Hello Chang’an

"Your Majesty has just woken up, be careful of the spring cold..." The young man spoke softly, respectfully and seriously.

The Holy Emperor nodded slightly.

This person was offered by a vassal king with a different surname and a fierce style. He was from a declining noble family and had been serving her for several years.

She is not a person who indulges in male lust, but just as emperors have set up three palaces and six courtyards in ancient times, in addition to continuing their heirs, they also have their own meanings and uses.

The emperor has no real private affairs. The so-called imperial court refers to the former dynasty and the rear dynasty, and the two have always been closely connected.

As a woman with a foreign surname, it is more difficult for her to hold this imperial power than for any emperor. Therefore, she will do anything that is helpful for her to hold power.

As long as it is available, she will use it, no matter what the means, no matter what outsiders say.

Along the way, if she had cared about those unpleasant and ill-intentioned words, she would never have had the chance to sit here. At least, no one dared to let her hear those disrespectful words openly now.

No matter how those people view her, they still have to be respectful and be used by her. That's enough.

The Holy Emperor sat up straight, took the tea cup handed by the palace maid, looked towards the outer hall, and asked, "But is there someone waiting outside the hall?"

The young man replied: "Yes, Prime Minister Ma, Minister Wei and other gentlemen are waiting outside the palace... Seeing that His Majesty was sleeping deeply, the minister did not let anyone disturb His Majesty."

They also have official positions, most of them are serving as internal officials.

Emperor Shengzhi could not tell whether he was happy or angry, and simply said in a low voice: "If any ministers ask for an audience again, they must report to me promptly no matter when."

The young man knelt down with a somewhat frightened look, leaned over and said, "Yes, Wei Chen has written it down."

The Holy Emperor stood up with the help of the palace maid, arranged his appearance, and walked to the outer hall.

Ma Xingzhou, Wei Shuyi, and several officials from Shangshu Province were quickly announced to the palace.

Xu Zhengye is dead, but the country has not settled down overnight. There are still countless complicated affairs that need to be taken care of.

A few days ago, another urgent report came to the capital. The people in Daozhou revolted, and the rebel army actually captured Hengzhou.

This uprising began with the severe drought in Daozhou last year. At that time, the court failed to provide disaster relief, and refugees even poured into the capital. When the Chongyang Saint prayed at Dayun Temple last year, those victims who prayed outside Dayun Temple, He came from Daozhou.

Now, the rebels who revolted in Daozhou, from the initial number of more than a thousand people, to the successive responses from various places, have allowed the nearby states and counties to put out the fire for a long time, and now have even gathered more than 70,000 to 80,000 people. .

At this point, it is urgent to send troops to encircle and suppress them.

After discussing everything, Emperor Shengce left Zhongshu alone to order Ma Xingzhou.

"Ma Xiang, please sit down and talk to me." The Emperor of the Holy Book asked someone to sit down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the monarch and his ministers talked about their past affairs, Emperor Shengce mentioned Cui Jing's assassination: "If Cui Qing's assassination is true, it can be seen that the hidden thorn in my side has not been completely removed."

She has repeatedly investigated and cleaned up this matter, but it seems that she still cannot eliminate it.

She knew very well that if she wanted to employ people, she could not really avoid being spied on, but what she cared about most now was: "Looking at each other, who is it, who has tried so hard to put Cui Jing to death over and over again? Is it? Cui’s enemy, or mine?”

"Or...for the military power in the hands of Governor Cui." Ma Xingzhou considered.

The Holy Emperor did not comment, and only said: "There are always many people who covet the sharp sword of Xuance Army."

Ma Xingzhou tried to ask: "Is there anyone who doubts the saint?"

"Nowadays, people from all walks of life and the feudal kings are all ready to make moves. There are too many people worthy of my suspicion."

A moment after saying these words, Emperor Shengce immediately asked about the news about Prince Rong's Mansion in Yizhou.

Ma Xingzhou: "There is a hidden message in the letter home from my granddaughter recently. She did not notice any changes in Prince Rong's palace..."

Mentioning this, Ma Xingzhou couldn't help but said: "Speaking of which, King Rong has been stationed in Yizhou over the years and guarded the western border with the Jiannan Jiedu envoy. He has abided by his duty and never overstepped his bounds. His descendants are also the most withered... "

"That's why." The Emperor of the Holy Book said: "It's because he is different from those vassal kings who have exposed their ambitions. He never makes any mistakes in his words and deeds. That's why I have to be extra careful with him."

"Xiang Ma should also know that over the years, he has a reputation for benevolence in Jiannan Road. He is hands-on and diligent in people's livelihood, and has won the hearts of the people." She said: "Now he has won the hearts of the people of Jiannan, but what will happen in the future? , who knows?”

While Ma Xingzhou was thinking about it, he heard the tone of Shengzhen Dina seeming to be talking about family matters and talking about King Rong's youth.

At that time, King Rong was among the princes headed by the late emperor. Because his biological mother was just a maidservant and had no maternal support, when the princes were fighting, he never formed a clique and did not interfere in the affairs of the government. Although he is said to be a prince, he is more like a free and easy-going ordinary son of the clan.

