The vicissitudes of Da Wu lasted for eight years, and in the winter of Huo Wu's sixteenth birthday, a new page was finally opened with the erection of a Yang Dusk Mausoleum in the northeast of Anling in Chang County.

This was one day in September of the first year of Emperor Gang, Huo Wu, accompanied by the prime minister Cao Tian and the middle servant Huashuo, ascended the Hengmen Tower of Anling, Changjun. Twelve years ago, it was from here that he watched his dear sister walk across the bridge, across the plateau, into the depths of the desert.

Although he no longer remembered the scene, his mother's tearful description aroused his hatred for the Great Hungarian again and again. He crossed the bridge below the city and stared into the distance for a long time. The flat and wide galloping road, the shadowy imperial mausoleum, and the lush pines and cypresses look sloppy and heavy under the autumn clouds.

His great-grandfather, his cousin, and now, the emperor who pushed the prestige of the Wu Dynasty to a new peak, his father, Huo Gang, also lay quietly beside them.

Huo Wu's eyes gradually blurred, and he lamented the ruthlessness of the years and the shortness of life. His father, the monarch of the Wu Dynasty, once quelled the civil strife in a powerful manner, and once resolved the plot of the King of Liang to covet the prince in a chic conversation and laughter. But how did he suddenly die in the middle of the night?

Perhaps before this change, some warning signs were sent from heaven.

In May of the previous year, a major earthquake occurred in Yongzhou, the city wall collapsed, and countless people were killed and injured. When the news came, the government and the opposition were shocked.

In the first month of last year, just after the Shangyuan Festival, the lanterns of Anling in Changjun County have not had time to be dismantled, the New Year of the East and West markets has not yet dissipated, and the dragon lanterns and hundred operas celebrated by the people are still being staged. Changjun Anling moved three times in one day, and the walls of the palace were also shaken open cracks, and Tianyuan Temple was renovated for more than ten months, and it was not over until the beginning of winter.

As the season entered December, an even greater catastrophe emerged.

That day, Huo Wu was listening to Zhou Zhi's lecture in the Sixian Hall, and the two were talking about the excitement when suddenly an earth-shattering thunder rolled from outside the city. The bamboo slip in Zhou Zhi's hand was shocked to the ground, and his eyebrows were full of incomprehension and horror.

He had never believed in the catastrophe, but the thunder came too suddenly. Huo Wu looked at Zhou Zhi's trembling hand, and what a strange scene was presented in front of him. The brilliant, warm sun lost its former charm and became a purple ball hanging in the sky, while the moon, which was supposed to rise at night, crossed the middle of the sky. In the darkness, the four stars of the prime minister, the second phase, the admiral, and the second general retrograde from west to east converged around the Taiwei Star - all this gave everyone a fear of impending catastrophe.

In the Sixian Hall, the guards were in a mess, screaming in terror. Outside the palace walls, the sound of footsteps came one after another.

Zhou Zhi rushed out of the door in a hurry, looking up to the sky and shouting: "Hao Hao go to the sky, protect my Holy Emperor, protect my people's ......" Before he finished speaking, his body was already trembling.

His behavior made Huo Wu somewhat disappointed, Gaozu waved eastward, and the majestic posture of the first emperor laughing and singing the song of the great wind came spontaneously in his heart. As the crown prince of Great Wu and the last emperor, he realized that his actions and emotions had an impact on the people around him - no! How important it was to the people of the entire dynasty.

He barely hesitated, pulled out the sword from his waist with a "whoosh", and shouted at the dim sky: "Heaven is constant, not for heaven to exist, not for the earth to die." Lang Dawu, virtue with heaven and earth, enjoy the country for eternity. What can I do with me? Where is Yu Linwei?! ”

"The subordinates are here!"

"The subordinates are here!"

……

The young Yulin guards were infected by Huo Wu's awe-inspiring bearing, and quickly marched into a formation and gathered around him. Huo Wu's sonorous voice echoed in their ears: "Open your bow and open your crossbow, be ready for battle, those who follow me will prosper, and those who oppose me will die!" ”

The bows and crossbows of the forest pointed straight at the long sky, and Yu Linwei burst out with an earth-shattering roar:

"Those who obey me survive!"

