Do you know that it starts with Meng Tong?

When Gu Tingye went out in the morning, he just ate a few mouthfuls casually. After Wei Chen said this, he felt a little hungry. He finally stopped talking and followed Wei Chen to the corridor where the banquet was given.

When the two of them arrived at the corridor, they happened to meet Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng. They sat at a table together. They were all close friends. They talked and laughed during the dinner, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Not long after the few people chatted, a servant from Guanglu Temple came up with food.

On the table were Baozhuang tea snacks, two plates of Yunzi Sesame Leaves, four nectar cakes, eight large silver ingots of butter cakes, two plates of small silver ingots, rice with lotus root slices, lotus seeds, sea cucumber and snowflake soup, etc.

Wei Chen took a quick look and saw that the food was quite good, and it was still steaming. It was not as bland and tasteless as in the past when it was just boiled diced pork in plain water.

Seeing that the food on the left and right banquet tables were the same, Wei Chen and the others looked at each other, secretly confused.

Sheng Changbai stopped the Guanglu Temple officer who brought the meal and asked about the reason for the change in the meal.

The servant replied: "These are all orders from His Highness the Crown Prince. His Highness said that the adults worked hard from dawn to dusk and deserved better food, so he appropriated money and asked the temple to hire another Yamen cook, and also sent palace officials to supervise the procurement. "

"It turned out to be His Highness the Crown Prince's idea."

Everyone suddenly realized.

Gu Tingye picked up the spoon, scooped up a mouthful of sea cucumber snowflake soup and put it into his mouth. He felt that it was steaming hot, salty and delicious, which just dispelled the chill and fatigue. He couldn't help but praise it.

Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng twitched their index fingers as they smelled the alluring fragrance, and they were full of praise for His Highness the Crown Prince's compassionate and benevolent government.

Only Wei Chen didn't touch Kuai Zi, just silently looking at the sumptuous meal on the table, thoughtfully.

Chapter 316

At the same time, in the palace of Funing Hall, Zhao Zhen looked much better than when he retired from the court, and was having breakfast with Empress Cao.

Zhao Zhen only drank half a bowl of fragrant rice porridge before losing his appetite. He turned around and leaned on the soft couch, closed his eyes and took a nap.

Empress Cao frowned as she looked at the almost untouched royal meal on the table. She immediately ordered the servant in charge of the food supervisor to be called over and scolded her with a pout.

Zhao Zhen couldn't sleep on the couch. When he heard the movement, he opened his eyes to check the situation.

Seeing Queen Cao's angry look, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but become a little curious, and immediately pricked up his ears to listen.

After listening carefully, I realized that it turned out that it was because she had eaten too little just now. Empress Cao felt that the chamberlain in charge of the royal kitchen did not do her job well and served the food perfunctorily, so she was so angry.

After understanding the cause and effect of the incident, Zhao Zhen felt even more confused.

I have been frail and sick in recent years and have lost my appetite. I have already told the people below me to serve only plain food when preparing the royal meals.

It stands to reason that the Queen has known these things for a long time. Why is she so angry at the people below for no reason today?

"It seemed that someone had touched the Queen's bad side. The Queen was filled with anger and was worried and had no way to vent her anger. However, this chamberlain was caught in the crosshairs of the gun."

When Zhao Zhen thought of this, he couldn't help but shook his head secretly, pushed himself up and sat up, waved to the servant who was kneeling on the ground, and asked him and the others to leave first.

After a while, there was no one else in the palace, only the Tian family couple sitting opposite each other.

Just now, Empress Cao scolded the chamberlain. Zhao Zhen wanted to say a few words to her, but looking forward to marrying him at the age of 16 and now being the wife of a white-headed woman, Zhao Zhen suddenly no longer had the intention to blame, and said apologetically: "These Years ago, I was in poor health and I was really alienated from you. You have been with me for decades, but I didn’t leave you an heir..."

When Empress Cao heard the word "heir," she felt a stab of pain in her heart, her expression suddenly darkened, and she said with tears, "I am a concubine who failed to live up to expectations. Your Majesty did not abolish me. This is already a great act of kindness."

