Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's words, so he said to Cao Jixiang: "Don't be afraid of this, I know in my heart that since what Cao Aiqing said was heard in the market, then Cao Aiqing might as well regard me as a guest official in the tea shop in the market, and tell me everything well." ”

Cao Jixiang heard Zhu Qizhen's words, and understood in his heart that the emperor had already made up his mind to get to the bottom of it, so he knelt down to Zhu Qizhen and said: "The emperor, the people in the market, have a lot of disrespect for the ministers of the court, and the old slave is afraid that after telling the emperor, he will make the emperor angry in vain." ”

Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's words, so he smiled and said to Cao Jixiang: "Cao Aiqing doesn't have to be afraid of this, since I am listening to it as a conversation after tea and dinner, why should Cao Qing's family worry about this matter." ”

Cao Jixiang saw that Zhu Qizhen had this statement, and he knew in his heart that the foreshadowing was enough, so he immediately kowtowed to the emperor and said: "Your Majesty, today the old slave went out of the palace to do things for the emperor, and I overheard that there was a rumor in the teahouse and wine shop in the world, which was precisely about the son of Lord Xu Youzhen and Lord Shi Heng. ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's words, his heart was extremely strange, so he opened his mouth to Cao Jixiang and asked: "Lord Cao, if you talk about the rumors about Lord Cao Jixiang and Lord Shi Heng, I think it is possible, but how can it be about Xu Youzhen Shi Heng's son." ”

Hearing that Zhu Qizhen had this question, Cao Jixiang opened his mouth and said: "The emperor's question is not bad at all, and the old slave also thinks like this, but I didn't expect that the matter is really about the son of Lord Xu Youzhen and Lord Shi Heng." ”

Hearing Cao Jixiang's words, Zhu Qizhen was naturally more and more curious, and then continued to ask Cao Jixiang: "Oh, there are such unwarranted rumors, you might as well listen to them." ”

Zhu Qizhen said this, and Cao Jixiang said as if he had been amnestied: "Since the emperor wants to hear it, then Cao Jixiang will talk to the emperor about this matter." ”

Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's words, so he spoke to Cao Jixiang and said, "That's right, I'll listen to what I say." ”

When Cao Jixiang heard this, he thought about it slightly, and then said to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, the news that the old slave heard is like this, according to the people in the market, Lord Xu Youzhen didn't know what method was used, and during the period when Lord Shi Heng was thinking about it, Lord Shi Heng's beloved son was quietly taken away from the academy. ”

As soon as he heard this, Zhu Qizhen opened his mouth and said, "Since there is such a thing? ”

Cao Jixiang heard Zhu Qizhen ask like this, so he nodded and said: "Your Majesty, it seems that this should be a rumor in the market." ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he said to Cao Jixiang: "Yes, yes, judging from the current situation, this matter should be a rumor in the market." ”

Cao Jixiang heard Zhu Qizhen's words, so he said from the side: "The old slave is also the same as the emperor's idea, thinking that even if Lord Xu Youzhen has a grudge with Lord Shi Heng, it should not be anything." ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he said to Cao Jixiang: "Yes, I also think the same way, even if Xu Youzhen has some contradictions with Shi Heng, he will not be a great enemy of life and death, this kind of kidnapping of people's children, Xu Youzhen can't do it, not to mention that Xu Youzhen is still a scholar, and a scholar always has a conscience." ”

Seeing that Zhu Qizhen's tone changed, Cao Jixiang changed his tone and said: "What the emperor said is not bad at all, and the old slave also thinks in his heart that Lord Xu Youzhen is a scholar of Si Siwenwen, and he will definitely not do such a thing as a beast." It's just that the people in the market preach it with eyebrows and eyes, and no one can believe it. ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he asked Cao Jixiang: "What about the message in the market?" Tell me quickly. ”

Hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, Cao Jixiang opened his mouth and said: "Your Majesty, in fact, things are not so complicated, the old slave heard from the market that Lord Xu Youzhen hired a group of masters of the rivers and lakes, and took Lord Shi's son away from the academy where he studied while Lord Shi Heng was defenseless in the court. ”

Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's words, and naturally he was a little concerned about this matter, so he spoke to Cao Jixiang and said, "What happened to this matter later?" ”

Cao Jixiang then spoke: "I heard that Lord Shiheng sent a Chinese person to Lord Xu Youzhen as a lobbyist, and finally saved his son. ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this secret, he felt quite surprised in his heart, so he spoke to Cao Jixiang and said: "Shi Heng sent a Chinese man to rescue his son, who has such great ability?" ”

Hearing that Zhu Qizhen had this question, Cao Jixiang opened his mouth to Zhu Qizhen and said, "It is said that it is Master Li Xian Li." ”

"Which Li Xian?" Zhu Qizhen felt a little familiar when he heard this name, and after being slightly stunned, he opened his mouth to Cao Jixiang and asked.

