Why the emperor summoned the two princes back to Beijing is well known to passers-by. Yang Zhi was not bad, the emperor really didn't give the two excited baby sons any good fruits to eat, and it could even be said that he poured a basin of cold water on his head.

Since Ning Wang Zhao Dang and Kang Wang Zhao Dang arrived at the Baqiao Pavilion on the fifth day of the first month of March, they have been hung there and ignored for several days. After four whole days, there was still no movement on the emperor's side.

On this day, Wang Yunong, the first assistant, and Zhang Qian, a newly promoted cabinet scholar, went to the imperial study to perform together, and Zhang Qian smiled carefully when he retired: "Your Majesty, it has been a few days since King Ning and King Kang arrived in Beijing, do you think it is ......?" ”

"Huh?" The emperor said expressionlessly: "Zhang Qing, don't you think I'm confused?" My memory has always been very good. I'm not in a hurry, what are you anxious about? ”

Knowing that the emperor's words were not good, Zhang Qian still kowtowed: "The two princes are not only noble princes, but also ministers who have made great contributions in Great Xia. Suffering such a cold reception, it is unreasonable to be emotional, reasonable, and systematic. Weichen dared to speak falsely, hoping that the emperor would forgive his sins. ”

The emperor snorted coldly: "I have my own opinions on this matter, there is no need for Zhang Qing to worry about it, don't say more." ”

After the two retired, Zhang Qian's face was as usual, without the slightest panic, and there was a faint smile on the corner of his mouth. Wang Yunong shook his head slightly, with a little more disdain in his eyes: This person is so scheming!

Zhang Qian was born in poverty and was a well-known capable official in Great Xia, and his experience itself was a living textbook for grassroots scholars. He was the first batch of scientific examination scholars hired by the current Emperor of Great Xia after he ascended the throne, and he became an official at the age of twenty. Starting step by step from the most basic level of Bapin County, he has worked hard in the officialdom for more than 20 years, and has just passed the age of forty years to become the official of the household department. The million-dollar Xia army has been fighting abroad for many years, and the Hubu Shangshu, who is responsible for logistics support, is the number one drudgery among many ministries. However, during Zhang Qian's tenure, although it was common for the treasury to have almost no overnight silver, he never pulled the emperor's hind legs, nor did he complain to the emperor, so he was greatly appreciated by the emperor and promoted to the cabinet to worship the prime minister.

Such a benevolent brother with extremely solid officialdom qualifications has already become a human essence among human beings. Who would dare to say that he is not experienced? Who would dare to say that he lacks political wisdom? What is the emperor's intention to treat the two kings like this, who dares to say that he will not be able to see it? But he just wanted to say it.

Every word and deed of the emperor will be included in the living notes by full-time attendants. Zhang Xiang advised the emperor to treat the two kings well, and I believe that it will soon be known to the whole dynasty. Not to mention that not a single hair is missing, he has already sat in the name of daring to give direct advice. No matter who becomes the emperor in the future, King Ning and King Kang will not bury his favor of Zhang Xiang.

At present, there are seven scholars in the cabinet, except for Xu Wenhan, only Zhang Qian has not yet passed the age of knowing the destiny of heaven, which is the golden age of a politician. The first assistant Wang Yunong and the second assistant Wu Qingyuan are both old men who are over seventy years old and have gray hair. Soon it will be time to make room for young people. If Zhang Qian doesn't have any ideas, it is abnormal. The worst thing is just a few reprimands by the emperor, based on reality, focusing on the long term, it is very worthwhile!

Zhang Qian is by no means the first person to have the idea of planning for the future.

People know that one of the two masters who stayed in the pavilion was the future emperor. There is no explicit prohibition on courtiers and officials from having personal dealings with each other, and in order to have a better life in the future, it is worth taking some innocuous risks now. After watching for two or three days and still not summoning the second king's holy decree, people from the Chinese Wu Dynasty went to the Baqiao Pavilion to greet each other. It's just that no one dares to wear official uniforms, and the grades are not high, most of them are below the fifth grade, and the vast majority of them are over forty years old.

Zhao Dang and Zhao Dang are fledgling, they are both characters who command heavy troops and have no power to fight back, how can they be idle people? was recalled to Beijing to compete for the crown, how could there be fewer henchmen and advisers around him? I knew that the little trick of arriving in Beijing together was messed up, and it touched the emperor's mold. Maybe the test of fighting for storage begins from this moment, and whoever can't hold his breath is a fool!

Therefore, the two kings were very tacitly not impatient and patiently waited for the emperor's decree to summon them. And the officials who went to Baqiao to greet each other, without exception, were all closed. Although they each sent the steward and chief bookkeeper around them to come forward to support, they didn't even accept the prayer post. only dryly put down the sentence "My prince has no outsiders", and did not even say a symbolic thanks: just kidding! I was deflated without even seeing the emperor's father's face, and you still dare to meet the courtiers at the pavilion? The second half of the sentence that catches people's hearts is usually a bad intention!

The emperor threw his two sons to dry in the Baqiao Pavilion for five days. It was not until the morning of the sixth day that the decree was issued: Wang Yunong, a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and Chen Wenyuan, a lieutenant of the Privy Council, were ordered to go out of the city to greet the two princes, and the two of them were allowed to use Prince Luanyi to enter the palace immediately.

