen Tian was aggressive in martial arts and his generals were lazy. He just entered Liaodong and rushed forward to fight for merit, only to be defeated by the Jurchen captive chiefs one by one."
Seeing Emperor Chongping's fierce words, Empress Dowager Feng glanced at Emperor Chongping and said, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Longzhi did not refute, but sighed with emotion. He turned his old eyes to the cold-faced Emperor Chongping and asked: "The emperor still wants to tie the Jurchen prisoners to the Ancestral Temple to sacrifice them?"
As soon as these words came out, Empress Dowager Feng glanced at Emperor Chongping, while Empress Song was a little nervous.
In the battle of Liaodong, the emperor was defeated by the Jurchens, and now the Ancestral Temple offers prisoners. To a certain extent, it tells the ancestors of the Han Dynasty that the shame of the defeat was initially washed away in the Chongping Dynasty.
No one knows what the Supreme Emperor will think.
Emperor Chongping didn't know Emperor Longzhi's attitude, but he looked firmly and said: "This will inspire the morale of the army and the people."
Now he is the emperor, ruling all the nine states, and no one can comment on him.
Emperor Longzhi nodded and praised: "The prisoners presented to the Imperial Ancestral Temple are very satisfying!"
Emperor Chongping paused slightly and looked at the Supreme Emperor, feeling a little confused.
Emperor Longzhi praised him for a while, then hesitated and asked, "Can I go to the Ancestral Temple to observe the ceremony later?"
Emperor Chongping: "..."
Is this the reason for co-writing? Summoning him over in a hurry?
Yes, you really should go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to see. The Han Dynasty is no longer in decline, but is thriving!
On the other side, Queen Song was listening to the conversation between father and son. After hearing this, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Afterwards, Emperor Chongping did not stay at Chonghua Palace to have a meal, but left the palace with Empress Song and Concubine Rong, walked on the palace road, asked Dai Quan who was following closely, and said: "Dai Quan,
Shall we let the news out?"
Dai Quan whispered: "Your Majesty, I have asked the factory guards to send spies to various restaurants and teahouses in Shenjing."
"We must pay close attention to the people's hearts and sentiments." Emperor Chongping pondered for a moment and said, "This is the first great victory for our Han Dynasty against the captives in decades."
It can be seen from the performance of the Supreme Emperor just now that a great victory in the war against the captives will build a consensus both inside and outside the palace.
It is up to him to take control of this country, and only then can the great man be revived!
…
…
On the other side, in the Hanzhai, in the study room——
After Han Huang left the court, he came to the study and sat on a chair next to a small table. The black gauze official hat had long been taken off. Dark clouds covered his elegant face, thinking about the changes in the court situation.
Yan Hong looked concerned and asked: "Brother, what will you say in today's court meeting?"
Because today was a court meeting, and Yan Hong was not the master of science, he did not know the specific process of deciding the war and national policy of the Han Dynasty.
Han Huang picked up the tea cup and said: "Jia Ziyu won a great victory, Duduo was beheaded, and the emperor will present the prisoners at the Ancestral Temple in the afternoon. All civil and military officials will watch the ceremony, and the Jurchen envoys will also be invited."
With that said, he briefly recounted the incident and mentioned the incident of Duduo scolding Jin Luan. This incident can be said to have severely bruised the faces of today's peace negotiators, and now their faces are burning with pain.
You are thinking of negotiating peace, but people say that all the ministers in your court are jackals, tigers and leopards, and they even scold the emperor.
In fact, these courtiers did not know that Jia Heng had a bet with Duduo at that time. Since Duduo knew that the Han court had no voice for peace talks, he knew that he would die and wanted to give the Han officials a bloody scolding!
Yan Hong was stunned and didn't react for a long time, and said: "This... Duduo dares to bark like a dog in front of the emperor, so ignorant of life and death?"
"Prince Jurchen has an untamable wolf nature and is used to arrogance. He has never been defeated in the face of our imperial court, and Jiangnan has been completely defeated. He has already become mad." Han Huang said, picking up the tea cup, and the warmth of the tea came through, dispelling the pain in his heart.
Feeling a slight chill, he said in a deep voice: "After all, it was Jia Ziyu who brought about this peace negotiation, so it is not surprising that it has such a result."
The emperor did not want peace talks, he had known this for a long time, and he had just used the power of his ministers to suppress Jia Ziyu.
Yan Hong suppressed the surprise in his heart and asked with concern: "What are you going to do next, brother?"
Han Huang put down the tea cup and said: "Waiting for the Holy Edict. After this incident, Yang Dang will bear the brunt. Yang Guochang will definitely leave his position. Yuan Fu's position will be vacant. The rest will depend on what happens to the Holy Heart."
Although he secretly contributed to the previous imperial disputes, he did not participate in it openly. Although he was forced by the emperor to express his position, he did not directly conflict with Yongning Hou.
If the emperor wanted to check and balance Jia Ziyu, he would still have to use him as his chief assistant.
Yan Hong looked at Han Huang and said, "Brother, there is no one as suitable as my brother in the court now?"
Generally speaking, when the first assistant is vacant, the second assistant will be promoted to the position, and it is generally impossible for a cabinet member to step in.
Han Huang picked up the tea cup, took a sip, and said: "Military aircraft are gaining momentum and they are in charge of military affairs. Jia Ziyu wants to interfere in political affairs again, and the cabinet is not easy to do."
Fortunately, the Prince of Nan'an County and the Marquis of Yongning were already on the same page, so he could use the conflict between Wu Xun to balance the situation and prevent Jia Zi from losing his position.
Nan'an County Prince's Mansion, in the flower hall in the backyard——
"Kacha!"
