However, Emperor Hongwen completely ignored everyone's expressions and said in a deep voice: "I am not energetic enough and can no longer take care of everything and take care of national affairs. Therefore, I want to abdicate as soon as possible to make way for someone worthy of me!"
Everyone was so shocked that they knelt down in a hurry.
King Jingzhao also knelt down.
For a moment, the room was completely silent, and no one could know what Emperor Hongwen was really thinking. Because everything happened so fast and suddenly that no one could react at all.
Emperor Hongwen also waited for a long time before continuing: "I have thought about it carefully. Now the young prince is too young to control the affairs of the country. Therefore, I hope to give way to the emperor's uncle, King Jingzhao..."
As soon as these words came out, it was even more shocking.
Even if His Majesty wants to abdicate, he will abdicate to the prince. How can he give it to his uncle?
Besides, the status of the young prince has been established. According to common sense, even if something unexpected happens, the young prince must ascend the throne. Your Majesty, what does this mean?
King Jingzhao knelt on the ground, sweating profusely: "Your Majesty has killed my old minister. Please take back your life. I don't dare to do it! Besides, your Majesty is young and powerful and is at the peak of his life. How can you retreat lightly?"
Emperor Hongwen said loudly: "The emperor's uncle has both political integrity and talent, prestige, and meritorious service. He is a first-class choice. Why should he be too modest?"
King Jingzhao just responded: "Your Majesty, I have always assisted the late emperor and Your Majesty, and I have never dared to think of any arrogance or unfairness. Now, Your Majesty suddenly makes this request, and I will never dare to accept it... Please also ask Your Majesty
For the sake of Tuoba’s country, the country and the country are the most important thing, and don’t be discouraged or disappointed..."
Emperor Hongwen raised his eyes and looked at the others.
At this time, King Dongyang couldn't help it anymore and said: "Your Majesty's move seems a bit inappropriate. Even though Your Majesty devoted himself to Huang Lao and cultivated his character, he passed the throne to the young prince. Since then, the throne of our Northern Kingdom is passed down from father to son.
, has never been passed on to uncles or brothers. If Your Majesty insists on doing this, wouldn’t it be a very bad start? How will the Northern Kingdom continue in the future? "
King Rencheng was also frightened and said hurriedly: "The young prince is so smart and clever, how can he be deposed innocently?"
Li Chong and other Han officials were also completely fooled by Emperor Hongwen.
Could it be that the struggle between him and Empress Dowager Feng over the years gave rise to the intention of retreating?
Moreover, before Empress Dowager Feng was poisoned this time, the conflict between the emperor and the empress had almost reached the point of incompatibility. The poison was also caused by the eunuch of Emperor Hongwen. For this reason, Emperor Hongwen himself guarded the Cining Palace all day long, taking every step.
Without hesitation, suspicion among the officials arose.
You must know that the reform had been carried out for six or seven years at that time, and the Confucianism of the Han people had already gained a strong position in the Northern Kingdom. Emperor Hongwen and Empress Dowager Feng were nominally mother and son, but in fact there was no blood relationship, and they were the same age -
-A man and woman of the same age, and Emperor Hongwen did not avoid the suspicion of men and women at all, and stayed in Cining Palace for almost more than a month.
There is no airtight wall in the world. No matter how tight the security is, it is impossible not to let the ministers who often come and go in the palace know at all.
Lu Tai and others had long thought about Xiao Jiujiu: Could it be that there is something fishy between Your Majesty and the Queen Mother?
Even some Han officials were worried: Could it be that everyone was wrong? If Emperor Hongwen really wanted to kill Empress Dowager Feng, how could he make such a gesture? Even if it was just to take care of him, there was no need to stay in Cining every day.
Palace?
Moreover, according to other related rumors, Emperor Hongwen sent all the female relatives and concubines serving Beiwu back to Pingcheng - in other words, there were no longer any concubines to sleep with.
Is it normal for a king to stay away from women for more than a month without any reason even though he is not in mourning period?
Moreover, he also ordered that Prince Rui should be named Prince Rong.
Even overtly and secretly, everyone was warned not to form cliques with Concubine Mi. For this reason, Lu Tai himself knew best.
