Seven days later, Chai Rongsheng sat in the Golden Palace, and sighed to the Manchu Dynasty's civil and military affairs: "Ladies and gentlemen, I once said that I would rule the world for thirty years, but the heavens did not fulfill people's wishes. In the past few days, I have felt more and more unwell in the dragon's body, and I am afraid that my time in the world is running out. ”

Everyone was shocked and sad when they heard the emperor's words, and the entire court was shrouded in a sad atmosphere, only Zhao Kuangyin snickered in his heart, "Chai Rong, Chai Rong, if you don't die, how can I sit on this dragon chair and realize my long-cherished wish for many years?" ”

"There are still two things in my heart that I can't let go, I wonder if anyone can share my worries?" Chai Rong looked down at the ministers and asked.

Zhao Kuangyin came out of class and asked, "I don't know what Your Majesty wants?" ”

Chai Rong said slowly: "It has been nearly a year since Murong Aiqing broke the Southern Tang Dynasty, and now who in the Quartet is not afraid of the power of my Heavenly Pilgrimage, so I intend to include the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun that Shi Jingjiao dedicated to the Liao State into my Great Zhou territory. And when I saw the report, it was said that there was a big flood in Luoyang. I couldn't bear to see the people living in dire straits, so I wanted to send an Aiqing to help the disaster. ”

Zhao Kuangyin smiled, "Your Majesty, the minister has been blessed by the Holy Grace for many years, and now he has the opportunity to serve His Majesty, and the minister is willing to personally lead the army to recover the sixteen states of Yanyun." As for disaster relief, it is more prudent for Weichen to see Lord Liu to supervise it. ”

Chai Rong sighed slightly, "It's okay, Liu Aiqing, you are very intelligent, and the old mansion is not far from Luoyang, so I will leave this matter to you." ”

Liu Baoen stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the people are suffering, and the ministers should share their worries for Your Majesty." However, Weichen is now the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and the internal affairs are complicated, so I am afraid that it is a little inappropriate to go to Luoyang. ”

Chai Rong nodded and asked Zhao Kuangyin: "What Liu Shangshu said is reasonable. ”

Zhao Kuangyin said: "Your Majesty, Lord Liu has been an official for a short time, there are no gangs in the court, there is no power in the locality, and he will definitely be able to do business impartially. It is better to let Lord Liu temporarily be the Duke of Luoyang, with full authority to deal with this matter, and wait for the flood to be resolved in the future, and then let Lord Liu return to Beijing and re-assume the post of Shangshu. ”

Chai Rong frowned slightly, and said secretly: "Zhao Kuangyin, you are obviously crowding out the Zhongliang of the court!" It's just that I'm afraid I won't be able to last a few days, if I save his face at this time, and I won't be there in the future, he will definitely harm the prince, and I can only wronged Liu Aiqing. ”

Thinking of this, he said: "Liu Aiqing, what Zhao Aiqing said is very true, I will make you the Duke of Luoyang and go to Luoyang on an errand." ”

Liu Baoenyan couldn't understand that Zhao Kuangyin was taking revenge on himself, but the emperor had made up his mind, so he had to do it, and hurriedly knelt down to receive the order: "The Weichen will live up to His Majesty's trust." ”

Chai Rong said again: "Zhao Aiqing wants to go out to requisition the sixteen states of Yanyun, and I can't agree." There are many things to deal with in the DPRK and China, and I still need to rely on Zhao Aiqing, if you are not in the DPRK, I am afraid that some things will not be easy to handle. ”

Zhao Kuangyin said in his heart, "Chai Rong, I didn't expect that although you were about to die, your mind was still very smart. It gave me enough face in small things, but it was politely dismissed in big things, leaving me with nothing to say. But fortunately, I have been prepared, and your death is coming today, and when the crown prince ascends the throne, I don't believe that I will not be able to send troops. ”

"Trusted by His Majesty, Weichen obeys the order." Zhao Kuangyin pretended to be flattered and said.

Chai Rong's face at this time had turned from sallow yellow to iron blue, and a mouthful of blood spit out from his mouth, and he died of anger in the Golden Palace.

Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed when he saw that Chai Rong was dead, but on the surface, he looked extremely frightened and sad, "Your Majesty! You just said that there are many important things to be handed over to Weichen, why did you go like this? The ancients said that 'once a son of heaven and a courtier', now that you are gone, what should we do with Weichen, it is better to go with you! As he spoke, he slammed into the golden pillar of the main hall.

