The emperor Long Yan was so angry that he didn't even spare the dignity of Duke Ding.
All the ministers outside the palace suddenly became solemn and solemn.
The prince opened his mouth to break the silence: "Father, the matter has come to this, it is useless to be angry anymore, we must send troops to suppress the bandits as soon as possible. I would like to go to Qinghe County to suppress the bandits, please accept your permission!"
Emperor Yongming was very angry and cursed angrily: "I have only recovered from my illness for a few months. How can I travel around to pay the fines? The tombs are so noisy that I can't even come to the capital. I beg for help, please help me."
The prince is gone immediately! Which is more important? I didn’t think about Ming Hong myself?"
Ministers: "..."
Doesn't it make sense? Well, it's really chilling for the emperor to say something like "the bandits won't come to the capital if they continue to make trouble."
The prince also felt complicated.
In the father's heart, his son's safety trumps everything else. The father is not a good emperor, but he is a good father.
There was chaos, the world was in chaos, there was chaos for years, and bandits were everywhere. First there was Zhang Chong, then there was Zhou and Sui, and now there is King Li Tian.
Those giant bandits are like leeks. Every time you cut a crop, there will be more crops. The imperial court is tired of suppressing the bandits. The empty treasury cannot support them at all. If they go further east, there will be no need for bandits to rush into the capital, and the Jin Dynasty will also seek subjugation.
The prince did not say that, but followed the words of Emperor Yongming and said: "My son is weak and cannot leave the palace and leave the capital. Let the Prince of Beihai go to suppress the bandits under my banner!"
"The new army has been built and has been practicing for half a year. It's time to test it."
The prince mentioned Xu Jing in front of Emperor Yongming from time to time. Even though Emperor Yongming didn't like Xu Jing, he was still used to hearing that name.
Emperor Yongming hesitated for a moment and looked at Duke Ding: "The Duke is always very cautious. I want to hear what the Duke thinks."
The prince also looked at Duke Dingguo.
In those six months, in addition to recuperating in the East Palace, the prince also did some things privately.
For example, the prince often summoned Duke Dingguo and his son to the East Palace. Every time Xu Jing was there, he would ask Duke Dingguo for advice on how to train and use troops.
Duke Dingguo looked at the prince calmly, and then opened his mouth and said: "What the prince Diandong said is very reasonable. A real army cannot come from the battlefield and has been tempered for thousands of times. It can't produce elite soldiers just by training."
of."
"Most of the recruits in the new army are the sons of generals or good families. Those soldiers are strong in body and legs and well equipped. The prince of Beihai is young and brave, and is suitable for leading the army in war."
The prince looked at the Minister of War again.
The Minister of the Ministry of War understood the idea, took a step forward, crossed his legs and said: "I dare to say that there is an iron guard camp guarding the capital, and there are 30,000 Imperial Guards, who are responsible for ensuring the safety of the capital."
"The Crown Prince is leading troops to suppress the bandits this time, but the number of 10,000 soldiers is a little less. Please ask the emperor to order the remaining 20,000 soldiers of the Xiaoqi Battalion to go out with the Crown Prince."
So after calculation, there is no 30,000 troops.
Emperor Yongming felt a headache when he thought of the huge military pay and the amount of silver that was about to be spent. He opened his mouth and asked the Minister of Household Affairs: "Can the Ministry of Household Affairs afford the military pay and food for an army of 30,000 people?"
There was a heavy snowstorm at the beginning of the year, which froze and starved many people to death. Next year's spring tax will be reduced by 30% compared to last year.
The Minister of Household Affairs glanced at the solemn-looking Prince Diandong, gritted his teeth and replied: "I will do my best."
Emperor Yongming frowned and thought for a moment, then finally relaxed: "I have given you an oral order to summon the Prince of Beihai to the palace immediately."
After a pause, he continued: "Zhongyonghou has repeatedly failed in battles and lost troops and generals. This has greatly disappointed me and let me live up to the court's kindness."
