As an old guy who was about to retire, Su Li felt that it was a very painful thing to go to the morning court in the early morning after the cold rain, but the father-in-law in the palace came to announce the decree very early. I had no choice but to let someone wait to wash up.

"Daddy, daddy, daddy." The impatient voice of his son Su Xi came from outside the house.

"I'm not dead yet, I don't need to be so loud!" Hearing his son Su Xi shouting, Su Li felt that this kid was not his own species. Obviously, Lao Tzu is not surprised by the changes in such a place, but the seed that was born is such a babbling guy.

"Dad, something is wrong, have you heard?" Pushing the door in, there was a big man with a leopard head and ringed eyes, and a bearded face. As soon as he entered the door, he shouted loudly to Su Li.

"If something happens, say it quickly, don't shout so loudly, Lao Tzu is not deaf!" Su Li kicked over. It seemed that he was used to his father's temper, so Su Xi stood in place and smiled.

"Yo, little cub, the wings are stiff, do you think Lao Tzu is too old to kick you? Not hiding? Seeing his son's stupid appearance, Su Li kicked again.

"Dad, if you kick me again, I'm going to tell my mother." Seeing that Su Li was about to kick the third time again, Su Xi hurriedly said.

"It's this trick again, can you kid change the trick?" Seeing Su Xi mention his mother, Su Li also withdrew his last kick, sat on the chair with his buttocks, and said impatiently while wearing his morning boots: "Hurry up and say something, Lao Tzu still has to enter the palace to face the saint." ”

"The Xie family has been raided!"

"The Xie family? That Xie family? Su Li was a little confused.

"Dad, you are really confused, apart from the Xie family of Zhao Guogong's Mansion, which Xie family can there be!" Hearing his son's words, Su Li was stunned for a moment, and the movements in his hands also stopped, pointing to the chair next to him, "Sit down and speak slowly." ”

"Dad, you don't know yet. Just last night, Gao Jianfang of the Right Dragon Martial Army led troops to raid Xie's house, according to reliable information. Except for Zhao Guogong and Xie Min, the rest of the Xie family have been imprisoned. ”

"Where's Xie Quan?" Su Li picked up the white porridge brought by the maidservant, ate the side dishes, and ate it slowly.

"I don't know, I haven't heard from him yet."

"Let's get some food." Su Li pushed a bowl of white porridge in front of Su Xi, then picked up a white steamed bun and took a bite. "It's no secret that Xie Quan worships the appearance of the city, and Huang Bai, who is really in the clouds, learns the Tao. Since the Holy Admiral Xie family raided the house, it was impossible not to guard against it. ”

"Dad, do you think Xie Quan is dead?" Before Su Li finished speaking, Su Xi hurriedly said.

"Filial piety! Honor! The elders haven't finished speaking, is there a place for the juniors to interject? Su Li slapped the table violently, and the power was so great that the side dishes on the table jumped up.

"Dad, you're so old, and you're still so angry, be careful of getting angry." Su Xi didn't seem to be surprised, and he was not affected in the slightest, eating porridge and nibbling on steamed buns by himself.

"Hey, you kid!"

Seeing that his father was going to beat himself again, Su Xi hurriedly said, "Dad, why did you say that the Xie family was raided." This old prince has just died, and the saint has been killed like this. Wouldn't it be too chilling? ”

"That twelve-year-old kid would make such a will? It must have been the of that mother-in-law! I've said a long time ago that the woman is not a good ......"

"Dad, be cautious, be careful that the wall has ears!" Seeing that his father was getting more and more outrageous, Su Xi hurriedly stopped it.

"You kid is getting more and more indebted! I dared to teach my father a lesson. Although he said this, Su Li's tone softened a lot and finished the last bite of porridge. Su Li put the dishes and chopsticks neatly, "Today, the Holy Lord announced that I entered the court, and nine times out of ten it was because of this matter. Let's talk about other things after retreating! ”

Although there are already hawkers setting up stalls on the streets, Suzaku Avenue to the palace is still deserted. The official sedan chairs of three or two moved silently on the bluestone road, walking towards the power center of the Great Chu State, the majestic Daming Palace.

In the first year of Taiming in the former dynasty, Emperor Taizu captured Chang'an, because he felt that all the people in the world were suffering from war for several years, he repaired it slightly on the basis of the old palace of the previous dynasty, as a place to live, and named it Daming Palace.

When Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, in order to fulfill filial piety, the Daming Palace was expanded in the third year of Yuanxing. After the funeral of Emperor Taizu, when Emperor Taizong stayed in Daming Palace, Daming Palace has been built magnificent. And now, this magnificent and majestic Daming Palace has long become the heart of Dachu, and the decree is indispensable.

