When Li Ruyu set off to Caizhou, Zhao Sa went to Shuzhong, An Lihua Sabre went to the south of the Yangtze River, and Shouzhou, there were also people who went south.

There was no big battle, only two carriages and horses, and there was about one elite of the forbidden army accompanying them - this was the elite of the forbidden army that really came out of the Lin'an Palace, and it was not comparable to the ordinary forbidden soldiers.

In addition to the elite of the 50 forbidden army, there are still twelve or thirteen masters with swords and hanging swords.

The most eye-catching, is the two wearing robes of the Qin Tianjian worship, obviously this batch of swords and swords in the hands of the masters, there are different people in the four rooms of the Zhao room, Qin Tianjian enshrined and accompanied in order to break the thunder.

It can be seen from this that the empress attaches great importance to the safety of those who go south.

The car in the center is extremely luxurious, and the curtain is even embroidered with the royal flying phoenix, which is obviously a big man in the Lin'an Imperial City, and the other red car accompanying him is also extremely luxurious.

In the red carriage, there was an old man in purple and red civilian clothes lying on the backrest, his eyes full of wisdom that had been precipitated over the years, but his spirit was obviously lacking.

A fire was lit in the carriage to prevent the old man from catching the cold.

There were two palace maids kneeling next to them, serving the old man with all their hearts, not daring to make the slightest sound, the two maids were already some age, they were young women in their early thirties and nearly forty, and they were not known for their beauty and figure, but they were careful.

has been serving the old man since he was sixteen years old, and probably no one in the whole Lin'an knows the old man's temperament better than them.

In fact, the old man was not kind to them.

Some are even like daughters.

personally took the lead, found a scholar for the two maids, and used the officialdom connections in his hands to give their husbands a job as a scribe in Lin'an Mansion.

On weekdays, the two of them change shifts to wait for the elderly.

This time I went north to Yingchang Mansion, afraid that the old man would not be able to withstand the hardships of the journey, so the two women went north together to wait for the old man.

The carriage and horses swayed, and the old man's body swayed with it.

One of the women frowned, lifted the curtain and complained to the driver, "Slow down." ”

I'd rather spend more time returning to Lin'an than let the old man suffer from bumps, after all, the old man's body is likely to not survive this cold winter - especially this trip to the north, which consumes a lot of the old man's energy.

The driver promised.

As soon as the woman turned around and knelt down, the old man opened his eyes and said softly: "Chunmei, Dongyun, your two children should be thirteen or fourteen years old, have you ever studied with a teacher?" ”

The woman who leaned out to let the coachman slow down smiled and said, "If you go back to the master, you are all studying, but you have never worshiped a famous teacher." ”

The old man nodded, "Lin'an Confucian, if you say that there are so many people who teach and educate people, but the old man really looks at it, or the yellow clothes who continue to cultivate the Tao, but this person has an arrogant personality and will not easily accept protégés, and he is a stranger, so he needs to be careful. ”

Chunmei and Dong Yunxi came from the sky, but they had followed the old man for many years and knew that the old man didn't like flattery, so they said thank you lightly.

The old man really liked this kind of master-servant relationship that was as light as water.

Feelings, just in the heart.

So in my life, my favorite sentence is that the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water, which is still the truth I realized after the turmoil of the struggle for storage decades ago.

At that time, His Majesty Gaozong had several sons.

The eldest brother who is most qualified to become the prince is extremely friendly with him on weekdays, but it is Renzong who later turned defeat into victory - that is, the third emperor brother has an indifferent relationship with himself.

At that time, he also had the hope of becoming a prince.

Because of his closeness to the eldest brother, he repeatedly conspired and framed the third brother with the most outstanding ability and the most benevolent heart.

It's just that in the final struggle for the crown, the eldest brother who was so good that he could wear the same pants did not hesitate to betray himself, and was almost beheaded by his father, but fortunately, the third brother, who was extremely indifferent to himself on weekdays, helped him at a critical moment.

