Chapter 704 Earth-shattering in Jiangning

Yang Qi's face was embarrassed, he coughed and cleared his throat, and he didn't know what to say for a while. Net?

The hall was dull, and the Jiangnan gentry and magnates present had all kinds of pretentious righteous indignation or cynicism on their faces, while Song Ning sat in it with a sneer on his face, and watched how Kong Sheng or Yang Qi would end.

The so-called law does not hold the public accountable. Even if Kong Sheng knew that these people had joined forces to "force the palace", he was helpless, and he could not arrest all the famous and high-status Jiangnan gentry present and punish them. Don't say that he is just a county king, even an emperor, and he must not do this.

Because this will leave a lasting infamy and cause criticism from people all over the world.

Almost everyone's eyes were focused on Kong Sheng, Kong Sheng's expression was calm, and he stood quietly in front of the Langgan on this floor of Wangjiang Tower, watching the team with flags waving slowly turn around the foot of the mountain and continue to climb and march along the foothills.

At this moment, he had clearly seen that the honor guard flags belonging to the royal prince were hunting and flying in the mountain wind, and there were even many eunuchs and palace maids wearing court clothes in that procession. Kong Sheng knew that King Li Tong was about to arrive.

In fact, Li Tong, the king of Ding, was late at the ferry on the opposite side, and Kong Sheng had already gotten the news. As for why Li Tong hesitated, Kong Sheng knew it even better. Especially after Ji Guoweifu arrived in Jiangning, he understood Li Tong's thoughts.

For Li Tong, Kong Sheng has no bad feelings. In Kong Sheng's view, Li Tong's approach or mentality is actually very normal, and it can only be said to be a subconscious choice as a prince. Protect yourself and maximize your political interests. If it were Kong Sheng, it might be the same.

Kong Sheng slowly turned around and cast his deep gaze on Yang Qi again, a trace of embarrassment flashed in Yang Qi's eyes, he felt that today's matter was difficult to deal with.

Helping this group of Jiangnan gentry "attack" Kong Sheng, it was difficult for Yang Qi to do it. After all, the Yang family and the Kong family now have the friendship of Weng and son-in-law, and Kong Sheng's fall is not good for the Yang family. But on the other hand, in the face of the overall public opinion pressure of the Jiangnan gentry, it is difficult for Yang Qi to stay out of the matter.

"Yang Yuanjun, what are you still hesitating about? Since the gentry of Jiangnan have attacked the king, you don't have to be embarrassed, just deal with it impartially. However, you keep claiming that this king oppresses the gentry in Jiangnan, where is the evidence? This king has always done things right, not people, if the families here have not illegally occupied the people's land and property, why should they be afraid? Why resist the New Land Reform Deal? Since the Juntian Order, the imperial court has granted land to the people, which is the benevolent government of the imperial court to treat the people with land and support the people, but in recent decades, the imperial court's land has been encroached upon by various illegal means, so that the imperial court now has no land to grant, and so on, what else can you say? ! ”

Yang Qi smiled bitterly, got up and hugged his fists and said, "County King, take a break from the wrath of thunder." The old man thinks about it, and all the gentry in Jiangnan are also embarrassed......"

Before Yang Qi could finish his words, he was interrupted by a noisy and messy footsteps. A soldier of the Yancao Army hurriedly rushed up and hurriedly said to Song Ning: "My lord, His Royal Highness the Imperial Court Dingwang and the special envoy Zhang Xiaozhang have arrived!" ”

Dingwang? Yang Qi was stunned.

Song Ning frowned, and Huo Ran got up: "What did you say?" His Royal Highness has arrived? ”

"Exactly."

Song Ning was stunned. The emperor has a son, Li Tong, who is named the king, and everyone in the world knows about it. It's just that this young man Li Tong has lived in the deep palace for a long time, rarely interacts with the outside world, and there are very few people who are familiar with Li Dong. Song Ning and the others never thought that why did this young prince suddenly come to Jiangning?

