Chongwen Hall is still the center of the empire. At this time, the night has darkened, and dozens of bright-horned lamps above the main hall are as bright as day.
After the imperial examination, Qingyang and Mingcheng Queen Mother Huang E sat side by side, and the new emperor Yang Bin sat between them like a puppet, with their two small hands held by Qingyang and Mingcheng Queen Mother Huang E respectively.
The new emperor Yang Bin wanted to take his right hand away from the hand of Queen Mother Huang E of Mingcheng, but he looked a little afraid, fearing that he would be scolded for not knowing the rules.
According to the rules, the Queen Mother was his mother, but his mother was some kind of Holy Mother Queen Mother. At such a young age, he couldn't tell the difference. And it was this "Queen Mother" who once pretended to accidentally push him down a high step. , he fell badly and his head was bleeding, but his mother asked him to pretend that he fell unintentionally because the palace attendants around him did not take good care of him.
Shen Yang, Yang Zhitang, Du Chongtao, Yang En, Zheng Yu, Zheng Chang, Zhang Chao and others were all given seats. Han Daoming and Yun Puzi, who had white hair and beard, entered the palace and stood in the main hall.
Han Daoming looked around, but there was no intention of offering him a seat, so he asked in a neutral tone:
"I don't know why, Prime Minister Shen, Prince Shou, you are treating me like a three-court trial?"
"Your two brothers conspired to intercept grain shipments to Tangyi without permission, and the Chishan Society has been secretly growing under the conspiracy of your two brothers in every possible way to deceive the court." Zhang Chao didn't want to be the target of public criticism because of his dereliction of duty. Naturally, Shi was the first to stand up and put all the blame on Han Daoming and Han Daochang's conspiracy. He sneered and said, "Master Han is not pretending not to know anything at this time, is he?"
"It is true that some things were not disclosed in advance, but I did not intend to deceive. I was actually worried that there were still Mongol spies lurking in the various departments, causing the news to leak and the world's power to collapse." Han Daoming was also in his sixties at this time. , His temples are frosty white, but he speaks with great energy.
"What's not clear?" Qingyang asked.
"Informing the Empress Dowager, Emperor Liang sent people to escort the rebellious queen. When the late emperor Sun Yangfen returned to Jinling for trial, he also sent a secret letter," Han Daoming said. "In the secret letter, Emperor Liang Zhu Yu stated that he was terminally ill, and that his eldest son Liang Luo When Wang Zhuzhen broke out from Yongzhou City, he was poisoned by an arrow and died. These two pieces of news were verified by Tangyi spies and were both correct. Therefore, at the end of last year, it seemed that the Liang army had recaptured Heluo from the Dongliang rebels, but Heluo was The situation in Luo is actually extremely dangerous. Emperor Liang blocked all news, and this time he invited Tangyi to send troops into Heluo under the pretext of joining forces to defeat Yong. In fact, he was doing his last possible thing to prevent the situation in Heluo from collapsing!"
Han Daoming's words were like a huge stone thrown into the lake, and it immediately caused a huge wave of shock in everyone's hearts.
After a long time, Zhang Chao stared at Han Daoming's thin face and asked persistently:
"The situation in Heluo is so critical. Why did Tangyi rush to Xichuan, Donghu, and Tangyi to gather Chishan Hui's men? However, Chishan Hui increased the number of salt and iron transfer envoys, boatmen, and sailors several times without reporting the matter, which could completely overwhelm the imperial court. Take it seriously?"
Not only did Zhang Chao want to shirk responsibility, but he also had to seize this point to pursue Han Daoming fiercely. It was precisely this point that shocked the ministers present the most.
It is true that places such as Xuzhou and Donghu have almost monopolized the shipbuilding industry in the Jianghuai region, but the scale of the Tangyi Navy has always been small.
Even after the capture of Shou, Huo and other places, and the expansion of the Tangyi Navy's defense zone to the middle and upper reaches of the Huaihe River, the Tangyi Navy's number of soldiers plus shipwrights and sailors remained at around 10,000 for a long time.