Among the Chinese military generals of the dynasty, there were Zhao Kuangyin's people, and they were all shocked, but several ministers loyal to Chai Rong were eager for Zhao Kuangyin to die in such a head. Shi Shouxin and Han Chongyun hurriedly stepped forward and grabbed him: "Lord Zhao, don't do it!" Your Majesty has just died, and if you have three longs and two shorts, won't my Da Zhou be in chaos! ”

Zhao Kuangyin said with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty has the grace of knowing me, and single-handedly promoted me from a small general to my current position. Everything I have is given by His Majesty, and now that he is gone, how can I live alone in the world? Let me go, I'm going with Your Majesty!" ”

Many loyal ministers led by Prime Minister Fan Zhen saw that Zhao Kuangyin was so sad, not like hypocrisy, and said in their hearts, "Maybe we have misunderstood Zhao Kuangyin over the years, it seems that he is the number one loyal minister in this court!" ”

Liu Baoen said secretly: "Zhao Kuangyin, I, Liu Baoen, have convinced you today, and being a man can do it like this, it is really unprecedented and unprecedented." ”

Zhao Kuangyin wanted to try to break free from the two, but he couldn't, so he was so angry that he fainted.

Prime Minister Fan Zhen shook his head, "Lord Shi, you should quickly send someone to carry Lord Zhao back to the mansion, don't have any more accidents." ”

Shi Shouxin nodded, and immediately sent someone to carry Zhao Kuangyin back to the mansion. When the subordinates of Zhao Mansion saw that Zhao Kuangyin was carried back to the mansion, they were all very anxious and hurriedly put him on the bed. The old housekeeper Zhao Fu ran to Zhao Kuangyin's bedside. Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin closed his eyes tightly and his breath was weak, he hurriedly asked his subordinates to call Miss.

When there was no one around, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly opened his eyes and laughed loudly, "Hahaha, Fan Zhi'er, you fell for me!" ”

When Zhao Chanxue arrived, she saw that her father was awake and was laughing loudly, and immediately understood that this was her father staging a play in order to deceive the ministers of the court. She sneered, "Father! You're scaring me again! ”

Zhao Kuangyin said with a smile: "If my father doesn't act in this play, even if Fan Zhen'er doesn't design to take my life, I'm afraid that he will never agree to my army in the future." If you don't send troops for your father, how can you fulfill your promise? ”

Zhao Chanxue snorted, "Father, you are not allowed to use this method to deceive people in the future, my daughter is very worried, do you know!" ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, "If you are a father, you will be the emperor, and you don't have to deceive people anymore!" ”

The next day, the palace was still immersed in the grief of the emperor's death, but Zhao Kuangyin was not in the mood to watch the last scene of the Chai family. There was only one thing in his mind, that is, when would the rumors created by his order stone shouxin spread to the court in Kaifeng.

He didn't wait too long, and three days later, the news spread all over Kaifeng City.

On the fourth day, Chai Zongxun, who was only seven years old, had not yet ascended the throne, so he sat on a dragon chair half a head higher than him to take care of the government. The huge court hall is too big for him who is just seven years old, and it is not something he can control at all. When he looked at the courtiers, he naturally revealed an indescribable tension and fear.

"Crowd...... Ladies and gentlemen, I heard that the Liao State has sent troops to attack my Great Zhou, don't you ...... I wonder if any of you can go and put things right for me? Chai Zongxun was a little unconfident, and his voice was trembling.

Zhao Kuangyin was overjoyed when he saw that Chai Zongxun was so young and incompetent, and said out of class: "Your Majesty, Weichen Zhao Kuangyin is willing to send troops, and I also ask Your Majesty for permission." ”

Where did Chai Zongxun know who to send, his eyes looked at Fan Zhen. Fan Zhen had been a Taifu for a while, so he naturally knew him well.

