Hearing the voice behind her, Concubine Duan slowly turned around and saw a man kneeling on one knee, lowering his hand to salute her.
"Who are you?"
"Your Majesty, Yuan Hai, is ordered by the prince to protect the empress!"
That's right, the person appearing behind Concubine Duan at this moment is Yuan Hai, the general bannerman who followed Liu De to the capital.
He and his men have been in the capital for two years and have integrated into the capital in various ways.
Concubine Duan then asked: "How is my son?"
"Mother, I have been away from Yuanyang for two years, and I don't know about the prince's situation. I think it is auspicious to come to the prince's destiny!"
Concubine Duan asked again: "You have been in the capital for two years?"
"Exactly, before, the empress was in Changshou Zhai, and we stayed around the Changshou Zhai. Now that the empress has come to the Yangtze Yuan, I will naturally follow you!"
Concubine Duan nodded and asked, "Where is Liu De?"
"I have gone to Longyou with the Cao family's eldest son!"
Concubine Duan was slightly surprised to hear that Cao Yunhui had also gone, but then she understood her brother's determination.
"This trip to Longyou is full of dangers and dangers. You should protect them, why bother staying here for me!"
For Concubine Duan, ensuring that Cao Yunhui spread the news to Longyou was more important than her personal safety.
Yuan Hai quickly replied: "The safety of the empress is of great importance, how dare I neglect it!"
Now that the matter has come to this, it is basically impossible for Yuan Hai to lead people to capture Liu De and his party under the current communication conditions.
Just listen to Concubine Duan say: "You shouldn't come to see me... If someone sees you, I'm afraid your life will be in danger!"
Yuan Hai replied: "Don't worry, Madam, there is no one around you!"
Concubine Duan said calmly: "It's time for you to go!"
Yuan Hai wanted to ask if he could help her in any way, but before she could say anything, Concubine Duan issued an eviction order.
After bowing respectfully, Yuan Hai turned around to leave. After taking two steps, he suddenly turned back and asked: "My Lady... are you going to eradicate those bitches just now?"
"No need!"
Killing these people will only cause trouble and will not help Concubine Duan's situation.
After all, if you kill two, Li can get two more.
"Yes!" Yuan Hai responded respectfully, and then he said: "Empress, when the time is right, I can help you leave!"
Currently, Concubine Duan is being watched by many people, so Yuan Hai needs to find the right time to rescue her.
After hearing this, Concubine Duan finally became a little more interested and said, "I know!"
"Don't worry, my Majesty, I will risk my life to keep my Majesty safe!"
…………
Inside the Imperial City, inside Qian'an Palace.
Emperor Zhao Weilong knelt in the side hall and looked up at the portrait on the wall. The person in the painting was none other than the deceased Emperor Tai'an.
"Grandpa... your grandson is unfilial!"
"The country is in the hands of my grandson. There is no progress in eradicating the monsters in the Central Plains. The good situation in the southwest has collapsed..."
"Nowadays, there is a sign of rebellion in the southwest. There are constant party disputes in the imperial court. The counties in the south are alienated from the imperial court. The arrogant soldiers and powerful generals cannot be defeated..."
"Grandpa... your grandson has let you down!"
"Everyone wants to be the emperor, but when you really sit in this position, you realize that you are sitting on a volcano and sitting on the edge of a knife..."
"Grandpa...my grandson misses you so much!"
The low voice of Emperor Zhao Weilong was particularly clear in the quiet side hall.
At this moment, he was really tired. The endless frustration made him think about giving up.
At least in the face of the current mess, Zhao Weilong didn't know how to deal with it, and he even thought of abdicating his position to make way for someone more worthy.
"emperor……"
Hearing the voice coming from behind, Zhao Weilong immediately said angrily: "Didn't I say that no one is allowed in, get out!"
"I heard that the emperor did not eat a grain of rice today, so I came here to have a look!"
Looking back, Zhao Weilong glanced at the dignified and beautiful woman outside the door, and then turned back the next moment.
"Queen, you shouldn't come here!" Zhao Weilong said in a cold tone.
The person who came was none other than the queen, the daughter of the Zhen family as Xue Jingyan said, her maiden name was Xiang Lian.
The emperor was angry. This was no small matter, but Zhen Xiangliu was not afraid.
"I have violated the emperor's will. I am willing to obey the emperor, but please let me finish my words!"
Although he wanted to hear what Zhen Xiangliu had to say, as an emperor he couldn't be led by others, so Zhao Weilong simply didn't speak.
