Chapter 179: Seeking to Capture the Commander's Seal (4)
"The humble minister Ming Chongyan pays homage to the Queen."
In the Zhuque Tower in the North Palace of Luoyang Palace, Ming Chongyan, who was dressed in a bright red official robe, walked quickly into the palace under the guidance of a young eunuch. When he saw it, he saw Empress Wu in a bright yellow court uniform sitting high behind the dragon case. She did not dare to neglect and hurriedly He rushed forward in a hurry, shouting loudly and greeting her without saying a word.
"My dear, please get up."
Empress Wu raised her hand and shouted softly.
"Thank you, empress, for your kindness."
Ming Chongyan had just entered the court as an official. Although he had been specially taught by officials from the Ministry of Rites and had practiced it many times in private, when it came time to meet the emperor, he still felt a little unfamiliar. Although the etiquette was still good. The calculation was in place, but the body was obviously very stiff.
"I've said goodbye to the capital. It's been more than five years since I last saw you. Are you getting used to your visit?"
Empress Wu did not care about Ming Chongyan's lack of etiquette, but smiled and greeted him warmly.
"As for your Majesty, I can still adapt to it."
Ming Chongyan had just gone through the entry formalities yesterday and was summoned by the Empress Wu today. He was inevitably a little uneasy. When he answered the questions, he tried his best to be on the mark and did not dare to make any mistakes.
"It'll be good if you can adapt to it. Does my beloved know the purpose of my visit?"
Looking at Ming Chongyan's handsome face that could be called a monster, Empress Wu felt an inexplicable emotion rolling through her heart for no reason. She just concealed it well and didn't have any abnormal appearance. Only there was a hint of ambiguity in her eyes. After a pause, he continued to ask.
"Wei Chen understands that Wei Chen will definitely live up to your mother's instructions."
When Ming Chongyan went to Chang'an to study five years ago, he was introduced to Yan Desheng, who had died under Li Xian. After a battle with him, he was valued by Yan Desheng and secretly introduced him to Empress Wu. At that time, Empress Wu wanted to have him Arranged to enter the Chongwen Hall, Ming Chongyan wanted to travel around the world and declined Empress Wu's kindness. However, Empress Wu graciously agreed to Ming Chongyan's request and made it clear that she would arrange for Ming Chongyan to become an official in the future. At the beginning of last year, Ming Ming When Chongyan came back from traveling around the world, Empress Wu sent someone to arrange for him the post of county captain of Yixian County. It lasted no more than a year, and he was transferred to the court as an admonishment official. The reason given was that Chongyan of the Ming Dynasty Perhaps Gaozong's wind disease could be cured. This was exactly what Empress Wu asked about at this time. Ming Chongyan was certainly prepared for this, so he answered quite confidently.
"Ah That's good……"
Empress Wu was obviously very satisfied with Ming Chongyan's answer, so she commended him. However, before she could finish her words, she saw Gao Hesheng, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies, hurriedly walked in from outside the palace. Empress Wu immediately stopped talking and smiled. He frowned and glanced at Gao Hesheng displeasedly.
"I would like to inform you that Jiang Xiang has entered the palace and is giving a secret report to Your Majesty."
Gao Hesheng was naturally not an ordinary person to be Empress Wu's most confidant, and his ability to observe words and emotions was obviously superior to others. Just by looking at Empress Wu's expression, he knew that he had come at the wrong time, and he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. However, the matter was of great importance, but Gao Hesheng did not dare not to come, so he rushed forward and reported in a hurried tone.
"Um?"
Upon hearing Gao Hesheng's meaningless words, Empress Wu's displeased expression suddenly became a little more serious, and her murderous aura was so intense that Gao Hesheng's legs and feet began to tremble.
"Your Majesty, it was reported that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou had visited the Jiang Mansion before Jiang Xiang entered the palace." Seeing Empress Wu's change of expression, Gao Hesheng hurriedly explained.
"Oh? Is this happening? Well..."
As soon as Empress Wu heard this, her expression became solemn. After a slight murmur, she began to think silently, and her eyes kept changing as a result.
"For the record, I think the purpose of Prime Minister Jiang's visit is to speak for His Highness the King of Zhou."
Gao Hesheng had followed Empress Wu for a long time, and he knew that Empress Wu could not tolerate interference from others when she was deep in thought, so he obediently shut up and stood aside. Ming Chongyan obviously did not have such concerns. Of course, Ming Chongyan was here.
Shi opened his mouth not entirely because he wanted to take credit, but because the image of Zhao Qiong suddenly flashed in his mind, and he blurted out the words in agitated mood.
"Um."
If someone else had spoken at this time, Empress Wu would have given him no mercy. However, the person who spoke was Ming Chongyan, but Empress Wu would not blame him. Instead, she nodded gently and signaled him to continue.
"My Majesty, I know that I am not proficient in military strategy, but I know that the enemy will be arrogant after a new victory. If you can take advantage of the opportunity, you may be able to gain something. However, the enemy's army is strong, and you may be able to win a small victory."
, it will last forever. His Royal Highness the King of Zhou is eager to go on an expedition today, and he must be ambitious, or there may be difficulties." Ming Chongyan regretted his previous words as soon as he uttered them. Unfortunately, the words he said could not be taken back. At this time, he saw Empress Wu Rao
I asked the following questions with interest, but inevitably felt a little uneasy in my heart. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and analyze it further.
"I am very pleased that you can explain the truth. Well, according to what you see, should I be correct or not?"
Empress Wu seemed to have noticed some of Ming Chongyan's little thoughts, so she smiled and asked a pointed question.
