Troubled times: Start practicing spiritual practice by taking care of your sister-in-law.

Chapter 623: Six Hundred and Fifty Nine: The Duke of Anguo is promoted to King of Wei
After hearing what Chen Mo said, Emperor Yong'an knew that Chen Mo was going to become like Xu Guozhong and Lu Sheng. Although he had expected it, he still felt depressed when it actually happened. After all, it would be difficult for the Chu family to revive.

"Just as Duke Anguo said, all affairs here, big or small, will be handled by Minister Chen. The country and the people are entrusted to Minister Chen." Emperor Yong'an said.

"Your Majesty, your words are too kind. I am only fulfilling my duty as an official." Chen Mo cupped his hands and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I obey your order."

With the emperor's order, no matter what Chen Mo does next, it will be much more legitimate.

"Wang Suo, the commander of the Imperial Guards, is a close confidant of the traitor Lu Sheng. Your Majesty is trapped in the palace, and this traitor is largely responsible. I think he should be dismissed from his post as commander, and his crimes should be investigated before being punished. As for the vacant post of commander of the Imperial Guards, I recommend Yang Wei, the deputy general of the Imperial Guards. Yang Wei is a man of outstanding ability and a loyal minister of the Song Dynasty, but he has been oppressed by Lu Sheng and has not been promoted for a long time." Chen Mo said.

Since the task was entrusted to Chen Mo, Emperor Yong'an did not even think about who this Yang Wei was. He nodded and immediately asked, "Who is General Yang Wei?"

"Yang Wei, His Majesty wants to see you." Chen Mo shouted to the outside of the bedroom.

Yang Wei, who was waiting outside, heard Chen Mo's call and hurriedly walked in, bowing. He first saluted Chen Mo and then saluted Emperor Yong'an.

"General Yang is truly of noble character. Duke Anguo just recommended you, General Yang, as the commander of the Imperial Guards. I think General Yang is capable of shouldering this important task." Emperor Yong'an said.

Hearing this, Yang Wei was shocked at first, and glanced at Chen Mo with the corner of his eye. He was so excited that he wanted to kneel in front of Chen Mo and be his dog. After all, he was Lu Sheng's man before, and he was promoted directly just by accusing Wang Suo of crimes and leading the way.

According to what he had thought before, he would be very happy as long as he could be pardoned for his sins.

"General Yang, why don't you express your gratitude quickly?" Chen Mo said when he saw him standing there in a daze.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yang Wei said respectfully.

"The generals of the Imperial Guards are Loren, Lu Wei, and Cao Yan." Chen Mo read out several names in one breath. These people were all high-ranking generals in the Imperial Guards and were all Lu Sheng's men. This was a name list submitted by his subordinates. They have now been captured and detained. Afterwards, Chen Mo charged them with crimes and sentenced them to death, and then began to arrange his own people.

First of all, the leader of the imperial guards is the general commander. Chen Mo recommends Yue Ruyan as the general commander of the imperial guards and Xiao Jing as the deputy commander.

After that, it’s the position of prime minister.

Chen Mo recommended Geng Songfu to take the position.

Upon hearing this, not only Emperor Yong'an, but also Yue Ruyan, Xia Zhining, and even Wu Yanqing were stunned. Logically speaking, shouldn't this position be held by Chen Mo himself?

Xu Guozhong and Lu Sheng, who had successfully mutinied, both became prime ministers.

Chen Mo had his own reasons for doing this, and with his ability, he was not up to the task. He just needed to keep the military power in his own hands.

In contrast, Geng Songfu, whether he was previously serving as the magistrate of Pingting County or the prefect of Huaizhou, always handled "political affairs" in an orderly manner.

Geng Songfu was an old friend of Chen Mo, so Chen Mo felt relieved to have him serve as prime minister.

Wu Yanqing served as Si Tu, one of the Three Dukes.

This position was originally held by Liang Mu, the head of the Liang family.

Afterwards, Jiang Li, Xia Zhining, Nangong Xian, Sun Meng, Diwu Fusheng, Liu Ji, and even Zhao Liang, Zuo Lianglun, Yang Xian, Chang En, Song Shiming and others who were not here were all promoted.

The contributions of Chang'en, Song Shiming and others were naturally to expel foreign enemies and guard the border.

In short, all the powerful positions in the court were occupied by Chen Mo's people.

Chen Mo generously gave all the remaining honorary positions, such as Taifu, Taishi, and Shaobao, to the royalists and surviving royal relatives.

In addition, weren't the former Queen Xu Ying and Princess Zhaoqing demoted to slavery before? Chen Mo planned to promote Xu Ying to a commoner and Princess Zhaoqing to be restored as a Princess of the Song Dynasty.

In addition to Xu Ying and Princess Zhaoqing, there are also Madam Gan, Madam Xiao, Madam Hui and even Chu Juan. After all, they are the family members of Prince Huai, and Chen Mo must pardon all of their crimes.

Of course, Chen Mo did not tell Emperor Yong'an about the above matters in person, and resolved them privately.

By the time Chen Mo finished his speech, half an hour had passed.

