Although more than a month has passed, Jinyang City has still not recovered from the turmoil.
Most of the damage suffered in the streets and markets of Zhucheng has been properly repaired, and there are not many traces of the turmoil from the appearance alone. However, the traces on the outside are easy to erase, but the wounds on the inside are difficult to repair.
There are blockades between the cities, and you can no longer travel freely between them as before. There are armored soldiers stationed in the streets and alleys. Whenever you find any pedestrian who feels that you are acting strangely, you will directly stop him and question him. If you don't respond appropriately, you will be immediately detained and taken into custody.
Therefore, there are very few pedestrians on the street. Even if they have to go into the market, they all walk in a hurry, not daring to look around, let alone stop, creating a tense and solemn atmosphere on the road.
The atmosphere among the people is very solemn, and it is also the same among the officials. In some places, it is even more solemn.
The Prime Minister's Mansion received heavy protection during the turmoil, so it did not suffer much actual impact. However, the defense is still even more stringent today, with soldiers and soldiers standing like a forest inside and outside, and there is no blind spot as far as the eye can see.
In front of the main hall of the Prime Minister's Residence, apart from the two rows of guards holding Sukua swords, lined up in front of the corridor, the most eye-catching ones are She Diqian and Gao Yue kneeling on the bluestone slab under the stairs outside the main hall.
Since the day Gao Wangyi returned to the mansion, the two of them could not afford to kneel down and bear thorns to plead guilty. However, due to King Gao's severe wind illness, he could not see anything. After returning to the mansion, he went straight to the inner hall for medical treatment. So far, they have not been summoned and dealt with, so the two of them He also knelt outside the Zhitang door all day long, not daring to leave for even a moment.
The weather was gloomy, and soon snowflakes started to fall, and soon a layer of ice and snow accumulated on the ground, making the two people kneeling on the ground look even more bleak.
It happened that Zhao Yanshen, a military officer in the prime minister's palace, hurriedly entered the palace. When he saw this scene, he immediately frowned and pointed at the guards beside him and said angrily: "How dare you neglect the second prince like this? Quickly raise the curtain!"
After hearing this, the two of them all raised their heads and nodded to Zhao Yanshen to thank him. Zhao Yanshen didn't say anything more, and turned around and walked back into the straight hall.
The subordinate officials in the straight hall were sitting in separate seats, each of them processing the documents on the case in front of them with concentration. Sitting in the original position of King Gao was a man in his twenties, wearing a crimson brocade robe inside and a robe outside. A young man in a mink fur coat.
The young man's eyes are deep and bright, and his facial features are picturesque. Only the corners of his eyes are narrow and upward, which adds a bit of frivolity to his handsome face, but it still does not damage his handsome and wise overall temperament. He is paired with a luxurious and decent outfit. Clothes and accessories give people a sense of distance that is difficult to get close to.
"Your Majesty, I have informed the state capital of your mission."
Zhao Yanshen walked into the hall and first greeted the young people in the hall. When he saw the young people nodded slightly in response, he stood up again. Just as he was about to return to his seat and sit down, his mind changed and he bowed again. The memorial said: "Qinghe Gong and Guangping Gong are still kneeling outside the hall to plead guilty..."
After he finished saying this, he waited for a while, but there was still no response from the young man. He was still immersed in the case file, so he thought that the other party did not hear it, so he said again: "Mr. Qinghe..."
boom!
As soon as Zhao Yanshen opened his mouth, he saw the young man standing up with a slap on the table, throwing the hair pen at Zhao Yanshen, and said angrily: "Zhao thinks my hearing and vision are dim! So what if they are still outside the hall? If you can't bear it, Get out and kneel together!"
The person who can sit in the main seat and dare to be angry is certainly not an ordinary person. The young man is Gao Cheng, the eldest son of Bohai King Gao Huan.
He still couldn't get over his angry rebuke to Zhao Yanshen, so he went down to the hall and grabbed Zhao Yanshen and pulled him to his case. He pointed at the pile of papers on the case and said angrily: "You see me idle? How can I have time to listen to that?"
You two clumsy people are complaining and defending themselves! Your Majesty has adopted you as a member of the palace, so that you and other foreigners can share their opinions and support each other?"
"I don't dare, I... I only see that the people in Jinyang are still worried about themselves and fearing chaos. Those involved are not interested in the matter. The punishment must be determined and everyone accepts it, so that the mood of the people can be stabilized."
Zhao Yanshen quickly kowtowed to the ground, saying that he had no intention of forming a party for selfish purposes and was just discussing the matter.
After all, punishment is not terrible. Jinyang City has been in such a state of disaster, and everyone left behind is to blame. However, because the punishment has not been handed down for a long time, it makes the people worried and guess whether it is light or heavy, making people impetuous.
Uneasy.
At this time, a middle-aged counselor sitting on the other side of the main seat also stood up and saluted Gao Cheng: "Zhao Shenjun has been in charge of secrets for a long time and is shrewd in matters. Since he is giving this advice, he must have some advice."
The reason is that the prince has been in the government for a long time and is unfamiliar with the affairs of the government. He must be cautious in making decisions and take into account the opinions of the public."
