The main hall of Wenyuan Pavilion, which was deserted on weekdays, suddenly became lively, and hundreds of officials stood in the dark and filled the hall.

"Fasting? What is fasting? Isn't this a blind toss?! Hou Yong pulled his neck and shouted.

Several military officials shook their heads in unison, and Hou Yong then shouted: "God wants snow, what does it matter to us?" The court said to donate grain, and we also donated it honestly. Oh, now I have to fast and pray again, and it's at least three days, so I'm not so bullying! ”

"That's it, we can suffer anything, but this anger can't be bearable!"

Several military officials nodded in unison.

"What personnel don't repair? It's none of our business whether to fix it or not, that's a matter for the cabinet. ”

Hearing this, many people cried out:

"Damn, let's only drink two bowls of gruel a day on this cold day, and there is no lack of virtue."

"What kind of dog day came up with the idea of cutting off children and grandchildren in front of the emperor, I know, Lao Tzu tore him alive!"

"I heard that this idea was ..... by the Holy Father."

There was silence for a moment.

"Yan Shenggong can't do that either!" Zhou Kun, the official of the ministry, walked over, glanced at everyone, and then said: "Heaven and earth are not kind, Gyeonggi has suffered a snow disaster, we as courtiers donate money and food to help the court tide over the difficulties, this is our duty." It doesn't matter if you act on the spot, or invite people to buy people's hearts, but you can't put this snow disaster on us. If you want to say that you are guilty, it should also be the Holy Father. The way of the saints is to educate all sentient beings. ”

"Well said!" All the officials cheered together!

Looking at such a chaotic scene, several imperial historians glanced at each other, and at the same time approached the left capital imperial history Meisheng.

Yiyu Shi: "General Xian, the second assistant will be here soon, this scene is too unruly." ”

"You should take care of it, it's too unruly." Another imperial history spoke.

While he was talking, the cabinet scholars came, with the second assistant Liu Wenbin in front, Ding Yuanzhu, Han Jun, and Wang Shaoguang following behind, walking towards this side.

All the officials gave up their hands: "Second assistant! ”

Liu Wenbin smiled and nodded constantly: "Don't be polite, don't be polite." ”

Han Huai, the secretary of the Ministry of Industry: "Second assistant, do you really want to fast and pray for blessings?" ”

Liu Wenbin nodded.

Yang Zongchang, the secretary of the Criminal Department: "How many days? ”

Liu Wenbin walked to the top and stopped, slowly glanced at the crowd, and then said: "The emperor convened the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites to discuss in the Yangxin Palace, and decided to go to the Temple of Heaven and Earth to pray for blessings on the winter solstice. ”

"Jifu, did Your Majesty really fast and pray for blessings in person?" A voice asked in a loud voice.

Liu Wenbin nodded.

The officials were stunned for a moment, and then began to talk again.

"What if the snow doesn't stop?" I don't know who shouted this, and everyone was taken aback and looked at it.

hasn't found the object yet, and then another voice came: "You can't spend the New Year at the Temple of Heaven and Earth." ”

There was a burst of laughter from the crowd.

Shuntian Mansion Yin Zhang Jiacheng moved slightly, and glanced behind Zhou Kun.

Yang Zongchang and the others were also startled at first, looking at the crowd with angry eyes, and when they heard this, several people glanced at each other, as if they had a tacit understanding, and stopped talking.

At this moment, Dong Shan hurriedly walked in and whispered a few words in Liu Wenbin's ear.

Liu Wenbin's face changed immediately: "Hmm? He glanced at Ding Yuanzhu and the three of them, and walked out quickly.

Ding Yuanzhu exchanged anxious glances with Han Jun and Wang Shaoguang, and walked out.

Looking at the backs of the four of them, Zhang Jiacheng was a little uneasy.

............

"Line up! Advance! Jiang Zining, the Marquis of the Plains, roared loudly and waved his hand!

The soldiers of the Xianwu battalion scattered in unison, lined up in battle formation, and approached with neat steps.

In front of them, the Yongding gate guard trembled slightly, beads of sweat the size of beans flowed down his cheeks from his forehead, gritted his teeth, and raised his hand: "Line up!" Obstruct! ”

Hundreds of Yongding Gate defenders lined up in a military formation and blocked in front of the city gate.

