Horse on the World

Chapter 293 Mutiny
In Luoyang, the capital city of Great Chu, the first day of the new year has always been a carnival day for Luoyang people, because this day is the only day on the wide square outside the imperial city where various folk art troupes or other acrobatic performances are allowed, and His Majesty the Emperor, the highest ruler of Great Chu, will also appear on the tall imperial city tower to watch the performance. If he can win favor, he can ascend to the sky in one step.

Since the first day, countless imperial guards have been stationed in the square, and the square has been blocked. The identity of people entering the square is not restricted, but strict inspections are required. Although the emperor only appears on the tall tower, he is not allowed to Not just in case.

It was nearly noon, and the square was already crowded with people. The crowds spread to the east and clustered to the west to watch various performances. From time to time, enthusiastic applause broke out, and the performers worked harder amidst the applause. They all Clearly, the louder the cheers and the more crowds of onlookers, the easier it is to attract the attention of the emperor and those dignitaries.

After noon, the number of palace guards on the tower suddenly increased. Experienced people knew that His Majesty the Emperor was about to appear. Sure enough, not long after, Emperor Tianqi brought a group of important ministers, dignitaries, and concubines in the harem. Waiting for someone to appear upstairs in the imperial city.

Emperor Tianqi likes such an atmosphere, because only at this time, he will feel that his empire is still prosperous and thriving.The new year is here, the new year is new, the rebels who have been making trouble in Xingzhou, Gaizhou, and Qingzhou in the south for several years suddenly died down a few years ago, and their troops have withdrawn to Gaizhou and Qingzhou. Right now, Qu Yongjie is stepping up his training in Xingzhou , Maybe this year they can counterattack back to these two states and wipe out Lu Xiaobo and Zhang Wei.If Qu Yongjie has achieved all these, then it is reasonable to give him the title of Marquis.Well, there is also Li Qing, the West Marquis of Dingzhou Town, who has driven the prairie barbarian Bayar to the end of the road, and the prairie will soon be formally incorporated into the territory of the Great Chu. What the ancestors of the past did not do, has been done by himself. Emperor Tianqi was excited.

Thinking of Li Qing, Tian Qi couldn't help but think of his most beloved sister, Qing Cheng. Today is the day of Qing Cheng's big wedding!In his mind, he pictured Qingcheng wearing a wedding gown and walking to the wedding hall. Tian Qi couldn't help but smile. This wild girl finally put a bridle on her. I hope she can become gentle and gentle after marriage. One point, don't be as wild as before.Hearing that Li's family rules are quite strict, he glanced at An Guogong Li Huaiyuan who was not far away from him. The old guy was smiling and leaning on the railing to watch the performance below.Well, although Li's family rules are strict, Qingcheng is always a princess. Li Huaiyuan definitely dare not say anything, but he will definitely find himself to complain. I should give him some benefits earlier and shut his mouth, but Li Huaiyuan is already a princess Extremely human ministers, the old man does not lack gold, silver and jewels, so he can only give his descendants a few more shadow officials. Li Huaiyuan is a fine man, so he must understand his painstaking efforts.

As if feeling that the emperor was looking at him, Li Huaiyuan turned his head, and the monarch and his ministers looked at each other and smiled, but it is not known whether the contents of the two smiles are consistent.

Chen Xiyan, the chief assistant next to Li Huaiyuan, has become more and more old in the past two years. Although the bustling and exciting scene below the imperial city, the high-ranking officials and dignitaries above the imperial city, and the children and grandchildren applaud loudly from time to time, but in his eyes There is no focal length, although I look down, I am thinking about something in my heart.

Li Xiaobo and Zhang Wei stopped fighting, and it is a good thing to stop fighting, but this matter looks weird, these two rebels have always had the upper hand, and Qu Yongjie in Xingzhou can only defend passively, sticking to some important cities, but why suddenly? In between, did he retreat without warning?Even Qu Yongjie himself was baffled.

