Tai Hao stepped into the yamen and saw Ling Yi, the imperial historian, sitting in the front hall, as if he had been waiting for a long time.

When Ling Yi saw Taihao coming, a smile appeared on his face, and he said, "Taihao City Lord, don't come unharmed." I've been waiting here for a long time. ”

Tai Hao was puzzled and said, "Lord Ling Yi, I don't know what to find me?" ”

Ling Yi looked serious and said, "The matter I talked about with the Taihao City Lord last time was not finished yet, and I have come to continue to discuss with the City Lord today." ”

Tai Hao's heart moved, and he said, "Lord Ling Yi is talking about the question of the succession to the throne?" ”

Ling Yi nodded and said, "That's exactly what happened." ”

Tai Hao pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Ling Yi, it doesn't seem very suitable for us to talk about this matter in the yamen. ”

Ling Yi understood and said, "Then can you ask the Taihao City Lord to move to my mansion, and we can chat while drinking tea?" ”

Tai Hao thought for a moment, then turned to the judicial army and asked, "Is there a case to be handled in the yamen today?" ”

The judicial officer replied, "Tell the city lord, there is no case today. ”

Tai Hao nodded and said to Ling Yi, "Then let it be arranged by Lord Ling Yi." ”

So, they went to Ling Yi's mansion together.

When they stepped into Ling Yi's mansion, they saw that the maids had already prepared fragrant tea. Ling Yi personally poured a cup for Taihao and said, "Taihao City Lord, please use tea." ”

Tai Hao picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Lord Ling Yi, the issue of succession to the throne is really beyond the reach of our courtiers. Whoever should inherit the unification shall have his own edict of the emperor, and we can follow it. ”

A hint of sharpness flashed in Ling Yi's eyes, and he said, "What the Taihao City Lord said is extremely true. However, the crown prince Xuanxin was only three months old, how could he take on the heavy responsibility of governing the Eastern Empire? In fact, you may not know that there is a more suitable heir to the throne in our Eastern Empire. ”

Tai Hao's heart moved, and he said, "You mean Xuanxiao, the son of Xuanjie, the third prince of Emperor Xuangang?" ”

A hint of surprise flashed in Ling Yi's eyes, and he said, "It turns out that the Taihao City Lord has also heard of Xuanxiao Gongzi. ”

Tai Hao put down the teacup and said: "Although Xuanxiao is a descendant of the royal family, he has been away from the government for many years, and he has never been crowned a throne, which is no different from ordinary people. If he inherits the throne, I am afraid it will be difficult to convince the public. ”

Ling Yi sneered and said, "Xuan Xiao is not only the eldest son of the Xuan Realm, but also the nephew of the former Emperor Xuan Yu. In terms of qualifications, he is the most suitable candidate to inherit the throne. And the current emperor Xuancheng is just the cousin of Emperor Xuanyu. Now more than half of the officials in the court support Xuanxiao, so I was ordered to ask the lord of Taihao City to help Xuanxiao. ”

Tai Hao frowned and said, "Since more than half of the officials support Xuanxiao, why do you need my help?" I, a small city lord of Thousand Winds City, how can I influence the matter of the throne? ”

Ling Yi smiled slightly and said, "Taihao City Lord, you are too humble. Now what Xuanxiao Gongzi needs is a talent like you who is both civil and military, who can not only properly govern the city, but also lead the troops to fight with superb martial arts. ”

Tai Hao said indifferently: "Lord Ling Yi, with all due respect, I also have my opinion on the issue of succession to the throne. I believe that the will of the current emperor should be followed. Although the emperor was seriously ill, the ministers of the court and the central government did not worry about the emperor's safety, but instead vied with each other to form gangs and fight for the right to inherit the throne, which was indeed a bit out of place. ”

A hint of sharpness flashed in Ling Yi's eyes, and he said, "What the Taihao City Lord said is extremely true. However, some things are not as simple as they seem. If you don't elect Xuanxiao Gongzi as the emperor, do you want to let a child who is still in infancy, or a woman with no political experience, Princess Changxiang, inherit the throne? ”

Tai Hao said in a deep voice: "Lord Ling Yi, whether it is the crown prince Xuanxin or Princess Changxiang, or the son of the late prince Xuanjie, Xuanxiao, as long as the emperor designates someone in the edict, I will fully support it." If the emperor is not dead, we should not think about it. After speaking, he got up and left, not giving Ling Yi a chance to respond.

