The brave front troops led by Wu Chihai, Xu Pang, Han Qihu and others arrived in Jianye one after another and entered the temporary camp set up at the Hekou Warehouse. Their horses neighed and howled in the wind. Zheng Tu had suffered a lot before, so this time he was slower and followed the army.
The troops rushed back to Jianye. After arriving in Jianye, they applied medicine before reluctantly resting, shouting that they would practice riding and shooting hard.
After all this fuss, it was not until early in the morning that silence returned to the mouth of the Yongjangpo River.
In the early morning, the sky is like a deep and deep pool, with a bright moon and silence, and a few floating clouds.
Xu Huai rested for two hours, put on his clothes and climbed onto the wooden platform, looking out at the dark river outside the courtyard wall with its sparkling waves and the forest shadows on the far bank.
"We have searched all around Jianye City in the past two days, and there is nothing particularly noteworthy. Maybe Zheng Huaizhong did not come to Jianye?" Han Gui had previously believed that Xu Huai came to Jianye in person, and Zheng Huaizhong must be there, but so far there is no evidence.
After discovering clues, I couldn't help but feel a little shaken in my confidence.
When Xu Huai came to visit Funing Palace, Emperor Jianji breathed his last breath and passed away. This was more urgent than Han Gui had expected - after all the funeral matters were agreed upon, it was up to the succeeding emperor and the ministers to issue an edict to the world.
, in order to avoid causing greater chaos, the funeral edict cannot be delayed for too long.
Xu Huai refused Hu Kai's proposal in person at Funing Palace, let alone contacted Prince Huai's Palace. If Zheng Huaizhong failed to show up, not only would they not be able to fulfill Emperor Jianji's last wish, they would also be trapped in an isolated predicament.
.
This was why Han Gui wasn't anxious. He didn't understand how Xu Huai could sleep peacefully after returning from Funing Palace.
Maybe after all, I still lack a bit of the magnanimity and calmness of a leisurely stroll, right?
"Be patient and wait until noon, before the guests arrive. It won't be too late for me to enter the palace again." Xu Huai stood with his hands on his sleeves, letting Qiu blow his hair on his temples, and said.
"How about I go to Prince Huai's Mansion?" Han Gui said.
Zheng Huaizhong did not show up for a long time, and when they were finally "forced by the situation" to support Huai Wang Zhao Guan, they would be too passive.
Han Gui thought of secretly going to Prince Huai's Mansion first, not only to gain at least some benefits, but also to resolve possible passivity.
"..." Xu Huai shook his head and said, "It's impossible for Zheng Huaizhong not to send people to keep an eye on every plant and tree in Prince Huai's Mansion. Maybe someone in Prince Huai's Mansion has been bribed by Zheng Huaizhong. We can't alert the snake - Chushan has experienced so much in these years.
In the wind and waves, there are always dangers that don't come back, and there are so many critical moments. What does this point mean in front of you? You should also go and rest, don't tire yourself too much..."
Han Gyu returned to the room, opened the window, and let the moonlight leak out on the brick floor.
Lying down in his clothes, he couldn't fall asleep. He didn't know how much time had passed. Han Gui heard the sound of footsteps and looked around. He saw Zhang Xiongshan walking to the corridor and asked hurriedly: "Zhang Canjun, what's going on?"
"Mr. Han is still awake," Zhang Xiongshan said, "There is a boat going along the west side of the Yangtze River and turning towards the mouth of the river..."
Zhou Jing stayed in Nancai, and Zhang Xiongshan and Han Gui were directly responsible for the search and guards here.
If they had any objections, they would consult Guo Jun and Wang Ju to avoid any disturbance that would directly disturb Xu Huai.
Han Gui and Zhang Xiongshan walked to the observation deck in the front yard and saw under the moonlight that a boat had sailed through the river mouth and came to the warehouse. After Xu Huai checked into the warehouse, Zhufengtang released several sentry boats outside the dock.
As a warning, it is much smaller than the boat.
After the boat crossed the river mouth, it sailed straight towards the warehouse dock. Two sentinel boats immediately went over to intercept and conduct an inspection. The alert was raised accordingly inside and outside the warehouse.
Zhang Xiongshan and Han Gui were also patient and did not rush to report to Xu Huai.
After checking, the two sentinel boats signaled for release. One sentinel boat led the way, followed by several sentinel boats, which headed towards the warehouse - the leading sentinel boat was the first to dock at the pier. Someone came ashore and ran over quickly to report: "
Zhao Fan, who joined the Huaidong Zhizhi Department and recorded affairs and joined the army, asked to see the Commander-in-Chief..."
"Let them come ashore first," Zhang Xiongshan said.
After a while, I saw Zhao Fan walking towards the observation deck, supported by two people and surrounded by more than ten people.
Zhao Fan's eyesight was not good. The torches on the observation tower and the left and right walls were not very dense. The full moon was obscured by light clouds and became hazy. He raised his head and asked: "Which general in Chushan is here? Zhao Fan from Huaidong is visiting. Please also invite Xu Hou."