When Cao Jixiang heard this, he saluted Zhu Qizhen and said: "Your Majesty, this Li Xian is not someone else, it is the Li Xian who pleaded for Yu Qian's son Yu Mian last time. ”

Hearing Cao Jixiang's words, Zhu Qizhen also remembered this person, so he spoke to Cao Jixiang: "It turns out that it is this strength that makes Li Xian, in this way, I have some impressions. Although this Li Xian is a little stubborn, it is not bad. ”

Seeing that Zhu Qizhen said this, Cao Jixiang naturally took the opportunity to say: "What the emperor said is extremely true, if these rumors of people in the market are true, this Li Xian's talent is really not bad." After all, mediating this matter among the two important ministers of the current dynasty, to be able to make this contribution, it is natural that Li Xian's means are in it. ”

Hearing Cao Jixiang's words, Zhu Qizhen also bowed his head and agreed: "What Cao Aiqing said is not bad, if the rumors in the market are true, this Li Xian really has a copy of the matter, otherwise how can he accept this big thing." ”

Cao Jixiang saw that Zhu Qizhen said this, so he was naturally happy for Li Xian, so he said to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, talents are rare, and you must not let this kind of talent go." ”

Zhu Qizhen heard Cao Jixiang's suggestion, and his heart couldn't help but move slightly.

These days, Zhu Qizhen has also been thinking about one thing in his heart, from the current situation, there are Cao Jixiang and Sun Xiang in the palace who can barely maintain a balance, not to mention that they are in charge, but outside the palace, Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng have always been the two oligarchs in the court, and Zhu Qizhen is also quite worried in his heart.

What's more, over the past few days, Zhu Qizhen has also learned news from all sides that Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng are at odds with each other, and there will inevitably be a life-and-death struggle.

Zhu Qizhen naturally understood this matter, but Zhu Qizhen felt that if one of the two was defeated by the other, the friends were not terrible, but if one person was dominant, the threat to Zhu Qizhen's status would be great.

After having this idea in his heart, Zhu Qizhen knew in his heart that if he wanted to attack and keep the situation in the DPRK and China still in his own hands, the best way was to introduce a person to maintain the three-legged situation between the DPRK and China, so that he could sit firmly in the position of emperor.

But from the current situation, things are not so simple.

Today, I didn't intend to hear him mention Li Xian in Cao Jixiang's words, and Zhu Qizhen thought of this person in his heart.

Li Xian once advocated reinstating himself, and had a big quarrel with Yu Qian, who was in charge of the country at the time, but later he didn't know that this person suddenly interceded for Yu Qian's son Yu Mian.

That time made Zhu Qizhen extremely unhappy, and he wanted to cut off this person's head in a fit of anger, but later Jian Huaizhen came forward and took back his fate, so this Li Xian is also fateful.

A person with a big life will have a blessing in the future, Zhu Qizhen feels that he can support Li Xian.

But before that, you have to take a good estimate of how much loyalty Li Xian has in his heart.

Zhu Qizhen thought of this, and felt in his heart that this matter still needed to be considered in the long run.

However, Zhu Qizhen didn't want Cao Jixiang to know about this thought, so he said to Cao Jixiang with an expressionless face: "Father-in-law Cao, you said that this matter, is there something that you can't help but do." This kind of thing really happened between Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng, and it can't be done. ”

When Cao Jixiang heard this, he said to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, there are rumors and rumors in the capital right now, but the old slave feels in his heart that the two adults will definitely not make such a fuss. ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he bowed his head slightly and said, "I feel the same way in my heart. ”

When Cao Jixiang heard this, he respectfully kowtowed to Zhu Qizhen and said, "The saint doesn't have to worry, this matter will definitely come to light in the future." After talking for a long time, I was afraid that the saint would be tired, so the old slave retreated first. ”

Zhu Qizhen also had some things in his heart that he wanted to think about alone, so he said to Zhu Qizhen: "It's okay, it's better for Cao Qing's family to retreat first." ”

Hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, Cao Jixiang knelt down and gave a deep salute, and then retreated.

