"That's what the mother said. Princess Fuwan's marriage to the dog Huayun is indeed a great trouble for the minister. This is a friendship on the surface, the Dou clan will definitely try his best to win over the minister, and the minister will not be able to oppose the Dou clan clearly. But the minister thought that Dou Zhaoyi's son was really not suitable to be the crown prince. ”

"Oh? Why? As I said just now, this kid is also a top-notch talent among the princes. ”

". His Royal Highness the King of Suli County has an excellent upbringing, and this is indeed true. But the Dou family behind him is his burden and his biggest weakness. What you know best is that the greed of their Dou clan is almost outrageous. Of course, there is a reason for this. The Dou family, born as a craftsman, has been humble for generations, and the ancestors have never been noble, and it is all up to Dou Zhaoyi's own strength to promote Dou Ji and other Dou clan members from the common people step by step. Today, Dou Ji has been ranked as the third duke, and there are many dignitaries in the Dou clan, just like a wealthy family. However, the mediocrity and greed of the Dou clan headed by Dou Ji are well known throughout the country. It's not that the ministers look down on them, it's really that their original background is too humble, once they have power in their hands, how can they not go all out to be greedy?! Chen has heard many bad deeds and jokes of Dou Ji and the Dou clan, saying that they are 'greedy', that is polite, and their actions are sometimes no different from 'robbing' openly. These things, presumably, Niangniang must have heard a lot. ”

Empress Yu nodded and said, "This is true. However, Dou Zhaoyi was very cautious. It's just that although Dou Zhaoyi is cautious, her clansmen are really not very competitive. After all, it's an upstart, and it's inevitable. ”

"Niangniang, this is kind-hearted. The minister thought that Dou Zhaoyi seemed to be cautious, but in fact, it was just a look that could be made in front of His Majesty and Niangniang. Dou Ji and the Dou clan's greed are shameless, Dou Zhaoyi must know it. The reason why she didn't stop it was actually selfish. Niangniang imagined, Dou Zhaoyi was from a humble background, if all the people in her mother's family were poor, how could she be a good person, and how could she enjoy super prestige in the Dou family? And if the people of her maiden family can be promoted one by one, it will be a good thing for her and her heirs. No one in the holy capital knows that there is a 'Linglong Flower Stream' in Dou Ji's mansion, which is said to be a water pavilion, but it is actually a shrine erected by the Dou family for Dou Zhaoyi. If Dou Zhaoyi was really cautious, how could he condone Dou Ji and others to do this, and An Neng would be willing to Linglong Huaxi? Take 10,000 steps back, the official positions, titles, and fortunes that Dou Ji and other Dou clansmen demanded, and the land and property looted by Dou clansmen in other counties, which step does not require Dou Zhaoyi to come out and ask His Majesty and Niangniang, and which step does not require Dou Zhaoyi's support and protection behind the scenes? ”

"You have a point. You say so, let me think about it carefully, over the years, Dou Zhaoyi has really been seeking officials and lords for the Dou family. ”

"Actually, with Niangniang's wisdom, it is estimated that she has been wary of Dou Zhaoyi for a long time, but Niangniang is open-minded and compassionate, so she is just open to Dou Zhaoyi."

The Empress nodded and did not speak.

Hua Chong said: "Niangniang, just imagine, now that Dou Zhaoyi is just a Zhaoyi, Dou Ji is so unscrupulous. If one day Suli County King Xiao Mu becomes the crown prince and succeeds to the throne in the future, and then Dou Zhaoyi becomes the queen mother, what will Dou Ji and the Dou family become? This is not a blessing for the country! In fact, it is by no means a blessing for the Dou family. Why? Because the so-called extremes of things must be opposed, when the time comes, although the Dou family can be arrogant for a while, there is no upstart who cares so much about face and rules. When it comes to that defeat, it is likely that the whole clan will be destroyed and shattered. In all dynasties, the relatives were arrogant, even those relatives from wealthy families, none of them had a good end, let alone the Dou family, an outbreak of relatives with a shallow foundation? Although the minister is dull, he also understands the principle of looking at people and things with a long-term perspective, and understands what 'the skin does not have hair, it will be attached'. Therefore, although Princess Fu will marry the dog Huayun, the minister will never dare to cling to Dou Zhaoyi and the Dou family, nor will he dare to support Dou Zhaoyi's son to seize the heir, so as not to 'fire at the city gate and affect the pond fish'. ”

"Hua Junshou, what you said is very true. You see, it's also accurate. To tell you the truth, their Dou clan has already begun to think about seizing the heir. ”

"Niangniang, the minister is foolish, maybe it's not just the Dou family, Meng Jieyu shouldn't be idle, right?"

