In addition to Xiangfan's urgent report that the Wudou Mi Sect was about to start an incident, there was also an urgent report from the north that Tatars had entered the border of Dasui in many places to loot, and Prime Minister Lu Yichu was in the political hall and Jia Yuan, the Duke of Anguo, convened the relevant officials of the military department and the household department to discuss countermeasures. Yu Zhenkun, the imperial historian of Zuodu, broke in and said loudly: "Prime Minister, something happened!" ”

Lu Yichu raised his head abruptly and asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Yu Zhenkun said: "Liu Zhengzong, the attendant of the Hanlin Academy, carried the book on the coffin at Yongjinmen. ”

Lu Yichu asked urgently: "What kind of book is on?" ”

Yu Zhenkun said: "Please make a prince to the emperor." ”

"What?" Lu Yichu only felt a bang on his head, his eyes turned black for a while, and he stomped his feet for a while and said, "Why is no one stopping him?" ”

Yu Zhenkun said: "Master Ji of Tongzheng Shi and Lord Xue of the Ministry of Rites are both persuading, but Liu Zhengzong just doesn't listen. ”

Lu Yi stood up tremblingly and said, "Let's go quickly." ”

By the time Lu Yichu and the others hurried to Yongjinmen, a large number of officials had already surrounded the gate from afar. Lu Yichu walked through the crowd and saw a coffin stopped on the ground, and a green-robed official next to him knelt on the ground, holding a book of folds in both hands, and behind him stood Ji Zhenyi, the history of general politics, and Xue Jiabi, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites. Lu Yichu panted and came to the green-robed official, and shouted, "Liu Zhengzong, what are you going to do?" ”

Liu Zhengzong didn't reply: "The prime minister saw it, I am writing to the emperor." ”

Lu Yichu took a few breaths, lowered his voice a little, and called Liu Zhengzong's words: "But blasphemy, you calm down, you don't fit the system like this, your performance will be handed over to Master Ji, and it will be played by the General Administration, and you will carry this thing away immediately." He said, pointing to the coffin.

Liu Zhengzong said: "If it is handed over to the General Administration, they will press it down, and I will send it directly to the emperor today." ”

Lu Yichu said: "Nonsense, the General Administration Department will not intercept the minister's recitals. ”

Liu Zhengzong sneered: "It's not to intercept, but not to accept it at all." ”

Ji Zhenyi said on the side: "The imperial court has issued a clear order that this kind of recital is not allowed again, and of course the General Administration Department will not replay it." ”

Liu Zhengzong said: "The prime minister heard it." ”

Lu Yichu persuaded: "But blasphemy, the emperor has already made a clear edict, and the government hall has also repeatedly ordered it, don't write on the matter of the national prince, why don't you listen." ”

Liu Zhengzong said loudly: "The matter of the national prince is the foundation of the country, and it is not the minister's duty to say nothing about things that endanger the country's capital." I'm going to die today. ”

"You, you, you" Lu Yichu was so angry that his beard trembled, and he shouted loudly: "Come on, help Lord Liu away." ”

A few officials came up from behind, and they were about to drag Liu Zhengzong, but Liu Zhengzong shouted: "Who dares!" If you touch me, I'll die in this coffin. After speaking, he slammed into the corner of the coffin, and suddenly his head broke and blood flowed, which frightened several officials to retreat again and again, and Lu Yichu sighed.

When it was inexorable, the Yongjin Gate opened, and Qiu De, the chief of the Inner Province, walked out with a wrenched face, and said: "The emperor decreed: Prime Minister, An Guogong, the six departments, as well as the officials of the Ducha Yuan, Dali Temple, and Tongzheng Sitang went to the Tiren Hall to see the driver, and Liu Zhengzong, the attendant of the Hanlin Academy, accompanied the audience. ”

For nearly a year, the emperor did not have an edict to see the ministers, and today in this special situation, he suddenly saw all the high-ranking officials, and he did not know whether it was a curse or a blessing. Lu Yichu, Jia Yuan, and Da Jiuqing all hurried to the Tiren Palace, and Liu Zhengzong casually bandaged his bleeding forehead with a handkerchief and followed in.

Entered the Tiren Hall and stood in shifts, and after a while, two more people came in, one was Qiu Deyong, and the other was Hu Jing, the head of the inspection department, everyone couldn't help but be shocked, and when their hearts were not calm, they walked in slowly with Emperor Wei Chang of Jing'an.

Emperor Jing'an was already over the age of six, and his original tall and burly figure seemed a little rickety, thin, and his movements became a little sluggish, so he didn't look at everyone and sat down slowly on the chair.

Under the leadership of Lu Yichu, all the high-ranking officials knelt and bowed, and the mountains shouted long live, and after getting up, some people's eyes were full of tears.

