Song Yi

Chapter 398 Responsibilities

Cai Que said in a low voice: "The last time the general obeyed the empress dowager's decree, drinking wine and withdrawing the military power, in one fell swoop quelled the conspiracy of the two commanders who were trying to commit rebellion, greatly stabilized the political situation, and allowed the succession of the throne to be discussed calmly. Great achievements will be recorded in the annals of history forever!"

Du Wenhao glanced at him in surprise, he never expected that he would say such a thing after he tricked them and took away their military power, and he even gave himself a "glass of wine" like Zhao Kuangyin's release of military power with a glass of wine. The praise of "the right to withdraw troops", this man's nimble brains and the depth of the city are almost terrifying. No wonder he can climb to the highest position of prime minister and chief assistant step by step.He couldn't help clasping his fists and said: "Where, if you offend me, please forgive me, the Prime Minister."

"The general is serious, and it should be so." King Yong also cupped his hands, and said in a low voice: "Actually, Prince Yong has always praised General Du very much. What he said is true, and he has never broken an appointment. Go up Prince Ciyong’s promise to the general to serve as Deputy Envoy of the Privy Council actually refers to the position of acquaintance with the Privy Council’s affairs, not the position of signing the Privy Council’s affairs. This is absolutely true, and this old man can help the prince with his head as a guarantee.”

Although Tongzhi Privy Councilor and Signing Privy Councilor are both deputy envoys of the Privy Council, their status is completely different. The former is similar to an executive deputy, while the latter is just a general deputy. In terms of rank, the former is the second-rank official and the latter is the second-rank second.Previously, King Yong did not specify which kind of deputy envoy of the Privy Council he was referring to. Generally speaking, it was understood as a low-level signing of the Privy Council. Now Cai is clearly the former, which has virtually raised Du Wenhao's level. How could Du Wenhao not Knowing his intention, he hurriedly bowed with a look of surprise and joy and gratitude: "Thank you! Thank you, Prince Yong, and thank you, Prime Minister!"

Cai Quehao looked at Du Wenhao's face, but he couldn't see any affectation, it seemed to be completely from the heart, and he was secretly happy, thinking that this young man is young after all, and he can be coaxed by making a wish, but he I don’t know that although Du Wenhao has not been an official for a long time, he has Shen Shengping, an old and cunning military officer, as his staff. In practice, I already have a lot of experience, and I have already made up my mind about this matter, so I use it at this moment, there is no flaw, not only Cai can't see it, even if Master Shen is here, I'm afraid he will admire it.

Cai Que was rather proud, stroked his beard and smiled: "General, this kind of major opportunity, I am afraid that a person only has a few times in his life, so he must seize it! If you seize it, the sky will rise, if you can't grasp it, just go Regret for life!"

"That's right! Your Excellency Prime Minister is right." Du Wenhao bowed with a sincere expression of gratitude.

Cai Que changed the subject and asked casually, "The general is looking for Eunuch Ning, what's the matter?"

Du Wenhao had already thought about answering: "There are things. The last time the humble Eunuch Tuoning brought back some Cordyceps sinensis for the Holy Majesty, it seemed that the Emperor died before finishing eating it. This medicine has a great tonic effect on the weak body. The medicinal materials can be compared, today the Empress Dowager works day and night, and her body is very weak, so I want to take it to the Empress Dowager to supplement."

Cai Que suddenly nodded: "So that's the case, then let's find Eunuch Ning quickly."

After searching for a while, I found Eunuch Ning on the side of the mourning hall. He was weeping and burning incense, muttering something.

Du Wenhao stepped forward and said, "My father-in-law's condolences!"

Eunuch Ning slowly raised his head, his eyes were clouded with tears. After looking at it for a while, he recognized that it was Du Wenhao. He struggled to his feet and said, "It's General Du. What do you want from our family?"

"I'm in a hurry, let's talk outside, okay?"

Eunuch Ning nodded and followed Du Wenhao out of the mourning hall. They had something to say, so it was naturally difficult for Cai Que to follow.When the two came outside the mourning hall, Du Wenhao looked left and right to see if no one was paying attention, and then said in a low voice: "Eunuch Ning, when I heard that the emperor passed away, he happened to be on duty. The emperor's illness broke out, he was drunk and drowsy, unable to be treated, and the other imperial doctors from the imperial hospital did not arrive in time, so the emperor passed away. I don't know if this is the case?"

Eunuch Ning thought for a while, and said, "Is that so. Why did the general think of asking about this all of a sudden?"

Du Wenhao and Mr. Ning have a very good relationship. He knew that Mr. Ning’s mouth has always been tight-lipped, so he told the truth and said in a low voice: "I don’t want to hide from my father-in-law. Wei Zhan, the Imperial Physician, is a good brother. When I first arrived at the Imperial Hospital, He has always taken good care of me. This time he was sent to prison for dereliction of duty and sentenced to death. If this is the case, he deserved it. However, in the afternoon, his mother and wife found me and said something very important The situation caught my attention, so I came to ask my father-in-law."

