"Zhong Aiqing, there is one more thing I need to ask Zhong Aiqing to agree today. This is a major event related to the society of my Great Zhou. I have been thinking about this during my recuperation, and I am sure that you are as concerned about it as I am. Yes, it is the matter of the crown prince that needs to be agreed today. Guo Chong put down the teacup and glanced at the audience, and slowly spoke.

The audience was silent, but everyone's hearts were like a storm, and they all thought: "Sure enough, it's time to come, this is the highlight of today, and this is the reason why the two princes and many royal relatives are listed in the palace early today." ”

The excitement and anticipation on the face of King Guo Mian of Jin was overflowing, in his opinion, he could become the prince if he didn't do it today. Compared with his excitement, Huai Wang Guo Xu's face was indifferent and calm and excessive.

"As I said before, the country's affairs are related to the stability of the society and the continuation of the country, which is a major matter of the imperial court. Although I have only been on the throne for six years, this matter must be put on the agenda after all. I also hope that the new crown prince can experience it earlier, so that he can take over this burden in the future. Therefore, I issued a matter of the prince's proposal a few days ago. I've been sick these days, and you've sent me a lot of excerpts about it, but I haven't seen them all. This is a dereliction of duty. But I can't help it, I'm old and my body is not good, so there's no way to do it. Fortunately, I got up again, and I think Mo might as well discuss this matter in the court. If it cannot be agreed today, it can be discussed again tomorrow, and if it cannot be agreed tomorrow, it will be discussed again the day after tomorrow. In short, until it is agreed. And when the court agrees on this matter, it is more direct to express one's opinions, so that everyone can express their opinions. This is a good thing for the country's proposal. So, who's going to talk about it first, what to do about it? Guo Chong said slowly.

The hall was silent, and everyone was figuring out the meaning of the emperor's words. The emperor's words were contradictory, on the one hand, he said that the prince's discussion was a matter of concern to him, and on the other hand, he said that he had not read the courtiers' recitals, and he did not know the attitude of everyone. On the one hand, he said that this matter should be agreed upon as soon as possible, and on the other hand, he said that today will not be tomorrow, and tomorrow will not be the day after tomorrow. This attitude is really unpredictable.

"What? Don't you want to say it? It seems that I have to throw bricks and lead the jade first. The two princes under my knees are here. Although Guo Mian and Guo Xu are not successful, I think the two of them are actually quite well-behaved. He is also very filial to me, and there is nothing particularly out of place in dealing with people. No matter who succeeds them in the future, I think it's okay. Of course, Guo Mian is my eldest son and was also born to the queen, and according to the rules of establishing a successor, Guo Mian should be the crown prince. But I can't generalize, after all, my heirs of the Great Zhou are not all based on their elders. The crown prince is still based on his talent, for the sake of the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty. So I hope you will think about it as well. In short, everyone expresses their opinions, and I will not blame them. Each has its own reasons. Guo Chong said in a deep voice.

There was still silence in the hall, and no one was willing to take the lead. When he was embarrassed, Prime Minister Lu Zhongtian came out and said: "Your Majesty, the old minister has a sentence that I don't know whether to say or not. ”

Guo Chong said with a smile: "Lu Aiqing will say it if he has something to say, I will say it, and at this moment I will express my opinions freely, and I will not blame it." ”

Lu Zhongtian bowed and said, "Thank you, Emperor." The old minister believes that the emperor is in full bloom, and there is no need to rush to discuss the crown prince. First, the two princes are still immature, and it is difficult to be the prince. Second, I am experiencing great changes, the inside is changing, and there are enemies outside, at this moment, we should concentrate on dealing with the changes. The emperor proposed to appoint the crown prince at this time, and the time was not right. The old minister thought that when the internal and external calmed down and the situation was stable, it would not be too late to discuss the crown prince. The court was free from disturbing and arguing about this matter, which was unfavorable to the court situation. ”

As soon as Lu Zhongtian said this, the ministers all opened their mouths and were extremely stunned. As soon as Lu Zhongtian opened his mouth, they all thought that he was going to strongly recommend King Huai. didn't expect him to ask the emperor to terminate the prince's proposal, which was really surprising.

Many officials on the table were asked by Lu Zhongtian to write a letter to raise the flag for King Huai and advocate bravely once the crown prince was established. Hearing Lu Zhongtian say this at this moment, they were all confused, and they didn't know what kind of medicine Lu Zhongtian was selling in the gourd.

Guo Chong was also surprised. In fact, since his illness tended to improve, Guo Chong regretted that he proposed the matter of the crown prince that day. At the beginning, it was indeed forced by the situation and poor health that I had to do so. But now, since Lin Jue's medicine is symptomatic and his body is healing rapidly, it is time to wait a little longer for the matter of establishing the crown prince. I am only fifty-six years old, and I still have at least ten or twenty years to live. At this time, if you set up a prince, do you really want to give way to the prince? Find a place to retire and wait for death? This is absolutely impossible.