Fan Zhen knew that Chai Zongxun was asking for help from him, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, Lord Zhao is excellent in martial arts, has a good way of governing the army, and is loyal. When the first emperor was there, he intended to let him send troops to recover the sixteen states of Yanyun, and now my Great Zhou is still in the period of national mourning, Your Majesty is young, and there is no one in the Liao Kingdom to deceive me in the Great Zhou! In my opinion, at this time, it is most appropriate to send Lord Zhao to send troops. ”

Chai Zongxun saw that Fan Zhen agreed to Zhao Kuangyin's troops, and hurriedly said: "Fan...... What Fan Aiqing said was very concentrating, so it was decided, and the army would be raised in three days. ”

Zhao Kuangyin was extremely proud in his heart, and arched his hand and said: "Weichen leads the order!" ”

Seeing that Zhao Kuangyin finally followed his wishes, the ministers thought that he would stop there, but Zhao Kuangyin then said: "It's just that I don't have enough soldiers and horses in my hands, and it is difficult to fight against the 400,000 troops of Liao, if Your Majesty can hand over the power of soldiers and horses to Weichen, and rule the world's soldiers and horses, the ministers will live up to Your Majesty's trust!" ”

Fan Zhen was shocked, if this is the case, it is equivalent to putting His Majesty's net worth and life into the hands of Zhao Kuangyin, how can this be good?

After thinking about it again, if he didn't hand over the power of soldiers and horses to him, the rivers and mountains of the Great Zhou Dynasty would be trampled by the iron hooves of the Liao thieves...... That's it! So he said: "Your Majesty, if you want to repel the invasion of the Liao soldiers, I am afraid that only Lord Zhao can take on this important task in the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty, so it is better to hand over the power of this soldier and horse to Lord Zhao, and it is not too late to take it back after the Liao soldiers have retreated." ”

"According to what Fan Aiqing said," Chai Zongxun agreed.

After the next court, Zhao Kuangyin brought Zhao Pu, and the two conspired for a long time, and discussed the matter of raising troops seamlessly, and Zhao Pu left. Zhao Kuangyin is already confident, and he is only waiting for the general to send troops.

Three days later, Zhao Kuangyin came to Dianjiangtai early, and looked around, the flags were waving under the stage, the war drums were beating, and the horns were sounding, and he couldn't help but be excited! Ordering all the generals, they marched towards the border of Liao.

That night, the army was stationed at Chenqiaoyi, which was twenty miles away from Feng.

After dinner, Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi saw that the generals were sitting around the bonfire and talking about something, and they were busy listening.

"The first emperor is a Daoming monarch, we work hard for him, what are we afraid of dying? But now Your Majesty is young, and he only listens to Fan Zhen in everything, I really don't know if we are working for him or for Fan Zhen's old thing! ”

"Isn't it? I'm afraid that we are working hard outside, and it is not as effective as what Fan Zhen said, what can we do to protect such an emperor? ”

"What you say is reasonable, but what can we do, is it possible that we can still go to the Southern Tang Dynasty, Dali and other countries?"

"It would be nice if Lord Zhao could be the emperor, I believe he will definitely be able to become the Ming Emperor, at least stronger than this Chai Zongxun."

"That's right, but I heard that when the first emperor died, Lord Zhao was going to go with him, how could such a loyal minister be opposed?"

When Zhao Pu heard the words of these generals, he couldn't help but be secretly happy, walked over slowly, and asked hypocritically, "Guys, what are you talking about?" Tell me about it. ”

The first person saw that it was Zhao Pu coming, and said with a smile: "Haha, who should I be, it turned out to be Lord Zhao." We're just talking nonsense, and it's better that Lord Zhao still doesn't listen. Zhao Puwan smiled and didn't say much.

When several people saw Zhao Pu like this, they knew that they heard their conversation, lest he reach Zhao Kuangyin's ears, and they knelt down for Zhao Pu one after another, "Lord Zhao, we are all loyal to the imperial court, but we are a little dissatisfied for a while, so we complained, please don't make a noise!" ”

"Guys, get up quickly. I also intend to help Lord Zhao as the emperor, but Lord Zhao just refuses. I have secretly made a yellow robe, according to my opinion, when Lord Zhao falls asleep, we will secretly put on a yellow robe for him, at that time, Lord Zhao does not want to rebel, and only rebels! ”

When several people heard Zhao Pu say this, they were all happy and stood up, "Lord Zhao, you are really clever, let's do it tonight." ”

At the third watch, a full moon hung high in the sky, unusually bright.

Several people carefully took the yellow robe and secretly entered Zhao Kuangyin's camp. They saw Zhao Kuangyin lying on his side on the bed, motionless, and snoring came from time to time. Several people glanced at each other and walked to the bedside, and Zhao Pu took a yellow robe to Zhao Kuangyin's side first.

Zhao Guangyi called softly: "Brother, brother, ......" He called a few times, and seeing that Zhao Kuangyin did not react, he gently draped the yellow robe in his hand on him. Then he knelt down in front of the bed, and several people knelt down with him.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!" Several people shouted.