The name of the middle-aged counselor was Chen Yuankang. When Gao Cheng heard these words, the anger on his face subsided slightly. After returning to the table and sitting down, he raised his hand and ordered: "Let those two come in."
After the order was passed on, the two people outside the hall were secretly happy when they heard the sound. Although they did not expect to be given a lighter sentence, it was better than kneeling in a stalemate for such a long time. However, when they wanted to stand up, they were suddenly paralyzed because of the paralysis of their limbs.
After falling to the ground, he had to rely on the guards to help him, and then he walked towards the door tremblingly.
Seeing the two people entering the hall, Gao Chengzhi stretched out his hand to applaud them in the banquet. His eyebrows were full of sarcasm, and he sneered: "We have known each other for a short time. I have recently learned that these two people are hospitable to each other. They welcome and give gifts very much."
There is a way to treat guests!”
After the two of them heard this, they looked even more ashamed. They each touched their heads to the ground and said in a trembling voice: "I am staying behind, but I have disobeyed the king's entrustment and caused the thieves to cause trouble in Kinki. It is really an unforgivable crime. I will die."
It's not a pity, I beg the prince to punish you..."
"Since we know that sin is unforgivable and death is not a pity, it has been two days since Wang Jia returned. Why don't we see you two practicing what you know?"
Gao Cheng still sneered rudely.
After hearing this, the two people in the hall were even more embarrassed. As the main person in charge of the city defense, Shedigan was already blaming himself. Now that he was ridiculed and shunned by the prince, he immediately took away the sword of a guard next to him.
He was about to kill himself with the knife, but the guard next to him threw him to the ground with quick eyes and quick hands.
Seeing this scene, Gao Cheng's brows and eyes became even more fierce. He walked down from the hall, raised his hand and grabbed the back of the knife that was still held by She Di Qian, and said in a cold voice: "I won't talk about business for now. Uncle, what are you talking about?"
I am very resentful! The thief is trying to kill you, but you are so embarrassed and angry that you throw yourself into battle.
I made a few jokes today, which actually makes you want to live with me. The world between heaven and earth is so vast. If you really have the will to die, how can you not achieve your wish? But you chose to make this gesture just within my ears and eyes, in order to trap me.
Is it unfair to lose a relative?"
She Diqian was not good at words and scheming. Hearing Gao Cheng's heart-breaking words, his mood became even more ups and downs, so that his face burst into tears and he was unable to express his sadness.
Gao Cheng forcefully took out the knife from She Di Qian's hand, held the back of the knife and handed the handle to Gao Yue, then sneered: "Does Mr. Qinghe also need a knife?"
After hearing this, Gao Yue was speechless and could only bow to the ground and bury his face between his arms.
Seeing that Gao Yue did not take the knife, Gao Cheng then turned around and grabbed the handle of the knife. He swung the knife and chopped down the guard who had lost the knife.
Counter-murder? Tell his family that all the funeral and pension funds will be collected at the Guangping residence!"
Everyone in the hall was silent when they saw this scene. The guards came in expressionlessly and took away the body of the guard who had lost his sword and wiped away the blood stains on the ground.
At this moment, Gao Cheng returned to the hall and sat down, placed the knife on the case, then looked down at the two of them and said: "Both of you are relatives in the household, and you have devoted your life to it since you started your business.
I have often heard and witnessed the merits of hard work, so I often have feelings for them and look at them higher than others.
Since I have spent most of my time in court in recent years, we have not seen each other as much as in previous years, and our friendship has inevitably been neglected. But this is not the reason for you to indulge yourself and refuse to help me! At present, the military and political affairs in the government are complicated, and you two are not only
He didn't try his best to help, he just knelt down and worshiped in the front yard, which made me embarrassed!
Do you think that in your eyes, I am just an unwise villain who is unkind and ungrateful, and only wants to gain authority by insulting his elders? Or, am I not worthy of pardoning your sins? The preface has taught me that the merits are not worth the effort.
Now that we've done it, will you two promise to fulfill your responsibilities?"
"This, this... Your Majesty, thank you very much. Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your kindness. I will go to pieces to repay this kindness. If I neglect my duties again, I am willing to be mutilated and die!"
Gao Yue reacted immediately and kowtowed to the ground in a hurry, choking with tears and crying.
Soon Shedigan also calmed down his emotions, knelt down and bowed and said: "I have lost control of myself, and I deserve to be laughed at. The prince is so kind and tolerant, and I still have more than enough to sacrifice my life to repay my kindness. I don't dare to be ignorant and shrinking anymore, I can only bow my head and obey orders.
Even if you die, you will never give up!"
The combination of beatings not only vented his sullenness, but also corrected the attitude of the two people. Gao Cheng knew that the affairs of the Bafu were far more complicated and important than those in the court. Now his father was suffering from severe illness.
If the two people are dismissed from their stay-at-home duties rashly, the situation will only become more chaotic.
After beating the two of them and temporarily seizing their titles, they returned to their respective duties without being paid. Seeing that today's affairs were almost settled, Gao Cheng no longer stayed in Zhitang, and took his confidant Chen Yuankang with him.
