The matter of King Wei** obviously greatly stimulated the vassal kings. Not to mention the few vassal kings who were secluded in Jinling and the King of Qi who were relegated to remote areas, the rest were the most powerful princes. For example, King Yan of Youzhou, King Ning of Xizhou, King Kang of Mianzhou, etc., all of them have heavy troops. These people, including King Yan, who was said to be sick in bed, unceremoniously reprimanded Xiao Qianye for forcing the emperor's uncle and his family to death. This incident also caused a great sensation inside and outside the Jinling court. The Central Plains is known as the state of etiquette, although King Wei is a minister, Xiao Qianye is a king, and the king wants the minister to die, and the minister has to die. But from an ethical and moral point of view, it is not a glorious thing to force his own uncle to death after all, and Xiao Qianye is obviously not the first emperor, and no one dares to squeak if he can kill most of the court.

As a result, Xiao Qianye almost hated the dead King Wei. Die, die, and leave him with this big trouble. In the midst of the endless opposition inside and outside the court, the plan to cut the feudal domain that was originally planned to take advantage of the victory had to be postponed for a while. In this way, Xiao Qianye couldn't swallow this breath, and gave a "paradoxical" nickname without hesitation.

The cadres who supported Xiao Qianye didn't say anything, after all, in their opinion, King Wei disobeyed the king's order and deserved death. But in the eyes of other literati, it was inevitable that the emperor was unkind. No matter how you say it, he is also his own uncle, and King Wei's crime is not a heinous crime, as the saying goes, the dead are great. Even if you can't give it a compliment, at least it should be a similar evaluation. Mr. Qingteng, who is quite famous in the humanities of Jiangnan, also wrote an article to express his disapproval of the emperor, and as for the vassal kings, they did not stop, and sent them to Jinling from other places one by one. The hot-tempered one directly scolded Xiao Qianye for being bloody. was so angry that Xiao Qianye could only lock himself in the imperial study and smash things to vent his anger.

The Qin family in Jinling City

In the study, the head of the Qin family calmly looked at Xie Hou, the head of the Xie family who was sitting in the guest seat, and said, "Xie Hou suddenly everyone came, I don't know what to see?" "As one of the top ten families in Jinling, the head of the Qin family is the only one who is not familiar with Xie Hou. The Xie family does not participate in any court struggles, and the two families have never had any contact. On the one hand, the Tao is different, and on the other hand, as the top two gate valves in Jinling, the Xie family and the Qin family must not get too close. Otherwise, the one in the palace would not be eyeing his own uncle now, but would turn his head against them.

Qin Zixu stood beside his father, with a little curiosity in his eyes. Xie Hou came to Qin's house in person, it is indeed rare to see in a hundred years. It was even more unbelievable than the one in the palace who appeared in person at the Qin family.

Xie Hou put down the teacup and said with a light smile: "I heard that the eldest son of the Qin family is going to go on a long trip?" ”

The faces of the father and son of the Qin family changed slightly, and the eyes of the head of the Qin family looking at Xie Hou were a little sharper. The news that Qin Zixu was about to leave Jinling didn't even know about it except for the people in their family. How did Xie Hou know?

Xie Hou shook his head with a smile and said, "Brother Qin doesn't have to be nervous, the Xie family will definitely not do something like the Qin family's eyeliner." ”

The head of the Qin family relaxed slightly, and smiled helplessly in his heart. He didn't know if the Xie family had installed eyeliner in the Qin family, so if he didn't catch it, he could only treat it as if he didn't have it. But the Qin family did put eyeliner in the Xie family, which sounded like Xie Hou was scolding him, but he could only admit it silently. Installing eyeliner is something that every family will do, not that it must be to do something unfavorable to the other party, but being well-informed is something that people like them must do.

Qin Zixu said with a smile: "I don't know what happened when Xie Hou came?" Is it to see off the little nephew? ”

Xie Hou nodded with a smile and said, "Exactly." In addition, the old man had a letter that wanted to bother Qin Gongzi to take a trip. ”

"Letter?" Qin Zixu was puzzled. Xie Hou took out a letter and handed it directly to the head of the Qin family, and when the head of the Qin family looked at the name on the envelope, he gritted his teeth, "Brother Xie apologizes very much, and the dog is only afraid that it will not go way." ”

Xie Hou smiled lightly.