Later, the first emperor passed away, and the crown prince Li Xiao also passed away. The seventh son of the emperor, Li Bing, succeeded to the throne. He was deposed after three years of reigning, and then she ascended the throne as the emperor and adopted the crown prince.

In these important events, countless people came forward to oppose, fight, and fight for power...but among these voices, there was never a King of Honor.

He always stayed on the outside and remained untainted.

He was asked to guard the western border, so he went, and he was asked to leave his only son Li Lu in the capital as a hostage, so he stayed there for many years. It was not until this time that Li Lu was recalled because Princess Rong was seriously ill.

"Even though he had no different intentions in the past, the current situation has changed. Now that he has become famous, who knows that he will not have it now or in the future..." The Holy Book Emperor said: "His actions are flawless, but if he has different intentions, he cannot take it seriously. No trace."

Ma Xingzhou understood. After a moment, he lowered his head and said, "I understand. I will send you a letter and ask Wan'er to pay more attention to it."

If I could only see it passively in the past, from now on... I need to take the initiative to explore deeper.

This move also means that Ma Wan will fall into greater danger, and the consequences of a little carelessness will be disastrous.

"I feel ashamed of Ma Xiang." The Holy Emperor said with shame, "However, we are worried about internal and external troubles, so we really don't dare to treat him carelessly."

"I understand." Ma Xingzhou said, "The current situation is like this. As a minister, I should share your Majesty's worries."

The Holy Emperor sighed: "The only person I can fully trust now is Ma Xiang."

"The reform of the imperial examination system has just been completed. There will be no shortage of people available to your Majesty in the future." Ma Xingzhou thought of the poor candidates who were about to take the imperial examination. Seven out of ten new candidates this year were from poor families. This was his greatest comfort so far as an official.

The Holy Emperor looked at the commoner prime minister she had single-handedly promoted from a poor family, and talked about where he planned to use these poor scholars after the palace examination.

Ma Xingzhou was surprised when he heard this: "...the saint doesn't intend to let them enter the Hanlin Academy first?"

But directly distribute it to various ministries and provinces?

The Holy Emperor shook his head: "The current situation is special, and I can't wait any longer."

Ma Xingzhou was about to speak but stopped.

But as a result, when these new scholars first entered the officialdom, they had to face a battle with the gentry... This battle was too urgent, and it was almost cruel to these poor scholars who had no support.

People will grow quickly in cruelty, but they will also be crushed and dissipated quickly.

Putting aside the ability to fight for power, to be fair, it has only been a hundred years since the poor families really had books to read. However, those classics and rare books that are truly essential for governing the country are still monopolized by the major noble families. They monopolize everything from the source.

Moreover, what the children of noble families and official families have heard and seen since childhood also determines that their horizons and knowledge are much higher than those of ordinary children from poor families.

Therefore, when it comes to the way to become an official, these children from poor families who started too low still need to learn too much, and now they are suddenly placed in an important position...

This move is risky and radical from any perspective.

But at the same time, Ma Xingzhou also knows very well that when the real struggle for power changes, it can never be peaceful and gentle. This storm that has been brewing for too long will always go through a period of violent and chaotic turmoil.

In this turmoil, blood is destined to be shed.

But if they can win, from now on... they will be able to open the door to justice for the poor people in the world, and this door will never be closed easily again!

Wasn't this his original intention when he entered the court as an official?

Ma Xingzhou knew that he could not persuade the emperor, and he had no position to persuade the emperor to postpone the move. He could only stand up and solemnly bow to those poor scholars with unknown future. …

In the morning court the next day, Xu Zhengye's head was finally presented to the emperor.

The Holy Emperor signaled his servants to hold the head in the box and walked past the officials, allowing them to "view" it together.

The head exuded a putrid smell, and the skin and eyeballs on it had begun to fester. It was extremely terrifying. Most of the officials looked pale, and some nobles and civil servants could not help but retching with their sleeves covered.

"The Xu family was originally from a noble family. Xu Zhengye has always been able to lead troops and has a high prestige among the family..." The empress's voice spread in the silent hall: "However, he still ended up like this."

"It can be seen from this that those who harbor the ambition to make our country prosperous will be punished by the world and God will also punish them!"

Upon hearing this, all the officials had different expressions. Ma Xingzhou and others came out first, and they all bowed down the mountain and shouted "Long live Dasheng and Yongchang".

After intimidation, it is natural to give rewards based on merit.

"When the battle of Jiangdu is over, I will reward General Xiao, General Chang and their meritorious officers."

"As for General Ning Yuan, who takes the most credit—" the empress said with a smile, "I will personally ask her what kind of reward she wants."

What she wanted to ask was General Ning Yuan, but it was also Ashang.

She wanted to hear what her Ashang wanted.

…

After the early court dismissed, Wei Shuyi was summoned to the imperial court to discuss matters concerning the follow-up to Xu Zhengye's rebellion.

Jiangdu and the cities everywhere occupied by the remnants of Xu's army or his comrades must be recovered one by one. This is one of them.