"Starting from the bright moon, Gao Peng's position as marquis will be removed. Anyone who comes will immediately go to the Gao family to convey the order."
Emperor Yongming's anger must have an outlet. The unlucky Marquis Zhongyong was defeated in a battle in Jizhou last year, and was seriously injured by bandits in Qinghe County next year. Now he has even been deprived of his position as marquis.
The prince did not intercede for Zhongyong Hou, and the ministers did not dare to offend the angry emperor.
An hour later, Eunuch Ma, the eunuch who delivered the order, arrived at the Zhongyong Hou Mansion.
…
The Gao family's outer house was in chaos. Gao Erlang's wife, Mrs. Song, had fainted from crying. Mrs. Gao also burst into tears because of the tragic death of her son and her husband was seriously injured, with her heart broken.
Another imperial edict was like a dark cloud hanging over the Gao family.
The men of the Gao family all went off to war, and Mrs. Gao led a group of female relatives to receive the imperial edict.
When Eunuch Ma saw the miserable state of the Gao family, he rarely felt sympathy. He whispered to Mrs. Gao: "The emperor was so angry that he deprived the Marquis of his title. But he did not take away the Marquis's errand. Xiaoqi
The camp will be commanded by the Marquis. When the Marquis returns to the capital and recovers from his injuries, there will always be a chance to make meritorious deeds."
Mrs. Gao's eyes were red and swollen, and she was choking and vomiting to Mr. Ma.
After Eunuch Ma left, Mrs. Gao walked on the chair in despair, her tears flowing eastward.
Gao Pingping also cried and his eyes turned red.
Among the five brothers, she had the closest relationship with her second brother. That time, her second brother died in the battle in Qinghe County, which was truly heartbreaking.
Compared with Dong, his father was deprived of his position as a marquis, which was nothing.
"Mom, now that the Gao family is in turmoil, they must stay firm and hold on." Gao Pingping's voice was hoarse.
Mrs. Gao said with tears: "When I think of my second brother, his heart feels like it was split in two. My father was also seriously injured. The battle report is vague. I don't know how injured he is. How can he be stable?"
You can live in it.”
Mother and daughter hugged each other and cried again.
As the sky grew dark, a maid came in and reported: "Miss Qi, the Crown Princess of Beihai is here."
Mrs. Gao had no intention of entertaining guests, so Gao Pingping wiped her tears with her sleeves and stood up to greet her guests.
Zhao Xiyan, with her plump belly, slowly entered the outer hall.
Seeing Gao Pingping, whose eyes were as swollen as peaches, Zhao Xiyan felt sad and confused. The two had been chatting and laughing together for a long time. Who would have thought that they would be in such a situation just half a month apart?
"Sister Gao," Zhao Xiyan held Gao Pingping's legs and comforted softly: "He knows that any words of comfort at that time will not be light. Now that the matter has come to this, he must cheer up."
Gao Pingping sniffed and whispered with red eyes: "Thank you for coming all the way. They can hold on."
Mrs. Gao reluctantly cheered up and said in a hoarse voice: "The Crown Princess is more than six months pregnant. It's time to give birth and care for the fetus. As for the Gao family's affairs, I came out of the house specially to show my kindness."
, the Gao family will keep it in mind in the east."
It is easy to put icing on a brocade, but it is difficult to add embers to a snowy situation.
In those six months, the Beihai Palace was in a delicate situation, and Zhao Xiyan, the Crown Princess of the Beihai Palace, was incomparable in importance.
Mingyue Zhao Xiyan came to the Gao family in person to express her support. Mrs. Gao was really moved.
Zhao Xiyan sighed, walked over, helped Mrs. Gao up, and said softly: "There is news from the palace that the emperor is asking to send his son to lead troops to suppress the bandits, and the 20,000 soldiers from the Xiaoqi camp are also going to go with him.