"Manpower is sometimes poor. God doesn't want to give me a son, so what does it have to do with you? After all, it's destiny that cannot be violated!"

Zhao Zhen shook his head and sighed, feeling infinitely sad in his heart. Then he squeezed out a smile and said to Empress Cao: "After all, the prince is a filial man. I'm gone, so you don't have to worry about the future."

When Zhao Zhen mentioned the prince, Queen Cao's face suddenly darkened, and she said coldly: "The prince seems to be respectful and humble, but in fact he has a deep mind. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to count on him in the future!"

Zhao Zhen did not expect that Queen Cao would evaluate Zhao Zongquan like this, and couldn't help but look at Queen Cao in confusion.

Empress Cao then sobbed and told the reason why she was so angry today and even angry at the palace people.

"When the court was discussing matters, Zhao Zongquan still relied on his concubine to take the lead in everything, even trivial matters. However, secretly, he had a very good idea. He secretly did such a big thing and was praised by the civil and military officials of the court. Only Some of my concubines were kept in the dark!

Liang Hong, the minister of Guanglu Temple, was also a villain who could act according to the circumstances. Zhao Zongquan hooked up with him, so he hurriedly followed Zhao Zongquan, obeyed Zhao Zongquan's words, extended favors to others on his behalf, and completely ignored his majesty and his concubines. inside!

Now that His Majesty is still here, Zhao Zongquan is just the prince, so he is so unscrupulous. I really can't even think about how he will act when he becomes emperor in the future. "

Empress Cao was half complaining, half complaining. She told Zhao Zhen exactly what she had heard from her confidants after she retired from the court, that Zhao Zongquan used banquets to win people's hearts.

After Zhao Zhen heard what Empress Cao said, he couldn't help but be slightly stunned. He also just knew about this.

During the Rebellion of King Yan, Zhao Anli, the old chamberlain who was originally in charge of the Gouhuang City Division, died in battle. Zhao Zhen thought that time was running out, so he handed over all matters of the Imperial City Division to Zhao Zongquan. Therefore, Zhao Zhen now has both eyes and ears. Not very well-informed, but I had to learn about this from Queen Cao.

"I didn't expect that the prince would have such means." Zhao Zhen sighed with emotion, with a rather complicated look on his face.

With only one meal and some money, Zhao Zongquan, who was supervising the governance of the country for the first time, left an excellent impression on the hearts of the civil and military officials of the court. He also showed his skill through this matter, which can be said to be a favor without any expense.

Zhao Zongquan's only mistake was probably that he did not consider the mood of Zhao Zhen and his wife. This is not difficult to understand. After all, Zhao Zongquan suddenly occupied a high position and had great power, so it was inevitable that he would be eager for quick success and quick gain.

Zhao Zhen is very tolerant. He has experienced the life and death of King Yan's Rebellion, and his state of mind is very different from before. He does not care about these things as much as Empress Cao.

As an emperor and a courtier, seeing that the time of his official family is running out, the prince should prepare for his succession as soon as possible, and all the officials should plan for their future in advance. This is human nature.

Didn't he also leave the vacancy of the Longtuge Grand Scholar position to Zhao Zongquan and let him use it to cultivate his cronies?

After death, he knew that everything was in vain. After becoming the crown prince, Zhao Zhen, who knew that he had only a few days to live, had no worries in this world. The only one who couldn't worry about it was Empress Cao.

Empress Cao came from a family of military generals and had always been domineering and unforgiving. It was precisely because of this that Zhao Zhen was separated from her for decades. It was not until his later years that the two accepted each other again.

Now it seems that Zhao Zongquan is not a submissive person. Zhao Zongquan is ambitious and capable. After he officially takes the throne, it will be difficult to get along with Empress Cao who listens behind the curtain.

After all, Zhao Zongquan is the emperor, but Empress Cao is a womanizer. If there is a fight, Empress Cao will only suffer.

Only then did Zhao Zhen realize that his previous decision to let Empress Cao listen to politics behind the curtain was really ill-advised.

