Chaos in the Chu Palace

Chapter 44 The Emperor's House (1)
At the end of August in the fifth year of Chu Qiande, the Emperor of Chu issued an edict to appoint the second prince, Chu Hanzhen, as the crown prince. On that day, Chu Dinghou entered the Chu capital with only a hundred or so entourages.The next day, he immediately entered the palace to see the saint.Chu Qiande's five years was destined to be an uneasy year. First, Chu Huotian won and returned to the court, and then there were endless party struggles and turmoil.Now under an imperial decree, I don't know how many people's mouths have been sealed, and I don't know how many people have resentment.

Chu Huotian in the court hall changed his previous purple unicorn court uniform to a military officer's red official uniform, which really caught many people's attention.He looked around and saw that the ministers below looked proud, some were depressed, and some were out of mind.There are all kinds of officials, if you want to say that the expression remains the same, there are only a few people.Chu Huotian looked at the father-in-law on the right, but his face remained unchanged. Among the royal family next to him, King Jing and King Jin were also calm.There were very few people speaking in the silent court, and Chu Huotian was not in a hurry. If he was right, wait a little longer...

Above the golden palace, Emperor Chu looked pale and could no longer sit on the dragon chair.He opened his half-closed eyes, glanced at his lower head, and waved his hand weakly. The eunuch at the side was about to announce his retreat, when suddenly a horn rang outside the hall, and all the officials in the hall who were about to retreat turned pale with shock.

The state of Chu established itself by force. For a hundred years, if there was a crisis at the border, it would use the beacon as a signal and a horn to warn.Now that a hundred years have passed, the rules established by the founding of the country have not changed. It is just that the state of Chu has become more and more prosperous, and there are very few foreign countries to invade. As time goes on, almost some people have forgotten such a rule.Now in this lifeless court, to hear such a deafening voice, even the drowsy Emperor Chu stood up in shock, staring at the thousands of layers of jade steps with his dizzy old eyes.The civil and military officials below were in an uproar, and the voice of discussion was endless.The head of the state's complexion changed slightly, King Jing and King Jin also looked at each other in blank dismay, Chu Huotian's expression remained unchanged, he just looked at the place where the trombone came from.

The national patriarch finally couldn't bear to ask: "Master Hou, do you know which part of the border is in danger this time the beacon fire spreads thousands of miles away?"

Chu Huotian looked back at him, and said with a slight smile: "The question of the head of the country is really strange. I am in the capital every day, and the farthest I can go is to the Northwest Camp to rectify military affairs. I don't know which border is at stake. Besides, our country is vast. There are also Qin and Liang kingdoms watching covetously, so we must not allow them to be ambitious and want to invade our great Chu country."

The head of the country touched a nail that was neither soft nor hard, and couldn't help but retreated angrily.He sent people to secretly monitor Chu Huotian's whereabouts every day, so he naturally knew that what he said was true.After a little while, a messenger with a peacock feather in his head ran up the jade steps.He took three steps and two steps at a time, sweating profusely, and lay down outside the hall, shouting loudly: "Guang County is in danger! The Qin State led 8 troops to attack Guang County. Now that the army is approaching the city, I am afraid it will not be able to hold it!"

As soon as this remark came out, the officials were in an uproar.Emperor Chu tremblingly said: "Go to the palace to answer." His voice was low and hoarse, and the eunuch next to him hurriedly repeated in a high-pitched voice.

"The emperor has a decree, go to the palace to answer!"

The messenger hurriedly walked into the hall on his knees, and his voice was out of tune: "Now the city of Guangjun is in danger. Please send troops to relieve the danger of Guangjun. General Zhang over there can't stand it anymore. He...he said he would die. city!"

Emperor Chu's whole body was shaken, his old dizzy eyes suddenly opened, and he looked at Chu Huotian.The ministers followed Emperor Chu's gaze and focused on Chu Huotian alone.Chu Huotian looked up at Emperor Chu, his eyes were pleading for sustenance.Chu Huotian sighed in his heart, and forced his head away from looking at him.

The light in Emperor Chu's eyes gradually dimmed, and he said feebly, "What's the best plan for your family?"

