Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Empress of the First Meeting of the Duke of Qi
After several appointments, Liu Qingqing finally made an appointment with Empress Zhang on the time and place of the secret meeting with Wang Zhizheng. The time of the pen fun pavilion www.biquge.info was set three days later, that is, on the afternoon of October 23, and the location was set at the Mansion of the Duke of Qi.
The reason why it is set in the Mansion of Qi Guo is because Chen Fan, the Duke of Qi, is the maternal uncle of Queen Zhang Yan, and it coincides with Chen Fan's cold, as a niece, Empress Zhang and the emperor asked for a visit to relatives, Chen Fan, the Duke of Qi, is the same as Wang An, the Duke of Chongguo, is also the grandfather of the country who has no quarrel with the world, and inherited the title and wealth left by the ancestors, but Chen Fan is a little different from Wang An, that is, Wang An is close to the eunuch party, and Chen Fan is closer to the Donglin Party because of his niece Queen Zhang.
At the appointed time, Wang Zhizheng rode back to the Chongguo Mansion from the Janissary Commander's Mansion, and then took his concubine Liu Qingqing, and the two disguised themselves as old men and women who sold coal, came out of the back door, and took Zhou Cheng and Zhou Gong to push the coal cart and went straight to the Mansion of Qiguo. Because of the prior agreement, Wang Zhizheng and Liu Qingqing came to Qi Guogong's study smoothly. The Duke of Qi ruled the family very strictly, so Wei Zhongxian tried to install his henchmen in the Duke of Qi Mansion several times but failed to succeed. So Wang Zhizheng came to the Mansion of Qi Guo and had a sense of security. Entering the study, Wang Zhizheng saw the legendary bewitching queen Zhang Yan, who captivated the country and the city, and crowned the world. Before Wang Zhizheng, all his understanding of Empress Zhang stayed at the political level, and in his vision, Empress Zhang was just a very important political figure.
When I entered the study, I saw a twenty-four or five-year-old beautiful young woman, who had just taken a look, only to feel a slight shock in my heart, and my eyes couldn't move: I saw her melon seed face, the willow eyebrows were very delicately drawn, her face was like white jade, the bridge of her nose was beautiful, her cherry mouth was small, she smiled slightly, her lips were red and her teeth were white, her face was covered with two shallow dimples, her facial features were delicate and glamorous, her figure was enchanting, her slender figure was slender, her hands were elegant, and her temperament was cold and noble with a famous lady. Wang Zhizheng has never seen such a beautiful beauty. In contrast, Liu Qingqing, who was dressed as an old coal seller beside him, suddenly lost his color. Seeing that Wang Zhizheng was staring at herself stupidly, Empress Zhang did not show shame and anger like ordinary women, but smiled slightly and said generously: "General, what do you see?" Wang Zhizheng realized that he was a beautiful woman just now, and hurriedly knelt on the ground, and bowed according to the rules: "Xiaguan Wang Zhizheng knocked to see the queen's mother." Niang Chitose Chitose! ”
Liu Qingqing looked at Wang Zhizheng, who was dressed as a coal dealer, and was still kowtowing to meet him in accordance with the rules, feeling very funny, and couldn't help but giggle and laugh. Empress Zhang smiled and said to Liu Qingqing: "Sister, what are you laughing at?" Liu Qingqing smiled at Queen Zhang: "You see his gray face dressed up, and he also kneels down and salutes, it feels so funny." Zhang Yan actually couldn't help laughing, feeling very funny, and when she heard Liu Qingqing say this, she actually covered her mouth and smiled. raised Qianqianyu's hand: "General, please get up, come, please sit." Empress Zhang's voice was like a pearl of jade, and she was so graceful that Wang Zhizheng's heart was tingling when she heard it. She pointed to a chair across from her and invited Wang Zhizheng to sit down.
Hearing the queen speak, Wang Zhizheng stood up neatly and sat opposite Queen Zhang.
There were only three people in the room, Wang Zhizheng was sitting opposite Queen Zhang, and Liu Qingqing was standing behind Wang Zhizheng.
Empress Zhang looked at Wang Zhizheng, only to see this young talent, although wearing the coarse cotton clothes of a coal dealer, gray and dirty, but could not hide the sword eyebrows and starry eyes, full of heroism, she couldn't help but feel relieved in her heart, there was an indescribable sense of security, she smiled and said to Wang Zhizheng: "Since I heard that Sister Liu said that the general is in Cao Ying's heart is in Han, this palace has always paid attention to all the information about you. ”
Wang Zhizheng didn't dare to look directly at Empress Zhang, although he was sitting face to face, he deliberately lowered his gaze to the ground, just listening to Empress Zhang's soft words.