The father and son of the Qin family looked at the middle-aged man in front of them and were relatively speechless. Xie Hou not only knew that Qin Zixu was leaving Jinling, but also knew where he was going. The head of the Xie family, who had almost never set foot in the court and was dedicated to teaching in the academy, was obviously more hidden than outsiders knew.

The head of the Qin family casually put the letter on the table and said, "Brother Xie, how can you be sure that the dog must be on the way?" ”

Xie Hou sighed softly and said, "Because if the old man is in the position of the head of the Qin family, he will probably do the same." ”

The Qin family master was shocked in his heart, and said in a deep voice: "Xie Hou also thinks"

Xie Hou shook his head and smiled indifferently: "Don't say." ”

It is indeed unspeakable. The head of the Qin family breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then why did Xie Hou do this?" You know, if this letter is discovered, you and I will be in a catastrophe in an instant. ”

Xie Hou said with a smile: "The old man naturally believes in the ability of the Qin family and the eldest prince. ”

Qin Zixu said with a smile: "Xie Hou said this, does it mean that the Xie family is willing to cover up for the little nephew?" ”

Xie Hou glanced at him with a smile, and said to the head of the Qin family: "Brother Qin has a successor. ”

Xie Hou is not an imposing person, with the unique elegant and free and easy demeanor of the scholarly family, perhaps because his talent cannot be displayed in his life, and there is a little depression in his free and easy. Just by looking at him, Qin Zixu felt a little uncomfortable, as if he was an ignorant child who was looked at by his elders with loving eyes and felt ashamed.

"Brother Xie has an overreputation." The head of the Qin family said, "He's still a child." ”

Qin Zixu touched his nose, he was in his twenties, and he had already started a family.

"Zixu can help Brother Qin, it is his blessing. Just want to know under the Xie's family"

Xie Hou waved his hand, "The Xie family does not participate in any fighting, not now, and not in the future." ”

"Then this" The head of the Qin family was a little puzzled, he originally thought that the Xie family was going to prepare to stand in line. If the Xie family is really optimistic about King Yan

If the Xie family is really optimistic about King Yan, he will have to consider increasing his chips. As for the one in Jinling City, to be honest, the head of the Qin family couldn't look down on it. If it weren't for Zhou and Han, I wouldn't know what it would be like in Jinling City now. But in the same way, the head of the Qin family thought that Xiao Qianye's country would also be destroyed in the hands of these two. Even if you don't say this, the Qin family and these two are not all the way. Qingliu is from a very popular position, these two have finished cleaning up the vassal king, will they let them go?

Xie Hou sighed and said, "The old man is just doing what he can." ”

Qin Zixu said: "I heard that a few days ago, Xie Hou wrote to His Majesty, and the matter of cutting the domain should not be urgent. ”

Xie Hou looked at Qin Zixu for a moment, and said with a smile: "The eldest prince of Qin, the excerpt left by His Majesty, can know the content, and the old man admires it very much." "No wonder the emperor doesn't like these families, the Qin family is quite good, even if it can be regarded as the actual number one family now, it has always been very measured. Now several other families in Jinling City, seeing that the new emperor is not as hard as the first emperor's wrist, they began to toss. That is, now there is the matter of the vassal king in front of them, otherwise, no emperor can tolerate them.

Xie Hou got up and said, "The old man has been bothering the two of you for more than a while, and he will leave." ”

The head of the Qin family nodded and said, "Zixu, send Xie Hou out." ”

"Yes, father."

When Qin Zixu came back, he saw his father staring at the letterhead in front of him. The letter given by Xie Hou was not sealed, which meant that there was nothing invisible to people. The head of the Qin family did not pretend to be high, and directly unfolded it. After all, this letter may be related to the future situation, the attitude of the Xie family is even Qin Zixu's safety, if he doesn't read carefully, he will never let his son send the letter. Xie Hou obviously understood this to the end, so the envelope was also open.

"Father?" Qin Zixu said.

The head of the Qin family sighed and said, "The Xie family is worthy of being a scholar for generations, and we don't have much to do." ”

"Father, what did Xie Hou say?"

The head of the Qin family handed him the letter directly, but there were no secrets on it. It was just a letter to the king of Yan, which only said that the new emperor would inevitably act excessively when he was young, and he hoped that the king of Yan would not be impulsive in the face of the people of the world and the emperor, so that the common people would suffer. Xie Hou's words were earnest and simple, but one could clearly feel his concern about the current situation.

