The thirteenth year of Hongde was the middle of July in the thirty-fourth year of Yongping in the Northern Qi Dynasty.
Yandu, inside the imperial palace.
At the entrance of Emperor Yongping's palace, the princes who were still in Yandu knelt on the ground.
There were the eldest prince, the third prince, the fourth prince, and the seventh and eighth princes, kneeling in the front row.
Further back, there are some princes who are not yet adults, kneeling behind.
Obviously, those kneeling at the back have no hope of succeeding.
As for the princes kneeling in the front row, everyone had different thoughts at the moment. Zhao Tong, the eldest son of the emperor, raised his head to look at the closed palace door from time to time, and then quickly lowered his head again.
The princes knelt until it was completely dark, and then the door of the palace slowly opened. The eunuch Liu Yi walked carefully in front of the princes, lowered his head, and said respectfully: "My lords, the emperor is awake."
During the day today, Emperor Yongping suddenly coughed up blood and then fell into a coma.
Therefore, all the princes in Beijing gathered and knelt at the door of the palace, fearing that something would happen to their father.
Of course, there are also people who are afraid that something will happen to dad.
At this moment, every prince had so many thoughts in his mind that no one could guess clearly.
Hearing what Liu Yi said, the eldest prince Zhao Tong stood up first, took Liu Yi's arm, and asked: "Eunuch Liu, how is my father's condition? Can you let us go in and have a look?"
Liu Yi looked at the princes, shook his head slightly and said: "Masters, the emperor said that he is very tired now and does not want to see anyone. Please go back. If the emperor summons you, I will immediately send someone to summon you.
.”
The second prince of Emperor Yongping died early. After the eldest son finished speaking, the third prince Zhao Li also stood up. He cupped his hands towards Liu Yi and said: "Eunuch Liu, our father is not in good health. We
I won’t disturb the old man’s rest, but he is just a doctor who is diagnosing my father’s illness. Can we meet him?”
"No matter what, we sons should also know our father's physical condition."
Hearing his words, the expressions of all the princes present changed slightly.
Because this sentence is a bit too reckless.
At this time, it was unusual. The emperor's physical condition was not only an absolute secret, but also a taboo that could not be mentioned. However, the third prince actually asked about it in front of everyone, which seemed a bit careless.
And...at this moment, this topic is too sensitive.
Before Liu Yi could speak, the eldest prince Zhao Tong shouted and asked: "Third brother! What are your motives for saying such things at this time!"
Zhao Li looked directly up at his brother and said loudly: "As a son of man, shouldn't you care about your father's body? You all have your own agenda and you are taboo about this and that, but I am not afraid!"
"I'm not a prince now, I'm just my father's son! At this time, it's time for me to ask the imperial doctor!"
The fourth prince on the side, the King of Wei Zhao Kai, lowered his head and said nothing.
He had just suffered a loss in Huai'an and was punished by the emperor. Now his chances of succeeding to the throne were slim. At this time, he could only watch his brothers fight with cold eyes.
If you force yourself to come forward, you will inevitably be resented by the new emperor in the future.
The great eunuch Liu Yi saw all the words and deeds of the princes. He bowed his head deeply and said: "Masters, if you have anything to say, let's talk about it tomorrow. If you make a noise here, the emperor may be able to hear it. If you make any more noise,
Let his old man rest."
"As for the imperial physician."
He replied clearly to the third prince Zhao Li: "No one can see you now."
Hearing what he said, the princes had no choice but to get up from the ground, turn around and retreat, leaving the palace.
The great eunuch Liu Yi turned around and returned to the palace, knelt in front of Emperor Yongping who had woken up, and lowered his head deeply: "Your Majesty, all the princes have left."
The emperor lay on the bed and did not speak for a long time. After a while, he slowly said: "Repeat what they said to me."
Liu Yi bowed his head respectfully, repeated what the princes said almost word for word, and then knelt down quietly in front of the emperor and stopped talking.
Emperor Yongping closed his eyes and his voice was hoarse.
"The boss is too stupid, the third child is too scheming..."
"As for the fourth child..."
The emperor was silent for a while and sighed helplessly: "There are means, but no virtue."
Having said this, Emperor Yongping did not continue.
If it were in the past, there would be no need for him to be so worried. Although all of his sons have shortcomings, they are not fools. With the powerful national power of Da Qi, if you choose any one to ascend the throne, it will not shake the country.
.
But things are different now.