Emperor Jing'an said slowly: "I haven't seen you ministers for a long time, and I was forced out to meet today." ”

Liu Zhengzong hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed, and said, "The minister is guilty of death." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Let's talk about it." ”

Liu Zhengzong settled down and said loudly: "The minister wrote today, asking the emperor to establish the prince as soon as possible, so as to determine the foundation of the country and reassure the people." ”

Emperor Jing'an signaled to Qiu Deyong, Qiu Deyong bowed, turned around and said: "The emperor asked you: The edict was invented last year, and the minister is not allowed to write on the matter of the national prince, don't you know?" ”

Liu Zhengzong said: "The minister knows, the emperor said: The matter of the national prince is dictatorial. But it has been a year now, the subjects of the world are looking forward to it, the matter of the national prince is still unknown, the ministers are worried all night, can not sleep at night, risk death to play, please the emperor to determine the national prince early. ”

Emperor Jing'an opened his mouth and said: "Then tell me, who is it to be determined?" ”

There was silence in the hall. The crown prince is the biggest scar of today's Da Sui, Emperor Jing'an had three sons, all of whom were adults, but after he ascended the throne, he died of illness one after another, and the last prince died of illness five years ago, and the Da Sui Dynasty had no legitimate successor. Emperor Jing'an is getting older, there were many injuries in his early military career, and his body has plummeted in recent years, and there is no possibility of childbearing, and the succession to the throne has become the biggest suspense and the biggest temptation. For various purposes, all kinds of people and other actions have continued, and the past two years have intensified. Last year, Emperor Jing'an killed a group of people, exiled a group of people, seized another group of officials, and issued a clear edict not allowing ministers to write to the national prince again, and has never met with any ministers, and even no longer goes to court, until today. Therefore, although Emperor Jing'an's questioning was not loud, it was more serious.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans appeared on Liu Zhengzong's face, and he didn't dare to get up.

Qiu Deyong urged: "The emperor asks you something, speak." ”

Liu Zhengzong replied in a trembling voice: "This is not a subordinate who dares to speak falsely. ”

Emperor Jing'an's tone softened a little, and said, "Since you dare to carry the coffin, why don't you dare to speak?" Tell me what you really mean, and don't deceive you. ”

"Yes." Liu Zhengzong seemed to be iron-hearted, kowtowed and raised his head and said: "The country cannot be without a king for a day, the emperor can choose one person among the children of the imperial family to inherit the heir of the country, so that after 10,000 years of the emperor, I will have no worries." When the words came out, Liu Zhengzong was much more relaxed, and all the ministers of His Highness seemed to be relieved.

Emperor Jing'an did not let Liu Zhengzong relax, and asked, "Who to pick?" ”

Liu Zhengzong suddenly stammered a little: "This, this, this, this is not something that a minister can say." ”

Emperor Jing'an seemed to say casually: "You are a waiter in the Hanlin Academy, and you are full of knowledge, tell me who to pick and how to choose?" ”

Liu Zhengzong kowtowed and said, "The minister doesn't dare." ”

Emperor Jing'an raised his hand and pointed at the ministers: "Then you can talk about it." All the ministers fell to their knees, and fell to the ground, and no one dared to make a sound.

Emperor Jing'an said: "Why, if you are not allowed to speak, you will want to speak, and if you are allowed to speak, you will pretend to be dumb?" Zuo Zhenkun, you are the leader of the Yanguan, and your subordinates shouted the most fiercely last year, you say. ”

Zuo Zhenkun complained bitterly in his heart, and secretly scolded Liu Zhengzong for causing trouble and letting himself take the blame. But after all, he was known for his courage to speak, and thought for a while and said: "Your Majesty, although the Imperial History is a subordinate of the minister, he is also the emperor's courtier, and daring to speak is an errand given to them by the emperor." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Then you, the leader of the speech officials, set an example today." ”

Zuo Zhenkun straightened up and said, "Yes." There are ancient rites: to grow up, to be precious. ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "According to this ancient ceremony, who should be picked?" ”

Zuo Zhenkun said: "The royal family has its own clan palace in charge, and it is not appropriate for ministers to speak. ”

Emperor Jing'an couldn't help laughing and scolding: "You slip your head, get up." Xue Jiabi is here, you are in charge of the Ministry of Rites, and you know the affairs of the clan family's mansion, you can talk about it. ”

Except for Liu Zhengzong, the rest of the ministers all stood up, and Xue Jiabi, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, said: "Back to the emperor, the royal family and clan are divided according to the etiquette system, the prince, the county king, and the following, the prince is the most respectful." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "It's simple, I only have one prince in my dasui, that is, Wei Li, the king of Jinling, how many sons does he have, just choose one?" ”

The hall was silent, so quiet that everyone could hear their heartbeat, but everyone felt unbelievable in their hearts.

