When Xu Liang and Zheyan led the troops of the king to the city of Hangzhou, the court and China had been in a stalemate for nearly 20 days. Zhao Huan used all means except force to try to get his son to admit the facts, but Zhao Chen was resolute. No matter what means you use, ignoring them all means means not recognizing restoration.

In fact, if Zhao Huan can stabilize the situation, it doesn't matter if he admits it or not. The key is that those ministers who "ask for a mouthful" are waiting for Zhao Chen to come out and speak. Zhao Huan was also well aware of this, and seeing that his son was uncompromising, he turned to the minister, Wei bī Li yòu, full of tricks, and the results were also available. A small number of people returned to the Yamen Council, but this did not mean that they agreed with the legitimacy of the restoration of the Emperor Taishang. The rest are anxiously waiting at home, because you can't get out of the city.

The other day, a piece of news circulated among officials. It is said that when the Emperor Taishang sent troops to surround the mountain, he escorted the officials and important ministers back to the city, but Xu Liang, the governor of the government, was missing. As for where he went, no one knew, but the courtiers believed that Xu Shenzheng must have gone to rescue the soldiers. Therefore, they are looking forward to Xu Liu's return as soon as possible to end this farce.

Finally, on the sixth day of the winter month, they waited.

When the soldiers and horses of the palace soldiers stationed in Linping Town fled into Hangzhou City, the news spread. The city is restless! The people were worried that if the fight broke out, the city gate would catch fire and the fish in the pond would be affected. But now it's too late to escape, so I can only pray for the blessing of my ancestors. And those officials who "stay at home" are excited! They knew that this must be Xu Liang's move to King Qin's division! Although the Qin Wangjun had not yet entered the city, the officials began to connect in private and plan to welcome the official's family to the throne.

The new Shangshu left servant shè, with the middle book under the door of the Ping Zhangshi Huang Qianshan got off the sedan chair in front of the palace gate, in a hurry, anxious, with two words written on one face, bad luck.

The news was reported to him first, Yan Shen Governor Xu Liang, Jiangxi Xuanfu Ambassador Zhi Yanqing, and led the army to King Qin. As soon as Huang Qianshan heard this, he knew that something was wrong, so he hurried into the forbidden. It should also be an accident, he was in a hurry, and when he entered the palace gate, he was not careful, his feet slipped, and he fell on all fours! Crawling up, he didn't care about the pain, and he couldn't control his demeanor, so he grabbed the hem of his robe with one hand and his head with the other, and ran towards the palace with one step.

Because of Zhao Huan's illness, he is generally not a director of the Vertical Arch Palace, but in the Boya Building near his dormitory. In fact, strictly speaking, he did not have any major military affairs to deal with, and in the twenty days since the restoration, the central institutions have been almost paralyzed.

Huang Qianshan went to Boya Building, asked the doorkeeper, and learned that Zhao Huan was inside. So he dressed up and entered, and when he got inside, he saw Zhao Huan sitting on a chair, with a leather mattress on his lap, holding a book or something in his hand.

The situation was serious, and Huang Qianshan couldn't take care of it, and he didn't even do the courtesy, so he said: "Official, disaster is wrong!" ”

Zhao Huan was extremely sensitive, and this sentence was so shocked that the music book in his hand shook off and fell into the brazier in front of him. He asked in a lost voice, "What's the matter?" ”

"The troops of the Dianqian Division stationed in Linping Town have been defeated and returned to the city, and Xu Liang Zhiyan led the army to the city!" Huang Qianshan said loudly.

Zhao Huan's lips opened slightly, he couldn't close it anymore, he looked at Huang Qianshan with a dull expression for a moment, and said angrily: "How is it possible?" How did they get by? ”

Huang Qianshan shook his head: "Your Majesty, it's useless to discuss these things now, let's prepare for contingencies!" ”

Zhao Huan leaned weakly on the back of the chair, a pair of eyes looked around aimlessly, and even his breathing became heavy, and after a while, he asked, "Has Zheyan attacked?" ”

"Not for the time being, but it is said that the troops are already stationed outside the city." Huang Qianshan replied. "Your Majesty, there are only a few thousand defenders in the city, and if there is a war, I am afraid it will not last long!"

Zhao Huan shook his head resolutely: "It's really time to start fighting, the general trend has gone." This battle can't be fought! ”

As soon as he said this, an attendant entered the inner hall and reported: "The official family, Wang Zongmi, Luo Ruji, Wang Ciweng and other ministers ask to see them. ”

Zhao Huan didn't say a word, and thought about countermeasures urgently, Huang Qianshan saw this, and gave the internal attendant a look, and the latter understood, that is, he went out to announce that the ministers were in the meeting. After a while, the ministers swarmed in, and as soon as they entered the house, they began to make a fuss.