With all this going on, suspicions naturally arise one after another.
However, these suspicions have suddenly become even more bizarre today.
Everything is twisting and turning, and under the heavy fog, it seems that you will never be able to see clearly.
If there was really any ambiguity between the two people, how could Emperor Hongwen be like this?
He would rather give the throne to his uncle!
Could it be that Emperor Hongwen was afraid that Empress Dowager Feng would use the young prince's trump card to regain power, so he would rather give up the throne to his uncle than to his own son?
Over the years, he had had enough of Empress Dowager Feng's control. Did he no longer want his son to be controlled by a woman for the rest of his life?
The men of the Tuoba family have always been fiery in nature. Could it be that they would rather be broken into pieces than destroyed?
However, at this time, they also heard the implication of His Majesty. He said that he would give up the throne to King Jingzhao, but he did not say that he would depose the prince. Moreover, the young prince has been accompanying him to court from time to time these days, so there is no reason to depose him at will.
?
If you don't depose the young prince and pass the throne to King Jingzhao, what does that mean?
In the future, how can the troubles in the Northern Kingdom stop for a day?
How could Emperor Hongwen be so confused?
Li Chong said hurriedly: "What King Dongyang said makes sense. The position of the crown prince is the foundation of the country. Since then, it has been passed down from father to son. If you disturb this rule, there will be endless troubles. I hope your majesty will think twice..."
Gao Lu also said: "The veteran has assisted three generations of kings. Although I dare not say that he has made any great achievements, he has also seen a lot. The succession of the crown prince is the foundation of our northern country. This has been true since Emperor Taizu. The late emperor is one
A typical example is that when the late emperor was young, his powerful ministers rebelled. Later, it was Lu Li, the former minister, who judged the civil strife with other ministers and welcomed the late emperor to the throne. At that time, the late emperor was a prince, and although he was young, he quickly showed his talent and strategy and was victorious in every battle.
He finally became the god of war and established the vast territory of our northern country today. Now His Majesty is in good health and in the prime of life. He is at the peak of his life. He should not be discouraged. Moreover, the identity of the little prince has long been established. If His Majesty insists on his own way,
Wouldn't it lead to endless troubles? Your Majesty's move is absolutely inappropriate..."
Even Lu Tai couldn't help it: "Your Majesty, although I am ignorant, I also know that since ancient times, I have passed the throne to my son. How can there be any reason to pass the throne to my uncle? I really don't understand.
!”
…
Seeing that everyone was opposed, King Jingzhao was even more worried and sweating profusely. Ever since he helped to take charge of the big plan for Emperor Hongwen, until later when Emperor Hongwen came back and the young prince was established, he had been very cautious and never dared to do so.
As a handle, there is no arrogance. After all, accompanying a king is like accompanying a tiger, and his behavior as a substitute was really transgressive. Therefore, he had long been afraid that Emperor Hongwen would use this as an excuse to cause trouble for him.
Fortunately, Emperor Hongwen was magnanimous and was not a master who killed heroes indiscriminately. Therefore, in these years, he was safe and worry-free, became richer and more prosperous than before, and gained the high trust of Emperor Hongwen.
Deep down in his heart, although he was surprised by Emperor Hongwen's proposal, he certainly did not dare to accept it. Moreover, he himself was not sure what Emperor Hongwen meant.
King Jingzhao knelt on the ground again and begged: "I must not dare to overstep my bounds, and please take back your Majesty's order. If Your Majesty insists on not obeying, I will have to resign all current official positions immediately, lead the whole family to leave the capital, and find a place to spend leisure time in Yun Yehe's house."
day."
King Jingzhao’s attitude is extremely determined.
At this time, how dare you not show that you have no ambition?
Before Emperor Hongwen's attitude became clear, if the slightest ambition was exposed, wouldn't it mean that he would die without a burial place?
In the future, the emperor failed to accomplish it, but instead caused endless disasters.
King Jingzhao kowtowed again: "I am already old, and my energy and physical strength are even more exhausted than your Majesty. I hope your majesty will be considerate and let me enjoy a few years of peace and happiness. These are selfish words of the old minister. Please forgive me..."
…
Only then did Emperor Hongwen look at everyone one by one.
