"We now ennoble General Liu Taozi as the King of Pingcheng."
After the edict was sent out, Hu Changren sent someone to inform Gao Rui and Gao Jun.
There was still no reaction from Gao Jun.
He is now so busy that he is sweating profusely, and Qingxu's disaster prevents him from thinking about other things at all.
However, things were different here for Gao Rui. After learning that Hu Changren had surpassed him and issued an edict to canonize Liu Taozi as king, Gao Rui was furious, and the first person he was looking for was the Qinghe King Gao Mai.
Before Gao Mai's drunkenness yesterday had passed, he learned about Gao Rui's arrival.
Gao Mai quickly washed his face and sobered up a lot before going out to greet him.
When he walked out of the inner room, Gao Rui was waiting for him with a dark face, surrounded by many soldiers.
"Greetings to Prince Zhao!"
Gao Mai took the lead in worshiping.
"Why do the noble princes and kings do such things?!"
"Foreign generals collude with courtiers to seek benefits for themselves. How can you, the king of the Great Qi clan, act as an accomplice?"
Gao Rui scolded him as soon as he opened his mouth.
Gao Mai had no idea what Gao Rui was talking about, so the angel rushed directly to the frontier with the edict. In order to complete it as quickly as possible, Hu Changren even skipped Gao Mai's step.
Although Gao Rui didn't know what Gao Rui was talking about, Gao Mai was extremely angry because he could still understand that "foreign generals colluded with courtiers" and "worked for the tiger."
He immediately put away his respect and replied with a straight face: "Colluding with foreign generals, isn't this what the right prime minister is doing? I heard that you sent someone to contact Duan Shao, King of Pingyuan, and asked him to send three thousand cavalry to station near Linzhang.
, why do you, the majestic Prince of Qi, do such a thing?!"
Gao Rui looked at Gao Mai in disbelief.
"You are from the Daqi clan."
"Do you know what you're doing?"
"The Daqi clan? What about the clan?"
Speaking of this matter, Gao Mai couldn't help but have anger in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth and said, "When my father was still alive, he fought to the death for King Gao. After hundreds of battles, he achieved great success and became famous.
But Emperor Wenxuan sent Gao Guiyan to poison him just for some ridiculous reasons!"
"Later, he called me to his side. Sometimes he threatened me, sometimes he insulted me, sometimes he loved me, and he was capricious. I could only be cautious, for fear that if I said the wrong thing, I would end up like my father!"
"At that time, why didn't anyone say that my family was a clan and stood up for my family? After Gao Guiyan poisoned my father and killed my relatives for fun, why didn't anyone say that my family was also a clan?"
"Besides, who said that clan members can't assist foreign generals? My general Wei came from a humble background, the son of a military slave, but he has a heart that no clan member can match. He will not reject me because I am a clan member.
I will take notes on all important meetings!"
"He can treat others tolerantly. If someone makes a mistake while drunk, he will wait until the person sobers up before reprimanding him. If someone makes a mistake, he will deal with it impartially. He will not forgive because of his close confidants, nor reject someone because of his new arrival!"
The more Gao Mai talked, the more excited he became.
He simply pointed at Gao Rui in front of him and cursed loudly: "What on earth are you clansmen doing now?!"
"My general Wei promoted new subjects in the frontier fortress, opened schools widely, encouraged mulberry farming, and governed thousands of miles of fertile fields. The people gradually became richer, the officials governed the country clearly, and the soldiers were brave. In just a few years, the frontier fortress changed its appearance, and everyone from top to bottom praised it for its virtue!"
"Today, there are countless fertile fields on the frontier, the people have something to rely on, the wise men have a place to work, and the 40,000 new troops have been trained. They are going to the north to resist the Turks, to the east to attack the Khitan, and to the west to kill the Zhou generals. But what are you doing?!"
"It has been a year since the emperor ascended the throne. When I come back this time, you are still scheming, forming cliques for personal gain, plotting, fighting and killing people. There is no improvement, no change, and it is even worse than before!!"
"I really don't understand how a hero like General Wei can live under the same sky with people like you!!"
Gao Rui's face turned red, his mouth trembled, and he wanted to interrupt the other party several times.
But until Gao Mai finished speaking, he failed to interrupt him.
"Hu Changren wants to make your general guard king. Do you know about this?"
Gao Mai was stunned, "Now I know."
"I hope you can go back immediately and inform General Wei so that he can refuse."
"Refuse? Why?"
