Empress Dowager Zhang never thought of concealing the news of the emperor's disappearance. After all, so many people knew about the emperor's disappearance, and she could not hide it even if she wanted to.
However, the news of the emperor's disappearance must be limited to a certain range. Even if it is within a certain period of time, the news of the emperor's disappearance must be controlled. If it becomes known throughout the city, it will inevitably trigger unimaginable consequences.
trouble.
Therefore, Empress Dowager Zhang only summoned a few pavilion elders, and only when a few pavilion elders unified their opinions could the news of the emperor's disappearance be concealed.
Under the gaze of Queen Mother Zhang, several pavilion elders couldn't help but feel a bit bad in their hearts.
At this moment, Empress Dowager Zhang was heard to speak slowly: "Several ministers, you are all ministers trusted by the emperor. I have entrusted you with important affairs of the country. It shows that your majesty has great trust in you."
Jiao Fang and other pavilion elders hurriedly saluted and said: "The Queen Mother is so complimentary. We have your Majesty's trust, so we dare not be careless in the slightest."
Nodding slightly, Empress Dowager Zhang took a deep breath and said, "The Ai family has called you here today because there is a big matter to explain to you."
Jiao Fang and others were convinced and looked at Queen Mother Zhang.
Empress Dowager Zhang could only be heard saying: "An unknown fire broke out in the Qianqing Palace last night. Because the fire was so fierce, the fire was eventually extinguished, but the Qianqing Palace was also destroyed..."
Jiao Fang couldn't help but look anxious and said: "Queen Mother, I don't know that Your Majesty..."
A look of confusion flashed across the face of Queen Mother Zhang, and she sighed slightly: "Your Majesty is protected by Shao Zhenren. I hope that the sky will protect you. Gu Dayong, Hu Yi and the others have searched all night but have not found your Majesty's whereabouts. For the time being,
All we can say is that His Majesty is missing..."
"What? His Majesty is missing, how is this possible..."
In the opinion of several pavilion elders, as the emperor, Zhu Houzhao either died in the fire or escaped from danger when the fire broke out. There was no such thing as missing.
But now Empress Dowager Zhang actually told them that the Emperor was missing, which surprised them.
However, several pavilion elders soon reacted. The reason why Empress Dowager Zhang announced that the emperor was missing was presumably to stabilize the current situation. After all, even if the emperor died, it would be difficult to directly announce it to the outside world.
If Zhu Houzhao had any heirs left behind, or even established a crown prince, then that would be fine. Even if Zhu Houzhao dies, ministers like them only need to assist the prince in enthroning the throne.
However, the biggest problem at the moment is that the emperor has no queen and the position of the Eastern Palace is vacant. This is no small matter.
Fei Hong looked at Jiao Fang, then at the Empress Dowager Zhang, opened his mouth and said: "I already understand the Empress Dowager's intention, but even if I help conceal this matter, I'm afraid I won't be able to hide it for a long time. It is related to the state.
Please ask the Queen Mother to make a decision as soon as possible."
After hearing this, the Queen Mother Zhang couldn't help frowning, waving her hands and saying: "The Ai family has its own concerns about this matter. The emperor is just missing. Before the emperor's safety is confirmed, His Majesty the Ai family will protect the Ming Dynasty for the emperor."
Seeing the Queen Mother getting angry, several pavilion elders did not dare to say anything at this time. After all, everyone could see that Queen Mother Zhang was angry at this moment. They were already disturbed by the sudden news. Even if they had
Whatever the plan, it is not to argue with the Queen Mother at this time.
When several cabinet ministers left, Empress Dowager Zhang said to Jiao Fang, the chief minister of the cabinet: "Mr. Jiao Ge, please stay here for a moment. The Ai family has something to say to you."
When the other pavilion elders saw this, they naturally left very wisely. Jiao Fang was the only one left in the hall. Jiao Fang saluted the Queen Mother and said: "Your Majesty, I wonder if you have any orders for me to leave this old minister behind?"
