At the beginning of March, with the arrival of spring ploughing, the people who had built the canals around Yunmeng were dismissed and sent home.

In April, the nations were busy farming, and there was no war in the world. But at this time, none of the people of insight in the world thought that the war had been far away from all countries, on the contrary, everyone smelled the imminent breath of another great war that affected the world.

In June, just as it was the hottest time of the year, just when Xiong Huai was busy preparing for the war, bad news came.

"King, General Deng Lingguang came to report that not long ago, when the rhino head was dealing with military affairs in Sima Mansion, he suddenly fainted, and as a result, when the imperial doctor arrived, the rhino head was already dead."

Xiong Huai was stunned when he heard the waiter's report.

He knew that Gongsun Yan's health had not been good for the past two years, and he had always been worried about Gongsun Yan's health, and he had asked Gongsun Yan to retire, but Gongsun Yan had always insisted on it.

Originally, since Deng Lingguang returned to Yingdu, Xiong Huai had asked Deng Lingguang to try his best to help Gongsun Yan. As a result, Gongsun Yan still didn't survive this summer.

Thinking about it, Xiong Huai's face showed sadness, and he mourned: "Pass the edict, let the prince personally come forward to preside over the funeral for the rhino head, and bury it with the courtesy of the princes." In addition, the notice Ling Yin, the title of the rhino head and the fief were all inherited by his eldest grandson. ”

As he spoke, Xiong Huai remembered Gongsun Yan's heirs who were still in Wei.

When Gongsun Yan defected to the state of Chu, he came alone, and his family all stayed in the state of Wei. Of course, the King of Wei did not treat his family harshly because of Gongsun Yan's surrender to Chu, so the Gongsun Yan family has always stayed in Wei.

Later, Gongsun Yan grew old, and his three grandsons, including the eldest grandson, came to serve in the Chu State.

Now Gongsun Yan is dead in the state of Chu, but he also has to inform the side of the state of Wei.

Thinking about it, Xiong Huai spoke again: "Spread the edict, immediately send an envoy to Wei to inform the King of Wei and the rhino head clan that the rhino head has been killed." ”

"Yui."

As soon as Gongsun Yan died, the ministers of Yingdu suddenly heard the news, and they all stared at the Chu Palace tightly, preparing to compete for the position of Zuo Sima left by Gongsun Yan.

For those who oppose the change of the law, in the past few years, the intention of the king of Chu to change the law has been undoubtedly revealed.

Although they were willing to oppose it, the king of Chu had been on the throne for thirty years, and the state of Chu was thriving, and the state of Yue had also perished. What's more, in the past few years, the king of Chu has executed more than 20 feudal monarchs in one go, but the state of Chu has not seen turmoil. The current King of Chu is extremely powerful and prestigious, and they are increasingly afraid of the King of Chu, and they dare not openly oppose the King of Chu.

Now, Gongsun Yan, who is in charge of the transfer of troops, has died, which also gives them a glimmer of hope, if the successor is a person who opposes the change, perhaps, the king of Chu will also have some scruples.

So, in order to compete for the position of Zuo Sima, Yingdu instantly boiled, and many nobles rushed to connect in tandem. For a time, the prince's mansion, Yin Zhaoju's mansion, and Zuo Yin Zhaochang's mansion were all in the city.

At the same time, the people of the Fa-Reform faction saw that Xungui was running for each other, so naturally they would not sit still, and everyone gathered at Zuo Tu Qu Yuan's mansion, intending to recommend those who supported the Fa-change to be Zuo Sima.

The next day, Ling Yin Zhaoju entered the Chu Palace in the expectation of everyone.

In the palace.

"Ling Yin is here." Xiong Huai looked at Zhao Ju and asked, "Ling Yin was chosen for Zuo Sima's people." ”

"Exactly." Zhao Ju nodded and responded: "King, the invasion of Chu by all countries is imminent, and at this moment, Zuo Sima Rhino has unfortunately passed away, which is the misfortune of my Chu country." However, now that Sima Tang is not in the court, Zuo Sima has the responsibility of transferring troops and is indispensable. ”

"What Ling Yin said is extremely true." Xiong Huai bowed slightly, glanced at Zhao Ju, and then asked, "I don't know who Ling Yin can serve as Zuo Sima?" ”

Zhao Ju pondered for a long time when he heard this, but did not speak rashly.