Empress Cao should be allowed to stay in the harem safely as a mascot and not interfere with Zhao Zongquan, so that Zhao Zongquan can enshrine Empress Cao at a high level and Empress Cao can enjoy her old age in the palace.

Zhao Zhen turned to look at Empress Cao next to her and saw that she still had an angry look on her face. He sighed secretly in his heart. He immediately wanted to discuss the matter with Empress Cao and asked her to withdraw from the throne and return to power as soon as possible after Zhao Zongquan ascended the throne. , don't conflict with Zhao Zongquan because of this.

However, when Zhao Zhen opened his mouth, he found that he could not make any sound at all, and could not even move a finger.

Zhao Zhen tried his best to keep his eyes wide open, but the scenery in front of him became more and more blurry, and then he felt the world was spinning for a while, and then he fell unconscious.

Empress Cao was still minding her own business and was sulking over what Zhao Zongquan had done, but suddenly she realized that Zhao Zhen beside her had no movement, and her heart skipped a beat.

Turning his head, he saw that Zhao Zhen, who was fine just now, had a face as golden as paper, with snot and saliva dripping uncontrollably. The next moment, Zhao Zhen rolled his eyes and lay straight on the soft couch.

Seeing this scene, Queen Cao's vision suddenly went dark, and she almost fainted. She finally calmed down, regained consciousness, struggled to throw herself in front of Zhao Zhen's bed, and cried: "Your Majesty..., Your Majesty! Quickly announce the imperial physician !”

……

Under the corridor of Chongzheng Hall, where the banquet was given after the court, Wei Chen and Gu Tingye filled their bellies with Sheng Changbai and the others, and were about to return to the Yamen to sit down at work when they suddenly heard the leisurely ringing of bells and drums, and the sound waves spread throughout the imperial city.

The imperial city, which was originally noisy due to the banquet, suddenly fell silent. All the maids, chamberlains, guards, and courtiers inside and outside the imperial city turned around and looked in the direction of Funing Hall.

The bells and drums finished ringing, paused for a moment, and then started ringing again. First came Han Zhang and Wen Yanchang, the great scholars of Longtuge, and then Jiuqing from the Six Departments...

All the civil and military officials in the corridor fell to their knees, and the sound of howling resounded throughout the imperial city.

At this moment, Wei Chen, who was standing still, suddenly woke up and finally understood what happened.

"Your Majesty..., Bintian!"

Chapter 317 The Five Envoys of Shanling

In the tenth year of the Great Zhou Dynasty, on the [-]rd day of the second lunar month, the emperor died in the Funing Palace at the age of fifty-three years.

The Jingyang Bell rang 81 times in a row, announcing to the world the end of the Zhou Emperor's life. Following the sound of the bell, civil and military officials from the previous dynasty rushed towards the Funing Palace in mourning clothes.

When Han Zhang, Wen Yanchang and the officials from various ministries and colleges rushed to Funing Hall, Funing Hall had been decorated as the Zi Palace of Emperor Daxing.

Looking around, there are mourning flags all over the hall inside and outside the hall, and white paper lanterns are hung everywhere to represent the lake. It is a gloomy and gloomy scene.

Within the curtain, Empress Cao was dressed in plain clothes, with a dazed look on her face. She was still sitting beside the soft couch in a daze, weeping silently.

Seeing this scene, the palace maids and chamberlains beside them couldn't help but choked up as they recalled the kindness the officials had shown them during their lifetimes.

Not long after, Zhao Zongquan came after hearing the inquiry. After seeing the remains of the late emperor, he put on his heavy mourning, knelt beside the coffin and cried heartbreakingly. The cry was so sad that it resounded through the sky. It really saddened those who heard it and those who listened to it. Cry.

When all the ministers in the palace saw the future emperor crying in unison, they all knelt down on the ground and burst into tears. For a while, there were loud cries inside and outside the Funing Palace.

