Chapter 37

In the fourth year of Yongxi, at the end of spring and the beginning of summer, Emperor Yongxi summoned the prince of Yunzhong to the capital to worship his ancestors. King Yunzhong did not obey and killed the messenger in the fief. The news spread to the capital. , ordered the provincial governors of Sichuan and Guizhou to mobilize troops and horses to enter Yunnan in two ways to capture the rebels, and Xiao Lie issued a letter to the world in Wuding in his own name.

The book says that the emperor's eldest brother, Emperor Tianxi, entrusted the young emperor to the two kings before he died, and the two kings should have believed and obeyed the young emperor. Many doubts. And he kept in mind the instructions of his late father and emperor. For many years, he kept the people in the fiefs and guarded the borders. He followed the rules and never went beyond the rules. It was only because he was attached to the young emperor that he was not allowed to be with the two kings. This led to today's crime. Everyone persuaded him, saying that even for the sake of the young emperor who died in the past, he couldn't let the tigers and wolves wreak havoc today. Restoring the orthodox hope of the young emperor, I hope that the world will understand, stand by his side, help justice, and eradicate traitors.

Xiao Lie's letter to the world is full of love and meaning, and it is full of passion and enthusiasm. As soon as the letter is published, it is widely spread all over the world, and people are all talking about it in the streets and alleys after tea and dinner.

At the end of May, the imperial army and Wu Ding army met for the first time, which opened the prelude to the battle between the royal brothers. At the beginning of the war, the imperial court encircled it with all its might, and the momentum was fierce. Although Xiao Lie’s troops were not as good as the imperial court, he had many capable generals. At first, there were victories and defeats for each other. In November of the winter, Wu Ding's army was in Hoi'an on the border of Yunnan and Guizhou, and faced Liu Jiushao, who was named the Great General of Pingxi at that time.

In the past few years, after King Shun'an ascended the throne, with the decline and disappearance of a number of former military generals such as Dong Chengsuba, Liu Jiushao became the most useful general in front of King Shun'an due to his outstanding achievements. Previously, Xiao Lie's army had already left Yunnan and occupied part of the city of Chuangui, but he kept shrinking and retreating. This time he led the army and attacked Hoi An in one breath.

If Hoi An falls again, Wu Ding's army will be cut off from the last stronghold to go out to Yunnan. This is a battle of life and death. Therefore, Xiao Lie attaches great importance to it, and leads his son Xiao Yintang to personally go into battle to supervise the army.

The battle of Hoi An continued one after another, and it lasted for half a month. Xiao Lie did his best, and Liu Jiushao also suffered a considerable amount of casualties. However, Liu Zhijun had a good command, and his subordinates would be banned. With the addition of backup, Xiao Lie was finally surrounded. At a critical juncture, a strange army took advantage of the terrain and rushed in from the flank. With lightning speed, Liu Jiushao's army was divided into three strands, and the transmission of military orders was quickly cut off. Liu's army was in chaos, and Xiao Lie immediately cooperated with the counterattack. He turned defeat into victory, captured Liu Jiushao alive, and captured countless prisoners.

The commander of this strange army is Pei You'an. He had never participated in the frontal battle between Wu Ding's army and the imperial court before, and stayed in Yunnan in charge of overall planning. At this critical juncture, not only did he help Xiao Li in danger, but he became the number one hero in saving Wu Ding's life and death.

After Liu Jiu Shao was captured, Xiao Lie, in the heart of Mu Cai, sent someone to persuade him to surrender himself. Liu Jiushao not only refused, but scolded Xiao Lie loudly. Many of Xiao Lie's subordinate generals were indignant and demanded that Liu Jiushao be executed in order to boost morale and deter those generals of the imperial court who, like him, were still aiding Zhou. The only son, Xiao Yintang, knew that his father Wang Qiu was thirsty for talents, and proposed to keep his life and spread the news that he led the army to surrender. In this way, the court would definitely anger Liu's family. Once the family was killed, Liu's retreat was cut off. With a high official and a high salary, Liu could only vote for Xiao Lie.

Xiao Lie hesitated and asked Pei Youan in private.