The number of boatmen and sailors reported by the Chishan Society to the Salt and Iron Transfer Department was more than 4,000 at the beginning, and has increased year by year. However, the number officially reported last year was more than 7,900, and there are an additional 800 people.
armed guards.
During the crisis in Chenzhou, Chishan would only mobilize more than 4,000 troops to the upper reaches of the Yuan River. Even at that time, officials from the Yushitai repeatedly wrote letters of impeachment, fearing that Chishan would grow in power and be difficult to control.
After the destruction of the left and right Five Tooth Army Navy, the Central Committee failed to rebuild the navy's strength under the constraints of various parties. After the palace coup, part of the navy's strength belonging to the Weaving Bureau's armament was also kidnapped by Lu Qingxia.
However, in addition to the large-scale water camp organized by Youlongwu Army, after the transfer of Huaidong to Yangtai Prefecture, the two prefectures had a total water camp of 2,000 people. The Privy Council also dispatched generals to serve as Yangtai Prefectures.
The soldiers and horses of the two states of Tai took over at the right time.
Coupled with the local prefecture military and water camps in Chi, Xuan, Run, and Su, the imperial court could mobilize a naval force of 14,000 to 5,000 men in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River when necessary.
In addition, King Xin Yang Yuanyan also had an elite naval force in the lower reaches of the Huaihe River. Huang Hua in Yueyang also actively promoted the Hunan states to strengthen the construction of naval forces.
At this time, the naval forces of various forces within Dachu could still barely maintain a balance.
This also reflects the fact that under the current situation, we have to settle for the next best thing.
However, who could have imagined that Chishan would quietly grow to be more than five times the number reported in a few years?
Over the years, the scale of Tangyi's heavy armored infantry and horse infantry has continued to expand, but the navy has not expanded accordingly. Everyone in Jinling also believes it to be true. Who can imagine that all this is an illusion deliberately created by Tangyi? Who can imagine that Tangyi actually
Is all the mobilizable potential of the navy hidden in the Chishan Club lurking under the water?
Yang En, Yang Zhitang, Du Chongtao and others were also watching Han Daoming eagerly. Many of these things cannot be explained by the fact that Emperor Liang was critically ill.
Han Daoming continued calmly: "Tangyi has clear evidence that before Lu Qingxia launched the palace coup, he secretly sent the rebels Yao Xishui, Zhou Yuan and others to Huaidong many times to contact him - Lu Qingxia launched the palace coup, and immediately
He was exterminated by Prime Minister Shen and Prince Shou, so that the evil deeds in Huaidong were not revealed, but everyone here dared to pat their chests and say that he was loyal to the court and had no possibility of colluding with the Mongol people? In the battle between Hehuai and Tang,
The city tried its best to resist the captors and avenge the murder of the king and father. You must have also seen King Xin sitting on the wall in Chuzhou and watching. Everyone here can pat your chest and say that if the Hehuai War had been delayed until now, King Xin would not have fought with the Mongols.
Is it possible to collude to attack Tangyi? Han Qian gathered the troops of the Chishan Society at this time. The situation was too critical. He was really worried that the news of Emperor Liang's critical illness would spread, and some people's ambitions would be uncontrollable and ready to act. There are many in the capital.
With the protection of tens of thousands of elites, there is nothing to worry about in the short term, but Tangyi cannot help but worry about being attacked from both sides—"
What is the reason for this?
King Xin was never a good person, and everyone knew it well, but after the palace coup, King Xin returned the governance of Yang and Taizhou, and also asked Zhao Zhen to lead his troops to join the recruiting army to suppress the Xiangbei rebels.