"Death to those who oppose me!"

……

The roar rolled up from the Sixian Hall, poured into the streets of Chaoyang Road, poured into the surging river outside the city, poured into the white and saga Nanshan, and poured into the hearts of every common person in Anling City, Changjun, drowning out the thunder in the depths of the cloudy sky.

After about half an hour of confrontation, the clouds receded, the wind subsided, and the sky cleared. The sun once again sprinkled its brilliant light on the earth, and the Changle Palace, which had experienced this storm, looked even more majestic and magnificent in the sun, and the flags inlaid with green dragons on both sides emitted dazzling brilliance.

This incident made Zhou Zhi ashamed for a long time, from that day on, when he was with Huo Wu, he felt that there was a stream of air constantly emanating from Huo Wu's body, so that he neither dared to approach nor get rid of it.

Those years were also days of violent political turmoil in the imperial court.

In April of the sixth year of Emperor Gang, Huo Yong died in Luoyang Prefecture, Xiguan, with a regretful heart. His Royal Highness King Liang, who had murdered more than a dozen important ministers of the imperial court, still hated that he had not become the son of heaven of Great Wu when he was dying. According to the legend of the official who hosted the funeral after returning to Anling in Chang County, Queen Liang still had his eyes open, as if he was worried about it, making it difficult for him to look at it.

When the news of King Liang's death reached the Taihe Palace, the Queen Mother broke her liver and intestines, and sighed to the sky: "The emperor really killed my Yong'er!" ”

In the first year of Emperor Gang, Zhou Zhi was arrested for buying 500 armor for the funeral, and was imprisoned for the crime of treason.

Although he is a martial artist, he knows the emperor's intention in doing this, that is, to clear the obstacles to the crown prince's rule. The most uneasy thing for the emperor is these ministers with heavy troops.

Li Wei later learned from the recital presented to the emperor by the Taihe Palace that Zhou Zhi had defended himself in court. He refused to admit the charges against his head, believing that the armor he purchased was all for funeral purposes, and that there was no rebellion at all. But Yanwei said that even if the adults did not rebel during their lifetime, they would rebel underground after death. Zhou Zhi no longer defended.

For a general who once commanded three armies and was a great minister, what could be more chilling to him than to be framed? What could be more desperate for him than to go from being a guest yesterday to a prisoner today? Eventually, he went on a hunger strike for seven days and vomited blood.

Yes, the emperor is in his old age, and the more strange and suspicious his personality becomes.

In July of the third year of Emperor Gang, the "pseudo-prime minister" who had been in the position of prime minister for three years was dismissed from his post, and Jing Fan took over as prime minister. What is the reason, the emperor did not say.

When the disaster receded and the sun was clear, Huo Wu and Jing Fan were summoned to Huo Gang's bedside together.

Huo Gang's face was very pale, and his speech was often accompanied by intermittent coughing, and his head was sweating. He obviously knew that he would die soon, and he asked Li Tian and Jing Fan to prepare a crown ceremony for the crown prince.

On Jiayin Day, Huo Gang dragged his sick body and reluctantly held a crown ceremony for Huo Wu, and then was carried back to the palace.

On Jiazi Day, Huo Gang died in the Lama Temple of Changle Palace after forty-eight years of life.

Emperor Gang's casual behavior in his later years caused turmoil in the government, and many institutions were already in chaos and needed to be put on the right track. The lack of talent and frequent changes of officials are also the focus of Huo Wu's worries.

If the society is unstable, it is impossible to match the world with virtue and the country for a long time. Therefore, Huo Wu issued an edict asking the prime minister, the imperial historian, the liehou, and other officials with more than 2,000 stone to be virtuous and virtuous. But a month has passed, and there is no progress in things, and he can't help but feel a little anxious.

He looked back at Huashuo and Jing Fan, who were following closely behind him, and felt uncomfortable when he saw their respectful appearances. He thought to himself: I want to be efficient, not to be with me every day.

However, the more he did not want to see it, the more often it happened in front of his eyes. As soon as he turned Sima Chenglou, Hua Shuo found a city brick on the side of the road that had fallen off at some point, and while he hurriedly moved it to the edge of the battlement, he reprimanded the guards guarding the city: "Who is so bold as to dare to leave bricks and stones here?" ”

Seeing that no one responded, ASUS stepped forward and slapped a soldier. After shaking slightly, the soldier immediately returned to his solemn state.

