I am not a deposed emperor of Han Dynasty

Chapter 357 Even if I am defeated in Chang'an City, I will not hang myself from a crooked neck tree! (Please subscribe)

Fan Mingyou's calculation was very accurate. Two days ago, two teams of dusty knights arrived at the Hengmen, the gate of the northern city of Chang'an City, at the same time.

One team of knights delivered Liang Yannian's letter to the emperor, and the other team delivered Fan Mingyou's letter to Huo Guang.

The two groups of knights set out at about the same time, and to be on the safe side, although they took different routes, they did not take the post route.

As low-level soldiers, they had no idea what kind of letter they were sending, let alone that their brother Paoze was being slaughtered in Lingwu City.

At this time, Youshi had just arrived, and the sky in Chang'an City had not yet completely darkened.

However, because of the cold wind, pedestrians had already returned home to avoid the cold, and the alleys in the northern city gradually became quiet.

The heavy snowfall half a month ago has stopped long ago. The weather has been very good these past few days, and you can always see the sun and blue sky.

Only in the corners that are so cold that no light shines, there are still some ugly snow and remaining ice hidden.

While waiting for City Gate Sima to bring someone down to inspect the bamboo joints, the two groups of knights looked at each other in unison.

Maybe they realized that the other party came all the way from the North, so even though they didn't know each other, they all nodded in greeting.

Both sides thought they were responsible for the mission of affecting the safety of the big man, so they had a look of satisfaction in their eyes.

"How far did you run this time?"

"It's not far. I can't run more than 1000 miles!"

"Hahaha, I have traveled more than 1000 miles."

"It's a lot of hard work, especially in this terrible winter."

"Who says it isn't? The wind in Saibei is as sharp as a knife."

The two leading knights kept talking, and they didn't stop until the city gate Sima opened the city gate.

The city gate Sima inspected it and found that there was no problem with the bamboo joints on both sides, so he made way with the pavilion soldiers behind him.

"Go well, everyone, it's dark and the roads are slippery, so be careful where you step!" the city gate Sima said with a military salute.

"Thank you!" the two leading knights said in return.

"I heard that there is a Xianheng wine shop in the north wall of Chang'an City. They sell Xuan wine made in the palace. I'm going to try it tomorrow."

"Then go together?"

"Very good, let's go together!"

After that, the two groups of knights rode into Chang'an City.

At first, the two parties were still heading south along an official road. When they were about to arrive at Weiyang Palace, one of the teams turned east.

They drifted apart and never met again.

I don’t know if we can still get together at the Xianheng Wine Shop in Beichengguo tomorrow.

……

At [-] hour, in the Greenhouse Hall of Weiyang Palace, Liu He was reading the "Zuo Zhuan" newly printed in the printing room.

These volumes of "Zuo Zhuan" were recently collated and published by Wang Shi and Xia Housheng. The original version was copied silently by Liu He in Changyi Palace.

Although the rice paper used is still a little rough, the unique "book" shape can already make people's eyes shine.

Chang'an City has been very quiet these days, so quiet that it's irritating.

The reason Liu He was irritable was that he didn't have any new news, no matter whether it was good or bad.

As the New Year approaches, Weiyang Palace and Chang'an City have a New Year atmosphere, and things gradually become less frequent.

The major and minor court meetings were held as usual, the deliberations of the Shangshu Office were not stopped, and various government offices were also held...

But there is still a lot less competent official work.

In order not to let himself be trapped in this anxiety, Liu He could only find something to do for himself.

He wrote couplets on paper and distributed them to the palace people; he invented rice cakes as a food to reward courtiers; he began to think about firecrackers; he and Huo Chengjun rubbed their ears and temples together to discuss how to teach the palace maids.

The free time is spent alone in the greenhouse hall reviewing the newly printed Confucian classics.

Next spring, I will debate scriptures with Confucian scholars all over the world.

When the time comes, these newly printed scriptures will become weapons to defeat them.

However, I don’t know what the situation in the court was like at that time.

……

Liu He finished reading the last volume of "Zuo Zhuan" and put it on the table.