, has shown enough sincerity. As for Tangyi sending troops to assist the Liang army in Bianjing's retreat to the south, there was a fierce battle with the Dongliang army and the Mongol and Wu soldiers in Xiacai Dan County. King Xin Yang Yuanyan chose to sit back and watch in Chuzhou, but this
It was also their tacit approval. Even the capital did not issue an imperial edict to urge Chuzhou to send troops. Naturally, this responsibility could not be placed on the head of Xin Wang Yang Yuanyan.
And even if
Taking 10,000 steps back, Tangyi had enough reasons to be on guard against Chuzhou a hundred times, but what was it about intercepting the grain without permission, and what was it about hiding such a huge navy force in the Chishan Society and deliberately concealing the scale of the Chishan Society?
At this time, they did not pursue the question. They were thinking about the authenticity of the news that Emperor Liang was critically ill. They also knew that Han Daoming's posture was here, and they could not find anything more practical by asking.
After a while, Yang Zhitang looked at Yun Puzi and asked:
"Taoist Master Yun, what do you have to say?"
"The old Taoist cultivates his moral character in the temple every day and reads the scriptures and rituals. What does all these things have to do with the old Taoist?" Yun Puzi spread his hands and asked, "But Prince Shou must ask the old Taoist to comment. The old Taoist feels that what Han Shangshu said is very important. There is some truth, I don’t know what Xiang Shen has to say..."
"The Marquis of Qianyang is worried about Chuzhou and has different ambitions, but this is by no means an excuse for him to act alone and ignore the court." Qingyang, with a handsome face and a cold face, stood behind the imperial court, cut off the conversation and asked, "Qianyang Where is Hou at this time?"
"Han Qian has gone to Luoyang, no one is in East Lake, and the ministers don't know about Prime Minister Shen. Prince Shou looks like he is facing a formidable enemy. Who do you want to show him to?" Han Daoming said Shiran.
"Han Qian went to Luoyang himself. What does Liang Emperor Zhu Yu want to do?" Yang En and Shen Yang couldn't hold back at this moment and asked in surprise as they leaned forward.
"Emperor Liang was critically ill, King Luo of Liang was poisoned, and his two remaining sons were too young to manage military affairs. Emperor Liang believed that Han Qian had saved Chu from danger several times, and his benevolence, trustworthiness, and loyalty were both regarded as a model for the world, so he temporarily I will entrust the military and political affairs of Heluo to each other to wait until King Luo of Liang is over sick or his two sons have grown up." Han Daoming said.
Yang En looked at Shen Yang, Du Chongtao, Yang Zhitang and others in surprise.
They had not found out where Han Qian was in the past two days, but they had never thought that Han Qian had personally led 20,000 elite troops to Heluo.
Qingyang was much calmer than everyone expected. He looked at Shen Yang and asked, "Does Prime Minister Shen have anything else to ask Mr. Han?"
Of course Shen Yang had too many questions to ask, but he knew that unless the Empress Dowager Changxin allowed Han Daoming and Yunpuzi to be arrested and the executioners from Dali Temple or Yushitai intervened, he would not expect to get questions from Han Daoming. How much more substantive content can be produced.
They couldn't even tell how much of what Han Daoming just said was true and how much was false.
Shen Yang thought for a while, and seeing that no one else had any better suggestions for the time being, he said: "We might ask Mr. Han and Taoist Master Yun to come back to the house for a while, but they are not allowed to leave casually, in case the Queen Mother can call for questioning at any time... "
"Master Du, in addition to Master Han and Taoist Master Yun, you will have another group of bodyguards to escort Master Qin back to his home. Do not allow others to disturb him!" Qingyang ignored Huang E who was sitting aside and directly issued an edict to the general. Han Daoming, Yun Puzi and Qin Wen were placed under house arrest.
Empress Dowager Changxin issued an edict to put Han Daoming, Yun Puzi, Shen Yang, Yang Zhitang, Yang En and others under house arrest. Naturally, they agreed. However, when they heard that she had issued an edict to put Zhi Zhi Gao and Qin Wen under house arrest at the same time, they all froze and suspected that she was listening. Something happened, and they all looked over at Qin Wen who was standing behind Shen Yang.