"Xu Liang is a great army! What can I do? ”

"Zheyan's soldiers and horses are all in Huaixi, how did he cross the Yangtze River?"

"Is it Zhao Dianshui? I said a long time ago that Wuchen is unreliable! ”

Huang Qianshan saw that Zhao Huan's brows were furrowed, and his face was full of anger, so he hurriedly looked back and waved his hands to his colleagues, signaling the ministers to silence!

Zhao Huan stretched his face and asked in a deep voice: "Since the matter is already known, how to deal with it?" ”

There was silence in the room, ministers, you look at me, I look at you, no one can come up with a way. Seeing this, Zhao Huan lifted the mattress, stood up with the help of the inner attendant, walked a few steps stiffly with his legs, came to the ministers, and asked loudly, "What?" Can't help it? Is that going to Yong'an Palace and asking the prince to reinstate? ”

Hearing these words in the ears of the ministers, it is tantamount to a thunderclap! Once the "crown prince" is reset, how will we deal with ourselves? After this agitation, the ministers were in a hurry to go to the doctor. Luo Ruji did not change his official words, and the first one spoke: "It is better to issue the edict of King Qin, summon, summon ......"

"Whom?" Zhao Huan asked with a blushing face.

Zheyan's army has already arrived in the city, Zhao Dian can't count on it, and Jiangxi is Zheyan's defense area, not to mention. The rest, there are only Jinghu Xuanfu Division and Sichuan Shaanxi Xuanfu Division, these two, is there a reliable one?

"Xu Liang's relatives are all in the city." Wang Ciweng took such a sentence. Immediately, he ushered in a disdainful gaze. 、

Zhao Huan sneered: "When you did something that day, you were afraid that you were not resourceful enough, what are you doing now?" ”

Huang Qianshan thought about it for a while, and said stubbornly: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid there is only one way to go now. ”

He is the prime minister, and the ministers are listening quietly, but hopefully the only way is not to throw in the towel.

"Say it." Zhao Huan sighed.

"Persuade Orihiko." Huang Qianshan said.

Zhao Huan listened and was speechless for a long time, and the other ministers also muttered in their hearts, is this possible? Zhi Yanzhi was very trusted by the "prince" before, and he bypassed the imperial court and directly issued an order for the Northern Expedition to him, wanting him to fight back?

"There's no way around it." Zhao Huan said helplessly. "Zhe Zhonggu used to be the king of Qin with the seed master Dao, and I saw that he was born seriously, both civil and military, and carefully cultivated and promoted, so that he has what he is today."

"Your Majesty, I heard that the reason why Zhe Zhonggu agreed to the Northern Expedition that day was because the prince allowed him to Jinghu." Huang Qianshan reminded. Just relying on the kindness of the old days, I am afraid that it will not be able to say that it will not be able to break the quality, and it will have to be practical to have any hope of working.

"What do you mean......" Zhao Huan asked.

"Restore the lord of the king of the county, and make him the ambassador of Jiangnan Jinghu Xuanfu." Huang Qianshan said. The Jiangnan he spoke of included Jiangnan West Road and Jiangnan East Road; Jinghu includes Jinghu North Road and Jinghu South Road. As a result, most of the army in the entire south was under the control of Zheyan.

Wang Zongwei questioned at this time: "Isn't it too much? ”

Zhao Huan said in a deep voice: "Things have come to this point, what else can be done?" Anyway, I have sent my own royal pen, but who will I send out of the city to meet him? ”

As soon as this question came out, the ministers in the hall held their breath, for fear that the emperor would call their names. Zhao Huan was furious: "Disaster is coming, where is your loyalty?" ”

"Your Majesty, can you ask for a ......?" asked Wang Ciweng.

On the evening of the same day, Zhi Yanzhi set up his troops in the north of Hangzhou, and in order to strengthen his momentum and intimidate the city, he ordered his soldiers to set up more bonfires in the camp. So much so that the defenders at the head of Hangzhou looked at it and saw only the lights in the barracks outside the city, and they didn't know that hundreds of thousands of troops were coming!

In his tooth tent, Xu Liang, Zhi Yanwen, and Zhi Yanshi were all there, discussing their next steps.

"It's the easiest to fight, but our army doesn't know the reality in the city, is it waiting for reinforcements to come?" Orihiko said. When they set off, Zhi Yanzhi gave an order to the headquarters of the Jiangxi Xuanfu Division, asking Zhi Yanruo to lead 10,000 horses to Hangzhou.

