The sky before dawn is like a dark blue lake, quiet, deep and distant. As the sky becomes clearer and clearer, the sky and the earth seem to be immersed in the clear lake water.
Xu Huai woke up from his sleep, but did not get up in a hurry. The room was no longer dark, and he could barely make out the outlines of the furniture. The sound of the river waves could be heard in his ears, as well as the loud singing of early-rising fishermen.
After a while, Xu Huaicai put on his clothes and opened the door and walked to the corridor. He saw that there was still a candle in the room opposite. He walked over and saw that Zhu Hang had left. Han Gui was still sitting in front of the case with Wang Fan, Lu Xiong and Zhu Tong talking.
Xu Huai asked: "Is there any good strategy?"
"For the sake of the country, it is just a random change. Zhu Gong has returned to the city to wait for the opportunity to prepare." Han Gui bowed and bowed, moved to the side, let Xu Huai sit in front of the case, and said, "The palace envoy has just arrived. Waiting in the front yard until Commander-in-Chief is ready, he can enter the palace to visit His Majesty at any time!"
"Okay, let's prepare the carriage and horses now. Let's eat some food on the way. Don't waste time." Xu Huai nodded and said.
Not to mention Zhu Hang, Wang Fan and others strongly questioned it. Xu Huai himself was not without hesitation deep in his heart. If possible, he could not wait to see Emperor Jianji more than anyone else, hoping that Emperor Jianji could still open his eyes. Say a few words to give him greater confidence.
However, Xu Huai knew that this hope might be slim. He sat down in front of the case, saluted Wang Fan, who had not slept all night, and said: "Xu Huai feels really guilty for dragging his father-in-law into this matter..."
"We don't need to say these foreign words anymore. We just need to be patient and behave." Wang Fan waved his hand and said.
As the Yin of Jianye Prefecture, Zhu Hang found it difficult to escape from the government office for a long time during this turbulent time. Many plans on Xu Huai's side also required Zhu Hang's personal involvement; Wang Fan had no formal assignment at this time, but his official title He was tall enough, so naturally he accompanied Xu Huai to the palace to visit the dying Emperor Jianji.
At this time, the guards were already preparing in the front yard - according to regulations, Xu Huai could have thirty-four men with swords and tiger swords accompanying him to protect his safety. They could also formally follow Xu Huai into Jianye City.
In addition, they will arrive in Jianye later. The 1,200 brave knights of the Selected Front Army led by Wu Chihai and other generals will not be able to enter Jianye City so casually.
Wang Kong and Zheng Shou were also in the front yard.
They accompanied Wang Fan out of the city to the warehouse last night, but had no chance to participate in the discussion. At this time, they had to wait all night. Looking at Xu Huai, Wang Fan looked solemn when he walked out and did not ask any questions.
After the carriages and horses were ready, everyone left the warehouse together, first went south along the Longzangpu River, and then along the official road to the Daliang Gate of the West City.
There is already a bit of coolness in early autumn, green wheat seedlings are growing in the wheat fields, and there are many people walking on the official road. Looking at the excited expressions of the people on the road, you know that the news about Emperor Jianji's critical illness is extremely tight, and there are still people talking about it. The assassination of King Lu.
Xu Huai had already reported in advance for his return to the capital, and had a smooth journey to the palace.
Imperial City Secretary Tiju Liu Shiwang had also been waiting in front of the west gate of the palace for a long time.
"Xu Huai returned to the capital with a secret edict and came to see His Majesty!" Xu Huai held the secret edict in his hand and greeted Liu Shiwang, "It's been another year since we last met. Is everything okay with Mr. Liu Langjun?"
"..." Liu Shiwang smiled bitterly, but he didn't know how to reply to Xu Huai's words.
In his early years, Liu Shiwang was a low-level military official in the County Weisi of Gongxian County. Together with Yu Gong and other generals, he was promoted and re-employed when Emperor Jianji was guarding Gongxian County. After the capital was moved to Jianye, Liu Shiwang served as the Imperial City Secretary and was in charge of the palace confinement. Wei Ji, who was responsible for spying on people's sentiments, could be said to be one of Emperor Jianji's most trusted direct confidants.