Queen Yu was taken aback, and said with a straight face: "Okay, you Hua Chong." Although you are far away in the outer counties of Liuchuan, you can see everything clearly. How did you know that Meng Jieyu was also planning to take the heir? ”

"Niangniang, Fahrenheit's businessman for generations, known as the world's first businessman, everywhere the businessman goes, there is eyeliner, therefore, Hua's eyeliner is all over the world. Not afraid of the mother's punishment, these eyeliners were originally for the convenience of business, purely to make money, but for the minister, it is an excellent channel to understand the political situation in various places. Niangniang, in the future, these Fahrenheit businessmen's eyeliner will be dispatched by Niangniang. Meng Jieyu's matter, the minister listened to the eyes of Hua's businessmen. They said that Bishop Shu Yan and Meng Jieyu frequently contacted some cardinals of the White Church and bishops of other counties, and they did not know what was in contact. In addition, Meng Jieyu has ordered Bishop Shuyan to use the channels of the White Sect to purchase rare treasures at a high price, intending to concoct auspicious gifts to His Majesty in the name of the White Sect. ”

"Humph! Meng Jieyu and Shu Yan still can't get on the table! ”

"Niangniang saw it. However, behind Meng Jieyu and Bishop Shuyan is the White Sect, and we have to guard against it. ”

Empress Yu nodded and said, "Hua Chong, you tell me honestly, in your opinion, what is the chance of Prince Jiarong winning?" ”

"Niangniang, forgive the ministers for their courage to say it, the ministers think that compared with other princes, Prince Jiarong has no chance of winning."

Empress Yu's face turned white all of a sudden, and she paused for a while before she said in disappointment, "What do you mean by this?" ”

"Niangniang, Prince Jiarong has three major disadvantages, and they are all fatal disadvantages, and none of the three disadvantages can be reversed, that is, there is no 'save'."

"Huh?! You say come and hear it. The queen's tone had been lost to the extreme, but she was obviously still holding back.

But Hua Chong, who has always thought that people are harmonious and thoughtful, turned a blind eye to Empress Yu's expression, and said to himself: "The first disadvantage is that Prince Jiarong's mind is slightly slow, while the other princes are all extremely intelligent. This is a talent disadvantage that cannot be reversed. ”

"That's right. Hey, I don't know who he is following this mind. ”

Hua Chong didn't answer, but continued: "The second disadvantage is that the relatives behind Prince Jiarong are too powerful. Niangniang knows that the Luo family is one of the best families in the world, and its power and influence are so great that even the royal family of the Xiao family can hardly match it. The queen mother and the prime minister are both smart and decisive, and they are unique among the world. This would have been a good thing. But if we talk about our Majesty, then this is a big bad thing. Why? Because the relatives are too powerful, they may pose a threat to His Majesty's authority. Don't forget, Your Majesty is an extremely suspicious person, and he has just succeeded to the throne and is eager to gather authority, how can he tolerate Prime Minister Yu covering the sky with one hand, and how can he allow the Yu family to control the government?! Take 10,000 steps back, even after His Majesty sits on the throne, His Majesty is probably unwilling to make Prince Jiarong the crown prince! Niangniang, please think about it, if Prince Lijiarong is the crown prince, then the princes and ministers will be even more attached to the prime minister and his family, Your Majesty is in the prime of life in the Spring and Autumn Period, how can such a thing be allowed to happen? ! The relatives of the other princes are from mediocre families and will not pose a threat to His Majesty. This is a family disadvantage, and it cannot be reversed. ”

Queen Yu frowned, nodded and said, "This one, what you said is also right. His Majesty is suspicious, and he is very taboo about wealthy families. ”

Hua Chong said again: "The third disadvantage is that Prince Jiarong's current status is too empty, although he is nominally the most honorable prince, but in fact, His Royal Highness has no power, no soldiers, no wealth, His Royal Highness has neither political affairs nor subordinate ministers, in fact, he is a fictitious prince, useless, in fact, it is just the most noble idle clan." The other princes are different, they are all kings of a county, and they have power, soldiers, and wealth, so it is more convenient to do whatever they do. If these princes and county kings are good at encircling the county guards and other subordinate officials and generals under their jurisdiction, then they will be even more complete with civil and military generals. This is a status disadvantage, and it cannot be reversed now. ”

