In Kyoto, the summer country, the night is as dark as ink, as if it is about to swallow this peaceful but choppy place.

Kyoto Imperial Palace, Seisei Hall.

Under the rich candlelight, the atmosphere in the hall looked a little solemn. Around the hall, exquisite dragon and phoenix patterns are carved, rendering a majestic and mysterious atmosphere. In the center of the main hall, on a golden dragon chair, sat Zhang Cheng in a splendid dragon robe. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle.

The officials on both sides were like ghosts in the shadows, silent and deep. Their eyes were like wolves, burning in the dark.

"Have you heard, Li Luo's army is like a bamboo, and it has broken through more than a dozen cities in my Xia Kingdom, and the front line is in a hurry. My Xia Guojun is not upset, I'm afraid the most dangerous time is coming. ”

"Shhh Lord Zhang, if you say this, you will at least be convicted of a big crime that disturbs people's hearts. ”

"Harm, isn't this only said to you, Brother Liu, in my opinion, do we have to think of a way out in advance?"

"Wait, no matter what the situation in the Xia Kingdom is, we have always been the courtiers of the Xia Kingdom, and our lives have always been in the hands of Your Majesty. Don't be smart, Lord Zhang. ”

"Yes, yes, I understand this, Brother Liu can rest assured."

The hall lowered their voices and discussed, and the successive defeats in the front-line battles had already confused many people.

Suddenly, the door of the hall slowly closed, and with a heavy knock, the atmosphere in the hall instantly tense. Zhang Cheng's eyes were like knives, shooting straight into the hall, making all the voices freeze. After the silence, a clear voice echoed in the hall:

"Do you think that my Xia Kingdom has been defeated this time? The foundation of Xia Guo is going to be destroyed in the hands of my Zhang Cheng? ”

For a moment, everyone fell silent. That sentence pierced their hearts like a sharp sword.

Zhang Cheng said everyone's thoughts, but no one dared to admit it.

Everyone lowered their heads one after another, either weak or ashamed, and did not dare to face Zhang Cheng on the throne.

After a moment of silence, Zhang Cheng continued:

"As you think, the Xia Kingdom is indeed in an unprecedented crisis, Huainan Li Luo rebelled, and now he has even ordered eleven cities in my Xia Kingdom, and the target is directly aimed at my Kyoto."

"But I also want to tell you that General Zhou Ruchun's army has arrived at the front line, although Li Luo can be proud for a while, but Zhou Ruchun is one of the six famous generals in the world, and he has been famous for a long time, far above Li Luo."

"With General Zhou here, my Xia Kingdom will still be safe."

"I want you to remember that the way of heaven is clear, and although my Xia Kingdom has gone through some waves, it will definitely win the final victory."

"In addition, I would like to announce a decree that from now on until the end of the war, the ministers will take care of the affairs of the government in this Xuanzheng Palace, and during this period, I will take care of all your daily life and food, and I have only two requests."

"One, stabilize the hearts of the Xia people."

"Second, supply all the needs of the front line."

"Rank and file, can you have any objections?"

In the face of Zhang Cheng's sudden decision, there was silence in the hall for a long time. 33

Although Zhang Cheng seemed to be asking for everyone's suggestions, everyone was like a mirror in their hearts, it seemed to be an inquiry, but it was actually a notice.

At such times, if anyone dares to say a word, it is really stupid.

Looking at the silent crowd, Zhang Cheng chuckled and said:

"Since you have no opinion, then the matter is decided."

In silence, the people in the temple began to do their duties, and the place where they used to listen to the hadith has become a prison for them.

Prime Minister Xue Qingsi slowly raised his head and glanced at Zhang Cheng on the throne, and then arched his hand and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, the old minister has a few words, can you tell Your Majesty alone?" ”

Zhang Cheng nodded slightly: "Prime Minister, please." ”

Xue Qingsi stepped up to Zhang Cheng and said in a voice that could only be heard by the two of them:

"Your Majesty, if the minister remembers correctly, the peace mission of my Xia Kingdom should have just set off from Kyoto, right?"

Zhang Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he looked at Xue Qingsi with a slightly piercing fierce light and said:

"You're spying on me?"

Xue Qingsi bowed: "Your Majesty, the old minister doesn't dare." ”

With his eyes narrowing slightly, Zhang Cheng got up and beckoned, motioning for Xue Qingsi to come with him.

In the puzzled eyes of everyone, Xue Qingsi took Zhang Cheng and left.

Outside the Xuanzheng Palace, Zhang Cheng looked at Xue Qingsi with a cold face and said:

"The matter of the meeting and the mission sent by me is top secret, no one knows about it except me, how can the prime minister know that I have sent someone?"

Xue Qingsi bowed his hand in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's decision, the old minister naturally doesn't know, but the old minister has a secret eyeline on the Huainan side, according to the informant's report, on the day His Majesty sent the mission, Li Luo on the Huainan side was already ready to welcome the mission. ”

A look of surprise and anger suddenly appeared on Zhang Cheng's face: "You mean, there are spies around me?" ”

Xue Qingsi pondered for a moment, then bowed his hand and said:

"Your Majesty, your Majesty's previous advocacy of a policy to reassure the people was already a bit too hasty, and for these people who are accustomed to depriving themselves of benefits from the people, Your Majesty's actions have undoubtedly touched their backlash."

"It is true that as courtiers, they don't dare to say anything or do anything, but once Your Majesty declines, then they will inevitably fall into the ground."

"As for His Majesty's actions today, the minister believes that His Majesty has locked these people in the palace at this time, not only to make them more responsible, but also to spy on them."

"But Your Majesty, things must be reversed, Your Majesty acts like this, I am afraid that it will cause greater changes."

Hearing this, Zhang Cheng was already furious, and roared: "Xue Qingsi, are you questioning my decision?" ”

Xue Qingsi's face was flat, and he bowed his hand and said:

"Those who are ministers should fulfill their duties as courtiers, Your Majesty's move is inappropriate, and the ministers are risking death, and they must also speak."

Zhang Cheng sneered: "Are you threatening me? ”

Xue Qingsi bowed and was silent.

Zhang Cheng's expression was a little distorted: "Since the words have been said to this point, then I might as well tell you that in fact, I have placed eyeliner around each of you." ”

"With the defeat of the Xia Kingdom, many courtiers have a heart of disobedience in their hearts, and some have even figured out how to escape from the Xia Kingdom."

"In order to stabilize the situation in the court, I have no choice but to make this decision, only to ask the Yihe team to temporarily stabilize Li Luo and make time for me to rectify the court."

Xue Qingsi was surprised: "So, what Your Majesty did was to deal with the ministers of the court?" ”

Zhang Cheng said with some frustration: "I did this out of desperation. I thought that when the prime minister found out, he would understand what I was doing. ”

"Your Majesty, you are wrong." Xue Qingsi laughed with a sad face: "Whether the court will be chaotic or not depends on how Your Majesty decides. ”

"Xue Qingsi, don't you think you're too bold?" Zhang Cheng shouted angrily.

Xue Qingsi bowed his head a little desperately and said, "Old minister, please forgive your majesty!" ”

……

Some people died, but not completely......