However, Liu Shiwang had no idea what was written in the secret edict left by Emperor Jianji to Xu Huai when his life was in critical condition.
Seeing Xu Huai folding back the text of the secret edict, he hesitated for a moment, but finally resisted his curiosity, took out the sample paper, compared it with the seal on the secret edict, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, there was some movement in your body early this morning.
, maybe it was expected that Xu Hou would come to Jianye..."
After Liu Shiwang inspected the seal of the secret edict, he saw Xu Huai and Wang Ju about to take off the swords from their waists, and said: "Xu Hou, General Wang has the title of 'imperial weapon', and according to the regulations, he can wear swords when walking in the palace."
, there is no need to take off your sword to see His Majesty."
In the early days of Dai Viet, only six guards were allowed to carry weapons and weapons in front of the emperor, which were called "imperial weapons". Later, the number was relaxed, but only high-level imperial guards with strong skills and former generals could be titled.
When Emperor Jianji ascended the throne in Xiangyang, he regarded "imperial weapons" as a special merit and awarded them to meritorious generals who actively resisted the Chi Hu campaign. Xu Huai and Wang Ju both received this award; this honor is equivalent to going to the palace with swords and shoes, but
The rewards are slightly more extensive.
Xu Huai came to Beijing last year for an audience, but he took off his sword at the palace gate before entering the palace to see Emperor Jian Ji and attend the palace banquet. This time he didn't want to be too showy, but Liu Shiwang deliberately reminded him that he didn't need to take off his sword.
Xu Huai pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly to Liu Shiwang and tied the sword around his waist again.
Under the guidance of Liu Shiwang and the palace attendants, Xu Huai walked to Funing Palace with Wang Ju and Wang Fan with mixed emotions; Han Gui, Guo Junpan, Zhang Xiongshan, Niu Er, Xu Pan and others led the guards
Stay outside the palace gate and wait for news.
Only when he entered Funing Palace did Xu Huai understand why Liu Shiwang wanted to remind him.
In addition to Huai Wang Zhao Guan, Zhou He, Hu Kai, Gao Chunnian, Gu Fan, Wang Boqian, Qiao Jien, Qian Shangduan and Xuanwei Army Commander Zhang Xin and others in Funing Palace, Zheng Cong also arrived a few days ago.
In the name of visiting Emperor Jianji's condition, he rushed to Jianye from Chuzhou and was waiting for him at Funing Palace.
As the commander of the garrison, Zhang Xin, Liu Shiwang, Yu Gong and others took turns staying in the palace when Emperor Jianji was critically ill. They basically kept their armor with them, which was also their duty. However, except for Zhang Xin and the armed guards inside and outside the palace,
Outside the palace, Huai Wang Zhao Guan and Zheng Cong stood in the main hall with swords tied around their waists.
When Wang Fan saw this scene, he was even more unclear about whether Xu Huai's trip was right or wrong:
Except for Zhang Xin and Qian Shangduan, they had always been the former ministers of Emperor Jian's residence. Afterwards, they rose to prominence and had no direct relationship with Xu Huai. However, generals such as Liu Shiwang and Yu Gong were served by Xu Huai and Emperor Jian's guard.
During the reign of Gongxian County, they broke the rules and were directly selected from the lower-level military officials of the mausoleum guarding army and Gongxian County Weisi.
Even when they were defending Gong County, it was Xu Huai who taught them the methods of offense and defense. After successfully defending Gong County, they gradually became important and trusted direct generals around Emperor Jianji.
In addition to these people, Deng Gui was old friends with Xu Huai and everyone in Chushan, and Liu Yan also benefited from Xu Huai many times. Xu Huai led his troops to attack Taiyuan thousands of miles away, and Taiyuan's 100,000 soldiers and civilians were able to safely evacuate south to Xiangyang.