Qin Wen sighed lightly. The Empress Dowager Changxin's move was not only determined to cut off the relationship with Tangyi, but also to use him to attack Shen Yang, Yang En and others.
Of course, he had expected this scene to happen before, and he was not panicked. However, Shen Yang sat up and looked over in shock. He felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. He came out and bowed to Shen Yang:
"Qin Wen deserves to be cared for by Prime Minister Shen all these years!"
"You..." Shen Yang stood up to ask something, but stumbled and almost fell to the ground, staring at Qin Wen in disbelief.
Qin Wen wanted to go over and help him, but he also pushed Qin Wen away with all his strength. He helped the sitting post in a panic and sat down with trembling hands and feet.
Yang En, Yang Zhitang, Du Chongtao, Zheng Yu, Zheng Chang, Zhang Chao, Huang Huixiang, Zhang Xian, Zhou Qinian and others were all looking at everything in front of them in stunned silence.
Qin Wen, whom Shen Yang regarded as his nephew and wanted to ask for all the secrets, turned out to be the thorn in the side of Shen Yang that Han Qian had buried all these years?
This was even more shocking to them than when Wang Lin was the hidden stake in Huaidong and Wen Ruilin was the Jinghu of Liang.
No wonder the Chishan Society has been able to hide it so well over the years?
In addition to the fact that Zhang Chao was responsible for the oversight of the salt and iron transfer in the Chishan Meeting, theoretically the prefectures and counties should also be able to detect some clues, and it was impossible for Tangyi to cover it up without exposing some flaws.
However, if at the last moment before many confidential memorials were compiled into the political hall, all the doubtful points that might cause alarm were quietly erased by Qin Wen, it is no wonder that they would all become blind.
"After the new year, you invited us to Xinwang Mansion to meet the Crown Prince Yang Cong, was that intentional?"
Yang En had previously concluded that Tang Yi was deliberately manipulating the controversy after the new year. If Zhou Qinian had not thought of this, he could have found a crack in the ground to get in, but he was still too shocked at this time.
If Qin Wen had been won over by Han Qian long ago, how many people in the court would be worthy of their trust?
Qingyang's cold eyes swept across everyone's shocked faces. She couldn't call Shen Yang. Yang Zhitang and the others first noticed that Qin Wen had a problem. In that case, she would be too passive. Not only could she not be able to clean it up, Shen Yang, Yang Zhitang and others were even suspected of colluding with Tang Yi before and believed that her existence would be a huge obstacle to the court's subsequent restrictions or suppression of Tang Yi.
By that time, even if the thief Huang E doesn't jump out, Shen Yang, Yang Zhitang and the others will probably not allow her to dictate the government affairs again.
Qingyang thought about the words of the old palace attendant, and thought to himself, no matter what the person's plan was, the only opportunity he could seize the initiative might be Yang Zhitang in front of him, and Du Chongtao and others did not dare to dismiss it lightly.
Thinking of this, Qingyang further pressed everyone and asked: "Should the people from the Imperial Palace ask Master Han, Master Qin, and Daochang Yun to come down first?"
Since nothing could be asked from Han Daoming and others, leaving Han Daoming, Yun Puzi, Qin Wen and others present would only make everyone more embarrassed.
Of course, the Empress Dowager Changxin said before that the guards would send these three people back to Fuguan and put them under house arrest, but now she said that the people from the Inner Palace would be responsible. No one felt there was any big difference - the Inner Palace is currently under Yang En. Mainly the elders in the clan and the wives of the clan are in charge. Moments like this can actually give everyone a greater sense of trust and dependence.
Of course, the Empress Dowager Changxin issued an edict to only put these three people under house arrest without taking other measures, so everyone had nothing to say for the time being.