These three theories that "the plan must not be reversed" are extremely reasonable, and none of them can be refuted, and none of them can be remedied. After hearing this, Empress Luo's face had completely turned iron-blue, and after a long while, she said in a tone that was both infinitely disappointed and did not want to admit defeat: "In this way, it seems that Prince Jiarong has no chance of winning?" So what are we still thinking about here? ”

Hua Chong bowed and said, "Don't worry, Niangniang." What the minister just said was, 'Compared with other princes, Prince Jiarong has no chance of winning'. But that's not to say that Prince Jiarong has no chance of winning. ”

Queen Yu said, "What does this mean? Prince Jiarong is not compared with other princes, who else can he compare with? Do you mean that Prince Jiarong is going to compare with the king of Canaan, or with the sons of Emperor Longwu? Your Majesty has indeed made a clear decree that the emperor will be restored to the Longwu Emperor in the future. ”

"Nope. No. No. How wise is the mother, don't you still understand this trick played by your majesty? His Majesty said that the throne would eventually return to the line of Emperor Longwu, and no one in the world believed it. The minister means that if Prince Jiarong compares 'himself' with other princes, he has no chance of winning. The minister dared to speculate, is Niangniang's idea to play 'virtue'? ”

"Exactly. Except for this, he can't compare with anything else. ”

"Niangniang, forgive the minister's bluntness, the minister thinks that comparing 'virtue' is a big mistake in strategy. Niangniang, relying on the word "virtue" alone cannot win the Sacred Heart in any case. First, the other princes did not perform badly in terms of "virtue". Niangniang thought, if other princes have the heart to win the heir, how can they leak flaws in 'virtue'? Second, those princes are all kings of counties in the county, even if there are some flaws in 'morality', but those counties are high and far away from the emperor, and Your Majesty can't know everything. It is Prince Jiarong, who guards by His Majesty's side every day, and his every move is controlled by His Majesty. When we meet every day, the benefits may not be visible, but the faults are particularly conspicuous. Third, what kind of wise man is Your Majesty? is the person who can understand people's hearts deeply, the thoughts of Niangniang and the actions of Prince Jiarong, where can they escape the eyes of His Majesty? ! 'Loyalty and filial piety' was originally a virtue, but once it was mixed with the selfish desire to win the heir, it would greatly change the taste, which would make His Majesty particularly disgusted. Therefore, the minister thinks that it is inappropriate to work 'virtue', and it will be useless in the end. ”

Queen Yu's mind was completely seen through by Hua Chong, and she was completely denied. Queen Yu was so depressed that she could no longer hold back her emotions, so she swallowed a sip of tea and said stupidly: "The more you talk about it, the more hopeless it becomes." Ay! After all, I still don't fight for myself, hum! ”

Hua Chong said: "Niangniang is angry. The minister thinks that Prince Jiarong can't be compared with other princes, but he shouldn't compare himself with himself. ”

"If you don't compare 'yourself', what do you compare?"

Hua Chong smiled: "Mother." No more than yourself, no more than your son! ”

"Than a son? You mean 'the emperor'?! ”

"Yes. The so-called son is also the 'grandson'. Niangniang, think about it, from Your Majesty's point of view, if you choose a suitable one among your many sons to be the prince, it is actually a great difficulty. According to the common sense of the legal system, it is naturally the best eldest son. However, Prince Jiarong, the eldest son, has many of the above-mentioned irreversible disadvantages, any of which make His Majesty feel like a fish in the throat, so Prince Jiarong is definitely not his favorite. But what about the other princes, one by one they are evenly matched, everyone is a dragon among men, and it is really difficult to make up your mind who to choose or not to choose. Even if any of the county princes and princes are extremely outstanding, once they are made the crown princes, Prince Jiarong will not talk about it for the time being, but which of the other county princes will be convinced?! At that time, Your Majesty will immediately be in danger and woe! And if Your Majesty is invited to focus on the emperor and grandson, there will be many benefits. ”

Empress Yu's face looked a little better, and she hurriedly asked, "What's the benefit?" Tell me about it. ”