Moreover, Guo Chong himself has experienced the feeling of being a prince for 20 years. It's a feeling of being scared and cautious, but it's also about to take its place. At the beginning, several times, Guo Chong wanted to force his father to abdicate, he was really fed up with waiting, and he was fed up with the feeling of being cautious and afraid of going the wrong way and saying the wrong thing. That felt terrible. Regardless of whether Guo Mian and Guo Xu are the crown princes, they will all experience the ordeal they have experienced, which not only makes them uncomfortable, but also adds an element of instability to the imperial court.

However, if he said it and spilled the water, Guo Chong couldn't pretend that he didn't give the will to make the prince. This morning, he had to mention it, even if it was a pretense. But he also made up his mind that the matter must be delayed and dragged out until the day when he thought it was time to decide. Until then, it's all empty talk. However, what surprised him was that Lu Zhongtian actually said such a thing, which made Guo Chong feel like he was being penetrated into his heart. Did Lu Zhongtian deliberately test himself, or did he really think so? This was somewhat unexpected.

"Lu Aiqing, the matter of appointing the crown prince is a major matter of the country, and sooner or later it will be decided. Although I am in good health at the moment, I still want to settle this matter as soon as possible, so that my subjects can rest assured. As for what you said, the internal and external major events that my Da Zhou is currently facing are very urgent, and it is not unreasonable. Ran Zhen believes that this does not have much conflict with the prince's proposal. Well...... What do you say? ”

Guo Chong had to pretend to be a gesture, he wanted to say, 'Since this is the case, the prince's discussion will be postponed for the time being', but in that case, it seems that there are too many traces.

"What the emperor said is very true, determining the foundation of the country and reassuring the people's hearts is the primary thing to be solved by all dynasties. If the heir is determined, the situation will be stabilized. Even if something unexpected happens, it won't be messed up. What the emperor said, the old minister raised his hands in agreement. The old minister thinks that this matter should be settled. An old man with white hair came out and said.

Everyone knows this person, this person is the priest of the country, Su Quan, a scholar of Jixian Palace. This person is a veteran of the Three Dynasties, quite virtuous, a great Confucian, and highly respected. has already been a scholar, but because of his high morality, he is still in charge of the Guozijian and cultivates reserve talents with both virtue and virtue for the Great Zhou. When he came out to say this, he represented not only himself, but also the opinions of a large number of Confucian scholars and doctors.

Guo Chong nodded and said, "Su Aiqing's words are very much in line with my intentions, and I think so too." But who do you think of the two princes as the crown prince? ”

Su Quan said tremblingly: "Your Majesty, in the eyes of the old ministers, the eldest prince is talented and straightforward, although he is a little frivolous, but on the whole, he does not lose the royal dignity and has a very benevolent temperament. The second prince has a calm temperament, acts in an orderly manner, is introverted and quiet, benevolent and wise. Although some people don't like to read and like to ride and shoot, they don't lose their dignity. Hey, if the two princes can be combined into one, they are all-rounders in civil and military affairs, and their temperaments are neutral, it would be really good. ”

Everyone's eyes flew wildly, and they said in their hearts: Isn't this old man talking nonsense? If you want you to say who is more suitable, you say good, and the mud is up. Combined? Do you want two princes?

But listening to Su Quan continue: "...... However, Lao Chen knew that this was impossible, and he could only choose one of the two princes to establish a prince, Lao Chen thought...... Naturally, it is a great prince. It's not that the second prince is not suitable, but the eldest prince is the eldest son, and I respect Confucianism and pay attention to the order of ethics. The eldest prince is not only the eldest son of the emperor, but also born to the queen's mother, and his moral ability can also be competent. ”

Su Quan Fusu shook his head and said his opinion, as a Great Zhou Confucian, his words represented the voice of many people. Su Quan himself studied under Cheng Yunzhi, a great Confucian scholar of the previous dynasty, who had written several books of science, dug deep into the study of Confucianism, and formed a school of science, which had a far-reaching influence. The ethics of the principles he spoke about have gradually taken root in the hearts of the people, and there is a tendency to be adopted as orthodox science. As a disciple of Cheng Yunzhi, Su Quan's reason for making the eldest prince the crown prince is not surprising. The moment he stood up, many people knew who he was going to recommend.

"What Master Su said is very true, my dynasty has always followed Confucianism, and since the founding of the country, the succession and heirs have also followed the principle of establishing the eldest first, followed by the virtuous. This is the fundamental order, if the matter of establishing an heir does not follow the order of the eldest and youngest, it will mess up the world. The minister seconded the proposal! ”

"The minister seconded the proposal."

"The minister also seconded it!"

Su Quan opened his head, and suddenly a group of officials came out to speak, talking eloquently, and echoing his proposal.

Guo Mian's excited eyes lit up, and although he tried his best to restrain himself, he could not hide his joy. The two hands are clasped together and rubbed around. Guo Xu was not as angry as he imagined, and his attitude was a little surprisingly calm. As if it wasn't his business at all.

Guo Chong frowned slightly, nodded and said, "Well, I understand what you Aiqing said. However, are there any other people who disagree? ”

Wu Chunlai wanted to come out to speak, but was pulled by Lu Zhongtian at the corner of his clothes. Wu Chunlai was very puzzled, and when he looked at Lu Zhongtian, he found that Lu Zhongtian looked indifferent. Wu Chunlai didn't know what he meant, so he had to hold it for the time being.