At this time, they have not figured out the true whereabouts of Han Qian, nor whether Liang Emperor Zhu Yu is really seriously ill or has passed away. It is undoubtedly rash and risky to characterize the actions of Tangyi and Han Mansion as treason. of.
At this time, even if Qin Wen wanted to be punished, he could only go to the Yushitai to impeach him for "making secret cliques".
Even if they finally decide to break up, they have to wait until they have the confidence to protect themselves.
Watching the people from the Chamberlain's Palace "giving gifts" to Han Daoming, Yun Puzi, and Qin Wen as they left, everyone spent a while in the main hall without realizing it.
The questions before them now mainly focus on two aspects. One is how credible Han Daoming's words are, and what Han Qian wants to do. The other is how far Han Qian has penetrated North Korea and China.
Did they go in a big circle and the problem was not solved, but instead became more complicated?
"Cough..." Shen Yang coughed violently, which attracted everyone's attention.
Shen Yang took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and covered the corner of his mouth. He coughed for a while before he stopped. Looking at the stain of bright red blood on the handkerchief, he was so heartbroken that he ignored it and put it in his sleeve. He walked to the imperial court and knelt down. Next: "The old minister has poor eyesight and cannot observe people well. As a result, the court is always passive. He has betrayed the trust of the late emperor and the queen mother. He really has no shame in staying in the court anymore. Please allow the queen mother to allow the old minister to retire and return home..."
Everyone was shocked to see that Shen Yang was about to tell his old age and leave.
Qingyang's eyes were fixed on Shen Yang's old and gaunt face, knowing that Qin Wen's incident had dealt a heavy blow to him, but it was not enough to ask him to leave at this time.
And she chose to expose Qin Wen's identity on such an occasion and at such a time, with the intention of attacking Shen Yang, but she only wanted to dampen his arrogance, not to force him away from the court.
Qingyang didn't give Huang E's humble maid a chance to speak, and said to Shen Yang in a gentle tone:
"Qin Wen ignored the court's righteousness and made friends with ministers in private, so what did he have to do with Prime Minister Shen? At this time, the ministers, princes and soldiers respected themselves and were good at discussing military affairs, but they still colluded with court officials and eunuchs in every possible way. The court was in turmoil, so what did Prime Minister Shen have to do with it? Can you bear to abandon your family and your majesty?"
In any case, as long as Han Qian is a veteran of Chu's ministers, Qin Wen, who is used by Han Qian, cannot be regarded as an enemy. Qin Wen's betrayal of Shen Yang, although Shen Yang is so unbearable, but when we look into it carefully, , even a charge of "unclear investigation" cannot be mentioned publicly.
Yang En, Yang Zhitang, Du Chongtao, Zheng Yu, Zhang Chao and others would never want Shen Yang to walk away at this time.
"Xuzhou prospered because of Han Daoxun, Han Qian and his son. Han Qian was in charge of the Jinyun Tower beside the late emperor for many years, and later he raised the Chishan Army. There were many private Tangs in the government and the public. It was not surprising that the Ai family was in trouble. When the palace changed, Yun Pu Zi warned him in advance and led the Ai family to hide with His Majesty in the Shangshu Province. When they met Qin Wen, the Ai family was in panic and had no choice but to rely on Yun Puzi and Qin Wen for everything. But after thinking about it, all this was too coincidental. "
Qingyang saw that Shen Yang sat back down in despair and did not mention the resignation again. He continued,
"It's just that the Marquis of Qianyang is guarding Huaixi to defend against enemies, and Han Daoming is an important minister of Chu. The Ai family is not in a position to study the twists and turns here. I guess the Qing family and the Ai family have the same idea. However, no matter how clever they are now, Ruhuang, the old people of Xuzhou, Jinyun Tower, and Chishan Army should also be isolated from the court. I believe all the Qing families have no objections, right?"
Before Shen Yang could recover from his thoughts, Yang En looked at Yang Zhitang, Du Chongtao and the others.