This scene moved Huo Wu very much. Yes, the impregnable gold depends not only on the indestructibility of the city, but also on the unity of the soldiers. He expressed displeasure at Asus's behavior: "Why is Asus so bluffing? Don't you know the military rule that a sentry cannot speak without permission? ”

Huashuo was sincerely afraid: "The minister is bent on His Majesty's safety, so he neglected the military regulations, please forgive Your Majesty." ”

When did this ASUS become so sophisticated and sleek? Although in the past seven years, he has only been a companion, but after all, he has also studied under Zhou Zhi, why is he like a stranger now? Huo Wu thought puzzled.

However, at this moment, Li Wei is more worried that today's ASUS is no longer the simple teenager seven years ago, he is the youngest middle doctor in this dynasty. If such a person stays by the emperor's side for a long time, the consequences will be unimaginable. However, this feeling Li Wei can only be buried in his heart now.

Huo Wu did not notice Li Wei's abnormality, and his thinking about the government made it natural for him to bring a sensitive issue to Li Wei. He knew that answering such a question in front of ASUS would make Li Wei very difficult, so he said to ASUS: "Recently, I am interested in hunting in Shanglu Park, and ASUS can go and prepare quickly." ”

"No!"

Asus walked briskly down the city, he hadn't hunted with the emperor for a long time. What he feared most was the transfer of the emperor's interest, so that he would fall out of favor. He decided to arrange the emperor's first hunt after ascending the throne thoroughly, leaving the emperor with the impression that he could not leave.

After walking the last step of the castle tower, Asus's eyebrows revealed unconcealable joy, and he even laughed out loud.

Huo Wu slowed down and waited for Li Wei to catch up before asking, "What does my uncle think of my father's government in the last seven years?" ”

"The first emperor lived his life, respected his industry frugally, changed customs, and was supported by the people. The emperor's achievements are glorious for eternity. Every time the minister thinks about the grace of the first emperor, he feels from the bottom of his heart. ”

Huo Wu shook his head and smiled: "I know that my uncle adheres to the Confucian precept of 'keeping the respect for the Venerable', and he refuses to say anything about the political affairs of the previous dynasty. But I remember when I listened to Zhou Zhitaifu talk about "Mencius" in the Sixian Hall, he said, if a person is not a sage, who can do no wrong? My father is also a human being, how can he be right in everything? ”

Huo Wu didn't wait for Li Wei's answer, so he continued: "Recently, I looked through the chapters and edicts approved by my father and emperor during his lifetime, and found that there were several things that were not handled properly. For example, thoughtful unjust cases can not help but chill the hearts of loyal and good people. and uncle, just because he objected to the abolition of the position of Prince Huo Yong, he was dismissed from his post and stayed at home for a long time. In fact, now that I think about it, Zhou Zhi is not very wrong. As a master, he is also fulfilling his responsibility as a teacher! Also, because of my suspicion of my uncle, I will let you go to Changfu outside. Emperor Dawu, how can there be no minister in charge of military affairs? ”

At this point, he stopped talking. The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty knew these things, and they could only point to them. As long as Li Wei does not object, it means that his feelings are accurate. History has turned a new page, and what he needs to know now is what he needs to do.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, everything must be done from the present, and there are two things to do in the month: one is to hold a consultation, and the other is to set up a military aircraft hall and start to rectify the armament."

As soon as he mentioned the question, Huo Wu wanted to ask about the recommendation of virtuous people: "I want the prime minister to recommend talents, why has there been no response so far?" ”

"Uncle, what about the talents you recommend?"

"Your Majesty's ......"

Before he could say a word, he was stopped by Huo Wu waving his hand: "Uncle can say it directly, this is not in the court." ”

"No! Your Majesty ......"

"Why is it here again?"