Zhi Yanzhi sat on it, heard this, and asked, "How is Xu participating in politics?" ”

"You can't fight until you have to. In my opinion, it is still in the city of books, clarifying our position, salute first, and then soldier. Xu Liudao.

"Xu participates in politics, of course, it is best if he can not shed blood. But the lowly thinks that it is unlikely. "Orihiko said.

Xu Liang waved his hand: "You listen to me, if this road doesn't work, then make a plan." ”

Although he is not a member of the Zhi family, he holds the emperor's yellow robe in his hand, and it is written on it that "listen to good moderation, such as I come in person", so the brothers of the Zhe family are not good at disobeying his will.

"Report! Xuanfu Xianggong, the old scripture is here! An officer reported in the account.

Hearing this, Zhi Yanzhi was taken aback, what is my father doing here? Don't......

The three brothers all changed their faces, and eagerly greeted them, and as soon as they came out of the tent, they saw that they were begging for a big stride. The three brothers of the Zhi family all stepped forward to salute, and Zhi Yanwen asked first: "Father, are you okay at home?" ”

Zhe Keqiu waved his hand and said, "Let's go in and talk about it." ”

The three brothers welcomed their father into the tent, and Xu Liang stepped forward to salute, only to hear the fold and beg: "Although the sky has changed in the city, it is not good for us and other old ministers. It's just that today, your brother led the troops to come, and the emperor ordered the servants to go to the palace to persuade his father to go out of the city. As soon as this one began, he shook the bottom clean, and it was not difficult to see his position.

"What did you say?" Orihiko asked.

Fold Ke begged and did not answer, took out Zhao Huan's handwritten edict from his arms, and handed it to his son. Zhi Yanzhi took a look, and the Emperor Taishang recalled with deep affection in the edict that he had cultivated and promoted himself during his reign. Then, he still insisted that he obeyed the will of heaven and the people, and returned to the throne. In the end, he came to a little practical, restored himself to the king of Fenyang County, and appointed him as the ambassador of Jiangxi, Jiangdong, Hubei, and Hunan.

After reading it, he held the edict in his hand and thought about it. Zhe Ke asked to see this, as if he wanted to say something, but he probably took into account Xu Liang's presence, and he stopped talking. Of course, Xu Liu could see it, but he was very uninterested and didn't leave.

The atmosphere was a little weird, although the two brothers Zhi Yanwen and Zhi Yanshi wanted to know what was written in the edict, but it was inconvenient to ask. Orihiko thought about it and didn't say a word. If you can ask for it, you can take into account that there are "outsiders", and it is not good to say much.

It was Xu Liang who was worried, and after reading the edict, he held it tightly in his hand, which made him very worried. He could almost guess what the Emperor Taishang said in the edict, it was nothing more than to defend himself, and then to give the Zhe family some sweetness, what else could there be?

Orihiko won't be tempted, right?

After a long while, I only heard Orihiko ask, "Father, how is the situation in the city?" ”

Speaking of this, Zhi Keqiu shook his head: "Luàn! Since the events of that day, all the gates have been forbidden. It didn't open until a few days ago, and the city was full of panic and rumors. ”

"What about the court?" Orihiko asked again.

"More luàn!" Zhe Ke sighed. "Most of the courtiers were dissatisfied with the restoration of the Emperor Taishang, and they begged to go, but now they are still in a stalemate. It is said that almost all the departments and offices have become decorations. ”

Xu Liang couldn't help but ask: "Zhegong, is there any official news?" ”

"I don't know." Zhe Keqiu shook his head. However, Prime Minister Zhu Shengfei was removed from office and succeeded by Huang Qianshan. Although the second prime minister, Zhao Dian, did not move, it is said that he was also at home behind closed doors and had never entered the middle school to manage politics. Other ministers were either demoted or dismissed, and the implication was widespread. Wang Zongwei served as the palace marshal, Wang Ciweng served as the governor, and Luo Ruji was also promoted to the governor of the imperial history. ”

"Hmph, Jī Inu ascends to heaven." Xu Liang sneered.

Zhi Keqiu looked at him and said cautiously: "Xu participated in politics, and you were also dismissed from the dispatch of 'participating in political affairs' and degraded Lingnan for resettlement." ”

Xu Liu sneered.

At that moment, because he didn't know the inside story, the brothers of the Zhi family told him about the incident of the day, as well as Xu Liang's escape, holding the edict written by the Son of Heaven and recruiting the teacher of King Qin. Zhe Keqiu is a standard military minister, unlike his son, so he behaves more cautiously. After listening, he said: "The emperor's family affairs, we shouldn't have intervened, since there is an edict from the Son of Heaven, you can think about it." ”

Zhi Yanzhi nodded: "Since my father is out of the city, don't go back tonight for the time being, and stay in the camp." At this point, let Zhi Yanshi accompany Zhi to ask for rest.

