Xu Liang really couldn't figure it out, now is the time when the political situation in the northwest is turbulent, as the empress of the former dynasty and the sister-in-law of the current emperor, how could Zhang Yan choose to leave the palace at this time and enter Shanxi.

Shaanxi is connected to the Shanxi border, and Xu Liang seems to have a hunch that Empress Yi'an Zhang Yan will go to Beijing this time, and it is very likely that she will come to Shaanxi and have something to do with her.

Because Zhang Yan's whereabouts were still uncertain, Xu Liang felt that it was necessary to wait a little longer, so he rushed to Xu Liang when he was in the palace, Zhang Yan had helped Xu Liang through the difficulties, and Xu Liang also decided that if Zhang Yan's destination for leaving the palace this time was Shaanxi, then Xu Liang, as a landlord, should also stay and receive a good reception.

However, the war in Turpan could not be postponed, so Xu Liang ordered Duan Zhigang to pay close attention to the movements of Zhang Yan, the queen of Yi'an, and sent people to send an order to He Huchen and He Renlong, and ordered the two to lead the army to attack Turpan City.

Outside the city of Taiyuan, Shanxi, a team from Beijing is passing around the city. The banner of the team is the banner of Empress Zhang Yan of Yi'an. However, although Zhang Yan's position in the palace is noble as the queen, her identity in the court is very embarrassing. Because she, the queen, is the queen of the former dynasty. It has been a tradition since ancient times that people go to tea and cool, and now the government and the opposition only have Emperor Chongzhen and Empress Zhou in their eyes, and as for Zhang Yan, the outdated queen, the majority of officials have little interest in flattery.

On the luxurious carriage, Zhang Yan lifted the corner of the curtain and looked at the pedestrians outside with interest. She was very emotional, since she married into the royal family, as soon as she entered the palace gate, it was as deep as the sea, and for many years, she got up every day like a bird in prison, and when she looked up, she could only see the unchanged sky.

Monotonous and boring.

After more than ten years, I can see the rivers and rivers of the Ming Dynasty with my own eyes again, and the people are like going back to more than ten years ago, when I was still the youngest daughter of the Zhang family, I followed my father to the clinic every day, collecting medicine, simple and happy.

"It's been a long time!" Zhang Yan sighed with emotion, pointed to a few big buffaloes by the river with disgust, and shouted into the car: "Suqin, look at it, buffalo!" The big tall and strong buffalo! ”

With Zhang Yan's call, a beautiful face came out of the car, but it was Feng Suqin, the eldest lady of the Xu Mansion. Feng Suqin was also very happy when she saw it, and watched happily with Zhang Yan.

The team moved forward until they couldn't see the buffaloes anymore, and Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin sat back in the car. The two laughed for a while, and then heard Ru'er, the eldest palace maid of Cining Palace, walk to the carriage and ask, "Niangniang, Xu Ge said that we have also traveled for two or three hours, and we will rest for a while by the forest in front." ”

Zhang Yan said: "Listen to the old man." ”

Ru'er didn't speak again, and heard the footsteps walking away, obviously going back to Xu Ge to get old.

In the car, Zhang Yan pondered for a while, and then said to Feng Suqin: "Sister, I was able to get out of the palace gate this time, but I was still stained with my sister's light." Otherwise, I can only hide in the deep palace and grow old alone for the rest of my life. ”

Feng Suqin hurriedly took a sip and said angrily: "Where did Niangniang speak." Today, the emperor and the queen are very respectful to the mother, and they will not treat the mother badly. ”

Zhang Yan listened, shook her head slightly, and sighed: "It's different." The emperor and queen respect me, and that's because of the status of the imperial sister-in-law. However, the palace rules of the Ming Dynasty have been there for many years, and no matter how much the emperor and queen respect me, it is absolutely impossible for me to leave the palace easily. I have been in the palace for more than ten years, and I don't know how many concubines and palace maids I have seen who are full of gray hair, but still can't get out of the palace gate. ”

Feng Suqin looked at Zhang Yan's beautiful face, thinking that Zhang Yan was so young, it was the time when women were the most delicate, but they had to stay in the deep palace of Jingshi, blocked by the high palace walls, and every day from sunrise to sunset, this day was also a little harder. Not to mention Zhang Yan, even if Feng Suqin herself has only been in the palace for such a short period of time, she feels unbearable.

Feng Suqin's eyes blinked, and she said, "Niangniang, this time we finally came out, so we don't want to go back to the deep palace." The palace is cold and cold, and there are so many rules that it can suffocate people to death. ”

When Zhang Yan heard this, she was very moved, and then she became depressed, took Feng Suqin's hand, shook her head and said, "Sister, you are now allowed to leave the Beijing Division, and when you return to Shaanxi, you can sit back and relax with the protection of Lord Xu, the governor of Shaanxi." It's just that I have a special identity, and being able to leave the palace this time is the result of Xu Ge Lao and Wen Ge Lao's hard persuasion in front of the emperor. After staying in Shaanxi for a month or two, he will be ordered to return to Beijing. ”

As she spoke, Zhang Yan's expression darkened, and the good mood just now was gone.