"Oh, what's the matter?"

"Emperor Doctor Wei's mother and wife swear, saying that Doctor Wei has not had a drink for many years because of his poor health, and it is impossible for him to drink too much. Someone must have framed him and claimed that he was wronged. Please help me find out the truth."

Eunuch Ning was taken aback, looked around, lowered his voice and said, "Is there such a thing?"

Du Wenhao said: "I only heard about this, so I came directly to my father-in-law, and I didn't have time to investigate and verify it. However, judging by the expressions of her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, it doesn't seem like she is lying. There is a hidden story, whether it is true or not, we have to investigate clearly, don’t you think so?”

Eunuch Ning nodded slowly: "The general is right! Our family is also a little puzzled. It stands to reason that the imperial doctor on duty is absolutely forbidden to drink alcohol, and he must not leave the emperor. He was in a small room, and he was so drunk that he couldn't wake up no matter how much he shook it. Who gave him this wine, and he still hasn't explained it."

"Does Doctor Wei deny it?"

"At the beginning, he refused to admit it, crying and shouting that he was wronged. He didn't drink, but after handing him over to Yushitai, under severe punishment, how could he not open his mouth? He confessed that night and admitted that he drank. He missed the big deal when he was drunk. It’s just that he said it for a while, one day he said he stole the wine, and the next day he said he didn’t know who put it in the house. Then he said he brought it in.”

"Really?" Du Wenhao thought for a while and asked in a low voice: "Eunuch, when the emperor passed away, were you by my side?"

"Of course I was. We were on duty that day."

"Where did the emperor get sick? How did he get sick? What are the symptoms?"

"The night before, the emperor visited Concubine Zhu De, and got up after dawn, and passed the meal after washing. Concubine Zhu De told the emperor to drink the medicine first, saying that this is what you told the general before you left, and you must take it on time. The emperor also said with a smile. Among the concubines, only Concubine Zhu De urged him to take the medicine every time, the supervision was too strict. But the emperor still took it."

Du Wenhao sighed: "Among the concubines in the harem, only the Concubine De dared to persuade the emperor so softly and stubbornly. The other concubines followed his temperament and stopped drinking if they didn't drink. I don't know, but this will harm the emperor. The emperor."

"That's right, among the concubines in the harem, the Concubine De concubine didn't say anything about her feelings for the emperor. After the emperor passed away, the concubine De concubine passed out from crying several times. It's heartbreaking to see."

Du Wenhao nodded, remembering that it had been a long time since he came back, and he had only met Concubine De, the last time he went to pay homage to the Empress Dowager, and saw her in the mourning hall. His heart was hurt to the extreme, that's why he looked like this.Speaking of which, Concubine De is still my elder sister, and I have recognized my siblings, I have been busy with the affairs of the Sanya, so I still have to take some time to visit her, so that I don't get sick from crying.

Although the sixth prince, the son of Concubine De, is very likely to inherit the throne, Concubine De is not the aunt's mother, so she cannot enjoy the treatment of the empress dowager. .

Du Wenhao then asked: "What happened later? How is the emperor?"

"The concubine de concubine persuaded the emperor to drink the medicine. After soaking until the end, the emperor almost agreed. This time it was the same. The concubine de concubine went on for a while, and the emperor agreed to drink the medicine. He ordered the imperial pharmacy to bring the medicine. The medicine prescribed by the general before he left and the Cordyceps sinensis that was delivered later. After taking the medicine, the meal was delivered. When the emperor and Concubine Zhu De were eating, the emperor suddenly covered his heart and said that he was very flustered. All knocked over..."

"Wait!" Du Wenhao said anxiously, "How did the emperor feel at that time? Please be more careful!"

Eunuch Ning raised his head and thought for a while, then said: "Our family only remembers that the emperor covered his heart and said he was flustered. By the way, he was still dizzy and couldn't stand up, so he fell on the soft couch."

"Palpitation, dizziness?" Du Wenhao frowned and pondered. These two symptoms appear in many poisonings, and there is really no specific direction.

After asking for a long time, Eunuch Ning couldn't remember more, because it was very confusing at the time, and he was not a doctor, and he didn't suspect that there was any problem.Eunuch Ning finally asked in a low voice: "General Du, is there really something wrong here?"

Du Wenhao said: "At present, there is no definite evidence to prove that someone is doing something wrong. However, is there something wrong with the father-in-law?"

"According to what you said just now, our family is also thinking about it, and there is something wrong with it! It's just that our family is an outsider to prisons. Whether there is any grievance, what's going on, how to investigate, our family doesn't know anything What does the general mean?"