After Cao Jixiang retreated, Zhu Qizhen thought carefully in his heart for a while, and felt that if Xu Youzhen really intended to attack Shi Heng, he couldn't ignore this matter.

Thinking about it carefully, Zhu Qizhen decided to follow the vine, first let people find the guards at the gate of the palace to ask questions, and explore the truth before talking.

Zhu Qizhen shouted to the waiting eunuch and asked, "Hurry up and find the guards at the gate of the palace, I have something to ask." ”

When the eunuch who was standing heard this command, he did not dare to slack off, so he went to look for someone.

Soon the guards guarding the palace gate were summoned to Zhu Qizhen, and they all knelt down on the mountain in front of Zhu Qizhen and shouted long live.

"Long live my emperor." A group of guards kowtowed to Zhu Qizhen and saluted.

Seeing the guards like this, Zhu Qizhen waved his hand slightly and said, "All the soldiers are flat. ”

The palace guards heard Zhu Qizhen's order before they dared to stand up from the ground.

The foreman's guard said to Zhu Qizhen: "Your Majesty, I summoned me to come to the palace today, and I don't know what to send." ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he opened his mouth and said, "Actually, I don't have any other meaning, I just want to ask you soldiers to come over and ask about something?" ”

Hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, the foreman's guard opened his mouth and said, "If the emperor has something to say, please ask him." ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he spoke to the foreman's guard: "Here's the thing, I heard that there are quite a lot of rumors in the market, saying that Xu Youzhen, the minister of the central government, has a bad relationship with Lord Shi Heng, and I heard that this matter has already caused a storm in the city, and even the guards guarding the Forbidden Palace have learned about it, is this really the case?" ”

Hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, the commander of the guards spoke: "What the emperor said is not bad at all, there are indeed such rumors in the market, but whether it is true or not, the minions don't know the details. ”

Zhu Qizhen heard the words of the commander of the guards, and understood in his heart that Xu Youzhen's evil relationship with Shi Heng was definitely not out of nowhere, and it was obvious that there was a levy in the future.

After understanding this matter in his heart, Zhu Qizhen opened his mouth and said: "There is no wind and no waves, so it seems that the rumors in the market also have a certain truth." Wait for you to listen to the words of the people in the market, and talk to me well. ”

Seeing Zhu Qizhen's words, the head of the guard said to Zhu Qizhen: "Since the emperor has this order, how dare we disobey it." ”

Then the head of the guard told Zhu Qizhen the rumors he had heard.

After the leader of the guards finished speaking, Zhu Qizhen pointed out a few more guards.

It turned out that what these guards said was almost the same, and Zhu Qizhen believed in his heart that what Cao Jixiang said to him today was the truth.

After believing this, Zhu Qizhen felt that there was a fierce battle between Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng, and judging from the current situation, he couldn't know how this matter would develop for the time being.

In fact, all this was arranged by Cao Jixiang.

Cao Jixiang knew in his heart that if he wanted Zhu Qizhen to trust him, the only way was to make Zhu Qizhen say and see nothing different from what he had reported, so that he could establish in Zhu Qizhen's heart the impression of being loyal and unconcealed in front of the emperor.

Cao Jixiang has spent a lot of effort on this matter, and now that he has such an opportunity, he is naturally unwilling to give up.

Sure enough, although Zhu Qizhen was cautious, he still fell into Cao Jixiang's trap.

After learning from the guards that the rumors in the market were not much different from the rumors reported by Cao Jixiang, Zhu Qizhen felt that the officials in the court were really unreliable.

Even Xu Youzhen, the first assistant minister of the imperial court, dared to hide so many tricks from himself.

Thinking of this, Zhu Qizhen became more and more angry in his heart.

"It seems that we still have to deal with these officials under our command." Zhu Qizhen secretly said to himself in his heart.

But even so, Zhu Qizhen still thought about this matter in his heart, but he was afraid that it was quite true.

"Your Majesty, if there is anything else you want to ask me?" Seeing that Xu Youzhen was slow to speak, the commander of the guards said to Zhu Qizhen.

Hearing the words of the guard in front of him, Zhu Qizhen opened his mouth and said: "Judging from the current situation, I don't have anything to ask you to wait, and if I want to find you in the future, you still have to tell me well." ”

When the minister of the guards saw Zhu Qizhen's words, he spoke to Zhu Qizhen: "Since the emperor has this order, the little one will lead the guards down first." ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he bowed slightly to the commander and said, "Okay, let's go back first, if I have something, I'll come and summon you." ”

Hearing the emperor's words, the commander of the guards led a group of guards to follow Zhu Qizhen to give a salute, and then went back on an errand.