Pei You'an told him that King Shun'an used to have the name of a virtuous king, and now the reason why he can get the support of many officials in the court is because the prince started his affairs in the name of the young emperor. , to all the aristocratic families and available people in the capital, there is not much to offer mercy. For example, Princess Zhou's mother's family, Zhou's family, received the King of Shun'an's award after submitting a memorial to King Shun'an denouncing the prince's treason. Another example is the Pei family. Uncle Pei Quan wrote a letter saying that he would be removed from the ancestral hall. Not only was King Shun'an not surprised, he actually wrote the book that had been hanging for many years, allowing Pei Xiuzhi to inherit the title of Duke Wei of his father, and to fight the rebellion on behalf of the imperial court.

Pei You'an also said that at the beginning of Wuding's uprising, he noticed Liu Jiushao, and it is very likely that he will become the prince's rival in the future. This person rose in the past few years when King Shun'an became emperor. He was naturally loyal to King Shun'an. In addition, he had a strong temper and the son's plan. Although he broke his future, it was very likely that things would backfire and instead urge him to reconcile with him. The lord is incompatible. His subordinates love him very much, and they will continue to fight against the lord with all their strength. If this is the case, there will be endless troubles. It is better for the lord to go to see Liu Jiushao in person, without persuading him to surrender. Wei Zhongchen's position as a good general, let him go back and wait for the aftermath.

Xiao Lie accepted Pei You'an's words and politely released Liu Jiushao. Liu returned to the capital alone and pleaded guilty to Emperor Yongxi. Emperor Yongxi ordered him to relinquish his merits. Liu was defeated and captured, and received great courtesy from Xiao Lie. Suspicion and dissatisfaction, on the charges of colluding with rebels and shaking the military's heart, he was thrown into the Dali Temple to question him, and dozens of people in his family were not spared.

Liu Jiushao was first born in the middle and lower ranks. After he became a general with meritorious service, in the past few years, he has won the hearts of the army in Anbian in the north. After the news of his imprisonment came out, many of his generals were very dissatisfied and disillusioned, and fought against Wu Dingjun. It was a perfunctory matter, and it was precisely this opportunity that was seized, and the battle situation changed. From the end of this year, Xiao Lie shot down Chuangui in one breath, stabilized the rear hinterland, and the army drove towards the capital.

Only then did Emperor Yongxi realize that something was wrong, and he released Liu Jiushao, who had been imprisoned for half a year, and ordered him to lead the army to defend against the rebels, threatening the lives of his family. At that time, Liu's mother had died of illness in prison. Xiao Lie did not hesitate to expose the important hidden lines that were buried in the capital, and tried his best to rescue Liu Jiushao's wife and children from the capital and brought them to him in front of the battle. Liu Jiushao burst into tears on the spot. Kneeling to Xiao Lie and leading the troops to surrender. Since then, Wuding's army has been on a tear. In the early summer of the following year, the capital was breached. On the way to Yangzhou, Emperor Yongxi was chased and besieged by Xiao Yintang. Finally, he was trapped in the other palace of Yangzhou. Under the pressure of his nephew, he burned the palace and committed suicide. .

On this day, nearly a year has passed since Xiao Lie's incident.

In the capital, the streets were swept and dusted, the city gates were opened on all sides, civil and military officials, and aristocratic families, except for the accused Shun'an king's henchmen who had not had time to escape, the rest nearly a thousand people, mighty, lined up one by one, kneeling on the ground. On both sides of the road outside the door, Xiao Lengcheng was greeted in Beijing,

The next day, the ministers supported Xiao Lie as emperor. Xiao Lie refused, saying that when he started the incident, it was a last resort, and he had no intention of adding a yellow robe, and the life and death of the young emperor was unknown, and there was no definite news for a day, and the throne in the palace was still owned by the young emperor.

