The imperial court issued three decrees in succession to allow Xu Yongsheng, deputy commander of the Southwest Army, to report on his work in Beijing, but Xu Yongsheng did not leave for a long time on the grounds that he needed to arrange military affairs. But Prince Guang is abnormal, and he has been going out of the door of the mansion. Although the Southwest Army involved was thousands of miles away, the atmosphere in the Shangdu court was tense.

The people in charge of the Zhongshu Province and the six ministries frequently enter and leave the Yangxin Palace. On this day, even the King of Yu and the King of Xiang were invited into the Palace of Nourishing Hearts.

Although the two princes are idle people, they look at the room full of important ministers, and they understand what they are talking about.

"Big brother, seventh brother, I don't know what you think about the Southwest Army?" Xiao Zhe's tone was modest, as if he was sincerely asking for advice.

Prince Yu straightened his round belly, and looked embarrassed: "I'm not good at this military and political matter, I don't know what you think?" As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the ministers present.

Yang Zhi sat upright, stroked his beard, and said, "Lord Wang, everyone's opinion is that we must be ready to send troops. ”

Prince Yu's face sank: "That's it?" ”

King Xiang tapped his palm twice with a fan, and said gently: "Brother Huang, the ninth brother is still in the Jingzhong Mansion, if the Southwest Army really makes any changes, it will not ignore him." ”

"However, there is no war on the southwest border now, and the border trade is unimpeded. The imperial court didn't return three moves, if there was no dissent, what would he do with the southwest army? Jia Jian'an, the secretary of the ministry, was full of anger, looked at Ling Deyan and continued: "The few corrupt officials that Ling Shangshu dealt with before said that they were involved in the case in the Dali Temple. In the army, such an atmosphere can protect the country and the people in the long run. ”

Ling Deyan was shocked, this was the first time he had heard of this matter. The officials involved in the handling of the case in Dali Temple need to be reported to the Ministry of Officials. Could it be that those people confessed a lot of things in prison? He quickly glanced at Xiao Yizheng, who was sitting next to the emperor. It seems that under the walls of the palace that day, he told himself not to interfere in the follow-up matters, knowing that bigger fish would fall from behind them.

And Xiao Yizheng's expression was calm and silent.

"Oh? And what's going on? King Yu lamented: "This can't be done!" ”

"Your Majesty," the left guard of the military department said: "If you send troops to the southwest, you will travel a long distance and lose money and people. If there is an internal war, the Danda tribe outside the northwest will definitely make some moves and plots. Do you think that the officials of the DPRK and China should be sent to find out the specific situation first? ”

"Hmph" Jia Jian'an snorted lightly: "The generals have never been fighting, and the ministers are cautious." Is Zuo Shangshu afraid of war, or is he selfish? ”

Zuo Wei's face turned red, and he said in a loud voice: "Jia Shangshu said lightly, have you ever been on the battlefield in person and seen the battlefield with your own eyes?" The lieutenant generals of our army defended the people of the country, desperately shed blood, but did not return, frowning; But if the sword is directed at a fellow brother, should he make a careful choice? Isn't it time to make sure that we're not brothers anymore? I joined the army at the age of fourteen, and I followed my grandfather to fight I don't know how many war epidemics, my left guard has never been afraid of war, if I say selfishness, I also feel sorry for my brothers in the army. ”

Zuo Wei said impassionedly, and there was a blood boiling.

"Yes!" Jia Jian'an nodded clearly: "I almost forgot that Zuo Shangshu has been in the army for many years, and he has also advanced and retreated together in the same army as Prince Guang." ”

"You ......" Zuo Wei raised his hand and pointed straight at him, just about to scold, when he heard Yang Zhi cough lightly.

Xiao Zhe hurriedly asked with concern: "Yang Qing is okay, right?" ”

Yang Zhi immediately thanked: "In front of Your Majesty, the minister has lost his honor, and the minister has nothing to do." ”

A sentence of disgrace made Zuo Wei immediately stop his movements and stop talking.

King Xiang was still gently knocking on the fan pendant, looked up at Ling Deyan, and asked, "What does Ling Shangshu think?" Ling Shangshu had also inspected the southwest before, and he should also have an understanding of the recent situation in the southwest.

Ling Deyan moved his body and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, what you have seen in the southwest, the military discipline in the southwest is strict, and the reputation of the people in the southwest region is very good. However, the minister has no right to intervene in military affairs, so it is not clear whether there is corruption among military officials. As for Vice Marshal Xu's refusal to return to Beijing, the minister's opinion is the same as that of Lord Yang, and he must always be fully prepared. ”

King Xiang smiled at the corner of his mouth, looked at Xiao Yizheng, and sighed: "Liulang, Lord Ling is quite comprehensive and thoughtful in everything he does and speaks, you have to learn from your own father-in-law." ”

When Ling Deyan heard this, he was like sitting on pins and needles. As soon as he wanted to open his mouth to be humble, he heard Xiao Yizheng speak: "What Uncle Seventh instructs." My father-in-law is upright, my seventh uncle is gentle and elegant, and everyone here has a height of merit that I may not be able to achieve in my entire life. Only always on the road, always chasing the footsteps. ”

The ministers in the room began to humble themselves, saying that they were ashamed.

Xiao Yihe frowned slightly, and in the words of everyone, he asked abruptly: "Father, can there be a decision in this matter?" ”

Everyone stopped talking, as if they suddenly understood, and discussed major national affairs again!