After the guards left, Zhu Qizhen thought carefully about the words that Fang had just summoned the guards, thought carefully for a while, and then understood the matter in his heart.

Zhu Qizhen knew in his heart that Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng in the court seemed to have a great fight, and the court was already in the dark tide, no matter what the situation was, he still had to do a good job as an emperor.

After Zhu Qizhen had this idea in his heart, he knew in his heart that there would inevitably be a big change in the DPRK and China, and judging from the current situation, he still had to think carefully about how to act.

After thinking about this in his heart, Zhu Qizhen thought of someone in his heart, and that was Li Xian.

Zhu Qizhen thought in his heart that if he wanted to maintain the balance of power in the court, it seemed that he had to think carefully about whether to support Li Xian.

With this thought in Zhu Qizhen's heart, he naturally began to plan for this matter.

Just when Zhu Qizhen was planning about this matter, Cao Jixiang naturally learned about the situation on the emperor's side, and he knew in his heart that his plan had finally taken effect.

This is exactly what Cao Jixiang has always wanted to achieve, and now it has been achieved.

Zhu Qizhen finally believed what he was doing right.

And Zhu Qizhen asked the guards to ask questions, which is undoubtedly the case, and the fight between Xu Youzhen and Shi Heng is indeed known to passers-by.

As a result, Zhu Qizhen did not trust the ministers of the court such as Xu Youzhen and others in accordance with the law.

Zhu Qizhen felt that although these ministers of the court always pretended to be loyal in front of him, they actually had their own plans in their hearts.

Is it still with the help of himself, the king, to coerce the Son of Heaven to order the princes?

Zhu Qizhen thought about it like this, and it was natural that Xu Youzhen and others were dissatisfied.

After waving off the guards of the Forbidden Palace, Zhu Qizhen was depressed in his heart, not knowing how to face such a situation.

After returning to the harem, Zhu Qizhen felt more and more bored in his heart.

was thinking about this matter with all his might, when he suddenly heard a eunuch outside playing: "Your Majesty, the eldest princess of the emperor has come to see you, may I ask if the emperor will see it or not?" ”

When Zhu Qizhen heard the eunuchs say this, he knew in his heart that it was Zhu Huaizhen who came to ask for a meeting, and thought in his heart that he might as well ask her opinion.

Having made up his mind in his heart, Zhu Qizhen opened his mouth to the eunuch who was kneeling outside to serve: "Quickly invite the eldest princess to come to see me." ”

Hearing the emperor's words, the eunuchs in the palace did not dare to slack off, so they obeyed Zhu Qizhen's instructions to invite Jian Huaizhen to meet the emperor.

As soon as Jian Huaizhen entered, he immediately smiled at the emperor sitting on the dragon couch: "I haven't seen the emperor for a few days, but the emperor is getting clearer and clearer, presumably because of the busy state affairs." ”

Zhu Qizhen didn't stand up, but said busily: "Originally, I was supposed to visit the eldest princess, but I bothered the eldest princess to come to visit me, please take a seat." ”

Hearing Zhu Qizhen's words, Jian Huaizhen sat down as he said.

After Jian Huaizhen sat down, Zhu Qizhen got up from the throne, walked to the eldest princess Zhu Huaizhen and asked, "The eldest princess came to see me today, but what is the important matter?" ”

When Jian Huaizhen heard this, he said to Zhu Qizhen: "I came here today, I don't have anything important, I just haven't seen you for a few days, I just want to come to visit the emperor." ”

Zhu Qizhen heard Jian Huaizhen's words, so he opened his mouth and said: "TOEFL, my body is still healthy, and now that it is time to eat, since the eldest princess is here today, why don't you enjoy a royal meal with me." ”

Hearing this, Jian Huaizhen hurriedly opened his mouth and said, "Since this is the case, this palace will not shirk it. It's just that this is the emperor's imperial meal......"

When Zhu Qizhen heard this, he said with a smile: "This is too arrogant." ”

Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "The eldest princess doesn't have to worry about this matter, the imperial aunt and grandmother are originally from the Zhu family, and our Zhu family enjoys the meal by ourselves, but I am afraid that no one dares to talk nonsense." Why don't you stay and dine with me? I still have something I want to ask the eldest princess about? ”