marquis of jingan

Chapter 992
In the 13th year of Hongde, that is, in the middle of July of the 34th year of Yongping in the Northern Qi Dynasty.

Yandu, inside the imperial palace.

At the gate of Emperor Yongping's bedroom, the princes who were still in Yandu knelt on the ground.

There are the eldest prince, the third prince, the fourth prince, and the seven or eight princes, kneeling in the front row.

Further behind are some princes who have not yet grown up, kneeling behind.

Obviously, those who kneel at the back have no hope of succession.

As for the princes kneeling in the front row, everyone had different thoughts at the moment. Zhao Tong, the eldest son of the emperor, looked up at the closed palace gate from time to time, and then quickly lowered his head.

The princes knelt until it was completely dark, and then the door of the bedroom slowly opened. The eunuch Liu Yi walked carefully in front of the princes, lowered his head, and said respectfully: "My lords, the emperor is awake."

During the day today, Emperor Yongping suddenly coughed up blood and fell into a coma.

Therefore, all the princes in Beijing gathered together and knelt at the door of the bedroom, fearing that something would happen to their father.

Of course, there are also those who are afraid that something will happen to their father.

At this moment, every prince's mind is full of thousands of thoughts, no one can guess clearly.

Hearing what Liu Yi said, the eldest prince Zhao Tong was the first to stand up, grabbed Liu Yi's arm, and asked, "Eunuch Liu, how is your father's condition, can you let us go in and take a look?"

Liu Yi looked at the princes, shook his head slightly and said: "Masters, the emperor said that he is very tired now and doesn't want to see anyone. Please go back, if the emperor summons you, I will immediately send someone to summon you at your mansion." .”

The second prince of Emperor Yongping died in his early years. After the eldest son finished speaking, Zhao Li, the third son of the emperor, also stood up. He cupped his hands at Liu Yi and said, "Eunuch Liu, your father is not in good health. We I won't disturb his old man's rest, but the imperial doctor who is just treating my father, can you let us meet?"

"In any case, those of us who are sons should also know the physical condition of the father."

Hearing his words, the expressions of all the princes present changed slightly.

Because this sentence is a bit too reckless.

At this time, it was unusual. The emperor's physical condition was not only an absolute secret, but also a taboo that could not be mentioned, and the third prince actually asked about it in front of everyone, which seemed a bit careless.

And... at this moment, this topic is too sensitive.

Before Liu Yi could speak, the eldest prince Zhao Tong shouted and asked, "My third child! What is your intention in saying such things at this time!"

Zhao Li directly looked up at his elder brother, and said loudly: "As a son of man, shouldn't you care about your father's body? You all have evil intentions, taboo this and that, but I am not afraid!"

"I'm not a prince right now, but my father's son! At this time, I should ask the imperial physician!"

The fourth son of the emperor at the side, that is, Wei Wang Zhao Kai, lowered his head and did not speak.

He had just suffered a loss in Huai'an and was punished by the emperor, and now his chances of succeeding to the throne were slim, so he could only watch his brothers fight with cold eyes.

If he gets ahead, he will inevitably be hated by the new emperor in the future.

The great eunuch Liu Yi saw the words and deeds of the princes, he bowed his head deeply and said: "My lords, if you have anything to say, let's talk about it tomorrow. If you make a noise here, the emperor might hear it. Rest with his old man."

"As for the imperial physician."

He replied clearly to the third prince Zhao Li: "No one can see now."

Hearing what he said, the princes had no choice but to get up from the ground, turned around and retreated, leaving the palace.

The eunuch Liu Yi turned around and returned to the bedroom, knelt down in front of Emperor Yongping who had already woken up, and lowered his head deeply: "Your Majesty, the princes have all left."

The emperor lay reclined on the bed and didn't speak for a long time. After a while, he said slowly: "Repeat what they said to me."

Liu Yi bowed his head respectfully, repeated almost verbatim what the princes had said, then knelt quietly in front of the emperor and stopped talking.

Emperor Yongping closed his eyes, his voice hoarse.

"The boss is too stupid, the third brother is too scheming..."

"As for the fourth child..."

The emperor was silent for a while, and sighed helplessly: "There are means, but no virtue."

Having said that, Emperor Yongping didn't continue talking.

If it was in the past, he wouldn't need to be so worried. Although all of his sons have shortcomings, they are not stupid. With the mighty power of Da Qi, choosing one to ascend to the throne of God will not shake the country. .

But things are different now.