"Hui'er, uncle is used to it! No, Your Majesty, the minister will change it! Beads of sweat oozed from Li Wei's forehead, and he complained to himself in his heart, since the disaster in Sixian Hall last year, he has become more and more restrained in front of the emperor. He took a light breath and tried to calm his mind as much as possible, "Since the edict was issued to various places, the county has recommended loyal and upright people. Now there are about 500 people who have reported to the Jucai Palace of Changle Palace. After screening, the more excellent ones are Liu Hai, Zhao Yun and others. ”

"Something to say."

"It's just that there are many followers of Shen, Han, Su, and Zhang, and the ministers think that these are heresies and can be deposed."

"Uncle has a point. The princes have different politics, a hundred schools of thought have different opinions, and the great unification is not empty talk? Huo Wu said as he spoke, remembering someone.

"What about Dong Qian?"

"Jucai Palace has made him the first choice talent."

"When I was reading in Sixian Hall, Zhou Zhi Taifu once told me about his experience in reading "Ram Spring and Autumn". For such a person, I will personally ask for advice. ”

It's thoughtful again. Li Wei didn't feel good in his heart, he found that the emperor had been mentioning Zhou Zhi in front of him recently. When I was a master, I just listened to it, but now, ......

"When can I be the palace counselor?"

"I thought October would be ready."

"Hurry up, I can't wait!"

"No! Your Majesty! There is another person here, surnamed Sun Minghong, who is also good at governing the "Spring and Autumn Three Uniques", but he is older. ”

"Spring and Autumn Geometry?"

"It's past the year of knowing your fate."

Huo Wu thought for a moment and said, "It's indeed bigger. I thought that Zhongxing Dawu could not be done by those who were not young and strong. But this person should be put in Jucai Palace first! ”

"No!" After pondering for a moment, Li Wei said slowly: "Absorb Confucian scholars into the court, the empress dowager will ...... there, and the queen will ......."

The conversation between the monarch and the minister was about to continue, but he saw Zeng Meng coming up to the city panting, saying that the queen mother had summoned him and had important matters to discuss. Following in Huo Wu's footsteps, Li Wei found that he was becoming more and more sluggish, and he was a little uncomfortable with the emperor's enterprising rhythm. He also heard from the emperor's voice that the pattern of the court would undergo great changes, and this change would inevitably be restrained by the two forces from the Taihe Palace and the "Niangniang Palace". He grew up watching the emperor and knew the influence of Zhou Zhi and Wu Zheng on the emperor.

With the death of Emperor Gang, the resurgence of the Jing family is a foregone conclusion, and the Empress Dowager Li Tian will never ignore his position. In this way, in the near future, the Huo family will become the domestic slave of the Li family.

"Your Majesty......" Li Wei spoke in such a low voice that even he himself could not hear clearly, and he did not know how the emperor would treat his request.

Huo Wu's foot had already boarded the car, and he turned around and asked, "Is there something wrong with the prime minister?" ”

"Your Majesty! Minister......"

"Prime Minister, what's the matter? I have a lot on my mind. ”

"Your Majesty! Please take care of the dragon body ...... Your Majesty" Li Wei finally swallowed what he wanted to say, and watched the emperor's car gradually move away surrounded by guards......

"If one person attains the Tao, the chicken and dog ascend to heaven." In the past few days, Li Wei has been really busy, sometimes going in and out of the minister's mansion, and sometimes going to the Niangniang Palace and Taihe Palace to inquire about the emperor's arrangements for official positions. At this moment, he was talking to Li Tian in the Sixian Hall.

Li Wei looked at Li Tian, and he found that after Emperor Gang's death, his sister suddenly became much older. The fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes record the pain in the heart of this harem master, while the fading of the gorgeous pink on her cheeks marks her change from queen to queen mother.

All this made Li Wei feel family compassion in his heart, and comforted him sincerely: "The state affairs are complicated, and I ask my sister to cherish the jade body." ”

"Alas!" Li Tian straightened the long hair that hung down to his chest, "How can it be easy?" Emperor Gang is gone, Hui'er is young, and my sister feels that the burden on her shoulders is heavier. ”

Li Tian's mood this year has not been easy, she has to worry about the emperor who has just ascended the throne, and she has to worry about the future of the Huo and Li families. The supreme glory of the Queen Mother could not relieve her emotional loneliness, and the myriad state affairs could not bring her the slightest quiet, and the intricate relationships added a lot of troubles to her. She only now understands why the Empress Dowager's personality is so withdrawn. The palace was like a fire that scorched her soul, drawing her further and further away from her nature.

