The emperor listened with squinted eyes, nodding from time to time, and occasionally recording something.
The imperial concubine appeared with more than ten dancers.
For this piece of music, the imperial concubine specially customized her military uniform, which was both charming and heroic, making the emperor's eyes shine.
Han Shitou stepped back and waved his hands at several chamberlains.
The chamberlains retreated quietly.
Later, there was some intense movement inside...
It became quiet for a while, Han Shitou nodded, and a group of palace attendants went in to take care of things.
The emperor looked a little tired, but the imperial concubine was flushed.
"Your Majesty." Han Shitou saw that the emperor was quite satisfied and said in a low voice: "The Northern Xinjiang horse will report victory."
"Oh!" the emperor exclaimed, still closing his eyes.
"The Emperor of Liao sent envoys to provoke northern Xinjiang. Huang Xianggong ordered Chenzhou to fight back. Chenzhou Taiping County sent more than 2,000 troops to destroy Waxie in one battle."
The emperor hummed, but Han Shitou did not move, maintaining a slightly bowed posture.
The emperor suddenly asked: "Vashe... I sound a little familiar."
"Your Majesty, please remember. Please let me ask you." Han Shitou smiled and nodded to a chamberlain.
The chamberlain ran away and came back with news.
"Your Majesty, there are three major armies in Chenzhou, and Waxie is one of them. Waxie has captured the Tang Dynasty many times over the years."
There was a bright color in Han Shitou's eyes, which then disappeared.
"Oh!" The emperor smiled at the imperial concubine and said, "This is the reincarnation of heaven. If you are arrogant and domineering, you will not be able to escape my fierce blow. Well done."
The imperial concubine praised: "Your Majesty is brave."
The emperor laughed loudly.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Your Majesty is brave!" Everyone saluted and congratulated.
Han Shitou raised his voice and said, "The prosperous age of the Tang Dynasty is coming, and my servants are very happy."
"Hahahaha!" The emperor smiled more and more happily.
The imperial concubine was also laughing. Han Shitou slapped his forehead and said, "I have forgotten something. The general who led the army saved my wife back then."
The imperial concubine was confused, "Who?"
Han Shitou smiled and said: "That man's name is Yang Xuan. He is now a Sima in Chenzhou. He is leading the army this time. It is said that he is very brave."
For a general, the highest evaluation is resourcefulness. Bravery often represents recklessness or lack of planning.
The imperial concubine covered her forehead and said, "I forgot about him. I shouldn't."
The emperor smiled and said: "You see so many people every day, how can you remember them all?"
The imperial concubine covered her chest and said guiltily: "I still remember the last time Yang Xuan came back. I wanted to find a good future for him, but this young man was very stubborn and refused. He ran to the Ministry of Civil Affairs to find Luo Shangshu.
, all I want to do is guard the border, but no, we are still in northern Xinjiang."
The emperor hummed, "Young people are passionate and willing to make contributions, while those from aristocratic families are hiding in the pass to enjoy their blessings."
The imperial concubine accepted the offer and stood up to leave.
After they came out of here, Jiao Li came over to help her, "Mother, Yang Xuan didn't give Dalangjun face last time and found his own way out."
The imperial concubine said calmly: "The young man has a clear distinction between love and hate. He felt that I treated him as an abandoned son last time, so he was dissatisfied. This is human nature. If he tolerated it, I would have to keep my eyes open even in my dreams at night.
I’m worried that he secretly harmed my eldest brother.”
Jiao Li was surprised. The imperial concubine patted her hand gently and said with a smile: "I have no shortage of followers who tend to be popular, but such frank and talented people are rare."
The imperial concubine looked at Jiao Li and asked, "Why are you blushing?"
I just missed that young man, did he blush? Jiao Li touched her cheek and said, "You are full of energy."
Someone from the front shouted: "I have met His Highness."
The imperial concubine stopped and looked at the prince slowly approaching.
This is her ex-husband.
Now he looks as thin as lightning.
Lightning stepped forward and saluted, with a calm expression on his face, "I have met the noble concubine."