"My child bullies me too much!"
The tea cup was smashed to the ground, and the broken porcelain mixed with the tea soup was steaming.
As soon as Nan'an County Prince Yan Ye entered the flower hall, he just took the tea from the maid and threw it on the ground. His face was livid, and his heart was extremely frightened and angry.
At this time, Princess Nan'an heard the news, and her daughter-in-law, Princess Luo of Nan'an, entered the hall surrounded by maids and nannies. Not far away, Princess Wei Yan Yiliu came to visit her relatives.
"Ye'er, why are you so angry?" Princess Nan'an asked.
Yan Ye said in a deep voice: "Mother, this Jia Heng is really bullying others!"
That kid with a yellow mouth actually asked the emperor to kill him in front of the entire court. How dare he? How dare he?
Concubine Nan'an sat down, her well-maintained white face covered with a layer of frost, and said: "I thought what made Ye'er so angry, it turned out to be because of Jia Heng, this person turned out to be a traitor in the back of his head.
, since he became powerful and took charge of the Jia family, he has become more and more alienated from our old relatives and wants to bully him."
Yan Yiliu was listening not far away, his bright eyes flashing under his heroic eyebrows, and he felt a little confused.
So what exactly did Jia Ziyu say that made his father so furious?
The Prince of Nan'an County said in a deep voice: "Today there is a dispute in the court, there are so many important ministers in the court, and he asks the Holy One to kill the king, what are you saying to appease the world? How arrogant is this kid?"
Hearing this, Princess Nan'an couldn't help but feel surprised and asked: "Ye'er, did he really say that?"
Yan Ye said coldly: "He has only fought a few battles, and now he is already so arrogant that there is no limit to it."
When Princess Nan'an heard this, she was very angry and said, "I must go to Rongguo Mansion to have a good argument with the old lady of Rongguo."
Yan Ye's princess Luo Shi curled her lips and said with a sneer: "I think the Jia family doesn't pay attention to us old relatives. Isn't it just a title of a marquis? What's the air? I'm afraid he is exhausted.
, it is difficult to seal the title of county king."
Concubine Nan'an said coldly: "It's not entirely the fault of Rongguo Mansion. In Rongning and Ning Mansion, except for the second wife of Rong Mansion, who is either exiled or dead, that person has become the patriarch of the clan. He can beat or scold anyone he wants in the Jia family."
Prince Nan'an turned to Yan Yiliu, his daughter, Princess Wei, and asked, "Yiliu, what are you saying, King Wei?"
Yan Yiliu said softly: "Father, the prince is very close to Marquis Yongning. He even said that he would entertain Marquis Yongning at his house for a few days."
The Prince of Nan'an County stood up, paced around, and said in a cold voice: "Jia Heng is now in charge of the capital camp. He is responsible for the capital camp, Jinyi Mansion, and the Five-City Military and Horse Division all by himself. Isn't this right?
Is this a minister? After a few days, my father will ask someone to find someone to speak to the Holy One."
…
…
But it was said that Jia Heng left the palace and did not return to the Ningguo Mansion, but to the Princess Jinyang's Mansion.
At this moment, in the hall, Princess Xianning and the little princess were playing the piano. When they heard the servants talking about Jia Heng's arrival, the two sisters couldn't help but feel happy on their faces, and they came over.
"Sir, it's time to go to court." Princess Xianning looked at the young man with stern eyebrows and sharp eyes.
Jia Heng said: "Yeah."
"What do you say today?" Princess Xianning came forward, helped Jia Heng take off his black cloak, and asked softly.
Jia Heng said warmly: "The peace talks are over. We will wait for the prisoners to be presented to the Ancestral Temple in the afternoon, and let the Jurchen envoys and civil and military officials watch the ceremony."
Hearing this, Princess Xianning smiled and said, "I say, my father will definitely support your husband's proposal."
Jia Heng sat down and said: "But the Jurchen's strategy still worked. After this incident, the feud between the court and the court became increasingly intense."
Even though he has won a great victory today, his relationship with the Zhejiang Party has also gradually become distant. In other words, after his trip to Jiangnan, there was a deep rift with the Zhejiang Party.
Li Chanyue brought a cup of cheese tea and said, "Mr. Xiao Jia, have some tea."
Jia Heng looked at Li Chanyue, who had soft eyebrows, sat down, and said with a chuckle: "Chanyue still cares about me. She is really becoming more and more virtuous."
When Li Chanyue heard this, she felt happy and a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. She took an envelope from the side table and handed it over, saying: "Mr. Jia, my mother's letter was just delivered from Jinling this morning.
"
Jia Heng said: "We just sent her letter, and her letter came."
He took the envelope, opened it, and read it. The letter came from a long time ago. It talked about his longing for Jia Heng after parting with him, and then asked when Jia Heng would be there.
Jia Heng stuffed the letter paper into the envelope again and whispered: "Take time to go to Jiangnan before the end of the year."
I really miss Jinyang, and I don’t know what’s going on with the baby in my belly. There are no testing methods at this time, so I’m completely blind.
Giving birth to a child is a hellish experience for women in this era.
At this time, the maid prepared the meal. Princess Xianning took Jia Heng's hand and sat down, asking: "Sir, do you want to go to the Ancestral Temple after dinner?"
Jia Heng nodded and said: "Perhaps even the harem will come over and watch from a distance. Later you and Chan Yue will put on their Feiyu clothes and follow us to watch the excitement."
This is a happy event that inspires the Han people.
Princess Xianning heard this and took the little princess's hand. The two were overjoyed.
After lunch, Jia Heng rode with Princess Xianning and Princess Qinghe to the location of the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