All the ministers were moved and burst into tears. Under the impetus of Jiuqing, headed by Chen Tingjie, the Duke of Jingguo, He Gongpu, Minister of Personnel, Zhang Shiyong, Minister of Rites, Zhou Xing, the father of Princess Zhou, the civil and military officials submitted a petition to the people, saying, "The Book of Rites has a cloud," The journey of the Great Dao, the world is the public.” The whereabouts of the young emperor can be searched slowly, but the country cannot be without a king for a day, and the people can’t be without a king for a day. Rearranged again and again, to no avail, and finally had no choice but to agree, and then congratulated the whole dynasty. Every household in the capital, rich or poor, decorated with lanterns, Zhang Shiyong, Zhouxing and others were in charge of the ceremony. The ceremonial system about the new emperor's ascension to the throne came out.

Xiao Lie is the most talented of the three royal brothers. When he was a child, he was also the most popular with the old emperor. It was just because he was three, and his biological mother was not visible, the old emperor sealed him far away from the border out of various considerations. He endured it. For many years, when he was middle-aged, he finally sat on the chair in the Golden Palace where his father, two emperors, and a nephew he had met when he was young. , When it comes to rewards and punishments, things can be said to be a thousand and one things. For several days, have been busy and sleepy at night. have a lot of things to do. didn't go back to the harem at night. couldn't stay sleepy. The enthronement system, flipped a few times, put it aside, and pondered.

Zhang Shiyong observed his words and thought, thinking that he thought the date was too late, and hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, the Qin Tianjian has circled two days in this month, one is the eighteenth and the other is the twenty-sixth, and the Qinglong Yutang will meet on Ziwei is a great auspicious day for the zodiac. The twenty-sixth is a little later, and the old ministers and others have chosen eighteen as the emperor's enthronement celebration, what does the emperor think?"

Xiao Lie was slightly ecstatic, as if thinking about something, Zhang Shiyong and Zhouxing waited with bated breath, and after a while, he heard him say, "Let's change it to twenty-six."

After Xiao Lie's enthronement ceremony, there will be a series of canonization ceremonies such as the queen and the prince.

Zhou Xing was stunned for a moment, and hurriedly persuaded: "Your Majesty, today is the ninth day, and the eighteenth is still nine days away. Although there are a lot of things to do, the ministers will ensure that everything can be properly prepared by the eighteenth, and the emperor will ascend the throne as soon as possible. It is the hope of ministers and others, and the blessing of all people."

Xiao Lie said: "Let's change it to twenty-six. It doesn't matter if it's a few days later."

Although Zhang Shiyong and Zhou Xing were puzzled, he also saw that the new emperor did not seem to be in a hurry to hold the enthronement ceremony, so he had to promise and withdrew.

After leaving with the predecessor, Xiao Lie turned to a eunuch who was in his 50s and asked, "Is there a letter from Pei You'an today? When can you say that you will arrive in Beijing?"

This eunuch's name is Li Yuangui, and he has served Xiao Lie since he was a teenager. Concubine Zhou may not know some things, but Li Yuangui knows it well.

Just now, Xiao Lie was going to postpone the enthronement ceremony to the twenty-sixth. Zhang Shiyong and Zhou Xing were puzzled, but he guessed the reason.

Two months ago, when Wu Ding's army was waving all the way to the capital, there were rumors in the southwest of Wusi Zang that King Yunzhong was dissatisfied with the local French king's support for Emperor Yongxi. Take back the hereditary possessions of the Eight Kings. The Eight Kings are in a commotion.

Wusizang is adjacent to Yunnan, and all the people are religious. Once there is chaos, the consequences are unpredictable. Xiao Lie learned the news and immediately sent Pei Youan to Wusizang to refute the rumors. Now more than two months have passed, and the capital has been changed. He only sent news half a month ago, saying that the crisis has been resolved and that he will be able to leave in a few days.

According to Li Yuangui's measurement, the reason why the emperor postponed the date should be that he wanted to wait for Pei You'an to return before the enthronement ceremony.

Sure enough, as soon as the minister left, the emperor asked this question.

Li Yuangui bowed and said: "Report to the emperor, I will keep the emperor's instructions in mind, as long as there is a letter from Mr. Pei, it must be submitted in time. Yesterday, not today, not today..."

He glanced at the new emperor, saw his brow furrowed slightly, and said busyly: "Don't worry, the emperor, maybe there will be news tomorrow."