Later, the eldest brother cocooned himself, and was overtaken by the third brother and became the king of Daliang.

In the end, the eldest brother even intended to rebel, and he was also confused, and the united eldest brother who would take revenge wanted to overthrow the throne of the third brother, but in the end he failed.

The eldest brother was degraded to a place by the kind-hearted third brother and died of depression.

On the contrary, it is himself, the third brother just understates the symbolic punishment of himself, and still treats himself like a brother.

Before that, the third brother once said, ninth brother, you are not strong-hearted, you have a good heart, your original intention is good, but your ears are soft, and you always can't withstand the persuasion of the eldest brother, so you go astray, and the imperial brother doesn't blame you.

He also said that the royal brother of the prince cannot be given to you, after all, you have to obey the heart of the courtiers, but as long as the ninth brother is loyal to the Zhao family in this life, the royal brother will definitely give you a peaceful life.

After that, he understood the true meaning of the gentleman's friendship as light as water, and tried his best to assist the third brother to create a prosperous world, but unfortunately his ability was limited after all, and he could not become a minister of the Great Liang humerus.

And after the imperial brother took charge of the country for 40 years, he died young and drove the crane immortal.

When his nephew Shunzong succeeded to the throne, he was jealous of his talents, and he gave birth to himself, a useless old man, who survived to this day, and now he is dying and decrepit, and his life for more than 80 years has not been wasted.

In the cool world, after the prosperity of the imperial brother, and then the Jiading and Fu Xiang of his nephew Shunzong, after the nephew and daughter-in-law ascended the throne, they single-handedly created Yong'an and Yongzhen.

The country is prosperous, and there are no regrets in this life.

However, the only thing that can't be let go is that after a hundred years of the empress, who will hand over the Daliang country.

Among the children and daughters of Zhao Muzong in the hall, there is not a single child with the talent of Renzong and Shunzong, and most of the young people are lustful and enjoy the prosperity and wealth brought by the empress.

Inheriting the country?

Zhao Zhen and Zhao Changyi have this great talent.

However, Zhao Changyi was born in a bad place, and now he is cold, and this cold world cannot be handed over to him.

Before the empress told herself the truth that Zhao Zhen was a stranger, she also felt that it was the best to hand over the Da Liang country to Zhao Zhen, but she never thought that all this would come to naught.

Thinking of this, Zhao Fangde felt a little guilty.

The prince of the country has not been decided, what face he has to go to see the imperial brother.

Zhao Fangde remembered what the empress said when she was about to leave Lin'an: "Uncle Huang, today's words are not monarchs and ministers, but family talks, it is related to the inheritance of my Zhao family's family business, Zhao Changyi is no longer hopeful, and Zhao Zheng can't, so who else does my uncle think can inherit?" ”

Zhao Fangde was smuggling for a long time, but he couldn't even say a name.

This is how sad the Zhao family is.

If Zhao Fangde hadn't witnessed the prosperity of Renzong, the rule of Jiading and Fuxiang of Shunzong, and the Yong'an prosperity of the empress, then it was okay to find a mediocre son to be the king in the Zhao family.

But Zhao Fangde has already seen the endless brilliant future of Da Liang.

As long as it can inherit the prosperity of the empress, the Zhao family will definitely be able to conquer Dali in the north in the future and create an ancient empire that even the Great Yan Taizu has never established, what a glorious and magnificent it is.

Zhao Fangde couldn't answer, but the empress had already made up her mind, and said: "If I remember correctly, the imperial brother Zhao Lin added another word half a month ago, and the imperial uncle personally named it Zhao Zhen." ”

Zhao Lin is the youngest son of Zhao Fangde, and now he is serving in the Lin'an National Prison, with no merit or ambition, and the matter of giving birth to a child is not said to be remembered by the empress.

Zhao Fangde's heart began to tremble, and he vaguely guessed what the empress was going to say.