"Actually, as long as you arrange people properly, nothing will happen to you."

"Brother is right. But you know, it's the most disturbing thing. The kings surnamed Huo can't help but think about it, right? The Empress Dowager's side is even more sloppy, and if you don't get it right, something will happen. ”

"What the mother said is very true."

"Why did the emperor call me back to Anling, Changjun?"

"This is the meaning of the emperor, and it is also the meaning of mourning. Now is the time to employ people, shouldn't you be asked to go back to Changjun? ”

The guard's long, shrill voice interrupted the siblings' conversation.

"The emperor has arrived...... The emperor drove to ......"

Li Tian stood up and said to Li Wei: "Don't look at Che'er's youth, but what annoys him the most is nepotism, and it's better for my brother to avoid it first." ”

After speaking, she instructed Gong'e to wait for Li Wei to rest in the side hall, and ordered her maid Yu Ziyi to help her tidy up her clothes. As soon as she sat down, she saw Huo Wu appear at the door of the hall.

"The child sees the queen mother!"

"Flat! Ziyi, serve tea to the emperor! ”

Huo Wu's mind had not yet turned from the conversation with Li Wei, and he was also puzzled by the Queen Mother's sudden summons: "The Queen Mother is so anxious to summon the child into the palace, I don't know what is important?" ”

Li Tian frowned, she could hear that the emperor didn't seem to be very happy to come here. She thought to herself: Why didn't he follow his father at this point? He is only sixteen years old, and when he grows older in the future, will he still listen to her? But what can she do? Once he sits on the throne of the emperor, he can no longer be treated as a child.

Li Tian retreated left and right before mentioning the matter in front of Huo Wu, "The mourning family invited the emperor today, just to ask the emperor about his plans for state affairs?" ”

Huo Wu quickly guessed the purpose of the Queen Mother's visit to him, and said with a smile: "Isn't the queen mother trying to ask what arrangements are made for your uncle?" ”

Li Tian was surprised, why was her mind so thoroughly figured out by Hui'er, and it was still so to the point?

"Since the emperor understands what the mourning family means, the mourning family will also say it directly. The emperor has just taken charge, and everything in the court is not stable, and other kings are eyeing him. According to the mourning family, Li, Huo, and Zhou are confidants. ”

"Hmm...... What the queen mother said is very true, but the outside world has a lot of complaints about her uncle! ”

"What do they say?"

"Someone reported that my uncle took advantage of the shadow of his mother to encroach on people's land."

"Oh! Is there such a thing? Li Tian's puzzled gaze swept over Huo Wu's forehead and questioned, "Maybe someone deliberately slandered him out of selfish desires?" ”

Huo Wu shook his head disapprerovingly, "Don't hide it from your mother, although the child is young, he still understands his uncle's greedy character. ”

Li Tian's words were choked back. In fact, she had to admit that Huo Wu's words made sense. But in the Huo and Li families, except for Li Wei, no one can share her worries. Her brother Li Wei is as good as Li Wei in terms of greed. It's just a matter of giving him a knighthood, and you can't expect him to help Hui'er take care of national affairs.

His own son himself knew that exercising his mother's authority over Huo Wu could only provoke him to resentment even more. She deliberately changed the way she spoke, and said solemnly: "This emperor can rest assured, the mourning family will not abolish the public for personal reasons, and will definitely be more restrained." ”

"Then according to the queen mother's opinion, what position is more appropriate?"

"Please consider this for the emperor, but according to the mourning family, it is better to be ranked as the third duke."

Huo Wu frowned, Li Tian's words made him very unhappy. said that he would not interfere in the government's affairs, but he would rank among the three dukes, wouldn't this mean reaching out for power? But no matter what, she is the queen mother, and he can weigh the weight of her words, especially at present, there is a queen mother who is there to restrain him, and he can't disobey the queen mother's will. Huo Wu knew that he had to get out as soon as possible, otherwise the Queen Mother would have more demands.

"The child must remember the will of the queen mother, since the father entrusted the country to the child, the child will naturally try his best to die, and will not neglect the society because of family affection."