Even if he is asked to lead troops into battle, he is not afraid.
After arriving in the army, he stopped in Liangzhou and observed the situation on the pretext of recovering from illness. As soon as the situation was not good, he would immediately run back to Chang'an... This was not because he was unwilling to fight to the death. He was dedicated to dying for the country, but he was sick.
When you are low on energy, how do you arrange your troops and go into battle to kill the enemy?
It's not his fault that he's getting sick like a mountain.
Of course, as long as he is sick, there is a high probability that he will not have to go to war. The prince does not dare to use the urgent military situation to exclude dissidents and send a sick person to the battlefield. If it fails, the prince's responsibility will be much greater than that of Chai Zhewei...
After making up his mind, Chai Zhewei assigned his confidants to move all the ice cubes used in the house to escape the heat into the side hall.
In the past, it was hard to get ice cubes to escape the summer heat, so you had to store the shaved ice in a cellar in winter, and then take it out when the summer heat came. Ice cubes are consumed very quickly, and their storage takes up a lot of space. How can there be so many cellars for this?
Storage? So every summer, ice cubes are so expensive that even a prince’s family has to save some.
However, since Fang Jun found the method of making ice from nowhere, the output has increased sharply, and he has been operating it with several princes, which has greatly increased the sales of ice in Beijing, and the price has inevitably dropped.
Nowadays, ice cubes are freely available in the wealthy homes in Beijing every day, so within a short time, the floor of the side hall was filled with ice cubes of all sizes.
Chai Zhewei ordered people to stand guard outside the door and not allow servants to come near to prevent the news from leaking. Then he closed the doors and windows and took off his clothes.
The ice cubes slowly melted, and the temperature in the side hall became cooler and cooler.
But this kind of coolness can only make the body and mind feel comfortable. How can one get sick? Chai Zhewei took off his clothes, kicked off his shoes, and walked into the middle of the ice.
It was much cooler this time, but it was no longer enough...
He simply ordered someone to get cold water, poured it on his body, and then he lay down among the ice cubes. He also had someone bring a big fan to fan him hard to speed up the melting of the ice cubes.
…
At noon, Guo Fushan, the right minister of the Ministry of War, dressed in official uniform, rode a horse to the Duke of Qiao's Mansion. The weather in Guanzhong was already very hot in July, especially at noon. Guo Fushan first ran around most of Chang'an City to the outside of Xuanwu Gate.
At the Zuotun Guard station, the soldiers informed that Chai Zhewei had asked for leave and returned home, so Guo Fushan had no choice but to return to Chang'an City.
After walking such a long journey, I was already sweating, but I didn't dare to neglect it. When I got to the door of the mansion, I got off my horse and walked up to the Chai family servant in front of the door.
Thank you for your trouble."
The servant said politely: "My father-in-law contracted a cold in the military camp and returned home for medical treatment this morning. He is bedridden now. If Minister Guo has nothing important to do, he might as well wait until my father-in-law is cured of his illness.
Are you going to pay a visit in person at the Yamen of the Ministry of War?"
Guo Fushan was stunned. Is Chai Zhewei sick?
What a coincidence...
He thought it was such a coincidence, and said calmly, "I have military orders with me, and I must meet Duke Qiao. Please bear with me."
The servant no longer shied away and said, "Then please ask Mr. Guo to go to the concierge later, and my servant will come in now."
Guo Fushan held his hand in front of the Duke's Mansion. As the Minister of War, he really couldn't be tough and could only be polite.
After sitting in the concierge for a long time, I drank a pot of tea and felt a little anxious. Then I saw his servant returning quickly and said: "The Duke has just woken up and taken medicine. Please go and ask Mr. Guo to go."
"
"So good."
Guo Fushan quickly stood up, followed his servants through the halls and courtyards, walked into the heavily eaves of the Duke's Mansion, and arrived at the door of Chai Zhewei's bedroom. He straightened his clothes and walked in.
As soon as I entered the house, I felt that the light was very dark, the windows were closed tightly, and a strong smell of medicine hit my face...
Could it be that he was really sick?
Guo Fushan was suspicious in his heart. When he walked into the house, he saw Chai Zhewei lying on a soft couch, covered with a thick quilt, his face showing an abnormal red color, and there were several young and beautiful concubines around him.
Waiting on the left and right.
Chai Zhewei reluctantly waved his hands and said feebly: "I accidentally contracted the wind and cold. My whole body is weak, my breathing is not smooth, and it is difficult to get out of bed. If I am not polite enough, I hope that Guo Shilang Haihan...cough cough cough."
He coughed for a while, the redness on his face became darker and darker, and he looked out of breath.
The concubines around him were a little frightened. They quickly stood up and asked questions. It took a long time for Chai Zhewei to stop coughing.
Noting that he was not pretending to be ill, Guo Fushan asked with concern: "Why is the Duke so ill?"
Chai Zhewei breathed smoothly and said feebly: "These days in the capital are turbulent and the people's hearts are unstable. I dare not leave the military camp without permission for fear of something unexpected happening. I patrol the military camp every night and urge the soldiers to drill. I cannot live up to your majesty's trust.