The imperial concubine said calmly: "Your Highness, you are so polite."
The two of them passed each other, and the prince's nose twitched slightly.
A familiar smell, mixed with some smells he was once familiar with.
Then he went to see the emperor.
"Your Majesty, the prince wishes to see you."
The emperor was half lying on the couch and nodded when he heard the words.
Outside, the prince smiled and saluted Han Shitou, "I've met my second brother."
Han Shitou turned sideways and said that he did not dare to accept the courtesy, "I don't dare."
Naturally, someone was there to report it.
"Stones know how to measure." The emperor smiled. When he saw the prince coming in, his face was slightly cold, "What are you doing here?"
The prince saluted, raised his head, and said with admiration, "Ah Ye, today they sent a first-class exotic fruit. I ate one and it was quite sweet. I thought that Ah Ye was busy with state affairs, so I was afraid that he didn't eat it. Sent."
The prince turned around, and the chamberlain behind him handed him a small wooden box.
"I understand." The emperor nodded, his expression slightly brightened.
"My son, please excuse me." The prince excused himself with a wink.
All the way back to the East Palace.
"Your Highness." Zhong Sui, with gray beard and hair, was waiting.
"Mr. Zhong." The prince smiled.
At this point today, there are only a few people he can trust. And the one who can reveal his heart, apart from his confidant Ma Qi, is the old man in front of him.
The two entered the hall, and Ma Qi led others to leave.
The hall was empty except for the smoke from the incense burner in the corner.
"Your Highness." Zhong Sui asked, "What do you mean by Your Majesty today?"
The prince took a sip of hot tea and relaxed a little. He did not answer, but touched his temples, "I am not yet thirty, and my temples are already gray."
There was anger in Zhong Sui's eyes, "Your Majesty is stupid!"
"Mr. Zhong, why are you talking about this?" The prince smiled bitterly, "Aye is as cold as ever today. By the way, I met that bitch on the road."
Zhong Sui frowned slightly, "The matter is now over, why does Your Highness bother with this matter?"
There was a look of pain in the prince's eyes, "Every time I see her, I always feel tormented and unhappy."
Zhong Sui said calmly: "Your Highness is in need of a woman?"
"No shortage."
"Your Highness thinks women are indispensable?"
"No."
"If a woman hadn't been valued by His Highness back then, how could she be so virtuous? She is so humble in the high place, and now His Majesty is obsessed with this goddess and has given up on state affairs for this reason, Your Highness."
The prince said sincerely: "If I hadn't taught you these years, my bones would have been cold. Sir, please tell me."
Zhong Sui said: "The Tang Dynasty now seems to be prosperous and prosperous, and everyone calls it the prosperous age of the Qian Dynasty. But what I saw outside the palace is not like this. Your Highness, the five dynasties in the family are powerful, and the powerful officials and local gentry exploit the people and annex them. The number of refugees in the fields is increasing day by day, which is a dangerous situation!"
The prince was busy acting all day, and was startled when he heard this, "Is this already the case? But no one said anything."
"What's the use of advising?" Zhong Sui sneered, "Northern Liao is watching eagerly, and Southern Zhou is also ambiguous... Your Highness, if the alien tribes in southern Xinjiang are rebelling, if there is no instigation and support from Southern Zhou, I will dig out these eyes. !”
"This is a situation of internal and external troubles!" The prince changed the subject, "Sir, what do you think I should do now?"
A look of disappointment flashed in Zhong Sui's eyes, "Your Highness, now the King of Wei is in the northern Xinjiang, and the King of Yue is in the southern Xinjiang. This is a situation of divide and rule and mutual restraint. Your Majesty is not young. The so-called old man worries about his son. This is the royal rule. Convention."
"Gu is his pawn." The prince laughed at himself.
"Your Highness, please do not be too worried. It is difficult for King Wei to achieve anything in Northern Xinjiang. King Yue seems to have the best hope in Southern Xinjiang, but Your Highness must remember that the most elite troops of the Tang Dynasty are in Northern Xinjiang. But it is Wei who goes to Northern Xinjiang.