"Hu Changren has ulterior motives. I believe that people like General Wei would disdain to collude with people like Hu Changren. Hu Changren is pulling the skin of a tiger to scare the rest of the people, but it really works. Many ministers feel that Hu Changren has already
General Liu has joined forces, and they are afraid of his power, so they all submit to him. If General Wei accepts the edict, then in the temple, a villain like Hu Changren will have exclusive power."
"If General Wei truly cares about the country, he should not place a villain in power just for the sake of mere fame."
"If Hu Changren comes up, I really don't know how many people will be poisoned and persecuted by him. I don't know how many people in the local area will be killed or injured?"
Gao Mai chuckled, shook his head slowly, and looked sideways at Gao Rui.
"With Hu Changren not in power, are the local people living a good life?"
"It's not good now, but if he waits until he goes up, it will be even worse."
"No."
Gao Mai's answer is simple and direct.
He said seriously: "In my opinion, these things you do are just like the playfulness of naughty children and are of no use."
"This king's title is beneficial to my family's general guard. After being granted the title of king, he can do more things and have a greater influence. It is beneficial and harmless."
"Don't try to force me, General Wei, on the grounds of benevolence, morality, or the suffering of the people."
"My general won't do this. The great things my general wants to do don't care about false reputations."
"Just think of him as a villain who is greedy for fame, ignores the people and the country, and has no moral integrity!"
"After all, he is the son of a military slave, not a majestic King of Qi like us!"
"Please come back!"
Gao Mai waved his sleeves, and his sleeves squeaked. He was still very young, but his whole person carried a strong aura, which even overwhelmed Gao Rui in front of him. He turned around and left. The knight who came from Wuchuan
They stepped forward, blocked the entrance, and confronted the soldiers brought by Gao Rui.
Gao Rui watched him go away blankly, but just stayed there, speechless for a long time.
It's already dark.
Gao Rui sat in the inner room, Gao Mai's words rang in his mind again and again, but he became more and more frustrated.
He doesn't want to do "naughty play" either, he also wants to do something big.
When he was at the frontier fortress, he did a good job, managed it properly, and made people capable.
But when he arrived at the temple, he became helpless and could hardly do anything, and his edicts failed to pass.
The people he promotes today will be removed by others tomorrow, and the people he removes today will be promoted by others tomorrow.
Yecheng is like a huge quagmire, trapping everyone. No matter which direction they go, they can't move forward.
Suddenly someone knocked on the door gently.
Gao Rui looked outside the door.
"Come in."
The next moment, Mrs. Gao Zheng walked in with her head lowered, holding a plate and placing a few small bowls. She walked to her husband and placed the things in front of Gao Rui one by one.
"My dear, have something to eat before you get busy."
Gao Rui's expression finally softened, and he lowered his head and began to eat. Gao Zheng did not leave in a hurry, but just sat next to him and looked at him tenderly.
"My beloved has not been out all day today, but what happened?"
"I was just scolded, but I couldn't come back. I felt unhappy and didn't want to go out."
Mrs. Gao Zheng couldn't help laughing, "I heard they were going to see King Qinghe. Why can't my beloved be able to scold a teenage boy?"
"I didn't realize it at the time, but now that I think about it, it's really hard to sleep."
The couple chuckled.
Seeing the tiredness in her husband's eyes, Mrs. Gao Zheng's smile slowly solidified, and she said seriously: "My beloved should take some rest."
"Hmm"
Gao Rui nodded and said nothing.
Gao Zheng was silent for a moment, then said with a smile: "Today Zhengxin said he wanted to go to the front yard, so I asked Changzi and the others to support him. Zhengxin walked several steps."
"It's better not to let him walk too far. Last time I forced him to walk that far and it hurt for several days."
"I know."
"That time he only walked six or seven steps before he couldn't walk anymore. This time, he walked dozens of steps in a row. If he continues like this, he might be able to recover in the future and be able to walk normally."
Gao Zheng said softly.
Gao Rui's lips trembled again for a moment.
"I heard that there are many famous doctors in Xianzhou. How about you take your child there to have a look?"
Gao Zheng was startled and suddenly looked at Gao Rui, "What do you want, my beloved?!"
"The country is in crisis. Among the three platforms, there are all vicious villains and incompetent people. These people control the temple. No matter who comes to power, nothing can be changed. Unless these villains are killed first."
"Hu Changren re-appointed the officials I dismissed not long ago and promised them high positions."
"I sent people to thoroughly investigate the smuggling of Lou Rui and others, but none of the people I sent came back alive to report it."
"The Puppet Zhou Dynasty is about to send troops, and there are such a group of villains in both the government and the public. I reported earlier that I wanted Duan Shao to go to Heluo and other places to set up defenses, but they thought that I wanted to unite with Duan Shao to clean up the traitors in the court, so they tried every means
Come to stop it.”