The Queen Mother showed a bit of dejection at this moment. It was obvious that when she faced several pavilion elders just now, the calmness she felt was simply the Queen Mother forcing herself to do so.
After all, such a big thing was like a bolt from the blue for a woman of her family. It was already quite difficult for her to not collapse.
Sighing slightly, the Queen Mother looked at Jiao Fang and said: "Mr. Jiao Ge, the Ai family knows that you are a veteran minister whom His Majesty trusts. Now that His Majesty is missing, before His Majesty disappears, this capital must not be in chaos, and the civil and military officials in the DPRK must not
Chaos, do you know?"
Jiao Fang looked solemn and said to the Queen Mother Zhang: "Don't worry, Queen Mother. Jiao Fang knows in her heart that she will definitely appease the courtiers for the Queen Mother and prevent any trouble from happening to the officials."
Nodding slightly, Empress Dowager Zhang looked at Jiao Fang with a gentler look and said: "The Ai family is in a mess, but they don't know what to do for a moment. Mr. Jiao Ge is a mature talent for seeking country. I don't know what to do."
What can you teach Aijia?"
Jiao Fang stroked her beard and said to the Empress Dowager Zhang solemnly: "Queen Mother, there are old men in the court to comfort you, but if you want to stabilize the situation in the capital, the Empress Dowager needs to personally summon the British Duke, Ding Guogong and other ministers.
Justice is."
The Empress Dowager Zhang was slightly stunned. She obviously didn't know Jiao Fang's intention, but this was normal. After all, the Empress Dowager Zhang would not ask about national affairs. She didn't expect that Jiao Fang asked her to summon the British Duke and Ding Guogong.
intention.
Jiao Fang explained: "Your Majesty, the troops and horses of the Beijing Camp were originally handed over to the General Manager Chu Yi, but now the General Manager is away. Therefore, if the Queen Mother wants to stabilize the situation in the Beijing City, she must first stabilize the Beijing Camp. As long as the Beijing Camp
With it in hand, there will be no trouble in the capital."
After hearing this, Queen Mother Zhang's eyes suddenly lit up, she nodded slightly and said: "What the elder said is true, the Ai family ordered people to summon Duke Ying, Duke Ding and others to enter the palace."
There was some hesitation on Jiao Fang's face, and Empress Dowager Zhang noticed Jiao Fang's look and couldn't help but said: "Mr. Ge, what else do you want to say?"
Jiao Fang took a deep breath and looked at the Queen Mother Zhang and said: "Queen Mother, please forgive me for talking too much. Your Majesty is missing. There is no guarantee that people's hearts will not be shaken. Even the British Duke and Ding Guogong are trustworthy but not completely trustworthy."
Empress Dowager Zhang was not a fool. Jiao Fang made it so straightforward. How could she not understand that Jiao Fang's concerns were simply because she was afraid that Duke Ding and Duke Ying would take the opportunity to do something treacherous?
It's not that the British Duke and others are going to rebel or anything. If the British Duke and others take over the military power, and then randomly choose someone from the royal family to put him on the throne, then the master of the Ming Dynasty will belong to someone else.
Feeling nervous, Empress Dowager Zhang looked at Jiao Fang and said, "Please teach me, Mr. Ge."
Jiao Fang said slowly: "The most important thing for the Queen Mother right now is to control a certain amount of military power. I suggest that the Queen Mother immediately summon Han Kun, the commander of the Tengxiang Four Guards, and Hu Yi, the commander of the Forbidden Army."
The Queen Mother looked at Jiao Fang in confusion and said, "Why did Mr. Ge ask the Ai family to summon these two people?"
Empress Dowager Zhang had a strong prejudice against Hu Yi. After all, there was a fire in the palace. In the final analysis, as the commander of the imperial army, Hu Yi could not escape the responsibility.