Huaihe was defeated several times, and now even Xuzhou was occupied by the Southern Dynasties. Nan Chen might send troops to the Northern Expedition at any time and start a national war.
At this time, Emperor Yongping needed to choose a successor who was capable and capable, but who would not mess up the country.
The palace fell into a deathly silence.
After an unknown amount of time, the emperor slowly said, "Go and summon Yanli to the palace. I have something to discuss with him."
Eunuch Liu hurriedly lowered his head and turned to invite Prime Minister Yan.
After tea time, the only Han prime minister among the three prime ministers of the Northern Qi Dynasty, Yan Li, hurried into the emperor's palace, knelt in front of the emperor, kowtowed and said: "Old minister, I pay my respects to the emperor."
The emperor raised his hand to signal him to stand up and reply. Then Prime Minister Yan, who was already in his sixties, got up from the ground and stood up carefully with his hands down.
"When I heard that the emperor had fainted, I was so frightened that I came to see you several times during the day, but was not allowed to enter. After dark, I had to guard the meeting hall, so I did not come to see you, the emperor..."
The emperor waved his hand, indicating that it was okay.
He said slowly: "The imperial doctor said that he will not die for the time being."
Having said this, he paused and asked, "When will Ma Cheng come back?"
Yan Li lowered his head and said respectfully: "Back to Your Majesty, Prime Minister Ma has finished talking to the Tatars and is on his way back to Yandu. It is estimated that he will be able to return to Beijing in a few days."
Emperor Yongping seemed to be out of breath. He took several deep breaths before he regained his composure. Then he quietly raised his head and looked at the Han Prime Minister in front of him. He shook his head and sighed: "Among me, Master Zhu Li, if there are more strict
For a person like you, I don’t have to worry now.”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Old man Yan quickly lowered his head and said: "There are many talents in the upper clan, and there are few who can surpass the old minister. Don't talk about anything else, just discuss matters.
The other two prime ministers in the hall are far superior to the old minister..."
"You will say something nice."
The emperor shook his head slightly and said with emotion: "I have not paid attention to the government affairs for many days. Ma Cheng is not in the court. The other old man in the council hall is just a prime minister in name. For such a long time, you have been running the council hall, Yan Qing."
.”
"In this imperial court."
Emperor Yongping laughed at himself: "You can't live without Ma Cheng, you can live without me, but I'm afraid I can't live without you, Yan Qing."
Yan Li lowered his hands and stood: "The emperor is too flattering to kill the old minister..."
The emperor raised his head, stared at the only Han prime minister in the court, and suddenly said quietly: "Prime Minister Yan, the imperial doctor said... I won't live long."
Hearing these words, Yan Li knelt down on the ground with a plop, kowtowed and said: "How could the Holy One say such things when he was at his peak in the Spring and Autumn Period? What kind of imperial doctor is he? I have to punish him severely!"
"Punish him severely and you can save me?"
The emperor shook his head slightly and said with a smile: "I have ascended the throne as a young man. I have been on the throne for more than thirty years and have become extremely noble. I have not had many regrets in my life. Even if I pass away at this time, I have nothing to say."
"It's just that I really can't worry about leaving such a royal court to future generations."
He looked at Yan Li and asked: "Yan Qing has become the ruler of the country, who do you think would be a good choice for the new king?"
Yan Xiang knelt on the ground, his body trembling.
"This is an internal matter of the Holy Lord's family and the Lord's clan. I really dare not say anything about it."
Emperor Yongping had kind eyes and brows: "Since I'm asking you, just say it's okay."
Yan Li still knelt on the ground with his butt stuck out, not daring to raise his head: "I have nothing to say, please forgive me..."
The emperor stared at Yan Li for a long time, and then sighed helplessly: "That's all, I won't embarrass Yan Qing anymore. You can go back to the meeting hall."
Only then did Yan Li get up and go away with many thanks.
The great eunuch Liu Yi personally sent the Yan Li away.
When Liu Yi returned to the palace, His Majesty the Emperor looked at him with a faint look.
"Consider him sensible."
After Emperor Yongping said this, he closed his eyes, his tone full of exhaustion.
"When Ma Cheng comes back, let him and Tong Xiang come into the palace to see me."
The emperor paused and added weakly.
"Discuss the candidate for the new king."
Liu Yi knelt on the ground and kowtowed respectfully, with caution in his tone, for fear of offending this duplicitous master.