Although they also knew that Queen Mother Changxin said these words to defend herself and to cut off from Tangyi, but in any case, even if Queen Mother Changxin and Tangyi secretly colluded during the palace change, her final thoughts were still Thinking about the eldest prince's succession.
This cannot be considered harmful to the interests of the Yang clan.
At this time, the Empress Dowager Changxin also expressed her position. What else could they do, depose the new emperor and establish another King Fu?
In any case, they have to get through this period first before talking about anything else. The first thing they need to do now is not only to strengthen their vigilance and find out Han Qian's whereabouts, but also to make sure that the DPRK and Tangyi may be involved.
Isolate all the officials.
"What the Empress Dowager said is true. These officials may be ordered to stay at home and no longer participate in the affairs of the ministries and academies, and then secretly follow the clues to conduct inspections." Yang Zhitang said thoughtfully.
Qingyang thought of what the old palace servant said that the only move she could make was the Chamberlain Palace at this time.
Although there are still a large number of eunuchs and maids in the palace, after the Ministry of Internal Affairs was changed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the main people in charge of the palace were the elders and wives of the clan.
Among them are the sons of the old emperor Yang Tai who died of illness in Shouchun, the two direct sisters of Emperor Tianyou, and the two daughters of Emperor Tianyou, namely the two sisters of Emperor Yanyou and their families; like Du Chongtao's wife, they are related by blood within the clan.
It's still farther away, but there are more people.
During the Jinling Rebellion, most of the clans living in the capital were forced to rebel with Yang Tai, the Zongzhengqing, and appointed the then crown prince Yang Yuanwo as emperor. They were then kidnapped and fled to Shouchun.
It was not until the peace talks between Liang and Chu that these people were released.
Even if Emperor Yanyou did not punish them for their rebellion, they still regarded them as members of the clan, but they were undoubtedly inferior to others in Jinling City.
While Emperor Yanyou was still alive, even though he ordered the Internal Affairs Bureau to continue providing support, the benefits were greatly reduced compared to before the Jinling Rebellion, and the confiscated fields and houses were never returned.
It was only after the Palace Incident that the Ministry of Internal Affairs restructured the Internal Affairs Bureau, making the elders of the clan and the female head of the clan the head of the clan, and their situation improved slightly.
In the past six months, these people have served in Changxin Palace, Chongwen Palace and even Mingcheng Palace, and Qingyang can also feel their intention to please and fawn over - except for these people, Qingyang can't think of anyone else in Jinling City.
It can be used by her.
At this moment, Qingyang felt deeply why all dynasties had to use relatives.
Apart from her own brothers and sisters, who can a woman who lives in palace confinement really be trustworthy and dependent on? It's a pity that she is alone in Jinling and has no brothers or sisters around her.
Of course, after these clans returned to the south, because they all bore the mark of "rebellion", they were incompatible with the courtiers and the Jiangdong aristocratic clans who claimed to be Qingliu gentry.
Qingyang thought that she needed these people. What she had to do now was to let them know that only with her would they be reused and restore their former glory. She didn't need to worry about how many of them would turn to Huang.
That cheap maidservant of E.
Thinking of this, Qingyang said again:
"Whether it is the Ministry of Punishment, Dali Temple, or Yushitai, there are private officials from Tangyi who have infiltrated it. When the Ai family feels that it is abnormal, all inquiries related to this matter will be handled by Yang En and his inner servants. Do you have any objections?
?”
"Queen Mother, this matter..."
When Qingyang mentioned this proposal, he actually wanted to reopen the Jinyun Division under the Internal Affairs Bureau to have the power to supervise the officials of the government and the public. Although Yang En was the minister in charge of the Internal Affairs Bureau, he did not want to set another bad example.
"Yang Marquis, as a chamberlain minister, you'd better listen to Prime Minister Shen and Prince Shou on this matter for the time being." Qingyang stopped Yang En's words and did not ask him to express his opinion. Instead, he looked at Yang Zhitang, Shen