As a result, I accidentally contracted the cold... Ahem, Guo Shilang came here, I don't know what the matter is?"
Guo Fushan could only say: "The ministers and assistants of the Political Affairs Hall have discussed that the Duke of Guo will lead the Zuotun Guards out of the capital and go to Hexi to guard against Tuyuhun rebellion. The Military Aircraft Department and the Ministry of War have sealed the military orders and the joint documents have been issued. Order Qiao Guo Gong to choose
We will go on an expedition on the same day. It’s just that the Duke’s condition is right now…”
"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter!"
Chai Zhewei was struggling to get up on the bed. The concubine beside him quickly stepped forward to support his shoulders and asked him to sit up slightly. He stuffed a pillow under the bed and leaned against the head of the bed.
Chai Zhewei coughed a few more times and said solemnly: "When the country is in crisis, we are soldiers. How can a mere illness stop us from serving the country? I have put down the military order and seals, please ask Guo Shilang to reply to His Highness the Crown Prince. I am a humble minister."
The emperor has already sworn to die to repay the favor, even if he is wrapped in horse leather, he will not hesitate! Tomorrow, Wei Chen will go to the military camp to prepare troops and horses, and choose a day to go out! Tuyuhun is a clown, how dare he act wild in front of the empire? Even if Wei Chen drags this look
Sick Body, I will also lead Erlang under his command to charge into the battle, kill all these barbarians, and shock the barbarians! Cough cough, cough..."
The concubines quickly went up and patted his junior again to give him luck...
Guo Fushan said with emotion: "The prince is lingering on his sick bed, but he is working hard for the country. He is so heroic that the lower officials admire him. I will go to your highness to return my life and ask the prince to take good care of his health and serve the country."
"Yes, Minister Guo, please come back. Please forgive me for not being able to see you off..."
"I don't want to be a lower-ranking official, so I'm leaving."
…
After watching Guo Fushan walk out of the room and go away under the leadership of the house servant, Chai Zhewei let out a long breath, and then coughed violently again.
He is not pretending to be sick, but is really sick and has a fever...
The concubines didn't know what was going on, and they all said worriedly: "Your Majesty, please drink the medicine quickly. It will be more bitter when it is cold."
Chai Zhewei looked at the medicine bowl placed on the bedside, gritted his teeth, shook his head and said: "Don't drink it for now, this medicine is too bitter. You all can leave, I am a little tired and want to take a nap."
Drink medicine?
That is absolutely not allowed to be drunk. Won’t the disease be cured after drinking the medicine...
Anyway, it's just a cold, and it won't kill anyone. It's better to stay sick for a few more days and get through this crisis.
He was usually very talkative in the palace and had a bad temper. Although the concubines were very concerned about his condition, they didn't dare to say anything more when they heard that he wanted to sleep and hurriedly walked out of the room.
*****
Li Zhengdian.
Li Chengqian was discussing with Fang Jun and Li Daozong about the defense of the capital after the Zuo Tun Guards left the capital, and he was informed by his chamberlain that Guo Fushan had come to resume his duties.
When Guo Fushan entered the main hall, he explained in detail what he saw and heard in Duke Qiao's mansion...
Li Chengqian and others couldn't help but look at each other.
Chai Zhewei is actually sick? What a coincidence...
Li Daozong asked: "Have you ever seen Duke Qiao with your own eyes?"
Guo Fushan understood the meaning of this question and replied: "The lower official entered Duke Qiao's bedroom and saw with his own eyes that Duke Qiao indeed seemed to be infected with the disease."
Li Daozong frowned and said: "In the morning, the political affairs hall decided that Zuo Tunwei would go out of the capital to guard Hexi. But before noon arrived, he fell ill? What a coincidence."
Where do things in this world come from so many coincidences? The more coincidences there are, the more it means there is something evil in them.
Li Chengqian thought for a while, called the chamberlain on the side to him, and ordered: "Select a few Korean ginseng plants from the warehouse, and then ask an imperial doctor to send them to the Duke of Qiao's Mansion, and give him a diagnosis and treatment. Right now.
The situation in Guanzhong is tense, and it is the time when the imperial court is employing people. Duke Qiao is the commander of the army and the pillar of the military. He must not get seriously ill at this time and must be treated with care."
"Here!"
The chamberlain understood this and hurriedly went out to prepare medicinal materials. Then he went to the imperial hospital to invite an imperial doctor who was close to the East Palace to go to the Qiaoguo Duke's Mansion to diagnose and treat the sick Chai Zhewei.
When the chamberlain went out, Fang Jun shook his head and said, "Since Duke Qiao is ill in bed, it is natural that he is seriously ill and unable to get out of bed."
Chai Zhewei was not a fool. How could he not know that the prince would definitely suspect him of pretending to be ill, and would then send the imperial doctor there. If it was found that he was pretending to be ill, what kind of crime would he be charged with?