When the eastern morning sun rose high in the sky, in the Zichen Hall of Daming Palace, the sharp tone gradually stopped, and turned into a delicate voice. Although the voice was childish, it was sonorous and powerful, and it was hard to imagine that it could have been made by a twelve-year-old boy. And this young man is none other than the current sage, the third emperor of the Great Chu State.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the emperor remembered the old man's love for preaching and teaching, so he was unwilling to punish the Xie family. However, the Xie family ignored the grace of the emperor, and allowed the domestic slaves to fish and meat the villagers, and expropriated them violently, making the people of Xiao County miserable! Xie Min, the Duke of Zhao, destroyed the things given by the emperor and allowed his brother Xie Quan to discuss the government and slander the emperor, which was an act of disloyalty. ”

"I tossed and turned, since ancient times, emperors have killed heroes and have been suspected of hiding birds and bows, but the relationship between the monarch and the father and son, the meaning of heaven, cannot be abandoned. If the law is abolished, how will it continue in the future? ”

After a pause, the little emperor sat on the dragon chair and looked coldly at the important ministers in front of him. "I don't know what you Aiqing thinks?"

The hall fell silent, and none of the several important ministers representing the highest position of the civil and military officials of the Great Chu State spoke. Su Li, who was standing on the outermost side, squinted at the Shangshu of the Criminal Department beside him, and snorted coldly. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a voice from the curtain behind the little emperor, "Liu Aiqing, what do you think?" ”

"The minister thinks that since the first emperor has taken care of the old feelings, and the old country has passed away, it can be dealt with according to the law of the country!" In the main hall, Liu Zaixi, the only prime minister of the current dynasty who had a brocade pier to sit on, said calmly in his glutinous rural accent of Jiangnan Road.

"Tang Aiqing, what do you mean?" Seeing that his teacher had spoken, the little emperor was just about to speak, when a voice came again after the curtain.

"The minister thinks that the things committed by the people of Xie Mansion are too numerous to write, and the heavens are angry and the people are resentful, and if they are not severely punished, it is not enough for the people to be angry! If the law of the country is secured, it can be convicted of beheading! Tang Yao, the secretary of the Criminal Department, got up and bowed slightly, and then said.

"I don't think it's appropriate!" As soon as Tang Yao, the secretary of the Criminal Department, finished speaking, Su Li immediately took a step forward, "Your Majesty, the Xie family is a family of great achievements." The old prince assisted Taizu, Taizong and the two dynasties, and he ate all nights, but now because of such crimes, he is going to behead the Zhao Guogong Mansion. It's overkill. I think that this case needs to be retried! ”

"What you say is very true." Since someone took the lead, someone agreed. Gao Tan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, also took a step forward and said: "Your Majesty, the first emperor has been buried for less than a year, and now the punishment of the axe prison is not right. ”

"This ......" The little emperor sitting at the top lost the momentum just now, and after sitting down in Gaotan, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, he was a little panicked, and he didn't know how to deal with it. His eyes involuntarily drifted towards the curtain behind him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the case of Zhao Guogong can be handed over to the Criminal Department, Dali Temple, and Yushitai for trial. There is one more important thing that summons you today. The voice behind the curtain rang out again.

A moment later, the curtain was slowly opened, and the Empress Dowager Chen Wei slowly walked out in a gold and silver silk Luan bird Chaofeng embroidered court dress.

"Knock on the Queen Mother." Seeing the queen mother appear, all the important ministers were busy bowing, and the little emperor behind the desk also got up and bowed at this time, "Meet the queen mother!" ”

After helping the little emperor up, the Queen Mother sat down next to her, and then said: "Ladies Aiqing, please get up!" ”

"Thank you, Empress Dowager."

Seeing that the ministers had all taken their seats, the Queen Mother slowly spoke: "Regarding the case of Zhao Guogong, this palace knows that you have doubts in your hearts. But this matter is a foregone conclusion, you Aiqing still act according to the secret decree left by the emperor! ”

After a slight pause, the Queen Mother spoke again: "Before the first emperor's funeral, there were three secret decrees left for the palace. The first emperor instructed the palace to open the first way after the death of Zhao Laoguogong. Then open the second path according to the content of the first secret message. Today is the day to open the second secret message. ”

Su Haisheng, the chief eunuch who was standing beside the Queen Mother, gently placed the ebony box that he had been holding in his hand on the table, then turned around and respectfully took the key from the Queen Mother's hand and opened it carefully.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the first emperor left suddenly, leaving me and the emperor, orphans and widows, helpless. In addition to these three secret decrees, there is no other explanation, I hope that you Aiqing can assist my son, and the palace will be much more at ease in the harem! After the chief eunuch Su Haisheng took out the secret decree, the queen mother suddenly hid her face and whispered.

"The ministers are terrified!" Seeing this, several important ministers immediately leaned down and knelt down.

"Su Haisheng, announce the decree!" The Queen Mother cleaned up her emotions and said flatly.

