Before dawn, Chai Zongjian was called up. After washing and dressing up, he moved to the corridor of the back pavilion. All the stone lanterns in the palace garden were lit, illuminating the imperial road leading to Chongyuan Hall.

A eunuch from Chongyuan Hall quickly came over and said: "The ministers have arrived in the hall!"

Chai Zongjian exhaled a breath of white air and whispered in the cold air: "Let's go!"

Li Tingfang immediately shouted: "Get started!"

The eunuchs held up ceremonial guards and surrounded Chai Zongjian along the royal road towards Chongyuan Hall. Chai Zongjian walked from the back hall to the front hall in one breath, took a look inside the hall, climbed up the steps, and sat on the large and cold dragon chair.

sit down.

As soon as they sat down, the officials wearing court uniforms and kneeling with tablets in their hands immediately bowed down and prostrated themselves, shouting long live the mountain in their mouths, and their voices echoed in the towering hall for a long time.

Chai Zongjian suppressed his voice and said: "Everyone, I love you, please be safe!"

He cherished this sentence very much, because it was the only sentence that all the officials listened to.

All the officials stood up one after another, and then Fan Zhi stood up and said: "It has been nine years since Taizu founded the Zhou Dynasty. The late emperor conquered the Weijia Sea in the north and south. Last year, the grain was abundant and all industries were prosperous. It was like a prosperous age... Today is the new year.

All the people in the world celebrate together, the Great Zhou Dynasty will surely be a prosperous and long-lasting country, I would like to congratulate the Great Zhou Dynasty and congratulate Your Majesty!"

"Fan Aiqing is safe!" Chai Zong admonished him, his eyes darting around, and he murmured for a long time before saying: "New Year, new atmosphere, Xiande's reign title has been used for six years, Aiqing thinks...

Should we change the year name?"

As soon as these words came out, Fan Zhi couldn't help but feel funny and confused. Although the little emperor was young, he was very thoughtful. He handed over his hand and said: "In the past, Taizu changed the Yuan Dynasty to show his virtue, with the intention of showing his benevolence. Since the change of Yuan Dynasty, great achievements have been made."

The people of Zhou Dynasty are enjoying peace and prosperity day by day, which shows that the word "Xian De" coincides with God's will. Although His Majesty ascended the throne, he did not personally govern, never promulgated a new policy, and there was no auspiciousness. Strange phenomena occurred, and I thought it was not appropriate to change the Yuan Dynasty. "

Fan Zhi did not say that there was no real reason to change the Yuan Dynasty, and the emperor could change it as long as he felt bored.

Chai Zongjian nodded and said, "Then don't change it. I just asked casually."

Fan Zhi couldn't help but complain again in his heart. When the emperor asked him casually, he had to explain with difficulty. After all, such things had happened too many times before.

Fan Zhi retired, and the ministers went out to send congratulations to the emperor one by one. It was a pity that Zhao Kuangyin was not in the front. He was indeed the number one in the army, but if we only talk about his title, he cannot be mentioned.

He kept muttering in his mind the congratulatory message Zhao Pu wrote to him last night. After seeing Song Yanxie finish his speech, he got up and left for work. As soon as he put his hands on the ground, he heard a voice outside the hall shouting: "The Waqiao Pass is urgent!"

A small official in green robe came into the palace holding a memorial. After saluting the emperor, he said to the three ministers: "Bazhou has deployed Xu Xian to send an urgent report. The Liao Kingdom has sent a hundred thousand troops to garrison the north of Yongding River.

, may cross Henan and invade at any time!”

As soon as the words came out, all the court officials took a breath of air-conditioning. The originally orderly scene immediately became chaotic, and almost everyone gathered around the three ministers.

"Fan Xianggong? Please appoint a coach immediately. I am willing to lead the army northward!"

"Prime Minister Wei, you have a military plane in your hands, what should you do now?"

"Xiangong Li, if it doesn't work, let's surrender."

…

There was a mess in the court hall? There were all kinds of things to say. Suddenly there was a loud shout, and a rough voice shouted: "The late emperor entrusted the great Zhou Dynasty to us? Now that the barbarians are invading, we should send troops to repel the enemy? Again?"

Anyone who dares to surrender will be beheaded by someone!"

The hall immediately became quiet. Following the sound, I saw Zhao Kuangyin standing under the Danqi, with his thick arms stretched out to the side, as if he was holding a powerful horizontal sword in his hand.