Li Qing from Dingzhou is making great strides. Seeing that the pacification of the barbarian Bayar is imminent, the territory of the empire will increase by a large area. Although the royal family married a daughter and married her to strengthen the relationship between the two parties, Chen Xiyan did not dare to say that just because of this Li Qing can be made to work for Dachu with all his heart.Chen Xiyan knew that in the face of huge interests, the word affection was the most ridiculous word. Even if Li Qing didn't want to do anything, his subordinates would push him forward.

In the past few months, everything seems to be going well with the government. The unpleasant and irritating things that flew from all over Dachu all the time suddenly disappeared. It seems that when the new year comes, these bad things also It's very face-saving, as if he is willing to let Da Chu live this year well.

Chen Xiyan was very confused. He believed that there should be a reason for all this, but he just couldn't guess what the reason was.The emperor has been very happy for a while, but it’s hard to tell the emperor about his own worries. Firstly, he is worried that he is unfounded, and secondly, seeing Emperor Tianqi’s rare few days of comfortable life, he can’t bear to let him feel troubled. I have already asked Ding Yu, the secretary of the staff, to investigate, but there has been no one replying accurately, maybe, I should destroy him later.Chen Xiyan looked at Ding Yu who was standing not far behind the emperor. Ding Yu saw Chen Xiyan looking towards him, and immediately responded with a bright smile.

Chen Xiyan doesn't like Ding Yu. Compared with Yuan Fang, Chen Xiyan feels that Ding Yu is not a star and a half, not only in his personality, but also in his ability. In Ding Yu's hands, he completely lost his position in Yuan Fang's hands. demonstrated efficiency.

An Guogong Li Huaiyuan was the same as Chen Xiyan. Although he was watching the excitement in the city, he was also thinking about his own thoughts. Li Huaiyuan was a great expert in military affairs. He knew Li Qing's strategic arrangements on the grassland at a glance. After making up his own mind, marrying Qingcheng did not make him change the strategic arrangement of Dingzhou itself. Looking back at the smiling Tianqi, Li Huaiyuan felt a little pity in his heart. To be honest, this emperor is still very diligent, but The general situation in the world is like this, no matter how hard he tries, he can't heal Da Chu who is dying of illness.

As dusk approached, Tianqi and the concubines drove back to the palace. As soon as the ministers bowed and saw them off, Li Huaiyuan squinted his eyes and watched the emperor's car slowly disappear into the depths of the palace, and then stood up straight. He greeted Lanting Hou Qiu Zhi loudly, "Old Qiu, today is the first day of the new year. Where did I get a few bottles of good wine? Why don't you try it?" The Li family is still under house arrest, but the friendship between these two people for decades has not weakened because of this. After all, they have shed blood together and saved each other's lives. Besides, on top of this, Mrs. Qiu has indeed made a big mistake. Qiu Zhi was very grateful for saving his life.

"That's great!" Qiu Zhi said happily.

The two walked together, and they called for friends along the way, invited a few good friends, and went straight to An Guogong's mansion.

Chen Xiyan, however, was full of worries. All the way home, he ate a New Year's dinner that was delicious. After the meal, he went back to the study alone, completely ignoring the angry eyes of his family.

He seemed to think of something in his mind, but it was always vague. He sat alone in the study until night fell, but he couldn't figure out anything.Chen Kuan, an old family member, came in, lit a lamp for the master, and said: "Master, it's the Chinese New Year. The ladies and princesses are still waiting for the master to celebrate the festive season together. The master should put aside the official business first, and wait for the New Year's Eve." Let's deal with it later!" Chen Kuan has served him for decades, he is also a servant and a friend, and he is relatively casual in front of him.