Zhao Kuangyin knew that his plan had succeeded, but he still pretended to wake up and exclaimed, "What are you going to do?" Do you have to trap me Zhao Kuangyin in a place of disloyalty and injustice? ”

Zhao Pu and Zhao Guangyi said in unison: "Lord Zhao, we all agree that the current emperor is young and incompetent, and the Great Zhou Dynasty is in danger. We don't want to work for him anymore, we want to support you as emperor, and lead us to build a rich and powerful country, so that the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and no longer suffer from war! ”

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and sighed: "You want to be greedy for wealth and wealth, so you made me the Son of Heaven, right?" ”

Everyone said: "Don't dare, don't dare, we are really thinking about the Jiangshan Society and petitioning for the people of Limin." ”

Zhao Kuangyin pondered for a moment and said: "If you can follow my life, otherwise, I can't be the master!" ”

Everyone said: "Listen to your orders!" ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded helplessly, "Okay, since you all have this intention, I don't want to go against your will." From today on, I will be the emperor and take you back to Kaifeng! I have a word in advance, when you get to the city, you are not allowed to harass the people, you are not allowed to offend the queen mother and the young lord, you are not allowed to bully the ministers, those who obey will be rewarded, and those who violate will be beheaded all over the house! ”

Several people hurriedly kowtowed three times and responded: "Oh! ”

"I'll march back to the city tonight!" Zhao Kuangyin said that he put on his armor, waved his hand, and retreated from everyone.

Everyone immediately returned to the camp to announce to his soldiers the news that Zhao Kuangyin was the emperor, the officers and soldiers who were the emperor, as long as there was money, food, clothing, and clothing, I heard that Zhao Kuangyin was stronger than the crown prince of the dynasty, and most of them supported Zhao Kuangyin as the emperor, and they all returned to Kaifeng.

When I arrived at the city of Kaifeng, the sky was already bright, and Zhao Kuangyin shouted to the soldiers in the city: "Listen, everyone, I, Zhao Kuangyin, will follow the time and set myself up as the emperor, don't you hurry up and open the city gate to welcome me?" ”

The city guard is Shi Shouxin, he saw that Zhao Kuangyin had led troops back to the city, and he was about to order the door to be opened, at this time Han Tong, the head of the city's guards, saw Zhao Kuangyin under the city, and shouted first: "Open the city gate, I want to fight to the death with Zhao Kuangyin, the thief!" ”

"Haha, just because you want to hurt my lord too?" Someone behind Han Tong sneered, and with a flash of sword light, he cut off Han Tong's head.

Zhao Kuangyin saw that the person who killed Han Tong was his cronie Wang Yansheng, he was overjoyed, "Wang Aiqing, you have merit in killing thieves, and when I enter the imperial city, I will give you a reward!" ”

Shi Shouxin said: "Brother Yuen Long, and me!" As he spoke, he ordered the gates of the city to be opened.

Zhao Kuangyin laughed, "Brother Shi, how could I forget you!" With a wave of his hand, the army entered the city.

The army marched through the city, but did not disturb a single people, and it was really a righteous army. They quickly surrounded the imperial city, and Zhao Kuangyin walked into the palace gate with a big stick in his hand. When the eunuchs and palace maids in the palace saw Zhao Kuangyin, they all hid, how dare they stop them.

Zhao Kuangyin soon arrived at the main hall, as soon as he entered the hall, the Manchu Dynasty civil and military who were discussing the matter were all shocked, and Chai Zongxun was even more frightened and hid under the dragon book case, trembling.

Fan Zhen looked at Zhao Kuangyin and shouted: "Zhao Kuangyin, it's against you, you dare to withdraw the army without authorization and break into the palace with a stick, aren't you afraid of destroying the nine clans?" ”

Zhao Kuangyin laughed, "Fan Zhen, if you know each other, you can meet the widow quickly, and I will spare your life." If you insist on stopping you, I can't control my subordinates, and if they want to kill you, I can't do anything! ”

At this time, Shi Shouxin and Wang Xianqi both drew their blades, "Ladies and gentlemen, we don't want to hurt the harmony, you better quickly return to the Ming Lord!" ”

Fan Zhen sighed: "Hey, I missed Da Zhou!" So far, that's all it can be! ”

Chai Zongxun saw that Fan Zhen was all obedient, and he said tremblingly: "I ...... I...... Just pass the throne to Aiqing, and beg Aiqing to spare the lives of me and the queen mother. ”

Zhao Kuangyin smiled, "That's natural, I will make you King Zheng, and give Danshu iron coupons to keep your Chai family rich forever." ”

Chai Zongxun came out from under the Longshu case, knelt down for Zhao Kuangyin and said, "More...... Thank you, Your Majesty......"