Qin Zixu raised his head and hesitated for a moment before asking: "Father, Xie Hou is so sure of His Royal Highness King Yan" Qin Zixu has always despised those officials in the court who are ignorant and stupid, and only know intrigues. For today's situation, there is a faint feeling that everyone in the world is drunk and I am sober. But I didn't expect that there are not smart people in this world who can see clearly, but smart people don't like to show off. Even those people in the court, who dares to say that they are not smart people? It's just that when you are in the game, you will inevitably have the dilemma of "not knowing the true face of Lushan".

The head of the Qin family sighed and said: "The first emperor is wise and wise, but the one in the imperial city is old, and he can't suppress King Yan, sooner or later." "The prince who once followed the emperor to pacify the world, the pride of the prince with real power who holds a heavy army, how can a young nephew trample on it? Even if he was the emperor.

"This letter, do you really want to send it?" Will King Yan kill him directly after seeing the letter? If someone pokes your mind or something, you'll definitely be annoyed and angry, right? If he didn't believe in Xie Hou's character, he would have wondered if Xie Hou wanted to borrow a knife to kill someone.

"Send." After a long time, the head of the Qin family clapped his hands and said, "After you go out, you won't come back within two years." ”

"Two years?"

The head of the Qin family raised his eyebrows and smiled: "If the situation has not changed in two years, there will be no more in the future." "With the temper of the new emperor, I am afraid that I will not be able to endure that time. The one in Youzhou is not a person who likes forbearance.

Qin Zixu frowned, and said with some hesitation: "Father, I'm leaving, you" It's good that his news is not leaked, if it leaks out, the Qin family will immediately be unlucky.

The head of the Qin family said calmly: "It's okay, if you are discovered, you won't have to be surnamed Qin in the future." "The emperor will not move the Qin family lightly, just expel Qin Zixu from the house when the time comes. But if Qin Zixu stays in Jinling, once the emperor goes to war with King Yan, the Qin family will inevitably be forced to tie up the emperor's chariot, to be honest, the head of the Qin family is not optimistic about the current emperor. If Qin Zixu is in Youzhou, there will always be room for turnaround. It's not that they like to have two faces, it's something they have to do for survival and family continuity.

Qin Zixu also understood the meaning of ruthlessness, took a deep breath and said, "Yes, father." ”

The head of the Qin family hesitated for a moment and said, "Take Xi'er away too, right?" ”

"Huh?" Qin Zixu was stunned for a moment, "Xi'er's body"

"That's why you took her away, Jinling is stormy, and your mother and I don't have the time to take care of her. In addition, they heard that the master of the String Song Boy and the Lord of Xingcheng County is also in Youzhou, and it would be a good thing if they could find them to treat your sister. ”

"Understood, the child will take good care of his sister." Qin Zixu is colorful.

"Go ahead, what happens to the Qin family in the future will depend on you. To the outside world, it is said that you will take your cherished children back to your hometown to worship your ancestors. ”

"Yes, father." It just so happens that the ancestral home of the Qin family is in King Qing's fiefdom, and going north will not arouse suspicion.

Xiao Qianye is very irritable, in fact, his temper has not been good since he ascended the throne. The once gentle and elegant eldest grandson of the emperor seems to only exist in people's memories.

"Bastard!" Xiao Qianye angrily lifted off a pile of folds on the imperial case, and Zhou Xiang, who was standing below, leaned over and slowly picked it up. Although Xiao Qianye was irritable, he still had a lot of respect for several teachers, and he couldn't help but feel a little ashamed when he saw him like this, "Mr. Zhou, let the palace maid pick it up." It's my gaffe. ”

The palace maid next to her hurriedly stepped forward and picked up the scattered folds on the ground one by one. Zhou Xiang said: "Why should Your Majesty be so angry. ”

Xiao Qianye smiled bitterly and said, "It's been almost two months since King Wei's affairs, I."

It's been a month, and I'm just going to have those imperial uncles, these people are all my courtiers! With this free time to write and talk nonsense all day long, it is better to do some practical things for the imperial court. Zhou Xiang sighed softly in his heart, the new emperor lacks iron and blood compared to the previous emperor, and he is also a little short compared to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, who has never been in good health. However, the emperor was soft-hearted, which was a good thing for his courtiers. The first emperor was arbitrary, but his reputation among the scholars was extremely poor. It's just that because of the tyranny of the previous emperor, no one dares to say it.