Chen Xiyan smiled and stood up, suddenly a flash of inspiration flashed in his mind, wait!Yes, that's it, it seems like everyone is waiting for something to happen?For a moment, Chen Xiyan broke out in cold sweat. What are you waiting for?
At this moment, too many things flashed through Chen Xiyan's mind. The Zeng family and the Lu family had taken back the family members in Beijing in the name of the Chinese New Year years ago, and even Duke An was the only one left in his family. The rest of the people have all returned to their hometown in Yizhou. What is this for?Years pass every year, and they are not like this in previous years!
They all seemed to know what was going to happen?Chen Xiyan couldn't imagine that if these few families knew what was going to happen, but kept silent at the same time, it must be a big deal.

"I want to enter the palace!" Chen Xiyan said loudly.

"Ah?" Chen Kuan was taken aback, "Master, it's the Chinese New Year today, and it's already this time, the gate of the palace has been locked!"

Chen Xiyan reached out to pick up the cloak, and said loudly: "Chen Kuan, order the car to be prepared immediately, I want to enter the palace!"

Seeing Chen Xiyan's pale face, Chen Kuan knew that something serious must have happened, otherwise the master, who has always been calm, would never have lost his composure. In Chen Kuan's memory, the master had never lost his composure before.

Unlike An Guogong and others who live in Juxiang Street where high-ranking officials and dignitaries gather, Chen Xiyan's home is in an ordinary residential complex not far from the imperial city. There are two completely different grades. Chen Xiyan, who has been the chief assistant for more than ten years, has euphemistically occupied the mansion given to him by Emperor Tianqi several times, and insists on living here all the time.

When Chen Xiyan stepped out of the gate, Chen Kuan had already ordered the coachman to drive the carriage to the gate. Just as Chen Xiyan was about to get on the carriage, he suddenly heard the sound of orderly footsteps. Shrinking, hands trembling involuntarily.

"Let's go!" Chen Xiyan ordered Chen Kuan.

An officer of the Imperial Forest Army also saw Chen Xiyan, saw that he was about to get into the car, trotted all the way to Chen Xiyan, gave a military salute, and said loudly: "Master Shoufu, please stay!"

"What's the matter?" Chen Xiyan asked with a gloomy face, and the prime minister's aura exploded in an instant.

The imperial guard officer shuddered involuntarily, but he still puffed out his chest and said loudly: "Master Shoufu, the general has received an order. There are thieves entering the capital tonight. They want to do something wrong. Shangfeng is afraid of hurting everyone." It’s not good for adults, so please don’t leave the house for the time being.”

Chen Xiyan sneered, "Traitors? Just kidding, how can I scare a few thieves from going out? Go away, I have an urgent business, and I have delayed my important affairs. Be careful! head!"

The Yulin officer shrank his head, obviously forced by the opponent's momentum, took a step back, but still said: "Sorry, Mr. Shoufu, the order I received is to protect Mr. Shoufu, and never let Mr. Shoufu go out!"

"What do you want to do?" Chen Xiyan was furious. "Protect me, or imprison me? Who is your boss? I'll let him go!"

The officer of the imperial forest stood up straight: "I'm sorry, Mr. Shoufu. It is the bounden duty of soldiers to obey orders. Please return to the manor, Mr. Shoufu!" With a wave of his hand, the soldiers of the Imperial Forest Army rushed forward, and the carriage was already tightly surrounded.

Chen Xiyan closed his eyes heavily, and two lines of old tears flowed down his face. Now, he finally knows what these people are waiting for?

"Master!" Chen Kuan called out in fear.

Chen Xiyan staggered off the carriage, and walked back to the mansion step by step with heavy steps.Outside, the Royal Forest Army has surrounded the door layer by layer.

Back in the study, Chen Xiyan wrote several letters in succession without saying a word, and wrote them one by one.Handed it to Chen Kuan, said: "Chen Kuan, find an opportunity to send these letters. I have written the recipient on the envelope. I am afraid it will be difficult for us to leave the house."

After receiving the letter, Chen Kuan asked cautiously, "Master, what happened? How dare those Imperial Forest Army come to block our door?"

Chen Xiyan leaned weakly on the back of the chair, and uttered two words: "Mutiny!"

(End of this chapter)