Song Yi

Chapter 392
Dozens of generals and schools were already crowded here, they were the four chiefs of the Imperial Guard Division, Du Yuhou, Du Yuhou, commanders of each battalion, and deputy commanders.

Li Pu and more than a dozen bodyguards Du Wenhao brought home this time were also waiting there.

Eunuch Jiao shouted with a shy stomach, "Du Wenhao and Li Pu knelt down to listen to the Queen Mother's order!"

Du Wenhao and Li Pu lifted their robes and knelt down.

Eunuch Jiao groaned and said: "The Empress Dowager Yizhi said: Wei An, the commander of the guards in front of the palace, was transferred to Wailang, a member of the Ministry of War, and the four deputy commanders stepped down to wait for vacancies. The guards in front of the palace are all commanders. Du Wenhao, the official, will take over. Li Pu will be the deputy commander of the capital. This is my honor!"

Du Wenhao and Li Pu kowtowed to thank each other.

The generals in the field couldn't help discussing a few words in a low voice, but they soon fell silent.

Originally, the generals in the Song Dynasty were changed frequently like a revolving lantern. The purpose was that the generals did not know the soldiers, and the soldiers did not know the generals. Therefore, changing the commander-in-chief was very common for these school lieutenants.What's more, now is the time when the throne is changing. For these generals, what they hope most is a smooth transition, and they don't want themselves to be pawns in the struggle for imperial power.After all, it doesn't make much difference to them who is the emperor.

All the generals and schools looked at Du Wenhao. Almost all of them knew Du Wenhao. As the emperor's physician, he often went in and out of the palace. These were the palace guards, so they naturally knew each other.They all heard that he led [-] imperial troops and wiped out [-] troops and won more battles with less, and they were all full of respect for him, so they all held their heads high and waited for him to speak.

The reaction of the generals was completely within Du Wenhao's expectation. He got back on his horse and said loudly: "Brothers! Have you heard the empress dowager's decree? Lord Wei An has been transferred to the Ministry of War, and the guards in front of the palace will be replaced by this officer. Ren, from now on, all the guards in front of the palace must obey the orders of the official. Those who resist the order and do not obey, please come out now!"

All the generals in the audience were silent.

Wei An was originally the commander of the Dianqian Division. He was a high-ranking official from the second rank, but he was demoted to be a member of the Ministry of War. Not sure what this means?So no one dared to say anything.

Du Wenhao waited for a while, saw that no one came out, and continued to speak loudly: "Brothers, the emperor and the empress dowager died successively, and failed to leave a will to designate the heir to the throne. Now there are some rumors that the sixth prince and the two princes In the fight for the throne, I want to tell everyone that how to inherit the throne can only be designated by the empress dowager herself. Anyone who tries to use illegal means to obtain the throne is my mortal enemy of the Song Dynasty! As the guards in front of the palace, Protecting the safety of the empress dowager and the princes, concubines and princesses is our sacred mission. We only need to fulfill this duty well. We don’t need to think about other things. It is absolutely forbidden for anyone to intervene in the succession of the throne under any pretext about it. Is it clear?"

All the generals agreed in unison.

Du Wenhao reprimanded loudly again: "You are the guards in front of the palace. Your duty is to protect the people you are responsible for protecting. Only when the people you protect are violated by outsiders, you can use force to resist. Other things Don't worry about it. I announce that all the decisions made by Wei An are invalid and will not be implemented! Now I order you to lead your subordinates and return to the original positions in charge. Without the direct order of this officer, no one is allowed to Leave your post without authorization, and those who disobey the order will be beheaded! Do you understand?"

All the generals answered in unison this time.

Before this, Wei An's pre-war mobilization was to prepare the guards in front of the palace to counterattack the two princes' forceful seizure of power, and re-adjusted and deployed all the guards in front of the palace, but this time Du Wenhao let them all return to their original positions. The post is tantamount to canceling all the original combat deployments made by Wei An.

Du Wenhao said again: "Li Pu listens to the order."

Li Pu hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to salute: "The last general is here!"

"I order you to supervise the return of the soldiers of each battalion to their respective posts within half an hour. Those who are not in place after the time limit will be handled by military law!"

"Order!"

Du Wenhao immediately replaced the Sizhi Du Yuhou of the front guard, and replaced them all with the four loyal personal guards who followed him in the battle and have been following him since then.

During Du Wenhao's adjustment of the upper-level personnel of the Guards Department in front of the palace, Eunuch Jiao went back to report to the Empress Dowager, and then brought out a golden decree scroll and led a team of decree-issuing guards out.Here, Du Wenhao has already made arrangements. Eunuch Jiao, Du Wenhao, and Lin Qingdai left the imperial city and went straight to Prince Yong's Mansion.