However, Yue Ruyan, Jiang Li and others who were standing did not feel tired at all. Instead, they were very energetic.

Seeing Chen Mo fall silent, Yue Ruyan, who had been silent, stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, Duke Anguo has devoted all his energy to the Song Dynasty, driving out foreign enemies, suppressing bandits, and punishing traitors. His contributions are outstanding and well-known. I request Your Majesty to promote Duke Anguo to the title of King of Wei and grant him the Nine Gifts."

The title of King of Wei has an important place in history, because since ancient times, those who served as King of Wei were all people of great reputation, ability and power, which makes the title of "King of Wei" more honorable than other royal titles.

Emperor Yong'an was shocked when he heard this. Although the Song Dynasty did not have a rule that only those with the surname Chu could be crowned kings, except for a few kings with different surnames in the founding period of the Song Dynasty, there had been no kings with different surnames since then until now for nearly four hundred years.

The title of King of Wei reminded him of an old uncle, that was King Chu Lin of Wei during the reign of Emperor Jing (this King of Wei has been mentioned before). He was also the most talented genius in the royal family. He broke through to the first-rank warrior without the help of the Soul-Devouring Array. Unfortunately, Chu Lin was not interested in power, and went overseas to search for immortals during the reign of Emperor Jing. There has been no news of him since then, and he is probably no longer in this world.

Just as Emperor Yong'an was hesitating, the two old ministers Su and Xue, who were pro-monarchy ministers, immediately spoke out in opposition.

Just like when Lu Sheng first became prime minister, they also opposed it.

Chen Mo also declined: "I have been a citizen of Song for generations, and have received the grace of the country. Although I have made contributions, I also rely on the power of Emperor Taizu. I dare not accept the promotion."

Just when the two old ministers Su and Xue breathed a sigh of relief, Wu Yanqing stood up again and asked Emperor Yong'an to promote Chen Mo to the title of King of Wei.

Chen Mo declined again.

The old minister surnamed Su said: "Duke Anguo follows the will of heaven and upholds justice. He has always taken it as his responsibility to support the Song Dynasty."

He first praised Chen Mo, and then said: "With a loyal ambition and a humble attitude, if we promote Duke Anguo to the throne, we will be criticized by the people, and people will mistakenly think that Duke Anguo is the same as Xu Guozhong and Lu Sheng. We are the ministers of Song Dynasty, and we should not push Duke Anguo to the level of being unkind and unjust."

These words were a bit hurtful, as if Chen Mo would be the same kind of person as Xu Guozhong and Lu Sheng as long as he became king.

Even injustice and inhumanity came out.

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at Minister Su, but did not say anything.

When Wu Yanqing heard this, his beard was about to stand on end with anger, and he quickly said, "Your Majesty, to promote Duke Anguo to the title of king is the unanimous wish of the ministers of the four seas."

As soon as these words were spoken, Yue Ruyan, Xia Zhining, Jiang Li and others came forward to express their agreement.

Emperor Yong'an glanced at Chen Mo, who was silent and had a stern face, and his heart sank. He knew that the other party was playing the "three refusal and three decline" trick. How could he dare not disagree? However, he still played a little trick and said, "I, I, I also want to promote the Duke of Anguo, but the Duke of Anguo himself disagrees."

Wu Yanqing hurriedly said, "Promoting Duke Anguo to the throne is the will of heaven and the will of the people. How can we let Duke Anguo give in? Your Majesty, Duke Anguo's modesty is a sign of his noble character, but we cannot delay the will of heaven and the will of the people."

"Your Majesty, respectfully request that you promote the Duke of Anguo to a higher rank."

This time, it was not only Yue Ruyan and the others who spoke, the soldiers outside the hall, as if they had heard what was said in the bedroom, all shouted loudly, their voices shaking the sky.

The palace maids and eunuchs waiting outside the palace were huddled together in fear.

Emperor Yong'an was also frightened and trembled so hard that he couldn't speak.

Chen Mo continued to keep a straight face, but he was also a little surprised.

Although Yue Ruyan and the others had mentioned the matter of becoming king to Chen Mo, Chen Mo did not expect that they were so fully prepared.

We just entered the city today, and the battle lasted until the evening. How was the schedule arranged in such a short time? Wu Yanqing was indeed an old fox, and he even figured out the will of heaven and the will of the people.

What Chen Mo didn't know was that after learning of Lu Sheng's death, Wu Yanqing and the others knew that the big thing was done, and they made arrangements without Chen Mo's consent.

In fact, if the world had not been unsettled, they would have probably already made the dragon robe.

At this moment, even if the two old ministers Su and Xue opposed it, it would be meaningless.

Just when Emperor Yong'an was about to agree.

"The Queen Mother has arrived." A sharp voice like a duck's voice sounded.

Outside the emperor's bedroom, the soldiers made way for a path.

Empress Dowager Liang Ji, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, came to the outside of the emperor's bedroom, but she did not go in immediately. Instead, she stopped outside the bedroom and said respectfully, "I pay my respects to your majesty."

"You are here late, please come in, please come in."