"No one of the officials and generals they have placed on the front lines can be trusted." "Those officials are as timid as chickens. As long as they see the Zhou soldiers, they will definitely surrender, and the generals they trust will
Most of them are famous because of their fathers and ancestors. They have no talents themselves and will definitely not be the opponents of the Zhou people."
"There are still four or five months before the war with the Zhou people begins. I can't wait any longer. With the current situation, if the Zhou people attack by force, I'm afraid they will all surrender along the way. They will be able to surround the Jinyongluo land without much effort, and then divide their troops into the heart.
, and they will not encounter any obstruction. If they fight outside Yecheng, the thieves in the city will either lead the emperor to escape, or they will persuade him to surrender."
Gao Zheng stepped forward and took Gao Rui's hand, her voice was trembling.
"Husband, I don't understand the world's major events."
"But in this big world, can't you find anyone else who can do something?"
"I lost my father when I was one month old. Emperor Shenwu took me to the palace and raised me personally. I lost my mother when I was nine years old. Emperor Shenwu helped me arrange my funeral and gave me comfort and enlightenment."
"After Emperor Shenwu died, Emperor Wenxiang saw that I was an orphan and arranged for me to have a family."
"Emperor Wenxuan founded the country. He didn't care about my youth. He entrusted me with important responsibilities and promoted me many times. He made me the governor at a young age and ranked among the three princes."
"Emperor Xiaozhao, the Supreme Emperor, is also kind to me and treats me with courtesy."
"I have received kindness from several emperors of Da Qi, but I cannot repay it when the country is in crisis. How is that any different from an animal?"
Mrs. Gao Zheng just cried silently.
Gao Rui touched her hand and opened his mouth, but could not speak.
Yecheng, Zhao Mansion.
The house was quiet, no one was moving around.
You can't hear any noise until near the inner room.
In the inner room, Zhao Yanshen sat aside, still looking at Gao Rui, who was sitting in the upper seat, with the familiar harmless expression.
There are many warriors hidden inside and outside the lobby.
"Situ Gong, if we can succeed today, you will be my number one minister in Da Qi."
After hearing Gao Rui's words, Zhao Yanshen just lowered his head and remained silent.
Gao Rui had no soldiers in the city, only the accompanying guards, and it was not easy to use these people to get rid of Hu Changren and other national thieves.
Therefore, Gao Rui came to Zhao Yanshen's house.
As a veteran minister in the temple, Zhao Yanshen has not had any negative comments for decades and has friends all over the world. He can be said to be a rare good person and a good minister.
Whether it's clan members like Gao Rui, relatives like Hu and Lou, or even villains like He Shikai, they all have a good relationship with him.
Because of this, Gao Rui needs his help.
Gao Rui continued to talk about his arrangements.
Zhao Yan sighed deeply, "Why would your Majesty do this?"
"As ministers of the same dynasty, we should support each other, understand each other, and be of one mind. How can we have the idea of ​​harming each other?"
"Situ Gong is an old man in the court. He has lived on the emperor's salary for many years. He should know the current situation. With the country at its current stage, can we still do nothing?"
"I hope Mr. Situ can give me his full help."
Zhao Yanshen will celebrate his birthday in the mansion tomorrow. Because he has many friends, many people will come to celebrate, including Hu Changren, Gao Yuanhai and others.
Gao Rui wanted to take advantage of this opportunity to set up an ambush in Zhao's mansion to attack and kill these people.
Before daybreak today, Gao Rui came to the Zhao Mansion in the name of celebrating in advance and brought several carts of gifts. It turned out that the cars were full of samurai.
Someone put on Gao Rui's clothes, left the Zhao Mansion, and led his "subordinates" out of the city to Cheng'an for business.
It gave everyone the illusion that Gao Rui was about to leave Yecheng. He was afraid that he would not be able to participate in the birthday banquet after leaving, so he participated in advance, left gifts and left.
But he himself led the warriors to hide in Zhao Mansion.
Now that the Zhao Mansion is under control, Zhao Yanshen himself is forced to stay in the inner room and cannot go out.
Zhao Yanshen sighed again.
"I can't hide it. I have to send someone to prepare for the banquet. You don't allow people in my house to go out. If the door is so closed, everyone will be suspicious. It won't work. Prince Zhao, please leave now. I won't give you anything."
Anyone talks about it."
Gao Rui shook his head again, "Things have reached this point, and I will not change my mind again."