"Yes, sissy."

Su Haisheng slowly opened the secret decree, and then read it out loud: "The prosperity of the world is based on filial piety." However, the emperor is taking the funeral day, I can't do it in advance, and I regret it all the year round, which is my sin. Now I will never break my knees, and it is my sin to hurt the queen mother's grief. Politics is clear, you need to know people and use them, but I know the talents of virtuous ministers and can't use them, and I can't investigate the sins of villains, and I can't use them. Therefore, everything is out of order, the ancestral temple is shocked, the ancestors are tired, and the people are burdened. Hide your face in pain, and the sin is really mine. ”

"Seven out of thirty I live, and I know the destiny of heaven. The ancients said that those who are dying are also good in their words. I can't make up for my mistakes, but the prince is young and should not accept my mistakes. I know that the future will be paid to the public, and I hope that the public will conspire with each other, and will be dedicated to each other, and be good at counseling! ”

Speaking of this, Su Haisheng's voice raised a few tones, "Special appointment Chen Ding, Liu Zaixi, Su Li, and Wei Li are auxiliary ministers." All the princes are my humerus, and I also have the sustenance of my confidants, and I hope that all the princes will do their best to assist in government affairs! ”

Quiet, terrifyingly quiet.

In the Zichen Palace, there was no sound, only the voice of the great eunuch Su Haisheng continued to echo in the hearts of everyone, repeating the words of the first emperor constantly.

The most important ministers at the head of the throne. They all bowed their heads and were silent, and Prime Minister Liu Zaixi even closed his eyes directly.

"Your Majesty, this must not be done! The vassal king is not allowed to enter the capital to assist the government, this is the ancestral training! After a while, Su Li, who couldn't stand such an atmosphere anymore, spoke.

"Su Aiqing, this matter is the will of the first emperor!" The Queen Mother, who was sitting next to the little emperor, spoke.

"It was said to be a testament, but who knew that it was a letter from the emperor?" Su Li's face was angry.

"Su Li! You are presumptuous! Seeing Su Li say such a rebellious word, Shangshu Weili of the Ministry of Rites immediately opened his mouth to reprimand.

"The first emperor was a virtuous lord, how could he leave such a testament that violated the ancestral teachings? Isn't there someone who wants to collude with foreign feudal clans and do evil! Su Li didn't even look at Wei Li, but stared at the Queen Mother and said lightly.

"Su Li, ...... you" As soon as Su Li said this, not only Wei Li was angry, but other important ministers stared sideways at Su Li, and even the prime minister, who had been closing his eyes and recuperating, opened his eyes.

"I've always heard the first emperor say, Su Aiqing is outspoken and hot-tempered, and what I see today is worthy of my reputation." At this time, the Empress Dowager Chen Wei smiled slightly, and seemed not to be angered by Su Li's words at all, "To be honest, the content of the edict of the first emperor was only known to the palace today. I didn't expect it to be like this. Don't say it's Su Aiqing, even the palace is shocked. The vassal king is not allowed to enter the capital to assist the government, this is determined by Taizu, even the first emperor has no right to change it. Liu Aiqing, all of you are here today. Or should the name of the King of Shu be deleted and an auxiliary minister reappointed? ”

Su Li thought that it was the queen mother's intention to summon the king of Shu to Beijing, but she didn't expect that she was willing to remove the name of the king of Shu. For a while, Su Li was a little confused, and his eyes couldn't help but drift to Prime Minister Liu Zaixi.

"Back to the Queen Mother, this edict was left by the first emperor, and there must be a reason for him. Chen Ding, the king of Shu, is the younger brother of the first emperor, and he has had a very close relationship with the first emperor since he was a child, and he is also loyal and honest. Although it violates the ancestral teachings, His Majesty is young, and if there are virtuous ministers to help, it will be a great blessing. Therefore, the minister thought that the first emperor was right! Liu Zaixi got up and bowed slightly, and said indifferently.

"What about the other Aiqing?" The Queen Mother asked the other ministers, "The ministers all think so!" ”

"What about Su Aiqing?" At this time, the Queen Mother looked at Su Li.

"Just now, the minister was slammed into the saint, please surrender the saint!" Seeing that the other ministers agreed to let the King of Shu enter Beijing to assist the government, Su Li, who knew that he could no longer change anything, knelt on the ground and pleaded guilty.

"Su Aiqing is also thinking about the community, what is the crime?" At this time, the little emperor who had never spoken spoke spoke.

"Emperor Xie!" After Su Li thanked him, he got up and sat on the chair, bowing his head and being silent.

"Since you have no objection to the matter written in the secret decree, then follow it." After speaking, the Queen Mother left the Zichen Hall in the congratulations of the emperor and the ministers.

In March of the first year of Yonghui, the emperor announced that Chen Ding, the king of Shu, would enter Beijing to assist the government!