Subsequently, Zhi Yanwen also said goodbye, it stands to reason that Xu Liang should go by himself, but he can't rest assured, so he doesn't leave. Zhi Yanzhi obviously knew his intentions, so he handed over the edict in his hand: "Xu participates in politics, please take a look." ”

Xu Liang didn't shirk either, and after taking it, he took a closer look. After reading it, there was only one sentence: "Full of absurd words." ”

Orihiko laughed and did not comment. Xu Liang returned the edict and asked, "What is the intention of Xuanfu Xianggong?" ”

"What do you say?" Orihiko asked with a smile.

"I don't know." Xu Liu couldn't laugh at it.

Zhi Yan laughed when he heard this, and shook his head while laughing: "Why does Xu Shenzheng despise Zhi so much? Do you think that a mere edict can shake the heart of a certain king? Although the Emperor Taishang restored my old lord and entrusted me with the power of Xuanfu in all roads, but it is not right and right, and there is justice in it. ”

"That's right, the Emperor Taishang has the grace of knowing me. Back then, I joined the court with Xiao Zong Jingluo, and the soldiers were only thousands, and the officials were not low-grade. It is the cultivation of the Emperor Taishang that leads to today. It's not just me, your brother Xu Jiu, if it weren't for the support of the Emperor, would he be the commander-in-chief of the Western Army now? But the old favor returns to the old favor, and since the emperor has abdicated, he should be concerned about the government. The Son of Heaven is determined to forge ahead, has the image of Zhongxing, and has no immorality, how can he be taken from the throne? This is a major question of right and wrong, and there is no ambiguity in folding! ”

When Xu Liang heard this, he put down the big stone in his heart, and he also felt that his speculation was a little rude, so he saluted: "It's Xu Liang who has a lot of heart." ”

"Haha, no wonder you, Xu Shenzheng is entrusted by the Son of Heaven, so he should be cautious." Orihiko snorted haha.

His words on the surface, although not false, are too high-sounding. The more important reason is that his own inclination is the main battle, and he is even one of the standard-bearers of the main battle faction. In the later period of the reign of Emperor Zhao Huan, he was already obviously inclined to the main peace, this is not a personal grudge, this is a contradiction between the two lines!

Zhao Chen ascended the throne, and after several years of hibernation, he gradually revealed his ambitions. Determined to restore his homeland and be tough on Jin, this is in line with the wishes of army commanders such as Zhi Yanzhi and Xu Wei. In addition, Zhao Chen's reciprocal nature is also wooing, trusting, and reusing. even named him the king of the county and made him the "commander-in-chief" of the Northern Expedition.

Zhe Yanzhi knows very well that even if he now falls to Emperor Zhao Huan, reinstates the prince of Fenyang County, and becomes the ambassador of Jiangxi, Jiangdong, Hubei, and Hunan, so what? He advocated being tough on Jin and using force to expel Beiyi and recover his homeland. Can the Emperor do this? If he is bent on making peace with Kim, what is the use of holding soldiers himself? With hundreds of thousands of horse infantry troops every day? Playing with mud? If you oppose the line of the emperor, after the passage of time, it will be taken down sooner or later.

Considering these reasons, what is the reason to rebel?

"So what is Xuanfu going to do next?" Xu Liang arched his hand and asked, at this time, he no longer cared about "listening to Liang's orders, as if I came in person", because he found that it was impossible for him to command Zhiyan at all.

Zhi Yan thought for a while: "According to Xu's words to participate in politics, I will first go to the book city, clarify our position, and win the people first." My father can't go back to the city, I'm afraid it's risky......" Speaking of this, he remembered that Xu Liang's family was all in the city!

"Well, I'll draft this myself. Okay, it's not too early, Xuanfu Xianggong will rest early, Xu will go to draw up the text, but tomorrow he will go to the city! Xu Liang said.

"Okay, don't send it." Orihiko arched his hand. After Xu Liang left, he picked up the edict written by Emperor Zhao Huan again, glanced at it a few times, snorted, and threw it on the table.

At this end, Xu Liang returned to his tent, turned on the lamp, polished the ink, and after careful consideration, he worked hard to write. First of all, he made public what happened in Geling on October 13, and then showed that he was ordered by the Son of Heaven to recruit the army of King Qin to help, which was justified and had a basis in law and reason. Then, he pointed the finger at the "rebel ministers" led by Huang Qianshan, accusing them of "coercing" the emperor and restoring the throne. Call on people with lofty ideals, both officials and people, to rise up and attack it!

After writing, review it and sign it: Jiangxi Xuanfu Ambassador Zhe Yanqian,! ~！