The prince is here. Song Ning didn't dare to slack off, and immediately followed Yang Qi to go downstairs to greet him, but as soon as he reached the staircase, the young Li Tong and Zhang Xiao had already taken several palace guards and two little eunuchs in Tsing Yi upstairs to appear in everyone's field of vision.

Yang Qi took a deep breath, looked at Li Tong slightly, and saw that his well-dressed and delicate face was immature but implied a majestic and luxurious atmosphere, so he took a deep breath, and immediately led everyone to bow down: "Xiaguan Yang Qi and others meet His Royal Highness King Ding!" Greet Your Highness late, and ask Your Highness for forgiveness! ”

The young Li Tong was dressed in a yellow royal robe that only the prince could wear, wearing a carefree crown, with a slender figure and delicate eyebrows, and the whole person looked a little elegant and elegant.

Li Tong smiled slightly, waved his hand, and whispered in a harmonious voice: "Yang Envoy, please get up!" This king was ordered to come to Jiangning to preach the edict, and I heard that you were drinking and feasting on the Wangjiang Tower, so I took the liberty to come here directly, but it disturbed your Yaxing! ”

"Don't dare! Your Highness, please take your seat! Yang Qi and Song Ning hurriedly smiled and ordered their subordinates to set up seats for Li Tong and Zhang Xiao.

Li Tong smiled, and pointed at Zhang Xiao again: "This is Lord Zhang Xiaozhang, the imperial court superintendent, this time Lord Zhang was ordered to go to Jiangnan, and he met with this king at the Jiangbei ferry, so he came together." ”

Yang Qi and the others immediately looked at Zhang Xiao with suspicious eyes.

For Zhang Xiao, they are very unfamiliar. What is the supervision of the imperial history of the imperial court, what is he doing when he comes to Jiangnan in a good manner? Going to Gangnam? A deep suspicion passed through Yang Qi's heart.

Another kind greeting.

At this time, Kong Sheng walked slowly, bowed to Li Tong, and said lightly: "Kong Sheng has seen His Royal Highness King Ding!" ”

Li Tong smiled all over his face, and immediately avoided Kong Sheng's salute, which made Yang Qi, especially Song Ning and others, a little stunned, although Kong Sheng is the king of the county, but Li Tong is a prince and a prince, and his title status is above Kong Sheng, it is very normal to accept Kong Sheng's salute, but why does this young prince dare not accept Kong Sheng's posture of saluting?

But then Li Tong's behavior surprised everyone present.

Li Tong's expression was solemn, and he suddenly bowed to Kong Sheng: "Student Li Tong, meet my teacher!" ”

Li Tong's "My teacher" made Yang Qi and the others stunned.

In the past, Empress Zhang, through the emperor, asked Li Tong to worship Kong Sheng as a teacher and learn poetry. Although Kong Sheng has always refused to accept Li Tong's apprenticeship, there is actually a bit of teacher-student friendship between the two. At least in the circle of the elite in Chang'an, everyone knew that the young Li Tong was a student of Kong Sheng. It's just that Li Tong is not obvious among the princes, and it is only because of the existence of Empress Zhang that he seems to have some attention.

Kong Sheng smiled, and also avoided Li Tong's salute: "Why should Your Highness be like this? Your Highness, please take your seat! ”

This Kong Sheng turned out to be the teacher of His Royal Highness King Ding? This...... Song Ning chuckled in his heart, and an ominous premonition gradually surfaced in his heart. For Yang Qi, Kong Sheng can be the prince's teacher, which in itself explains a lot of problems. Although this king is inconspicuous, he is the queen's concubine. The emperor and the empress supported each other in difficult times, relied on each other, and lived together through hardships, which is a well-known thing in the world, and the emperor handed over Li Tong to Kong Sheng to teach, which at least shows that the emperor's trust is by no means ordinary.

