Chapter 793: East Wind Overpowers West Wind
Chapter 793: The east wind overwhelms the west wind
In Jingtai Palace.
The queen mother sipped the tea, carefully put the teacup back on the small table on the couch, sat cross-legged on the couch, her eyes half-opened and half-closed, thinking.
After a while, Jingde quickly stepped into the hall, saluted the Queen Mother, and said, "Empress Dowager, the court discussion is not over yet."
"Not yet?" the Queen Mother smiled and said, "What are you talking about now?"
Jingde bowed and said, "What we are discussing is to consolidate our capital defense, and to ask the Ministry of Revenue to order this year's grain to be transported to the warehouse as soon as possible to prevent accidents. His Royal Highness of the Crown Prince agreed very much and ordered his disciples to issue an edict, so that there must be no mistakes. His Royal Highness of the Crown Prince also said that in order to realize his determination to resist the Jin Dynasty, he decided to hang Cheng Jiang's head at the Meridian Gate, so that people all over the world can see the consequences of the slanderous ministers who were wronged."
The queen mother smiled and said, "That's good. It seems that the prince is responsible. It's great to know his mistakes and correct them."
Jingde smiled and said, "Isn't it? The King of Pingxi and all the civil and military officials were praising the prince's wiseness, and the sound almost brought up the Martial Arts Hall."
The Empress Dowager smiled first, then seemed a little unhappy, and curled her lips and said, "It's better to say less of these words. Isn't the official family still there? A prince in the state is so wise, where is his father? The official family is usually weaker, but what would he think if he hears these words?" The Empress Dowager narrowed his eyes and continued, "The Ai family doesn't mean that grandson is bad, but the son and grandson are like flesh on the palms and backs of hands; is the prince a son or the prince in the state, and he just clamors like this. Isn't this embarrassing his father?"
Jingde didn't dare to follow up, but just said timidly: "The Empress Dowager's plan is profound."
The Empress Dowager exclaimed and said, "The King of Pingxi is also a good person. He wants to be in charge of war. The Ai family supports it. They say that the Song Dynasty is weak, but it cannot be negotiated. When Emperor Taizu was there, he concluded a peace talk after fighting with the Liao people. He went to beg for mercy before the battle. Not to mention that the faces of the ancestors and clans were dull. The Jurchens saw that the Song Dynasty was weak and could be bullied, wouldn't they be even more unscrupulous? Therefore, this battle must be fought. Winning is a trivial matter. The most important thing is that as Shen Ao said, you must have the determination to break the jade rather than be completely broken. Winning is certainly a great joy, but defeated." The Empress Dowager sneered and continued, "Even if you lose, you must let the Jurchens know that the Song Dynasty is not easy to mess with, so that they can be afraid."
Jingde never thought that the empress dowager, who had always been in a deep palace, suddenly became so enthusiastic about politics and said repeatedly: "What the empress dowager said is very true."
"So." The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "So today the Ai family must make this for King Pingxi. To resist the Jin Dynasty, it would be impossible without King Pingxi. Besides, the lineage of King Jin has now continued to Shen Ao. If the Ai family does not favor him a little, who will make the decision for him?"
Jingde felt relieved. In fact, after the prince supervised the country, Jingde was already a little nervous. In the eyes of the prince, he was a hard-core King of Pingxi. If the prince retaliated, it would be unbelievable. Now it seems that although the King of Pingxi does not have the support of the emperor in Bianjing, there is still the queen mother. As long as the Queen Mother still cares about King Jin, he will not be out of the matter. The water in Bianjing is muddy. The state-controlled person may not be able to make the decision, and the prince may not obey. Now, the Prince Peace King of Pingxi may not be able to defeat the west wind or the west wind will not be small.
As he was speaking, an eunuch outside reported, saying, "The Queen Mother, the King of Pingxi will meet you."
"Ah..." The Empress Dowager unconsciously brought tea to drink, saying, "The court discussion is over? Let him come in."
Chen Ao dawned in and said with a smile: "Hello, Empress Dowager."
The Queen Mother laughed and said, "Is the court discussion over?"
Chen Ao said seriously: "It's over. His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, made a quick decision and determined the strategy of resisting the Jin Dynasty. All the civil and military officials and the court were happy."
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "That's good, but you have to take charge of the anti-Jin matters. After all, the prince is involved in national affairs for the first time and does not understand many things. It would be impossible to take the overall situation without you. Although the Ai family said that they would entrust the country to the prince, you are the one who can really rely on."
The words in front were still impressive, and the guy in the back made Chen Ao's happy smile suddenly restrain his eyes and said bitterly: "Even if I try my best to save Bianjing."
The Empress Dowager looked at him with appreciation and said, "The biggest difference between you and the official family is that you have responsibility. The word "responsibility" is easy to say, but it is extremely difficult to do. The Ai family has gone through three dynasties and has heard and seen, and there are very few people like you. The grandson-in-law of the Ai family has chosen well."
