There was an unnoticed haze in the Queen Mother's eyes, but she still kept a smile on her face and said softly: "Uncle Ren, do you think this is okay? Don't worry, if Xueer gets married, I will definitely pamper her well.
, the entire Han family will also worship Xueer as a Bodhisattva."
The Queen Mother comes from the Han family. In fact, the influence of the Han family in Kyoto is very weak. Before the Queen Mother was married, the highest official of the Han family was just a seal officer in the Imperial Palace of Kyoto. Until the Queen Mother became the mother of a country,
The dwindling Han family used the relationship of the Queen Mother to appoint several governors and prefects. Han Nanfeng's current identity is only the Minister of Rites. In Kyoto, where there are many high-ranking officials, his status is only ordinary. Han Nanfeng's status alone
Being married to a general is really not qualified, but because of the presence of the queen mother, this marriage can be regarded as a kind of kindness from the royal family.
Ren Siguo said hurriedly: "The Queen Mother's holy grace is a great blessing for our Ren family. The common people have thanked the Queen Mother...!" After a pause, he suddenly said: "It's just that the Queen Mother knows that our father has nothing to do with our Ren family's affairs.
It has to be decided in person, but the common people cannot make the decision. Thanks to the Queen Mother's kindness, the common people immediately compiled a book and sent it to my father, who will make the decision. As soon as they got the news, the common people immediately reported it to the Queen Mother."
"Old General?" The Queen Mother smiled slightly, stared at Ren Xue, and said calmly: "Yes, the old general should make the decision!" What she said was actually meaningful.
…
…
"What does she want to do?"
In the Taihe Palace, the little emperor looked very unhappy. He looked at Xue Poye, who was meditating freely, and asked: "Master, what on earth does she want to do?"
You Shaoqing interjected from the side: "Your Majesty, does the Queen Mother not know that you are going to marry the general?"
"Impossible." Xue Poye said calmly: "Even you know it, how can the Queen Mother not know about it? Don't underestimate this woman, she can stand up in the harem of intrigues and intrigues, she always has some abilities."
The little emperor gritted his teeth and said: "She always wants me to get married as soon as possible. Now we are going to marry the general, but she suddenly interferes. Why?"
"Test!" Xue Poye said calmly.
The little emperor frowned and said, "What are you testing for?"
Xue Poye touched his nose and said thoughtfully: "To test the general's mind. The Queen Mother may know that the possibility of marrying the Han family is extremely small, but she wants to try it. As the Queen Mother, she is not strong enough now.
.And...!" After a pause, he smiled lightly and said: "The late emperor passed away, the Queen Mother lost power, and the future of the Han family is uncertain. She needs to enhance the power of the Han family through this marriage... Whether it can succeed is another question.
That’s an explanation.”
The little emperor sneered and said: "Does she think that if the Han family has the general, I will not dare to touch the Han family? Hehe, I really didn't think of this Han family before, but now, I really want to make a move."
You Shaoqing looked around and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, please give me your words." He was worried that if the news spread to the Queen Mother, it would be detrimental to the little emperor. After all, he was currently holding the little emperor's lap. If things didn't go well for the little emperor, his future would be affected.
It will be ruined.
Xue Poye nodded and said: "Your Majesty, it's better not to say this." After pondering for a moment, a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he said softly: "If she really wants to prevent your Majesty from marrying the general, what is her purpose?
What? Could it be that she is worried that the power of the Holy One will be too great for her?" For a moment, she couldn't figure out the reason.
The little emperor blinked and said: "Master, should we arrange for a few people to follow the Queen Mother...!"
Xue Poye waved his hand and said: "No need, even if we arrange it, the Queen Mother is so old and sophisticated, I'm afraid nothing will happen... Don't worry, some things will naturally be understood when it's time to understand."
…
…
The dusk is gray, and the residual heat of the day has not dissipated. Although we no longer have to endure the scorching summer sun, the sultry weather still makes people feel a little dry.
After more than half a month of long journey, Mingyue King's team finally saw the outline of Kyoto City in the distance. Many people suddenly felt exhausted and muttered in their hearts: "Damn Kyoto, we are finally here."
Although the climate and landscape of Kyoto are far better than those of Yongzhou in the northwest, these wolves from the northwest have made no secret of their disdain for Kyoto. The atmosphere of Yongzhou in the northwest has made the entire Yongzhou feel resistant to the imperial court, because they know that now
The kind and kind King Mingyue who is loved by them should be the real owner of the Dragon Throne in Kyoto.