"Majesty, don't worry. They didn't talk about it for a while. Brother Han had already gone to visit Mr. Qingteng in person, and as long as he didn't say anything, those literati would stop. "Mr. Qingteng is a famous man in Jiangnan, although he has never stepped into the court, his reputation is no less than that of Zhou Xiang and Han Min many years ago. If Zhou Xiang and the others are the heads of the clear stream in the court, Mr. Qingteng represents those who are not in the court and are leisurely outside the world.

Xiao Qianye nodded slightly and asked, "Those families in Jinling still refuse to change their words?" ”

Zhou Xiang's eyes were also a little more unhappy and said: "Those families have always been grass on the wall, and if they want to support His Majesty with a clear banner, I am afraid that it will be "the emperor is not offended?" The vassal king is also not easy to offend. Unless the emperor kills all the vassal kings in one fell swoop or completely deprives them of all their powers, it will be easy for them to find trouble. What's more, the easy thing to do in front of the matter of cutting the feudal domain is that the prince who has no real power and is young in the end, the more he goes to the back, the more difficult it is to be willing. Who knows what the outcome will be?

"Bastard!" Xiao Qianye scolded angrily.

Zhou Xiang sighed and said, "It's true, the old minister just heard a piece of news. ”

"Mr. Zhou doesn't have to scruple about it, just say it."

Zhou Xiang said: "I heard that half a month ago, the eldest prince of the Qin family left Jinling with Miss Qin Si, saying that he was going back to his hometown to worship his ancestors. ”

Xiao Qianye frowned, "So what?" "The royal family has to worship their ancestors in Danyang every year, so the courtiers are also effective imitations. It is not strange to send children and grandchildren back to their ancestral homes to worship their ancestors. ”

Zhou Xiang said: "The ancestral home of the Qin family is not far from Youzhou. ”

Xiao Qianye was stunned for a moment, frowned, and said, "Is Mr. Zhou too worried?" The Qin family is still in Jinling, what kind of waves can a Qin Zixu set off? After thinking for a moment, Xiao Qianye said, "Mr. Zhou is worried that the Qin family will fall to the Yan Palace?" ”

Zhou Xiang shook his head and said, "Perhaps, the old minister is too worried." But you can't ignore it. ”

Xiao Qianye nodded, squinted slightly, and said, "These Jinling families have never taken me seriously. The Qin family, it's really time to knock and knock. ”

"What does 陛xià mean?" Zhou Xiangdao.

Xiao Qianye said: "The people who sent people to watch the Qin family, whether they were descendants or side branches, and those who left Jinling without permission will be strictly investigated. Better yet, don't let me get their hands on them. "Before, it was too tolerant of these families.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to do anything to the family."

Xiao Qianye nodded and smiled: "Mr. Zhou, don't worry, as long as they are interested, I don't want to touch them." By the way, how is the Zhu family doing? ”

Zhou Xiang had a little more smile on his face, and said: "The Zhu family is loyal to His Majesty, although His Majesty is relieved, they will never dare not do what His Majesty ordered the Zhu family to do." Although Zhou Xiang, who is a literati, also looks down on the Zhu family, he is not a sour Confucian who does not eat the fireworks of the world. If you want to do something, you can't do it without money. And the Zhu family is like His Majesty's money bag

"That's good." Xiao Qianye nodded and said, "Uncle Yan only hopes that he will not forget the teachings of the emperor's grandfather and do anything to rebel against his ancestors." ”

"His Majesty is tolerant, I only hope that His Majesty, King Yan, can understand." Zhou Xiangdao.

In late spring in March, the city of Youzhou is already a pleasant spring breeze, and flowers and plants are flourishing. An inconspicuous carriage slowly approached the street and stopped at the gate of Qingmo Garden. After a while, a young man dressed in an autumn-colored shirt got out of the carriage, turned around and whispered a few words to the people in the carriage before walking to the gate of Qingmo Garden.

Qingmo Garden is the mansion of the eldest princess, and there are naturally guards stationed in front of the door. Seeing him coming, he asked in a deep voice, "Who is coming?"

The young man arched his hand and smiled: "I came from Jinling to ask to see Wei Gongzi and the county lord, and please pass through." ”

"Childe's surname?"

The man smiled and handed out a piece of jade pendant, and said, "Please transfer this thing to Wei Gongzi, he will know it as soon as he sees it." ”

Seeing that he had an extraordinary bearing, the guard nodded and said, "Childe, please wait a moment." ”

"Thank you."