In the silence, Emperor Jing'an's voice sounded slowly: "Why can't I settle down on such a simple matter?" Xue Jiabi, let me ask you, what if Emperor Hongzhi's son is here? ”

It was as if a thunderclap sounded, shaking everyone's seven souls out of the body, and the six gods had no owner.

Xue Jiabi opened his mouth wide, couldn't close it for a long time, and asked Si Ai Ai: "What did the emperor say, the son of Emperor Hongzhi?" ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "You heard it, Hui Zhen's words." ”

Xue Jiabi said: "Back to the emperor, if the prince of Emperor Hongzhi is here, of course it is another matter." But back then, Emperor Hongzhi only had one prince, and he had been martyred in the Five Princes Rebellion, how could he have another prince? ”

Emperor Jing'an pointed at Hu Jing and said, "Come on." ”

Hu Jing bowed in agreement, turned to the ministers and said: "The Inspection Department has found out that the prince of Emperor Hongzhi was not martyred, but escaped, and is still in the world, 19 years old this year. ”

Lu Yichu took the lead in kneeling down and shouted: "Congratulations to the emperor." Only then did the rest of the ministers react and knelt down and shouted. Lu Yichu then asked, "May I ask Lord Hu, where is the prince of Emperor Hongzhi now?" ”

Hu Jing said: "I will be in the capital soon." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Okay, I will tell you in advance today to make you feel at ease." As for you, Liu Zhengzong, are you guilty? ”

Liu Zhengzong kowtowed and said: "The minister is guilty of capital crimes." ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "Isn't it enough to make such a big battle last year for the matter of the national prince?" Speaking of this, Emperor Jing'an seemed to be a little sad: "The matter of the national prince, I am the most concerned." The reason why I don't let you get involved is because the matter is big, especially to prevent some villains from taking the opportunity to make trouble, hoping to make some merits and serve as the minister of the dragon. Liu Zhengzong, if you don't listen to me, do you think so too? ”

Liu Zhengzong protested: "The minister didn't think so, once the emperor decided to establish a prince, the minister was willing to commit suicide immediately, and thank Your Majesty for his death." ”

Emperor Jing'an sneered: "You are dead, your children and grandchildren are still there, the family is still there, and the new emperor will still reward them." Are you going to let me punish your nine clans? ”

Liu Zhengzong suddenly trembled, collapsed to the ground, and only kowtowed again and again: "The minister should die, the minister should die." ”

Emperor Jing'an softened his tone and said: "Ruthless may not be a true hero, how can a poor son not be a husband." Forget it, although you are a fool, you don't have those crooked thoughts, you will be fined for a year, and you will think about it behind closed doors at home. ”

Liu Zhengzong didn't seem to react, and Lu Yichu stomped his feet and scolded: "Deaf? Don't hurry up and thank you! ”

Liu Zhengzong hurriedly kowtowed, crying and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty for not killing." The minister is really confused, and he did not understand His Majesty's benevolence. ”

Emperor Jing'an said: "You go down first." ”

Liu Zhengzong prostrate on the ground and muttered: "Emperor Xie Emperor Xie Emperor." He knelt down until he reached the temple gate, and then he stood up and left in a daze.

Emperor Jing'an waited for Liu Zhengzong to leave, and then said to the ministers: "In the past year, for the affairs of the national prince, it has been difficult for me to sleep and eat, but fortunately, thanks to the lives of the ministers, the state affairs have been maintained. However, in recent years, there has been turmoil in the south, natural disasters in the north, the treasury is empty, and Tatar is also ready to move. ”

Speaking of this, he paused, took a sip of hot tea from his teacup, and then said: "Since I rejuvenated the country, in 50 years, the world has been unified, and all the people have returned to their hearts, what do you rely on?" It relies on the unity of the monarch and the minister, and the upper and lower are united. Today, I called you here and told you this, just to reassure you that the country is worry-free. Of course, this is not the time to publicize it, and the top priority is to quickly calm the situation. The first thing is to quell the rebellion of the Five Doumi Sect, don't wait until the chaos starts; Second, the relief of the disaster victims and the appeasement of the displaced people are carried out together, especially the appeasement of the displaced people, which can no longer be delayed, and the government affairs hall will come up with a charter and implement it as a whole; Third, it is necessary to rectify the defense of the north, take strict precautions against Tatar attacks and harassments, and wait for the financial situation to be a little better, and then make a big attack. ”

Lu Yichu bowed down and replied, "The ministers receive the order." ”。

Emperor Jing'an seemed a little tired, waved his hand and said, "Let's all go down." ”

Lu Yichu wanted to say something more, but when he saw Emperor Jing'an's tired appearance, he closed his mouth and took the ministers to kowtow and say goodbye.