Are you willing to meet me?"
Zhang Xiongshan winked at Han Gyu and let him deal with it.
"Han Guinai joined the army in the Chushan camp record office. Wasn't Mr. Zhao still a guest in Wuyang a few days ago? Why did he come to Jianye again? Mr. Zhao wanted to see my Jieshuai, but it was all in the dark at this time. My Jieshuai also went to bed early.
Are you asking us to pass the test, or not? Mr. Zhao should wait until dawn..." Han Gui held his hand on the wooden fence of the observation deck, looked over, and saw the man next to Zhao Fan holding a hood.
His head and face are covered, but he has a strong body. He must be Zheng Huaizhong.
"It was really difficult to meet Xu Hou, and Zhao Fan also suffered a lot, so I bothered Han Langjun to report it," Zhao Fan said.
Han Gui pretended to have a discussion with Zhang Xiongshan, and then sent people to report to Xu Huai, Wang Ju, Guo Junpan and others.
…………
…………
After getting Xu Huai's permission, Han Gui asked Zhao Fan to wait outside the protective wall and accept supervision. Han Gui and Zhang Xiongshan led Zhao Fan and Zheng Huaizhong, who covered their heads and faces with hoods, to Xu Huai's residence.
Xu Huai stood in front of the corridor waiting for him. He watched Zheng Huaizhong walk into the courtyard before taking off his hood, revealing his thin face with gray beard and hair. He put his hands behind his hands and asked, "What is the purpose of Duke Wen's late night visit?"
"I came here late at night just to get a glimpse of the secret edict, and please ask Xu Hou for some convenience!" Zheng Huaizhong stared at Xu Huai with sinister eyes and said in a low voice.
"Please invite Mr. Wen into the room to drink tea."
Xu Huai stretched out his hand and asked Zheng Huaizhong to come in and sit behind the case. He took out a secret edict and handed it to Zheng Huaizhong from Han Gui:
"...How is Chushan? We haven't seen each other for another year, and we miss each other very much. Although I knew that drinking alcohol would be harmful to the body, since Xiangyang came to the throne, I have been having trouble sleeping all night. Only after drinking can I get a sound sleep or two to relieve fatigue.
I often warn myself, but it is difficult to abstain. You must not learn from me in this matter. When I heard about the assassination of the king of captives, I was extremely happy. I convened a banquet with all the ministers. I thought about drinking heavily before I restrained myself, but I didn't want to get drunk in the early morning.
I woke up with a splitting headache, constant vomiting, and paralysis of the limbs. I am afraid that the evil illness will not be cured, but the internal and external troubles have not been eliminated, so I write this edict for you. The prince is young, the officials are stubborn, the generals are lacking in courage, and the barbarians are watching like jackals and leopards.
I am worried, but the emperor’s brother is suspicious..."
"No more?" Zhao Fan sat next to Zheng Huaizhong and asked in surprise when he saw that the secret edict came to an abrupt end when it said "the emperor's younger brother is suspicious of his nature".
This is a fake edict copied by Han Gui. In addition to imitating the messy handwriting and broken marks of Emperor Jianji when he was critically ill, the main content has been slightly modified. The most important thing is to change the word "Zheng" at the last broken mark.
Changed to "Emperor's younger brother Zhao Yiwu"...
Zhao Fan and Zheng Huaizhong looked at each other for a long time. They had been trying to figure out what was written in the secret edict for more than ten days, but they did not expect that it was an unfinished secret edict.
However, after carefully considering the many subtle details surrounding the secret edict these days, they suddenly felt it was reasonable and did not have the slightest suspicion.
"This is the secret edict!" Xu Huai hid the secret edict withdrawn by Han Gui in his sleeve and said, "Xu was very embarrassed when he received this secret edict in Chushan - His Majesty did not explain it clearly, Xu was in a hurry
I rushed to Jianye to see His Majesty, but failed to receive even a few words of instruction. His Majesty passed away. Alas, Xu didn’t know what to do with this edict..."
"It is a well-known fact that His Majesty was dissatisfied with King Huai during his lifetime. The unwritten word in the secret edict should undoubtedly be "break". Your Majesty is saying that King Huai is doubtful and indecisive and is not the choice of a human being. The Holy Will is clear
, isn’t this obvious enough?” Zhao Fan said.
"Mr. Zhao, that's what I say. Xu is more willing to believe Mr. Zhao's analysis, but the question is will King Huai admit it? Can this convince the ministers?" Xu Huai asked unhurriedly.
"Marquis Xu led so many troops to the capital, he won't stop there, right?" Zheng Huaizhong asked, looking into Xu Huai's eyes.
"The journey is not smooth. The last time I went to Beijing to meet the driver, I almost lost my life in the hands of bandits. Can I be more careful now?" Xu Huai said, "Please don't think too much, Mr. Wen..."