Du Wenhao thought for a while, and said: "Yes, there are many doubts in it, and it should be investigated."

Eunuch Ning looked around and saw that no one stepped aside, so he said in a low voice: "General, the emperor treats you well, if there is another reason for the emperor's death, or if he wants to be more serious, someone secretly tricked you The Imperial Physician is unable to perform his duties while drunk, and deliberately delays the rescue of other Imperial Physicians from other imperial hospitals, that is a capital crime of treason! If such a thing is not investigated, I am ashamed of the Emperor Long En!"

"My father-in-law is right! I want to take care of it, but I can't handle this case in terms of power!" After saying that, he secretly looked at Eunuch Ning.

Ning Gonggong said: "Lord Du, this is a bit of prevarication. I think the general is the judge appointed by the emperor, and he mentioned various prisons. Although the capital city is not included, it is not excluded, so you have to mention the capital city. Punishment, but you can’t say that you have exceeded your authority. Besides, General Man Shuo has some powers to mention prison. Even if you don’t, you are still a dignified imperial doctor, right? Of course you are responsible for such a big thing happening to your subordinates Check it out, this is a major matter related to the emperor."

Du Wenhao cupped his hands and said: "Eunuch is right to accuse you. After listening to your father-in-law, the humble official suddenly realized! I was too concerned about whether I exceeded my authority before. For such a big matter, even if I have no authority, I still have to take care of it, let alone have responsibilities. Well, the humble staff will start to investigate this matter."

"That's great! If it's useful for our family, just say something." Eunuch Ning didn't ask him how he planned to investigate. The less people know about this kind of thing, the better.

"Okay! That humble job is farewell!"

After Du Wenhao came out, he went straight to the mourning hall of the empress dowager's bedroom. He wanted to find the concubine de concubine. She was by the emperor's side at that time, so she should know something.

He didn't take a sedan chair, because the two places are not far apart, so he took advantage of the time to walk there, to clear up his thoughts first.

It was already dark, and the early summer night fell on the dry dust in the north, splashing a few drops of fresh wind and blowing gently under the window, the buds that had just bloomed shyly hung down as if they had something on their minds On the head, the rain brought by the wind fell on Bei Bui's cheeks, like a tear from a sad person.

When I came to the bedroom, it was very unfortunate that the wives of several princes and ministers came to pay homage and visit several concubines, and they were talking inside.Eunuch Jiao was going to inform the Empress Dowager, but Du Wenhao didn't let the announcement, and sat and waited in the flower hall.Eunuch Jiao accompanied him.

The wind outside the house continued to blow, the purple light curtain, the dim light, leftovers, cold burns, strong wine, graceful women, and enchanting dance steps, but the night became more and more lonely, the lights flickered, the bamboo shadows flickered outside the window, and the distant There was the sound of a dog barking. Eunuch Jiao, who was sitting next to him, had been working so hard for the past few days that he had hardly had a good night's sleep. In this spare moment, he fell asleep on the table.

Du Wenhao seemed to be infected, and fell on the table to take a nap.

A sudden crisp sound made Du Wenhao tremble.

Seeing Du Wenhao sitting up suddenly, a little palace maid knelt on the ground and kowtowed her head in fright: "Damn you, general... please forgive me, the servant is just worried that you will catch a cold and wants to put some clothes on you. Who would want to accidentally throw the table The teacup on the floor hit the ground, waking you up, the servants really deserve to die!"

Du Wenhao looked at the clothes on his body, then looked at the shivering court lady under the light, yawned, and said, "What time is it?"

"If you go back to the general, it's just started."

Eunuch Jiao raised his head when he heard some movement. Du Wenhao asked the court lady to stand up and retreat, then walked to Eunuch Jiao and patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Why did you fall asleep?"

Eunuch Jiao also smiled and motioned for Du Wenhao to sit down, and then asked someone to bring a cup of strong tea, and said, "It's not enough after all, it's fine for a few nights like before, alas..."

Du Wenhao didn't want to bring up the old things again. After all, Eunuch Jiao is also the saddest person now. His heart seemed to be hollowed out when his master left. This feeling was as heart-piercing as Lian'er when Chen Meiren was critically ill. He knew this kind of deep love between master and servant, so he changed the subject and said: "By the way, after the funeral is over, I will invite you to sit at the father-in-law's house. I will let Lian'er make some side dishes that you like, and I will wait for you Can't tell."

Jiao Gonggong said: "Okay, our family is too lazy to be idle now. ——Let's go to see if Defei and the others have finished their work."

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PS: Sorry, I had urgent business to do yesterday, and I didn’t have time to code words, so I didn’t update it for a day, so I asked for a leave of absence.Find time to make up later.

(End of this chapter)