At this time, the head of the state came out and said: "I think that although the situation in Guangjun is critical, the matter of sending troops is still a long-term plan. Don't rush out."

The Emperor of Chu asked: "Then what is the good policy of the patriarch? You can't just sit back and watch Guangjun fall. I have never lost an inch of land in the more than a hundred years since my country was founded."

The head of the state said: "I think that Guangjun is not my land of Great Chu. It was taken from Qin five years ago. The poor people in Guangjun are mostly people from Qin. They have been taught repeatedly, but now..."

Chu Huotian stepped forward and said: "In the opinion of the head of the state, it is better to hand it over to others. This Guangjun was captured by this Marquis and General Wang together. Now that General Wang has passed away, this Marquis is obliged to go. Retreat the enemy and take back the land. Besides, although Guangjun is poor, it is a communication fortress between Chu and Qin. If it is lost, the surrounding counties will be in danger. What do you think, my lord?"

The military officers below were filled with righteous indignation when they heard the words, and scolded the father-in-law for nothing.All the "turtle grandchildren" were cursed out.The civil officials also questioned the head of the state one after another, "the woman's opinion" and so on, and made a long speech about accusing the head of the state one after another.The father-in-law's face turned blue and white, so he had no choice but to keep silent.

At this time, King Jin came out and knelt down and said: "My younger brother is willing to go out with Dinghou. I only ask the emperor to allocate 3 horses to my younger brother. My younger brother will be shrouded in horse leather and serve the country with death."

Chu Huotian sneered in his heart when he heard the words, 3 horses!Appetite is not small.At this time, the head of the state seemed to be relying on him, and hurriedly came out to agree, but King Jing remained motionless.Some civil and military officials below were in favor of it, while others were against it, and there was an uproar again.

Chu Huotian lowered his head slightly and said to King Jin who was kneeling: "Imperial brother, it is very unlucky to say death before going out."

King Jin felt a chill in his heart, seeing his half-smile face, he felt cold sweat pouring down his back.But 3, as long as you give him [-] horses, he will not be afraid of anything.

Emperor Chu was hesitant, at this time Chu Huotian calmly stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, the Seventh Emperor's younger brother has a commendable ambition, please give me your permission."

As soon as this remark came out, everyone in the hall was shocked.Everyone knows that King Jin has been arguing about the division of military power recently, which is very violent. Chu Huotian has never let go, but now he suddenly agrees to lead the army.This... is too weird.

Emperor Chu took a deep look at Chu Huotian, and said after a while: "Yes!" King Jin didn't expect it to be so easy, and suddenly forgot to thank him, and just stared at Emperor Chu blankly.

The Emperor of Chu only said: "Now Guangjun is in danger, and I specially appointed Marquis Ding of Chu as the commander-in-chief with 4 horses, and King Jin as the deputy commander with 3 horses, and set out to attack the invading Qin army on a certain day.

With the imperial decree, all the officials bow down.After shouting long live three times, Emperor Chu was supported back.Chu Huotian looked at King Jin who was slowly standing up, and the two looked at each other, both looking at the gradually rising red sun.The morning glow is like blood, just like the unpredictable bloody wind that is about to come.

Ouyang Ruo followed Chu Huotian back to the Hou Mansion, and everyone in the mansion was safe.Ouyang Ruo called Dexuan to find out that someone had searched the mansion but found nothing.Ouyang Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, Su Yanqing's words were indeed right.Then he remembered that Su Yanqing had suffered several injuries in order to rescue them out of the city, and his heart ached.It's just that there are so many things going on right now that she can't allow her to feel emotional.Now Concubine Chu and several wives in the mansion are not here, and the Lin family is left in the Northwest camp again.Although Ouyang Ruo was a little tired, he had to take care of the daily affairs of the Hou Mansion.Fortunately, she used to be the lord of the first palace in the Hua Palace, and now she is in charge of the mansion, but she is not flustered.

The several stewards admired her very much, and she was very proper in handling orders.The nuns are also quite shrewd and capable, and they understand everything. Even if Ouyang Ruo had questions, they answered them one by one.Chu Huo didn't return to the mansion until the sunset.