Upon seeing this, Han Tong immediately agreed: "That's right? Whoever talks about surrendering again, I will kill him."

The highest commander of the Forbidden Army and the largest powerful group have said this? Naturally, no one dares to say surrender, unless they don't want it anymore.

Han Tong raised his hand to Chai Zong's advice and said: "I am willing to lead the army northward and ask for your Majesty's permission."

Wei Renpu immediately said: "No? Han Linggong has been ordered by His Majesty to guard the capital. Can't he lead the army to go on an expedition? We should choose another good general."

Han Tong was Chai Rong's most trusted general. Instead of leaving Kaifeng to be guarded by others, why not send someone else to fight? Wei Renpu's words made sense, and Li Gu and Fan Zhi immediately agreed.

Han Tong spread his hands and said, "If you don't ask someone to go, then who should you choose?"

Who could he choose? He was the nominally highest commander of the Forbidden Army. Everyone turned their attention to Zhao Kuangyin.

Fan Zhi, Li Gu, and Wei Renpu looked at each other and nodded secretly. Wei Renpu admonished Chai Zong and said: "Your Majesty, Taiwei Zhao is the chief inspector in front of the palace and has always been quite prestigious in the army. Let him serve as the commander."

It is most appropriate for Shuai to go north to retreat from the enemy."

No one can change the decision made by the three of them. They just informed the little emperor.

Unexpectedly, a clear female voice suddenly said from behind the dragon chair: "Can the Ai family read the urgent report from Waqiao Pass?"

The voice came from behind the screen, and without asking, you knew it was the Queen Mother who was speaking.

All the ministers knew that the Queen Mother would sit behind the screen during court meetings. However, the Queen Mother did not listen to the affairs behind the curtain. The late emperor's edict did not grant her this right. She was just there to take care of the young emperor in case something went wrong.

Although she was sitting behind the emperor, the queen mother never said a word when the ministers were discussing matters. The courtiers all recognized the young queen mother very much. However, today's matter is related to the safety of the great Zhou Dynasty. Everyone can understand the sudden speech of the queen mother. The eunuch

He took the urgent report from Fan Zhi and sent it behind the screen.

Not long after, the Queen Mother said: "This does not seem to be Xu Xian's handwriting."

Wei Renpu immediately said: "It is indeed not Xu Xian's handwriting. It should be written by an official or a staff member. I have already verified the seal. This urgent report cannot be fake!"

He used to be Guo Wei's staff. In addition to being good at handling official documents, he was also good at forging official documents. Back then, he forged Liu Chengyou's edict to kill the generals of the Tianxiong Army, so that the Tianxiong Army was so excited that they followed Guo Wei to rebel early.

.Experts in forging documents all say that this urgent note is true, so of course it cannot be false.

Then Fu Liying from the screen said: "The Ai family thought it would be best to send a reliable person to Waqiao Pass to see if there is really an invasion by the Liao army."

Nine years ago, someone used fake military information to lead his troops northward but proclaimed himself emperor halfway. This person was none other than Guo Wei, the founder of the Zhou Dynasty. Although he did not say it clearly, all the officials knew what the Queen Mother meant.

Wei Renpu added: "The Queen Mother can't trust her ministers, or she can't trust Xu Linggong! Besides, I don't know how much time will be wasted on each trip. The military situation is urgent and we can't delay it."

"The Aijia felt that they should reconsider the choice of general. Although Taiwei Zhao is good at fighting, he has never led an army to fight against the Khitans. On the other hand, Xu Linggong, who was guarding Waqiao Pass, had fought against the Khitans in Youzhou half a year ago.

There was a big battle and the smaller number defeated the larger number, and later they even overthrew the border camp in Youzhou..."

"No, Xu Xian must not be allowed to be a commander! This man is extremely ambitious. If he becomes a commander, the Zhou Dynasty will be in danger of subjugation!"

"If Xu Xian is a commander, which general would dare to serve under him without fear of being eaten by him!"

"The Queen Mother is a woman. She only takes care of the affairs of the harem and should not interfere in the political affairs of the court!"

…

Before Fu Liying finished speaking, a group of people jumped out to object. Fu Liying could endure the previous words, but I don't know who said, "The Queen Mother and Xu Xian are old acquaintances, but we can't abandon public relations for personal reasons!" The other party deliberately put "

The word "private" was emphasized very strongly, almost not saying that she and Xu Xian had an affair.

