At the beginning of the day the next day, around the hour, when the six departments of the three provinces, one of the nine temples and five supervisors took office, Xie Zheng entered the palace leisurely.

Xiao Daocheng had retired from the court an hour ago, and now he is reviewing the recital in the Shiqian Palace, and the inner supervisor guarding the door has entered the hall to pass it on: "Your Majesty, the lord of Shanyin County asks for a meeting." ”

Xiao Daocheng, who was sitting in front of the bookcase, was originally full of sadness and dark clouds, but when he heard that Xie Zheng was coming, he was suddenly overjoyed, and even his eyebrows twisted into the shape of "Sichuan" were stretched.

"Hey, Xiao Xie is here, call her in," Xiao Daocheng said, and put down the Mao Ying he was holding in his hand, Qu Ping took Mao Ying and placed it safely on the "mountain"-shaped pen shelf.

Xie Zheng went to the hall unhurriedly, and was about to bow down, Xiao Daocheng hurriedly said: "Don't be polite, get up quickly." ”

When Xie Zheng stood up straight, he waved at her again and said with a smile: "Xiao Xie, come here." ”

Xie Zheng was walking towards Xiao Daocheng, and before he could come to him, Xiao Daocheng asked: "Two days ago, I sent someone to summon you, but you refused to come, why didn't I summon you today, but you came by yourself?" ”

Two days ago, Xiao Daocheng sent people to the Hou Mansion twice and summoned Xie Zheng to accompany him to Zhoushan to fish, but she should not shirk it, because Huan Ling was injured, and she really couldn't pull away.

Xie Zheng walked up, but he was standing behind Xiao Daocheng, stretched out his hand to beat his back, and said: "It was always raining a while ago, and Weichen fell and sprained his foot when he was walking. ”

As soon as she said that she sprained her foot, Xiao Daocheng glanced down and whispered, "Why are you so careless." ”

Xie Zheng didn't seem to hear it, but just gave Yuzhi a look, Yuzhi immediately walked over and handed over a delicate small box, Xie Zheng then moved two steps, walked to Xiao Daocheng's side, and said: "Your Majesty, in fact, Weichen came here today to offer treasure to Your Majesty." ”

"Offering treasures?" Xiao Daocheng glanced at the brocade box in her hand and said with a smile: "Open it and let me see what kind of treasure is placed here." ”

Xie Zheng opened the brocade box, only to see that it was a water-blue transparent spar the size of a pigeon's egg, Xiao Daocheng picked it up and looked at it carefully, and said, "Isn't it just a spare?" What kind of treasure is this? ”

"Your Majesty, this is a diamond, but it's a rare thing," Xie Zheng said, and then instructed the inner supervisor in the palace: "Bring a piece of black cloth." ”

"Yes," the inner supervisor turned and went out, and in a short time he came with a tray with a thick folded black cloth on it.

"A few of you, hold up this piece of black cloth and shade it," Xie Zheng instructed a few internal supervisors, and then gave Yuzhi a look, Yuzhi understood, and then found a candle, lit it and sent it to Xie Zheng.

Several internal supervisors pulled open the black cloth, held it high, and stood in front of the bookcase on the left and right.

The outside of the black cloth and the inside of the black cloth suddenly seemed like day and night.

Xie Zheng held the candle in one hand, took the diamond in Xiao Daocheng's hand in the other, and placed it at the distance of half a finger above the candle flame, and then the entire black cloth was on the side, and suddenly there were colorful lights and shadows, Xiao Daocheng felt interesting, and he was also busy taking the diamond, learning from Xie Zheng, swaying gently above the candle.

Looking at the colorful lights and shadows reflected around, Xiao Daocheng could be said to be happy, and said happily: "Hey, this diamond is really a good thing!" ”

Xiao Daocheng was like a baby, he couldn't put down the diamond, put it on the candle flame and dangled it over, and he was never tired of it.