Wang Zhizheng said humbly: "Niangniang, although Xia Guan is the son of the prince, he knows that my family has been deeply blessed with the emperor's grace for generations, and my father has taught me since I was a child to read good books, be a good person, and share worries and solve problems for the emperor." Although the subordinate officer is in the military, he is a scholar with a conscience, and he must not be ambiguous in the face of major issues of right and wrong. ”
Wang Zhizheng has a word and a board, the words are round, and when he speaks, there is an awe-inspiring righteousness floating up and down his body.
Seeing Wang Zhizheng's expression, Queen Zhang's ancient well-like cold heart actually rippled, and a sense of worship for the outstanding opposite sex rose in her heart. It was a wonderful reaction from a woman's instinct. Empress Zhang looked at Wang Zhizheng's handsome face, and her heart was like a deer suddenly colliding.
Empress Zhang fixed her mind and said amiably to Wang Zhizheng: "The general can endure humiliation and burden, and solve problems for the royal family, this palace is very moved, I don't know how many grievances you have endured for the country, please accept Zhang Ya's worship!" As she spoke, Queen Zhang bowed.
Seeing that Empress Zhang actually saluted him, Wang Zhizheng hurriedly stretched out his hand to help him, but remembered the defense of men and women, so he said to his concubine Liu Qingqing beside him: "Qingqing, quickly help up the queen!" Niangniang, how can you make this great gift in the line! Liu Qingqing walked over and helped Empress Zhang to sit down.
Wang Zhizheng knelt on the ground and said to Queen Zhang emotionally: "Although the lower official is in the thief camp, he knows all kinds of deeds used by the queen mother and Mrs. Ke to fight, and often asks herself, a woman is still for the sake of the community, regardless of her net worth, Wang Zhizheng feels deeply ashamed in his heart, and hates that I can't share the worries for the country earlier, so that the queen mother is bullied and humiliated in the palace!" As Wang Zhizheng spoke, he actually touched the ground with his head, and red blood appeared on his forehead.
Empress Zhang's moved tears rolled down, and she hurriedly stretched out her jade hand to help Wang Zhizheng, who was kneeling on the ground: "General, get up quickly, your loyalty to the Ming Dynasty, this palace knows it well in my heart." ”
Wang Zhizheng felt a pair of Qianqianyu hands holding his arms, and a warm current surged through his body along his arms.
He sat on the chair, and then said to Liu Qingqing: "Qingqing, you should have told the queen mother the most important thing at the moment, right?" Liu Qingqing nodded and said, "General, the concubine has already told the queen in detail!" ”
Empress Zhang nodded, and said to Wang Zhizheng gently: "General, I know your intentions, the emperor is not in good health, has a serious lung disease, and he himself knows that his time is short, so he told me that if he unfortunately dies, he will pass on the throne to his only younger brother, King Xin." He said to King Shin that if King Shin ascended the throne, he would treat me well. ”
Wang Zhizheng nodded, looked at Queen Zhang's beautiful and moving face, and thought: It's really a beautiful woman of the same age, but she has to be trapped in this political whirlpool.
When Wang Zhizheng looked up at Queen Zhang, he happened to meet her eyes, Wang Zhizheng only felt that there was an electric current hitting him, and he couldn't help but quickly lowered his head, Wang Zhizheng said lightly: "What the emperor entrusts is what the lower officials want to ask." Once the emperor has a reason, you must stand up bravely and show the world that the new heir is the king of faith. Because according to the law of our ancestors of the Ming Dynasty, the new emperor will have legitimacy only if there is the approval of the first emperor and empress. When the time comes, you must withstand the pressure from all sides. ”
Empress Zhang nodded firmly: "At this point, the general can rest assured that the palace is broken to pieces, and it is also necessary to ensure that the new heir can obtain a legal status." ”
Wang Zhizheng heard the words broken bones coming out of the mouth of this jade-like beauty, only to feel a feeling of pity for the jade, he raised his head and said to Queen Zhang word by word: "No, I don't want you to be broken!" Politics itself is a man's business, you women should not be involved, and you are not obliged to make sacrifices for men's affairs! ”
Wang Zhizheng said a word, Liu Qingqing was suddenly shocked, good you Wang Zhizheng, when you see the beauty of Queen Zhang, you immediately put important things aside! How can you say such a thing to the Empress! Do I, Liu Qingqing, deserve to be involved in men's affairs? Liu Qingqing's heart was sour, she didn't know whether she was jealous or sad, her eyes were filled with tears.
She turned around and said to Wang Zhizheng with a sneer: "Wang Zhizheng! What is called a man's thing, and what is called a thing that should not be sacrificed?! For the family and the country, both men and women are people of the Ming Dynasty, what is wrong with sacrificing for the country? Husband, are you confused? ”
Liu Qingqing's fierce words made Wang Zhizheng blush, yes, he treated Liu Qingqing as a man, assigning so many impossible tasks, but persuading Queen Zhang not to take risks for men's affairs.