Hua Chong said: "The first benefit, Your Majesty is at the peak of the Spring and Autumn Period, and he has just ascended the throne, and the minister speculates that His Majesty does not want to establish a prince early in his heart. Because once the crown prince is established, the courtiers will naturally defect to the prince in advance, in order to splash the sky and wealth in the future, then His Majesty's authority will be greatly challenged. And focusing on the emperors and grandchildren, the current emperors and grandchildren are still very young, Your Majesty can take your time to see, pick slowly, and cultivate slowly, so that there will be no need to establish a prince for a long time, and Your Majesty's heart will naturally not have any doubts. The second advantage is that if Your Majesty can choose a good emperor grandson, you can ensure that Dazhao will be prosperous for at least three generations. This is a wise move in favor of the Great Shosho Sheji, and His Majesty has absolutely no reason to refuse. The third advantage is to give His Majesty a step, just like the minister just said, if you can establish the eldest son, Your Majesty will definitely be willing to establish the eldest son, so that you can block the long mouth of the ministers and relatives and save a lot of trouble. Therefore, if a certain son of Prince Jiarong is intelligent by nature and has a perfect fortune, and can be favored by His Majesty, then it is logical for His Majesty to identify his favorite imperial grandson in order to identify his favorite imperial grandson in order to intergeneration. Isn't that a good thing to do with one stone? ”

Empress Daigo was empowered, stood up and said, "Hua Chong, listening to your words is better than reading for ten years." Learn! Learn! ”

"The mother has won the award, and she has been tormented. The key is that Prince Jiarong should be able to raise a good son who is beyond the ordinary, and this son must be known and favored by His Majesty. ”

Empress Yu smiled on her face, took a sip of tea, and said, "You may not know that although he is stupid by nature and slow in mind, he is a blessed person. His concubines gave birth to a good son for him. Especially the eldest prince Xiaoqing, who is seven years old this year, is as strong as a little tiger, and is extremely smart and well-behaved, which is quite loved by His Majesty, and when he is in the palace, His Majesty has to hold and play every day. And the other princes, either have not yet given birth to a son, or the prince is still young, and they are not familiar with His Majesty. ”

Hua Chong smiled: "Niangniang, look." What is providence? This is providence. In terms of the emperor's grandson, the other princes who are divided into county kings are by no means comparable to Prince Jiarong. Prince Jiarong is the oldest, and the eldest prince is also the oldest among the imperial grandsons, and he is also the most familiar to His Majesty; And what is even more rare is that Prince Jiarong is in the holy capital, and the eldest prince has the convenience of accompanying His Majesty every day. The common people all say that they are relatives from generation to generation, and they also say that a gentleman holds his grandson but not his son. Your Majesty has ascended to the great treasure for the first time, and the state affairs are heavy, and if there is a great prince around you, it must also be a matter of your majesty's pleasure. According to the centralized upbringing system of the New Deal, other princes who were divided into princes could not enter the holy capital until they were eight years old to enter the Taixue centralized upbringing, but that was a few years later, and even if they entered Beijing when they were eight years old, a young man who had just grown up at the age of eight suddenly appeared in front of His Majesty's eyes, and his feelings with His Majesty were by no means comparable to those of His Majesty's eldest son who grew up and looked at him from a young age. Niangniang, with this God-given good emperor grandson, Prince Jiarong's chances of winning have greatly increased. ”

Empress Yu was really happy, paused for a while, and suddenly realized something, so she said: "However, someone must remind Your Majesty." Otherwise, Your Majesty himself probably wouldn't have thought of such a thing as 'setting his son with his grandson', right? ”

"Niangniang, this must not be rushed. Today's loss is due to the rush to achieve. The strategy of 'using Sun Dingzi' must not make this mistake again. Niangniang, this matter, the emphasis is on a 'natural progress', and no one must deliberately remind it, otherwise, if the other princes of the sub-feudal counties learn, they will definitely send the princes to the palace to 'fulfill their filial piety', then Prince Jiarong's advantage will disappear again. At that time, Prince Jiarong will really be defeated, and there will be no room for maneuver. ”

"You're right. I almost got into the trouble of being impatient again. ”

"Niangniang is wise and natural, where is the turn to be reminded by the minister."

"You don't have to be humble. Hua Chong, the strategy you have offered today is unparalleled. On the day of my accomplishment, I will reward you abundantly. ”

"Thank you for your grace. The minister does not ask for a heavy reward, but only asks for a happy heart. In the final analysis, this world is not the world of the first emperor, nor is it the world of His Majesty," Hua Chong paused word by word, and with a unique look and tone, he raised his head and said: "It's your world!" ”

A flush flew up on the queen's face, a flush that only a woman can have when she is sincerely appreciated by other men. This blush makes Queen Yu look like a girl.