The people scattered in astonishment.

..........

In the wind and snow, Liu Wenbin and Dong Shan strode towards the Heart Cultivation Palace.

Ding Yuanzhu, Han Jun, and Wang Shaoguang followed closely behind.

Liu Wenbin panted: "What the hell is going on? ”

Dong Shan: "The king of Beihai County and others went to the fold, saying that they were all ordinary people, they were used to eating wine and meat on weekdays, and their hands were still stained with blood, and they were guilty of sins. Therefore, each family only donated 2,000 stone of grain and rice, and did not participate in the sacrifice to heaven and pray for blessings. ”

After a pause, "The king of Beihai County also asked for sick leave in the excerpt, saying that he was unwell and wanted to recuperate at home for half a month. ”

Liu Wenbin walked and walked, suddenly stopped and asked, "What about the Marquis of Zhongwu?" Did he make a fold? ”

Dong Shan shook his head.

...........

Liu Wenbin looked at the pile of folds on the royal eucalyptus and said, "Your Majesty, it is very abnormal for so many people in the military to fold at the same time!" ”

At this time, Zhu Wucheng was sitting in front of the imperial eucalyptus looking at the information of the various families that Dongchang quickly transferred, as Liu Wenbin said, after Xie Qiong's martial arts training camp entered the city yesterday, all the generals of the noble line gathered in the military camp in Xicheng, which was premeditated.

Several pages of the record drew Zhu Wucheng's gaze.

"On November 17, the forty-first year of Tianyou, Lin Zhixiao, the housekeeper of the Marquis of Zhongwu, suddenly returned to the Hou Mansion from outside the city, and after a stick of incense, the Marquis of Zhongwu took a carriage to the military department, and chatted with the Duke of Qi and the king of Beihai County in the lobby of the military department for half an hour. Then a group of soldiers of the king of Beihai County escorted the army out of the city. ”

"On the 17th day of November in the 41st year of the reign of God, Kong Qian, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, went to the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhongwu to visit the Marquis of Zhongwu, but was refused."

Zhu Wucheng raised his head and thought silently, thought for a moment, and then looked down.

"At the moment of November 17 in the forty-first year of Tianyou, Feng Ziying, the son of the Hou of Henan, accompanied Wei Ruolan out of the Mansion of the Marquis of Zhongwu."

After reading the last page, Zhu Wucheng was a little confused, what did they want to do?!

At this moment, Dong Shan walked in with a notebook in his hand, "Your Majesty, the excerpt of the Marquis of Zhongwu from the General Administration Department." ”

Zhu Wucheng took the fold, unfolded it and looked at it urgently, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief, it was not good to ask for leave.

Liu Wenbin: "Your Majesty ....."

Zhu Wucheng: "Marquis Zhongwu said that there were 3,000 people on Andingmen Street at once, and they were all young and strong, and it would be bad if there was chaos, so a battalion of firecrackers was transferred to maintain the defense. ”

Liu Wenbin nodded, looked at the pile of folds again, and said, "This is collusion!" I just don't know, why did they do it? ”

Ding Yuanzhu opened his mouth: "I didn't report to the cabinet, let alone get His Majesty's permission, and transferred the martial arts training camp to Beijing without authorization, this is 30,000 elite veterans." ”

Han Jun hesitated for a moment, then raised his head: "Your Majesty, this matter may be related to the Emperor Taishang!" ”

Zhu Wucheng frowned.

Wang Shaoguang's eyes flashed: "Maybe the military sensed the danger and trained the military camp to enter the city, or stationed in Xicheng, this is obviously a concern and vigilance." ”

Zhu Wucheng stood up suddenly, his face changed sharply, and he looked at Wang Shaoguang: "Go on." ”

Wang Shaoguang bowed his body, and then said: "The Emperor Taishang opened his mouth to protect the Kong family, and then there was a winter solstice sacrifice to pray for blessings, which is very abnormal!" ”

Zhu Wucheng picked up the page of record and looked at it again, looking at it, a sadness passed over his face, and he was silent for a while: "I understand." ”

"Your Majesty, the guards of Yongding Gate and the Marquis of Pingyuan have asked for an audience." Outside the main hall, the voice of the great eunuch on duty came from outside.

