Chapter 863: Hunting and Ritual in the Palace

There was nothing to say that night, and the next day dawned.

Don't look at it as only one short night, but the things in the palace have already spread, of course, the matter of Concubine Xiao Shufei's ghost has not yet been known to the ministers, but the news that the chief steward of the Enlightenment Hall was burned to death by fire has been spread.

Whether it is the important ministers who participated in the court meeting, or the small officials in the yamen, everyone knows about it. Although Shi Zhongchen is usually a low-key person, where is his identity, the death of the Tang Dynasty eunuch is not a trivial matter. The so-called once a son of heaven and a courtier, the same is true for eunuchs, the older generation of eunuchs is gone, there must be a new generation of substitutes, so that the power pattern in the palace will change, and the eunuchs are the emperor's side, important internal aid from foreign ministers, take care of it in advance, set up friendship, it is still very necessary.

The officials speculated that it was estimated that Shi Aiguo was going to take the throne, and he couldn't think of anyone else except him. The palace is very large, and there are many eunuch leaders in it, and those who may become the chief administrator are weaker than Shi Aiguo in terms of qualifications, so everyone guesses that it is Shi Aiguo.

However, the ideas of the little officials are often not very reliable, because they can't get in touch with too many eunuchs, and they don't know too much about things in the palace, so they often predict wrong.

The important ministers are different, they all know that who can be the chief manager, who can spread the emperor's living news and mood in the future, it is not a matter of qualifications, but a matter of who the emperor likes. Therefore, who can be the chief manager of the palace, there is no need to guess, as long as you go to the court, see who stands behind the emperor and shouts "ascend to the dynasty", then who is the chief manager.

Since the first emperor Qin Shi Huang, eunuchs have been very important, and they are important enough to influence the situation of the court, although Shi Zhongchen has never pointed fingers at the government, but who can guarantee that his successor will not be like this? What's more, the current emperor is so weak, in this case, it is very likely to produce a powerful eunuch!

Therefore, the ministers are still very concerned about who can be the chief manager. Of course, this kind of concern is based on history, and there are lessons from the past, but no one expected that a weak emperor like Li Zhi did not have a powerful eunuch around him, but an empress appeared, which is really not as good as heaven!

Li Zhi didn't drag his feet today, he went to the early dynasty at normal time, and behind him was Shi Aiguo. Shi Aiguo's face was haggard, his eyes were red, and his eyes were big dark circles, showing that he had not slept all night!

The ministers all thought: "According to common sense, he has killed his brother, so he has to deal with the aftermath and rest for a few days." But today he is still following the court, which shows that he is the candidate for the next chief manager! ”

Shi Aiguo shouted: "Ascension! ”

The ministers fell to their knees together, and the mountain shouted long live. Li Zhi raised his hand and said, "You Aiqing is flat." The ministers immediately stood up and waited for Li Zhi to say something.

Li Zhi didn't directly say anything about Shi Zhongchen, no matter how important the chief manager in the palace was, it couldn't be more important than Li Ke's matter. He said: "I ascended the throne for a short time, and I did not show martial arts, so that the Quartet was rampant, and there were even clowns like Goguryeo and Baekje, who offended my Tang Dynasty. Therefore, I decided to hunt to show my martial arts. ”

In ancient times, hunting did not mean that the emperor rode out of the city on horseback and took a group of men to hunt rabbits and shoot pheasants, but a ritual, a kind of military exercise, which played a role in training. Sometimes, it is a good excuse to escape, for example, the enemy army attacks the capital, the emperor flees, and when he leaves the capital, he cannot say that he escaped, but said that he went hunting in other places.

Of course, in the early Tang Dynasty, there was no such rebellion as An Lushan, and Li Zhi was not Li Longji, he said that he was going to hunt, which was to show his martial arts and show the people of the world that he was able to write and martial arts, and was not a king who kept the success, but an immediate emperor with the ability to expand the territory.

Suddenly, when it came to hunting, the ministers were all surprised, what was going on, why did they go hunting? When they thought of hunting, the ministers immediately remembered Emperor Yang of Sui, who was the most fond of hunting and liked to hunt abroad. It's a pity that every time I hunt, the result is not very good, and when I went to the Turks to hunt, I was surrounded by Turkic soldiers, and I almost became my own prey!

Except for the eldest grandson Wuji and Wang Ping'an, no one knew the inside information, Ma Zhou was the first to jump out, he was the prime minister of Zhongshu Province, and he was in charge of making plans, and he had to do the hunting plan, he didn't agree, so he naturally had to be the first to come out and oppose it.

Ma Zhou said: "Your Majesty, where are you going to hunt?" The old minister thinks that there are many mosquitoes growing in the grass in Yingzhou, which is really not suitable for hunting! He thought that Li Zhi was going to take the royal conquest in person and to solve Li Ke in person. Li Ke's matter has a way to be solved, and there is no need for the emperor to come out in person.

According to the normal line of thinking, the ministers also thought so and spoke out against it.

