Beiyan, Heluo City.

A fire stained the sky above the palace red, and the main part of the palace suffered devastating damage.

Although there have been several repairs later, compared with the magnificent palaces with layers of floors and towers in the heyday of the Great Qi, today's Beiyan Imperial Palace reveals a bit of decay in the carved beams and paintings.

Wenhe Palace, East Warm Pavilion, here is the daily living place of Emperor Yan.

The pavilion was very quiet, the palace people had all retreated, Emperor Yan Zhang Can leaned on the warm couch, his pale and vain face faintly appeared angry, squinting at the thirty-year-old man who was standing lying down, and said indifferently: "When did Qingyu Huaijin's little lady come back?" ”

The man seemed to have long been accustomed to the rudeness of this son of heaven, and bowed his head and responded: "Back to Your Majesty, three days ago." ”

Zhang Can asked again: "Wang Shidao went to see her?" ”

The man said, "Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Shizheng went to Zhuo Yuan this morning and has not yet come out. ”

Zhang Can sighed lightly, and the depression between his eyebrows and eyes was almost undisguised.

If you want to choose the most aggrieved emperor in the history books in the future, Zhang Can feels that no one can compete with him.

After the change of Yuan Jia, the new monarch of the Jing Dynasty ascended the throne and changed the previous practice of wantonly slaughtering Qi people, not only strengthening the control of the Jing army, killing several generals who did not obey the will and conniving at their subordinates, but also promoted the establishment of Northern Yan. In this context, Zhang Liduan, the former secretary of the Ministry of Rites of the Qi State, who had been returned to the Jing Dynasty, was forced to become Emperor Yan.

The Zhang family was overjoyed, and they never imagined that pie would fall from the sky.

However, they soon recognized the fact that the so-called Yan Emperor was simply an ornament, and the power of the court had long been divided by several forces, such as the family of gate lords, the military Zhongtou and a large number of officials supported by the Jing Dynasty.

Zhang Liduan bears the name of a traitor and thief, and has no real power in his hands, so he died of depression within a few years, and Zhang Can succeeded to the throne.

Zhang Can was originally just a gentleman, barely a middle-aged person, and even his father Huan Hai was unable to change the surrounding environment for decades, even if he put in several times the effort, it was useless.

To this day, Emperor Yan's will is not to be said in the palace, and he cannot even control the palace.

There are more than 2,000 Praetorian Guards in the palace, which are naturally controlled by the emperor himself in name, and the Zhang family is not without a group of henchmen and dead. It's just that in the past ten years, the Praetorian Guards don't know how much sand has been mixed with people, and Zhang Can can't believe anyone else except for the thirty-year-old man named Feng Li in front of him.

Feng Li looked at the gloomy look on the face of the Son of Heaven, and after hesitating for a moment, he still said: "Your Majesty, the county lord of Yongping met Pang Shumi yesterday morning, and met Wang Xiang in the afternoon. ”

Zhang Can was not surprised, gritted his teeth and sneered: "Pang Shigu has long been the dog of the Jing Dynasty, and Wang An is no better, this group of chaotic ministers and thieves should be killed and killed!" ”

The corners of Feng Li's mouth twitched, although he was absolutely loyal to the Zhang family, this sentence sounded a little awkward.

Zhang Can didn't notice it, and said in a cold voice: "I want to know, how many reliable people can be gathered around you?" ”

Feng Li's heart was shocked, and he muttered, "Your Majesty ......"

Zhang Can said: "Jing Chao is now attacking Zhao State, and he can free up his hands to go south next year at the latest." Recently, you have heard the rumors in Heluo City, and it is said everywhere that I am mediocre and rotten, which led to the successive defeats in the frontier war last year. Oh, I can't command a single soldier except you, but I have to take the blame for those rebellious ministers and thieves! ”

Feng Li's face was gloomy, and he lowered his head and said: "It's the minister's incompetence, and he can't support His Majesty Kuang Zheng Chaogang." ”

"It has nothing to do with you."

Zhang Can did not lose his last reason after all, and his tone was extremely low: "Whether it is the emperor or me, in the eyes of those rebellious ministers and thieves, they are just puppet statues. Now that the Southern Qi continues to strengthen the strength of the border army, the intention of the Northern Expedition is undoubtedly revealed, and the next step will definitely capture some cities in the frontier. When the time comes, that group of rebellious ministers and thieves will continue to buckle this pot on my head under the instruction of Qingyu Huaijin, a little girl, and then force me to abdicate and give the land of Jiangbei to Jing Chao! ”

Feng Li wanted to persuade the Son of Heaven in front of him to take a step back, but it was a big deal to follow the other party's wishes, save his own life and the foundation of the Zhang family, and be a rich man.