I saw Xiao Zhe holding his forehead and sighing lightly: "This everyone's opinion is similar to that day's court discussion, let the majority of those who send troops to the southwest." What do you say, O prince? ”

"Erchen thinks that it is the best policy to send troops to this place. If there is nothing to do, there is no loss, everything is fully prepared. ”

Xiao Zhe nodded, and then asked Xiao Yizheng: "Liulang, what do you think?" ”

Xiao Yizheng first smiled at Xiao Yihe: "I agree with the third brother's opinion." It's just that," he paused, and said frankly, "Erchen has a different opinion. ”

"Oh?" Xiao Zhe raised his eyebrows, "Say." ”

"Just as the imperial court is suspicious of the Southwest Army, the Southwest Army is also suspicious of the intentions of the imperial court at this moment. Their commander was shelved and cut his power, and from time to time there was news of this kind in Beijing to the southwest, right and wrong, true and false, not for a while and a half to distinguish and ascertain. At this time, the deputy marshal asked to go to Beijing immediately to report on his work. What will they think? Could they be weighing jealousy, too? The coach is the prince, maybe he was just cut from power. So what about the deputy marshal, did he just step into Shangdu with his front foot, and his back foot was the inner prison? Does he dare to come? Even if he didn't have any dissent, the tighter the court urged, the more he didn't dare to come. If Uncle Nine was also so suspicious of his father's intentions at this moment, then he would not let his lieutenant come. As the seventh uncle said, if the ninth uncle and the southwest army really want to rebel, there will be no king Guang in the palace of King Guang in Shangdu at this moment. So, in this way, in fact, there is really no need to send heavy troops. If it is sent, it is really the opposite. He finished speaking in one breath, waiting for everyone's reaction.

Everyone's faces are different, but they can see that they are all thinking about measuring.

Yang Zhi was the first to speak: "His Royal Highness King Heng's analysis is indeed reasonable. In today's situation, we do not know the true situation of the Southwest Army, and the Southwest Army does not know His Majesty's intentions. This is a chasm barrier. Although the imperial court is not afraid of war, and has absolute strength to win, the best strategy of the soldiers is to surrender without a fight. ”

"What Lord Yang said is extremely true." The left guard immediately complied.

King Yu touched his stomach, nodded and said, "I understand, Liulang means to send someone over to explore the truth first, and then convey the opinions of the court." If not, it's not too late to send troops. ”

Xiao Yizheng smiled and nodded.

"But this candidate?" Jia Jian'an asked tentatively. It's hard to find a candidate. To put it mildly, this is an errand that costs one's life.

Yang Zhi's eyebrows moved slightly, as if he had thought of something, and raised his eyes to look at Xiao Yizheng.

I saw him get up and salute the emperor, and said in a straight voice: "Father, the idea is from the son-in-law, and the son-in-law should carry it out." The ministers of the DPRK and China all have important responsibilities and cannot be easily transferred, and the ministers have no specific affairs to be responsible for, and they have enjoyed the support of the world for many years, so they should do their part when needed. ”

"Sixth brother, no!" Xiao Yihe hurriedly interrupted him: "This matter is dangerous and must not be forced. ”

The corners of Xiao Yizheng's lips rose, "Third brother, don't worry. The third brother forgot that I have been away for many years, and I still know how to do some kung fu to protect myself. ”

"That's different!" Xiao Yihe is really a little anxious. He said to Xiao Zhe: "Father, the matter is serious, whether it is allowed to be discussed later." ”

Xiao Zhe said lightly: "On the battlefield, pay attention to rapid changes and respond in a timely manner. It's the same with politics! If Rokuro can't do it, can the prince have other candidates? ”

Xiao Yihe was speechless for a while, and now he really can't provide a good candidate immediately.

As Xiao Yizheng said, those who are high-ranking are not people who can be easily transferred. What's the use of the lowly ones going? The Southwest Army may not buy it, so how can it clarify the situation for both sides.

Everyone in the hall was speechless.

Lord Yu chattered vigorously: "This doesn't work, this doesn't work." No, no......"

King Xiang no longer knocked on the jade pendant in his palm, but held the jade pendant and sighed.

Ling Deyan was as usual on the surface, but his heart was already up and down. He definitely didn't want this errand to fall on Xiao Yizheng's head, and the others would just leave, but King Heng went, if the southwest was reversed, it would be possible to sacrifice his head to the flag. But he can't open his mouth to stop it at this time, because from the interests of the country and the DPRK, he should not oppose it. What's more, if you open your mouth to block it, it is clearly selfish, and it will also bring criticism to King Heng. It's really not left, and it's not right. was in a state of distress, but he looked up and met Xiao Yizheng's eyes, which were firm and powerful, and nodded slightly at himself. He immediately understood the meaning, he was reassuring himself. Although this heart has not been let go, it has also warmed a little.

Xiao Yizheng immediately stepped forward, stood in the center of the hall, saluted Xiao Zhe, and spoke again: "Father, third brother, my lords, I am willing to go to the southwest army to share my father's worries and do my best for the imperial court." As you know, I'm the best candidate. It is up to me to do my best to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion. If anything happens, I should make the best choice for the DPRK. Please rest assured. ”

"Good!" Without waiting for everyone to express their stance, Xiao Zhe has already made a final decision. "I can't let you go without knowing anything. I appointed you as the commander of the Southwest Army, and I will leave in three days. ”

Hearing this will, everyone in the hall was surprised except for Yang Zhi.

Xiao Zhe continued: "The eldest brother, the seventh brother, also bothered the two of you to go to the ninth brother's mansion recently to unravel him. ”

The two princes now understood that the main purpose of the emperor's invitation to discuss matters today was here.

Everyone walked out of the Heart Cultivation Hall and discussed in twos and threes. Yang Zhi was the calmest, and Jia Jian'an asked him what he thought of today's events. But he said with the old god: "His Royal Highness King Heng is deeply trusted by His Majesty. ”

This sentence happened to fall into the ears of Xiao Yihe, who had just stepped out of the hall. I turned to see that the sixth brother, who had been left alone, was bowing his head and talking to his father.