Wang Zhizheng was blushing and embarrassed and didn't know how to answer, but Empress Zhang stood up and said in a strong voice: "My father once said to me that if everyone in a country lives for themselves, the country will become more and more hopeless, and if everyone in a country can contribute to the country, the country can be strong!" Although I, Zhang Yan, am a woman, but if the country wants me to sacrifice, I will not blink an eye! General, what you do to Sister Liu, what you do to me, I am not a weak woman who should not be involved in politics, I am the mother of the Ming Dynasty! ”
Wang Zhizheng sighed and said, "It's me who lost my words." Xia Guan knew the firm determination of the queen's mother, and felt very relieved, with your determination, I am even more confident. ”
Empress Zhang nodded and said to Wang Zhizheng: "General, if King Xin ascends the throne, can he completely eradicate the eunuchs, you must know that he is only seventeen years old and is still a child!" ”
Wang Zhizheng said confidently: "Please rest assured at this point, the meaning of my Wang Zhizheng's existence is to eradicate Wei Zhongxian who is rampant in the court and Mrs. Hakka who oppresses the harem." The reason why I killed Tian Ergeng, the commander of the Jinyi Guard, in order to obtain the position of the commander of the forbidden army, is because I want to hold the Praetorian Guard and fight to eradicate Wei Zhongxian's party. ”
When Wang Zhizheng said a few words, his hand clenched his fist, his face was firm and resolute, Empress Zhang stared at his handsome and resolute face, and there were ripples in his heart, the man in front of him, tall, calm, handsome, strong, resolute and full of wisdom, gave people a full sense of security, she had never seen such a man with feelings, she entered the palace at the age of sixteen, and the man she knew, except for her father and brother, was the emperor.
Her husband is the emperor, but the man grew up in the deep palace, raised in the hands of women, has never experienced any storms, is fair-skinned, thin, pale, has been weak for many years, willful and domineering, cowardly and delicate, she has never had any feelings between men and women towards him.
But the man in front of him is so charming, his decisiveness, calmness, fortitude, and even that arrogant and disdainful smile will impact his ancient heart. She even boldly fantasized that if she could change with Liu Qingqing, give the queen to Liu Qingqing, and let her be Wang Zhizheng's concubine, she would not hesitate!
The queen looked at herself and was distracted, but Wang Zhizheng didn't notice it, he calmly took out a wax pill from his cuff and handed it to the queen, Queen Zhang was in a trance, and suddenly saw the wax pill handed over by Wang Zhizheng, and couldn't help but blush slightly, and asked, "What is this?" ”
Wang Zhizheng said sonorously: "This is more than two months ago, when I did not go to Jianzhou, King Xin wrote a letter to you, let me find the right time to hand it over to you, I don't even dare to let Liu Qingqing hand it over to you, because this handwritten letter is related to the lives of King Xin and Qingqing, once it is obtained by Wei Zhongxian, the two of them will definitely be difficult to protect." ”
Knowing that she didn't want to send a letter to the queen, she still had the love to protect herself, Liu Qingqing's heart was warm, and she glanced at her man with admiration.
Empress Zhang cautiously took the secret letter, opened it, read it carefully, and saw that the beautiful font of the king of the letter was full of his sister-in-law's intentions, and he swore that if he could ascend the throne, he must protect the emperor's sister-in-law, rehabilitate Zhaoxue for the victims of the Donglin Party, and eradicate the eunuchs, Mrs. Hak. Word by word, from the hand of a seventeen-year-old boy in the rainy season, Empress Zhang looked at it, thinking about Zhu Youzhen's pitiful life experience, and couldn't help but drop a little tear on Xue Tao's note, which was written by the prince.
Wang Zhizheng saw Empress Zhang crying, knowing that the general trend had been achieved, and Empress Zhang supported Zhu Youzhen without worries.
Wang Zhizheng exhaled softly, and he whispered to Empress Zhang: "After reading, burn immediately!" ”
Empress Zhang nodded, handed the letter to Wang Zhizheng, Wang Zhizheng didn't read the content of the letter, took out the fire fold from his arms, beat it, and then lit the handbook, and the handbook flew and turned into a pile of ashes.
Wang Zhizheng smiled and said: "This handwritten letter, wherever I go, where I stay, I don't dare to hide at home, I will take it with me when I go to Jianzhou, and I am locked up in the poplar forest, Tian Ergeng sent people to chase and kill me, I hid in the poplar forest, knowing that my life is not guaranteed, so I put the wax pill that sealed the handwritten book in my mouth, thinking, if there is a blade inserted into my heart, I will swallow the wax pill into my stomach, and I can't let this operation flow out, harming the prince and the queen!" ”
Hearing Wang Zhizheng's sincere words, Empress Zhang said to Wang Zhizheng with tears in her eyes: "General, the Ming royal family will not forget your kindness. ”
Wang Zhizheng waved his hand: "Queen, with your words, Wang Zhizheng is broken bones, and he can die without regrets."