"This..." Ming Chongyan wanted to say it accurately, but when the words came to his lips, he felt that it was inappropriate. He hesitated for a long time and did not dare to speak.
"I love you, but it doesn't matter. I will never commit any sin."
Empress Wu smiled, lowered her hand, and encouraged Ming Chongyan.
"It's okay to ignore it."
As soon as he heard that Empress Wu's words had a strong implication of taking an exam, Ming Chongyan immediately became cautious. After pondering for a long time, he gritted his teeth and answered resolutely.
"oh?"
When Empress Wu heard this, she immediately laughed and looked at Ming Chongyan with more admiration in her eyes...
"His Majesty has issued a decree to announce that King Li Xian of Zhou Dynasty and Captain Jiang Ye of the Cavalry Command will appear at the Deyang Palace!"
Gaozong's decree came faster than Li Xian imagined. Before Li Xian could leave the Jiang Mansion, Sun Quanfu, the eunuch in charge of Liangyi Hall, had already led several junior eunuchs to summon him.
"I accept the order and thank you for your kindness."
Faced with such an urgent call, Li Xian was really puzzled. He couldn't figure out what the situation was. Originally, in Li Xian's opinion, if he wanted to get permission to send troops, he had to pass the Empress Wu's hurdle.
, and this is obviously not an easy task. Li Xian also prepared a lot of back-ups for this, but he did not expect that the purpose would come like this. Although there was no explicit statement about sending troops in the oral edict, Jiang Ye could be included
After summoning him, it was made clear that because Jiang Ke's admonishment had produced results, things were going too smoothly. It was so smooth that Li Xian inevitably started to complain. However, this was not the time to get to the bottom of things. Li Xian also
I can only suppress the doubts in my heart and rush to thank him.
"Your Highness, please, Your Majesty is waiting."
Li Xian just stood up to thank him, and Sun Quanfu had already spoken quickly to urge him to start driving.
"Thank you, Eunuch Sun. Please let me go back to my house and change my clothes."
Li Xian had just played with Jiang Ye a few times in the martial arts venue. He was sweating profusely and covered in dust. It was really not suitable to go to see the driver, so he thought about it and explained.
"Your Majesty has an explanation. Your Majesty, just dress casually and go."
Sun Quanfu shook his head, brought out the Holy Will, and urged it blindly.
So urgent? What on earth did the old man do? Li Xian was extremely suspicious, but he had no idea. He could only smile and nodded and said: "Well, let's go now. Eunuch Sun, please go ahead. Arrive soon!"
"Old slave, I obey."
Upon hearing what Li Xian said, Sun Quanfu did not dare to urge him anymore, so he had to bow down and accept the promise, leading a group of young eunuchs to go ahead.
"Your Highness, it seems that the last general will attack you this time."
Jiang Ye seemed rough and arrogant, but in fact he was as thoughtful as a hair. When he saw that Li Xian seemed a little unhappy, he laughed and added something from the side.
"Let's go, why are you still standing there?"
Li Xian naturally knew that Jiang Ye said this to comfort him, and he couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, but he didn't bring it to his face. Instead, he deliberately made a serious face, glanced at Jiang Ye, and said angrily, Then, regardless of whether Jiang Ye followed or not, he strode out of the mansion. When Jiang Ye saw this, he smiled and followed Li Xian step by step...
"My son (the last general) goes to see Your Majesty."
Li Xian led Jiang Ye just into the Deyang Hall, and saw that there were only two people in the spacious hall. Apart from Gao Zong, who was sitting high at the head, there was only Jiang Ke who was standing bowed beside the hall. Not only was Empress Wu missing, but also There wasn't even an accompanying eunuch, so he couldn't help but feel something in his heart. He had some vague ideas, but he was not sure. However, this was not the place to think deeply, so Li Xian could only suppress the thoughts in his heart. Doubtless, he quickly rushed forward and greeted him with a great courtesy. Jiang Ye, who was following closely, followed suit and prostrated himself on the ground.
"We're all flat." Gaozong raised his hand with a smile, signaling Li and Jiang to get up. Then he looked at Jiang Ye for a while, then turned to look at Jiang Ke and said, "Jiang Aiqing raised a good grandson. Yes, he is a good grandson." Man, I like him very much, very well, very well."
"Your Majesty, your Majesty is so complimentary, but the portrait still needs to be polished."
Jiang Ke thanked him humbly and then shut up and said no more.
"I love you too harshly. Such a strong man will definitely be a hero in the army in the future. Yes, yes, I have a successor for you!" Gaozong obviously had a good impression of the handsome Jiang Ye, and after praising him a few times, Then he looked at Li Xian, who had a calm expression on his face, smoothed his long beard on his chest, and said in a deep voice: "Xian'er, Jiang Xiang recommended you to lead the expedition, do you dare to do it?"
"My son is willing to serve his father on the battlefield, no matter how hard he wins, there will be no return!"
Although he had doubts in his heart, Li Xian did not hesitate at all about this question. He bowed and answered generously.
"Well, okay, this is my good son. If he can come back victorious this time, I will not hesitate to reward him heavily!"
Emperor Gaozong was extremely satisfied with Li Xian's answer. He clapped his hands with a smile on his face and made a serious promise.
"Father, this is what a son and minister should do. If the father really wants to reward his son, I have a request that I would like to ask my father to grant."
As soon as Gaozong said he wanted a reward, Li Xian immediately climbed up the pole. This answer was obviously not very polite. Gaozong was immediately stunned, with a look of astonishment on his face...