Just as Taihao was about to return to the Yamen, a familiar voice came from the other side of the street: "Lord Taihao, Lord Taihao......"

He looked back and saw that it was NVC.

"Brother NVC, it's you." Taihao said with a smile.

NVC stepped forward quickly and said, "My subordinates are about to invite Lord Taihao, and today my subordinates are all off duty with Wushuang, Shi Chun, Xiangzhi, and Xuanzhen." We got together in the wine shop, planning to get drunk and rest, I wonder if you would be interested in going together today? ”

Tai Hao pondered for a moment, considering that there was nothing important in the Yamen today, so he smiled and said, "Okay, I just want to have a good reunion with a few brothers." ”

NVC was overjoyed and said, "Great! Please come down with me. ”

Subsequently, Tai Hao followed NVC to the private room on the second floor of a well-known wine store in the city. The private room is simply and elegantly furnished, with an unobstructed view of the street from the window, and a faint aroma of wine and wood in the room.

When Taihao walked into the private room, Wushuang, Shi Chun, Xiangzhi, Xuanzhen and other brothers had been waiting for a long time. They all got up one after another, with happy smiles on their faces, and extended their warmest welcome to Tai Hao.

Tai Hao felt a warm current in his heart, and after sitting down with them, he said with emotion: "It's rare that several of you are off work today, so I have the opportunity to meet you." I wonder how you've been doing all these years? ”

"Lord Hui, we have had a good life as a guard in the palace all these years." Everyone said in unison.

Wu Shuang smiled and said, "Lord Taihao, you have been in Jiutu City for nearly six years, and now you have finally returned to the capital. ”

Shi Chun nodded and agreed: "Yes, my lord." We have missed you all these years. ”

There was a hint of worry in his eyes: "In addition to missing, there is more worry. After all, Jiutu City is located in the northeast zone, and the weather is cold, so I am worried that you will not be able to adapt to the environment there. ”

Xuanzhen patted the table: "We are all very happy to see Lord Taihao now." ”

Taihao looked at these familiar faces in front of him, and couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion in his heart. They have experienced countless ups and downs together, and now they are together again, as if they are separated from each other. He raised his glass and said, "Then let's toast to this reunion." ”

The brothers cheered in unison, and the wine glasses collided with each other, making a crisp sound.

Tai Hao asked the brothers, "Has anything happened in the palace recently?" ”

NVC frowned and said, "In the past month, the strength of the palace has gradually increased, and the guards of the Taiji Gate have increased to two thousand. ”

The rest of the brothers also said that the guards they were in charge of had also been reinforced.

Tai Hao's heart moved, and he asked again, "Which of you is on duty in the Zichen Palace?" ”

Xuan Zhen said in a deep voice: "My subordinates are currently serving as guards in the Zichen Palace, responsible for guarding the palace gates. ”

Tai Hao asked, "Do you know if the emperor's condition has improved?" ”

Xuan Zhen said in a low voice: "I heard that the imperial doctors are talking in private that the emperor's condition has reached the point of no return. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his face changed slightly, and he hurriedly coughed lightly, trying to change the topic. He said: "I see, this is the reason why the palace has strengthened the deployment of troops. ”

Later, Tai Hao asked again, "Which officials have entered the Zichen Hall recently?" ”

Xuan Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "Prime Minister Mao Jing goes to Zichen Hall every day, and other officials rarely go in and out. It seems that he will only go when the emperor summons him. ”

Tai Hao asked curiously, "When I went to Zichen Hall before, why didn't I meet Brother Xuanzhen?" ”