Even though Fu Liying had a good temper, she couldn't help but get angry. Her chest rose and fell slightly. After the noise of the chaos in the front hall died down, she said: "The Ai family did not say that they would appoint Xu Xian as their commander. The Ai family thought that Captain Zhao was a minister of His Majesty's entrustment.

At such a critical moment, I should guard Tokyo together with Han Linggong.

In the Northern Expedition, Murong Yanzhao can be appointed as the commander. Although Xu Xian is arrogant, he still has some ability. In addition, he is the defender of Waqiao Pass, so there is no problem in appointing him as the deputy general."

As soon as he said this, there was an immediate silence in the hall. Although Murong Yanzhao was in a lower position, his military exploits were higher than those of Zhao Kuangyin. Xu Xian's victory in Youzhou could also scare the Liao Kingdom. It might not be a bad idea to call them two generals and deputy generals.

There is really no reason to object to this choice.

Censor Li Dai also stood up and said: "Although I have a personal grudge with Xu Xian, I still feel that the Queen Mother's suggestion is not worth it..." Seeing the fierce light all around, he quickly swallowed his words.

On the contrary, Han Tong rubbed his beard under his chin and said, "The Queen Mother's proposal is not bad. What do the three ministers think?"

Before the three princes spoke to each other, they heard the young emperor sitting on the dragon chair say: "Taiwei Zhao is the late emperor's trusted minister. Needless to say, he is loyal and capable. I trust Taiwei Zhao and I would like to make him a general!"

Zhao Kuangyin, who had been silent all this time, bowed down and prostrated upon hearing this, "I accept the order and am willing to issue a military order. If I cannot keep the Liao army out of Waqiao Pass, I am willing to die to apologize!"

The civil and military officials in the palace, including the three ministers, immediately stepped forward to finalize the foundation and appointed Zhao Kuangyin as the commander of the northern camp. He would lead the army north to resist the Liao Kingdom; the deputy general was Murong, who was currently in Chanzhou.

Yanzhao also took charge, and the Queen Mother did not interrupt at all.

Zhao Kuangyin immediately ordered Murong Yanzhao to serve as the vanguard and lead the Chanzhou troops and horses to go north immediately, while he prepared troops and horses in Tokyo to raise food and fodder to set out on the next day.

At this moment, Zhao Kuangyin had a heavy responsibility and immediately became busy. From morning to night, he was not idle for a moment. He stayed in front of the palace and could not even go home.

Having just returned from inspecting the barracks of the Palace Front Division, Zhao Pu immediately handed over an official document, "This is the list of troops selected by my subordinates to go out with your majesty. Please use the seal and give it to Han Linggong and Wei Shu to check it, and they will allocate it."

Come under your command."

Zhao Kuangyin sat behind the list and read it carefully. The list included almost half of the troops of the Palace Front Division and the Guard Ma Bu Division. There would not be much problem if such a list was handed over. Han Tong and Wei Renpu did not refuse.

principle.

"There is no problem, just why don't I ask Shouxin and Zhongbao to go with me on the expedition? How can I not leave the opportunity to make contributions to my brothers, especially Shouxin will be of great use before the battle."

Zhao Pu said softly: "There are already several Taiwei brothers on the list. If we bring them all, I am afraid that Han Linggong will think too much!"

Zhao Kuangyin rolled his huge eyes and said, "Forget it, Brother X and Yanzhao are gone. The front office cannot be left without someone, so let them stay." He took out his official seal and stamped the official document.

.

————————————

It is said that a tiger father has no dog son, but it is a pity that Han Wei did not become a brave soldier like his father. It was not because he was not brave enough, but because I was born with a disability. He could not help but be thin and a hunchback.

Give me the nickname Han Tuotuo.

Since he could not join the military, he could only study literature. Even if he was proficient in literature and had a bright mind, he was destined to have no chance of an official career and could only help his father with some official affairs.

Taking the official document from the front office, Han Wei read it carefully, frowned and handed it to his father, "This is the official document from the front office. It contains the generals and battalions that Lieutenant Zhao needs to transfer."

Han Tong took the official document and examined it with his beard glued to his beard, "Go and get the seal of a certain person!"

Han Wei hesitated and said, "Father, don't you think this list is a bit strange?"
To be continued...