Zhu Wucheng was stunned for a moment: "Come in." ”

The master of Yongding Gate walked in in response, with no stomach on his body, bruises on his face, and knelt down by the door of the study: "Your Majesty, the minister is derelict in his duties..... The minister is guilty....."

Zhu Wucheng: "What's wrong?" ”

Yongding Gate guard: "Yongding Gate let the people of the Xianwu Battalion take over and change the defense!" ”

Zhu Wucheng's face changed: "Marquis of Pingyuan? Where are the others! ”

Jiang Zining, Marquis of the Plains, walked in, gave a military salute, and said, "Your Majesty." ”

Zhu Wucheng: "Who told you to lead the troops into the city?" ”

Jiang Zining: "Back to Your Majesty, half an hour ago, the minister received a military order from the military department, ordering the minister to lead the troops into the city to take over the defense of Yongding Gate, and be responsible for the guard of the Temple of Heaven and Earth, to ensure the safety of His Majesty and civil and military officials during the winter solstice sacrifice ceremony." As he spoke, he presented a military transfer order to Zhu Wucheng.

Zhu Wucheng took the military order presented by Dong Shan and looked at it, and his face suddenly turned blue.

Liu Wenbin couldn't help it, and asked tentatively, "Your Majesty .....?"

Zhu Wucheng pondered for a while before he said coldly: "A border army-style waist knife with an inscription deliberately sharpened was found outside the Anding Gate. ”

Several people were shocked!

The green tendons on Zhu Wucheng's forehead began to beat, and then he turned his gaze to Dong Shan.

Dong Shan understood and said directly: "Marquis Zhongjing is reviewing the army in Jizhou Town. ”

Liu Wenbin was stunned and asked tightly, "Have you found anything?" ”

Dong Shan looked at Zhu Wucheng, and then replied: "If you haven't found it today, Marquis Zhongjing will go to Shanhaiguan." ”

At this moment, the voice of the chief eunuch on duty came from outside the main hall: "Your Majesty, Dongchang is in an emergency." ”

Zhu Wucheng's eyes glanced at Dong Shan and motioned for him to accept it.

Dong Shan hurriedly walked out, only to hear the sound of the door of the temple opening and closing, and soon walked back to Zhu Wucheng's side and held it there.

Zhu Wucheng took the secret letter, tore open the seal and looked at it, his eyes suddenly straightened! Li Wenzhong's army has entered the pass, and it is directly rushing to Juyong Pass, which can be explained at this time.

..............

Snowflakes are flying.

More than 1,000 young people are clearing the burned Happy Forest, most of the streets have been burned, the main beams burned into charcoal have been smashed and transported away, the remaining walls around have also been torn down, the rubble is mixed with half of the burned sheets and bedding, as well as the gold and silver jewelry that has been burned to the ground, and more than a dozen Shuntianfu clerks are counting the records, these are the property of Dongchang.

There are still a lot of good people on the street to watch the excitement, from time to time to say a few words, the street is more lively, wonton stalls, baked cake stalls, and selling hot buns, shouting one after another, suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps, before the hawkers could react, they saw two teams of officers and soldiers appearing at the same time from the bends at both ends of the street.

"Martial law! All go home! Go home! ”

"The government has a business trip! Everyone shrugged away! ”

Two teams of soldiers armed with self-made firearms blocked the street in a few steps, and then a thousand generals and a group of soldiers rushed to the happy forest.

Looking at these soldiers holding firearms, the hearts of all the young men were shocked, and their faces turned pale.

The thousand chief officers walked forward with a knife covered in snowflakes, glanced at everyone, and said loudly: "You all heard clearly, everyone went to the street to register their names and places of origin, nine people are a team, each other is protected, one person lies, and the whole team is killed!" ”

After a pause, "Don't look at Lao Tzu who doesn't know your identity, the ministry said that you will not be held accountable, and after the house is renovated, you will be transferred to the Mobei grassland to serve one year of military service." ”

...............

It was snowing hard outside, but it was warm as spring inside.

Two large braziers were blazing in the middle of the room, Yan Shenggong was sitting on the chair of the Taishi circle wearing a big red auspicious suit, and Kong Qian made a bowl of tea with his own hands.

