Address him directly as "Prince" when he opens his mouth.
Because according to Emperor Yongping's original intention, Zhao Kai was originally the prince of Da Qi, but at that time, King Qi was in charge of the state, and the other two prime ministers were colluding, so the emperor's will was ultimately not conveyed.
King Wei... no, it should be said that it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The smile on his face could hardly be suppressed at this moment. He quickly stepped forward, helped the old prime minister up, and pretended to be confused: "What does Prime Minister Yan mean by this?"
?”
Zhao Kai frowned and said: "I led the troops into the city not because I wanted to be the emperor, but because King Qi committed regicide and was treasonous, so I raised the troops to correct the government."
"I, the king, have no interest in the throne at all."
Zhao Kai said in a deep voice: "After the remnants of King Qi's party are cleared out, the ministers in the court and I, the elders of the Zhao family, will elect a new emperor among the father and sons."
After Yan Li stood up, he still lowered his head and said with tears: "Your Highness is so upright and honorable. It's just the Emperor Daxing's edict before his death, which is to make Your Highness the Crown Prince..."
The old man was quite sad and cried: "The three of us went to the palace in the morning to listen to this imperial edict. In the evening, Emperor Daxing was killed by those traitors."
"It's pity that I, Emperor Daxing, have ruled the world for more than thirty years. I am a divine, civilized, and martial artist, but in my old age, I don't even have a good death..."
Old Yan Li burst into tears, crying especially sadly.
Seeing his appearance, Zhao Kai and Zhou Yuanlang were both a little stunned.
Because in their own eyes, they are actually rebels.
Why do you think the old man looks like this...
It doesn't look like you're lying?
Zhao Kai froze on the spot and said nothing.
Zhou Yuanlang on the side thought for a while, silently stepped forward and whispered: "Old Prime Minister, Your Highness is going to clean up your affairs. This is not only extremely dangerous, but also risking the disapproval of the world. Now in the city of Yandu, only Old Prime Minister can clean up your innocence."
Your Highness has been wronged."
"This is natural."
Yan Li said: "Not only did the old ministers hear it that day, but Liu Yi, the eunuch of the inner court, was also present. In addition..."
"In the afternoon of that day, Emperor Daxing sent Liu Yi to the meeting hall to press for the imperial edict, but Tong and Ma had ulterior motives and delayed the attack until the evening."
"The veteran remembers that Eunuch Liu said that day that if the meeting hall could not draft an imperial edict before dark, the Imperial Academy would draft it."
Yan Li bowed his head to Zhao Kai and said, "Your Highness can ask the eunuch Liu Yi or someone from the Hanlin Academy."
At this point, Old Man Yan shed tears again: "Your Highness, the Tatars are watching in the north, and the Southern Dynasties are invading the south for no reason. At this time of national crisis, Emperor Daxing has entrusted the important responsibilities of the family and country to His Highness.
I just want His Highness to reorganize the imperial court and revitalize Daqi!"
"No matter what, Your Highness must not shirk responsibility, but must do his part."
After hearing this, Zhao Kai already believed it.
He was silent for a while, then looked back in the direction of the imperial city, feeling a little uncomfortable.
Because after entering the city, he didn't take his father's death too seriously. He was so overwhelmed by the victory that he had no time to take care of anything else. Now after hearing what Yan Li said and thinking about his father's death, he didn't feel sad.
After all, although he is a bit evil, he also has a fleshy heart.
After being silent for a while, Zhao Kai turned back to Yan Li, lowered his head slightly and said, "What should I do now? Please give me advice from the old Prime Minister."
Yan Li lowered his head and said, "Your Highness, you're welcome."
"The first priority is to organize the funeral of Emperor Dahang. The more grand it is, the better."
"Previously, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince surrounded the capital of Yan, but now the body of Emperor Daxing has not yet been buried. Your Highness should go to the mourning of Emperor Daxing to fulfill his filial piety."
Yan Li paused and said, "It's best to keep the vigil longer."
"As for the imperial edict of Emperor Daxing, I will try my best to restore it and read it out on a day..."
Zhao Kai looked at Yan Li and said nothing, but his intention was self-evident.
Prime Minister Yan lowered his head slightly and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. In three days, I will lead all the officials and invite Your Highness to ascend the throne."
Zhao Kai looked calm, looked back at Zhou Yuanlang, and said: "Sir, post a notice that I will stay in front of the late emperor's soul for three months to show his sincerity and filial piety."