Li Tong nodded, but set his eyes on the three daughters of Ji Guo who were standing in the corner with different expressions. Ji Guo snorted coldly with a look of dissatisfaction on his face. She was very dissatisfied with Li Tong's delay in coming to Jiangning, and she was still a little angry in her heart, so she didn't come to greet Li Tong. Su Wan and Yang Xueruo wanted to come forward to meet them, but they were stopped by Ji Guo.

Li Tong smiled, took the initiative to go to Ji Guo's three people, and saluted with a fist: "Sister Ji Guo, are you still angry with your little brother?" ”

Ji Guo sneered and said, "How dare the people dare to be angry with His Royal Highness? ”

Li Tong smiled bitterly: "Sister Ji Guo, you are simply tormenting the little brother when you say this." Okay, since you're all here, let's announce my father's edict first! Master Zhang, you come first! ”

After all, the edict is Li Tong's real mission, and he must fulfill his mission as soon as possible, otherwise it will be a disobedience to the decree. Of course, Zhang Xiao is also a messenger, and he also has a mission to proclaim. It is not a question of who comes first or second.

Zhang Xiao did not refuse, and immediately took out the emperor's holy decree from his arms, stood up, and read it out with an awe-inspiring face: "Kong Sheng, the king of Jiangning County, receives the decree!" ”

Kong Sheng stood up and bowed: "Minister Kong Sheng, take the order!" ”

“…… Promote Kong Sheng to be the envoy of the two provinces and the general of the hussars, set up the Jiangnan Metropolitan Governor's Mansion, and lead the two soldiers and horses in Jiangnan and Shannan, and give them double festivals...... Zhang Xiao, the superintendent of the imperial history, was ordered to be the observer of Jiangnan Province and assisted Kong Sheng in implementing the new land reform policy. ”

Zhang Xiao's voice was soft but clear into the ears of these people who participated in Song Ning's mother's birthday banquet, Yang Qi sighed lightly in his heart, and his heart was really like this! The emperor's favor to Kong Sheng was indescribable, and he changed his mind a few days after he was removed from military power. If this is called retreat as advance, then Kong Sheng is only a small step back, but a big step forward!

In this way, Kong Sheng not only restored the military and political power of the commander-in-chief, Jiangnan, Shannan, and Nandao, but also was given a double festival, which is a huge favor and trust that the emperor has rarely given to his subordinates for decades! More importantly, the imperial court appointed Zhang Xiao as an observer envoy of Jiangnan Province to assist in land reform affairs, which is equivalent to openly supporting Kong Sheng's new land reform policy!

Song Ning's face changed suddenly, and the Jiangnan gentry were even more gloomy. Since the imperial court openly supports Kong Sheng, will there be a good life for the wealthy families in Jiangnan in the future? The Jiangnan family joined forces and tried their best to plan behind the scenes, thinking that this time they would suppress Kong Sheng to the death, but the result was still empty!

Song Ning's heart suddenly sank to the bottom. He was a little frightened, Kong Sheng was given a double festival, which meant that Kong Sheng had the right to cut first and then play. If Kong Sheng takes the opportunity to attack the Song family, then ...... Song Ning clenched his teeth and became uneasy.

Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince...... The more Song Ning thought about it, the more flustered he became, he didn't know how the dignified prince of the East Palace, Li Yu, who was powerful all over the world, couldn't deal with a mere foreign minister? I want to know where Li Yu, who scolded Fang Xuan and commanded the country and led the army to encircle and suppress An Lushan's rebels? !