Sure enough, the empress continued: "Now among the children of the Zhao family who have reached the crown or will be crowned, there are no talented and virtuous people, and there are many mediocre people, if the Zhao family hands them over, I am not at ease, but I am afraid that His Majesty Shunzong will not be at ease, but——"

The empress took a deep breath, "If my Zhao family cultivates Zhen'er since childhood, worships famous teachers, learns the six arts, is good at discernment, looks at the world, and understands the feelings of the people, I will not be able to be a prince in the future." ”

Zhao Fangde's heart trembled.

He never dreamed that the empress would intend to cultivate his grandson as the prince of Da Liang.

But then the empress's words made Zhao Fangde fall into contemplation: "Although I really want the emperor to be okay all the time, but you and I both know that the destiny of heaven is like this, and the emperor is also in his last years, and I, the empress of Daliang, don't know how many years I can still Zhang Guo, I don't hide some words from the emperor's uncle, I really want to see the world outside the world, I'm afraid that one day, when I leave the Daliang world, Zhen'er has not reached the crown, or has not stabilized his heart when he has reached the crown, who will be the country in Daliang at that time?" ”

Zhao Fangde was silent for a while.

If that situation really happens, I am afraid that Da Liangsheng will have civil strife, and it will definitely collapse.

The empress was also silent.

In the end, he said that the emperor thought about it more, then got up and went back to the Funing Palace, and when he went out, the empress turned back and said seriously: "Uncle Huang went north this time, if you have the opportunity, you might as well take a look at the young man." ”

Zhao Fangde was dumbfounded.

How could he not understand the meaning of the empress's words......

But is it appropriate?

That young man doesn't have a trace of Zhao blood, why did the empress have such an idea?

Zhao Fangde has never seen Li Ruyu.

But this time, after seeing Zhao Sa in Yingchang Mansion that night, Zhao Fangde and Queen Xi went to Shouzhou, during which all the things about Star Picking Villa were transmitted to Shouzhou through Du Yuan, the prefect of Yingchang.

Zhao Fangde was indeed a little moved.

There are countless beautiful maids in the Star Picking Villa, and there are many bewitching wives of Ximen officials, but during the period of the young man's recuperation, he scattered those bewitching wives, and he never flirted with the maids to do the things of the clouds and rain in Wushan, he just read books every day, and the woman named Ah Mu also kept his manners, and he was really a good child.

Thinking of this, Zhao Fangde said to one of the young women: "Dongyun, you go and invite the Queen of the West to come." ”

The convoy was briefly stalled.

After a while, Queen Xi, who had a relatively gentle personality and was a little weak, lifted the curtain, got into the car gently, saluted Zhao Defang, and sat down quietly, "If Uncle Huang is bored, Wanqiu is willing to serve in front of his knees." ”

Zhao Fangde smiled.

Nephew Shunzong can't give birth to a son in this life, but he found two good queens.

A queen became the empress of Daliang, creating a great prosperous era, and a queen was humble and filial, even after the empress ascended the throne, she never relied on the identity of the queen of the West to toss in the harem.

It's really worry-free.

smiled: "Let's sit down, there's nothing to do, but there are some things I want to discuss with you." ”

The Queen of the West, whose surname is Wanqiu, was born in a family of poets and scholars, but her family did not become brilliant because she became the Queen of the West, which is also the consistent purpose of the Daliang Zhao family: never let her relatives dictate power.

Queen Xi was a little puzzled, "What's the matter with Uncle Huang?" ”

Zhao Fangde hesitated, but still didn't let Chunmei and Dongyun leave, after all, these two girls watched them grow old by themselves, and said to Queen Xi: "When she left Lin'an, the empress once said that she intended to cultivate Zhen'er as the future prince. ”

Queen West was dumbfounded.

