In Bianliang City of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the atmosphere in the city had been dull in the past few days. The large number of soldiers and horses pouring in from outside the city that night, and the sound of fighting coming from the east and west camps made the people in the capital city of Great Zhou Dynasty panic when they had gradually regained their vitality. Suspicion. Especially on the morning of the next day, all kinds of rumors spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, and the contents of the rumors made the people even more frightened and worried.
There are many rumors, but most of the versions tend to be one plot, that is, the current emperor Guo Kun took advantage of Generalissimo Lin Jue to lead the army. When the Luoyan army in the city was empty of troops, he secretly summoned local Xiang troops into the city in an attempt to Take control of the capital. In the end, Shen Tan, the commander of the army in front of the palace, led his army to defeat the Xiang army and quell the chaos.
The people in the capital were not frightened because of the fighting last night. They had experienced too many such things in the past few months. What they were really frightened about was that they understood one thing from what happened last night. , that is, the current court, which has just brought confidence and hope to people, is not as harmonious as people see from the outside. The conflict between the emperor and Marshal Lin is obviously beyond everyone's expectation. Who can It is conceivable that the relationship between them has reached such an incompatible situation. This will obviously cast a shadow on the future of Da Zhou, and the enthusiasm and hope that have slightly revived the people have been poured cold water on the pocket. People What worries me is, will everything go back to before? Will the imperial court usher in endless battles again? How will things between the emperor and Lin Jue end?
The people were very conflicted. They could not find their own position between the emperor and Lin Jue. Generally speaking, loyalty to the emperor was a matter of course. If there was a conflict between the ministers and the emperor, it was obvious that the ministers should be blamed for their misconduct. Zhong. However, when it comes to this matter, things are obviously not that simple for these two people. The attitudes of the people in the capital are naturally divided into two groups.
One group believes that the emperor did this out of necessity. It was obvious that Mr. Lin had evil intentions and that the emperor could only regain power in this way. Otherwise, the lessons learned from the past are not far away. The second Lu Zhongtian reappeared, and the emperor would not be able to protect himself in the end. Mr. Lin indeed made great contributions, but after the world was peaceful, he stepped down from the military power to show his loyalty and innocence. If he clings to the military and political power, where will the emperor be?
The other faction obviously would not agree with their views. They believed that it was Lord Lin who single-handedly changed the situation of the world, led the Luoyan Army to defeat the Jurchen army, quelled the civil strife of the Lu thieves, and preserved the country of the Zhou Dynasty. Without Lin Jue, there would be no great empire. Zhou. How could the current emperor be where he is today if he had not been assisted by Lin Jue? Ordinary people still know how to be grateful, let alone the emperor who should set an example for the world? He took advantage of Lord Lin to go on an expedition and did it behind his back. This behavior itself is unworthy of the occasion. Moreover, those so-called rumors that slandered Mr. Lin for having the intention to seize the throne are obviously fabricated conjectures. If Mr. Lin has different intentions, he can leave the current emperor and stand on his own, but why should he support the emperor who has been driven out of the capital? Prince Liang and his son won’t let go?
The same is true for those who said that Lin Jue was afraid that his reputation was not justified, so he wanted to find a puppet to serve as his sacrifice.
It's untenable. The Jurchens invaded, the Lu thieves stole the country, and the world was in chaos. The Great Zhou Dynasty was almost destroyed, and many local forces were ready to make themselves kings. Lin Jue didn't need to find a puppet to serve as his father. Now, just raise an army to fight for the world. Moreover, even if you set up a puppet, it doesn't necessarily have to be Guo Kun. The eldest princess of the late emperor Guo Chong is Lin Jue's wife. He can definitely raise an army under the banner of the eldest princess. Isn't that right? Even more trouble-free.
So, to put it bluntly, what the emperor did was an ungrateful act. He was crossing a river and demolishing a bridge, unloading a mill and killing a donkey, and then scolding the cook when he was full. This behavior is extremely shameful. Killing a hero, and the one who helped him ascend the throne,
Moreover, he took advantage of Lord Lin to fight the Jurchens and stabbed him in the back, which shows how despicable and miserable the current emperor is. This kind of person is called a white-eyed wolf in the folk, and he wants to be reviled and scolded by everyone.
Disdainful.
The atmosphere in the court was also very strange. Officials were doing business as usual, and all the yamen were busy. However, the morning court, which had never set since the emperor entered the capital, had stopped. Everyone kept silent about this matter, and every day
When anyone asked about this, whether it was their family members or close friends, they all received a scolding.
The atmosphere in the entire capital was dull and quiet, like the calm before the storm. Everyone knew in their hearts that this matter would not pass so quietly. When Master Lin returned from the expedition, the matter was about to explode.
.