The second one is the nobles in Luoyang who colluded with Xu Zhengye...

The empress ordered Li Xian to thoroughly investigate and deal with the matter, and also mentioned that Cui Jing should stay in Luoyang temporarily and lead Xuance's army to suppress any possible counterattack.

If it was really just the Luoyang nobles who were involved, the saint's order would be understandable. But as far as he knew... it was not just the Luoyang nobles that the saint really wanted to get rid of.

Or there is Cui Ling'an's maternal ancestral family, the Zheng family in Xingyang...

Is this asking Cui Ling'an to make a sword and kill the Zheng family?

Is this a test, or is it forcing Cui Ling'an to become a "lonely man" who is truly betrayed and cast aside by the world's nobles?

Wei Shuyi sighed sadly in his heart.

It seemed that he should not have suggested that Cui Ling'an go to Luoyang and put Cui Ling'an in such a situation.

But once the saint's suspicion arose, there would be other "tests" if this was not the case.

Faced with the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers, and the human relationship with the nobles and clansmen...how would Cui Ling'an choose?

Wei Shuyi had mixed emotions all the way. He wanted to help Cui Jing out of trouble, but was there any way to have both ends?

After returning to Zheng Guogong's residence, Wei Shuyi changed his clothes and followed his recent habit of going to the Buddhist temple, burning incense and paying homage.

When he was about to leave the Buddhist hall, Mrs. Duan quickly came to find her son and pushed her son back into the Buddhist hall.

In front of the Bodhisattva, Mrs. Duan held her son's arm tightly and said with trembling eyes: "...Zi Gu, I have been 70% sure recently that Sui Ning's current body contains probably His Highness's core. Son!"

She thought about this matter over and over every day, and the victory of Bianshui was like a strong medicine poured into her mind.

"..." Wei Shuyi turned his head slightly stiffly and looked at the three green incense sticks that had not yet been burned out.

It seems that he needs to burn incense twice a day instead of once.

…

Also burning incense was Qiao Yumian.

Qiao Yumian, who was deeply influenced by her mother's habit of "worshiping her no matter what," came to Changfu in Xingningfang today to have Dr. Sun review her eyes, so she took the opportunity to pay homage in the Buddhist hall of Changfu.

After leaving the Buddhist hall, Qiao Yumian immediately went to find Dr. Sun.

It was raining lightly at the moment. Xiaoqiu held an umbrella and supported Qiao Yumian, walking slowly along the way.

Arriving at Doctor Sun's residence, she climbed the stone steps and reached the corridor. Qiao Yumian took a gentle sniff and asked Doctor Sun who came out with a smile: "Did Doctor Sun dry Atractylodes Atractylodes and Atractylodes?"

Doctor Sun was stunned for a moment, then nodded: "Exactly."

He was drying more than just these two herbs. It was even more surprising that she could distinguish these two kinds of herbs because the smells were mixed together. Besides, it's raining now, and the rain will also disturb the medicinal energy.

Doctor Sun suddenly remembered what she had heard this young lady say jokingly - a long illness makes a good doctor.

Walking into the hall with Qiao Yumian, Doctor Sun was thoughtful for a moment.

At this moment, drizzle was also falling in Bianzhou, nearly a thousand miles away.

When Chang Suining took A Dian shepherd's purse, He Wuhu and others from the military camp outside the city back to the governor's office in Bianzhou, they happened to meet Cui Jing who took the initiative to bring craftsmen to supervise the repair of the warship yesterday.

Cui Jing took Yuan Xiang and dismounted outside the governor's mansion.

He Wuhu and others quickly saluted Cui Jing: "Captain Cui!"

Everyone then walked to the mansion together.

"Thank you for your hard work." Chang Suining walked with her hands behind her back and thanked Cui Jing who was walking beside her.

Supervising the repair of warships was her job and had nothing to do with Xuance Mansion. However, Cui Jing was too busy and did a lot of things for her, leaving her with enough energy to deal with affairs in the military camp.

"It's not hard."

Not hard.

In the drizzle, Chang Sui Ning tapped his fingers twice, turned to look at him, and asked in a reminding tone: "Is it three days?"

"Well, here we are." Cui Jing looked straight ahead and said, "Wait until the evening celebration banquet is over."

"..." Chang Suining paused and clenched his hands behind his back.

What on earth is this guy selling?

She couldn't help but hold her breath and looked at Cui Jing.

Cui Jing also turned to look at her and asked, "Have you ever seen a puffer fish?"

"Of course." Chang Sui Ning frowned slightly and looked at him suspiciously: "Why are you talking about pufferfish?"

Cui Jing looked forward again, with a hint of smile in his deep and clear eyes: "You look very similar at the moment."

Chang Suining: "...?!"

He Wuhu, who was following behind, couldn't help but ask in a low voice: "What does this mean?"

"I know!" A Dian immediately raised his hand.

Chang Suining, who always wanted to save face, immediately turned around and looked at A Dian warily.

But it still couldn't stop A Dian's loud mouth from eagerly answering.

Good night everyone~