However, he also knew that the life of this son of heaven was too aggrieved, and he couldn't even appoint and dismiss a low-level official, so he would indulge in wine all day long.

The negative emotions accumulated for so many years have caused Zhang Can to not listen to any words of advice at all.

Thinking of this, Feng Li could only reply: "The minister has privately counted, counting the people sent by our Zhang family to the Praetorian Guard, there are about more than two hundred. ”

"More than 200 people ......"

Zhang Can muttered and repeated, a fierce look suddenly appeared in his eyes, and said slowly: "Next, you only need to do one thing, to envelop these people, I don't need more than two hundred guards, I only need more than two hundred dead soldiers." They will give whatever they want, as long as I and the Zhang family can afford it. ”

Feng Li noticed that the Son of Heaven in front of him had fallen into an almost mad mood.

Zhang Can said again: "You and I grew up together, and now the only person I can rely on is you." ”

This sentence touched the softness in the depths of Feng Li's heart, he raised his eyes to look at Zhang Can, and said awe-inspiringly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, the minister will do his best." ”

Zhang Can nodded heavily and slowly exhaled a turbid breath.

……

Xicheng, Zhuo Garden.

Wang Shidao, the attendant of the Prosecutor's Office, sat on the chair with an ebony curly grass pattern inlaid with jade circles, and in the tea cup in his hand, the tea leaves were the best Jingting green snow. From time to time, he took a sip of fragrant tea, and his eyes stayed on the face of the young woman who was full of luxury on the other side.

After returning again, there were some obvious changes in Qingyu Huaijin.

Wang Shidao remembered very well that in the previous peace talks with the group of reckless people in Baotai Mountain, His Royal Highness the county lord was very depressed, and forcibly restrained the anger that was about to explode. It can be seen from this that the recklessness of Nanqi Lu Shen and the Seven Star Gang has dealt her a very heavy blow, otherwise she would definitely not describe it like that.

However, after returning to the Northland, and now seeing each other again, he can clearly perceive that Qing Yu Huaijin's anger has disappeared without a trace, leaving only a calm and unhurried atmosphere, and he has more respect for himself, without the contempt that he had before.

"I met with Pang Shumi yesterday and conveyed to him my father's advice. Nanqi has not made a move for the time being, which does not mean that they are willing to miss this last opportunity. Now that the main force of my Dajing army is pacifying the Zhao State, they will inevitably learn of this news and will definitely use this time to make a fuss on the border. Father said that in the next year, the Yan army only needs to hold on, and the Prosecutor's Office will also have to make more efforts. ”

Qing Yu Huaijin spoke in a gentle tone, not in a hurry or slowly.

Wang Shidao said respectfully: "Your Highness, the Prosecutor's Office does not dare to slack off in the slightest. Now we have a small number of people in Huaizhou in Southern Qi, and we can't send too many spies in a short period of time, but judging from the information that has been sent back, the Huaizhou Governor's Mansion is very strong, and it will launch an attack next spring at the latest. ”

Qingyu Huaijin nodded, and said: "I have also reminded Wang Xiang that the imperial court must ensure the supply of grain and grass for the soldiers of the border army. This will be a fierce battle, and we will fight for the gains and losses of each city and one place. Inviting Lord Wang over today, in addition to ventilating on these important matters, there is also a very important matter to discuss. ”

"Your Highness, please."

"Lord Wang thinks, how can we weaken the strength of the Southern Qi border army?"

Wang Shidao was slightly stunned, this problem is too huge, how can it be sorted out for a while.

He looked at Qing Yu Huaijin's calm gaze, and said tentatively: "Your Highness's intention, we want to attack Xiao Wangzhi and Li Tianrun?" ”

Qing Yu Huaijin shook his head and said, "This matter is too difficult, and it is difficult to get the support of those gate valve families in the south. Although they are stupid, they are not so stupid as to destroy their foundations. It is difficult for Xiao and Li to go further, but it is not realistic to defeat them. Although the magnates in the south did not like them, they could not do without the abilities of these two, and if they did not guard the frontier, those magnates would not even be able to sleep soundly. ”

Wang Shidao's heart moved slightly, and he said slowly: "Cut off his backup? ”

Qing Yu Huaijin's eyes lit up and praised: "That's exactly what it means." What my father meant was that the Southern Qi border army could be allowed to gain a temporary advantage, and as long as we waited for our army to pacify the Zhao State, we could fight them back if we went south. But before that, the Qi army can't be allowed to fight under Heluo City in one go. The key to this was to cut off the Southern Qi court's unsparing support for the border army. ”

Wang Shidao has been immersed in secret espionage affairs for more than ten years, and he is extremely familiar with the pattern of the Southern Qi court, and after Qing Yu Huaijin reminded him like this, he suddenly brightened up, and said a name with a smile: "Xue Nanting." ”

"Lord Wang sees it clearly."