The three Forbidden Army troops under the direct control of the Imperial Camp Envoy Division are based on the 100,000 soldiers and civilians of Taiyuan.
In other words, even if there is no secret edict, if King Huai wants to ascend the throne, or if the Zheng family wants to support the prince to the throne, they will have to pay a greater price to win over Chushan.
However, Xu Huai's trip may be successful, but how will Liu Shiwang, Yu Gong, Zhang Xin, Liu Yan, Deng Gui and even Wen Hengyue, Hu Kai and others view Xu Huai and Chu Mountain?
If Wang Fan hadn't already entered Funing Palace, he would have wanted to persuade Xu Huai again.
Xu Huai didn't care about what others were thinking. He knew that Zhao Fan would definitely not be able to reach Jianye ahead of them, but it was unclear whether Zhao Fan sent someone to Jianye in advance to report the news.
He just glanced at Zheng Cong lightly, then turned to pay homage to Huai Wang Zhao Guan, Zhou He, Hu Kai, Wuwei County Prince Zhao Yi and others:
"I have met His Royal Highness King Huai, the Prime Minister of Zhou, the Prime Minister, the Prince of Wuwei County, and Xu Huai returned to the capital following the imperial edict. Is Your Majesty still well?"
Huai Wang Zhao Guan always treated Xu Huai coldly, but at this time he forced himself to be gentle and said: "Brother Huang has just woken up. Maybe he heard that you are entering the palace today. Please follow us into the inner palace to have an audience!"
Xu Huai took off his sword first and handed it to his uncle Wang Ju. Then he went to the inner hall with Huai Wang Zhao Guan, Attendant Zhou He, Privy Councilor Hu Kai, Wuwei County Prince Zhao Yi and others.
The inner hall could not accommodate too much, so Wang Fan and Wang Ju still waited with other ministers in the outer hall - knowing that Jian Ji Emperor might only be a matter of one or two days.
If they can't get away, they will rush to Funing Palace to wait.
The inner hall was filled with a strong aroma of medicine. When Xu Huai walked in, the palace maids had already raised the curtains. Concubine Zheng and Princess Yingyun were standing in front of the couch to serve. Several imperial doctors were waiting aside at any time.
On the large bed, Emperor Jianji was reluctantly opening his eyes and looking over. However, his cheeks were sunken and the oil was exhausted. There was too much reluctance in his cloudy eyes. The corners of his mouth were slightly twitching but he could not vomit.
Say a word.
Seeing this scene, Xu Huai couldn't help but think of how handsome and elegant Emperor Jianji was when they first met in Bianliang City. He couldn't help but think of how he defended the enemy at the head of Gongxian City, crossed the river to go north, and how Emperor Jianji drove himself to conquer Wuyang.
I couldn't help but shed tears. I opened my robe, knelt on the millstone in front of the dragon bed, knelt on the Prime Minister, and said in a loud voice:
"I was sent to the capital by imperial edict, Xu Huai, to see Your Majesty. I grew up in the grass, was young and reckless, and had a vulgar temperament. However, Your Majesty knew the situation and entrusted me with important responsibilities. While I was in Chu Mountain, I never forgot His Majesty's fists and teachings, and never forgot His Majesty's teachings."
Forget His Majesty’s ambition to expel the barbarians, recover the Central Plains, and return the capital to Bianliang. I have no merit in my body, but I am pure and enthusiastic. I am willing to imitate the sages, dedicate myself to my life, and devote my whole life to fulfilling Your Majesty’s wishes..."
"Father, father..."
Hearing Princess Yingyun's panicked cry, Xu Huai raised his head, only to see that Emperor Jianji's arms were hanging loosely again.
Concubine Zheng burst into tears.
Zhou He, Qiao Jien and others panicked and signaled the imperial doctor to come forward for treatment.
"..."
The imperial doctor checked Emperor Jianji's wrist veins for a long time, and then used a small mirror to check Emperor Jianji's breathing. After a long time, he finally shook his head helplessly at everyone...