"The Emperor's body is connected with the world, and he has to deal with all matters every day. He should put the dragon body as the most important thing. Only when the Emperor is well and the people of the world can feel at ease!"
Entering the side hall, Zhen Xiangliu knelt directly on the floor and kowtowed to the portrait of Emperor Tai'an on the wall.
Then Zhen Xianglian continued: "No matter how many difficulties there are, the emperor must put the dragon body first, otherwise the late emperor will blame the emperor if he knows in heaven!"
After hearing these words, Zhao Weilong was a little stunned.
It wasn't until today that he discovered the extraordinary side of his queen.
Zhao Weilong lost his mother when he was young, and his father was so focused on securing his position that he never had anyone close to him.
But today, after hearing the Queen's words, a corner of Zhao Weilong's heart was opened.
"Queen..." Zhao Weilong was in a complicated mood and wanted to say something but couldn't.
Zhen Xianglian said about this: "I know that the emperor has endless difficulties, many of which cannot be explained to outsiders!"
"Everyone in the world says that husband and wife are of the same mind. If the emperor does not dislike it, I am willing to listen to what the emperor has to say!"
Speaking of this, Zhen Xianglian smiled and said: "Although I am stupid, I have read some books, and maybe I can give advice to the emperor..."
Seeing his wife's bright smile, Zhao Weilong felt much better, and the gloom on his face disappeared.
"Queen...I know what you mean!"
"In that case, why doesn't Your Majesty go have a meal first?"
After being stunned for a moment, Zhao Weilong immediately said: "Okay, just follow what the queen said!"
Just as the two stood up, before they could enter the main hall, they heard someone outside announcing: "Your Majesty... Huang Zhicheng, the Minister of Civil Affairs, has an audience!"
Huang Zhicheng was the biggest contributor to Zhao Weilong's rise to power. His official position changed twice within a year.
From Zhan Shi of the Prince's Mansion, to the Minister of Hubu, and now to the Minister of Officials, his real power has been rising step by step.
According to Zhao Weilong's plan, the next step is for him to recommend Huang Zhicheng to the cabinet to replace Lu Chaowen who has retired from office.
After hearing the report, Zhao Weilong said helplessly to his wife beside him: "Queen, it seems that this meal will have to be eaten later!"
"My concubine is waiting for the Emperor in the palace!"
After the two agreed, Zhao Weilong came to the side hall and ordered people to invite Huang Zhicheng in.
After Huang Zhicheng saluted, Zhao Weilong asked before he could say anything: "Sir, is there any bad news?"
Although he had become emperor, Zhao Weilong still called Huang Zhicheng Mr. This was intended to elevate his status.
Huang Zhicheng said seriously: "Your Majesty... I have no bad news, but good news!"
"What good news?"
"A few days ago, Mr. Wu Yangfang, the minister who revised the book, invited him to come to the capital to give lectures to the emperor. Today I received a response from Mr. Fang... He has agreed!"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Weilong's expression perked up and he quickly asked: "Do you really mean what you said, sir?"
"How dare I deceive you!" After saying this, Huang Zhicheng knelt down and said: "But I am good at making opinions, so please punish me!"
"Why did you say this, sir?" Zhao Weilong was a little confused.
Huang Zhicheng said: "The emperor's teacher must be a model for the world. How can a humble minister make the decision alone? I will be guilty of deceiving the emperor!"
This is absolutely true. Huang Zhicheng's move does seem to be overstepping the mark.
After thinking about it, Zhao Weilong said in a deep voice: "I have done nothing wrong by following the authority in urgent matters. What's more, Mr. Fang is a great scholar in the world, so there is nothing wrong with my choice!"
Mr. Fang was a great Confucian of the time, and the Meilin School he created had a profound influence on students from several counties in the south.
Inviting him to come to the capital to give lectures can help Zhao Weilong win over the hearts of southern students and strengthen the centripetal force of several southern counties towards the imperial court.
Nowadays, the imperial government's finances are entirely supported by several counties in the south, so as to ensure the supply of troops to the counties in the Central Plains and ensure the safety of the capital.
After hearing the emperor's words, Huang Zhicheng kowtowed and said, "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"
"Sir, there is no need to be like this. Although you and I are monarchs and ministers, we are as close as master and disciple..."
"How dare I!"
"Sir, can you have lunch?"
"I haven't had time yet..."
Zhao Weilong immediately said: "It just so happens that I haven't eaten yet, so why don't we come together?"
"minister……"
"Sir, please don't refuse!"
After hesitating for a moment, Huang Zhicheng replied: "I obey your order!"