His eyes were still unhurried. It was as if all this had been carefully considered for a long time: "Since everyone's opinions are like this, I can't just go my own way. Today's discussion will come to an end for the time being."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Your Majesty is wise."
Emperor Hongwen said kindly: "You are the cornerstone of the country and loyal ministers. I hope that all of you here will assist and teach the young prince well in the future. He is still young, but he is very smart and filial."
Everyone knelt down together: "I will do my best to assist the prince."
"You guys go down. I'll think about it again."
Everyone left one after another.
Emperor Hongwen slowly stood up from the dragon chair.
He was relieved and laughed.
The laughter was so proud and yet so sour.
Just on this day, he seemed to have suddenly aged ten years. The bun on his temples was faintly showing a gray color. It was as if his whole body had completely turned gray.
Wei Qiyuan, the old eunuch who was accompanying him next to him, saw that he looked tired and was smiling, which seemed very strange. He was very uneasy and whispered: "Is Your Majesty too overworked? These days, you have to take care of the Queen Mother and take care of national affairs. Long
How can your body bear it?"
Emperor Hongwen laughed: "I am very happy today. Haha, I have never been happier."
"His Majesty……"
Wei Qiyuan and two eunuchs went to help him, only to find that he staggered slightly and almost collapsed on the dragon chair.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong with you? Someone, please call the doctor quickly."
The imperial doctor diagnosed that Emperor Hongwen had been exhausted mentally and physically these past few days, and his liver and liver were very angry. He also had a big carbuncle on his arm.
After the imperial doctor prescribed the medicine and retired, Wei Qiyuan whispered: "Your Majesty, do you want to tell the Queen Mother?"
"No need. She hasn't recovered yet. How can she take care of me if she worries about me again?"
Wei Qiyuan had no choice but to give up.
On this day, Emperor Hongwen stayed in his study for a long time. He was shut up in the room alone without even turning on the lights. Only after staying in the dark for a long time did he think of his life.
When did this life begin?
From six years old? Or seven years old?
Are you twenty or thirty?
After a long time, I heard a knock on the door: dong dong dong, dong dong dong.
Knocked on the door three times.
This is Hong'er's habit. Only he would knock on the door like this.
Emperor Hongwen cheered up slightly and sat up: "Hong'er, come in."
The eunuchs brought lanterns. Hong'er came in, a little worried: "Father, why didn't you have dinner?"
The light illuminated Emperor Hongwen's face, and the child looked at him in surprise: "Father, your face looks so bad. Are you sick?"
Emperor Hongwen forced a smile and said calmly: "Hong'er, it's okay. My father just has a carbuncle on his arm..."
"Ah, Father, let me take a look."
Emperor Hongwen's broad sleeves were brushed aside by the child, and he untied the strip of cloth and saw the terrible carbuncle.
"Father, what is this?"
"It's carbuncle."
He stretched out his little hand and pressed it gently: "Father, does it hurt?"
Emperor Hongwen frowned, "It hurts."
"Does it hurt and itch?"
"Hong'er, how do you know?"
The child didn't say anything, but immediately hugged his father's arm, lowered his head, took the carbuncle in his mouth, and sucked it up.
Emperor Hongwen was shocked: "Hong'er, what are you doing?"
The child was vague and did not answer. He vomited the pus and blood on the ground and started sucking it again.
"Hong'er... Hong'er, what are you doing? Stop..."
The child sucked in a few mouthfuls and spit out all the red blood in it. Emperor Hongwen's painful and itchy arm was indeed much better. The burning tingling pain had disappeared. Soon, he felt a cool feeling.
meaning.
Emperor Hongwen said loudly: "Send water quickly."
The eunuchs had already brought clean water, and the child had rinsed his mouth, drank tea and washed himself, and everything was dry and quiet.
However, he didn't say anything. He first took the clean cloth next to him and wiped the wound thoroughly for his father like a little adult. He then picked up the white medicine next to him and applied it lightly on it.
After everything was in place, he took a clean white cloth and bandaged his father's body again.
Emperor Hongwen was so surprised that he couldn't speak to himself. After a long while, he asked: "Hong'er, who taught you?"