Wang Yunong and Chen Wenyuan were listed as the chief ministers of civil and military affairs, and they were clearly allowed to use Prince Luanyi to swagger through the market, and the emperor gave his two sons enough face. slapped and gave a sweet date, which turned out to be the emperor's masterpiece.

On the way out of the palace. Chen Wenyuan sighed: "Yunong, I won't tell you, the old man agrees with Zhang Xiang's advice the day before yesterday. Speaking from the heart, the two princes are indeed people who have made great contributions to Great Xia, no matter what the emperor's intentions are, they have done a little bit. ”

Wang Yunong shouted: "Wen Yuan is cautious! The emperor is really a son of power, do you want me to explain it to you word by word? Previously, the two princes held heavy troops and thousands of troops under their command, and they were indeed imposing. The emperor hung them for a few days, just to dissipate their sharpness and let them collect their arrogance. It is necessary to know that this time is different from the past, this is Chang'an! While considering the hearts and minds of the two kings, it is also to remind them that the situation above the temple in the future may not be much easier than that of leading the army to conquer!

"There is another section, why did the emperor order you and me to meet each other? The emperor knew that none of the two princes were fuel-efficient lamps, and he didn't want them to collude with important officials in the court as soon as they entered Beijing. Who are you and me? The official is the best, and he is about to retire, he is a person buried in the neck of the loess, what else do you want? ”

Chen Wenyuan scolded with a smile: "You old thing! The old man just sighed, and he invited you to talk so much. The old man has led the soldiers to fight all his life, if he is really a fool with a straight intestine, how can he live to this age? ”

Immediately said: "Do you know why the emperor ordered you and me to go out of the city to welcome the two kings today?" For tomorrow morning there may be another decree. ”

Wang Yunong stopped and asked, "Oh? What is the emperor's will tomorrow? ”

Chen Wenyuan lowered his voice and said: "The Privy Council has received a secret report from Ye Chuang, the general of Tongguan three days ago, that General Yongyi and Hou Wei Feiyang of the third-class Zhennan have only led ten personal soldiers and have entered the customs lightly. Yesterday evening and sunset, Wei Feiyang Xiema stayed, only more than 100 miles away from Chang'an. ”

Wang Yunong nodded slowly and said, "I see." The two princes just let it dry for ten and a half more days, and the emperor will never be in a hurry, but this person can't afford to wait for a moment! ”

Chen Wenyuan's old eyes immediately glowed with an inexplicable eagerness: "The old man never dreamed that in his twilight years, he would not only see a Yang Zhi in Daxia, but also such a magical genius boy!" As long as these two people are here, who will be able to compete with Great Xia in the future? ”

"Yunong, not to mention anything else, if Wei Su has a son, he will be better than you and me! The kid was young before, and the old man didn't care. This time when I returned to Beijing, the emperor couldn't blame him for not taking care of so much, and he must have a good experience! ”

Wang Yunong said with a solemn face: "You are old, don't hurt other people's children." Because of his young age, he can't tell what the future will be. It's really hard for this kid! Pity! Pity! ”

Chen Wenyuan held his head high, threw him down and strode forward: "Don't you forget who his sworn brothers are?" What bird variables can there be? What's the pity? I don't dare to say to others tomorrow, Yang Zhi will definitely go to Baqiao to greet him! It's not too early, let's go, let's go! ”

Although the emperor issued an order early in the morning, when Wang Yunong and Chen Wenyuan laid out a full set of Prince Luanyi and led a group of officials to Baqiao, the two princes and five people crossed the city and came to the palace gate, it was already past noon and the early hour. According to the regulations of the Great Xia Dynasty, it is a very serious and sloppy event to welcome the commander of the army or the prince to return to the dynasty.

Unexpectedly, the emperor did not announce that the two princes would meet at the same time, but first summoned King Kang Zhao Dare to the palace, and there were only a few words, which was a bit outrageously simple.

After Zhao Dare made three kneeling and nine kowtowing to the monarch, the emperor bowed his head slightly, and said warmly like a homely conversation: "Dare, I have worked hard all the way. I've been busy lately, so let's go back home and reunite with your family, and wait for my will with peace of mind! ”

The words at that time when I met Zhao were no different, and he only asked one more question: "Dang'er, do you know why I summoned Da'er to meet him first?" ”

Zhao Dang bowed and said: "Erchen thinks that Erchen and the third brother are siblings, and there is no need to care about which comes first. The father and emperor did this for a reason, and the sons did not dare to speculate. ”

Zhao Dang's reply without thinking about it can be described as impeccable. The emperor nodded with satisfaction and said: "The saints all say that the young and the young are orderly, and you are the elder brother, it is rare for you to have this magnanimity." As the saying goes, the palms and backs of the hands are all meat, and you can rest assured that I will not favor one over the other. However, Rong Zhen said something heartbreaking, saying that you have no idea in your heart, that plan is a lie. Guess why I summoned you first? ”

Zhao Dang kowtowed again and replied: "The son is dull, please make it clear to my father." ”

"It's simple." The emperor sneered: "Because Youzhou to Chang'an is closer than Suizhou!" You tell me? - Retreat! (To be continued.) )