After wailing for a long time, seeing that Zhao Zongquan's voice was almost hoarse from crying, Chief Assistant Han Zhang quickly took out a thin flat wooden box from his sleeve, held it above his head with both hands, and said loudly: "Here is the imperial edict of Emperor Daxing!"

Everyone in the palace knelt down to receive the order. Zhao Zongquan and Empress Cao also stopped crying and turned their heads to look over.

Han Zhang looked solemn, slowly opened the wooden box, took out the yellow silk inside, unfolded it, and read loudly in front of all the important officials in the palace:

"I have been in power in the Netherlands for forty-two years. I have always been afraid of the cold weather in the Philippines...but since spring has come, I have been working hard to make a fortune in Henan. Now that the country is approaching, I am afraid that I will not be able to meet the ministers.

The prince Zhao Zongquan..., I have always been entrusted with the responsibility of inheriting the throne. Isn't it true that I don't obey the wishes of heaven and man? But I am the emperor in front of my coffin.

The queen, with the honor of Kun Yi, bows to me on both sides, is kind and obedient, and is known to the world. It is appropriate to respect the queen as the empress dowager.He should be rewarded by all the armies and punished by his successor.

Mourning clothes are changed by the sun and the moon, and the system of mountains and tombs is based on frugality... All towns and cities along the border should be engaged in gold and leather, and there is no need to mourn.

In the play, at the time of death and life, only the Holy Spirit can achieve its return... How can I hold on to you? "

This edict was drafted when Zhao Zhen was critically ill. When the edict was drafted, all the important ministers witnessed it with their own eyes.

Therefore, when Han Zhang finished reading out the imperial edict, the ministers all kowtowed and accepted the decree, and no one had any objections.

Han Zhang solemnly handed the imperial edict to Zhao Zongquan, bowed down and said with tears: "The country cannot be without a king for a day. Please obey the late emperor's order, put the country and the country first, and assume the throne of emperor in front of the coffin!"

After the words fell, more than a dozen important ministers in the palace lifted their robes, knelt down in front of Zhao Zongquan, and said in unison: "Your Highness, please obey the late emperor's order, put the country and the country first, and assume the throne of emperor in front of the coffin!"

Zhao Zongquan hurriedly waved his hand and refused, saying that he was still immersed in the grief of the late emperor's death and had no intention of inheriting the throne.

The ministers invited him again and again, but Zhao Zongquan just shook his head and refused.

Seeing Zhao Zongquan frequently glance at Empress Cao inside the curtain, Han Zhang and other ministers immediately understood and invited Empress Cao out to persuade them together.

.

After making three concessions, Zhao Zongquan finally reluctantly agreed and sat on the throne surrounded by ministers.

At the end, Zhao Zongquan also said with emotion: "The ministers have repeatedly expressed their feelings, but they dare not be stubborn and reluctantly comply with the invitation."

New emperors have always been so duplicitous when they ascend the throne, as if they don't want to be the emperor. The ministers have long been accustomed to it. In short, their own contribution to persuasion cannot escape, so they can only respectfully give it to the new emperor. Kowtow, and then the mountains will shout long live.

Although a formal enthronement ceremony has not yet been held, Zhao Zongquan is now the new king in a practical sense, and he naturally has to fulfill his obligations as a new king.

The first thing to do was to appoint the five Shanling envoys and other officials responsible for funeral affairs to manage the funeral for the late emperor.

Among them, the Shanling Envoy has always been in charge of the overall situation, and it has always been held by the Prime Minister. In this position, Han Zhang is naturally responsible for it.

As for the etiquette envoy, as the name suggests, it is generally held by the Minister of Rites or the Hanlin bachelor who is proficient in etiquette.

However, this time Zhao Zongquan did not choose Tian Dongsheng, the Minister of Rites, or Liu Tingxi, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. Instead, he directly named Shen Weizhong, the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, and asked him to serve as the etiquette envoy.

When Xu Mu died, the position of Longtuge Grand Scholar was vacant. Zhao Zhen had instructed Zhao Zongquan to recommend a candidate. The person Zhao Zongquan liked was none other than the left minister of the Ministry of Rites, Shen Weizhong.