Li Zhi had the heart to explain that he was just going out of the city and going around, and when the Dharma in the palace was done, he would come back. What kind of Yingzhou to go, just kidding, it's too far away, I don't have the good mood of Emperor Yang of Sui, I like to wander around when I have nothing to do, and I always can't go around!

Wang Ping'an immediately came out and said, "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, it is better to go hunting in the direction of Tongguan, and by the way, inspect the city defense of Tongguan." ”

The eldest grandson Wuji also walked out and said: "Your Majesty, it is better to let the envoys of various countries accompany you, watch the *** performance of my Tang Dynasty guards, accompanied by envoys from various countries, walking too far, it seems that it is not good, it is too tiring for the envoys." ”

Li Zhi hurriedly hummed and said, "I originally wanted to go to Youzhou for a walk, but the two Aiqing said so, then okay, let's just go to Tongguan!" It's just, isn't it a little close? ”

The ministers hurriedly said together: "Not close, not close, this is far enough." ”

Ma Zhou frowned and thought, "Good and decent, why are you hunting, is there something wrong in the palace?" Well, it should be that something happened in the palace, otherwise how to make the hunt like a wild tour. It's a little farther to go to Tongguan for wild travel, but it seems to be closer to Tongguan for hunting! ”

If something happened in the palace, I would know after a while, but I was not in a hurry, Ma Zhou said: "If you go to Tongguan, then the old minister will go to draw up a statement and set all the matters." I just don't know, when are you going to leave, Your Majesty? ”

Li Zhi said: "Well, this, of course, the sooner the better, it's better to go tomorrow, or go out of the city tonight!" He didn't want to stay in the palace for long, firstly, because he wanted to have fun, and secondly, he felt that the palace was gloomy, and he was a little uncomfortable with the dead.

Ma Zhou was taken aback and said, "Out of the city tonight?" Well, that's too hasty, isn't it? ”

The ministers all feel a little dry-mouthed, this thing is inevitably too sudden, how can you say that you can leave, the emperor leaves Beijing, no matter how far it is, it is a big deal, it is a big deal, you have to prepare in advance, at least three or five days, ten days and half a month is normal, how can you say that you will leave on the same day, and you will leave on the same day!

The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty feel that the emperor is behaving abnormally these days, I don't know who is under the influence of whom, anyway, it is abnormal, if you want to say that no one in the court, it seems that no one has this ability, even the eldest grandson Wuji does not have this ability, so the person who affects the emperor must be in the palace, who is in the palace, the queen? And she's the only one left, who else but her?

The ministers couldn't think of anyone else, so they became dissatisfied with the queen together, this woman was really a scourge, far inferior to the eldest grandson queen. She remembered that one came out of the other, and she asked the emperor to do it, what a disaster, the first emperor really looked away at the beginning, and chose such a person to be his daughter-in-law, a mistake, a big mistake!

The ministers couldn't think of any other reason, let alone who else in the palace, so they unanimously blamed the queen and the king. If the queen knew about this, she would have to die unjustly, and the emperor would not be with her overnight, what could she influence!

Wang Ping'an saw that the ministers were dissatisfied, and saw Li Zhichong glancing at him, so he hurriedly went to see the eldest grandson Wuji, but the eldest grandson Wuji twisted his head and pretended to look at the scenery. Wang Ping'an always did this action before, and he didn't want to be learned by the eldest grandson Wuji.

Wang Ping'an had no choice but to harden his head and said: "Just go, I will show that I am a saint and a hero, and I will act vigorously and resolutely. ”

The ministers glared angrily together, what kind of nonsense is this, taking the emperor's affairs as child's play? How can there be an emperor hunting, say that he will leave immediately after patting his ass, even if it is an ordinary person traveling far away, he has to prepare in advance!

Wang Ping'an said again: "Ladies and gentlemen, please think, if there is an enemy army attacking my Tang Dynasty, like the Turks used to do this kind of thing before, when the first emperor ascended the throne, didn't they come before, outside Chang'an City, drinking horses on the bank of the Weishui River, isn't this because of the raid!" Therefore, accidents can always happen, once there is a sudden war, the emperor has to deal with it, get the news, and immediately raise troops to meet the enemy, this is an important part of the show! Eldest grandson, you mean, right? ”

The eldest grandson Wuji sighed, so he had to say, "Yes...... Even if it's right! ”

Ma Zhou was very surprised, and said: "Lord Eldest Sun, how can you say it right, what Wang Ping'an said is clearly a strong word!" ”

Li Zhi said: "How can this be regarded as a strong word, it is clearly a loyal word!" Well, this matter is decided, I will go out of the city first, and take the forbidden army first, as a sign of emergency military situation, and the army can set off later. Also, Shi Zhongchen unfortunately passed away last night, and I plan to let Shi Aiguo inherit his position, do you have any objections? ”

Ma Zhou glanced at the ministers in the palace, and saw that the ministers were all frowning, but no one squeaked, so he had to speak up again.