Yan Shenggong took the tea bowl and sipped it slowly, and said, "The Emperor Taishang is calculating heaven and earth, and he didn't expect that the military would lift the table..... Hehe, the Lianwu Battalion controls Xicheng, the Xianwu Battalion controls Yongdingmen and the Temple of Heaven and Earth, plus the Ruishi Battalion stationed in the Chongwenmen camp, unless he tears his face, the Emperor Taishang has no chance of winning. ”

Kong Qian hesitated for a moment and asked, "Are the three battalions of Xiaoyong, Yangwei, and Zhenwei still in the city?" ”

Yan Shenggong sneered: "He wants to take the opportunity to transfer the soldiers and horses of the Xungui lineage out of Shenjing, and the Xungui military will also find an excuse to transfer these three battalions of soldiers and horses out of the city, don't forget, the Duke of Qi is still the secretary of the military department, and the seal of Guan Defense is in their hands." ”

Kong Qian: "The three thousand Jizhou border troops who entered the city have been taken care of by the Rui Shi battalion, so I don't know how the Emperor Taishang will react?" ”

Yan Sheng Gong put the tea bowl aside, stood up, paced two steps, and sighed, "This may be an opportunity. As he spoke, he turned around slowly, "The Emperor Taishang is too ruthless, he wants to use the Winter Solstice Sacrifice to get rid of the Xungui military, and by the way, break the aura on the Kong family...... You should know what the consequences will be if all the military generals died in the Temple of Heaven and Earth, or if hundreds of civil and military officials were killed or injured? ”

Kong Qian was stunned and replied in a low voice: "I know that the Kong family will bear all the consequences, and even when the news reaches the Gunzhou Mansion, Xiangyang Bo may slaughter the entire Kong clan in despair. ”

Yan Shenggong nodded: "For the sake of the saint's humanity not to be severed, and for the future of the Ming Dynasty, the old man decided to cooperate with the Zhongwu Marquis and them, and the Emperor Taishang was already stunned....."

Kong Qian was stunned: "Because of the Wen family and the talisman, we have already offended them, will they agree?" Even if they agree, what if they regret it afterwards? The blood of the thousands of innocent officials at the entrance of the vegetable market has not dried yet! ”

Yan Shenggong smiled and sat back in his chair, "It's a big deal that they take my old life, it's better than letting the emperor give the title to Nanzong." Speaking of this, he took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and sighed deeply: "If the Xungui military wants to retreat from this battle, it must be restored by the Emperor Taishang, otherwise the emperor will fall to the Emperor Taishang..... After all, they are still father and son....."

"This ....."

Looking at this secret letter that was collaged piece by piece, Kong Qian understood.

...........

By this time it was getting dark.

Emperor Tianyou did not sit on the chair he usually sat on, but sat on a recliner with a letter on the low table next to him, and he took medicine for several days, which made him much more energetic than before, and if you look closely, his face also reveals a fierce aura.

After the medicine was ready, Dai Quan walked up to Emperor Tianyou with the bowl of medicine, and took a sip of it himself, and then persuaded: "Your Majesty, it's time to take the medicine." ”

Emperor Tianyou took the bowl with both hands and drank it in one gulp.

Dai Quan sighed silently, took the medicine bowl and walked to the small stove, poured half a bowl of warm water, walked back to Emperor Tianyou, took another sip, and then handed it to Emperor Tianyou

The news of Tianyou Emperor became suspicious of everyone, although he did not say it explicitly, but a trace of doubt and vigilance could be seen from his eyes.

Maybe that's what it's called being alone.

Dai Quan took the bowl, poured hot water and twisted a hot towel and walked back to Emperor Tianyou to slowly wipe his face for him, hesitated for a moment, and said cautiously: "Your Majesty, why don't you go and invite the emperor to the old slave?" ”

Emperor Tianyou looked at him, with both loneliness and some comfort in his eyes: "I understand your thoughts, but I won't lose, no!" ”

"But ....."

"That's it!" Emperor Tianyou's gaze suddenly looked out of the door, "Do you think he will believe me?" At this point, he paused for a moment and continued, "If he dares to lift the table, I will immediately hand over all the rights." If he had the protection of the noble military, he would still be afraid..... Hum! You know best what I am doing, if it weren't for this obstacle..... What do I mean? ”

Speaking of which, Dai Quan was also a little shocked.