I thought of many allusions and characters in "Zuo Zhuan".

The king of Zhou, the princes, the ministers, the nobles... many people bit each other, and no one knows how much blood was shed.

It is not an exaggeration to say that "Zuo Zhuan" is a history book soaked in blood.

And isn't this the situation that I have to face now?

Thinking of this, Liu He's heart, which had just calmed down, became anxious again.

At this time, the urgent voice of Weiyang Guard Wang Ji came from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, Weiyang Guard Wang Ji has something important to report."

"Come in."

"promise!"

Wang Ji came quickly. Without saying anything, he immediately presented a messenger tube to the emperor.

"This is the plume that the carriage commander just received. It was sent directly from Lingwu County, Beidi County. The minister did not dare to neglect, so he brought it without permission."

The study room on the bus was guarded twelve hours a day, and the edicts received were to be forwarded to the imperial censor's office. Mr. Dai was not here today, so Wang Jicai made the decision without permission.

Lingwu County?
Liu He had some vague impressions of this place name. It was a small town on the edge of the Yellow River.

He opened the messenger tube with doubts and poured out the urgent military information written on the silk book.

"The guilty minister Liang Yannian, the magistrate of Lingwu County, would like to report to your majesty that on the morning of November [-]th, General Fan Mingyou of the Liao Dynasty and Tian Guangming of the Qilian Army led their [-] troops to rebel and attack Lingwu City. I hope that your Majesty will raise troops to fight against the thieves. The guilty minister has a duty to defend his territory, and would rather die than retreat!"

After Liu He read it, he couldn't recover for a while.

Fan Mingyou and Tian Guangming turned against each other like this?

Did the [-] Han troops really rebel?

Can they really ignore the family members in Chang'an City?
Or are you sure that you don’t dare to kill a group of old, weak, women and children?

Could it be that Huo Guang's letter had no effect at all?

Liu He was a little out of breath. He stood up subconsciously, and then almost fell down.

Fortunately, Wang Ji had quick eyesight and quick hands, and stood up quickly to support the emperor.

"His Majesty!"

"Wang Ji, Fan Mingyou and the others rebelled in Lingwu County."

More than ten days ago, when Liu He issued the edict asking Fan Tian and others to return to Chang'an alone, he had already guessed the rebellion of Fan Mingyou and others.

However, Liu He did not expect that Fan Mingyou and others would be so decisive, without any hesitation or hesitation.

This made Liu He a little worried about whether Chang'an City could survive until the day when Han Zeng's troops returned.

Liu He was a little annoyed, maybe he could have found a way to delay it for a few more days.

But then I thought about it, with Huo Guang watching eagerly, I couldn't delay it even if I wanted to.

Fortunately, this situation is not unacceptable now.

On the contrary, you can throw off all the shackles that restrict your hands and feet, and you no longer have to worry about anything.

The situation in the court is ever-changing, so how can it be possible to plan everything before taking action?

The key is to grasp the general trend and then adapt accordingly.

He is the legitimate emperor. He has the support of most of the princes and clans, the praise of the common people and the palace people, and there are thousands of soldiers in the city and tens of thousands of elite soldiers on the road...

These are his chips.

Liu He suddenly remembered the Fighting Cock House where he had gone to see Liu Bing a few months ago.

He and Huo Dang were like the two chickens in the room.

In the past, when they were outside the cockfighting garden, they could only scare each other by shouting.

It’s different now. It’s going to be endless, and it’s going to be a fight to the death.

Liu He believed that destiny was still on Liu's side.

Thinking of this, he pushed away Wang Ji's hand holding him.

"Wang Ji, the Changle Guardsman, is writing this. I want to draft some edicts."

"only!"

After Wang Ji finished speaking, he did not care about the etiquette of the emperor and his ministers, and sat in front of the emperor's case. After some preparation, he started drafting the edict with the emperor's pen, ink, paper and inkstone. "The first edict was given to Gong Sui, the general of Changyi Zhonglang, asking him to summon all Changyi's generals immediately and go to the Greenhouse Hall to guard the palace without delay."