He said: "Your Majesty, the old minister thinks that the government should discuss one by one, discuss one thing, and then discuss the next one." Yesterday's matter of Li Ke was supposed to let Shi Zhongchen go to announce the decree, but he passed away that night, so who should be sent, this has not been discussed, but the emperor is going to hunt again, and the itinerary has not been discussed, and he said that Shi Aiguo will be the general manager! There are many things, but there is no clue, and the major affairs of the country cannot be discussed like this! ”

Li Zhi said: "This is one thing, I know it in my heart, there is no need to discuss it anymore!" With that, he stood up, flicked his sleeves, and walked down.

The ministers had no choice but to send off the holy driver. Wang Ping'an straightened his waist, looked at Ma Zhou, and thought, "Just this little thing, do you think it's a lot?" The emperor hasn't said anything about building a new palace, if you say it, you won't faint! ”

Ma Zhou slowly straightened his waist, unexpectedly, he didn't have a too embarrassed look on his face, after being thrown off his sleeves by the emperor, as an important minister, there was no embarrassment, but his face was quite happy!

This time, Wang Ping'an was taken aback, and thought: "No, is he old and confused, how could he be thrown off his sleeves by the emperor, not angry, but happy, even if he wants to be a loyal minister, the emperor's thunder and rain and dew have to be happy, and there is no need to look like this!" ”

Ma Zhou touched his beard and said with a smile: "The emperor is arbitrary today, but he looks like a first emperor!" ”

For an old prime minister, he has never seen any storms, even if Li Zhi behaves abnormally and makes some unreasonable demands, he can accept it, and Li Ke's matter, as well as the hunting matter, can be solved, and it is not a serious matter. Ma Zhou was originally dissatisfied, but as soon as Li Zhi flicked his sleeves, he was immediately full, and he was very full.

Ma Zhou is not afraid, national affairs will never be dealt with, if this one is done, there will be the next one, if this one is not done, maybe the next one will come, isn't it the minister who deals with things. But for the courtiers, they are not afraid of many things, they are afraid that the emperor will be cowardly, and Li Zhi is just a cowardly person, if he is not cowardly, he really can't be the emperor, but since he has become the emperor, no matter how cowardly he is, he can't be cowardly.

Li Zhi and his courtiers are easy to talk and discuss, although they are very Mingjun, but Ma Zhou does not appreciate it much, generally speaking, cowardly people are like this. But Li Zhi was arbitrary, and when he flicked his sleeves, he immediately appreciated it, the emperor, when it should be arbitrary, it should be arbitrary, this is called the emperor. Li Zhi flicked his sleeves, he looked like an emperor, Ma Zhou saw it, of course he was very happy!

Ma Zhou touched his beard, looking like the emperor had finally grown up, and said with a smile: "There is no disease, the emperor is wise, there is no doubt about this." But you are a fool, you can't say anything the emperor, you can say anything! Something happened in the palace, what happened, let's hear it! ”

The eldest grandson Wuji snorted beside him and said, "He, he may not be able to explain clearly, let's let the old man talk about it!" He and Ma Zhou walked out side by side.

Wang Ping'an was a few steps behind and didn't follow, he was thinking, it's time to go to the Inspiration Temple, go to Master Xuanzang, so that he can enter the palace to do things, although it is purely superfluous, but the face work, what should be done, has to be done.

was looking down to think about things, and suddenly heard that at the entrance of the palace, Ma Zhou said loudly: "The palace is haunted? Nonsense, this is absolutely impossible! ”

The eldest grandson Wuji said: "This may not be possible, let's whisper, the haunting is indeed strange, but the people in the palace are not very reliable......" His voice was lowered, and Ma Zhou stopped talking loudly, and the two nodded as they walked, and gradually moved away.

Wang Ping'an did not leave the palace immediately, he went to Menxia Province first, and wanted to explain the relevant matters of the practice, and the emperor went out of the city to hunt, and Menxia Province also had to make some preparations.

As soon as I entered the gate, I saw a person trotting out inside, but it was Li Yifu. Li Yifu was a little haggard, he trotted up to greet him, and said, "Xiangye, are you back?" There is a big event in the court, you are tired, the villain will make you tea! ”

When Wang Ping'an saw him, he felt a little uncomfortable, heyed, and said with a smile: "Then there will be work." Well, you slept well last night, I see that there are red threads in your eyes, this is the appearance of insomnia! Well, you, don't think too much about everything, it's easy to hurt yourself. ”

He patted Li Yifu on the shoulder and said, "I prescribed a medicine to calm the queen yesterday, at the imperial doctor's place, you go to the imperial doctor's office, just say what I said, take a few doses for you, just take it, and you can fall asleep!" ”

Li Yifu was grateful, at least on the surface, even claiming to be grateful. Wang Ping'an ignored him and went into the lobby.

But the officials in the other houses saw everything in the courtyard, they didn't know what was going on, and everyone was just thinking in their hearts: "This Li Yi Mansion won't be favored by Wang Xiangye, and it will be developed from now on!" ”