It was already mid-June, and the weather in Beijing was already extremely hot. After the sunset in the evening, the heat wave on the ground still did not dissipate. The Yamen that manages the streets in Beijing sent people with water trucks to spray water on the streets and alleys of Beijing to cool down.
, heat waves of steam evaporate in the air. The transpiration of water vapor absorbs the heat from the ground and disperses it in the air, making the air even more humid and hot.
But no matter what, everything becomes more comfortable after the sun goes down. The night wind will soon blow away the heat, and this is also the most comfortable time for the people of the capital in summer. The stalls of the night market on the bustling street have already
It started to be put up, and the people who were afraid to go out due to the heat wave during the day also left their homes one after another. The night market on summer nights is the most lively scene in Bianliang City, and it is even more lively at night than during the day.
The shops on both sides of the Bianhe River do better business during the night market. They go to work early and set up a pergola in front of the shop, set up tables and chairs, and prepare to welcome the crowds of the night market. The piers on both sides of the Bianhe River are also particularly busy at night, and the heat during the day makes
The coolies can't stand it. After experiencing the lessons of many people suffering from heat stroke, all merchants and shipping companies have recently adjusted their unloading time to the evening and early morning. Dozens of docks on both sides of the Bianhe River are busy unloading people all night long.
After dark, a carriage came out of the side door of the Linzhai compound on Xiangguosi Front Street. Under the protection of several mounted guards, the carriage passed through the bustling crowd and headed east across Xiangguo Temple Front Street. Soon
Then go to Zhuque Street, turn north, and go straight to Daqingmen Gongmen.
The carriage arrived near the palace gate and stopped for a moment.
Come, someone comes to greet you at the gate of the palace. Under the light of the lantern, the leading man has a handsome face and a serious face. It is Shen Tan, the commander of the palace front department.
Several guards escorting the carriage stepped forward to salute. Shen Tan nodded, stared at the carriage door, cupped his hands and said solemnly: "The little man Shen Tan is here to greet the princess."
The door of the carriage opened, and a maid got out of the carriage and raised the curtain for the people inside. Under the light of the lantern, a woman with a gauze mask got out of the carriage and saluted Shen Tan, who was bowing.
.
"Master Shen, you are very polite. Please wait here for me. It makes me really uneasy."
Shen Tan hurriedly said: "What did the princess say? I don't dare to take it seriously."
The woman who got out of the car was none other than the little princess Guo Caiwei. Shen Tan was originally the commander of the guards of Prince Liang, equivalent to the royal family retainer, so the exchanges with the little princess still did not change the previous title, and they were extremely respectful. Not entirely because The reason is that the little princess is Lin Jue’s wife.
"This time, I have put you in a difficult position. I know that it is inappropriate for me to come into the palace at this moment, but after much thought, I still have to go into the palace. There are some things that I still have to discuss with my mother and my confused brother. It's best to make it clear. I know it's very difficult for you to do this, but I hope Master Shen also understands my difficulties." The little princess said softly.
Shen Tan sighed and whispered: "At this time, the princess really shouldn't come to the palace. Marshal Lin has defeated the Jurchens and returned to the court. At this time... I'm sorry, the princess shouldn't come to the palace again. Middle. Everything will be decided when Lord Lin returns to the capital. To be honest, it is not wise for the princess to enter the palace at this time. I have no other meaning in what I say. After all, the identity of the princess is extremely sensitive in extraordinary times. In fact, I It’s also for the sake of the princess…”
The little princess nodded slightly, but her expression could not be seen clearly on her face covered by a veil.
"Commander Shen, if you really feel embarrassed, I won't force you. I can actually enter the palace openly. It is because I am worried about the rumors outside and don't want people to make comments, so I asked someone to inform you. Moreover, I entered the palace. The reason for going to the palace is not for anything else, but to explain the matter clearly to my brother and mother, and to persuade them not to persist in their stubbornness. It is precisely because my husband is coming back that I have to go to the palace. I heard that my mother and brother have always had a bad attitude. They are very arrogant, I have to persuade them. After all, they are my mother and brother, I can't do nothing. I think even if my husband comes back, he will be willing to let me enter the palace. In short, after my husband comes back , if there is any accountability, I, Guo Caiwei, will bear it, and I will never drag you down, Commander Shen."
Shen Tan was stunned for a moment, with an embarrassed look on his face. He knew that if he continued to speak, he might really be misunderstood. The little princess's words at this moment were already a bit off. As the former commander of the palace, and saved by the prince and his son, In the end, he chose to follow Lin Jue, which in itself made Shen Tan suffer a lot. The little princess's words were just a few words, and if she continued, Shen Tan himself would not be able to bear it. He sighed, cupped his hands and said: "That's all, just invite the princess into the palace. Come, open the palace door."