"promise!"

"The second edict is given to Guang Luxun Zhang Anshi, asking him to enter the palace now, come to Weiyang Palace to sit in formation, and command all the guards and soldiers in Weiyang Palace!"

Last month, Liu He secretly promoted Zhang Anshi to be the military envoy of Chang'an and Wang Ji to be the deputy military envoy of Chang'an. He could control all the soldiers and horses in Chang'an. This edict is still valid.

"The third edict is given to Dai Zong, asking him to send scouts to Qixian and Luochuan. Once he discovers the whereabouts of Han Zeng's troops, report them to me immediately!"

"Han Zeng?" Wang Ji asked doubtfully, holding a pen.

"Well, Han Zeng's troops are already on the way." Liu He said calmly and calmly.

In the reply letter Liu He asked Han De to bring to Han Zeng, [-] troops had already been deployed.

However, except for Dai Zong and Huo Chengjun, he never mentioned it to other courtiers.

Now, when Wang Ji suddenly heard the news, he was extremely surprised and didn't know how to react.

"Your Majesty has already made arrangements?" Wang Ji asked tentatively.

"If nothing unexpected happens, Han Zeng's headquarters should not be far from Chang'an City!"

"If there is an accident, then Wang Qing will have to prepare a chariot for me to run away in advance. I am afraid I will have to imitate King You of Zhou and flee the capital."

When he said the first half of the sentence, Liu Hezhi was very proud; when he said the second half of the sentence, Liu He's face was full of self-deprecation.

But this was not a joke. Even if Liu He was defeated in Chang'an City, he would not hang himself from a crooked-neck tree in Chang'an City.

Liu He would flee to Guandong County and fight to the death with Huo Guang.

Wang Ji is usually not very showy, but he is the one who can best understand the emperor's half-truths and half-deceptions.

He replied calmly: "Your Majesty, you can leave from Anmen in Chang'an City, which is closest to Weiyang Palace. After leaving the city, turn east and return to Changyi to mobilize the troops of the world!"

This time it was Liu He's turn to be stunned. He did not expect that Wang Ji had actually planned this matter.

But soon, he burst out laughing, and regardless of the emperor's majesty, he reached out and patted Wang Ji on the shoulder.

"Wang Qing is really interesting. I haven't spoken to you much in the past few months, which is really a pity." Liu He smiled and shook his head.

"Your Majesty, don't worry. Your Majesty and his ministers will always be with you."

"Well said, the king and his ministers will be together for a long time."

After saying these few words to Wang Ji, Liu He's tense thoughts finally relaxed a little.

Being too tight is not a good thing and it is easy to make mistakes.

In addition to the three things just mentioned, Liu He asked Wang Ji to draw up many edicts and summoned many people to Weiyang Palace.

Liu De, Bingji, Cai Yi, Lecheng, Dai Zong, Yu Wuyou... - Tonight, Liu He will use all the cards in his hand.

These people are not all generals, but Liu He has made arrangements for them, and they all have to bear a share of responsibility at this moment.

Or, it is safer for them to stay in Weiyang Palace than outside Weiyang Palace. This is also Liu He's way of protecting them.

"Have you written everything down?"

"It's written down." Wang Ji said.

"Help me think about it, is there anything else missing?" Liu He asked.

"Your Majesty, I would like to ask, what are you going to do tonight?" Wang Ji saluted and asked.

"You want to accompany me out of the palace." Liu He replied calmly.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, where are you going?" Wang Ji asked.

"Go outside Beicheng and seize the military power of the Zhongbao Colonel."

The Zhongbao Colonel is one of the eight Colonels of the Northern Army.

Moreover, among the eight captains of the Northern Army, the Lieutenant of the Middle Base had the most transcendent status. He was responsible for guarding the Northern Army camp, patrolling the camp, and supervising the soldiers.

Now, the troops of the other seven captains are all in the army marching to the north. This middle base captain has become the most reliable force in Huo Guang's hands.