After a while, as if he remembered something, he looked at Xie Zheng sideways, waved his hand to signal the inner supervisor to take away the black cloth, and said to Xie Zheng in a serious manner: "Xiao Xie, I can't accept a gift in vain, you send me this treasure, I have to return the gift, say, what do you want?" ”

Sending this diamond, Xie Zheng was very distressed, if it wasn't for an opportunity to discuss the war in Jiuzhen County with Xiao Daocheng with Xiao Zhencheng, she would be reluctant to offer this treasure.

"A return gift?" Xie Zheng pretended to be surprised and quipped: "Your Majesty! Under the world, it is not the king's land; On the shore of the land, it is not the king's minister. In this world, all the treasures belong to His Majesty, and now you say that you want to return the gift, isn't this a torture for the ministers......"

"Hey, little girl, your mouth is very clever, I like to hear you pat your ass," Xiao Daocheng said, not forgetting to stretch out his hand to point at Xie Zheng.

was exposed by Xiao Daocheng as a sycophant, Xie Zheng was not surprised, but she smiled and said: "Your Majesty, you are wrong, Weichen is not a sycophant, but a dragon's fart." ”

As soon as he said this, not only did he provoke the inner supervisor Gong E in the palace to cover his mouth and laugh, but even Xiao Daocheng laughed.

Xiao Daocheng was happy, and listened to the report of the inner supervisor outside the hall: "Your Majesty, His Royal Highness the King of Linchuan and His Royal Highness the King of Wuling have come down and are waiting outside the palace." ”

"Biography," Xiao Dao put away the smile on his face and became serious when he was established.

When Xie Zheng heard that Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye, the two incompatible county kings, came over together, he couldn't help but be suspicious, these two miscellaneous pieces couldn't be joined forces, right......

It wasn't until Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye entered the hall side by side, not showing weakness to each other, and no one could get used to seeing each other, Xie Zheng was a little relieved when he saw them like this, it turned out that they were not together, but they just happened to meet outside.

The two entered the hall, knelt down and saluted together, and after standing up, they saw Xie Zheng standing behind Xiao Daocheng, and showed the same look of daring to hate and not daring to be angry.

"I'm in the notebook, you guys, what's the matter?" Xiao Daocheng looked at Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye, quite carelessly.

The two brothers, when they entered the hall, they were still at the tip of the needle, but now they are humble, at first Xiao Ying said to Xiao Ye: "The fifth brother said first." ”

Then Xiao Ye said to Xiao Ying: "No, the young and the old are orderly, let's talk about it first." ”

Okay, then let's be orderly, Xiao Ying is no longer polite, and said bluntly: "Father, my son's ministers heard by chance yesterday that Funan invaded the southern border, and now several counties in Jiuzhen County have been lost, and the southern border is insufficient, so Erchen is willing to lead troops to Jiuzhen County to support." ”

It turned out that Xiao Ye also came for this matter, and he let Xiao Ying say it first, but he regretted it now, so he hurriedly grabbed the words and said to Xiao Daocheng: "Father! The father and the emperor and the sons also asked for the order to lead the troops. ”

Xie Zheng only now could see what these two scum were thinking, and what did he say, please go to Jiude County...... It's not that he covets the military power in Xiao Chen's hands!

Want to borrow flowers to offer Buddha to make war achievements? Oh, there are no doors!

Xie Zheng could see the thoughts of these two people, and Xiao Daocheng also guessed it.

Xiao Daocheng was not in a hurry to decide which one of them to send, but said unhurriedly: "You have filial piety, but I will make a decision on the affairs of the southern border." ”

The implication is that Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye both have the opportunity to go to Jiuzhen County.

Seeing that Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye were gaining power, Xie Zheng was a little anxious, these two people were thinking about how to get Xiao Zhen's military power, but Xiao Zhen, the main master, did not appear for a long time, Xie Zheng frowned, and glanced at Yuzhi, it was really strange, when she came, she specially sent someone to the prince's mansion to tell Xiao Zhen, asking him to hurry up and bring the half of the talisman into the palace, but why hasn't this person come until now......

Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye were still fighting for each other, Xiao Ying said to Xiao Daocheng: "Father, Erchen also personally led the troops to quell the chaos a few years ago, and he has the experience of leading the troops, so this time Erchen led the troops to Jiuzhen County to support, and it must be okay to retreat from the enemy." ”

And Xiao Ye was not to be outdone, and mocked in a strange voice: "Third brother, leading troops to fight depends on your brains." ”

The reason why Xiao Ye said this is that Xiao Daocheng often praised him for his talent and intelligence, and because he had been a staff officer with the army in the previous dynasty, he thought he was a military advisor.

Before the words fell, the inner supervisor outside the palace came in again and said: "Your Majesty, the prince is here." ”

"Call him in," Xiao Daocheng's face was cold, and he seemed to be angry about Xiao Cheng's refusal to hand over the military power.

Xiao Zhen went to the palace, and after saluting, Xiao Daocheng did not shy away from thanking him here, so he said bluntly: "How? Is it thought through? ”

And Xiao Zhen also replied straightforwardly: "Back to my father, my sons have thought clearly, Jiuzhen County, my sons will not go." ”

"Not going?" Xiao Daocheng asked rhetorically, just two words, but there was no trace of anger and surprise between the words, the corners of his eyes and eyebrows were slightly smiling, and he said: "If you don't go, then you will transfer the military power in your hands to others, and others will go for you." ”

Xiao Daocheng said, and glanced at Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye intentionally or unintentionally.

Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye saw his eyes, and Xiao Zhen naturally saw it.

Xiao Zhen knew that if he handed over the military power, Xiao Daocheng would definitely hand it over to Xiao Ying or Xiao Ye, so he didn't hesitate in his heart, he raised his eyes and glanced at Xie Zheng again, and saw Xie Zheng nodding lightly at him, before he promised Xiao Daocheng: "Yes." ”

As he spoke, he took out half of the military power from his sleeve pocket and presented it.

Qu Ping walked down, took the talisman, and handed it to Xiao Daocheng.

Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye on the side stared directly at the talisman in Qu Ping's hand, salivating.

Xiao Daocheng didn't take the talisman until he looked at it, and then he knew that this talisman was only half a piece, so he asked, "Why is this talisman only half?" What about the other half? ”

Hearing this, Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye were both stunned, and they actually glanced at each other tacitly.

Xiao Zhen explained unhurriedly: "Back to my father, there were many wars in Liangjun, and the sons were worried that there was no commander in the army, which would cause turmoil, so they left the other half of the soldiers there. ”

He explained it like this, it can be described as flawless, and Xiao Daocheng can't find fault with it.

However, Xiao Daocheng finally understands now that this half of the talisman is not important to Xiao Zhen at all, in Liang County, even if he only has half a talisman, it is enough to command the whole army.

Xiao Daocheng was remorseful, he originally wanted to use this matter to weaken Xiao Zhen's power, so he asked him to choose himself, whether to leave Jiankang or hand over the military power. But handing over this half of the talisman doesn't matter to Xiao Zhen at all, Xiao Daocheng did this, but he designed one in vain, and he called Xiao Zhen one of the two, and now he can't go back on his word and force him to go to Jiuzhen County......

As for this half of the talisman, Xiao Daocheng is not harvested, nor is it not if he does not collect it......