King, what did your Majesty think of?"
"King Wei is not his legitimate son and cannot hold the military power in Northern Xinjiang."
"Yes. So, the Northern Xinjiang army is still in your Majesty's hands."
"Where is the King of Yue!"
"Your Highness, the King of Yue is weak, at least on the surface. As for those who are brave in the army, the most popular one is the brave prince. I can guarantee that the King of Yue will not be able to control the morale of the army. With all the armies in the northern and southern borders at hand, Your Majesty has been cultivated.
The prince’s good name.”
"Aye, is this... pretentious?"
"Yes, Your Majesty is old after all, and there are quite a few memorials every year suggesting that His Majesty watch the government. His Majesty naturally refused, but he had to make a gesture, so the two princes became pawns. It may seem like a good thing, but I dare to say that
, in the end those two princes were unable to take over the East Palace!"
"Why?"
"Your Majesty only has power in his eyes, but manpower is sometimes poor. He has witnessed the aging of Emperor Xuande and Emperor Wu. He even led his army into the palace to seize the throne. Your Majesty, such an experience has made your Majesty not trust anyone. His only
The only one you can trust is..."
"Himself."
…
The emperor finally got tired, put down his music and took a nap. When he woke up, he asked: "What is the prince doing?"
"His Royal Highness is talking to Zhong Sui in the East Palace."
"Yeah!" The emperor yawned, and Han Shitou brought a bowl of soup.
The emperor rinsed his mouth with the bowl of secret soup. After spitting it out, he burped and asked, "Where is King Jing?"
Han Shitou lowered his head and said, "Slave, go and invite me."
"Um!"
Han Shitou went all the way to Concubine Ming.
When Concubine Ming saw him coming, she quickly stood up and saluted, "I've met Young Inspector Han."
Han Shitou nodded, "Where is the king?"
There was a touch of joy on Concubine Ming's delicate face, and she shouted: "Liu Lang! Liu Lang!"
"Aniang!"
Six-year-old King Jing Li Bo came out from behind, with some dust on his face.
"Look, I don't know where it went. Someone, please clean it up quickly."
King Jing said with a smile: "Mom, there is a mouse hole there, I want to get in and have a look."
"Nonsense!" Concubine Ming said, "Hurry up and salute Young Inspector Han."
King Jing looked at Han Shitou and cupped his hands, "Hello, Young Inspector Han."
The child looked very cute, but Han Shitou said calmly: "I don't dare. Your Majesty, please follow me."
Concubine Ming sent Han Shitou and King Jing out all the way, looked at their backs, and said faintly: "The emperor's thoughts are unpredictable. I hope Liulang is safe."
When he arrived at the pear garden, the emperor was eating fruit.
"Aye!" King Jing ran in happily without saluting, clapped his hands and said with a smile, "I want to eat too!"
"Do you like Liulang too?" The emperor's eyes showed a touch of kindness and he handed the half-eaten fruit to King Jing.
King Jing took it and took a bite, "It's delicious, Aye, is there any more?"
The emperor smiled and said: "You are greedy."
King Jing shook his head, "I'll give it to my mother-in-law."
"Where's the fruit from the prince?" The emperor stretched out his hand, and Han Shitou handed over a fruit. The emperor let go of his hand, and the fruit fell and was stepped on by Han Shitou.
"Come and get it."
King Jing knelt down and grabbed it with both hands. The emperor's feet moved back and forth, trampling the fruit everywhere, making King Jing sweat profusely and unable to catch it.
Two chamberlains outside the door were talking in low voices.
"It's fun to honor the king."
"It's fun."
"What did you think of?"
“Walk the dog!”
After a long time, the emperor let go of his foot, and King Jing grabbed the already tattered fruit and said happily: "I will go back and give it to my mother-in-law."
The emperor smiled and said: "Go, go."
King Jing ran away happily, and Han Shitou whispered: "Concubine Ming is teaching King Jing how to read and write, but King Jing is stubborn and can't sit still."