The Huaihe River was defeated several times, and now even Xuzhou is occupied by the people of the Southern Dynasties. Nanchen may send troops to the Northern Expedition at any time to start the national war.

At this time, Emperor Yongping needs to choose an heir who is capable and capable, but will not mess up the society.

In the bedroom, there was a deathly silence.

After an unknown amount of time, the emperor said slowly: "Go, call Yan Li into the palace, I have something to discuss with him."

Eunuch Liu bowed his head in a hurry, turned around and went to ask Prime Minister Yan.

After a cup of tea, Yan Li, the only Han Prime Minister among the three Prime Ministers of the Northern Qi Dynasty, hurried into the emperor's bedroom, knelt down in front of the emperor, and kowtowed: "The old minister pays homage to the emperor."

The emperor raised his hand, motioning for him to get up and answer. Yan Xiang, who was already in his 60s, got up from the ground and stood cautiously with his hands down.

"The old minister heard that the emperor passed out, and was frightened. He came to see you several times during the day, but he was not allowed to enter. After nightfall, he had to be on duty in the meeting hall, so he didn't come to see you, the emperor..."

The emperor waved his hand, indicating that it was okay.

He said slowly: "The imperial physician said that he cannot die for the time being."

Having said that, he paused and asked, "When will Ma Cheng come back?"

Yan Li lowered his head and said respectfully: "Return to the Holy Master, Prime Minister Ma has finished talking with the Tatars and is on his way back to Yandu. It is estimated that he will be able to return to Beijing in a few days."

Emperor Yongping seemed to be a little out of breath. He took several deep breaths before recovering, then quietly raised his head, looked at the Han Xiang in front of him, shook his head and said with emotion: "Among my real Zhu Li, if there are more strict With someone like Qing, I don't have to worry about it now."

Old Man Yan hurriedly lowered his head, and said: "Among the upper clan, there are many talents, and there are not many who are better than the old officials. Not to mention, the other two prime ministers in the meeting hall are far better than the old officials..."

"You'll say nice things."

The emperor shook his head slightly, and said with emotion: "I have ignored the government affairs for many days, and Ma Cheng is not in the court, and the other old man in the meeting hall is just pretending to be the prime minister. For such a long time, Yan Qing, you are in charge of the meeting hall." .”

"It's in the imperial court."

Emperor Yongping laughed at himself: "If I can leave Ma Cheng, I can leave Zhen, but I'm afraid I can't live without you, Yan Qing."

Yan Li stood with his hands down: "The emperor praised and killed the veteran..."

The emperor raised his head, stared at the only Han Prime Minister in the court, and suddenly said quietly: "Mr. Yan, the imperial physician said... I won't live long."

Hearing this sentence, Yan Li knelt down on the ground with a plop, kowtowed and said: "The Holy One is in his prime, how can he say such a thing? Which imperial physician is it, the old minister must punish him severely!"

"If you punish him severely, will you be able to save me?"

The emperor shook his head slightly, and said with a smile: "I have ascended the throne since I was young. I have been on the throne for more than 30 years, and I am already extremely honorable. I don't have many regrets in this life. Even if I die at this time, I have nothing to say."

"It's just that I'm really worried about leaving such an imperial court to future generations."

He looked at Yan Li and asked, "Yan Qing is old enough to rule the country, who do you think is the best choice for the new ruler?"

Yan Xiang knelt on the ground, his body trembling.

"This is a family matter of the sage, and it is also an internal matter of the family. The old minister really dare not comment."

Emperor Yongping had kind eyebrows and kind eyes: "Since I asked you, it's okay for you to say."

Yan Li was still kneeling on the ground with his butt pouted, not daring to lift his head: "The old minister has nothing to say, please punish me..."

The emperor stared at Yan Li for a long time, and then sighed helplessly: "Forget it, I won't embarrass Yan Qing anymore, you can go back to the meeting hall."

Only then did Yan Li get up, and went with a thousand thanks.

The eunuch Liu Yi personally sent Yan Li out.

When Liu Yi returned to the bedroom, His Majesty the Emperor's eyes were dim.

"It counts him as sensible."

After Emperor Yongping finished speaking, he closed his eyes, his tone full of exhaustion.

"When Ma Cheng comes back, let him enter the palace with Tong Xiang to see me."

The emperor paused, and added a sentence weakly.

"Discuss the candidate for the new monarch."

Liu Yi knelt on the ground, kowtowed respectfully, his tone was cautious, for fear of offending this duplicity master.

"The slave obeys..."

　Thousand chapters are spicy! !
　　
　
(End of this chapter)