When Emperor Yong'an heard that it was the Queen Mother who came, he was delighted and hoped that Liang Ji's arrival could help relieve some of the pressure from him.

The soldiers kept looking at Liang Ji, and only retracted their gazes after she entered the bedroom.

Obviously, it was the first time they saw such a beautiful woman.

They thought that General Yue and General Xia, whom they usually saw, were fairies, but this Queen Mother was even more beautiful than fairies.

"I greet Your Majesty." After entering the bedroom, Liang Ji bowed to Emperor Yong'an again.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to be polite. Someone, please offer her a seat." When it came to offering the Empress Dowager a seat, Emperor Yong'an suddenly felt a little embarrassed, because without Chen Mo's nod, no one inside or outside dared to move.

"Didn't you hear what Your Majesty said?" Chen Mo turned around and shouted.

A eunuch was pushed into the bedroom and tremblingly brought a chair for Liang Ji.

"Your Majesty, this must be the Duke of Anguo, right?" Liang Ji sat down and looked at Chen Mo who had spoken, sizing him up and down.

"Your servant Chen Mo greets the Queen Mother." Chen Mo bowed to Liang Ji and looked up at her.

Liang Ji was wearing a purple palace skirt with a white waistcoat on the outside and a phoenix crown on her head. Her figure was round and smooth but not plump, her eyebrows and eyes were like phoenixes, and she had been in the upper position for a long time and had a certain majesty. Her elegance and beauty were beyond even Xiao Yunxi and the former queen Xu Ying.

It felt like even if she wore a linen dress and no jewelry, others would still think she was from an extraordinary family.

This is a woman who exudes nobility from the inside out.

"You are indeed a young hero, brave and extraordinary, worthy of being a loyal minister and pillar of our Song Dynasty." Liang Ji said with a smile: "Come to think of it, Duke Anguo has to call me cousin, how is Xue'er these days?"

Liang Xue's father Liang Song and Liang Xue's father Liang Mu are of the same generation, so it is not wrong for Chen Mo to call Liang Ji cousin.

But Liang Xue was not married to Chen Mo in a formal ceremony. Instead, she was "kidnapped" and the Liang family had never acknowledged her.

Liang Ji's words were considered as an acknowledgement of the marriage by the Liang family.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing well." Chen Mo said.

The term "neijian" is usually used by men to refer to their wives or concubines. It is a humble or self-deprecating expression.

Xia Zhining frowned, but the situation was not right and she couldn't show any hostility, so she could only suppress the jealousy in her heart.

"Your Majesty's arrival is just in time. I was just about to promote the Duke of Anguo to the title of King of Wei. What do you think, Majesty?" said Emperor Yong'an.

"I feel it's not enough." Liang Ji said.

Emperor Yongan: “???”

"Duke Anguo has worked hard and made great contributions. In addition to being promoted to King of Wei, he should also wear a crown with ten tassels, ride in a golden chariot, driven by six horses, and go in and out with the emperor's imperial ceremonies. He should enter the palace with a sword and shoes, and be praised and bowed without being named." Liang Ji said in a shocking manner.

What she said was all the treatment that one would receive like an emperor.

Emperor Yong'an was petrified after hearing this.

Chen Mo looked at Liang Ji seriously, feeling that she was mocking him sarcastically, but looking at her serious expression, it was obvious that she was serious.

Chen Mo raised his eyebrows. Was she trying to show her kindness to him?

The hatred between me and the Liang family is not small.
Yue Ruyan, Xia Zhining and the others were all surprised, but they soon felt that Liang Ji's action was probably for her father.

At this point, Emperor Yong'an had no choice but to promote Chen Mo to the title of King of Wei and give Chen Mo the treatment of an emperor. He would announce it to the world after the morning court session tomorrow.

At this point, Chen Mo's visit to the palace tonight to meet the emperor came to an end.

After it was over, Chen Mo walked out of the bedroom, and Yue Ruyan, Xia Zhining and the others followed behind him.

The soldiers outside the hall stood respectfully and shouted "Long live the King of Wei".

Just when we were about to leave the palace.

"King Wei, please wait a moment." A soft female voice sounded behind Chen Mo and others.

Chen Mo stopped and turned around, only to see a palace maid trotting forward and saying respectfully, "This servant greets the Duke of Anguo. This servant, on the orders of the Queen Mother, invites the Duke of Anguo to meet alone at Shoukang Palace."

Shoukang Palace, that is the Queen Mother's bedroom.

Hearing this, Yue Ruyan and Xia Zhining frowned slightly.

Even Wu Yanqing and Nangong Xian are the same.

It was late at night, and inviting a man to one's bedroom so late at night would inevitably make people think too much.

"The Queen Mother wants to see me alone, tonight?"

The maid nodded.

Chen Mo was stunned: "What's the matter?"

"This slave doesn't know."

"Please tell the Queen Mother that I am exhausted and will not bother her any more. I will come to the palace to apologize to her another day."

She went to the Empress Dowager's bedroom to attend a meeting on the night she entered the palace. What a shame! If she really went, the stigma of being a "good wife" would never be washed away.

(End of this chapter)