Zhao Fangde knew that she would react like this, and sighed: "This is also a way to do it, Zhao Changyi is cold, Zhao Yan is a stranger, and the rest of the Zhao family and Zhao family are all mediocre talents." But Rao is like this, I never thought that Your Majesty would choose Zhao Zhen. ”

Empress Xi sighed for a long time, "That's all it can be." ”

Zhao Fangde knew that Empress Xi was an indecisive person, and she didn't have the ability to see the whole world, but since she was the queen of Da Liang, she could only discuss with her now, so she said softly: "But sooner or later, Your Majesty will go to see the world outside the world, I'm afraid that Zhao Zhen has not yet ascended the throne as the emperor's talent and virtue at that time, what about the Zhao family at that time?" ”

Queen Xi sighed, "Sister, can't she wait a few more years?" ”

Zhao Fangde smiled bitterly, "She won't." ”

She is a strange woman through the ages, her current gaze is in the cool world, and after the world is unified, her gaze will definitely fall on the world outside the world, how can she waste her time at that time.

Moreover, I'm afraid that her departure can't wait for Zhao Zhen and the crown, according to the current situation, the north and south are pacified, Shuzhong surrenders, and the next step must be Pingbei and Dali.

In ten years at the latest, the world will be completely cold.

At that time, Zhao Zhen was still a child.

Queen Xi was a little dazed, "That's good." ”

Zhao Fangde was silent for a long time, until the carriage was bumpy, and he pulled his thoughts back, coughed, and Chunmei poured a cup of warm water in a panic and handed it to the old man.

Zhao Fangde took a sip and motioned for Chunmei to take it away, and then said to Queen Xi: "What do you think of that young man?" ”

Queen West couldn't believe her ears for a while, "He?!" ”

Zhao Fangde nodded and simply said, "Can you annex the country?" ”

Queen Xi shook her head resolutely and resolutely, "Of course not!" ”

Zhao Fangde sighed, "I also think it can't, but these days in Shouzhou, knowing the young man's behavior in the Star Picking Villa, I think this young man's temperament is indeed good." After all, Zhao Li is dead and doesn't mention it, he is still a stranger, and Zhao Sa, everyone knows that Zhao Changyi is bound to die, otherwise it will be very cold, as for the shame ......"

Speaking of this, Zhao Fangde stopped talking, Zhao Yan is Chen Wanqiu's biological son after all, and if she says it too bluntly, she will be a little sad after all.

The Queen of the West became more and more dazed.

The Zhao family, who has great feelings, can't find a person who can join the country before Zhao Zhen can't be Zhang Guo after the empress leaves?

Zhao Fangde sighed, "I probably won't be able to see the spring day of Yongzhen's third year, Zhao Room, when I return to Lin'an, I will tell you one by one, as for what this matter is, you will look at it in the future." ”

Empress West was silent.

Zhao Fangde waved his hand, "That's it, let's take a look at that young man first, don't raise a Wang Kun for Da Liang again, I'd rather he be another Yue Jingzhong of Da Liang!" ”

Queen Xi wanted to speak and stopped, but after all, she just sighed faintly.

I'm not a sister.

Without her courage, if it weren't for the queen of Shunzong, I would probably be the wife of an ordinary official eunuch, holding a family is acceptable, holding a country is difficult, so what about the king of the Zhao family in the future, I, a little woman, can really only believe in my sister - believe in this ancient woman who was once scared to death.

After listening to her words this time, after coming to Yingchang Mansion in Lin'an, Queen Xi felt for the first time that she was actually a good king.

Shunzong handed over the country to her, which is very good.

As for not handing over the country to Zhao Zhen, although she was once extremely resentful, but now that she knows that Zhen'er is a different person, the resentment in her heart has long since dissipated, and only some nostalgia remains.

But is it really good to hand over the fate of Daliang Jiangshan to a person with a foreign surname and a country?

The Queen of the West didn't know.

She could only choose to believe.

Believe in the empress, believe in Zhao Fangde.

Of course, Zhao Fangde on the side can understand the thoughts of the Queen of the West, but he is different from the Queen of the West, Chen Wanqiu, he has always felt that the empress is very good, and this time, he also thinks that the young man is very good.

It's a pity that the boy is still a teenager after all, and he can't see through his future nature, so he still needs Zhao Mu to observe for a few more years.

What's even more regrettable is that the boy is not surnamed Zhao after all.