"Xu Hou, if the wise don't tell secrets, King Huai's ascension to the throne will not be of any benefit to Chushan. Even if he is promised some benefits at the beginning, he will definitely be taken away from Chushan in the future."
Zheng Huaizhong said in a low voice, "The ministers in the court have always been suspicious of Chushan. In the past, it was only because of your majesty's trust that Xu Hou could monopolize military affairs in Huaihe. After King Huai ascended the throne, regardless of the previous grievances between Chushan and Qiandi's old ministers, Chushan
Can you really withstand the slanders coming from the court? Yes, Xu Hou and I have not been very happy in the past, but I know very well that in the future, only the Zheng family and Xu Hou will be in charge of state affairs, and my grandson
Only then can we sit firmly on the throne and not be bullied by those pedantic people who drop their books. Where to go? Does Xu Hou still need to hesitate at this time?"
"In ancient times and in the future, those who cross the river and demolish the bridge are like the crucian carp crossing the river. Sometimes the words they say cannot be taken as evidence..." Han Gui sat aside and interjected leisurely.
"The capital of Dayue is Jianye, and the two Jings are the western arms of the country - if Xuhou establishes a prince, the Duke of the country will help Xuhou control the military and political affairs of the two Jings and the southwestern road of Beijing; Xuhou can also command two rulers in the court - this is probably better than an empty promise
, much more real, right?" Zhao Fan said.
Seeing Zhao Fan making a promise for Zheng Huaizhong, Xu Huai looked at Wang Ju, Guo Junpan and others sitting beside him.
Wang Ju and Guo Jun judged that they were here to be tools and had no duty to interrupt. However, when they heard that Zhao Fan had made such a heavy promise for the Zheng family, they were secretly frightened and couldn't help but look moved.
At present, the most important areas in Dai Viet are: Jianghuai Road, Jiangdong Road, Liangzhejiang Road, Chuanxia Road, Jinghu Road, Xiangyang, Nanyang and Rucai Prefectures.
Jinghu Road plus Xiangyang Prefecture, Nanyang and Rucai Prefectures, a total of 19 prefectures and more than 100 counties, are located in the middle of the world. Even though the level of development is not as high as Jianghuai, Jiangdong and Liangzhe Sixth Road, its political, economic and strategic status
They are all higher than Chuanxia 3rd Road.
"How will King Huai deal with it?" Han Gui was stunned for a while and asked again.
"Wang Boqian and Yang Maoyan were ministers who surrendered to the enemy, and Ge Boyi was a general of the defeated army. The King of Huai didn't know who he was, so he relied on ministers who surrendered to the enemy and generals of the defeated army, and forced His Majesty to tolerate it. It is really disrespectful. He should be asked to live in the palace.
Reflect on it every day..." Zhao Fan said.
"Wen Guogong has this responsibility, but Xu is willing to follow it," Xu Huai took out the secret edict from his sleeve and said, "Your Majesty's edict is here, please Wen Guogong, please act according to the edict..."
"No, no," Zhao Fan shook his head and said, "This posthumous edict is still not rigorous enough. It may cause unnecessary suspicion and confusion. Maybe another secret edict with clear words needs to be drafted. In addition, all the ministers know that the secret edict was sent by His Majesty.
For Xu Hou, Xu Hou should hold the edict and announce it to the world in order to stop Youyou's mouth!"
"Mr. Zhao, when you say this, are you deceiving Xu because he is too young and ignorant?" Xu Huai suddenly changed his expression and said coldly, "Xu faked the secret edict and even went to the palace to announce it in person.
Everyone, in the future if Duke Wen Guogong refuses to admit his fault, won’t all the dirty water be borne by Xu?”
"Marquis Xu, calm down, Zheng has absolutely no such thoughts..." Zheng Huaizhong said.
"How can Marquis Xu trust Duke Zheng?" Zhao Fan asked.
All the ministers knew that the posthumous edict was delivered to Xu Huai on the instruction of Emperor Jianji. Unless Xu Huai came forward to announce the secret edict, how could it be recognized if someone else went to the palace to read it out with the secret edict?
Another thing is that they must consider that Prince Huai may take desperate risks - Prince Huai's palace has three thousand elite soldiers in Jianye City, who dares to ignore it at this juncture.
The Jianye garrison was headed by Zhang Xin, Yu Gong and other generals, and they all had connections with Chushan. Not to mention that the soldiers of the Jianye garrison were mainly selected from the army and people of Taiyuan, and they were deeply indebted to Xu Huai - not to mention that Xu Huai was the edict holder.
, this time he openly led the elite cavalry to Jianye. At this time, only Xu Huai could suppress King Huai from taking risks.
"Zheng Gong left a written note, explaining one by one that everything Xu Huai did next was sent by Zheng Gong. He also asked Mr. Zhao to sign it as a witness. If Zheng Gong breaks his promise in the future, don't blame Xu Huai for publishing the written note to the world.