Xiao Lie said nothing, and continued to read the stack of papers in front of him. Li Yuangui knew that he had been at the desk for a long time, and went out lightly. He was about to ask someone to bring tea in, when he saw Zhang Fengtong followed by two palace maids, but he handed one to himself. An exquisite food box was walking over, greeted him and said, "Miss Zhang is here?"

Zhang Fengtong is out of filial piety now, but for a whole year last year, he fought almost every day. Although Zhang Fengtong often served by Princess Zhou's side, her marriage with Xiao Yintang was naturally delayed again. Yesterday, although she entered with Princess Zhou. She went to the palace, but Li Yuangui still called her by the name of a woman who had not left the cabinet.

However, her and the prince's wedding date should be approaching.

Zhang Fengtong was very polite to Li Yuangui, smiled and called him "Eunuch Li", and then said: "The princess knows that the emperor has worked hard these days, so she made a snack by herself and asked me to bring it. Can the emperor be in there?"

Li Yuangui asked her to wait a moment, and went in in a hurry. After a while, he came out and said with a smile, "The emperor let you in."

Zhang Fengtong thanked Li Yuangui, and Li Yuangui hurriedly said, "I don't dare. I've lost the old slave's life."

Zhang Fengtong smiled and said, "Eunuch Li has served the emperor diligently. For decades, he has done what we should have done for us. I am young. If you thank me, what is it?"

Li Yuangui let her in again with a smile, led her in, and stood at the door waiting to be summoned.

Zhang Fengtong set the refreshment, knelt down and kowtowed to Xiao Lie in the seat: "Fengtong kowtowed to the emperor. This dessert was made by the princess herself. The princess told me to tell the emperor that the people are important, but the emperor should not be too laborious. Tong dared to ask the emperor to take a break, even for a moment. This is also the filial piety of the prince."

Xiao Lie has always had a good impression of Zhang Fengtong, plus pity her bad luck, she has not yet been able to marry her son, and has always treated her as a daughter, so she nodded graciously and asked her to speak up, but Zhang Fengtong could not afford to kneel. Xiao Lie then said, "Do you have anything to do? If so, just tell me."

Zhang Fengtong kowtowed again: "Thank you, Your Majesty, so Fengtong dared to speak. Once before, when the prince went to Quanzhou, he was in danger and was trapped in the city. Later, he was rescued by a family named Zhen. Know this?"

Xiao Lie tapped his forehead: "As soon as you said it, I remembered. I remember that Yintang did mention a sentence in front of me earlier. What's the matter?"

"When Feng Tong knew the news earlier, an idea had arisen in his heart that one day he would repay the Zhen family's kindness to the eldest son. It used to be inconvenient, but now it is different. I heard that the Zhen family has a daughter, more than I'm a few years younger, and now I'm still waiting for the word in the boudoir, Feng Tong has an idea, wanting to take the daughter of the Zhen family on behalf of the heir, and make her a concubine. In this way, this is a thank you to the Zhen family for saving the son that day, and secondly In the future, I can also have a sister to share my worries and serve the prince together. Therefore, I boldly came to the emperor today and asked the emperor's permission. If Fengtong said something wrong, please forgive me."

Xiao Lie was stunned and glanced at her: "Is this what you mean, or is it Yin Tang's?"

Zhang Fengtong said: "Don't dare to deceive the emperor. The prince should have a good impression of the daughter of the Zhen family, but I only mentioned one sentence before, and there is nothing more to say. This is my own wish. Today, I am here with the emperor, The prince doesn't know yet. I was thinking, if I can get your permission from the emperor first, and then let the prince know, it's not too late."

Xiao Lie hesitated, then said slowly: "Fengtong, you and Yintang's big marriage, I thought I'd do it for you in a while. Your idea is good, the family in Quanzhou, I think Yes, but you honestly told me, are you really willing to do this? If you go against your heart, you don’t need to do this, thank the Zhen family, there are other ways.”

Zhang Fengtong bowed respectfully again and said, "I am willing. I am very much looking forward to thinking that I will have a sister to help me as a director soon."

Xiao Lie smiled, nodded and said, "Okay. That's the case, I'll be sure. It's really a blessing for Yintang to have you, a virtuous inner helper who will repay his kindness and be generous."