Just when he was holding half a piece of talisman and was in a dilemma, Xiao Zhen said again: "Father, most of the troops under Erchen's command are in Liang County, and Erchen thinks that he will transfer troops from Liang County to Jiankang, and then transfer from Jiankang to Jiuzhen County, so that it will not be beneficial to the battle situation in Jiuzhen County, but will delay the war." ”

Xiao Zhen's implication is that he still doesn't want Xiao Daocheng to transfer troops from Liang County, which in the eyes of Xiao Ying and Xiao Ye, it becomes that Xiao Zhen is still unwilling to give up military power, Xiao Ying has always been straightforward, so he sneered: "I think the eldest brother is reluctant to Liang County's military power." ”

As soon as he said this, it made Xiao Daocheng shameless, what does it mean that Xiao Xun is reluctant to Liang County's military power? At present, Xiao Zhen handed over the talisman to Xiao Daocheng, and the military power of Liang County naturally became Xiao Daocheng's, but Xiao Ying said that Xiao Xun was reluctant, so doesn't that mean that even if Xiao Daocheng takes back the talisman, it will be in vain?

Xiao Ying has always been brainless when he speaks, he comes when he opens his mouth, maybe he doesn't mean to ridicule Xiao Daocheng, but Xiao Daocheng can't help but think about it.

It was Xiao Ye, who was smart enough to know that the half of the talisman was useless to him, so he silently gave up the battle for the military power of Liang County, and stood obediently next to him without squeaking.

Xiao Zhen was choked by Xiao Ying like this, he was not angry or annoyed, he knew that Xiao Ying's words were inappropriate, and he was holding back the bad in his heart, he said: "The third brother's words are wrong, now, I have handed over the military talisman to my father, and the military power of Liang County is naturally my father's, how can I be reluctant?" ”

"Yes, third brother, you can't help but spend the belly of a gentleman with the heart of a villain, if the eldest brother is really reluctant to give up the military power, he will not hand over the military talisman," Xiao Ye couldn't help but interject, on the surface, he seemed to be helping Xiao Zhen to justify, but in fact, he was sarcastic that Xiao Zhen finally lost his military power.

Xiao Zhen no longer paid attention to the two, just knelt on the ground and bowed his head, and said to Xiao Zhen in a serious tone: "Father, regarding the transfer of troops from Liang County, the son implores my father to think twice!" ”

Seeing that Xiao Daocheng seemed to be a little shaken, Xiao Ye also hurriedly kowtowed, "Erchen seconded the proposal!" ”

Seeing that Xiao Ye was also questioning the decision, Xiao Daocheng became more and more hesitant, and couldn't help but let out a sigh, Xie Zheng stood beside him, naturally heard clearly, she knew that the time had come, so she also walked down quickly, knelt down and persuaded: "Your Majesty, the two highnesses are reasonable, it is indeed inappropriate to transfer troops from Liang County." ”

Xiao Daocheng has always been sure of Xie Zheng's talents, and he asked thoughtfully: "Then you should tell me, what's wrong?" ”

What's wrong? Oh, it's not right anywhere!

Xie Zheng said calmly: "Liang County and Jiuzhen County, one in the north and the other in the south, the two places are thousands of miles apart, not to mention how long it takes to walk on the road and how much food is needed to march the army, it is really inappropriate to deploy troops." Your Majesty, the southern border is important, but the northern border is not important? Although the Northern Wei Dynasty has now negotiated peace with this dynasty, the ambition of the wolf son of the Northern Wei Dynasty has to be guarded against! ”

Xiao Daocheng listened, and was silent for a while, what Xie Zheng said was indeed reasonable! Now that he thinks about it, he only cares about weakening Xiao Zhen's power, but he really didn't take into account the safety of the north, Liang County is located in an advantageous position, and it is a border place, since the Wei and Jin Dynasties, it has been a place where soldiers must fight, if he transfers Liang County's troops away at this time, won't it give the Northern Wei Dynasty a chance?

"What do you think I should do?"

Hearing Xiao Daocheng's inquiry, Xie Zheng was finally relieved, she secretly looked at Xiao Zhen and smiled, and then replied: "Your Majesty, Weichen heard that the Hussar General has quite a strong army in his hands, but in recent years, General Shen has been recuperating, and now that his family and country are in trouble, it is the time for General Shen to serve the imperial court." ”

vertex