Then he went to the inner palace to visit his father's condition.
At this time, in the inner palace, all the wives, concubines, and children of King Gao were gathered in the hall. They all looked around anxiously. When they saw Gao Cheng entering, most of them stood up to greet him, not daring to neglect the heir apparent.
Gao Cheng ignored the people attending the ceremony and went straight into the hall to worship his mother. Then he sat at a table with his mother. His eyes lingered for a moment on Mr. Zhu who was dressed as a nun nearby and Princess Weiwei who was alone in a curtain.
, the eyes look deeper.
"Brother, I will go to Yedu with my cousin Duan to attend court. Before leaving, may I ask if you have any important matters to give me?"
As soon as Gao Cheng sat down, a young man who looked unattractive and even a little ugly walked forward, bowed deeply to Gao Cheng and asked in a low voice.
This person was none other than Gao Yang, the second son of King Gao, Duke of Taiyuan. Since the prince returned to Jinyang to take charge, he was sent to Yedu with Duan Shao.
Gao Cheng looked down at his brother condescendingly, but there was no sign of intimacy between his brows and eyes.
Before he could say anything, his mother Lou frowned and said, "If you are good at what you say and do, doesn't Mr. Gu Zang have no titles for you to call you? You already lack the majesty and manners of a royal. If you continue to treat others in person, you will be looked down upon even more!"
Is it easy for your father and brother to accumulate prestige? Unfortunately, we have such a stupid person in our family. I don’t expect you to be more beautiful than your brothers. As long as you don’t insult the family tradition, you will be lucky!”
As soon as these words came out, many people in the neighborhood chuckled. This was probably not the first time such a conversation had occurred. Although Gao Yang was the deputy head of the household, he still lacked dignity in front of his brothers.
"Who's laughing? Get out!"
When Gao Cheng heard the ridicule, he glared, grabbed the porcelain on the table, threw it to the ground and said angrily: "Even though this slave is unworthy, he has already gone out to take care of the housework, which is better than the idle and unproductive wastes like you here."
!”
After receiving this rebuke, everyone lowered their heads and shut up, not daring to refute and offend the prince.
At this time, a middle-aged beautiful woman hurriedly walked into the hall. It was Mrs. Han who was responsible for taking care of King Gao during his illness. Mrs. Han entered the hall and looked around, then walked towards the great Zhu family and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this is your honor.
I am in good spirits and would like to invite the nun to come in and meet you."
After Princess Weiwei entered the palace, in order to show respect for her, the Lou family took refuge in the outer room. The concubine of the Dalzhu family, who was deeply loved by King Gao, soon became a nun and practiced as a nun in the Buddhist temple in the city.
Although she has become a monk, Dal Zhu is not completely pure in her six senses and still has some vulgar ways. When she heard that King Gao wanted to see her when he woke up, he stood up and went to the hall with a proud face.
Seeing that his mother looked a little uncomfortable, Gao Cheng raised his hand and patted the back of his mother's hand to express comfort.
More than a quarter of an hour passed before someone came to summon Gao Cheng to come in.
After entering the inner room, Gao Cheng saw his father leaning on the side of the bed with a haggard expression, his eyebrows, eyes, tongue and tongue still a little uncontrollable, so he stepped forward and said softly: "My son is here, and the family business will be taken care of. Ah,
Since you are seriously ill, you should rest and rest, and you really don’t need to see outsiders frequently, so as not to increase your fatigue."
"Then, those two..."
Gao Huan spoke with some difficulty. Gao Cheng knew what he was talking about, so he recounted the punishment for the two people left behind.
"Xin, thank you for your hard work. They were both careless and accidental. If we just abandon them, we will only lose your help..."
Gao Huan was quite satisfied with his son's handling, but soon he looked a little excited again, panting and saying intermittently: "I heard that the thief general who invaded Jinyang was named Li Tai. He was a descendant of the Li family in Longxi and Gao Zhongmi of the old Communist Party.
There are still family members stranded in Xitou, Hebei, find them, find them, kill them all, kill them all!"
Gao Cheng frowned slightly after hearing this, but he patiently comforted his father until his father fell asleep again, and then walked out. When he saw Chen Yuankang, he said in a deep voice: "That bitch of the Erzhu family,
She is not allowed to visit the king again! Today she made a suggestion to the king again, wanting to bring up the old rebellion of Gao Zhongmi, and it is really hateful to taint my reputation at this critical moment!"
There were profound reasons for Gao Zhongmi's betrayal, but many onlookers in the world ignored him. Especially when he admitted Gao Zhongmi's wife, Li, into the government, it gave people a reason to criticize him.
Normally, he would not care about these nonsense, but now that his father is seriously ill and he needs to take charge of the overall situation, he needs to take careful precautions to avoid being exploited by someone who is interested.
After pondering for a while, he continued: "But that Mr. Li is so brave at a young age and dares to invade his homeland so brazenly. I would like to see what kind of family upbringing has produced such a disciple. Let's talk about it first.
Arrest his disciples in his hometown and deal with them at a later date!"
This chapter was really difficult to write. It took me a whole day to think about it. A new volume, a new beginning. I hope you all will continue to support me...