After taking a sip of tea, the queen mother wiped the tea stains on the corner of her mouth with a wet wipe and said, "So you can let go of your hands as soon as possible, and there is no need to worry about it. The Ai family will naturally make the decision for you."
Chen Ao thanked him. The Empress Dowager changed the subject and turned the topic to the fact that some of the national relatives traveled south to Quanzhou, saying: "No one who has a ministry can leave, and family members who have no ministry don't have to be imprisoned. Let them go. King Jin and An Ning and others can send 500 guards to accompany them to support safety. After all, this sea route is still a bit more risky. Let them go on land routes. Although it is a little farther, it always makes people feel more at ease."
Chen Ao accompanied the Empress Dowager to say some gossip and agreed to her order. At this time, he felt hungry and realized that it was already noon. The Empress Dowager wanted to keep him in the palace for food. Chen Ao thought to himself, "I dare not take advantage of you, you are too short-speakable. So he said solemnly: "It's better to say goodbye. I don't dare to disturb the Empress Dowager's meal. Besides, there will be many things to do outside the palace later, so I really don't dare to stay for a long time."
The Empress Dowager let Chen Ao go out, Chen Ao comes out of the palace, feels the cool autumn wind, takes a deep breath, and feels in a great mood.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Lai Xi stood under the eaves of the corridor outside the palace, and was so scared that he was trembling. He was the eunuch of the prince's servant. The last time he went to preach the imperial edict, he was beaten hard by the King of Pingxi. After he came back, he was scolded by the prince. He thought that the matter was over. Unexpectedly, when His Highness came back from the palace today, he called himself and slapped him a few times. The prince's face was extremely terrifying. Lai Xi was so scared that he didn't even dare to scream. With his nose and face swollen, he didn't dare to leave, so he had to wait under the eaves.
There was a crackling sound from inside. I wonder if it was broken the porcelain jar. The instruments in the palace were all treasures of the prince. Today, I don’t know who the prince was angry with, and he actually ruined it like this.
Lai Xi has been serving the prince for so many years. Just looking at the prince’s appearance today, he knew that something must have happened. He was so scared that he stood up and didn’t dare to go in to comfort him. He was like an ant on a hot pan, and he was uncomfortable all over.
The eunuchs and palace maids in the East Palace did not dare to come over after hearing the movements here. They tried to walk around Dao'er. Even the Crown Princess had no movement at all. However, two eunuchs who were walking around the corridor whispered and crawled into Lai Xi's ears, saying that Cheng Jiang Cheng's servant was killed by King Pingxi. Not only that, the prince was ridiculed and mocked by King Pingxi in this martial arts hall. The prince was a presiding prince, and dared not speak out. Not only could his confidant not keep him, he also had to compromise and be at the mercy of others.
Lai Xi was shocked. Even the prince of the regent could not surrender the one with the surname Chen. No wonder he was beaten at the dock last time. The one with the surname Chen was too domineering.
While thinking about it, I finally saw someone coming. It was Kaifu, the eunuch in charge. Kaifu came over in a row. When he saw Laixi, he waved to him. Laixi immediately jogged over. Kaifu looked at him indifferently and asked, "The prince is still angry?"
Lai Xi said, "Yes, I have been very angry and I have served the prince for ten years, but I have never seen the prince lose his composure like this."
Kaifu looked at Lai Xi's bruised face, and the palm prints on this face just confirmed Lai Xi's words. Kaifu frowned and said, "Has the Crown Princess not come to persuade him?"
Lai Xi smiled bitterly and said, "The Crown Princess is probably afraid of hitting a tough situation, otherwise, Master Kaifu will go and have a look?"
Kaifu sneered on his face and said, "What's the use of going to the Za family? The most urgent task is to someone give the prince the idea. The Za family actually heard the news. Although the prince had supervised the country, there was an empress dowager above. The King of Pingxi was specifically against him. As for the court, Yang Zhen and Shi Ying were all from the King of Pingxi. Your Highness now looks glamorous, but he can't use it. It's natural that he is furious when he is played with by these people." Kaifu sighed and continued, "Now Cheng Sheren is no longer here. If you want to make an idea, you must go and invite Li Sheren."
Lai Xi said in surprise: "Didn't Li Sheren take leave because he is sick?"
Kaifu sneered, "Do you really think he is sick? The person who is the most slim in the Song Dynasty is him. He is sick at this critical moment. I am afraid he has felt some news and is not willing to wade into this muddy water. Otherwise, he would probably be Li Bangyan who died in the martial arts hall today. But then again, if you want to hide, when can he hide? He is now sharing honor and disgrace with the prince. No matter what, the prince must rely on him now. Go and call him, and it is said that something is not good. Mr. Li will not leave the mountain again and the Eastern Palace will not be protected. Does Li Bangyan want to protect himself?"
Lai Xiqiqi said ai: "But... Your Highness..."
"If you ask, go, the prince asks you, and the family will naturally give you a leave of absence."
Lai Xi responded without saying a word and left quickly.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Chapter completed!