Qing Yu Huaijin smiled indifferently, and then said: "Among the hundred officials of Southern Qi, Xue Nanting and Qin Zheng can be described as Emperor Qi's right-hand men, but Qin Zheng's warp weaving division cannot interfere in the government after all, only Xue Nanting can give Emperor Qi enough support. In the past year, Jing and Huai have received a large amount of grain, grass and ordnance supplements, all of which are the credit of Xue Nanting, the right minister. Overthrowing Xue Nanting, the border army of Southern Qi is a tree without roots and roots, even if it can gain a temporary advantage, it will be difficult to sustain after all. ”

"That's a great plan."

Wang Shidao praised him sincerely, and said: "However, Xue Nanting's position is very stable, and Emperor Qi trusts him, so it is not easy to bring down this person." ”

Qing Yu Huaijin raised his eyebrows slightly, and calmly analyzed: "There are not a few people in the Southern Qi Imperial Court who want to bring down Xue Nanting, and the chess pieces buried in your inspection hall can also be moved, and there is another person on my side who can help." As long as Xue Nanting falls, the new right minister will inevitably be a member of the gate lord family, how can they be willing to continue to support the Northern Expedition of the border army at that time? After all, all the silver in vain was offered by the people of Jiangnan. ”

Wang Shidao was very determined, and after agreeing on the details with Qing Yu Huaijin, he left with confidence.

Qing Yu Huaijin still sat in place, raised his hand and pinched his eyebrows, took a sip of warm tea.

A burly figure entered the flower hall, and it was Xiao Jun, the leader of the guards.

He came to the front and bowed his head and said: "Your Highness, there is news from the palace today, the emperor summoned Feng Li Yuwen to meet with the warm pavilion in the east of the palace, and withdrew everyone, and our ears and eyes cannot listen to their conversations. ”

"Feng Li...... The henchmen brought into the palace by the Zhang family, the capital of the Praetorian Guard? ”

"Yes."

Qingyu Huaijin's face was indifferent, and he muttered, "I know." ”

Xiao Jun stood respectfully.

After a while, Qing Yu Huaijin asked again, "How is the matter of the Lu family?" ”

Xiao Jun said: "There are eyebrows." Lu Tong had a period of experience in the army, and was later kicked out for violating military discipline, so he returned to Guangling, Huaizhou to run his family's business. According to our analysis, Lu Tong and Xiao Wangzhi have a constant connection, but because the other party is very hidden, it is impossible to confirm the specific situation for the time being. In addition, the Lu family firm should have a lot of ambushes in the north, but we can't find it for the time being. ”

"What else?"

"Lu Tong and Xue Huaiyi, the divine doctor of Nanqi, knew each other irreversibly, and when the people in the prosecutor's office designed to frame the Lu family, it was Xue Huaiyi who got in the way, causing Lu Shen to have a chance to turn the tables. This miracle doctor Xue Huaiyi is the uncle of Xue Nanting, the right minister of Southern Qi. ”

Qing Yu Huaijin's green fingers rubbed the cup, and said slowly: "Xiao Wangzhi, Xue Huaiyi, Xue Nanting, Lu Tong, it's a little interesting." In fact, I have always felt that Lu Shen's rise was too sudden, and it seems that many people are deliberately paving the way in this process. ”

Xiao Jun blessed his soul at this moment, and subconsciously said: "Could it be that this Lu Shen's identity is mysterious? Otherwise, how could those big people suddenly think so highly of him? ”

Qing Yu Huaijin raised his eyes to look at him, his eyes were slightly strange.

Xiao Jun thought that he had said the wrong thing, and couldn't help but say nervously: "Your Highness, the villain is talking nonsense for a while, don't be surprised." ”

Qing Yu Huaijin shook his head and said with a smile: "There are countless young talents in the world who are like carps crossing the river, and it is not strange that one more Lu will sink, but since he is so smooth, don't blame the world for being suspicious." ”

"What does Your Highness mean?"

"Do you know what the world is most interested in?"

"The villain doesn't know."

"It's rumors, such as those related to Lu Shen's life experience, and I believe many people in the south will be interested in it." Qing Yu Huaijin laughed softly, and said, "Lu Shen is twenty years old this year? ”

Xiao Jun replied, "Yes." ”

"Very good."

Qing Yu Huaijin's eyes narrowed slightly, and he spit out two words that made Xiao Jun puzzled.

(End of chapter)