The guards outside Prince Yong's mansion were heavily guarded, and when he learned that Eunuch Jiao was coming to deliver the decree, he hurriedly let him in.Soon, Yong Wang, Cao Wang, Cai Que, Xing Shu, Cai Jing and a group of people came out to welcome them.

When King Yong saw that Du Wenhao was wearing the military uniform of the commander of the guards in front of the palace, he was really surprised and happy. He stepped forward and grabbed Du Wenhao's shoulders with both hands, shaking them non-stop. He laughed and said, "My good brother, you really did it!" ?!"

"Yes! The Empress Dowager has issued a decree to appoint Yudi as the commander of the guards in front of the palace. The decree issued by Eunuch Jiao just now."

Eunuch Jiao nodded with a smile: "The empress dowager ordered General Du Wenhao to be the commander of the guard department in front of the palace."

"Okay! Great! Brother, what about Wei An?"

Du Wenhao said: "Wei An has been transferred to the Ministry of War as Wai Lang."

King Yong was taken aback for a moment, then he looked up to the sky and laughed loudly: "Hahaha, I really have you! Good! That's great! Hahaha"

Du Wenhao said again: "All the guards in front of the palace have returned to their original positions, and no one is allowed to leave their posts without the direct order of the foolish brother. The prince can rest assured."

This news made Yong Wang even more overjoyed. He grabbed Du Wenhao's shoulder and shook and patted, repeatedly praising Du Wenhao as a good brother, capable and capable of doing things.

Mr. Jiao said: "My lords, our family is here to deliver the imperial decree of the Empress Dowager. Please set up an incense table to receive the decree."

King Yong hurriedly welcomed Eunuch Jiao and Du Wenhao into the mansion, set up an incense table in the main hall, and knelt down to accept the order.

Eunuch Jiao said with a sharp voice: "The Empress Dowager Yi decree: For Yong Wang Zhao Hao, Cao Wang Zhao Kai will immediately enter the palace to discuss the succession of the throne. Hereby!"

King Yong and King Cao were even more pleasantly surprised. It seemed that Du Wenhao's ecstasy soup really made the Empress Dowager dizzy.

Du Wenhao asked: "I don't know if the flock sent by my brother has been delivered?"

"It's here, it's been sent to various locations, and it's being slaughtered and barbecued. When I come back from the palace, I will go to each location to inspect on behalf of my virtuous brother, and let the brothers give you a few glasses of wine!"

Du Wenhao hurriedly bowed to express his thanks.

Cao Wang said cheerfully: "Brother Huang, if the queen mother is determined to be your successor after this time, then why don't we celebrate properly?"

Xing Shu cheered happily from the sidelines and said, "Yes, for such a big event, it's time to have a good time and drink."

King Yong saw that Wei An, the biggest obstacle, had been dismissed, and the guards in front of the palace had fallen into the hands of "his own man" Du Wenhao, and Du Wenhao was in his house at the moment, as long as he was kept here, he would not be afraid of doing anything wrong.So he was so determined, he was so happy that he laughed and said: "That's right! That's right! Set up a banquet! Set up a large banquet to treat Brother Du Xian well for this king, and immediately pass on this king's order to call Ma Quanyong, the commander of both the horse army and the infantry army. He and Shi Yuan, as well as all the deputy capital commanders, Du Yuhou, and the commanders of the battalions, all came to the palace of the king to drink and celebrate, and the rest of them waited for orders. When the king comes back, he will also reward the brothers of the battalions Yes! Hahaha”
Prime Minister Cai really felt that it was a national funeral, and the coffins of the emperor and empress dowager were still parked on the mourning hall. It might not be good to hold a banquet, drink wine and sing songs at this moment, but seeing that King Yong was so excited, once he was confirmed as the successor tonight, He is the emperor, he can decide how to conduct the funeral, so there is no point in spoiling his interest at this time.

After the arrangements were made, King Yong took King Cao in sedan chairs and followed Duke Jiao into the palace.

Entering the palace, the soldiers in front of the palace who were wearing sharp bows and arrows could not be seen on the walls of the palace, and there were also the usual guards on duty everywhere in the palace.It's as if nothing happened here at all.

The two princes were very happy, and followed them all the way to the Empress Dowager's bedroom. When they entered the palace, they saw the Empress Dowager sitting on a soft couch, looking at them sadly.

The two happily bowed and saluted.King Yong said: "The queen mother called the child late at night, what orders do you have?"

The Empress Dowager said: "The Queen Mother misses you, and I ask you to come and accompany the Queen Mother. Sit down."