Jiao Fang explained: "The Queen Mother is unaware of something. The relationships behind several old princes are complicated. If she were to learn of the news of Your Majesty's disappearance, the veteran officials would not dare to speak out. However, the commander of the Four Guards of Tengxiang is different. Han Kun
As the commander of the Tengxiang Four Guards, I am deeply loved by General Manager Chu and His Majesty. It can be said that I will definitely stand on His Majesty's side and defend His Majesty's interests to the death. With the nearly 50,000 elite troops of the Tengxiang Four Guards, no matter how few
This old man has no other ideas and would never dare to mess around."
Empress Dowager Zhang nodded slightly at Jiao Fang and said, "The Ai family will send someone to send Han Kun, the commander of the Tengxiang Four Guards, to come and see you."
Stroking his beard, Jiao Fang added: "Hu Yi, the commander of the Forbidden Army, is His Majesty's confidant. Now that Your Majesty is missing, he is guilty of an unforgivable crime. However, he is also the person who most hopes that Your Majesty will be safe and sound. If this person leads the Forbidden Army, then the Forbidden City will not be able to survive."
There is a turmoil. There are Tengxiang Four Guards outside and the Forbidden Army guarding the inside. Unless someone wants to openly rebel, the situation in Beijing will definitely not change."
Empress Dowager Zhang was indeed married to Emperor Xiaozong for many years. She still had this knowledge. She nodded slightly and said: "The advice of the elder, the whole family will follow it!"
Soon Han Kun came in a hurry. There was a fire in the palace. As the commander of the Tengxiang Fourth Guards Camp, Han Kun only just learned about it.
The Four Guards of Tengxiang were originally divided into four guards, and there should be four commanders. However, after those three commanders were captured by Chu Yi, only Han Kun was left. Chu Yi did not appoint other commanders.
, so now there are tens of thousands of people in the four guard camps in Tengxiang, but only Han Kun is in charge.
When Han Kun, who was dressed in military uniform, saw the Queen Mother Zhang sitting there, Han Kun couldn't help but be startled. After realizing it, he quickly knelt on the ground and said respectfully: "Chen Tengxiang, the commander of the Fourth Guards Camp, Han Kun, paid homage to the Queen Mother. Queen Mother Jin An
!”
Empress Dowager Zhang nodded, signaled Han Kun to get up, and then told Han Kun the news of the emperor's disappearance. She stared at Han Kun and said: "Can the Han Qing family and the Ai family trust you..."
"Plop!"
Han Kun prostrated himself on the ground and said with great respect: "I swear allegiance to Your Majesty to the death!"
Seeing Han Kun's reaction, Queen Mother Zhang showed a look of satisfaction on her face, and said with a solemn expression: "Han Qing's family, the Ai family has ordered you to take charge of the fourth guard camp in Tengxiang. The soldiers in the whole camp will not disarm unless there is someone."
Ai Jia’s edict or His Majesty’s will, otherwise no one’s will can be obeyed.”
Han Kun kowtowed and said solemnly: "I respectfully obey the Queen Mother's decree!"
Seeing Han Kun leave, Queen Mother Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, and then said to the chamberlain beside her: "Summon Hu Yi to come see the Ai family!"
With Hu Yi's cultivation level, he could stay energetic even if he didn't rest for several days and nights, let alone a night's rest. However, at this moment, Hu Yi was tired, his eyes were red, and he could tell that Qianqing Palace
The fire and the emperor's inexplicable disappearance had a great impact on Hu Yi.
Entering the main hall, Hu Yi prostrated himself before His Highness and said respectfully: "Hu Yi, the sinner, pays homage to the Queen Mother!"
Seeing Hu Yi, Queen Mother Zhang couldn't help but feel angry in her heart. However, she did not forget Jiao Fang's words. There was no chaos in the Forbidden City. Apart from Hu Yi, she didn't know who to believe for a while.
It would be a huge disaster if Hu Yi derelict in his duties and had his position as commander of the imperial army taken away from him and handed over to them.
[First update, please vote for me and give me rewards.]