Xuan Zhen said with a smile: "My lord, the day you went happened to be the day when your subordinates rested. ”

Tai Hao nodded, and asked again, "So, which officials have you seen enter the Zichen Palace?" ”

Xuan Zhen pondered for a moment and said, "The officials I have seen in the Zichen Hall recently include Lord Ran Zhang, General Nanzhu, Uncle Xiaobiao, University Scholar Pei Fei, Shangshu Yonghua of the Criminal Department, and Dutong of the Military Department. In addition to this, there is also Princess Changxiang. ”

After listening to the list of officials mentioned by Xuanzhen, Taihao fell into deep thought. He pondered the meaning behind each name, the background and influence of each person.

Lord Ran Zhang, the veteran of the Three Dynasties mentioned by Lord Yuzhen, was responsible for punishing corruption and meritorious service when he was named the history of supervision, and was deeply loved by the people. Such an official will definitely be reused by the emperor and become the mainstay of the imperial court.

General Nanzhu, needless to say, once fought side by side, and met yesterday.

However, Taihao has never heard of the names of Uncle Xiaobiao, Pei Fei, a scholar of the Criminal Department, Yonghua of the Criminal Department, and Dutong of the Ministry of War. Tai Hao secretly speculated in his heart that these must be important officials in the court, responsible for various affairs of the imperial court. The emperor summoned them to discuss major affairs and plan the future of the country.

And the name of Princess Changxiang made Taihao feel a little confused. At the beginning, it was the current emperor Xuancheng who let Princess Changxiang guard the tomb for the first emperor. Now I want to summon Princess Changxiang, what is the purpose?

Just as the brothers were immersed in laughter, a palace official suddenly appeared in the private room on the second floor, breaking the silence.

"So you guys are here." The official glanced around, and said in a serious tone: "The palace affairs are busy, all the guards have canceled their shifts, and hurry back to the palace." ”

Tai Hao asked curiously, "Who is this?" ”

NVC got up and introduced, "This is Lord Xunyuan, the commander of the guards in the palace. Lord Xunyuan, let's go back. ”

Xun Yuan glanced at Tai Hao, noticed that he was wearing an official uniform, and asked, "May I ask who Your Excellency is?" ”

Tai Hao calmly replied: "In the Lower Thousand Winds City Lord Tai Hao. ”

Xun Yuan showed a clear look and said, "It turned out to be the Taihao City Lord, who saw you in the palace many years ago. Taihao City Lord, since I met you here, I don't have to go to your mansion, I was ordered by the emperor to convey a message to Taihao, the city lord of Thousand Winds City, and go to the palace tomorrow to participate in the early dynasty. ”

Tai Hao's heart was shocked, he knew what it meant. He replied respectfully, "Your Lord's Order." ”

However, the doubts in his heart made him can't help but ask: "I heard that the emperor has not been to the early court for more than a month, why does he suddenly want to go to the early court tomorrow, is the emperor in good health?" ”

Xun Yuan didn't answer his question, but just said lightly: "Taihao City Lord, there is no need to ask more, I will participate in the early dynasty on time tomorrow." ”

Taihao comprehended and arched his hand: "Understood! ”

Taihao also left the wine shop immediately, and he did not return to the yamen, but returned directly to his mansion.

He picked out a brand new official uniform from his wardrobe and carefully took care of every detail. This official uniform, which he wore when he was the city lord of Thousand Winds City, symbolized his identity and status. Tomorrow morning, he plans to wear this official uniform and appear in front of the emperor with the most perfect image.

Although his heart was full of doubts, Tai Hao couldn't help but wonder if the emperor's health was really improving. However, he understood that no matter what the emperor's physical condition was, those officials who were worried and struggling to think about the succession to the throne would definitely be apprehensive about the emperor's choice to go to court at this time.

Taihao knew that in this fiercely contested court for power, any wind and grass could cause a storm. And he, as the city lord of Thousand Winds City, must always be vigilant and deal with possible changes.