Zhou Yuanlang bowed his head respectfully and said yes.
Yan Li hesitated for a moment and then said: "Furthermore, please forgive Prince Qi and his family."
"Don't kill rashly."
"To show His Majesty's kindness."
Zhao Kai was stunned. He looked at Yan Li and frowned.
Zhou Yuanlang lowered his head and said: "Your Highness, what Prime Minister Yan means is to temporarily move away from Prince Qi's Mansion and seal them off. It will show that Your Highness has a clear conscience."
Hearing this, Zhao Kai already understood.
Just because it’s not moving for the time being doesn’t mean it won’t be moving in the future.
Historically, those who failed in this kind of struggle were expelled from the feudal clan in the capital. In the end, they often died inexplicably. It might be because of a fire, an epidemic, or they might be frightened by an imperial edict from the emperor. It wouldn't take long before they died.
He will become violently ill and die.
Moreover, there are often no descendants.
Zhao Kai is a child of the royal family and has been studying since he was a child. Naturally, he has seen countless examples of this kind. After hearing this, he already understood the meaning of the two people and said calmly: "In that case, we will do as Yan Xiang said.
"
He looked back at Zhou Yuanlang and said, "Mr. Zhou, you will go to the Hanlin Academy in person later to find out."
Zhao Kai let out a long sigh.
"I want to find out how my father got there."
After saying that, His Highness the Prince turned and left. After getting on the sedan chair, he was still a little sad and couldn't help wiping his tears.
After Zhao Kai left, Yan Li looked at Zhou Yuanlang who was just there, and said softly: "Congratulations, Mr. Zhou, for jumping over the dragon's gate."
Zhou Yuanlang quickly lowered his head.
"The Prime Minister is making fun of you."
"No teasing."
Yan Xiang said with a smile: "From now on, no one in the new dynasty dares to look down on the Zhou family."
"Throughout the ages, Conglong's merit has always been the greatest achievement."
Zhou Yuanlang gave a bitter smile and sighed: "This junior is just lucky."
"I have guessed something."
Yan Li stroked his beard and said, "Master Zhou, is it for General Zhou that you put yourself in danger?"
Zhou Yuanlang looked up at the old man, neither admitting nor denying.
"Master Zhou has won the bet, and the Zhou family's position in Daqi has become difficult to shake."
Zhou Yuanlang was silent for a while and then exhaled: "The war in the south has probably been ruined."
"At most we will lose a few state capitals."
Prime Minister Yan said calmly: "When two countries fight, what matters is never the strength of their troops, but the strength of their country."
"Our great Qi national power is much better than that of the Southern Dynasties."
"Even if you don't annihilate them and just send troops to garrison some big cities, it will take a few years and they will gradually be unable to conquer."
The Prime Minister of the Northern Qi Dynasty said slowly: "If we relied on the strength of our troops to conquer the world, the Emperor Daxing would have raised his troops to go south long ago."
"The Huaihe Navy of the Southern Dynasties was not really that indestructible."
"It's just that the national strength is not enough to conquer Nanchen, so our court has not taken action yet."
Yan Li said with a smile: "Master Zhou, let's just watch. After a few years, the passion of those young and lustful people in the Southern Dynasty will die out, and they will go back to Jiankang to enjoy themselves."
"At that time, General Zhou will still be able to take charge of the Southern Conquest Army."
Yan Li looked at Zhou Yuanlang and said with a smile: "Master Zhou, your future achievements will probably be far better than General Zhou's."
Zhou Yuanlang quickly lowered his head: "The Prime Minister has promoted the younger generation."
Yan Li stretched out his hand to help him up. The old man looked at him and asked: "Master Zhou, how many people have you killed since the prince entered the city?"
Zhou Yuanlang thought for a while and replied: "In addition to the soldiers guarding the city, King Qi... Tong Jian and Ma Cheng were all executed in the palace."
"Together, I'm afraid five to six thousand people have been killed by now."
"not enough."
Yan Xiang shook his head lightly and said: "Master Zhou, at this time, someone needs to be the villain."
"It doesn't matter you, General Lang or General Zhou."
"Anyway, someone needs to step forward."
Zhou Yuanlang lowered his head: "Ask the Prime Minister, what should I do?"
"From today."
Yan Xiang's voice was calm: "In the court, there is no one who supports King Qi or openly slanders the Crown Prince."
"They are all Tong Ma's party."
When Zhou Yuanlang heard this, his heart trembled.