When the two heard it, they were a little dumbfounded, it was completely different from what they expected.King Yong still didn't give up, and asked again: "The queen mother came to us..., isn't it to discuss the succession of the throne?"

The Empress Dowager shook her head and said: "Tomorrow, the Empress Dowager will convene the senior ministers in the court to discuss this matter, and finally determine the successor."

King Yong was even more stunned: "Doesn't the mother realize that the throne should be designated to the child to inherit the throne? The child is a hundred times stronger than the sixth prince!"

The empress dowager smiled wryly: "Son, the succession to the throne has a history of ancestors' precepts. You can't say that whoever has the ability will be the emperor. Wouldn't that be a violation of the rules!"

King Yong's heart was completely chilled, and his sleeves shook: "Mother, the child is in a hurry, so I leave!" Turning around and leaving, King Cao hurriedly bowed his hands to say goodbye, and followed him out.The empress dowager did not make a sound to stop her.

As soon as the two of them reached the door, more than a dozen big inner guards flashed out from the horizontal bar outside the door, clasped their fists and said: "You two princes, please stay!"

King Yong was furious: "What are you doing? How dare you be rude to me?"

"Sorry, this is the empress dowager's order, the two princes cannot leave the palace!"

King Yong turned around abruptly and looked at the Empress Dowager who was on the couch: "The Empress Dowager wants to put the child under house arrest?"

The empress dowager got up slowly, her eyes filled with sadness: "Hao'er, Ge'er, the queen mother can't just watch you and the six grandsons fighting for the throne, so you can't leave the queen's bedroom until the succession to the throne is clear. This is for your own good!" After finishing speaking, the Empress Dowager flicked her sleeves and turned around to enter the apse.

King Yong caught up with him a few steps, and several guards flashed out from both sides of the hall, and they bowed with fists folded, blocking their way.

King Yong's heart was cold, he knew that he had been fooled and fell into the trap of that little imperial doctor.

At this moment, Du Wenhao is happily drinking in the sea of ​​King Yong's Mansion.

According to the instructions of the two princes, the banquet was quickly set up. Ma Quanyong, the commander of the horse army, and Shi Yuan, the commander of the infantry army, hurried over with the deputy commander of the capital, Marquis of Duyu, and the commanders of each battalion. After moving several tables, Cai Que and others accompanied him to drink.

In the Song Dynasty, both the Horse Guards Division and the Infantry Guards Division originally belonged to the Dianqian Guards Division. They were agencies under the Dianqian Guards Division.Later, in order to disperse the military power, the capital inspectors and deputy posts were abolished, and they were divided into three parts, with their respective capital commanders directly responsible to the emperor.However, due to stylistic reasons, the commander of the guards in front of the palace is a second-rank officer, and even the deputy commander is a fourth-rank official, while the commanders of the horse army and infantry, Ma Quanyong and Shi Yuan, are only fifth-rank officials. , the level is far worse than Du Wenhao, and knowing that Du Wenhao is now Prince Yong's celebrity, so they all compete to curry favor with Du Wenhao.

Cai is indeed the Prime Minister on the right, he is the first rank, besides the prince, he is the biggest. However, he knows that the prince wants to keep Du Wenhao safe now, so he put down his airs and toasted Du Wenhao frequently.

Someone wanted to toast Lin Qingdai's wine, but Du Wenhao said that she had to take care of herself, so he was not allowed to drink, and those who toasted her would drink it herself, so Lin Qingdai didn't drink at all, but Du Wenhao drank until the glass was dry. It was very enjoyable, of course, the person who toasted him naturally had to drink first, Du Wenhao poured the wine himself, who would dare not drink it.

An hour passed in a blink of an eye, and it was already midnight, but the two princes hadn't come back yet.At this moment, Ma Quanyong, Shi Yuan and most of the officers in the field were already drunk, lying on the table and sleeping soundly, and most of them were lying on the ground.

The servants wanted to come to help them, but Du Wenhao drove them out, saying that they would continue to drink when they woke up, but it would be fine if Cai Que waited for the civil servants to drink, and they were already too drunk to know anything.

Du Wenhao also drank so much that his tongue grew big, and he was still drinking with people around with a wine glass in one hand and a jug in the other.

At the end of the drink, there was no one to drink, because Du Wenhao and Lin Qingdai were the only ones standing in the arena.The servants who were waiting from afar were all dumbfounded.

At this time, a group of people came in from outside, but the leader was Eunuch Jiao, who brought the Ouchi bodyguards to announce the decree, and they were very surprised to see the scene in the field.