"King Kongjun, please accept the order!" Zhang Xiao respectfully handed over the holy decree to Kong Sheng, and then gave Kong Sheng a deep salute: "Your Majesty Zhang Xiao has seen the king of the county!" Since then, the lower officials will do their best to assist the king of the county and implement a new land reform policy, in order to achieve results and report to the imperial court! ”

Kong Sheng took the holy decree and handed it to Li Biao, who was standing behind him, and then smiled and said: "Lord Zhang is exempt, and please sit down, today is the birthday banquet of the mother of Lord Song Ning and Lord Song of the Jiangnan Yancao Transfer, as for the matter of land reform, let's talk about it later!" ”

Li Tong stepped forward with a smile, and suddenly said solemnly: "Kong Sheng takes the order!" ”

Kong Sheng took a deep breath, knowing that what Li Tong was going to announce was nothing more than the emperor's decree on marriage, although he didn't care, but for Ji Guo and other women, it was very important.

Kong Sheng knew that if he took over this will, it was equivalent to becoming the emperor's son-in-law, but Ji Guo had a deep affection for him, and now he could no longer live up to the beauty. So he hesitated a little, but still knelt down.

Ji Guo looked excited and happy, she reached out and pulled Yang Xueruo and Su Wan's hands, and then pulled the two girls forward together and bowed behind Kong Sheng.

Yang Qi guessed a few points.

But these Jiangnan magnates and family representatives present have already fallen into a blank state in their brains, and they don't know what will the emperor will announce when he sends a prince, isn't it enough to give Kong Sheng the grace of promotion?

Everyone's breathing gradually became rapid and nervous, including Yang Qi and Song Ning, they didn't dare to stand anymore, they could only kneel and bow to the ground with Kong Sheng. Just kidding, Kong Sheng, the king of Jiangning County, is kneeling, and Princess Ji Guo is kneeling, how dare they stand?

Li Tong cleared his throat and said word by word: "...... Qin ordered Yuzhen to return to the vulgar, and gave the wife of Jiguo as a wife, and gave the king of Jiangning County as his wife; Princess Guyun of Hui was canonized as the county lord of Anguo and gave the king of Jiangning County as his wife; Canonized Princess Su of Xixi as the lord of Raole County, and gave Kong Sheng as his wife. Canonized Yang Qinu Yang Xueruo as the princess of the county. Wang Li Tong was appointed as the marriage envoy, escorted Jiangnan with a guard of honor and wedding makeup, and presided over the wedding ceremony of the king of Jiangning County and the four daughters on behalf of me. ”

Yes?!!!

Including Song Ning, many Jiangnan gentry and magnates couldn't help but exclaim one after another.

It's shocking!

The emperor's own daughter, Princess Datang, and Yang Qi's daughter Yang Xueruo, Princess Hui and Princess Xixi, share a husband, which is simply incredible. The weight of grace, the grandeur of saints, sensational. also sent the prince as a wedding envoy to Jiangnan to preside over Kong Sheng's wedding, this kind of great honor and standard courtesy is actually difficult to describe with grace in a sense.

"Edict: Kongsheng, the king of Jiangning County, has made meritorious contributions to the imperial court, in recognition of his merits, he has given a side of the merit archway in front of the palace, and the regulations are the same as those of the prince. Ten female eunuchs and one gold and silver property were given to the palace, and they went to Jiangnan to listen to the dispatch and use. Tell the world that Kong Sheng is a virtuous minister and a capable minister of the Tang Dynasty, and I regard him as the descendant of my heirs......"

The young man Li Tong's clear voice echoed in the hall for a long time, Song Ning could hardly believe his ears, he was stunned and his face changed miserably, and he knelt there, his mind was blank.

With all this, how can he still have the qualifications and confidence to go against Kong Sheng?

The emperor's son-in-law, the emperor even ignored the face of the Tang royal family and the Tang Dynasty etiquette, let his daughter serve with other women, and publicly passed the edict to the world to make Kong Sheng a virtuous minister and capable minister of the Tang Dynasty, and regarded him as a son and nephew...... These dazzling halos have turned into heavy mountains, pressing on Song Ning's heart, making him breathless.

And many Jiangnan gentry almost fainted on the spot.

In this way, what else do they rely on to resist Kong Sheng's new land reform policy and the stormy suppression? They almost sensed the end of their home, their faces were as if they were dead, and the fear in their hearts rose to an extreme.