Feng Suqin felt sorry in her heart, so she clenched her fists and said firmly: "Niangniang don't worry too much, when you arrive in Chang'an, you will see Xianggong." I went to ask Xianggong to let him keep you, and with Xianggong's ability, I believe he can always think of a way. ”

When Zhang Yan heard this, she was moved in her heart, and joked to Feng Suqin: "Yes, your father-in-law's ability is great!" Even the emperor had to accommodate him. ”

Feng Suqin giggled, "Yes, yes, if my father-in-law is not very capable, how can he bother Queen Yi'an to go out in person!" ”

Zhang Yan scolded with a smile: "It's really getting more and more unruly, and you dare to make fun of this palace!" See how I clean you up! As she spoke, Zhang Yan sighed with both hands and reached out to scratch Feng Suqin's armpits.

The two laughed and played for a while, and then they were a little tired.

After a while, the team stopped to rest, and Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin packed up their clothes and got off the carriage together. The palace maid Ru'er and the two eunuchs brought hot water, and the two drank some. I saw Xu Guangqi, the first assistant of the cabinet, walking over slowly.

"Niangniang and Mrs. Xu have worked hard all the way." Xu Ge Lao Shi Li said.

Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin hurriedly returned the gift. Zhang Yan said: "The old man is serious. The palace was able to come out of the palace, thanks to the elder pavilion. ”

Xu Ge Lao shook his head and said: "Lao Niang Niang is out of the palace, and the old minister is really helpless, and I also ask the mother to do it for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, don't blame the old minister for making his own opinions." ”

Zhang Yan said secretly: I was bored to death in the palace, and I was wishing for a chance to come out for a walk. Immediately said to Xu Ge Lao: "Ge Lao is too worried. As a member of the royal family, Hongu is also happy to be able to do his little bit for the court. Rest assured, after arriving in Shaanxi, Sister Suqin and I will definitely persuade Xu Liang to send troops to support Shanxi. ”

Xu Ge stroked his long beard and exclaimed movingly: "In this way, it is really a fortunate thing for the Ming Dynasty." ”

Xu Ge came over, and there was nothing to do with it, just came over to greet him. After greeting for a while, Xu Ge Lao walked away very interestingly. Walking into the distance, Xu Ge Lao turned around and saw Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin talking and laughing quietly like sisters. The palace maid on the side laughed and joined in, and Xu Ge nodded secretly.

It seems that he has made the right move. If Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin can say that Xu Liang sent troops to Shanxi, quelled the rebellion in Shanxi, and freed the people of Shanxi from suffering as soon as possible, then what would it be to give up the position of first assistant at your fingertips!

Despite this, he recalled that more than ten days ago, in front of Wen Ge Lao and Emperor Chongzhen, Xu Ge Lao personally said that he was old and frail, unable to do so, and could not be qualified for the position of first assistant, and recommended Cabinet Minister Wen Tiren to serve as the next cabinet first assistant of the Ming Dynasty. Although he comforted himself again and again afterwards: it was for the Ming Dynasty, for the sake of the country, and for the people of Li in the northwest!

I have comforted myself thousands of times, and my heart is still as painful as a knife!

Yu Dazhong and Wang Xian went to Xu Liang to borrow troops, which was arranged by Xu Gelao. The court has no money, and it can't draw troops, and the only thing that can be counted on is the Shaanxi soldiers who are close at hand. However, Yu Dazhong and Wang Xian soaked Xu Liang in Chang'an City for almost a month, but they didn't borrow a single soldier.

Seeing that Gao Yingxiang, who was entrenched in Shanxi, Wang Ziyong and other leaders of the People's Army had finished the New Year, and began to toss Shanxi again.

And above the court, a new round of quarrels began on the issue of the first assistant Zhou Yanru's stay and stay! Xu Ge is physically and mentally exhausted, and he wants to protect Zhou Yanru but he is powerless! However, the situation in Shanxi cannot be delayed for a moment.

And Xu Liang, who was stunned, turned into an iron rooster, not pulling out a hair, uh no, he was not a soldier! Faced with this situation, Xu Ge thought about it for three days and three nights, and finally found a breakthrough from Feng Suqin, the eldest lady of the Xu Mansion who stayed in the palace.

Xu Ge Lao is convinced that Xu Liang is stubborn and obedient to the donkey. It is far from enough for him to willingly send troops to Shanxi, and to rely on himself to show affection and reason to him, and to ask for patriotic feelings and national righteousness. And it seems that Xu Liang's patriotic feelings are far from being as deep as Xu Gelao expected.

At this time, when you talk to him about loyalty and patriotism, it is simply playing the piano to the cow.

Elder Xu Ge could only make a ruthless move to persuade the people around Xu Liang and let these people persuade Xu Liang to send troops. Xu Ge thought about it for a long time, and finally thought of Feng Suqin. She is Xu Liang's main wife, and it is said that the two have a very deep relationship, and they have shared joys and sorrows, and they can be regarded as a husband and wife in distress. Moreover, Feng Suqin is the former governor of Jiliao, after Xiong Tingbi, he was born in a family of eunuchs, and he has been taught by Governor Xiong since he was a child, so there should be no problem in being loyal to the monarch and patriotism.