Ouyang Ruo was resting in the gazebo in the small garden of Jingyun Pavilion at that time.She ordered someone to move a bamboo rocking chair, and wanted to rest before dinner, so she dismissed the servants and ordered them to call her again during the meal.Because the weather was still very hot, she half unbuttoned her neckline, took advantage of the slight coolness, and fell asleep.

When Chu Huotian entered the small garden, what he saw was such a picture of a begonia sleeping in spring.The twilight is gradually closing in, and the golden afterglow of the setting sun has coated the entire small garden with a layer of gold powder. The flowers and plants are all vying to spit out their last fragrance. After this season, it will be the golden autumn, and to bloom again, we can only wait It's coming year.

Her face was as pure as a fairy, the afterglow of the setting sun reflected on her face, the wind blew past, rolled up the fallen flowers from the trees, and fell on her clothes, this situation was not like the mortal world.Chu Huotian looked at her silently for a while, then went back to the room and took a thin quilt to cover her, then sat on the side and guarded her.

The twilight was getting thicker, and the wind lanterns were lit up all around, flickering in the late summer wind, all quiet and peaceful, Ouyang Ruo woke up faintly, and when he opened his eyes, he saw Chu Huotian sitting beside her, squinting his eyes slightly, Holding a cup of tea in her hand, the night wind carried the heat of the day, making her sweaty again.

Seeing her waking up, Chu Huotian smiled and said, "Are you up? You won't be afraid of catching a cold if you sleep here. Why are you lying there like a cat? I usually lie down when I see you."

Ouyang Ruo blushed, hurriedly straightened her clothes and said angrily: "Master Hou is really, why didn't you wake up my concubine, but just watched the joke of my concubine for a long time."

Chu Huotian straightened her messy sideburns, helped her insert the hairpin, and sighed, "It's a lot of emotion to be here with you. People say, 'If you have a wife like this, what more can you ask for'?" Here, I will drink tea by your side, the maids and servants are all outside, just waiting for us to eat and go to bed, and we watch the clouds and clouds in the sky in our free time, no matter what changes in the world, isn't it happy and happy? Begging, why begging, what exactly am I begging for, you are enough."

After he finished speaking, when he turned his head, he saw tears on Ouyang Ruo's cold and beautiful face, falling like rain.He was slightly stunned, and wanted to comfort her with a joke, but he couldn't say a word.Ouyang Ruo lowered his eyebrows, hugged him silently, and his clothes were wet with silent tears.

Chu Huotian felt sore, so he hugged her tightly, forced a smile and said, "Don't cry, you love to cry so much, I heard from Zixuan that you can take down Wan Biao in the mansion alone, why don't you say a few words?" Those words made you cry. I'm going to go to war tomorrow, so don't be so discouraged."

Ouyang Ruo didn't say a word, just buried her head in his arms, raised her head after a while, and said with a forced smile: "Master Hou is really going to go to war? I wish Master Hou victory and triumph..." Her smile has not yet reached her face , Tears fell down again.

Chu Huotian just looked at her with distress and amused, hugged her on his lap, and laughed: "You also pack up, this time is different, I have to take you with me."

Ouyang Ruo was both surprised and happy, staring at him with wide eyes.

Chu Huotian nodded, and said solemnly on his handsome face: "Chu Jingzhong is not safe. If you stay here, I am afraid that you will be trapped in the palace by the queen. This expedition... that's all, I will tell you in detail when the time comes, The chariots and horses are tired, but I have wronged you again."

Ouyang Ruo's face blushed again and again, the tears in her eyes had disappeared, she was so happy that she didn't know what to say.Chu Huotian embraced her, and said with a low smile, "Aren't you a silly girl? You cry for a while and laugh for a while."

Ouyang Ruo leaned against his arms, her chest was trembling with his smile, she just felt that her heart had fallen into reality.The two hugged each other in the night wind, and the night became more and more quiet.