"It's just as interesting as I used to be." The emperor said kindly, "I would like to thank you for the ten volumes of books I just ordered you to compile."
King Jing ran all the way back and said, "Mom, I'll give you some fruit."
Concubine Ming took the fruit and cursed: "Look at you, you are dirty again!"
King Jing made a face and was taken to bathe.
"You all get out."
King Jing soaked in the barrel and drove away the maids.
He slowly leaned against the edge of the barrel, took a mouthful of water and rinsed his mouth vigorously, then spit it out and cursed in a low voice: "What rotten fruit do you want me to eat? Bah!"
…
In the Imperial College, Zhou Ning is still a sight to behold.
When he arrived outside the check-in room, listening to the melodious sound of the piano inside, Zhou Ning paused for a moment and tapped his foot lightly.
The sound of the piano stopped, and Ning Yayun's voice floated out, "Come in."
Zhou Ning opened the door, went in and saluted, "Sacrifice wine."
Ning Yayun raised her eyes and smiled: "I'm looking for you because I want to ask if there are any letters from Yang Xuan recently?"
Yes, there are. Most of them are words of love that are credible. How can I put it... Zhou Ning was startled, "But not recently."
Ning Yayun felt a little regretful, "Recently, our students have been assigned to quite remote areas, and those who are currently studying are quite depressed. If Yang Xuan makes new achievements, he can teach them and encourage them. If not, forget it."
So that’s it!
Wouldn't it be better if Zitai's deeds could be turned into a textbook for the Imperial College? But I said no just now, so how can I retort now?
Zhou Ning had a rare hesitation.
Ning Yayun couldn't help laughing when she saw this, "I can't help but reminisce about the past when I see the children's behavior. If you have any questions, can I still laugh at you?"
Zhou Ning remained calm, "I forgot about it before."
"I also often forget things."
The wine sacrifice was obviously a joke... Zhou Ning frowned slightly, "Zitai's letter mentioned that the general will lead his army to attack the grassland. He is quite promising about this battle."
Of course, we cannot reveal the detailed military intelligence plan, but we can reveal the general direction.
Ning Yayun was delighted, "Can you tell me where to attack?"
The letter said it was one of the three major departments, but if one of them cannot be destroyed and the Imperial Academy publicizes it first, Zitai's face will be lost... Zhou Ning shook his head, "Zitai didn't say anything."
"Forget it, this is a military aircraft, so it's hard to ask."
At this time An Ziyu came in with a happy face.
"Is it a happy event?" Ning Yayun asked.
"Great joy!" An Ziyu looked at Zhou Ning, "A Ning."
"Ah!" Zhou Ning wondered why An Siye smiled so strangely.
"Just now someone got the news from the court. Yang Xuan led the army to attack and wiped out a tribe called Waxie. It was a great victory!"
Did Zitai really destroy one?
Ning Yayun covered her forehead, "Waxie...how could I remember? I forgot again."
He looked around for the map.
But Zhou Ning was happy in her heart, and there was a little blush on her jade-like cheeks.
Aye always says that all young talents belong to the four surnames of the same family. Who of those so-called young talents can match Zitai's achievements?
Later, Aye will be verbose again, and directly use Zitai's achievements to silence him.
An Ziyu was also quite happy, holding Zhou Ning's hand, "An Ning, maybe you will be my wife when you get married."
I don’t want any wife, I just want to be with him... Zhou Ning’s eyes are full of longing.
Ning Yayun turned over the map, but couldn't find the Waxie tribe. "Where is the Waxie tribe?"
Zhou Ning said casually: "Just opposite Taiping County, Chenzhou, Northern Xinjiang, it is one of the three major departments."
She was stunned as soon as the words came out of her mouth.
Later, when Zhou Ning left, Ning Yayun sighed: "Woman!"
"What's wrong with the woman!" An Siye said dissatisfied.
"Women are born to lie!"
"Sacrifice wine, you don't understand."
"Why don't I understand?"
"Women only lie to two kinds of people."
"Which two? Tell me."
"The people she cares about, and the people she doesn't care about."