The current Lieutenant of the Middle Base is named Fan Xu, and the guard envoy is named Huo Feng. Although they do not have obvious military exploits or talents, they are both die-hard Huo Party members.

The former is Fan Mingyou's elder brother, and the latter is Huo Guang's distant cousin.

Their surname and lineage determine their stance.

Dealing with such Huo Dang cannot be dealt with by Wang Ji or Zhang Anshi with their words. Liu He, the emperor, must take action.

"I'm afraid it's inappropriate for Your Majesty to put himself in danger..." Wang Ji said.

"If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch the tiger's cubs. In today's situation, controlling the lieutenant is the most important part. I must take action personally."

"Wei Chen understands!"

"Okay, you send someone to issue an edict immediately without any hesitation. I will wait for you in the Greenhouse Palace."

"only!"

After Wang Ji left, Liu He called Fan Ke in again.

"What time is it?"

"Two o'clock at the same time." Fan Ke replied as usual.

This little internal official who was promoted to the rank of Attendant has no idea about the general trend of the world and looks ignorant all day long, but isn't that a kind of happiness?

"Okay, I'm going to Jiaofang Palace."

"Does Your Majesty want to eat and sleep in Jiaofang Hall as usual?"

"No, I'm just going to see the Queen at the moment. I'm going to stay in the Greenhouse Palace tonight."

"promise."

……

A quarter of an hour later, Liu He walked into the front hall of Jiaofang Hall with some hesitation. Huo Chengjun already knew that the emperor was coming, so he happily greeted him with a pen and paper.

"Husband, these are the words written by the palace maids. Come and read them quickly..."

Huo Chengjun stood beside Liu He, stepping on his feet and proudly showing off his achievements. Liu He just smiled and watched without speaking.

He couldn't bear to tell Huo Chengjun what might happen after tonight when she was so happy.

Liu He and Huo Chengjun had already reached an agreement on this matter, but with the bloody storm right in front of them, Liu He was still worried that Huo Chengjun would be devastated.

Finally, Huo Chengjun saw the difference between Liu He and the past.

"Husband, are you feeling unwell? Why don't you speak?"

Liu He shook his head.

Huo Chengjun was so smart that he figured it out immediately.

"Then...is the matter in the court bothering my husband?"

Liu He nodded, hesitating and saying with some apology: "Chengjun, Fan Mingyou in Beidi County... rebelled."

Sure enough, Huo Chengjun's face suddenly turned pale, and the cheerful look just now was gone.

She was like a black bird whose feathers were wetted by dew, and suddenly lost her life.

If Fan Mingyou rebels, then Huo Yu will rebel too; if Huo Yu rebels, Huo Guang will find it difficult to stay out of it - the big tree of the Huo family is in danger.

Huo Chengjun felt dizzy, and the pen and paper in his hand fell to the ground. His whole body was crumbling like a poplar tree in a storm.

When she was about to fall, Liu He took her into his arms.

"Chengjun, after all, you and I are not ordinary couples..."

"When I was selected by Father Zhong to inherit the ancestral temple, you and I were destined to become husband and wife, and we were also destined to experience many things..."

"These days, I have thought more than once that it would be a beautiful thing to take you to the private sector to be an ordinary couple..."

"However, there are not so many 'what ifs', so you and I can only face the difficulties."

After Liu He said these heartfelt words, he held Huo Chengjun's shoulders. He saw that the latter's eyes were full of sparkle, but he stubbornly did not shed a drop.

"I don't have any more relatives in this world. You are my closest relative... Are you willing to treat me as your closest relative?"

There are many relatives, but there are only a few closest relatives.

If nothing happens, relatives and close relatives will naturally be "close"; if something happens, relatives and close relatives can only choose the latter.

Scenes of her life in the General's Mansion and Weiyang Palace alternately flashed through Huo Chengjun's mind, and his thoughts were hard to calm down...

But in the end, she nodded softly but firmly.

Liu He sighed slightly relaxedly. Only after Huo Chengjun was settled, could he move forward to meet the enemy.

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(End of this chapter)