Deep in the palace, Emperor Yi lay on the couch, his plump cheeks shriveled up, gray air shrouded his brows, and he asked in a low voice.
"Your Majesty still has a thousand years to live, please cherish the dragon body and never say this again!"
Wang Shu Bigan, Prime Minister Shang Rong, Grand Master Wen Zhong, Wucheng King Huang Feihu, four important civil and military officials knelt in front of the couch and said in unison.
The priest has just arrived. In this era, the priest is also responsible for the imperial doctor. Judging from his reaction, Emperor Yi may not have much time left.
It would be fine if he was ill. Emperor Yi was now in his prime, but he had suffered hidden injuries from fighting with Quanrong in his early years. In recent years, he had fought with Dongyi, and his body was finally worn down.
"You don't need to comfort me anymore."
Emperor Yi already knew what was going on. He sighed deeply, stood up with all his strength, and waved to the four ministers.
The four ministers stepped forward and heard Emperor Yi say: "Although the Dongyi Quanrong have been advancing year after year, they are still unable to threaten the foundation of our great merchants. However, the eight hundred princes are very ambitious and may become a serious problem!"
"His Majesty!"
When the four ministers heard this, their expressions changed.
"Don't be afraid, these words can come out of my mouth and into your ears, and no one else will know!"
At the last moment of his life, Emperor Yi no longer had any scruples in speaking: "Which of the eight hundred princes do you think is the most threatening?"
The four ministers looked at each other in confusion, and finally Wen Zhong said: "The eight hundred princes have different strengths and weaknesses. If anyone can pose a threat to the great merchants, it is naturally the four great princes..."
"Four great princes! Four great princes!"
Di Yi murmured, his eyes full of undisguised murderous intent.
In the past, Chengtang took over the Xia Dynasty and proclaimed himself emperor with the recommendation of three thousand princes. It seemed that he had received the favor of the people, but in fact it was just an exchange of interests.
The emperors of the Great Shang Dynasty were constrained by the princes, and they fought openly and secretly with each other. On the surface, they ruled the world with benevolence and conquered the world with virtue. In fact, they secretly stirred up divisions and allowed the princes to constantly fight and annex to expand their influence.
So far in the thirty generations of Shang Dynasty, the princes have been reduced from three thousand to eight hundred, but four great princes have also been born.
These four princes are not only powerful in their own vassal states, but also surrounded by a group of allies. They are extremely powerful. Emperor Yi even knows that the reason why Dongyi and Quanrong can threaten the great merchants is that the four princes "contribute a lot to it."
without".
Seeing that Emperor Yi's murderous intention was revealed, Wen Zhong also quickly lowered his head and remained silent.
It's not fear, it's just being helpless.
This is a shortcoming of the fundamental system, and unless there are truly earth-shaking changes, it cannot be solved.
Emperor Yi also knew very well. He coughed heavily and said: "It takes more than one generation to remove the four great princes. After I leave, the four beloved princes must assist the new king and beware of Jichang, the Marquis of Xibo!"
As soon as these words came out, Huang Feihu was startled and felt very strange.
Jichang, the Marquis of Xibo, was diligent in politics, loved talents, was kind and virtuous, and evolved the Book of Changes. He was known as a saint.
In comparison, the most domineering one was Beibo Hou Chonghou Hu, who ran rampant in the fiefdom. In the fish and meat village, when Chao Ge ordered him to mobilize his troops, he delayed it again and again.
In the end, Emperor Yi was most afraid of Xiqi. Why?
The other three veterans knew it well.
Huang Feihu is still young and doesn't know about an old case.
Ji Chang's father, Ji Li, the previous generation of Xibohou, was imprisoned and killed by the previous generation of Shang Emperor Wen Ding.
The reason is that they are afraid of Xiqi's strong influence.
In fact, the two parties are still related.
Ji Chang's mother, Tai Ren, was the sister of Emperor Yi and the daughter of Wen Ding. Ji Chang had just been born at that time. Wen Ding wanted to see his grandson, so he asked Ji Li to take the infant Ji Chang to Beijing, and then directly said that he wanted to see his grandson.
Ji Li was imprisoned on the groundless charge of treason and was killed soon after.
There is no doubt that this approach is extremely stupid. Not only can it not eliminate the threat, but it also puts Dashang into an unjust and passive state. When his son Ji Chang grew up, he worked hard to govern Xiqi.
But if you want to eradicate the weeds, how easy is it?
It is common for princes to marry each other. Not to mention concubines, there are also many direct children. Xibohou Jichang now has more than seventy children. He is still working hard at his age. I am afraid that in another ten years, he will be able to raise a family.
Maybe a hundred sons.
In comparison, Di Yi's three mere sons were simply useless.
Back to the subject, the death of Ji Li caused a deep hatred between the two parties. The more famous Ji Changxian became and the more obedient he became, the more frightened Emperor Yi became. At this moment, he took a breath and looked at Huang Feihu: "I heard that Mr. Huang intends to betroth his daughter to Qi'er?
During this period, Wei Zi Qiqu was trying to please him. The Huang family originally did not want to get involved in the fight for the legitimate son, but now Wei Zi Qidu has come to the door. If he refuses, he will become an enemy. In addition, although they have been favored for seven generations, they have
I haven't had a queen yet, but I finally got the idea.
But when Di Yi asked it at this time, it seemed quite profound.
"What's the crime?"
Emperor Yi waved his hand slightly: "Go and see Qi'er, tell him what I have said, and see if he has any good ideas for Xiqi."
"yes!"
Huang Feihu took the order.
"Master!"
Emperor Yi looked at Wen Zhong again: "Go to see King Shou and ask him what he thinks of Dong Bohou."
"yes!"
Hearing that Zhong accepted the order, he smiled bitterly in his heart.
Sure enough, seven years can't be smoothed out easily, and Emperor Yi's bias has become obvious.
Asking Huang Feihu to bring a message to Wei Ziqi is an endorsement of the Huang family's in-laws with the royal family, which consolidates the relationship between monarch and ministers. As for Xiqi's theory, as long as it is within the rules, it will pass.
The examination for the Shou King will be difficult. His wife is the daughter of Dong Bohou. If the couple is in love, the relative will inevitably become a powerful relative in the future. If he abandons his original wife, he will appear to be unfeeling.
During this period of time, Wei Ziqi had been serving Emperor Yi and asked him about his welfare, but King Shou never entered the palace once. At first, Emperor Yi agreed with Wen Zhong's statement, but gradually he also had doubts in his heart. If he added another
He is so callous and unsentimental, so he cannot even think of becoming a prince.
Wen Zhong left the palace and was thinking to himself when a carriage approached behind him. Shang Rong called out: "Grand Master, move slowly!"
Wen Zhong knew that this person was an absolute supporter of etiquette, and he thought he was here to discuss the matter of King Longevity. He sighed, and just as he was about to speak, a stream of light suddenly flew from the sky, turned into a spiritual eagle looking for power, and stopped at
In front of the car.
Wen Zhong took off the wooden tablet from the claws of the spiritual eagle, unfolded it, and his pupils suddenly shrank: "The high priest of Dongyi has disappeared. Is he suspected of coming to the hinterland of my great merchant?"
Shang Rong drove up to him and saw his expression changed drastically: "Grand Master, what happened?"
Wen Zhong's thoughts changed rapidly, a flash of light flashed, and he suddenly pulled out the male and female whip: "No! His Royal Highness, Prince Shou, may be in danger!"