A team of nearly a thousand people and dozens of carriages carrying northwest specialties swam toward Kyoto like a long gray dragon.
Despite the long journey and the lack of people and horses, the entire team maintained an orderly formation without any clutter. Although everyone's face was obviously tired, the eyes on the unique and determined face of the Northwest people were unusually bright.
sharp.
This is a group of wolves from the northwest.
In the middle of this group of teams, a large but extremely plainly decorated carriage was slowly moving forward, surrounded by more than a dozen guards with swords. Beside the carriage, there were riders on each side, both purebred northwest horses.
, the mane is long at the back, and although it is not as strong and tall as the Hu horse, it is an extremely rare Chinese horse.
The rider on the left is a middle-aged man wearing leather armor. He is wearing a pair of trousers and a "X"-shaped belt on his upper body, revealing a strong and strong body. The muscles seem to contain endless power.
.His skin is slightly dark, perhaps sharpened by the northwest wind and sand, and is very rough, even with many small cuts. However, his dark face is like a black-faced evil god, with an air of calmness.
With a majestic aura, two axes were hung on his back, intertwined together, a pair of sharp eyes looked at the hazy Kyoto in the distance, and the corners of his mouth were full of mockery.
The person on the right looks more elegant, quite rich-looking, wearing a sky-blue gown, with two small mustaches growing on his square-eared head, which is quite uncoordinated. He is holding a brocade handkerchief in his hand.
He kept wiping the sweat from his forehead. For fat people, the sultry weather is their hated enemy.
As the carriage rolled around and got a little closer to the city of Kyoto, I saw a flying horse coming from the direction of Kyoto. It came to the side of the carriage, turned over and dismounted and reported: "Report, five miles ahead, the imperial court has sent officials from the Ministry of Etiquette to greet you!
"
Before the people in the carriage spoke, the black-faced evil spirit opened his eyes wide and shouted: "What? From the Ministry of Rites? What are those guys from Honglu Temple doing?"
This is a matter of dignity.
When the Ministry of Rites greets you, it is just for ordinary princes, but when it comes to Honglu Temple, it is the courtesy for welcoming the king.
The spy reported: "My subordinates found out that only the officials of the Ministry of Rites were there to greet King Mingyue this time, and no one from Honglu Temple was involved. It is said that this was ordered by the Holy One, and the entire reception was handed over to the Ministry of Rites ten days ago."
"This is too much!" The black-faced evil god said angrily: "This emperor, he...!"
Before he finished speaking, he heard a soft voice coming from the carriage: "An Dao, don't talk nonsense, let the team speed up, don't make the people in the Ministry of Rites wait in a hurry."
The voice was not loud, but it seemed to have a magical power. Although the black-faced evil god was still angry, he said no more and said respectfully: "Yes!" He shouted: "Brothers, speed up, tonight
Let me show you some Kyoto dishes."
The voice was gentle and genuine: "Zixuan, you'd better get in the car. There are still some ice cubes here. Come in and cool down."
The man with a mustache wearing a long gown on the right said hurriedly: "King Mingyue, Kyoto is almost here. I still can't go up because I smell like sweat."
The laughter of King Mingyue came out: "Come in quickly, I am not afraid of the smell of your sweat." He actually ordered the carriage to stop.
With a grateful expression on his face, Mustache got off the horse and entered the carriage.
The interior of the carriage is mainly black and white, elegant and simple. There are two plates of flowers and plants in the corner, which adds a bit of vitality to the interior of the carriage. In addition, there are a large number of books, and there is a purple-shirted man sitting on the soft seat.
A middle-aged man, with a face like a crown jewel and a handsome appearance, he looks no more than twenty-four or five years old, but his temperament is that of a nobleman over thirty years old.
There is a slight smile on the corner of his mouth, and his whole person looks extremely clean. Anyone who sees him will feel very comfortable. He has a pair of eyes that look extremely sincere. Whether they are happy or sad, they will not show any emotion at all.
Reveal without concealment.
Elegant and tranquil.
"Sit!" Mingyue King said warmly.
Zixuan was not hypocritically polite. He sat down on the soft mat and said directly: "King Mingyue, it seems that the new emperor is already somewhat dissatisfied with Yongzhou."
King Mingyue smiled and shook his head: "We, as ministers, should not speculate on His Majesty's thoughts."