He deeply knew that at this time, it was not easy to choose Zuo Sima's candidate.

Zuo Sima is nominally Zuo Sima, but in fact he is Sima, not to mention that Sima Tang is not there, even if Sima Tang returns to the dynasty in the future, I am afraid that there is a chance that he will be promoted to Zhuguo or Da Sima, and Zuo Sima will be directly promoted to Sima.

Therefore, Zuo Sima is not a deputy with mixed qualifications, he must have real talent and learning, and be proficient in military affairs.

Coupled with the imminent attack of various countries, Zuo Sima must be able to take office immediately.

This is not the key, what is more critical is that the internal strife in the Chu State is very strong now, and this new Zuo Sima cannot make either the reformers and the opposition in the country feel uneasy.

In this way, Zhao Ju filtered the qualified candidates in his mind, and then, he found that he did not have a suitable candidate.

There are still a few people who meet the first article, but there are no people who meet the second article.

At this time, Xiong Huai saw that Zhaoju was silent, he didn't urge, and he also knew that this question was not simple. Because as early as a year ago, he was considering Gongsun Yan's successor, but until today, he still has no suitable candidate.

However, although there was no suitable candidate, he also found a suitable way to appease the nobles of the country.

The monarch and the minister were relatively silent for a long time, and Zhao Ju arched his hand and said: "The king, there are many candidates suitable for Zuo Sima, and the ministers don't know who they are." General Jing Que, who has been in Fangcheng for more than 20 years, has worked hard and made great achievements, and is more than enough to be qualified for the position of Zuo Sima.

General Deng Lingguang, who has served as the deputy general of the rhino head for more than ten years, is not only proficient in the method of military training, but also has been assisting the rhino head in handling military affairs in the past two years, and he is very clear about the responsibilities of Zuo Sima, and he can also be qualified for the post of Zuo Sima.

General Zhaoying, who has led the army abroad for many years and is familiar with military affairs, can too.

Wu County Shou Sima Qian..."

While speaking, Zhao Ju put forward eight candidates who could serve as Zuo Sima in one breath, and then he arched his hand and said: "The king, the minister is stupid, I don't know who is the most suitable, and I ask the king to decide." ”

Xiong Huai was relieved when he heard what Zhao Ju said, and the candidates recommended by Zhao Ju were not unexpected by him.

Then, Xiong Huai pretended to be silent for a while, and said: "General Jing is lacking, and he has made outstanding achievements, and it is too wronged to let him serve as Zuo Sima." General Zhaoying, guarding Chendi, where facing the Wei State is very important, now that the countries are about to attack Chu, it is not appropriate to change generals..."

Then, Xiong Huai rejected all the others for various reasons.

When Zhao Ju heard this, he looked at the King of Chu hesitantly: "I don't know who the king wants?" ”

"This..." Xiong Huai was silent for a moment.

Zuo Sima now has the right to transfer troops, and he will not let it out, but if Zuo Sima is directly replaced by a reformist, I am afraid that others will be even more frightened.

Therefore, now he has to appease the nobles, but also get the right to transfer troops.

Thinking about it, Xiong Huai smiled and said, "Ling Yin, the widow thinks that Sima Tang has made outstanding achievements, so he should rise one level?" ”

Zhao Ju was stunned for a moment, and looked at the King of Chu in surprise, the king is going to vacate Sima's position?

Zuo Sima is only acting for Sima's responsibility, and Sima is directly under the right to transfer troops, Zuo Sima has not done it yet, and now he has made another Sima?

Zhao Ju turned his mind, glanced at the King of Chu, and suddenly came to his senses, and bowed: "The king is wise, it's just that I don't know what the king thinks, who can be Sima?" ”

Xiong Huai smiled, since he wanted to appease the nobles in the country, how could it be decided by the two of them here, and those who were frightened needed to be involved.

Thinking about it, Xiong Huai smiled and said, "The widow plans to let the ministers discuss it, I don't know what Ling Yin thinks?" ”

Zhao Ju was stunned for a moment, and then bowed: "The king is wise! ”