As soon as Xu Ge Lao found an opportunity to tell Feng Suqin what he thought, Feng Suqin immediately promised Xu Ge Lao that he would persuade Xu Liang to send troops.

However, husband and wife must be husband and wife, Feng Suqin loves Xu Liang deeply, if Feng Suqin's persuasion fails, but Xu Liang rebels, it will be too bad. For the sake of insurance, Xu Ge Lao set his target on Zhang Yan, the queen of Yi'an. Zhang Yan is the queen of the former dynasty, and her loyalty to the Ming Dynasty is beyond doubt. What's even more rare is that Zhang Yan understands righteousness and has a good relationship with Feng Suqin, the eldest lady of Xufu, if she goes to Shaanxi with her to help persuade Xu Liang, then the success will be much greater. What's more subtle is that it is said that Zhang Yan, the queen of Yi'an, seems to have a little friendship with Xu Liang himself.

After thinking about it, Xu Ge decided to persuade the emperor to let Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin go to Shaanxi.

Then Xu Ge Lao faced a big problem. First of all, Feng Suqin was left in the palace by Emperor Chongzhen, and the purpose was to put Feng Suqin under house arrest, so as to prevent Xu Liang from leading the army to rebel for a while. It is not easy to ask the emperor to be willing to let Feng Suqin go back to Shaanxi, which is equivalent to returning to the mountains with a tiger.

The second is Zhang Yan's identity. That's even more troublesome. Zhang Yan is the queen of the previous dynasty, although there is no weight in the hearts of the ministers, but the position is there, the Ming Dynasty has been established for more than 200 years, and the concubines of the former dynasty have only been martyred in addition to the funeral, and they can only stay in the cold palace and die alone. As for arranging to leave the palace, or even inspecting to the local government and county, it is even more unseen and unheard of!

Xu Ge Lao once mentioned it to the emperor once, but the emperor decisively vetoed it.

There was no way, Xu Ge Lao had no choice but to unite all the forces that could be combined to help the emperor make this determination. Other people, such as Wang Guoguang, the secretary of the Ministry of Officials, Li Tengfang, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Yang Guodong, the secretary of the Ministry of War, are all easier to say, at least the face of the second assistant of the old cabinet of Xu Ge is there, and these people will sell face to some extent.

However, Cabinet Secretary Wen Tiren was very difficult to deal with. Because last time, Wen Ge Lao tempted Wen Ge Lao with the position of the first assistant, and asked Wen Tiren to help arrange Yu Dazhong, the squire of the military department, and Wang Xian, the commander of the ministry, to serve as the governor and prefect of Shanxi. Then afterwards, the first month of Chongzhen's sixth year has passed, although Zhou Yanru, the first assistant of the cabinet, has not been in the court, but the throne of the first assistant is still Zhou Yanru's, although Wen Tiren is in a hurry, but because of the controversy between the DPRK and China, Wen Tiren can only be anxious. The point is that Elder Xu Ge, the second assistant of the cabinet, doesn't seem to have made any moves, as if he has forgotten his promise to Wen Tiren.

Wen Tiren felt that he had been fooled by Xu Ge Lao, and he was very annoyed. When Xu Ge Lao came to the door again to ask him for a hand, Ren Xu Ge Lao explained the stakes thoroughly, and said that his saliva was dry, Wen Tiren kept humming haha and did not respond positively.

Elder Xu Ge knew that Wen Tiren couldn't see dry goods, so he wouldn't help. However, the emperor has more and more trust in Wen Tiren, and his words are more important in the emperor's heart, and without Wen Tiren's support, Xu Ge Lao really can't play. Elder Xu Ge felt very lonely, very depressed, and very resentful! is also a cabinet minister, he Xu Guangqi is racking his efforts for the people of the Ming Dynasty and running around, but Wen Tiren only has his own small interests in his eyes, regardless of the government and politics, regardless of the people, his eyes are only staring at the throne of Shoufu! Regarding Xu Gelao's plan, Wen Tiren not only did not vigorously support it, but took the opportunity to blackmail and pull back.

For the sake of the people of Shanxi, Xu Ge bit his teeth and stomped his feet, and in the Heart Cultivation Palace, Xu Ge Lao said in person that he recommended Wen Tiren to be the first assistant.

After that, Wen Tiren was more attentive than Xu Ge Laodu about arranging for Zhang Yan and Feng Suqin to go to Shaanxi, and ran to the Heart Nourishing Palace several times a day, which was more diligent than Si Li Bingbi Wang Chengen.

In the end, Xu Ge Lao, Zhang Yan, and Feng Suqin walked on the road to Shaanxi.

Xu Ge Lao picked a big stone in the shade of the tree, patted it clean, sat down gently, and the servants who followed brought the bread and water. Elder Xu Ge took it, ate a mouthful of bread and water, and his eyes were firm.

He secretly encouraged himself: as long as he still has a breath, he will save the people of the Ming Dynasty. (To be continued.) )