Du Wenhao shook the flagon in his hand, and said with a chuckle: "This double-layer flagon is really magical. Give them medicinal wine. My old man drinks good wine, and he can knock down dozens of military schools by himself. Haha, my old man can still drink well! Hahaha"

It turned out that Du Wenhao brought a special jug over here this time, which he got from the Empress Dowager. This kind of jug has two layers, the inside and the outside, and there is a small hole in the handle. It's the wine from the inner tank, let go of the small hole, and the wine from the outer tank is poured out. He added anesthetics to the wine in the inner tank. After drinking the anesthetic wine, he naturally fell asleep quickly.

Du Wenhao looked up to the sky and laughed, "Okay, it seems that there is no need to announce the decree here, let's announce it after they wake up in prison."

Eunuch Jiao nodded with a smile, and with a wave of his hand, those big inner guards rushed forward and chained all the drunk generals in the field.The serving servants were so frightened that they wanted to flee in all directions, only to find that all the passage gates in the hall were controlled by Ouchi guards.They couldn't get out at all, and they were all driven into a hall to monitor them.

At this time, several large carts came outside, and the guards loaded the officers who were drunk and locked up all over the place except Ma Quanyong and Shi Yuan into the carts and transported them away.Cai Que, Cai Jing and Xing Shu, three civil servants, were carried into the house and put on the bed and let them sleep soundly.

Du Wenhao went outside, called the soldiers on duty outside, and told them drunkenly that the prince had an order to immediately notify the company-level officers of the horse army, the Duzhi, the deputy Duzhi, the infantry Dutou, and the deputy Dutou. They all called for a drink.

When Eunuch Jiao and the others entered the palace just now, they were still carrying the sedan chairs of King Yong and King Cao. The soldiers on duty just now saw the eunuchs and the prince’s sedan chairs entering. They thought the prince was back, and they must have decided the succession of the throne, so they all ran away. I have to go everywhere to notify.

At this moment, the soldiers of the horse army and infantry soldiers who were guarding all over the city were also drinking and eating meat, very unhappy.

Soon, all the lower-ranking officers of the horse army and infantry army in the city arrived, covering a large area in the courtyard of Prince Yong's Mansion, and each of them opened their eyes wide with excitement.Wait in line.

Suddenly, countless crossbowmen appeared on the roofs of the courtyard, pointing arrows at them with their bows, and countless spearmen and axes appeared below, with their swords and guns shining brightly. The officers were terrified. They didn't know what happened. , The swords and swords are all kept outside. At this time, with bare hands, how dare they move.

The main hall door opened, and Eunuch Jiao, who was holding the imperial decree in his hand, and Du Wenhao and Lin Qingdai, who were in full armor, came out from inside.Immediately, a group of inner guards escorted the heavily bound Ma Jundu Commander Ma Quanyong and the Infantry Commander Shi Yuan staggered out and knelt down on the steps.

Eunuch Jiao glanced at the generals below while licking his belly, and said in a sharp voice: "The commander of the guards in front of the palace, Du Wenhao, will accept Yi's order!"

Du Wenhao walked down the steps wearing a bulky armor, lifted his robe and knelt down.

Eunuch Jiao groaned and said: "The empress dowager ordered Ma Quanyong to command the horse army, and Shi Yuan to command the infantry. Du Wenhao, the Commander of the Sidu, who is the guard in front of the palace, will concurrently serve as the Commander of the Sidu Commander. This is bestowed upon me!"

After Du Wenhao thanked him, he got up to accept the order and stood aside.

Ma Quanyong and Shi Yuan had already been woken up with salt water, but at the moment they were still dazed and didn't know what happened, but they could still hear the content of the imperial decree.Ma Quanyong shouted even more urgently: "Forgive me, this is all the meaning of Prince Yong. He ordered me to lead the army to prepare to attack the palace and seize the throne by force. This is all because of him..."

"Shut up!" Eunuch Jiao sternly said, "How dare you frame the two princes when you are about to die! Come! Execute!"

The guards on both sides came up, knocked off the helmets on the heads of the two, grabbed the hair to expose the necks and fixed them, and walked out of the hall with two executioners wearing black veils, holding a ghost knife in one hand and a bowl of shochu in the other. , took a few sips, sprayed it on the knife with a whoosh, swung it up and drew an arc in the air, and slashed at the back of the necks of the two of them in unison!
The two knelt on the ground and still shouted their grievances loudly, saying it was the prince's idea. When the ghost head knife passed, the voice stopped abruptly. The big head rolled down the steps, and blood spurted several feet away. There is a little bit of it on the body.The guards with the headless corpse on both sides threw the corpse forward, and the headless corpse fell on the steps with a bang.

Seeing this scene, the hundreds of generals and officers in the field were as silent as a cicada, each of them shrank their necks and dared not make a sound.

(End of this chapter)