7 horses gathered outside the city of Chujing in two days and one night.The whole country is a little worried about this expedition. Now that the situation in the court is unclear, and the power of soldiers and horses has been divided, it is really hard to say whether they can win this time.But the queen was relieved, and the head of the country was also relieved.Proud of the spring breeze, King Jin put on his bright armor early in the morning, ordered a few of his own generals, and came to the generals' platform.He looked around, but he couldn't see anyone. Just when he was wondering, the crowed soldiers below shouted and gathered and lined up.The sudden crowd of people made his legs tremble uncontrollably. In a blink of an eye, Chu Huotian was dressed in black armor, straight and slim, walking slowly like a god. .His handsome face was like a sculpture, full of majesty, eagle eyes full of alluring brilliance, just one glance made him feel a little shorter.

Although he can command [-] soldiers and horses in name, when he looked at the earth-colored faces that he had despised, he looked at the aloof Chu Huotian with fanaticism and loyalty.

He suddenly felt that he had lost.

He didn't hear a word of what Chu Huotian said on the stage. He only knew that the shouts and shouts were not directed at him, nor was that kind of fanatical loyalty and bravery dedicated to him. his.Chu Huotian's black armor shone coldly in the sunlight, and the four-clawed golden dragon on his cloak was shining golden, ready to emerge.

He is more like a king than a king.

The army set off and headed for Guangjun all the way.King Jin was impatient, and asked Chu Huotian to be a pioneer. He marched non-stop all the way day and night, and 3 horses followed him.Chu Huotian was not in a hurry, removed his armor along the way, and only rested in the cart to read military books, or discuss with a few advisors.Ouyang Ruo looked at it coldly, but Zhao Qingling didn't follow, and just sat in the capital.Chu Huotian brought only 1 horses, and the remaining [-] had to be mobilized in the states and counties along the way.At night, all the people were resting in the station. Ouyang Ruo brought Mingying and Dexuan to serve him this time. Chu Huotian was also very simple. He only brought Li Jingcai and a few small internal eunuchs, so as soon as they arrived at the station, A few little people are very busy.Chu Huotian came in after he had been busy for a while, his handsome face like a knife carving was softened a lot, not like the look of a big battle imminent.Ouyang Ruo stepped forward to untie his outer shirt, Li Jing had already twisted his handkerchief and waited.

Chu Huotian took it by himself, wiped his face, and sat on the chair casually. Seeing Ouyang Ruo's tired expression, he smiled a lot, and said with a smile: "You can bear it if you are on a march?"

Ouyang Ruo pursed her lips and smiled, but said nothing.Chu Huotian seemed to be in high spirits. After dinner, he picked up the lamp and asked Li Jingcai to bring the chessboard to play against Ouyang Ruo.Ouyang Ruo holds the white stones, and Chu Huotian holds the black stones.Chu Huotian's attack was fierce, Ouyang Ruo knew his chess strength at first, and he didn't play very hard. After a while, Ouyang Ruo had to pay attention to it.

At the end, Ouyang Ruo lost ten pieces, Chu Huotian laughed, hugged her and said with a smile: "Last time you lost a lot, now don't let it go. You really lost, right?"

Ouyang Ruo looked at the chessboard, and suddenly smiled lightly, his smile was as bright as the beginning of the month: "Master Hou has a plan in mind, grasps the general trend, and clears away the chaotic clouds. It's a shame for my concubine to sit in the well and watch the sky."

Chu Huotian smiled slightly, messed up the chess game, and said casually: "This is just a small chess game. If the general trend of the world can turn your hands into clouds and turn your hands into rain, then you are a real hero."

Ouyang Ruo slowly adjusted the chessboard, and Rou Yi picked up a chess piece and said with a smile: "Master Hou, don't look at this small chess game, just play with your heart, it's easy to see a person's heart and ambition, and you can even see What are the chess players thinking?"

Chu Huotian smiled knowingly, shook her hand and said, "You are a person with a delicate heart, you can see through it at a glance. Tell me, do you know what Benhou is thinking?"

Ouyang Ruo casually grabbed a handful of chess pieces and played with them in his hands, and said with a smile, "Should Hou Ye go to the enemy now, or withdraw from the vortex?"

Chu Huotian laughed when he heard the words: "I really can't hide anything from you, Ruo'er, if you were a man, you would definitely not lose to the heroes of today."