Zixuan sighed: "King Mingyue, I know that you have an indifferent temperament and are unwilling to participate in such worldly disputes... But in the northwest, there are no less than hundreds of thousands of ministers like us who are loyal to you. Once the emperor really
We have some thoughts that we shouldn’t have, where should we go?”
King Mingyue pondered, and finally said: "When I come to Beijing this time, I will sit down and have a good talk with the Holy Emperor...!"
Zixuan was speechless and did not speak.
Wuli arrived soon. The Ministry of Rites of Dachu, led by Minister Kong Bufan and Minister of Rites Han Nanfeng, set up a waiting team at Shili Pavilion away from Kyoto. The music of rituals was loud and colorful flags were flying. When the team stopped, Kong
Bufan led the officials of the Ministry of Rites to step forward quickly and bowed in unison: "Your Majesty has traveled a long way, and His Majesty specially ordered us to come and greet him. It has been a hard journey!"
King Mingyue got off the carriage, with an elegant temperament and came over with a smile. He walked up to Kong Bufan, stretched out his hand to hold Kong Bufan's hand, and said warmly: "Kong Shangshu, how is Mr. Kong's health?"
Kong Bufan's father once taught Mingyue King's poetry and calligraphy, so he had some connection with him. Seeing Mingyue King asking about his old father as soon as he came up, Kong Bufan couldn't help but dare not move, and said gratefully: "Thanks to Mingyue King's concept, my father is old and his body is always in trouble."
I feel a little uncomfortable, but fortunately I am in a cheerful mood and live a good life."
"That's good, that's good." Mingyue King thought thoughtfully: "The old gentleman was very strict with me at the beginning. At that time, I still complained that he was too harsh. Now that I think about it, I can clearly remember that it was a sign of his harshness towards me.
The king was full of concern. He went back and told the old gentleman that I would take time to visit him and receive his teachings again."
Kong Bufan's eyes turned red and he bowed even lower: "I will definitely repay my father."
King Mingyue patted Kong Bufan's shoulder gently, and glanced at Han Nanfeng, the Minister of Rites, next to him. A sad look flashed in his eyes, and he said softly: "Nanfeng... is he always good?"
Han Nanfeng said respectfully: "Thanks to King Mingyue, I am a good official... I am very good." When he spoke, his voice was even choked with sobs.
King Mingyue sighed, looking at Kyoto City not far ahead, which was crawling on the vast land like a giant beast, and sighed: "It has been three years, and I finally see Kyoto again...!"
…
Xue Poye stood on the Kyoto city tower and watched Mingyue King's team approaching Kyoto city in the distance, greeted by officials from the Ministry of Rites, and amid the joyous sound of ritual music.
Kyoto garrison guard Huang Da stood next to Xue Poye, looking at the team from a distance, and suddenly sighed: "Master Xue, they say that the Northwest Army has strict military regulations and strict discipline. Look at their team, they have traveled a long distance and are tired.
Although they are showing off, the formation is still neat and orderly, and they are indeed well-trained."
Xue Poye touched his nose and said: "I heard that in the northwest, King Mingyue has four powerful subordinates, known as the 'Four Great Vajras', is that true?"
Huang Da immediately said: "Yes, they are the left minister Zuo Zixuan, the right minister Fan Chu, the former general Dou Andao, and the rear general Bai Qi. These people are capable ministers and generals under the Mingyue King. They are both civilized and martial.
, the second minister managed Yongzhou, and managed that land of green and bitter cold with more than enough wealth, and the second general, a fierce general who had experienced hundreds of battles, trained the Northwest Army into the most powerful army in our great Chu, even if it was
The Beihu cavalry on the grassland are also very afraid of the Northwest Army."
Xue Poye murmured: "One hundred thousand soldiers from the northwest...how can we not guard against them?"
His voice was so low that Huang Da couldn't hear it clearly for a while and asked: "Sir, what did you say?"
Xue Poye waved his hand and said: "Nothing!" and asked: "I walked around a few streets today and they were all talking about King Mingyue. Everyone seemed to love King Mingyue... They were all praising King Mingyue.
Be generous and kind, hehe, could it be that these people have all been to the northwest and know that the people in the northwest are living a good life?"
Huang Dadao: "Sir, when Mingyue King did not go to Yongzhou, his reputation in Kyoto was very good. If some unjust cases occurred and the injustice was complained to Mingyue King, if Mingyue King felt that there was really an injustice, he would ignore his status and personally urge the Ministry of Punishment to re-investigate.