"I never thought that Mr. Situ would be so opposed to this matter."
Zhao Yanshen sighed for the third time, and he slowly looked at Gao Rui, "Since Prince Zhao is ready to die, how can I stand by and watch?"
"Let's do this. Don't come forward. Send someone to follow me to see the people in the house. They should be frightened. I will comfort them and let them do their things normally. If anyone else comes, I can meet them.
"
Gao Rui hurriedly stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Yan, "If Mr. Situ is willing to help, that would be great."
Zhao Yanshen stood up with difficulty while holding his cane. Gao Rui sent a warrior to lead him to see everyone in the house.
He himself stayed in the house.
Zhao Yanshen came to the other courtyard trembling, calmed the frightened servants, and ordered them to do things normally and buy some things needed for the banquet.
Everyone started to get busy.
When Zhao Yanshen returned to the back room again, Gao Rui's attitude towards him had changed and he no longer dared to be so rude.
Some slaves began to handle livestock and prepare meat in the backyard, while others hung up various decorative items.
Cars and horses were constantly coming in and out of the mansion, making it extremely lively.
Gao Rui looked at this and finally breathed a sigh of relief. What he was most worried about was that Zhao Yanshen refused to cooperate. Now that he is willing to help him, the big thing can be done.
Looking at Zhao Yanshen, who was leaning on crutches, shaky, with a tired face, and coughing repeatedly, Gao Rui felt a little guilty. Zhao Yanshen, who was almost sixty years old, was being tortured like this by himself.
"Mr. Situ, please go back and rest first. You won't have to do anything until tomorrow. There's no need to be in a hurry."
Zhao Yanshen nodded, and with the support of two guards, he walked to the backyard. The two warriors sent him into the house, closed the door, and guarded the door.
Zhao Yanshen walked into the house, and his whole body quickly became energetic. He no longer felt a little sluggish just now. He dropped the crutches in his hands and quickly walked to the edge of the bed. He looked at the door warily, coughing from his mouth and holding his hands.
But he slowly began to push the wooden bed with force, and the bed slowly moved forward, revealing a faint secret passage.
"King!!"
"It's not good!!"
The warrior broke into the hall, looked at Gao Rui, and said in horror: "Your Majesty! Zhao Yanshen is missing! Just now we went to bring him soup and tea, but no one answered the door. After entering, we found that there was no one in the house."
Gao Rui, who was discussing important matters with several confidants, was shocked and said, "What?!"
Everyone hurried to Zhao Yanshen's dormitory. As expected, there was no one anywhere, but Gao Rui smelled the smell of smoke. The warriors searched everywhere, and soon someone discovered the secret passage under the bed.
Looking at the secret passage in front of him with the smell of smoke slowly coming out, Gao Rui froze on the spot and didn't speak for a long time.
The tide is over.
The cry of killing suddenly came from outside the courtyard. The warriors were fighting. Everyone drew their weapons and gathered around Gao Rui.
Gao Rui looked calm, straightened his clothes, turned around and walked towards the main entrance.
"Stop it!!"
Gao Rui gave an order, and the warriors who were preparing to fight to the death stopped and slowly retreated.
Soldiers rushed in continuously from all exits, surrounding everyone, and crossbowmen appeared from a distance, aiming their crossbows at Gao Rui and others in rows.
Gao Rui raised his head, "Where are Hu Changren, Zhao Yanshen and others?!"
The soldiers standing in front of Gao Rui slowly gave way. Hu Changren and Zhao Yanshen walked out from among the soldiers, but they did not dare to get too close.
Gao Rui didn't look at Hu Changren, but he looked at Zhao Yanshen.
"Situ Gong, you are a veteran of several generations, and you can clearly see the situation in the world. Why?"
Zhao Yanshen and Gao Rui looked at each other, with no trace of guilt in their eyes.
"Several generations of veterans can clearly see the situation, so what can they do?"
"Does Prince Zhao still remember what happened to Prime Minister Yang?"
Gao Rui's upright body suddenly became deflated, his whole person became depressed, and his eyes dimmed.
"I want to support the heavens, but I regret that I don't have the talent."
He finally looked at Hu Changren.
"These warriors were deceived by me. They are innocent. Please forgive them."
After saying that, he raised the sharp blade.
The sword flashed and blood splattered.
The tall body fell suddenly.
The sky was covered with dark clouds, and although it was not yet dark, the whole world was gloomy, with not much light to be seen.
Hu Changren gasped excitedly, watching the other person fall in a pool of blood, his eyes bloodshot, and he was gasping for air.
"finally."
Chapter completed!