Ouyang Ruo smiled, and suddenly frowned and said softly: "Master Hou's move is really a stroke of genius. If the concubine's guess is correct, the person who came to the other courtyard that day must be the envoy of Qin State. But if Master Hou's move is foolish One bad thing is the crime of collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country, and the fame of the whole life will be lost here. Besides, if Qin has a second heart, it is not the best policy to lure the wolf to reject the tiger."

Chu Huotian nodded, and took a deep breath: "If you are tied in the middle of the capital, it's better to retreat, no matter how bad it is, you won't end up being slaughtered. It's just..."

"It's just the princess and the wives... what can they do?" Ouyang Ruo asked in a low voice.

Chu Huotian's expression froze, and he hugged her in silence, and Ouyang Ruo was also silent.

After a while, Chu Huo said slowly, "They...should be fine."

should? !
Ouyang Ruo's heart sank, knowing that he couldn't mention it any more, he just smiled and said, "What if Master Hou arrives in Guangjun?"

Chu Huotian smiled lightly and said, "Wait."

Ouyang Ruo asked suspiciously, "What are you waiting for?"

"Wait for the imperial decree, wait for the opportunity... I believe the time to return to Beijing will arrive soon." Chu Huotian said softly but firmly.

The night outside the window is getting darker.

And the Chujingli in the distance seems to be very empty due to the march of the army.The jade leak was even worse. On the bright yellow dragon bed, Emperor Chu was resting. Eunuch Sun tiptoed up to tuck the quilt for him.

"Sun Xi, is that you?" Emperor Chu suddenly asked, his deep voice echoing in the empty hall.

Eunuch Sun hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed: "This old slave should have shocked His Majesty."

"Ahem..." Emperor Chu struggled to get up halfway. When Eunuch Sun saw him, he quickly helped him up and made a soft pillow to lean against him.

"The emperor should rest. It's easy to catch a cold when you wake up so late." Eunuch Sun nagged.

"It's okay. Huo Tian...has he been away for two days?" Emperor Chu asked slowly.

"Yes, your majesty remembers it clearly. It's been two days since you left. But don't worry, your majesty, I heard that King Jin has already rushed to rescue Guangjun day and night." Eunuch Sun couldn't help but rejoice when he saw that Emperor Chu was sane. A few words.

Emperor Chu waved his hand weakly: "Don't mention him. Give him another 3 horses, and he doesn't know if he can control it. Military power is not something that can be controlled with a tiger talisman in your hand. Besides... besides...cough cough...he travels day and night Isn't it a big taboo in the military?"

Emperor Chu finished speaking in one breath, gasping for breath.Eunuch Sun quickly brought warm water and served him to drink it.

Emperor Chu looked up at him and said: "Sun Xi, now you are the only one who is by my side to take care of me and serve me. No concubine or prince will be by my side at all. How many years have you been serving me? "

"32 years. Your Majesty." Sun Xi whispered.The gray hair on the temples is particularly eye-catching.

"32 years... It's been so long. What do you think of Chu Dinghou?" Emperor Chu suddenly mentioned Chu Huotian again.Eunuch Sun was so startled that he knelt down again and said, "I dare not make false comments on Marquis Chu Ding, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Emperor of Chu smiled and sighed: "I know him even if you don't tell me...he is not an ordinary person since he was a child,...I often think that if he sits in the country of Chu, how different it will be."

This sentence exploded like a bolt from the blue sky.Eunuch Sun was so shocked that he almost fell to the ground, unable to recover for a long time.

"Your majesty, how can you say such depressing words? Your majesty, you are brave and mighty, and you are the emperor of Chu for me. You were granted by the former emperor, why..." Eunuch Sun could hardly speak clearly, and only tugged on the sleeve of the emperor of Chu. .

The Emperor of Chu sighed: "The first emperor...in fact, the first emperor made me the crown prince, and he regretted it in his heart. But...for some reason, the more I understood this in my heart, the more regular I acted, so that no one could find a single fault. The first emperor also There is nothing else to do, besides, Huo Tian was still young...cough cough...so, in the end, it was I who became the Great Treasure."

(End of this chapter)