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, "King Zheng, hurry up." He said and swaggered into the dragon chair.

Some of the ministers opposed Zhao Kuangyin, and when they saw Chai Zongxun kneeling down and proclaiming themselves, they knew that they were not convinced, and there was no longer any meaning, so they had to kneel down and say: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live." ”

Zhao Kuangyin said, "From today's Great Zhou to the Great Song Dynasty, do you have any opinions?" ”

"The ministers have no objections, it is all up to Your Majesty to decide!" Qunchen Mountain shouted.

Zhao Kuangyin smiled, he had always had two dreams before, one was to be the head of the Shenlong faction, and the other was to be the emperor. Now that he was sitting on this dragon chair, holding the red dragon sword at his waist, he suddenly felt a little melancholy.

He thought that his dream had come true today, but what should he do in the future? Who knows if he will lose the position of emperor in the future, whether he will lose the position of head?

On that day, he organized the enthronement ceremony, and worked hard for more than a month before it came to an end, only to choose a day to worship the sky, and then he would be the rightful emperor.

At night, there is no moon, no wind, and the world is silent.

Zhao Kuangyin was already asleep, and suddenly heard a soft sound, piercing the silent night sky. He hurriedly opened his eyes, took the golden rod of coiling dragon beside him, and waited with bated breath for the assassin to come.

Sure enough, a man dressed in a night suit quietly jumped into the room, and his steps were very light, and the figure turned out to be a woman. The woman couldn't help but be taken aback when she saw that Zhao Kuangyin had woken up and was waiting for her with a golden stick in her hand.

"Who dares to come to the palace to assassinate you! Who asked you to come? Zhao Kuangyin shouted.

"Zhao Kuangyin, when my father was the emperor, you bullied the Son of Heaven and suppressed the ministers, and now you bully my younger brother when he is young, you dare to lead the people to rebel and force him to abdicate, I can tolerate you!" The woman shouted softly.

"Who am I, it turned out to be Chai Lu. I gave your younger brother Danshu iron coupons to ensure that your Chai family will be rich forever, and I didn't send anyone to kill your rebellious husband, which can be said to be benevolent and righteous to your Chai family, why do you still want to kill me? Zhao Kuangyin asked.

Chai Lu sneered, "Hehe, Zhao Kuangyin, you took the country, but you only used a small Danshu iron coupon to deal with it?" I didn't find my husband Junpingzhou, even if I let it go? Am I not going to be a fool? ”

Zhao Kuangyin nodded, "I don't want to kill you, but since you have to take my life, how can I tolerate you?" He said with a swing of the stick, and the wind hit Chai Lu.

Although Chai Lu has been practicing martial arts since she was a child, how can she be Zhao Kuangyin's opponent, the dagger in her hand only passed a few moves with the big stick, and she was knocked away. Zhao Kuangyin roared, and hit Chai Lu on the top of his head with a stick, until Chai Lu's head shattered, and his body fell to the ground.

It's a pity that a young princess with a beautiful face and moon appearance died like this.

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and sighed: "Chai Lu, I didn't want to kill you, but you have to force me, it's a pity!" ”

At this time, many guards came running from outside, and when they saw that someone in the room was dead, they all knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, we are not well protected, please surrender." ”

Zhao Kuangyin said: "Forget it." This is the original princess Chai Lu, you have collected her body, and tomorrow you will send someone to bury her according to the specifications of the princess. ”

In the early morning of the next day, a fast horse came from the south of Kaifeng City, and the person on the horse was a young man. This young man was dressed in blue, his cuffs and collar were decorated with red threads, and he had a strange two-color sword at his waist, and the whole person looked very different, it was Murong Pingzhou, the head of the Shuhe faction.

He rode into Kaifeng City, as soon as he entered the city, he saw many people in the city with sad faces, it was okay not to inquire, and when he inquired, he knew that his wife had been killed by Zhao Kuangyin, he was angry and grief, and he fainted in anger.

It took him a long time before he woke up and said bitterly: "Zhao Kuangyin, you hate me Murong Pingzhou and rushed at me, you actually killed Lu'er." I, Murong Pingzhou, have a breath in this life, and I will definitely let you die without a place to be buried! ”