Kong Sheng was also a little surprised, he already knew about the emperor's marriage, but the emperor praised him to the outside world in his holy decree and declared that he regarded him as a son and nephew, so that he immediately realized that the emperor must have other plans this time.

But on this occasion, Kong Sheng could only accept the order to thank him.

"Minister Kong Sheng, thank you to my emperor Longen! Long live my emperor, long live," Kong Sheng bowed.

The three daughters of Ji Guo also bowed down happily, and Ji Guo was even more overjoyed and choked up. Yang Xueruo was also relieved, as Su and her daughters, they were originally princesses of different races, and the emperor's change of title to the lord of the Tang Dynasty was also for the purpose of marriage. Although the emperor did not canonize her, he directly gave her the title of princess of the county. That's a favor.

The princess of the county, at least it shows that the status of the third daughter of Ji Guo in the Kong family is the same. Yang Qi was also shocked, and immediately a little happy, he also bowed down: "Minister Yang Qi, thank you, long live my emperor!" ”

The daughter of the Yang family, rightfully identified as the princess of the county in the holy decree, was equal to the status of the emperor's own daughter, and married together, which in itself was a great blessing and supreme glory for the Yang family. From today on, the Yang family in Jiangnan will inevitably be famous all over the world because Yang Xueruo and Princess Ji Guo serve together. The power and political status of the Yang family have thus risen to a higher level. As Kong Sheng said, the Yang family has lost a lot, but has gained more.

Li Tong smiled: "Congratulations to the county king, congratulations to Sister Ji Guo, congratulations to the three county princesses!" ”

Li Tong stepped forward and helped Ji Guo's three daughters one by one. Only then did the third daughter happily greet Li Tong. Under the joy, Ji Guo no longer cared about Li Tong's "snobbery" before.

Kong Sheng got up, looked around at Song Ning and the others, and said lightly: "Everyone, get up too, Lord Song, today is your mother's birthday banquet, but this king and His Royal Highness King Ding still have state affairs to discuss, so don't go over!" ”

After speaking, Kong Sheng and Li Tong joined hands side by side and took Ji Guo's three daughters downstairs. Zhang Xiao didn't hesitate, and also got up and left. Before leaving, Kong Sheng's indifferent gaze swept over Song Ning's body and fell on Zhou Chang's body.

Zhou Chang was frightened and didn't dare to raise his head and face Kong Sheng. Shen Qing of the Shen family has been arrested, and the Wuxing Shen clan has basically come to an end, so what awaits the Yixing Zhou clan is probably some kind of bleak fate. Of course, if the two major families could willingly hand over the land they had occupied over the years and agree to liberate the population attached to the land, and give up a large number of benefits, Kong Sheng would not have beaten the two families to death with a stick.

Yang Qi pondered for a moment, and then got up without saying goodbye. When Yang Qi left the table, Liu Pingshan and other Jiangnan officials also looked at each other, hesitated slightly, and got up to leave one after another.

In the originally overcrowded hall, only Song Ning and some Jiangnan gentry remained. The gentry in Jiangnan looked at Song Ning, who also looked bleak, with frightened faces, not knowing what to do.

Song Ning stood there dumbfounded, as stiff as a puppet. He actually understood very well in his heart that the Song family was completely finished. As soon as the emperor's two earth-shattering decrees came out, Kong Sheng's power suddenly rose to an extreme, except for the emperor's personal visit, in this Tang Dynasty, no one can suppress Kong Sheng, and the imperial court publicly expressed its support for Kong Sheng's land reform, under the banner of land reform and investigation of Yancao, Kong Sheng will easily kill the Song family.

Today's Jiangnan official army is directly under Kong Sheng's command, and Kong Sheng can be mobilized in person, and there is no need to go through Yang Qi. In this way, even if he controlled five or six thousand Yancao troops, he would not dare to compete with tens of thousands of Jiangnan troops.

(End of chapter)