For this reason, he really protested that he would not be wronged, and the people believed that King Mingyue was a good prince. And...hehe, King Mingyue did not form cliques in Kyoto, and was extremely easy-going to everyone, regardless of status, so
It’s no wonder his reputation is excellent.”
Xue Poye frowned. At this time, he didn't want Mingyue King's influence to be very strong in Kyoto.
While they were talking, Mingyue King's team had already arrived at the city gate. Hou Jingzong, the admiral of the Nine Gates, had already opened the city gate and led his soldiers to greet them at Bei'an Gate.
"Sir, look." Huang Da looked at the two riders beside the big carriage: "Those two people may be the characters in the Four Great Vajras."
Xue Poye looked carefully and saw the dark-faced Dou Andao at a glance. Seeing that he was powerful and mighty, he sighed in his heart: "He is indeed a powerful character." Looking at the other side, Zuo Zixuan
He had already gotten off the carriage and started riding, still wiping the sweat from his forehead.
"Do you know who they are?"
Huang Da thought for a while: "I heard that Zuo Zixuan has a rich figure and is slightly fat. The man in the robe must be Zuo Zixuan. As for the black-faced general, he must be Dou Andao."
"One civil and one military, let's go to Beijing together." Xue Poye had a weird smile on his lips, and said to himself: "Very good, this time two of the four kings came at once, so it will take less effort... Since
Once you’re here, don’t even think about going back to Yongzhou.”
"Have you seen Dou Andao's pair of axes?" Huang Da said with a voice of admiration: "They are covered with blood, including rebels and barbarians. It is said that Dou Andao was born with a beard in the early years, so natural
It is also stained with the blood of innocent people, and the number of people who died under these axes may have been over a hundred."
Xue Poye said with a smile: "One general's achievements can lead to thousands of bones being withered. If a general's weapons are not stained with blood, he cannot be considered a general."
"That Zuo Zixuan is the Zuo Shilang who is in charge of Yongzhou's political affairs...!" Huang Da said softly, "I just can't tell that he looks like this."
"Sea water cannot be measured, and people cannot be measured by appearance." Xue Poye said thoughtfully, "Being called the Four Great Vajras, and managing the water and soil in Yongzhou in an orderly manner, this Zuo Zixuan is always a little overweight.
." After saying this, Xue Poye frowned and pondered solemnly.
While he was meditating, he suddenly heard a burst of cheers, and the city was filled with cheers of joy. This burst of cheers woke up Xue Poye, who was deep in thought, and asked: "What happened?"
Huang Da smiled bitterly and said: "The people of Kyoto must have come out to greet Mingyue King when they saw him coming to the capital."
"What?" Xue Poye frowned, and his heart sank as he heard the cheers in the city that sounded like a festive festival.
He quickly turned around, walked to the wall, and looked into the city. He saw that inside Bei'anmen, which was originally relatively deserted, people wearing various clothes were pouring in from all directions. They lined both sides of the road and cheered in unison.
Standing like a general waiting for a triumphant return.
King Mingyue did not hide in the car, but stood at the shaft of the car, waving kindly to the people in the city.
"Holy shit!" Xue Poye muttered, the influence of Mingyue King was too damn great.
Huang Da lost no time and said: "When Emperor Yangwu was in power, he was extremely tolerant to the people, and King Mingyue was also tolerant and kind in the hearts of the people, so every time he came to Beijing, as soon as the people got the news, they would come out to see this prince...
... Hehe, it is said that when the late emperor was still alive, some ministers came to advise him, saying that this would affect the accuracy and order, and that it should not be done like this, and should be stopped... But the late emperor did not want to neglect the people and just let them go...!"
At this time, You Shaoqing came over and said respectfully: "Master Hou, the Holy One has ordered that a reception banquet be held in the Imperial Garden in the evening to welcome the Mingyue King... The Holy One has ordered you to be there tonight!"
Xue Poye said "Oh". He asked the young emperor to hold this reception banquet. After all, the Mingyue King traveled thousands of miles, so it was better to do enough for the sake of honor.
The imperial court had already prepared the annex for the arrival of King Mingyue. Kong Bufan and others from the Ministry of Rites personally led the way and led King Mingyue's team to rest in Beguan. Amid the enthusiastic cheers of the people, King Mingyue's team gradually entered Kyoto.
"King Mingyue...!" Xue Poye looked at Mingyue King's retreating team and sighed: "Your arrival has not only brought trouble to the Holy One... but also brought big trouble to yourself!