Hong'er breathed a sigh of relief at this time. The little child was so tired that there was a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. He smiled and touched his father's arm first, "Father, does it still hurt now?"
A chill came over his arm, which was comfortable and warm. Emperor Hongwen nodded, "It doesn't hurt at all."
However, he still couldn't believe that he hadn't gone out yet and no one had told Queen Mother Feng. It was impossible for her to tell the child what to do.
Moreover, the child has just arrived.
"Hong'er, how do you know to do this?"
"Hehe, Father, I also gave birth this year. Yes, it was in June. I went out to play. When I came back, I didn't know what dirt I encountered. I also had big bumps, or two. Why?
It couldn't get better. I felt itchy and painful every day. The Queen Mother said that it was a carbuncle and it would not heal until it completely festered. The imperial doctors prescribed many medicines, but none of them worked. I felt so uncomfortable every day that I couldn't even write or eat.
It was very difficult. Later, the Queen Mother treated me like this. Father, mine was more serious than yours. The Queen Mother treated me for three days... Sure enough, it was cured soon..."
Emperor Hongwen raised his head slightly, his eyes moist.
June and July
It was when the relationship between himself and the Empress Dowager Feng was most tense. He didn't even know that his son had this disease. He never asked about it, and even summoned his son every three to five days. In his memory, there were several times when his son was sick.
He came with a sad face. At that time, he thought it was Empress Dowager Feng who instigated his son to prevent his son from getting along well with him. Now, he knows that the child was sick at that time.
Moreover, the child did not dare to tell him at all.
What did you tell yourself?
What if I knew it then?
Will I care about him as always and love him completely?
Emperor Hongwen almost supported his head, feeling that his head and body were so heavy.
In this life, due to family ties, I seem to be a student forever - even my son can become my teacher!
He is her son!
Therefore, she is willing to do anything for him.
That's a mother's instinct.
Who would want to do such dirty things except mother?
However, the son actually did it for himself.
No one taught him, but he knew how to do it for himself - because he was his own son!
This son loves himself - how many times in his life have he ever felt so strongly loved?!
For the first time in his life, Emperor Hongwen was so excited that he was speechless, not because of love, but because of the love from his children.
He suddenly stretched out his arms and hugged his son fiercely. How could he let such a good son have no mother? How could he let his mother leave him forever?
no way!
No matter what you have to sacrifice, no matter what price you have to pay, you can’t!
I will never let my son be hurt in the slightest again.
The child giggled in his arms and hugged his neck gently: "Father, you will get better soon. By the way, if you get this disease, you have to eat a kind of wormwood. What does the Queen Mother know?
.I will go back and ask her, would it be okay if the Queen Mother makes this for you tonight?"
"Okay, Hong'er."
The child was still a little worried: "Father, maybe it will still hurt tomorrow."
Emperor Hongwen also laughed: "My father is all well and completely recovered. Hong'er, don't worry, my father will definitely stay with you and give you the best. Let the Queen Mother always stay with you and never leave you."
.”
He hugged his father's neck and smiled quietly: "Father, Hong'er has recently felt that you and the Queen Mother are very close."
"Yes, even if it is for Hong'er, my father will never quarrel with the Queen Mother again. Don't worry, okay?"
"Then, will my father always live in Cining Palace?"
Emperor Hongwen smiled, but did not answer his son, and could not answer him. He only hugged him tightly, and his whole body was suddenly full of strength: "Hong'er, don't worry, at least your father will let the Queen Mother accompany you forever. You will have someone for your whole life.
Love."
The child kissed him on the face: "Father is so kind, Hong'er is so happy."
He whispered again: "When I came out today, I told the Queen Mother that I wanted to eat caramelized apples. Father, after you have finished your work, Hong'er will wait for you to eat with us, okay?"
"Okay. Father, please take care of this matter and go with you immediately. Hong'er, please play outside for a while. Father will be fine soon."
It wasn't until the young prince went out that Wei Qiyuan and others who had been stunned beside him quietly said: "The young prince is really too sensible and filial."
Emperor Hongwen was very proud, "Hahaha, my greatest achievement in this life is to have such a good son."
He smiled so happily that even the faint gray in his hair seemed to have disappeared.